Businessmirror March 15, 2019

DEPT. OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY

2018 BANTOG DATA MEDIA AWARDS CHAMPION

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

www.businessmirror.com.ph

n Friday, March 15, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 156

T

@BcuaresmaBM

HE onset of El Niño in the country is set to be a major risk to the country’s growth and inflation prospects for the year, ING Bank Manila economist Nicholas Mapa warned.

In a review note released on Thursday, Mapa wrote that “El Niño not only plagues the country with drought and dry spells, but it can induce even more virulent typhoon activity, a bane to the already decelerating inflation and the ailing agricultural sector of the country.”

Mapa added: “El Niño will undoubtedly hamper our agricultural

production, which in itself is coming off a lackluster performance in 2018. Crop damage, as well as poor harvest for fisheries, will likely see the agricultural sector challenged for a second year.”

Earlier reports show that initial estimates peg crop damage at P464 million in the first month of the “moderate” El Niño onset.

Mapa said the expected drought

will also sap some momentum from the local manufacturing sector, given the heavy weight of “food manufacturers” in the overall sector at 24 percent.

The drought’s effect on the country’s overall growth via the agricultural sector is likely to be aggravated by the government’s inability to pass a budget, according to Mapa.

“El Niño not only plagues the country with drought and dry spells, but it can induce even more virulent typhoon activity, a bane to the already decelerating inflation and the ailing agricultural sector of the country.”—Mapa

“Against the backdrop of slowing growth due to the harsh and extreme weather conditions, the budget impasse simmers. Government officials paint a dour outlook should the budget be delayed further. We hope that the budget can and will be passed at the soonest,” Mapa said.

“Passage of the 2019 budget will indeed help cushion the impact of El Niño on growth, which is already expected to hit a speed See “El Niño,” A2

STARTING this issue, Emmanuel F. Dooc fulfills his dream of writing a column by gracing the opinion pages of BusinessMirror every Friday with his Telltales. Read the maiden column of the former Insurance Commissioner and former Social Security System President and CEO on page A11.

‘HOT MONEY’ FLOWED INTO PHL FOR SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

F

OREIGN investors continued to place “hot money” in the Philippines in February, as the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed sustained foreign portfolio investments (FPI) net inflow for the month.

FPI for February hit a net inflow of $339.57 million, as speculative capital that flowed into the country exceeded total outflows during the month. The magnitude, however, is lower compared to the $762.82-mil-

Digital apps, strong sales force buoy Fortune Life’s hopes of meeting goals

By Rea Cu

F

@ReaCuBM

ORTUNE Life Insurance Co. Inc. (Fortune Life) has expressed optimism that it will be able to hit its sales goals for this year, backed by its strong sales force, as well as its plans to make use of digital applications.

During Fortune Life’s 2019 Annual Awards held at the Citystate Tower Hotel in Manila on Wednesday night, Fortune Life President D. Arnold A. Cabangon shared the company’s positive outlook.

“I am confident that with the full support of our management and operations team, together with our sales force and in coordination with the Insurance Commission [IC], we will be able to meet or even supersede our sales target for 2019. May our combined passion and expertise drive us to another year of success,” Cabangon said in his speech.

The 2019 Annual Awards marks the 34th awarding ceremony of Fortune Life where it celebrates the accomplishments of its sales force.

For this year, Cabangon said that the company is set to launch its own iOS and android mobile applications, which are seen to widen its reach in terms of market share and distribution channels.

“In the pipeline are the development of IOS and android apps; these will give us more reach and a new distribution market. This is the sustainable digital road map that we are doing for the company,” he added.

He also pointed out that the company will sustain its advocacy programs to further help clients and reach more people.

“We were able to reach these clients through our values advocacy program in partnership with DepEd [Department of Education] and Marylindbert International.

We are also participating in the financial institution trade fairs organized by the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] together with other government financial agencies. The other thing is our active participation in the rural bank conferences,” he said.

Echoing the sentiments of the company’s president, Fortune Life EVP and General Manager Evelyn T. Carada said the outlook for this year is indeed positive as the company sustains its programs, as well as incorporates new ones.

She also said that meeting the minimum net worth requirement of P900 million this year under the Insurance Code will not be a See “Fortune Life,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.7160

BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE OF THE YEAR

P25.00 nationwide | 6 sections 32 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

Beyond dry spells, El Niño could induce violent storms

By Bianca Cuaresma

2017 EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS

lion net inflows in the previous month.

BSP data also showed that the February figure is a reversal of the $528.53-million net outflow recorded a year ago.

FPI are known as “hot” or “speculative” money because these are easily pulled in and out of the local platforms in the slight change of global and local sentiment.

This type of foreign investment is usually a measure of the global economy’s investing sentiment for the Philippines in short-term See “Hot money,” A2

‘$20-B net FDI signals investor confidence’

T

who received huge allocations before the itemization and realignment during the bicameral conference committee.

“Those in the top list were allotted with projects ranging from P2 billion to P8 billion per district.

HE country’s $20.1 billion in net foreign direct investments (FDI) over the two-year period of 2017 and 2018 is “unprecedented” and shows the deepening investor confidence in the Philippines, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

In a statement on Thursday, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said, “Our net FDI inflows of about $10 billion yearly in 2017 and 2018, which total $20.1 billion is unprecedented. No other administration has shown this consistency.”

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed net FDI inflows rose to $10.3 billion in 2017, which is double the amount of $5.6 billion in 2015, while the full-year net FDI inflows reached $9.8 billion for 2018.

“This best illustrates deepening investor confidence in the Philippine economy as the government pursues business-friendly reforms on the watch of President Duterte,” he added.

The DOF pointed out that in 2010, net FDI inflows reached only $1.1 billion, which inched up to $2.0 billion in 2011, $3.2 billion in 2012 and $3.7 billion in 2013.

Continued on A2

See “FDI,” A12

INSURANCE Commissioner Atty. Dennis B. Funa (second from left) holds a framed cover of the Philippines Graphic news magazine presented to him as a token of appreciation by Fortune Life Insurance Co. headed by its president, D. Arnold A. Cabangon (left), and ALC Group Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon (second from right) during the company’s 34th Annual Awards Night held on March 13 at the Citystate Tower Hotel in Manila. Also with them is Fortune Life Executive Vice President and General Manager Evelyn T. Carada (right). RUDY ESPERAS

‘Senate plan will restore inequitable budget item’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

T

@joveemarie

HE leadership of the House of R epresent at ives on Thursday said the Senate stance on the 2019 national budget will restore huge allocations

of former leaders of the chamber and the P75-billion alleged insertions of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Rolando Andaya Jr., in a statement, urged the Senate to reexamine the list of congressmen

n JAPAN 0.4743 n UK 70.3284 n HK 6.7156 n CHINA 7.8599 n SINGAPORE 38.9882 n AUSTRALIA 37.3915 n EU 59.7220 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.0580

Source: BSP (14 March 2019 )

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, March 15, 2019

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Online energy one-stop shop signed into law

E

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

signed on March 8, Evoss will also be managed and maintained by the Department of Energy (DOE) while its operations will be determined and monitored by the Evoss Steering Committee, chaired by the President.

To further speed up the process, the landmark anti-red tape measure also requires government agencies to follow a strict time frame to act on pending applications, with a warning that failure of an agency to act within the prescribed time frame will result in the automatic approval of such application and potential administrative sanctions against inefficient public officers to penalize the delay.

@BNicolasBM

LECTRICITY costs are seen to go down with the new law signed by President Duterte modernizing and streamlining the permitting process behind power infrastructure projects.

With the creation and establishment of an online platform called the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (Evoss), prospective developers can apply, monitor and receive all

Water crisis. . .

Continued from A12

Poe admitted they were caught by surprise by the unexplained sudden water supply stoppage. Manila Water has some explaining to do regarding the supply crisis, she said. “Three weeks ago, there was no notice and no indication whatsoever of a water shortage. And then we wake up one day, waterless? Is that fair?” she asked in a mix of English and Filipino.

Like Lorenzana, she wondered why all of a sudden almost half of Metro Manila experienced a water shortage when the level in Angat Dam —which supplies more than 90 percent of the metropolis—is still at normal level, noting reports reaching her office that as of 6 a.m. on March 14, water level at Angat Dam was normal at 199.63 meters, still far from the 180-meter critical mark.

Poe recalled that Manila Water had earlier pointed to the depleting water level in La Mesa Dam, the firm’s emergency water source, as the reason residents are experiencing interruptions.

It also blamed the dry spell. Water level at La Mesa Dam was critical at 68.74 meters, its lowest in 21 years.

On the other hand, Poe noted reports reaching her office that there is enough water in Angat Dam to supply Maynilad’s western consumers.

“Angat Dam still has enough water, that’s

Hot money. . .

Continued from A1

prospects for yields, in contrast to foreign direct investments, which are investments placed in the Philippines in search of long-term yield.

The BSP said the positive sentiment may be attributed to investor optimism arising from developments on trade negotiations between the United States and China, and the passage of the rice trade liberalization law, which is expected to help boost the country’s rice supply and temper inflation.

El Niño. . .

Continued from A1

bump in the first half due to

the needed permits and applications, submit all documentary requirements and even pay for charges and fees.

Under Republic Act 11234 why the western part served by Maynilad still has water. The problem [elsewhere] is the conveyance where the water flows,” said Poe, indicating that the Senate Public Services Committee is keen to find out “what contributed to the delays in completing projects such as a treatment plant in Cardona, Rizal, that would have addressed demand problems.”

Class suit MEANWHILE, Bayan Muna party-list is considering a class suit against Ayala-owned Manila Water.

“Affected consumers have come to us for legal remedy and we are now studying a class suit to be filed against Manila Water for the losses suffered by small businesses and the hardships suffered by poor families,” Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares said. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said the claim of a water crisis is alarming, even highly suspect.

Zarate scored Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III for using the water interruptions now affecting Metro Manila to justify another “disastrous” China-funded project that would displace thousands of indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands and sink the country into debt.

For his part, Colmenares said “as if on cue, in the midst of this unwarranted water problem, Sec. Dominguez is again floating the Laiban Dam project, the parent of the Kaliwa-Kanan Dam

It was in February when the Philippine Statistics Authority announced that inflation went down further in January and talks about being “backto-target” by the end of the first quarter of the year started circulating.

The peso also performed better in February, averaging at P52.19 to a dollar from the previous month’s P52.468.

The BSP said about 77.4 percent of investments registered during the month were in PSE-listed securities -- pertaining mainly to banks, holding firms, property companies, food, beverage and tobacco companies, and transportation companies.

Meanwhile, the other 22.4 percent

slowing capital formation and now likely challenged government spending,” it added.

Although inflation risks look to be averted for now, the econo-

proposals, that has been on and off since the martial law years that would evict the Dumagats and Remontados indigenous peoples from their ancestral lands,” said Colmenares.

The lawmakers said the Laiban Dam project site covers the Kaliwa River basin in Laiban village, Tanay, Rizal, as well as the Kanan River in Gen. Nakar, Quezon, thus the term “Kaliwa-Kanan” dam. The project, renamed the New Centennial Water Source (NCWS) Project, will submerge 28,000 hectares of land.

In June 2014, the solons said the MWSS announced that the project will be implemented in phases, prioritizing the smaller Kaliwa Dam, which will cost P18.78 billion ($418 million) and has been approved for bidding.

It said the NCWS project is projected to be completed in 2027, with the Kaliwa Dam expected to be functional by 2020. But now, Bayan Muna noted, it is under a China loan with China Energy and China Eximbank, the same lenders of the Chico river project loan agreement recently exposed by Colmenares.

Kaliwa Dam

MEANWHILE, Panelo refused to speculate on whether the construction of the China-funded Kaliwa Dam project has also something to do with the water crisis, as some quarters are speculating, after the fast-tracking of the Kaliwa Dam was raised as one key solution to the water shortage.

“Honestly, I don’t know if there is a connection,” he said.

went to Peso government securities and the 0.2 percent balance went to other Peso debt instruments.

The BSP said the United Kingdom, the US, Singapore, Luxembourg, and Norway were the top 5 investor countries for the month, with combined share to total at 67 percent.

Total outflows for the month were lower compared to figures recorded for January 2019 by 17.6 percent. The US continued to be the main destination of outflows, receiving 80.3 percent of total remittances. For the first two months of the year, net FPI inflows amounted to $1.151 billion, up from the $811.78 million net inflows in same period last year.

mist also noted that El Niño could push inflationary pressures to resurface in 2019. “With the projected shortage of agricultural produce, we could see an episode where inflation remains within target but likely at or above the 3 percent handle given the primacy of the food basket in the overall CPI,” Mapa said, as the ability to import rice, however, will mitigate the ill effects of El Niño on rice price inflation to some extent, but the damage to domestic rice production will be felt in lower incomes for farmers.

“Consumption, which we are counting on for the heavy lifting this year, will need to overcome the slight blip in inflation due to the dry spell,” he added.

Inflation fell to 3.8 percent in February this year, going back to the target range sent by the government for 2019 at 2 to 4 percent.

Inflation quickly accelerated in 2018 and has been a problem for the economy during the year. This spurred monet a r y a nd nonmonetary action from the national government.

It peaked at 6.7 percent in September and October 2018 before doing down to within target as of latest data.

₧0.35

The per kilowatt-hour reduction of consumer electricity costs as a result of reduced generation costs. Pegged at the average household consumption rate of 200 kWh per month, this would result in savings of P840 per household every year.

Private entities which also fail to act within the prescribed time frame will be slapped with a P100,000 fine per day of delay.

Moreover, foreign investors with the capacity to build cutting-edge power plants will be encouraged to enter the market and stimulate competition in the Philippine energy generation industry, according to its principal author Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian T he increased competition would then drive down generation costs.

Gatchalian has estimated that the reduced generation costs could result in the reduction of consumer electricity prices by as much as P0.35 per kilowatt-hour. Pegged at the average household consumption rate of 200 kWh per month, this would result in savings of P840 per household every year.

For the initial implementation of the law, P100 million shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the DOE; and thereafter, such amounts may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. T he DOE , i n consu lt at ion with the relevant government agencies and industr y stakeholders, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within 60 days from its effectivity.

The Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of a general circulation.

People turn to religion, seek govt action to solve Metro water crisis

By Samuel P. Medenilla

A

@sam_medenilla

S the water shortage starts to bear down on parts of Metro Manila, affected communities start to look toward the divine and the government to solve the crisis.

In an issuance on Thursday, Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle appealed to members of the clergy, superiors of religious communities and heads of the secular institutes to pray for rain.

“Our relief will come from nature. And so we implore the Master of all creations God, our Father, at whose command the winds and the sea obey, to send us rain,” Tagle said.

The prelate said the prayer for rain can be included into the daily and Sunday Prayer of the Faithful of the Mass.

“Let us together storm the heavens with our supplications, that God’s mercy be upon us and send us rain we need,” he added.

For its part, the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said the solution for the prevailing water shortage will come from the government.

KMU Executive Vice Chairman Lito Ustarez said the longterm solution for the crisis will be in the consolidation of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Local Water Utilities Administration(LWUA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and National Water Resources Board into a single “service-oriented and progovernment” agency.

“If the Duterte government wants to create a long-term solution for water shortage, it should

give the national government and community based water groups more control over water resources, supply and infrastructure,” Ustarez said in a statement.

Several areas in the National Capital Region suffered water service interruptions as water concessionaires struggled to make existing water supplies in their dams last throughout the entire El Niño dry spell. KMU, however, insisted the water shortage in NCR should be blamed on Manila Water’s lack of foresight.

“The promise of privatizing water utilities in 1990s was that private enterprises would be providing better service such that water shortage would be a thing of the past. But here we are still suffering the same fate we had two decades ago but paying more than double,” Ustarez said.

‘Senate plan will restore inequitable budget item’ Continued from A1

Is this equitable? Is this conscionable?” he added.

“If we had not resorted to this, the mind-boggling allocations for previous House leaders and their pet districts, plus DBM insertions the DPWH were clueless about, would have remained intact,” Andaya said.

If the senators will remain steadfast in defending the lump-sum funds, Andaya added this practice will remain and only the favored districts will get their share of the taxpayers’ money.

“While we aim for an equitable distribution among districts, the Senate obviously wants to restore a budget that is unfair and lopsided,” he added.

Andaya also reiterated the challenge to the Senate to identify their lump-sum funds. According to Andaya, the realignment of the Senate is also nowhere to be found in the bicameral conference committee report.

“Despite the President’s position, I heard from the news that the senators are standing firm

Fortune Life. . .

Continued from A1

problem for the company as it currently has around a net worth of P1.3 billion, which is the amount required for 2022.

“We are good. Right now, we are at P1.3 billion [in net worth], so we are already at the level of the requirement for 2022,” she added.

During his speech, Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa said that, despite the challenges that the insurance industry faced in 2018, it was still able to emerge stronger, which is why he believes that the industry will still grow

on their preference for lump-sum budgeting. Their threat: approve the bicameral conference report with lump-sum funds or suffer the consequences of a reenacted budget,” he said.

“Why are the senators so afraid of line-item budgeting, with itemized programs and projects written in the national budget for all the people to see?” he added.

Andaya said the bicameral conference report that the Senate and the House approved on February 8 contained lump-sum funds.

Practice ever since

“THIS has been the practice ever since. Nothing unconstitutional, illegal or irregular. This is the document ratified by the Senate and the House.

It is up to each chamber to itemize the lump -sum f unds c o nt a i ne d i n t he b i c a me r a l report before sending the enrolled copy of the Genera l Appropr iations Bill to the President,” he added.

“As agreed during the bicam, the House itemized the lump-sum funds after it was ratified in the

plenary. Our last day for itemization: March 3. The Senate did the same and sent their realignments to the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee beginning February 11, three days after it was ratified in the plenary. The last day that the Senate wrapped up the realignments: March 7,” Andaya said.

C l e a r l y, b o t h c h a m b e r s adopted the same procedure, he said, adding “If what the House did was illegal, then the Senate is equally guilty.”

Majority Floor Leader Fredeni l Castro, meanwhi le asked the senators to explain billions of fund they took in the 2019 national budget.

“Where they put the P2.5 billion they took from the Greening Project. The P3 billion they removed from Tesda scholarships, the P11 billion for the right-ofway projects for the President’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, the P2.5-billion funding for foreignassisted projects. The Senate removed all those allocations and we don’t know where they put them,” said Castro.

positively this year.

“I’m very optimistic that 2019 would also be plentiful if not more so. Generally, the outlook of our country’s economy is geared toward improvement, a healthy economy will provide us a better spring in our growth plus the trust that the people have given us will provide us with unspeakable advantage,” Funa said.

He cited the challenges that arose in 2018, among others, the accelerating inflation as well as apprehensions on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

Funa enjoined the attendees at the awards night to work harder and keep the trust of their clients as

there are more people to serve and more opportunities to be tapped for the insurance industry.

“As I speak about hard work, let me assure you that you are not alone. We at the IC are working equally hard to ensure the truth to the vision of the industry through the commission remains strong, sustainable, and globally competitive, always ready to serve every Filipino to its best and fullest. And I know that we will work harmoniously together. Again, my congratulations to Fortune Life, of course to the late ambassador, and to your top sales producers.

I look forward to meeting you all again in the 2020 awards night,” he added.

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, March 15, 2019 A3

New law aims to stem rise in riding-in-tandem crimes

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

T

he continuous rise of killings involving motorcycle-riding gunmen is expected to take a downturn following the signing of a new law that will require all motorcycles to display bigger, more readable and color-coded number plates conspicuously attached on the front and rear side of the vehicle.

Malacañang on Thursday said President Duterte has signed into law the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act on March 8.

Under the new law, Republic Act 11235, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be tasked to issue readable license plates for every motorcycle.

The readable plates must be displayed in both the front and back sides of a motorcycle.

Motorcycle owners with number plates not in conformity with the provisions shall also renew their registration and apply for the required number plate not later than June 30, 2019.

The LTO has been given until December 31, 2019, to produce, release and issue the number plates as required by the act.

After December 31, 2019, the penal provisions on the use of bigger, readable and color-coded number plates as required under the law shall take effect.

Those who are driving sans a license plate or a readable shall also be punished by prision correccional (from six months and one day to six years imprisonment), or may be fined not less than P50,000 but not more than P100,000.

Any motorcycle on the road without a number plate or a readable number plate shall also be stopped, and the vehicle shall be seized by law enforcers and will be immediately placed under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

If anyone uses the motorcycle in the commission of a crime constituting a grave felony under the Revised Penal Code, or in the escape from the scene of a crime, regardless of the stage of commission, the offense shall be punished by reclusion tempora (12 years and one day to 20 years) to reclusion perpetua (lifetime imprisonment) as provided under the Revised Penal Code.

On the other hand, the use of a motorcycle in the commission of a crime constituting a less grave felony or light felony or any other crime or in the escape from the scene of such crime, re-

Comelec readies charges vs poll campaign violators

N

ational candidates in the May 2019 polls who were found to have violated election rules for campaign materials may soon face multiple charges from regional offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

This, after the poll body announced it has set a “target quota” for its regional offices for cases involving illegal campaign materials.

“For national [candidates], we are targeting one per region,” Comelec Spokesman James B. Jimenez said in a news conference on Wednesday.

Jimenez said their regional directors and election officers are now coordinating with concerned government agencies in going after the erring candidates.

He said some of their regional offices are still in the case build up stage, while others have already filed the necessary charges.

The Comelec, however, explained it cannot yet reveal the names of those who will face charges or already have a pending cases.

“We don’t want to give any clue because we don’t want to preempt what we are doing,” Jimenez said.

Last month, the Comelec and its partner government agencies have started clearing the country‘s major thoroughfares of oversized and/or illegally placed campaign materials.

Illegal campaign posters and streamers, which were removed during the activity, were kept by Comelec to serve as evidence against the candidates, who may have benefited from the said materials.

In a related development, the Comelec also said it will soon be sending notices to local candidates to remove their campaign materials before the start of their campaign period on March 29.

The campaign period for national candidates already started on February 12.

“We will be coming out with a notice by the end of the week for the local candidates to start taking down their materials,” Jimenez said.

During the campaign period, the Comelec will start the strict implementation of its rules for campaign materials including its size and proper area for its posting. Samuel P. Medenilla

CSC digs into former ERC head’s ‘illegal appointments’

F

ormer Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar allegedly played “fast and loose” with the law to ensure that his “dubious” directives when he was the head of the all-powerful regulatory body would escape scrutiny.

A Civil Service Commission (CSC) resolution issued on December 18 charged that Salazar “overreached his authority” by meddling in the internal affairs of ERC, a news statement issued on Wednesday said. Instead of going through the official process of consulting the collegial body, the former ERC chairman allegedly issued a total of 135 appointments—18 of which are division chief and director positions—sans prior concurrence from the ERC en banc.

Salazar, during his tenure as ERC chief, requested the CSC to give him the sole power to appoint directors and employees at ERC. In the said resolution CSC denied his request. The commission is now reportedly conducting an audit of appointments issued to ERC officials and employees.

The resolution upholds that the appointing power in ERC rests with its collegial body composed of its chairman and four members, and not exclusive with the chairman and CEO alone.

The former ERC chief was replaced by incumbent Chairman Agnes Devanadera, who has been urging ERC officials and personnel to adhere to the values of work efficiency, effectiveness and technical or professional competence.

gardless of the stage of commission, shall also be punished by prision correccional to prison mayor (six years and one day to 12 years).

If a seized motorcycle is used in the commission of a crime, the maximum penalty of the relevant crime or offense shall be imposed.

A joint LTO and PNP Control Center shall be operational and accessible to facilitate the implementation of the law. It shall also be equipped with the latest available technology and adequate

computers and software sufficient to immediately address any emergency or inquiry.

The LTO and the PNP-Highway Patrol Group shall also establish a hot line to specifically address concerns related to crimes or offenses committed with the use of motorcycles.

An initial funding of P150 million is appropriated for the implementation of the Act, which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. The LTO, in consultation with law enforcement

and other relevant agencies, shall also promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the newly signed law.

A Congressional Oversight Committee on the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act is also created to review the implementation of the law one year after the effectivity of the Act. The law shall take effect after 15 days following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

A4 Friday, March 15, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

SBMA needs bigger, better ports–Eisma

S

By Henry Empeño | Correspondent

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma urged local and international businessmen to invest in port development projects here, pointing out that Subic port facilities won’t be enough in the near future as port operations here continue to grow.

Eisma made the appeal during the Subic-Clark Roadshow here on Tuesday that was organized by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to present

updates on infrastructure projects under the government’s “Build, Build,Build” program.

According to the SBMA top official, Subic needs more and bigger port fa-

cilities to accommodate more cargo vessels, as well as passenger ships that now regularly call on Subic as an anchor tourist destination.

“We need new ports. It doesn’t even have to be a cruise ship terminal,” Eisma pointed out. “As of now, we are already experiencing congestion. Manila is congested,” she added.

Eisma had earlier announced that the Subic Bay Freeport made a record-breaking performance in port operations last year when it handled 212,103 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in containerized cargo volume and 7,052 metric tons of bulk and noncontainerized cargo.

She added that the Subic seaport has been experiencing a “robust growth” lately, with seaport revenue climbing to P1.23 billion in 2018, from P1.17 billion in 2017 and P1.13 billion in 2016.

On the other hand, Subic has successfully carved a niche in cruise ship tourism in 2018 with 19 cruise ship arrivals, compared to a single arrival in 2017, Eisma said.

Eisma said the SBM A has commenced major infrastructure projects that would significantly develop the Port of Subic, but that more investments are needed for Subic to provide better services to port users and accommodate bigger maritime vessels.

“We have to have that foresight in place.

Build a port somewhere,” she urged business leaders attending the event.

Meanwhile, heads of other investment processing agencies in Central Luzon reported on their ongoing projects and pledged to the common vision of greater economic growth in the region.

Emmanuel Pineda, chairman and administrator of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, urged business leaders to invest at the Bataan Freeport as he emphasized efforts to improve accessibility and develop more investment areas.

Clark Development Corp. President and CEO Noel Manankil cited Clark and Subic’s cooperation in working together to promote tourism and attract investments in Central Luzon. He said several projects will soon open in Clark, including the Hilton Hotel, Sharp condominium units, Mirej Clark, Mimosa Plus and Clark Safari.

Clark International Airport acting President and CEO Jaime Alberto Melo, meanwhile, cited Clark’s optimism to attract more domestic and international tourists as the new terminal building under construction is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2020.

He said that upon full development, the Clark air port can accommodate 80 million passengers annually.

For his part, BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon showed updates on the construction of the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City and stressed that the Duterte administration is “not just planning [projects]” but accomplishing them, too.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DILG chief bares acquisition of 266 new fire trucks this year

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

T

HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it will continue to enhance the fire-fighting capabilities of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) this year with the acquisition of 266 new fire trucks.

In a news statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the new fire trucks, which are set to be distributed to key cities and municipalities this year and next year, will further beef up the fire prevention and suppression efforts of the BFP, especially in March, the Fire Prevention Month, which is also the onset of the summer season.

“Fire incidents usually peak during summer and we want our firefighters to be ready to be of assistance to the public during conflagrations and other emergencies,” Año said.

“We are hopeful that with the acquisition of new fire trucks, the BFP will be more than equipped to rush to the location of the blaze to put out the fire and rescue possible victims,” he added.

Of the 266 fire trucks, 56 units with 1,000-gallon capacity, which were part of last year’s procurement program, will be delivered any time soon to fire stations without fire trucks and to refleet 20-year-old units.

For this year’s procurement, the DILG chief said that the acquisition of another 56 units worth around P700-million, 1,260 sets of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and three units of rescue trucks have

already passed the early procurement stage and notices of award will soon be issued to the winning bidders.

On the other hand, the procurement of 126 units of 1,000-gallon fire trucks is now in the hands of the Philippine International Trading Corp., which is conducting postqualification of the lowest calculated bidder. “We expect that the award of this project will be made this year,” said Año.

Meanwhile, the acquisition of 28 other units of fire trucks for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which is being handled by the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service, is still ongoing.

“Ensuring public safety is one of the primary tasks of the government. This is why it fully supports the BFP’s modernization program by setting aside funds for the purchase of new fire trucks and equipment every year,” the DILG chief said.

The ideal fire truck to population ratio is 1 for every 28,000 residents.

Also for delivery, this year and part of the 2018 procurement are three units of collapsed structure and rescue trucks worth P64.5 million which will be issued to BFP National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Five aerial ladders and 20 units of water tenders (2,500-gallon capacity fire truck) with a combined cost of around P576-million are also up for delivery to be used by highly urbanized cities.

Eighty-one BFP district and provincial offices will also receive 81 SCBA refilling systems.

Duterte vetoes bill on creation of regional investment and infra hub in Central Luzon

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

P

RESIDENT Duterte has vetoed the bill that proposes the creation of a Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub of Central Luzon, saying some of its provisions may pose some fiscal risks that will also hurt the country’s economic growth.

While President Duterte said the bill also espouses the same growth objectives, such as increasing investor confidence and improving the ease of doing business in the country, the bill also contains provisions that tend to defeat these very objectives and policies in the long run.

The President said it would be the taxpayers, who are excluded from the tax incentives, who are likely to bear the burden of the proposal.

“A key to lasting economic development is a tax system with generally low rates and broad tax base. The subject bill, on the other hand, significantly narrows our tax base with its mandated incentives applicable to registered enterprises in an entire region. This renders the whole system incapable of generating yield sufficient to sustain the country’s social and economic infrastructure, and this would necessitate finding new sources of revenue through additional taxes or borrowings in the future,” Duterte said in his veto message addressed separately to Senate and the House of Representatives.

Moreover, the vetoed bill would also maintain a mandated fiscal incentives regime for 50 years, which may even be extended for yet another 50 years.

“Prolonging such a situation for half a century or more likely negative rev-

enue and fiscal implications to succeeding administrations and unnecessarily burden future generations,” he said.

Duterte stressed that the administration needs a tax system that would alleviate the tax burden of citizenry, one that prescribes reasonably low rates that can compete with neighboring states while sufficiently capacitating the government to fully implement programs and projects, he said.

“Further, we need a tax system that will attract the right kinds of investment that will truly benefit the majority of our people throughout the country. This can only happen by switching our attention to a more fiscally disciplined policy that, in the end, will be favorable for everyone. The goal is to create opportunities for all that empower even the simplest contributor to our economy,” he added.

