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Budget ‘insertion-free’ after funds assured for all districts

WAYS and Means committee chair and Albay 2nd District Representative Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda said Wednesday that each congressman will receive P100 million for their districts in the proposed P4.1-trillion 2020 national budget, adding that the budget process so far has been free of “insertions.”

“To ensure na everybody has some minimum, P100 [million] each,” Mr. Salceda said in an economic briefing at the Palace Wednesday when asked about allocations for congressmen.

He added: “They were itemized in the NEP (National Expenditure Program).”

Asked about the budget process for such allocations, Budget Undersecretary Laura B. Pascua said in a mobile phone message to BusinessWorld: “This happens at the final stage when they are in the bicameral stage.”

In chance remarks, Mr. Salceda told reporters that legislators forward their proposals to the Executive department “for inclusion.”

“We propose for inclusion,” he said.

He said such funding is not “pork” by the definition adopted by the Supreme Court decision.

Asked about the use of the funds, Mr. Salceda said: “Hindi naman puro DSWD ‘yon (it’s not all for social welfare projects) contrary to your expectation. Some of them go to DepEd (Department of Education) for school buildings.”

“It is pork-free based on the Supreme Court’s standards, he said, adding that the budget is making good progress with none of the “insertions” that marred last year’s process.

“Zero individual amendments unlike last year, unlike so many years wherein you realign this and that. There are no individual ammendments. There are only three institutional amendments,” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

DA granted P78 million in emergency funds for ASF containment

THE government has approved P78 million in emergency funding for the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) African Swine Fever (ASF) containment efforts.

“The Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will spend the P78-million emergency fund — approved by President Rodrigo [R.] Duterte and the Cabinet during last week’s meeting — for biosecurity and quarantine operations, disease monitoring and surveillance, upgrading of laboratories, capacity-building, and other disease control measures,” the DA said in Swine Bulletin No. 6 issued to reporters on Wednesday.

A separate P82.5 million has been given to BAI, while the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) has approved P60 million worth of loan assistance for hog raisers affected by the first outbreak of ASF.

On Sept. 9, the DA confirmed an outbreak of ASF in Rizal and Bulacan, where 7,416 hogs have so far been culled since Aug. 18 as a preventive measure.

On Sept. 11, dead pigs, which are suspected to be infected by the virus, were found in the Marikina River and in a creek in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

The Quezon City government has declared that hog deaths in the city were caused by ASF.

Mayor Josefina G. Belmonte said at a news conference that the city veterinarian has received “verbal” confirmation of the ASF finding from the Bureau of Animal Industry.

About 166 pigs have been culled in Bagong Silangan since Sunday, she said.

The city government is also investigating hog deaths in the adjoining Barangay Payatas. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Distilled spirits makers warn excessive taxation could depress demand, harm government revenue

MAKERS of distilled spirits warned against excessive tax increases targeting the segment, saying that falling demand could leave the government with less revenue than it is projecting.

Distilled Spirits Association of the Philippines President Olivia Limpe-Aw said distilled spirits demand is highly likely to fall disproportionately with every increase in price.

“Between 2017 and 2018, the price of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products increased by 20%, while no other major household expenditure increased by (more than) 7%. The effects of these are decreased consumption of alcoholic beverages that seem to be decreasing at a higher rate, from down 3.4% in 2017 to down 5.1% in 2018,” she was quoted as saying in a statement.

The industry submitted a position paper Sept. 13, to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means chair, Senator Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua called the DSAP’s argument “one-sided,” adding that as the population and incomes grow, individuals will have more purchasing power, thereby boosting government revenue.

“Incomes are increasing so they will have more purchasing power to spend, and that’s what we’ve seen in the last six or seven since the sin tax, so we don’t think that demand will fall. Besides, the population is growing,” Mr. Chua said in a phone interview Wednesday.

“Yes there’s a price effect but we have also the income effect and the population effect, overall means demand will continue to increase and we will generate more revenues and they will generate their own income,” he added.

Ms. Limpe-Aw said the tax burden is lighter in the House of Representatives version of the excise tax on alcoholic beverages, at 25.65% compared to the 31.22% tax in the Senate version.

DSAP has called for a “level playing field” in the excise tax on alcoholic products, alleging that the proposed taxes leave the spirits industry at a disadvantage relative to wine.

