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San Miguel Beermen stake unbeaten record against Hotshots

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE undefeated San Miguel Beermen collide with the defending champions Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok at the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup today where they hope to keep their clean slate intact.

Set for 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, the Beermen (3-0), one of just two teams left sans a defeat in the ongoing edition of the season-ending PBA tournament, will try to maintain their solid form to date against the streaking Hotshots (3-1).

San Miguel is coming off a hard-earned 98-94 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Oct. 4.

Import Dez Wells took charge for the Beermen in the gutsy win, scoring 22 of his game-high 32 points in the second half, including draining key baskets down the stretch to tow his team to the victory.

NLEX did a good job in holding off San Miguel for much of the contest but the latter was just resilient.

The Beermen caught a break with 23 seconds left when Mr. Wells found an opening and drove to the basket to score and hand his team a 95-94 advantage.

It was a leverage that San Miguel capitalized on as it held on for the victory, which added further motor to their push for a rare PBA Grand Slam this season.

Providing support to the stellar play of Mr. Wells was Alex Cabagnot who finished with 20 markers.

Reigning league most valuable player June Mar Fajardo, meanwhile, had 16 points in the San Miguel victory.

“I really told him to take charge,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria of his import as they grappled all game long against NLEX.

The Beermen are angling to claim the Governors’ Cup title after winning the previous conferences — Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup — to chalk up another league Grand Slam which they first accomplished in 1989.

4TH STRAIGHT WIN FOR MAGNOLIA?
Meanwhile, out to stop San Miguel’s surge is Magnolia, which has successfully picked things up after opening the tournament with a loss.

The Hotshots have won their last three matches to make their way to the top half of the standings.

Their last victory came at the expense of the struggling Alaska Aces, 95-90, on Oct. 6.

Import Romeo Travis has been showing the way for the defending champions with all-around numbers of 20.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.5 steals and two blocks per contest.

Mr. Romeo was also the same import who led the Hotshots to the same title last year.

Big man Ian Sangalang has been good for 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for Magnolia with Mark Barroca adding 13.8 points and Paul Lee 10.3 points.

Asked about their game today against the Beermen, Mr. Travis said they are treating it as another game to play, not getting too high nor too low on it.

“It means something but it’s not a really huge game, you know. So we gonna go out here, play hard and see what happens. If we win, great. If we don’t, we gonna learn,” said Mr. Travis.

Also playing today at 4:30 p.m. are the Columbian Dyip (2-2) and Blackwater Elite (1-2).

Ancajas lauds PHL Navy support as he prepares for another title defense

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas is busy girding up for his eighth title defense next month and he is getting added support from his newly found “family” in the Philippine Navy.

Opening its Naval Education and Training Command (NETO) facilities in San Antonio, Zambales, for the longtime IBF champion, Mr. Ancajas, who is a Military reservist in the Philippine Navy with a title of chief petty officer, said he very much appreciates the gesture which only serves to inspire him more to do better come his next title defense on Nov. 2 in the United States.

“I wholeheartedly appreciate the all-out support that the Philippine Navy is giving me and my team as we prepare for our next fight. They are looking after us and are giving everything we need to have the best possible training,” said Mr. Ancajas, in the vernacular, in a press conference held at the NETO on Tuesday.

“Because of their all-out support, me and my team are more motivated to train,” added the IBF champion, who was joined in the press conference by international matchmaker and MP Promotions president Sean Gibbon and Navy officials — flag officer-in-command Robert Empedrad, Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe and Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad.

Mr. Ancajas (31-1-2) is set to stake his IBF title against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez (21-1) in the boxing event happening at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

For the Navy officials, hosting the training of Mr. Ancajas is something they were happy doing for one of their own.

Seeing how the Filipino champion is providing inspiration to their troops with his exploits in the ring and how he is bringing pride to the country, opening their facilities was not hard to buy into even as they expressed continued success for Mr. Ancajas.

GOOD FIGHT
Zeroing in on his fight with Mr. Rodriguez, the 27-year-old Davao native Ancajas said they are expecting a good fight, necessitating the best in him anew.

“Rodriguez is very aggressive and we believe it fits with my boxing style. So we are really studying him and he is not going to be an easy opponent,” said Mr. Ancajas of Mr. Rodriguez, whom he likens to former champion Orlando Salido also of Mexico, who likes to stay in front of his opponents.

“Rodriguez is a typical Mexican fighter who likes to stay in front. I have to be intelligent in this fight because he is a dangerous fighter,” he added.

Mr. Ancajas has successfully defended the IBF super flyweight title, which he won in September 2016, seven straight times, most recent against Japanese Ryuichi Funai by way of knockout in the seventh round in May this year.