Philip Morris is first multinational firm to earn Equal Salary certification for gender-balanced work force

P

HILIP Morris International Inc. (PMI) has become the first international company to be certified globally for equal pay by the independent third-party Equal Salary Foundation affirming the company’s commitment to an inclusive, gender-balanced workplace.

“The global Equal Salary certification demonstrates the great amount of work our colleagues across the world have accomplished in confirming equal pay for equal work throughout PMI worldwide,” said André Calantzopoulos, PMI CEO. “We need to use this moment to celebrate and continue building an inclusive, gender-balanced organization as we deliver upon our transformation and a smoke-free future.”

PMFTC Inc., a business combination between PMI and Fortune Tobacco Corp., is PMI’s local affiliate in the Philippines with a workforce of more than 4,000 employees.

PMFTC was awarded the certificate of Equal Salary in December 2018.

PMI has placed inclusion and diversity at the core of its business strategy as a key enabler for the company’s business transformation from a traditional cigarette manufacturer to a science and technology-minded company with a pipeline of innovative smoke-free products.

“Equal pay for equal work among men and women is the baseline measure of equality and an essential building block for creating

a more inclusive, gender-balanced workplace.

Unfortunately, pay equity is not something we can take for granted and is still not the reality for many women in the world today,” said Stacey Kennedy, PMI’s president for the South and Southeast Asia region.

“More than just stating our commitment, at PMI we wanted a credible, independent confirmation that our pay practices match our good intentions everywhere we operate worldwide. Our goal to obtain the Global Equal Salary Certification—which will be a first for any international company—demonstrates PMI’s commitment to equality. Intent is important but you need to put your money where your mouth is to get results,” she added.

The Equal Salary certification methodology verifies that PMI pays all of its employees, in more than 90 countries worldwide, equally for equal work, regardless of gender. The Equal Salary process includes a statistical analysis of all salaries of PMI staff worldwide and onsite audits of PMI country affiliates by PWC, the foundation’s entrusted third-party auditor.

The auditors talk to management to confirm their commitment to gender pay equality, hold focus groups with employees to understand their perception of that commitment, and review HR-related policies and practices to identify gender bias, recommending corrective actions as needed. This rigorous process

spanned the course of 18 months, involving input and commitment from top down and bottom up, demonstrating the company’s commitment to equality.

“By its global character, the certification of Philip Morris International is a major step for pay equality between women and men,” said Véronique Goy Veenhuys, founder and CEO of the Equal Salary Foundation. “That a leading Fortune 500 company makes such a commitment is a strong signal. We are proud of the international scale that PMI’s global certification gives to our cause.”

The accreditation of PMI’s global Equal Salary certification kicked off a dedicated week of activities, the “Week of Women,” culminating in an immersive day of discussion and learning on International Women’s Day (March 8) that centered on everyone having their “fair share.”

The company-hosted Fair Share communications conference aimed to help male employees become gender bilingual and to break down any wall that can exist between colleagues. PMI also shared stories of inspiring women from across the globe throughout the week in a drive to elevate female role models at the company. There were also events and networking opportunities held for the women and men of PMI, all focused on celebrating the benefits of inclusion and diversity.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Friday, March 15, 2019 A5

A6

Friday, March 15, 2019

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Friday, March 15, 2019 A7

If you have any information / objection to the above mentioned application/s, please communicate with the Regional Director thru Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) Telephone/ No. 400-6011.

If you Division have anywith information objection to the above mentioned application/s, please communicate with the Regional Director thru Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) Division with Telephone No. 400-6011.

ATTY. ANA C. DIONE, CPA REGIONAL DIRECTOR ATTY. ANA C. DIONE, CPA REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A8

Agriculture/Commodities

Friday, March 15, 2019 • Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SRA told: Beef up local sugar supply

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

P

@jearcalas

LANTERS are appealing to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to increase local sugar supply by prioritizing the domestic market over the United States, as El Niño could cut sugarcane output in the current crop year.

Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (Confed) Spokesman Raymond Montinla called on SRA to reclassify a portion of “A” sugar, or those to be exported to the US, to “B” sugar for the domestic market.

For crop year 2018-2019, the SRA allocated 5 percent of output for the US sugar quota while the remaining 95 percent is for the domestic market.

“Confed has been pushing for the transfer of the ‘A’ allocation to ‘B’ on the grounds that output might be lower than expected,” Montinola said in an interview with reporters last week. “We have

been proposing this way before the crop year started. We feared that output may be lower because we came from a La Niña season.”

He also said production may be lower than the SRA’s projection of 2.079 million metric tons (MMT) as El Niño could dry up sugarcanes faster.

SRA Board Member Emilio Yulo concurred with Montinola that El Niño could affect total sugar production in the current crop year, which would end on August 31.

The SR A earlier revised its production forecast to 2.079 MMT, from 2.225 MMT after bad weather conditions affected some

A LOCAL supermarket displays various brands of refined and brown sugar in this file photo.

sugarcane-producing provinces.

The latest forecast is slightly lower than the previous crop year’s 2.08 MMT. “The ‘A’ sugar allocation is beneficial if production is huge. But on a year of deficit, it is not good,” Montinola said.

Under Executive Order 18, dated May 28, 1986, the SRA has been vested with the power to “establish and maintain a balanced relationship between sugar production and the requirements of sugar and to maintain such marketing conditions, as will ensure

stabilized prices at levels reasonably profitable to the producers and fair to consumers.”

Shortfall

IN a separate interview, Yulo said the proposal of Confed requires “serious study” by the SRA board.

“We need to determine if it is worth continuing the ‘A’ program, particularly since it will be hard to justify to our planters why we continue to export sugar to the US, but we also have the importation program,” he said.

Yulo said the Philippines may not be able to fill up the sugar quota allocated by Washington.

“Our revised projected output is 2.079 MMT and the 5 percent [for the US] is a little over 100,000 metric tons. Our quota is 136,000 MT so we will end up short,” he said. “The shortfall is equivalent to one boatload.”

While shipments may fall short of the sugar quota, Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) Executive President Jesus Barrera said raw sugar exports to the US would still be “substantial.”

“We will be short, but we have an overhang from last year of about 15,000 metric tons, so we will still be able to ship a substantial volume but not the entire quota,” Barrera told the BusinessMirror. “It could be less than 15,000 MT to 20,000 MT.” Barrera said production in the current crop year is on track to hit the SRA’s latest forecast as data shows higher sugarcane delivery and higher sugar content.

PHL to retain safeguard duty Jobless Pinoys may sell fresh coconuts on imported coffee products in Metro Manila, other cities–DA

M

ANILA has thumbed down Jakarta’s demand to lift the special safeguard duty (SSG) on coffee imports in exchange for the expanded access of Philippine agricultural products to Indonesia’s market.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano said the Philippines would continue to impose SSG when imports exceed the minimum access volume (MAV) to protect local coffee farmers.

Serrano said the government imposed the SSG on imported coffee products last year after local manufacturers complained that the surge in imports is hurting their business.

Allowing the market to be flooded with cheap imports, he said, would be detrimental to farmers as Philippine-based manufacturers may reduce their purchases of local coffee.

“It is important to protect the livelihood of our people as the welfare of a large portion of our people is at stake. We do not want uncertainties in our coffee industry,” Serrano said in a recent interview with reporters.

“We are really making headways in coffee and other high-value crops, and these are also avenues for diversification for small farmers. It will not be in our interest to abandon and leave them to the dogs and vagaries of international trade,” he added.

Serrano also clarified that Manila did not target Indonesia when it imposed the SSG on coffee products, as it also applies to the other trade partners of the Philippines.

He noted that local conglomerates manufacturing coffee, such as San Miguel Corp., were also affected by the SSG. The agriculture official said Manila observed all the necessary procedures prescribed in Philippines laws in invoking the SSG and followed the terms of World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, specifically on the use of safeguards.

“These are all at the discretion and the judgment of the agriculture secretary. We put a premium on providing safeguards that will protect our local industry in a justifiable manner,” Serrano said.

“There is basis [to impose the SSG].

The triggers have been breached.”

In March, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol issued Department Order 6 that authorized the

slapping of SSG duty on out-quota imports of various agricultural commodities, including several coffee products, such as instant coffee.

T hese coffee products are: roasted coffee (not decaffeinated, unground); roasted coffee, (not decaffeinated, ground); roasted coffee (decaffeinated, unground); instant coffee; other extracts, essences and concentrates of coffee; preparations with a basis of extracts, essences or concentrates or with a basis of coffee, mixtures in paste form with a basis of ground roasted coffee, containing vegetable fats; and other preparations with a basis of extracts, essences or concentrates or with a basis of coffee.

The SSG was imposed on these products starting April 6, following the Bureau of Custom’s issuance of a memorandum circular.

Jakarta’s ‘demands’

SERRANO said he took exception to the recent statements and moves of Jakarta. For one, the agriculture official said Jakarta had complained directly to President Duterte that Manila had targeted Indonesia in imposing the SSG. He said he also came across news reports indicating that the SSG imposed by Manila was really aimed at reducing Indonesia’s exports to the Philippines.

Serrano disclosed that an Indonesian delegation recently arrived in the Philippines and brought an agreement without consulting agriculture officials. The draft agreement supposedly indicated that Manila will permanently withdraw the SSG on coffee imports in exchange for a factory.

He also said Jakarta had demanded Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol to meet with Indonesian investors, in a letter sent to his office.

“I feel insulted that they are making these demands. If they want to invest here then it is very much appreciated but it should be done without any conditions. They can invest here, apply for incentives, and we will support and assist them,” he said.

“But if they will meddle with our trade policies, that is totally and completely unacceptable,” Serrano added.

‘Hostage’

SERR ANO said Jakarta is also linking the SSG on imported cof-

fee to the long-standing request of Philippines to expand the access of local farm products to the Indonesian market.

“That’s a different issue. We have an issue with the constant change in the rules and [the footdragging] on our submissions,” he said. “[Indonesian] products freely enter our market because we have reasonable rules of entry. But they have seem to technically closed their borders to our products, which caused the Philippines to incur a huge trade deficit with them,” Serrano added.

Bilateral talks between Jakarta and Manila in December ended in a stalemate with the Indonesian market remaining closed to Philippine farm goods, including horticulture and tobacco products.

Serrano said Indonesia appeared lukewarm to negotiating with the Philippine delegates on market access. He said the Indonesian delegates sought for a “half-day” bilateral talk with the Philippine delegation.

“We were there to earnestly clarify issues so that the interests of both parties can be sorted out.

My interpretation is that they want to make it appear that they are willing to talk but nothing substantial came out of that engagement,” he said. “ T he Ph i l ippi nes res pec t s Indonesia but apparently their actions show that they do not respect us,” he added.

In September, Jakarta questioned the Philippines’s decision to impose SSG on coffee imports in a meeting of the WTO Committee on Agriculture. Indonesia is home to a number of popular instantcoffee brands.

“Having substantial interests in supplying these agriculture product categories, Indonesia would like to express its deep regret on the imposition of this measure by the Philippines,” Jakarta said.

The Philippines argued that it “undertook due diligence by factoring in the very significant increased imports of coffee products in the last three to four years” in invoking the SSG duties.

For example, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the country’s instant coffee imports in 2017 expanded by almost 35 percent to 81,900.466 metric tons, from 60,732.319 MT recorded in 2016. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

J

OBLESS families, out-ofschool youth and students looking for summer jobs may consider selling fresh green coconuts in Metro Manila and other major Philippine cities, according to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is currently designing a program with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) that will provide participants with transportation and working capital so they can buy young coconuts from farmers.

“The coconut farmers will be organized by the PCA and engaged in supplying the green coconuts, which will be bought for at least P8 to P10 per piece,” Piñol said in his post on his official Facebook page.

Piñol said green coconuts are now sold by ambulant vendors using carts or karitons for at least P35 apiece.

He said the coconuts will be delivered to a consolidation area in Metro Manila where these will be cleaned. From the consolidation area, the coconuts will be brought by the “Coco Vendors on Wheels” to various parts of Metro Manila.

“The program is expected to expand the market for coconut and provide an alternative source of income for coconut farmers who have suffered from very low prices of copra in recent months,” Piñol said.

He said the DA will vet participants and start training vendors on proper handling and hygiene next week.

Piñol said the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has agreed to support the DA’s program to sell young coconuts using multicabs or small trucks in populated areas.

He said MMDA Chairman Danny Lim, who attended the launch of the Summer Coco Festival on Thursday, which aims to promote coconut water, has agreed to talk with Metro Manila mayors to allow vendors on wheels to sell fresh coconuts.

The MMDA has been clearing Metro Manila streets of obstructions, including ambulant vendors who impede traffic.

“Chairman Lim said that since the Coco Vendors on Wheels are mobile, these are not expected to obstruct movements in the streets,” Piñol said.

Palm trade war looms as Europe sets limits on use in biofuel

P

ALM oil emerged as a flashpoint in a potential trade war between the European Union and some of the world’s largest developing nations after the bloc imposed stricter limits on how the crop can be used in green fuels.

The European Commission on Wednesday restricted the types of biofuels from palm oil that may be counted toward the EU’s renewableenergy goals and introduced a certification system. Indonesia and Malaysia, which supply 85 percent of the crop, have warned that they are ready to retaliate against what they see as “discriminatory” rules.

Palm-oil prices have dropped 18 percent since the start of 2018 partly because of a campaign by environmental groups to reduce use of the crop in fuels that was endorsed by the European Parliament. The EU rules left some loopholes that will weaken the overall impact of the restrictions.

Benchmark futures fell for the seventh day on Thursday, the worst streak since November.

“The exemptions to smallholders do not solve the discrimination exercised against palm oil,” said Mahendra Siregar, executive director of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries. “It fails to recognize the considerable efforts made to secure sustainable palm oil from plantations.

Palm oil-producing countries should continue to apply pressure on the EU.” The move was required by a broader law agreed by the 28-nation bloc last year, when the European Parliament pushed for curbs on the use of

A RESEARCHER measures the height of a dwarf palm-oil tree at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board research plantation in Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. JOSHUA PAUL/BLOOMBERG

palm oil on concerns its production caused deforestation and aggravated climate change.

The EU wants to lead the battle against global warming and has toughened goals to reduce greenhouse-gases blamed for climate change. It aims to cut emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, boost the share of renewable energy to 32 percent and increase energy efficiency by 32.5 percent.

“Today’s decision puts a welcomed brake on the craziness of subsidizing the burning of palm oil for energy,” said Ariel Brunner, senior head of policy for the environmental group BirdLife Europe. “Unfortunately, it still has many loopholes and doesn’t affect other drivers of deforestation and biodiversity loss, such as soy. The EU is still locked into a perverse policy that incentivizes environmental destruction and increases

greenhouse-gas emissions in the name of fighting climate change.”

The move set up the EU for conflict with producing nations, which had stepped up their lobbying against the provision in recent weeks.

The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, whose members Indonesia, Malaysia and Colombia produce about 90 percent of global supply, announced they will jointly challenge the bill through bilateral consultations, as well as through the World Trade Organization. The council said the law uses a “scientifically flawed” concept that targets palm oil and “makes no attempt to include broader environmental concerns” linked to other vegetable oils.

Malaysia plans to halt all expansion of oil palm plantations as it seeks to dispel the oil’s reputation as a driver of deforestation, Minister of Primary Industries Teresa Kok said in an interview earlier this month. Bloomberg News

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Friday, March 15, 2019

A9

Sans IRR for RA 11203, Customs issues order to hasten rice imports

D

By Rea Cu

@ReaCuBM

ESPITE the absence of interim rules and regulations for the implementation of the Rice Import Liberalization Act, the Bureau of Customs has issued an order to hasten the entry of the staple. On March 11, the BOC issued its Memorandum 2019-03-015 in line with the implementation of the tariff rates for rice in its electronic-to-mobile (E2M) system. The BOC said it issued the memorandum in accordance with the interim guidelines for the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11203 and pending the issuance of the IRR of the Rice Import Liberalization Act. The BOC memorandum said it is implementing “the tariff rate of 180 percent for out-quota tariff headings of rice originating from non-Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] WTO [World Trade Organization] member-states in the E2M system effective March 11.”

This is the third memorandum the BOC issued sans the IRR for RA 11203.

The second, Memorandum 2019-03014, orders that all rice importations would be processed under the regular customs cargo clearance procedure, since the National Food Authority (NFA) ceased to exercise regulatory functions over international

and domestic trading of rice.

It also said that the payment of advance customs duties and tariff for rice importation is no longer required. However, all importers of rice are required to secure a sanitary and hytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) prior to importation.

“Rice importations should arrive prior to the expiration of the SPSIC from the BPI,” the memorandum said.

An import duty rate of 35 percent under the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) is implemented for rice importations coming from the Asean region, while an out-quota of

Consumer loans fail to lift EastWest’s income in 2018

E

ASTWEST Bank reported a dip in its 2018 net income owing largely to higher deposit interest costs and lower trading gains during the year.

The bank said on Thursday it was able to post a net income of P4.5 billion in 2018, with a return on equity of 11 percent and return on assets of 1.4 percent. The 2018 net income is an 11.7-percent drop from the P5.1 billion the bank recorded in 2017.

“We like to look at our 2018 results as ‘halffull’ rather than ‘half-empty,’” EastWest President and Deputy CEO Jesus Roberto S. Reyes said. “While external developments were on the more challenging side, the bank managed to register a good level of profitability.”

The bank attributed its lower revenue growth to “margin compression due to significantly higher deposit-interest cost, lower fixed-income trading profits, and almost half-year suspension of its rural bank subsidiary’s lending program to teachers,” Reyes was quoted in a statement as saying.

The bank’s consumer loans, on the other hard, was reported to have risen during the year, with its auto, credit card and personal loans portfolio growing by 16 percent in 2018.

EastWest’s net interest income was up by P826.9 million to P19.3 billion, owing largely to the growth in its consumer loans.

“EastWest remains the most consumerfocused universal bank in the country with consumer loans accounting for 70 percent of its total loans,” the bank said.

Fees and commissions were at P4.9 billion, 9 percent lower than the previous year. The bank blamed this drop “largely to regulatory changes, particularly the suspension of its rural bank’s lending program and the reduced charges for delayed credit cards payment.”

Trading income, on the other hand, was lower by 34 percent, ending at P502.7 million for the year. The bank’s operating expenses excluding provisions for loan losses also increased by 10 percent to P15.4 billion—almost half of which were due to increased spending in training, advertising and higher documentary stamp taxes.

Provisions for loan losses went down by 16 percent from the previous year to P 3.8 billion as the bank’s consumer loan portfolio has largely matured.

“We are positive that 2019 will be a better year for EastWest as interest rates stabilize and the country’s growth story continues,” Reyes said.

Associations in Myanmar

I

WAS recently in a mission in the The seminar was held in one of Myanmar capital city of Yangon for the training rooms of the United my organization, the Association of Myanmar Federation of Chambers Development Financing Institutions and Industries, which comprises 16 Association World regional and state chambers’ of in Asia and the Pacific, to conduct briefings on the green lending policy commerce and industry, nine borOctavio Peralta framework that ADFIAP has developed der trade associations, 76 affiliated for the Myanmar Bankers Association (MBA). associations and about 30,000 members.

This is part of the European Union (EU) grant A quick Google search on associations in Myanproject called “Smart Myanmar 2,” which aims mar showed that there are over 50 listed trade and to “green” the booming garment industry in the business associations and another 50 or so social country by working with the Myanmar Garment and nongovernment organizations. The country Manufacturers Association (MGMA). “Smart” stands has introduced a new Association(s) Registration for “SMEs’ [small and medium enterprises] AccountLaw, which was enacted by the Union Parliament ability, Responsibility and Transparency.” on June 25, 2014 and signed by the President During the mission, I was also requested in and officially gazetted on July 20, 2014. The law my capacity as CEO of the Philippine Council of establishes a revised legal framework for the esAssociations and Association Executives (PCAAE) tablishment of both local and international NGOs to conduct a short workshop on association and associations (NGOs and INGOs, respectively). governance and management for the Myanmar The registration law aims to implement a system Environmental Assessment Association, a twofor the registration of NGOs and INGOs, which the year-old association of over 100 environmental government recognizes to work for the benefit of impact assessor-professionals and companies that Myanmar citizens, and contributes to a “strong civil provide environmental impact technical and adsociety.” The law is also intended to provide for the visory services. The attendees were members of free formation and movement of organizations as MEAA’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), which well as regulating the relationship between NGOs, is equivalent to the board of trustees in the case INGOs and responsible government ministries. of associations here in the Philippines.

While the association community in Myanmar Of interest in the MEAA organizational strucmay not be as large in numbers compared with ture is the composition of an 11-person CEC, broother countries, they are very active and dynamic ken down into designations such as: chairman, organizations in their respective field of profesvice chairmen, secretary, joint general secretaries, sion and interest. treasurer, publicist, financial auditor and member.

Under the CEC are a central committee, three techThe contributor, Octavio “Bobby” Peralta, is concurnical committees and support teams. The MEAA rently the secretary-general of the Association of Develophas developed a professional code of ethics, duties ment Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), and responsibilities.

Founder & CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and The MEAA, led by CEC Chairman Aung Nanda, Association Executives (PCAAE) and President of the Asiaexpressed interest in learning more on PCAAE’s Pacific Federation of Association Organizations (APFAO). experience in governance structure, membership PCAAE is holding a conference on branding, marketing, growth, fund-raising, and communications and PR and communications on March 21, 2019 at the Philipbranding. MEAA acknowledged with appreciation pine International Convention Center. PCAAE enjoys the the short interaction and knowledge sharing on support of ADFIAP, the Tourism Promotions Board, and the association-related matters.

PICC. Email: obp@adfiap.org

180 percent shall apply for those that originate from non-Asean WTO member-states.

“Due to the perishable nature of rice importations and in order to protect the interest of the government, district collectors may allow release of goods pursuant to Section 304 and 426 of the CMTA [Customs Modernization and Tariff Act], pending the issuance of the IRR,” it added.

The first memorandum in line with rice importations was issued by the BOC on March 1 and which stated that “all rice importations

covered by NFA import permit issued on or before March 4, 2019, shall be subject to inquota tariff rates.”

Last week, it was reported by the BusinessMirror that National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Assistant Secretary Mercedita A. Sombilla received complaints from traders facing difficulties in retrieving their shipments at the port.

The traders said the BOC have refused to recognize the certificate of eligibility (COE) to import from the NFA.

Sombilla said that the NFA Council (NFAC) had requested the NFA to furnish them a list of COEs it issued, which would make it easier for the BOC to identify the shipments that would be exempted from the new rules.

The Rice Import Liberalization Act took effect on March 5 after President Duterte signed it into law on February 14. The law removed two things: the quantitative restrictions on rice, replacing these with tariffs, and the powers of the NFA to issue import permits.

A10 Friday, March 15, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Vaccinate your children now

W

E accept the reality that the government can tell us who is eligible to drive an automobile.

The government does not hesitate to tightly regulate the sale, possession and use of tobacco, let alone other “medicinal herbs.” We consider it important that the government not only examine but also make sure that we are informed about the ingredients and nutritional quality of the food we eat.

Yet, when it comes to vaccinating our children against dreaded diseases, there is hesitation.

The United Kingdom-based Meningitis Research Foundation is “a leading international charity that brings together people and expertise to defeat meningitis.” Meningitis is not a particularly widespread disease anymore. Each year, about 400,000 people die from meningitis globally. But there have been many localized epidemics, particularly in Africa. In 2016, nearly 500 died in Nigeria, and that shows a high number of infected considering that mortality rate is less than 15 percent of those treated.

But here is the point: The success rate of vaccines to prevent illness averages from 90 to 95 percent.

The vaccines for MMR—measles, mumps and rubella—provide 99percent protection (two doses) against measles. Polio and smallpox vaccines are also virtually 100-percent effective. In fact, the World Health Organization certified the global eradication of the smallpox in 1980.

This was only because of a worldwide vaccination campaign.

The Meningitis Research Foundation says: “Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions in the world for saving lives and promoting good health. Only clean water, which is considered to be a basic human right, performs better.”

The controversy over the government program of mandatory vaccination of the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine is both justified and a tragedy.

It is justified because grave errors were committed in the program. It is a tragedy because the public’s faith in vaccination has been shattered.

The issue is not whether vaccination is critical to public health but whether it should be mandated by law.

All 50 US States require proof of certain vaccinations before children can attend school. Eighty-five percent of Canadian children are vaccinated, without a mandatory vaccination policy. Australia has a mandatory vaccination policy with only medical and religious exemptions as in the US. After a measles outbreak took 32 lives in Romania—the most in Europe—the government announced it would be introducing a mandatory vaccination policy.

In the Philippines, the Department of Health is pushing for mandatory immunization of children in the wake of a measles outbreak that saw 60 deaths at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. A senior Malacañang official said this was not necessary, and the proposal could face legal challenge.

Either way—mandatory or voluntary—this is a serious problem that cannot be ignored. The fear-mongering claims against basic vaccines must not be allowed to prosper. All medical treatments—preventative or curative—carry some risk for some people.

But the parents of the 60 children—all under 4 years old—who died at San Lazaro would probably think now that vaccination was worth the risk. Vaccinate your children now.

All the pretty horses James Jimenez

SPOX

O

NE of the biggest failings of voter education as it is currently practiced by most everyone is that it’s too focused on the personality of the candidates. These guides, for example, invariably ask the voter questions that aim to describe the character and skills of the candidate: Is the candidate a good, moral person? Is the candidate well educated? Does the candidate have a good track record? Is the candidate well-meaning and God-fearing?

This approach might help describe a person, but are the guides predictive of that person’s potential as a public servant? I submit that they are not. The fact is, some of the worst-performing elected officials in our history have also been the best educated and the most charismatic. And, of course, nearly every politician provides at least lip service to some higher power at

some time—usually, when they’re taking a pummeling in the public opinion polls.

Aside from failing to provide reliable basis for predicting whether a candidate will be a good public servant, these kinds of guides feed into the fantasy that we—as a people— need a Lee Kwan Yew, or a Barack Obama, or a Kal-El to lift us up from the squalor of our lives.

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

Dino Carlo A. Saplala

EAGLE WATCH

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor Senior Editors

T. Anthony C. Cabangon Lourdes M. Fernandez Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Efleda P. Campos Dennis D. Estopace

Online Editor Social Media Editor

Ruben M. Cruz Jr. Angel R. Calso

Creative Director Chief Photographer

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes

Chairman of the Board & Ombudsman President VP-Finance VP Advertising Sales Advertising Sales Manager Group Circulation Manager

Judge Pedro T. Santiago (Ret.) Benjamin V. Ramos Adebelo D. Gasmin Marvin Nisperos Estigoy Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines.

Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025.

(Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807.

(Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news@businessmirror.com.ph.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Printed by BROWN MADONNA Press, Inc.–San Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque, Metro Manila MEMBER OF

honey? It’s a wonderful vision, and a powerful lie.

Unwittingly, the voter education guides in use now play right into that sort of fool’s game. Instead of teaching people that good governance is something to be worked for, they reduce the concept of good governance to a prize for picking the best horse in the race. And everyone knows that people who don’t know better always just pick the prettiest horses to win the race. nnn

THE Commission on Elections is conducting voter education/voter experience seminars for the public.

You can go to one of those, or you can request a seminar for your school or organization by sending a request to talktocomelec@gmail.com. You can also reach out to the Comelec through social media.

Tune in to Radyo Comelec: Voter Education On The Air, on DWIZ 882kHz, every Saturday, from 1 to 2 in the afternoon. You can also catch the program—and interact with us —via Facebook Live.

Economics of recent developments in the air industry

Since 2005

Founder

This is the kind of lazy fiction that demagogues and aspiring dictators encourage because it allows them to portray themselves as Supermen—the paragons of excellence and virtue who can solve the people’s woes. And it is a fiction that is kind to the people as well because it tells the people— “all the ills you are suffering now aren’t your fault. You are in pain now because you don’t have a savior. So, relaks lang kayo dyan, I will do all the work for you, kasi ako lang ang may kayang mag-ahon sa inyo sa kahirapan.”

Who wouldn’t fall for a politician who tells you that you’re not actually responsible for your poverty despite the fact that you’re actually too lazy to get a job, or that you lost all your money to drinks, drugs and debauchery? Who wouldn’t vote for a politician who tells you that all your problems can and should be blamed on someone—or something—else; that all you have to do is trust in him and you will eventually find your land overflowing with milk and

T

HREE of the central ideas in microeconomics involve the study of consumers, firms and market structures. Microeconomics includes looking at consumer preferences and how firms may respond accordingly. In addition, economics is also concerned with how regulators monitor markets in the interest of consumer protection. A few developments in the air industry in recent years can illustrate these few points.

The first thing to note about the air industry is its market structure.

There are at least two markets one can refer to when talking about the air industry. The first market is aircraft manufacturing. In this market, the global structure is largely a duopoly as two major manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, dominate the market. The customers of this market are the specific airlines involved in air transportation. The second market involves the actual air-transportation sector where different commercial airlines transport consumers to their respective destinations.

In terms of recent developments, the past two years saw an increase in the number of international longhaul flights that last approximately 17 hours (also known as “ultra-longhaul” flights). This includes the nonstop flight service of Qantas from Perth to London introduced

in 2018. For Filipino travelers, the closest available service is offered by Philippine Airlines, which recently converted its Manila to New York service into a nonstop flight and discontinued the previous Vancouver stopover along this route. The current record for the longest commercial flight as of this writing, however, belongs to Singapore Airlines, which operates a flight from Singapore to Newark.

There are several economic factors related to these flights. First, one factor involved is how these flights are designed and marketed to consumers. For example, business travelers may find it helpful to avoid stopovers when they need to attend specific events on the other side of the globe at specific times.

Therefore, nonstop flights can be useful for them. Aside from reducing travel time due to less stopovers, passenger comfort can be increased

when features such as increased legroom and improvements in inflight entertainment systems are made. These features may make it more attractive for consumers to be more willing to stay in the air beyond 12 hours.

Another possible arrangement involves increasing the number of premium economy and business class seating in wide-body aircraft.

It can be noted that increasing the number of premium economy and business seating may imply more expensive flight tickets. In general, however, as long as the world economy is growing, demand for travel can be expected to remain high.

Aside from designing flight features that appeal to consumers, it can be noted that these flights were launched following the introduction of more fuel-efficient wide-body jets in the market, such as the Airbus A350 XWB and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Fuel efficiency helps manage fuel costs, which is one of the major costs involved in this industry especially among longer routes.

