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NGCP poised to cut SMC power in Albay By Manly M. Ugalde Correspondent
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EGAZPI CITY—The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is poised to cut its power-distribution supply in Albay should the Albay Power Energy Corp. (Apec), owned by San Miguel Corp., fail to settle its P1.8-million obligation. The power will be cut off on See “NGCP,” A2
A broader look at today’s business n
Sunday, October 2, 2016 Vol. 11 No. 358
P25.00 nationwide | 3 sections 16 pages | 7 days a week
IMF: High growth rate not felt by poor people
By Bianca Cuaresma
@BcuaresmaBM
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HE new administration must be focused on increasing budgetary allocations to improve the quality of life in the countryside, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted the Philippines’s inability to translate its high growth rate to a decrease in poverty and inequality.
While the IMF recently lauded the country’s economic expansion as one of the fastest in the region and leading to an upgrade in growth rates for 2016 and 2017, the global organization also pointed out the contrast between the fast growth of the economy’s GDP and the minute improvements in the country’s “stubbornly high” poverty rates. “The strong economic performance has not yet fully benefited a wide range of the population. Poverty and inequality remain high,” the IMF said. “Executive directors commended the [Philippine] authorities for See “Growth,” A2
Business enterprises urged to tap social networking sites Smartphone activities Smartphone activities
percent of U.S. smartphone 18 and over who The percent The of U.S. smartphone owners agesowners 18 andages over who have ever usedto their to do the following activities. have ever used their phone do phone the following activities. 18-29
18-2930-49
in a Participated Participated in a video call or video chat call or chat
13%
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
@lorenzmarasigan
Vizcaya, like carrots, squash, moringa (malunggay) and spinach. LEONARDO PERANTE II
Urban planner: Discipline most vital factor in solving Manila traffic mess By David Cagahastian @davecaga
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ongress should grant the emergency powers sought by President Duterte soonest to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila, which is only expected to get worse with the coming Christmas season and the continuing increase in construction activities. Urban planner Roque A. Magno, a professor at the University of the Philippines’s School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP), said Congress can put enough safeguards so that the grant of emergency powers on procurement will not be abused. Earlier, the Senate Committee on Public Services chairman, Sen. Grace Poe, suspended the hearings on the proposed grant of emergency powers to Mr. Duterte to speed up the procurement process for
infrastructure projects relating to easing traffic in the National Capital Region. The hearings were put on hold pending the submission by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) of a detailed list of projects for which the procurement process will be relaxed to speed up implementation. The Committee on Transportation of the House of Representatives had, likewise, asked the DOTr for a detailed proposal regarding the projects: where the proposed emergency powers will be used and whether these will be used only in Metro Manila or throughout the country. Magno said Congress should, instead, provide a time limit for the exercise of the emergency powers, since the projects for which the emergency powers are being proposed have already been identified, such as the connector road between the North Luzon Expressway and the South Luzon
PESO exchange rates n US 48.2570
MAGNO: “Regarding the emergency powers, they should give it; otherwise, President Duterte would have an excuse why the traffic problem was not solved.”
Expressway. Magno said the delays in the construction of vital infrastructure projects are caused by issues regarding the acquisition of rightof-way and the slow pace of completion of other works, which are not within the government’s control, such as construction works by the Manila Electric Co. and waterdistribution concessionaires. “Regarding the emergency powers, they should give it; otherwise, President Duterte would have an excuse why the traffic problem was not solved. But they
should give it a time duration,” Magno said in an interview with the BusinessMirror. Duterte is averse to the bidding process, which he said had worked against the government because the lowest bidders always provide substandard materials and services, leaving the government shortchanged on the contracts in the long run. As an urban planner, Magno enumerated the measures which the government may take to quickly solve the traffic problem. “First, we should finish all pending projects immediately,” he said, citing the pending Nlex-Slex connector road project that could immediately ease traffic by allowing cargo trucks to go from North Luzon to South Luzon and vice versa without having to traverse the streets of Metro Manila. He said there should also be a metro-wide land use zoning ordinance, and a common ordinance See “Urban,” A2
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USINESS enterprises should no longer view online channels as a blank media space, and instead start producing quality content to harness the full potential of social networking sites to further grow their brands. Zoe Lawrence, the digital director for market research company Kantar Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), said companies should start learning how to tap social media as a channel for expansion, instead of looking at the digital space as another advertising stream. Kantar TNS’s Connected Life 2016 study indicates the
73% 67%
73% 67% 44%
44%
52% 52% 48% 48% 36% 36% 66%
27%
Watched Watched movies or movies or through a paid TV through aTV paid service subscription subscription service
87% 87% 74% 74% 41%
41%
Bought a product Bought a product online such as online such as books, music, toys or books, music, toys or clothing clothing Got sports Got sports scores or scores or analysis analysis
50+
95% 95% 94% 94% 82% 82%
Get directions, Get directions, recommendations, or recommendations, or othertoinfo related to other info related location location Listened Listened to an online to an online radio/music service radio/music service
VEGGIE NOODLES A tray of vegetable noodles, made from varieties of vegetables, is on display at the Healthy Rich showroom for visitors to see. It showcases nutritious vegetables grown in Nueva
30-4950+
49% 27% 52%
36% 13%
49%
36%
66%
52%
Source: Pew Research Center Source: Pew Research Center Graphic: Staff, Tribune News Service Graphic: Staff, Tribune News Service
use of photo-curating application Instagram and multimediamessaging application Snapchat has risen sharply in the Philippines, with a penetration rate of 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, as of end-2015. “The rise of these platforms provides brands with new opportunities to target and engage consumers. However, brands need to be mindful of evolving consumer attitudes as they look to take advantage of the diversifying social-media landscape,” Lawrence said. The same study she cited showed a quarter, or 23 percent, of connected consumers in the Philippines “actively ignore” social posts or content from brands. Hence, businesses need to avoid being invasive as a third or about See “Social,” A2
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Keen on making a difference in the lives of farmers through science and innovation, Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Malycka Roz Rentuza and Hannah Nicole Gaudiel of the Philippine Science High School Central Visayas campus demonstrate their science project, entitled “Anti-Ripening Paper,” to Wyeth Philippines Inc. Innovations Head Juan Miguel Alvarez. The team members took inspiration from the challenges of their local banana farmers, especially during postharvest season, when they need to store and transport their produce. By creating an innovation that prolongs the ripening period of fruits and vegetables, Rentuza and Gaudiel’s innovation can help farmers prevent the spoilage and wastage of agricultural produce. Aside from the practicality of their innovation, the social relevance of Rentuza and Gaudiel’s science project placed them among the Top 3 winners in the recently concluded Wyeth Nutrition Kid Innovators Grand Finals 2016 held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on September 23.
n japan 0.4777 n UK 62.5990 n HK 6.2221 n CHINA 7.2355 n singapore 35.3764 n australia 36.8346 n EU 54.1685 n SAUDI arabia 12.8531
Source: BSP (30 September 2016 )
NewsSunday BusinessMirror
A2 Sunday, October 2, 2016
Social… Continued from a1
33 percent, already feel “constantly followed” by online advertising. “What’s crucial is that brands no longer look at social channels as a blank media space for advertising. The results show consumers are demanding content that is integrated seamlessly into the platform, enhancing, rather than interrupting, the use of it,” Lawrence said. To do this successfully, she explained, it’s essential to maintain the brand values of the platform being used. “Instagram is a place for highly curated, enhanced images, whereas Snapchat is raw, in-the-moment and humorous. Brands need to approach each platform individually to ensure the content created mixes seamlessly into the usergenerated feed and maintains their own integrity,” the executive said. The digital-commerce industry in the Philippines is expected to balloon to more than $10 billion by 2025, outpacing its peers in Asia and the Pacific, all of which are expected to have an e-commerce market value of $5 billion each. The Philippines is touted as the social-media capital of the world. It was also the texting capital of the globe, back when basic mobile phones were first introduced. Today smartphone penetration in the country is around 40 percent, and data from research agency Ericsson showed more than 30 percent of Filipinos use their smartphones for social networking, 40 percent for instant messaging, and around 30 percent for online videos on a daily basis. Smartphone penetration is expected to increase to 50 percent by year-end.
