BusinessMirror November 26, 2019

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Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Vol. 15 No. 47

BAI: Spread of ASF in Luzon farms slows

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE spread of African swine fever (ASF) in Luzon may have slowed as fewer samples tested positive for the dreaded hog disease in recent weeks, the country’s chief veterinarian said on Monday.

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) OIC-Director Ronnie D. Domingo said ASF-related reports received by his agency have been “dwindling” in the past month, indicating fewer

outbreaks.

Domingo said this development may be due to the strategies implemented by the Department of Agriculture and other con-

cerned agencies to manage the crisis that struck Luzon farms starting July.

“There’s an indirect relationship between the samples and the ASF

“Our trend is unique to our country because in mainland Asia the trend is just upward. Since we are an archipelago we have natural barriers for the spread of the virus unlike other Asian countries.”

—Domingo

outbreaks. If there’s an outbreak in one area, then that area would submit samples. If there are more outbreaks, then more samples will be submitted,” he told reporters after a hearing on ASF at the House of Representatives on Monday.

Despite this, Domingo said the government will further intensify See “ASF,” A2

DOT, Manila ink pacts to boost city tourism

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HE Department of Tourism (DOT) has swung open the doors of significant tourist sites in Manila, allowing the latter’s more than 1.5 million residents to visit these for free.

It signed a memorandum of agreement with the Manila City Hall on Saturday to launch the Educational and Cultural Awareness Program that will ensure free access to sites in Intramuros, Rizal Park and Paco Park. The MOA was signed by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso at the latter’s office.

Romulo Puyat said the agreement will benefit over a million residents in Manila, including officials of its 897 barangays, senior citizens and the families enrolled in the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program,” dubbed “4Ps.” “Tourism is about generating an experience. And to let our visitors understand and appreciate this, we ourselves must experience this as well. The people of the City of Manila should be the main advocates and spokespersons of its tourism heritage, culture and history. As it is said, one should not be stranger in his own country,” she underscored.

Int ra mu ros Ad m inist rator Guiller Asido told the BusinessMirror, “We are preparing a program to teach them the history of Manila and Intramuros. Our longterm plan is to train them as local community tour guides.”

He added, this is the first time the IA has a program like this with

P25.00 nationwide | 4 sections 34 pages |

LOCAL BANKERS BLAME FREEZE ON FEES FOR POOR ATM PRESENCE

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

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HY are there fewer automated teller machines in the Philippines compared to other Southeast Asian countries? Local bankers said it is because of the regulatory hindrance to raise ATM transaction fees accordingly.

In a statement on Monday, the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) said the moratorium on ATM transaction fees since 2013 has held back banks’ optimal performance in servicing and expanding their reach.

“The number of cardholders has been increasing for the past six years. Banks need to keep up with the maintenance and innovation of ATMs, as well as expansion of ATM network to accommodate the surge of ATM usage,” BAP Managing Director Benjamin

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Continued on A8

PESO exchange rates n

World Bank CAT bonds to cover PHL disaster losses

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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HE World Bank issued two tranches of catastrophe-linked bonds (CAT bonds) to raise $225 million to cover for the Philippines’s losses in recent earthquakes and tropical cyclones.

The Washington-based lender issued a CAT bond worth $150 million

to cover losses for tropical cyclones experienced by the country in the past three years and another $75 million worth of bonds to cover earthquakerelated losses.

“Through the intermediation of the World Bank, these CAT bonds allow the Philippines to transfer natural disaster risks to the capital markets while enabling the authorities to respond quickly to the needs of citizens

when calamities strike,” Mara K. Warwick, said World Bank country director for Brunei Darussalam , Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

The bonds, World Bank said, were issued under IBRD’s “capital at risk” notes program, which can be used to transfer risks related to natural disasters to capital markets.

Payouts are triggered when an See “CAT bonds,” A2

See “ATM,” A2

Poll: Japanese firms want to keep current incentives

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

The renovated Jones Bridge, its neoclassic lamp posts restored, is now a popular tourist spot, offering a 360-degree view of the Pasig River and downtown Manila. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat have signed an agreement promoting Manila’s historic and touristic spots. PHOTO COURTESY OF INTRAMUROS ADMINISTRATION

Castillo said.

The bankers’ group estimates that only 21,000 ATMs service 58 million cardholders nationwide, which is equivalent to 20 ATMs per capita of 100,000 cardholders.

Meanwhile, Thailand has 94, Singapore has 49, Malaysia has 45, and Indonesia has 40 ATMs per capita of 100,000 cardholders, respectively.

In 2013, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) implemented a ban on increasing ATM fees on local banks. Earlier this year, however, the Central Bank lifted the moratorium.

Annual growth rate in ATM deployments averaged at 13 percent prior to 2013 but since then declined to 6.4 percent, while ATM transaction volume continued to increase from 2014 up to the present, the BAP said.

@alyasjah

NCERTAINTIES brought about by the government’s plan to rationalize fiscal incentives will keep on hounding the country’s business climate, as firms from Japan—one of the country’s largest sources of foreign capital—are seeking a status quo for their tax perks.

In a survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro), Japanese firms in the Philippines said they appreciate the incentives they are receiving under the existing setup. Any changes in their tax perks as proposed under the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill will impact on their operations, they added.

As such, the number of Japanese firms that listed the menu of incentives as an advantage for investing here declined to 33 percent, from 40 percent last year, the survey reported.

“Like last year, many of Philippine respondents highly appreciate current tax incentives, while they are concerned about complicated taxation procedures. In fact, possible impacts of tax reform second package really matter to Japanese companies in the Philippines,” it read.

On the other hand, 44 percent

of Japanese firms flagged complicated taxation procedures as a risk for operating here, though this is an improvement from last year’s 50 percent.

Further, they lamented the lack of infrastructure, including roads, electricity, telecommunication and ports, in the Philippines, which, if sufficient, should offset the looming lifting of incentives. The survey reported 61 percent of Japanese firms identified insufficient infrastructure as a risk for investing here.

In spite of these uncertainties and risks, over half of Japanese firms in the Philippines said they are eyeing to expand their business in a few years.

According to the survey, 52 percent plan to expand operations between next year and 2021. On the other hand, about 45 percent will keep their present size.

Japanese firms are expanding to raise added value of their products and strengthen their sales function, as they anticipate demand growth from the domestic market, the survey disclosed.

These expansions will most likely generate additional jobs for the local labor force. Proof of this is that 44 percent of those surveyed committed to increase the number of their Filipino staff, while the remaining 46 percent will maintain their present count.

See “Incentives,” A2

US 50.7800 n japan 0.4672 n UK 65.2980 n HK 6.4895 n CHINA 7.2125 n singapore 37.2315 n australia 34.4898 n EU 55.9596 n SAUDI arabia 13.5428

Source: BSP (25 November 2019 )

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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Plant shutdowns put Luzon grid on yellow alert

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By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

ORE than 4,500 megawatts (MW) was shaved off Monday from the Luzon grid, mainly due to a number of power plants that are on scheduled shutdown, forced shutdown or declared a reduction in their capacity.

The situation prompted the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to place Luzon on yellow alert notice from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Seven power plants, with a combined dependable capacity of 2,176MW, are on planned shutdown. These are the 200-MW SEM-Calaca coal plant, units 3 (180MW ) and 4 (180MW ) of CBK Power hydro plant, units 2

(60MW) and 4 (90MW) of Panasia combined-cycle plant, 55-MW AP Renewables geothermal plant, 344-MW Masinloc power plant 420-MW Pagbilao coal plant and 647-MW Sual coal plant of Team Energy.

Also, five plants suddenly conked out due to gas turbine trouble, tube leak and valve trouble. These are the 48-MW Avion gas plant,

122-MW South Luzon Thermal Energy coal plant, 460-MW Quezon Power coal plant, 316-MW GN Power Mariveles coal plant and 50MW AP Renewables geothermal plant.

Included in the list of power plants that went on forced outage are those that conked out due to Outside Management Control— control of the power generation firm and did not result from planning error or negligence.

A total capacity of 1,261MW came from the power plants that went on forced outage.

Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp., SEM-Calaca Power Corp., Angat Hydropower Corp., and First Gen Hydro Power Corp. had derated power plants. The derated capacity of these plants reached 1,121MW. In all, 4,558MW were shaved off from the Luzon grid.

4,558MW

Total capacity shaved off from the Luzon grid owing to planned shutdowns, forced shutdowns or a declared reduction in capacity A yellow alert is issued when operating reserves have dropped below the required 647MW contingency in Luzon, or equivalent to the largest unit in Luzon, which is the 647MW coal-fired power plant in Sual, Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) wants power generation firms to submit a three-year planned outage schedules for their power plants to the NGCP, from the existing one-year period.

The DOE is soliciting comments from industry stakeholders on the proposed guidelines

OFW groups: House bill favors private recruitment agencies

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EVERAL OFW groups and nongovernment organizations have come out openly against the House consolidated bill drafted by a technical working group for containing provisions that are disadvantageous to millions of overseas workers.

Venecio Legaspi, one of the founders of the Jeddah-based OFW Council of Leaders (OCL), expressed dismay over the House bill’s provision aimed at abolishing the principle of Joint and Solidary Liability (JSL) found in existing laws.

“Without the JSL provision, our overseas workers will be doomed and be at the mercy of foreign employers and foreign recruitment agencies that are beyond the jurisdiction of Philippine

ASF. . .

Continued from A1

their control measures against ASF to prevent outbreaks. “[The number of ASF outbreaks is] going down and from what I see, people are now aware and are now more careful. Also, our weather is getting dry, so these are favorable factors for disease control,” he said.

During the hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, Domingo said in his presentation that the number of ASFpositive samples on November 20 declined to less than 20, from a

CTRP. . .

Continued from A8

The lawmaker said the government would also save P25.2 billion per year as costs for notice, conduct of hearing, and publication of zonal values are eliminated.

For his part, Committee on Government Reorganization Chairman Mario Vittorio Mariño, sponsor of the bill, said it will promote the development of a just, equitable, and efficient real property valuation system.

“The reform will broaden the tax base for local and national property and property-related taxes, and expedite valuationbased government activities, such as right-of-way acquisition and administration of land transfer taxes. This will neither impose new taxes nor current tax rates since the local government units [LGUs] will continue to set, adjust, and regulate tax rates, and assessment levels,” he said.

Question

During the BusinessMirror Coffee Club Forum hosted by the ALC Media Group on November 21, Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza said he is ready to question the proposed law before the Supreme Court once the House Bill 4664 gets passed in Congress.

laws,” Legaspi said.

In the proposed consolidated bill of the House technical working group led

by Rep. Joey Salceda and cochaired by Rep. Eric Pineda of 1Pacman Party-list, the recruitment and manning agencies will contribute $25 per worker to be deployed to a Malasakit sa Kabayan Fund to be held in trust by the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (Owwa). The aggrieved workers will then file for money claims with Owwa, which will be tasked with validating such claims and managing the Kabayan Fund.

“If they think that coming up with this Kabayan Fund is sufficient reason to eliminate the joint and several liability between foreign employers

peak of over 180 positive samples on October 11.

“Our trend is unique to our country because in mainland Asia the trend is just upward. Since we are an archipelago, we have natural barriers for the spread of the virus unlike other Asian countries,” said Domingo.

Based on Domingo’s presentation, seven provinces/cities nationwide are affected by ASF, including 50 municipalities and 461 barangays.

The Philippines has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) thrice regarding its ASF outbreaks. Manila said it has cumulatively culled 52,850 hogs to Atienza also reiterated this position after he voted against the passage of the bill in the plenary.

“I will bring this to the people, I will bring this to the Supreme Court,” he said.

According to Atienza, the bill contradicts the provision of the 1987 Constitution on local autonomy.

“It affects the power of local government and it eventually affects the tax payers capacity to pay or not to pay or be able to pay their real-estate taxes in so doing it will affect the development goals of the LGUs,” said Atienza, a former three-term mayor of Manila.

Atienza also warned that the property valuation mechanism being handled by the national government could be a “major source of corruption.”

“If we allow national government to handle this property valuation it will again be a major source of corruption. Let the elected people in the LGUs handle it.

LGUs are more powerful over the national government in terms of developing and funds generation especially in the issue of of realestate tax, which is 100 percent local,” he added.

Protection

In voting affirmative, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, meanwhile, said the proposal will protect residential lot owners and real estate.

and Philippine recruitment agencies, then they are wrong. Access to this fund will extinguish the moral and legal obligations of private recruitment agencies to look for the best employers because if something goes wrong there is anyway a pool of funds to ensure quick settlements and forego legal obligations. This makes the bill more suitable for the creation of a department for recruitment agencies rather than OFWs,” Legaspi, a vice president of a bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, added.

Susan Ople, a former labor undersecretary and now the head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, echoed the concerns of the OFW Council of Leaders.

“The House TWG bill pushes most

contain and control the spread of the virus.

Domingo said the country is set to submit its third follow-up report to the OIE “soonest.” The report will contain information on additional ASF outbreaks in Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Cavite, Pangasinan and Quezon City.

He said the country’s hog culling rate is “way lower” compared to other countries struck by the fatal virus, such as China and Vietnam.

Domingo said the Philippines is culling 20,000 hogs monthly, while Vietnam is disposing of 616,000 pigs per month; South Korea, 145,000 hogs; and China, 97,000 hogs.

“Since generally ownership of residential lots is considered a dead investment, residential lot owners are protected from any undue increase in the schedule of market values which would escalate the tax rate by recognizing the power of local government units to reduce the consequential tax rates for residential lots without any limitation as to their location and size,” he said.

“Because the country is calamity-prone, real-estate properties located in areas devastated by calamities, both natural and manmade, should be given protection from the imposition of higher real-estate taxes upon recommendation by the provincial and city assessors pursuant to an order of the secretary of Finance,” Lagman added.

Lagman said he also voted on the passage of the bill because of the provision providing standards in the exercise of the Secretary of Finance to review, approve, or reject schedule of market values.

“The authority of the Secretary of Finance to review, approve or reject the recommended schedule of market values made by the local government units is limited or circumscribed by observing the standards of property valuation and assessment which are internationally recognized,” he said.

of the legal obligations toward foreign employers that are beyond the reach of Philippine laws. I am sure that some of the provisions there were not reflective of the President’s desire to help our OFWs,” Ople said.

Ople said that the entire bill is premised on the need to make foreign employers more accountable compared to private recruitment agencies and their foreign counterparts. “They should be held equally accountable because they share a common business interest.”

The OFW advocate also questioned the inclusion of a provision that would make it mandatory for rehired OFWs to obtain mandatory insurance to be charged to their employers.

The chief veterinarian revealed that the DA-BAI has obligated 58 percent, or about P47.673 million of its P82.51-million fund for antiASF measures and programs.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in its latest report on the performance of the agriculture sector that hog production continued to expand, and grew by an annualized rate of 1.96 percent in the third quarter.

The PSA noted the increase in slaughtering activities and early disposals of stocks in Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa and Zamboanga Peninsula “due to the fear of being affected by ASF.”

Incentives. . .

Continued from A1

The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, of which the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines is a member, estimated over 700,000 workers are bound to lose their work as a consequence of passing the Citira bill.

The Citira bill will trim corporate income tax to 20 percent by 2029, from 30 percent at present, on one end. On the other hand, it will overhaul the menu of incentives granted by the government to firms operating in economic zones.

Economic zone firms, most of which are multinationals, warned they will be compelled to pack up operations here and relocate to another Southeast Asian country if their tax perks are lifted, resulting not only in capital flight but in job losses as well.

Last year—at the height of the debate on rationalization of incentives— Japan’s investments to the Philippines declined 38.33 percent to P19.72 billion, from P31.98 billion, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In spite of the drop, Japan is the country’s third-largest source of foreign capital next to China and Singapore.

The Jetro conducted the survey between August and September, and covered the insights of 139 Japanese firms in the Philippines, 73 of which are manufacturers, as part of a yearly study on the business conditions in Asia and Oceania.

on planned outage schedules of power plants.

The draft circular states that the NGCP shall device a mechanism to come up with an optimal generation and transmission planned outage schedule which shall be the basis of the Grid Operating and Maintenance Program (GOMP).

NGCP shall then submit to the DOE the GOMP every third quarter of the year for review.

“The first year of the GOMP schedule shall be considered binding and can be changed during its implementation, subject to DOE approval. The second and third year schedules shall be considered indicative and reference for medium-term power supply and demand outlook,” it said.

The proposed rules were drafted following a series of red and yellow alert notices in the Luzon

grid during summer, when the grid had low reserve level due to forced outages and deratings.

Thin reserves led to the rotating power interruption in Metro Manila and some areas in Luzon.

The DOE also noted that the committed power generation projects and their associated transmission projects, which are ex pected to augment the thin reserves in Luzon and Visayas, have experienced delays in meeting the target commercial operations.

“Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the foregoing premises, principles and mandates of the Epira [Electric Power Industry Reform Act], the DOE hereby issue, adopt and promulgate this Circular,” it said.

The DOE has set the deadline for the submission of comments on December 13.

Oil firms cutting gas prices; illegal LPG refillers apprehended

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IVE oil firms announced on Monday afternoon that they will slash the prices of their petroleum products, including diesel and gasoline, starting Tuesday morning.

Seaoil, Petro Gazz, Phoenix Petroleum, PTT Philippines and Pilipinas Shell said the price cut will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

The firms said gasoline prices will go down by P0.20 per liter, diesel

by P0.10 per liter and kerosene by P0.10 per liter.

Last week, the Department of Energy-Visayas Field Office (DOE-VFO) and local government officials in Iloilo intensified their crackdown on the illegal activities of traders of petroleum products.

These illicit activities include the illegal retailing and refilling of liquefied petroleum gas into unregistered and noncompliant containers.

“The department is closely working with LGUs [local government units] and other law enforcement agencies to strengthen the DOE’s

Cat bonds. . .

Continued from A1

earthquake or tropical cyclone meets the predefined criteria under the bond terms.

GC Securities, a division of MMC Securities Llc., and Swiss Re were joint structuring agents, joint bookrunners and joint managers.

Munich Re was also a joint structuring agent, placement agent and joint manager. AIR Worldwide is the risk modeler and calculation agent.

“This instrument addresses the financing gap for immediate postdisaster needs for extremely high-risk events. It complements the government’s existing disaster-risk financing mechanisms designed to ensure comprehensive financial protection for the Philippines,” Rosalia V. de Leon, national treasurer of the Philippines, said in a statement.

High-risk The Philippines is highly prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones

ATM. . .

Continued from A1

However, the banks’ desire to hike the ATM fees following the lifting of the moratorium created a public outcry and sparked a Senate inquiry earlier this year.

“We would like to assure the banking public of our commitment to serving them. We will collaborate with the

campaign against unsafe practices. The safety of our people would always remain paramount, especially given the danger to human life posed by the illegal sale of petroleum products,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.

Recently, the Iloilo Provincial Police Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) arrested two individuals at a checkpoint in Guimbal for transporting a total of 1,055 single-use canisters, illegally refilled with LPG and without the necessary Conveyance Certificate from the BFP. T he DOE-V FO adv ised the Philippine National Police to file criminal cases against the su spec ts for v iol at i ng Bat a s Pambansa 33, otherwise known as “An Act Defining And Penalizing Certain Prohibiting Acts Inimical To The Public Interest And National Security Involving Petroleum A nd /Or Petroleum Products, Prescribing Penalties Therefor And For Other Purposes.” Lenie Lectura and floods.

The World Risk Report 2018 ranked the country third in the list of top 15 countries with the highest exposure to risks.

In 2013, Supertyphoon Yolanda (also known as Typhoon Haiyan)— known as the strongest cyclone to hit land—resulted in the loss of 6,300 lives and caused an estimated $12.9 billion in damages, or about 4.7 percent of the country’s GDP. “Many countries in Asia are highly vulnerable to natural disasters, which makes finding innovative, capital markets solutions a major priority to address the impact on their economies,” said Jingdong Hua, World Bank vice president and treasurer.

Based on the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the country experienced 837 disasters which caused damage equivalent to 0.5 percent to 3 percent of GDP between 1905 and 2017.

Around 81,302 people were killed; 219,874 people were injured; and 6.276 million were left homeless. A total of 210.832 million people were affected by these disasters.

regulators to ensure that ATM fees remain market-driven and reasonable, while continuing to provide convenience and security to the banking public,” Castillo said.

The increase in ATM transaction fees for some banks will let them set up more ATMs in remote areas, enabling them to reach and to serve more banking clients, in line with the BSP’s financial inclusion initiatives, the BAP said.

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Guevarra wants SC post but won’t leave DOJ yet

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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EPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday admitted that he is keen on getting an appointment as an associate justice of the Supreme Court but this has to wait as he was still “very much in love” with the agency.

Guevarra made the statement in response to his nomination by retired Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul Victorino for the vacancy created by the appointment of Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta as Chief Justice.

In his one-page letter submitted to the Judicial and Bar Council, which screens nominees for the judiciary, Victorino said Guevarra has the credentials and is experienced to be appointed to the highest court in the land.

“I have known Secretary Guevarra to be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence, and his sense of patriotism through his sociocivic engagements,” Victorino said.

While he thanked Victorino for the nomination, Guevarra said he would have to forego the opportunity as there were still a lot of things needed to be done in the DOJ. “No, certainly not. I very much want to join the judiciary at some future time [but] I just want to make sure that I am able to do something more for the DOJ before I even think, or consider, transferring to the Judicial branch of government,” Guevarra said when asked if he is already closing his doors for an SC post.

Guevarra said he would have to fill up the many positions in the National Prosecution Service (NPS), reduce the backlogs on the petitions

for review pending before his office and restore order in the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Bureau of Pardons and Parole (BPP) before considering an SC post.

Likewise, Guevarra said he wanted to see the modernization of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Bureau of Immigration and the Land Registration Authority, which are all attached agencies of the DOJ, in place during his term.

“Those are the thing I need to do while I’m still with the DOJ. I do not expect that I’ll be able to complete all of these during my tenure but I hope that I’ll be able to make a dent and do something to set the progress in motion,” Guevarra stated.

The DOJ chief disclosed the he previously considered applying to the High Court in 2016 but when he was appointed at the DOJ, he found out that the work was more appealing as justice secretary.

“In 2016, I really considered applying to the Supreme Court as one of my legal options, it’s one of my career options, but circumstances have threw me in Padre Faura, but not that part of Padre Faura, not near Taft Avenue, but Padre Faura near Robinsons, and I found out it was good, it was exciting, so Justice Victorino, thank you for nominating me, but I’m still in love with the DOJ,” Guevarra said in a news statement.

But the 65-year-old DOJ chief admitted that he cannot defer his desire to become a member of the SC too long considering that the mandatory retirement age is 70.

“Sooner or later, once the things that I need to do at the DOJ have more or less been done or some of it, a substantial part of it has already been done then I will again consider applying for the SC,” Guevarra said.

House to probe reported rampant smuggling of substandard steel

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE leadership of the House of Representatives has given the green light to start the investigation into the reported rampant smuggling, distribution and selling of substandard steel in the country.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano gave the signal in the wake of a series quakes that struck Mindanao last month.

“We cannot compromise public safety following deaths and destruction because of a series of earthquakes in Mindanao. The House of Representatives will look into the steel smuggling in the country and make accountable those who are behind this illegal activity,” Cayetano said.