In fact, Singapore Airlines used to operate along the same SingaporeNewark route prior to 2013 using the Airbus A340. The flight route was eventually discontinued back then due to rising fuel costs and declining revenues before being resumed in October 2018. More recently, however, the more recent aircraft models along with oil prices being below their 2018 highs should help sustain the more recently introduced longhaul flights in the near term.

Aside from wide-body jets, fuel

efficiency and technology improvements are also among the considerations of aircraft companies in designing recent narrow-body aircrafts such as the Boeing 737 MAX 8, whose purchasers usually include airlines that use the plane for shorter travel. In recent months, however, the safety features of this aircraft have been questioned following separate fatal accidents on October 29, 2018, and on March 10, 2019, which involved Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, respectively.

Both incidents are under investigations by the concerned airlines and authorities. In general, market issues related to public safety can be related with issues involving market failure. As a response, governments can intervene in the form of market regulation. For example, as a safety precaution, many airline regulators across the world, including in the European Union, China, Australia, India and Singapore have grounded the Boeing 737 MAX for the meantime. In the Philippine context, however, this may not be a major issue for the meantime as Philippine carriers such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific do not have this type of aircraft in their fleet.

Overall, the air industry remains an important part of society as demand for both long-haul and shorthaul air travel can be expected to remain high as long as the world economy is growing.

Dino Carlo A. Saplala is a lecturer of economics at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

A magnificent display of women power

Friday, March 15, 2019 A11

Defining and celebrating the peripheries Tito Genova Valiente

ANNOTATIONS

Emmanuel F. Dooc

TELLTALES

I

T has been my dream to write a column in the tradition of the late Joe Guevarra, whose writings had graced the editorial pages of Manila Times together with the other columnists of the bygone era such as Teodoro Valencia, Max Soliven and J.V. Cruz. No other paper has assembled such great opinion writers on the same page before or since. While the last three had seriously treated their subjects and awed their readers with their depth and substance, Joe also charmed his followers with his wit and humor.

I wish somebody had collected Joe’s daily compositions. I’m sure we’ll find his biting commentaries on the political scene still relevant today.

It’s notable that despite the heat and frenzy of the current political campaign, no one has captured the imagination of the Filipino voters in the manner that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez of the 15th Congressional District of New York City had done.

She is the youngest American woman ever elected to the US Congress. She defeated the powerful 10-termer incumbent Joe Crowley with a 15-percent margin in the most watched Democratic Party primary contest.

She then proceeded to defeat the Republican Party candidate, Anthony Pappas, by garnering 78 percent of the votes. Instead of congratulating her, Crowley sang in a radio show a popular ditty, “Born to Run,” which he dedicated to Ocasio-Cortez.

Maybe our local candidates can learn a thing or two from OcasioCortez’s monumental victory. Consider the causes and issues she embraced and identified herself with.

She is a progressive politician who champions universal health care, free tuition fee in public colleges and technical schools, climate change and environment. She was quoted as saying that “climactic change is the single biggest national security threat for the US...and the worldwide industrialized civilization.”

Surprisingly, it seems no one among our candidates has so far made climate change as a major national issue in the coming elections despite our country’s vulnerability to natural calamities. In the past, we had heard the lonely voice of Sen. Loren Legarda espouse this cause, but she is now removed from the national scene by seeking a local office in her native province of Antique.

If voting were held today, the top 5 slots in the Senate would be crowded by women—Poe, Villar, Cayetano, Binay and Marcos. In the previous Senate, it was a rarity to find a lady senator in the cast: Geronima Pecsom, Pacita Madrigal, Tecla San Andres-Ziga, Loi Estrada, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Jamby Madrigal, to name some, but they were all one termers. Few exceptions like Eva Estrada-Kalaw, Loren Legarda, Miriam DefensorSantiago, Leticia Ramos-Shahani and Pia Cayetano won their reelection bids. So far, only one woman, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was elected president after her Senate stint, a feat that Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago failed to duplicate.

This is the first election where we have three female reelectionists in the Senate and joined by several female candidates coming from various political spectrums. This is a magnificent display of women power similar to the phenomenon in the last US elections when a record number of female legislators got elected, including a descendant from the clan of the politically powerful Osmeñas of Cebu.

In my own household, fortunately or unfortunately, I have four daughters and I am always outvoted when the Speaker of the House, my wife, calls a question to a vote. In Union Bank where I previously sat as a director, we only have one woman director, Nina Aguas of Insular Life, in

Surprisingly, it seems no one among our candidates has so far made climate change as a major national issue in the coming elections despite our country’s vulnerability to natural calamities. a 15-person Board, but she is indisputably a majority of one.

But I guess I’m not alone in my predicament. A headline reads: “I’m no longer in control. Sara makes the call.” Now I’m proud to belong to the league. nnn

WE lost a good man and ideal public servant with the death of BSP Governor Nesting Espenilla. After the successful launch of microfinance, which he spearheaded while he was still the Deputy Governor, the Insurance Commission complemented it with our own version of microinsurance resulting to an unprecedented growth in financial inclusion in our country. Now we have expanded financial coverage to the unbanked and uninsured segments of our population. Whenever I hear the mantra, “No one left behind,” Nesting always comes to mind.

I can say that I’ve known Nesting before he knew me. In the early 1980s, I was a young SGV tax lawyer when I regularly visited his late father and namesake, Atty. Nestor Espenilla Sr., who headed the Financial and Real Estate Tax Division. He was a fellow Bicolano who welcome me in his office with a cup of hot coffee whenever I had a business at the BIR Head Office. Treating me as a young kindred who speaks his dialect, he would fondly and proudly talk of his young son Nesting who had just then graduated Magna Cum Laude from his Business Economics class in UP. Shortly after Ninoy’s assassination, I would see him joining the protest rallies and marches in Makati, Edsa and Roxas Boulevard.

I was not surprised that shortly after the Edsa revolution, he resigned from the BIR and ran for Congress in Masbate. He risked his bright career to serve his own people. When I narrated this to Nesting and his wife, Tess, some years back, I thought I saw Nesting’s eyes redden. I knew then where he got his idealism and fervor for public service.

President P-Noy and Nesting were classmates in Ateneo High School but the president did not appoint Nesting as BSP Governor when Governor Say Tetangco completed his first term in office. Instead, Governor Tetangco was reappointed to a second term.

The added years of preparation further honed Nesting’s skills, which would have made him one of the best regulators of our banking system.

President P-Noy restarted my career in public service when he appointed me as the Insurance Commissioner during his term. I continued my work in the government when President Duterte appointed me as the SSS president and CEO. I am grateful to both of them for their trust and I hope that I proved myself equal to it. It is said that it is difficult to find an honest man with solid integrity to join the government, but it is more difficult to find a public servant leaving the government with his integrity still intact and his honor unsullied. I hope I passed that acid test.

‘A

RE you promdi? If you identify with the metropolitan capital, most probably you will object to this term being applied to you. If you identify with a province, which suggests that you hail from beyond the metropolis, how will you respond?”

Dr. Filomeno V. Aguilar is talking by way of his introduction to the book, Peripheries: Histories of AntiMarginality. The lines are easy to read—pop in appeal. The technique works, if one can call it a technique, because the book is engaging, highly readable.

Aguilar goes on to explain the word promdi as “coming from the province.” But the word is not merely derivative because, according to the author, it makes the word “province” unmentionable, “associated as it is with rurality, backwardness and unmodernity.”

Promdi becomes thus the shorthand for understanding that old debate about center and the periphery.

The promdi may be a concept but it is also an act. It is an act that is reproduced by the people who, because they are viewed as inferior, respond to the marginalization by feeling marginalized. In Aguilar’s words, marginalization can be “insidious enough to generate feelings of marginality.”

For fear of rendering this discourse on “peripheries” intensely, and limitedly, psychological or psychosocial, Aguilar looks as well on the social. He mentions Benedict Anderson and his notion of how the “markers of difference are inimical to nationhood.” From the man responsible for coining the construct of nations as “imagined communities,” the presence of different, i.e., unequal statuses in societies, presents a barrier to generating a nation.

Articulating Anderson’s ideas, Aguilar renders his ideas in a powerful paragraph: “Emanating from a

sense of shared history, nationhood rests on the powerful idea of community of equals—despite the harsh realities of class, ethnic, gender, and other social divides that in practice rend the collectivity apart, propping up some while marginalizing others.”

The book insists, and rightfully so, that “nationhood demands that the histories of the peripheries are not consigned to the margins of society.

In the interest of nationhood, Philippine history must accord comparable significance to histories of the capital and the peripheries.” The book goes a long way from the treatises on big people and little people. In the early works of the Jesuit anthropologist, Frank Lynch, S.J., communities are formed by the mutual dependency of the rich and the poor.

In peripheries, the relationships move away from the simple binaries to dialogical, or, more precisely following the language of Aguilar, relational.

To understand the marginal, we need to take into consideration the one located in the center, the origin of ascribed power. To learn about the peripheral, one must know the might of the mainstream. If one wants to maintain the binary, Aguilar quotes Tony Fry, a social scientist who looks into geographies, politics and power, and what he proposes about how “marginality has most commonly been configured in a binary model in which it is the other ‘centrality.’”

One of the most interesting insights presented by Aguilar in his book is how the peripheries are not inchoate, primitive states but are, in fact, sites of changes and develop-

ments. In citing the peripheries of a nation-state as centers of historical change and dynamism, Aguilar mentions the current obsession of some writers with local histories. In propping up the local, it seems to be the desire of the practitioners to celebrate being away from the centers and, at least, elevate the margins. But, this should not be the point because the histories of the margins make sense the histories of the centers.

Aguilar notes how the distinction between the local histories from the national histories as ambiguous. For him, the events taking place in the peripheries are not cut off from the events marked as national by historians: “Some events in the provinces are inevitably reverberations and consequences of the politics and decisions reached at the political center.” The narratives of the historical accounts in the provinces can be reverberations or refractions of the decisions or actions occurring in the center. The politics of the peripheries can also light up the way for us to grasp the lessons of the powers in the center.

The book, Peripheries: Histories of Anti-Marginality argues the limitation of a nationalist discourse that merely spotlights the works and achievements of those in the center.

And yet, Aguilar clarifies that, while he underscores the value of the peripheral in the making of the nation, he does not uphold “localism, much

Honesty is still the best policy Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

SERVANT LEADER

B

ROTHERS and sisters, when the media asked Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for her reaction to those who question the integrity of her senatorial bets in the upcoming elections in May, these are her exact words: “...hindi dapat nagiging issue ang honesty ngayon. [Honesty is not supposed to be an issue now.]”

The Hugpong ng Pagbabago chairman explained there are no candidates who do not lie. Everyone in the world lies. In other words, President Duterte’s daughter has no problem if her candidates tell lies. How many people are like Mayor Sara who does not see the importance of being honest?

Saying that dishonesty is not an issue during the elections virtually affects the dignity of the voting Filipinos. Public service is a public trust, is it not? How will we believe those who wish to serve the country if they continue to hide the truth in everything—such as what school they graduated from,

or if they graduated at all? It seems that some people see the rampant dishonesty in our society, especially in politics, as normal. The hiding of the truth—accompanied by being selfish and greedy—is the root of corruption in the government, which is why it is important to elect honest public servants.

For us Christians, telling the truth is important. The Ten Commandments of God said: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” In the Catechism of our Church, it says that lying is the most direct offense against the truth.

Why? Because lying is an act against the truth to deceive our fellow people and push them to commit wrongdoings. In the case of our candidates, if they commit to dishonesty, people may vote for them without any appropriate agenda to improve our situation, especially for the poor.

There’s a consequence in believing the lies of unworthy candidates. In the end, we all lose if the dishonest candidates win.

Based on the teachings of the Church, dishonesty destroys society. It weakens the trust of people toward each other because we are deceived by lies. We would not know the truth that is important in weighing what is happening around us and deciding what action to take in addressing issues. One lie can destroy our trust toward others, and that brings out evil in

less isolationism.”

Aguilar’s book comes at a point in our histories when we are beginning to reckon with gaps in how we tell the stories of this nation, or the nations in our mind. Aguilar reminds us to listen to the long-silenced voices of the margins in this book that attempts to “lend visibility to what are geographically and socially unseen from the vantage point of the center.”

Filomeno V. Aguilar Jr. is a professor at the Department of History, School of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University. He is the chief editor of Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints. He is the author of Clash of Spirits: The History of Power and Sugar Planter Hegemony on a Visayan Island (1998); Maalwang Buhay: Family Overseas Migration, and Cultures of Relatedness in Barangay Paraiso (2009); and Migration Revolution: Philippine Nationhood and Class Relations in a Globalized Village (2014).

The book, Peripheries: Histories of Anti-Marginality is published by the Ateneo de Naga University Press.

On March 12, 2019, the book was launched at the Richie Hall of the Ateneo de Naga University. Aguilar, a Bicolano and alumnus of Ateneo de Naga High School, came home to grace the event. In attendance was Fr. Roberto Exequiel N. Rivera, S.J, University president, who gave a brief critical overview of the book.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com.

people. “A lie does real violence to another.” For example, we see the cruelty accompanying the government’s campaign against drugs. It is dishonest to say that the people who succumb to drugs are no longer human, but a widespread acceptance of this opinion is the reason behind the current killings in many communities.

Brothers and sisters, it is saddening that instead of the candidates facing the issues and problems of the people and finding solutions to these issues and problems, they would rather hide the truth. They avoid serious debates and discussions, and treat their campaigns as merely entertainment. It is important to study the names we choose on the ballot. It is up to us to end dishonesty in our government. Honesty is still the best policy.

Make it a habit to listen 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.

Facebook weighs refunding advertisers as outage persists

By Brandon Kochkodin & Sarah Frier Bloomberg Opinion

F

ACEBOOK is undergoing one of its most widespread and persistent system outages, with users across the globe unable to access its social network and services from Instagram to Messenger for much of Wednesday.

From about noon New York time, users encountered only partially loaded pages or no content at all, accompanied by a message saying an error had

occurred. Several brand marketers tweeted that Facebook’s ad-buying system was down as well. As of about 6:30 p.m., Facebook said it was still investigating the overall impact, “including the possibility of refunds for advertisers.”

Ad sales are the company’s lifeblood and persistent difficulties could be costly.

Based on 2019 sales estimates, Facebook Inc. is projected to generate average daily revenue of about $189 million.

Reports on Downdetector, a web site for reporting problems on applications and web sites, have ranged from troubles logging into accounts to an inability to

post comments or photos. Regions affected include the New York area, parts of California and the Seattle region, according to Downdetector. Other problem locations include Japan, the Philippines, Peru and major cities in Australia.

Users cited snags not only with Facebook, but also photo-sharing site Instagram, messaging tools Messenger and Whatsapp and Oculus virtual reality devices. Instagram, however, resumed service shortly after midnight, the app tweeted from its official Twitter account.

Some users encountered a message indicating Facebook was down

for maintenance. “We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps. We’re working to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” a Facebook spokesman said.

The timing of a major outage is suboptimal for Facebook, already embattled by revelations it failed to safeguard user data or stanch the spread of hate speech, fake news and other forms of disinformation. Facebook’s reputation was tarnished after its platform was used by Russian trolls to interfere in the US presidential election in 2016.

2nd Front Page BusinessMirror

A12 Friday, March 15, 2019

Palace probes water crisis as Congress sets hearings A

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie & Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

S both chambers of Congress scheduled back-toback hearings on March 18 and 19 into the water crisis that has hit huge parts of Metro Manila and stunned both regulators and private concessionaires alike, some quarters floated the possibility the crisis may be “artificial” after all—with Palace officials joining the conversation.

Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo revealed in a briefing that even Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana first floated this idea in their Cabinet chat on Wednesday night.

The Palace spokesman also surmised that there must be something wrong with the water concessionaire’s efficiency and management, apparently referring to Manila Water, which controls the East Zone where the water interruptions are taking place.

“The gist of Secretary Lorenzana’s message in his chat [says] that the water comes from Angat Dam and there is no shortage there; as far as that particular dam is concerned—filled with water, no shortage, so why is there a shortage in the distribution? So, like what you are saying earlier, there is a lack in the water allocation in this part of Manila. Maybe that’s what we should know—why and how did that happen?” Panelo said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“If it is true that the Angat Dam has more than sufficient water and everything is sourced from there, then [the water crisis] is not true.

So something is wrong with the efficiency in distributing, as well as

the quotas or shares,” Panelo said.

He made it clear this was just a discussion, and no conclusions were drawn. Nonetheless, Malacañang vowed to hold the water concessionaire accountable if it is proven that it is liable for mismanagement of Metro Manila water supply.

Panelo said an investigation is already under way, even as both the House of Representatives and the Senate slated hearings on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

House summons TWO committees of the House of Representatives asked Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services Inc.—the private concessionaire for the West Zone—and the National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB) to explain to Congress the ongoing water crisis in Metro Manila and nearby areas.

The House Committee on Metro Manila Development chaired by Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo and House Committee on Housing and Urban Development chaired

by Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez have sent invitations to the two private water companies, as well as the NWRB to attend the hearing set on March 18, 2019, at the lower

“If it is true that the Angat Dam has more than sufficient water and everything is sourced from there, then [the water crisis] is not true. So something is wrong with the efficiency in distributing, as well as the quotas or shares.”—Panelo

house. “We need to get a clear picture of the situation and how we’re going to deal with it because a lot of people are already getting adversely affected by the problem,” Castelo said.

“We will need explanations from the concessionaires, regulators and the experts [on] why we got into this mess and their suggestion on how we can get out of it,” he added.

In particular, Castelo said he aims to tackle need for developing more water reservoirs, as the lack of these has been cited by Manila Water as one reason for the watersupply shortage. “I also want to learn from Maynilad how it solved similar problems not too long ago, Maybe they have measures which Manila Water can replicate,” he added.

Senate probe SENATE probers summoned ranking government officials and officers of Manila Water and Maynilad to face an inquiry into the sudden water crisis. Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Committee on Public Services, confirmed that invitations were sent to over a dozen resource persons from the government and the private sector to appear before the panel on Tuesday (March 19).

This, after Senate President Vicente Sotto III filed Resolution 1028 directing Poe’s panel and other appropriate committees to look into

the current water crisis. Sotto voiced expectations the inquiry would come up with remedial measures to ensure immediate availability of sustainable water- supply to consumers in affected areas hit by “low to zero water supply,” reportedly due to operational adjustments being done by water concessionaires.

Sotto’s Resolution 1028 noted that while some attributed the water-supply crisis to the El Niño phenomenon, others blamed the water-supply concessionaires, prompting calls to review the existing concession agreements.

Poe said among those invited to appear before the Public Services committee inquiry were: Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Administrator Jeci Lapus of the Local Water Utilities Administration, Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. of the National Water Resources Board, Administrator Vicente Malano of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Administrator Reynaldo Velasco and regulatory office head Patrick Ty of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

Also expected to testify at Tuesday’s hearing are Chief Operating Officer Geodino Carpio and Communications head Nestor Jeric Sevilla Jr. of Manila Water, Chief Operating Officer Randy Estrellado of Maynilad, General Manager Edgar Doña of the Luzon Clean Water Development Corp. and Director Guillermo Tabios III of the University of the Philippines’s National Hydraulic Research Center.

See “Water crisis,” A2

FDI. . .

Continued from A1

TAIL-END OF A COLD FRONT AFFECTING NORTHERN LUZON TROUGH OF A LOW PRESSURE AREA AFFECTING MINDANAO as of 4:00 pm - March 14, 2019

Meanwhile, net FDI inflows amounted to $5.7 billion in 2014, went down slightly to $5.6 billion in 2015 and shot up to $8.3 billion in 2016.

BSP data also show that for 2018, net investments of equity capital were lower at $2.3 billion compared to $3.4 billion recorded in 2017, with the bulk of equity capital placements sourced mainly from Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan and China.

These were channeled primarily to: manufacturing, financial and insurance, real estate, electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply, and arts, entertainment and recreation industries.

Reinvestment of earnings also declined slightly by 0.4 percent to $859 million in 2018 from $863 million in 2017. By contrast, net availment of debt instruments rose by 11.3 percent to $6.7 billion in 2018 from $6 billion in 2017, according to BSP data.

In an economic bulletin issued by the DOF on Wednesday, Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran said the economy became more investment-led in 2018.

“As percentage of GDP [gross domestic product], capital formation, which is the most comprehensive measure of investment, rose from 24.4 percent in 2016 to 25.1 percent in 2017 and further to 27.0 percent in 2018,” said Beltran, who is also the Chief Economist of the DOF. The DOF reported that the Philippines should use the time when the global economy is posting a slower-than-expected pace of growth to improve the country’s investment environment.

The drop in the country’s 2018 FDI levels to $9.802 billion from the 2017 level of $10.256 billion was attributed to the volatile global economic environment during the year, according to the DOF. The DOF pointed out that to increase investments made in the Philippines by other countries, it needs to further cut red tape, as well as ease restrictions on foreign ownership, as the country is reputed to have one of the most restrictive investment regimes in Asia. Rea Cu

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Govt to seed clouds to boost water in dams

By Rene Acosta

T

@reneacostaBM

HE government will conduct cloud-seeding operations in Regions 2 and 12 to counter the ill effects of El Niño, which a water concessionaire blamed for the water-supply interruption in the eastern part of Metro Manila.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said the operations will be conducted by planes of the Philippine Air Force in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA) following the release of P18.3 million for the activity.

The cloud seeding, which will be carried out until March 21 to induce much-need rain, was supposed to have been initiated on Thursday, according to Jalad, but the Air Force through its spokesman, Major Aristides Galang, said they could only commence the operation on Saturday or Sunday as the Nomad planes were still being prepared along with the equipment.

“So most probably, it is still tentative [if it’s] on Saturday or Sunday, and then the initial area will be Cauayan, Isabela,” Galang said, adding that the cloud seeding will be undertaken by the 900th Air Force Weather Group.

The cloud-seeding activities were agreed upon by the council in a meeting late Wednesday afternoon.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported at the meeting it has allocated a standby fund of P11.8 million for family food packs as well as cash-for-work programs.

Jalad said that the agriculture department reported that El Niño has already resulted in production loss of P464.3 million and volume loss of P22.918 million in the agriculture sector as of March 8. “[The] total area affected has reached 13,679 hectares, affecting 13,679 farmers in.… Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, Mimaropa and BARMM. DA conducted field validation to assess the damage and losses and continues to monitor standing crops in areas at risk,” he said.

Several areas, including Zamboanga city, the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Pagadian City and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro have already declared a state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño-spawned drought.

Other measures

DURING the meeting, the council also discussed the prevailing problem of water supply that has already affected more than a million residents in the eastern part of Metro Manila, most of whom have been forced to line up for water rations, especially in the cities of Pasig and Mandaluyong.

Jalad said, however, that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported that Angat Dam, the main source of water for Metro Manila, is still within its normal operating level at 199.94 meters of elevation compared to its minimum operating level at 180 meters.

“The decline of La Mesa Dam, according to MWSS [Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System], is caused by the increase in water-treatment production of Manila Water. The water allocation of Manila Water from MWSS sourced from Angat Dam is 18.5 cubic meters per second [1600 million liters per day],” Jalad said.

“The water demand from Manila Water consumers, however, has increased to 20.25 cms [1750 million liters per day], forcing the latter to source the deficit from La

Mesa Dam,” he added.

To remedy t he problem, a technical working group which included the MWSS, National Irrigation Administration, the weather bureau Pagasa, Manila Water and the other concessionaire, Maynilad, has “committed to continue their close coordination to ensure that water-supply releases from the Angat Dam are optimized.”

“Cross border gate opening shall be done in which 50 MLD [millions of liters per day] from Maynilad will be delivered to Manila Water. MWSS also presented its contingency plans, which include rotating water supply and pressure management, energization of Cardona Water Treatment plant on March 31, 2019, that can provide an additional 50 MLD,” Jalad said.

Among others, the technical working group agreed to go for a “nonrevenue” water recovery, utilization of backwash from water-treatment plant and deployment of water tankers and mobile water-treatment plants “in which five units shall come from Manila Water and three standby units from Maynilad.”

The MWSS would also activate its backup deep wells in case there would be need to augment the water supply.

“On this, hospitals with standby deep well will be the priority,” Jalad said.

Also, the Department of the Interior and Local Government will issue a memorandum that will require local government units to enact ordinances that would curb illegal connections and encourages the prudent use of water.

The ordinances would allow water concessionaires and water utilities to conduct emergency repair of leaks.

At Camp Crame, National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde has directed all police units in areas affected by the temporary water shortage in Metro Manila and Rizal to observe water-conservation measures in all camps and offices to help avert a possible water crisis in Luzon at the onset of the dry season.

PNP spokesman Police Colonel Bernard Banac said Albayalde ordered headquarters support units in camps and facilities affected to detail inspectors who will check on wasteful or unnecessary water usage.

“Local PNP units are directed to ensure safety and security of water-service providers against unruly crowd and persons who may want to provoke chaos in the waterdistribution points,” Albayalde’s directive read.

‘Black Friday’

BAYAN said it will stage a “Black Friday protest” against Manila Water and MWSS over what it said was Manila Water’s “corporate greed” that has caused the current water crisis in Metro Manila.

“The claim that El Niño is to blame for the crisis has been exposed as a big fat lie. Manila Water has been expanding its customer base even if current facilities are unable to meet the growing demand.

It is Manila Water’s obligation to provide the needs of its customers.

It has failed to do so,” Bayan said in a statement.

“Manila Water earned a whopping P6.5 billion in 2018 and another P6.5 billion in 2017. It was even granted a rate hike of P6.50 per cubic meter spread over five years. It has expanded its operations overseas to include Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. Yet it has failed to provide the necessary facilities to meet the demands in its concession area in Metro Manila,” it added.

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

Incentives to carriers flying to local airports

T

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

HE government may dangle incentives to foreign carriers to encourage them to mount direct flights to tourism destinations instead of Manila, a state official said.

Department of Tourism Route Development Team Head Erwin F. Balane said creating new direct services to secondary airports such as Cebu, Bohol and Palawan will help generate more tourism potentials.

Direct flights entice tourists to

visit a certain destination, for example Cebu, as this removes the hassle of transiting from another airport like Manila just to get to the tourism sites.

“Right now, the game is encouraging airlines to fly directly to des-

tinations,” he said. “It’s quite hard for airlines to operate the first flight because it entails a lot of expenses.”

Hence, Balane said, the government may provide incentives to entice airlines to mount new direct flights. “For them to operate a new route, they negotiate for incentives to cushion their investment,” he said. “They look at what incentives a country could provide.”

Incentives, Balane explained, could be in the form of discounts on landing, parking and take-off fees.

Providing incentives, he added, is a global practice even for airports that yield high traffic.

“Singapore, for example, despite being flown by a lot of airlines, pro-

vides substantial incentives. China, as well, like in Kunming, provides as much as 50-percent discounts on fees. Bangkok, too, has even better incentives,” Balane said.

He said the tourism department will encourage the giving of incentives to airlines to “provide support” for the carriers, while they try to make business sense of the new route.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines operates almost all of the airports across the Philippines.

The incentive scheme could help the government achieve its target of attracting 12 million foreign tourists by 2022, at the end of President Duterte’s term.

Eastern Petroleum to spend ₧5B to capture 5% of LPG market

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

E

ASTERN Petroleum Corp. may spend as much as P5 billion to capture a 5-percent market share in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry.

“The Philippines consumes 100 million kilograms of LPG per month. Ideally, you need to hold at least 5 million kg. We want to capture 5 percent in the next three years,” said Fernando L. Martinez, Eastern Petroleum chairman and chief executive.

Eastern Petroleum’s EC Gas cylinders are explosion-proof even when in direct exposure to fire, 70-percent lighter than steel tanks and translucent, making its content visible to its users. It is designed based on the latest composite cylinder technology that uses seamless polymer, fiberglass construction and molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) casing, which comes with special regulators that are built for efficiency and safety.

Martinez said there are 140 EC Gas outlets nationwide. The company will add 50 more this year.

“We would like to concentrate in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon and Central Luzon because these areas constitute half of the total consumption of the LPG industry. We hardly touch the surface. We are below 1 per-

cent in market share. If we hit 1 percent this year, we will be very happy,” he added.

E a ster n Pet roleu m a nnounced on Thursday its partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in ensuring Filipino households are safe from LPG-related fires.

Through its EC Gas LPG business unit, Eastern Petroleum affirmed its commitment and support to the BFP’s target to reduce fire incidences in the country, particularly LPG-related fire incidences that have resulted in families being displaced and even causing death.

Data from the BFP showed that fire incidents in the National Capital Region (NCR) dropped by 9.3 percent to 4,645 incidents in 2017 from 5,121 incidents in 2016. The BFP added that only 0.58 percent or 27 incidents in NCR were attributed to LPG explosion due to direct flame contact or static electricity.

On a national scale, the BFP data showed that fire incidents declined by 26.41 percent to 14,197 in 2017 from 19,292 in 2016. It added that 0.83 percent of the fire incidents were caused

by LPG. In a dialogue with BFP representatives, EC Gas agreed to help the bureau in its information, education and communication (IEC) campaign by cascading fire-prevention materials to EC Gas users through its retail net-

work across the country.

“Despite the decrease in fire incidents attributed to LPG, there is still room to further reduce these incidents. And this partnership with BFP comes timely as the nation observes Fire Prevention Month,” Martinez said.

He said the partnership between Eastern Petroleum and BFP would empower its EC Gas retail network and users with relevant safety tips and techniques on how to prevent fire from occurring.

He added the partnership goes beyond Fire Prevention Month, as a pact would be finalized in the near term.

At present, Martinez said there are 9 million composite cylinders being used by LPG producers and distributors around the globe.

Eastern Petroleum takes pride in being the first Philippine oil company to pioneer in introducing the use of composite cylinders in the country.

“Consumer awareness of the perils of using conventional steel LPG cylinders that are prone to explosion due to tank pilferage continues to grow. Hence, there is a need to provide them with the best alternative that promises them the peace of mind they need, as their homes are safer because their kitchens are equipped with Eastern Petroleum’s EC Gas LPG systems,” Martinez said.

ERC allows DMCI Power to build connector facilities in Palawan

D

MCI Power Corp. (DPC) successfully sought regulatory approval to construct and operate point-to-point facilities worth P20.92 million that will connect its bunker-fired power plant in Palawan to the Palawan main grid of the National Power Corp. (NPC).

