Businessmirror February 08, 2019

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SAY HELLO TO THE ‘ROCK’

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Friday, February 8, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 121

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‘MB likely to keep rates’ for rest of ’19

More cost-efficient to invest in PHL than hire Pinoy workers for jobs in Europe–EU envoy B C U. O @caiordinario

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OMPANIES abroad, such as those in the European Union (EU), are starting to realize that it is more costefficient to invest in the Philippines than hire Filipino workers to work in Europe.

In a discussion with the BusinessMirror and the news outlets under the Aliw Media Group on Wednesday, EU Ambas-

Duterte to OK rice tariff bill B J E Y. A @jearcalas  E F E. R @alyasjah

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HE opening up of the Philippine rice market is inevitable, as Malacañang said President Duterte will not veto the rice tariffication bill even as he acknowledged that it will be detrimental to farmers.

Duterte had a dialogue with rice farmers, millers and retailers last Wednesday to discuss their concerns over the measure. They deemed the dialogue as their “last-ditch effort” to convince the President to veto some of the bill’s provisions, particularly the removal of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) power to intervene in the local rice market.

“The President told them that the measure may affect you, but that he is thinking of the welfare of all Filipinos.

So I don’t think he will veto the bill,” Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo said in a news briefing on February 7.

However, stakeholders and officials interviewed by the BusinessMirror said Duterte will consider Continued on A2

sador Franz Jessen said investing in the Philippines and hiring workers locally is a “win-win situation” for both companies and the workers.

Jessen said one such European company now operating in Davao was among the first to think about this option. He said by locating to the Philippines, the company saves on airfare allowances and does not separate workers from their families.

“I would rather that you attract foreign

direct investments [FDI] so that your compatriots can work in their own country and they can create [the work here] and not go abroad and use their skills there,” Jessen said.

“In a sense it is a win-win situation. I think we are looking forward to more of that type of development in the Philippines,” he added.

The key to increasing investments, however, is infrastructure. Jessen said that,

while he cannot pass judgment on whether the government’s massive infrastructure program is progressing, he can say that it is a step in the right direction.

Jessen added addressing the country’s infrastructure constraints can ease congestion in ports, airports, and even the streets of Metro Manila, which are costing billions in lost revenues due to delays and man-hours lost.

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B B C @BCuaresmaBM

PHL dollar reserves rose to $82.13B in January

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HE country’s gross international reserves (GIR) as of end-January again breached the $80-billion mark due to the net foreign-currency deposits of the government and the increase in the international price of gold.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday showed that the country’s dollar reserves during the period rose to $82.13 billion, from $79.19 billion in December 2018.

The BSP said its income from investments abroad and its foreignexchange operations also boosted the country’s dollar reserves in January. “However, the increase

in reserves was partially tempered by pay ments by the national gover nment for ser v icing its foreign-exchange obligations,” BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. said in a statement.

The country’s dollar reserves started to fall below the $80-billion mark in April, when dollar reserves dropped to $79.6 billion, from $80.51 billion in March.

The lowest GIR level in 2018 was registered in October, when it fell to $74.71 billion. The peso was also at its worst in October, when it traded at 54.009 to a dollar.

The Central Bank keeps a certain volume of GIR as it will be used

to maintain liquidity in case of an economic crisis. This ensures that the country has enough dollars for imports and prevents shortages should instability arise.

The BSP said the end-January level of GIR continues to serve as an “ample” external liquidity buffer and is equivalent to 7.2 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

“It is also equivalent to 6.2 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.2 times based on residual maturity,” it added.

Net international reserves, which refer to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-term liabilities, likewise rose by $2.94 billion to $82.13 billion as of end-January 2019, from the end-December 2018 level of $79.19 billion.

Federalism’s fate may hinge on elections

B R C

@ReaCuBM

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See “Federalism,” A2

See “MB,” A2

Diokno attending House hearing on 2019 budget

B S P. M @sam_medenilla

HE outcome of the coming midterm elections will make or break the plan of the current administration to push for a federal form of government.

Former Consultative Committee (Con-Com) Spokesman Conrado “Ding” Generoso said the voters’ choice of candidates, particularly lawmakers, in the May 13 midterm polls will determine if their proposed charter will be ratified or not.

To note, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate will decide on whether to use the draft charter of the Con-Com or create their own version that would

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JESSEN

HE Monetary Board decided to keep the overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) facility unchanged at 4.75 percent on Thursday, and a local economist said it will likely maintain interest rates for the rest of the year.

As widely anticipated by markets, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday kept all its monetary-policy levers unchanged for its first monetary-policy meeting of the year as inflation pressures start to dissipate.

Central Bank Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the Monetary Board’s decision is based on its assessment of a more manageable inflation environment for 2019, with risks to this inflation outlook remaining evenly balanced for the time being.

This means that the interest rate on the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase facility remains at 4.75 percent. The interest rates on the overnight lending and deposit facilities were, likewise, held steady.

“Latest baseline inflation forecasts show inflation settling within the target band of 2 to 4 percentage points for 2019 to 2020, as price pressures continue to recede due to the decline in international crude-oil prices and the normalization of supply conditions for key food items,” Guinigundo said.

“At the same time, domestic demand conditions have remained firm, supported by a projected

THE Constitutional Commission’s former spokesman Conrado “Ding” Generoso discusses the prospects for pushing federalism using the Con-Com template—notwithstanding the version hastily approved by the House of Representatives—at the BUSINESSMIRROR Coffee Club Forum on Thursday. ROY DOMINGO

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday welcomed the subpoena issued by the House of Representatives, in line with clarifying the alleged anomalies under the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the DBM welcomed the subpoena signed by House Speaker Gloria MacapagalArroyo, ordering Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno to appear before the House Committee on Appropriations hearing at 10 a.m.on February 8 to clarify alleged anomalies in the 2019 national budget.

On Wednesday, it was reported that P75 billion worth of projects were inserted under the 2019 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which was said to be ordered by Budget Undersecretary Amenah F. Pangandaman without reporting to the DBM. “We have received information of new allegations against the DBM. These accusations are without basis and are meant to discredit the good reputation of this administration’s DBM as one of the most transparent and credible institutions in the world,” the DBM said.

The additional P75 billion worth of projects were Continued on A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES ■ US 52.3100 ■ JAPAN 0.4759 ■ UK 67.6839 ■ HK 6.6668 ■ CHINA 7.8081 ■ SINGAPORE 38.5966 ■ AUSTRALIA 37.2343 ■ EU 59.4817 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 13.9486

Source: BSP (7 February 2019)

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A2 Friday, February 8, 2019

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Federalism . . .

ultimately be presented to the people for ratification.

“It could be if the federalism issue becomes a strong issue in the election; then it will serve as prelude to the [possible federalism] plebiscite,” Generoso said during the BusinessMirror Coffee Club on Thursday.

Generoso noted that federalism remains a top issue for Filipinos, particularly the youth. He said many of them support the initiative since it will introduce new economic opportunities through a more equitable distribution of government funding in the regions. “ T he millennials and members of Gen Z are more receptive to a new system change,” Generoso said.

The Commission on Election (Comelec) earlier said about a third of the 61

Continued from A1

million registered voters belong to the youth sector.

Generoso said Con-Com members hope voters will elect candidates who will support their draft charter in its entirety, including its innovative provisions on anti-dynasty in politics.

Generoso is participating in the Senate race in the upcoming polls on May to push for federalism and industrialization.

Last year, the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, crafted a charter which greatly diverged from the version of Con-Com. No less than former Chief Justice and Con-Com Chairperson Reynato S. Puno opposed the Congress charter for allegedly proposing a “falsified federalism.”

Continued on A8

More cost-efficient to invest in PHL than hire Pinoy workers for jobs in Europe–EU envoy Continued from A1

The study made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) last year estimated that traffic in Metro Manila costs P3.5 billion daily as of 2017.

This is higher than the P2.6-billion estimate made by Jica in 2012.

“That type of change, it does take a couple of years. So we have to see how they perform, longer than 2.5 years. But clearly, they have a lot of attention on the infrastructure issue. And if they do succeed, which I hope very much they will, you’ll be in for a bright economic

Diokno attending House hearing on 2019 budget Continued from A1

pointed out to comprise the allocation for the DPWH of P555 billion for the year under the 2019 national budget. It is being questioned by House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rolando G. Andaya Jr. The DBM explained that the during a Cabinet meeting on July 9, 2018, President Duterte approved the 2019 budget which already included the P555-billion allocation for the DPWH, adding that the printing of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) was then undertaken on July 10, 2018.

“Given these facts and the misconceptions about the process, we take any subpoena from the House as an opportunity to clarify all these matters not only to the public, but also for the official records of House,” the DBM added.

During a house inquiry on Wednesday, DPWH division chief for programming, Milagros Manaysay, pointed out that their submitted budget request for 2019 to the DBM did not include the P75 billion worth of projects.

Furthermore, Gerard Longoria, a DPWH employee, said he was the one who worked on consolidating the list of projects totaling P75 billion and submitted the list to the DBM on July 12, 2018.

The DBM told reporters in a text message that Diokno and Pangandaman will be present at the House of Representatives on Friday (February 8, 2019) for the House Appropriations hearing.

On Tuesday, Diokno pointed out that there is no such thing as “pork” in the DBM, as the department followed laws in the use of funds and declaration of savings.

Diokno said it is “not true” that the DBM utilized P370.1 billion worth of appropriations in 2017 in line with the accusation of Andaya, as this has been reverted to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

The DBM explained that the P370 billion was computed by deducting P18.3-billion appropriations, which were extended for 2018 from P388.4 billion in unreleased appropriations and unobligated allotments.

Due to Congress’s failure to pass the budget by year-end, the government is operating under a reenacted budget at least for the first quarter.

The government has proposed to use a cash-based budgeting system for 2019, veering away from the previous obligationbased budget system with a proposed P3.753-trillion budget for this year.

MB . . .

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recovery in household spending and the sustained implementation of the government’s infrastructure program,” he added.

As such, the BSP’s forecast for inflation was also scaled back for 2019. Inflation is now expected to hit 3.1 percent on average for this year, down from the 3.2-percent forecast announced by the BSP in their December meeting.

For 2020, the inflation forecast is broadly unchanged at 3 percent.

3 factors

The reduction in the forecast for this year was hinged on three things: lower oil prices in the global market, base effects and the expectation of lower global non-oil prices.

The BSP also kept its view that the monthly inflation print may go back to within target—or below 4 percent—by the end of the first quarter of the year.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently announced that inflation began the year with a 4.4-percent print in January. While this still exceeds the government target range, it is a sharp reduction from the 5.1-percent inflation rate seen in December 2018.

Guinigundo said as inflation conditions turn favorable, the Monetary Board decided that current monetary-policy settings are already appropriate, also as previous monetary responses continue to work their way through the economy.

The BSP in 2018 let out a series of monetary policy hikes to the tune of 175 basis points in total to bring inflation back to more normalized levels.

“The Monetary Board also emphasized that the BSP remains vigilant against developments that could affect the outlook for inflation and is prepared to take appropriate policy action as necessary to safeguard its price and financial stability objectives,” Guinigundo said.

ING Bank Manila economist Nicholas Mapa said they see the Central Bank easing off the “brake pedal” as the inflation threat appears safely in their rear view mirror.

“With growth expected to teeter close to the edge of 6 percent given the recent budget delay and with the inflation objective safeguarded, perhaps BSP may finally opt to give the economy an added boost to regain flagging growth momentum,” Mapa said.

T-bill rates

Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development Director Alvin P. Ang, who predicted on Thursday that the Monetary Board would likely keep rates for the rest of the year,

said the MB may veer away from cutting or increasing interest rates because those for the 91-day Treasury Bills (T-Bills) are already high at over 5 percent.

Ang said the excess liquidity observed last year and the year before went to T-bills because of the high interest rate. He added that the main challenge for the government right now is not on monetary-policy but fiscal policy.

“Hindi sila mag-ka-cut ng interest rates.

Ang tingin ko for the rest of the year hindi.

Plus hindi nila masyado gagalawin interest rates kasi ang taas masyado ng interest rate ng T-bills. Kung masyadong malaki ang differential walang magpapautang sa BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas], walang mag-pa-park ng pera nila dun. Pupunta lahat sa T-bills [They will not cut interest rates. My view is that for the rest of the year, interest rates will not increase. Plus, they will not manipulate interest rates because the interest rate for T-bills is high. If the differential is significant, all the money will go to T-bills],” Ang explained in a phone interview.

Ang said the bigger concern at this time is on the fiscal side. He said the government’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program is a major factor in creating pressure to obtain more loans.

Fiscal challenge

He said the BBB may only be around 2 or even 5 percent of the budget annually but in monetary terms, this is huge. The total fund needed to finance all the Duterte infrastructure projects would be around P7 trillion to P8 trillion in the medium term, which is roughly the size of the Philippine economy in a year.

Under the preliminary estimates of the three-year rolling infrastructure plan (TRIP), the national government will spend P4.71 trillion.

“I’m not worried about the Central Bank.

I’m worried about the fiscal side. That is more challenging because that is causing the tight liquidity,” Ang said. “That will push the BSP to cut its reserve requirements.”

National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) documents obtained by the BusinessMirror showed that the amount covers around 7,401 projects.

This includes P3.42 trillion for 4,376 projects under Tier 1 or ongoing projects and P1.287 trillion or 4,376 projects in Tier 2 or new and/or expanded projects In order to maximize government resources, the pipeline list of Trip projects will include Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects. Tier 1 will be composed of ongoing projects that need to have continuous funding in the next three years while Tier 2 includes “new” projects. With Cai U. Ordinario

future, there’s no doubt about that,” Jessen said.

Based on the 2016 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said there were 2.24 million Pinoys working abroad.

Of this number, around 6.6 percent or 147,840 are working in Europe. The largest concentration of Filipinos abroad or 85 percent are located in Asia, particularly Western Asia at 56.9 percent.

In Western Asia, the most number of OFWs are located in Saudi Arabia at 23.8 percent followed by the United Arab Emirates at 15.9 percent. Cai U. Ordinario

Duterte to OK rice tariff bill Continued from A1

their concerns before acting on the bill, which would convert the quantitative restriction (QR) on rice into tariffs.

“He has ordered the DA [Department of Agriculture], DOF [Department of Finance], DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] to consolidate all of the issues raised by the stakeholders,” Agriculture Secretar y Emmanuel F. Piñol told the BusinessMirror. “He will look at the report first [before acting on the bill].”

A lyansa ng Industriya ng Bigas Founding Chairman Robert Hernandez told the BusinessMirror that they were asked by Duterte to submit a position paper indicating the provisions that they wanted to be removed or amended and their justifications for such.

“What we want is to maintain the regulatory functions of the NFA and its rice trading function,” he said in an interview. “Because like right now, there are a lot of imported rice and the buying price of palay is just between P14 per kilogram and P15 per kg. The farmers will lose money.”

Fund allocation

THE President is open to reducing the allocation for research under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and transfer it to direct support for farmers, according to Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez. This, is to provide farmers with a better safety net once the rice tariffication bill is signed into law.

The proposed law will create the RCEF, also called the rice fund, which will consist of an initial appropriation of P10 billion and all duties collected from the importation of rice. As a safety net, the rice fund will be used to finance programs— whether through direct support or research—for farmers.

Under t he bi l l, 50 percent of t he RCEF is to be used for t he purchase of r ice far m equipment, such as ti llers, t ractors, seeders, t hreshers, r ice pl a nters, ha r vesters, a mong ot hers, for pu r poses of improv ing fa r m mec ha ni zat ion.

Further, 30 percent of the rice fund will be allocated for the development, propagation and promotion of inbred seeds to rice farmers. The bill also

sets aside 10 percent for credit with minimal interest to farmers and cooperatives.

T he remaining 10 percent is for research and education on r ice crop production, moder n r ice far ming techniques, seed production, far m mechanization, as wel l as technolog y transfer through far m schools nationw ide. “ W hat we want to do there is t wea k in t he IR R [implement ing rules and regulations] the usage of the fund. The farmers are concerned that, with the way it is stated [in the bill], the fund will be used more for research,” Lopez said.

“Research is very important, but I can agree it should not be heav y on that. It should be heav y on the direct support for farmers, which are [through] the inputs and the loans.

That is where the bulk of the fund should go,” he added.

According to Lopez, the President is amenable to adjusting the allocation of the rice fund in response to the plea of industr y stakeholders for stronger safety nets under a rice tar iff regime. However, he stood firm on the provisions of the bill concerning the NFA. The measure will strip the NFA of its power to control the volume of rice imports entering the Philippine market, as well as of its capacity to license importers.

Under the proposed law, interested impor ters w il l only need to secure a sanitar y and phytosanitar y impor t clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industr y as proof the r ice they w il l br ing in is safe for consumption. They will also have to pay a tar iff of 35 percent if the impor ts are coming from a member-state of the A ssociation of Southeast A sian Nations, and 50 percent if from outside the reg ion.

Lopez said the Chief Executive made clear in his dialogue with industry stakeholders on Wednesday night he is for a free market, but with proper safety nets.

Government economists estimate prices of rice will go down P4 to P7 per kilo once the bill is in place. However, farmers fear this could spell the death of the domestic rice industry, as the NFA is removed of its power to manage the volume of imports.

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, February 8, 2019 A3

Measles outbreak widens to other areas in Luzon, Visayas–DOH

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By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco | Correspondent Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573 Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

EALTH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III announced on Thursday an outbreak of measles in other areas in Luzon, Central and Eastern Visayas.

“We are expanding the outbreak from Metro Manila to the other regions, as cases have increased in the past weeks, and to strengthen surveillance of new cases and alert mothers and caregivers to be more vigilant,” Duque said.

This developed as President Duterte directed concerned government offices, particularly the Department of Health (DOH), to conduct a “massive” information and immunization campaign, amid the outbreak.

As of January 26, 2019, the DOH Epidemiology Bureau reported that the number of measles cases in other regions, namely, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central

Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol, have shown an increasing trend.

Validated data from Calabarzon also showed there were 575 cases with nine deaths, or a 2,538-percent increase as compared to 21 cases in 2018; 441 cases in NCR with five deaths, or a 1,125-percent increase compared to 36 cases in 2018; 192 cases in Region 3 with four deaths, or a 500-percent increase compared to 32 cases last year; Region 6 with 104 cases and three deaths, or a 550-percent increase compared to 16 cases in 2018; and Region 7 with 71 cases with one death, or a 3,450-percent increase compared to two cases in 2018.

Data also showed 70 cases with no deaths in Mimaropa, or a 3,400-percent increase compared to two cases in 2018; Region 1 with 64 cases with two deaths, or a 220-percent increase compared to 20 cases in 2018; Region 10 with 60 cases with no deaths reported, or a 4-percent decrease compared to 63 cases in 2018; Region 8 with 54 cases and one death, or a 5,300-percent increase compared to one case in 2018, Region 12 with 43 cases with no deaths, or a 34-percent decrease compared to 66 cases in 2018.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is transferred from person to person by sneezing, coughing and close personal contact. Its signs and symptoms include cough, runny nose, red eyes/conjunctivitis, fever, skin rashes lasting for more than three days.

Just doing her job

JUSTICE Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Thursday said the effort of Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta to hold liable the individuals allegedly responsible for the death of several children inoculated with the anti-dengue vaccine

Dengvaxia should not be attributed to the measles outbreak.

Guevarra said Acosta was just doing her duty to help the families for the supposed victims in their search of justice.

Acosta has led the filing of 32 criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former and current health officials, led by former DOH Secretary Janette Garin.

Garin, along with other health officials, including incumbent Health Secretary Duque and executives of Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur and distributor Zuellig Pharma, are facing reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and other criminal offenses in connection with the Dengvaxia mess.

“PAO chief Acosta is just doing her job and certainly does not intend to scare the public about the possible negative effects of vaccination in general,” Guevarra said.

“That’s why the DOH, with the President’s support, will launch a vigorous campaign to inform the people about the necessity of vaccination to prevent common illnesses, such as flu and measles,” he added.

Earlier, Duque attributed to Acosta’s “baseless claims and accusations” with regard to Dengvaxia vaccine the decline in public confidence on the government’s vaccination program, which may have resulted to the current measles outbreak.

Prior to that, a group called Doctors for Public Welfare, led by former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, called on the DOJ to order the PAO to stop the autopsies and to leave the matter of determining the cause of death of the children vaccinated with Dengvaxia to expert forensic pathologists.

However, Acosta maintained that she was just helping the families of the victims and that her pronouncements were not meant to scare the public.

In line with this, Guevarra said he has directed the prosecutors handling the Dengvaxia-related cases with dispatch.

“I have already directed the Dengvaxia investigating panels to resolve the cases this month,” the DOJ chief said.

Guevarra’s directive came a day after the House Committees on Good Government and Public

Accountability and Health recommended the filing of graft, technical malversation and civil charges against former President Benigno S. Aquino III, former Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Garin and several other officials over the controversial dengue vaccination program.

Garin and the other respondents were accused of negligence through “arbitrarily, maliciously and deliberate failure to inform the Dengvaxia recipients and their parents/families of the dangers and risks related to Dengvaxia and to obtain their informed consent.”

It also cited the failure of the DOH under Garin to conduct proper screening of Dengvaxia recipients and to implement an active and aggressive monitoring and surveillance over the recipients considering the risks posed by the vaccine to those who had no history of dengue.

The DOH had earlier suspended the implementation of the controversial P3.5-billion Dengvaxia vaccine project of the DOJ that reportedly poses health risks to children already injected but without history of the disease.

A4 Friday, February 8, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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CA dismisses ACT case vs PNP on ‘technicalities’

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By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Court of Appeals (CA) has junked the petition filed by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers seeking to declare as unconstitutional the memoranda issued by various units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct the profiling of ACT members and affiliates in public schools.

In a four-page resolution penned

by Associate Justice Nina AntonioValenzuela, the CA’s Eleventh Division junked the petition on the ground of technicalities, citing the failure of the group to comply with the requirement under Rule 65, Section 2 in relation to Rule 46, Section 3 of the Rules of Court.

Specifically, the CA said the peti-

tioner failed to submit certified true copies of the assailed memoranda issued by the PNP’s intelligence units.

The rule requires that a petition should be “accompanied by a certified true copy of the judgment, order or resolution subject thereof, copies of all pleadings and documents relevant and pertinent thereto.”

Furthermore, the CA pointed out

that the ACT through its National Chairman Joselyn Martirez and Secretary-General Raymond Basilio did not state material dates in their petition, specifically the dates when the petitioners received the various assailed PNP memoranda.

The petition also failed to include the “current date of issuance of the IBP membership number of the petitioners’ counsel” and “the current date of issuance of the Professional Tax Number of the petitioners’ counsel” in violation to Bar Matter 287 dated September 26, 2000, and Bar Matter Number 1132 dated November 12, 2002, respectively.

Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Ricardo Rosario and Perpetua Atal-Pano.

In its petition, the group named respondents in the complaint were PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde, PNP Intelligence Division chief Gregorio Pimentel, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año, PNPNational Capital Region Police Office chief Director General Guillermo Eleazar and 12 other police officials in various regional officers of the PNP.

The group said it filed the petition after receiving reports of profiling of its members by the PNP of its members from Negros, Baguio, Cebu and Davao late last year.

The group insisted that there is no legal basis for the PNP to conduct profiling of its members since their militant orientation and affinity with progressive groups do not constitute acts that are illegal.

The profiling, according to the petitioner, might dissuade both current and prospective members to withdraw membership or join for fear of breaches in their privacy and other rights.

The petitioners claimed that the illegal acts of the respondents has already sent a chilling effect on its members as some of its chaptermembers have already expressed their fears of being publicly known as ACT members.

The petitioner said the profiling violates the Data Privacy Act considering its members have not given their consent to the gathering or processing of any information related to them.

Bills waiving govt fees for new graduates up for Duterte’s approval

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE House of Representatives has endorsed for President Duterte’s signature a measure providing assistance to new gradu-

ates by waiving government fees and charges on the issuance of documents for first-time job applicants, and a bill penalizing gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public and online spaces, workplaces and educational institutions.

This, after the lower chamber ratified House Bill 172 that will benefit from the waiver of the payment of government documents, such as police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearances, identification card from the Social Security System (SSS), among other documents, for preemployment purposes, which, when put together becomes costly and burdensome, especially for them who are not yet earning.

However, exceptions to the waiver of fees are those in connection with an application to take a professional licens u re e x a m i n at ion conduc te d b y t he Professional Regulation Commission or an application for a Philippine passport.

The bill seeks to mandate all government agencies and instrumentalities, including governmentowned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs) not to collect fees or charges from new graduates.

It said such fee or charge is paid in connection with the application for and the granting of licenses, proof of identification, clearances, cer-

tificates, or other documents usually required in the course of requirement.

Likewise, the application for such license, proof of identification, clearance, certificate, or other documents is submitted within one year after graduation from high school, college or any vocational or technical course.

To avail themselves of the waiver of fees, the bill said the new graduate shall submit a copy of his or her diploma or a certification from the concerned academic, vocational or technical institution that the said graduate has successfully completed the course required.

Any person who is found guilty of falsifying or fabricating any proof of graduation as described in the Act shall be liable under the Revised Penal Code.

Safe spaces

ALSO, the lower chamber ratified the bicameral conference report for the safe spaces bill, which seeks to penalize gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public and online spaces, workplaces, and educational institutions.

“This bill is long overdue. Sexual harassment happens everywhere on a daily basis. It is high time we put a stop to the kabastusan,” said Rep. Michelle Antonio of AGBIAG party-list, one of the principal authors of the bill.

She said that she really pushed for this bill to include online sexual harassment.

Antonio added that she believes everyone must feel safe not only in streets and public spaces, but also online.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DENR exec: Let’s just give the ‘tawilis’ in Taal a break

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

T

O save the endangered Sardinella tawilis, or simply tawilis, from extinction, a twomonth fishing moratorium and declaring certain fishing grounds as “tawilis no-take zones” should suffice, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

T his as DENR Undersecretary for Local Government Units (LGUs) and Solid Waste Management Concerns Benny D. Antiporda rejected the idea of a massive rehabilitation for Taal Lake similar to what was implemented in Boracay in the near future.

“Maybe not in the near future. Right now, we have our hands full with Manila Bay,” Antiporda, also the deputy spokesman of Secretary Roy A. Cimatu told the BusinessMirror in an interview.

Taal Lake is the third largest lake in the country. It is the source of income and livelihood of hundreds of small fishermen.

The lake’s main attraction, the Taal Volcano, is the smallest volcano in the world. The lake is frequented by local and foreign tourists who are treated with a taste of a number of special delicacies cooked from tawilis.

Over the years, the lake’s ecosystem is besieged by environmental problems that threaten the lake’s ecological integrity, as well as the existence of native fish that once thrived in Taal—including the rare tawilis.