www.businessmirror.com.ph
SBMA outreach brings ‘sunshine on a rainy day’ to Ayta children
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By Henry Empeño | Correspondent
UBIC, Zambales—The stormy weather notwithstanding, an outreach project by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) brought joy and cheer to Ayta children living in the remote foothills of Sitio Nibangon in this municipality. In a short program held at the Saint Francis Learning Center (SFLC), a school ran by Franciscan sisters for Ayta pupils, personnel from the SBMA Tourism Department, along with members of the Rotary Club of Subic Pearl, turned over sacks of rice, canned goods, noodles and other foodstuff to the school. They also joined the children in traditional songs and dances, as well as games, during the outreach project. No less than 250 elementary and high-school students of Saint Francis benefited from the project, sponsored by business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport as part of the monthlong celebration of the 2016 National Tourism Month, SBMA Tourism Manager Mary Jamelle Camba said. Taking pride in the project, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the Subic agency has been prioritizing outreach activities like this to help in promoting inclusive
growth in the Subic Bay Freeport community. “This is just a ray of sunshine on a rainy day, and SBMA is happy to be a critical part in the development of the local communities year in and year out, inclement weather or not,” Garcia said in a statement on Friday. Sister Mary Francis Borje, who heads the SFLC, said the SBMA donation was a big relief not only to the school staff who try to make ends meet to support the center, but also to the pupils who come from poor families. One of them, 9-year-old Aaron Ioncellas, who is on Grade 3 at the center, couldn’t hide his happiness upon receiving his box of lunch containing a piece of chicken, rice and chocolate brownies. But Aaron didn’t take his lunch; he said he was bringing it home to his four younger siblings instead. Sister Mary said Saint Francis was established as a foundation in 1991 to help Ayta tribesmen in the
AYTA children do the traditional talipi dance during an outreach project by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority at the Ayta village in Sitio Nibangon, Subic, Zambales, last week. HENRY EMPEÑO
remote village of Mangan-Vaca in Subic, Zambales, whose socioeconomic life was severely affected by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Starting out with two small shacks built by the Aytas from donated scrap wood, a handful of Franciscan nuns started teaching mostly illiterate Ayta adults the rudiments of reading and writing, as well as some basic livelihood skills. The Ayta elders later appealed
NGCP…
to the nuns to accommodate their children, as well. “Today the SFLC is now recognized by the Department of Education as a registered educational institution that can accept Grade 1 to Grade 6 and senior high-school students,” Sister Mary said. The recent outreach project is just the latest in a yearlong outreach program of SBMA for the benefit of indigent communities
near the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Garcia said. Aside from this, the Subic agency provides millions in semiannual development assistance to nearby local government units (LGU) through the socalled LGU shares. Just last month, SBMA released P141.4 million in revenue shares for the first half of 2016 to eight nearby communities in Zambales and Bataan.
Continued from a1
December 22 if the Apec can’t pay its accumulated obligation. The threat came after Apec failed to pay its debt to NGCP, amounting to P1.8 billion as of August 30, Apec officials hired by SMC said. Apec is facing a serious collection problem since it acquired the ailing Albay Elecetric Cooperative (Aleco) in January 2014. It inherited Aleco’s P4-billion debt that now ballooned to P5.6 billion, which includes the P1.6 billion in power supply it obtained from the SMC-owned San Miguel Energy Corp., former Apec General Manager Manuel Imperial said early in August. Imperial has been assigned to the SMC main office on September 1. In a media dialogue on Thursday called by Apec officials, Apec finance officer Miguel Gopengco said NGCP is serious in its threat to disconnect Apec by December because of Apec’s P1.8-billion standing debt since Apec started operations in early 2014.
Growth…
Apec’s woes began in 2014 after members of the Aleco Employees Organization, who opposed Aleco’s privatization, undermined Apec’s operation by launching a movement targeting only a 30-percent collection and leading a boycott of bills payment. While the threat of disconnection remains conditional, the Apec officials appealed to the media for help to disseminate to consumers the true status of Apec, saying paying bills is the only solution to settle the debt with NGCP. On September 4 the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) joined Apec to support the SMC-owned Albay Power Cooperative after more than two years of failed rehabilitation efforts. SMC’s agreement with Meralco was to extend assistance as service provider limited to line rehabilitation, disconnection and detection of thousands of connections deleted from the data base, Imperial said. He said when Apec took over
Aleco in January 2014, its data base only had more than 40,000 of its 220,000 consumers. This was the reason Apec could not send bills to consumers and collect. He said Apec was able to reconcile its data base with 180,000 consumers retrieved and more than 30,000 still remain missing. During the first year of Apec’s operation, consumers complained of their erroneous and impossibly high billings that one consumer who usually got billed less than P200 a month having only three bulbs at home was billed P30,000. Apec officials apologized to the consumers, saying the problems are being acted on. Retired National Power Corp. Public Affairs Head Patria Gutierrez, who now serves as Apec spokesman, said Apec management is appealing to consumers who have delinquent accounts to pay. She said Apec is willing to accept payment of their latest bills if they can’t afford to pay back accounts.
Continued from a1
their continued strong macroeconomic management, with robust growth and low inflation. Directors noted, however, the favorable macroeconomic performance has not led to corresponding improvements in poverty reduction, inequality and unemployment,” the global organization said. In the first half of the year, the Philippine economy grew by 6.9 percent, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in the region despite external volatilities during the period. Consumption and investment grew rapidly during the period, while net exports continued to be a drag to growth due to weak external demand. The unemployment rate also declined to 6 percent in the first half of 2016, while inflation in the country remained subdued at an average of 1.6 percent in the first eight months of the year. Despite these, the IMF noted the Philippines’s “high” poverty rate fell only by 0.3 percentage point per year, from 28.8 percent
in 2006 to 26.3 percent in 2015. As such, the IMF said it welcomes the new administration’s plan to reduce the poverty rate by 1.25 percentage points to 1.5 percentage points per year during its term—which would likely result in a cumulative decline of 7.5 percent to 9 percent in six years. However, the IMF said the targets set were “ambitious” and said the government’s plans to achieve this target will only yield a reduction of about 0.6 percentage point per year, or about half their target. “Therefore, in order to achieve this target, it is imperative the scale-up in social and infrastructure is well targeted to the most vulnerable, particularly in rural areas, and accompanied by strong structural policies,” the IMF said. Among proposals to improve the speed of poverty reduction in the country, the IMF said, include further developments in the Conditional Cash-Transfer Program,
raise investment in education and health, promote rural and valuechain development, and ensure land tenure in agriculture.
Urban… Continued from a1
with regard to traffic schemes, like the number-coding scheme among all the cities of Metro Manila. Another solution is the removal of U-turn slots and their replacement by a channelized left-turn lane to remove bottlenecks at these U-turn slots. “But whatever traffic schemes we put in place, it will always boil down to the people who use the streets, which is why discipline is still the best measure that we can all implement to ease traffic. The government, for its part, should enforce this discipline and make the citizens follow the rules,” Magno said.