Team Ancajas pushes for the US for the Rodriguez fight on Oct. 18.

Team Lakay title contenders must bring A-game, says analyst

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

TOKYO — Up against formidable opponents in their respective title fights in ONE Championship’s landmark “Century” event here on Sunday, Team Lakay stalwarts Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon and Danny “The King” Kingad must bring their A-game if they want to pull through and emerge on top.

This was the assertion of Filipino combat sports analyst Nissi Icasiano, who while believing the Baguio-based warriors have it in them to succeed and conquer still thinks they have their work cut out for them and must bring it all.

Messrs. Belingon and Kingad are part of the two-pronged “ONE: Century,” ONE Championship’s 100th live event since opening shop in 2011.

Mr. Belingon will face Brazilian world bantamweight champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes in a co-main event offering in part two of Century, happening late in the afternoon, while Mr. Kingad battles mixed martial arts legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson for the world flyweight grand prix title co-main feature in part one of the landmark event set in the morning.

The Belingon-Fernandes fight on Sunday is the fourth time that the two rivals will face each other.

Mr. Fernandes currently leads the duel, 2-1.

Their fight being the fourth one makes it all the more “dangerous,” particularly for the Filipino fighter, said Mr. Icasiano when asked for his thoughts on the fight in an online correspondence.

“To tell you honestly, the more these men stand in front of each other, the more it becomes dangerous. Why? Overfamiliarity. For Kevin Belingon to win, he has to be unpredictable. Bibiano knows him too well as evidenced in the third fight last March. Aside from that, he should never let Bibiano dictate the pace,” said Mr. Icasiano, referring to the two’s third fight early this year where Mr. Belingon was disqualified over what were deemed illegal blows to the back of the head that ended the match abruptly.

“The rivalry between Bibiano Fernandes and Kevin Belingon has transformed from what was a basic competition between outstanding combatants into a personal war, and both men have the chance to finally put a definitive closure in their gruelling feud on Sunday,” he added.

SLOW STARTER
Known to be a slow starter, Mr. Kingad, the fight analyst said, must avoid such versus a fighter the caliber of Mr. Johnson.

“Kingad is known to be a slow starter but a strong finisher, as evidenced in most of his bouts. If Kingad will be able to put Johnson in danger in their five-round encounter, he gives the American a run for his money,” Mr. Icasiano said.

“Danny Kingad cannot be a slow starter against the Mighty Mouse in Tokyo because the American will eat him alive. But DJ must not count out The King for the latter has the ability to finish strong and come from behind when it matters in the fight,” he added.

Both Messrs. Kingad and Johnson survived two gruelling stages in the grand prix to reach where they are now and have expressed determination to get their hands on the flyweight grand prix belt.

ONE: Century will take place at the famed Ryogoku Kokugikan in Sumida City.

In the Philippines, Century will be carried live locally by both ESPN5 and Cignal, and ABS-CBN Sports and iWant Sports. Part one will be aired beginning at 8 a.m. and part two at 4 p.m.

Cignal secures semis set in PSL Invitational Conference

By John Bryan Ulanday

Games tomorrow
(Caloocan Sports Complex)

2 p.m. — Cignal vs Petron

4 p.m. — F2 Logistics vs Generika-Ayala

6 p.m. — Marinerang Pilipina vs PLDT

UNSTOPPABLE Cignal zapped PLDT Home Fibr, 25-22, 25-19, 25-20, to secure a semis seat in the Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center on Thursday.

National team stalwart Mylene Paat led the way with 18 points on 14 hits, three blocks and an ace aside from eight digs as the HD Spikers extended their perfect run to five games in Pool C and clinched a return ticket to the Final Four after an impressive runner-up finish last All-Filipino Conference.

Skipper Rachel Ann Daquis churned out 13 markers and six receptions while Janine Navarro chipped in similar points for Cignal which is head for a collision with top contender and fellow unbeaten Petron tomorrow in Caloocan for the top seed in Pool C.

Libero Jeck Dionela supplied the floor defense for the HD Spikers with 13 digs while Alohi Robins-Hardy facilitated their attack with 19 sets plus five points.

“We can’t afford to be content yet. We may have won five straight victories but we still can’t relax. We have to be consistent every time,” said Paat who served as a key cog in the ASEAN GP second leg bronze medal finish of the Philippine women’s volleyball team last week in Laguna.

Paat along with teammate Jovelyn Gonzaga who did not suit up today, are also part of the final 14-man roster of the Filipina spikers for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) here next month.

Meanwhile, PLDT’s woes continued as it suffered its third straight loss to slide to 1-3 in Pool C.