According to Antiporda, however, the situation in Taal is manageable.

For now, he said, the decision to impose a fishing moratorium every March and April of each year should be enough to allow the now endangered tawilis to reproduce and replenish the lake.

Antiporda also supports the idea of declaring several fishing grounds within the lake as tawilis reservation areas or “notake zones.”

This, he said, will allow tawilis to have a safe haven where they can breed and reproduce new stocks.

The DENR through the Protected Area Management Board

(PAMB) of the Taal Lake Protected Landscape (TLPL), the Department of Agriculture­- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and concerned LGUs su r rou nd i ng Ta a l L a ke h ave agreed to declare fishing grounds in Balete, San Nicholas and Cuenca towns as tawilis reservation areas after they have been identified as breeding ground of the rare freshwater fish.

Batangas Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer and concurrent Protected Area Superintendent of the TLPL Elmer Bascos said during a meeting on January 29, various stakeholders of Taal Lake agreed to conduct further study about the tawilis after a group of fishermen, vendors and restaurant owners questioned the basis of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to declare the tawilis “endangered.”

“During our meeting, the ExeCom decided to conduct a further scientific inquiry to determine whether the IUCN report about tawilis is accurate or not…,” he said.

During the months when the tawilis fishing ban is in effect, Bascos said the BFAR, DENR and concerned LGUs will monitor fishing activities, including wet markets to ensure that fishermen are abiding by the rule.

“If fishermen will fish for their own consumption, it is okay. But if we found out that they are selling in the market, or if vendors are selling in the market, it is a violation,” Bascos said.

He said the LGUs vowed to mobilize concerned personnel to make sure that the ban is strictly imposed.

“We are hopeful of the support and cooperation of our fishermen and our vendors on this policy,” he said, adding that if the study, to be conducted jointly by the DABFAR, DENR, and what he called as Research Council of the TVPL PAMB that includes the Batangas state universities and other research institutions will reveal that tawilis is not endangered as claimed by the IUCN, the fishing ban may eventually be lifted,” Bascos said.

DPWH opens protected bicycle lane along Laguna Lake Highway

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

T

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) opened on Thursday a 5.58-kilometer bicycle-lane facility along the stretch of Laguna Lake Highway in Taguig City.

Thursday’s opening of the 3-meter wide bicycle lane comes three months after the department opened the four-lane Laguna Lake Highway in November.

“It is our priority to build safe roads and bridges that will also cater to bikers and pedestrians,

hence, the inclusion of protected bike lanes and sidewalk spaces in our new projects,” Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said.

Aimed to open up transportation, recreation, and health opportunities, the bike lane component was added to the 6.94-kilometer Laguna Lake Highway, which was constructed to serve as an alternative route to Edsa and C-5.

The DPWH has allocated P1.28 billion for the construction of Laguna Lake Highway, which also features 1.5-meter sidewalks on both sides and an elevated dike to protect the people against flooding.

Masungi Georeserve vies for 2 international awards

A

FTER winning the recent Pathfinder Award Special Commendation from United Nations Development Programme and International Union for Conservation of Nature last year, the Masungi Georeserve, a world-class conservation project that promotes sustainable ecotourism is vying for two international awards that can bring home for the Philippines equally prestigious awards this year.

Situated in Baras, Rizal, the Masungi Georeserve Project has so far secured coveted finalist status for the 15th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Awards and the World Travel and Tourism Council 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.

The Masungi Georeserve was chosen as one of three world finalists in the Enterprises Category of the 15th UNWTO Awards,

and is vying for the top prize, which will be awarded at the UNWTO General Assembly in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in September 2019 alongside projects from India and Italy.

The awards aim to recognize inspirational projects that have made an invaluable contribution to advance sustainable tourism.

The nominees are praised for contributing to advance the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UNWTO Awards recognize the contribution of public and private institutions, as well as NGOs, in the development of a more competitive, responsible and sustainable tourism sector that works toward achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 SDGs. Meanwhile, for the 15th year of the UN-

WTO Awards competition, a total of 190 applications from 71 countries were received in the three categories: Public Policy and Governance, Enterprises and NGO’s.

Masungi Georeserve is also one of three global finalists for the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards for 2019 under the Destination Stewardship category.

It will compete alongside Grupo Rio da Prata in Brazil and Saint Kitts Sustainable Destination Council in Saint Kitts and Nevis for the top award.

The W TTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, now in their 15 year, showcase business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of “people, planet and profits” within the Travel and Tourism sector. Jonathan L. Mayuga

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Editor: Angel R. Calso

The World

Ivanka Trump’s project to help women in developing nations gain economically

W

ASHINGTON—Ivanka Trump is unveiling an effort aimed at helping 50 million women in the developing world to get ahead economically over the next six years.

On Thursday, the White House will officially launch the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, a government-wide project led by the senior adviser and daughter to President Donald J. Trump. The initiative will involve the State Department, the National Security Council and other agencies. It aims to coordinate current programs and develop new ones to assist women in areas, such as job training, financial support, and legal or regulatory reforms.

The president previewed the launch during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, describing it as “part of our commitment to improving opportunity for women everywhere.” He will sign a national security memorandum to officially launch the initiative on Thursday, framing it as a way to promote stability around the world.

Ivanka Trump, who will attend the Munich Security Conference next week to promote the project, stressed that she sees this as a national security priority. “We think women are arguably the most under-tapped resource in the developing world for accelerating economic growth and prosperity,” she told The Associated Press.

The effort will draw on public and private resources, with the US Agency for International Development initially setting up a $50-million fund, using already budgeted dollars. As part of the launch, Usaid and Pepsi Co. will announce a partnership aimed at women in India, and Usaid and UPS will sign an agreement designed to help female entrepreneurs export goods.

Trump has twice tried unsuccessfully to slash Usaid’s budget by a third, and his “America first” foreign policy has sought to limit the United States’s role as an international leader. But his daughter said

this effort was in keeping with administration goals, arguing it was a strategic investment that promoted security.

“We’re proud of our legacy of being a generous nation, looking to uplift others around the world.

But we want to do so in a fiscally responsible way,” she said, promising “rigorous” efforts to track progress.

Among those she has consulted for the project is former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

The White House launch on Thursday will feature a roundtable discussion and presidential signing ceremony. Attendees were to include Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton, officials from Usaid and Unicef, elected officials and business leaders, as well as women who are the beneficiaries of this type of aid.

The initiative builds on previous W hite House efforts to help women i nter n at ion a l ly.

The Obama administration established an Office of Global Women’s Issues at the State Department and established an ambassador-at-large for global women’s Issues. That position has been vacant since Trump took office—drawing criticism from some advocates—but the White House said it now has a candidate lined up for the job.

Since she joined the administration in early 2017, Ivanka Trump has focused on women’s economic issues. She previously led an effort to launch a World Bank fund to help drive women’s entrepreneurship. And she recently advocated for the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act, which bolsters efforts focused on women by Usaid.

Ivanka Trump said her hope is that this effort has staying power beyond the current administration. Past global initiatives she has studied include the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, started under President George W. Bush in 2003. AP

Trump introduces World Bank critic David Malpass to lead it

W

ASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday introduced David Malpass, a Treasury official he has nominated to lead the World Bank, as the “right person to take on this incredibly important job.”

Malpass, who is now Trump’s undersecretary for international affairs at the Treasury Department, has been a sharp critic of the 189-nation World Bank. He has argued that the bank, a lending institution with a focus on emerging countries, has concerned itself too much with its own expansion and not enough with its core missions, like fighting poverty.

Malpass would succeed Jim Yong Kim, who left in January three years before his term was to end.

Malpass, 62, made clear on Wednesday that his focus at the World Bank would include furthering the Trump administration’s agendas for developing countries.

One major initiative, he said, would be to implement changes to the World Bank that he and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin helped negotiate. And in a nod to the president’s daughter and adviser, Ivanka Trump, Malpass said he would focus on improving the status of women.

“A key goal will be to ensure that women achieve full participation in developing economies,” Malpass said. “I know Ivanka has been a strong leader on women’s economic empowerment, and I look forward to continuing our work together on her women’s global development and prosperity initiative”.

In a meeting with reporters after Trump announced his nomination, Malpass sought to put his longtime criticism of the World Bank and its sister lending organization, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), into context.

He said his efforts going back to his service in the Reagan administration have

been aimed at reforming both institutions.

He pointed to the work he had done in the Trump administration to gain approval for a $13-billion capital increase for the bank, the first increase in eight years, a boost that included various lending reforms.

He said his challenge will be to implement the reforms included with the capital increase, including restrictions on World Bank lending to major developing nations such as China and India. He said loans to those countries took away resources that should be going to poorer nations.

“I look forward to working with China and others on what the appropriate pace of that wind down [of their loans] should be,” Malpass told reporters.

The US nomination of Malpass for the top job will go before the bank’s board of directors on Thursday. He said he did not know whether other countries would put forward their own candidates but he said he would be traveling over the next several weeks to various countries to promote his candidacy, stopping first in China and Japan.

Since the World Bank and IMF were formed in the mid-1940s, the World Bank has always been led by an American and the IMF has always been led by a European.

The United States is the largest shareholder in both organizations.

Senior administration officials, insisting on anonymity to discuss plans for the World Bank, said Malpass would evaluate bank programs based on such criteria as whether they helped raise median incomes and improved financial transparency.

Addressing climate change, which has been a priority for the World Bank, was pointedly not among the benchmarks of success that these officials named, though they said Malpass would honor existing initiatives. AP

BusinessMirror

Friday, February 8, 2019

A5

Is Kim Jong Un really ready to make a deal with Trump?

T

OKYO—President Donald J. Trump used his biggest stage of the year to announce a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump said in his State of the Union address that he intends to meet Kim on February 27 and 28 in Vietnam, saying that although much work remains to be done toward peace on the Korean Peninsula, his relationship with Kim is a good one.

But is Kim really ready to make a deal?

Here’s why the stakes will be higher this time around.

Lowering expectations

TRUMP’s announcement of the summit’s timing and location was expected. He had been teasing it for weeks. But he kept his North Korea remarks surprisingly short.

After dramatically asserting that if he hadn’t been elected president, the US and North Korea would be fighting a major war now, he acknowledged that much work remains to be done. That’s quite a shift from his claim right after his June summit with Kim in Singapore that the nuclear threat from the North was over.

The president’s tune changed in other ways, as well.

The word denuclearization was nowhere to be found. Neither was anything specific about what he achieved in Singapore or what specifically he intends to get out of another meeting.

Trump is smart to give himself a lot of wiggle room.

US intelligence chiefs believe there is little likelihood Kim will voluntarily give up his nuclear weapons or missiles capable of carrying them.

Nevertheless, efforts to nail down the logistics and an agenda for the summit do appear to be on track. Just before Trump spoke, the US special envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, reportedly flew to Pyongyang to try to flesh out summit logistics and an agenda.

Trump’s claim that he has played a big role in calming things down is also true, though he helped raise those tensions to begin with through his inflammatory rhetoric and policy of “maximum pressure” to further squeeze the North’s economy and isolate it from the global financial system.

But now that the ice has been broken, just sitting down with K im won’t l i kely w in Tr ump more kudos.

Previous presidents refused to meet with Kim and his predecessors because they did not want to legitimize them or bolster their status. Kim got all that and more in Singapore.

Trump needs to prove his relationship with Kim has a purpose that goes beyond photo ops. In his speech, Trump stressed that the North has returned Americans who had been jailed and has not launched any long-range missiles in 15 months.

K im announced all of that before the Singapore summit, however.

There’s a real risk this time around that if Trump can’t nail down a significant win on the denuclearization front, he could find himself working in direct opposition to his own main objective. Instead of getting Kim to give up his nukes, any tacit acceptance of the status quo could embolden Kim to dig in further as the leader of the world’s newest nuclear power.

Kim’s multiple targets

IN the hope of getting sanctions relief and possibly a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War, Kim has offered Trump some goodies. He has suggested he is willing to dismantle some nuclear and missile-related facilities, and as Trump pointed out, has maintained his self-proclaimed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile testing.

But he has been careful not to put all his eggs in Trump’s basket.

Rebuilding ties with South Korea and China is the cornerstone of Kim’s bigger strategy. He has already met Chinese leader Xi Jinping four times and South Korean President Moon Jae-in three times.

Kim has an immediate interest

in wooing the Chinese and South Koreans. He wants investment and trade to bolster his economy and help fund infrastructure projects. Beijing and Seoul are already suggesting that they believe sanctions against the North should be eased sooner rather than later, despite the Trump administration’s stance that denuclearization must come first.

Weakening Seoul’s security alliance with Washington is another of Kim’s goals.

He scored big in Singapore when Trump agreed to put off joint military exercises with the South, and again when Trump started publicly questioning the value of such exercises and demanding Seoul to pay a bigger share of the cost of its own national defense.

Seoul just agreed to boost its share, so that’s a win for Trump.

But the reportedly rancorous process appears to have also undercut the South’s confidence in Washington.

The biggest annual US-South Korea exercise, meanwhile, is normally held in March or April.

It was post poned and sca led down last to year to ease tensions during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

US officials have said it will likely be scaled down this year, as well. AP

Good reason for caution

AFTER a year of heightening threats, and in sharp contrast with the standoffish policies of President Barack Obama, Trump got a lot of credit for simply being willing to open a dialogue with the North and to meet directly with Kim.

IN this June 12, 2018, file photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left), and US President Donald J. Trump shake hands prior to their meeting on Sentosa Island in Singapore. Trump used his biggest stage of the year to announce he will hold his second summit with Kim. Trump announced during his State of the Union address that he intends to meet Kim on February 27 and 28 in Vietnam, saying that although much work remains to be done toward peace on the Korean Peninsula, his relationship with Kim is a good one. AP/EVAN VUCCI

OIL RESUMES DROP AS GROWTH ANGST COUNTERS U.S. FUEL STOCKPILE DECLINE

O

IL resumed its drop as rising US production and concern over the outlook for the global economy countered a decline in American fuel inventories. Futures in New York fell as much as 0.6 percent, set for their third drop this week. While inventories of winter fuel in the US fell more than ex p e c te d a s co l d p o l a r a i r b l a s te d the nation, crude stockpiles rose as production remained at a record last week. The dollar is strengthening as investors wait to see if the US and China can tamp down a trade war that’s slowing global growth, making commodities priced in the greenback costlier.

Oil has faltered this month after posting the biggest gain since April 2016 in January as increased American production threatens to offset output cuts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies.

While sanctions on Venezuela and Iran are

supportive, investors remain wary before meetings between the US and China next week ahead of a March 1 deadline for trade tariffs to increase.

“The decline in distillate inventories made investors feel the supply-demand balance is becoming tighter than expected,” said Tomomichi Akuta, a senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co. in Tokyo. Still, multiple uncertainties including the trade war, Brexit and sanctions on Venezuela and Iran are leaving prices stuck in a tight range, he said.

West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery declined 12 cents $53.89 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 1:03 p.m in Tokyo, and was down as much as 31 cents earlier. The contract climbed 35 cents to $54.01 on Wednesday.

Brent for April settlement dropped 21 cents to $62.48 a barrel on the Londonbased ICE Futures Europe exchange. The

contract added 71 cents to $62.69 on Wednesday. The global benchmark crude was at an $8.27 premium to WTI for the same month.

US inventories of winter fuels, including propane, shrank by about 4.9 million barrels combined, data from the Energy Information Administration showed on Wednesday. Distillate stockpiles alone decreased by 2.26 million barrels in the week through February 1, compared with a decline of 2 million barrels forecast in a Bloomberg survey. US crude output stayed at a record high 11.9 million barrels a day.

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot index has risen 0.9 percent this month. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will lead a delegation to Beijing next week to lay the groundwork for a meeting between Presidents Donald J. Trump and Xi Jinping later this month. Bloomberg News

GERMAN ANTITRUST AUTHORITIES RESTRICT FACEBOOK DATA USE

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ERLIN—German antitrust authorities have issued a ruling prohibiting Facebook from combining user data from different sources.

The Bundeskartellamt says Facebook users have only been able to use the social network on the condition that it can collect user data “outside of the Facebook web site in the Internet or on smartphone apps and assign these data to the user’s Facebook account.” This includes assigning data from Facebook-owned services like WhatsApp and Instagram, as well as third-party web sites, to a Facebook user account.

Bundeskartellamt President Andreas Mundt said on Thursday that the ruling means “Facebook will no longer be allowed to force its users to agree to the practically unrestricted collection and assigning of non-Facebook data to their Facebook user accounts.”

Facebook said it rejects the decision, and will appeal. AP

A6 Friday, February 8, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

‘Jobs’ and GDP

I

MAGINE for a moment that you’re all alone on one of our beautiful and bountiful 7,000 islands. You would be completely responsible for providing all of your needs.

Your “economic day” would consist of producing the goods that you need. You might have to fish in the ocean and catch crabs in the tide pools. After finding a source of fresh water, you would have to collect that water. Those activities would add value to your “economy.”

As the sun begins to set you would consume your goods, eating and drinking what you had produced. In between, there would be the need to store some of your production for future use and for that potential “rainy day.”

But it is not that simple. If finding food—producing goods— was very difficult, you might use more energy getting your food, which you need to survive. What if it took hours of work to catch one small fish, which would not be enough to keep you nourished and strong enough to fish for another day?

So you look for ways to become more efficiently productive, perhaps by building a fish trap. Instead of six hours of labor to produce the food you need, the fish trap might reduce your time to two hours a day.

When night comes you need to consume your production, but again you need to be efficient by not eating everything you produced for that day. You would want to store some of your raw fish by simply wrapping it in a banana leaf. You could also cook it. But maybe the best way to store for a longer time would be to put in more labor to salt and dry it.

After a couple of months, you may have gone from a “full time job with overtime” to actually only “working part time” because of your increased productivity. Your island’s GDP—the amount of food produced—might even be the same as when you were working “full time” but now you are working less and producing more.

We talk all the time about the Philippines’s economic growth.

We talk also about the number of jobs in the economy. What you rarely, if ever, hear anyone discuss is our labor productivity—the ratio of economic output to the total labor force. In other words, how much an employee in a job produces is equally, if not more, important than the number of employees to total economic growth.

Among all Asian countries except Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, economic output per employee is lower in the Philippines. Measured in 2011 purchasing power dollars, Thailand is 1.5 times more productive, and Malaysian employees turn out three times as much economic output.

Back on your island, what if you decided to work full time and put out three fish traps? The economic output might increase so much that you could now “afford” to hire someone from a neighboring island just to give you foot massage at the end of your busy day.

Increased productivity in existing jobs creates more economic growth, which then increases the number of jobs. That is how an economy works.

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor Senior Editors

BETTER DAYS

T

HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) held in January the country’s first National Galunggong Summit. This was in the wake of last year’s controversies about dwindling stocks of round scad or galunggong and the government’s subsequent move to allow importation to stabilize prices.

The aim was to rally stakeholders around efforts to conserve the country’s fish stocks, such as the establishment of “closed seasons,” and to collect inputs from major stakeholders for a National Management Plan.

Around the time of the summit, news broke out about the tawilis of Taal Lake being on the endangered species list. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), harvests of the freshwater fish have been steadily declining since 1998 due to overfishing, illegal use of certain fishing gear and fish cages, and deteriorating water quality. The BFAR has since said it will investigate to find the tawilis spawning areas in Taal Lake to hopefully enact conservation measures.

These are two recent examples of how reactionary our policies are when it comes to conserving our fish resources. Beyond that, they are

also indicative of a deeper, more profound gap—or even blind spot—in our current governance paradigms with regards to our rivers, lakes, coastlines and seas.

Several experts have written about how it is imperative for the Philippines to start focusing on developing its own sustainable “blue economy”—referring to the sectors of the country directly defined by and dependent on coastal and marine resources.

For instance, former Neda chief and columnist Cielito Habito wrote about the need for the country to take a more “archipelagic view of overall development planning” as compared to the traditional emphasis on landbased planning.

Habito emphasized that a fragmented geography, such as our archipelago, poses huge challenges in crucial areas like energy, infrastruc-

Atty. Amabelle C. Asuncion

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ture, communication networks and even nationhood. But it also brings immense benefits, such as abundant natural resources—provided, of course, they are conserved and utilized sustainably.

In fact, the immense value of the country’s coastal and marine resources was estimated in a 2017 joint article from the University of the Philippines, the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

The authors—which include Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia; Dr. Rhodora Azanza, president of the National Academy of Science and Technology; and Dr. Ronald Mendoza, dean of the Ateneo School of Government—found that the total annual monetary value associated with the country’s marine ecosystems (coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass areas and continental shelf) can amount to at most P9.183 trillion (or roughly $581 billion in 2007 prices). That amount is more than double the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019.

Our apparent disregard for our seas and coasts squanders such abundant wealth, and makes us miss out on its potential to underpin our longterm prosperity. It also underscores why the country was found to be the world’s biggest source of plastic pollution in the world (according to a 2015 report by Ocean Conservancy and the McKinsey Center for Business and Environment) and how our

fisherfolk remain among the poorest sectors in the country.

It’s not so much that nothing is being done to build our blue economy and protect our oceans. In fact, several policies are in place, such as the 1994 National Marine Policy created under the Ramos administration, the National Coast Watch System established in 2011, or the Fisheries Code amended in 2014, under Republic Act 10654. What’s needed is for these policies to be threaded together closely, especially since institutional fragmentation, redundancy and overlap of agency mandates have resulted in piecemeal and, hence, limited interventions in sustainable marine resource management and conservation.

Hence, I filed Senate Resolution 1017 calling on the Senate to conduct an inquiry and an inventory of the policies and projects related to the country’s maritime and ocean affairs with the end goal of crafting a comprehensive and holistic “blue economy” development plan.

In 2017, the World Economic Forum cited the Philippines as among the world’s “ocean states” considering that our total sovereign area is more than 80 percent underwater. Indeed, it’s time we start acting like one.

Sen. Sonny M. Angara was elected in 2013, and is now the chairman of the Senate Committees on Local Government, and Ways and Means.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com|Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara.

Competition dos and don’ts in the Year of the Pig

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Building a blue economy

G

ONG Hei Fat Choy! While there are various ways of saying “Happy New Year” in Chinese, this seems to be the most common greeting. It translates to “wishing you great happiness and prosperity,” which is the best anyone could wish for another.

Celebrating its third anniversary a few days ahead of the Chinese New Year, the Philippine Competition Commission makes the same wish for everyone—prosperity for businesses and consumers alike. The essence of competition law and policy is captured in this simple Chinese greeting. As no Chinese New Year celebration is complete without rituals and predictions intended to attract good fortune or counter bad luck, here is a PCC list of dos and don’ts that are worth noting in the Year of the Pig. First, come forward and come clean. The PCC recently launched its leniency program wherein entities or individuals engaged in anti-competi-

tive agreements can apply for immunity or fine reduction in exchange for providing information to the PCC. Any firm involved in cartel activity—fixing prices, artificially limiting production or supply, or dividing the market—is advised to avail itself of this program. A successful applicant will be granted immunity from criminal and administrative liability and from any civil suit that the PCC would otherwise file. If the applicant is a corporation, the immunity can extend to its responsible directors, officers and employees.

Since the program allows for only one immunity and one fine reduction, applications for leniency are considered on a “first-come, first-

served” basis. It is a race to obtain the first marker and there is no consolation for arriving late, like the pig at the party of the Jade Emperor. The benefits available under the leniency program also diminish as the investigation progresses. While immunity is always available before the preliminary inquiry begins, it may not necessarily be so after the inquiry starts. The amount of fine reduction, likewise, dwindles.

The leniency program is an opportunity for infringers to confess and start anew. More important, it is a chance to help arrest practices that have been injurious to consumers.

Second, comply and cooperate. Whether it is a request for information or a subpoena, comply.

Compliance is key to dispersing any negative consequence. The PCC takes its mandate seriously and will not hesitate to invoke its full powers to enforce its orders and decisions.

A question that has been asked a few times is whether the PCC has teeth. The answer is yes, and a good set of teeth at that. The commission can, and will, if warranted, mete out penalties, issue compulsory processes, and deputize other agencies to assist it.

While confidentiality and privacy of information are valued,

withholding information is more detrimental than beneficial. The investigative and analytical processes—whether in the mergers or enforcement context—depend on accurate and complete information.

Where information is not provided, the rules of procedure allow the PCC to make assumptions against entities based on worst-case scenarios.

Thus, the more information withheld from PCC, the more likely the findings will be adverse. It is like waiting for karma to visit.

Third, take commitments seriously. With pig symbolizing wealth, 2019 is supposed to be an auspicious time for business opportunities. Last year alone, PCC reviewed 41 mergers and acquisitions.

More mergers are likely to emerge this year. As mentioned in an earlier column, a merger is like a marriage where, in some cases, commitments are required as conditions to consummate the bond. These commitments are not to be taken lightly but treated as sacrosanct as the unbreakable “word of honor.” Earnest and strict adherence to such commitments is expected no less.

Voluntary commitments are offered by merging parties to address the negative impact of the proposed See “Asuncion,” A7

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, February 8, 2019 A7

Inflation and expectations Entering myths and isles Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr.

Tito Genova Valiente

ANNOTATIONS

EAGLE WATCH

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ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo stated recently that the private-sector analysts have triggered spiraling inflationary expectations last year, causing the BSP to tighten monetary policy by as much as 175 basis points. This statement comes after Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III announced early this year that private financial analysts will be made accountable for the accuracy of their macroeconomic forecasts, particularly on inflation. In turn, these pronouncements are derived from the recent study of the Department of Finance (DOF) that the inflation forecasts done by analysts of well-known institutions showed absolute deviations to be as high as 0.4 percentage points, amounting to an estimated margin of error of around 15 percent.

According to the DOF, based on

international experience, forecasts partially contribute to higher than expected inflation as these created expectations resulting in “self-fulfilling prophecies.” While he has no intention of blaming these analysts, Dominguez warned that a similar review will be made at the end of the year.

To understand the consequences of this rule, it is important to know how forecasts are done. The art or the science of forecasting would begin by looking at historical data to see which factors and which policies significantly affect the economy. The development of econometrics naturally brought about an influx of macroeconomic models that tried to predict in the short and medium terms of the growth of gross domestic product (GDP), employment and inflation, among other aggregate variables. Unlike the studies in the field of microeconomics, macroeconomic forecasts analyze aggregate variables which are viewed to be more stable. A series of tests and simulations are then conducted before the results are usually released. Mainly on the basis of strong quantitative methods that underpin these forecasts, policy decisions are often made in light of these studies.

However, the value of forecasts has been severely diminished by the socalled Lucas’s critique. Written by Economics Nobel Laureate Robert Lucas, the analysis claims that forecasting the effects of economic policies entirely on the basis of relationships observed in historical data is wholly simplistic.

The macroeconomic models that use structural equations that are invariant to changes in economic policies cannot be a reliable assumption for forecasting.