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in its 33-page decision, authorized DPC to develop and own dedicated point-to-point limited facility to connect the 2 x 4.95-megawatt (MW) bunker-

fired power plant to the Palawan Small Grid of the NPC-Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG), subject to conditions.

One, the NPC-SPUG or Palawan Electric Cooperative Inc. (Paleco), should operate and maintain the facilities to ensure and maintain the reliability, security and integrity of the Palawan small grid.

Also, DPC must execute an undertaking that it will turn over to NPC-SPUG or Paleco those assets not considered dedicated point-

to-point limited transmission facilities or perform small grid function. Thus, NPC-SPUG shall pay DPC. DPC was also asked to pay the ERC a permit fee of P357,287.63.

DPC, in its application, proposed to transmit its generated power to the NPC-SPUG via a cutin connection to the NPC-SPUG Narra-Irawan 69 kiloVolt line, and through the construction and installation of the dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities. Lenie Lectura

Friday, March 15, 2019

B1

Slower inflation seen boosting imported car sales this year

T

HE ex pected slowdow n in inflation could boost imported car sales this year, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID) said.

In a statement on Thursday, AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said inflation fell to 3.8 percent in February 2019, returning within the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

With easing inflation, AVID said, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to loosen its monetary policy rates. With attractive financing and lower inflation, auto demand is poised to stage a recovery.

“We are seeing an upturn in all major segments, which augurs well for AVID in the coming months.

Initial indications point to the fact that the Philippine economy is poised for improved performance in 2019. We aim to ride this wave of growth,” Agudo said.

She said imported car sales grew 12 percent year-on-year, reaching 7,876 units in February 2019 from 7,017 posted in February 2018.

However, Agudo said AVID’s sales for the first two months of 2019 still lagged by 8 percent at 14,499 units compared to the same period last year.

Sales of light commercial vehicles (LCV) grew 22 percent, and commercial vehicles, 19 percent.

However, sales of imported passenger cars declined 1 percent in February.

“We are encouraged by the good sales performance of AVID for the month, which signals stronger consumer confidence, as well as preference for top-notch products.

While we are still in the early part of the year, we have gotten over the hump and expect a robust recovery for the automotive industry,” Agudo said.

AVID data showed that LCV segment sales grew to 4,905 units from the 4,028 units in February 2018. On a year-to-date basis, the LCV segment saw a modest decline with 9,146 units sold in 2019 versus the previous year’s 9,434 units.

Sales of imported CVs reached 128 units in the second month of 2019 from last year’s 108 units sold. For the first two months, CV sales remained unchanged with 213 units sold in 2018 and 2019.

Passenger car sales, meanwhile, declined to 2,843 units sold in February 2019 from last year’s 2,881 units. For the first two months of the year, the PC segment reported a 15-percent drop in sales to 5,140 units sold. Cai U. Ordinario

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, March 15, 2019

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 14, 2019

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

ASIA UNITED 58.5 58.65 58.1 58.65 58.1 58.65 1460 85247.5 BDO UNIBANK 131.5 132 132.4 132.8 131.2 132 1136250 149974058 BANK PH ISLANDS 86.8 87.45 86.1 87.45 85.05 87.45 655480 56448129.5 CHINABANK 27.6 27.7 27.9 27.9 27.6 27.6 40700 1125355 EAST WEST BANK 12.1 12.12 12.26 12.3 12.12 12.12 752200 9145596 METROBANK 77.7 78.2 78.6 78.9 77.3 77.7 795870 62107819 PB BANK 13.94 14.06 14 14.06 14 14 116600 1632406 PHIL NATL BANK 60.1 60.15 61.1 61.1 60.1 60.1 967470 58445174.5 PSBANK 58.05 58.6 58.4 58.6 58 58.6 1580 92201.5 RCBC 26.35 26.5 26.5 26.5 26.35 26.35 8900 235675 SECURITY BANK 168.5 170.5 168 171.5 167 170.5 745970 127016348 UNION BANK 60.7 62.95 61.25 63 60.6 60.7 3180 195011 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.36 1.4 1.35 1.36 1.35 1.36 29000 39190 BDO LEASING 2.27 2.3 2.28 2.28 2.27 2.27 6000 13630 COL FINANCIAL 18.02 18.2 18.2 18.2 18.02 18.18 30600 555446 FIRST ABACUS 0.58 0.63 0.62 0.63 0.62 0.63 4105000 2545150 FERRONOUX HLDG 4.4 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.5 61000 273200 MEDCO HLDG 0.455 0.465 0.455 0.46 0.455 0.46 180000 82150 MANULIFE 795 800 795 795 795 795 100 79500 NTL REINSURANCE 0.97 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.97 0.97 57000 55330 PHIL STOCK EXCH 183.1 185 185 185 183.1 183.1 140 25786 SUN LIFE 1805 1820 1820 1820 1820 1820 320 582400

INDUSTRIAL ALSONS CONS 1.42 1.43 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.42 718000 1019560 ABOITIZ POWER 35.4 35.55 35.2 35.55 34.5 35.55 2451300 86008445 BASIC ENERGY 0.238 0.24 0.24 0.243 0.237 0.24 180000 43310 FIRST GEN 20.85 20.95 21.5 21.5 20.5 20.85 5601900 116552575 FIRST PHIL HLDG 73.7 73.75 74.2 74.2 73.7 73.7 56510 4166337.5 MERALCO 376 380 378 380 373.6 380 137560 52064052 MANILA WATER 26 26.05 27 27 25.5 26 3588200 93209595 PETRON 6.73 6.74 6.74 6.85 6.73 6.74 1700000 11522488 PETROENERGY 3.77 3.83 3.77 3.83 3.77 3.77 89000 336920 PHINMA ENERGY 1.32 1.33 1.33 1.33 1.32 1.33 1846000 2445610 PHX PETROLEUM 11.8 12 12 12 11.8 12 111500 1336076 PILIPINAS SHELL 49 49.15 49 49.15 48.85 49 660700 32375485 SPC POWER 6.38 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.38 6.38 59000 377370 AGRINURTURE 14.2 14.48 14.94 14.94 14.12 14.48 873000 12796294 CNTRL AZUCARERA 15.7 16 16 16 16 16 6300 100800 CENTURY FOOD 15.6 15.66 15.68 15.68 15.6 15.6 469900 7345950 DEL MONTE 6.06 6.28 6.02 6.3 6.02 6.29 2000 12152 DNL INDUS 11.26 11.28 11.28 11.32 11.24 11.26 512400 5776220 EMPERADOR 7.51 7.55 7.6 7.6 7.4 7.51 64200 478115 SMC FOODANDBEV 104 104.1 106.9 106.9 103.2 104.1 1794210 187910709 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.01 680000 687040 GINEBRA 27.1 27.2 27.5 27.5 27 27.1 444300 12083550 JOLLIBEE 312 313 316 316 312 312 257020 80441566 MACAY HLDG 11.1 11.36 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 5100 56610 MAXS GROUP 11.94 11.96 12 12.1 11.9 11.96 88200 1057368 MG HLDG 0.196 0.2 0.196 0.196 0.196 0.196 190000 37240 PEPSI COLA 1.38 1.39 1.41 1.41 1.37 1.39 1168000 1626430 SHAKEYS PIZZA 11.92 11.98 12.28 12.28 11.9 11.92 72900 875544 ROXAS AND CO 1.82 1.86 1.83 1.83 1.81 1.81 157000 285800 RFM CORP 4.68 4.77 4.69 4.69 4.67 4.67 2000 9360 ROXAS HLDG 2.66 2.67 2.68 2.68 2.68 2.68 4000 10720 SWIFT FOODS 0.129 0.134 0.129 0.129 0.129 0.129 250000 32250 UNIV ROBINA 143.1 145 141.4 145 141.4 145 348680 50390937 VITARICH 1.62 1.63 1.65 1.65 1.62 1.62 1261000 2052640 VICTORIAS 2.51 2.55 2.55 2.55 2.5 2.5 369000 923070 CONCRETE A 65.55 71.9 65.5 65.5 65.5 65.5 10 655 CEMEX HLDG 2.6 2.62 2.62 2.66 2.57 2.6 6645000 17347470 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.9 6.22 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 25000 147500 EAGLE CEMENT 15.7 15.8 15.76 15.8 15.54 15.7 714200 11217186 EEI CORP 8.85 8.88 8.78 8.95 8.78 8.88 183000 1611346 HOLCIM 9.55 9.56 9.62 9.62 9.56 9.56 648500 6,222,213( MEGAWIDE 19.9 19.94 19.9 20 19.88 19.9 2662400 52997604 TKC METALS 1 1.02 1.02 1.03 1 1.02 409000 410800 VULCAN INDL 1.31 1.32 1.28 1.32 1.28 1.32 610000 791040 CROWN ASIA 1.85 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.85 1.88 64000 119850 EUROMED 1.64 1.76 1.64 1.64 1.64 1.64 15000 24600 LMG CHEMICALS 4.1 4.28 4.1 4.1 4.1 4.1 53000 217300 MABUHAY VINYL 3.61 3.68 3.6 3.68 3.6 3.68 25000 90100 PRYCE CORP 5.85 5.95 5.85 5.86 5.85 5.85 242600 1419470 CONCEPCION 41 42.9 41 41 41 41 56000 2296000 GREENERGY 2.59 2.6 2.46 2.61 2.25 2.6 64726000 157660560 INTEGRATED MICR 12.6 12.62 12.86 12.86 12.5 12.6 640100 8061398 IONICS 1.66 1.72 1.73 1.73 1.72 1.72 8000 13810 PANASONIC 5.87 6.16 6.17 6.17 6.17 6.17 100000 617000 SFA SEMICON 1.29 1.3 1.29 1.31 1.29 1.3 54000 69840 CIRTEK HLDG 29.2 29.4 29.6 29.8 29.35 29.4 105200 3093540

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL 0.74 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.73 0.74 12141000 9020580 ASIABEST GROUP 19.86 20.25 20.65 20.75 19.8 20 74100 1487610 AYALA CORP 923 925.5 920 931.5 919.5 925.5 238850 221128450 ABOITIZ EQUITY 58 58.35 58.95 58.95 57.7 58.35 1973770 115114725 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 15.1 15.12 14.9 15.2 14.8 15.1 8775300 132464572 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.75 0.76 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.75 84000 62330 ATN HLDG A 1.4 1.41 1.39 1.41 1.39 1.4 1849000 2579040 ATN HLDG B 1.4 1.41 1.41 1.41 1.39 1.41 310000 434310 COSCO CAPITAL 7.46 7.47 7.5 7.5 7.4 7.46 200900 1498552 DMCI HLDG 11.84 11.9 11.22 11.9 11.22 11.9 4441700 51925878 FILINVEST DEV 14.42 14.62 14.68 14.68 14.4 14.42 826100 12074970 FJ PRINCE A 4.14 5 4.15 4.15 4.15 4.15 100000 415000 FORUM PACIFIC 0.238 0.25 0.238 0.25 0.238 0.25 140000 33440 GT CAPITAL 994.5 1000 993 1004 983 1000 155050 154602270 HOUSE OF INV 6.18 6.39 6.18 6.4 6.18 6.39 40200 255716 JG SUMMIT 61.65 61.7 62.85 62.95 61.45 61.7 4399370 272433073.5 LODESTAR 0.54 0.57 0.57 0.59 0.54 0.57 1425000 773620 LOPEZ HLDG 5.13 5.2 5.14 5.2 5.1 5.13 206600 1059248 LT GROUP 16.34 16.62 16.52 16.88 16.3 16.62 7835900 130298086 MABUHAY HLDG 0.56 0.57 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 100000 56000 METRO PAC INV 4.9 4.91 4.94 4.94 4.9 4.9 19121000 94035380 PACIFICA 0.039 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.039 0.039 12300000 482200 PRIME ORION 3.1 3.11 3.14 3.18 3.08 3.1 4192000 13124880 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.56 2.69 2.58 2.58 2.56 2.56 22000 56340 SOLID GROUP 1.34 1.37 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 25000 34500 SYNERGY GRID 448 449 448 448 448 448 60 26880 SM INVESTMENTS 925 926 928.5 936 925 925 238530 221345455 SAN MIGUEL CORP 171 172 172.4 173 170.4 172 782770 134663576 SOC RESOURCES 0.75 0.79 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 10000 7500 SEAFRONT RES 2.36 2.4 2.36 2.36 2.36 2.36 13000 30680 WELLEX INDUS 0.24 0.241 0.244 0.245 0.24 0.24 370000 89310 ZEUS HLDG 0.345 0.35 0.335 0.35 0.335 0.35 6670000 2315700

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.87 0.88 0.92 0.92 0.87 0.88 1386000 1235670 AYALA LAND 42.8 42.9 42.85 43.45 42.65 42.8 9923800 425657295 ARANETA PROP 1.89 1.97 1.87 1.97 1.87 1.97 33000 62510 BELLE CORP 2.37 2.39 2.4 2.4 2.36 2.37 131000 311160 A BROWN 0.78 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.78 0.79 221000 173970 CITYLAND DEVT 0.91 0.93 0.91 0.93 0.91 0.93 21000 19130 CROWN EQUITIES 0.24 0.245 0.24 0.245 0.24 0.245 280000 67300 CEBU HLDG 6.6 6.75 6.5 6.78 6.5 6.75 54600 355049 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.26 4.27 4.28 4.28 4.25 4.26 33000 140760 CENTURY PROP 0.48 0.485 0.485 0.49 0.485 0.485 11790000 5721950 CYBER BAY 0.4 0.405 0.405 0.405 0.4 0.4 1170000 468050 DOUBLEDRAGON 21 21.25 21.05 21.4 20.75 21.25 266200 5647815 DM WENCESLAO 10.26 10.3 10.4 10.44 10.2 10.26 636300 6551510 EMPIRE EAST 0.51 0.52 0.51 0.52 0.5 0.52 274000 138530 EVER GOTESCO 0.128 0.136 0.137 0.137 0.137 0.137 10000 1370 FILINVEST LAND 1.52 1.53 1.52 1.54 1.5 1.53 7695000 11657000 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.22 1.23 1.21 1.23 1.21 1.22 1594000 1932720 8990 HLDG 12.04 12.06 12.14 12.14 12.02 12.06 502800 6058646 PHIL INFRADEV 1.96 1.97 1.92 2 1.92 1.96 3402000 6684130 MEGAWORLD 5.52 5.53 5.39 5.53 5.29 5.53 23255100 126815387 MRC ALLIED 0.385 0.39 0.39 0.395 0.38 0.39 20190000 7744100 PHIL ESTATES 0.455 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 50000 23000 PRIMEX CORP 2.84 2.85 2.87 2.89 2.85 2.85 110000 315140 ROBINSONS LAND 23.55 23.8 23.65 23.8 23.4 23.8 3079100 72957205 PHIL REALTY 0.455 0.47 0.455 0.465 0.45 0.455 540000 247400 ROCKWELL 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.05 2.05 2.05 2000 4100 SHANG PROP 3.12 3.15 3.15 3.15 3.15 3.15 24000 75600 STA LUCIA LAND 1.58 1.59 1.59 1.59 1.57 1.59 418000 663560 SM PRIME HLDG 37.1 37.4 37.1 37.75 37.1 37.1 4177300 155511240 STARMALLS 6.96 6.99 7.08 7.15 6.95 6.99 149500 1053824 SUNTRUST HOME 0.74 0.8 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 219000 162060 PTFC REDEV CORP 43.05 46 46 46 46 46 200 9200 VISTA LAND 7.23 7.26 7.22 7.3 7.22 7.26 3683500 26762915

SERVICES ABS CBN 20.5 20.55 20.8 20.8 20.55 20.55 38000 784140 GMA NETWORK 5.69 5.7 5.7 5.72 5.69 5.69 89800 511552 MANILA BULLETIN 0.6 0.61 0.61 0.62 0.59 0.6 1327000 792200 GLOBE TELECOM 1930 1934 1900 1930 1860 1930 26470 50491380 PLDT 1132 1137 1120 1156 1120 1132 218560 249565805 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.043 0.045 0.045 0.045 0.042 0.045 11900000 527700 DFNN INC 6.99 7 7 7.24 7 7 18100 126724 ISLAND INFO 0.127 0.128 0.128 0.128 0.127 0.127 2350000 300450 ISM COMM 5.67 5.7 5.42 5.76 5.42 5.67 3966400 22301009 JACKSTONES 3.08 3.15 3.09 3.26 3.08 3.26 30000 92610 NOW CORP 2.84 2.85 2.88 2.88 2.82 2.84 441000 1250380 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.42 0.425 0.42 0.43 0.42 0.42 3490000 1477800 PHILWEB 2.74 2.79 2.74 2.83 2.74 2.79 682000 1886180 2GO GROUP 12 12.26 12.28 12.28 12 12 12400 151026 CEBU AIR 82.65 83.5 83 83.6 82.55 83.5 10840 898551.5 CHELSEA 5.9 5.91 5.8 5.9 5.75 5.9 766100 4444385 INTL CONTAINER 118.5 118.9 116.9 122 116.9 118.9 4149290 493399201 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.89 0.9 0.89 0.89 0.89 0.89 84000 74760 MACROASIA 20 20.05 19.42 20.5 19.42 20.05 2147700 43291910 METROALLIANCE A 1.88 1.98 1.86 1.99 1.85 1.98 74000 140320 METROALLIANCE B 1.95 2.15 2.15 2.15 2.15 2.15 3000 6450 PAL HLDG 10.36 10.4 10.3 10.36 10.2 10.36 57500 595556 HARBOR STAR 2.88 2.89 2.99 3 2.88 2.88 1234000 3598660 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.075 0.076 0.079 0.08 0.074 0.075 261860000 19934700 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.11 2.16 2.11 2.11 2.11 2.11 1000 2110 WATERFRONT 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.68 0.65 0.66 235000 155730 IPEOPLE 10.6 11 11 11 10.6 10.6 800 8520 STI HLDG 0.7 0.71 0.71 0.71 0.7 0.71 1226000 860980 BERJAYA 2.73 2.76 2.8 2.83 2.7 2.73 474000 1297540 BLOOMBERRY 11.8 11.82 11.92 12 11.7 11.8 4655200 54886042 LEISURE AND RES 3.31 3.33 3.29 3.33 3.29 3.33 204000 676840 MANILA JOCKEY 4.76 4.95 4.85 4.96 4.75 4.96 46000 219210 PH RESORTS GRP 4.87 4.9 5.25 5.25 4.87 4.9 96000 473308 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.87 0.88 0.9 0.9 0.87 0.87 5481000 4818540 PHIL RACING 7.63 12.7 7 7 7 7 100 700 TRAVELLERS 5.62 5.66 5.61 5.62 5.6 5.62 563800 3167519 METRO RETAIL 2.99 3 3 3.02 2.99 2.99 690000 2070080 PUREGOLD 47.5 47.65 48 48 47.1 47.5 131700 6239555 ROBINSONS RTL 85 86 87 87 84.95 85 504930 43025017 PHIL SEVEN CORP 129.9 130 130.1 130.1 130 130 2470 321120 SSI GROUP 2.36 2.37 2.36 2.37 2.34 2.36 6519000 15377660 WILCON DEPOT 15.4 15.62 15.7 15.88 15.22 15.4 12982900 202681318 APC GROUP 0.425 0.43 0.425 0.43 0.425 0.43 300000 127600 EASYCALL 13.2 13.22 14.5 14.78 13 13.2 412000 5576588 GOLDEN BRIA 375 377 372.4 380 364.4 377 2200 822864 PRMIERE HORIZON 1.22 1.23 1.19 1.23 1.17 1.22 15377000 18557920 SBS PHIL CORP 8.4 8.5 8.42 8.42 8.4 8.4 10700 89941

MINING & OIL ATOK 13.02 13.4 13.4 13.88 13 13.54 10800 142508 APEX MINING 1.45 1.46 1.45 1.46 1.44 1.45 868000 1254860 ABRA MINING 0.002 0.0022 0.0021 0.0022 0.0021 0.0021 1069000000 2245200 ATLAS MINING 2.9 2.95 2.9 2.92 2.9 2.9 41000 119080 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.295 0.31 0.295 0.295 0.295 0.295 10000 2950 CENTURY PEAK 2.31 2.32 2.27 2.31 2.27 2.31 1826000 4186100 DIZON MINES 7.8 7.98 7.82 7.99 7.8 7.81 26300 205332 FERRONICKEL 1.47 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.47 1.49 2272000 3342430 GEOGRACE 0.242 0.249 0.249 0.25 0.241 0.249 280000 68220 LEPANTO A 0.121 0.124 0.121 0.121 0.121 0.121 1020000 123420 LEPANTO B 0.125 0.131 0.125 0.125 0.125 0.125 220000 27500 MANILA MINING A 0.0081 0.0083 0.0081 0.0081 0.0081 0.0081 1000000 8100 MANILA MINING B 0.0082 0.0084 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082 4000000 32800 MARCVENTURES 1.07 1.1 1.09 1.09 1.05 1.09 145000 155330 NIHAO 1 1.03 1.05 1.05 1.01 1.05 30000 30380 NICKEL ASIA 2.59 2.61 2.68 2.68 2.55 2.59 2684000 6991900 OMICO CORP 0.59 0.6 0.59 0.62 0.59 0.6 108000 63760 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.92 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.93 0.93 278000 259690 PX MINING 3.97 3.98 3.95 3.98 3.95 3.98 532000 2115510 SEMIRARA MINING 21 21.05 20 21.25 20 21 3125600 64823000 UNITED PARAGON 0.0072 0.0078 0.0072 0.0072 0.0072 0.0072 8000000 57600 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 6500000 78500 ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 20800000 260400 PHILODRILL 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 19200000 212800 PXP ENERGY 14.18 14.28 14.12 14.26 14 14.18 188200 2653894

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A SMC FB PREF 2 FPH PREF C GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

94.8 971 450 900 891 0.98 100 985 75.25 76.95 74.75 71.95 72

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR

20

95 980 476.8 919 900 0.99 101.9 998 75.3 77.1 74.9 72 73.5 20.1

95 971 450.2 900 895 0.99 100 980 75.15 76.95 74.75 71.9 72 20

95 971 450.2 900 900 0.99 101.9 990 75.3 76.95 74.75 71.9 72 20

95 971 450.2 900 880 0.99 100 980 75.15 76.05 74.75 71.9 72 20

95 971 450.2 900 890 0.99 101.9 990 75.3 76.95 74.75 71.9 72

350 190 150 600 1060 20000 690 1100 3950 53720 10510 10000 15000

33250 184490 67530 540000 946520 19800 69190 1088685 297055 4107998.5 785622.5 719000 1080000

20

52800

1056000

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.85

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 4.95 XURPAS 1.35

114.6

-13918385 -70283535 -2818618.5 25335322 51928550 2094824 -317500 -72910 5645835 2324274 -574054 -2110996 -102454 -3221747 567000 -34855868 -85366 35940 -436042 19213131 -647670 2765290 -6735894 845886 1,676,263.9997) 29900244 116290 19000 -205010 246000 3598970 3466200 -2078570 30620 20000 20723350 -10029934 25010018 211500 720837 246608 606724 39983335 57927826.5 110000 -640861 -7399776 -2111150 630000 -48660860 26945337 344999.9999 -31633545 -26080 15800 55380 -97000 -72000 2034595 10440 5726270 24260 48862572 -3900 -5613080 50400 -32153495 -15510 -1628768 17886275 85842325 770911 -25740 -645850 8498 58808 32873370 -977288 -41440 52260 -7260 144640 -44290 8444234 43160 -34230 -759090 -2838050 -8980 -562925 4165370 260000 14560950 69026428 227040 -77520 -261170 -5800 158600.0001 1490 -27500 -1313710 -249440 13106990 -257800 11000 -372766 -571260 747500 -

1.88

1.85

1.85

1.85

1.85

12000

22200

-

4.97 1.36

5 1.35

5 1.38

4.94 1.34

4.95 1.36

160900 2560000

796712 3458930

-389020

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

-1162 -4796310 13479901 279205 1210022 -4565728 7996021.5 49752 -132500 -49111549 -136419 -14686 -

115.5

115

115.5

114.5

115.5

3290

377328

Editor: Efleda P. Campos

Cebu Pacific eyes expansion to Australian destinations

B

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

UDGET carrier Cebu Pacific is evaluating the possibility of expanding its presence in Australia, as it takes delivery of more jets through 2022.

Cebu Pacific Vice President Candice A. Iyog listed Perth and Cairns as potential destinations for the group’s Australian expansion.

“As more brand-new aircraft enter the Cebu Pacific fleet, we are now in a position to seriously study the possibility of expanding to more destinations in Australia,” she said.

Cebu Pacific currently has a fleet of one Airbus A321neo, 36 Airbus A320s, seven Airbus A321ceos, eight

Airbus A330s, eight ATR 72-500s, and 12 ATR 72-600s.

It is set to receive 12 brand new aircraft in 2019 — six Airbus A321neos, five A320 neos and one ATR 72-600.

Through 2022, the company will engage in a massive refleeting program that will upgrade old aircraft and add more fuel efficient ones to end 2022 with 83 jets. It also plans to retire eight of its wide body A330s, and replace them with as much as 15 Airbus A330 neos or Boeing 787s.

“Connecting key cities such as Perth or Cairns would give more Australians easier access to the Philippines, and enable more Filipino-Australians to visit family more often,” Iyog said.

The budget carrier currently flies five times weekly between Manila and Sydney, and thrice weekly between Manila and Melbourne.

Her group’s enthusiasm comes as Cebu Pacific took the lion’s share of the Philippines-Australia market, after flying 18,971 passengers in the 11-month period leading to November 2018, data from Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics showed.

The figure, the total for all Cebu Pacific flights from Manila to Sydney and Melbourne, represents a 56-percent uptick from the year prior.

“We are encouraged by our performance in the Australia market,” Iyog added.

For the said period, a total of 48,064 passengers traveled between Manila, Melbourne and Sydney on direct connections mounted

by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Qantas, a 31.3-percent increase.

This means Cebu Pacific took 39.5 percent of the market, while PAL was trailing at 38.1 percent. Qantas only operates direct connections between Manila and Sydney.

“We have an average market share of about 40 percent for our Melbourne and Sydney routes. We are pleased with the strong reception in Melbourne for Cebu Pacific,” Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific launched its Melbourne services in August last year, which increased the capacity between the Philippines and Australia by 32 percent, while growing passenger volume by 31 percent.

Megaworld, BCDA team up to create a ‘new’ district in Fort Bonifacio

P

ROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) have teamed up to rebrand their respective properties located within the southern part of the former Fort Bonifacio military camp in Taguig, creating what it called a new district.

The companies will call the development the Bonifacio Capital District (BCD), a combined 160 hectares of land of Megaworld and BCDA. Megaworld currently owns 88.8 hectares of the property consisting of the 54.3-hectare McKinley Hill and the 34.5-hectare McKinley West.

BCDA, meanwhile, owns the rest consisting of the the 26-hectare Philippine Navy Village; the 33.1-hectare Bonifacio South Pointe property in partnership with the SM Group; the 10.1-hectare Consular property beside McKinley West; and a remaining 1-hectare BCDA lot, one of the expensive areas in Fort Bonifacio as it sits closest to Forbes Park.

Both will pursue developments in their respective areas, but Megaworld will manage the new district. It will create the Policy Review Board that will have the exclusive jurisdiction to set policies and restrictions on the development of the BCD, and to ensure the proper execution of the district’s master development plan and vision.

“As a key locator in Fort Bonifacio, Megaworld has made positive impact in the lives of many Filipinos through its ‘live-work-play’ concept.

The district will soon house the country’s major institutions such as the Senate of the Philippines, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. These government institutions will be complemented with more office spaces, residential units, parks

and commercial establishments—which are all essential to our vision to create vibrant and livable communities for the people,” said Vivencio B. Dizon, president and CEO of BCDA. Based on the district’s original masterplan by Parsons Brinckerhoff, at least 15 percent of the entire area will be dedicated to recreation, green and open spaces, on top of the mandatory open space easement required to each locator.

“In the next five years, after completing the road developments, utilities network, and the subway project, we will be focused on traffic management, which includes development of bike lanes and pedestrian networks, as well as deployment of traffic marshals. We will also improve landscaping along the district’s major roads and designing the entire district with urban art installations,” said Kevin Andrew L. Tan, Megaworld’s senior vice president.

Tan is also CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc., the mother company of Megaworld.

“On security management, we will also expand the CCTV monitoring to cover all areas of the district, which will then be incorporated into our central command center inside McKinley Hill,” he said.

Currently, development-based gross floor area of existing and operational commercial, residential, office and institutional properties within the district is around 1.26 million square meters (sq m).

Projected GFA of proposed mixed-use developments in undeveloped lots within the district is around 2.1 million sq m. These new developments are expected to be completed in the next 10 years. VG Cabuag

ERC allows SPTC’s PSA with Meralco

T

HE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued an order allowing Solar Philippines Tarlac Corp. (SPTC) to implement a provision in its power supply agreement (PSA) with the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) that calls for a 2-percent annual escalation in the rates.

“The commission hereby partially grants the motion for partial reconsideration with respect to its first prayer and allows the 2 percent annual escalation under the PSA,” said the ERC order dated January 23 and uploaded on its web site on Thursday.

In June last year, the ERC issued an order that provisionally authorized SPTC and Meralco to implement their PSA under which SPTC will

sell power to Meralco P2.99 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

However, the rate is not subject to adjustment or escalation, the ERC ruled.

Meralco then filed a manifestation informing the ERC of SPTC’s refusal to accept the ERC’s order because of the disallowance of the annual escalation rate of 2 percent provided in Section 5.3 of the PSA. SPTC filed a motion for partial reconsideration with the ERC in July last year. It said SPTC has established the basis of the 2-percent annual escalation in its PSA. Also, the rate is still significantly lower than the prevailing Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) rate and the approved rates for other solar-power plants.