Jerrili Malabanan and Shola Alvarez posted 15 and 12 markers, respectively, in a foiled effort for the HD Spikers whose Final Four chances took a blow with still remaining assignments against Marinerang Pilipina and Petron this weekend.

Ninjas in our midst

I grew up on ninja films featuring those secretive, stealthy and skillful operatives that hide their faces. They are also killers and assassins. The Japanese characters actually mean the “one who perseveres,” probably because they train hard and long to be who they are. They honor a code unto themselves and to their principals.

It is easy to relate this to the urban terminology used in the country today — the specter of “ninja cops.” Old school as we are, cops are policemen, sworn to protect the citizenry and uphold the rule of law, drawing from state funds and armed with authority and guns. It is a simple task but a challenging vocation.

But “ninja cops” are not only a bastardization of whatever is romanticized in ninja the warrior. It is a corruption of the heart and soul of the police force, the men and women who serve the community with honor and pride.

“Ninja cops” lead double lives — in the day they are be-medaled officers in uniform but at night or in the cover of the dark, they are the worst form of criminals. They are the worst because they violate institutional regulations, ethical norms, and the laws of the land using their positions to commit their crimes. They are the worst because drugs that are meant to be destroyed are trafficked multiple times. They are the worst because the drug criminals become the prey to a more powerful syndicate.

There are many ways to analyze this evil. The underlying legal problem lies in the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. It created the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency or the PDEA patterned as usual after the American’s Drug Enforcement Agency by adding the letter “P” to the acronym. The PDEA through the years has seen its share of controversies. But a major issue is that while the PDEA is now the law enforcement agency that is responsible for the implementation of the law, there are other narcotics units out there that operate against drugs. These may be the “ninja narcotic units.”

In Section 86 of the law, it mandated the “transfer, absorption, and integration of all operating units on illegal drugs into the PDEA” and directed that the Narcotics Group of the PNP, the Narcotics Division of the NBI, and the Customs Narcotics Interdiction Unit all be abolished.

Almost two decades after the clear directive of the law, what is the reality on the ground? If the PDEA is the lead and sole agency for anti-drug enforcement, why are there cops tagged as ninjas?

Recycling confiscated dangerous drugs is highly rewarding because it counts as a successful operation for the raiders, and is very lucrative because they can then profit themselves from the easy access to the drugs that are on paper destroyed and obliterated.

As a reaction to this problem, Section 21 of the law outlines a strict eight-step procedure on the “Custody and Disposition of Confiscated, Seized, and/or Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals, Instruments/Paraphernalia and/or Laboratory Equipment.” In law, this is part of the “chain of custody” whose links must remain unbroken for the evidence to be admissible in court.

There are two issues that follow. One, the non-observance of the chain of custody is among the most frequent causes for the technical dismissal of drug cases. This means that even with the perpetrators caught red-handed with the drugs, drugs paraphernalia, dirty money, and other sorts of evidence, in the eyes of the law — that is the judge who is not a ninja — there is no evidence to speak of because the contraband cannot be traced back to the accused. It is, of course, a different story if it is a ninja court.

Second, the procedure is cumbersome and impractical. We know by experience and common sense that just by making rules tight does not make the rules work. On the contrary, it results in a system full of holes. It frustrates the good police officers who may not be fully trained in the intricacies of evidence custodianship and who may not be adequately resourced in the tagging, bagging, transport, and testing of drugs. This becomes acute when the amount seized is in the hundreds of kilos, or when there is a host of ninja defense lawyers that question each and every turn of evidence keeping.

And the PDEA and its governing body, the 12-person Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) are tied up and down with the procedure that is enshrined in law. It is a bad practice to ordain operational details that require legislative amendments for every change to improve the implementation of the law. The better way is to set the principles and the parameters to guide the agency in the formulation of the technical documents. Then it is for legislature to exercise oversight to ensure faithful compliance. The courts can act as the regular check in the way our criminal justice system is designed to work.

“Investigations in aid of legislation” can truly mean what it is and acquire the proactive nature of law-making instead of the endless cycle of media fanfare, the waste of scare resources, with no utility at the end. “Ninja cops” will be gone in a few episodes but they will still be among us.

Hazing and impunity

Last year he did sign into law Republic Act 11053, which criminalizes all forms of hazing. But when asked to comment on the death of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet Darwin Dormitorio, President Rodrigo Duterte nevertheless said that hazing is impossible to stop.