The problem is that economic policies create their own expectations and, in the process, could change the way these variables, especially the highly aggregated variables, affect the other variables.

The critique then suggests that the validity of macroeconomic forecasting models depends on how well it can incorporate the people’s responses to policy shifts, and more important the “rational” expectations formed by such policies. It is the formulation of these expectations that will determine whether the model will be able to predict accurately the movements of GDP and inflation. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done since these will involve incorporating microeconomic foundations, which are beyond the scope of these forecasting models.

More important, the critique turns the DOF argument on its head. Forecasts do not affect the expectations. Rather, expectations influence the forecasts.

Assuming that all models use similar (though not identical) structural equations that describe the economy, off the mark predictions conceivably have failed to anticipate correctly those expectations. The better forecasts will be those that capture the correct expectations.

Nevertheless, one has to consider that when these forecasts were made

Asuncion. . .

continued from A6

merger on competition and consumers. The purpose of such commitments is specific and concrete.

These commitments are not meant to be motherhood statements or a form of “window dressing” just to muster regulator y approval. Although formally proffered

last year, we were in the midst of the highest inflation rate in a decade. National Economic and Development Authority Director General Ernesto M. Pernia noted that he was surprised by this event. Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno also mentioned that we should get used to the high inflation and not behave like crybabies, indicating that we should be grateful that the inflation was lower than the historically high records. All these reactions created an atmosphere of desperation and uncertainty. Given the weak response from the government at the time, many of these forecasts unsurprisingly predicted the continued increase in inflation.

Conditions began to stabilize only when the government took matters in its hands. While the decline in petroleum prices is significant, what really contributed to the fall in inflation was the government’s action on the supply constraints, especially in agriculture.

Thus, when the supply of rice started to enter the markets, a perceptible decrease in inflation was noted, and expectations of a lower inflation were formed.

The point is that the government has a substantial influence in the way expectations are created. Policy reforms that adhere to efficiency rules, and not to sudden, inconsistent discretionary measures, are clearly the right tools toward conditioning these expectations.

Given the government’s hold on the economy, the warning to analysts to be accountable is constricting these forecasting institutions to conform always to the government prescriptions. When events deviate from the expected as they did last year, the government can use all of its power and resources to bring it back to where it wants to move. As seen from the DOF study, analysts who placed a premium on government claims and recognized its ability to manage the economy were able to achieve a lower margin of error. However, this may not always be the case. If petroleum prices did not decrease substantially toward the end of the year, the effects of the government’s anti-inflation plan would not have been as effective. In this case, analysts who took a more independent stand from the government estimates would have had more precise predictions. However, even if this was the case, those who would pattern their forecasts with the official accounts would not really be worse off since the mistake is shared with the government.

If the government intends to eliminate the negative impact of expectations, “scoring” these private forecasting institutions will not be the right policy. Instead, the government should take a more consultative, not antagonistic, attitude as the private sector may be more attuned with the market’s expectations. Both the private and public sectors should jointly deliberate and coordinate their programs in monitoring the movements of the economy, as well as the resolution of problems.

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HERE are many ways to enter islands, as there are many ways to read myths.

On the 31st of January, at 8 in the morning, in this year of the Pig, our boat left the quiet port of Pilar. The town where we departed from is obscured by another town, Donsol. The giant butanding or whale shark finds its home in the town of Donsol and ignores Pilar. There was once a story about an official who, when he found out that people had caught a butanding, decided to tie it to a boat, moor the giant sea mammal near where the people could see it. It is said he called for a press conference to announce that whale sharks do come to Pilar.

There were no whale sharks, no regular sharks even, to grace our trip. As soon as the fastcraft had left the cove, I fell into a deep sleep, the kind that terminated dreams after an hour or so. That was all I needed: To wake up after an hour. I knew what to expect, I remembered the hours upon this sea.

Everybody was asleep when I walked out of the cabin, onto the deck. Even as my memories of this trip assured me of directions, the view of the westernmost edge of the island of my birth still stunned me. I felt I could touch the trees and old plants on the island to my left and the cluster of smaller islands to my right. I should hold my arms out and feel the wind. Maybe, just maybe, I would nudge the crags, catch the sand and stones raining down the cracks on the hills, onto the formed caves, into the depth of the blue, this green sea.

The boat curved to the left and pitched to the right. The sea from the vast Visayan sea and the seas that are filled by the rivers of the towns from the island designed waves disturbing the calmness of the sea. The sea was talking to me. The islands were telling stories.

It is always a terrible beauty to behold that the land on which we build our homes terminates somewhere. The end of the island is a religion by itself, a belief that is never questioned but rather embraced to honor more faiths.

If grief is to be geographically located, it should always be where islands murder the eternity of landmass to give way to another life.

Perhaps, the metaphor of killing is just our way of surrendering to the power of the sea. The interminable, even when measured, sea is the only reason why islands are islands.

I am fated to be born on this island, I tell myself. I can be more open to the universe than those who are proud because they have been told of lies about powerful geographies, of biographies rooted in landlocked courage.

I know my islands—they end somewhere.

The travel was over and I was soon on the land of Masbate. It is called “the Mainland.” That term makes the other two islands of Ticao and Burias, not main, merely supporting territories. But I know I will witness again that entrance to this mainland. On my way home, I will examine the islands once more and recall their names.

On the 3rd of February, I took the boat that was destined by reckoning to pass through the same egress/ingress points. This time, I will summon the old myths to tell me the narratives of the islands.

Again, an hour after the boat had left the Masbate port, I went up the deck. It was afternoon at Ticao Pass.

The multiple narratives of the ancient myths speak of deities and their conflicts with each other. At

the center of the tale is Haliya/ Halea, the moon goddess. She is courted by Bakunawa, the huge Serpent. Bakunawa and Haliya are sometimes described as brother and sister; sometimes, they are defined by their love or hate of each other.

Love and Hate, today and even more clearly so in mythic times, are the same meanings and un-meanings.

Haliya or Halea was also the ritual for the moon goddess, the benign of the divinities when islands ruled as beings. Haliya was said to have been worshipped by women and looked upon the destinies of the females. Then there was Bulan and the babaylan—the male priests who assumed the appearance of women, the anomalous mediators who guarded the secrets of this god/goddess. There were, of course, other stories.

The seas rolled again. To my right this time was the huge clump of land.

It is known now as “Bagababoy Island,” or something that looks like a pig. I looked at it again. It floated like a huge lizard with massive head.

It could be bigger but the other half of its body was submerged in the sea.

Could this be Bakunawa? The boat moved so fast I could not determine where were those waterfalls that bubbled from the top of a cliff in Tog-oron and plummeted down into the clear marriage of the freshwater and the sea. That spot is called “Katandayagan Falls.” The tandayag was any serpent that had become so big for its cave—or the land—that it

needed to leave its lair and live long in the vastness of the sea.

Was Bakunawa a Tandayag? Was Tandayag the Bakunawa?

In the lores of the land, the Bakunawa was oftentimes interchangeable with the Tandayag. Bakunawa was the monster that swallowed the moon during eclipses. Bakunawa, the serpent with a crown, was the one to be placated if one needed to work on geomancy, the magic of the Earth. Make sure the orientation of the big post of your house is in harmony with the head of the Bakunawa, the old men and women cautioned.

Where is Haliya? On the boat, one could not see it fully. Rounder, the island which bears the name of the moon goddess, was hidden by the bigger islands. When the boat left the sea guarded by those islands, the seas turned rough. I went down from the deck and entered the cabin. Behind me loomed the islands. They were not rocks and crags. They were the divine beings of our old, old childhood.

Did I listen enough? Did I believe the stories they told me?

The boat was turning to the left.

If it traveled straight on, away from where I could see the Bulusan, and, behind it, Mayon, the boat would be in Bulan, the town where one departs for Ticao. But my boat was heading for Pilar, the port that captures mammals.

No port, however, can capture and moor myths.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com.

Comprehending our interconnectedness

Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. is professor of economics at the Ateneo de Manila University and a senior fellow of Eagle Watch, the school’s macroeconomic research and forecasting unit.

In North America, many places are currently covered in snow due to what is called the Polar Vortex —a wide expanse of swirling cold air—that is parked in polar regions.

There are places with temperatures dropping below zero degrees Celsius. Water in lakes and rivers turned to ice, trains could not run on ice-covered tracks, and many roads were closed because of the formation of ice taller than the average human. There are people from America posting pictures and videos showing the severe cold weather. Some of them even tried to use a frozen banana for a hammer, or showed a

pair of frozen pants standing on its own. Unfortunately, no less than 20 people have perished because of the overbearing cold. Hundreds more were sent to the hospital because of frostbite. Many of these people are street dwellers, and because of the frostbite, some of them may need to have their limbs amputated.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Earth, a heat wave accompanied by drought is occurring in Australia. With the extreme heat, many animals and fish are dying.

Fires easily consumed dried plants and trees, causing residents in areas to evacuate their homes to avoid the

bushfires. There are street parts melting because of the heat, and some power plants bogged down because of the rising demand for electricity for air-conditioning.

If we live in different parts of the world, we are connected with the cold climate in America and the intense heat in Australia. It is natural to have different climates and weather in different countries.

However, the extreme weather conditions being observed in different parts of the globe came about because we have abused nature. It’s important to understand that we are all responsible for the negative experiences that people encounter in different parts of the world. We are responsible for the people living in the streets in America, dying because of the cold. We are responsible for the deaths of many animals in Australia because of the heat.

Likewise, people in those countries equally share the responsibility for the destructive super typhoons that hit the Philippines.

This is the message contained in Laudato Si, “the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to every living person on this planet for

to the PCC, these are actually the merging parties’ commitments to consumers and to competition in general. To renege on these commitments is to turn their backs on the consumers they are supposed to serve. Unless this is the intent, merging parties should have no reason or excuse to violate their own commitments.

To date, the PCC has rendered four commitment decisions based

on undertakings submitted by merger parties. The undertakings range from extending fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms to competitors, maintaining pricing behavior pre- and post-merger, data firewalls and avoiding practices that could foreclose entry or expansion of competitors. These are all subject of monitoring to ensure that merger parties abide by their commitments.

The “commitment track” is an option available to merger parties if the merger raises competition concerns.

Parties are allowed to offer remedies to address the concerns. If found to be sufficient, the commitment package is approved. This track is a non-adversarial alternative to a straightforward review where the Commission can unilaterally impose remedies or even prohibit the transaction. While this option will

continue to be encouraged, merger parties are cautioned that this is not a perfunctory exercise. Commitments offered must remedy the concerns and if violated, the transaction could be unraveled. So, take these commitments seriously both at the time they are offered and during the time they are to be complied with.

With these nuggets of advice and a reminder to always play fair, may the Year of the Pig bring prosperity to all.

Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

SERVANT LEADER

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Y brothers and sisters, are you one of those who are wishing for cool weather every day in the Philippines?

In the past few weeks, the drop in temperature has been noticeable, and in a country like ours, this is quite pleasing.

an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis has given emphasis on interconnectedness: “We as people have a connection toward each other, with other living beings, our planet, and toward God. Whatever is causing this disease to what we are connected to also negatively affects us. Therefore, if we continue contributing to nature’s destruction, we injure other people and the living beings in this world.

My brothers and sisters, although the pleasant weather we are experiencing is good for us, we must remember our fellowmen and other living beings that are in danger because of climate change. We may not be able to save our planet on our own, but the government must take even the smallest step to help reduce global warming, which will have catastrophic effects if left unchecked.”

Before her appointment to the Philippine Competition Commission, Commissioner Asuncion was engaged in corporate and commercial practice and served as chief legal counsel of a top company and a corporate partner of a law firm.

She was also previously involved in legislative, law and policy reform, advocacy, and adjudication work. Commissioner Asuncion has a master of laws degree (with distinction) in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., and is admitted to the New York bar.

Make it a habit listening to Radio Veritas 846 ANG RADYO NG SIMBAHAN in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph and follow its twitter and instagram accounts @veritasph and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For your comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.

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A8 Friday, February 8, 2019

Beyond friendship: Top US envoy backs MDT review

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By Recto Mercene

@rectomercene

HE Philippines and the United States may have the 68-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), but in the view of US Ambassador Sung Kim, both countries need to examine what lies ahead to address potential challenges and also seize opportunities for growth.

He said the United States is open to reviewing the MDT with the Philippines and possibly exploring ways on making it “even better.”

“As we face new domestic, regional and global challenges, we cannot rest simply on our confidence in the strength of this longstanding relationship,” Ambassador Kim said at the opening of the Think Tank Conference held at a hotel in Makati.

“We need to examine and analyze what lies over the horizon to ensure that we bring to bear the most effective tools and resources to not just overcome those challenges, but to seize opportunities,” he added.

The 1951 MDT binds the United States to defend its long-term ally, the Philippines, from aggression.

Philippine officials have long wanted to clarify if the US will help defend the Philippines in case its military comes under attack in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines and five other claimants have been contesting ownership of the strategic waters and islands for decades. China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, citing “historic” claim under its ninedash-line principle.

Despite Ambassador Kim’s admission that a lot had been done in the past to strengthen the Philippine-US relationship, both countries are now asking whether they are equipped to deal with a looming security crisis in the region.

“So we are obviously doing a lot.… But we still need to ask— are we equipped to deal with se-

curity challenges that lie over the horizon?” he asked.

He provided the answer, saying, “ both sides are ver y closely engaged at var ious levels on the matter and that dialogue is ongoing.” “ We w i l l ju st cont i nue to stay closely engaged and talk to each other, and if there are any adjustments that would be useful, certainly we would welcome an opportunity to make adjustments,” he said.

Ambassador K im said, “our robust security alliance w ith the Philippines plays an important role in securing the region and beyond.”

He said the Indo-Pacific is a dy namic reg ion that often f ind s itsel f at t he center of global issues and challenges but added that its relationship with the Philippines “ has enabled us to address those cha l lenges at the bilatera l level and w ith other par tners.”

Started by former President Barack Obama as a “pivot or rebalance” by moving some of its military forces from Europe to Asia, the “Indo-Pacific region strategy” is now being pursued by President Donald J. Trump.

The new strategy is seen as a “renewed commitment” to the old framework of “allies, partners and friends” coupled with a new emphasis on the Indo-Pacific, which encouraged countries, inside and outside Southeast

Asia, that are concerned about the implications of China’s rise to work with one another.

There will also be commitments, Kim said, “to maintain and even increase the US’s naval presence in the region and to finance Southeast Asian countries to improve their own naval and coastguard forces.”

This was made obvious when Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, one of the guests, listed five locations in the countr y that could be the site of the Enha nced Defense Cooperat ion Agreement (Edca): Pa lawan, Cebu, C agaya n de Oro, For t Magsaysay and Fort Basa.

T he Edca is an ag reement between the United States and the Philippines intended to bolster the US-Philippine alliance and gives Philippine military personnel access to American ships and planes.

De fe n se S e c ret a r y De l f i n Lorenzana last week said a team from the US will be in Manila this month for exploratory talks with Philippine officials on the possible amendments to the treaty.

Others in attendance at the Think Tank forum were former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio C a r pio, DFA Undersec ret a r y Luis Manalo, Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna and other government officials and members of academe.

TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS BAT FOR MORE INDEPENDENT INDUSTRY PROMO BOARD

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

Special to the BusinessMirror

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HE Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) is batting for a more independent Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to make it more flexible and responsive to the needs of the industry and the times.

In a paper submitted to the Tourism Oversight Committee of both houses of Congress for the ongoing review of the Tourism Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9593), the TCP said: “TPB must be the lead agency for promotions for two key reasons. One, it is to devolve those functions to an attached agency that would have more flexibility in responding to market changes (especially disasters) without having to go through the lengthy budget and appropriations process.

“Two, with TPB having a strong privatesector representation on its governing board, the national branding strategy can be formulated with the inputs of those who will be tasked to convey the message of that branding to the country’s various tourism markets. Proceeding also from this, it ensures that, even as administrations and their priorities change, tourism promotions can continue and remain consistent.”

The TCP noted that Section 25 of the law reorganizing the former Philippine Conventions and Visitors Bureau into the TPB, puts two bureaus in the old Department of Tourism— Domestic Promotions and International Promotions—under the new promotions agency. “Reconciling the DOT’s planning mandate with TPB’s promotions mandate, the DOT should perhaps focus on a framework promotions strategy, in the context of the National Tourism Development Plan, but leaving the details to be defined and carried out by TPB.” Under the present setup, the DOT still creates and adopts promotions and marketing campaigns, but focuses it on the so-called developing markets (e.g., Israel, Soviet Union,

Lacson: ‘Gaining headway’ in ridding budget of pork

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EN. Panfilo Lacson Sr. claimed he was gaining “some headway” in his bid to rid the national budget of billions of pesos in funds that smack of pork barrel in the P3.757-trillion 2019 budget bill.

“I would say, we have gained some headway in this regard,” L acson said on T hursday even as he prodded President Duterte to strike out remaining pork-barrel allocations inserted by lawmakers in the annual money submitted by the Palace for Congress approval.

Lacson voiced hopes that Duterte and his economic managers will further scrutinize the final version of the budget bill as passed by Congress, and exercise his veto power to “excise the line items that clearly look and smell like pork.”

In a statement, Lacson lamented that Sen. Loren Legarda, finance committee chairman and principal sponsor of the Senate version of the budget bill, “did not actually present” what she and her House counterpart, Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., had agreed upon in the small group bicameral panel that reconciled conflicting provisions in the Senate and House versions of the budget bill.

“She [Legarda] merely articulated to the best of her recollection what the bicameral report would be presented for ratification,” rued Lacson.

He added: “Basically, yes, the P160 million per House member plus the billion-peso insertions made by a number of their colleagues, and the P23-billion Department of Public Works and Highways insertions by a

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number of senators plus other insertions in different agencies have all been retained.”

Lacson expressed disappointment that peers who share his aversion to grafttainted pork funds did not stand up to be counted. “Sadly, no matter how hard I argued last night, I only have one vote, although I have good reason to believe that some like-minded colleagues are supportive of deleting all pork insertions, particularly the excessive and unconscionable realignments made not only by our House counterpart, but by a number of our colleagues, as well.”

Still, Lacson consoled himself all was not lost. “On a positive note, all appropriations for flood control, particularly dredging, desilting and the like, have been deleted to be realigned to capital outlay for purchase of dredging machines.”

“Also, the Department of Health realignment that the Senate introduced and most of my institutional amendments have been retained l i k e t h e 24 0 - d a y - a - y e a r school feeding program for wasted and nearly wasted school children, additional allowance for teachers, some ap propr i at ion s cover for laws passed regarding our age-old veterans, augmentation budget requested by the Judiciary, activation of one infantry division,” the senator said, adding: “More than that, hopefully, I was able to enlighten the public because of the public discourse that transpired, for or against the outlawed pork barrel.”

Butch Fernandez

Germany, France, etc.). TPB, on the other hand, sells the Philippines to the country’s 12 key strategic markets (e.g., South Korea, China, United States, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, India, among others).

In an interview with the B usiness M irror, TCP President Jose C. Clemente III explained, “ideally, the DOT provides the framework for marketing and promotions as a policy, while TPB will promote and market the Philippines to all destinations, whether they be key markets or developing markets.”

This way, biddings for the government’s tourism advertising campaigns will be transferred to the TPB, instead of the DOT undertaking the process itself, he said.

This doesn’t mean the TPB can implement whatever advertising and promotions projects its officers have thought up. In fact, Clemente stressed, “the DOT still maintains its oversight functions over the TPB, as its secretary sits as its chairman.” Also, he said, “the privatesector representatives on the TPB board should ideally also have inputs to the promotions and marketing program of the firm.”

He underscored that under the Tourism Act, even Section 6e, regarding the powers and functions of the DOT with regard to “market development,” can and should be seen and understood as a “strategic planning function, and not an implementation one.”He said portion of the law says the DOT shall “provide an integrated market development program to attract people to visit the Philippines and enhance the prestige of the country and the Filipino people in the international community.”

The TPB is still recovering from a spate of bad publicity following revelations last year that its board hastily approved the P320-million Buhay Carinderia project without going through any bidding. About 85 percent of the funds allotted by the TPB to the project were also found to have been released to the proponent, Marylindbert International Inc., even before the project was formally launched.

Federalism’s fate may hinge on elections Continued from A2

Ongoing information drive

GENEROSO said the information campaign for federalism will continue even if President Duterte, he ad m it ted , recent ly bec a me less vocal with his support for the initiative.

“In fact some members of the ConCom are still invited as source persons.

They also do some training of some speakers. This is a continuing process,” said Generoso, who is seeking a Senate seat under the Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi (KKK) party.

Currently, he said the Con-Com is coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, as well as schools and universities for the information drive.

The initiative aims to address all the concerns of the local government officials on the changes in government framework if the federal form of government pushes through.

Personally, he said the campaign should first focus on government employees, since they will be the first to be affected by it.

“We are talking here of 1.5 million bureaucrats who will be affected by the shift to a federal system. And naturally the first to resist [federalism] would come from government because they are afraid [about] what will happen to them,” Generoso said.

He said the information drive will serve as the ground work in preparation for Duterte’s expected endorsement of the Con-Com draft charter to the 18th Congress.

“I think the President is just biding his time. I think he has his own timetable as to when he wants this to happen,” Generoso said.

The President, he added, is possibly “hoping there will be more members of the House and the Senate who will be receptive to the idea.”

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

CCLEC raises ₧19B to build first toll bridge in Cebu City

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By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

HE Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC) has raised P19 billion in syndicated loans to fund the construction of its first toll bridge in Cebu.

In a statement, the Metro Pacific Investments Corp.-led company said it signed a 15-year omnibus loan and

security agreement with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Development Bank of the Philippines, Robinsons

Bank Corp., Union Bank of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Security Bank Corp.

This deal “assured” the “construction completion” of the CebuCordova Link Expressway by 2021, the statement read.

The project, a joint venture among the local governments of Cebu City and Cordova and Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., calls for the construction of a P30-billion toll bridge project that will span 8.5 kilometers to connect Cebu City and Cordova.

CCLEC started building the in-

frastructure in July 2018. So far, it has completed 21 piles of the main bridge, and has erected 17 out of the 21 piles for its first tower.

These make up the bridge’s main foundation.

“Piling works for the other project components such as the Cebu South Coastal Road on-ramp and viaduct are under way,” the statement read.

The toll bridge is expected to service over 50,000 vehicles daily, helping reduce traffic congestion at the two existing bridges that connect Mactan and mainland Cebu.

Aboitiz InfraCapital signs deal to operate telco-tower network

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BOITIZ InfraCapital Inc. has joined the roster of groups vying to cut a slice off the upcoming telco- towers market in the Philippines, after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the construction, operation and maintenance of a network of towers in the country on Thursday.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Chief Operating Officer Cosette V. Canilao said her group saw the need to build a robust, modern and efficient network of telecommunication infrastructure, as it is “very crucial to the economic development of the Philippines.”

She said because of its reputable

and strong track record, the Aboitiz Group is well equipped to offer “its services to provide a solution to such pressing need.”

“The Aboitiz Group possesses extensive experience in building and operating utility networks, for example, through its distribution utilities Visayan Electric Co. Inc. and Davao Light and Power Co. Inc. Moreover, the Aboitiz Group has established a strong track record on the management and execution of complex projects,” Canilao said.

Currently, the ICT department is signing memoranda of understanding signing week after week with common-tower providers to fast-track the deployment of tower infrastructure in the Philippines.

So far, the government has signed six deals with tower companies, namely IHS Towers, Edotco, Isoc Infrastructure, iSON Towers, China Energy Equipment and RT Telecom Sdn. Bhd. Other parties such as Globe Telecom Inc. and American Towers have so far signified their intention to participate in the establishment of the tower-sharing industry in the Philippines.

While the DICT is implementing this initiative, the government has yet to create a formal commontowers policy, which should spell out the rules and regulations for tower sharing.

The policy is being drafted by Ramon P. Jacinto, the presidential

U-Bix bullish on growth in 2019

EXECUTIVES of U-Bix Corp. speak with members of the media during a press conference on Thursday at a Makati City hotel. From left are Leah Barcas, EVP and CFO of U-Bix Corp.; May Ann Bravo-Civil, U-Bix Corp. dirertor; and Vida Ty, director, U-Bix Corp. NONIE REYES

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

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@brownindio Contributor

AJOR one-stop office solutions and printing provider U-Bix Corp on Thursday expressed bullishness on its growth for 2019.

“This year, U-Bix is aiming to achieve an 11-percent to 15-percent revenue growth from 11 percent in 2017. We achieved P1.2 billion in revenues in 2018,” said May Ann Bravo-Civil, director of U-Bix Corp, in a press briefing held in Makati City on Thursday.

“Our positive sales performance in key growth centers was a major driver of U-Bix,” Bravo-Civil added.

Leah Barcas, U-Bix EVP and chief finance officer, said the country’s continuous economic growth is a major contributor to the solid performance of U-Bix. She said the outlook of the company this year is also focused on growing the business as more companies will need more machines for their printing requirements.

“Metro Manila will still be the

major growth area for U-Bix,” Barcas said. Bravo-Civil said remote and diagnostics services will also be a big driver as business organizations need their printing machines to be in top shape for transmitting information.

She said innovation has enabled U-Bix to maintain its high marks in product development and sciencebased services, such as transformations from plain-paper copiers to auto-color management, front-to-back registration, vivid colors, high speed and wide-paper format applications.

Through the years, Bravo-Civil said U-Bix has leaned on diversification as part of its growth strategy and strengthening customer trust as the main driver for expanding its products and services.

Starting from its printing portfolio, she said U-Bix subsidiaries have also developed a strong brand of professionalism in their respective areas, such as in professional facilities management services, digitization and document management services, hotel and resorts operations, manpower deployment both locally and globally, training and

education, publication, high-end office furniture, golf and sports, and coffee-business essentials, as well as construction and propertydevelopment ventures.

In the last five years, U-Bix has won the overall championship in the Konica Minolta Regional competitions (2015), best in Asia in the KM OPS Elite Award in Japan for the second straight year (2016), Elite Prestige Award in Japan (2017) and continuous U-Bix & BenCab Partnership (2019) for the national artist’s iconic “Sabel” calendar series.

The U-Bix diversification now includes U-Bix ownership of Island News community newspaper, Bravo Hotel & Golf course (the only All-Par 3 layout in the country) and Munting Paraiso beach resort—all found in Dumaguete City. U-Bix also owns and operates the scenic Blue Wave Inn beach resort in Siquijor, and runs as well the U-Bix Institute of Technology headed by Dr. Fel Bravo.

“We will never stop providing our customers the state-of-the-art products and, modesty aside, the world-class service that we’ve been known for all this time,” Bravo said.

adviser for ICT, who just recently mellowed on his position of limiting the number of tower players from two to four.

Tower sharing is not a common practice in the Philippines, despite the country’s lack of ICT infrastructure, as reflected in the latest report from TowerXchange.