NewsSunday BusinessMirror
www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Dionisio L. Pelayo
Another fuel price hike looms By Lenie Lectura
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@llectura
ocal pump prices are on the rise again. The Department of Energy (DOE) said in a statement over the weekend “domestic gasoline and diesel prices may increase.” Separately, Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Melita V. Obillo said gasoline and diesel prices may go up by “hopefully not more than P0.50 per liter.” Actual price adjustment would be known when oil companies announce on Monday their respective price increases. The impending oil-price increase may have something to do with the decision of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) to cut production by up to 700,000 barrels a day from the current level of just over 33 million barrels a day. Moreover, the continued weakening peso is also another factor. “There is a high probability of oil prices being driven up as a consequence of Opec’s decision,” the DOE said. Factors affecting local pump prices include supply, demand, transport, foreign exchange, peace and order situation, and many others. “For the Philippines, we need to diversify our sources so that we will not be affected by the price movements from one source. Demand side management is also important. Energy-efficient appliances and vehicles should be used. Rooftop solar panels with net-metering technologies should also be utilized. There are government projects and programs on these,” the DOE said.
Neda to create oversight panel, ask for additional budget to meet SDGs
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By Cai U. Ordinario
@cuo_bm
HE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is keen on creating an oversight committee and recommending additional budgets for agencies to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretar y and Neda Director G e n e r a l E r n e s t o M . Pe r n i a told repor ters that the agenc y w il l a lso include the SDGs in t he yea rly Budget P r ior it ies Framework. The SDGs are a set of 17 goals composed of 169 targets and over 300 indicators. Countries, including the Philippines, aim to meet the SDGs or the Global Agenda in 15 years. “ We see to it that the SDGs are factored into our long-term v i s ion , me d iu m - te r m de ve lopment plan and our sectora l plans. A nd the Philippine Statistics Author it y has a lready included the SDGs on the Philippine Statistical Development P rog ra m for prog ress mon i-
tor i n g a nd data generation,” Pernia added. Pernia said there is a need to use a multidimensional approach to tackle poverty, the eradpernia ication of which is the main goal in the SDGs. He said the inclusion of a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in the last Philippine Development Plan (PDP) will pave the way for accelerated poverty reduction. This will include initiatives, such as the Conditional CashTransfer Program and many wide-
ranging governance reforms. Pernia affirmed that addressing multidimensional poverty to attain poverty- and inequalityreducing economic growth will be integrated in the 2017-2022 PDP. “The main strategy in the upcoming PDP is to rebalance growth and development opportunities across regions, sectors and socioeconomic groups in the country,” Pernia said. “This will be key to addressing multidimensional poverty as it means more economic opportunities for marginalized socioeconomic groups,” he added. The Global Goals aim to end poverty and hunger; promote universal health; education for all and lifelong learning; achieve gender equality; sustainable water management; ensure sustainable energy for all; decent work for all; resilient infrastructure; and reduce income inequality between and among countries. The goals also include to create sustainable cities, ensure sustainable consumption and production, take action against climate change, conserve and s u s t a i n a bl y u s e o ce a n s a nd marine resources, reduce biodiversity loss, achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, and rev ita lize globa l par tnership for development.
Sunday, October 2, 2016 A3
S&P overrated—Duterte ally By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
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AYS after President Duterte said he does not care about Standard and Poor’s Financial Services Llc.’s (S&P’s) assessment of his administration’s initial performance, a member of the House of Reprentatives described the global credit-rating agency as “somewhat overrated.” “While S&P, to a certain degree, helps fund managers rationalize and feel good about their investments, what the agency has to say about the credit-worthiness of a government or a corporation is far from gospel truth,”said PDP-Laban Rep. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, a member of the House Economic Affairs Committee. “S&P’s international reputation is no longer the same as before the 2008 global financial crisis. Many investors today rely less on S&P when they decide where to put their money,” Pimentel said. “I don’t care” was Duterte’s curt answer when he was asked by journalists to respond to S&P’s evaluation that “predictability in policy-making”—one of the considerations in making investment decisions—has diminished under his new administration. S&P, nonetheless, affirmed the Philippines’ long-term credit rating of “BBB” (lower medium, investment grade) and shortterm credit rating of “A-2” (upper medium, investment grade),
with a “stable” out look . Pimentel said the New Yorkbased debt watcher got discredited in a big way when it gave “AAA” or prime investment-grade ratings to US housing mortgage bonds that turned out to be “junk” instruments of indebtedness. In fact, he said S&P paid $1.5 billion last year to settle lawsuits with the US Justice Department, as more than a dozen US states and the largest American pension fund accused the financial research firm of inflating its ratings on subprime mortgage bonds at the center of the 2008 global financial crisis. Pimentel said there were also “glaring instances” in the past wherein S&P recommended certain shares of stocks of companies that later became bankrupt. He cited the case of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., the fourth-largest US investment bank, which collapsed in 2008. Lehman’s collapse hit three Philippine banks with a combined P7 billion in financial losses, owing to their direct and indirect exposures in the 158-year-old US investment bank. Two days before Lehman filed for bankruptcy (and before its shares became worthless), and while the company’s stock was trading at $4, S&P analysts told investors to hold on to their shares on expectations that the stock would rise to a target price of $14, Pimentel added.
SundayV
Busine
A4 Sunday, October 2, 2016 • Editor: Angel R. Calso
Industrialization for sustainable future
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By Li Yong | Inter Press Service
IENNA—World leaders are recognizing the crucial role of industrialization in eliminating absolute poverty and promoting sustainable development. This was especially evident at the recent Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Hangzhou, China, which I attended as a member of the delegation of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The gathering demonstrated the growing consensus on the need for renewed efforts to facilitate inclusive and sustainable industrialization as one of the main drivers of economic growth and structural transformation in Africa, and especially the least developed countries (LDCs). Before the summit, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido), which I currently head, received a request from the G20 Presidency to take the lead on a report on industrialization in Africa and LDCs. The paper presented the challenges and opportunities that Africa and LDCs are facing in the process of industrialization, and proposed policy recommendations for the G20 to take actions in the future to extend their support for the continent and the LDCs. It provided a comprehensive framework and underlined the fact that increased investments in infrastructure and industry, access to finance, the transfer of technologies, as well as trade facilitation and capacitybuilding, can support the transformation needed in this respect. The report, which benefited from contributions from other international organizations and financial institutions, highlights the important benefits of inclusive and sustainable industrial development. This extends to inclusive and sustainable structural transformation and industrialization for diversifying the economy, creating jobs and building equitable societies, without prejudice to the environment. It also shows the benefits of leveraging trade in intermediate goods, investment, and regional and global value chains. The report also highlights the new Program for Country Partnership approach, which Unido is currently piloting in Ethiopia, Peru and Senegal, as a model for pursuing inclusive and sustainable industrialization at the country level. This approach brings together actors in a multistakeholder platform to coordinate and optimize the contribution of each other. The objective of such a partnership is to accelerate and deepen the impact of the national industrial development agendas. The report recommended that the G20 group of leading economies promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialization through various mechanisms, such as knowledge-sharing platforms for peer-to-peer learning, the sharing of best practices, policies, measures and guiding tools, as well as multistakeholder discussions. Other recommendations included calls for the G20 to support agriculture and agribusiness development; to deepen, broaden and update the local knowledge base; to encourage industrialization through trade and deeper regional integration; and to promote the new industrial revolution, including the Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing, 3D printing, nanotechnology and biotechnology, in order to improve productivity. The summit in Hangzhou demonstrated the commitment of G20 countries to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. These 17 goals, and their associated targets, frame the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the vision and ambition to both achieve a balance among the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development, and to integrate them into a universal and transformative framework for global cooperation and action. A communiqué issued by G20 leaders announced a package of policies and actions designed to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. These include the launch of the G20 Initiative on Supporting Industrialization in Africa and LDCs. The communiqué also emphasized the need to tap into the potential of new sources of growth and to harness the opportunities brought about by innovation, the new industrial revolution and the digital economy. Li Yong is director general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
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A better option: ‘Track 2’ diplomacy with China T HIS option is similar to the joint problem-solving (JPS) technique at the Program on Negotiation (PON) in Harvard University Law School and its consortium partners, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Tufts University.