“Congress will work on measures to address the steel smuggling because we cannot just sit down and wait for a big disaster to hit us,” Cayetano added.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Law-

rence Lemuel Fortun’s House Resolution 379 seeks to “protect consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products.”

It said the lower chamber needs “to determine the veracity of various reports to protect the welfare of the Filipino consumers, plug holes in the government revenue streams, clamp down on corruption, and if warranted, exact accountability on public officials involved in the aforesaid unscrupulous acts.”

Cayetano also welcomed the filing of HR 379, which also seeks to investigate the alleged collusion between large steelmakers and officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in the smuggling of substandard steel products.

“We hope to be able to introduce major reforms to regulations on importation, inspection and testing of steel products, as well as other construction materials,” Fortun said.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, November 26, 2019 A3

I’m just getting started–Leni

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

& Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

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ICE President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Monday warned that she would disclose to the public what she uncovered about the Duterte administration’s bloody war on illegal drugs from her two-week stint as drug czar.

Reacting to President Duterte’s decision to fire her as cochairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (Icad), the Vice President said she was barely warming up her seat.

“Kung sa tingin nila matatapos ito dito, hindi nila ako kilala. Nagsisimula pa lamang ako [If they think I’m done yet, they’re terribly mistaken.

I haven’t started, yet],” Robredo said

in a televised statement.

Malacañang announced on Monday night President Duterte’s decision to remove Robredo from the body that is steering the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo cited Robredo’s failure to initiate a new tack in the antidrugs campaign and her statement that if the President wanted her out of the job, he should tell it to her straight.

In her statement, Robredo asked whether the government is really serious in its campaign and whether she had stumbled upon some sensitive information.

“Hindi ba talaga sila seryoso sa laban? O may interes ba tayong nabangga? [Are they really serious in the campaign? Or had I interfered with

certain interests?],” she asked.

Robredo said that as the Vice President, he is answerable the most to the Filipinos.

“In the next coming days, I will make a report to the country. I will tell what I have discovered and my recommendation,” she added.

Robredo said that although she had been removed from her post, this will not take away her determination to stop the killings, make “answerable people to answer” and ensure the success of the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Ma lacañang , meanwhi le, shrugged off speculations that President Duterte sacked Robredo after the Chief Executive felt threatened that her success in the drug war would make her a presidentiable in the 2022 elections.

Panelo said there is no truth to

this, pointing out that from the very start they wanted Robredo to succeed when she was appointed as cochairman of the Icad.

“That’s nonsense. If the President had that in mind, then he would not have appointed her in the first place. Remember…I was even saying, ‘effectively, you are being [given] a ladder to the presidency.’

That’s precisely I was asking her, ‘accept it! This is your chance to do it,’ Panelo said in an interview at ABS-CBN News Channel.

On Sunday night, the Palace announced that the President has fired Robredo from her post, citing her “missteps” of talking to foreign personalities and institutions who have prejudged the Duterte administration’s drug war, as well as her and Sen. Francis Pangilinan’s taunts or dares to fire her instead.

Army troops rescue British couple from ASG bandits

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RMY troops on Monday rescued a British man and his Filipino wife who were abducted by gunmen at a southern beach resort last month and taken to the jungle hideouts of local terrorists allied with the Islamic State (IS) group.

Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said troops caught up with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) captors of Allan Hyrons and his wife, Wilma, in the mountainous hinterlands off Parang town in Sulu province and rescued the couple safely after a brief gun battle.

“There was a running gun battle. They left the two behind because they could not drag them anymore.

They scampered in different directions but our troops are in pursuit,” Sobejana said.

The Hyrons were not hurt in the 10-minute firefight, the military said, adding that no ransom was paid to the ASG bandits.

The Hyrons were recovered by members of the Army’s 2nd Special Forces Battalion at Mount Piahan in Parang, Sulu, according to Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) Spokesman Lt. Col. Gerald Monfort.

They were taken by four armed men on October 4 from their resort in Zamboanga del Sur, and were believed to have been turned over to the ASG, which took them to Sulu.

“The main body of the ASG was forced to hide the kidnapped victims with minimum number of guards to avoid detection after the series of armed confrontation with the government forces,” Monfort said.

JTFS commander Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the military drove the abductors to a designated “constriction area” through a series of operations where they left the couple.

He said they have anticipated that the captors would leave the victims after they would be cornered.

“Our unrelenting efforts to flush out these terrorists allowed our troops to pinpoint the location of the enemy and finally free the kidnap

IN this image provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Task Force Sulu, British national Allan Hyrons and his Filipino wife Wilma gesture inside a military camp at Jolo, Sulu province, southern Philippines on Monday, November 25, 2019. A Philippine general says troops have rescued the British man and his Filipino wife who were abducted by gunmen in their beach resort in the south last month and taken to the jungle hideouts of local militants allied with the Islamic State group.

ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, JOINT TASK FORCE SULU VIA AP

victims,” Vinluan said.

The recovery of the kidnapped couple came three days after soldiers engaged the ASG in a series of clashes beginning on Saturday.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Spokesman Major Arvin Encinas said the first encounter occurred at around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday at Sitio Itum, Barangay Kabuntakas, Patikul, Sulu.

An ASG member identified as “Jailade” was killed during the clash while five soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion were also wounded during the 45 minutes of firefight.

On Sunday, members of the 2nd Special Forces Battalion clashed with the ASG at Sitio Huton Mahablo in the barangay of Silangkan, Indanan, wherein five

ASG members were killed, two of them subleaders.

An M653 rifle, a Barret sniper rifle, three .45 caliber pistols, assorted magazines and ammunition, and five mobile phones were also recovered.

Encinas identified the two subleaders as Sibih Pisih and Roger Sajih. Pisih was under ASG overall commander Radullan Sahiron.

“Pisih is one of the original subgroup leaders of the ASG before the group was split into Sahiron and Sawadjaan group. He was in charge of the ASG’s off the water kidnappings in the boundaries of TawiTawi and Sabah, Malaysia,” Encinas said.

“He [Pisih] has a pending warrant of arrest for the massacre of 22 civilians in Talipao, Sulu, sometime in 2014,” he added. Rene Acosta, AP

Lawmaker seeks declaration of localized state of emergency vs polio

A

LEADER of the House of Representatives on Monday pushed for a declaration of a localized state of health emergency amid a growing public health threat of polio, especially in poverty-stricken and polio-hit areas of Mindanao.

In a news statement, House Deputy

Majority Leader Rep. Bernadette Herrera also called for a more aggressive response to the contagious viral illness after Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III revealed that there are two more suspected cases of polio in Mindanao.

This is in addition to the three

new confirmed polio cases and the first confirmed case in Datu Piang, Maguindanao.

“There are now at least four children with polio in Mindanao making us inclined to believe that the current measures may not be enough,” Herrera said.

“Given the seriousness of the growing polio threat to public health, more aggressive and pro-active steps, including a possible ‘localized state of health emergency’ may be in order, which the DOH secretary has the power to do under our administrative and public health laws,” she added. PNA

A4 Tuesday, November 26, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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Philippines expects 2-M South Cross-border information flows Korean tourist arrivals this year —are you ready to be certified?

By Manuel T. Cayon

D

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—The Philippines is expecting to breach the 2 million mark in South Korean tourist arrivals this year and maintain its position as the leading foreign nationals visiting the country, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Noe Albano Wong said.

Wong said the numbers would rectify the common belief that the Chinese led the statistics in foreign arrivals in the country. “South Koreans are the No. 1 tourists in the Philippines, and not Chinese,” he told reporters in Busan during the state visit of President Duterte.

Wong’s statement was carried by the communication dispatch of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

“We have already reached 1 million. And in fact, as of December of 2018, we had 1,651,282,” Wong said.

He added that the country’s target was to have 2 million South Korean tourists going to the Philippines by year-end. Citing a report by the Department of Tourism in Seoul, he said the first nine months of this year showed the arrivals to

have already exceeded that of the same period last year.

“We look forward to this October, November, December, that we will be able to reach the 2 million for reason that you know, this is winter time in Korea, from now on up to maybe March of next year,” Wong said.

He said the thrust on sustainable and responsible tourism helped attract tourists to the country.

“Those two policies allow the country to make a striking balance between business opportunities, environmental protection, and social responsibility.”

“We do not want to have a repeat of what happened to Boracay when the President has to force the closure of Boracay, and so on and so forth,” he noted. “So that’s why we have this environmental pro-

tection, social responsibility, and business opportunities.”

He also cited the several airline connections between the two countries as contributing to the influx of South Koreans, among them were Asiana, AirAsia, Air Busan, Air Seoul, Jet Air, East Star, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, and Pan Pacific Airlines.

He said the country added 14 flights last week with the opening of three other tours, Daegu to Kalibo, Incheon to Bohol, and Gwangju to Clark.

He said the Philippines competes with other countries in the Asean in attracting South Korean tourists, “most notably against Thailand and Vietnam. Vietnam lords it over in terms of the number of arrivals of Korean tourists.”

So far, there are approximately 93,000 South Koreans living in the Philippines for business, studies, or leisure, Wong said, noting an imbalance, with only 58,000 Filipinos in South Korea. Most Koreans go to the Philippines to learn English, he added.

Wong said the Philippines would raise with South Korea the issue of visa issuance, saying most Asean countries do not require visa for the first 30 days of stay. “For Filipinos wanting to go to South Korea, however, there’s a need to secure a visa,” he said.

“We are trying to raise that issue on a quid pro quo because almost every time Filipinos here will come, we have to get visa,” he said.

country and, we expect that the country will be accepted in January next year.

It is also important to note that the Apec Electronic Commerce Steering Group (ECSG) and the EU Article 29 Working Party have produced a common referential for the requirements of the Apec-CBPR system and the EU Binding Corporate Rules.

How can the Apec-CBPR System help your business?

By Henry J. Schumacher

M

ANY companies in the Philippines are involved in cross-border information flows. We certainly all agree that the ability to transfer information across country borders is a fundamental tool for business in the global economy.

This can be particularly challenging as privacy laws differ from country to country, including some countries with significant transfer restrictions on personal information collected for normal business purposes. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) System helps bridge those differences by providing a single framework for the exchange of personal information among participating economies in the Apec region.

There are currently eight participating Apec-CBPR System economies: the United States, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Australia and Chinese Taipei with more expected to join soon, including the Philippines. The Philippines applied a few weeks ago to become the ninth

THE Apec-CBPR System bridges differing national privacy laws within the Apec region, reducing barriers to the flow of information for global trade. Also, by promoting your business’ adherence to an enforceable standard of best practices, you can demonstrate your commitment to consumer privacy, by promoting trust among customers by demonstrating an organizational commitment to privacy; providing businesses with a road map to privacy protection; demonstrating good faith compl i a nce to en forcement authorities; lowering compliance burdens and reducing trade frictions; and enabling a flexible, accountability-based approach.

Only organizations currently certified by an Apec-recognized accountability agent may display a seal, trustmark, or otherwise claim to participate in the CBPR System. False representations of CBPR system participation may subject the organization to applicable law-enforcement action.

Interested in becoming Apec-CBPR certified?

APEC-CBPR certifications are conducted by Apec-CBPR system recognized accountability agents, which certify that organizations comply

with the CBPR program requirements. In the process, accountability agents will use the CBPR intake questionnaire and their own approved procedures involving local regulations.

There are two certifications: Apec for controllers: The Apec-CBPR Privacy Certification Program evaluates the organization that serves in the role as a controller that collects personal information and transfers information between the participating economies in the Apec region. The organization is assessed against the CBPR certification minimum requirements. These certification standards follow the Apec-CBPR Program Requirements.

Apec for processors: Apec-PRP Certification Program evaluates an organization that serves in the role as a processor, processing personal information on behalf of a controller and assists the controller in complying with the relevant privacy requirements. The organization is assessed against PRP certification minimum requirements. Completing this certification, processors are more visible to controllers looking for a certified processor, or vendor.

To be Apec-CBPR certified, your company (or other entity) must be subject to the laws of one or more Apec CBPR System participating economies. There must also be at least one accountability agent offering its services in your participating economy or economies.

It is trusted that we will have at least one accountability agent in the Philippines shortly after the country is accepted early next year.

If you are interested in more information on this hot topic, contact me at schumacher@eitsc.com

Palace or DA may issue order on zoning plan for transport of hogs, pork products

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing the issuance of an administrative order (AO) to institutionalize the country’s zoning plan on African swine fever (ASF) and oblige local government units (LGUs) to comply with measures related to the transport and sale of pork-related products amid ongoing outbreaks.

But the DA, according to Undersecretary Ariel T. Cayanan, is not closing its doors on the possibility that an executive order (EO) would be issued by President Duterte to put more weight on the implementation of the nationwide zoning plan.

The agriculture secretary could recommend to President Duterte to issue a corresponding EO if he deems it more appropriate than an AO, Cayanan said.

The issuance of an AO, or EO, would give more teeth to the zoning plan as such order may incorporate administrative sanctions on national agencies and LGUs that will not abide with the crafted guidelines, he added.

“Our premise is that everyone will follow the AO. And there should be corresponding sanctions to those who will not be following it,” he said after the House of Representatives hearing on ASF on Monday.

Cayanan revealed that it was the DA’s idea to issue an AO, or even a joint memorandum circular (JMC), so that the zoning plan would be binding to all implementing agencies.

He added that the DA wants to have the zoning plan approved and the order issued “the soonest possible time” to stabilize and normalize trade of porkrelated products in the country.

The implementation of a nationwide zoning plan is seen by the government as a way to not to disrupt trade among provinces, particularly among ASF-free areas. This is to

address the series of bans being imposed by provincial governments on the trade and entry of hogs, and pork-related products within their jurisdictions.

Under the zoning plan, provinces and regions would be classified based on their ASF status which entail corresponding guidelines on the extent that they can transport and sale hogs, pork and pork products.

“The LGUs can always invoke the LGU code but you can only invoke a right without affecting the privilege of others. If you invoke your right then you should not aggrieve others. The right of somebody ends once you violate the privileges and rights of others,” he said.

‘Let us pass’

WHILE awaiting for the implementation of the zoning plan, various hog growers are lobbying for the easing of bans imposed by LGUs on the transport of live hogs and pork-related products, which they said have hampered trade in Luzon, resulting in unprofitable prices.

National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. President Chester Tan appealed that if LGUs would not lift the total ban, particularly for hogs coming from ASFfree areas, then they should at least allow viajeros to traverse in their area.

Tan said the bigger concern for hog growers today is the economic and trade impact of the bans implemented

by LGUs as they find it a hard time to reach their markets, depriving growers of profit, which has been declining due to the ASF outbreaks.

“Is it reasonable or unreasonable for an LGU not to accept pigs which are free from ASF? I think it is not reasonable. If they will not accept our hogs, then at least allow us to pass through their areas,” Tan told the joint hearing of the House Committees on Agriculture and Food and Local Government.

“We are appealing to the LGUs. We

will not deliver our hogs to your areas but let allow us to pass through so we can reach our other markets,” Tan added.

Tan pointed out that live-weight prices of hogs would continue to fall particularly in areas even if free from ASF that are affected by the bans since they cannot reach their end-markets.

On the other hand, retail prices of pork could shoot up in other areas that may suffer shortage since supplies are not reaching them, he added.

Take the case of Tarlac for example, said Ramon Lim of the Tarlac Association of Swine and Poultry Inc. Lim said Tarlac supplies about 50 percent to 60 percent of Baguio’s pork supply but since Pangasinan imposed ban on transport of live hogs, their market share has drastically fell.

Lim explained that their viajeros, which transport hogs from Tarlac, are unable to reach Baguio as they are being stopped in Pangasinan, in particular in Pozorrubio, which is one of the exits from the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLex), en route to Baguio.

“Our request to the Pangasinan LGU is to allow us to pass by Pozorrubio because it is just one town away from Sison, which is already a boundary of La Union en route to Baguio. To note, that is only a 9 kilometer stretch which has no piggery along the road,” he said during the hearing.

“Because of the ban, viajeros have no other way how to reach Baguio.

They have been telling us that they are barring the entry of live hogs due to biosecurity reasons. If that is the case, then they should also close TPLex, since they cover some of the areas in TPLex,” he added.

Since it’s not only Pangasinan which has imposed a ban but also nearby provinces, Tarlac is effectively in a “lockdown” state with growers left with only the National Capital Region as its market for their hogs, Lim said.

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Tuesday, November 26, 2019 A5

BPI Capital to handle 3-year green notes float of Ayala’s energy firm

A

By VG Cabuag

@villygc & Lenie Lectura

@llectura

C Energy Inc., a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., has assigned BPI Capital Corp. as its sole global coordinator for its fixed-for-life, nondeferrable senior perpetual non-call three-year green notes.

BPI Capital, CLSA, Credit Suisse and UBS were assigned as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners for the said green notes offering. The notes will be issued by AC Energy Finance International Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of AC Energy. The notes will also be guaranteed by AC Energy.

AC Energy is the energy platform of Ayala and is one of the fastest-growing energy companies with over $1 billion of invested and committed equity in renewable and thermal energy in the Philippines and around the region. The company aspires to exceed 5 gigawatts of attributable capacity

and generate at least 50 percent of energy from renewables by 2025. “Our goal is to reach 2,000 MW [megawatt] of renewables by 2025,” AC Energy President Eric Francia said. “That leaves us with still about 1,850 MW to build up and we are inclined to have this in greenfield projects.”

Earlier this year, AC Energy raised a total of $410 million in five-year and 10-year green bonds after the participation of the International Finance Corp. and the Asian Development Bank as institutional investors.

Ayala shares closed P5 lower on Monday to close at P820 per share.

BIR-Valenzuela City reminds business owners on tax law BPI subsidiary’s maiden bond priced at ₧2 billion T

This photo shows Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Officer Rufo B. Ranario (second from right) leading a surprise inventory of three business establishments in Valenzuela City. Ranario reminded business owners to follow tax laws. RUDY ESPERAS

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office (RDO) is reminding owners of businesses operating in Valenzuela City, to comply with the tax law.

The reminder was issued by BIR Revenue District Officer Rufo B. Ranario after an inventory stock-taking enforcement activity in the city last November 19.

According to Ranario, the inventory stock-taking is a surprise operation by the bureau to ensure companies and business establishments in a certain area are paying taxes, as well as identify violators.

During the inventory stock-taking activity, BIR staff checked the proper issuance of receipts and the declaration of products. They also checked the registration of the company.

Ranario said the BIR would not be lenient in enforcing tax laws and would

Investors hoping weak dollar to spur emerging markets may get their wish

I

NVESTORS looking for a weaker dollar to provide a fresh spur to emerging markets may be about to get their wish.

Bets that the US currency will strengthen against its major counterparts slipped last week to the lowest level since the start of July, according to CFTC data. MSCI Inc.’s index of developing nation currencies managed to stem a three-day decline last Friday as President Donald J. Trump said there was a “good chance” of a phase-one trade deal that would avert the next scheduled increase in US tariffs.

While risk appetite remains

beholden to the chances of a USChina trade agreement, signs of a manufacturing recovery, improved corporate earnings and accommodative monetary policy from central banks are helping to buoy sentiment toward emerging markets.

Portfolio flows into developing nations remained positive for a sixth straight week last week, boosted by bond buying, according to Credit Agricole SA. “The key to strong emergingmarket local performance in 2020 will be a weak dollar,” according to Eric Stein, the Boston-based codirector of global fixed income at

Eaton Vance, which manages about $480 billion in assets. “It’s actually very impressive how well the EM local asset class has done in 2019 based on carry and duration without a weaker dollar. The outlook for EM is broadly pretty good.”

As always, risks abound across the world’s developing economies, underscored most recently by political turmoil in Chile, Lebanon and Hong Kong. With markets still on edge over the trade dispute, Chinese state media stepped up its criticism of what it called American interference in its domestic affairs over Hong Kong. Bloomberg News

IMF cuts Japan’s GDP forecast for third time

T

HE International Monetary Fund (IMF) called on Japan’s government and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to cooperate more in support of the economy as it cut its 2019 growth forecast for the third time this year amid heightened global risks. Speaking at the conclusion of the fund’s annual mission to review Japan’s economy, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva essentially gave a green light for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s planned stimulus package as she called for continued spending to prop up growth and prices.

The fund also made several recommendations to make BOJ policy more sustainable, including the targeting of shorter-term bonds, while reiterating its call for more ambitious structural reforms to boost growth. The IMF recommendations come as Abe’s administration mulls the scale of planned stimulus to support growth in the face of a sales tax hike, damage from recent typhoons and a decelerating world economy.

Economists and policy-makers see a greater need for the government to step in to keep the economy ticking over as the BOJ runs short of additional ammunition.

“The IMF’s comments add support to Abe’s fiscal stance,” Hiroshi Miyazaki, a senior economist

at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, said. “He wants to do a speedy and substantial stimulus in case there’s an economic slowdown after the sales tax hike just as existing public spending peaks out.”

Georgieva said the resilience of Japan’s domestic demand would be tested by a synchronized global slowdown in the near future and by the country’s own demographics in the longer term.

“Fiscal policy should be supportive to protect near-term growth and promote inflation momentum,” Georgieva said while reminding policy-makers in Japan that eventually they would still need to rein in the country’s towering public debt. “Beyond the short-run, a clear commitment to long-term fiscal sustainability is essential.”

The IMF trimmed its growth forecast for the world’s third-largest economy this year to 0.8 percent from 0.9 percent, and forecast a slowing to 0.5 percent next year, matching the country’s potential growth rate.

The IMF said Japan should not tighten its spending stance for now, suggesting that measures aimed at supporting growth through the sales tax hike should be extended.

Those measures, including rebates for cashless payments and tax breaks

on housing and car purchases, had already helped smooth out demand, the fund said. Public money could also be used to raise pay for workers in the health-care sector, offer incentives for firms to raise wages, and widen the availability of childcare facilities, the fund added.

Among pressing structural reforms to improve labor market flexibility and corporate governance, the fund flagged the importance of addressing the duality of Japan’s job market. Breaking the wall that separates secure lifetime employees from contracted workers by giving them equal working conditions would improve productivity, it said.

Easing sustainability

THE IMF called on the BOJ to maintain its support for the economy, while honing its policy measures to make them more sustainable.

The central bank could reduce the side effects of its prolonged easing on financial institutions by shifting its zero-percent yield target on 10-year Japanese government bonds to a shorter maturity and by cutting back its buying of longerterm JGBs. Such actions should steepen the JGB yield curve, which would help financial institutions’ profitability. Bloomberg News

put a padlock on a company’s doors if it’s found to having failed to comply with the law despite repeated reminders.

A week prior to the inventory stocktaking activity, the BIR-RDO 24 also inspected three companies. These included a food manufacturer operating in Karuhatan, Valenzuela, and a warehouse for chemicals in Barangay Ugong.

Ranario and Revenue Region 5 Regional Director Maria Gracia B. Javier earlier padlocked a warehouse for hardware materials, a warehouse for sugar and a warehouse for plastic.

Ranario said the BIR RDO’s enforcement activities should serve as a wake up call among businessmen, especially those under RDO 24, to ensure their registration papers are updated and that inventory of products and sales are in proper order.

B

ank of the Philippine Islands subsidiary BPI Family Savings Bank Inc. (FSBI) announced on Monday, it has priced its maiden bond issuance in the aggregate principal amount of P2 billion.