MUTUAL FUNDS

March 14, 2019

NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D

PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 259.98 -9.11% 1.49% 1.81% 3.07% ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 1.5926 -2.02% 10.9% 4.11% 10.54% ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 4.0576 -10.04% 2.15% 0.64% 3.96% CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP. -A 0.9255 -6.18% N.A. N.A. 3.93% FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. -A 0.8504 N.A. N.A. N.A. 3.62% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC. -A 5.4101 -7.16% 1.17% 1.31% 2.64% MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. -A 126.51 6.11% N.A. N.A. 8.63% ONE WEALTHY NATION FUND, INC. -A 0.8605 -10.24% -4.14% N.A. 3.38% PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC. -A 51.0741 -7.76% 2.27% N.A. 3.8% PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 535.7 -7.13% 1.32% 1.39% 4.07% PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC. -A 1.2909 -6.11% 3.09% 4.87% 2.94% PHILEQUITY FUND, INC. -A 38.052 -6.38% 3.73% 3.91% 3.88% PHILEQUITY MSCI PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,3 1.0149 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC. -A 5.1648 -7.4% 3.17% 3.91% 4.15% PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 862 -7.31% 2.87% 3.71% 4.04% SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 0.9097 -4.44% 1.71% N.A. 5.63% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC. -A 4.2526 -5.37% 3.28% 2.76% 4.77% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.9916 -7.69% 2.87% N.A. 3.91% UNITED FUND, INC. -A 3.6237 -4.46% 4.86% 3.65% 3.5% EXCHANGE TRADED FUND FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC. -A,C,2 115.2898 -7.03% 3.98% 4.81% 4.1% ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. -B $1.0085 -12.14% 7.71% 1.56% 8.55% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC. -A $1.2465 -5.65% N.A. N.A. 12.8% BALANCED FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC. -A 1.701 -6.16% -0.1% -1.11% 3.02% ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 2.2878 -5.31% 1.67% 0.99% 3.56% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC. -A 2.6061 -4.8% -0.93% -1.26% 2.45% GREPALIFE BALANCED FUND CORPORATION -A 1.3386 -6.48% N.A. N.A. 2.63% NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC. -A 1.8967 -3.42% 1.46% 1.55% 2.91% PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC. -A 3.6132 -5.77% 0.04% 0.49% 2.38% PHILAM FUND, INC. -A 16.3448 -4.69% 0.26% 0.62% 2.75% SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC. -A 2.1227 -4.03% 1.73% 2.39% 2.43% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 3.8031 -3.46% 1.57% 1.72% 4.15% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2028, INC. -A,D,4 0.9799 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2038, INC. -A,D,4 0.9752 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2048, INC. -A,D,4 0.9736 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.9644 -3.65% 1.2% N.A. 4.63% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. -A $0.03575 1.53% 0.22% 1.59% 1.42% PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC. -A $0.9788 -9.7% 4.05% -0.2% 4.55% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. -A $3.6189 -3.76% 6.39% 2.22% 9.39% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC. -A $1.0717 -3.03% N.A. N.A. 6.11% BOND FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 346.26 2.65% 2.1% 2.01% 0.84% ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC. -A,1 1.8685 0.02% -0.3% -0.43% 0.5% COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 2.9984 5.33% 5.27% 5.25% 0.93% EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC. -A 2.1536 2.33% 1.61% 1.71% 1.08% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED INCOME FUND,INC. -A 2.2363 1.12% 0.27% 0.61% 1.22% GREPALIFE FIXED INCOME FUND CORP. -A P 1.5956 -0.27% -0.21% 0.05% 1.99% PHILAM BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.9559 -0.22% -0.5% 0.29% 0.92% PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.5862 2.74% 1.29% 1.03% 1.96% SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. -A 0.9112 0.63% -0.39% N.A. 2.08% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC. -A 2.8452 2.69% 1.53% 1.4% 2.87% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC. -A 1.5765 2.16% 1.07% 0.89% 2.38% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $452.28 2.35% 2.01% 2.92% 0.89% ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. -A Є215.22 1.13% 1.42% 1.58% 1.21% ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -B $1.1574 3.61% 1.46% 2.19% 2.81% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $0.025 0.81% 0.68% N.A. 0.81% GREPALIFE DOLLAR BOND FUND CORP. -A $1.7005 -1.4% -1.18% 0.8% 0.61% MAA PRIVILEGE DOLLAR FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. MAA PRIVILEGE EURO FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. ЄN.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC -A $1.0547 0.75% -0.85% -2.39% 1.65% PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A

$2.2262 2.43% 0.49% 2.68% 2.53% PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.057702 1.56% 1.04% 1.7% 1.27% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC. -A $2.9371 0.13% -0.12% 1.93% 2.26% MONEY MARKET FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 122.08 3.45% 2.13% 1.74% 1.03% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A,5 1.0046 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 1.1902 2.46% 0.94% 0.67% 0.7% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.2288 3.04% 2.42% 1.76% 0.8% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC. -A $1.021 2.04% N.A. N.A. 0.5%

* - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY ** - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO *** - LISTED IN THE PSE.

**** - RE-CLASSIFIED INTO A BALANCED FUND STARTING JANUARY 1, 2017 (FORMERLY GREPALIFE BOND FUND CORP.).

***** - LAUNCH DATE IS NOVEMBER 6, 2017 ****** - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 08, 2018 ******** - RENAMING OF THE FUND WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST APRIL 13, 2018. ********* - BECAME A MEMBER SINCE APRIL 20, 2018. ******* - ADJUSTED DUE TO CASH DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST JANUARY 29, 2018

-

The World BusinessMirror

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

Singapore, Malaysia take steps to defuse tension at their ports

N

EIGHBORS Singapore and Malaysia took steps toward resolving a dispute over port limits, even as tensions remain over water supply.

The countries agreed on guidelines to prevent more friction, including reverting to earlier territorial borders and refraining from commercial activities or anchoring government vessels in the area, the foreign ministers said in a joint statement in Kuala Lumpur. “ These measures were vital to de-escalate the situation on the ground,” they said in the statement.

A deal on the port limits may let them focus on addressing the worsening feud over a decadesold deal for Malaysia to supply raw water to Singapore at 3 sen (1 cent) per 1,000 gallons, a price that’s stayed unchanged since a 1962 accord. Singapore said on Wednesday that its neighbor has lost the right to review the water

agreement, a day after Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah questioned the kind of English that Singapore used to arrive at the “nonsensical” interpretation of the deal, which is valid through 2061.

Saifuddin referred to a clause in the accord that said the deal is subject to review 25 years after it started, while Singapore maintained that Malaysia missed out on the chance in 1986 and 1987. The countries still had differing views on the matter after the ministers met on Thursday.

As for the port limits, the countries will set up a committee to make sure both sides follow the guidelines within a month, and start talks to reach eventual agreement on the maritime boundaries another month later. If no deal can be reached by then, they may agree to seek an international thirdparty dispute settlement.

Bloomberg News

Report: Facebook data deals under criminal investigation

S

AN FRANCISCO—The New York Times reports that federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into Facebook’s data deals with major electronics manufacturers.

The newspaper says a grand jur y in New York has subpoenaed information from at least two companies known for making smartphones and other devices, citing two unnamed people familiar with the request.

It reports that both companies

h ad d at a pa r t ne r sh ips w it h Facebook that gave them access to the personal information of hundreds of millions of users.

Facebook describes those data deals as innocuous efforts to help smartphone makers provide Facebook features to users before the social network had its own app.

The Times reports that it is not clear when the inquiry began or exactly what it is focusing on.

Facebook did not respond to a request for comment. AP

Saudi Arabia goes to Opec+ talks reluctant to do Trump’s bidding

F

OUR months ago, Saudi Arabia’s devotion to its decades-old oil partnership with the US was stronger than ever.

President Donald J. Trump was poised to choke off crude exports from the kingdom’s political nemesis, Iran. And the Saudis, shunned by other nations after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, were readily obliging the White House with record supplies.

But the Trump administration stunned Riyadh by softening its crackdown on Iran at the last minute, allowing many customers to continue buying and triggering a crash in oil prices. Since then, the Saudis’ trust in their main political ally has frayed.

When the kingdom meets with allied oil producers in the Azeri capital of Baku this weekend, that sense of betrayal may loom large in its decision-making.

“The way that the Saudis were misled by the US president concerning Iran sanctions is something that they can still taste,” said Ed Morse, head of commodities research at Citigroup Inc. in New York.

Although Trump has once again called on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to moderate prices, the group’s biggest member is doubling down on a strategy to support them, at least for now.

A 24-nation coalition known as Opec+, made up of members of the cartel and former competitors such as Russia, has entered its third year of curbing supply in order to defend crude prices. While they’ve helped engineer a 25 percent recovery in Brent this year, current prices of about $67 a barrel remain well below the levels that most of the producers need to cover government spending.

Saudi Arabia requires an average oil price of $80 a barrel to fund plans for increased spending this year, according to Bloomberg calculations based on its 2019 budget. The kingdom’s financial pressures are growing as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues a radical overhaul to diversify the economy away from oil, while waging a proxy war in Yemen and dealing with the fallout from the Khashoggi killing.

That aim is driving the Saudis to stick with their strategy, despite the threat of potential antitrust legislation known as Nopec, which

gained momentum in the US Congress after Khashoggi’s death in Istanbul in October.

When Trump tweeted on February 25 that Opec should “relax” its stance on tightening supplies, he was gently rebuffed by Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih, who said he favors maintaining output curbs in the second half of the year.

Al-Falih’s defiant tone has been backed up by the kingdom’s recent actions.

Saudi Arabia has cut production by even more than it pledged in the Opec+ accord, and will continue to do so next month, a Saudi official familiar with the policy said this week. Its crude shipments to the US fell in February to the lowest since at least 2010, according to the Energy Information Administration.

It’s a marked contrast with last autumn.

Back then, the Saudis bowed to intense pressure from Trump as his administration’s promises to squeeze Iranian supply to “zero” propelled crude prices to a four-year high above $86 a barrel.

To avert a shortage, and assist Trump’s diplomatic campaign against Tehran, the kingdom raised production, eventually reaching record levels above 11 million barrels a day. But in early November the president chose to let a number of Iran’s customers keep buying, and the ensuing oil oversupply sent prices slumping by 35 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

“We’re going to see quite a different Saudi Arabia maybe than what we saw in the fall,” said Mohammad Darwazah, a director at Medley Global Advisers. “I don’t think they’re going to be as accommodative.”

A panel drawn from key nations in the Opec+ alliance, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, is gathering in Azerbaijan this weekend to review oil markets before the whole group meets next month and again in June.

The Saudis will probably repeat their preference to prolong the accord and try to persuade Russia to follow suit, Darwazah said. With prices down around 22 percent from last year’s October peak, the pushback from Washington won’t be so acute.

Bloomberg News

Friday, March 15, 2019

B3

US follows the world to ground Boeing Max, citing new evidence

U

NITED States regulators reversed course on Wednesday and grounded Boeing Co.’s topselling 737 Max family of airliners after evidence emerged showing a flight that crashed on Sunday in Ethiopia may have experienced the same problem as a plane that went down five months ago off Indonesia.

Satellite flight-tracking data, combined with newly discovered evidence from the recent accident, raised suspicions about a safety feature on the Max that was implicated in the Lion Air crash in October, Daniel Elwell, acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said in a briefing.

“It became clear—to all parties, actually—that the track of the Ethiopian Airlines flight was very close and behaved very similarly to the Lion Air flight,” Elwell said.

The move is a major blow to Boeing, which has lost billions of dollars in value this week as nation after nation announced they were barring the aircraft from flying.

The single-aisle Max family is the Chicago-based planemaker’s largest seller and accounts for almost one-third of the company’s operating profits.

Boeing dropped as much as 3.2 percent after President Donald J. Trump announced the grounding but recovered the day’s loss and ended up 0.51 percent by the market close in New York.

Affected planes will be grounded immediately upon reaching their destinations. The impact on US travelers should be limited because there are only 72 Boeing 737 Max aircraft at three US carriers: American Airlines Group

Inc., Southwest Airlines Co. and United Continental Holdings Inc. That’s only about 3 percent of the mainline fleet at those carriers.

More than 40 nations had announced the grounding of the jet— and in some cases a ban on flyovers of the plane—in recent days despite reassurances from the FAA. The agency had said as recently as Tuesday there was no evidence to justify an action against the Max. “We were resolute in our position that we would not take action until we had data to support taking action,” Elwell said. “That data coalesced today and we made the call.”

The voice and data recorders from the crashed plane have been flown to Paris for investigation, Ethiopian Airlines said in a tweet late Wednesday. Ethiopian authorities had asked France’s air-safety bureau to help analyze the devices.

The Lion Air flight descended and climbed more than two dozen times as pilots fought against the plane’s automated safety system that was trying to push down the nose. While Elwell didn’t provide precise information about the Ethiopian plane’s path, it was apparently making the same highly unusual and distinctive movements.

In addition, some unspecified piece of evidence was discovered by investigators in Ethiopia, he said.

“Suffice it to say that the evidence we found on the ground,” Elwell said, “made it even more likely that the flight path was close, very close to Lion Air’s.”

The FAA has set no timetable for a resumption of Max flights. Elwell said he hoped the manufacturer, working with carriers and regulators such as FAA, would make it as short as possible.

“The grounding will remain in effect pending further investigation, including examination of information from the aircraft’s flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders,” the agency said in a statement.

He cautioned that there still is no direct link between the two crashes. “We still have a lot to learn before we can say that they were the same cause and effect,” he said.

“We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution,” Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again.”

The US action followed Canada’s decision to halt Max flights earlier on Wednesday. Canada Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in Ottawa that satellites tracked the Ethiopian Airlines flight and suggest possible “similarities” with a Lion Air crash on October 29. A Lion Air Max 8 crashed off the coast of Indonesia, killing all 189 people aboard, following a malfunction of a software feature on the plane that repeatedly forced it into a dive.

The FAA and other aviation regulators around the world took several steps after the Indonesia crash to notify pilots of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, and to remind them how to overcome it in the event of a malfunction.

However, a more formal fix to redesign it won’t be mandated until April, the FAA said on Monday.

All 157 people aboard the Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max 8 died when it plunged into the ground at high speed about six minutes after takeoff near Addis Ababa. Investigators have released no information about what caused the crash.

Trump told reporters that he had spoken with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, the FAA’s Elwell and Muilenburg before making the call to ground 737 Max 8 and Max 9 model planes in the US. “Any plane currently in the air will go to its destination and thereafter be grounded until further notice,” Trump said. “So planes that are in the air will be grounded—if they are the 737 Max, will be grounded upon landing at the destination.”

“Boeing is an incredible company. They are working very, very hard right now, and hopefully they will very quickly come up with the answer, but until they do, the planes are grounded,” Trump said.

Southwest has 34 Max 8 aircraft among its more than 750 planes.

In contrast, its fleet includes more than 500 of the older 737-700 model. The Dallas-based airline and United fly the Max across their route networks.

A significant impact will be felt in Miami, where American has concentrated its initial Max deliveries for service to the Caribbean and to New York’s LaGuardia Airport.

The carrier has 24 Max 8 jets in its fleet of more than 1,550 planes.

The last fleet-wide grounding by the FAA occurred on January 17, 2013, when it ordered a halt to revenue flights by Boeing’s thennew model, the mostly composite 787, after lithium-ion batteries on the plane overheated. Prior to that, the last such action halting flights on a fleet occurred in 1979 on the Douglas DC-10. BloombergNews

U.S. WARNS OF SOPHISTICATED CYBER ATTACKS FROM RUSSIA, CHINA, NORTH KOREA AND IRAN W ASHINGTON—Cyber attacks from Russia, China, North Korea and Iran are increasingly sophisticated and, until recently, were done with little concern for the consequences, the top Pentagon cyber leaders told a congressional committee on Wednesday.

Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, head of US Cyber Command, laid out the escalating threats, following a Navy review released this week that described significant breaches of naval systems and concluded that the service is losing the cyber war.

Speaking during a subcommittee hearing, Nakasone said the US is now prepared to use cyber operations more aggressively to strike back, as the nation faces growing cyber attacks and threats of interference in the 2020 presidential elections.

He said the military learned a lot working with other government agencies to thwart Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections, and the focus now has turned to the next election cycle.

The Navy report underscored long-known cyber threats from Russia and China that have plagued the US government and its contractors for more than a decade. It said there were “several significant” breaches of classified Navy systems and that “massive amounts” of national security data have been stolen. The report laid out a number of recommendations to reduce c yber vulnerabilities across the Navy and make cyber security a higher priority.

Data has been stolen from key defense contractors and their suppliers, the report

IN this January 29, 2019, file photo, National Security Agency Director and Head of US Cyber Command Gen. Paul Nakasone testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Nakasone says the military learned a lot as it worked with other government agencies to thwart Russian interference in the 2018 midterm elections. He says the focus has turned to the next election cycle. AP/JOSE LUIS MAGANA

said, adding, “critical supply chains have been compromised in ways and to an extent yet to be fully understood.” The report, ordered by Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, concluded that while the Navy is prepared to win at conventional warfare, that’s not the case for the current cyber war.

The US government has complained

for years about data breaches by China to steal high-tech information and other trade secrets. The federal government, for example, charged two alleged Chinese hackers in D ecember with breaching computer networks as far back as 2006 and suggested they could be linked to the theft of personal information from more than

100,000 Navy personnel.

China has denied the widespread hacking accusations, but the issue is one of several that tied up ongoing negotiations on a USChina trade agreement.

In addition, the US was caught off guard by widespread Russian interference in the 2016 election, including the use of social media to influence voters and sow dissent among the electorate.

Members of Congress peppered Nakasone and Kenneth Rapuano, the assistant defense secretar y for homeland defense, with questions about what the military is doing to respond to cyber breaches and deter countries like Russia and China.

Rapuano acknowledged that for years the US did not sufficiently respond to cyber attacks by other nations, particularly as the breaches did not rise to the level of a conventional military response. He said deterrence is about imposing consequences and, “historically we have not done that.”

He said that strategy is changing, but officials also have a deliberate approval process for offensive cyber operations, including some that require presidential approval.

He also said that the Pentagon will soon issue a memo outlining how National Guard will be able use department networks and systems in the states to help foil cyber attacks on the homeland.

The proposed budget released on Tuesday calls for a 10-percent increase in Pentagon spending on cyber operations, for a total of $9.6 billion. AP

B4 Friday, March 15, 2019

UNBANKED FILIPINOS NO MORE EASTERN COMMUNICATIONS WINS GOLD ANVIL FOR REBRANDING CAMPAIGN

E

A S T ER N Communications, one of the countr y ’s leading telecommunications companies, took home a Gold Anvil for “Our Strong Connec tion” campaign at the recently concluded 54th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal at the Marriot t Hotel grand ballroom.

A winning entr y in the Public Relations Program Directed at Specific Stakeholders categor y, the Our Strong Connection campaign was focused on relaunching the Eastern

Communications brand. The campaign’s clarion call is to bring back the human connection in the business of communications technology. This internalcommunication initiative was aimed at defining the company’s unique brand as being “high tech”, as they provide innovative ser vices that are at par with other telecommunication companies and “high touch” with their personalized customer ser vice.

The rebranding campaign also included a new mission, vision and

values, a redesign of the company logo and employee activities that further promoted a culture of connectedness in the company. “ We’re more than honored that PRSP Anvil Awards acknowledged the ef for ts for the rebranding campaign. This campaign was an oppor tunit y for us to reconnec t internally and embody the idea of connec tedness to our customers while, at the same time, enabling other companies and industries experience our strong connec tion through our produc ts and solutions,” shared Eastern Communications cocoordinator law yer Aileen Regio.

Eastern Communications is looking for ward to continue the strong connec tion within the company, and satisf y more businesses and households with new and innovative produc t lines and ser vices.

For more information, visit http://w w w.eastern.com.ph/.

Regio (f if th from lef t) and astern Communications marketing ser vices head Jedrek Estanislao (third from right) receive the Gold Anvil at the 54th Anvil Awards.

T

HE lack of access to banks among the country’s many municipalities and provinces remains as the top deterrent why many Filipinos are unbanked. In fact, according to the study made by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, only 33 percent, or 551 cities in the Philippines, have access to banking institutions.

Moreover, the numerous documentary requirements is a major turnoff for many, along with the high cost of initial deposit, high maintaining balance, as well as high dormancy charges.

To do away with all these and further encourage more Filipinos to save, leading microfinancial-service provider Cebuana Lhuillier recently launched the Cebuana Lhuillier microsavings account, which only requires one valid ID and a minimal P50 initial deposit, through its wide network of branches comprised of 2,500 retail infrastructures.

This is part of the company’s movement, dubbed “#KayaNa: Unbanked Filipinos No More”, which aims to reach more unbanked and underserved Filipinos, and encourage them to save for the future through its microsavings product.

“The product is in line with the Cebuana Lhuillier’s mission of financial inclusion, which has been the thrust of the company for the past 30 years,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and chief executive officer of Cebuana Lhuillier.

“We’ve come full circle—from offering collateralized loans or pawning, remittance service, micro-insurance and, now, microsavings—all of these products were designed with Filipinos from all walks of life in mind, especially the unbanked and underserved who would not have access to these financial services....,” he added.

The Cebuana Lhuillier microsavings is an interestbearing savings product owned by the Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank that allows clients to save up to P50,000 using the 24K Cebuana card.

To maximize the use of their savings accounts and ensure greater connectivity, Cebuana Lhuillier also launched the e-Cebuana app, which allows users to check their balance and send money through remittance, as well as prepaid credits to their phones, and pay their bills by integrating it to their accounts.

The app is just the first step in a long line of innovations connected to the microsavings product, on top of which is its migration to an EMV-enabled card that can be accessed through ATMs. It will also carry a debit and credit facility for online and cashless shopping providing access to auxiliary services, and helping corporate and micro, small and medium enterprises clients manage their business through payroll cashmanagement solutions.

REPUBLIC CEMENT COMMITS TO ‘GREEN’ TECH, WORK FLOW

R

EPUBLIC Cement, in its desire to uphold the well-being of its community stakeholders and minimize its environmental footprint, has taken on the challenge to reduce its dust emissions.

Among its recent investments is the installation of state-of-the-art bag filters to replace its kiln electrostatic precipitator. The bag filters act as a “sock” catching dust from its stacks before air is released into the atmosphere, thereby, capturing it from the point of origin.

After installation, Republic Cement’s stack emission was reduced by over 75 percent, emitting dust at a minimal level of <20 mg/Nm3, well below the Philippine limit (<150 mg/Nm3).

“At this level [<20mg/Nm3], we have already reached the best available global standard. Dust is no longer visible coming from our stacks. This is our strategic direction for Republic Cement’s plants,” shares Martin Wills, Republic Cement Services Inc. vice

president for manufacturing.

While this initiative has addressed the largest contributor of dust emissions in its plants, Republic Cement is also keen on reducing ground-level dust caused by materials transport in and out of its plants.

The company has invested in road concreting within its premises and the perimeter of its host communities, as part of its social development and management program and corporate social responsibility. This would significantly reduce fugitive dust potentially generated by dirt roads. The company has also invested in vacuum trucks that pneumatically suck dust inside the plants.

In addition, Republic actively pursues green manufacturing initiatives in order to achieve “greener cement”; and looks forward to invest in more bag filters for its clinker conveyors, finish mills and pack-houses.

“While the law mandates for us to have dust emissions below 150 mg/Nm3, we’re going the extra mile to keep our emissions well below the legal limit.

We believe in being responsible neighbors within the communities we are part of. These investments are part of our contribution to a greener and stronger Republic,” Wills adds.

Republic Cement will deploy this technology in its Batangas and Teresa plants this year, as part of a rolling program to drive emissions down to world-class levels in all its plants.

GET TO KNOW MORE OF CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

I

N the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, suicide crash of two airplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center that reduced it into a humungous pile of smoldering steel, glass and concrete, and killed nearly 3,000 people, only four groups of professionals were allowed access to Ground Zero. Those were the agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the New York Police Department; the New York Fire Department; and the insurance claims adjusters, or independent adjusters.

Among the least known professionals in the Philippines is an independent adjuster. Its first type was identified under the Philippine Insurance Code of 1978 (presidential decree 1460) as amended in 2013

by Republic Act 10607, which defines an independent adjuster as any person, partnership, association or corporation, which for money, commission or any other thing of value, acts for or on behalf of an insurer in the adjusting of claims arising under insurance contracts or policies issued by such insurer.

An insurance claims adjuster quantifies the value of the loss sustained by an insured, determine the fair amount of settlement payable within the context of the covering insurance policy, and negotiate and settle the claim with the insured.

An adjuster must be a college degree holder, although most practitioners are lawyers; it is more advantageous if he/she is an attorney at law, a certified public accountant or registered engineer.

Currently there are two organizations who have been working for the protection and enhancement

of the claims adjustment profession in the country.

The Philippine Institute of Loss Adjusters (Pila) is an individual membership composed of qualified and reputable Adjusters.

The Association of Philippine Adjustment Companies (Apac) is a company membership organized for the purpose of having a united representation in all forms and in dealings with the insurance industry and government-regulatory bodies.

These two organizations maintain close liaison with insurance companies in the country and adjuster organizations abroad.

Both organizations dedicate themselves toward the development of the profession and its members, as well as in upholding their welfare and good behavior in relation to the insurance industry and the insuring public.

The joint Pila-Apac’s education committee provides continuous training to aspiring and current adjusters to keep them abreast on new technologies and procedures, to be at par with their counterparts abroad. Regular forums are held at the Philippine Columbian Association in Paco, Manila or at Pila-Apac secretariat in Santa Cruz, Manila and, at times, in Cebu City.

Last December 14 the two organizations jointly celebrated the Golden Ruby Jubilee and the 40th founding anniversary, respectively, with the theme “Embracing Changes, Gearing the Next Generation.”

The Pila and Apac will continue to orderly “queue” and “step forward” for more years to come.

r A BusinessMSirpreo cial Feature

ARAW NG

DAVAO

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Friday, March 15, 2019 B2-1

A celebration of unity in diversity

D

AVAO City is known for many things, including the local government unit’s track record in institutionalizing trailblazing ordinance.

Even the world has recognized the city’s successful implementation of the AntiSmoking Ordinance when the Global Smoke-free Partnership (GSP) presented an award to the Davao City Anti-Smoking Task Force in Cancun, Mexico Way in 2009. Add to that the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, which was also the first in the country when it was passed several years ago.

As the city celebrates its 82nd founding anniversary, Dabawenyos long realized that these ordinances are not just for the sake of having ordinances.

The city's people of varied origins

know better. A highly-urbanized city like Davao has become home to thousands of people from different walks of life. It is actually this diversity that has made the city more interesting, and surprisingly, it is this diversity that continues to challenge the local government to unite its people and live harmoniously despite their differences.

This year’s Araw ng Davao celebration is a showcase of the many cultures and people that make the city what it is now. The Search for Mutya ng Davao alone Continued on B2-2

DURING the opening of the 82nd Araw ng Davao on March 1, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte noted that the celebration centers on the hardwork, sacrifices, discipline, and success of every Dabawenyo.

A BusinessM

ARAW N

B2-2 Friday, March 15, 2019 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

A celebration of unity in diversity Continued From B2-1

is a personification of what the city represents. The revelation that one of the contestants to the Mutya Search belongs to the Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual and Transgenders (LGBT) community made this year’s pageant more interesting, but not surprising at all, considering the local government’s thrust to welcome everyone who want to take part in the celebration. Regardless of one’s sexual orientation, what is important is the applicant’s social responsibility and advocacy, specifically focused on women’s welfare.

But that’s just icing on the cake because for the first time, the city has launched a pageant for men, bolstering the no-discrimination campaign.

City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) chief Generose Tecson said it best when she stressed that “we are opening up the pageant for men in order to showcase the values of the Dabawenyo men, their advocacies and social responsibility.”

As an acknowledgment of the diverse orientation of Dabawenyos, this year’s Araw ng Davao celebration will also feature, for the first time again, the Search for the Reyna Davaoeña for transwomen. It is also the city’s way of celebrating the LGBTQ community’s eighth year.

The Araw ng Davao 2019 celebration promises to be an eye opener to those who have yet to open their hearts and minds to this reality we call diversity. And as always, Davao City will always be there to lead the pack. CIO

ON March 2, three ladies have been chosen to become ambassadresses of Davao City: Mutya ng Davao 2019 Clydel June Tabacolde (center), Diwa ng Davao Jeriza Uy (right) and Sinag ng Davao Eula Cristine Napuli (left).

REYNA Davaoeña, Davao's first pageant for transwomen was held on March 8 at the Davao City Recreation Center. Reyna Davaoeña 2019 Rojean Buhian (center), waves with pride and joy with her court Jeysen Ramos (left) and Anne Fernandez (right).

THIS year, the city government presents the Araw ng Davao 3D mapping light show at the city hall for Dabawenyos to enjoy every night of March starting 6PM onwards.

PHOENIX PETROLEUM, CNOOC, PNOC SIGN MOU FOR LNG PROJECT

A

FTER a series of engagement talks between the three parties, a Memorandum of Understanding was entered into by State-owned firm Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), Phoenix Petroleum and CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd (CNOOC G&P).

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Phoenix Petroleum President and Founder Dennis Uy, CNOOC G&P Chief Finance Officer and Vice President Wu Zhengxing, and PNOC President and CEO Admiral Reuben Lista (Ret) in a meeting held at the Department of Energy office in Taguig City on February 28, 2019. The signing of the MOU was made in the presence of DOE’s Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The MOU will allow the three companies to explore and

PHOENIX Petroleum President and CEO Dennis Uy, CNOOC G&P Chief Finance Officer and Vice President Wu Zhengxing, and PNOC President and CEO Admiral Reuben Lista (Ret) sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the LNG project slated to break ground within the year.

discuss business opportunities and cooperation in relation to the equity investment in Tanglawan

Philippine LNG Inc. and other companies relating to the project, PNOC facilities, market

development, PNOC banked gas, and future energy projects.

“We warmly welcome the

potential addition of PNOC in the LNG hub project we have been planning to venture on

with CNOOC G&P. The LNG hub is a crucial project that will provide long-term solutions for our country’s energy needs, and the strategic alliance among our companies will further secure the continuous development of this venture,” Phoenix Petroleum Chief Operating Officer Henry Albert Fadullon said.

The LNG hub project is expected to break ground through its regasification and receiving terminal with a capacity of 2.2 mtpa within the year, with commercial operations targeted to start by 2023.

The facility will help support the demand for a clean, competitive, and environmentfriendly energy source in Luzon, and provide energy security for the country. It also aims to develop a gasfired power generation facility with up to 2,000 megawatts installed capacity.

Also present in the MOU signing ceremony were DOE’s Senior Undersecretary Jesus Posadas, and Undersecretary Donato Marcos, CNOOC G&P’s Chairman Wu Wenlai, and LNG Project General Manager Shan Tongwen, PNOC’s Senior Vice President for Management Services Glenda Martinez and Senior Vice President for Legal, Admin. and Estate Mgt. Services Graciela Barleta, and Phoenix Petroleum’s Senior Vice President for External Affairs, Business Development, and Security Atty. Raymond Zorrilla, and General Manager for Business Development, Strategies, and Portfolio Joselito de Jesus.