Database
By Cecilio T. Arillo
JPS is neither exclusively soft nor hard, but a combination of both: Soft on the people and hard on the problem. “Instead of attacking each other, you jointly attack the problem. Instead of glowering across the table, you sit next to each other facing your common problem. In short, you turn face-to-face confrontation into side-by-side negotiation,” said famous negotiator Dr. William Ury in his lectures. JPS generates better results for both sides, saves time and energy by avoiding brinkmanship and posturing, and usually leads to harmonious working relationships and to mutual benefits in the future. “The option, called ‘Track 2’ diplomacy and adopted by a group of retired ambassadors, military officials, businessmen and academics, was essentially meant to discuss side by side with their counterparts when they went to Beijing from September 13 to 15,” according to retired Gen. Edilberto Adan, chairman and president of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers, who was with the group. Other members of the group were retired Ambassadors Alberto Enconmienda, Eva Betita, Cristina Ortega, Jaime Yambao and Jaime Bautista of the Philippine Ambassadors Foundation; retired Armed Forces officials Enrique Galang, Rodolfo Tor, Carlos Agustin and Alejandro Flores; business executives Alan Ortiz, George Anghel and Bernardo Benedicto; Ananda Almase from academe; and former Interior Secretary Rafael A lunan, composed the Filipino group. The Philippine Council for Foreign Relations said it sent the group to China for a series of dialogues with their contacts and counterparts to discuss issues that arose from the South China Sea conflict. The Council explained Track 2 diplomacy involved informal and unofficial talks separate from the “Track 1” mission of former President Fidel V. Ramos as special envoy to China. The council said all tracks, however, will cooperate on “Track 1.5” diplomacy toward the final resolu-
“The option, called ‘Track 2’ diplomacy and adopted by a group of retired ambassadors, military officials, businessmen and academics, was essentially meant to discuss side by side with their counterparts when they went to Beijing from September 13 to 15,” according to retired Gen. Edilberto Adan, chairman and president of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers, who was with the group.
tion of the maritime dispute. While in China, the delegation called on Liu Zhenmin, vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ambassador Wu Hailong, president of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs; Yang Yi, head of the China Institute of Strategic Studies; and Yang Xiuping, secretary-general of AseanChina Center. Liu lauded the initiatives taken by the Duterte administration to seek bilateral talks with China, following the July 12 ruling of the international tribunal on the sea dispute, the council said. “He downplayed the incident, calling it an isolated incident that should not disturb the long-term relations between the two countries,” the group said. Liu expressed hope the Philippines would handle the dispute appropriately and get bilateral relations “on track once again,” the group said. “Given that relations between the two countries had sunk to its lowest level since it started decades ago, he [Liu] expressed the wish that under the new Philippine dispensation, the relations between the two countries will arrive at a new turning point,” the council said. “[Liu] hoped further that the Philippines can meet China halfway, handle the dispute appropriately, and place [bilateral] relations back on track through dialogue, consultations and cooperation.” “Chinese t hink tank s [t he Asean-China Center, the Institute of Strategic Studies and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign
Affairs] also lauded the ‘openness of the new administration to restart bilateral talks, while keeping in the backburner the tribunal’s decision without necessarily giving up the respective claims of both nations,” the council said. On March 10, 2009, the Philippines approved Republic Act 9522 defining the baselines from where its maritime zones are to be computed as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). In reaction, China on May 7, 2009, submitted a note verbale (or diplomatic letter) to the United Nations claiming “indisputable sovereignty” over all the islands in the West Philippine Sea and their “adjacent/relevant waters” encompassed by its now famous “nine-dash line map.” This map covers the entire South China Sea (SCS) bordering the shorelines of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines. It converts the huge SCS into an internal waterway or lake of China. For the Philippines, the dispute involves mainly (1) the Kalayaan or Spratlys group of about 700 isles and reefs (called Nansha by China) 370 kilometers west of Palawan; and (2) the Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal (called Huangyan by China) 220 km west of Zambales. The Philippines claims ownership of the resources in and sovereignty over many of the Kalayaan isles and Masinloc. China asserts “the Philippines’s illegal occupation of some of the islands and reefs of China’s Nansha Islands is the direct cause [of] the SCS dispute between China and the Philippines.” To back its assertion, China created “Sansha City” on July 24, 2012, “to administer” the whole SCS and the islets, reefs and resources there and sent armed naval vessels “to safeguard” them. The Philippines was, thus, constrained to initiate the arbitral proceedings. In its decision, the tribunal upheld the Philippines’s rights to maritime areas as defined by the Unclos; “China’s maritime claims in the SCS…are contrary to the Unclos and invalid;” and China should “desist from activities that violate” the Philippines’s maritime rights. To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio.arillo@ gmail.com.
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opinion@businessmirror.com.ph • Sunday, October 2, 2016 A5
To effectively combat climate change, involve women By Esther Ngumbi Inter Press Service
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TLANTA, Georgia—London’s Waterloo Bridge over the River Thames is famously known as the “Ladies Bridge,” for it was built largely by women during the height of World War II. On another continent, women fighting a different war have built an equally remarkable structure: A 3,300-meter antisalt dyke constructed by a women’s association in Senegal to reclaim land affected by rising levels of salt water. These women are on the frontline of the fight against climate change, and their ingenuity and resolve resulted in a singular victory. The project allowed the revitalization of rice-growing activities and the regeneration of natural vegetation over 1,500 hectares, and benefiting over 5,000 people in Senegal. Women are a minority on every major committee of the United Nations’ own top climate-change decision-making group. Yet, women continue to be excluded from climate-change solutions for agriculture. A look at United Nations report on female representations in main climate change decision bodies shows that women are a minority on every major committee of the United Nations’ own top climatechange decision-making group. For example, women hold only 6 percent
of positions in the Advisory Board of the Climate Technology Centre and Network. At the same time, women smallholder farmers have limited access to agricultural training, credit, seeds and inputs—all of which are essential for the development and adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. Most affected by climate change are the world’s 1.3 billion poor people, the majority of whom are subsistence farmers, women and their families. Women make up an average of 43 percent of the global agricultural work force and produce as much as 90 percent of the food supply in African countries, where they are also mainly responsible for providing water and fuel for their families. All this makes them exceptionally vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Not only does women’s disempowerment prevent us from understanding the true extent to which climate change is disrupting the way of life for our most at-risk communities, it also perpetuates the antiquated narrative that women are victims, rather than agents, of change. But, as seen in Senegal, women bring novel perspectives and solutions to the fight against climate change. Furthermore, studies have
found that women in leadership improve organizations’ financial performance; strengthen the organizational climate; increase corporate social responsibility and reputation; leverage talent; and enhance innovation and collective intelligence. Therefore, across every level of society, women’s leadership in addressing climate change must be supported. W h i le t here a re sig n s of change—including the recently announced appointment of Patricia Espinosa as executive secretary to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—much remains to be done, whether in the boardroom or on the threshing floor. Small-scale women farmers must be assisted with tools, technologies and other resources to effectively deal with the changing climate. These include portable modern stoves that do not require large amounts of firewood and biogas digesters that can turn waste from animals into gas for cooking. Water-conservation technologies, such as microdams, rain storage systems and drip irrigation technologies that grow more crop per drop are a prerequisite for dealing with more variable rainfall. Such climate-smart agriculture techniques could potentially
allow small-scale women farmers to grow crops and feed their families throughout the year and avoid the “hungry season.” When women gain access to such resources and tools on a large scale, whole communities and regions can benefit. In India, for example, the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group and the Women’s Earth Alliance launched a yearlong India Women, Food Security and Climate-Change Training program. Through this program, women were trained on a wide array of conservation agricultural practices, including agroforestry, conservation tillage and mixed farming. These practices strengthen resilience of the land base to extreme events, broaden sources of livelihoods, and have positive implications for climate-change adaptation. As a result of the initiative, over 5,000 women were trained and over 6,000 trees were grown. The trainees were further tasked with implementing what they had learned. Many of the 5,000 trained women launched their own small-scale agribusinesses and continued to be leaders in the fight against climate change, reaching out to more than 750,000 people. Another example is the work of late Nobel Prize winner Prof. Wan-
gari Maathai. Through greenbelt movement, she empowered women to grow seedlings and plant trees to bind the soil, store rainwater, and provide food and firewood. Since its inception, the organization has planted over 51 million trees, helping to protect Kenya’s forests. This program not only addresses climate change, but it also creates jobs for women while improving water and food security. Efforts toward empowering women with tools and resources to fight climate change must be intensified and accelerated at local, national and regional levels. Echoing the words of former President of Finland Tarja Halonen: “Women are powerful agents whose knowledge skills and innovative ideas support the efforts to combat climate change.” Including women in top decision-making organs on issues of climate change and empowering them on ground to take action is essential, and will surely facilitate a more stable and prosperous planet. Esther Ngumbi is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University in Alabama. She serves as a 2015 ClintonGlobalUniversity(CGIU)Mentor for Agriculture and is a 2015 New Voices Fellow at the Aspen Institute.