The country only has 17,850 towers, way below its neighbors infrastructure count.

The lack of tower infrastructure has resulted in spotty signal for texts, calls and mobile data, causing the country to occupy a laggard spot in most Internet speed reviews in the region. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Friday, February 8, 2019

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AC Energy eyeing to buy Malaya thermal plant

By Lenie Lectura

A

@llectura

C Energy Inc. is closely reviewing plans on the Malaya Thermal Power Plant which is being sold by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).

“Malaya is right beside our Pililla plant so we view that as a possible peaking facility. The good thing about that is access to transmission…We will not do a coal plant there, gas will be more challenging, so it’s going to be more on peaking,” AC Energy President Eric Francia said.

AC Energy and Phinma Energy Corp. expressed interest in the plant. The two are currently working on a deal that will give AC Energy a 51.48-percent stake in Phinma Energy valued at P3.42 billion.

Francia said if and when they pursue interest in the Malaya plant, “it’s not going to be an easy project,” because the plant is very old.

“While it makes sense to replace the whole thing, it will be very costly to rehabilitate. It’s got an expensive start-up cost,” Francia said.

All of these, he said, would be taken into consideration. “It’s good we have an extension for us to conduct studies.”

In December last year, PSALM said it has prequalified four firms vying to buy the Malaya plant, the

land underlying the facility and all other assets associated with the plant’s structures.

PSALM President Irene Joy Garcia identified AC Energy Inc., DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc., DMCI Power Corp. and FGen Reliable Energy Holdings Inc. as “real serious bidders.”

The other interested bidders who earlier expressed interest, but did not submit the necessary documents are Panasia Energy Inc., Quezon Power (Philippines) Ltd. Co., Crown Investment Holdings Inc., Energy World Power Operations Philippines Inc., Pan Pacific Renewable Power Philippines Corp., Phinma Energy Corp., Korean firm STX and SMC Global Holdings Corp.

The plant, which consists of a 300-megawatt unit with a once-through type boiler and a 350-MW unit fitted with a conventional boiler, is a must-run unit (MRU) that provides backup power in instances when supply is deficient or unavailable in the Luzon grid.

The PSALM board recently allowed the privatization of the Malaya complex without the MRU requirement.

AC Energy was earlier looking to develop a 150-MW diesel plant in Pililla, Rizal, to serve the peaking requirement of the Luzon grid. Francia said the company is currently working on the permitting process.

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, February 8, 2019

Tokyo court decision on ouster from OHL not yet final–Okada

J

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

APAN’S gambling magnate Kazuo Okada on Thursday said his fight to regain control of his company is not yet over, saying the Tokyo decision regarding the agreement between his two children that kicked him out of his own company is not yet final.

“Until the decision becomes final, the fight is not yet over, and Kazuo Okada remains in control of Universal Entertainment Corp. [UEC] as 99-percent owner of Okada Holdings Ltd. [OHL],” Okada’s lawyers from Blanco and Esguerra Law Office said in a statement. Lawyer Reody Anthony Balisi said Okada’s daughter Hiromi plans to appeal the Tokyo decision in the complaint filed against her by brother Tomohiro.

In its January 25 decision, the

Tokyo District Court confirmed the validity of the 30-year trust agreement that led to the ouster of Okada from control of OHL, which owns 67.9 percent of UEC. UEC owns Tiger Resort Asia Ltd., which controls Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc., the operator of Okada Manila, the $1.5-billion resort and casino in Entertainment City. Okada’s children Tomohiro and Hiromi signed a trust agreement on separate occasions in March and May

Kantar Worldpanel study: Innovation is essential for brand growth

T

HE more brands innovate, the more buyers they recruit. This is according to a research by Kantar Worldpanel who said that on the average, 12 percent of the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brand’s buyers comes from its new products.

In particular, the global expert in shopper’s behavior found 3 out of 100 homes in the Philippines would have tried a new FMCG product a year after it was launched, of which only one-fourth will come back to repurchase it for their homes.

In the Philippines, Kantar Worldpanel studied product launches, including new brand releases and renovations or upgrades to existing products, across 24 FMCG categories from 2015 to 2017. The report showed how the products performed overall: how many were picked up, how many were left unnoticed, and which products stayed in the grocery lists of Filipino shoppers.

Innovation, according to the InnovNation study of Kantar Worldpanel, is not limited to new brands.

“There are three types of innovation,” Stephanie Tanada, Kantar Worldpanel account director, explained. “Aside from new brands, there are also new line extensions, which entail change in formula, variant and/or flavor. Innovation can also be seen in terms of renovation/replacement, which means an alteration in weight and/or packaging of the product.”

Kantar Worldpanel identified personal care as the most innovative FMCG sector with a share of 37 percent, driven mostly by new line extensions of bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste and hair conditioner.

Food followed closely behind with 34 percent based on new brand launches registered during the research period. This was evident in the form of corn snacks, sandwich biscuits, potato snacks and milk powder for kids introduced to Filipino consumers. The two other FMCG sectors that experienced the least innovation were home care (17 percent) and beverage (17 percent). Kantar Worldpanel research showed that while global manufacturers still take the lead in terms of innovation in the country’s FMCG sector with a share of 57 percent, local manufacturers are following suit at 47 percent of the pie. In fact, local manufacturers took the lead (at 69 percent) in innovating the food sector. The global manufacturers, however, drove innovation for the other FMCG sectors (beverage, home care and personal care).

While there is no fool-proof formula that will ensure a brand or a product’s success, there are three key things to remember based on the Kantar Worldpanel research.

First, marketers should have a good understanding of their target market. Household products have higher tendencies to be tried, while trial generation for food and personal care are more cutthroat, the study noted.

2017 that effectively booted out their father as director and chairman from the company he founded.

Hiromi reconciled with her father in August 2017, and the two filed civil and criminal proceedings in Hong Kong to regain control of Okada Holdings and also secure criminal convictions for fraud and financial crimes against those responsible for his ouster.

In the Tokyo case, Hiromi testified that Tomohiro took advantage of her weak emotional state to trick her into signing two share-trust agreements dated March 2 and May 23, 2017, that led to the illegal ouster of their father from OHL. In her testimony, Hiromi claimed Tomohiro did not explain to her the contents of the documents she signed, contrary to the claim of his brother.

“On March 2, 2017, I was going overseas again the following day, so I was really tired. There was no explanation. In a few minutes, I signed the documents, and it was over,” Hiromi said in her testimony.

Okada’s lawyers, meanwhile, hit Tiger Resort’s plan to change the name of Okada Manila, saying the company needs their client’s consent before it could happen.

“As the rightful owner of Okada Holdings, how can they not consult him on matters regarding his company and his property?” the lawyers said, adding the magnate is also opposed to the backdoor listing of Tiger Resort using Asiabest Group International Inc. “He was not consulted at all in that transaction, and he will file cases against those responsible for the backdoor listing,” the lawyers said.

Early this week, Tiger Resort said it was successful in its backdoor listing bid at the Philippine Stock Exchange after it concluded the share-purchase agreement of certain shareholders of Asiabest Group.

Tiger now owns 200 million shares or 66.67 percent of Asiabest.

The deal, which still has to be approved by the Philippine Stock Exchange, is worth P646.5 million.

Lightstone looking for Pinoy partners

L

IGHTSTONE Group, a private investment company based in New York, is seeking Filipino investors to back its various projects in the United States, with a ranking official saying this could help Filipinos to jump-start their American dream.

Jonathan Rabinow, the company’s chief investment officer, said Filipinos investing a minimum of $500,000 in his group’s portfolio of real-estate projects could easily get an EB-5 Visa, an investor visa to the United States that also allows family members of its holders to immigrate to America. “It is very important for investors to look for an EB-5 project with a strong and reputable sponsor for two main reasons: to ensure that their investment is safe and ultimately receive US permanent residency by creating the required jobs,” he said.

Lightstone, he noted, is a privately held real-estate company in the United States with “over $6 billion in assets under management and development.”

“With over 30 years of experience, Lightstone is active in developing, managing and investing in all sectors of the real- estate market through the United States. Lightstone’s portfo-

lio currently includes over 370,000 square meters of office, retail and industrial commercial properties, over 15,000 residential units and 4,000 hotel keys,” Rabinow said. Over the last two years, only 22 Filipinos filed for an EV-5 visas—12 in 2017, and 10 the year prior. The visa program is relatively new for the Philippines.

“Lightstone sees a great opportunity to provide Filipinos a chance to immigrate to the United States and enjoy the benefits of a permanent residency with a clear path to US citizenship,” Rabinow added.

He noted the Philippines is an important market for Lightstone, adding his group cemented its interest in the country through the opening of an office in Manila.

“Lightstone has committed considerable time and resources into the Philippines for the long-term.

We have recently opened an office in Manila so that local potential investors can meet with our sales representative and discuss the EB-5 program and the projects. Lightstone has started to conduct education and informational seminars throughout the country to educate residents about the opportunity,” Rabinow said. Lorenz S. Marasigan

STOCKS DECLINE AS DOLLAR RALLIES

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TOCKS in Europe fell alongside US index futures after a mixed session in Asia as signs emerged that the global rally in equities is stalling. Italian bond yields rose after the European Commission slashed growth forecasts for the euro region’s major economies.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index extended declines, dragged down by automakers and banks as sharply lower trading revenue from Societe Generale SA countered positive results from UniCredit SpA and DNB ASA. Futures on the S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq indexes all slipped. In Japan, shares fell amid a raft of corporate earnings, although SoftBank surged 18 percent on plans for its biggest-ever buyback. China and Hong Kong markets were shut. Bloomberg News

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

February 7, 2019

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

ASIA UNITED 59 59.4 59.45 59.45 59.45 59.45 500 29725 -29725 BDO UNIBANK 139.9 140.2 140 141.8 139.7 140.2 2304270 323627311 76396777 BANK PH ISLANDS 92.95 93 93 93.4 92.6 93 4332550 402926184 -21878943 CHINABANK 28 28.1 28 28.5 27.95 28 172500 4835840 -4238795 CITYSTATE BANK 6.54 7.58 7.58 7.58 7.58 7.58 200 1516 EAST WEST BANK 13.06 13.1 13.3 13.34 13.06 13.06 1411700 18676108 -6222892 METROBANK 83.2 83.25 83 83.35 82.6 83.2 2022070 168198035.5 60983413.5 PB BANK 13.6 13.86 14 14 13.6 13.6 13400 182280 PBCOM 21.65 22.95 21.5 23.95 21.5 22.95 4000 91840 PHIL NATL BANK 49 49.25 47 49.9 47 49 3002300 146,047,715( 21,467,855.0004) PSBANK 59.4 59.8 59.8 59.8 59.4 59.4 4760 283121 PHILTRUST 113 122 110.1 122 110.1 122 210 23240 RCBC 26.3 26.45 26.7 26.7 26.3 26.3 136700 3602585 2486025 SECURITY BANK 179.3 179.8 180.4 181.4 179 179.8 83420 15009758 -4102459 UNION BANK 63.8 64.1 64.25 64.25 63.75 63.8 9080 580958 -280220 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.43 1.44 1.44 1.44 1.43 1.43 32000 45770 BDO LEASING 2.23 2.29 2.23 2.29 2.23 2.29 15000 33970 COL FINANCIAL 17 17.14 17.16 17.16 16.9 17.16 267100 4543644 1010902 FIRST ABACUS 0.61 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.66 2000 1320 FERRONOUX HLDG 4.8 4.82 4.9 5.15 4.73 4.8 2655000 13128140 -25250 IREMIT 1.4 1.43 1.48 1.48 1.4 1.4 14000 20160 MEDCO HLDG 0.47 0.475 0.485 0.485 0.47 0.475 910000 433000 NTL REINSURANCE 1.16 1.17 1.14 1.19 1.14 1.16 1929000 2266240 -292500 PHIL STOCK EXCH 185.2 186 186.5 186.5 186 186 500 93020 SUN LIFE 1795 1800 1800 1800 1795 1795 210 377600 VANTAGE 1.16 1.17 1.16 1.17 1.16 1.17 133000 155590

INDUSTRIAL ALSONS CONS 1.36 1.38 1.36 1.39 1.36 1.39 11000 15230 ABOITIZ POWER 37.7 37.85 37.7 38.55 37.65 37.7 667800 25278405 7470185 BASIC ENERGY 0.25 0.255 0.255 0.26 0.245 0.255 5680000 1407540 FIRST GEN 20.6 20.65 20.5 20.7 20.45 20.6 1365400 28128565 12785010 FIRST PHIL HLDG 73 73.3 73.4 74.4 72.9 73 359080 26,253,562( 6,163,812.5002) MERALCO 370 371 369 371.2 368 371 61070 22618104 9929550 MANILA WATER 27.25 27.4 27.5 27.5 27.25 27.4 1345100 36875815 -15491670 PETRON 7.66 7.67 7.75 7.87 7.65 7.66 4668900 36188407 7266115 PETROENERGY 3.69 3.73 3.7 3.73 3.69 3.72 36000 133360 PHINMA ENERGY 1.34 1.35 1.37 1.37 1.34 1.35 21809000 29563950 -8866520 PH RESORTS GRP 6.45 6.46 6.3 6.5 6.3 6.45 504900 3224891 -127200 PHX PETROLEUM 10.92 11.2 11 11.18 10.88 11.18 56600 622732 PILIPINAS SHELL 48.5 48.55 48.5 48.8 48.4 48.55 529600 25724995 -13888815 SPC POWER 6.33 6.4 6.41 6.41 6.33 6.33 38300 242644 AGRINURTURE 16.48 16.58 16.5 16.58 16.36 16.58 447000 7368940 1096154 CNTRL AZUCARERA 16.88 17.5 18.5 18.6 16.12 17.5 20000 344836 CENTURY FOOD 15.88 15.96 15.96 15.96 15.8 15.88 1806800 28678692 1345732 DEL MONTE 6.81 6.82 6.82 6.83 6.81 6.81 154300 1051998 373848 DNL INDUS 11.88 11.9 11.76 12 11.72 11.9 4319600 51248544 10927080 EMPERADOR 7.72 7.73 7.59 7.75 7.55 7.72 834400 6437344 -610416 SMC FOODANDBEV 96.9 97 97.4 97.45 95 97 279370 27033914 -1499670.5 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.04 1.05 1.07 1.07 1.03 1.04 2084000 2169750 166690 GINEBRA 26.85 27.9 26.8 27.9 26.8 27.9 5000 135150 JOLLIBEE 319.4 323 322 323 319.2 323 538370 172687304 49264416 LIBERTY FLOUR 49.2 56 49.1 49.15 49.1 49.15 300 14740 MACAY HLDG 10.88 11 10 11.7 10 10.88 5191500 52069096 50266000 MAXS GROUP 12.82 12.88 12.9 13 12.82 12.82 641700 8267432 -1158766 MG HLDG 0.2 0.208 0.207 0.209 0.187 0.209 12270000 2412650 57360 PEPSI COLA 1.39 1.4 1.39 1.42 1.38 1.4 6236000 8731520 -887330.0002 SHAKEYS PIZZA 13 13.04 13.14 13.14 13 13 203400 2645254 2126794 ROXAS AND CO 2.16 2.17 2.17 2.22 2.07 2.17 1686000 3650610 -21000 RFM CORP 4.82 4.83 4.86 4.86 4.8 4.82 284000 1365440 -308670 ROXAS HLDG 2.9 3.02 2.98 3.02 2.98 3.02 20000 59960 SWIFT FOODS 0.135 0.137 0.138 0.138 0.131 0.135 1520000 203880 21150 UNIV ROBINA 147.1 147.9 151 151 147 147.1 1624850 242461046 7027222 VITARICH 1.76 1.77 1.75 1.77 1.73 1.77 1836000 3215790 17500 CEMEX HLDG 2.58 2.6 2.59 2.7 2.58 2.58 15978000 41869290 -9970090 DAVINCI CAPITAL 6.15 6.38 6.15 6.39 6.07 6.39 90300 550978 EAGLE CEMENT 16.12 16.24 16.4 16.4 16.12 16.12 182900 2952580 1807822 EEI CORP 8.36 8.38 8.36 8.38 8.36 8.38 1717900 14391745 -3035336 HOLCIM 9.42 9.45 9.8 9.8 9.3 9.42 1859300 17713192 2583102 MEGAWIDE 18.6 18.64 18.56 18.76 18.4 18.62 4371500 81451376 27782152 PHINMA 8.83 8.98 8.82 9 8.82 8.95 9700 85703 -20417 TKC METALS 0.97 1 1.02 1.03 0.97 0.97 400000 395380 -127440 VULCAN INDL 1.42 1.43 1.44 1.44 1.4 1.43 2357000 3346120 46580 CHEMPHIL 128 139.8 131.1 139.8 130 139.8 1750 228592 CROWN ASIA 1.75 1.78 1.77 1.79 1.75 1.75 164000 288850 17780 MABUHAY VINYL 3.25 3.29 3.28 3.3 3.28 3.3 54000 177320 PRYCE CORP 6 6.13 6.05 6.05 6 6 146900 884430 149649 CONCEPCION 41.5 42 41.5 41.5 41.5 41.5 500 20750 12450 GREENERGY 3.14 3.15 3 3.16 2.97 3.15 32046000 98851060 -5222360 INTEGRATED MICR 13.36 13.38 13.6 13.68 13.28 13.38 1236400 16507060 8963792 IONICS 1.72 1.74 1.7 1.78 1.67 1.72 386000 662460 PANASONIC 5.96 6.15 5.95 6.15 5.95 6.15 3600 21460 SFA SEMICON 1.39 1.41 1.38 1.41 1.38 1.41 304000 426230 11200 CIRTEK HLDG 29.95 30 30.2 30.5 29.9 30 71900 2163910 -296360

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.86 0.82 0.85 48050000 40448400 1375930 ASIABEST GROUP 27.25 27.3 28 29.45 26.45 27.3 279600 7610115 114845 AYALA CORP 933 935 935 944.5 926 933 302920 283513515 -106692290 ABOITIZ EQUITY 63.2 63.3 61.9 63.6 61.9 63.2 456300 28829541 67725.5 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 13.84 13.86 13.82 13.88 13.78 13.86 1715700 23756864 -3987812 ANSCOR 6.5 6.56 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 100 650 650 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.82 0.84 0.8 0.84 0.8 0.82 139000 112530 ATN HLDG A 1.42 1.43 1.41 1.44 1.4 1.43 1968000 2803590 ATN HLDG B 1.44 1.45 1.42 1.45 1.42 1.44 413000 590740 337680 COSCO CAPITAL 7.35 7.39 7.44 7.44 7.33 7.35 904200 6667387 3374393 DMCI HLDG 12.6 12.7 12.66 12.72 12.58 12.6 2076000 26183016 8387004 FILINVEST DEV 13.04 13.1 13.2 13.2 13 13.1 129000 1696268 31344 FORUM PACIFIC 0.24 0.241 0.25 0.27 0.24 0.241 2590000 633020 GT CAPITAL 1100 1109 1129 1129 1100 1100 131070 146447990 28994750 HOUSE OF INV 6.06 6.32 6.02 6.38 6.02 6.38 10100 61117 JG SUMMIT 65 65.3 64.95 65.75 64 65 964670 62655210 29608091.5 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5.51 5.74 5.51 5.51 5.51 5.51 200 1102 LODESTAR 0.64 0.67 0.69 0.69 0.64 0.67 428000 283160 LOPEZ HLDG 5.18 5.21 5.3 5.3 5.18 5.18 2353700 12369663 6727950 LT GROUP 15.36 15.38 15.6 15.6 15.32 15.36 3462000 53237414 -11754918 MABUHAY HLDG 0.58 0.59 0.6 0.6 0.57 0.59 329000 191790 METRO PAC INV 4.94 4.95 4.96 4.98 4.93 4.94 10161000 50321180 -8114720 PACIFICA 0.04 0.041 0.04 0.041 0.038 0.041 19700000 779000 PRIME ORION 2.74 2.76 2.75 2.79 2.69 2.74 792000 2160580 -11160 PRIME MEDIA 1.16 1.2 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.16 132000 153120 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.56 2.65 2.57 2.64 2.55 2.64 25000 64350 SOLID GROUP 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.39 1.37 1.37 51000 69950 -57540 SYNERGY GRID 465 500 466 466 465 465 70 32580 SM INVESTMENTS 1000 1003 985 1005 984 1000 150460 150235275 58633590 SAN MIGUEL CORP 163 163.1 165 165.9 162.8 163.1 478310 78314783 -9319459 SEAFRONT RES 2.28 2.69 2.28 2.28 2.27 2.27 9000 20460 TOP FRONTIER 277 279 279.8 279.8 278 278 1170 325408 88980 WELLEX INDUS 0.255 0.265 0.27 0.275 0.255 0.255 12640000 3313650 ZEUS HLDG 0.375 0.38 0.35 0.4 0.325 0.38 174190000 65394200 2902450

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.9 0.91 0.88 0.92 0.86 0.9 2582000 2328020 -164280 ANCHOR LAND 11 11.1 10.94 11.1 10.58 11.1 23100 250486 AYALA LAND 45.2 45.25 45 45.25 44.85 45.25 12189700 550090700 257669605 ARANETA PROP 1.76 1.78 1.89 1.89 1.76 1.76 313000 563100 BELLE CORP 2.55 2.6 2.65 2.65 2.55 2.59 1477000 3843000 -734200 A BROWN 0.82 0.83 0.84 0.84 0.81 0.82 1825000 1505490 CITYLAND DEVT 0.88 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.88 0.88 226000 202990 5400 CROWN EQUITIES 0.247 0.25 0.255 0.265 0.247 0.247 58740000 14918890 -6395840 CEBU HLDG 6.32 6.33 6.26 6.32 6.26 6.32 87600 553596 540992 CEB LANDMASTERS 3.95 4 4.07 4.1 3.94 4 2906000 11621010 -10490540 CENTURY PROP 0.48 0.485 0.485 0.49 0.48 0.485 8260000 3993400 -38700 CYBER BAY 0.405 0.425 0.42 0.42 0.4 0.41 1990000 813400 DOUBLEDRAGON 23.1 23.2 23.15 23.7 22.7 23.2 1576900 36868090 12984305 DM WENCESLAO 10.22 10.28 10.1 10.34 10 10.28 1853600 18997230 8288459.9999 EMPIRE EAST 0.5 0.51 0.52 0.52 0.51 0.51 275000 141340 -84660 EVER GOTESCO 0.131 0.14 0.143 0.143 0.129 0.131 540000 73960 FILINVEST LAND 1.57 1.58 1.61 1.61 1.57 1.57 14495000 23080800 -6937920 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.23 1.23 2185000 2698860 93000 8990 HLDG 10.04 10.06 10.4 10.4 9.98 10.06 1292000 13154922 1379858 PHIL INFRADEV 2.24 2.27 2.22 2.28 2.21 2.27 8756000 19546860 473290 CITY AND LAND 0.82 0.85 0.85 0.86 0.85 0.86 14000 11910 MEGAWORLD 5.27 5.29 5.33 5.34 5.26 5.29 21108700 111743245 -27950210 MRC ALLIED 0.445 0.45 0.435 0.46 0.43 0.45 30130000 13462300 -134950 PHIL ESTATES 0.455 0.465 0.47 0.475 0.455 0.455 2520000 1157150 PRIMEX CORP 3.18 3.19 3.24 3.25 3.13 3.19 378000 1193570 -154840 ROBINSONS LAND 22.35 22.4 22.9 22.9 22.3 22.4 2368800 53039755 -25539930 PHIL REALTY 0.46 0.465 0.455 0.46 0.45 0.46 1270000 580050 211100 ROCKWELL 2 2.02 2.02 2.02 2 2 6000 12100 SHANG PROP 3.12 3.13 3.12 3.12 3.11 3.12 63000 196270 STA LUCIA LAND 1.43 1.45 1.48 1.48 1.4 1.45 1565000 2214370 -17760 SM PRIME HLDG 38.7 38.9 38.7 39 38.7 38.7 5054700 196668830 78232860 STARMALLS 5.96 6.04 6 6.05 5.9 6.03 481600 2887703 SUNTRUST HOME 0.71 0.77 0.72 0.76 0.7 0.76 659000 474860 PTFC REDEV CORP 43.1 49.95 50 50 50 50 20 1000 VISTA LAND 6.15 6.19 6.26 6.27 6.08 6.19 129602900 802221576 -22340932