Mirror Feature Special

NG DAVAO

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Friday, March 15, 2019 B2-3

HOMEGROWN RETAIL CHAIN

SPREADS EAGLE’S WINGS FURTHER

W

HEN news of NCCC Malls of the Lim family taking over the iconic and first sprawling mall in Davao City this week, the buzz is quickly triggered all over the city as the social media pick up the breaking news.

For it is a homegrown shopping mall taking over another homegrown shopping mall, one a pioneering retail trade player, the other, historic and iconic.

“It was a privilege for a homegrown company like ours to have the opportunity to develop this property that is very much a part of Davao’s culture,” said NCCC Chairman, Helen A. Lim.

“We will strive to preserve this history while rewriting it to respond to the future. We are happy that Davao's first shopping destination will now be developed by local like us.

We are looking forward to soar higher as this acquisition will play a big role in the execution of our business strategy. ” said Sharlene Faye A. Lim, president of the NCCC Malls.

With the spacious Victoria

Plaza under its wings, the northern section of the city could be amply served by the NCCC’s brand of affordable and quality merchandise, from food to apparel, and from appliances to entertainment.

In the south, where lives more than 1.7 million residents of this city, NCCC Mall Maa

will be rebuilt. The iconic mall to rise up from the ashes is inspired by the Philippine eagle endemic in the Davao region, and designed to pay homage to its regal flight in the sky.

“It takes a native of the city to appreciate and pay tribute to the symbol of the city, and of the whole country. The new mall in Maa is a tribute to our own eagle,” said Sharlene Lim, President for NCCC Malls.

“It’s gratifying warmth that people are waiting for us at that section of the city,” she said.

“Indeed, we all feel the loss of the mall. But we will back soon.It’s like to be a migrant worker, where families and relatives are waiting for their return. ” she said.

The mall is definitely to be constructed soon has a 36-month construction target, with the corresponding environmental and green technology as befit of its eagledesigned building. The entire corner lot property will feature also a condominium complex at the back, to be built by partner developer, DMCI Homes, Inc. NCCC’s latest mall in Buhangin is already featuring this green technology with its spacious atrium and full natural sun illumination of the interior

from atop its fourth floor.

Tap N Play Arcade in the Entertainment area of the NCCC Mall Buhangin, also features the game card. It uses a game card system that will no longer need paper for tickets. All your rewards and game progress will be stored in your card.

The city, including the southern suburbs, is dotted

with supermarkets and community stores called Choice Mart, not only to fill the void, but to bring service nearer them. Its other malls are located in Buhangin, Uyanguren (the pioneering branch), Matina Crossing (NCCC Centerpoint), Panacan, Tagum in Davao del Norte, in Lupon in Compostela Valley, and in Palawan.

r A BusinessMSirpreo cial Feature

ARAW NG B2-4 Friday, March 15, 2019 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

DAVAO

n THE TRIBES ARE ALWAYS AT THE CENTER STAGE OF THE CITYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FESTIVITIES

n A MIX OF THE MORO AND INDIGENOUS TRIBES AS ONE

GINOONG Davao 2019 winner Kyle Emmanuel Gaite (center) 1st Runner-up Cyriel Laurence Rosil and 2nd Runner-up Abraham Yahya, together with top 15 finalists of the first ever search for Ginoong Davao 2019 on March 3, 2019.

TEEN SPIRIT! I

By Beth Harris The Associated Press

NDIAN WELLS, California—A couple of teenagers are shaking things up at the BNP Paribas Open.

Bianca Andreescu, an 18-year-old Canadian, routed two-time major champion Garbine Muguruza, 6-0, 6-1, in 52 minutes on Wednesday to reach the semifinals.

Miomir Kecmanovic, a 19-year-old Serb ranked 130th in the world, became the first lucky loser to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells since 1990, advancing when Yoshihito Nishioka retired in the second set.

The kids are all right, indeed.

Andreescu won the first nine games against Muguruza. The 20th-seeded Spaniard called for her coach trailing 4-1 in the second set. He urged her to “change something.”

“I felt like every time I was trying something different she was coming up with better shots,” Muguruza said. “She was keeping her high level all the time.”

Andreescu broke Muguruza at love and then served out the match after a deuce game, hitting consecutive forehand winners.

“I just went out there, went for it. I didn’t focus on who was on the other side,” Andreescu said. “It really helped me, and I used my serve to my advantage. She didn’t serve so well today, so I took advantage of that, as well.”

Andreescu has been stretched to three sets just once, in the first round.

She then beat 32nd-seeded Dominika Cibulkova, Stefanie Voegele and No. 18 seed Wang Qiang before taking out Muguruza in her Indian Wells debut.

In the semifinals, the teenager will play sixth-seed Elina Svitolina, who beat Marketa Vondrousova, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Andreescu is the third wild card in tournament history to reach the semifinals. Serena Williams was the last in her return to the desert in 2015.

“It’s incredible what I’ve achieved the last couple months,” Andreescu said in an on-court interview. “I’m beyond grateful.”

She was runner-up at Auckland and made the semifinals in Mexico before coming to the desert.

“I just started playing these high-level events a year ago, and I think I’m gaining more and more experience after every match,” Andreescu said. “This year all the wins have definitely given me confidence.”

Born in Canada, Andreescu first took up tennis at age 7 in Romania, where her parents worked. The family moved back to Canada and by 11, she had joined the country’s national training program.

“I know she’s good, but 0 and 1, she destroyed her,” said Denis Shapovalov, who couldn’t keep Canada’s run going in a 7-6 (3), 2-6, 6-3 loss to Hubert Hurkacz.

“We grew up together. We started from the bottom together, so it’s amazing to see her doing so well.”

Kecmanovic is making history of his own.

He became the first lucky loser to reach the quarterfinals since the tournament achieved Masters 1000 status in 1990. The 27-year-old Serb got into the main draw when Kevin Anderson withdrew before his opening match with an elbow injury.

“It will be funny that somebody other than Novak is still in,” Kecmanovic said of top-ranked Djokovic, his famous countryman who was upset on Tuesday.

Nishioka retired after losing the first set 6-4, having first sought treatment on court.

BIANCA ANDREESCU is the third wild card in tournament history to reach the semifinals, while Miomir Kecmanovic is the first lucky loser to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells since 1990. AP

Sports BusinessMirror

C1

| Friday, March 15, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Kecmanovic got another dose of luck when he received a wild card for next week’s tournament in Miami.

“I’m going to get a ticket because this is just nice,” he said, joking about buying a lottery ticket.

Kecmanovic next plays 13th-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic, who beat Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-4, 6-3.

“It’s been a really positive time for Canadian tennis,” Raonic said, “and it’s been a real inspiration and joy for me to see the progress.”

Rafael Nadal defeated qualifier Filip Krajinovic, 6-3, 6-4, and remains on track for a potential semifinal against

WARRIORS END ROCKETS’ 9-GAME WINNING STREAK H

OUSTON—In his first season with the Golden State Warriors, DeMarcus Cousins hasn’t quite adjusted to the level of scrutiny and interest that comes with playing for the defending back-to-back National Basketball Association (NBA) champions.

And after his best game of the season on Wednesday night in a win over the Houston Rockets, Cousins likened the media frenzy surrounding the team to a soap opera his grandmother watched every day when he was a child.

“I’m sure y’all have heard of it—As the World Turns. She called it her stories. I used to watch it with her and every episode it was something,” he said. “That’s what this has turned into—‘As the World Turns.’”

So does Cousins, who scored a season-high 27 points to help end Houston’s nine-game winning streak with a 106-104 win, want to star in the basketball version of the show?

“No I don’t,” he said. “I play basketball. I don’t look for the drama or stories or anything like that. I just want to go play basketball.”

Some have wondered if Cousins is a good fit with this fast-paced team and there have been some growing pains as he’s been worked into the team after missing the first 47 games this season recovering from an Achilles’ tendon injury.

But on Wednesday, with Kevin Durant out with an ankle injury, Cousins shined. He added eight rebounds and a season-best seven assists as Houston searched, without success, for ways to stop him. There were times the Rockets switched on defense and left much smaller players attempting to guard the 6-foot-11, 270-pound player. But big or small, Cousins didn’t care who’s was on him.

“I don’t think anybody can stop me one-on-one period,” he said. “So you can put whoever you want on me honestly.”

Klay Thompson scored 30 points to allow the Warriors to bounce back after a loss to Phoenix on Sunday, and avoided being swept by Houston after the Rockets won the first three meetings this season.

Golden State, which had lost six of 10 overall, is 4 1/2 games ahead of Houston atop the Western Conference standings. The Rockets are tied with Oklahoma City for third place behind Denver.

After trailing by 14 in the fourth quarter, a threepoint play by Chris Paul got Houston within one with 10.8 seconds left. Stephen Curry made two free throws with eight seconds remaining to make it 106-103, and James Harden hit one of two from the line at the other

end with 6.4 seconds to go. The miss on the second one bounced high off the rim and was rebounded by Andre Iguodala, securing Golden State’s victory.

Harden was unhappy that they didn’t play good defense until late in the game.

“We locked in and we got stops and we knew who we were guarding,” he said.

“We knew who we wanted to score, [but] we should have been knowing that the entire game.”

Harden had 29 points and 10 assists for the Rockets, but shot just 2 of 12 on threepointers. Paul finished with 24 points.

“We just had too many mistakes,” Houston Coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Curry added 24 points for Golden State. Durant missed the game with a sprained right ankle.

The Warriors were up by 13 after a reverse layup by Cousins with about five-and-a-half minutes left before Houston used a 7-2 run, with a three-pointer from Eric Gordon, to get to 102-94.

Thompson added a basket for the Warriors before the Rockets used a 6-0 spurt to cut the lead to 104-100 with 47.7 seconds left.

Thompson made five threes to give him 203 this season. He joined Curry as the only players in NBA history to have seven straight seasons with 200 three-pointers.

Golden State had a seven-point lead to start the fourth and scored the first seven points of the period, highlighted by a three from Thompson, to push the lead to 92-78.

The Warriors were up by 12 in the first half but Houston cut it to 54-52 by halftime. A threepointer by Gordon gave the Rockets their first lead early in the third quarter and one by PJ Tucker seconds later made it 60-56.

The game was tied later in the quarter after a three-point play by Paul before the Warriors used a 9-2 surge to take a 76-69 lead with about five minutes left in the third. Curry had five points in that stretch.

Golden State was up by nine soon after that, before the Rockets got two three-pointers from Gerald Green to power an 8-2 run that cut the lead to 81-78 with two minutes left in the quarter.

But the Warriors scored the last four points of the period to extend the lead to 85-78 entering the fourth. AP

five-time champion Roger Federer in the bottom half of the draw. The top half was rocked by the upsets of Djokovic and No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev.

“The difference between players is not huge. It’s small gaps,” Nadal said about the upsets. “Is true that for the last 10 years didn’t happen very often.”

Seeking a record sixth title at Indian Wells, Federer beat Kyle Edmund, 6-1, 6-4, in 64 minutes in front of former greats Pete Sampras and Rod Laver.

“I was relieved I got through that one,” Federer said. “He’s got everything in the game. It’s just a matter of keeping improving, keep plugging away and then he will make big results again. He knows that.”

Federer will face Hurkacz for the first time in the quarterfinals.

Krajinovic hadn’t dropped a set in winning his first three main-draw matches after two wins in qualifying to get into the $8.3-million event. But he couldn’t overcome Nadal, who lost his serve just once in the 11/2-hour match in sunny and windy conditions.

“Probably played a little bit worse today than yesterday,” Nadal said.

“Maybe because of the conditions.”

Next up for Nadal is Karen Khachanov, who beat John Isner, 6-4, 7-6 (1).

Dominic Thiem defeated Ivo Karlovic, 6-4, 6-3, and will play the winner of the late fourth-round match between Philipp Kohlschreiber or Gael Monfils.

The upsets weren’t limited to the men’s draw. Naomi Osaka, the world’s top-ranked woman, also lost in straight sets a day earlier.

Japan to consider allowing North Korean athletes entry for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

T

NBA RESULTS Oklahoma City 108, Brooklyn 96 Washington 100, Orlando 90 Atlanta 132, Memphis 111 Miami 108, Detroit 74 Golden State 106, Houston 104 Utah 114, Phoenix 97 HOUSTON’S Austin Rivers is double-teamed by Golden State’s Quinn Cook (4) and Jordan Bell. AP

HE Japanese Government is set to carry out a review over whether to allow North Korean athletes entry to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as an exception to the country’s sanctions against the secretive state.

Japan’s Olympic Minister Yoshitaka Sakurada revealed the plan for a review during a lower house session.

“The Olympics and Paralympics is the world’s largest peace event, and it is desirable to have as many participants as possible,” he was reported as saying

by Kyodo News.

Sakurada said the move “requires the understanding of all quarters.”

He added that he will work with the relevant Ministries and agencies to carefully deal with the matter.

Japan has banned North Korean nationals from entering the country as part of sanctions owing to Pyongyang’s development of missiles and nuclear weapons.

A total of 17 Japanese citizens are officially recognized by the country’s government as having been abducted by agents of the North Korean Government during a period of six years from 1977 to 1983.

It is suspected that the actual number of victims is far higher, possibly numbering in the hundreds.

Relations between the two countries were further strained in 2017 when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un fired two ballistic missiles over Japanese territory as part of his country’s nuclear testing.

North Korean athletes are expected to participate at the Tokyo 2020 Games, while they are also set to join forces with South Korean competitors to form joint teams in three sports—women’s basketball, canoeing and rowing.

South Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan said in December that united teams could also be formed in table tennis, judo and “possibly other sports.”

Sakurada’s remarks today come after Tokyo 2020 organizers said yesterday it had given North Korea access to information on participation in next year’s Olympics and Paralympics.

The ID and password needed to access the private Internet network used by organizers and National Olympic Committees since 2016 to share information had been withheld from the Olympic Committee of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK NOC).

“The North Korean NOC had been unable to use the special web site due to technical problems, but we were able to resolve the problems,” Sakurada said.

Kyodo News reports that a negotiator for the DPRK NOC has said it had been asking for the ID and password since around September 2018.

The DPRK NOC claimed the incident is a “violation of the spirit of the Olympic Charter.”

It also said it was contemplating the possibility of lodging an official complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

In April, it was stated by Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission Chairman John Coates that the IOC would stay “politically neutral” toward North Korea’s involvement at the Games. Insidethegames

Spo

Business

C2 Friday, March 15, 2019

THE development of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for London 2012 is designed to improve the ecological integrity of the lower stretches of the Lea Valley.

Perpetual Help emerges overall juniors champ

U

NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta’s high-school team topped athletics at the Vermosa in Cavite on Thursday to crown itself overall juniors champion in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season.

The Junior Altas earned 50 points from athletics to hike its total to 365 points and deny the San Beda Red Cubs a six-peat feat in claiming their second general championship since winning the title 23 years ago.

The Las Piñas-based school also won indoor volleyball, beach volley and chess to complete its magical season.

“We congratulate the whole team and the whole of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta community is proud of the accomplishment,” NCAA and Perpetual Help President Anthony Tamayo said.

The Junior Altas struck big in the 200-m, 100m, 400-m, and 800-meter long jump in athletics.

San Beda was actually leading the overall race with 328.5 points against Perpetual Help’s 315 before the athletics competitions.

But the Red Cubs managed just 35 points and wound up with 363.5, just 1.5 points behind the champions.

The red Cubs, however, remained as the most successful high-school squad with 15 general championships.

Fighting Maroons draw with Tigers

D

EFENDING champion University of the Philippines (UP) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) shared the spoils in a rematch of last year’s finals, while Adamson University held Far Eastern University (FEU) to a draw on Thursday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 men’s football tournament.

The Fighting Maroons and Growling Tigers battled to a 1-1 draw at the FEU-Diliman pitch, while goalkeeper Carl Viray produced two key saves in stoppage time to help the Falcons preserve a 1-1 draw with the Tamaraws.

In the morning match, Ivan Ouano scored twice, as National University earned its first full points of the season with a 2-0 victory over University of the East.

Gio Pabualan netted his third goal of the season in the 61st minute to put FEU ahead, celebrating the strike after with a selfie with his two other teammates in the sidelines.

But it was short-lived, as the Falcons equalized courtesy of a Kim Bardaje’s header three minutes later.

The Tamaraws tried to deliver a late game magic, but Pabualan’s 89th minute strike was declared off-side.

The first team to wrap up its first round campaign, UST seized solo second with 10 points, two behind leader FEU, while the draw ended UP’s two-match losing skid and moved the Fighting Maroons up to seven points.

From a bad Tigers clearance, the Maroons opened scoring courtesy of Dane Saavedra in the 50th minute. Substitute Steven Anotado then tallied his fourth goal of the season off an AJ Pasion assist in the 54th minute to allow UST to level.

SPORTS CONTRIBUTES TO CONSERVATION I

NTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee (IOC) Director General Christophe de Kepper hailed the significance of a newly released guide by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which is designed to minimize the impact of new sports venues on nature and deliver conservation benefits.

The guide, called “Mitigating biodiversity impacts of new sports venues,” was released in partnership with the IOC at the United Nations Environment Assembly in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

The second in a series supported by the IOC, it confirms that poorly designed sports

venues that alter landscapes, disturb wildlife and increase pollution often have long-lasting impacts on the environment.

However, it finds that with careful screening and attention to the location and design, new facilities and temporary infrastructures built for sporting events can either avoid or minimize impacts on nature and, in some cases, contribute to conservation.

“We are proud to have partnered with IUCN to help the sports sector contribute to the conservation of the natural world, on which it so strongly depends,” De Kepper said.

“This guide is the first of its kind to provide detailed advice on how to consider

nature in all stages of the development of sports venues.

“It will help all those involved in venue development understand the potential impacts they can have on nature, and ensure that sporting events leave a lasting, positive legacy for local people and environment.”

IUCN Director General Inger Andersen, the incoming executive director of UN Environment, added: “A healthy environment is essential for the long-term viability of the sporting industry, as well as for the athletes and communities who invest in it.

“It is in everyone’s interest to ensure new sports facilities minimize their impacts on

biodiversity and safeguard healthy outdoor areas for future generations.”

The guide highlights several case studies, one of which focuses on the planning phase for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Park.

During the process, a colony of the threatened green and golden bell frogs was discovered within the proposed location of the Olympic tennis venue.

The venue was, therefore, moved elsewhere within the Olympic Park, where there were no ecological constraints.

By the start of Sydney 2000, more than A$1 million ($707,000) had been spent to protect the frogs, including the construction of

a suitable habitat for the species.

Another case study focused on the development of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for London 2012, which was designed to support the regeneration of a key part of the east of the host city, while improving the ecological integrity of the lower stretches of the Lea Valley.

As part of the biodiversity action plan of the project, innovative solutions were developed to create natural habitats for bird and bat species on bridges within the Park.

While the guide is aimed at the sports industry, it is also considered beneficial for a range of stakeholders involved in the construction and decommissioning of venues.

It urges decision-makers to integrate biodiversity considerations into every stage of development and to manage impacts using preventative measures, and where necessary, corrective action.

The IUCN guide was produced as part of a collaborative agreement between IUCN and the IOC. In addition to producing a series of guides, IUCN has provided input on the candidature process for the Olympic Games 2024, 2026 and 2028, and supported other tasks related to the IOC’s sustainability strategy. Insidethegames

Baby Cobras, Baby Jaguars triumph in Cebu hoops

T

HE Visayas remains a force to reckon with in the National Basketball Training Center League National Finals even without longtime contenders University of the Visayas (UV) and Sacred Heart School (SHS)-Ateneo de Cebu.

Emergent power Southwestern University (SWU) took UV’s place as champion in this year’s NBTC Cebu after beating fellow upstart University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

The Baby Cobras and Baby Jaguars booked their place in this year’s national championship for high school.

Chinese swimmer Sun’s doping case heads to court

CHINA’S gold-medal winner Sun Yang waves during the medal ceremony for the men’s 200-meter freestyle at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. AP

L

This will be the first time in recent history that neither UV nor SHS-Ateneo will be in the 32-team tournament. The Baby Green Lancers failed to make it out of the elimination round while the Magis Eagles bowed out in the semifinals in Cebu.

Still, SWU and USJ-R are no slouches as the former’s breakthrough was fronted by heady lefty Kent Sanchez and speedster Kendall Limana while the latter’s strong showing was fronted by do-it-all Elmer Echavez.

The Baby Cobras and Baby Jaguars are hoping to follow in the footsteps of SHS-

AUSANNE, Switzerland—A doping case involving Chinese swimmer Sun Yang is going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and could lead to a ban from competition, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has appealed against a decision by swimming’s governing body to only give the three-time Olympic champion a warning in a case involving the destruction of a doping control sample, the court said on Wednesday.

British newspaper the Sunday Times reported incidents involving Sun when a doping control official visited his home in China last September. A vial of Sun’s blood was reportedly smashed with a hammer, and his entourage disputed the official’s credentials.

CAS said it has not set a date for the hearing. It is unclear if the appeal case can be resolved before the swimming world championships in July in Gwangju, South Korea.

Citing the confidential legal process, Wada declined to say if it will seek a fast-track hearing. Sun’s legal team would also have to agree to speed up the process at CAS, which typically takes months to prepare cases.

The 27-year-old Sun served a three-month ban in 2014 for testing positive for a substance then classed as a stimulant. That case was conducted in relative secrecy in China.

Sun would face a more severe sanction for a second violation of doping rules.

The freestyle swimmer won gold at each of the past two Olympics, in the 400 and 1,500 meters at the 2012 London Games and in the 200 at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

In Rio, Australia’s Mack Horton called Sun a “drug cheat” before taking his rival’s 400 title, leaving the defending champion with silver. Horton ignored Sun’s attempt to congratulate him in the pool.

Sun also won multiple individual gold medals at each of the past four world championships, which were unaffected by his previous ban.

Fina, the governing body of swimming, said on Wednesday it “welcomes CAS’s scrutiny.”

“All of Fina’s disciplinary decisions, however, form part of a very robust anti-doping program that has proven highly effective in ensuring clean competition at the World Championships and Olympic Games,” the Lausanne-based organization said. AP

Ateneo which became the first non-Luzon NBTC champion in 2015.

They will be joined as the Visayas representatives by Iloilo’s Sta. Clarita International School, Bacolod’s STI-West Negros University, Dumaguete City’s St. Louis School of Don Bosco and Eastern Samar’s Dolores National High School in the weeklong showcase of the most promising young talent in the country.

The Visayas qualifiers will unfurl with 26 other teams in the annual NBTC League Nationals from March 18 to 24 at the MOA Arena.

THE Southwestern University Cobras strike a championship pose.

DAHLKE CONTINUES TO SHINE FOR PLDT

K

ENDRA DAHLKE sparkled anew and delivered the clutch hits that towed PLDT Home Fibr past struggling Foton, 25-16, 27-25, 22-25, 26-24, in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

After erupting for 30 points in their last game, Dahlke remained hot as she scored five points in the 6-2 blast that brought the Power Hitters to match point, 24-20, in the fourth set of this prestigious women’s club league broadcasted by ESPN5 and 5Plus.

Foton imports Milagros Collar and Courtney Felinski tried to keep their heads afloat with back-to-back hits, 24-24, but Dahlke converted a beautiful drop shot to seal the victory in this tourney that also has Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project as technical sponsors.

Grace Lazard led the way with 25 points off 16 kills, six aces, three blocks with 11 digs, while Dahlke chipped in 18 hits. Sasa Devanadera and Aiko Urdas also delivered significant numbers, adding 12 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Power Hitters, who climbed to No. 4 with a 5-4 win-loss slate.

But PLDT Coach Roger Gorayeb was far from satisfied, especially in the fourth set when the Tornadoes gave them a serious scare.

“We were leading by four, 24-20, but the service error of Grace allowed them to come back,” said Gorayeb, heaving a sigh of relief after his wards restored order.

“I’m glad they were able to recover. It’s good that they displayed composure and showed that they can recover from an ugly loss in the third set,” he added.

Collar, who replaced Turkish Selime Ilyasoglu over the weekend, had 24 points, while Felinski added 16 hits and 11 excellent receptions for Foton, which suffered their eight straight loss after opening the season with a victory.

PLDT Home Fibr’s Kendra Dahlke spikes over Foton’s Courntey Felinski.

orts

sMirror

Friday, March 15, 2019 C3

THAI DOMINATES T HIGH-NOON DUEL

HANUTRA BOONRAKSASAT pulled through in a high-noon duel of wits with Princess Superal, wresting control late, then surviving a wobbly finish to hack out a one-stroke victory in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Manila Southwoods Ladies Championship at the Legends course in Carmona, Cavite, on Thursday.

Boonraksasat hit a clutch birdie on No. 13 to take charge and went 2-up on Superal’s bogey on the next, then held on to victory despite a bogey-bogey finish for a 69 as the Filipina shotmaker also holed out with a bogey for a 71.

The Thai finished with a 13-under 203 total worth P350,000, joining the growing list of winners from the country’s perennial regional rivals, who have dominated the Ladies Philippine Golf Circuit with six victories out of 11 tournaments last year.

“I don’t know what to say. I have mixed emotions at this point, but I’m definitely feeling good,” said Boonraksasat, whose thrilling victory likewise snapped a five-year title spell for the 28-year-old Bangkok native.

She dumped her approach shot into the left bunker on par-4 No. 18 and ended with a five, but Superal also found the rightside trap off a 9-iron approach shot and missed a 16-footer for a crack at a playoff.

“I was left with 111 yards, but the ball was in a tough lie. It’s just too bad that breaks didn’t go my way in the end,” said Superal.

It was a sorry setback for Superal, who had led in the first two rounds, including a solid 64 in the first day. She held on two a one-stroke by matching Boonraksasat’s 34 start but flubbed a couple of birdie putts at the back, enabling the Thai to storm ahead with birdies on Nos. 10 and 13.

Superal wound up with a 204, which

Chihiro Ikeda matched on a sizzling 66. Four down off Boonraksasat after 36 holes, the Fil-Japanese moved within two with three straight birdies form 13 but missed her chances in the last three and settled for joint second. Each received P155,000.

Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, the last Thai to win at Pradera Verde last December, shot a second 69 to end up fourth at 205 with compatriot Chonalda Chayanun playing fifth at 206 after a 71.

Punpaka Phuntumabamrung fired a 70 to share sixth place with Tiranan Yoopan, who rallied with a 69, 210 while former Champion Tour winner Lee Jeong Hwa of Korea shot a 70 for joint eighth with Daniella Uy, who rebounded with a 69, at 211.

Pauline del Rosario matched par 72 and tied for 10th with Narisara Kerdrit, who fumbled with a 73, at 212 in the sixth leg of the Ladies Professional Golf Tour 2018-29 circuit.

Roberto, Lorenzo lead Southwoods tilt winners

L

ORA ROBERTO and Isa Lorenzo walked away with the overall gross team title after combining for 110 points, while Orville Cabungcal and Rod Sanchez assembled 132 to walk away with the overall net team crown in the 2019 Invitational of the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club recently.

The pairs of Rusty Bayani-Jojo Mercado (Division 1), Ian Tambunting-Raymund Lacdao (Division 2), Pelagio Laplap-Ben Molino (Division 3), Willie Maldia-Dante Maldia (Division 4), Manolo Agojo-Neri Ignacio (Division 5) and Shin

Suzuki-Yazuhito Yazawa (sponsors and guests) were the division winners.

Runners up were Serafina Kim-Rita Horan, Robert Banatin-John Elepano, Gil DomingoRicardo Antonio, Ed Leonardo-John Leonardo, Osler Padua-Jose Alvarez and Tony Lin-Mike Shih in the event sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors PH/Alpine Motors Corp. Mit Air, The Turf Co. and Agrexplore.

Also winning big in the four-day tour nament,supported by Crystalite Distribution Group (Monster Energy Drink), MRT Dev. Co.,

were Arnold Serano, who brought home a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 and Lanfen Hsieh, who received a seven-night cruise from Royal Caribbean and Baron Travel.

Boeing Materials Handling Corp., CJH Golf Club, CLTPSJ Law Office, Club Leisure, Coffee Stains, Forest Hills, G&W, GG&A, Golden Oats, Golforce, Greens N Turf, Le Chef, Megaworld Global Estate, Metro Countrywide, PBR Law Offices, Product Providers, RCNA, Solid Global Ventures, Southwoods Manor, Warbird and the Manor and Forest Lodge at CJH were the event backers.

THANUTRA BOONRAKSASAT celebrates her victory with her fellow Thais.

E-PAINTERS TAKE ON BOLTS R

AIN or Shine tries to close out the elimination round on a winning note when it takes on Meralco in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Elasto Painters slid to their second consecutive loss but still owned the league’s second-best 7-3 won-lost record behind the Phoenix Fuel Masters (8-2).

They need a strong finish if they wish to solidify their bid for one of the two twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Blocking their way are the Bolts, who are fighting for survival with a 3-5 card that is only good for a tie in the bottom half of the standings with the NLEX Road Warriors.

Game time is 7 p.m.

TNT (5-3) targets to sneak its fourth straight

win against Alaska at (3-4) in the first game at 4:30 p.m.

Rain or Shine absorbed another loss to Columbian, 82-85, last week. It was Columbian’s fourth consecutive win over the Elasto Painters since the All-Filipino conference last season.

Mark Borboran topscored for Rain or Shine with 21 points that went with four rebounds and two steals. James Yap added 12 points, while Javee Mocon also had 12 points and was a rebound shy of a double-double.

Meralco, on the other hand, escaped past NorthPort in a thrilling and exhausting 126-123 double-overtime victory last week.

Baser Amer unloaded 23 points, including 11 in the extra periods, to tow the Bolts.

Head Coach Norman

Black said the nail-biting game is a normal scene for teams vying for a spot in the playoffs.

“That’s a hard-fought game between two teams fighting to stay in the running for the playoffs, especially us. I’m happy we never gave up,” Black said.

Meralco needs to sweep its last three assignments for a safe passage to the quarterfinals.

Currently at third place is San Miguel (63), followed by TNT (5-3), Barangay Ginebra (4-3), Magnolia (3-4), Alaska (3-4) and Columbian Dyip (4-6).

Only the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs.