9/11 families may not be able to sue Saudis after all By Noah Feldman Bloomberg View
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HE fate of the September 11 families’ lawsuit against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may depend on the Partridge family. The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, enacted by Congress on Thursday over President Barack Obama’s veto, is supposed to let the suit go forward. But for the federal courts to have legal authority, the families will most likely have to show the September 11 attacks were “effects” of actions taken by the Saudi government. And the leading US Supreme Court case governing what counts as effects involved the actress Shirley Jones, known for her role as Shirley Partridge in the 1970s show The Partridge Family. Jones sued a writer and editor for the National Enquirer where she lived in California over a libelous article that was written in Florida. The legal issues are technical, but they’re important for whether the act is a real threat to Saudi Arabia or merely an empty symbolic gesture by Congress. The Saudis clearly think the threat is meaningful. And the president argued in vetoing the law that it would set a bad precedent for other countries that want to allow suits against the US government. But none of this will matter much if there’s a loophole that ensures the September 11 suit can’t go forward. At the risk of oversimplifying
some truly complex issues in the law of civil procedure, here’s the issue. In passing the bill, Congress was amending a law called the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. That law says you can’t sue a foreign government in US courts, except for a few specific exceptions, such as when the foreign government is engaged in US commerce. The terrorism bill added a new exception. It says that an American can sue a foreign government for damages “occurring in the United States and caused by an act of international terrorism in the United States; and a tortious act or acts of the foreign state…regardless where the tortious act or acts of the foreign state occurred.” Translated into English, that means you can sue a foreign government when the act of terrorism occurred in the US, as the September 11 attacks did, so long as the foreign government contributed to causing the attack. Under the act, it doesn’t matter where the foreign government contributed to causing the attack. In theory, if the Saudi government took actions within its own country to fund al-Qaeda and that contributed to
Why Iran is still dangerous By Moshe Ya’alon
Los Angeles Times/ TNS Forum
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nited States political leaders of both parties argue that destroying the Islamic State is America’s top priority in the Middle East. In reality, that’s not nearly as important as confronting the challenge posed by Iran. The nuclear deal that went into effect a year ago may have postponed the danger of an Iranian nuclear bomb, but the multifaceted threat of a militaristic, messianic Iran—80-million strong—is much more menacing to Western interests than the Sunni thugs and murderers of Raqqah and Mosul. In negotiating the nuclear agreement, the P5+1 group of countries— the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany—registered several benefits. These include delaying the Iranian military nuclear project for 10 to 15 years, defusing political tensions with Iran, opening new markets there and gaining Iranian cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State. Only one of these— the delay in Iran’s nuclear program—
comes at Iran’s expense, since both sides shared a desire to achieve the other objectives. From Tehran’s perspective, it gained much more than it gave up. In exchange for postponing its military nuclear project, it achieved the lifting of many economic sanctions, an end to its political isolation and the loosening of restrictions on its ballistic missile program. And out of the P5+1’s exaggerated fear of taking any steps that might give the Iranians an excuse to scuttle the deal, Tehran won a lot more, too. This includes wide latitude to advance its influence throughout the region as it no longer fears a US-led “military option.” The evidence of Iran’s rogue behavior is overwhelming. It is the prime backer of the genocidal Syrian regime, providing President Bashar al-Assad with funds, weapons and the support of Shiite militias. It supplies weapons, money and training to Hezbollah, using it as a strategic tool to undermine
the attacks, that would authorize the suit. But the constitutional law that governs whom you can sue, and where, isn’t so simple—and because it’s based on the Constitution, Congress can’t legislate around it. According to the Supreme Court’s interpretation, a US court must have what is called “personal jurisdiction” over any defendant for a lawsuit to go forward. Personal jurisdiction comes in two flavors, general and specific. It would be almost impossible for the courts to have general jurisdiction over the government of Saudi Arabia, because a foreign entity must be “at home” to be sued under current precedent. It was on this ground that the Second Circuit Court of Appeals recently rejected a lawsuit against the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act. If the those groups are only “at home” in Ramallah, as the court held, the Saudi government is similarly only “at home” in Riyadh. That leaves specific jurisdiction as the only way to haul the Saudi
kingdom into court under the new bill. And the constitutional bar is probably higher than what Congress wrote into the law. In 1984’s Calder v. Jones, the Shirley Partridge case, the Supreme Court held that Jones could sue the National Enquirer editor and writer in California for an article written in Florida. But it reasoned that the writer and editor’s actions were “expressly aimed at California,” and said the libel was “intentionally directed at a California resident.” It followed, said the court, that they could be sued in California based on the “effects” of their Florida conduct in California. Under this standard, it probably wouldn’t be enough to show that Saudi Arabia supported al-Qaeda and so indirectly contributed to causing the September 11 attacks. The families would have to show that the kingdom intentionally aimed to cause harm in New York, or at least the US. In a 2014 decision, the Supreme Court refined the Partridge precedent. It said the relationship between the defendant and the place where the suit is brought “must arise out of contacts that
the defendant himself creates with the forum.” That test very likely would not cover Saudi Arabia. Even if the September 11 families could show that the kingdom helped support al-Qaeda, that’s a far cry from demonstrating that Saudi Arabia created contacts with New York or the US simply by virtue of supporting al-Qaeda. If this analysis is right, the terrorism bill won’t ultimately enable legal authority over Saudi Arabia. To be sure, the kingdom would have to appear in court and argue that the court has no authority over it. That’s a risky step that foreign governments don’t like to take, because a government can lose on the question of jurisdictional authority and then be held liable in the underlying lawsuit. Ne ve r t he le s s , i f t he c a s e against Saudi Arabia is thrown out on jurisdictional grounds, then the bill may not create the dangers of reciprocal suits that many fear. That would be good for foreign relations—and bad for the victims’ families who hope to hold a government, not just al-Qaeda, responsible for the September 11 attacks.