The bank said the maiden issue will be the first tranche of its P35-billion bond program, which was approved by its board of directors last October 31.

The thrift bank’s bond issuance is a fund-raising effort to support its drive to diversify its investor base, fund its asset expansion, particularly loan growth, digitalization initiatives and general corporate purposes, BPI FSBI said.

The thrift bank’s bonds will have a tenor of two-and-a-half years and, an interest rate of 4.3 percent annually; paid quarterly.

The minimum investment amount is set at P100,000 with increments of P50,000, thereafter. The public offer period will start on November 25 until December 6, with issue and listing date set for December 16.

BPI FSBI, however, reserves the right to adjust the timing of the offer period. BPI Capital Corp. is the sole selling agent, while The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. is the sole arranger and participating selling agent. Bianca Cuaresma

A6 Tuesday, November 26, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

We will survive

A

group of college students e-mailed us a questionnaire for a class project that could very well have asked if newspapers are still relevant in a world where more and more people are getting their news from a variety of sources on the Internet.

They might have been too polite to directly ask this question. Instead, they asked questions like if we would approve of having all news content offered online, or if the country is ready for such a total migration.

Their questions are well-founded.

The annual digital report of We Are Social and Hootsuite on online habits showed the Philippines topping world Internet usage, with Filipinos spending an average of 10 hours a day online.

The country is also first when it comes to social-media penetration, with 99 percent of Filipino Internet users having at least one type of social-media platform.

According to the same report, the number of social-media users in the Philippines has grown from 67 million to 76 million in 2019, of which 75 million are on Facebook.

A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in March showed that TV and Facebook are the Filipinos’ main news sources—60 percent get their news from TV and 21 percent from Facebook, with 15 percent getting their news on radio and only 2 percent from newspapers.

We believe the implications of all these data for traditional media, especially the print media, will be far-reaching but not necessarily negative, although this paper has always tried to look at the bright side of things.

Print media has always given a premium to high quality content and more exhaustive news reporting, which is still necessary for garnering attention anywhere, but especially online where there is so much indistinguishable clutter.

Indeed, most of the noteworthy posts, opinions, comments and messages that we find online are imported from traditional news sources, a lot of them from newspapers and their online editions.

So we are not ready to write our epitaph just yet. The Philippines, as a Nielsen report said, may be the laggard for print media in the region, but there is still a market for solid journalism in this country.

How it will be delivered and where it will come from—there lies the key to saving newspapers. If newspapers are to be part of the new journalistic landscape, they have to evolve with it and not be a casualty of it.

As such, it is already de rigueur for newspapers to have digital editions available in various platforms, bolstering their limited print run and advertising streams by finding more cost-effective ways to reach audiences through the Internet and social networking.

Newspapers, as we now know and read them, will not be the same in the near future, but the kind of journalism they generate is still essential even with the palette of new technologies.

A 2018 Pulse Asia survey found that most Filipinos, or 79 percent, believe that fake news “is widespread on social media.”

Newspapers started the professionalization of the news industry; training editors, reporters and other staff to untangle facts from falsehoods, codifying journalism ethics and tenets, and creating organizations to ensure the integrity, accuracy and impartiality of news reporting and coverage.

Hence, there are still many people who believe news is not news, unless it is printed and published.

In the age of fake news and alternative facts, where sources can share misinformation just as fast as information, news credibility is where newspapers can still stand out and make a difference.

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

Stock market analysis desperation John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

O

ne of the many human emotions that is most alarming is desperation. I am not speaking of the emotion that a parent has when a child is sick and experiences that feeling of helplessness.

The desperation in this case is the emotion of having absolute faith and confidence in something that is at least a little shattered when it proves to be unsuccessful in describing the real world.

Stock market analysis is primarily divided into those who believe in the “Fundamentals” and those who follow the “Technicals.” Each side is almost certain that they have found the ultimate answer. Allow me to give a silly analogy that I hope will not trigger your sensitivities.

Fundamental stock market analysis is similar to Catholic Christianity and Islam. There may be some internal differences and disagreements—

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Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox; Sunni and Shia—but the basic beliefs and doctrine is unwavering and concurrent. The same is true with fundamental analysis.

As in the religions, there is a firm set of dogma that is religiously followed, pun intended. The fundamentalists can tell you when a stock market, or issue, is cheap or expensive based on parameters that leave little room for discussion. These are not unlike the Ten Commandments or the Five Pillars of Islam. There might be some refinement and minor changes over time, but “Price Earnings Ratio,” “Debt-to-Equity,” “Book Value” and the like are really

W

E need more builders to sustain the rapid growth of the real-estate sector and the general economy.

Based on insights from construction industry players, the Philippines is experiencing a shortage of skilled laborers in the construction sector, as the government stepped up infrastructure spending in the second half of 2019 and the private sector continued the rapid development of office and residential projects across the country.

Construction companies are looking for thousands of workers, including project engineers, foremen, mason, carpenters, machine operators, plumbers, electricians and painters.

I have learned that many companies are having a hard time filling the vacant positions despite the aboveminimum wage they are offering.

While this is a problem for the industry, it speaks of the vibrant economic activities happening across the country. Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) show that public spending on infrastructure projects climbed 54 percent in September 2019 to more than P100 billion, from just P65.2 billion in the same month of 2018.

It also marked the fastest growth

for infrastructure spending in the first nine months of 2019, which proves that the government is keen on pursuing its “Build, Build, Build” program.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the gross domestic product rebounded with a 6.2-percent growth in the third quarter of 2019, and one major driver is the construction industry.

“The construction industry expanded by 16.3 percent in the third quarter of 2019. This expansion was attributed to the faster growth in private construction, and growth in public construction albeit slower than the previous year,” the PSA said.

On the expenditure side of the National Income Accounts, construction investments picked up by 17.3

not to be argued with.

The Technicians follow a basic creed that price analysis and forecasting can be done by understanding the way prices move. I would compare them to Protestant Christianity.

The basic tenets are the same but—as with Protestantism—there are thousands of different “denominations.”

For example, Candlestick charts tell the truth for some as do Point-andFigure charts for others. Is the future found in Elliott Wave Theory or in the Seventh Wave Principle? God only knows, maybe literally.

And then there is the 2019 Philippine stock market. Both the Fundamentalists and the Technicians are moving quickly into desperation mode.

One local guru said back in early August that Jollibee was an incredible buy above the P230 area and sort of whispered—he is far too nice a guy to say it—that anyone who did not agree with this analysis was a fool. He must really like the stock now that it is about 20 percent lower. One stockbroker says, based on Price Earnings alone, the composite index absolutely should be at 8,000. Another one from a prominent bank says that the economic numbers should be reflected

percent in the third quarter of 2019, faster than the 13.3-percent expansion recorded in the previous year.

The PSA said private construction, which accounted for 79.6 percent of total construction investments, expanded 19.1 percent. Public construction also grew 11 percent.

The private sector’s strong need for construction workers is not expected to dissipate anytime soon as companies are planning to build more projects. The PSA said the building permits issued by the local building officials nationwide reached 43,394 in the second quarter of 2019 alone, up 8 percent from 40,182 permits approved a year earlier.

By type of construction, residential permits reported the highest number at 32,077, or 73.9 percent of the total in the second quarter and representing a 10.4-percent increase from a year ago. The number of applications for nonresidential constructions hit 5,966, up 5.7 percent from 5,644 nonresidential constructions recorded in the same period of 2018.

The growth is clear in terms of construction value. The PSA said the total value of constructions were estimated at P123 billion in the second quarter, up 21.6 percent from P101.2 billion registered in the second quarter of 2018.

Such a strong growth in construction applications in the second quarter was a continuation of

in much higher stock prices.

Several of the technicians talk about the market being oversold and others mention “euphoria” as to why prices are not higher, but should be. Considering that the relative strength index on a monthly basis has been virtually unchanged all year and the index is almost exactly the same as the close on January 4, 2019, “oversold” and euphoria do not seem to be part of the equation.

I am neither a Fundamentalist nor a Technician. In a brief conversation with him the other day, former PSE President Hans B. Sicat used the term “chartist” and I like that best—since it rhymes with “scientist.”

A scientist knows that mixing vinegar and baking soda creates bubbles, the amount depending on the purity of the ingredients. A chartist knows that a Complex Head and Shoulders pattern is followed by a 20-percent decline, depending on the price movement prior to the formation of the pattern. I am a chartist.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Visit my web site at www.mangunonmarkets.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stockmarket information and technical analysis tools provided by the COL Financial Group Inc.

the industry’s robust performance in 2018 when the total number of constructions from approved building permits reached 173,193, up 3.9 percent from 152,012 constructions in 2017.

“In 2018, the total value of construction was estimated at P476.0 billion, higher by 42.9 percent compared with the P333.2 billion reported during the previous year,” the PSA said.

Real-estate consultants attest to the sustained growth of the realestate sector. Colliers International Philippines estimated that the total office space stock in Metro Manila increased 10 percent to 11.7 million square meters (sq m) as of the third quarter of 2019 from a year earlier.

Colliers predicts that with more office space towers rising in the central business districts of Makati, Fort Bonifacio, Ortigas Center, the Bay Area, Alabang and Quezon City, the total office space stock in Metro Manila would reach 15.164 million sq m by 2022. That would translate into additional hundreds of skyscrapers redefining our skyline in the next three years.

Such forecast hinges on the ability of the government, and the private sector to find and train more Filipinos to become skilled builders who are ready to fortify the foundation of our future economic growth.

For comments, e-mail mbv.secretariat@gmail. com or visit www.mannyvillar.com.ph.

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Strengthening the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights

He who rules the waves rules the world Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

Atty. Rodel C. Unciano

Tax Law for Business

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N tax investigation cases, it is undisputed that our existing tax laws and regulations provide taxpayers some sort of remedies in contesting such assessment cases. Taxpayers may avail themselves of the bundle of rights and remedies primarily provided under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997, as amended, for internal revenue tax investigation cases; the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) for customs cases; and the Local Government Code of 1991 for real property and local tax cases. Of course, taxpayers may, likewise, invoke the Bill of Rights guaranteed under Article III of the Philippine Constitution.

However, our laws protecting taxpayers’ rights seem to be inadequate. According to a study, certain individuals have been subjected to harassment by some officials and employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), including the filing of undue and baseless complaints, resulting to embarrassment and humiliation on the part of taxpayers. Thus, Senate Bill 1163, or The Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act, is being proposed to strengthen the taxpayers’ Bill of Rights.

Introduced by Sen. Ralph G. Recto, the bill is divided into three main pillars: a) taxpayers basic rights, b) taxpayers’ rights in civil cases, and c) taxpayers’ rights in criminal cases. Interestingly, the bill, likewise, seeks to create the Office of the National Taxpayers Advocate, which is envisioned to assist taxpayers in resolving problems with the BIR and BOC, among others. The Office of the National Taxpayers Advocate shall be under the administration and supervision of an official to be known as the National Taxpayer Advocate, and shall be attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes only.

Senate Bill 1163 seeks to require all revenue officers and agents to undergo regular training and evaluation on a variety of job standards, including customer relations, to ensure that they fully explain to taxpayers their rights under the law. The bill seeks to strengthen the taxpayers’ right to obtain simple, nontechnical statements, including the right to be provided with a narrative description explaining the basis of audit, proposed assessments and denials of refunds. Further, the bill proposed to require the revenue examiners and officers to state the consequences of the taxpayer’s failure to comply with notices.

The bill, likewise, seeks to provide taxpayers right to privacy as guaranteed by the Constitution, and the right to have the taxpayer’s tax information kept confidential.

It guarantees the taxpayers right to have any case or proceeding to

be devoid of publicity, whether through radio, television, newspaper or any alternative media, while said case or proceeding is pending.

Other basic taxpayers’ rights that the bill intends to safeguard include the right to request for installment payment of tax liabilities under any compromise settlement or any assessed tax liabilities, the right to recover attorney’s fees and litigation costs for tax assessments made without substantial justification, and the right to have the BIR begin and complete its audits in a timely and expeditious manner.

Any person or public official who is found to have violated the taxpayers’ rights shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six years nor more than 12 years and a fine of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000.

I note that the bill seems to limit the scope to BIR and Customs tax investigation cases. The taxpayers’ rights provided therein, likewise, find significance in real-property tax and local tax assessment cases issued by different local government units. I hear of many local tax assessment stories where local tax authorities unjustifiably refuse to accept tax payments lower than payments made in the prior years, despite clear proof of lower gross receipts generated during the year under investigation as compared to prior year’s receipts. Taxpayers are being forced to pay undue tax assessments, just for the sake of being able to secure their business permits and to avoid disruption of their business operations. This is a clear harassment that should stop.

The author is a partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a member-firm of WTS Global.

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at rodel.unciano@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 140.

R

epublic Act 11313, otherwise known as the “Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act” and colloquially referred to as the “Bawal Bastos Law” was finally signed into law by PRRD this year. Earlier, it was feared that the President who has been accused of being a misogynist would not sign the proposed measure. In a number of occasions, the President created controversy with his sexist remarks and unwarranted slurs about women. PRRD, however, proved the doubters wrong by signing the bill into law.

In fairness to PRRD, he appointed more women in his Cabinet than his predecessors soon after his inauguration, to wit: Robredo in HUDCC, Briones in Education, Teo in Tourism, Lopez in Natural Resources, Ubial in Health and Taguiwalo in DSWD. If naming women in the President’s Cabinet is the yardstick, PRRD supports women by entrusting to them sensitive positions in our government. The Bawal Bastos Law whose principal author is Sen. Risa Hontiveros “seeks to prevent gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public places, online workplaces, and educational and training institutions.” Among the prohibited acts covered by the law include cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering, sexist slurs, relentless requests for one’s personal details and other similar acts. Also pending in the current Congress is the “Sexual

Orientation and Identity Expression Equality Bill, which is designed to protect people against discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

There are three versions of Sogie Bill filed separately by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Imee Marcos and Kiko Pangilinan in the 18th Congress.

Several congressmen have refiled the bill in the Lower House. Unfortunately, other countries lack relevant legislations to protect people against discrimination and sexual harrassment. In Japan, for instance, sexual harassment victims who are mostly women, take the law in their own hands. Groping and touching of Japanese women’s bodies are common occurrence inside the packed commuter trains in Japan. According to studies, at least 50 percent of female commuters had been victims of groping and molestations. To

Bloomberg Opinion

I

F you see a flowering of “palm oil free” labels on supermarket shelves next year, then thank Indonesian drivers, President Donald J. Trump’s trade negotiators and sickly pigs in China.

Palm oil—the red, semisolid fat used in everything—from noodles and soap to pastry and lipstick— has rarely been less attractive to consumer-product manufacturers.

That isn’t so much a result of environmental campaigning against a product blamed for deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia; it’s more a reflection of shifts in commodity markets driven by high-level trade politics.

The price of palm oil has been surging, sending its discount to soybean oil futures from more than $150 a metric ton six weeks

ago to less than $26 a ton on Friday.

Given the way hedge funds have cut bullish bets on soybean oil in recent weeks, the spread could flip to a premium soon for the first time in almost a decade.

That’s important because soybean and palm oil—and, in Europe, rapeseed—are close substitutes for each other, and changes in one market tend to ripple through all three commodities. Just to make things even more complicated, a key factor for soybean oil is the price of the meal left over after crushing.

Those meal prices, in turn, are influenced by the livestock market, given that most of the residue is used as animal feed.

The recent price shifts have had diverse causes. In Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm-oil producer, President Joko Widodo announced plans in August to increase the share of biodiesel in domestic fuel

fight off molesters, a female student hung a sign on her school bag which reads: “Groping is a crime.”

Since then, groping had stopped so that many women had adopted the practice. Even the Tokyo Police had created an app that when activated displays a running screen message inside the train that reads: “There’s a molester. Please help.” Senator Hontiveros was right: “[T]he Bawal Bastos Law will push a new and positive culture among Filipinos to replace the culture of vulgarity and violence on our streets.” nnn

The recent passage of an American aircraft carrier through the strategically sensitive West Philippine Sea and the ensuing usual China’s belligerent protest and overreaction to the incident have once more sparked concerns among observers of geopolitics in our region. How much of such provocation would eventually led to a serious confrontation is anybody’s guess. China warned that the US should stop flexing its muscles in the South China Sea to avoid further escalating tension in the region.

China is no longer the pushover easily cowed by the US firepower. Under his watch, Xi Jinping has relentlessly pursued the Chinese dream of making China a strong and rejuvenated nation. Steeped in history’s lessons, Xi does not want a repeat of the century of humiliation where European colonial powers and neighboring Japan pillaged a defenseless China.

How powerful really is the Chinese military now? While we were napping, the People’s Liberation Army

(PLA) is now the world’s second most powerful military force, after the US. Not too long ago, BBC News has published a report comparing China’s military might against that of the US. The US has a total military personnel of 2.14 million while China has 2.69 million. The US 2019 defense budget is $726 billion against China’s $217 billion. The US is still far ahead of China in terms of military spending and investment in military technology. The US enjoys air superiority over China with its 15,683 air assets compared to China’s 4,029. However, China has been consistent in increasing its budget year after year, making it the fastest modernizing military superpower while US’s spending has slowed down in recent years. This year, its number of warships hit 300, 13 more than the US Navy. It has 73 submarines compared to 72 of the US. During the past couple of years, China has commissioned more combat ships than the US. If this trend continues, its growing naval power may tip the balance against the US. However, US vessels are much larger, which include 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. By total ship tonnage, it actually outweighs the Chinese Navy by a big margin—roughly 3 million tons greater than China’s.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies has reported that Chinese Navy has more ships than Germany, Spain, India and UK combined. It has just commissioned its second aircraft carrier to complement its growing naval and airpower.

China believes that he who rules the waves rules the world.

High-seas rescues put migrants in harm’s way

By Ferdinando Giugliano | Bloomberg Opinion

T

he inflow of migrants from North Africa has split Europe between those who think governments should do all they can to save human lives and those who fear rescue operations mainly benefit smugglers. A new study shows such concerns could be well-grounded.

Giovanni Mastrobuoni, one of Europe’s preeminent economists of crime based at the Collegio Carlo Alberto in Turin, worked with Claudio Deiana and Vikram Maheshri to look at how people smugglers change their behavior in response to relief efforts in the Mediterranean Sea. Their findings: When such criminals anticipate there’s a greater chance their human cargo will be rescued, they react by using cheaper and less secure boats.

As a result, the number of crossings increases—on craft more vulnerable to accidents—making it mission impossible for rescue crews to reduce the number of deaths.

This conclusion will be clearly unpalatable for those, especially on the left, who believe European governments have a moral duty to provide assistance at sea to crossing migrants. A number of terrible accidents—especially one in October 2013, which killed more than 360 people off the coast of the

Italian island of Lampedusa—have led politicians in Italy and beyond to launch operations to preserve human life at sea.

The critique, typically from the right, is that these efforts risk doing more harm than good. Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy’s League and former home affairs minister, has led efforts to limit such operations, especially those by nongovernment organizations such as Open Arms and Ocean Viking. When he was in government, he often referred to illegal immigration as a “business” which had to be stopped even if it meant taking a tough line.

Salvini will certainly feel vindicated by the work from the three economists.

But how can they be so sure? To test their hypothesis, they built a new data set, where they overlaid sea conditions from 2009-2017 on top of the number of irregular migrants arriving daily in Italy along the so-called

Palm oil’s price switch won’t save the orangutan

By David Fickling

Tuesday, November 26, 2019 A7

to 30 percent from 20 percent by the start of next year. That’s sent producers, refiners and traders scrambling to secure supplies in a market that was already around its tightest levels in three years. As a result, prices of the Malaysian benchmark contract are up 29 percent since the start of October.

Soybeans have the opposite problem. Thanks to China’s suspension of oilseed imports from the US and slack demand for animal feed as a result of African swine fever, even the devastation that the Midwest crop suffered in flooding earlier this year hasn’t been sufficient to squeeze the market to the point where prices start to pick up.

The much higher volumes of palm oil produced for each hectare of farmland normally ensure that it’s priced at a significant discount to soybean and rapeseed, but in

the case of soy that’s now all but disappeared.

Should current conditions persist, consumer-product manufacturers may find that switching to alternative fats and slapping a picture of an orangutan on the label is a cost-free way of giving themselves a green tinge. Just don’t kid yourself you’re saving the world by buying that “rainforest-friendly” chocolate, though. Widodo’s biofuel mandate was driven as much as anything by a desire to make up the demand lost as the European Union moves toward eliminating palm oil from its own biodiesel by 2030.

The effect will be to switch palm biodiesel consumption from Europe—a market where road transport is growing slowly, and likely to electrify rapidly—to Indonesia, where it’s growing fast and likely to electrify slowly. That could do more to push demand upward

central route; the tally of deaths in the central Mediterranean Sea; and logs of search and rescue activity.

From 2013-2017, they were also able to add information on the types of vessels used.

When search and rescue operations were in place, they found that the number of crossings fell more quickly during stormy weather. This suggests that traffickers do indeed shift from more seaworthy wooden boats to cheaper inflatable rafts, which don’t take to the sea when the weather is rough. The record on the type of boats used, which is admittedly patchy, also confirms the trend toward using less expensive craft.

Adding in the sea conditions data is a neat trick because it helps rule out other human-driven impacts on migration patterns like political instability. The study is far more sophisticated than many others, which simply do a straight correlation between search and rescue operations and sea crossings. It’s one of those classic cases in economics where you have to take a convoluted path to prove causality.

The research is also not without limitations. For a start, it ends in 2017—just before Salvini became home affairs minister in Italy. It would be interesting to see whether

his efforts to hamper rescue efforts

by NGOs show up the data since then. Also, the data sources—while more granular than most available study—are obviously fragile: It’d be better to have figures on the type of vessels used by the smugglers back to 2009. And more work needs to be done to understand the discrepancy with conclusions by others. For example, Matteo Villa at the Institute for International Political Studies has found that NGOs do not act as so-called pull factors for immigrants, and that search and rescue operations actually reduced the risk of death at sea.

However, the comprehensive study from Mastrobuoni, Deiana and Maheshri puts governments in front of an inexorable truth. While they can control their own behavior, they cannot choose how criminals adapt. What’s disturbing is that the conclusion flies in the face of one’s most human instinct to reach out and help those who put themselves in harm’s way. It should be a wake-up call for the EU to acknowledge that search and rescue operations are an imperfect, second-best response to the issue of immigration from North Africa. Making it easier for immigrants to enter the EU legally would be a much better way forward.

than downward. Indeed, if current high palm prices are sustained, you should expect to see smallholders slashing and burning more rainforests and tropical peatlands to create new plantations.

Soybeans aren’t the best friends of the rainforest, either. While most of the current glut is a result of China’s boycott of American crops, the vegetable oil market is almost as international as the one for crude oil, and Brazil wants to become the Saudi Arabia of soy. If more soybean oil goes into products that previously used palm, that ultimately will lead to more soy plantings in Brazil’s cerrado savannah, an activity that’s indirectly linked to this year’s Amazon fires.

The better solution probably isn’t more trade fights and shifts in global crop patterns, but better use of plantation land. Palm oil’s great advantage is that its agricul-

tural yields are higher than with alternative oilseeds. Its disadvantage is that so much of the industry is poorly regulated, encouraging deforestation to produce yet more product. Well-managed palm plantations, combined with replantings to improve the productivity of existing sites, may be a far better way to supply the world’s demand for oils than increasing the acreage of either soybeans or rapeseed; badly managed ones do more damage than petroleum.