Ramon Rafael Bonilla

MERCECDESTROPHY WINNERS Class A champion Marco Mendoza (fourth from right) holds his trophy as he poses

with the other winners and officials of the 14th MercedesTrophy Golf Invitational at Sta. Elena Golf Club recently. With him are (from left) tournament director Marvin Caparros, Auto Nation Group Chairman Gregorio Yu, Aimee Lee (ladies division champion), Laurence Tan (Class A runner-up), Emmanuel Lopez (Class B runner-up), Simon Heo (Class B champion), Francis Wee (Class C champion), George Barcelon (Class C runner-up) and Auto Nation Group President Felix Ang.

Velez, Novis seek third straight tennis crowns in Davao tourney

M

ULTI-TITLED John David Velez resumes his age-group campaign at home, upbeat of pulling of another two-title sweep as Ma. Angelica Novis tries to make it three-in-row in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) Mac’s Crankit Foundation (MCF) Global National tennis tournament, which got under way at the GSIS Tennis Club in Davao City on Thursday.

Velez dominated the Actifit Open in Valenzuela City in January then took a break from the PPS-PEPP to hone up by competing in other tournaments, making the Davaoeño star the player to beat in the Group 1 tournament serving as part of the Davao’s 82nd anniversary celebrations.

The five-day event, featuring the leading and upcoming junior players from the host city and nearby cities and provinces, is also held in partnership with the MCF, a nonprofit organization from Australia whose aim is to help change lives and empower underprivileged communities through sports.

“The MCF has backed the PPS-PEPP circuit the last few years, conducting clinics and holding

Wang’s pull off D-League upset

W

ANG’S Basketball caught a big fish in Marinerong Pilipino as it scored the 88-78 win in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Arvin Tolentino poured 32 points on a 3-of-7 shooting from distance, alongside 12 rebounds and four blocks to help the Couriers rise to 2-1 in the Foundation Group.

However, the troika of Gelo Vito, Darius Estrella and Radge Tongco struck for Wangs in halting Marinerong Pilipino’s two-game win run with a tough defensive job in the fourth quarter.

Locking down on defense, the Couriers forced the Skippers to miss their first eight shots as they staged a 13-0 tear to swing the game from a 58-57 edge to a commanding 71-57 margin with 6:31 left.

Not even Felix Apreku and Jed Mendoza’s heroics could stop Wang’s as Tolentino punctuated the win with a tough and-one over Art Aquino to make it a 10-point affair anew, 80-70, with 2:32 to go.

Vito wound up with 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists off the bench, Estrella chipped in 10 points and five boards, and Tongco had 11 points and three assists in the win for the Couriers.

Orlan Wamar topped the Skippers with 25 points on a 5-of-9 shooting from distance as Apreku registered a double-double of 14 points, 16 rebounds and two assists.

The defeat sent Marinero to a even 2-2 won-lost record.

More venues up for BEST Center summer clinics

T

teachers/coaches conferences in various regions in its continuing effort to help boost Phl tennis and help produce future champions,” Palawan Pawnshop President and CEO Bobby Castro said.

Novis, meanwhile, sets out for another sweep of the girls’ 16- and 18-under crowns following her romps in Digos and Tagum, the last two weeks of the Mindanao swing of the circuit sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. But the Malita ace faces stiff challenge from the likes of siblings Juliana and Coleen Carvajal, Zkyla Cervantes and Theresa Nacito with Juliana Carvajal leading the title chase in the 14-under class along with Jemarie Manggarai, Khirylle Saldivar and Chelsea Bernaldez, who, on the other hand, gains the top seeding in the 12-under play.

Out to foil Velez’s bid are Bruce Hurtado, Ryan Alga and Khobe Dumlao in the boys’ premier 18-under division and Andrei Lago from Sogod Leyte and Nikhel Nowlakha from Iloilo in the 16-under play of the tournament presented by Dunlop.

Pacquiao co-promotes with SG group

E NLEX’S Cyrus Baguio challenges Alaska’s Davon Potts and Simon Enciso during their game on Wednesday night. The Road Warriors won, 91-70.

HE Basketball Efficiency Scientific Tranining (BEST) Center has added another venue to its basketball and volleyball clinics this summer.

Besides the Ateneo college covered courts, Starmall-Alabang and Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary, a new center will be opened at the International Goodwill 3 Subdivision in San Antonio, Parañaque.

Students in Preparatory Level and Level 1 of

basketball are welcome to enroll at the Goodwill 3 clinics set at the multipurpose hall from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. starting on April 1.

Monday and Thursday basketball clinics from April 8 to May 2 are set the Ateneo college covered courts for students in Preparatory Level, Level 1, Level 2 (9-11 years old) and Level 5 for morning classes from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

Clinics Levels 1, 2 (12 years old and above), 3, 4

and 6 will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

International Christian Academy will also host Levels 1-2 students at 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. from April 1 to 29.

Volleyball sessions at ICA are set from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for Levels 1 and 2.

Starmall-Alabang will also host volleyball clinics from April 1 to 29 at 1:30 4:30 p.m. in Levels 1 and 2.

IGHT-DIVISION world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao steps up his game as a promoter with his first co-promoted venture with Ringstar Asia of Singapore.

The first co-promoted fight is set to take place at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on March 23.

This was first reported on Forbes magazine, which said, “In addition to co-promoting his own fights, Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, in partnership with Ringstar Asia, is now set to present its first full boxing card in the Philippines in March 2019.

There are nine bouts with two title eliminators.”

In a video shared by Ringstar, Pacquiao was also quoted, addressing Ringstar Asia Founder and CEO Scott Farrell, “I love your vision with Ringstar Asia.

We are looking forward to working with you to build the next world champions in boxing.”

The fight will be headlined by International

Boxing Organization world champion Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmariñas, who is under Singapore-based Ringstar’s banner, and is set to face Kenny Demecillo in an International Boxing Federation world title eliminator.

Initially set in Singapore, Dasmariñas’s fight was reset at an earlier date in Manila and has been launched as the headliner in the initial salvo of Ringstar and Pacquiao.

“I saw this as a great opportunity to launch the partnership between Ringstar and Manny Pacquiao Promotions,” Ringstar Founder and CEO Scott Farrell said. “Who wouldn’t take the chance to launch a partnership with the one and only eight-division world champion, and senator, Manny Pacquiao? I would have moved my event to an even earlier date, or to Mars if I had to. The man is a fighting legend and highly respected all over the world, and across all sports.”

COURSE MATTERS P

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press

ONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida—Justin Thomas has played the 15th hole at The Players Championship (TPC) some 20 times, but never this early in the year. That’s why he turned to his caddie for some last-minute advice during a practice round.

“We don’t have to worry about going through the fairway, right?” he asked Jimmy Johnson.

The field is as strong as ever, with everyone from the top 50 in the world ranking in the 144-man field. The prize money is richer than ever at $12.5 million, with $2.25 million going to the winner. And it would seem to be the same Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass that has hosted the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour’s signature event since 1982.

But it’s not.

A move to March changes everything.

The Players Championship has gone green, with rye overseed making it lush, green and longer than when it was held in May on Bermuda grass that could be fast and fiery. The prevailing wind can come out of an entirely different direction, which can make that island green on the par-three 17th look a little smaller.

“I’ve been between 6-iron and 5-iron on 17 to hit the shot,” Tiger Woods said. “Not too many people can say that unless they’ve played in March.”

What hasn’t changed is handicapping the field.

The TPC Sawgrass was renowned in any month for not favoring any one style of golf. It has produced champions like Woods and Greg Norman, or Fred Funk and Hal Sutton when it was held in March. Moved to May, the winners have similarly varied games, whether it was Phil Mickelson and Jason Day, or Tim Clark and KJ Choi.

Woods is the only player to win in March and May. He has done a lot of things no one else has.

It all starts to unfold on Thursday, with only 23 players having experienced the March conditions before the move to May in 2007. Woods and Adam Scott are the only players at Sawgrass who have won The Players when it was in March.

“I think we’re in for a good challenge this week,” Scott said. “It’s not brutally difficult, but if the wind blows, it’s going to play tough.”

Heavy rain earlier in the week made the fairways even softer and speckled some golf balls with mud— something else rarely seen in May—but Scott noticed the difference immediately.

“I hit a 5-iron into the first hole,” he said. “I have hit anything but a 9-iron or a wedge in there for 12 years.

| Friday, March 15, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

The field is as strong as ever, with everyone from the top 50 in the world ranking in the 144-man field. The prize money is richer than ever at $12.5 million, with $2.25 million going to the winner.

And it would seem to be the same Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass that has hosted the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour’s signature event since 1982.

TIGER WOODS talks with Matt Killen, the putting coach of Justin Thomas, during a practice round of The Players Championship on Wednesday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. AP

Nearly $2B in New Jersey sport bets in 9 months

A

Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo (center) jokes with Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton (left) and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel during the drivers press conference ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday. AP

STENSON’S PLAYERS WIN ENDS WITH WRONG KIND OF SURPRISE

P

C4

A lot of other holes are like that, too. So if it does firm up a little bit, even if you’re hitting 7-iron into the first, I think it’s going to require some really good driving and some really good irons. I think it’s a great test.”

Dustin Johnson is among those who look forward to the move to March, even though he has only played this event in May. He hasn’t played it every well, not by his standards or anyone else who has reached No. 1 in the world and has 20 victories for his career.

Johnson, coming off a five-shot victory in Mexico City three weeks ago, has never finished higher than a tie for 12th in his 10 starts. He has only five rounds in the 60s.

“Just judging the distance, balls going miles and would never stop in the fairways,” Johnson said. “I feel like good shots weren’t always rewarded with the way the course was playing. But yeah, I struggled. It was frustrating, too.”

Woods, who played nine holes on Tuesday and nine holes on Wednesday, had one of those moments that Scott described. During his practice round on Tuesday, he hit a 3-wood bullet off the tee, just like always. But instead of hitting 9-iron, he went with a 3-iron.

One thing hasn’t changed as far as Woods is concerned.

“It’s a very simple formula here: Hit it good,” Woods said. “It’s not real complicated. The golf course is one that Pete [Dye] has set up to intimidate you visually. You have to overcome that part of it. And no, you can’t really play poorly and win this event. I think we all have to accept that you’re going to hit good shots, and going to get some weird hopes, and get some really, really funky lies whether it’s off the fairway or around the greens.”

No one played better last year than Webb Simpson, who built such a big lead in tying the 54-hole record that he shot a 73 in the final round—the highest on Sunday score by a PGA Tour winner last year—and still won by four shots.

Now he defends his title on what feels like a new course, which might be the one comparison with a major this week.

“I kind of had to relearn the golf course the last few days,” Simpson said. “Based on our past events here in May, just making sure I’m clear on what we’re doing off the tees.... I’m trying to treat it like a new golf course since it is a lot different.”

F1 UP DOWN UNDER

ONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida—Henrik Stenson won The Players Championship (TPC) 10 years ago, at the time the biggest victory of his career.

Equally memorable was the trip home to Orlando.

“A speeding ticket,” Stenson said.

Stenson shot a bogey-free 66 in the final round to make up a five-shot deficit and win by four shots. What followed was the trophy presentation, interviews with the media and then two-and-a-half-hour drive home. Apparently, he was trying to get there even quicker.

He was in his own car, not a courtesy car with TPC logo on the door. But that’s not what drew the attention of the law.

“I think 90 [miles per hour] on I-95 is enough to get attention,” Stenson said. “It was a rather quick car.”

The officer asked him where he was coming from and went back-and-forth to the patrol car before returning.

Turns out the officer had a brother who was watching the final round.

Good news for Stenson? Not quite.

“He came back finally after like five, 10 minutes and he says, ‘Well, I spoke to my brother. He watched the golf. But I’ve been handing out some other tickets, so I’ve got to hand

Sports BusinessMirror

one out to you,’” Stenson said. “And I thought, ‘I can live with that.’ That Sunday made up for a speeding ticket.”

Stenson didn’t reveal how much the ticket cost him. His payoff that Sunday was $1.71 million.

Sergio Garcia, meanwhile, celebrated his greatest moment at The Players Championship on the 17th green with a wedge to 4 feet that sealed his playoff victory in 2008. He took part in another big moment with a couple he only recently met.

Garcia met Ricardo Fonseca and his girlfriend, Emma Baxley, during a practice round on Wednesday. He invited Baxley inside the ropes, which gave Fonseca time to grab flowers and meet them as they walked off the green.

It was clear what was going on, and Garcia gave her a hug before Fonseca handed her the flowers, dropped to his knee and showed her the engagement ring.

After slipping it on her finger, the standard bearer showed a sign with the words, “She said yes.”

Jack Nicklaus, the only three-time winner of TPC, visited the TPC Sawgrass with a lot of friends in yellow shirts. He is helping to lead the “Play Yellow for Children’s Hospitals” campaign with the Children’s Miracle Network, which wants to raise $100 million in five years for

“More than 10 million children visit Children’s Miracle Network hospitals each year, and every year with ‘Play Yellow,’ together we can help save and improve the lives of so many more children,” Nicklaus said.

The PGA Tour, The Players Championship and the Memorial are part of the program, along with equipment companies and other corporate partners, who through their own charitable proceeds or involving customers are pledging to help reach the fund’s goal.

Behind the yellow is the shirt Nicklaus used to wear.

Craig Smith was the son of the minister of Jack and Barbara Nicklaus in Columbus, Ohio, who was diagnosed at age 11 of Ewing’s sarcoma. Nicklaus called him and they began a relationship. The boy once told Nicklaus he won a tournament because Craig was wearing his lucky yellow shirt. That’s when Nicklaus began wearing yellow on Sunday.

He died in 1971. AP

INTENSE! Liverpool defender Trent

Alexander-Arnold (left) jumps for the ball with Bayern midfielder Franck Ribery during their Champions League round of 16 second leg match at the Allianz Arena, in Munich, Germany, on Wednesday. AP

TLANTIC CITY, New Jersey—Nearly $2 billion has been wagered on sporting events in New Jersey in the nine months since such betting became legal last year.

New Jersey gamblers plunked down more than $320 million on sporting events in February, led by action on the day of the February 3 Super Bowl and the two days preceding it.

And regulators and gambling industry officials predict the college basketball championship tournament this month will surpass Super Bowl betting in terms of volume.

“FanDuel Sportsbook’s first Super Bowl vastly exceeded our expectations and, despite the people’s choice New England Patriots winning, [we] still saw record online revenues in the month,” said the company, which operates at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, just outside New York City. “We’re looking forward to the inaugural March Madness with legal sports betting in New Jersey.”

Online and mobile sports betting revenue accounted for four times the amount of money wagers in person at casinos or racetracks.

The extra money helped Atlantic City’s casinos to an increase of nearly 26 percent in gambling revenue in February compared to a year earlier. The casinos kept $12.7 million of bets on completed sporting events after winnings bets and other expenses were paid.

Atlantic City’s nine casinos won $241 million in total from gamblers in February.

And nearly $750,000 was wagered on the Oscars, with the sports books keeping nearly a quarter of it.

“It’s clear [that] the new gaming options and other amenities are continuing to grow the Atlantic City market,” said James Plousis, chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.

Resorts Casino posted the largest percentage increase in gambling revenue in February compared with a year ago, up 24.5 percent to $14.8 million.

Caesars was up 10.7

percent to $19.4 million, and the Golden Nugget was up 5.8 percent to $26.5 million. The Golden Nugget, which has seen its revenue and market share increase in recent years, slipped to third place in the Atlantic City market in February, just behind the Tropicana and well behind perennial market leader Borgata. AP

God of power and might

D

EAR God, You are the source of our hope. In confidence we pray: Hear our prayer, oh God. You crown us with love; make Your Church a place of welcome for all people, You heal our ills; restore health for those who have had surgery, those whose pains in their body are unbearable, those whose love is unreciprocated and those who are in the state of depression. You redeem our life; comfort those who grieve the death of a loved one. May Almighty God forgive us our sin, show us mercy and grant us salvation.

Amen.

GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

THE last few hours of the life of Jesus are told in harrowing detail in Mel Gibson’s controversial blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, which has become Lenten viewing fare since it premiered in cinemas in 2004.

Life BusinessMirror

SOMETHING LIKE LIFE: GOING GREEN IN EL NIDO D3

Friday, March 15, 2019

D1

Contemplating Christ and cinema

What drives the appeal of ‘Passion of the Christ’ and other films on the life of Jesus

By S. BReNT RoDRIGUeZ-PlaTe Hamilton College

C

HURCH isn’t the only place people go to learn about Jesus.

At the beginning of Lent, 15 years ago, devout evangelical Christians did not go to church to have ashes marked on their foreheads.

Rather, they thronged to theaters to watch a decidedly Catholic film to begin the Lenten season.

That film was Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, which would go on to gross over $600 million globally.

It brought to screen a vivid portrayal of the last few hours of the life of Jesus, and even today, many can readily recall the brutality of those depictions. The film also stirred up a number of cultural clashes, and raised questions about Christian anti-Semitism and what seemed to be a glorification of violence.

This wasn’t the only film to bring Jesus to cinema in such a powerful way. There have, in fact, been hundreds of films about Jesus produced around the world for over 100 years. These films have prompted devotion and missionary outreach, just as they have challenged viewers’ assumptions of who the figure of Jesus really was.

FROM STILL IMAGES TO MOVING IMAGES FOR the last two decades, I have researched the portrayal of religious figures on screen. I have also looked at the ways in which audiences make their own spiritual meanings through the images of film.

Images of Jesus, or the Virgin Mary, have long been part of the Christian tradition. From amulets to icons, paintings to sculptures, Christianity incorporates a rich visual history, so perhaps it is not surprising that cinema has become a vital medium to display the life

of Jesus. Inventors of cinematic technologies, such as Thomas Edison and the Lumière brothers, were among the first to bring Jesus life to the big screen at the end of the 19th century.

Hollywood continued to cash in on Christian audiences all through the 20th century.

In 1912, Sidney Olcott’s From the Manger to the Cross became the first feature length film to offer a full account of the life of Christ.

Fifteen years later, crowds flocked to see Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings, demonstrating the power of a big budget and a well-known director. Writing about DeMille’s film some years later, film historian Charles Musser commented how the film evoked “Christ’s charisma” through “a mesmerizing repertoire of special effects, lighting and editing.”

In Hollywood’s portrayal, Jesus was a white, European man. In Nicholas Ray’s 1961 film, King of Kings, Jeffrey Hunter made a deep impression on his audience in the role of Jesus with his piercing blue eyes. Four years later, George Stevens’s The Greatest Story Ever Told, cast the white Swedish actor Max von Sydow in the lead role.

In all these films, evidence of Jesus Jewish identity was toned down. Social or political messages found in the gospels—such as the political charge of a “kingdom of God”—were smoothed over. Jesus was portrayed as a spiritual savior figure while avoiding many of the sociopolitical controversies.

This was, as Biblical studies scholar Adele Reinhartz put it, not Jesus of Nazareth, but the creation of a “Jesus of Hollywood.”

GLOBAL MORAL INSTRUCTION MANY of these films were useful for Christian missionary work.

An advertisement for Olcott’s film, for example, stated how it was “destined to be more far-reaching than the Bible in telling the story of the Savior.”

Indeed, as media scholars Terry Lindvall and Andrew Quicke have noted, many Christian leaders throughout the 20th century utilized the power of film for moral instruction and conversion.

A 1979 film, known as the Jesus film, went on to become the most watched film in history. The film was a relatively straightforward depiction of the life of Jesus, taken mainly from the gospel of Luke.

The film was translated into 1,500 languages and shown in cities and remote villages around the world.

THE GLOBAL JESUS BUT, as majority Christian population shifted from Europe and North America to Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and South Asia, so did portrayals of Jesus: they came to reflect local cultures and ethnicities.

In the 2006 South African film Son of Man, for example, Jesus, his mother and disciples are all black, and the setting is a contemporary, though fictionalized, South Africa. The film employed traditional art forms of dance and music that retold the Jesus story in ways that would appeal to a South African audience. It was the same with a Telugu film, Karunamayudu (Ocean of Mercy), released in 1978. The style resembles a long tradition of Hindu devotional and mythological films, and Jesus could easily be seen as part of the pantheon of Hindu deities.

For the past four decades in southern India and beyond, villagers have gathered in front of makeshift outdoor theaters to watch this film. With over 100 million viewers, it has become a tool for Christian evangelism. Other films have responded to and

reflected local conditions in Latin America. The Cuban film The Last Supper, from 1976, offered a vision of a Jesus that is on the side of the enslaved and oppressed, mirroring Latin American movements in Liberation Theology. Growing out of the Cold War, and led by radical Latin American priests, Liberation Theology worked in local communities to promote socioeconomic justice.

Meanwhile, the appeal of some of these films can also be gauged from how they continue to be watched year after year. The 1986 Mexican film, La vida de nuestro señor Jesucristo, for example, is broadcast on the Spanish-language television station Univision during Easter week every year.

THE POWER OF FILM THROUGHOUT history, Jesus has taken on the appearance and behavior of one cultural group after another, some claiming him as their own, others rejecting certain versions of him.

As the scholar of religion Richard Wightman Fox puts it in his book Jesus in America: Personal Savior, Cultural Hero, National Obsession: “His incarnation guaranteed that each later culture would grasp him anew for each would have a different view of what it means to be human.”

Cinema allows people in new places and times to grasp Jesus “anew,” and create what I have called a “georeligious aesthetic.” Films, especially those about Jesus, in their movement across the globe, can alter the religious practices and beliefs of people they come into contact with.

While the church and the Bible provide particular versions of Jesus, films provide even more—new images that can prompt controversy, but also devotion. AP

D2

Friday, March 15, 2019

Society BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

z

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kellan Lutz, 34; will.i.am, 44; Eva Longoria, 44; Bret Michaels, 56.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: A change is overdue. Look at your lifestyle, your dreams and what’s possible to find a way to make improvements that will encourage better relationships with those you love, as well as with those you work alongside. Teamwork will pay off, and giveand-take will lead to greater equality with those who count. Channel your energy wisely. Your lucky numbers are 7, 18, 24, 28, 31, 37, 48.

a PASAY City Mayor Antonino Calixto, Meat Concepts Corp. President George Pua and Cong. Imelda Calixto- PUA and SM Supermalls Chief Operating Officer Steven Tan Rubiano

Cebu’s best by the bay T HE latest mouthwatering addition to the dazzling bay area along Seaside Avenue in the Mall of Asia Complex brought together not a few notable personalities, all turning out not just to mark the occasion but also to partake of the scrumptious bounty.

Rico’s Lechon (www.ricoslechon.com) has brought Cebu’s best lechon right in the heart of Manila, opens its fifth store at the South Wing of the sprawling commercial complex in Pasay City.

What’s more satisfying than biting into the Queen City’s iconic spicy lechon as you soak up the famous Manila Bay sunset? Guests at the opening were, not surprisingly, hard pressed to cite instances off the top of their heads.

Being the first Filipino brand in the roster of international restaurant brands operated by Meat Concepts Corp., headed by George Pua, Rico’s Lechon’s Manila debut, as well as the arrival of its famed cooks and roasting team from Cebu, was met with lipsmacking fanfare. n

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Make adjustments to avoid causing a problem.

Keeping the peace will help you steer clear of emotional backlash that can disrupt your home and family. Focus on personal improvements, not trying to change someone else. Keep your life simple. HH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Consistency and continuity will make a difference to the way your day unfolds. Refuse to let little things get to you or let someone’s pushiness cause you to unravel. Surround yourself with people who put you at ease and support your actions. HHHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Concentrate on finishing what you start. Refuse to let anyone take over or interfere with your plans. Being secretive will help you avoid opposition. Make personal achievements your priorities. HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Concentrate on what needs to be done. Your determination and discipline will make an impression on someone in a position to help you get ahead, but it will also make someone competing with you jealous. Avoid an unnecessary clash. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t get angry; get moving. Avoid getting sidetracked by people who aren’t conscientious regarding responsibilities and doing a good job. Once you are happy with the results you get, you’ll have plenty of time to have fun without stress. HHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Participate in the things that bring you joy. Getting together with people who motivate you will encourage partnerships that can help you advance at a quicker rate. Traveling, going to trade shows and sharing ideas will open windows of opportunity. HHHH

SM Prime Chairman Hans Sy, SM Prime Director Herbert Sy and Pua

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Take care of your responsibilities before someone complains. Don’t make promises you cannot keep or spend money you don’t have. If you need a break or a change, make it simple, affordable and something that will help you relax and rejuvenate.

HH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take a day trip or go on a shopping spree. Sign up to learn something new, or spend time with someone you find informative. Look for a way to expand your ideas and to fulfill a creative dream. HHHHH

HAPPY ONGPAUCO-TIU, Grace Baja and Novateur Coffee Concepts Marketing Head Melissa Valdez

NICOLE ORTEGA, Triccie Tambunting, Armie Bennett and Tippi Tambunting

MARIANA ZOBEL DE AYALA, Junie Peña, Mia Borromeo and Happy Ongpauco-Tiu

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Do good things and get good things in return. Interacting with someone who has the same goal in mind will make life easier. Changes at home look promising and should add to your comfort and entertainment.

Host an event. HHH

Brunch parties are a thing these days ALWAYS out to delight curious coffee drinkers and connoisseurs with exciting, creative concoctions and the highest quality coffee experiences, Nespresso (www.nespresso.ph) brings a little bit of the past to its two new limited-edition variants. Paying tribute to the historical roots of coffee houses, the brand recently introduced its new offerings: Café Istanbul, with intense roasted and black pepper spicy notes; and Caffe Venezia, a potent and complex coffee inspired by Venetian coffee houses.

To officially launch the limited-edition blends, Nespresso teamed up with three women from fashion and lifestyle—Alicia Sy, Mia Borromeo and Camille Co—to throw a midday get-together with some wellheeled friends. Needless to say, everyone had a lovely, café-infused time.

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Walk away from anyone who has bad habits or is trying to get you to indulge in something that isn’t good for you. False information will be offered if you question a deal someone is offering you. HHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Question someone’s stability if you feel pressured to get involved in something that seems to be missing a key element. Success happens when all the components fit together. HHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Home improvements will lead to appreciation.

A positive change in a relationship with someone important will require you to be open about what you want and what you are willing to give in return.

Stick to truth and moderation. HHHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are empathetic, intuitive and engaging.

You are adaptable and descriptive.

AILENE SY, Susiean Go, Alicia Sy, Terrence Ong and Katherine Cheng

‘juiced up’ BY SAM BUCHBINDER The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Tip receptacle 4 Future J.D.’s exam 8 They float around Hogwarts 14 Mature, as wine 15 “Yikes!”

16 Toddler’s boo-boo 17 Spanish city frequented by Hemingway 19 Vague response to “Where are you?”

20 Parisian girlfriend 21 Entertainment center?

23 Abutting 25 Electric dart gun 26 Capitol cover 28 Former Milky Way competitor 32 Ann ___, Michigan 35 Reclined 37 Had brunch, say 38 Viper and Durango seller 42 Pie __ mode 43 Somalia-born supermodel 44 Likely will, after “is” 45 “Single Ladies” singer’s fan army

8 Avant-garde 4 50 Perfect places 52 Paul of Mad About You 56 Genius Bar locale 60 Infamous Roman emperor 61 Skilled in 62 Different types of them are associated with each starred answer 64 Say from memory 65 ___ Sabe 66 Fawn’s mother 67 Made amends 68 Not just fill 69 They pass as you age: Abbr.

DOWN 1 Hello Kitty’s home country 2 Best effort, slangily 3 Different version of a song 4 “OMG haha!”

5 Jewish greeting: Var. 6 Part of A.D. 7 Cinnamon ___ Crunch 8 Lose your marbles 9 Growling-stomach feeling

0 Earth tones 1 11 Author Silverstein 12 What rolls around a lot?

13 Understands 18 Family pooch 22 Christopher Robin’s creator 24 Ripped 27 Xenon or zirconium 29 Thai money 30 Trying hard 31 Taken-back auto 32 Not much, as of skin cream 33 Part on stage 34 Occasion for cake, informally 36 TripTik org.

39 Got rid (of) 40 Hulk’s feeling 41 Doing an operative’s job 46 Bottled up, as emotions 47 Brainstorm 49 Imagined 51 Punches hard 53 Run-down 54 Reason for a correction

5 Thorny flowers 5 56 Taj Mahal city 57 Shakespeare or Pound 58 Somewhat, in music 59 Zeus’s mother 63 Fish eggs

Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

Relationships BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, March 15, 2019

D3

Going green in El Nido A VIEW of Lio Beach in El Nido town, with the estate in the background.

SOMETHING LIKE LIFE

MA. STELLA F. ARNALDO

@akosistellaBM

B

ERLIN—EL Nido Resorts has always been synonymous with environmental protection and sustainable tourism.

The few times I visited their properties on Miniloc and Lagen Island in Palawan, dubbed by conservationists as “The Last Frontier,” I noticed over the years how their resorts were always clean and organized, their surrounding waters always crystal clear, and the coral reefs underneath remaining lush and profuse with tropical colors, with a myriad of fish and other marine wildlife thriving.

So it’s no surprise that Lio Tourism Estate, the newest property of the resort company now owned

by Ayala Land Inc., was recognized as among the world’s Sustainable Destinations Top 100 for 2018, during the awarding ceremonies at the ITB Berlin on March 6 at the Messe Berlin-Palais am Funkturm. ITB is the largest travel trade fair in the world, and while the Philippines had a modest representation, many private stakeholders in the delegation were quite busy answering queries from international buyers.

In between his very full schedule, I had a short chat Joey Bernardino, El Nido’s group director of sales and marketing, about the prestigious award he received on behalf of the company.

From the beginning of its construction, Lio Tourism Estate aimed to be green. It broke the usual cycle of rating contractors based on their capability to beat deadlines and produce good output alone.

“We added the need for them to understand why we must follow strict environmental standards through environmental education seminars,” said Joey. This, coupled with the implementation of policies, resulted in positive changes to workers’ behaviors and work practices, he added.

He narrated that most contractors and construction workers in the Philippines are generally more focused on getting the job done, while being remiss in environment-friendly practices. “If left unchecked, proprietors and project developers might end up with illegally sourced building materials, unsanitary work areas [e.g., trash scattered around, cigarette butts tossed everywhere, urinating or, worse, defecating in random areas], and degraded natural areas due to indiscriminate cutting of trees and poaching of wildlife. We saw this as a definite horror story we didn’t want happening in our area, especially considering the wealth of natural resources we have in the estate.”