the legitimate role of the Lebanese government. In Yemen Iran fans conflict by sending arms to the Houthi rebels. Elsewhere in the Arabian peninsula, it uses proxies to undermine Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. In Israel’s neighborhood, Iran finances Palestinian Islamic Jihad and certain Hamas elements and provides them with the know-how to produce rockets, drones and other weapons. None of this has abated with the Iran nuclear deal; to the contrary, Iran has grown more aggressive on all fronts. For an agreement that was supposed to be narrowly limited to finding a peaceful solution to Iran’s military nuclear program, the Iranian negotiators were brilliant. They played a weak hand superbly. And in 14 years, when critical restrictions will be lifted, the world may be in a worse position to prevent Iran’s nuclear project than ever before. In history and international politics, 14 years is the blink of
an eye. And there are many factors— such as the possibility of global events that distract international attention from Iranian violations—that could shrink that time frame significantly. Concerned nations need to work together now to prevent Iran from exploiting the nuclear deal to redraw the political map of the Middle East in its favor and from capitalizing on the region’s instability to prepare for an eventual nuclear breakout, either before or after the deal’s expiration. Such steps would include ensuring strict inspection of Iran’s nuclear facilities—and not just by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). After all, the vast majority of Iran’s nuclear violations were exposed by western intelligence agencies, not the IAEA. In addition, concerned nations need to pressure Iran on its ballistic missile program and support for terrorism. They must also work to en-
force United Nation Security Council resolutions that prohibit Iran’s proliferation of weapons throughout the region. None of these steps, by the way, violates the terms of the nuclear deal. It is not too late to repair the impression that the West - led by the United States—views Iran as part of the solution to the problems of the Middle East, rather than the chief source of the region’s instability and radicalism. Of course, Iran fights the Islamic State; the fact that the world’s leading radical Shiite government fights radical Sunnis should come as no surprise. Those who believed that the nuclear agreement would lead to a more moderate, open, reformist Iran, at home and abroad, regrettably suffer from wishful thinking. So long as the ayatollah’s regime governs Iran, there is no chance we will see a McDonald’s in Tehran. Instead, we will see more executions, more repression, more tyranny.
A6 Sunday, October 2, 2016
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Duterte’s Hitler remarks raise firestorm
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By Marvyn N. Benaning | Correspondent
HE New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) slammed President Duterte over his comparing himself to Adolf Hitler, whom the President claimed murdered 3 million Jews during World War II.
Before that, Hitler suppressed Communists, Socialists and Protestants before turning his heavy guns on the Jews. HRW’s tirade followed criticisms lodged by Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago of Kabataan, who said on Friday “this may well be one of
the President’s many hyperbolic remarks. But we cannot just let this pass without batting an eyelash. Threatening to massacre 3 million Filipinos—all of whom the President claims to be drug criminals—is a serious matter. Mr. President, comparing yourself
comelec holds reopening of voter registration for barangay, sk polls
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HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has put on hold the scheduled reopening of the voter registration for the 2017 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections. The reopening of the registration, which is scheduled on October 3, will have to wait until the law postponing the October 31 barangay and youth polls is signed by President Duterte. “We can only resume registration after the law postponing the barangay
and SK elections has been passed,” Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said. Earlier, the Comelec said it is looking to resume voter registration after Congress agreed to pass a law postponing the barangay and SK polls. The voter registration was supposed to last for six months, or until April 29, 2017. Instead, Jimenez said they will just reschedule the resumption of voter registration once the law has been passed. Joel R. San Juan
with Hitler is troubling, to say the least. You are talking about committing genocide.” “We again appeal to the good sense of the President to always abide by the rule of law and respect human rights, especially in the ongoing war on drugs. When it comes to your independent foreign-policy direction, we can lend you unequivocal support,” she said. However, Elago noted, such support would evaporate once Duterte considers himself the reincarnation of Hitler, who was baptized as a Roman Catholic, but ended up as the architect of the final solution to the Jewish problem—extermination. For his part, HRW Asia Deputy Director Phelim Kine said on Saturday that Mr. Duterte’s comments referencing Hitler and the Holocaust are on their face obscene.
“But the lesson of the first three months of Duterte’s presidency is that we should not underestimate the impact of his statements on [the] police and others with firearms to lawlessly slaughter their fellow Filipinos without fear of arrest,” Kine said. Kine has earned the goat of President Duterte many years ago for issuing a report about the Davao Death Squad and the death squads in Tagum City and other places in Southern Mindanao. “Police officers and unidentified gunmen have together killed more than 2,000 people since July 1, 2016, a human-rights calamity that the Duterte administration has applauded rather than responded to as a national emergency requiring urgent and impartial investigation. Those killings—and the government’s
celebration of them as evidence of a successful war on drugs – are nothing less than mass killings disguised as crime control,” Kine added. “Mr. Duterte has been consistent in pronouncing that his war on drugs will continue, that the police have effective license-to-kill criminal suspects, and that his administration will turn a blind eye to the shooting of alleged drug users and dealers,” he said. “Foreign donors, such as the US and the European Union, which provide technical and financial assistance to the Philippine security forces, particularly the National Police, urgently need to send a strong message to the Duterte administration that it risks an immediate suspension of that aid unless the abusive war on drugs and its skyrocketing death
toll comes to a halt. More broadly, they should be clear that if President Duterte’s assault on some of the country’s poorest and most v ulnerable citizens continue, their long-standing close relationship with the Philippines will be at risk,” Kine also said. Upon his arrival in Davao City on Friday following an official visit to Vietnam, Mr. Duterte said: “Hitler massacred 3 million Jews. Now, there are 3 million drug addicts... I’d be happy to slaughter them.” “At least, if Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have… You know, my victims, I would like to be, all criminals, to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition,” Mr. Duterte added. “Becoming the Philippine führer is not something to aspire for, Mr. President,” Elago said.
Gift to Vietnam: Arrested poachers released By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
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USTICE Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II on Friday disclosed that President Duterte has ordered the release of 17 to 29 Vietnamese fishermen caught poaching on Philippine waters. Aguirre said the release order is a sign of goodwill and the readiness of the Philippine government to be a strategic partner of Vietnam. “President Duterte promised to
release the 17 to 29 Vietnamese fishermen who have been arrested for poaching,” Aguirre said. “That is goodwill on the part of the President. Importante na maipahatid natin sa Vietnam na we mean well as strategic partner,” he added. Aguirre was part of the delegation that joined President Duterte on his working visit in Vietnam last week. He said the President assured Vietnam that its fishermen would be repatriated onboard a Philip-
pine Airlines flight and the airfare would be shouldered by the Philippine government. However, Aguirre maintained that the government would still be tough in enforcing the antipoaching laws in case of future incidents. “Our commitment only covers those who have already been arrested. But I don’t think it will cover future offense,” he added. A g u ir re a lso sa id t he t wo countr ies a lso d iscussed t he situation in the disputed West
Philippine Sea. He said the two countries agreed to a concession with regard to the fishing rights in the disputed Spratly and Paracel Islands. “Although may claim ang Vietnam sa Paracels, as well as sa Spratlys, magbibigayan na lang ang dalawang bansa because we are brothers,” Aguirre noted. Both countries have been denouncing the construction and security activities of China in the disputed areas.
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Editor: Jun Lomibao • mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph
Sunday, October 2, 2016 A7
BULLDOGS, TAMARAWS PREVAIL R N By Joel Orellana
ATIONAL University (NU) and Far Eastern University (FEU) survived the late-game rally of their respective foes on Saturday to gain a share of the second spot in Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Bulldogs downed University of the Philippines (UP), 80-69, in the first game while the Tamaraws denied season host University of Santo Tomas (UST), 79-72, to nail their fourth win in six games and join Ateneo de Manila at No. 2 position. Jojo Trinidad shone for FEU with 17 points, highlighted by five triples as the Tamaraws weathered the late run of the Growling Tigers, who dropped to 2-4 for sixth spot. Reymar Jose added 16 points and 10 rebounds for FEU, which missed the services of defensive ace Ron Dennison, who was suspended by the league for his disqualifying foul in their previous game. UST skipper Louie Vigil gad 16 points while Marvin Lee and Regie Basibas contributed 13 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Growling Tigers. In the opener, the Bulldogs leaned on the career games of Matt Salem and rookie JV Gallego as they survived the repeated rallies of the Fighting Maroons, who ended their first round with a 1-6 win-loss slate.