SERVICES ABS CBN 24.1 24.15 23.9 24.25 23.9 24.1 248900 6001525 GMA NETWORK 5.79 5.8 5.78 5.81 5.78 5.8 129000 748230 MANILA BULLETIN 0.345 0.365 0.36 0.36 0.35 0.35 240000 85000 MLA BRDCASTING 16 17.58 15.36 16 15.36 16 1000 15936 GLOBE TELECOM 2016 2028 2022 2050 2004 2016 37480 75706740 -7659620 PLDT 1282 1283 1290 1294 1276 1283 80360 103062710 17223410 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.042 0.043 0.043 0.044 0.042 0.043 19300000 819400 DFNN INC 7.13 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.29 7.3 25900 189058 IMPERIAL 1.91 1.99 1.98 1.98 1.98 1.98 8000 15840 ISLAND INFO 0.132 0.134 0.138 0.138 0.125 0.134 16210000 2127230 -33250 ISM COMM 6.55 6.58 7.35 7.4 6.52 6.55 63782900 445541261 -5786122 JACKSTONES 3.14 3.27 3.11 3.11 3.11 3.11 2000 6220 NOW CORP 3.2 3.23 3.15 3.26 3.06 3.23 11039000 34785250 -2352180 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.45 0.455 0.45 0.47 0.445 0.455 38140000 17519150 49400 PHILWEB 3.19 3.2 3.04 3.19 3.01 3.19 5403000 16856180 -7353440 2GO GROUP 13.7 13.9 13.8 14.08 13.7 13.9 116800 1619856 13760 CEBU AIR 90.5 90.55 91.2 91.2 90.45 90.5 191650 17359263.5 -2303482.5 CHELSEA 6.71 6.73 7.18 7.2 6.71 6.73 4331400 30259147 1139019 INTL CONTAINER 111.1 111.2 111.6 111.6 110.2 111.1 3154020 350643662 -76739207 LBC EXPRESS 15.1 15.4 14.8 15.1 14.8 15.1 51800 777798 -189420 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.81 0.83 0.82 0.83 0.81 0.83 26000 21280 MACROASIA 20.3 20.45 21 21 20.1 20.3 1312300 26833075 1362625 METROALLIANCE A 2.08 2.1 2.1 2.16 2.06 2.08 320000 673470 METROALLIANCE B 2.15 2.25 2.08 2.27 2.05 2.15 56000 119970 PAL HLDG 12.8 12.94 13 13 12.66 12.8 168600 2155402 38160 HARBOR STAR 2.85 2.86 2.94 2.94 2.85 2.86 1148000 3297310 57440 ACESITE HOTEL 1.36 1.38 1.32 1.38 1.31 1.38 662000 871000 11790 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.065 0.066 0.066 0.066 0.063 0.066 41770000 2693130 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.06 2.21 2.1 2.1 2.02 2.02 45000 93490 GRAND PLAZA 10.44 11.58 11.6 11.62 11.6 11.62 1200 13932 WATERFRONT 0.75 0.77 0.75 0.77 0.75 0.75 5698000 4309710 CENTRO ESCOLAR 7.73 8 7.98 8 7.68 8 54900 438990 FAR EASTERN U 893 896 896 896 896 896 20 17920 8960 IPEOPLE 11.2 11.42 11.58 11.58 11.18 11.42 4000 45144 -1142 STI HLDG 0.8 0.81 0.81 0.82 0.79 0.8 9602000 7701710 -298720 BERJAYA 3.24 3.25 3.15 3.29 3.04 3.24 1848000 5845150 16070 BLOOMBERRY 11.54 11.56 11.52 11.6 11.46 11.56 2405300 27776432 22051396 PACIFIC ONLINE 9.39 9.74 9.79 9.79 9.35 9.74 2700 26349 LEISURE AND RES 3.42 3.45 3.5 3.5 3.36 3.42 521000 1777670 758690 MANILA JOCKEY 4.75 4.89 4.74 4.89 4.73 4.89 79000 374130 PREMIUM LEISURE 1 1.01 1.01 1.03 1 1 10901000 10998000 1007330 TRAVELLERS 5.54 5.56 5.51 5.55 5.5 5.54 195600 1083434 -531375.9997 METRO RETAIL 2.74 2.75 2.63 2.78 2.63 2.75 2618000 7173900 520800 PUREGOLD 48.65 48.7 48.6 48.9 48.2 48.65 3389400 164815105 57989615 ROBINSONS RTL 88.4 88.5 88.4 89 87.5 88.5 607220 53713260 27450600 PHIL SEVEN CORP 131 132 130.5 131 130.1 131 3900 509015 505100 SSI GROUP 2.39 2.4 2.44 2.46 2.4 2.4 14305000 34674300 -4240820 WILCON DEPOT 14.56 14.62 14.7 14.7 14.56 14.62 6548200 95729358 50089616 APC GROUP 0.46 0.465 0.465 0.465 0.46 0.46 1800000 829550 46000 EASYCALL 15 15.02 15.2 15.2 14.9 15 148800 2235040 71322 GOLDEN BRIA 351 358 337.4 360 337.4 358 1570 559182 IPM HLDG 7.15 7.2 7.2 7.2 7.18 7.2 4300 30934 PAXYS 3.43 3.6 3.52 3.6 3.5 3.6 3000 10620 PRMIERE HORIZON 1.36 1.37 1.3 1.41 1.27 1.37 169698000 231428680 -4446480 SBS PHIL CORP 8.26 8.39 8.18 8.45 8.17 8.3 48900 404912 -107799.9999

MINING & OIL ATOK 13 13.44 13 13.46 13 13.46 400 5246 APEX MINING 1.57 1.58 1.56 1.58 1.55 1.58 1403000 2198870 -46500 ABRA MINING 0.0022 0.0023 0.0022 0.0023 0.0021 0.0022 1424000000 3143100 242000 ATLAS MINING 2.96 3 3 3.06 2.92 2.96 81000 240560 BENGUET B 1.25 1.42 1.24 1.24 1.24 1.24 1000 1240 -1240 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.3 0.315 0.305 0.315 0.3 0.315 330000 100600 CENTURY PEAK 2.11 2.13 2.11 2.11 2.1 2.1 637000 1338050 14700 DIZON MINES 8.39 8.65 8.3 8.8 7.88 8.65 55300 463913 FERRONICKEL 1.48 1.49 1.51 1.51 1.48 1.48 2770000 4126560 650300 GEOGRACE 0.33 0.335 0.31 0.355 0.285 0.335 29150000 9378750 LEPANTO A 0.129 0.131 0.132 0.132 0.128 0.132 9390000 1224660 LEPANTO B 0.129 0.136 0.137 0.137 0.136 0.136 1590000 217760 MANILA MINING A 0.008 0.0083 0.008 0.0084 0.008 0.0081 25000000 204200 MARCVENTURES 1.09 1.1 1.12 1.12 1.05 1.09 617000 674210 NIHAO 1.13 1.16 1.14 1.19 1.13 1.16 644000 741140 NICKEL ASIA 2.86 2.87 2.76 2.88 2.76 2.86 9520000 27016360 8369729.9996 OMICO CORP 0.68 0.71 0.69 0.71 0.69 0.71 280000 197600 ORNTL PENINSULA 1 1.01 1.03 1.03 1 1 680000 684250 16000 PX MINING 4.21 4.23 4.19 4.23 4.16 4.23 644000 2701200 -40860 SEMIRARA MINING 23.85 23.9 24.3 24.4 23.5 23.9 1183500 28254440 -10265410 UNITED PARAGON 0.0084 0.0085 0.008 0.0092 0.0076 0.0085 398000000 3434400 297499.9999 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 21400000 265700 ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 101500000 1318100 PHILODRILL 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 173300000 2079600 -10800 PHINMA PETRO 3.62 3.65 3.74 3.74 3.62 3.62 169000 617950 PXP ENERGY 14.16 14.18 14.36 14.36 14.18 14.18 1401900 19944994 -540084

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF SMC FB PREF 2 FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

95.65 472 493 98 990 103 481 899 1 100.1 103 1.84 75.1 75.4 73.5 74.95 73 73.25

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

20.55 5.7

96 479.8 495 98.4 994 104.5 498 900 1.01 100.4 106.5 2.1 75.45 76.6 73.9 75.2 74.5 73.5

95.55 479.8 495 98.45 992 103.5 496.8 900 1.01 100.4 106.5 2.1 75.4 76.55 73.5 74.9 73 73.5

96 479.8 495 98.45 992 103.8 496.8 900 1.01 100.4 106.5 2.1 75.5 76.55 73.95 75 73 73.5

95.55 479 495 98.45 992 103.5 480 900 0.99 100.4 106.5 2.1 75.15 75.1 73.5 74.9 73 73.5

96 479 495 98.45 992 103.8 490 900 0.99 100.4 106.5 2.1 75.5 75.1 73.95 75 73 73.5

1300 650 20 40410 40 5680 2020 110 58000 1500 200 1000 45340 85160 16200 7700 21000 1000

124620 311390 9900 3978364.5 39680 589509 970588 99000 57520 150600 21300 2100 3407804.5 6477308.5 1192050 576770 1533000 73500

301000 -

20.75 5.78

20.6 5.77

20.6 5.77

20.55 5.77

20.55 5.77

572000 112600

11774445 649702

-8788770 522762

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.97

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 4.75 MAKATI FINANCE 2.69 XURPAS 1.65

2

2.03

2.03

1.97

2

112000

222770

-

4.84 2.86 1.66

4.99 2.86 1.71

4.99 2.86 1.71

4.74 2.86 1.6

4.75 2.86 1.66

1224000 2000 18300000

5909520 5720 30052960

57700 686330

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

120.8

121

121.1

121.1

120

121

3100

374962

24180

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Friday, February 8, 2019

B3

DepEd backs bid to certify urgent tobacco tax bill

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TRESSING that it will strengthen the agency’s efforts in protecting learners from getting into smoking, the Department of Education (DepEd) has expressed strong support for having President Duterte’s certify as urgent a Senate bill imposing higher taxes on tobacco products.

“Significant increase in tobacco tax will lead to higher prices of cigarettes, making them less affordable and less available especially for the youth,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The President approved during the first Cabinet meeting in 2019 the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Finance (DOF) to certify as urgent Senate Bill 1599, which aims to increase the tax on tobacco to P60 per pack.

The DOH and DOF have been calling for the passage of the bill to curb smoking prevalence among Filipinos and to generate

funds for the government’s Universal Health Care program.

The DepEd acknowledged that effective tobacco taxation complements their own tobacco control efforts.

“In school, we teach our learners to reject tobacco use. But education alone is not enough. Outside the school, we need policies that will help reinforce our learners’ healthpromoting choices, complementing what we teach them in school,” Briones added.

The DepEd has its comprehensive tobacco control policy, issued through DepEd Order 48, Series of 2016, which aims to educate

Kantar TNS reveals top-performing banks in past decade; BDO tops

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ANTAR TNS, one of the world’s largest research agencies with experts in over 90 countries, recently launched the 2018 Corporate Reputation Study, a quantitative program about the operations of the different banks in the Philippines.

This study is a follow-up to the same survey conducted in 2008.

Kantar TNS research showed that BDO has overtaken Metrobank and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and come out as the most reputable bank in total ranking this year, moving up two places from No. 3 in 2008.

The study focused on the bankable segment of the population, particularly class ABC financial decision-makers in the Greater Manila Area (GMA) and Metro Cebu. Among the topics discussed during the interviews with 800 respondents were awareness of banks, bank patronage (e.g., loan/deposit products availed, length of relationship), touchpoints, and attitudes to financial activities, banking and financial technology. Kantar TNS’s corporate reputation model focuses on five dimensions driving a bank’s reputation, namely: overall reputation/renown; favorability; trust; success;

and product and service quality.

Top performing banks in PHL from 2008 to 2018

SEVERAL banks enjoy an uplift in reputation, benefiting from the positive performance of the sector. “Consumers are taking notice of efforts to consolidate and strengthen the banking industry,” said JV Villabroza, head of Kantar TNS. BDO ranked No. 1 in total ranking, and in GMA. On the other hand, albeit with softening reputation, Metrobank managed to maintain its lead in Metro Cebu, while BPI and BPI Family placed second in both GMA and Metro Cebu.

Government-operated banks such as the Philippine National Bank (PNB) and LandBank complete the top 5 list.

Meanwhile, the study showed RCBC, RCBC Savings and Security Bank as having major gains on reputation over this 10-year period, now joining the pack of high-reputation banks.

BDO’s reputation among consumers in GMA has strengthened over the years (from 79 percent in 2008 to 90 percent in 2018), with success positively driving this increase, a positive consequence of its dominance in the local market and the expansion of its network and capabilities globally.

Association’s role in education and employment

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N my column last January 21, 2018, “Why Associations Matter,” I wrote about the significant but silent contributions that associations make to society. These are: (a) committing resources to lifelong learning and professional development, (b) creating industry and professional standards, and (c) promoting enterprise development, product and service innovation.

I will follow up on item (a) and approach it in the context of education-to-employment experience in our country. I am also basing this on a paper, entitled “The Association Role in the New Education Paradigm” by Shelly Alcorn, principal at Alcorn Associates Management Consulting, and Elizabeth Weaver Engel, CEO and chief strategist of Spark Consulting.

We all know that the education-to-employment system in the country is evolving and is in need of adapting to current realities in an open and mobile environment. New enterprises that require new skills, as well as the advance of artificial intelligence and automation, are making many employment options obsolete.

The paper mentions the advantage for associations to fill this growing gap. “Some believe the job of college is to teach you how to think and the job of employers is to teach you how to work. Back in the mid-20th century, that might have been true, but it is not any longer. Someone needs to fill the gap.

Associations have a golden opportunity to assume that burden, provide work force training that is robust and meaningful, and reap the rewards of doing so. Even if we only look at one feature of the new landscape—capacity— it seems obvious that no one sector will be able to handle every need.

It’s truly an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ moment in history,” according to the paper.

Here are three examples of how local associations are building the capacity of members to grow professionally. These three associations are all members of the organization I belong to, the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations” in the country.

One is the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), which offers the Certified Franchise Executive Program. This enables franchise professionals to earn, grow professionally, and reach a recognized standard

Association World Octavio Peralta of excellence in the franchise community.

Another is the CFA Society Philippines that offers training programs and other learning sessions locally and internationally toward being a chartered financial analyst. In addition, the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) provides degree and nondegree educational programs for human-resource practitioners.

Indeed, associations develop and deliver educational programs that are unique in scope, are conducted by practitioners and are not available in schools. This catalytic and supplemental role has been going on for many years yet has not been promoted extensively. This is why PCAAE exists. Only five years old, the PCAAE has been the “goto” organization for association knowledge resources, collaboration opportunities and peer-to-peer networking.

As the paper I mentioned concludes: “Learning is a process, not a place. Some of the most compelling learning opportunities present themselves in collaborative, social settings. It is exciting to think that we may be standing on the edge of the creation of a new, more powerful era for learning. Associations may very well hold some of the keys to the learning kingdom in our hands, and we have a responsibility to use them wisely.”

The contributor, Octavio “Bobby” Peralta, is concurrently the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (Adfiap), founder and CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) and president of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations. The purpose of PCAAE—the “association of associations”—is to advance the association management profession and to make associations well-governed and sustainable. PCAAE enjoys the support of Adfiap, the Tourism Promotions Board, and the Philippine International Convention Center. Email: obp@adfiap.org

learners, teachers, and nonteaching personnel on the hazards of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke; adverse socioeconomic and environmental consequences of tobacco production and consumption; tobacco control policies; and the tactics of the tobacco industry to circumvent tobacco control measures, glamorize smoking, and downplay or deny the addictive and harmful nature of tobacco products.

The DepEd noted that increasing the prices of tobacco products through taxation has been proven successful in preventing young people

from smoking and having a lifelong addiction.

In the Philippines, tobacco tax was most effective in reducing smoking among the younger age groups.

“If we succeed in preventing our learners from smoking, perhaps until they graduate from Grade 12, [chances are high] that they will never smoke in their lifetime,” Briones added.

A comparison of the National Nutrition Surveys conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of

Science and Technology in years 2008, 2013 and 2015 reveals that the relative reduction in smoking prevalence is biggest among those below 20 years old. This was during the same period when the implementation of the “sin” tax law led to a significant increase in the tax and prices of cigarettes.

“The DepEd is hopeful that our lawmakers will adhere to our call for a significant increase in tobacco tax, for the promotion of the health of Filipinos and the protection of our youth,” Briones said. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

B4 Friday, February 8, 2019

EMBRACING RESILIENCE OF DESIGN

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HE Philippine Institute of Interior Designers, in partnership with Global-Link Exhibitions Specialist Inc., will be holding the Fourth Interior and Design Manila at the SMX Convention Center from March 7 to 9. This year the event will be held back-to-back with Philippines International Furniture Show, making it a complete showcase for all design enthusiasts.

This year’s theme is “Resilience of Design: Future Spaces”.According to the Resilient Design Institute, a resilient design is defined as the intentional design of buildings, landscapes, communities and regions in order to respond to natural and man-made disasters and disturbances, as well as long-term changes resulting from climate change.

“Each day is not just about the design we do for our clients; we also would like to make a difference in helping them live in a beautifully resilient home,” shared Gino Lim, exhibit chairman. “Resilient design should be given more emphasis not only from us designers, but [also] politicians, engineers and city planners, as well.”

Selected members of the PIID will also be presenting never-before-seen concepts for the modern home and, to complete the industry experience, the organizers will also bring in an international CPD convention and workshop with prominent design gurus flying in from around the globe.For more information, visit www.piid.org.ph. For exhibit inquiries, visit www. gesi.com.ph/IDMNL.

MEGA GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER OPENS THE GATE TO THE PUBLIC

ITALIAN CHAMBER TO HOST FORUM ON TRABAHO BILL, FEDERALISM

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HILIPPINE legislators are now in discussion of implementing the second tranche of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, also known as the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities (Trabaho) Bill.

The Trabaho Bill will focus on corporate income tax and incentive reforms, and aims to lower corporate income tax, simplify tax rules, establish fair and accountable tax incentives system, and provide incentives to attract industries consistent with development priorities.

The third and final reading of the

bill on constitutional change shifting to federalism has also been passed by the House of the Representatives last December.

What impact will these give to the Philippine economy this 2019?

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCPI) presents “Philippine Economy 2019: Improving with Trabaho and Federalism?” on February 12 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Caruso Ristorante Italiano.

Speakers include Ambassador Franz Jessen of the European Union to the Philippines, Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino II, Elmer Francisco of

Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Eduardo Francisco of BDO Unibank Inc., Romolo Nati of Italpinas Development Corp. and Raoul Villegas of PwC Philippines.

This is one of many events that ICCPI organizes to uphold our commitment in building a stronger and closer relationship with its institutional partners in the Philippine government as well as with the local industry associations to improve trade and foreign investments in the country.

Participation fees are at P2,000 net for members and P2,500 net for nonmembers. To register, e-mail at info@ iccpi.org.ph.

AN INTIMATE VALENTINE DINNER AT HAPPY GARDEN CAFÉ

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ITH a bigger, bolder and better distribution center covering an expansive lot area of 1.8 hectares in Barangay Viente Reales, Valenzuela City, Mega Global products can now reach Filipino consumers in Mega Manila faster and easier.

The producer of the Number 1 brand Mega sardines, tuna and prime quality, Mega Global Corp. recently opened its newest distribution center to friends, partners and suppliers for a grand celebration and blessing.

Led by Chief Executive Officer William Tiu Lim, the company employs its trademark innovation: A 12-hour catching-to-canning process at its production plants in Zamboanga. This ensures freshness until packaging.

Besides its state-of-the-art assembly line, Mega Global also invests in efficiently distributing its brands not just locally but globally. It is already being exported to over 30 countries around the world.

“Our brands and products can be seen throughout the Philippines and the world—we believe that introducing innovative products that are higher quality, healthier, tastier and [more] affordable is key to our expansion in the global landscape,” says Marvin Tiu Lim, Mega Global Corp. vice president for Sales and Marketing.

At the heart of the Luzon distribution center is a warehouse that can efficiently store goods, thereby, sufficiently supplying the Luzon distribution hub. The warehouse also features cutting-edge technology that conforms to international standards. This is in line with the company’s aims to have its warehouse ISO-certified just like the other operations of Mega Global.

Covering 8,400 square meters, the two-story warehouse has been fully occupied only last April. The lower ground-floor level now operates logistics and houses the Mega Global top brands. On the upper ground-floor level are the main conference room, two mini conference rooms and department offices. Today it has over 3,500 employees ever-dedicated to the company’s vision.

The event was attended by lawyer Girlie Real (executive director for Internal Affairs), MargaTiu Lim (head of Purchasing Department), Michael Tiu Lim (vice president for external affairs), Jansen Chan, Marylou Tiu Lim (executive vice president), William Tiu Lim, Malcolm Tiu Lim (vice president for Zamboanga operations), Lance Chan, Mark Tiu Lim (vice president for spiritual affairs), Marvin Tiu Lim and Michelle Tiu Lim Chan (vice president for finance, export and support group).

NJOY a sumptuous dinner buffet at Sunshine Place’s Happy Garden Café and be serenaded by awardwinning soprano Rachelle Gerodias and international baritone Byeong In-park, with romantic classics from musicals, standards and Filipino love songs, on February 14.

Gerodias regularly performs for large audiences here and abroad. She won first prize in the Civic Morning Musicals vocal competition in Syracuse, New York and Best Female Classical Performer from Aliw Awards. She has performed with top musicians and respected conductors here and abroad, including Italian diva Mirella Freni.

Byeong, meanwhile, finished his studies not only at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, but also in University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany.

From 2012 to 2014 he was a guest soloist at the Graz Opera Theater singing the roles of Schaunard in “La Boheme” and Heerrufer in “Lohengrin and Peter” in Hansel and

Gretel. He is also a winner of the KammeroperSchlossRheinsberg Competition in 2013 and was awarded the role of Count Homonay in Johann Strauss’ operetta Gypsy Baron at the Festival Schloss Rheinsberg and StaatstheaterBraunschweig.

In 2014 he had his debut performance in Singapore with the lead male role of Guglielmo in Mozart’s comic opera Cosi FanTutte at The Esplanade Theater, where he and Rachelle met. She took the lead female role of Fiordiligi.

Valentine show is directed

by Jaime del Mundo. Ticket price includes dinner and show. Nonseniors can avail themselves of early-bird rate until February 10. For more details and reservations, e-mail at happygardencafejupiter@ bizugroupe.com.

PAG-IBIG FUND BREAKS NEW RECORD, REACHES P75.3-B HOME LOANS IN 2018

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HE Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) released P75.31 billion in home loans in 2018, besting its previous record of releasing P65.13 billion of home loans in 2017.

This amount financed the acquisition and construction of 90,375 homes for Pag-IBIG members, 12 percent higher than the 80,964 homes financed in 2017.

Of these, 21,389, or 24 percent, were for socialized housing units given to minimum-wage and low-income earners.

“Pag-IBIG Fund ’s performance in 2018 stands out as the best year, so far. W hen we achieve recordbreaking disbursements in home loans,

we are happy because these signify our members’ satisfaction with our programs as we help more members with their housing needs...,” said Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario, who heads both the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees.

Home-loan releases in 2018 breached for the first time the P70-billion mark and grew 16 percent over the previous year, marking the third consecutive year for Pag-IBIG Fund to achieve doubledigit growth in its home loan releases.

In total, Pag-IBIG Fund home loans reached P95.02 billion in 2018 to finance homes for 108,012 families. This

includes the amount released and P19.71 billion pending for release for 17,637 homes. Those pending for release are approved home-loan applications, the proceeds of which are ready for release upon submission by borrowers of postapproval requirements. “...And, because of the recordbreaking feats and sustained growth of the fund, we are very confident that the rates of our loans will remain low, and we don’t foresee an increase in housing interest rates anytime soon, so more members can achieve their dream of homeownership,” Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti said.

INSULAR LIFE EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCED

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NSULAR Life (InLife) recently announced the promotion of the following officers and executives: Maria Noemi G. Azura, president and chief executive officer of Insular Health Care to InLife executive vice president and concurrent chief strategy officer; Vera Victoria C. Morales to senior vice president and chief investment officer; Geraldine B. Alvarez and Diana Rose A. Tagra to first vice president; Ruth R. Velasco to Vice President; and Angela A. Bien to assistant vice president.

Azura steers Insular Health Care’s business operations into becoming a Tier One player in the HMO industry.

As chief strategy officer, she leads the development of the short- and long-term business plans, and pursues partnerships that will enable the company’s dual transformation.

Morales heads InLife’s Investment Management Division (IMD), which

formulates and implements investment strategies in support of short- and longterm goals of the company.

AlvarezheadstheBranchManagement Division, which directs the operations of all InLife’s field offices nationwide.

Tagra heads the New Business Division, which oversees processing of new business applications and underwriting.

Velasco heads the Fixed Income Desk of the IMD, and ensures optimum investment growth and competitive income results across all fixed-income portfolios and assigned funds within the defined investment risk parameters.

Bien heads the General Accounting Department, which ensures, among others, the group’s compliance to new and existing regulatory requirements relevant to finance operations, as well as adoption of the new accounting standards for Insurance Contracts.

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1. Morales 2. Azura

3. Bien 4. Velasco

5. Tagra 6. Alvarez

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Sports

| Friday, February 8, 2019

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

By Doug Fersguson

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The Associated Press

EBBLE BEACH, California—Only four American courses have hosted a Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour event and a major championship in the same year, a concept that US Golf Associated (USGA) Chief Executive Mike Davis does not consider to be ideal.

One big exception is Pebble Beach.

“I think this is great,” Davis said on Wednesday as he walked down the 16th fairway. “Because this is nothing like it will be June.”

The views won’t change, and they were as spectacular as ever on the eve of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with turquoise waves crashing against rocks and sending eruptions of white spray against the back drop of Pebble’s small greens.

But this is not a week for any scouting reports.

Heavy rain over the weekend, with wind so strong it knocked over a corporate tent left of the sixth fairway, has saturated Pebble Beach so much that the turf sunk ever so slightly with every step on the fairway. Davis Love III didn’t see where his shot landed on the 10th green because it was plugged, only the top half of the ball showing.

No, this isn’t a sneak preview of the US Open. It’s not a complete waste of time, either.

Tommy Fleetwood of England is making his debut in the tournament, and he was so enamored being on the Monterey Peninsula that he quite happily played through the chill and a few hail stones during a practice round on Tuesday. Pebble has such a reputation that Fleetwood compared it with Saint Andrews, not because of the course, but because of the iconic nature.

“It’s just one of those few places in the world that has like an aura and an atmosphere about it and you feel very lucky to be playing golf this week,” he said.

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NOW volleyball has scheduled two events in a first-ever world tour as the new discipline attempts to gain a global footing.

Two tournaments that had been part of the European circuit will now welcome teams from outside the continent and be part of the FIVB Snow Volleyball World Tour. Volleyball’s international governing body has sanctioned the tour with an eye toward adding the sport to the Winter Olympics. That would make the volleyball the first sport in both the Summer and Winter Games.

The 2019 stops will be in Wagrain, Austria, from March 28 to 31 and Kronplatz, Italy, from April 4 to 7. A third event is being considered in Bariloche, Argentina, in August.

What started as an exhibition for guests at European ski resorts has grown into a continental tour.

Organizers held an exhibition at the Pyeongchang Games to show off the sport in the hopes of convincing Olympic officials to consider adding it to the Winter Games, perhaps as early as 2026. AP

BEAUTIFUL, IN ANY WEATHER He only picture what it will be like when Pebble hosts the US Open for the sixth time in June.

“It’s nowhere near what it’s probably going to be like,” Fleetwood said. “There’s so many guys that have played the PGA Tour for a long time will have been here. They know it.

They feel comfortable. For me, this is the first time, so any advantage I would have had just turning up in June is much more positive and good for me.”

Torrey Pines also hosted a PGA Tour and US Open in the same year in 2008 (Tiger Woods won them both), and that will happen again in two years. The other courses were Riviera (LA Open and PGA Championship in 1995) and Pinehurst No. 2 (North & South and PGA Championship in 1936).

Changes already have started at Pebble, with fairway lines moved in the way it will be in June. That much was obvious on No. 8, which has a white, knee-high rock on the hill leading up to the fairway as an alignment aid.

The rock is not there this week, because any shot over it would wind up in the rough, not the fairway.

“The fairways taken in is what you notice immediately,” Jordan Spieth said. “The rough is actually lower than it has been in past years for this tournament right now. But the fairway lines...like our yardage books look different from last year to this year. They have started to take them in already, and you’re starting to see the fairways that we’re going to

see for the US Open. It just will play wider given how soft it is. The ball is not rolling.”

Spieth won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am two years ago and is back in his regular group, with country singer Jake Owen as his amateur partner alongside two-time Pebble champion Dustin Johnson and Wayne Gretzky.

Johnson is coming off a victory last week in the Saudi International and only arrived from his home in Florida on Wednesday morning. Masters champion Patrick Reed also was in Saudi Arabia and will be playing in his usual group alongside Phil Mickelson.

The sky cleared on Wednesday and it should be reasonable for at least a few days across Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula, with more rain expected on Friday and into parts of the weekend.