She said that high-end distilled brands, under the Senate bill, will have higher excise tax than wine product.

House Bill 1026, written by Albay-2nd district Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, hurdled third and final reading on Aug. 20 in the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Senate Bill No. 383, incorporating drafts put forward by the Department of Finance (DoF) and the Department of Health (DoH), has been filed by Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao.

Under the Senate bill, distilled spirits will have 25% ad valorem tax on the net retail price and another P40 specific tax per liter, which will gradually increase by P5 annually up to P55 in 2023, and then further rise by 10% yearly thereafter.

Meanwhile, the excise tax on wine will increase to P40 per liter next year for products containing 14% alcohol by volume and P80 for those with more than 14%, with an incremental annual increase of 10% starting 2021. There is no ad valorem tax in the bill. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Puerto Princesa City to stage investment forum in Manila

THE Puerto Princesa city government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are organizing an investment forum in Manila on Sept. 25 to promote business opportunities in the Palawan capital.

The Puerto Princesa City Business Forum aims to present business opportunities in the city, the city government unit said in a statement.

The forum venue is the Sofitel Plaza Manila.

Puerto Princesa is located within the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia- Malaysia- Philippines (BIMP)-East ASEAN growth area (EAGA), and has an international airport and seaport, and has embraced public-private partnership modes of investment.

Puerto Princesa was 23rd among all local governments in the 2018 Competitiveness Index, rising from 89th in 2014.

The city is also a tourist destination hosting a UNESCO World Heritage site , the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

The forum’s keynote speaker is Jeffrey T. Ng, president of Astoria Hotel and Resorts (AHR), a major investor in the city.

The company has invested P1.5 billion in Astoria Palawan, which features villa-style accommodation, food and beverage outlets, and a waterpark.

Another speaker is Arthur G. Gindap, a senior vice president and business unit general manager at Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), who will discuss the city’s potential as a meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination.

In an e-mail, Mr. Gindap said: “Robinsons Hotels and Resorts has plans to upgrade its existing Go Hotels property into a full service Summit Hotel with convention facilities that can accommodate up to 800 persons.”

Go Hotels is RLC’s chain of budget hotels. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Senate backs funding for DAR land distribution

THE Senate Finance Committee approved Wednesday the P8.426-billion budget of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for 2020, with the department also seeking additional funding to help achieve its 2022 goal of land acquisition and distribution.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, who chairs the finance committee sub-panel tackling DAR’s budget, has endorsed its spending plan for plenary discussion. The 2020 National Expenditure Program (NEP) allocation for DAR is 3% higher than its 2019 budget.

“Gusto lang naming malaman (We just want to know), with the present budget, magkano (how much) every year ang idadagdag (will be added) for them to accomplish what the President told them, which is to distribute everything by 2022,” Ms. Villar told reporters after the hearing.

The NEP gives DAR about P2 billion for acquisition and distribution for 2020, less than the P3 billion the department estimates is needed.

“They have to compute how much it will cost them for distribution… President [Rodrigo R.] Duterte (is saying is that) they have to finish everything by 2022. Tinatanong ko magkano para matapos nyo ng (I’m asking how much is needed finish the job by) 2022,” adding that if the request is reasonable she will back the extra funding.

In a Cabinet meeting on April 1, Mr. Duterte ordered DAR to expedite the issuance of individual Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) by acquiring and distributing private agricultural land and parceling out collective CLOAs. It was also ordered to identify government-owned land suitable for agriculture for distribution to qualified beneficiaries.

Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones said that for the 2020-2022 period, the department plans to distribute a total of 328,968 hectares of private agricultural land, 144,647 hectares of government-owned land, and break up 1.4 million hectares of collective CLOAs.

Ms. Villar asked DAR to identify areas with the most number of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to help set priorities.

“I want to know where the most ARBs are by region, and then (how many) ARBOs (Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations) per region. I want to know what their projects are… para makita natin kung doon ba sa marami inilagay yung development project (in order to see whether the development projects are going to the areas with the most beneficiaries,” she said. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

P9.97-B NEDA budget hurdles Senate finance committee

THE Senate finance committee on Wednesday approved the P9.97 billion budget of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for 2020.

The committee chair, Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, said legislators focused on how the agency plans to adapt the economy for the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution which will bring about increased automation.

NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said the implementing rules and regulations for the newly enacted Philippine Innovation Act, under Republic Act No. 11293, are being drafted.

The IRR includes proposals to empower the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to upgrade students’ technical skills.

“We are finalizing the IRR within the month,” Ms. Edillon said during the budget deliberations.

Ms. Edillon noted NEDA has identified housing and urban development, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and allied services, connectivity and financial services as among the areas that need innovation.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) is the process of conducting research on how innovation can improve the country’s performance.

“We are planning to have a follow up on our innovation survey. We think it’s the right time now to do a follow up study,” PIDS President Celia M. Reyes said.

The 2020 NEDA budget is higher than the P8.331-billion approved under the 2019 General Appropriations Act. The Philippine Statistics Authority will get P7.321 billion, the Office of the NEDA Director General P1.441 billion, the Commission on Population P497.459 million and PIDS and other agencies P322.294 million. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Fifth EITI report includes first study of small-scale miners

THE Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) has included its first assessment of small-scale miners in the Fifth Country Report.

Environment Undersecretary for climate change and mining concerns Analiza R. Teh said that including the small-scale miners in the report will give a “more comprehensive view” of the industry.

“In the previous years, the inclusion of the small-scale mining sector was recommended and in this Fifth EITI report (includes a) pioneering transparency report on small-scale mining operations in South Cotabato,” Ms. Teh said during the launch of the fifth EITI report Wednesday.

Finance Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa S. Habitan said EITI stakeholders are actively trying to capture the impact of small mining operations.

“We’re hoping to get more involved in small-scale mining (operations) particularly because it means more to the communities. The more that we’re able to get information to them on how to better do mining, I think it’s all going to benefit all communities,” Ms. Habitan told reporters on the sidelines of the report launch.

In the fourth report launched in April 2018, Ms. Teh said the small-scale mining sector encompasses thousands of workers and accounts for a significant portion of the economy.

Speaking to industry groups and government officials, Finance Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin said that the fifth report includes many “firsts” such as the pilot use of an online reporting tool, expanded coverage of non-metallic mining, and the first reports on beneficial ownership structures of companies in the industry.

Increased industry transparency is expected to increase the payments made by extractive firms commensurate to their impact on the environment.

In 2017, EITI claims to have generated P39.1 billion, up 43% from a year earlier.

EITI has been publishing annual country reports since 2014. The report serves a tool for policymakers and other stakeholders to determine the payments the government can generate from the sector. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Budget certified as urgent as Palace seeks to avoid 2019 delays

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has certified as urgent the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget for 2020.

In a letter to Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano dated Sept. 17, Mr. Duterte certified the necessity of the immediate enactment of House Bill No. 4228 or the 2020 General Appropriations Bill.

The President said he wants to ensure the immediate passage of the 2020 national budget “in order to address the need to maintain continuous government operations following the end of the current fiscal year, to expedite the funding of various programs, projects, and activities for FY 2020.”

The passage of the national budget will also ensure “budgetary preparedness that will enable the government to effectively perform is Constitutional mandate.”

The hearings on the 2020 budget ended on Sept. 6. Plenary debates are currently ongoing.

Last year’s budget was delayed because of alleged “insertions” and the resulting disputes about changes to the spending program. President Rodrigo R. Duterte eventually vetoed more than P95 billion worth of spending items after signing the measure in mid-April. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

The PWD 5% special discount

Persons with Disability (PWDs) have persistently expressed their need for inclusion and to be given equal footing in society. Recognizing the Constitutional mandate to protect their rights, the government enacted Republic Act (RA) Nos. 9442 and 10754, also known as The Magna Carta for Persons with Disability and An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (PWD). The main objectives of these laws are to provide PWDs with the opportunity to participate in mainstream society and to support their total well-being.

Under the Magna Carta for PWDs, the government may grant special discounts for PWDs to cover their basic necessities. In line with this, the government issued the Joint DTI-DA-DoE Administrative Order No. 17-01, series of 2017 in February 2017, granting PWDs a special discount of 5% off the regular retail price of the basic necessities and prime commodities as defined in the Price Act, but without exemption from the value-added tax (VAT).

The total purchases of basic necessities and prime commodities should not exceed P1,300 per calendar week without carry-over of the unused amount and the amount needs to be spent on at least four kinds of listed necessities and commodities commensurate to the personal and exclusive consumption of the PWD within the calendar week.