Europe has been using its import muscle to cajole Brazil’s slash-happy government into a more active program of forest protection. The effectiveness of that push is yet to be seen, but it’s almost certainly a better policy than interdicting trade altogether. If you want to persuade producing nations to clean up the palm-oil trade, be prepared to buy the good stuff.

A8 Tuesday, November 26, 2019

9 groups file petitions for wage hike in NCR

A

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

T least nine groups in Metro Manila are now seeking a higher minimumwage hike, according to a report of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region’s (RTWPB-NCR) chief Sarah Mirasol.

The labor department’s Spokesman Rolly Francia quoted her as saying “the petitions were filed and they will calendar the public hearing as soon as they are done” deciding on the wage hike for kasambahay [household service woorkers] on November 28.

The RTWPB-NCR started accepting new wage petitions after the anniversary date of its previous wage order last Friday.

House approves CTRP Package 3

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

T

@joveemarie

HE House of Representatives on Monday approved on third and final reading a measure instituting reforms in the country’s real property valuation.

Voting 224 affirmative, seven negative and one abstention, lawmakers approved House Bill 4664 or Real Property Valuation Reform Bill.

The bill, which provides for Package 3 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), will now be transmitted to the Senate for its own deliberations.

The proposal seeks to reorganize the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), and seeks an allocation of P58 million to set up

a Real Property Valuation Service within the BLGF for 2020.

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, the bill seeks to grant each local government unit (LGU) the power to create its own sources of revenue and to levy taxes, fees and charges.

The bill aims to harmonize the real property valuation for taxation purposes, which frees the BIR from the task of promulgating the Schedule of Zonal Values.

The bill establishes and maintains valuation standards to govern the valuation of real property in the country. It also provides a comprehensive and up-to-date electronic database of all real property transactions.

The measure also ensures transparency in real property transactions to protect the public and

TAIL-END OF A COLD FRONT AFFECTING THE PROVINCES OF AURORA AND QUEZON as of 4:00 pm - November 25, 2019

develop confidence in the work of appraisers and assessors.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda, principal author of the bill, said this will enable the LGUs to become self-reliant and perform their role as development partners of the national government.

Salceda said the real property valuation reform bill is pro-local government, explaining that, “we expect P30.2-billion estimated revenue for the first year of the implementation for local government units.”

Package 3 is also beneficial to the national government as it will address the issues on right of way, which have plagued the speedy implementation of vital infrastructure projects.

See “CTRP,” A2

Under wage rules, the RTWPBs may only adjust wages rates a year after the issuance of its previous wage order, unless there is a prevailing supervening condition like a prolonged unusual spike in prices of basic goods and services with their jurisdiction.

On Monday, Unity for Wage Increase Alliance (U-Win) announced it filed a wage petition before the RTWPB-NCR asking for a P213

BSP assures public banknotes enough for the holidays

By Bianca Cuaresma

T

@BcuaresmaBM

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assured the public that the supply of banknotes is “adequate,” taking into account the seasonal demand for fresh banknotes during the Christmas season.

The Central Bank on Monday issued a statement saying cash supply is adequate for the Christmas season and for the growth of the economy in general.

“Similar to the practice of other central banks that print their own currency, the BSP partially outsources the production of banknotes to meet surges in currency demand under domestic procurement regulations or international competitive bidding processes,” the BSP said.

The BSP also said that it continues to educate the public on the proper handling of banknotes under its nationwide “Clean Note Policy” as a multi-stakeholder initiative to minimize the cost of producing currency.

The campaign is aimed at extending the life span of banknotes, thereby reducing the cost of currency production.

“The BSP continuously invests in and upgrades its capacity for coin and banknote production to further increase its agility in meeting the country’s currency requirements. Toward this end, the BSP plans to establish a larger currency production facility in New Clark City,” the BSP said in a statement.

“Moreover, the BSP fosters an environment conducive to a cashlite economy. This is in view of an evolving global market landscape that takes into account the efficiencies brought about by advances in electronic payment systems and the potential of technology in enhancing financial inclusion,” it added.

daily minimum-wage hike.

It said the existing daily minimum-wage rate in NCR, which ranges from P500 to P537, is below their estimated minimum cost of a family of five per day, which they pegged at P1,008.

“What we are asking is a mere relief for the Filipino workers and their families; only to avail at least 75 percent of the daily cost of living.

It is not even comensurate to our

labor productivity,” U-Win Spokesman Charlito Arevalo said.

U-Win cited Ibon Foundation data which showed that labor productivity in the NCR grew 35 percent between 2009 and 2017.

“Last year’s P25 wage hike or a 4.9-percent increase from previous levels did not even make up for the 5.5-percent inflation in the National Capital Region for 2018,” it added.

PHL RED CROSS THANKS ENDORSERS OF DEC. 8 MILLION VOLUNTEER RUN

T

HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has acknowledged the relentless efforts of local personalities, including the media, in supporting the Fifth Volunteer Run (MVR), the largest humanitarian run in the country.

These personalities, the Red Cross said, have been helpful in promoting awareness of the significance of the fundraising event, as well as the mission of PRC—to alleviate human suffering and provide adequate assistance to the most vulnerable.

“I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and give a salute to these people, for encouraging the public to participate in the largest humanitarian run in the country. Your support will enable us to provide the needs of families severely affected by calamities and conflicts,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.

Local personalities who collaborated with PRC for the promotion of the MVR, including celebrities Robi Domingo, Jerald Napoles, Kim Molina, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Jeffrey Santos; news anchors Arnold Clavio, Connie Sison; Umagang Kay Ganda and Eat Bulaga hosts; and Mayors Isko Moreno of Manila, Richard Gomez of Ormoc City and Vico Sotto of Pasig City.

“Anybody can run, we have so many things going, we really need funds because we have water tankers running around, gasoline is being spent in areas devastated by series of earthquakes that hit several areas in Mindanao last month, so we really need support.

Everybody who contributes becomes a volunteer and becomes a person that carries the load, and not the one being carried,” Gordon added.

Gordon once again urged the public to do something life-changing and help Red Cross address humanitarian problems before they even occur.

The fifth MVR will be held on December 8 at Quirino Grandstand, Manila and other parts of the country with the goal of raising funds to build the capacity of PRC’s 104 chapters by acquiring life-saving equipment, such as, ambulances, boats, fire trucks, and rescue vehicles, as well as conducting first aid and disaster resilience trainings in communities.

The funds will also further support the organization’s humanitarian interventions in areas hit by disaster and health emergencies.

For only P700, one can contribute to the cause by joining the run, which has two distances—3k and 5k. The P700 fee covers a singlet, race bib, and an opportunity to be part of Red Cross 14—a flagship program for community volunteers that enables them to be part of the frontliners during response and disaster operations.

Moreover, PRC encourages companies and organizations to partner in the event. For details, contact +639175106343 or run@ redcross.org.ph.

DOT, Manila ink pacts to boost city tourism Continued from A1

a local government unit.

Following this, Romulo Puyat and Moreno signed another MOA for the turnover of the statue “La Madre Filipina” to the Manila City government. The iconic statue was restored at the foot of the Jones Bridge in Binondo, on Sunday. It had been previously been located at the Rizal Park.

The DOT chief said: “This is not just a restoration of a monument.

It is the installation of a silent witness to the history of Manila, from the American Occupation till the end of the Second World War. We entrust back to the city government this piece of priceless art and history for Filipinos to preserve and appreciate.”

La Madre Filipina (The Filipina Mother), is one of the four sculptures of artist Ramon Lazaro Martinez unveiled in 1921, and had adorned the pillars of the historic bridge. Only three of the four

statues survived World War II; the other two statues are installed at the Court of Appeals compound in Ermita, Manila.

A replica of the destroyed piece now stands opposite La Madre Filipina at the foot of Jones Bridge that leads to Manila’s Chinatown, and the historic Escolta Street.

Romulo Puyat expressed optimism that the Court of Appeals and National Historical Commission of the Philippines “will also agree to return the last two original La Madre Filipinas to the Jones Bridge soon.”

She lauded the City of Manila, for renovating Jones Bridge and decorating it with neoclassic lamp posts. The bridge has since become a popular tourist spot with a 360-degree view of the Pasig River and downtown Manila.

“We at DOT share Mayor Isko’s passion in urban regeneration to rekindle the capital city’s old glory. It is incredible [to see] what

can be achieved when the national and local agencies work together under a common goal. We look forward to replicating this partnership with other LGUs in the country in order to boost tourism and preserve our heritage,” she said.

Constructed to replace the Puente de España (Bridge of Spain) in 1920, Jones Bridge is named after United States legislator William Atkinson Jones, author of the 1916 Jones Law that granted the Philippines legislative autonomy, creating the first elected Philippine legislature prior to the country’s independence.

Since 2012, the DOT had been determined to bring back Manila’s old glory, starting with the renovation of several parts of the walled city of Intramuros and Rizal Park. The latter is under the National Parks Development Committee, an attached agency of the DOT. Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

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In the ad material of Notice of filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 14, 2019, the Position of Mr. Jin, Yun Sung under NO. 1 ACTIVITY NETWORK SYSTEM (NANS), INC. should have been read as Marketing Manager and not as published.

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) Division with Telephone No. 400-6011.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

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Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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Cebu Landmasters inks deal CIMB PHL’s new savings product for ₧1.5-B Iloilo condo project

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By VG Cabuag

@villygc

EBU Landmasters Inc. (CLI) on Monday said it will build a P1.5billion residential condominium project in Iloilo after it signed a joint venture agreement with local businessman Alfonso Tan, chairman of International Builders Corp., for the property.

The residential tower will rise on a prime corner lot in the city’s downtown area in Iloilo, the company said.

CLI will own 50 percent of the residential development and will manage the project, while the

group of Tan, who recently developed the GT Town Center Mall in Pavia, will simultaneously develop a downtown mall that connects to the residential tower. The tower will be the first condo offering in the downtown area, it said.

“We are very proud to forge this partnership with Mr. Alfonso Tan and his family. He has established IBC as the leading construction firm in the region, and both our homegrown companies are motivated by the opportunity to contribute further to Iloilo’s exceptional growth,” Jose Soberano III, the company’s CEO, said.

The project will be planned and

completed in four years. Over the same period, CLI will also establish close to 1,200 units of its economic house and lot Casa Mira Iloilo in a 14-hectare lot in Jaro.

The project is wholly owned by CLI and land development has already commenced.

CLI began catering to the housing needs of employees in Cebu province’s industrializing areas two decades ago, and currently has projects in nine cities in Visayas and Mindanao outside of its home base Cebu City.

From employee housing, it popularized residential condominium living in strategic urban locations in Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City.

McDonald’s joins DOH drive, now also a Patak Polio Corner

touts 4% interest F

INANCIAL technology (fintech) player CIMB Bank Philippines has launched a new savings product that offers clients a 4-percent per annum interest rate, or about 16 times better than prevailing industry standards.

Aside from higher interest rates, the new product, called UpSave, offers account holders a free insurance benefit that covers up to P2 million per client.

Vijay Manoharan, the company’s CEO, said this is part of his group’s thrust toward promoting financial inclusion in the Philippines.

“At the core of CIMB’s products and offerings is our desire to make it easier for our customers to manage and enjoy their money,” he said.

The fintech is an all-digital bank that affords Filipinos access to financial tools via their mobile phones.

“Filipinos deserve better. We at CIMB PH hope with our all digital bank, now everyone can open a bank account without any hassle, anytime, anywhere, safe and securely, and get started on their sav ings jour ney,” Manoharan said. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Smart notes improved network conditions amid efforts to ramp-up migration to 4G

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IRELESS services provider Smart Communications Inc. noted improved network conditions amid ramped-up 4G technology migration across the Philippines, resulting in “improvements in customer experience in terms of speed and reduced latency.”

Smart President Alfredo S. Panlilio said his group has increased the 4G base stations of Smart to 21,700 sites from January to September this year, or a 33-percent increase from the same period a year prior.

With this development, the group also saw an 82-percent surge in 4G data users during the com-

parative periods.

“By encouraging our customers to shift to LTE [4G], we can achieve our goal of providing them the best customer experience,” he said.

Mobile data revenue now accounts for 47 percent of the mobile service revenues of PLDT Inc., the parent company of Smart.

In absolute terms, mobile data revenues reached P34.5 billion, while mobile service revenues stood at P52.6 billion.

In the period ended September 2019, Smart, TNT and Sun Cellular posted a combined mobile data traffic of 1.1 exabytes, which is double that of last year. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Standardized parking fee measure’s author to meet stakeholders Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III (right) shakes hands with McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth Yang as they seal the partnership against polio. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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EAVING no stone unturned in ensuring maximum immunization against a resurgent polio, the Department of Health (DOH) has turned to the private sector for help as it mounts yet another round of vaccinations.

The DOH announced its collaboration with McDonald’s Philippines for the succeeding rounds of the Synchronized Polio Vaccination in Metro Manila and Mindanao, reminiscent of the tack used by the late former Health Secretary Juan M. Flavier when he mounted the country’s first multi-vaccine National Immunization Days in the ’90s.

As part of the new deal, selected

McDonald’s stores in Metro Manila and in Mindanao will set up Patak Polio Corners for the scheduled Synchronized Polio Vaccination in NCR and Mindanao from November 25 to December 7 this year, and in Mindanao from January 6 to 18 next year.

Polio immunization will also be conducted in McDonald’s Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers, where children are taught basic skills in preparation for formal schooling.

“With the recent news on health outbreaks in the country, McDonald’s Philippines recognizes the role it could play in making a longlasting difference in the lives of Filipinos,” said McDonald’s Phil-

ippines President and CEO Kenneth Yang.

“Our partnership with the Department of Health will allow us to take part in their preventive efforts against polio in the country.

With children most prone to the exposure to the disease, and with children’s welfare a priority of the company, we are further driven to support this program of the government,” he added.

The initial round of the Synchronized Polio Vaccination reported 96-percent coverage among children zero to 59 months old from the 17 cities/municipality in NCR. Davao del Sur recorded

92-percent coverage from its 10 city/municipalities, while Lanao del Sur reported 85-percent coverage from 40 city/municipalities.

The Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio campaign aims to vaccinate all children below five years old, regardless of Polio vaccination status.

“We are pleased to work with McDonald ’s Philippines as we will have more vaccination sites for mothers and caregivers to go to. We are relentless in making this health service accessible and available to all, consistent with our goal of Universal Health Care,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

AirAsia offers seat sale to mark 18th anniversary

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IRASIA is offering promotional fares from only P918 for members and P985 for nonmembers from Manila to Davao, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bali and many more destinations to celebrate 18 years of flying, which the airline considers a milestone.

The carrier offers to fly from Clark to Caticlan, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Taipei, and many more for promotional fares from only P418 for members and P485 for nonmembers, or to fly from Cebu

to Clark, Davao, Singapore, Macau, Kaohsiung, and Kuala Lumpur, and more from only P818 for members, and P885 for nonmembers.

“In line with our transformation towards becoming a travel and lifestyle platform, the celebrations will not only see flights on sale, but also hotels, activities, deals and more on airasia.com,” the airline said.

The key highlights of the 18th Anniversary Sale is the offer of 18-percent off all on-ground activities for the first 500 transactions with promo code AA18BD.

The airline offers 8-percent off on all add-on baggage selections and also offers 5-percent off hotel bookings with promo code 18BDAY and 8-percent off comprehensive plan.

AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer Karen Chan said, “For 18 years, we have made Asean a smaller place and enabled hundreds of millions to fly—many for the first time.”

She added, “This is because we’ve stayed true to our promise of keeping fares low. As we evolve our offering beyond just flights and draw closer

to the two-decade mark, we look forward to delivering more travel and lifestyle offers for you, our guests.

Thank you.”

This special fare is available on airasia.com and the AirAsia mobile app from November 25 to December 1, 2019, for travel between April 27, 2020 and March 1, 2021.

Since its inception in 2001, AirAsia has become one of the largest airline groups in the world, with over 600 million guests flown and more than 150 destinations across AsiaPacific in its network. Recto L. Mercene

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

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ALENZUELA City First District Rep. Weslie Gatchalian will meet on Tuesday the representatives of malls, hospitals, hotels, and even individual parking owners and operators to hear their opinions on his proposed standardization and regulation of parking fees in the country.

“I invited the stakeholders so that we can discuss what is the right rate that is a ‘win-win’ for both the customers and the establishments,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English during the “Tapatan sa Aristocrat” event held in Malate, Manila, on Monday.

It is the second hearing that the House Committee on Trade and Industry, which he chairs, will hold regarding House Bill 3262, otherwise known as the Parking Fees Regulation Act, which he authored.

The first consultation was with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned government agencies, as well as biking and motorist associations. The proposed legislation aims to protect customers who avail themselves of parking facilities from unreasonable parking rates imposed by business operators.

In Metro Manila alone, these can be as high as P800 a day upon the discretion of the establishment or a third-party operator.

Despite exorbitant fees, most parking spaces do not have adequate safety measures to protect the vehicles and personal belongings of the customers, given that operators generally impose a waiver of liability.

With this in mind, Gatchalian has come up with a measure to find an equitable balance that allows parking enterprises a reasonable return on their capital, while protecting consumers’ interest.

“I support our businesses here. I understand that like us, they have also invested in building their parking spaces,” he said of his family’s experience, being involved in the hotel business. “So it’s okay to charge for as long as it’s reasonable for our customers.”

Under HB 3262, establishments that offer parking facilities should charge a standard rate of only P40 per vehicle for up to eight hours plus P10 per succeeding 60 minutes.

A one-time fee of P100 per vehicle will be applied for overnight parking. Also, a grace period of 30 minutes must be given, wherein a customer will not pay the standard parking fee if his or her vehicle enters or exits the premises within the allowed time.

For shopping malls, restaurants, stores and similar establishments, parking cost shall be waived once a patron presents a valid proof of purchase or payment of not less than P1,000. This is on the condition that the parking space is used for a maximum of three hours only.

The World BusinessMirror

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

Oil resumes gain as investors monitor to-and-fro trade talks

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il edged higher as optimism the US and China a re get t i ng c loser to a limited trade deal was tempered by investor fatigue over the long-running negotiations.

Futures climbed 0.5 percent in New York after dropping 1.4 percent on Friday. China said over the weekend it will raise penalties on violations of intellectual-property rights in an attempt to address one of the sticking points with the US. That came after President Donald Trump told Fox News on Friday that he was “very close” to a trade pact, but warned that Beijing wanted a deal more and that Hong Kong is a complicating factor.

Crude has been rising since early October on signs the US and China are moving toward a limited trade deal, but prices have swung back and forth on frequent shifts in sentiment. Oil investors, however, seem to be finding it hard to stay positive as the negotiations drag on, with money managers cutting their net bets on a West Texas Intermediate rally by 13 percent in the week ended November 19.

“Oil may continue its rollercoaster ride again this week, with sentiment forever changing on news f low relating to

US-China trade talks,” Stephen Innes, a market strategist at A x iTrader, sa id i n a re por t.

“Markets continue to struggle with the headline ping pong.”

WTI for January delivery rose 26 cents to $58.03 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange as of 7:40 a.m. in London. It closed at $58.58 on Thursday, the highest since September 17. The contract is near its upper Bollinger band, a technical signal that it may be overbought.

Brent for January settlement added 33 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $63.72 a barrel on the Londonbased ICE Futures Europe Exchange. The contract dropped 0.9 percent Friday. The global benchmark traded at a $5.71 premium to WTI. China’s concession on intellectual property comes as trade negotiators have been trying to bridge the remaining differences including Beijing’s pledges to buy American farm products, protect IP rights and open its economy further to foreign companies.

However, the two countries have struggled to agree on what tariffs each side would roll back as part of the agreement’s initial step.

Bloomberg News

Turkey begins testing missile radars at heart of row with US

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urkey will test a a component of its newly acquired Russian air defense system, a step that risks escalating a dispute with the US and touching off possible sanctions.

Militar y aircraft will be used in the capital Ankara on Monday and Tuesday during the testing of the S- 400 system’s radardetection equipment, a Turkish defense official said, asking not to be identified in line with his department’s restrictions.

T he de c i s ion come s a f te r President Recep Tay yip Erdogan said that he told President Donald J. Trump during a meeti ng t h i s mont h t h at Tu rke y wouldn’t give up on deployment of the systems, risking penalties championed in Congress.

“So t he Turk s took t hem out

of the box then. US sanctions? ” sa id Timot hy A sh, a st rateg ist at BlueBay A sset Ma nagement in L ondon.

The two Nato allies have been sparring over the potential risks posed by the purchase to Pentagon’s costliest weapons program, the F-35 fighter jet built by Lockheed Martin Corp.

The Turkish official who talked about the radar tests was elaborating on the Ankara governor’s statement on Sunday that said low- and high-altitude flights by Turkish F-16 warplanes around the capital should be expected on November 25 and 26.

The lira reversed earlier gains after the report, and was trading 0.4 percent lower at 5.7365 per dollar at 11:41 a.m. in Istanbul.

Bloomberg News

Another bridge collapse highlights Italy’s infrastructure crisis

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taly suffered its second road bridge collapse in 15 months in the northwest re g i o n o f L i g u r i a , ra i s i n g m a j o r questions about the safety of the country’s aging infrastructure.

A viaduct on a stretch of the A6 highway between the Italian cities of Savona and Turin collapsed on Sunday during what highway officials called “exceptional rain” that caused a huge landslide from a nearby hillside. Twenty meters of the road collapsed, according to a statement from Autostrada dei Fiori, which manages that part of the highway.

No one was hurt and no vehicles were stuck, according to the statement.

Images from the fire depar tment showed mudslides in the hilly area at Madonna del Monte and a section of collapsed road with twisted metal guardrails. Italy has for weeks been battered by extreme weather, including flooding and heavy snow in elevated areas, with at least one Alpine town cut off after avalanches.

Italy’s weak economy and massive debt have left little room for governments to spend on modernizing transportation infrastructure. To limit public investment, many of the country’s largest roadways are operated by private toll companies, which are facing new scrutiny over the maintenance of their networks.

S ocieta Iniziative Autostradali e S er vizi S pA, known as S IAS, manages

the roadway where the bridge collapsed on S unday. Autostrada dei Fiori, which released the comment, is par t of S IA S. The collapse on Sunday was reminiscent of the disaster in Genoa, when a bridge on a highway crossing near the city came down in August 2018, killing 43 people. That road was managed by Atlantia SpA’s toll road unit. The tragedy prompted a debate on how to improve infrastructure and led to a government review of highway concessions. That is not finished yet.

Experts on infrastructure engineering and planning have periodically warned that the country’s roads, many constructed during the economic boom of the early 1960s, are outdated and unable to withstand modern loads and traffic levels.

Challenging topography that forces road builders to squeeze structures between mountains and the sea only adds to the cost of monitoring and maintenance.

Reforms to the agencies overseeing roadways at risk, planned in the wake of the Genoa accident, have yet to be enacted. A 2018 report listed as many as four bridges on the A6 as “of concern,” though the viaduct that collapsed on Sunday was not included.