Hazing is the practice of imposing humiliating and even dangerous tasks on an individual as part of his or her initiation into an organization. Being verbally abused, forced to dress in outlandish clothes, or to do something embarrassing in public, eating foul substances and imbibing huge amounts of alcoholic drinks are among the more common types of hazing. But it can also include beatings and other forms of physical violence that cause temporary or permanent injury and even death, as in the Dormitorio case.

Most Filipinos have come to associate hazing with Greek-letter societies because of past hazing incidents involving those groups. But not only college fraternities and sororities use it as part of their initiation rites. Other student organizations, even honor societies, criminal gangs, the military — and, as the entire country learned, or was reminded some two weeks ago, institutions such as the PMA, where the future members of the officer corps are trained, practice it as well. The police also haze new members of the force. So does the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) haze those who’re in training to be policemen.

Hazing is a practice that goes back thousands of years and has been observed as occurring in some form or the other in many cultures. It was apparently practiced in ancient Greece (Plato condemned it), and in the rest of Europe during the Middle Ages. Studies by social psychologists say hazing was introduced into the New World from Europe. Hazing deaths have also occurred in American college campuses as well as in the branches of the United States armed services. The practice was arguably introduced into the Philippines when the country was a US colony from 1900 to 1946.

Despite a hazing death in the University of the Philippines (UP) in the 1950s, the practice has continued in some student organizations in that institution, among them sororities and fraternities. It has even spread to other schools. Neither the 1995 Anti-Hazing Law (RA 8049) nor last year’s expanded version of it has prevented its use in various forms, the most common being the infliction of pain through paddles, clubs, fists, kicks, and other means. Baseball bats, even shovels have also been used in hazing, the only limit to the kind of implements used being the imagination of those doing it.

One key reason why its practice persists is its own victims’ conviction that hazing is a necessary step in assuring the loyalty and fidelity to the group of its incoming members. Despite the prospect of being hurt or even killed during the hazing process, some students also join fraternities for prestige and bragging rights — and for access to the doors of opportunity their influential alumni can open for them after graduation. In the police and military, going through it is supposed to be incontrovertible proof of manliness. As former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General, now Senator Ronald “Bato” De la Rosa said in defense of the practice, he became the man he is today — a “warrior” — because of hazing.

Mr. Duterte may in fact be right. Hazing may indeed be impossible to stop altogether. But it can and should at least be discouraged. University presidents can warn fraternities and other student organizations of the dire consequences of hazing their fellow students. Laws that can more effectively penalize hazing can be passed and rigorously implemented. And the President of the Republic can stop saying that it’s an unavoidable hazard when joining a fraternity.

Hazing should be discouraged not just because it has cost the lives of a number of young men (including Dormitorio, at least 44 since the 1950s) who could have contributed something of value to the making of a better country had they lived. It is also because it contributes to and helps preserve the culture of violence and impunity metastasizing in much of Philippine society.

This is specially evident in its impact on the values of the police and military as coercive instruments of government. The hazing death of PMA cadet Darwin Dormitorio is specially instructive. What he experienced suggests that the use of arbitrary power against the powerless is unchecked and even tolerated in that institution — and that, therefore, its disciples are likely to use that same power against others once they’ve graduated and assumed command of the country’s soldiery.

Hazing in the country’s colleges and universities is condemnable. But the practice is even more appalling in the police and military, institutions whose core function is the use of violence for social control. Just like the police, the military is also an internal pacification force whose legal monopoly over the use of violence is easily abused.

Some individuals have tried to downplay the PMA incident by arguing that hazing happens as well in the country’s colleges and universities. But a fraternity man who has been both hazed and hazer, who graduates with a degree in, say, economics, law or engineering, is unlikely to have the occasion or opportunity to torture anyone into confessing to a crime, or to shoot an unarmed farmer to death on the suspicion that he’s a member of a rebel group. It’s quite simply because his discipline has little to do with the use of force.

There have been deaths in fraternity hazing as in the PMA. But what makes the most recent hazing death in the latter specially disturbing is Dormitorio’s having been targeted for long-term abuse.

Fraternity hazing is usually limited to a particular “season” — at the beginning of the school year when those of its members who have graduated need to be replaced with new recruits to keep the organization alive. There is also a space as well as a time limit to it. But this was not true of the torture to which Dormitorio was subjected at nearly every turn. Fraternity tormentors don’t live with their victims, but Dormitorio’s did, and were inflicting harm on him at every excuse and opportunity.

Equally troubling though unremarked was one of his alleged tormentor’s describing his victims as “crying like girls” from the pain he was inflicting on them and as “faggots.” Because used to justify the use of violence that led to the death of one victim, these expletives qualify as hate speech. It suggests that Dormitorio and others were singled out because they were perceived as somehow different, and that, therefore, the hazing they underwent which led to Dormitorio’s death was also a hate crime.