As defined in The Price Act (Republic Act No. 7581, as amended by RA 10623 in 2013), basic necessities are goods vital to the needs of consumers for their sustenance and existence, while prime commodities are goods considered essential to consumers.

Basic necessities include rice, corn, bread, fish and other marine products, fresh meat products, eggs, potable water in bottles and container, milk (excluding those labeled as food supplements), fresh fruits and vegetables, locally-manufactured instant noodles, coffee and creamer, sugar (excluding sweeteners), cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, firewood, candles, charcoal, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas in specified amounts.

Prime commodities include flour, processed meat products, onions, garlic, vinegar, patis (fish sauce), soy sauce, bath soap, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicide, animal feed, veterinary products, school supplies, nipa shingles, cement, clinker, GI sheets, hollow blocks, plywood, plyboard, construction nails, electrical supplies, steel wire, and batteries (excluding mobile phone and automotive batteries).

Although the 5% special discount has been in place since 2017, not many may be aware of this additional incentive for PWDs. On this note, many will welcome the issuance of Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 9-2019, which reiterates all the above guidelines, and integrates all existing policies on PWD benefits, granted by agencies of the government, for the guidance of its stakeholders.

This RR supplements RR No. 5-2017 issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on April 2017 implementing RA 10754. Although this recent RR took effect only on Sept. 12, 2019, the special discount should have already been available back in 2017 when the Joint Administrative Order became effective.

In granting the 5% special discount, business establishments assume the responsibility of correctly identifying if their inventory qualifies as either necessities or commodities, which are eligible for the discount. The Tax Code and previous BIR guidelines have clarified that those granting discounts are required to keep separate and accurate records of sales to PWDs. Otherwise, the sales discount may be disallowed as a deduction for income tax purposes.

Moreover, the 5% special discount on basic necessities and prime commodities should not be confused with the 20% discount applicable to select purchase of goods and services by PWDs such as medicine, food service at restaurants and travel expenses. One main distinction is that only goods and services covered by the 20% discount comes with absolute VAT exemption. On the other hand, the goods covered by the 5% special discount will only be VAT-exempt if they are agricultural and marine food products in their original state pursuant to Section 109 of the Tax Code.

Needless to say, a senior citizen who is also incidentally a PWD would not be entitled to cumulative benefits. They can only claim the special discount as a PWD or as a senior citizen, not both.

Overall, the 5% special discount is undoubtedly favorable to PWDs since the enumerated goods are used and consumed in every Filipino household. For their part, business establishments are reminded of their legal and social responsibility to give what is due, hopefully without PWDs having to demand the enjoyment of their rights.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

 

Patricia Loren C. Roma is a senior consultant at the Tax Services Department of Isla Lipana & Co., a Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

+63 (2) 845-2728

patricia.loren.roma@pwc.com

UP Maroons compound NU Bulldogs’ miseries

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Fighting Maroons raced to their second straight victory in UAAP Season 82 at the expense of the “luckless” National University Bulldogs, 80-79, on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Had a slow start to the game, the Maroons (3-1) picked things up in the middle quarters to build some distance before holding tough in the end to book the victory that sent the Bulldogs (0-4) to their fourth straight defeat and third one-point loss in the ongoing season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

In the second game, the Adamson Soaring Falcons came from behind to top the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 78-71.

NU got it going early in the paint, with RJ Minerva and Issa Gaye finding their mark and helping their team to a 14-10 lead midway into the opening quarter.

It would maintain control the rest of the quarter despite efforts by Kobe Paras to keep UP in the game, holding a 23-18 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.

In the second frame, the Maroons exploded as Javi Gomez De Liano waxed hot from beyond the arc.

UP rode the momentum and successfully turned the tables on NU at the break, 44-36.

Dave Ildefonso tried to rally the Bulldogs back in the third quarter but Paras And Co. continuously found ways to fend off their opponents.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Maroons still carried an eight-point cushion, 67-59.

In the fourth quarter, the two teams jostled hard.

UP still had control of the game for much of the time but NU kept itself within striking distance.

The count stood at 78-73 with a minute to go and the Maroons on top before Ildefonso made it a four-point affair, 78-74, with 32 seconds to go by splitting his free throws.