The previous government threatened to revoke the roadway concession held

by Atlantia, a company controlled by the Benetton family. Bloomberg News

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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HK’s pro-democracy forces bolstered by huge election win

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ong Kong residents handed an overwhelming victory to pro-democracy candidates in a vote for local district councils on Sunday, a stunning repudiation of the city’s Beijing-backed government after months of increasingly violent protests seeking meaningful elections.

Pro-democracy candidates won 85 percent seats of 452 seats up for election, official results showed. In the last election in 2015, they had won about a quarter of all elected seats. The pro-government camp won about 13 percent of seats this time around, versus 65 percent four years ago. The vote saw record turnout of 71 percent, with more than 2.94 million people casting ballots—roughly double the number in the previous election.

The vote came at a time of unprecedented political polarization in the city, with divisions hardening as the protests become more disruptive and the government refuses to compromise. While the district councils are considered the lowest rung of Hong Kong’s government, the results will add pressure on the government to meet demands including an independent inquiry into police abuses and the ability to nominate and elect the city’s leader, including one who would stand up to Beijing.

“The government respects the results of this election,” Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in a statement on Monday. “I am aware there’s lots of analysis about the results among the community, which said the results are a reflection of the public’s dissatisfaction toward the current situation and deep-seated problems in society.

The government will listen to the public’s feedback with humility and reflect on it.”

Hong Kong stocks climbed on Monday, with the Hang Seng Index rising 1.7 percent, opening above its 100-day moving average. The gain was led by developers and other stocks seen as most sensitive to the demonstrations. Analysts and investors also said the moves showed relief that the Sunday vote went ahead peacefully.

Speaking to reporters in Japan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the result wouldn’t change the fact that Hong Kong is part of Chinese territory. Leaders in Beijing have accused the US and UK of meddling in Hong Kong affairs, and refuse to allow the city to have a leader who won’t be accountable to the central government. “Any efforts to create chaos in Hong Kong or to damage Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity will not succeed,” Wang said.

C h i nese fore i g n m i n i st r y Spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing on Monday afternoon that “Hong Kong is China’s Hong Kong” and reiterated the government’s support for Lam. “Stopping violence and restoring order is the paramount task in Hong Kong at the moment,” Geng said.

The district councilors have few real powers, mostly advising the chief executive on matters like fixing up parks and organizing community activities. Most important, they help appoint 117 of the 1,200 electors who select the chief executive, which would give pro-democracy forces more choice over candidates who must still be approved by Beijing.

The result will make it harder for establishment forces to put in their preferred candidate in the next race for chief executive, said James Tien, a former proestablishment lawmaker.

“It will be very difficult for government to manage a win, and then I think it’s more difficult to govern right now,” he told Bloomberg Television on Monday. If the violence dies down after the vote, he said, the government will have “no excuse” not to appoint a commission of inquiry by January.

The vote shows dissatisfaction

People line up to vote outside of a polling place in Hong Kong on Sunday. Long lines formed outside Hong Kong polling stations in elections that have become a barometer of public support for anti-government protests now in their sixth month. AP/Vincent Yu

with Lam’s government following months of protests triggered by legislation allowing extraditions to mainland China, which has since been withdrawn. Unhappiness with the administration rose to 80 percent from just 40 percent a year ago—well before the unrest began—according to surveys by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute. Lam’s popularity has fallen to record lows as the protests evolved into a wider pushback against Beijing’s grip.

Hong Kong “is at the precipice” and could fall off if authorities don’t heed the message of the vote, said Steve Tsang, the director of the China Institute at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies and the author of several books on Hong Kong.

“An overwhelming majority of voters have sent a clear signal: they want their Hong Kong back,” Tsang said. “It’s now time for the government in Hong Kong to hear what people have said and use this electoral result and the way this election has happened as a basis to work for a political solution.”

T he vote has been c losely watched around the world, particularly as US lawmakers look to support the protesters while President Donald Trump seeks to finalize a phase one trade deal with China. Trump on Friday declined to say whether he would sign a bill that passed Congress with near-unanimous support, saying he supports both the demonstrators and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Elizabeth Warren, a leading

Democratic candidate for president, said the vote sent a “powerful message that they want to keep their democracy—and Beijing must respect that.”

Among the early winners were Civil Human Rights Front organizer Jimmy Sham, who was previously hospitalized after he was attacked by hammer-wielding thugs.

Starry Lee, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the city’s largest pro-Beijing party, won her reelection even though many other pro-establishment figures lost.

“The high turnout rate did benefit the pro-democracy camp,” said pro-democracy candidate Kelvin Lam, who won after standing in for activist Joshua Wong, who was banned by the government from participating. “The result is like a referendum of the current administration, like a confidence vote.”

The election unfolded peacefully despite concerns it could be delayed or disrupted by violence following unrest in the lead-up, with voters facing unusually long lines at polling stations across the city. Its elections have typically been plagued by low voter turnout and aren’t hugely competitive, compared with those for the Hong Kong’s more powerful Legislative Council.

“I came out to vote because of the current situation in society now,” said Ken Lam, 19, a student and first-time voter. “The government is ignoring voices in the public. Policy-making lacks transparency in every aspect.” Bloomberg News

Web inventor has ambitious plan to take back the Internet

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orld Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee released an ambitious rule book for online governance—a bill of rights and obligations for the Internet—designed to counteract the growing prevalence of such anti-democratic poisons as misinformation, mass surveillance and censorship.

The product of a year’s work by the World Wide Web Foundation where Berners-Lee is a founding director, the “Contract for the Web” seeks commitments from governments and industry to make and keep knowledge freely available—a digital policy agenda true to the design vision of the 30-year-old Web. The contract is non-binding, however.

And funders and partners in the endeavor include Google and Facebook, whose datacollecting business models and sensationrewarding algorithms have been blamed for exacerbating online toxicity.

“We haven’t had a fairly complex, fairly complete plan of action for the Web going forward,” Berners-Lee said in an interview.

“This is the first time we’ve had a rule book in which responsibility is being shared.”

For instance, the contract proposes a framework for protecting online privacy and

This October 24, 2018, file photo shows creator of the World Wide Web Sir Tim BernersLee speaking during a data privacy conference at the European Parliament in Brussels.

Berners-Lee is releasing an ambitious rule book for online governance, a bill of rights and obligations for the Internet. It is designed to counteract the spread of such anti-democratic ills as misinformation, mass surveillance and censorship. Called “Contract for the Web,” the charter that Berners-Lee unveiled on Monday represents a year’s work by the World Wide Web Foundation where Berners-Lee is a founding director. AP/Virginia Mayo

personal data with clearly defined national laws that give individuals greater control over the data collected about them. Independent, well-resourced regulators would offer the public effective means for redress. Current laws and institutions don’t measure up to that standard.

Amnesty International just released a report charging that Google and Facebook’s

business models are predicated on the abuse of human rights.

Berners-Lee nevertheless says that “having them in the room is really important.”

He said both companies had approached the foundation seeking participation.

“We feel that companies and governments deserve equal seats at the table and understanding where they’re coming from

is equally valuable,” he said. “To have this conversation around a table without the tech companies, it just wouldn’t have the clout and we wouldn’t have ended up with the insights.”

The nonprofit foundation’s top donors include the Swedish, Canadian and US governments and the Ford and Omidyar foundations.

One of its biggest challenges is the growing balkanization of the Internet, with national governments led by China, Russia and Iran exerting increasing technical control over their domestic networks, tightening censorship and surveillance.

“The trend for balkanization is really worrying and it’s extreme at the moment in Iran,” said Berners-Lee. A strong government exhibits tolerance, the computer scientist added, for “other voices, opposition voices, foreign voices to be heard by its citizens.”

So how to prevent governments from restricting Internet access at their borders?

One approach, said Berners-Lee, could be financial pressure. Multinational lenders could condition lower interest rates, for example, on a nation’s willingness to let information flow freely on its domestic network. AP

B4 Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Sprite switches iconic green plastic bottle to clear packaging

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OR half a century, people have known Sprite for its iconic green bottle that is as unique as its crisp, lemon-lime flavor. Now, the brand is switching its trademark design for the plastic bottles, one of its packaging formats, to a clear, new look – aligned with its clear, new mission towards a World Without Waste.

“Sprite’s status as one of the biggest and most recognized brands in the world can largely be attributed to its crisp lemon-lime taste and its iconic green bottle design. This is why, as part of our journey towards a World Without Waste, we are transitioning our green Sprite® plastic bottles to clear ones as clear plastic is much easier to recycle,” shared Coca-Cola Philippines Marketing Director Sharon Garcia-Tanganco.

With its 500ml bottles now made from 100% recycled plastic, Sprite is also leading the packaging innovation and redesign journey of the broader industry. This packaging milestone makes Sprite® one of the first soft drinks in the Philippines and in Asia to introduce a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic. This innovation is also

a move towards one of the cornerstones of the company’s global World Without Waste vision - to use at least 50% recycled content in their packaging by 2030. To fully close the loop on their packaging, Coca-Cola Philippines also announced earlier this year that it is investing in what will be the country’s largest state-of-the-art bottle-tobottle recycling facility.

“We recognize that packaging waste is an urgent issue – globally and here in the Philippines. As a company, we are determined to be part of the solution and we’re working to go further and faster in our actions, such as eliminating hard-torecycle packaging from our portfolio,” Winn Everhart, Coca-Cola Philippines President and General Manager further added. “The journey towards our vision of World Without Waste is a long but possible one. By working with equally-passionate and like-minded organizations, we will continue to strive hard and go beyond towards achieving our goals.”

The Philippines is the largest Sprite market in ASEAN and the first market in ASEAN to begin the clear plastic bottle transition. The transition will expand to other markets in Southeast Asia through 2020.

More craft beer fests are coming to Greenfield District Greenfield City!

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RAFT beer culture is on the rise. More and more enthusiasts are on the lookout for the freshest, newest local brews to discover which ones offer the most creativity, intricacy and depth.

Feisty homegrown concoctions from different regions have been bubbling up in conversations, flavors from Sagada, to Bicol, and Baler to name a few. Now, Greenfield Development Corporation (GDC) has brought them all together in one grand event—its first ever Craft Beer Fest.

Considered to be the biggest gathering of artisanal craft beer brewers in the country, GDC’s Craft Beer Fest, in partnership with Philippine Craft Beer Community (PCBC), was held recently at Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City and featured 175 varieties from 35 breweries.

Among the breweries were Cerveza Sagada, Amigos de la Plaza, Boondocks Brewing Co, PCK, Brewlab 2021, and more.

If you didn’t get to come to GDC’s Craft Beer Fest, don’t worry. More Craft Beer Fests

PhilHealth seals partnership with Insurance Commission

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HE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has formally entered into an agreement with the Insurance Commission (IC) for the conduct of “PhilHealth examination,” a six-month comprehensive assessment of its key insurance processes. Under the agreement, the IC shall assess and provide an examination report on the financial condition as well as on the methods of transacting businesses which include premium contribution, collection, fund management, benefit payouts and other health packages, insurance benefits, payment of benefits process, internal control system and actuarial valuation.

In the photo are, from left: PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo C. Morales and Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa after the simple signing ceremony recently held in Manila.

To learn more about Sprite® and The Coca-Cola Company’s wider goals and actions to address packaging waste, please visit: https://www. coca-colacompany.com/stories/worldwithout-waste.

Midori lights giant Christmas tree, launches Angels’ Dream 4

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ED symbolizing love and rose symbolizing passion, Midori Clark Hotel and Casino launches the Angels’ Dream through the lighting of its giant “Rose Themed” Christmas tree last November 8 at the hotel lobby. This ceremony kicks-off the month-long run of the Angels’ Dream Year 4 and the celebration of the hotel festivities with theme “A blooming whimsical holiday at Midori”.

Angels' Dream is the corporate social

responsibility pogram of Midori Clark Hotel and Casino every Yuletide season which started in 2016. This program aims to provide a Christmas celebration even brighter, more meaningful and something that always leaves a jolly mark in the heart of every Angel -- in the Aeta community.

The campaign became bigger and even merrier as it aims to fulfill 1000 wishes coming from unprivileged communities in the province. New addition in the noble

campaign are communities of persons with disabilities, orphans, mentally challenged, people with special needs and also abandoned kids at heart.

During the launch, some of the 1000 beneficiaries of the Angels’ Dream joined the program to receive early treats.

As part of the project, company representatives will be visiting schools and communities around the province to get the wishes of the Angels and to check the communities what Midori can offer. And few days before Christmas, the little angel’s dream will come true.

Santa Claus will come a little bit early as the gift-giving day will take place on December 10, 2019.

“From 300, 600, 800 and now we are granting the 1000 wishes of little Angels. This is a way of giving back to the community as Midori became fruitful for the past years. We are thrilled on how our partners, employees and guests support this breakthrough. Over the years with this program, we all can be a heaven-sent and we can be a blessing by giving," Vic Chan, Midori Hotel General Manager said.

Pharma, hematologists, patient group partner to launch an awareness campaign on lymphoma

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OCHE (Philippines) Inc. partnered with the Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (PCHTM) and Lymphoma Philippines Foundation to launch the “LymphoMatters Advocacy Campaign.”

Lymphoma is one of three types of blood cancers, the other two being leukemia and myeloma. It starts in the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell essential to the body’s ability to fight infection. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is the most common type of lymphoma, found in 4 out of 5 patients.

NHL can occur at any age and in both men and women, but is most commonly diagnosed in men. The most common symptoms of NHL include swelling in the neck, armpits or groin, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, fever, and night sweats.

“Every second, a patient is diagnosed with lymphoma worldwide. What people don’t know is that lymphoma is actually curable and I am a living testament to this, having been diagnosed with NonHodgkin Lymphoma four years ago and currently enjoying my second lease in life,” said Jheric Delos Angeles, President of Lymphoma Philippines Foundation, a patient support group for lymphoma patients.

“We are honored to partner with PCHTM and Lymphoma Philippines

are soon to come now that it’s set to become an annual event to be held at both Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City and Greenfield City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“Like everyone of us has a different personality, each craft beer does too. That’s why we’re giving enthusiasts the opportunity to discover new flavors while also supporting local breweries by providing a platform for them to showcase their products.” said Atty.

Duane A.X. Santos, Greenfield Development Corporation Executive Vice-President and General Manager.

ACC Mutya Ng Pasko 2019 crowned

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S. Allyssa Del Rosario of Taguig City was crowned the 2019 Mutya ng Pasko at the “Pasko sa Oktubre” event culmination which gathered devotees from all over the Philippines and overseas at the Ynares Sports Arena-Pasig, October 27.

The event, staged for the benefit of the

National Shrine of Ina Poon Bato in Quezon City in honor of the Child Jesus, endeared to the Apostolic Catholic Church (ACC) as “Señor Noemi,” featured a grand festival dance show, Asia’s Got Talent 2015 champion El Gamma Penumbra and international singer Christian Bautista.

JRS Express Opens 417th branch in Robinsons Place, Imus Cavite. JRS Express, the trusted name when it comes to express delivery opens its 417th branch in Cavite. Present during the blessings of its branch located at Level 4 were: Asst. Comptroller & AVP-Branches, Sarah Jane B. Pe and OIC-Branches Mary Jane P. Abugni together with Area Manager, Cavite & Tagaytay Areas Catherine Pastolero, CSI-Supervisor Elmer Estrella and JRS Supermarket Branch Manager Valirie Malabriga.

How to JV effectively with the government

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Foundation in this advocacy campaign and to mark this day as the 1st Philippine Lymphoma Awareness Day,” Dr. Diana M. Edralin, Country Medical Director of Roche (Philippines) Inc., said. “Given the multitude of subtypes within lymphoma, Roche is committed to continuing research on lymphoma in order to increase understanding of this complex disease and ensure patients receive the best possible treatment.”

In the photo, from left: Dr. Sonia Comia, Vice-President, Phil. College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (PCHTM); Dr. Priscilla Caguioa, Past President, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology (PSMO) and PCHTM; Dr. Rosalio Torres, President, PCHTM; Jheric Delos Angeles, President, Lymphoma Philippines Foundation; Dr. Jasmin Igama, Past President, PSMO; and Dr. Diana Edralin, Country Medical Director, Roche Philippines.

OINT Ventures (JVs) are increasingly becoming popular as a faster and easier approach towards implementing infrastructure, development and social servicerelated projects at the national and local government levels.

The Center for Global Best Practices will host its yearly training entitled, “Business and Public Officials’ Guide on How to Joint Venture Effectively with the Government” to be held on November 29 at the Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City. To accelerate more economic growth through Public-Private Partnerships, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) released the 2013 revised JV Guidelines applicable for government-owned and controlled corporations, government instrumentalities, government financial institutions, and state universities and colleges.

Examples of existing and prospective JV projects such as water, reclamation, public markets, bus terminals, land development, government centers, power, transport, and more. Participants will get soft copy compilation of templates of actual and proposed JV ordinances.

This special program will feature former DOJ Secretary, Atty. Alberto C. Agra, who is one of the only two in the world who is both

a Certified PPP Specialist™ and Certified Regulation Specialist™. He drafted a proposed PPP Code / Ordinance for LGUs which to date has been adopted by 81 LGUs in the Philippines – and is now the official template of the DILG with over 100 LGUs adopting his version.

He was also part of the team who developed the NEDA JV Guidelines. He has conducted over a hundred lectures on PPPs and JVs. He is also the author of the Proposed PPP Ordinance: Annotated and co-author of the book, Knowing PPP, BOTs & JV: A Legal Ordinance. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Philippine Reclamation Authority, and is a PPP, Local Government Professor and Political Law Bar Reviewer at the Ateneo Law School.

Registration is open to the general public.

CGBP is an accredited training provider of the Civil Service Commission. Attendees from the government can earn points for their career advancement and are exempted from the P2,000-limit set by COA when attending training conducted by the private sector based on DBM circular 563 dated April 22, 2016.

Check www.cgbp.org for a complete list of upcoming programs or call landlines in Manila (+63 2) 8842-7148/ 59 and (+63 2) 8556-8968/ 69, in Baguio (+63 74) 423-2914, and in Cebu (+63 32) 512-3106 or 07.

ITF praise new Davis Cup but admit ‘tweaks’ needed M

ADRID—The revamped Davis Cup comes to an end with organizers calling the new event a success but admitting “tweaks” are needed to improve the competition going forward.

Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, cofounder of the Kosmos group behind the new competition, said Sunday adjustments will be made to make the event “bigger and better.”

He said they are considering building a fourth court to help fix the scheduling problems that led to very late finishes, and will work on increasing attendance numbers.

“You have to know that this is the first event of the new format,” Piqué said before the final between Spain and Canada. “I think that a lot of people didn’t know what to expect. So there were a lot of people waiting to see what will happen and then decide for next year’s. All we want to do for next year is to try to attract them to bring more people.”

Piqué said 130,000 people attended matches in the weeklong competition that debuted a World Cup-style format with 18 nations playing in a single venue.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) said it will work with the national federations to try to get more fans to travel to matches in upcoming years. Next year’s finals will be in Madrid again.

“I think we’ve learned a lot of how they can engage more,” ITF President David Haggerty said. “So as Gerard said, I mean, we’re evaluating, we’re going to listen to all the stakeholders.

We feel that it’s a fantastic start, a great foundation, but there are always improvements, as Gerard said, that we will make.”

Piqué said players will also have a say on how to avoid the late finishes that prompted widespread complaints. The group-stage series between Italy and the United States ended past 4 a.m. local time early Thursday, the second latest finish in tennis history.

“We will ask the players,” said Piqué, who on Saturday made his way to the Caja Mágica tennis complex shortly after playing for Barcelona in its Spanish league win at Leganés. “At the end of the day, the opinion of the players are the most that matters for us, to see what they want, what they prefer.”

Among the solutions is adding a fourth court at the Caja Mágica complex or using another arena near the center of Madrid to spread the matches, especially in the group stage.

“We will have to be more creative in the future,” Piqué said. “We had the experience of the timing this year, and for next year it’s something that it worries us, but not too much because it’s easy to solve. So we will work on that.”

Piqué said other issues they will “have to solve” include problems with the tournament’s web site and mobile app, but, overall, organizers were “very happy about everything.”

“The most important thing by far is, and that we have to keep that, is the soul of the Davis Cup,” Piqué said. “When I see the players celebrating when they qualify, laughing and enjoying. At the same time, when they lose, they are in tears. I mean, all of these, there is no event in the year, in tennis, that you can see that, even in the Grand Slams.

“So this is how important it is for them to play Davis Cup and represent their country. And we have to keep that,” he said. “This is the most important thing. And from this base, if we keep that...we can organize an incredible and unique event in the future.”

The revamped Davis Cup is the result of a 25-year partnership between the ITF and Kosmos to make the traditional team competition more attractive and lucrative. Piqué’s wife, Shakira, performed at the closing ceremony as part of the modernization being promoted by the new organizers.

“The 2019 Davis Cup has been a success,” Haggerty said. “And it gives us a strong platform on which to build, make some tweaks and further enhance the competition.” AP

Sports BusinessMirror

Shakira, performs at the closing ceremony as part of the modernization being promoted by the new organizers. AP

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| Tuesday, November 26, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

VIVA ESPAñA!

By Tales Azzoni The Associated Press

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ADRID—Rafael Nadal gave all he had on the Caja Mágica center court in Madrid.

The top-ranked Spanish star even admitted he risked getting injured by playing eight matches—five singles, three doubles—in six days at the Davis Cup Finals, the new World Cup of men’s team tennis.

Nadal won all his matches, leading Spain to its sixth Davis Cup with a victory over first-time finalist Canada on Sunday.

But in Nadal’s opinion, the only hero for Spain was grieving teammate Roberto Bautista Agut. He sent Spain on its way to victory by winning the first singles match on Sunday, three days after the death of his father.

“I’ve won the eight matches but the person who was vital in this Davis Cup was Roberto,” Nadal said. “For me, what he did was something almost [super] human. I don’t know how to explain it. It will be an example for the rest of my life. He had to leave, then his dad died, then he came back and practiced with us yesterday, and today

he was ready again to play at a very high level. It was something incredible.”

Before Nadal defeated Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 7-6 (7) to clinch the title—Spain’s first since also winning at home in 2011—Bautista Agut had given Spain a 1-0 lead by beating Félix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Bautista Agut pointed his finger to the sky after winning the final point in his match, and was in tears while speaking briefly to the crowd, which chanted his name.

“It was an amazing feeling on the court today,” said Bautista Agut, who was the Spanish player lifting the cup in the title celebrations.

Bautista Agut’s father died on Thursday—a day after his son had defeated Nikola Mektic of Croatia—with his health deteriorating quickly after an illness that stemmed from a 2016 accident.

It was Nadal who had tears in his eyes when Bautista Agut thanked him for his efforts during the tournament.

“You gave us goosebumps all week, especially today,” Bautista Agut said. “Thank you. I’m sure that next year you will do it again.”

The 31-year-old Bautista Agut, No. 9 in the world, played as teammates Pablo Carreño Busta and Marcel

Granollers nursed injuries entering the final.

“I had the opportunity to play today because all the team and all the players did an unbelievable effort since the first day,” Bautista Agut said. Nadal considered himself lucky to be able to play all matches.

“It’s true that I held up, but we know that playing so many matches in this [hard court] surface is risky for me, something can happen at any time,” Nadal said. “That’s how it’s been in the past, but luckily I held up.”

Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Feliciano López had been scheduled to face Shapovalov and Vasek Pospisil in the now canceled doubles, although Nadal was likely to play if the title had been at stake. Nadal played in the decisive doubles on Friday and Saturday.

Voted the tournament’s best player, Nadal sealed the title with his 29th straight Davis Cup singles win, igniting the home crowd’s celebrations.

Tournament organizer and Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, his wife Shakira—who performed in the closing ceremony—and Spanish King Felipe VI were among those celebrating Spain’s triumph.

Spain’s other Davis Cup titles were in 2000, ’04, ’08, ’09 and ’11. Canada was seeking its first Davis Cup title

since debuting in the competition in 1913.

“I feel like we’ve really come really far as a team, as a nation,” the 20-year-old Shapovalov said. “Definitely we’re super proud. Obviously it sucks, sucks losing in the finals. But I’m super proud of everyone. We’ve put in 120 percent every single day. It’s amazing how far we’ve been able to come.”

The Canadians eliminated Italy and the United States in the group stage, and Australia and Russia in the knockout rounds.

The 19-year-old Auger-Aliassime lost to Bautista Agut while making his debut in this year’s tournament.

He was coming off an ankle injury that had seen him sidelined through the group stage and the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Canada came to Madrid without Milos Raonic because of a back injury. Shapovalov and Pospisil were the only players who had competed until Sunday.

Spain beat Russia and Croatia in the group stage, and Argentina and Britain in the knockout rounds.

The new Davis Cup Finals is the result of a 25year partnership between the International Tennis Federation and the Kosmos group cofounded by Piqué. For the first time, 18 nations played in the

Rafael Nadal wins all his matches to lead Spain to its sixth Davis Cup with a victory over first-time finalist Canada. AP

same venue in a single week, instead of head-to-head matches that used to take place over four weekends throughout the year.

The tournament returns to Madrid next year.

The United States, meanwhile, will face Uzbekistan in qualifiers for the 2020 Davis Cup Finals.

The Americans, the Davis Cup’s most successful team with 32 titles, will have choice of venues for the tie in March.

Sunday’s draw also determined that 2019 champion Croatia will face the winner of the Pakistan versus India series, while Australia will play Brazil and Colombia will face Argentina.

Other matchups include: Hungary versus Belgium; Italy versus South Korea; Germany versus the Netherlands and Japan versus Ecuador.

The 12 home-and-away ties will consist of four singles matches and one doubles match in best-ofthree sets.

All series will be played on March 6 and 7, with the winners qualifying for the 2020 finals in Madrid.

This year’s semifinalists already qualified—Britain, Canada, Spain and Russia. France and Serbia have been given wild-card entries.

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Tuesday, November 26, 2019

RAMIREZ: VENUES FOR SEAG READY F

ACILITIES owned and operated by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) are ready for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“We are on target!” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez said. “We gave the people an assurance that we will finish the competition areas and our various teams in the PSC did their jobs well. They delivered.”

Ramirez referred to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Football Field and Tennis Centre and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila, and the PhilSports in Pasig City.

Rehabilitation of the facilities were hastened in the past month to have them

ready for the Games the country is hosting for the fourth time after 1981, 1991 and 2005.

Although the Games’ opening ceremony is on Saturday at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, hostilities start on December 1 in dozens of fronts in the 56-sport competitions.

The PSC facilities, Ramirez said, were not originally intended for the SEA Games hosting with the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) staging the competitions in the Clark, Subic, Metro Manila, and Southtern Luzon hubs.

“Several of their facilities were not up to IF [international federation] standards. And since the PSC-owned facilities have been used for international events many times in the

past and have met IF requirements, it was a no-brainer that some of the SEA Games events are hosted by our venues,” Ramirez said.

“These are very old venues, we admit. But the history that wraps every leaves and grass around these facilities speak of the heroism of our athletes. We deemed it right to put the venues back in their original forms,” Ramirez added.

While the Phisgoc is in charge of running the whole SEA Games affair, Ramirez made sure the training of athletes competing in the meet were funded well by the agency.

“We have spent more than a billion pesos for the athletes’ training alone. We are not looking just at the SEA Games, we are also funding their training for possible Olympic slots, in Tokyo and beyond,” he said.

The PSC-owned facilities, Ramirez said,

Philippine Sports Commission William Ramirez says they are on target.

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were renovated by the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. for P800 million.

“The Pagcor aid was the biggest boost to our drive to rehabilitate our venues. Pagcor Chairman Andrea Domingo made sure that money was spent well, wisely and prudently,” Ramirez said.

The PSC chief said the agency will be a support group to the Phisgoc, the Philippine Olympic

Committee (POC) and the various national sports associations (NSAs) under it in ensuring the country’s successful hosting of the Games.

REGIONAL FOOTBALL BODIES SEEK MORE SUPPORT FROM PFF

Negros Occidental Football Association President Ricky Yanson has made his appeal to the football leadership.

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EGIONAL football associations (RFAs) would like to see the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) allotting adequate funds for their development programs—including the vital age-group tournaments.

Negros Occidental Football Association (Nofa) President Ricky Yanson made this appeal to the PFF leadership on behalf of the RFAs, with the PFF having staged just one agegroup tournament in the past four years.

The drought in new age-group tournaments came, despite hikes in the PFF’s revenues and spending program—fueled by more

contributions from world football bodies like the Fifa and the AFC. In its president’s report submitted to the RFAs for the upcoming 16th Congress, the PFF reported just one age-group tournament for this year, the U-15 Boy’s National Championship.

Per its own reports, the PFF did not hold any age-group tournaments at all in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The only other major age-group activity held by the PFF was the Festival of Football, which is primarily a scouting exercise for members of the national youth teams that is funded by the Japan Football Association.

Yanson, pushing for more development programs under his “Football Para sa Lahat” initiative, said the RFAs wanted more of the PFF funds put in age-group tourneys and other grassroots activities to build more and better homegrown talents for the national teams.

“More tournaments also have a multiplier effect for our RFAs and their communities. They result in a happier youth, more engagements with stakeholders, and more jobs and economic activity related to football.”

Yanson, chairman of the PFF Youth Development and Grassroots Committee, expressed frustration over the lack of priority and funding

support for his area. This led the members to fund committee work and implement projects, out of their own pocket. While grassroots projects were approved, the PFF had no budget for them.

For instance, he said the Training Area Development program was approved for an initial eight RFAs, but the PFF administration said there were no funds available. After studying the concept, Yanson funded TAD’s implementation in the Nofa areas, reaping benefits for footballers in Negros.

“We sacrifice willingly so that more Filipinos can enjoy football. The PFF must put more emphasis on development programs. We need to build a more solid football base for our youth.”

The RFAs noted that the PFF last week announced new age-group tournaments for next year, with the expected entry of Qatar Airways as a new sponsor. But Yanson said the PFF should have prioritized funding for development in its spending, long before.

“The RFAs should be consulted more in the allocation of PFF resources. Development programs for their communities should also be given priority, so the game can grow in our country,’’ said Yanson.

Harrell ties career-high with 34 as Clippers storm past Pelicans

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OS ANGELES—Doc Rivers has seen the Los Angeles Clippers roster undergo many changes over the past 15 months. Montrezl Harrell has remained one of the few constants.

Harrell showed again on Sunday night that he shouldn’t be overlooked, despite the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The fifth-year forward tied a career high with 34 points as the Clippers beat the New Orleans Pelicans 134-109 for their fifth straight win.

“They are starting to see Montrezl is good. He can score a lot of different ways and it seems like each year he is adding more to his game,” Rivers said. “He went left a couple times tonight when the scouting report is to not have him go right.”

It is the fifth 30-point game of Harrell’s career and the second time he has scored 34 this season (the other was November 6 against Milwaukee). He was 13 of 18 from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds as he led the Clippers in scoring for the fourth time this season.

Leonard scored 24 points, Lou Williams added 19 and Paul George had 18 for the Clippers, who have won 11 of 12 at home.

“It is great that we can still be able to run and collect wins while we are still adjusting,” Harrell said. “We’re a deep team and anyone can have a big night.”

Brandon Ingram, one of three Lakers

Makati FC rules Alabang tourney

players involved in the Anthony Davis trade, led New Orleans with 24 points and eight rebounds in his first game back at Staples Center. Jrue Holiday scored 18 and E’Twaun Moore had 17.

“There have been a couple times where we’ve been down and try to fight back, and it has been a little too hard with the deficits. I feel like that has been the standard so far,” Holiday said.

JJ Redick and Holiday hit 3-pointers to give the Pelicans a 10-6 lead three minutes into the game before the Clippers took control with a 15-4 run.

George keyed the run with a pair of threes and Leonard added five.

Los Angeles led 40-27 and then increased it to 62-37 on George’s three with 5:55 remaining in the first half.

“The slow starts are killing us. You can’t give up 40 in a quarter unless you are going to score 45, and we weren’t going to score 45 against that team,” Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry said.

The Clippers went into halftime with a 72-56 advantage before New Orleans cut the lead in half with an 11-3 run to start the third quarter. Jaxson Hayes’s layup drew the Pelicans to 86-80 with 4:53 remaining in the quarter but that would be as close as they got as Los Angeles countered with an 11-2 run, which included Harrell scoring the last six points. AP

Montrezl Harrell is the man of the hour for the Clippers. AP

AKATI Football Club captured seven of nine championships in the 24th Alaska Football Cup held over the weekend at the Alabang Country Club in Muntinlupa City.

Emerging triumphant after the two-day competition that attracted 270 teams from all over the country were Makati FC’s Boys U16 (2003), U15 (2004), U14 (2005), U13 (2006), U12 (2007), U10 (2010) and Girls 14. The club’s Boys U11 (2008) and U9 (2012) finished second.

Aside from 10 young standouts from Negros Occidental, Makati FC also drew the best from its Indonesian guest players to elevate the competition level.

Nico Diola, who came from Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School of Cadiz City, was named MVP in the Boys U16 division.

There were a total of 12 age divisions in the boys and girls in a 7 a-side tournament with the games to be played simultaneously on 28 football fields.

Negros Occidental’s Isaiah Jacob Teruel (Trinity Christian School), Andre Joaquin Algarme (Colegio de Santo Tomas Recoletos), Dave Aiken Celis (Trinity Christian School), Jan Raven Diola (Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School), Leoven Jay Gatungay (Colegio de Santo Tomas Recoletos), Dominic Austin Dreyfus (University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos), Mark Gabriel Cantos (University of Negros OccidentalRecoletos) and Ryan Monares (Sagay National High School) also shone for Makati FC. The Alaska Football Cup is biggest, competitive football tournament in the country where players aged five to 16 gather together every year to enjoy the game and, at the same time, test their skills in a competitive environment. It has been running since 1995 when Alaska tapped former professional international football player and Makati FC Founder Tomas Lozano in leading the growth of the country’s grassroots football.

Talaingod girls get to play foreign teams

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15-member Batang Pinoy delegation coming from an Indigenous Peoples community in Davao del Norte is here in Manila as the Philippine Sports Commission hosts several volleyball exhibition games at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Composed of 10 secondary girl players from the Ata-Manobo tribe, two coaches, two chaperons and a school administrator, the delegation arrived on Sunday afternoon in Manila.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, who watched the girls play in the gold medal match in the Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying early this year, personally invited the team to Manila.

Ramirez said he was impressed with the skills of the girls.

PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey, who oversees Mindanao for the agency, said bringing the Talaingod girls volleyball team’s act to Manila is part of agency’s mandate of advancing the grassroots sports program and fulfilling President Duterte’s mandate for an inclusive sports program.

“This exposure is part of Chairman Butch Ramirez’s instructions to provide a good exposure and experience for the team which can help them develop their skills in their sport,” Maxey said.

The commission partnered with the Rebisco Volleyball League organizers for the exhibition games.

The Talaingod girls volleyball team had scheduled exhibition games with high-school teams from US-Hawaii and Thailand.

Members of the Talaingod team received sports equipment and apparel, such as shoes and shirts from the PSC. Arlyn Murillo, a school administrator in Talaingod, thanked PSC for its support.

“The girls trained for these games. We will see how they will fare out,” she said.

The Talaingod girls clinched the silver medal in the Batang Pinoy National Finals in Puerto Princesa last August. They won gold in the Mindanao leg.

Players from Talaingod (Davao del Norte) and Australia pose after their exhibition game.

orts

sMirror

By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

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HE Philippines celebrated its first victory in the 30th Southeast Asian Games courtesy of the floorball team’s 8-1 conquest of Indonesia at the UP College of Human Kinetics Gym in Quezon City.

Floorball what?

Sounds unfamiliar, but the floorball ladies would go down in Philippine sports history to notch the win for the hosts, who have nothing less than an overall championship as target in these 11-nation, 56-sport Games the country is hosting for the fourth time after 1981, 1991 and 2005.

Floorball is likened to the more popular ice hockey or field hockey. Unlike the national pastime of basketball, floorball only commands a miniscule in the Philippine sports community.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

PHL BAGS 1ST SEAG WIN IN FLOORBALL

Forward Jade Rivera delivered five goals— none bigger than her three hits in the first period which made it a 5-1 spread in the first 20 minutes.

“We didn’t expect to win this big. We only prepared as a team for one week, but I guess everyone wanted to win as one, just like the motto of the SEA Games,” Rivera said.

In a highly physical match, Team Philippines Michelle Jennifer Lindahl drew first blood with her goal at the 2:45 mark. Rista Delina of Indonesia answered back with what turned out as her side’s lone goal to even the score.

Rivera led an onslaught that hiked the cushion to a four-point lead after the first period.

From there, the Indonesians were punished by the hosts as Rivera, along with Michelle Cruzado, applied pressure in the next two frames for a swift end.

Filipina goalies Michelle Simpson and Pia Tolentino delighted the crowd when they saved eight attempts—all vital when the hosts clamped down on defense to negate any chances from the opponents.

“I think we had a good start. We know the Indonesians are really good and fast,” Philippine Coach Noel Johansson said. “We have worked on our defense very much.

Our defenders had a fantastic job.”

Johansson said they must beat powerhouse teams Singapore and Thailand, which they are facing on Wednesday at 1 p.m., to earn a shot for the gold medal.

“If we can beat Thailand and Singapore, then we can have a good chance of winning the gold,” he said.

ALL SYSTEMS GO IN SUBIC Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma lights the symbolic cauldron on Monday at the Subic Bay Freeport as Phisgoc Director for Ceremonies and Cultural Events Mike Aguilar applauds. HENRY EMPENO

The Philippines’s Candy Pellejera (7) and Marie Clarisse Satuito(18) gang up on Indonesia’s Brigitta (21).

NONOY LACZA

SEN WIN: VENUES USEFUL AFTER GAMES

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By Henry Empeño

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—Subic Bay, one of the major venues for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, is now all primed to host 17 sports starting on Sunday.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma declared Subic’s readiness on Monday, as she led the symbolic lighting of the SEA Games cauldron here with Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Director for Ceremonies and Cultural Events Mike Aguilar, and 2015 SEA Games triathlon gold medal winners Ma. Claire Adorna and Nikko Huelgas.

“We’re all ready. Subic is ready,” Eisma assured thus, adding that the rehabilitation and preparation of the eight sports venues here were completed in time for the competitions that open on Saturday and end on December 11.

Eisma also thanked the Phisgoc, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the national government “for making things happen for Subic” and pledged the agency’s all-out assistance in return.

“We are here to support the competing athletes, and to make sure everything will go as planned,” Eisma said. “I challenge the SBMA team to make sure that we stand strong and steadfast in the next two weeks, and I am very confident that together, we will win as one,” she added.

Subic, which is considered the triathlon capital of the Philippines, will host 17 out of the 56 sports on the Games program. According to SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, who is manager of the SEA Games Subic Cluster, a total of eight venues were prepared for the 17 games to be held here.

The sports events to be hosted in Subic are windsurfing, canoe/kayak, traditional boat race, Dragon boat racing, beach volleyball, beach handball, muay thai, pencak silat, table tennis, sailing, sepak takraw, aquatics (open water swimming), duathlon, triathlon, modern pentathlon, chess and rowing.

In Monday’s lighting ceremony, Phisgoc Director Mike Aguilar stressed that Subic’s partnership and support “is valuable in forging this strong and powerful bond across our region.”

“In recent weeks, we have passed on the flame from Davao to Cebu, to Pampanga. And now we are here in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Aguilar said.

“It is the hope of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee that the games be an opportunity to highlight not just the growing passion, talent and skills, of every southeast Asian athlete, but also the hope and solidarity that drive every game,” he added.

The Philippines last hosted the biennial SEA Games 14 years ago, with Subic as venue for archery, canoeing, sailing and triathlon out of the 40 sports competitions held.

Filipino water polo bets battle Indons

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ATIONAL men’s Coach Rey Galang is gunning for a podium finish as his charges take on past tormentor Indonesia at the start of the 30th SEA Games water polo competitions at the New Clark City Aquatics Center, in Capas, Tarlac, on Tuesday.

“Last time, we placed fourth in Malaysia, so now we’re aiming for a podium finish,” said Galang, whose wards tackle the Indons in the last match of a triple header at 7 p.m.

The day opens with Singapore playing defending women’s champion Thailand at 10 a.m. while Malaysia faces Thailand in the other men’s match at 5 p.m.

The Filipino campaigners won once and lost three matches in the 2017 SEAG, including a 2-5 setback to Indonesia, which finished runnerup to perennial men’s water polo champion Singapore.

“But we already beat the Indonesians twice in international play this year so we are confident about our chances against them on Tuesday,” Galang, a former national player himself, noted.

He added that their stint in last month’s FINA Water Polo Challenger’s Cup in Singapore was a huge boost for his players.

The Filipinos wound up fifth overall among the 10 teams that saw action in the competition, and among their losses was an 7-11 decision to the

Singaporeans in the group stage.

Galang admitted that Singapore, which is seeking to retain the championship for the 28th straight time, was still the team to beat and the two squads collide on Friday just before the opening ceremonies at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan the succeeding day.

The Filipinos earlier had a raging rivalry with the Singaporeans, winding up bridesmaids five times to the latter in previous SEAG battles, including a heartbreaking 5-6 setback to the mighty Sea Lions when the country last hosted the regional sports showcase in 2005.

The bespectacled mentor stressed that given the single-round format of the five-team tournament “every game is a must-win for all the squads. We can ill-afford to relax against any of these teams.”

With only three teams including host Philippines, the women’s water polo competition will be a double-round series, with only the gold and silver to be awarded at the end of the event.

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By Butch Fernandez

arrying critics, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian debunked naysayers claiming the New Clark City Sports Complex would end up as a white elephant after the Philippines’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The senator suggested on Monday that a proposed national high school “fully dedicated to Philippine sports will later use these facilities.”

Gatchalian earlier earlier sponsored Senate Bill 1086 that he co-authored, also known as the Philippine High School for Sports Act of 2019 to develop athletic skills through physical education and sports development subjects.

“With the proposed school, promising students will receive quality secondary education while preparing for a sports-related career,” the Senator said.

He added that SB 1086 likewise aims to “create world-class sports facilities and amenities in New Clark City.”

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en. Minority Leader Frank Drilon took up the cudgel Monday to debunk “unfounded” allegations aired by Rep. Mikee Romero pinning the blame on senators for the delayed budget of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“This is a big insult to the leadership of the Senate,” Drilon said. In a statement, the Senate Minority Leader trashed Romero’s accusations as “misplaced and baseless, to say the least.”

Drilon recalled that the delay in the passage of the annual budget bill was “caused by unconstitutional insertions blatantly made by the House of Representatives in the budget to

As proposed, the bill provides that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) will be in charge of providing land and the construction of classrooms, dormitories, sports facilities, and other related amenities.

“These SEA Games facilities complement our proposed high school and facilities for young and promising athletes,” says Gatchalian, adding: “Hindi ito masasayang dahil pakikinabangan ito ng ating mga manlalaro.”

At the same time, the Senator suggests that construction of the New Clark City would be “another step” to giving Filipino athletes the financial, infrastructural, and policy support that athletes need for a stellar performance in the international stage.

He adds that “sports have a fundamental role in bringing national pride and unity, especially when Filipino athletes win in international competitions.

But for our athletes to reach a level of excellence, we need to put support mechanisms in place such as accessible, world-class training facilities.”

To drive home the point, Gatchalian likened such principles to the honor his colleague Sen. Manny Pacquiao has brought to the country. “In order to reach that level of excellence, we need to put mechanisms and fundamentals in place. Hindi naman ho automatic na ipinanganak iyan na maging Manny Pacquiao. Hindi naman ho automatic naging Manny Pacquiao si Manny Pacquiao. He had to undergo rigid training, he had to get enough support from government as well as from the sports community and he had to endure a lot of hardships in order to reach that level”, add Gatchalian.

Apart from the Philippine High School for Sports, the Senator pointed out existing facilities in the former US air base now known as the New Clark City will likewise provide the space for training our athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “Our athletes don’t become world-class performers overnight. Through this high school for sports and the sports hub that will be available for its students, potential athletes will receive government and community support at the earliest possible stage,” Gatchalian exclaimed.

Drilon debunks Romero claim the tune of P95.3 billion worth of pork barrel funds.”

Had this been allowed, Drilon said...it could have filled up the P50-million kaldero of the SEA Games. (Kaya nitong punuin ’yung P50-million kaldero sa SEA Games).”

The Senate Minority Leader added: “to refresh Mr. Romero’s memory, had it not been for the solution or compromise that I proposed that enabled Senate President Vicente Sotto III to sign and send the 2019 budget bill to

Malacanang, we would not have resolbved the 2019 budget impasse and we would have continued on a reenacted budget.”

If not for that, Drilon declared that certain quarters in the Duterte administration would have pushed through with recommending to the President the veto of the entire 2019 budget.

“Hence I reject Mr. Romero’s unfounded accusations,” says Drilon, Adding: “Mr. Romero should refrain from issuing irresponsible nd baseless statement.” Butch Fernandez

‘BAMBOL‘ FORUM GUEST

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three-part session caps the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum just before the 30th Southeast Asian Games open with no less than Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham ‘”Bambol” Tolentino on top of the guests list at the Amelie Hotel-Manila on Tuesday.

Tolentino will be discussing Team Philippines’campaign in the SEA Games during the 10 a.m. session where he will be joined by reelectionist Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President Mariano “Nonong’”Araneta and SEA Games 3x3 and Basketball Competition Manager Bernie

Atienza of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Araneta will talk about the football team’s SEA Games bid along with the coming PFF elections, while Atienza tackles the basketball competitions in the biennial meet together with Fiba-appointed technical delegate Agus Antares Mauro, also the Southeast Asia Basketball Association secretary-general.

The session presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. is being livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2 from 1 to 2 p.m. and later at 6:30 p.m.

SPORTS WITHOUT BORDERS

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Vincent Juico

@VJuico Instagram vpjp_j, vince.juico@gmail.com

Expectations, expectations

If the 2019 Southeast Asian Games athletics test event last October is any indication of how our athletes will perform in the forthcoming SEA Games then we’re in for a bountiful harvest of medals and record-breaking performances.

According to a Rappler.com online sports article last October 28, 2019, “Philippine athletics showed promise as it bagged 3 gold medals in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games athletics test event held on October 26 and 27 in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Long jump queen Marestella Torres-Sunang opened the Philippines’s golden campaign as she leaped to a distance of 6.20 meters to edge out Thailand’s Chuaimaroneng Parinya (6.17m) and Vietnam’s Vu Thi Ngoc Ha (6.02m) on Saturday, October 26.