What should concern everyone is how the PMA brand of hazing has encouraged the kind of military mind-set that regards as legitimate the use of violence against the powerless and the “different” — in appearance, sexual orientation, politics, religion, social status, or ethnic origin. Together with that mistaken assumption is the consequent conviction among some in the officer corps that because they got away with it during their cadet days, they can do anything with impunity once they’re out there making the Philippines safe for the dynasties and the oligarchy by protecting them from farmers, workers, indigenous peoples, political and social activists, and others who think the government should serve them too rather than just those who control it.

 

Luis V. Teodoro is on Facebook and Twitter (@luisteodoro).

www.luisteodoro.com

Newcomer, newsmaker

When someone suddenly zooms to power and fame, the newcomer becomes a newsmaker. The instant celebrity assumes an unmistakable aura of importance.

His sentences are quotable — whether or not they are profound, humorous, clairvoyant, cynical, or sarcastic. Everything he does is photographed, reported or hyped in media. He is photogenic and telegenic (even if he is not classically handsome, lean, or attractive).

The rapid ascent to a high altitude on the business scene and the social scale is quite a heady experience. Literally and figuratively.

At sea level, the body is accustomed to an abundant amount of oxygen and some stale air. The instant rise from zero ground level to a 100-point atmospheric level causes physical discomfort and ailments — vertigo, dizziness, giddiness, and shortness of breath.

The ego suddenly gets a lot of massage. Instant fame and power can produce weird, adverse, or unpredictable reactions.

From relative obscurity or mediocrity, an individual who had struck gold or done something impressive takes center stage in a new, unfamiliar and intimidating arena.

These side effects, however, can be minimized or tempered if the ascent is gradual. The adjustment mechanism of the body allows adaptation to changes in environment and altitude.

If the person is basically shy or introverted, he may attempt to overcompensate. Or he may shield himself and his privacy through buffers.

Being in the magnifying, distorting effects of the intense limelight heightens the eerie sensations of fame. Not everyone can cope with ease or adapt gracefully.

The downside of fame is — everything gets blown out of proportion. A well-known writer once said, “Fame is a double-edged sword.”

Proximity to power. Some people enjoy the vicarious thrills of being near famous and powerful people. It is an irresistible magnet to be in orbit around the star of the moment.

The new circle of associates and “friends” expands. Popularity is directly proportional to the perception of star wattage and aura of power. Old friends are sometimes left out and blocked by the recently installed cordon sanitaire. Butterflies, bees, birds (the fair weather variety) and all kinds of groupies flutter around to flatter. The new entourage has assorted satellites — sycophants, fans, social climbers, predators, and opportunists.

VECTORPOCKET

The lifestyle change is dramatic and drastic. The newcomer is now upscale and high-end, high maintenance. He develops a penchant for expensive status symbols but he does not necessarily have good taste. He struts around in luxury hotels and posh clubs with security aides. He rides a flashy SUV or limousines and European sports cars. For impact, he flies around in a his own or chartered helicopter or private plane for inspection tours. He wants to avoid traffic and flying high is his trip.

The travel bug bites. Junkets to inaugurations, awards ceremonies are excuses to travel to distant countries — free of charge or on an expense account. This could be courtesy of a bottomless budget. Spend now. Explain later — or no explanation needed.

The buying binges and spending sprees follow. Office renovation includes a new location with a sunset view, new furniture, Persian carpets and fancy electronic gadgets, a Jacuzzi and expensive artworks.

The temptation to show off and to surpass the Joneses is so great. New homes and matching wardrobes and accessories are acquired in the city and plush resort areas.

Few people in high places can remain simple, unassuming, low-key and humble. The lofty attitude and atmosphere cause personality disorders and deterioration.

Flaws appear and distort one’s sense of balance and propriety. He becomes self-centered, pompous, arrogant, and extravagant.

He begins to believe the chanting that he is irreplaceable and indispensable. He believes that he is superior — above the law and ordinary people. To the point of megalomania.

In the corporate setting, climbing the ladder elicits a different type of reaction. Transformation can be subtle. There may not be major external disruptive signs, Well-grounded and well-rounded; the fast-track hardworking executive makes a smooth transition. His attitude, demeanor and lifestyle remain the same. Secure in his capabilities and talent, he continues to work, to achieve, and to receive recognition and awards. Without the need to aggrandize himself to impress others.

On the other side of the coin, the insecure executive undergoes an upheaval in attitude and manner. He starts acting like a hot shot, assumes snooty airs in the rarefied atmosphere of the top floor. His inflated ego demands all the visible perks — a new car, the key to the executive lift, membership at the most exclusive clubs.