For some players, Pebble is beautiful in any weather.

“When you’re here...it’s kind of like a holy golf ground if you will,” Tony Finau said. “And it’s never not a thrill to play Pebble Beach.”

With so much rain over the last few days, and the forecast for the weekend, players will likely be able to lift, clean and place their golf balls in the short grass. That’s not unusual for this tournament. It might be unusual for Davis and few others on the USGA executive committee.

The US Open never uses lift, clean and place—another example that, while it’s the same course, this isn’t the US Open.

SNOW VOLLEYBALL GOES GLOBAL

WHAT started as an exhibition for guests at European ski resorts has grown into a continental tour.

CLINT EASTWOOD (above photo) chips the ball to the 18th green during the celebrity challenge, while former San Francisco 49ers Harris Barton putts on an outdoor putting green during Chevron’s eighth annual $100,000 Shoot-Out in the Champions vs Champions to kick off the AT&T National Pro-Am on Tuesday in Pebble Beach, California. AP

Golf adjusts rule on caddies standing behind players

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EBBLE BEACH, California—Six weeks into the new year and the new set of golf rules have their first change, this one on caddies standing behind their players.

Golf’s two governing bodies released a clarification on Wednesday on the rule aimed at keeping caddies from being able to help their players line up a shot.

The rule now says a two-shot penalty for his caddie standing behind him can be avoided if a player backs away from his stance and starts over anywhere on the

BusinessMirror

golf course. Previously, the penalty could only be avoided on the putting green.

The rule also says caddies won’t violate the rule if they were not aware their players were stepping in to take their stance.

“Experience has taught us that introducing a new rule requires us to balance patience with a willingness to act quickly when necessary,” said Thomas Pagel, the senior managing director of governance for the US Golf Association (USGA).

The clarification was a quick response to a two-shot

penalty on Denny McCarthy at the Phoenix Open, which later was rescinded so the rule could be studied.

McCarthy’s incident followed another case a week earlier on Li Haotong in Dubai.

Rule 10.2b was created because of longtime criticism that caddies were helping to align players on shots. The rule stated that caddies could not deliberately stand behind their players as they were starting to take their stance until the shot was hit.

Li’s caddie was behind him on the 18th green in Dubai as Li stepped into to take his stance. He was penalized two shots, which dropped him from a tie for third to a tie for 12th, and the R&A supported the decision because it followed the letter of the rule.

McCarthy’s case was more complicated. He faced a 70-yard shot over water and was casually swinging the club away from the ball as his caddie stood behind him. Even though McCarthy backed away to take his stance, he initially was penalized because it did not occur on the green.

Once the Professional Golfers Association Tour noticed several other examples that could be cited, it took back the penalty for more study.

By clarifying what is deliberate, the USGA and R&A have allowed exceptions when it’s clear the player is not trying to gain an advantage.

Among the examples cited by the USGA and R&A were a caddie who was raking a bunker and was in a direct line behind the player; and a caddie standing behind as the player walks over to tap in a putt. It also says caddies could stand behind a player while holding an umbrella until it’s time to hit the shot.

Under the clarifications, caddies can line up their players for the purpose of making sure their club won’t hit a tree, or their feet are not on a cart path.

The new rule was effectively immediately. AP

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Business

C2 Friday, February 8, 2019

WARRIORS ROUT SPURS O

AKLAND, California—Kevin Durant had 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 26 points and the Golden State Warriors ran away in the second and third quarters to rout the San Antonio Spurs, 141-102, on Wednesday night.

The two-time defending champions scored 49 points on 16 assists in the third quarter alone, making 5 of 7 three-pointers.

They made 24 of 25 field goals in one blistering stretch spanning halftime— including 14 straight shots at one point.

Stephen Curry wasn’t bad either: He had 19 points, seven assists, five rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot. Curry and company were so good the starters weren’t even needed for the final 12 minutes.

Durant and Thompson combined to shoot 20 for 26 in a matchup of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) top teams in three-point shooting percentage—the Spurs on top at 40.5 to Golden State’s 38.6 going into Wednesday.

Curry was 7 of 12 with three 3s.

Patty Mills scored 16 points with four threes for San Antonio in the first game of a back-toback.

The Spurs had their five-game winning streak snapped in a 127-112 loss at Sacramento on Monday, and Coach Gregg Popovich rested LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan against Golden State.

“No loads will be managed on our part,” cracked Warriors Coach Steve Kerr.

Durant made his first six shots and already had 15 points by the 4:28 mark of the opening quarter.

Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins scored 15 points in his eighth game since returning from a nearly yearlong absence recovering from surgery for a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

Golden State started the second with a 9-0 run and then used an 11-0 burst over a oneminute and 28-second span to help open a 66-52 halftime advantage.

The Warriors, who had used three different starting lineups in as many games before Wednesday, improved to 6-0 with the lineup of Curry, Cousins, Durant, Draymond Green and Thompson.

The Spurs began 10 for 15 and 4 of 7 from deep before missing their next seven shots.

Golden State had lost the last two matchups with the Spurs, but won its third in a row at

Davis remains in trade limbo

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IAMI—Anthony Davis is still a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.

By 3 p.m. on Thursday, that may

change.

Davis remained in place on Wednesday, though the run-up to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) annual trade deadline picked up steam in plenty of other locales around the league—including Dallas, where Mavericks

forward Harrison Barnes didn’t play in the fourth quarter of a win over Charlotte because of a trade with Sacramento.

“I got word of it during the game,” Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle said.

Tobias Harris going to Philadelphia from the Los Angeles Clippers as the centerpiece of a six-person, four-draft-pick swap was the first notable deal of Trade Deadline Eve. Later, Chicago

home in the series on Wednesday.

James Harden and the Houston Rockets, meanwhile, are finding their rhythm at the right time.

Looks as if some help is on the way, too.

Harden made eight three-pointers and scored 36 points, helping Houston beat the Sacramento Kings, 127-101, on Wednesday night.

“We played very, very well,” Harden said.

“We’re kind of catching a momentum, and it feels pretty good. It’s even more exciting once we get our full roster back.”

The Rockets closed out a four-game trip with their third consecutive victory, and they appeared to be on the verge of adding Iman Shumpert to their array of talented shooters.

Gerald Green matched his season high with 25 points, and Eric Gordon scored 20 points.

Houston, Sacramento and Cleveland were working on a trade that most notably will move Shumpert from the Kings to the Rockets. Houston is sending Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss to the Cavaliers. Alec Burks—now traded for the second time this season, after starting the year in Utah—will go from the Cavaliers to the Kings.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the NBA trade call has not

agreed to acquire Otto Porter Jr. from Washington for Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis. The Mavs and Kings agreed to swap Barnes for Zach Randolph and Justin Jackson, and as the day was winding down the Wizards struck again—this time sending Markieff Morris to New Orleans for Wesley Johnson.

The Wizards-Pelicans deal was confirmed to The Associated Press by people directly involved in the negotiations, all speaking on condition of anonymity pending the mandatory NBA trade calls to make the deals official.

“Part of the business,” New Orleans Coach Alvin

yet been completed.

“Shump is a vet who can help us defensively, ball-handling, shooting,” Harden said. “He’s been playing very well this season. Once he gets here and gets a couple of practices in, let’s go.”

Houston has won seven games by 20 or more points this season, including twice on its road trip.

“That’s a good trip for us,” Chris Paul said. “To get three on this road trip, we’re playing the right way.”

Sacramento also was working on a trade for Dallas’ Harrison Barnes in another deal ahead of Thursday’s deadline. AP

NBA RESULTS Brooklyn 135, Denver 130 Milwaukee 148, Washington 129 New Orleans 125, Chicago 120 Dallas 99, Charlotte 93 Utah 116, Phoenix 88 Houston 127, Sacramento 101 Golden State 141, San Antonio 102

KEVIN DURANT has 23 points, nine assists and eight rebounds as the Warriors clobber the Spurs, 141-102. AP

Gentry said. And business, on Wednesday, was busy—as expected.

The Dallas-Sacramento deal is significant for both sides.

The Kings are trying to get into the Western Conference playoffs, and now can add Barnes to their promising young core. Barnes has a $25.1-million player option for next season. Meanwhile, Dallas— which got Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. from New York last week in a massive deal—will have salary-cap space to spend in the coming months as it looks to add more pieces around Luka Doncic.

“Things are going to look different on the court,” said Carlisle, who wished Barnes well and told him after Dallas’ game that he believes the Sacramento deal is a good situation for him.

Harris, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott went to the 76ers, while Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala and Landry Shamet went to the Clippers. Philadelphia— with an eye on moving way up from the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference—also gave up a protected 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 first-rounder that was once owned by Miami, and second-rounders in 2021 and 2023 through Detroit. AP

WHERE to, Anthony Davis? AP

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WORLD No. 2 Sung Hyun Park of South Korea inks a rich deal with Solaire Resort and Casino.

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ORLD No. 2 Sung Hyun Park of South Korea firmed up her claim as the next global golfing star as she agreed to sign a record-breaking main sponsorship deal with Solaire Resort

Friday, February 8, 2019

KOREAN-SOLAIRE IN RECORD DEAL

and Casino ahead of her third-year campaign on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.

The sponsorship contract is said to be the richest ever in Korean women’s golf history.

With Solaire as chief backer, the 25-year-old Park, a two-time Major winner, will be playing with Solaire in her cap for the next two years on the LPGA Tour as she bids to claim the world’s No. 1 ranking.

Solaire, presenter of the country’s premier championship, the Philippine Open, the last few seasons, including last year’s Centennial staging, is run by Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc., a subsidiary of Sureste Properties Inc. Park, Sung Hwan Lee, CEO of Park’s

management agency SEMA Sports Marketing, and Cyrus Sherafat, executive vice president for Casino Marketing, Solaire Resort and Casino, will sign the contract in formal rites in South Korea next week.

Park will also banner the elite cast in the inaugural The Country Club Ladies Invitational set from March 6 to 8 at TCC in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Meanwhile, tickets to the TCC event, also serving as a leg of the Taiwan LPGA, are pegged at P3,000 for the first two days and P7,000 for the final round or P12,000 for all three days. For details and reservations, e-mail lpgtinvitational@ gmail.com or contact Jocelyn Duque at 09157974751.

Park won the US Women’s Open in July 2017 and four months later became the world No. 1.

The latest among a slew of Koreans who has dominated women’s world golf, Park topped

Hot teams Rain or Shine, Phoenix try to fan streak

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AIN or Shine tries to extend its win streak to three while Phoenix hopes to keep its unbeaten run going as the top 2 teams face separate opponents in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The second-running Elasto Painters (4-1 wonlost) tackle third-placer NorthPort Batang Pier (2-1) in the main game at 7 p.m.

The league-leading Fuel Masters (4-0), on the other hand, hope to remain unblemished when they battle a hot-rolling NLEX Road Warriors (2-3) at 4:30 p.m.

Using a balanced attack against the undermanned Aces last Sunday, Rain or Shine easily disposed Alaska, 85-72, with all but one of the Elasto Painters scoring in the game.

Rey Nambatac had a team-high 12 points, while Beau Belga added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead the Elasto Painters.

Alaska had to endure the absence of star guard Simon Enciso, forward Vic Manuel, Jvee Casio and Kevin Racal with Jeron Teng carrying the injuryplagued team with his 15 points.

Despite the early edge in the All-Filipino conference, Rain or Shine Head Coach Caloy Garcia

RONDA GETS GOING IN ILOILO

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HE LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019 starts on Friday in Iloilo City with local teams headed by Navy-Standard Insurance, Go for Gold and 7-Eleven Cliqq-Air21 by Roadbike Philippines aiming to fend off the strong foreign challenge.

The Navymen will go for their sixth straight team title, while the Go for Gold and 7-Eleven, both continental teams, will rely on their international experience to carry the fight for the host country in the five-stage, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)-sanctioned race participated in by 15 teams of six riders each.

Navy is a loaded team led by reigning champion Ronald Oranza, two-time winner

and skipper Jan Paul Morales and 2018 Le Tour de Filipinas titlist El Joshua Carino and composed of Ronald Lomotos, Junrey Navarra and Rudy Roque, who are all capable of pulling a surprise or two.

Go for Gold, on the other hand, is skippered by Ronnel Hualda and is composed of Ronilan Quita, Jonel Carcueva, Elmer Navarro, Boots Ryan Cayubit and newly acquired Daniel Van Carino, who was formerly of Navy and 7-Eleven.

The 7-Eleven squad will be minus its long-time leader Mark Galedo but remained a legitimate contender having Marcelo Felipe, 2012 Ronda king Irish Valenzuela, Rustom Lim, George Oconer, Dominic Perez and Arjay Peralta.

DAVNOR LAD TRIUMPHS A ARON GUMBAN woke up early to dominate the field, making him the first gold medalist in athletics of the Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg on Thursday at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City.

The 14-year-old Gumban displayed his deadly form when he ruled the 13-15 boys’ 5,000-meter run in impressive fashion in the age-group event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and province of Davao del Norte.

Carrying the banner of Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, a small town one-hour drive from the provincial capital, Gumban clocked 17 minutes and 14 seconds to retain the gold medal that he also won last year in Oroquieta City in Misamis Occidental.

But in the national finals, luck wasn’t on his side.

Gumban suffered an injury, denying him of a chance to test his mettle against other young runners from Luzon and the Visayas in the national finals in Baguio City.

“I competed in the national finals, but I didn’t finish the race. Now, I have another chance, and I will do my best to win,” said Gumban, who woke up at 3 a.m. only to outrun Lordy Salpid (19:05.07) of General Santos City and Rome Laviste Jr. (19:12.66) of Davao del Sur by a wide margin.

In fact, Gumban was already cooling down and granting interviews when Salpid and Laviste crossed the finish line to grab the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

“I didn’t hold back. I gave everything I got,” he said, adding that he’s in good condition following a victorious stint in the Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) last week.

Gumban, a Grade 8 student at Santo Tomas National High School, still has a chance to make it a triple when he competes in the steeplechase

reminded his wards that it’s still a long way to go.

“It’s still a long conference. There’s no easy games. All games are tough,” Garcia said.

Phoenix? The Fuel Masters will try to defend the top spot against a challenging team in NorthPort.

The Fuel Masters, behind the wits of Calvin Abueva and Matthew Wright, downed the Blackwater Elite, 114-95, last week.

Abueva had 22 points and 14 rebounds off the bench, while Wright tallied 19 points and seven rebounds as Phoenix remained perfect in four games.

The other local teams in the mix are Team Franzia of two-time Ronda winner Santy Barnachea, Army-Bicycology, Team Tarlac and a Jaybop Pagnanawon-led Bike Xtreme.

They will be up against world-class competition in Terengganu, Matrix, Nex Cycling Team, Korail Team Korea, Custom Cycling Indonesia, Cambodia Cycling, PGN Road Cycling and Sri Lanka Navy Cycling Team.

The race opens with the 197.6-kilometer Iloilo-Iloilo Stage One and will proceed with the 101.8-km Guimaras-Guimaras Stage Two on Saturday.

The cavalcade will then go back to Iloilo for the 179.4-km Iloilo-Roxas City Stage Three on Sunday followed by the 146.9-km Roxas-Roxas Stage Four on Monday. It will conclude with the 148.9-km Roxas-Antique Stage Five on Tuesday.

KO punchers show wares in Midas card

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AARON GUMBAN bags the first athletics gold medalist in the Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg on Thursday.

and 1,500-meter run in the next two days.

“From Davraa, I didn’t practice anymore.

Anyway, I’m still in good condition. I just had some light workouts to stay in shape. I know I can make it,” he said.

ORLD-RANKED lightweight Romero Duno and interim world bantamweight champion Reymart Gaballo headline a slambang show by ESPN 5 and 1-Pacman partylist on Saturday at the Midas Hotel and Casino.

Duno (18-1 with 14 knockouts), who has a promotional contract with Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), clashes with Indian Kuldeep Dhanda (7-1 with 1 KO).

Rep. Mikee Romero (1-Pacman) expects a big crowd as Duno is out to make a strong statement.

“By helping stage this event, we hope to discover more talented Filipino boxers,” said Romero, who owns NorthPort in the Philippine Basketball Association. “We also hope to encourage our young boxers to take boxing seriously, because in this sport, we have a chance of winning an Olympic gold.”

Pro boxing is the newest sport Romero is supporting. He was the godfather of the 2007 Philippine basketball team in the Thailand Southeast Asian Games and was the shooting association president during the London Olympics.

“It’s part of my personal mission to help as many sports as I can,” Romero said.

In the other explosive pairing, Gaballo (20-0 with 17 KOs) collides with Yuya Nakamura (9-2-1 with seven KOs).

The other fights on tap will feature former world flyweight king Johnriel Casimero and fastrising Dave Penalosa.

Duno, a protégé of JC Mananquil of Sanman Promotions, remains with GBP and is being groomed by de la Hoya as a future star in the US, where he has fought almost exclusively the last two years.

the LPGA of Korea Tour in 2016. She then took her act to the LPGA Tour the following year and became only the second player after legend Nancy Lopez to win the Rookie and Player of the Year honors.

Park also won the Women’s PGA Championship in Illinois last year. After holding the world’s top ranking for only one week, Park regained the No. 1 spot after topping the Indy Women in Tech Championship in August 2018. She ended the season third on the LPGA money list and second in the world to Thai Ariya Jutanugarn.

Coach Louie Alas said the fourgame roll is nothing if they cannot maintain their form in the second stretch of the tournament.

“Looking for our fifth win, hopefully, against NLEX. But at 4-0, it’s not how you start, it’s how you sustain it,” Alas said.

Ramon Rafael Bonilla

SAN Miguel Beer’s Ronald Tubid shoots over Blackwater’s Chris Javier during their game won by the Beermen, 93-79, on Wednesday night.

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Perpetual Help targets sweep of volley titles

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NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta guns for a rare volleyball treble as it tries to sweep the women, men and juniors divisions in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament on Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The Lady Altas brought down the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, the reigning women’s champions, with a shock 21-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 victory in Game One of their best-of-three series last week and could complete the massive upset with another win in their 4 p.m. showdown.

The Altas, on the other hand, turned back the stubborn College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 23-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12, while the Junior Altas waylaid the Letran Squires, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19, to move closer to sweeping their respective divisions.

If Perpetual Help wraps it all up today, the Altas will be the eighth team in the league to complete a sweep.

Ateneo, a former league member, was the first to accomplish the feat in 1984, while San Sebastian did the trick six times in 1984, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2002.

Perpetual Help is eyeing a fourth women’s crown, 12th men’s title and 11th juniors’ championship.

“We’re close to achieving something special, and we’re going for it,” said Sammy Acaylar, Perpetual Help’s athletic director and men’s volley coach.

While Perpetual Help’s men’s and juniors’ teams are fancied to sweep their foes, its women’s team could expect rough sailing against the Lady Chiefs, who expected to bounce back from a stinging Game One defeat and send the series into a decider on Tuesday.

The Obet Javier-coached Lady Chiefs are expected to rely on their championship experience having won three titles in the last four seasons.

Sports

Horse racing canceled in Britain

BusinessMirror

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ONDON—Horse racing has been canceled in Britain on Thursday due to an equine flu outbreak.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said it was informed on Wednesday night by the Animal Health Trust of three confirmed flu cases from vaccinated horses in an active racing yard.

They raced on Wednesday and the BHA says they potentially exposed the flu to a “significant number of horses from yards” in Britain and Ireland.

Racing was due to take place on Thursday at several tracks.

The BHA says “The fact that the cases have been identified in vaccinated horses presents a cause for significant concern over welfare, and the potential spread of the disease and the action to cancel racing has been viewed as necessary in order to restrict, as far as possible, the risk of further spread of the disease.” AP

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| Friday, February 8, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

ELIGIBLE FOR TRIPLE CROWN

Joel Rosario rides Game Winner to victory in the Breeders’s Cup Juvenile race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, last November. The unbeaten Game Winner is among 362 three-year-old thoroughbreds made eligible during the early nomination period to compete in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. AP

GOOD NEWS FOR FOOTBALL? R

By Graham Dunbar The Associated Press

OME—As the only candidate for election, Fifa President Gianni Infantino is set to serve four more years as the leader of soccer’s governing body.

Infantino had the required nomination letters from five of the 211 member federations when the deadline passed at midnight on Tuesday in Zurich, Fifa said on Wednesday.

“Good news for football,” Infantino said after arriving at a hotel in Rome, where his former employer Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is holding two days of meetings.

Infantino, who was also awarded a medal by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, must now pass the formality of eligibility and integrity checks for the election on June 5 in Paris.

The 48-year-old Swiss lawyer has been widely

GIANNI INFANTINO is unopposed as he seeks reelection as Fifa president. AP

expected to win unopposed with support already pledged by most Fifa members, including through their continental governing bodies such as North America’s Concacaf and South America’s Conmebol.

Since being elected in February 2016, Infantino oversaw expanding the World Cup to 48 teams in 2026, and picking the United States, Canada and Mexico to cohost it.

He is completing the term of Sepp Blatter, who announced his resignation plan days after American and Swiss prosecutors revealed sweeping investigations of corruption in soccer in May 2015. Blatter was later banned by the Fifa ethics committee for financial irregularities along with Michel Platini, Infantino’s former boss at UEFA. The main event of Infantino’s first full mandate is the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Fifa is still studying if that tournament—being played for the first time in November and December—could also be expanded to 48 teams. It would require Qatar agreeing

to share hosting duties with regional neighbors because the gas-rich emirate does not have stadiums and infrastructure to cope with the extra games and teams.

Infantino has acknowledged the 2022 tournament is unlikely to be changed amid the region’s current diplomatic tensions. A decision could be taken by the Fifa Council in Miami next month to honor Qatar’s original hosting plan.

Putin awarded Infantino the Order of Friendship in a decree on Wednesday which praised him “for a big contribution to the preparation and hosting of the Fifa World Cup 2018,” which was held in Russia last year.

There was no immediate word on whether Infantino planned to receive the award in person.

The medal is a token of Russian state appreciation for cultural figures and foreign dignitaries. Other recipients include former Cleveland Cavaliers basketball Coach David Blatt and former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who at the time was Exxon Mobil CEO.

LINDSEY VONN leaves the finish area after crashing during the women’s super G. AP

Thailand: Bahraini must go through extradition process

RE, Sweden—The red marks around her puffed-up right eye made Lindsey Vonn look like a roughed-up boxer.

And that was nothing next to the purplecolored bruises and scrapes on US teammate Laurenne Ross’s backside.

All from one day’s work as a downhill skier.

“Downhill is not a healthy sport, people crash all the time, every day,” Vonn said. “If you want to be healthy, you should probably do another sport.”

Vonn and Ross showed off the impacts of their crashes on social media on Wednesday, a day after ending up in the safety nets from their falls in the super-G at the world championships.

The 34-year-old Vonn has made a career out of bouncing back from frightful crashes.

Now she’s down to her final race—and final fight.

Her knees battered beyond repair, Vonn plans to retire after Sunday’s downhill race at worlds.

“I just can’t push the limits anymore,” Vonn said. “I’ve come back from way too many injuries and I’m just not able to do it.

That’s life. .. Not everyone can be Tom Brady and keep winning the Super Bowl for a million times.”

Like Brady, Vonn has a trophy collection

who’ve supported me for so many years. It’s been really, really heartwarming for me and makes the process of retiring a little bit easier maybe because of all the responses I’ve gotten.”

Vonn, whose career has transcended her sport in a way only a handful of Olympic athletes could even imagine, has been receiving well wishes from all corners since her retirement announcement. One in particular that stood out came from tennis great Billie Jean King.

“You are a true champion who never quit,” King tweeted. To which Vonn replied, “Thank you Billie.... Just trying to follow in your footsteps!”

Vonn is also planning on exchanging messages with Stenmark—and she is wearing a suit this week featuring the blue and yellow colors of Sweden’s flag in honor of the skiing great.

“I’m hoping Ingemar will come up for Sunday,” she said. “Having my last race with him being there would be the best farewell I could possibly have.”

When it’s all over, the thing Vonn will miss most about ski racing is the thrill of hurtling her body downhill at speeds in excess of 120 kilometer per hour (75 mile per hour).

“You can’t really find the adrenalin and the speed and the risk involved in ski racing in anything else,” she said. “I kind of got that feeling when I was driving a Formula One car but it still wasn’t the same. Your body isn’t physically in harm’s way. AP

VONN DOWN TO HER LAST RACE A

that most athletes could only dream about: Her 82 World Cup wins are by far the most ever by a female racer, leaving her five short of breaking the overall record held

by Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark.

She has also won three Olympic medals, including gold in downhill, seven medals at worlds, four overall World Cup globes and 16 discipline titles.

“If you look at all the injuries I’ve had, winning in five events, it’s really something amazing,” Vonn said. “I’m proud of it no matter if I got 82 or 87. I wish I could have gotten [87] but not at the risk of the rest of my life.”

While Vonn sat out downhill training on wWednesday to recuperate from her latest crash—after which she said she felt like she had been “hit by an 18-wheeler”—she enjoyed a leisurely brunch of pancakes with her teammates.

It was just the kind of day Vonn was thinking about when she announced last week that she would retire after the championships—having considered calling it quits after failing to finish a super-G in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, last month.

“I didn’t want to end in Cortina. I wanted to say goodbye to everybody,” Vonn said. “It’s been nice to get messages from my fellow competitors, the coaches and all my friends

B

ANGKOK—Thailand’s government insisted on Wednesday it cannot free a detained soccer player who has refugee status in Australia until hearings on Bahrain’s request for his extradition are completed.

Thailand has come under great pressure from Australia’s government, sporting bodies and human-rights groups to send Hakeem al-Araibi back to Australia. He was arrested last year at a Bangkok airport when he arrived on a honeymoon trip with his wife.

Al-Araibi, a former player on Bahrain’s national team, says he fled Bahrain due to political repression and that he fears torture if he returns. Bahrain wants him back to serve a 10-year prison sentence he received in absentia in 2014 for alleged involvement in the arson of a police station, a charge he denies.

He contends he was blindfolded and had his legs beaten while he was held in Bahrain previously, and believes he was targeted for arrest because of his Shiite faith and because his brother was politically active in Bahrain. Bahrain has a Shiite majority but is ruled by a Sunni monarchy.

Thai authorities said at a news conference on Wednesday that after detaining the 25-year-old al-Araibi on his November arrival in Bangkok, they received a direct request from Bahrain for his extradition, compelling them to carry out court hearings.

“From this point on, the case has entered into the Thai judiciary system,” said Trumph Jalichandra, deputy spokesman for the attorney general’s office. “The government’s position is that it will not interfere. It will take some time before the court makes its decision. We don’t know what that decision will be. Please don’t make an assumption that the court will rule one way or the other. We have to wait and see.”

Al-Araibi will stay in custody until a court begins hearings on April 22 on his extradition case. He informed the court on Monday that he declined to be voluntarily extradited.