As Torres-Sunang surpassed her 2018 Asian Games result of 6.15m, the 2017 SEA Games long jump bronze medalist feels confident of her medal chances in the regional biennial meet.”

These games will be the last for TorresSunang, 38, as she aims to finish strong and end her career on a high note.

The article also says “Sprinter Kristina Knott ruled the women’s 200m dash, while Janry Ubas topped the men’s long jump in the test event.

Knott clinched the gold medal in 24.42 seconds to beat fellow Filipino-American sprinter Kayla Richardson, who clocked 26.18s for the silver. Mahisin Maziah of Brunei Darussalam wound up 3rd in 27.02s.

“Kristina is still undergoing treatment for some issues. She still has to peak, but she should be ready in four weeks for the 200m and the relays,’” said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association President Philip Juico.“ Considering Knott wasn’t at full strength when she won is a good sign for us but, of course, we’d like her a full strength and hopefully the coaches and trainers can have her ready when the athletics events commence on November 30.

Janry Ubas, despite some personal problems at home in Cagayan de Oro, won his event, Ubas would’ve performed better with better focus so hopefully, the young man is able to sort out whatever personal issues before the start of the games.

Rappler.com sports goes on to say “Despite some personal troubles back home, Ubas delivered the gold medal with a winning leap of 7.52 meters, far from his personal best of 7.88m.

“Janry had a lot of problems to tackle back home in Cagayan de Oro and couldn’t focus on training as much as he and the coaching staff wanted. Still he did well,” added Juico.

Aries Toledo, a decathlete like Ubas, placed second with 7.49m followed by bronze medalist Algin Gomez (6.83m).

“Janry has two events: long jump and the big one (decathlon). His long jump performance will certainly earn quite a bit of points to put him within striking distance of the podium in decathlon,’”said Juico.“ EJ Obiena, the prohibitive favorite to win the gold medal in pole vault has high hopes after winning the silver medal at the World Summer Universiade in Italy which made the first Filipino athlete to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

The article concludes by saying “EJ Obiena’s chances for the elusive SEA Games pole vault gold also increased after his Thai rival Patsapong Amsamang recorded 5.50 m for the top spot in the test event.

Obiena had set the Philippine record of 5.81m when he secured a Tokyo 2020 Olympics berth at the 30th Summer Universiade in Chiari, Italy last September.

Porranot Purahong of Thailand settled for the silver (5.20m) in the test event while the Philippines’ Hocket de los Santos showed promise with a bronze.”

Patafa President Philip Ella Juico concludes, “Our athletes, and probably those from the other teams, are obviously not yet at their peak. We have, however, continued to discover new talents who emanated from the national championships like the young pole vaulter de los Santos.”

Cayetano resolves issues, appeals for understanding

The Philippines (blue) battles Singapore at the start of netball action at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna on Monday. ROY DOMINGO

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ouse Speaker and Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano has appealed for understanding and promised continuous improvements in the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Cayetano was apologetic to participating countries Timor Leste, Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar after their respective football teams encountered problems in their hotel accommodation and transportation upon arrival at the airport.

“We sincerely apologized to what happened. We are apologizing for the inconveniences, or if I may call it inefficiencies or miscoordinations,” said Cayetano told

the media at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

He was accompanied by Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.

Cayetano and Phisgoc officials together resolved all the issues with Tolentino when they visited on Sunday all foreign delegates at the Century Park Hotel and provided them with all their needs.

Sports RAHM LANDS $5-M JACKPOT BusinessMirror

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| Tuesday, November 26, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

By winning the Race to Dubai title on the European Tour with a one-stroke win at the World Tour Championship, Jon Rahm was reminded, he became only the second Spaniard after the late Seve Ballesteros to finish a season as Europe’s No. 1 player.

Tyler Duncan bags his first Professional Golfers’ Association Tour title. AP

Duncan rallies to win PGA’s RSM Classic

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AINT Simons Island, Georgia—Tyler Duncan made a 12-foot putt on the second hole of a playoff with Webb Simpson on Sunday in the RSM Classic for his first Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour title.

Playing two groups ahead of Simpson in windy conditions on Sea Island’s Seaside Course, Duncan birdied three of the last four holes in regulation for a five-under 65. He two-putted the par-5 15h for a birdie, made a 6-footer on the par-3 17th and a 25-footer on the par-4 18th.

“I’m just so happy to be here playing, and to come out here and win is just unbelievable,” Duncan said.

Simpson birdied 15 and 16, and closed with two pars, making a 5-footer on 18 to match Duncan at 19-under 263.

“It played really tough all day,” Simpson said. “It was blowing it seemed like a solid 20 and gusts here and there, and the pins were tough. They did a good job of setup, but they didn’t make it easy for us. It was especially hard starting out the way we did, so I played really well given the conditions.”

They played the 18th twice in the playoff, matching pars on the first extra hole.

“I was definitely nervous, yeah,” Duncan said. ”I’ve been working really hard on controlling my emotions and breathing and

all that stuff, and it paid off down the stretch here, especially this playoff. I was just able to keep calm and trust what I was doing.”

Simpson has four top-7 finishes in eight starts in the event.

“I felt like it was going to go my way, but that’s what great players do, they birdie the last two holes like he did,” Simpson said. “So, tough to finish that way, but all in all, a great week.”

The 30-year-old Duncan regained his PGA Tour card with a 12th-place finish in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals after finishing 163rd in the FedEx Cup standings. He shot a 61 on Friday, then made 18 pars in a 70 on Saturday that left him four strokes behind third-round leader Brendon Todd.

“I knew it was going to be a tough day out here,” Duncan said. “It was colder, the wind picked up and I was just trying to do the best I could, fight until the end. I hit one of the best fourirons I’ve ever hit on 17 6 feet up the hill and you guys saw the probably 30-footer I made here on 18 just to get to a playoff.”

He earned his first spots in the Masters, PGA Championship and Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

“Just so many different things that I’m very, very excited for,” Duncan said. AP

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UBAI, United Arab Emirates—Jon Rahm was still getting his head around the biggest, gutsiest and richest victory of his career when the name of his golfing idol was dropped into the conversation.

By winning the Race to Dubai title on the European Tour with a one-stroke win at the World Tour Championship, Rahm was reminded, he became only the second Spaniard after the late Seve Ballesteros to finish a season as Europe’s No. 1 player.

“Did I? Oh man, I didn’t even think about that,” an emotional Rahm said, putting his hands to his face after forgetting the narrative he had spoken about all week in the Middle East.

Maybe that’s what landing a jackpot of $5 million does to you.

Rahm, the world’s No. 5, got up and down from a greenside bunker for birdie at the 18th hole to secure the biggest payday of his career Sunday—$3 million, the richest first prize in golf, for winning the World Tour Championship and a bonus of $2 million for finishing first in the Race to Dubai.

“I feel like I’m going to start crying,” said Rahm, who pushed Tommy Fleetwood—who also would have become European No. 1 with a win on the Earth Course—into second place.

Rahm, who started the final round tied for the lead with Mike Lorenzo-Vera, birdied five of his first seven holes to power into a six-stroke lead.

However, Fleetwood—playing one group ahead—finished, as well as Rahm had started, tapping in at No. 18 for a fifth birdie in his last seven holes. It gave him a seven-under 65 and a share of the lead with Rahm, just as the Spaniard was putting on the 17th green.

Rahm’s birdie putt there came up a few centimeters short so he needed a birdie on the par-5 last for the win. His drive was perfect, his approach leaked right and found the bunker, but he chipped out to 4 feet and rolled in the putt for a 68 as Fleetwood watched in the scorer’s tent. Rahm finished on 19 under par overall.

“Fair play to Jon,” Fleetwood said. “Cracking birdie down the last when he needed to make it.”

When Rahm was on the 16th tee, he said he recalled something Jack Nicklaus said when the 18-time major champion spoke about his British Open win in 1966.

“I heard Jack said once, about the Open Championship in Muirfield when he won, he told himself if you finish 3-4-4, you win,” Rahm said. “I told myself, ‘Jon, you’re on 16, one-shot lead, finish 4-3-4, you win the tournament.’ And I played three great holes.

“I have cruised to a win, luckily for me, before. I have never had to grind it out after losing a lead like that.”

Rahm then switched his thoughts to another golfing icon.

“Seve is such an idol for all of us,” Rahm said about Ballesteros, a six-time winner of the European Tour’s Order of Merit title. “And so are Sergio [Garcia] and Olly [Jose Maria Olazabal], and so many of the great Spanish players. And to think that I’m putting my name there before they do is hard to believe.

“I can’t believe some of the things I’ve accomplished.”

Fleetwood, who started the day four shots off the lead, was eight strokes behind after Rahm’s flurry of birdies in the opening seven holes. Still, he managed to take Rahm all the way.

“Proud of the way I played the last few holes, proud of my season,” said Fleetwood, who won the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa last week to move into contention for a second Race to Dubai title in three years.

Fleetwood finished second in the Race to Dubai standings, with Bernd Wiesberger in third place.

Lorenzo-Vera shot 70 and placed third Sunday. AP

“After I made it, I saw the leaderboard,” she said. “I didn’t know that Charley finished at 17 [under]. What if I didn’t make it? We would have gone to a playoff and that wouldn’t have been good for me. So, wow!”

Wow, indeed.

Kim won for the 10th time in her LPGA career, joining Pak Se-ri (25), Inbee Park (19) and Jiyai Shin (11) as South Korean players with at least 10 victories.

This was memorable for the finish—and the prize.

Instead of a $500,000 first-place check and a $1-million bonus to a season points race, CME Globe wanted to award $1.5 million in official money to any of the 60 players who qualified for the season finale. That’s $500,000 more than the previous record prize, $1 million at the US Women’s Open.

Kim finished at 18-under 270 and was No. 2 on the LPGA money list behind Ko Jin-young, who tied for 11th and still had no complaints about her season. Besides the money title, Ko won LPGA Player of the Year and the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average. She won four times this year, including two majors.

Hull was an example of how the format change turned

the Tour Championship into a free-for-all. She had only one top-10 finish this year and was No. 51 in the Race to CME Globe. A year ago, she wouldn’t have been eligible for the $1-million bonus.

“I gave it my best shot,” said Hull, who won $480,000 for being runner-up. She made $405,961 in her previous 21 events this year.

Korda, the highest-ranked American who had a chance to get to No. 2 in the world with a victory, tied for the lead with a birdie on the fourth hole. But she began to fall back by failing to birdie the par-5 sixth, scrambling for bogey on No. 9 and making a careless bogey on the 11th that put her three shots behind. On both par 5s on the back nine, she hit tee shots well left, leading to bogey at No. 14.

She birdied the last hole for a 71 to tie for third with Kang. Brooke Henderson shot 67 and finished alone in fifth.

Korda also had a great view of a putt that was worth $1.5 million—a difference of $1.02 million between winning and second.

“To win $1.5 million by making that putt is quite amazing,” Korda said. “She had to make that birdie to win. It was an amazing cap off to the season.” AP

Jon Rahm books the gutsiest and richest victory of his career. AP

Kim captures LPGA finale, banks $1.5-million prize

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APLES, Florida—With the richest prize in women’s golf history riding on the outcome, Kim Sei-young delivered the ultimate money putt.

Even if she didn’t even know the score.

Kim was tied for the lead going to the final hole Sunday at the CME Group Tour Championship. The nerves were obvious as she missed each of four straight putts from 12 feet or closer.

Moments later, the 26-year-old South Korean took her place in Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour history.

Kim made the putt of her life, a 25-footer for birdie that broke sharply to the right and into the cup for a two-under 70, a one-shot victory over hard-charging Charley Hull and a $1.5 million payoff.

“It means a lot to me just knowing that I won the biggest purse in women’s golf history,” said Kim, whose wire-to-wire win was her third of the year. “That itself is an incredible honor.”

Hull made her earn it.

Six shots behind going to the back nine at Tiburon Golf Club, Hull birdied five of her last seven holes, including the last three. Her 12-foot birdie on the 18th gave her a 66 and a share of the lead.

This was right after Danielle Kang made a 30-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th and came inches short of a closing birdie to tie.

Kim was fully aware of the pressure she felt.

“I was really nervous while walking through hole 18,” she said. “I was like: ‘OK, not a big deal. Try to play like a practice round,’ thinking that would make me comfortable. Even then, I was really nervous.”

She was just oblivious to her competition.

All day, Kim thought it was Nelly Korda, who started one shot behind and fell back with a pair of costly drives to the left. From the top of a crown at the back of the green, Kim figured a two-putt would be enough.

The crowd cheered. She pumped her fist and fought back tears.

Only later, she said, did she realize what it meant.

KIM SEI-YOUNG: It means a lot to me just knowing that I won the biggest purse in women’s golf history. AP

Merciful and loving God

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erciful and loving God, You prosper the plans of the upright and give peace to Your people. With trust we pray: God in Your goodness hear our prayer. Bless and inspire artists, writers, critics and musicians. Favor farmers, gardeners and harvesters with just wages. Prosper the efforts of students, scholars and teachers. May God bless us with every gift of the Spirit and lead us to find hope in troubled times, through Jesus our peace. Amen.

Give Us This Day, Shared by Luisa Lacson, HFL

Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

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CIRCLES: Sansó beyOnd flOwers and seascapes D4

Tuesday, November 26, 2019 D1

‘Like theater in tile form’: Tile’s patterns, designs expand

Casalgrande’s Padana Limpha tile, which turns hyper-realistic botanical prints into large scale ceramic tile, creating lots of interesting design options for architects and designers. PHOTOS: CERAMICS OF ITALY VIA AP

By Kim Cook

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The Associated Press

eople have been surfacing floors and walls in tile for hundreds of years; it’s one of our oldest materials.

But the industry keeps reinventing the product. Digital printing and fabricating advances can now realistically replicate wood, metal, textile, leather, brick and paper in a sustainably made, durable tile form.

“Tile companies have made great strides in suspending my disbelief that these aren’t actual stone, or other real materials,” says New York-based designer Daniel VanHall. “A lot of the really imaginative designs are like theater in tile form; it’s pretty exciting.”

MATERIALS MATCHUP

The blending of materials on a single tile makes for interesting floor layouts. Today’s iterations of wood-look tile are almost indistinguishable from the real deal, since realistic hues and textures can be printed onto slab, plank or square tiles.

The tech is also being used to marry disparate materials into cool new versions: pieces of wood paired with slivers of metal, say, or wood embedded in stone. The juxtapositions are intriguing, and easier both to install and walk on than if real wood, real metal and concrete were fused together. Sant-Agostino’s Timewood has a geometric pattern of wood-look strips in a cement-look matrix; Provenza’s Alter takes the look of shards and panels of reclaimed oak and blends it seamlessly with a ceramic base to create a kicky, midcentury modern design.

Antique silks were the inspiration for Florim’s Filati di Rex collection, comprised of floral, jacquard, baroque and geometric patterns drawn from the renowned Italian fabric house Rubelli. Tile designers are also using antique rugs and tapestries as inspiration.

VINTAGE MODERN

Nancy Epstein of Artistic Tile sees a resurgence in age-old techniques like encaustic tile, where the pattern is made with pigmented cement rather than painted on.

“We’re finding that people are much more open to color and pattern than they’ve been for years,” she says.

This year, at both Cersaie, Italy’s international tile fair held in

Provenza’s Alter ceramic tile, which fuses a wood look with a stone look inlay.

Bologna, and Cevisama, Spain’s version held in Valencia, there were nostalgic nods to both countries’ renowned ceramic history. Mattefinish tiles were printed with motifs referencing centuries-old intarsia and majolica patterns, and designers liked the idea of using them in contemporary spaces.

Cle Tile, based in San Rafael, California, has several artists’ collections of handmade encaustic tile, ranging from modern takes on Old West patterns, to midcentury graphics. Erica Tanov has translated some of her vintage textile archive into cool cement tile designs, in on-trend hues of cream, charcoal, federal blue and soft pink. Los Angeles-based graphic designer Joy Cho has created a playful collection inspired by bubbles, streamers and confetti.

BOLD BOTANICALS

Katie Michael-Battaglia, design director for Nemo Tile and Stone in New York, says another trend builds on a kind of pattern that’s been growing for the past few seasons: flower, leaf and tree motifs.

“What’s interesting now is to see the explosion of botanicals, typically seen on fabrics and wallpapers, but now moved to porcelain tile,” he says.

And again, the wow factor is how accurately new printing techniques can reproduce leaves, grass or even pebbles. With some of the exceptional versions, like Casalgrande’s Padana Limpha ivy-look tile slabs, there’s an almost 3D effect of a “living wall.” The Casalgrande tiles are even treated so when they’re exposed to sunlight, air pollutants and dirt don’t adhere as readily, making them easier to clean.

But the hand of the artisan can also be appealing. At Artistic Tile, Michael Aram’s Orchid collection features carefully crafted 3D flowers on a black or white background; a panel of the tiles would make striking wall art. And, at Tilebar, there are copper-glazed tiles that look like embossed or braided leather.

Michael-Battaglia mentions one other major tile trend, which is also capitalizing on fabricating advancements.

“Designs are pushing the boundaries on imitating natural stone,’’ he says. “Terrazzo is a great example of this; companies are playing with scale and color with almost cartoonish liberties.

Manufacturers have started elevating designs to mimic exotic stone like onyx and gemstones. They’ve moved away from just the

Florim’s Filati di Rex pattern which resembles vintage floral wallpaper. Tile that can be installed to look like artwork, wallpaper or area rugs is an increasingly popular trend.

imitation of classic stone—marbles, limestones and quartzes—and are creating their own mashups, a stone you don’t see in nature.”

Giant slabs of onyx-look tile are cladding bathrooms from floor to ceiling, including vanities and tub aprons. Companies are offering marble-look tile in unexpected hues like magenta

and green, or with veining in gold or copper. And there are imaginative takes on terrazzo with pink, blue or green backgrounds and exploded, oversize patterns.

As VanHall says, “I can do a whole room in porcelain tile, yet it can all look different.”

5 ways to keep your bathroom clean and hygienic Bathrooms are the go-to place for our personal hygiene activities. Ironically, they are also the most prone to dirt, grime, and even attracts bacteria which can cause skin or diseases like diarrhea from Escherichia coli (E.coli).

As a brand that champions bathroom safety and hygiene through innovative hygiene technologies, American Standard offers solutions to keep your bathroom clean and hygienic:

n KEEP EVERYTHING ORGANIZED. The secret to making your bathroom spacious is to keep everything organized. Store your towels in wicker baskets under your vanity; keep your cotton balls and swabs in decorative jars; have storage boxes for your bathroom essentials; you can also opt to have a functional wall décor, which you can also use as additional storage.

n CLOSE THE TOILET SEAT COVER BEFORE

FLUSHING. As E. coli usually lurks in water contaminated with human feces, make sure to close toilet seat before flushing. This prevents the bacteria from spreading into the air. You can further keep your bathroom clean and hygienic with American Standard’s HygieneClean System delivered by its powerful flushing techniques: the Siphonmax with its dynamic vacuum mechanism with side and lower water jets creating powerful swirls to remove both heavy and light waste completely; and the Double Vortex which offers maximum flushing performance yet minimum water usage.

n INVEST IN TOILET FIXTURES THAT ARE EFFICIENT AND INNOVATIVE. Investing in quality bathroom fixtures not only add aesthetic value but also ensure that your toilet performs to its fullest potential. Start with American Standard’s ComfortClean. This revolutionary

ceramic is glazed with zinc oxide that effectively kills bacteria inside the toilet bowl for the long term and beyond.

n CLEAN AND DISINFECT BATHROOM FLOORS. Make every bathroom trip a pleasant experience by maintaining squeaky clean floors and surfaces. To do so, sweep or vacuum dust particles, and mop the floor with floor cleaners soon after. Use cloth to clean small areas. Avoid collecting germs and mildew in the grout between tiles by brushing with antifungal grout cleaner.

n KEEP YOUR BATHROOM FRESH. The bathroom is most likely the one room that tends to smell pretty rough. It doesn’t have to be this way. Turn your bathroom into a spa-like retreat with room scents such as potpourri, scented oils or candles, or a bamboo charcoal bag which absorbs odors anywhere.

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Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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BusinessMirror

Young priest confronts mysteries of past in Harris’s thriller

By Michael Hill

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The Associated Press

hristopher Fairfax is a newly ordained priest assigned by his bishop in 1468 to ride out to the isolated English village of Addicott St. George to handle the funeral of its longtime vicar, Thomas Lacy, who died suddenly in an accident. Well-meaning but inexperienced, Fairfax becomes ensnared in a situation where he must deal with inscrutable locals, hidden forces and strange artifacts dug up from the Earth.

Fairfax quickly finds out things are different than they seem at first blush. The reader does, too, when Harris introduces a significant twist early in the story. If you want to avoid that spoiler, stop reading this review now.

Harris has built a steady career writing historical novels based on the rise and fall of Cicero, Neville Chamberlain’s notorious “peace in our time” deal with Adolf Hitler and France’s infamous Dreyfus affair. He has strayed into alternative histories, too, with Fatherland: A Novel, set in 1964 where the Nazis won World War II.

The Second Sleep (Alfred A. Knopf) is also set in an imagined reality, one that is hundreds of

years in the future after a global cataclysm in our current time. The artifacts being collected in this post-technological time include plastic straws and an iPhone. What did 21st-century beings use these artifacts for? People in the book aren’t quite sure. And the authorities— Fairfax’s church foremost among them— absolutely do not want people digging up and studying the distant past.

Lacy had ignored that injunction.

Inevitably, Fairfax gets drawn in, too.

Harris is a fluid writer who expertly sets the scene and then turns the screw bit by bit to build tension. The book subtly explores themes of faith, the risks of technology and the power of the state to control knowledge.

There are engaging characters like Nicholas Shadwell, the heretical, wheezy researcher of the forbidden past. Local mill owner Captain John Hancock is an overbearing capitalist always in overdrive and always interesting. But as the main character, Fairfax can come off as too much of a milquetoast.

And the end of the book seems kind of abrupt after some 300 pages of patient, methodical buildup. The villain gives a monologue that ties up some loose ends and then the book seems to just stop suddenly.

It feels like a roller-coaster ride that ends before that last big plunge.

Grisham’s ‘The Guardians’ is a suspenseful thriller

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Peter Facinelli, 46; Garcelle Beauvais, 53; Tina Turner, 80; Rich Little, 81.