A new image is cultivated to fit the new position. Somewhere along the way, he steps on other people. Just to get to the new office with the shiny title on the brass plate.

One effect of being in a high place is a major memory lapse. One has convenient amnesia and selective recall. Until a jolt brings him crashing down to earth.

Racing to the top is like riding a high-speed scenic elevator.

At the summit, the air is different. The view is magnificent. One feels grand, omnipotent and invulnerable. People, things, and issues on ground level seem so tiny, inconsequential and irrelevant.

The power trip of the newcomer is an incomparable ride — a roman candle to blaze in the sky. Awesome, gravity-defying, ego-inflating, illusory, ephemeral. And transitory.

 

Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.

mavrufino@gmail.com

The Philippines gets its independent economic policy

The bicycle theory of trade dictates that international trade keep moving lest it topple and fall. This unfortunately resulted in some sectors increasing the drama at every economic development, from each new WTO Ministerial meeting or media’s gleefully grim reporting of the US-China trade war.

The truth, as always, is a bit media shy.

Something is happening or may happen that could affect international trade but whether international trade drives it is another matter.

“The ‘trade war’ is only a symptom of the disease,” business expert John Mangun recently wrote. Citing Mark Carney, the governor of the Bank of England: “Past instances of very low rates have tended to coincide with high risk events, such as wars, financial crises, and breaks in the monetary regime,” Mangun insightfully points out that “global average interest rates are at a 5,000-year low.”

However, the culture wars, particularly the effect on the family and sexuality worldwide, is another profound, if not equally ominous, harbinger.

Which leads to doubts about China’s supposed importance as far as the Philippines goes. At least, if the supposed experts are to be believed.

And yet consider, at least as far as international trade is concerned, that China does not even make our Top 3. The US remains the biggest (and interestingly, fastest growing in recent years with its upswing of 9.1%) at $10.6 billion (representing 15.6% of total Filipino exports). Hong Kong (currently testing China’s will) follows at $9.6 billion, then Japan at $9.5 billion.

China’s receives $8.7 billion of our exports but rams us with imports of around $22 billion, posting the Philippines highest trade deficit at $13.9 billion.

Interestingly, we have a surplus with Hong Kong: $6.4 billion, followed by the US at $2.2 billion.

One number that is interesting is that when the trade of Germany, the Netherlands, and France are combined, they approximate $6.4 billion, roughly making the EU our 5th biggest trading partner. Combine that with the fact that we have surpluses with Netherlands ($1.8 billion), Germany ($301.7 million), Hungary ($157.3 million), the Czech Republic ($142.9 million), and Poland ($141.7 million).

Another significant fact is the health of our trade portfolio: our biggest trading partner, the US, merely constitutes around 16% of our exports, with a substantially equitable distribution amongst Hong Kong (14.2%), Japan (14%), China (12.9%), and Germany/Netherlands and France at 9.6%.

China, on the other hand, is fairly locked in with its trade war adversary the US, the latter representing 19.2% of its exports (with a surplus of $323.7 billion). The remaining Top 4 look fairly small in comparison, with its estranged Hong Kong leading at 12.1%, then Japan 5.9%, South Korea 4.4%, and Vietnam 3.4%.

Investment-wise, China is touted as 2018’s biggest investor but (as Santander reports) such is “mainly due to the construction of an iron and steel plant by the Chinese Hesteel Group (HBIS) in southern Philippines.” Otherwise, that much needed FDI still flows reliably from Singapore, the US, Japan, the Netherlands, and Malaysia.

Thus, the added significance of President Duterte’s recently concluded and apparently successful Russia trip, which BusinessWorld reported resulted in “business deals worth about $12.57 million,” ranging from nuclear power, tuna, sardines, coconut products, wristwatches, vehicles, and medical technology.

Also, “total trade between the Philippines and Russia last year grew 42% from a year earlier to $1.36 billion. Philippine exports to Russia rose to $86 million last year from almost $70 million in 2017.”

More intriguingly, was Duterte’s invitation for Russia “to participate in the massive ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program especially in transport and railway construction where Russia has high expertise.”

The infra invite is intriguing because it comes almost simultaneously with Japan and the EU’s infrastructure agreement, which (as Deutsche Welle reports) is envisioned to “build infrastructure in sectors such as transportation, energy and digital services to improve connectivity between Europe and Asia. The agreement is part of a broader EU plan to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two regions.”