The Australian government has urged Thailand to exercise its legal discretion to free al-Araibi.

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday that al-Araibi was detained on arrival because Australian authorities had forwarded them an Interpol Red Notice that Bahrain was seeking his arrest. Australian police acknowledge doing so, but there have been questions raised about why the Red Notice appeared to have been issued just before al-Araibi departed on his trip, and whether Bahraini authorities had been tipped off about his travel plans.

The Foreign Ministry statement appeared to be a defensive response to the almost daily public appeals Thailand has been receiving asking for al-Araibi’s release.

“Thailand had previously not been aware of Mr. Hakeem’s case and does not have any prejudice against him.

Indeed, we would not have become involved in the issue had we not received the Red Notice alert from the Australian Interpol and the subsequent formal request by Bahrain for his arrest and extradition,” it said.

Laying out the main argument at Wednesday’s news conference, it said that “Thailand does not gain anything from holding Mr. Hakeem in custody. But as a sovereign country that has legal obligations and commitments to the international community, Thailand finds itself in the middle of a case involving two countries competing for Mr. Hakeem’s custody.”

The statement suggested that Australia and Bahrain talk with each other to work out a mutually acceptable agreement on al-Araibi’s fate, rather than have a Thai court decide it.

“Thailand hopes that Australia and Bahrain will have the goodwill to earnestly work together toward finding a win-win solution to this issue,” it said. “In that way, we believe that those following this case in Thailand and around the world will praise both Australia and Bahrain for their efforts.” AP

Righteous God

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EAR God, in Christ You reconcile the world to Yourself and give us the ministry of reconciliation. Hear us as we pray: Oh God, in Your justice, hear our prayer. Help us to teach our children to be loving, inclusive and respectful toward all people. Uncover falsehood, fraud and unjust economic practices.

Grant everlasting peace to all who have died in defense of life and civil rights. May God, who tests our minds and hearts, look upon us with kindness and mercy and lead us along the path of everlasting life. Amen.

GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

CLOCKWISE: Lady Gaga, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Maxwell and Joe are among the singers whose discographies have been tainted by the infamous R. Kelly, who has been accused multiple times of sexual abuse.

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Friday, February 8, 2019

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AP

Sing it or sink it?

Some of music’s big names are struggling with the dilemma of having an R. Kelly-penned hit

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BY MESFIN FEKADU The Associated Press

EW YORK—For Grammy-nominated singer Joe, singing the hit song R. Kelly wrote and produced for him is out of the question.

“I’ve stopped performing the song,” he said in a statement to The Associated Press, referring to “More & More,” a Top 20 R&B song released in 2003.

“No music or intellectual property is worth being inconsiderate to the feelings or pain of others,” 45-year-old Joe continued.

In the wake of multiple sexual-abuse allegations against R. Kelly—which intensified this month with the release of the Lifetime documentary series Surviving R. Kelly—some performers are denouncing songs the R&B hitmaker created for them.

Sometime ago Jennifer Hudson removed two songs R. Kelly wrote for her from some streaming platforms, including YouTube and Apple Music: the Grammy-nominated “It’s Your World” and “Where You At,” a Top 10 R&B hit. On Thursday, she removed “Where You At” from Spotify but “It’s Your World” was still available.

R&B star Fantasia told the AP she would no longer perform “Sleeping With the One I Love,” her Grammynominated 2016 single written by R. Kelly.

“I simply cannot, in good faith, continue to perform ‘Sleeping With The One I Love.’ In support of all of the survivors who so bravely came out, the track will no longer be a part of my setlist for all future performances,” the former American Idol champion said. Lady Gaga apologized for her 2013 duet with

R. Kelly, “Do What U Want,” and removed the track from streaming services. Celine Dion followed Gaga’s footsteps, removing her Grammy-nominated duet with the embattled singer, titled “I’m Your Angel,” from streaming platforms.

And B2K, the boy band whose only song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart was the R. Kelly-produced “Bump, Bump, Bump,” said after their reunion tour, which kicks off in March, they will no longer perform that song, or the others R. Kelly crafted for them.

“After the tour I am retiring those songs from my set list,” lead singer Omarion tweeted. “I too am raising a future queen.”

R. Kelly, who has denied all allegations of abuse against him, has written and produced his own hits like “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Bump N Grind.” He was once a white-hot hitmaker that most artists clamored to work with. R. Kelly was behind Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone,” which became the first song ever to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 when it did in 1995. He also worked on multiple songs for Whitney Houston’s final album, 2009’s I Look to You. He produced Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number, the 1994 debut album for Aaliyah, who was 15 when she married a 27-year-old R. Kelly the same year the album was released. The marriage was later annulled.

Aaliyah’s album included “Back & Forth,” a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; other Top 10 hits R. Kelly crafted for others included “Stroke You Up” and “G.H.E.T.T.O.U.T.” for R&B duo Changing Faces; “808” for the girl group Blaque; and Maxwell’s “Fortunate,” the crowd favorite he performed at the last stop of his tour in New York in December.

But will he sing it again?

Several artists, through their representatives, didn’t return multiple e-mail requests from the AP asking if they would continue to perform songs R. Kelly wrote for them, including Maxwell.

A rep for Kelly Price, whom R. Kelly has worked with, declined to comment.

R&B singer Syleena Johnson told the AP after looking closely at the lyrics of her debut song, the R. Kelly-penned “I Am Your Woman,” she can no longer perform the track. She said she got goosebumps just thinking about how she sang lyrics like “Now I’ve been dealin’ with you since sweet 16/Woman enough to let you raise me/You used to call me daddy’s ghetto queen” for roughly 20 years.

Toni Braxton is currently on tour but it’s not clear if she’s performing “I Don’t Want To,” a hit song R. Kelly wrote for her multiplatinum sophomore 1996 album, Secrets. R. Kelly signed R&B singer Sparkle and produced her 1998 debut album, which included the hit “Be Careful” (Sparkle alleges Kelly sexually abused a young relative). And he even produced a mild hit for Britney Spears, 2004’s “Outrageous.”

R. Kelly also contributed to the careers of veteran acts like the Isley Brothers and Charlie Wilson, helping the seasoned performers find a home on contemporary radio alongside acts half their age (Wilson said last year he would not work with Kelly again). Gospel singer Marvin Sapp’s “Listen” was written and produced by R. Kelly and peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart last year.

Though “Listen” was a success, Sapp has become a 11-time Grammy nominee thanks to his No. 1 hits like “Never Would Have Made It,” “The Best In Me” and “My Testimony,” as well as “Praise Him In Advance,” a

No. 2 hit.

Sapp said in a statement to The Associated Press he is praying for R. Kelly.

“Based on my biblical studies, I have always been an advocate that the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is bigger than the messenger. This is a guiding principal for me. When I was recording my most recent album, I was presented with the song ‘Listen,’ written and produced by R. Kelly,” he said.

He continued: “It struck me immediately as a song with a powerful message that needed to be heard, and as a song that I needed to record. With the recent airing of the Surviving R. Kelly docuseries [which I have not seen], the world is chiming in and taking sides.

My sentiment remains the same: I am not called to cast stones or pass judgment on anyone involved. My responsibility, and my heart, is to pray—for everyone involved,” he said.

He took pains to note that “praying for someone does not equal supporting them and it does not equal defending them.”

“My prayer is that R. Kelly and everyone involved are restored and redeemed—body, mind and spirit.”

Fantasia echoed some of Sapp’s thoughts.

“I am a mom and I’ve had the chance to work with him and you know, I got to see a lot of things. I did. So, the best thing my mother always told me is—you have to pray for people. You have to pray for them and that’s just what I’m doing now,” she said in an interview with the AP. “I’m praying for him and I hope that some things change because I am a mother and it breaks my heart.” n AP Entertainment Producer Marcela Isaza contributed to this report.

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Friday, February 8, 2019

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Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Seth Green, 45; Mary Steenburgen, 66; Robert Klein, 77; Nick Nolte, 78.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Stay focused this year. Don’t let the little things get to you. Your strength will kick in if you keep busy and concentrate on what it is you want to change and achieve in your life. Don’t sit on the sidelines when you should be expressing your ideas and taking the initiative of going after what you want.

Your lucky numbers are 3, 11, 19, 27, 30, 37, 46.

FROM left: SM SVP for Marketing Millie Dizon, National Commission for Culture and the Arts’s Bernan Joseph R. Corpuz, Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña and wife Anna, and with 2007 Interior Design Competition Grand Prize winner Willie Garcia (center), whose furniture are made from recyclable materials.

FROM left: United Architect of the Philippines’s Jun Andres, Arch. Cesar Aljama, Arch. Ray Guames and Arch. Leonardo Ortea

SOBREPEÑA JR. (third from right, front row) and Dizon (center) during the launch. Also shown are Anna Sobrepeña (second from right, front row), visual artist Plet Bolipata (second from left, front row) together with (from left, back row) The Podium Mall Manager Nona Go (left), Arch. Angelo Miguel Mañosa, renowned painter Elmer Borlongan, Aljama and Andres.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Emotions will surface if things don’t go according to plan.

Take a step back and rethink your next move before you make a mistake or say something you will end up regretting. It’s best to get along and keep the peace. HHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Take a closer look at yourself, your life and how you present yourself to the world. A couple of updates will lift your spirits and lead to compliments from someone special. A decision you make will point you in a better direction. HHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Trust in your judgement, not what someone else wants you to believe. When dealing with love, contracts or joint financial matters, get the lowdown before making a decision. An offer won’t be as good as it sounds. HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Work quietly on your own. If you let others get involved, you will end up losing control and things won’t turn out as planned. Finish what you start before you present what you have to offer. Don’t let emotions take over. HH

ARCH. Jonathan Dangue, 2011 Sculpture Competition Grand Winner with his sculpture Walang Pinanghahawakang Anuman sa Palad.

METROBANK Foundation’s 2004 Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) Awardee Elmer Borlongan with his painting Tampuhan.

ARCH. Gerard Thomas Joson, 2015 Architecture Competition Grand Winner

A gathering of icons T HE recent Icons MADE exhibit at The Podium highlighted past Art MADE Public awardees who are now renowned icons in the Philippine art and design scene. This comes just in time for the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Metrobank Foundation, which spearheads the Art MADE Public project.

A joint project of The Podium and the Metrobank Foundation, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the exhibit showcased the sustained excellence of these individuals from various regions nationwide. As a traveling exhibition, Art MADE Public 2019 not only brings forth Filipino creativity and artistry, but also the vast reach of

MADE recognition programs.

With these, mallgoers were given the rare opportunity to get to know more about the life and works of MADE winners who are now master artists—Mark Justiniani, Jonathan Dangue, Elmer Borlongan, Alfredo Esquillo Jr., Leeroy New, Raffy Napay, Manuel Garibay and Yeo Kaa. Grand Prize winners from MADE’s architecture competition—Arch. Miguel Mañosa, 2010 and Arch.

Gerard Thomas F. Joson, 2015—were also featured, as was 2007 Interior Design Competition Grand Prize winner Wilhelmina Garcia.

No less than Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña Jr. graced the event with his wife Anna, together with NCCA’s Bernan Joseph Corpuz,

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make plans to have fun with friends. Getting out will do you good and stir up feelings you haven’t felt for some time. New beginnings are within reach, but sticking to a budget may be difficult. Monitor expenses carefully. HHH

UAP’s Jun Andres, Cesar Aljama, Ray Guamez and Leonardo Ortea, VLink Inc. COO Andrew Tung Borlongan and visual artist Plet Bolipata. SM officials led by SVP for Marketing Millie Dizon together with The Podium Mall Manager Nona Go and AVP for Marketing Kai Fagara warmly welcomed them.

Art MADE Public aims to spread awareness on Philippine art and heritage through a series of exhibits, lectures and workshops which are facilitated by renowned Filipino artists, as well as architectural and heritage practitioners in select venues nationwide.

The Art Made Public 2019 exhibit will also make stops at SM Center Angono (February 28 to March 7) and SM Lanang Premier, Davao (March 26 to 28). n

Celebrating all things Filipino KNOWN for being one of the most inspiring Filipino women, Belo Medical Group CEO and Founder Dr. Vicki Belo continues to be a true supporter of Philippine culture, cuisine, music, art and history, as the group copresented “Ang Pagdiriwang,” a yearly celebration of the best of the Filipino spirit.

Copresented by Manila House led by Chairman Lorenzo Roxas, the exclusive venue was transformed into an immersive installation art space. The much awaited event was attended by the country’s most celebrated musicians, artists and fashion designers. It showcased cuisine, art, culture, music and hospitality that Filipinos are renowned for. One area screened iconic moments in Philippine cinema, while in others there were studios for marquetry and craftsmanship. The guests, looking snazzy in their elegant Filipino attire, also enjoyed native dance numbers and jazz performances.

Another highlight of the evening was the Manila House Honors, which recognizes and pays tribute to great achievements by Filipinos. For 2018, Manila House Honors celebrated the incomparable talent of the Filipino composer.

Noted and iconic singers Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gary Valenciano sang their songs in an extraordinary musical number.

It was an unforgettable celebration of the things that make Filipinos great.

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Look for something that excites you. Whether it’s a new position, friend or interest, the experience will lead to personal growth and a change in the way you move forward. A partnership will encourage you to expand your mind and your skills. HHHHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Question your motives, as well as the motives of those you are dealing with. Problems will arise if you or someone close to you isn’t being truthful about what you want or how you feel. Emotions will flare up easily.

HHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You need a distraction. A getaway or attending a reunion or family gathering will help you distance yourself from some of the personal issues you are faced with. Listen, and someone with experience will offer an interesting alternative. HHHHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’ll have too many options and not enough time to fulfill your promises. Plan out your schedule before you get caught off-guard with a reminder from someone you don’t want to disappoint. A change will do you good. HH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Stick to what and who you know. Don’t get sidetracked by someone making loud noises about something that is probably too good to be true. Back away from unpredictable people and situations. Avoid conflict by doing your own thing. HHHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Open up a discussion. Explain your position and what you want to see unfold. Being straightforward and detailing your plan for someone in a position to help you will lead to victory. HHH

l AMBASSADOR of the United CAROL GARCIA and Belo States Sung Y. Kim with Belo Medical Group Managing Medical Group Founder and Director Cristalle Pitt Medical Director Dr. Vicki Belo

MADAM Laís and husband Ambassador of Brazil Rodrigo Do Amaral Souza

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be careful not to take on too much or make a promise you won’t want to keep. Practicing a minimalist approach to life will be beneficial when someone pressures you to indulge in something you shouldn’t.

Take good care of your health. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are outgoing, interesting and original.

You are energetic and flexible.

‘hydration’ BY MIKE BUCKLEY The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Wise Norse god 5 ___ Dhabi 8 Secret Service operatives 14 Moon goddess 15 Nobelist Hammarskjold 16 Mixer 17 Chicago pizza style 19 First pope to broadcast on radio 20 Strongly desires 21 Wetland 22 (Not my error) 23 Dog’s archenemy 24 NFL’s Marshawn Lynch, for one 27 Nursery beds 29 Opposite of ‘neath 30 End-of-term test 31 Scorch on the grill 32 Late guest’s guess, briefly 33 Skip over 34 Being harshly criticized 37 Rock concert venues 40 Prefix for “eminent” 41 Jet set?

5 Woman in the Starbucks logo 4 46 ___ chi 47 Mall map listing 48 Respite before graduation, perhaps 51 Pathetic 52 Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ ___” 53 Birthday candles, symbolically: Abbr.

54 Nephews’ siblings 56 Activist Lewinsky 58 Kool-Aid instruction that can apply to either part of 17-, 24-, 34- or 48-Across 60 Continues until 61 “What a surprise!”

62 Claudius’s adopted son 63 Big Bird’s street 64 Like every prime but one 65 Straightforward DOWN 1 For ___ times’ sake 2 Reasonable effort, at law 3 Resistance to change 4 California wine valley 5 Goodbye, in Grenoble

6 Bottom of a chord 7 “Blecch!”

8 Colorado skiing mecca 9 Making it big 10 Former French coin 11 Altimas and Sentras 12 Metered vehicle 13 In a smooth manner 18 TiVo products 21 Christmas tree choice 23 Adds to an e-mail 25 Pretty good, in golf 26 Split down the middle 28 Country on Borneo 32 Asner and Sheeran 33 Blackberry dessert 35 Nursery monitor 36 Sent a Facebook request to 37 Presupposes 38 Hits a line drive 39 Gofers run them 42 Floral brew 43 Pink Pearl products 44 Marry, or married

6 “Angie Tribeca” airer 4 47 Throw off kilter 49 Prepare parmesan 50 Helped 55 Prop for Yoda 57 “This ___ test” 58 Previously 59 ___ G. Biv (rainbow mnemonic) Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

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Friday, February 8, 2019

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BARBARA EHRENREICH TWEETS ABOUT MARIE KONDO WIDELY CONDEMNED NEW YORK—An online takedown of Marie Kondo by author-journalist Barbara Ehrenreich has been widely condemned as racist and xenophobic. Ehrenreich says it was a joke gone wrong.

Ehrenreich tweeted on Monday that she saw Kondo’s popularity as a sign of America’s decline and wished that the Japanese “de-cluttering guru” would “learn to speak English.” She later tweeted that she was “sorry” if she had offended anyone and called her previous comment a missed attempt at “subtle humor.” Ehrenreich is a prominent liberal who writes often about the working class, notably in the bestselling Nickel and Dimed.

Prize-winning novelist Rebecca Makkai was among those calling Ehrenreich’s first tweet racist.

She also lamented comments by such fellow liberals as Katha Pollitt, who cited Kondo’s speaking Japanese as “adding to her fairy-like delicacy and charm.” AP

A VIEW of Luxe’s ground floor with fashionable bags and shoes from Bally, Longchamp and Coach, as well as a collection of the Philippines’s finest clothing, native bags, fabrics and accessories.

Luxury brands, the Philippines’ finest at Luxe Duty Free DUTY Free Philippines Corp. Chief Operating Officer Vicente Angala lights joss sticks during the blessing ceremony to usher in the Year of the Pig at the new premier outlet Luxe Duty Free in Pasay City. At left is geomancer Princess Lim Fernandez of the Yin & Yang Harmony Shop.

Behind them is Angala’s spouse Maria Salome.

SOMETHING LIKE LIFE

MA. STELLA F. ARNALDO

@akosistellaBM RUBY PACIS receives the award

2018 AMBASSADORS CHOICE EXCELLENCE AWARD

AT the heels of being awarded as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World by the Filipina Women’s Network, CEO and Founding President of Faith in God Ruby Pacis Montalbo Professional and Technical Services Corp. (FIGRPMPTSC) Ruby Canteras Pacis received another coveted recognition as one of the 2018 Ambassadors Choice Excellence Awardee honored by the Asia Pacific Council, World Council for Excellence Award Ministry and the ACSR Humanitarian Service Ministry.

These award-giving bodies recognize exemplary practitioners who made significant contributions to their respective fields of expertise. It is divided into three major divisions, namely Asia-Pacific, World Council and, last, the ACSR Humanitarian Servant Ministry Council.

Among the 300 nominations in the South and East Asia Pacific Region-Philippines, Pacis was also selected as one of the top 25 recipients of the 2018 Most Outstanding Model Icon for Life Coach, as well as the Outstanding Asian Achiever Icon, Leadership Excellence Business Service Provider and Model Life Coach Practitioner. Pacis was nominated by Asian Ambassador Dr. Sandy S. Montano.

FIGRPMPTSC is an independent subcontractor/contractor authorized and registered to provide business-process support and services, such as HR Services, Accounting Services, Process Audit Services, Messengerial Services, Hotel and Restaurant Management Services in various industries, Property Housekeeping and Rental Services, and Technical Support and Services.

FIGRPMPTSC currently holds office in Laguna, Pampanga, National Capital Region and Cebu. It is its sole responsibility to comply with all existing as well as future laws, rules and regulations pertinent to the employment of top-caliber employees.

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ITH a lucky red top, beige slacks, and my comfy brogues on, I hauled myself to the new Luxe Duty Free outlet last Tuesday for its festivities to welcome the Year of the Earth Boar (Pig).

It was my first time to set foot at this new shopping mecca, a premier outlet of the Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC), geared primarily for Chinese tourists, who are shopaholics when it comes to luxury brands.

They often visit the Mall of Asia to pick up souvenirs of their visit to our country, and splurge on clothing and drink that are normally not available in their hometowns. So the location of Luxe, just along Pacific Drive in Pasay within the MOA complex, is sure to attract these shoppers.

“Chinese tourists love to shop and we have expanded our offering specifically at Luxe Duty Free to appeal to the Chinese market,” according to DFPC Chief Operation Officer Vicente Angala.

In 2018, arrivals from mainland China jumped 29.62 percent to 1.26 million, as per data from the Department of Tourism. Spread out over a two-level floor space of 3,636 square meters are popular upscale fashion brands like Coach, Bally, Longchamp, Michael Kors and reputable fragrance and cosmetic brands such as Chanel, Estee Lauder, La Mer, La Prairie, Clarins, Mac, Dior, Lancome, Laneige, Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Sulwhasoo and Shiseido.

Appealing to the Chinese tourists as well are an array of select premier liquor brands like Macallan, Auchentoshan, and Oban, among others.

The building was designed by Malherbe Design and its Filipino partner Asya Design. It is spacious,

with a high ceiling and lots of bright lighting to highlight each high-end brand. There are areas with comfortable seating as well, both on the ground and mezzanine floors for shoppers (or their husbands) to rest and collect their thoughts. On the ground floor, to the right upon entering Luxe, is a café operated by premium coffee expert Illy. (Coffee here is free.)

A few more steps inside the lobby is a café operated

by Chef Mikko Aspiras (Scout’s Honor and The Recession Coffee), a popular Filipino wizard in the kitchen serving up delectable pastries and great coffee from the Hineleban Foundation, one of my favorite local brands. (Coffee here is not free unlike at Illy’s, but worth every peso.)

Under the guidance of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, the product mix at DFPC outlets are changing, with more premium Filipino brands now offered. Beside the wines and spirits section at Luxe, for example, is a small nook where I espied luxury chocolates from Risa, Theo and Philo, and Malagos Farms. Yum! To the left, upon entering the Luxe store, are also fashionable Filipino clothing,

fabrics and accessories, operated by SM’s Kultura department. (However, I wish it featured more than the usual colorful native Filipino bags.)

Angala has said about 27 local brands will be sold at the Philippines’s Finest kiosk at the Luxe outlet, and will not just include food and clothing, but furniture and home merchandise, as well.

“We’re very thrilled with our additions this year,” he said. “We believe the DFPC is an effective vehicle to promote Filipino creativity because our products are sold to departing passengers for their consumption abroad.”

Sales at the Luxe outlet are sure to be boosted with the DFPC’s recent agreement with WeChat and Alipay, which are cashless payment systems favored

by Chinese tourists.

So with the lighting of joss sticks and the guests’ bow to the west and then the south, the blessing ceremony conducted by geomancer Princess Lim Fernandez will hopefully give more weight to the wishes of Angala for a prosperous 2019 for DFPC and Luxe. n

n FILLING IN MY WEAK SPOTS WITH YOUR STRENGTHS. Love stories often include people finding partners who seem to have traits that they lack, like a good girl falling for a bad boy. In this way, they appear to complement one another. For example, one spouse might be outgoing and funny while the other is shy and serious. It’s easy to see how both partners could view the other as ideal—one partner’s strengths balancing out the other partner’s weaknesses. In fact, one could imagine the friends and relatives of a shy person trying to set them up with an outgoing person to draw the shy one out. The question is whether people actually seek out complementary partners or if that just happens in the movies.

As it turns out, it’s pure fiction. There is essentially no research evidence that differences in personality, interests, education, politics, upbringing, religion or other traits lead to greater attraction.

For example, in one study researchers found that college students preferred descriptions of mates whose written bios were similar to themselves or their ideal self over those described as complementing themselves. Other studies have supported this finding. For example, introverts are no more attracted to extraverts than they are to anyone else. n WHY ARE WE SO SURE OPPOSITES ATTRACT?

Despite the overwhelming evidence, why does the myth of heterogamy endure? There are probably a few factors at work here. First, contrasts tend to stand out. Even if the partners in a couple match on tons of characteristics, they may end up arguing about the ways in which they are different.

Beyond that, there’s evidence that small differences between spouses can become larger over time. In their selfhelp book Reconcilable Differences, psychologists Andrew Christensen, Brian Doss and Neil Jacobson describe how partners move into roles that are complementary over time.

For example, if one member of a couple is slightly more humorous than the other, the couple may settle into a pattern in which the slightly-more-funny spouse claims the role of “the funny one” while the slightly-less-funny spouse slots into the role of “the serious one.” Scientists have demonstrated that, yes, partners grow more complementary over time; while they may begin as quite alike, they find ways to differentiate themselves by degree.

In the end, people’s attraction to differences is vastly outweighed by our attraction to similarities. People persist in thinking opposites attract—when in reality, relatively similar partners just become a bit more complementary as time goes by. AP

No, opposites do not attract

BY MATTHEW D. JOHNSON Binghamton University, State University of New York EVERYONE seems to agree that opposites attract. Young and old people, happy and distressed couples, single folks and married partners—all apparently buy the classic adage about love. Relationship experts have written books based on this assumption. It’s even been internalized by people who are on the hunt for a partner, with 86 percent of those looking for love saying they’re seeking someone with opposite traits.

The problem is that what’s true of magnets is not at all true of romance. As I explain in my book, Great Myths of Intimate Relationships: Dating, Sex, and Marriage, people tend to be attracted to those who are similar—not opposite— to themselves. n I LOVE HOW YOU’RE JUST LIKE ME. Whether people really find opposites more attractive has been the subject of many scientific studies. Researchers have investigated what combination makes for better romantic partners—those who are similar, different, or opposite? Scientists call these three possibilities the homogamy hypothesis, the heterogamy hypothesis and the complementarity hypothesis, respectively.

The clear winner is homogamy. Since the 1950s, social

scientists have conducted over 240 studies to determine whether similarity in terms of attitudes, personality traits, outside interests, values and other characteristics leads to attraction. In 2013, psychologists Matthew Montoya and Robert Horton examined the combined results of these studies in what’s called a meta-analysis. They found an irrefutable association between being similar to and being interested in the other person.

In other words, there is clear and convincing evidence that birds of a feather flock together. For human beings, the attractiveness of similarity is so strong that it is found across cultures. Because similarity is associated with attraction, it makes sense that individuals in committed relationships tend to be alike in many ways. Sometimes this is called assortative mating, although this term is more often used to describe the ways in which people with similar levels of educational attainment, financial means and physical appearance tend to pair up.

None of this necessarily means that opposites don’t attract. Both the homogamy hypothesis and the complementarity hypothesis could be true. So is there scientific support that opposites might attract at least some of the time?