To solve this, he said, Lio applied a multipronged approach, starting first by placing a sustainability officer in the estate, even during the construction stage. The officer required all contractors to undergo the Be GREEN (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido) orientation prior to the start of any work. In the

orientation, the principles of impact management, leave no trace, clean-as-you-go, child-safe environments, and wildlife-friendly practices were discussed. “We try our best to make sure that each and every contractor and worker understand why we do things the way we do, so that they don’t just blindly follow what we tell them to. With every understanding comes the respect, which then pushes them to become stewards themselves,” Joey explained.

The Be GREEN orientations allowed the estate to easily apply other approaches. “We created policies on sustainable sourcing, waste management, smoking, and preservation of trees affected by development to name a few. Each policy had corresponding fees for violations, which act as negative reinforcements,” explained Joey.

To further ensure compliance, Lio conducted random site inspections, with site reports produced and given to contractors who had issues to improve on. The estate also frequently interacted with safety and pollution control officers so that they were able to provide guidance when needed, and come up with solutions to various concerns together, he added.

Management soon noticed significant changes in the workers’ behaviors and their work practices in general, Joey underscored, like proposing their own solutions in the balling and moving of trees; going to designated smoking areas for smoking breaks; properly handling, storing and disposing hazardous wastes; cleaning up work areas and quickly responding to requests to conduct housekeeping; segregating wastes and recording generated volumes daily; using their own plastic food containers, utensils and water bottles to support the tourism estate’s plastic ban; and organizing cleanups of the coastal

EL Nido Group Director for Sales and Marketing Joey Bernardino (sixth from left) receives the Sustainable Destinations Top 100 award for Lio Tourism Estate, at a ceremony during the ITB Berlin travel trade show on March 6.

area and along the road, to name a few.

Despite the government’s recent crackdown on resorts and other establishments in El Nido town found violating environmental and easement regulations, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the local government and the Department of Tourism have all recognized Lio Estate as a model of sustainable tourism. With each government audit, the estate is used as a baseline for improvements that need to be implemented throughout the municipality.

Located within Bacuit Bay on the west coast of Northern Palawan, Lio’s present crop of equally sustainable resorts are Casa Kalaw, Hotel Covo, Balai Adlao, El Nido Cove Resorts, Seda Lio and hosts a variety of restaurants and bars, with the same mindset of respecting the environment.

The Sustainable Destinations Top 100 competition is organized by the Partnership for the Top 100 and the ITB Earth Award, recognizing tourism destinations that have worked hard to make a difference and take sustainability seriously. n

Abuses without bruises THOUGH it has been a long time coming, the cultural conversation on abuse has grown to accommodate more nuance than ever before.

We no longer just talk about domestic violence, but the structures and mores that sanction such behavior. Instead of defining abuse as something purely physical, we are moving toward a mentality that regards catcalling and coercive control as part of the same problematic system.

A global survey conducted by global beauty brand Avon found that most women—56 percent, that is—have had some experience of abuse, most commonly psychological abuse. In order to affect true change then, we need to talk about forms of abuse that are not obvious. To move toward a broader discussion, and to extend the conversation to males, Avon invited three men to share their thoughts on nonphysical abuse, toxic masculinity and sexism.

Carlo Pamintuan, a sports journalist who is a PBA Rush Anchor and a writer for ESPN5, is intent on challenging inequality in his line of work. “I think there are abuses that women have to suffer that are much worse than physical pain.” He says, “There are certain realities, especially in the sports field, that severely limit what they can do. Bruises and cuts will heal in time, but limited opportunities at work last a lifetime.”

In a field as male-dominated as sports, it’s no surprise that women are often cheated of reaching their full potential. Carlo observes that “the opportunities in sports are limited for women and also have a cap age-wise.”

For professional athletes, wages are also a primary issue, with women often getting paid less than their male counterparts. “Men, in

CARLO PAMINTUAN is a sports journalist who is primarily seen in PBA games as a Rush Anchor. Aside from this, he also writes for ESPN5.

KAP MACEDA-AGUILA is a motoring journalist who contributes to various publications in the country.

general, talk down to women when it comes to sports. It doesn’t matter how much they know or how much work they put in, many think that a man’s opinion, by default, matters more than a woman’s opinion,” says Carlo.

Kap Maceda-Aguila, a motoring journalist, agrees that women face a distinct kind of abuse that is rarely, if ever, felt by men. “Emotional abuse is real, and the scars can run just as deep, if not deeper,” he says.

Kap has seen his share of women being catcalled, recalling feeling disgust every time.

“It’s a recurring sight—a lady passes through a construction area or even a group of men standing at a curb. Inevitably, their heads will turn and someone will mention a ‘compliment’ audible to the passing woman. The justification is as lame as it is universal—that the men are merely admiring the woman. It makes me

cringe and want to crawl under a rock. Abuse as a reward or a compliment is almost at par with the even more idiotic assertion that women who dress in a certain way are more prone to rape or, simply, ask for it.”

What makes it worse is that we live in a culture where these acts are not necessarily seen as criminal. Indeed, Avon’s survey found that only 58 percent of women around the world trusted the justice system’s capacity for protecting victims of abuse. This is a reality Razvan Diratian, general manager of Avon Philippines, wants to correct: “In my view, any form of abuse that harms women is a bad thing. Psychological abuse happens more and more frequently, and I believe that we need to make sure we are creating an environment that will protect all women at all costs. Women should be completely free to choose what to

do with their bodies and their lives, and this freedom should be a core value in any country, relationship, or partnership.”

The question now is: Why do men keep doing it? Kap points toward an unhealthy social climate: “Some men don’t know any better and are perhaps blind to the nature of their abuse. Gender stereotypes are often imbibed at a young age, and while some are harmless enough, other beliefs hammer home the notion that somehow, women are inferior to men and should be subservient. Thus, many take this to mean that it’s okay or acceptable to abuse women—to treat them as though they are never on equal footing with men.” For Carlo, it is about attitudes of indifference and apathy: “I think many just got used to certain situations as normal, or are too stubborn to change,” he says.

These are things he’s trying to raise awareness on through his work in sports journalism.

“For me, it started with being more sensitive about the realities at work and doing my part to level the playing field. Currently, there are no female anchors in sports. It’s not because women can’t do it, it’s because it hasn’t been done a lot, so we just stick to the status quo.

I also read an article that lending my voice to promote the work of female writers also helps, so I’ve been trying to do more of that too. In sports, it’s not about major changes. It’s about doing little changes regularly until it becomes the new norm.”

Kap stresses, however, that change is something that must be passed on in order to achieve permanence: “Change starts with that much-abused word itself: empowerment.

Empowerment without education will ring hollow though. We need to open the eyes and

minds of those who will come after us and let them know that it is not okay to hurt physically or emotionally. We should look at each other regardless of gender as equals—human beings who deserve to be treated the way we expect ourselves to be.”

Razvan agrees: “I strongly believe that education plays an important role in ensuring that change is affected. Educating men and women on the right behavior, as well as what constitutes domestic violence, is pivotal.”

In time for the United Nations’s global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence last December, Avon launched their Embrace the Change campaign to shed a light on forms of abuse that are not physical, underscoring that the problems women face run far deeper than bruises.

“The goal of the company’s Embrace the Change campaign is to challenge men and women alike to reevaluate our culture and see how abuse can take on nonphysical forms,” Razvan continues.

“It starts a change by inviting everyone to learn about how toxic masculinity makes women’s lives unjustly difficult, and how changing our ways can lead to a less violent society. By getting women to understand the ways in which they might be abused, and by inviting men to assess their actions, we spark a dialogue that will hopefully address the wider concerns we have in our society.”

It is of utmost importance, then, that men discuss these things as much as women do. To create a world where mothers, sisters, wives, partners and friends feel safe and respected, guys have to make sure that they are part of the solution, not the problem.

D4

Show BusinessMirror

Friday, March 15, 2019

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BRIE LARSON in a scene from Marvel’s Captain Marvel, the superhero factory’s first movie fronted solely by a female hero.

Last weekend, it notched the sixth-largest global opening ever.

UNITEL Production and Straightshooters Media Inc. CEO and President Madonna Tarrayo, Cignal TV Chief Marketing Officer Guido Zaballero, ABS-CBN iWant Content Head Ginny Ocampo, ABS-CBN iWant Digital Content Publishing Head Richard Reynante, and Director and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Digital Filmmaking Chairman Jose Javier Reyes.

CINEMA IN THE ADVENT OF LIVESTREAM AND VOD ENTERTAINMENT IN this fast-paced digital age, people can already binge-watch their favorite series and films in just one click and at their most convenient time. There is no need to jump into the traffic and pay hundreds to watch a movie, or catch the airing time of favorite TV shows. The continuous evolution of the digital scene has indeed transformed the lifestyle of the audience, which poses a question to the entertainment industry: Is traditional TV and movie viewing on its death bed?

In a recent forum, key people behind the country’s leading livestreaming brands speak on the issue before a crowd of aspiring filmmakers held at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA) Cinema.

“Livestreaming is different from streaming,” ABS-CBN iWant Digital Content Publishing Head Richard Reynante clarified. “Livestreaming is when you watch a live program from one platform that crosses to the digital platform, while streaming per se is video on demand, or VODs—shows you consume at your own time.”

He also shared how ABS-CBN’s iWant originally launched as a site that replays the network’s shows, which can easily be accessed without the need for subscription.

“However, the market is growing and most of the content that viewers look for are not only catch-ups—they started to look for originals,” he admitted.

When iWant TV replayed ABS-CBN’s series Be Careful With My Heart, which aired for two years at a noon timeslot when most are in school or at work, the team was surprised by the viewership it received online. They realized there is really a market for the digital platform. “What we got from Be Careful With My Heart was that we were actually answering a need. In broadcast viewing, the audience follows a specific time while on VOD, they can watch anytime and anywhere,” said ABS-CBN iWant Content Head Ginny Ocampo.

From then on, iWant TV evolved into iWant and expanded its library. Customers now have options between free viewing but with advertisements, advertisement-free viewing but with a cost, or a pay-per-view set-up for new films.

Cignal TV Chief Marketing Officer Guido Zaballero shared that despite the fact that nobody really knows exactly how well streaming entertainment will do, and how much money it will make, it is best to invest in originals and partner with local writers, directors and producers, which Cignal Play is now exploring.

Considering that digital entertainment is at its infancy, ABS-CBN’s Ocampo said that they continue to explore its contents. “Whatever genre it is, as long as deep characterization is present, then it is something that is relatable to the audience,” she noted. Ocampo also added that since the platforms are free from Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), it provides a venue for the execution of more experimental productions.

The dawn of streaming and livestreaming was quickly predicted to precipitate the death of TV. “We thought that it is going to drive eyeballs out of the television, but it did not! TV still retains high viewership,” said ABS-CBN’s Reynante.

Cignal TV’s Zaballero trusts that there is a lot of space to grow for digital. “The viewing public would always love to consume something that is free—that’s a given. However, in terms of telecommunications infrastructure, all these broadband businesses have not and will have a difficult time to reach all of the islands in the Philippines,” he said.

“It really has a limit because if you do not have broadband, you have to access content through your phone and data is expensive, and that’s why we believe there is still a market for linear television.”

While television remains afloat, cinema attendance continues in a downward spiral and is expected to get worse in the coming years. The ease of access, cheaper cost and various selections that the digital space provides pose a threat to physical theaters.

“People will put off what they think is not critical to view in a moviehouse,” Zaballero claimed. “Their basic frame of mind is that why would they bother going to the movies if they can see a title streaming by next week?”

The theater is something that offers an experiential viewing, and Reynante thinks the challenge is for the moviehouse to up the viewing experience. “It has got to change in form and services to be able to keep up. Some malls have started to offer 4D cinemas, and while pricey 4D is something livestreaming can never replicate,” he noted.

The panel said the behavior of the consumers is based on the economics of entertainment. “We still believe that cinema will not die, it will just coexist. We have to remember that cinema is technology-bound and it is bound to evolve,” Reynante reiterated. “Digital is upon us and we have to ride the wave. Either we adapt or we perish.”

The forum was moderated by Director and Digital Filmmaking Chairman Jose Javier Reyes and Unitel Production and Straightshooters Media Inc. CEO and President Madonna Tarrayo.

In success for ‘Captain Marvel,’ a defeat for trolls

N

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press

EW YORK—Captain Marvel possesses superhuman strength, cosmic awareness and, it turns out, the ability to vanquish trolls. Marvel’s Captain Marvel, the superhero factory’s first movie fronted solely by a female hero, last weekend notched the sixth largest global opening ever and in five days of release has already sold $524.1-million tickets worldwide, Disney said on Wednesday. That was despite the efforts of a vocal minority to sabotage the movie’s release in a campaign to lower audience scores and disseminate false information about the film’s star, Brie Larson.

It’s a playbook borrowed from the political realm and brought into the movie theater. And the movies that have drawn such attention have, more times than not, starred women in franchises previously dominated by males. But after similar campaigns against Ghostbusters and The Last Jedi, Hollywood studios are fighting back, as are sites like Rotten Tomatoes and YouTube.

Paul Feig’s 2016 female-led Ghostbusters remake, which Donald Trump himself spoke out against, was among the first films to be targeted by users rating it lowly on sites like the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) before the film was even released. On YouTube, it was the most disliked trailer ever.

A similar strategy was employed on Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Episode VII: The Last Jedi, which—like Ghostbusters—had, and continues to have, genuine detractors who simply didn’t like the movie. But there were concerted efforts to amplify criticism of The Last Jedi, which notably expanded the Star Wars universe with new heroes like Laura Dern’s resistance leader and Kelly Marie Tran’s maintenance worker.

Tran eventually deleted her Instagram account after months of harassment.

So when Johnson and Feig saw similar attempts being made ahead of the release of Captain Marvel, they recognized the handiwork.

“Pretty much the new ‘Certified Fresh’ badge,” said Johnson, linking to an article about review bombing

on Captain Marvel. ‘’What a sad, sad pathetic group of people are who organize to do things like this,” said Feig . The amplified backlashes to both The Last Jedi (which opened strong but faded) and Ghostbusters (which disappointed altogether) appeared to hurt the films’ bottom lines.

But the tide may be turning. The same Facebook group that organized to vote down The Last Jedi also went after Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther. That time, though, both Facebook and Rotten Tomatoes moved to counter the group, which was removed from Facebook. Black Panther became the third highest grossing film of all time domestically, not accounting for inflation. And Captain Marvel, which drew a majority male audience (55 percent), similarly showed no signs of any ill effect .

“If those trolls had any negative impact on the box office, somebody point it out to me because I just don’t see it,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for comScore. “The trolls, they’re not going derail a movie like this. For the fans, they love Marvel, they love the brand. Other than a terrible movie, nothing would dissuade the Marvel fans and the movie fans from coming out and seeing a film.”

Marvel, whose 21 films have earned a combined $18 billion in global box office, is indeed about as unassailable as any studio ever has been. Captain Marvel was also cunningly positioned as a need-to-see appetizer to Avengers: Endgame, due out April 26.

But Captain Marvel found itself in the crosshairs with some largely in response to Larson’s advocacy for diversity in film and in those who write about it.

A USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study last year found that, for the 100 top grossing films in 2017, 77.8 percent of the critics counted on Rotten Tomatoes were male and 86 percent were white. At the time of the study’s release, Larson said: “I do not need a 40-year-old white dude to tell me what didn’t work for him about A Wrinkle in Time.” Larson later said she, after noticing that critics reviewing movies “appeared to be overwhelmingly white male” decided to make her press interviews “more inclusive.”

“This film is about trying to put in as many little revolutions as possible,” she told AV Club. “And as

many little nods to what that experience is like, being a woman, so that other people could feel less alone.”

Online critics exaggerated her words in videos, like one titled “Brie Larson hates white men.” Others said her character didn’t smile enough in promotional materials. Larson responded with a photo of giant grins superimposed on previous male Marvel heroes.

But perhaps more important, steps were taken to mitigate any troll effect on Captain Marvel. Two studio executives who spoke anonymously because they weren’t authorized to speak about their about their anti-troll efforts, said they’ve become more adept and prepared for combating organized negativity around a release. There are no more sneak attacks. And the avenues for manipulating audience perception are dwindling.

YouTube, where anti-Larson videos proliferated ahead of the film’s opening, chose to categorize “Brie Larson” as a news search, not a general one.

The algorithm tweak, first initiated to combat conspiracy videos after the 2017 Las Vegas music festival shooting, pushed videos from news and entertainment outlets up, and rants like “Brie Larson is Ruining Marvel!” down.

Rotten Tomatoes, which ranks both critic and audience scores, removed the potential for audience scoring before a movie is released. Though an initial wave of negative audience ratings pushed the score for Captain Marvel down, by Wednesday it was at 63 percent—almost exactly the film’s average on Metacritic. Dana Benson, a representative for the Fandango-owned Rotten Tomatoes, said the site is exploring more adjustments to prevent the gaming of its audience scores, including a “verified purchase” component to reviews, similar to Amazon’s system, so that audience reviews come from those who have seen the movie.

“We’ve seen it with enough movies that we know we have to evolve our system,” said Benson of the trolling. “Anyone that has an open system like we do has received this type of attention. Moving forward, we want to make sure our users can trust our audience score, and that we find different ways to verify the reviews.” n

Beyonce, Jay-Z to be honored at GLAAD Media Awards NEW YORK—Beyoncé and Jay-Z are getting recognized for achievements outside of music: The power couple will be honored at the GLAAD Media Awards for accelerating LGBTQ acceptance.

GLAAD announced Monday that the Carters will receive its Vanguard Award at its 30th annual awards on March 28 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The award, previously given to Cher, Janet Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Antonio Banderas, honors “allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people,” GLAAD said.

GLAAD said Beyoncé, who has a large gay fanbase, is being recognized for speaking out about marriage equality nationwide; for including members of the LBGTQ community in her music videos; and for dedicating one of her performances to the victims and survivors of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting.

Jay-Z received the GLAAD Special Recognition Award last year for his song and video for “Smile,” which featured his mother Gloria Carter, who is a lesbian. GLAAD said the rap icon is being honored because of his inclusion of LGBTQ artists in his work, from Janet Mock to James Baldwin, and for his support of marriage equality. AP

WOMEN AND LITERATURE AT THE CCP

IN this November 4, 2016 file photo, Beyoncé and Jay-Z perform during a Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton campaign rally in Cleveland. The power couple will be honored for accelerating LGBTQ acceptance at the GLAAD Media Awards on March 28. AP

IN this year’s celebration of Women’s Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in cooperation with Women Playwrights International-Philippines (WPIP), will host “Readathon: Dramatic Reading of Plays by Women 2019,” at the Silangan Hall of the CCP from 9 am to 6 pm on March 15 and 16. The event aims to show the creativity and talent of women playwrights as their masterpieces are read by aspiring group of theater performers.

Aside from the performances, there will be a Gandang Ganda Sa Sariling Gawa zine fair by its coorganizer Gantala Press on March 16. They will sell books, zines and artworks crafted by different women.

Attending this event will not only empower women artists in the country, but also help audiences of different genders who will attend to gain new ideas and be inspired to make their own masterpieces as they patronize women’s works. The event is free and open to the public.

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

Editor: Tet Andolong

Friday, March 15, 2019 E1

HERE COMES THE ALL-NEW JIMNY A

Story & photos by Randy S. Peregrino

enjoy the Suzuki Way of Life as they explore more challenges and adventures,” said SPH Director and Automobile Division General Manager Keiichi Suzuki.

Once again, the all-new Jimny earned global recognition for its new and eye-catching boxy appearance, which according to Suzuki, denotes better situational awareness. This new design not only created a positive impact to the enthusiasts, but at the same time, further enhanced the vehicle’s established off-roading character. Undeniably, the new look is now more daunting even for its compact size. Not to mention that touch of old-school design elements, other than the boxy profiles, such as the rounded headlamps imbedded into the entire front grill assembly. Moreover, those extended wheel flares compliment well with the 15-inch dark metallic alloy wheels.

FTER its introduction at the Philippine International Motor Show late last year, Suzuki Philippines (SPH) recently made the allnew Jimny All-Grip Pro available in the local market.

Also revealed were the respective price points for the different variants. Considering the vehicle’s major enhancements compared to its predecessor in terms of form and function, we couldn’t agree more with the presented figures. Surely, Suzuki fans now have more reasons to consider this simple yet rugged compact off-roader built for the real off-road adventure across any trail and terrain.

“Our determination to pro-

vide simple, straightforward, and functional vehicles such as the Suzuki Jimny All-Grip Pro underscores our commitment to continuously provide innovation that Filipinos can rely on.

Every detail of the fourth-generation Jimny—from the body to the engine—is designed to deliver the maximum performance and durability required by serious off-road travelers. With this newest addition to our lineup of vehicles, more Filipinos can now

THE boxy and completely enhanced exterior

DARK-THEMED interior for ruggedness and minimal distraction

NOW powered by a new and more powerful KB15 1.5-liter gasoline engine

Continued on E4

Moto

Business

E2 Friday, March 15, 2019

THE all-new Audi Q5

THE information can be displayed on two views at the same timeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display screen and behind the multifunction steering wheel.

PPC officials, athletes and coaching staff together with TMP officials during the turnover of the Toyota Coaster donated by TMP to support the Paralympic movement in the Philippines

oring

sMirror

Friday, March 15, 2019

THE tailgate wraps around the C-pillars, which is a usual feature of the Q models from Audi

YOU can control many functions with the MMI navigation plus like a touch pad

STANDARD Google Earth Navigation

BYD T6 light truck, BYD counterbalance forklift, BYD Q1M yard tractor, BYD pedestrian pallet truck and BYD T3 van

E3

Motoring BusinessMirror

E4 Friday, March 15, 2019

What traffic jams are we talking about? opment. They predict congestions, and the opposite happens? I hope it comes in monotonous regularity from hereon. Good for the blood pressure.

What is CVT?

T

RAFFIC authorities, including the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority), were wrong again. Before the closure of the Tandang Sora-Commonwealth crossing in Quezon City to give way for the demolition of the Tandang Sora flyover in conjunction with the ongoing MRT 7 railway construction, they kept harping on traffic jams bedeviling the area.

Warning here. Warning there.

Alternate route here. Detour there.

But to the pleasant surprise of Commonwealth motorists (that incudes me, as I live in Commonwealth), there was not a single traffic jam up to this writing cramping the area. The truth is, the flow of traffic has become even smoother

and jam-free.

Reason? The intersection has been freed from jeepneys crossing wildly at every instance, not to mention buses joining the fray by loading/unloading passengers as they please.

Well, if traffic managers have become like the error-prone weatherman, anytime, I welcome the devel-

THE following is a clarification by Jose Carlo G. Nemo, the young, sharp-eyed motorman from Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), of the difference between an automatic transmission (AT) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

“One frequently overlooked aspect in today’s vehicles is the difference between automatic transmission and continuously variable transmission (CVT).

“Whereas ‘stick-shift’ or manual transmission [MT] cars are clearly set apart by their use of a clutch pedal to change the gears, the terms AT and CVT are often used interchangeably with each other.

“This similarity holds true to a certain degree, but let us take a closer look at how the All-New Toyota Vios makes everyday driving all the more easier and fuel-efficient with its continuously variable transmission.

“While both transmissions are generally easier and more comfortable to operate due to a computer program that automatically controls shifting based on driver input, CVT uses a belt-and-pulley system rather than AT’s gears-and-cogs system.

“On actual road conditions that

have stop-and-go traffic, the Toyota Vios CVT will offer a smoother ride than regular AT gearboxes by means of seamless shifting that reduces shift shock and transmission quietness. This leads to the subcompact’s better cabin comfort in otherwise tiring urban drives.

“The Toyota Vios CVT gearbox also improves fuel economy and fuel mileage by consistently keeping the engine in its most efficient operating range.

“The Vios CVT variants are known to be kinder and more forgiving to new drivers by automatically adjusting to human errors, such as inconsistent foot pressure and pedal movement.

“It lessens the vehicle’s jerky, sudden movements by reducing lag time through continuous altering of gear ratios.

“As an added feature for more experienced drivers, select variants of the Vios CVT are equipped with Sequential Shift Mode and Paddle Shifters that mimic the sporty feel of manually changing gears.

“When used along with Drive Mode Select [a choice between Eco and Sport modes], the Toyota Vios offers a versatile and economical driving pleasure for everyone.

These make the Toyota Vios an enduring icon on the road and the preferred subcompact sedan of the Filipino people.

“Currently, a total of five out of nine variants of the All-New Vios

are equipped with continuously variable transmission, with the

latest being the Vios XE, introduced in January. For reference:

1.5 G Prime CVT

1,095,000

1.5 G CVT

1,040,000

1.5 G MT

981,000

1.3 E Prime CVT

933,000

1.3 E CVT

878,000

1.3 E MT

828,000

1.3 XE CVT

735,000

1.3 J MT

685,000

1.3 Base MT

659,000

“At P735,000 SRP, the Vios XE is currently the best-value CVT in Toyota’s wide Vios lineup. It suits the modern lifestyle and driving habits of young professionals in the city while also catering to new and experienced drivers.

“More than its affordable price tag, the Vios XE shares the signature quality, durability and reliability present across all models that bear the Toyota badge. Choosing the Vios means worry-free ownership that gives customers peace of mind even with aftersales and regular maintenance.

“The Vios XE is available in all Toyota dealerships nationwide. It

comes in Thermalyte, Red Mica Metallic, Freedom White and Alumina Jade Metallic.”

Thank you, Carlo.

PEE STOP Ray Butch “Elvis” Gamboa

will push through with his STV Golf today, March 15, at Silang’s Riviera in Cavite, a yearly tournament for his dear buddies from the automotive industry and for his fellow motoring journalists as well. Even if he is not yet fully well, Elvis insisted on having it staged as scheduled. As Jenny Bleza, Elvis’s most loyal general, said: “The show must go on, or else, Sir Elvis will raise hell.” It’s a no-miss event or you could be “lookin’ for trouble.”

Motul stages successful trackday

M

OTUL, the World’s standard when it comes to engine protection and maximizing its power recently held the second staging of the 300V Superfast Trackday. Held at the Clark International Speedway, the by invitation only trackday was organized by Carlos Gono of Motul PHAutoplus.

This year’s attendees broke last year’s record of supercar participants and JDM exotics, which included Ferraris, Lamborghini’s, Mercedes Benz’s, Aston Martin’s, Lotus two seaters,wickedly fast Porsches, insanely fast

two McLaren 570S GT and the famous 1000 plus BHP Ford GT of Gono.

“Seeing this year’s overwhelming turn out is an inspiration for us to continue this event next year,” said Gono. This year’s participants had 90 supercars and 140 drool worthy JDM machines which included a slew of Nissan GTR’s headed by the 2018 680 whp Nismo GTR of Kirk Baltazar which clocked in an impressive 10.60 seconds around the Speedway.

There were also a good number of Subaru WRX Sti’s, Honda NSX’s, Type R’s, S2000’s and Toyota 86’s and Subaru BRZ’s in full race set-up.

“The mood of the event was festive, where all classes of car enthusiasts got together with a common passion, talking & sharing their interest & experience to push their cars to the limit safely at the race track.

Fast fours

THIS year’s program consisted of a supercar trackday, and a ¼ miles Drag for supercars and a Touge style battle for the Subaru WRX

Sti Club and VOAC Club members.

The fastest cars during the 300V Motul Superfast were the Nismo GTR of Baltazar; the 700 whp Nissan GTR of Aga Tomawis (10.70 secs); 2018 Porsche GT2 RS of Jim Baltazar with a time of 10.90 secs; the 2019 McLaren 570S GT4 with 467 hp on tap with a time of 11.12 secs driven by Luis Gono and the 675 hp 2019 McLaren 675LT of architect and church pastor Jun Go with a time of 11.20 secs.

This event was conceptualized for Motul clients, fans and dealers for them to experience first hand how well Motul high performance products cope with actual race conditions where engine revs and power output are always at its peak. Motul PH offered free breakfast for the participants while Angels Burger took care of the free lunch for all. The 300V Motul Superfast is sponsored by Motul, Autoplus and Clean Fuel.

HERE COMES THE ALL-NEW JIMNY Continued from E1

True to its off-roading DNA, the newgeneration Jimny utilizes a ladder frame— proven to be sturdier than a monocoque body to torsion built. Further, it has a long-stroke, three-link suspension, rigid full-wheel front and rear axles for strong traction on uneven terrains. Another impressive element is the vehicle’s 37-degree specialized approach angle, 28-degree ramp break over angle and 49-degree departure angle for easy maneuvering over ridges and verticals.

The cabin layout is another plus factor to consider. Its dark theme simply conveys minimal distraction. The dashboard has that Spartan look, which is exactly how a rugged interior should look like. Its instrument panel and surrounding parts have that nice and cool grained finish with all the dial and toggle switches clustered in the center panel. Of course, there’s the bigger nine-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment equipped with offline GPS navigation system and off-road audio guide apart from other connectivity functions.

Another noteworthy improvement is the redesigned body mounts for lower vibration along with the strategic placement of sound-absorbing material throughout the body to reduce cabin noise. This, in

SPH Director and General Manager for Automobile Keiichi Suzuki (from left), SPH President Hiroshi Suzuki and SPH Managing Director/Treasurer Norminio Mojica. SUZUKI PHILIPPINES

turn, would greatly reduce driver stress and fatigue. More so, the front seat cushion frames are 70mm wider and 50mm taller for better shock absorption.

Propelling the all-new Jimny is a new and more powerful KB15 series 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine. Output improved to 101 hp at 6,000 rpm and 130 N-m of maximum torque at 4,000 rpm.

Available in four-speed automatic and fivespeed manual transmissions, both 4x4 drive trains are equipped with Suzuki’s “All Grip Pro” off-road function. As for safety features, there’s Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) along with dual SRS airbags, anti-brake lock system, brake

LSD traction control, hill hold control, hill descent control and brake assist function, among others.

Now for the price points, the all-new Jimny All Grip Pro starts at P975,000 for the GL MT; P1.035 million for the GL AT; P1.085 million for the GLX AT Monotone; and P1.095 million for the GLX AT Twotone. Available shades for the two-tone variant (exclusive to the GLX AT) are Solid Kinetic Yellow, Metallic Brisk Blue and Metallic Chiffon Ivory. As for the monotone, the colors to choose from are Solid Jungle Green, Solid Medium Gray, Superior White, Pearl Bluish Black and Metallic Silky Silver.