The agreement is widely perceived as a counterbalance to China’s “Silk Road” ambitions, with both Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker stressing the need for the projects to “financially sustainable, provide ‘rules-based connectivity,’ foster ‘free and open’ trade and a ‘mutually-beneficial’ relationship.” This directly addresses criticism hurled at China for “creating mountains of debt” and “of strong-arming poor countries through predatory lending as part of its BRI (Belt and Road Initiative),” as well as “concerns about the Chinese-backed projects falling short on environmental standards.”

Or as Juncker puts it: to have economic development without reliance “on a single country.”

The Philippines should get in on this agreement. Because, despite the machinations by some Filipinos to have the country placed in the pocket of China on top of its attempts to grab our territories, the Philippines under Duterte suddenly found itself in a favorably independent economic and trade policy position.

We should build on that and hopefully translate it to an independent foreign security policy position.

 

Jemy Gatdula is a Senior Fellow of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations and a Philippine Judicial Academy law lecturer for constitutional philosophy and jurisprudence.

https://www.facebook.com/jigatdula/

Twitter @jemygatdula

NCAA: Previously denied, Lyceum Pirates make another go at top two vs JRU Heavy Bombers

HAD their outright bid to collar the second seed in the playoffs of Season 95 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association denied in their last game, the Lyceum Pirates make another go at it when they take on the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 2 p.m. today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

At solo second entering the game, the Pirates (12-4) shoot for their 13th victory in the tournament that would effectively shut the door on their closest pursuers for the second seed in the Letran Knights (10-6) and San Sebastian Stags (9-6).

Already assured of the top seed are the defending champions San Beda Red Lions (16-0).

The Pirates had a chance to barge into the top two heading into the Final Four in their previous game but saw the rug pulled from under them by the Stags, 73-71.

Lyceum had control of their match against San Sebastian on Oct. 8 only for it to falter in the end to fall to its first loss in seven games.

Jaycee Marcelino and Mike Nzeusseu had solid outings for the Pirates but saw them go for naught with the Stags coming from behind for the two-point win.

Marcelino finished with 21 points and six rebounds with Nzeusseu tallying a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Standing between the Pirates and the second seed are the Bombers (4-11), who despite already out of the running are looking to finish their campaign in their remaining games on a high note.

JRU has lost four straight entering the contest, the last one at the hands of the Perpetual Help Altas.

Agem Miranda is the top scorer for the Louie Gonzalez-coached Bombers with 13.8 points per game, followed by John Amores (9.7 ppg) and Marvin Dionisio (9.2 ppg).

Also playing today are Letran against Perpetual Help (5-10) at 12 noon and the season hosts Arellano Chiefs (4-11) versus the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (3-12). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Mintah scores 4 as Kaya FC–Iloilo dismantles Mendiola FC 1991, 5-1

KAYA FC–Iloilo made sure there was no repeat of last week’s stalemate against Mendiola FC 1991, putting in an assured performance en route to a 5-1 victory in Philippines Football League action at the Aboitiz Pitch on Wednesday. Jordan Mintah put in another outstanding shift for the hosts as he bagged four goals in the contest.

It took 15 minutes for Kaya to find the breakthrough. With a clever first touch, Shirmar Felongco cut inside from the right flank and fed Mr. Mintah, who was able to turn and fire into the net. He doubled the lead in similar fashion, but this time the assist came from the opposite flank through Jalsor Soriano.

Iloilo seemed set for smooth sailing but Ricardo Sendra pulled one back for the visitors with a low drive from the edge of the box. Mr. Mintah clipped the crossbar with a long-range chip as Kaya pushed for a third, but the score remained at 2-1 when the halftime whistle blew.

The Ghanaian forward, however, needed little time to pick up where he left off. Just seven minutes after the break, he rose highest to head in Jayson Panhay’s corner to complete his hat trick. Masanari Omura then headed in an almost identical Panhay corner to make it 4-1.

Kaya found a fifth goal roughly 10 minutes later. Substitute Yannick Tuason latched on to a ball over the top of the Mendiola defense and was brought down by the keeper. The resulting penalty was smashed in by Mr. Mintah to cap off the 5-1 victory.

Astros determined to crack Tampa Bay Rays’ pitching in series decider

HOUSTON — Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow has been granted the clearance to work deep into Game 5 of this American League Division Series on Thursday.

But considering the success Tampa Bay has enjoyed throwing multiple arms at the favored Houston Astros, maintaining a committee approach might serve as the best course of action.

On the heels of a franchise-record 107 wins in the regular season, the Astros will face elimination in the decisive contest largely due to their inability to solve Rays pitching. After leading the majors in batting (.274), on-base (.352) and slugging percentage (.495) during the season, the Astros have slashed .241/.294/.391 in the ALDS, with their .685 OPS a whopping 163 points below their regular-season mark of .848.