Happy Birthday: Sensitive issues should be dealt with, not brushed aside and allowed to fester. Facing facts and making lifestyle changes that will allow you the freedom to follow a path that will bring out the best in you should be your intent. Concentration, determination and discipline, coupled with innovative ideas and an open mind, will encourage new beginnings. Your lucky numbers are 8, 14, 21, 29, 32, 37, 44.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Look for opportunities that can help you find the peace and happiness you deserve. Pick up information, skills and experience that will broaden your qualifications and help you gear your résumé to suit your needs. A personal contract looks inviting. «««««

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You can build something substantial if you join forces with someone who is just as eager as you are to bring about change. Call in experts to negotiate on your behalf. Romance will enhance your personal life and your future. «««

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t get upset over what others do. Know when to walk away, and don’t be afraid to do your own thing. Emotions will escalate, and you will need to handle them if you want to excel instead of wasting time over something you cannot change. «««

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): It should be clear what’s best for you. Don’t be afraid to venture down a path on your own. You’ll get more done if you can avoid interference. A personal promise you make someone will change your life. Romance is encouraged. «««

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t let the changes other people make disrupt your plans. Anger is a waste of time that should be spent obtaining accomplishments personally or professionally. Expand your awareness; use your skills to help reach your goal. ««««« VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Positive change is heading your way. The hard work you put in will pay off and encourage new beginnings. The personal gain will be yours once you denounce what and who is no longer in your best interest. ««««

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Spend more time on self-improvement. Discover what’s available and how best to go about getting what you want. Avoid getting trapped in someone’s problems or taking on responsibilities that don’t belong to you. Keep the peace; ease your stress. «««

The Associated Press

HOLD (and read!) an entire exhibit in your own hands, as the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) launches an exhibition book, titled POSTER/ITY: 50 Years of Art and Culture at the CCP, on November 26, 6 pm, at the Main Gallery, third floor, CCP Main Building, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

The book features the posters that are currently exhibited at the CCP in line with the celebration of its 50th anniversary. The CCP’s time line is also featured and it shows the significance of the posters and how they portrayed the artistic directions of Filipino aesthetics that evolved from the ‘70s toward the search of a new identity in this present age.

There will also be talks and messages from experts in this field of art, such as Ringo Bunoan, Baby Imperial and CCP’s chief librarian Alice M. Esteves. As the CCP’s participation for the celebration of the Philippine Book Development Month, the book launch will be free and open to public.

More information about the book launch is available at ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com, 8551-5959 or 0919-3175708.

Today’s Horoscope

f

By Jeff Ayers

CCP to launch art book for its 50th anniversary

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In John Grisham’s latest novel, The Guardians (Doubleday), a former priest named Cullen Post works for an organization called Guardian Ministries that scours court transcripts and personal letters from convicts to determine if someone is wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he or she didn’t commit. If the organization believes without a doubt that the potential client is innocent, it will do everything it can within the boundaries of the law to free an innocent person, investigating and pushing for a new trial.

Quincy Miller has been in prison for 22 years—and still claims his innocence. A young lawyer was murdered, and suspicion quickly turned to Miller pulling the trigger. He says a fellow inmate fabricated a story about Miller confessing, and his ex-wife claimed that he owned several guns, which also wasn’t true. Another witness lied about seeing him flee the scene. Miller swears he never owned a gun, wasn’t anywhere in the area that night and that a key piece of evidence that later disappeared was planted.

It’s a bit much to believe that so many folks would be involved in a miscarriage of justice, but Post believes Miller and begins to dig into what happened that fateful night.

Grisham again delivers a suspenseful thriller mixed with powerful themes such as false incarceration, the death penalty and how the legal system shows prejudice. The Guardian team of characters is first-rate, and Miller’s attitude and mannerisms will have readers questioning what truth means in the world of the legal system.

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Learn all you can, and put the knowledge to good use. How you express your thoughts will determine how much support you receive. Be as detailed as possible, and you’ll get the type of action you want. Romance is on the rise. «««

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Share your true feelings, and listen to the response you receive. Compromise will help you get ahead, as well as avoid unnecessary clashes. Don’t put off what you can do today. Engage in efforts that offer a better quality of life. «««

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Accommodate your space to suit your needs. Work on a project that excites you. A personal change should be kept a secret until you have everything in its place and ready to present. Romance will improve your life. «««

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Concentrate on what you have to accomplish. Refuse to let what others do or say ruin your thought process. Don’t trust someone who is using persuasive tactics to manipulate you. Keep your life and your plans affordable and straightforward. ««««

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Look over your financial, legal or medical records, and adjust anything that may need to be updated.

Control your emotions, and refuse to let your beliefs interfere with the way you treat others. Give everyone the same rights you want in return. «« Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, caring and outgoing. You are original and aggressive.

‘steps out’ by jordan hildebranth The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Most frilly 8 Prefix with “represent” 11 Club sandwich relative, briefly 14 “See?!”

15 Movie preview 17 *Defensive football players 18 *Town’s central meeting spot 19 “Do Ya” rock grp.

20 Trail mix morsels 22 Jam time, slangily 23 ___ and board 25 *Fruity dip 29 “False!” on a playground 31 Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, e.g.

32 Particle such as Iron(III) 33 Place in groups 35 X, to Electra 37 Fight stoppers: Abbr.

38 Contests with many moves, or a hint to the starred answers’ outside-thegrid parts 41 Dark ___ (black magic) 44 Empty space 45 Milano’s country 49 “Say what?”

0 Parent in many TV shoutouts 5 52 Plug part 53 *One may go either way at the ballot box 58 ___ pop 59 Big book 60 Chimney buildup 62 Fish in a Japanese garden 63 *Contemporary times 66 *“Can I get a beer menu?”

68 Engage fully 69 Moneymakers 70 “The Pit and the Pendulum” writer 71 Flap your gums 72 Genealogical procedure DOWN 1 African country with a red, white and blue flag 2 Puzzled 3 Metamorphosis casings 4 Type 5 Idyllic garden 6 Stack overflow?

7 Sampled 8 VJs’ channel

9 Like leprechauns 10 Witch trials city 11 Manolo ___ shoes 12 a or b, in the Pythagorean theorem 13 III, in modern Rome 16 Ingrid’s Casablanca role 21 Things to let simmer 24 Color-changing rings “read” them 26 Certain salmon 27 Melted mess 28 Clip-___ (ties you don’t tie) 30 Syllable before “la la” 34 Series with Capt. Picard 36 “___ Were a Boy” (Beyonce song) 37 Old Russian rulers 39 Army gear, informally 40 Method of sending docs 41 Sighs of relief 42 Forensic evidence of a wheel 43 “I am who I am” 46 Little peek 47 Out of the rain 48 Opposed to 51 Tried to talk to a cat 54 NPR bag 55 “Southern Ivy” in Atlanta

6 Vice ___ 5 57 Tolkien kingdom with many horses (NORAH anagram) 61 Skater Lipinski 63 Mid-body joint 64 “BTW, what I think ...”

65 Slangy affirmative 67 Mine explosive

Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

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Show BusinessMirror

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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Elsa, voiced by Idina Menzel, from left; Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell; Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff; and Sven in a scene from the animated film Frozen 2, which opened in North American and buried several records over the weekend. AP

‘Frozen 2’ heats up box office with $127-M opening weekend

By Jake Coyle

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The Associated Press

EW YORK—Six years after Frozen kicked up a pop-culture blizzard, the sequel to Elsa, Anna and Olaf’s adventures snowed in the box office with an estimated $127-million debut domestically and $350.2 million worldwide, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The opening for the Walt Disney Co.’s Frozen 2 buried several records. It’s the highest-grossing debut ever for any animated film globally. It marks a new high in the US and Canada for an animated movie released outside of the summer season. And it’s the largest opening for any Walt Disney Animation Studios release.

Disney opted for the week ahead of Thanksgiving to open Frozen 2, meaning it will get a significant second week bump from kids out of school. The first Frozen opened over Thanksgiving, earning $93 million in five days and $67 million for the three-day weekend.

The original, though, quickly grew into a sensation, remaining in the top 10 at the box office for 17 weeks and ultimately grossing $1.27 billion. Propelled in part by the hit song “Let It Go,” Frozen begat a flurry of merchandizing, untold numbers of Elsa dresses and a Broadway musical. It won two Academy Awards, for Best Animated Feature and Original Song. Matching that total gross won’t be easy sledding, but Frozen 2 has a head start. Cathleen Taff, distribution chief for Disney, granted there’s a “high bar” set by Frozen, but she’s confident of the film’s enormous appeal.

“We can’t open to a number this big without everybody coming out to see it,” said Taff. “We’re looking forward to a good run through the holidays given kids are going to start getting out of school this next week.”

Reviews and audience reaction have been good for Frozen 2, but not as strong as they were for the original. The CinemaScore was A- for Frozen 2, whereas Frozen yielded an A+. Critics were also a little less taken with the sequel: 75 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 90 percent for the original.

But scores were still very high, including a 93-percent Rotten Tomatoes audience rating. Crowds were largely female (59 percent) but not extremely so. And audiences came out in larger numbers than analysts forecast, especially overseas.

The film brings back much of the talent behind the 2013 original, including the voices of Idina Menzel

(Elsa), Kristen Bell (Anna) and Josh Gad (Olaf). Also returning are songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, though the music this time hasn’t be quite as enthusiastically received. And it’s again directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, who’s now the chief creative officer at Disney Animation.

Frozen 2 helped thaw a frigid November box office.

The last three weeks have seen a string of films rooted in decades-old intellectual-property fizzle, including Warner Bros.’s Doctor Sleep, Paramount Pictures’s Terminator: Dark Fate and Sony Pictures’s Charlie’s Angels.

But Elsa could do only so much to move the needle.

The weekend was actually down 7 percent from the same frame last year, according to data firm comScore.

In 2018, there were simply more big movies in the marketplace, including Ralph Breaks the Internet, Creed II and Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald.

Last week’s top film, Ford v Ferrari slipped 49 percent in its second week to a distant second with $16 million. James Mangold’s film, also a Disney release (courtesy of the studio’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox), has grossed $103.8 million worldwide thus far.

Starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon, the movie has also joined this season’s sped-up Oscar race. (The Academy Awards will be held February 9 this year.)

Marielle Heller’s Mister Rogers drama A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, starring Tom Hanks and Matthew Rhys, is also in the Oscar mix. It opened in third with $13.5 million. That was roughly on target for the Sony Pictures release, which cost about $25 million to make. It, too, should be positioned to play well through the holidays.

Less successful was the crime thriller 21 Bridges, starring Chadwick Boseman as a police detective who puts Manhattan on lockdown for a manhunt.

Up against steep competition for adult audiences, 21 Bridges raised $9.2 million in tolls for STXfilms, a so-so result for a film that cost $33 million to produce. The film is produced by Anthony and Joseph Russo, whose last movie as directors, Avengers: Endgame, did slightly better.

Todd Haynes’s legal thriller Dark Waters opened in four theaters with a strong per-theater average of $27,467. The Focus Features release, starring Mark Ruffalo, is based on a 2016 New York Times Magazine article about a corporate attorney who sued the Dupont chemical company over the health and environmental effects of a “forever chemical” used by Dupont.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theaters, according to comScore.

Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included.

1. Frozen, $127 million ($223.2 million international).

2. Ford v Ferrari, $16 million ($14.7 million international).

3. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, $13.5 million.

4. 21 Bridges, $9.3 million ($2.7 million international).

5. Midway, $4.7 million ($5.4 million international).

6. Playing with Fire, $4.6 million.

7. The Good Liar, $3.8 million.

8. Charlie’s Angels, $3.2 million ($4.6 million international).

9. Last Christmas, $3 million ($6.7 million international).

10. Joker, $2.8 million ($7.6 million international).

‘Guerrero Dos:’ Finding happiness amid life’s challenges

By Leony R. Garcia How do you face life if you are young and orphaned? And your only hope lays sleeping in the hospital bed for years and is comatosed? Can you still be happy while waiting for the day for your loved one to wake up and become reunited with him—something that may never happen at all?

In gist, this is the story of the movie Guerrero Dos, Tuloy ang Laban (The Fight Continues). The film is the sequel to Guerrero, a story of the struggles of Ramon Guerrero, a boxer, and his relationship with younger brother Miguel. The sequel focuses on Miguel who, like his brother, overcomes his own challenges in life.

During the movie screening held recently at the INC Museum, most of the audience, including this writer, couldn’t help but cry. Definitely, our hearts were touched by the endearing movie scenes and mixed emotions of love, fear and forgiveness which perfectly enveloped the family-drama movie.

PMPC Star Awards 2017 Best Child Actor, Julio Cesar Sabenorio returns for his portrayal of Miguel, who brings smiles and joy to everyone he meets in the hospital, which has literally become his home in the sequel.

Sabenorio is joined by actor Genesis Gomez, who plays Ramon Guerrero, and by veteran actor/director Art de Guzman and Mia Suarez who play new characters. Popular actor Victor Neri, in a cameo role, complete the new actors in the sequel.

The supporting cast led by newbie actor Paolo Marcoleta makes the movie highly recommended for a special award for ensemble

Director Carlo Ortega Cuevas with the cast of Guerrero Dos.

acting, despite the movie’s simple and direct-to-the-point real-life presentation.

Marcoleta , who is actually the chief of staff of his father, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, over at the House of Representatives, was a theater actor during his college days. Guerrero Dos serves as his first full-length movie.

The movie was written and directed by multi-awarded director Carlo Ortega Cuevas, who won such accolades as Best International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema in London, Best Newcomer Filmmaker of the Year at the World Film Awards in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Best Feature Comedy at the Amsterdam International Festival of World Cinema.

It’s the third film venture of EBC Films in its production of inspirational movies. “Guerrero Dos, Tuloy ang Laban reminds us that we all face our own struggles and but we should not give up and surrender.

Most important, it wants to inspire Filipinos here and around the world to face life with greater vigor and fight for their faith with stronger zeal,” said Robert Capistrano, EBC Films’s head of operations.

“After all, EBC’s objective is to provide the audience with an alternative to mainstream media which is to provide entertaining films that teach moral values,” added Capistrano.

EBC Films’s President Rowena de la Fuente-Deimoy says that EBC Films will continue its mission to provide child-friendly and meaningful films that are full of values.

Just like the first movie, Guerrero Dos will be shown internationally after its Philippine premier scheduled in the early part of 2020.

Ballet Manila gracefully dances ‘Giselle’ despite setback Despite a recent tragic event, Ballet Manila did not fail to live up to the theme of its 24th performance season as its presentation of the classic Giselle was surely on point from start to finish.

Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde tried to hold back the tears as she assured the crowd that they will work harder and rise once again. Before the show began, Macuja-Elizalde gave an emotional speech to thank the people who supported her dance company.

“I realized that, in the wake of tragedy, divine providence has stirred many hands and hearts to encourage and help us,” said Macuja-Elizalde, referring to the fire that razed Star City and rendered Aliw Theater inoperative. “I would like to thank CCP [Cultural Center of the Philippines], Ballet Philippines, the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the ballet and performing arts community for lifting our spirits and pledging their support. We are determined to continue

our mission and vision to bring the ballet to the people, and more people to the ballet.”

As the show began, enchanting music filled the Main Theater of the CCP. Conductor Alexander Vikulov and the Manila Symphony Orchestra provided the live music accompaniment which transported the audience to the medieval Rhineland village.

The curtains rose and, at first glance, the set, costumes and props were a visual delight. The nobleman Albrecht in his disguise as Loys, played by principal dancer Elpidio Magat, joins the peasants and his cad character is immediately masked by his charisma and sophisticated dancing prowess, which made the titular character fall in love with him.

Principal dancer Joan Sia, in the role of Giselle, was simply a delight of tour de force. The moment she stepped out of her little cruck house, her radiant smile perfectly capturing her character’s charm,

grace and naivete. Her Act I variation was a true standout. Sia’s movement, from her arabesques to her pique turns, were just the right combination of energy and delicacy. The scene of her madness, and death, was also stunning and heartbreaking display.

Giselle showed the company’s resilience and strength. It is rather unfortunate that the three originally planned shows were compressed to one because, without a doubt, a lot of people would have enjoyed it. Many people thought that their 24th performance season was over after the fire that damaged the company’s home base, the Aliw Theater, but they were still able to come up with a powerful and spectacular production. After Giselle’s success, it only made the rest of shows this season something to look forward to. The remaining shows for this season, The Sleeping Beauty, Carmina Burana and La Traviata, will be performed on new dates and venues that will be announced soon.

Principal dancers Elpidio Magat and Joan Sia share a sweet moment onstage as Duke Albrecht and Giselle in Ballet Manila’s recent staging of Giselle at the CCP Main Theater.

Art

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D4 Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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Sansó beyond flowers and seascapes

CIRCLES JT Nisay

jtnisay@gmail.com

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ot many people know that he’s an avid photographer,” said Ricky Francisco, executive director of the Fundacion Sansó, pertaining to the Spanish-by-blood, Filipino-at-heart international artist, Juvenal Sansó.

Over the course of our conversation, Francisco repeatedly introduced an idea about the decorated icon with the same four words. He said not many people know that Sansó was the first artist to present an all-print exhibition in the Philippines in 1957; that not many people know his family was agnostic; that not many people know he was deaf on his left ear after an artillery shell blasted through their house during World War II.

Such may be the case for the artist mainly identified with his signature flower paintings and seascapes. There’s still a whole world to be known about him, which the ongoing exhibition at Art Lounge Manila, titled Juvenal Sansó: Jubilation, tries to present through phases of his art.

“People tend to focus on just one section of Mr. Sansó’s works, but we wanted to give them a background so that they could understand, among other things, the connection between his earlier works, which are mostly figurative, and his latter works, which are

abstract,” Francisco said. “Mr. Sansó is more than what they think he is.”

Sansó is a man of experimentation and perfection. With burning curiosity, he explored different mediums and pushed their limits to come up with truly unique pieces. It’s a type of curiosity, however, that defaulted from seclusion.

Sansó was born in Reus, Catalonia, in Spain in 1929. He moved to Manila at the age of five with his family, who established a wrought-iron business in Paco. While Sansó spoke Tagalog fluently and freely bonded with boys his age, including Henry Sy, there were numerous factors that kept him and his family away from society.

For one, they were full-blooded mestizos, fair-skinned and blue-eyed.

His family was also agnostic, and he was homeschooled. Moreover, many Spaniards in the Philippines supported Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, while the Sansós were strongly anti-Fascist.

“But during the time that they were separated from society, Sansó’s curiosity really pushed him to experiment in new mediums,” said Francisco. “He would do copperplate etching using a brayer or etcher, then later on evolve and use chemicals to create different types of effects.”

All the while, Sansó continued painting. Then the war came and his life changed, along with his art.

“I had a very traumatic experience as a result of the war,” Sansó is quoted as saying in his web site profile. “Our fortunes were destroyed, my family had to flee back and forth between Montalban and Sta. Ana.”

The events ushered in the artist’s Black Period, when he painted exclusively in black and white with gruesome imagery and hideously deformed beggars.

The dearth of life and hues in his pieces marks one extreme of his 70-year

On view until November 30 at Art Lounge Manila at The Podium is Juvenal Sansó: Jubilation, a celebration of the life and art of the decorated artist who turned 90 years old on Saturday. PHOTOS: VANCE ALFONSO artistic career, with blooming abstractions of red, green, orange and blue on the other end, influenced by his summers in the Brittany coast with the Le Dantec family.

In a span of seven illustrious decades dedicated to the arts, Sansó has created countless pieces in various mediums, garnering priceless recognition here and abroad. Among them was the Presidential Medal of Merit, the most prestigious award given by the Philippine government to an artist for his invaluable contribution to visual arts in the country, awarded by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006.

The following year, he was bestowed

by King Juan Carlos of Spain with the

Distinguished King’s Cross of Isabela for his exemplary work across national boundaries. In 2008, the Ministry of Culture and Communications of the Republic of France conferred Sansó with the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, which is akin to a knighthood or the Member of the British Empire given by the Queen of England.

Despite earning recognition that seal his importance in the local and global art circuits, there’s still much to learn about Sansó, according to Francisco. For instance, he discovered thousands of painted Kodachrome slides that Sansó created between the mid ’70s and the late ’80s that never hit the market.

Francisco told Sansó that the pieces were fantastic, and asked him why he didn’t show the pieces to the public.

Sansó, then still lucid, replied, “Galleries only wanted flowers and landscapes.”

This is why Francisco and Fundacion Sansó are on a mission to reintroduce the artist in a new, broader light.

“Right now, I’m focusing on the abstracts,” Francisco said. “A lot of people find these disturbing because they don’t show the hallmarks of Sansó, the flowers and the seascapes, but if they would only understand, he started working on these in the 1970s.”

“It’s not new to him,” he added. “But to many people, it is.”

Collecting and gifting get enlightened this holiday season

Under the Tree: The Holiday Sale partners during the holiday preview: (from left) Salcedo Auctions’ Karen Kua-Lerma, vice chairman and chief financial officer; Richie Lerma, chairman and chief specialist (second from left); SM SVP for Marketing Millie Dizon and Victor Silvino, managing director; Ça Va Creperie and Floral Atelier co-owner Emi Jorge; and Escuella Taller OIC, Architect Jeffrey Cobilla.

Salcedo Auctions, the country’s premier auction house, celebrates the holidays with an auction series, titled Under the Tree​​, with two unique sales: ​Under the Tree: The Wish List​by Salcedo Auctions, and ​Under the Tree: The Holiday Sale​by its subsidiary brand Gavel&Block.

Held last November 23 at the Salcedo Auctions headquarters in NEX Tower in Makati, The Wish List brought a curatorial slant to collecting the season’s best as it featured carefully selected fine Philippine art pieces

by National Artists BenCab, Vicente Manansala, Napoleon Abueva and Arturo Luz.

BenCab, Untitled, 2015, digital print 20/25

To be staged on November 30, 2 pm, at the Lobby of The Podium West Tower in Ortigas Center, Pasig, The Holiday Sale​by Gavel&Block puts the emerging collector in focus-featuring pieces that are just as covetable and surprisingly accessible—from paintings by artists like Malang, Emmanuel Garibay, Nena Saguil and Bernardo Pacquing, as well as original prints by Lao Lianben, Cesar Legaspi and BenCab, unique furniture, design collectibles, historic memorabilia and the like.

“At Salcedo Auctions, we have always sought to create experiences that people will remember, whether

Mauro Malang Santos, Untitled, 2000, oil on canvas

it’s through purchasing art or participating in the auction process,” explains Victor Silvino, managing director. “With Gavel&Block at The Podium, we hope to not only bring the auction experience to a whole new set of art and design enthusiasts, but also to reinforce the robust retail environment that is so crucial in the upwardly mobile, progressive direction that our country is headed. We have always hoped for more people to appreciate what we have to offer through our different brands and sales.”

To reinforce the spirit of giving that Under the Tree represents, Salcedo Auctions is proud to announce a new

Napoleon Abueva, Untitled, 2007, resin mounted on wood

opportunity to make charitable donations, share life’s blessings and give back to society with a focus on arts, culture, educational and environmental initiatives. This is made possible by its new online platform, ​Bid for the Future​.

Conceptualized by Joaquin Lerma, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student at the International School Manila who started giving art tours at the age of 11, and has been involved in organizing and writing for the auction house’s Gavel&Block benefit auctions over the past two years. His passion for history, informed by travels to heritage sites around the world, led him to select Escuela Taller as the

KAWS Holiday Japan figurines in black, gray and brown, 2019. These limited-edition figurines accompanied Brian Donnelly’s (better known by his mononym, KAWS) large traveling installation Kaws: Holiday. first beneficiary of this new donation platform.

Escuela Taller is an NGO that educates and trains underprivileged youth to gain the skills necessary to preserve and restore the country’s built cultural heritage, with graduates being deployed under the supervision of experts to work on historical buildings in Manila, as well as Bohol, Batanes and Pampanga.

Gavel&Block’s ​Under the Tree: The Holiday Sale​ auction is staging a public preview at the Ground Floor of The Podium daily at 11 am to 10 pm until November 29.

Online catalogs are available at salcedoauctions.com.