N.U. STILL PERFECT
Salem hit a personal-best 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting while Gallego had his best offensive game in the season with 12 points. Gallego had a combined eight points in his first five games for NU. Jett Manuel and Paul Desiderio finished with 21 and 11 points, respectively, for UP, which threatened at 57-59 on Desiderio’s break-away lay-up with 4:28 remaining. But Salem and Gallego joined forces for a 14-5 assault to give the Bulldogs a 73-62 cushion a little over two minutes remaining. “Well, it was a grind for us. We expected that. We knew UP is a tough team,” NU Head Coach Eric Altamirano said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t play good defense in the second half. We gave up too many points, mostly from turnovers. I think we did not take care of the ball again. Good thing that other players stepped up,” he added. Meanwhile, the UAAP denied the appeal of De La Salle on Head Coach Aldin Ayo’s suspension. The league suspended Ayo for his outburst in the Green Archers’ 84-78 win over University of the East after
the temperamental mentor tried to fit in the eyeglasses to referee Erick Viray late in the first half of their match. Ayo will miss the game against archrival Ateneo on Sunday, where La Salle tries to sweep the first round. Jeron Teng will also sit out the game versus the Blue Eagles due to a reported severe right ankle sprain. He will be out for at least a week, according to multiple reports.
EIGNING Most Valuable Player Afril Bernardino had 16 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals as titleholder National University (NU) overwhelmed University of the Philippines (UP), 74-40, for its fifth straight win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 79 women’s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Lady Bulldogs, who also composed of some members of the newly minted Southeast Asian Basketball Associaion champions Perlas Pilipinas, led by as much as 35 points to stretch their three-year winning streak to 37 games. Jack Animam also had 16 points and grabbed 10 boards while Gemma Miranda tossed in 15 points for NU. University of Santo Tomas, behind Shanda Anies’s 15-point, 13-rebound effort, bested Far Eastern University, 65-61, to improve its record at 2-3. The Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Maroons fell to 1-4 and 1-5 cards, respectively, to remain at the bottom of the standings.
National University’s Manuel Mosqueda (left) and Dave Moralde of University of the Philippines chase for the loose ball. ALYSA SALEN
POWER SMASHERS WIN L AOAG’s new recruits delivered in its opening game as the Power Smashers blasted Philippine Coast Guard in straight sets, 25-8, 25-15, 25-16, at the start of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Despite playing without an import and missing some of their key players, Laoag still managed to dominate the Lady Dolphins in just an hour as the newcomers Jorelle Singh and Grethcel Soltones led the charge in their debut with their new team. Singh topped all scorers with 17 points on 13 spikes, three aces and a block, while Soltones, the Open Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Most Valuable Player, unleashed 13 points—all coming from attacks. “Happy sa first win may puhunan na kami. So far, naging maganda naman ‘yung performance namin kahit kulang pa rin sa preparations; last Monday lang kami nag-start,” Laoag Head Coach Nes Pamilar said. “Bilin ko lang mag-usap-usap lang sa loob ng court kasi college players naman ang karamihan, ‘yung kondisyon naman ng katawan maayos.” Mainstays Jovielyn Prado and Joyce Sta. Rita chipped in seven hits apiece. Skipper Chie Saet dished out 14 excellent sets, while another newcomer libero Alyssa Eroa had an impressive debut with nine digs. Aiko Urdas, also a new recruit, and mainstay Jema Galanza missed the match due to their commitment
for their respective schools in the Season 79 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Beach Volleyball Tournament. Pamilar said they did not recruit reinforcement for this tournament due to a tedious process in securing International Transfer Certificate (ITC). “Wala na kaming import kasi medyo mahirap talaga ayusin ‘yung papers kasi na-experience ko na ‘yan before,” Pamilar said. “Ang advantage namin, mga kundisyon pa kasi naglalaro sa UAAP and NCAA, unlike sa ibang teams kahit may imports karamihan ng locals working athletes na hindi katulad sa amin, student athletes so malaki ang difference,” he added. Laoag had a fiery first set, building a 21-5 lead but Coast Guard came back strong in the next two sets and even took early leads but the Power Smashers delivered the points when they needed them most to win their opening game. Lance Agcaoili
READY FOR WORLDS The Philippine Superliga (PSL) Manila squad, led by Team Captain Rachel Anne Daquis (standing 10th from right), with its
seven reinforcements, their coaches and trainors, is presented by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2016 International Volleyball Federation Women’s Club World Championship during a special LOC meeting on Friday night at the SM Aura in Taguig. With the players are (seated, from left) Siegbert Brutschin, general director of Eventcourt, the international organizing group; PSL President Ramon Suzara; Sen. Alan Peter S. Cayetano, honorary president of the LOC; Efren Uy, president and CEO of F2 Logistics; and Head Coach Moro Branislav. The Philippines, through the PSL and the Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, is hosting 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship from October 18 to 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
GINEBRA EYES FINALS STINT VS SAN MIGUEL
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Samantha Dawson (right) of Philippine Coast Guard blocks the attempt of Gretchel Soltones of Laoag. ROY DOMINGO
PBA blood-donation project at Big Dome
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HE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will hold its Alagang PBA blooddonation project on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. A healthy turnout is expected to show up for this noble undertaking to be held in partnership with Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay Foundation and the Smart Araneta Coliseum, in cooperation with Anako, Gardenia, Crystal Clear, Cherifer, Made in Candy and Pic Poc. “Blood has really no substitute. A lot of people need blood transfusions every day, but sometimes the hospitals’ supply does not
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match the need for it. We hope to somehow, through this activity, help in answering that need,” PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa said. Players and league staff will be assisting doctors and nurses from Saint Luke’s Medical Center, Chinese General Hospital and Philippine Orthopedic Center, who will conduct the procedure from 3 to 6 p.m. “This is a truly meaningful undertaking and I’m encouraging our fans to join us in this project. Not only is blood letting good for the body, it also helps save lives,” PBA Board Chairman Robert Non added.
ARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel eyes a return trip to the finals with a win in Game Four against defending champion San Miguel Beer in their best-of-five semifinal series on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Kings and the Beermen clash at 6:30 p.m., with the former holding a 2-1 series lead after their pulsating 97-96 win in Game Three on Japeth Aguilar’s buzzer-beater side jumper. A win by Ginebra will put them back in the championship series for the first time since the Kings were swept by Alaska in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup. Justin Brownlee and Aguilar were solid again for Ginebra on offense with 25 and 22 points, respectively, but rookie Scottie Thompson played a historic game with a triple-double performance with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Thompson’s feat was first for a homegrown rookie since Johnny Abarrientos of Alaska 23 years ago. Red Bull’s Davonn Harp was the last rookie to nail a triple-double in 2000. “Closing out an opponent in a series is always hard, closing out an opponent like San Miguel will be incredibly tough, almost hard to imagine,” said Kings Head Coach Tim Cone, who also drew a near tripledouble game from veteran guard LA Tenorio. Tenorio had 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in almost 40 minutes of action. It was a tough loss for the Beermen, who were one possession away of taking the series lead by Arwind Santos opted to go for a quick attempt with San Miguel holding a 96-95 lead.Santos’s muffed lay-up paved the way for Aguilar’s game-winner off a perfect feed from Sol Mercado. Mercado’s assist on Aguilar was Ginebra’s 36 in the game, the most by any team this season. Joel Orellana
U.S.T. FORCES PLAYOFF
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NIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) forged a playoff for the remaining men’s semifinals berth with a 3-2 win over Ateneo on Saturday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 79 badminton tournament. Both teams ended up tied in 4-3, the Growling Tigers and the Blue Eagles will meet again at 8 a.m. on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall to determine the last semis qualifier. De La Salle took the third semifinals slot following a 5-0 blanking of Adamson University, despite ending up tied with UST and Ateneo. The Green Archers (4-3) clinched the No. 3 seed by virtue of a higher quotient over the Tigers and the Eagles. Titleholder National University (NU) took the outright slot in the best-of-three championship series after winning all seven ties in the eliminations, while University of the Philippines (UP) finished second with a 6-1 card. The Bulldogs, now handled by Coach Jaime Llanes, actually have won 25 straight dating back to the 2014 season. By clinching the No. 2 seed, the Fighting Maroons bagged the twice-tobeat edge in the step-ladder semifinals. In the women’s division, NU snared the last semifinals slot with a 3-2 nipping of Far Eastern University. The vastly improved Lady Bulldogs wound up fourth with a 4-3 card and will take third-ranked Lady Eagles in the first step-ladder at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Ateneo routed UST, 5-0, for its fifth win in seven ties. Three-peat seeking UP also secured an outright passage in the best-of-three finals after going 7-0 in the eliminations while De La Salle captured the twice-tobeat bonus in the stepladder semis after ending up in second spot at 6-1.