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Show BusinessMirror

Friday, February 8, 2019

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Jameson Blake is in hot water again ‘BUBBLE GANG’ BRINGS MUSICAL PLAY TO CEBU THIS month, GMA’s longest-running and multiawarded gag show Bubble Gang flies to the Queen City of the South to bring nonstop fun and surprises to all Cebuanos.

Get ready for a night full of entertainment as the cast of Bubble Gang, led by top comedian Michael V., brings its live musical play Parokya Nato: A Laugh Story on February 15 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City.

This musical concert is a project of GMA Regional TV, in synergy with GMA Entertainment Group and GMA Pinoy TV, through the Kapuso Concerts.

GMA RTV Vice President and Head Oliver B. Amoroso expressed his excitement to showcase Bubble Gang’s special offering in Cebu. “We are definitely looking forward to bring to Cebu one of Bubble Gang’s successful shows because as we all know, they are the Filipinos’ favorite comedy program because of their unique, amusing and extraordinary parodies, sketches and gags. We can’t wait for them to see what our Kapuso artists have in store for them,” he said.

Meanwhile, GMA Vice President for Business Development Department II Janine Piad-Nacar said that this event is their way of thanking all the loyal viewers of Bubble Gang in Cebu. “This concert is GMA’s gift to all the Cebuanos who have supported Bubble Gang through the years. They loved our 22nd anniversary special and it became a hit in the province. That’s why we in GMA, especially Michael V., are thrilled to perform for them.”

Bubble Gang Parokya Nato: A Laugh Story is the story of a simple guy named Buloy (Michael V.), a die-hard fan who has built his dreams around an actress, Birdie Aguila (Kim Domingo), and the countless adventures he had to go through in order to fulfill his lifelong dream to be her leading man on and off screen. Together with Michael V., catch the entire cast, including Kim Domingo, Chariz Solomon, Valeen Montenegro, Antonio Aquitania, Paolo Contis, Jackie Rice, Denise Barbacena, Lovely Abella, Sef Cadayona, Betong Sumaya, Mikael Daez, Archie Alemania, Mikoy Morales, Analyn Barro, James Macasero, Roadfill Obeso, Myka Flores and Diego Llorico.

The musical play is under the helm of esteemed stage director Rem Zamora; musical director and playwright Vince de Jesus; musical arranger Myke Salomon; and choreographer Dan Cabrera. Tickets are also available online via SM Tickets (www.smtickets.com).

GAB FAB JET VALLE

@jetvalle

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ASHTAG member Jameson Blake is in the middle of a storm again.

Some months ago, he was lambasted on social media for apparently being a cheapskate with graphic artists, asking them on social media to create some artwork for him—and the payment would be in the form of a shoutout instead of their actual professional fee. The young man admitted his mistake and said he has learned his lesson.

But in the recent Blackpink concert, Jameson was once again lambasted for apparently not falling in line. He was accused of using his celebrity status to be given VIP treatment, while other die-hard fans waited for hours in line. A video is currently circulating online where he and two friends were not in line and were just waiting in an area for their turn.

In an exclusive statement to GAB FAB, Hashtag Jameson explained to us that, yes, he was placed in an area away from the queue but this was upon the advise of the venue security since there were a lot of people taking pictures with him. I assumed that this was bothering some concertgoers and disrupting the line, therefore the guards went to him and told him to just wait in another area. “But it wasn’t like they didn’t make me line up anymore. When they already let the people in, we still waited for our number like all the fans,” he continued.

Many have feasted on this incident and hurled a lot of poisonous words to the actor, but he remained unfazed as he told me his side of the story. Maybe because he knows he is on the right side of this issue, he easily convinced me. Needless to say, more will be said about this incident, most likely in contradiction to Jameson’s version. nnn LIVE life without worry for the inevitable with the help of the new ABS-CBN Publishing offering, Book of Bilins: Your Ultimate Guide to Libing Well, the last planner everyone will ever need before facing death.

This fun book by Jubilee Sangalang features howto’s readers can fill out intended for their families

who will be left behind. It is a handy manual to contain one’s preferences on the conduct of the funeral, posting the dreaded announcement on social media, proceeding with the burial or cremation, and many more. “Inside, you’ll be answering two main parts. Part One is the Funeral Planner a.k.a. the ‘Fun Planner.’ Part Two is the Last Bilin and Testament....

With this book, you’ll be able to literally rest in peace because you won’t be leaving your loved ones confused,” shared the author.

The Book of Bilins contains relevant checklists readers can use as a quick reference, including important documents to handle, the first people to contact, the preferred OOTD (outfit of the dead), and

even makeup pegs for the funeral.

It also provides spaces for final thank you letters, apology notes, and big revelations, which trusted loved ones can read and share.

The Book of Bilins planner will not be complete without a portion for the crucial stuff—the heirs and what they will get; insurance policies, and bank account details; plus guide on canceling the dead’s subscriptions, handling his e-mail and social-media accounts, or settling his debts.

Be ready for the most unexpected event in your life using the Book of Bilins as a guide. For only P225, it is available at National Book Store and Powerbooks branches, and via the @abscbnbooks on Facebook. n

Feel all the feels with YA movie ‘Snow Flower’

‘ETO NA! MUSIKAL NAPO!’ RETURNS TO THE STAGE

AFTER its successful debut run last August, Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is back for its second run by popular demand.

Coproduced by Globe Live and 9Works Theatrical, the critically acclaimed musical is ongoing until March 17 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City (BGC).

Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is an original Filipino musical with lyrics and music by Danny Javier, Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo, and written and directed by Robbie Guevara.

The story takes place in a university in the 1970s, revolving around a group of students working hard to win a songwriting and singing competition. They experience a series of ups and downs, from first love and heartbreak to fighting to keep their love for music strong, and doubting their own artistic abilities—all under the iron claw of Martial law. Thanks to its charming cast and heartwarming coming-of-age story, it’s sure to bring APO Hiking Society fans back to their youth.

For its second run, the musical is adding five new members to its cast as alternates: Floyd Tena as Rick, Mica Javier as Anna, Roxanne Barcelo as Jane, Vien King as Benjie and Luis Marcelo as Jojo.

The rest of the original cast will be back: Mark Bautista, together with Jobim Javier, Al fritz Blanche, Jon Philippe Go, Jef Flores, Jon Abella and Vyen Villanueva. Joining them are Rita Daniela, Marika Sasaki, Sab Jose, Raul Montesa and Neomi Gonzales. Rounding out the cast are Gian Gloria, Shalee Vicencio, Peachy Atilano-Guevara, Anton Posadas, Jourdan Bartolome and Derrick Gozos.

Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! goes onstage at Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC, on February 9 and 10, 16 and 17, 22 to 24, March 1 to 3, 8, 10 and 15 to 17, 8 pm, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and 2:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

NOW in theaters, the engaging Japanese movie Snow Flower is a hit in the making.

Loved the movies The Fault In Our Stars, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and Kita Kita? Here’s a new Japanese YA film that’s bound to melt your heart this Valentine’s Day. Snow Flower is about Miyuki (Ayami Nakajo), a bright young woman who sadly has only one year left to live. After she receives the doctor’s prognosis, she serendipitously meets a kind stranger named Yusuke (Hiroomi Tosaka) in wintertime Tokyo.

When they cross paths again six months later, she finds out that Yusuke’s café workplace desperately needs financial assistance. Her time running out, she gathers the courage to offer Yusuke a deal: be her boyfriend for one month in exchange for ¥1 million. After a moment of hesitation, he agrees to keep his job and support his younger siblings.

Thus, begins their whirlwind romance in the height of summer. Every moment becomes a cherished memory for Miyuki: their first date, their shared baon, their

goodnight messages. Beginning in Tokyo, their love story culminates in Finland, where Miyuki hopes her last wish will come true: to see the rare red aurora in the winter wonderland where her parents met.

This sweeping romance will surely make you feel all the feels this Valentine’s Day. Based on the iconic Japanese winter song “Yuki no Hana” (Snow Flower), the young adult movie is directed by Kojiro Hashimoto and distributed by Axinite Digicinema in the Philippines.

HIROOMI TOSAKA and Ayami Nakajo

Adam Levine’s Super Bowl nipple reveal prompts backlash

BY LEANNE ITALIE The Associated Press NEW YORK—First, critics panned Maroon 5’s Super Bowl halftime performance. Then social-media folks went full-on snark over Adam Levine’s throw pillowlike tank top design. Then he peeled off the busy brown shirt and the snark turned to outrage over his exposed nipples.

The bare-chested moment on Sunday had some feminists and Janet Jackson supporters focused on how male and female nipples are treated differently in life, especially on network TV and by the National Football League years after Jackson’s career was derailed by a split-second halftime reveal.

“Double standard, much?” is how an InStyle headline neatly summed up the issue in the light of day on Monday as the media noted how the hate quickly built online.

Singer-songwriter Neko Case aptly captured the mood in an F-bomb-infused tweet likening the frontman to a half-nude greased pig.

Jackson’s 2004 wardrobe malfunction, thanks to Justin Timberlake’s tug on her bodice, earned CBS a $550,000 Federal Communications Commission fine that was later voided by an appeals court. Levine’s

nipples enjoyed far more stage time.

A CBS spokesman, Chris Ender, and an NFL spokesman, Brian McCarthy, did not immediately return e-mail requests for comment on Monday.

Kimberly Seals Allers, a journalist and breastfeeding advocate, wrote of the male-female double standard on public exposure of nipples in her 2017 book, The Big Letdown: How Medicine, Big Business and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding. She was watching the game on Sunday and joined the Twitter choir with some research she had done.

Public breastfeeding has become a flashpoint for controversy over exposure of female nipples, from the arrests of women who do it around the globe to restaurants who have banned it.

Interestingly, she wrote, male nipples were also sexualized and banned from public view until men protested, ignited in 1930 when four were arrested in Coney Island for going shirtless on a beach.

“Then Hollywood icon Clark Gable stripped off his shirt in It Happened One Night,” Allers wrote, “marking the scandalous debut of a man’s uncensored nipples in American cinema.”

In 1935 New Jersey, 42 topless men were arrested in Atlantic City during a demonstration, according to the book. By 1936, however, after ongoing protests,

neighboring New York lifted its ban on men going topless and “suddenly a man’s nipples were no longer ‘obscene’ in society but, rather, commonplace and natural,” Allers wrote.

Such an effort has been made for women in recent years, spurred on by the 2015 Free the Nipple movie and movement, but little headway has been made.

Allers said on Monday by telephone that the Jackson controversy was the first thing she thought of when she watched Levine peel off his tank.

“The issue was around the nipple itself,” she said of the decades-old bans on topless men. “Clark Gable really did what was considered a very provocative thing in the movie by taking off his shirt and that was the first time,” she said. “Ever since then it became very commonplace, versus what happened to women, where their fight to not sexualize their breasts didn’t have the same success.”

She called it a “trap,” and Jackson’s Super Bowl moment remains a solid example, Allers said. It’s the first thing she thought of when Levine took the show to skin.

“I thought, it must be nice to have that freedom, which women don’t have,” Allers said. “Janet Jackson is still being punished for that. There’s just not the same level of dialogue around men and their bodies.”

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

Editor: Tet Andolong

The new Strada at a makeshift off-road course in Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga.

At its heart is a 2.4-L 4 In-line 16 Valve DOHC Clean Diesel with Variable Geometry Turbo and MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control System) 4N15, which gives a maximum output of 178.5 hp at 3,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 430 N-m at 2,500 rpm.

Friday, February 8, 2019

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E2 Friday, February 8, 2019

DLSU-HARI FOUNDATION PARTNER

FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH H

ARI Foundation Inc. (HFI) Chairman Richard L. Lee paid tribute to his Lasallian roots and affirmed his personal advocacy for innovation in the sciences with the launch of the Richard L. Lee Engineering and Technology Block.

The latest addition to the 50-hectare De La Salle University Campus in Laguna is set to realize its donor’s desire to be a premier innovation hub that bridges scientific research with business, and a seedbed for leaders committed to spread and nurture the Lasallian values of Religio, Mores, Cultura (faith, good conduct and love for country) in the 21st century and beyond. Envisioned to enhance DLSU’s reputation as a Commission on Higher Education “Center of Excellence,” the technology block will serve the country’s network of La Salle schools and over 50 other Metro Manila colleges and universities that have access to La Salle as a CHED Zonal Research Center.

DLSU was recently proclaimed as the only private university in the Philippines to make it to the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings for outstanding research-intensive universities.

Said rank puts DLSU in the top 3 percent of more than 22,000 higher education institutions in the world.

During the inaugural ceremony, Lee, a proud primus or first graduate of La Salle Greenhills, expressed delight that his dream to give back to his alma mater in a meaningful way is now a reality: “It is an honor to provide a new institution of learning to DLSU’s Laguna Campus. This is a place where minds will be sharpened, challenged to think critically, solve problems and innovate…. The Engineering and Technology Block now stands as a living commitment to produce generations of Lasallians rich in knowledge and skills, but even richer in heart, putting their energy, talents, ambitions and ideas to bring more greatness to our nation.”

In response, DLSU President Br. Raymundo Suplido FSC said, “[Four years ago], there was nothing here except a dream to have a place where research and education will find a home—a very modest Silicone Valley.

We needed pathfinders and Richard Lee was very eager to be a pathfinder.

The Laguna Campus is the future of DLSU, where new programs will be

RLL Engg and Tech Block

offered and respond to the challenges of the 21st century.

In attendance at the inauguration were DLSU partners, luminaries from business, technology, education and the diplomatic community.

Highlight of the inaugural cer-

emony was the symbolic turnover of the “Innovation Bell” by artist Pete Jimenez Jr. The turnover of this commissioned artwork signalled the establishment of a tradition to honor the great minds that will be passing through the halls, explained Lee.

“Every time a brilliant idea, great or small, proceeds from these walls, the entire academic body celebrates with the ringing of this bell.”

The Richard L. Lee Engineering and Technology Block is expected to enhance and broaden the applied

learning experience of the academic community. It will house engineering programs in all fields. Ongoing programs include research in computer science, alternative and renewableenergy sources, and road-traffic management.

ISUZU HOLDS RZ4E FUEL ECO-CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP

IPC Executive Vice President Shojiro Sakoda (from left), mu-X category top winner Elizabeth Vinarao, D-Max category top winner Gerico Ponce and IPC President Hajime Koso ISUZU PHILIPPINES CORP. Story & photos

by Randy S. Peregrino

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AST year, we were able to validate how extremely fuel-efficient Isuzu’s new RZ4E 1.9-liter turbodiesel motor was when we covered their fuel eco-run challenge.

The separate results from both the mu-X and D-Max were impressive enough that it even exceeded our expectations. Generating 148 hp and 350 N-m of maximum torque, this new powertrain even weighs lighter by 60 kilograms, which contributed to the vehicle’s better powerto-weight ratio. What is more, the new engine is equipped with various technological advancements adapted from years of extensive research and development.

Following the success of the media drive event and eco-run challenge, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) also hosted its “2018 Isuzu Fuel Eco Challenge” exclusively for Isuzu customers from September to December. Over 40 participants from Isuzu dealerships nationwide were screened and tried out their best to come up with the best fuel efficiency

results for the mu-X sport-utility vehicle and D-Max pickup categories during the test drive. For this competition, readings will be derived directly from the average fuel consumption meter. As a result, 27 participants have emerged from the grueling process to qualify for the national level/championship round.

Then came the championship round, which was held on January 26 at the IPC headquarters in Biñan, Laguna. Staged within the Technopark’s wide roads, a preset 10-kilometers route with various tarmac terrains and traffic stops was set for the finalists to go through. Before the flag off, vehicles to be utilized were inspected and regulated in order to ensure consistency during the competition, as well as assigned with one IPC personnel as an observer. The drivers were oriented on the traffic rules and safety reminders. In the end, six winners from the mu-X and D-Max categories emerged as victors. For the mu-X category, the top 3 are Elizabeth Vinarao from Isuzu Commonwealth (17.

60 km/l) Kart Thomas de Leon

All the finalists with their families along with IPC executives during the “2018 Isuzu Fuel Eco Challenge”

from Isuzu Bulacan (17.20 km/l) and Leonardo Eugenio from Isuzu General Santos (17.10 km/l). As for the D-Max category, the top 3 are Gerico Ponce from Isuzu Makati (20.70 km/l), Gerald Debblois from Isuzu General Santos (20.20 km/l), and Eric Empestan from Isuzu Bacolod (18.20 km/l).

Each winner will enjoy an all-expense-paid trip (airfare and hotel) for two to Thailand scheduled for April 1 to 4.

“Isuzu Philippines Corp. has always valued, and strove for, not just power and reliability in all its vehicles, but also fuel efficiency.

Our RZ4E Blue Power engine epitomizes our effort to produce the most fuel-efficient diesel engine, capable

of producing more power for less fuel, which is a perfect match to our economical drivers. It is a very timely reminder that, despite the prevailing volatility of fuel prices in the market, Filipino drivers can save more on fuel expenses with the help of a fuel-efficient partner, the Isuzu mu-X and D-Max RZ4E,” said IPC President Hajime Koso.

The recently concluded fuel ecochallenge was IPC’s way of promoting and advocating fuel-efficient driving among existing Isuzu vehicle owners and eventual Isuzu vehicle buyers, as well as highlighting the unparalleled efficiency, power, ride comfort, and durability of the new RZ4E-powered mu-X and D-Max vehicles equipped with

ISUZU’S ultra-fuel-efficient RZ4E 1.9-liter turbo diesel engine

Isuzu’s latest innovation in diesel engine engineering under the Blue Power emissions technology. Shell

Pilipinas was the official fuel partner of the “2018 Isuzu Fuel Eco Challenge.”

oring

sMirror

Friday, February 8, 2019

SAY HELLO TO THE ‘ROCK’ Continued from E1

Its chinkier headlamp outlines are then tweaked to powerful penetrating light beams evoking a more imposing presence on the road. LED daytime running lights further add to its swagger.

The distinctive “J-line” provides a clever engineering design to shorten wheel base resulting to better interior space—not to mention a better turning radius with its even class-smallest of 5.9 m.

Inside, this beast has sporty interior that has functional and modernized center panel and console. All variants feature 2-DIN touch screen monitor, tuner, MP3 player, USB, iPod-ready auxiliary-in, bluetooth with mirror link feature multimedia and GPS navigation system. For passenger convenience, front smartphone tray is also made available which includes USB terminals.

It also offers 1,745 mm total legroom—corked to be the most spacious among pickups.

At its heart is a 2.4L 4 in-line 16 Valve DOHC Clean Diesel with Variable Geometry Turbo and MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control System) 4N15 which gives a maximum output of 178.5 hp at 3,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 430 N-m at 2,500 rpm.

Here, the boosted ride comfort uses larger rear dampers, particularly

Bill mandating use of child restraint system in vehicles ready for PRRD signature

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MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) AVP for Marketing Services Arlan Reyes (from left); MMPC President and CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri; legendary Japanese rally driver Hiroshi Masuoka; and MMPC Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing Taichi Nakajima unveil the new Strada to the public.

for the GT 4x4, GLS 4x4 and GLS 4x2 variants wherein their better braking performance is also achieved with the use of larger front discs and caliper pistons.

The GT 4WD A/T, specifically, is equipped with Super Select fourwheel drive and the GLS 4WD MT is primed with Easy Select 4WD which delivers optimum traction and handling characteristics on any terrain.

“I think for this kind of vehicle, a pickup truck, the balance between durability and comfort is very important. That’s why with our major upgrade in our suspension system, you will be

amazed how comfortable it feels not only for the driver, but also for the passengers as well,” Nakahima further shared.

The new Strada is available in seven exterior colors: White Diamond, Graphite Gray Metallic, Sterling Silver Metallic, Jet Black Mica, Red Solid Clear, Grayish Brown Metallic and Impulse Blue Metallic.

Prices for the six variants are as follows: GT 4WD A/T at P1.670 million; GLS 4WD M/T at P1.445 million; GLS 2WD A/T at P1.3 million; GLS 2WD M/T at P1.225 million; GLX Plus 2WD A/T at P1.240 million and GLX Plus 2WD M/T at P1.165 million.

MEASURE aimed at protecting infants and young children from serious injuries and deaths from road accidents has been sent to Malacañang for the President’s signature.

The Presidential Legislative Liaison Office transmitted to Malacañang the harmonized version of Senate Bill 1971 and House Bill 6938, or “An Act Providing for the Special Protection of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles,” on January 24.

Sen. JV Ejercito, principal author of the measure, said it’s about time to implement laws that will protect the lives of the people, especially the children.

Ejercito, citing data from the World Health Organization, noted that 1.35 million people around the world die each year as a result of road-traffic crashes.

Road-traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged five to 29 years, the study stressed.

In the Philippines, government data showed that the number of deaths due to traffic incidents has

been increasing since 2006. Hundreds of the fatalities each year are children.

An average of 667 children— those 14 years old and below— died every year from 2006 to 2015, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, as it stressed that, while seat belts can save lives, infants and children need a more specific type of car seats in case of a road accident.

Senate Bill 1971, once signed into law, mandates drivers to secure a child 12 years old and below in a “child restraint system” while transporting a child on a road, street or highway.

Child restraint system refers to a device capable of accommodating a child occupant in a sitting or supine position designed to diminish the risk of injury in the event of a collision or of abrupt deceleration of the vehicle by limiting the mobility of the child’s body.

These children are also prohibited from sitting at the front seat of the vehicles, unless the child is at least 150 centimeters or 56 inches in height and capable

to properly fit in the regular seat belt in the front seat, the measure stated. “The child restraint system shall be appropriate to the child’s age, height and weight and approved in accordance with safety standards for child restraint system,” Ejercito said.

Even if they are wearing child restraint systems, drivers are prohibited from leaving the children unattended inside the vehicles, said Ejercito, chairman of the Subcommittee on Special Protection for Child Passengers under the Committee on Public Services.

For the protection of children using public-utility vehicles, the Department of Transportation is mandated to adopt safety measures and issue regulations for the safe and secure transportation of children.

A driver found violating this law shall be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P5,000 and the suspension of the driver’s license for one year for the third and succeeding offenses.

E3

Motoring BusinessMirror

E4 Friday, February 8, 2019

Suzuki reveals media race in Vios Cup 2019

I

F there is one January party worth talking about in the automotive world, it is none other than the annual Toyota thanksgiving party. It is one bash that is not to be missed by anyone with the right mind from the motoring media.

For one thing, it is filled with so many gifts/giveaways that no one goes home without a neatly wrapped package tucked under his belt.

For another, it is not only a games galore event with cerebral overtones to it (thanks mainly to Jing Atienza) to the eternal delight of every participant, it also teems with celebrities from both the celluloid world (Alex Gonzaga and Robbi Domingo as program hosts)

and the music industry (Mitoy Yonting and his iconic Draybers).

While Alex and Robbi were a joy to watch, Mitoy and his band were a hit no end, especially when Mitoy did Freddie Mercury of Queen without letup. His rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” remains the best hereabouts, and it could yet be a world-beater should a contest for Mercury wannabes be held.

And look what I discovered:

Mitoy’s bassist, the pony-tailed Jerome Reformado, is from my hometown Mangatarem, Pangasinan. Jerome’s mother was my high-school classmate even. Small world, indeed.

And now to my favorite pastime—that is, reprinting speeches of substance. So, once again, here is Toyota President Satoru Suzuki’s piece during the Toyota party at Hyatt Hotel Global City.

“Good evening, dearest friends from the media.

“It has been Toyota Motor Philippines’s custom to start the New Year with a grand gathering for journalists covering the automotive industry. It is our special way of welcoming 2019 and expressing our gratefulness for your steadfast support to Toyota for the past year.

Now, after more than two decades, the tradition stays strong, and we’re happy that you are all here today to celebrate with us. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2019 Media Thanksgiving Party!

“There are plenty of reasons to celebrate with you. First, it is my great honor to announce that Toyota remains the undisputed market leader in 2018. In total, we sold over 53,000 units, achieving a 38.2-percent market share. We produced a total of 46,117 vehicles at our Santa Rosa plant last year,

with the Vios and Innova accounting for close to 30 percent of our total sales. “ B est i ng n i ne ke y m a rket segments, Toyota Motor Philippines once again secured the Tr iple Crow n v ictor y for the 17th consecutive year.

“As it was expected, the 2018 market dropped to 400,298 units, a decrease of 15 percent compared to the previous year’s 473,376 units sold. The compounded effects of the implementation of the TRAIN law, which brought about forward purchases of vehicles in 2017, resulted in a significantly reduced market size last year.

“Despite the unfavorable climate of 2018, recording a 17-percent decline in sales versus 2017, Toyota was able to hold its ground.

It was truly a challenging year, and we are hopeful that this year will be more auspicious.

“Moving forward to 2019, Toyota’s Media Thanksgiving Parties are not complete without some very important announcements.

For this year, aside from new model launches, we will continue the trailblazing legacy of the Vios Cup, with a new and improved Toyota Motorsports Program. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce the beginning of the 2019 Vios Racing Festival. Toyota makes

the Waku-Doki action more personal by intensifying the overall experience.

“The Toyota Motorsports Program will have two elements.

Known before as the Vios Cup, this first element of the racing festival will now be called the Vios Circuit Championship. There will be three legs with three races per leg in June, September and November of this year, using the all-new Vios models.

To boost and encourage the Filipino interest in motorsports, we will also bring back the greatly missed Toyota Racing School.

“And now, for the second element, I am thrilled to announce that our media friends can get the chance to race! This April, we will kick-off the 2019 Vios Racing Festival with the Vios Autocross Challenge in Metro Manila. With a defined number of slots, our Motorsports Program will include a timed competition in an exciting obstacle course, where you can share the tracks with celebrity and car club racers. And at every leg of the Vios Circuit Championship race at the Clark Speedway in Pampanga, a mini Autocross challenge will also be conducted.

“So if you think you have what it takes to represent your media organization in the race tracks and win exciting prizes, we would

be very happy to see you join.

Please await details on how to join the Autocross Challenge, to be announced by our motorsports program partner, Mr. JP Tuason of TRS. “There are many more exciting things to come this year—and we hope you will all be there to support us, just as you have through the years. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you. As I said in our FMC Camry Launch last December, you are not just our steady partners in business; you are ‘family.’

“2018 will always be remembered as one of the toughest years for the auto industry, but Toyota’s accomplishments despite the odds were all made possible through your unwavering support.

“Thank you very much for coming. A lot of games and prizes await, so let us get the party started.”

So there.

PEE STOP Greetings

to my compadre Bert Bravo and his beloved wife, Mareng Fel, for the 45th anniversary of their world-famous U-Bix Corp. on February 11. May U-Bix’s success continue for the next 45 years, dearest compadre and comadre. Cheers!... Happy February birthdays to Boni Juvida and Ching Juvida-Fernandez!