Central to the Rays’ success has been their reliance upon bullpen depth. When Glasnow, who took the loss in Game 1, toes the rubber opposite Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole, he will do so knowing he has ample support at the ready.

The Astros are fully aware of this as well.

“They made it perfectly clear they weren’t going to let guys see a guy multiple times,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said of the Rays.

“And statistically, and from a competitive standpoint, that’s the way to go. If you really want to be the most effective, that’s the approach to go with. It’s hard to do that over 162, but in a five-game set, you’re seeing them play out their script about as well as they possibly could.

“It’s up to us to make the adjustments. We’ve seen these guys now. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say it’s difficult on one guy seeing a guy over and over again, and on the flip side when you see a guy over and over again, you’ve got to find a way to put up good at-bats.”

Eight different pitchers have worked at least three innings for the Rays in the ALDS, four out of the bullpen. Right-handed relievers Chaz Roe (six outs recorded) and Emilio Pagan (five) also have logged more than an inning each, with the Rays outpacing Houston in the battle of individual matchups.

When Rays manager Kevin Cash opted for an opener in Game 4, his gambit paid dividends.

“I think it’s a combination (of stuff and talent),” Cash said of his relief corps. “Their stuff is really, really good. Now, saying that, I don’t know if you’re going to see two bigger contrasts from Diego Castillo to Ryan Yarbrough, and then you bring in Nick Anderson. There’s a lot of opposites in there.

“So it’s a combination of both. But (Game 4), probably that’s where the contrast really played a role. And you’ve probably got to have a little bit of that contrast to be fortunate enough to do what they did against as good as the Astros lineup is.”

Given the calamitous prospect of losing in the ALDS despite being favored to win the World Series, the Astros are under pressure to unlock the mystery of Rays pitching.

Having Cole, unbeaten over his last 23 starts, on the mound helps, and the Astros should be emboldened by playing at Minute Maid Park, where they set a franchise record for home wins (60) this season.

“We’re fine,” Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said. “The energy is up, the confidence, the chemistry is still really good. We’re talking about how good it’s going to be (in Game 5). We believe in ourself. We have great hitters. Like I always say, this is a team full of good players.

“And so we’re going to go out there and prove it (Thursday).”

Cole set a club postseason record with 15 strikeouts across 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a Game 2 victory. Entering the series, he had been 0-2 with a 3.51 ERA in four career starts against the Rays.

Glasnow allowed two runs on four hits across 4 1/3 innings in the Game 1 defeat. He won his only previous start against Houston, allowing one run on six hits over five innings on March 30. — Reuters

Humdinger

It didn’t take long for A.J. Hinch to publicly announce that Justin Verlander would be his Game Four starter. The body that was Game Three of the American League Division Series hadn’t even turned cold yet, but he felt he couldn’t take any chances. Not with the Rays, supposedly overmatched against aces, instead blitzing Zack Greinke for six runs on five hits in just three and two-thirds innings. The extension of the future Hall of Famer’s playoff woes forced the Astros manager to tap Justin Verlander in hopes of a repeat of their dominant win in the opener.

Again, Hinch didn’t want to take any chances. Yet, taking a chance is precisely what sending Verlander to the mound meant. For all the latter’s accomplishments, pitching on short rest after a full effort wasn’t one of them. In other words, it was a risk that looked to pay off spectacularly, or put the Astros in a bind if it didn’t. And, unfortunately, the worst-case scenario was precisely what unfolded; the 36-year-old right hander lasted just as long as Greinke before him, and when he was pulled from the mound, he had already allowed four runs off seven hits.

Before and after the loss, Verlander insisted that he felt great, and that blaming his woes on the quick turnaround time was “low-hanging fruit.” Yet, it was clear from the outset that he struggled with placement; half the four-seamers he threw were called for balls, and his lack of location accuracy compelled him to turn to his off-speed stuff. Which, as things developed, proved even more errant; the Rays got six hits from the 12 that were delivered. As he himself noted, his downfall was due to “bad slider, inconsistent control … The slider was the worst it’s been all year.”

True, the Astros remain favored to claim the series. For one thing, they have Gerrit Cole, who hasn’t lost a start in 23 outings. If there’s anything the annals of Major League Baseball have shown, however, it’s that anything can happen in a winner-take-all affair. And even if they do prevail, their rotation for the AL Championship Series is shot. Because Greinke underperformed anew. Because Hinch went for it. Because Verlander couldn’t pull off a first. And because the Rays capitalized on opportunities. The stage is set. A humdinger awaits.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

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