LA SALLE TRIUMPHS
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San Miguel’s Chris Ross tries to elude the defense of Sol Mercado of Ginebra. NONOY LACZA
EFENDING women’s champion De La Salle, behind the new tandem of Desiree Cheng and Tin Tiamzon, overcame a first set loss to beat Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza, 19-21, 21-15, 15-11, in Saturday’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 79 beach volleyball opener at The Sands SM By The Bay. It was the rematch of last season’s championship, where the Lady Spikers, with the duo of Most Valuable Player Kim Fajardo and Cyd Demecillo, beat the Lady Tamaraws for their first title in the sand court. Proving this early that they are up to the challenge, Cheng and Tiamzon delivered the key hits late in the third set to help La Salle notch its first win. Fajardo is designated this year as an alternate. Also making an early statement is former champions University of Santo Tomas (UST), as the pair of Cherry Rondina and Jem Gutierrez beat Ateneo’s Michelle Morente and Kim Gequillana, 21-10, 21-15.
Sports
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unday, October 2, 2016 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph sports@businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
BusinessMirror
American sweep and European rally at Ryder Cup
NOT GOING ANYWHERE C
HASKA, Minnesota—The United States had the lead. Rory McIlroy made sure that was all it had on Friday in the Ryder Cup. The American sweep of the opening session of matches at Hazeltine was all but forgotten when McIlroy rolled in a 20-foot eagle putt, took a bow on the 16th green and delivered a defiant message to the crowd and to the US team desperate to win back the cup. Europe isn’t going anywhere. “I’m not fazed by anything that is said by the crowd,” McIlroy said. “And I’m not fazed by anything that the US team throws at us.” The Americans threw a haymaker with the first opening-session sweep in four decades. Europe battled back from that 4-0 deficit behind its best tandem, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose, and it’s best player. McIlroy buried the eagle putt, calmly bowed twice to the crowd and then punched the chilly Minnesota air with his fist. US captain Davis Love III at least could take consolation in a 5-3 lead, though the Americans wasted a chance to put Europe in a big hole. “It’s frustrating not to come out a little bit more ahead,” Love said. McIlroy had heard enough after some 10
hours before what he described as a hostile crowd. He and Thomas Pieters never trailed against the previously undefeated tandem of Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar. McIlroy finished it with his eagle putt, and a chance to give something back to the fans. “Even before I hit that putt, I wanted to put an exclamation point on that session for us,” he said. “I actually thought about the celebration before I hit the putt. I knew it had a good chance of going in.... I just wanted everyone that’s watching out there to know how much this means to us, how much it means to me personally and, obviously, us as a team. We’ve pulled it back a good bit. And we plan to pull it back even further going into tomorrow.” Love could not have scripted a better start—a symbolic one, too. To honor Arnold Palmer, who died on Sunday, Ryder Cup officials placed on the first tee Palmer’s golf bag from when he was captain of the 1975 Ryder Cup team. Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed then set the tone with a 3-and-2 foursomes victory over Stenson and Rose, and the Americans delivered the first sweep of the opening session since that 1975 team at Laurel Valley. Phil Mickelson, feeling more pressure than usual because of his influence on changes
Europe’s Rory McIlroy reacts after making his putt to win his match 3 and 2 during a four-ball match at the Ryder Cup. AP
and on this team, also produced big shots. His wedge into 5 feet that Rickie Fowler converted was key in the Americans winning three straight holes for a 1-up victory over McIlroy and Andy Sullivan. It just didn’t last. The Americans still had the lead. Europe headed into the second day loaded with momentum. “It would definitely say it’s better to have a small deficit with some momentum,” European captain Darren Clarke said. “Because we didn’t have much at lunchtime.” Beaten for the first time, Rose and Stenson went right back out against Spieth and Reed and handed the American duo its first Ryder Cup loss. The Europeans made nine birdies in 13 holes for a 5-and-4 victory in an afternoon session in which the board was filled with European blue. Sergio Garcia teamed with fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello to dismantle J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore. McIlroy and Pieters never trailed against Johnson and Kuchar, handing them their first loss in four Ryder Cup matches. The lone American point in the afternoon came from Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka, who had no trouble against Martin Kaymer and Danny Willett. AP
PINAY GOLFERS SWEEP WORLDS
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UKA Saso fired a two-under 70 and nailed the individual crown by six, while Harmie Constantino carded a third straight 75, as the Philippines beat South Korea by nine for the team championship in the World Junior Girls Championship in Mississaugua, Ontario, Canada, on Friday. Saso, who sizzled with a 66 to set her and Team Philippines’s campaign in motion on Tuesday, capped her superb four-day performance with a three-birdie, one-bogey effort, besting American Jennifer Chang by six with a two-under 286 aggregate in individual play. “I feel happy and honored to win this trophy and this tournament,” said the 15-yearold Saso, also a winner of a pro tournament back home. “I feel happy [to be gold medalist] because I was not expecting it, this being the
first time the Philippines joined this event. Winning with this group is special because we have known each other since we were kids. So it makes me really happy.” Although Constantino, who started the final round in joint second with three others, ended up tied for fourth at 294, the Filipinas still ran away with the team crown with a 578 total, nine ahead of last year’s champion South Korea, which pooled a 587 after a 146. “This is the best feeling,” said Constantino, also 15 and a bemedalled player back home. “We can’t describe our feeling because no one expected it. We just played our games and it turned out really well.” US also assembled a 146 to place third, while Italy wound up fourth at 593 and England shot the day’s best 144 to finish fifth at 596.
‘FAIRLY CHALLENGING’ CAMP JOHN HAY
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HE Philippine Airlines (PAL) Ladies Interclub field will be up to a “fairly challenging” test starting on October 4, when the 2016 edition of the tournament tees off at scenic Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio City. Tournament Director Henry Arabelo will supervise the setup of the well-manicured layout, a Jack Nicklaus-designed gem that is about 5,000 feet above sea level. Playing as a par-69, the tournament will use the regular men’s tees, which will be just under 4,700 yards, with pins to be placed strategically to ensure fairness and toughness
at the same time, according to Arabelo. Manila Southwoods-Masters will be shooting to win the centerpiece Championship Division a sixth straight time that would extend its unprecedented streak as Cebu Country Club tries–again–to dislodge the Carmona-based lasses. Pauline del Rosario, who finished second to Princess Superal in the professional International Container Terminal Services Inc. tour for the second straight time on Friday, will be spearheading SW-Masters’s charge with Abby Arevalo taking a leave because of studies in the United States.