Bright Akhuetie still opened the door for the Bulldogs after muffing his free throws with 24 seconds remaining.

Ildefonso pushed NU to within two, 78-76, with 17 ticks left by draining both his free throws off a foul from Jaydee Tungcab.

UP sued for time after, going to Akhuetie anew off the inbounds.

The UP big man was fouled by Enzo Joson with 16 seconds to go.

But Akhuetie made both his charities to hand the Maroons an 80-76 advantage.

The Bulldogs called timeout after to chart a play.

Ildefonso’s number was pressed anew by NU and he delivered with a triple with 11 seconds remaining to make it an 80-79 count.

The Bulldogs fouled Dave Murrell, who missed his free throws and kept the Bulldogs alive.

NU sped back to its court following the defensive rebound and had a shot to win it all.

The outside heave of John Lloyd Clemente, however, fell short, preserving the victory for UP.

Paras led the way for UP once again with 25 points. He remains unbeaten in a Maroons uniform since finally suiting up for the team in their previous game.

Akhuetie had 19 points and 12 rebounds while Gomez De Liano had 17 points, going 5-of-7 from three-point land.

For NU it was Ildefonso who topscored with 25 points, followed by Gaye with 13 points to go along with 13 boards.

Despite winning back-to-back games now, UP coach Bo Perasol reiterated that his team still needs to work some facets of its game, including closing out games, something he said they had a hard time doing against NU.

“We need to learn how to close out games as a team. That’s a process,” said Mr. Perasol postgame.

UP returns to action on Sept. 21 against the University of the East Red Warriors while NU tries to finally notch that elusive first victory in Season 82 versus the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sept. 22.

In the second game, Adamson (3-2) turned to a strong finishing kick to pull the rug from under UST (3-2) to get back on the winning track after losing in its previous game.

The Falcons played catch-up for much of the contest but soared past the Tigers in the end led by Val Chauca and Jerrick Ahanmisi on their way to the dig-deep victory.

Ahanmisi paced Adamson with 24 points followed by Chauca with 18.

For UST it was Soulemane Chabi Yo who led with 17 points with CJ Cansino, Sherwin Comcepcion and Mark Nonoy adding 10 points each.

NCAA: San Beda Red Lions shoot for dozen wins

UNDEFEATED league-leader San Beda Red Lions look to extend their unbeaten streak to 12 games in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 when they face off with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in league action today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Winners of their first two games in the second round after sweeping the first fold of the eliminations of NCAA 95, the defending champions Lions (11-0) try to stay in top form when they reengage the Bombers (4-7) in their 2 p.m. match.

In their first encounter on July 12, San Beda dominated JRU from wire to wire on its way to the 74-52 victory.

It was a balanced attack by the Lions, led by the 17 points each of James Canlas and Calvin Oftana.

JB Bahio had 11 points while point guard Evan Nelle had 11 assists to go along with five points for the Lions.

San Beda set the pace in the first two quarters of the contest and never relinquished the thrust the rest of the way to book the win.

JRU, for its part, goes for back-to-back wins in today’s game.

The Bombers defeated the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 69-63, on Sept. 13, for their fourth win of the season.

Agem Miranda top-scored for JRU in the win, finishing with 16 points, boosted by 50% shooting from the field (7-of-14).

Marq Dionisio had a double-double of 13 points and 16 rebounds while Ry Dela Rosa dropped 11 points for the Bombers.

JRU was in a dogfight with EAC throughout the contest but managed to extricate itself in the end with a telling 7-2 run late in the fourth period to go up, 67-58, before holding on for the victory.

“We’re thankfully we got this win after tough losses in our previous games. We still have problems closing out games and staying competitive in the end. Hopefully we get to improve on those things,” said JRU coach Louie Gonzalez after their win over EAC.

Meanwhile, playing in the 4 p.m. game are the Perpetual Help Altas (3-7) and season hosts Arellano Chiefs (2-9).

The two teams are currently on a skid with the Altas riding a two-game slide while the Chiefs are in a deeper hole, losing three straight. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

ONE Championship ushers in Century event with media day

BUZZ over ONE Championship’s landmark event in Japan — “ONE: Century” — next month entered a new phase with Asia’s largest sports media property holding a media day on Tuesday at Park Hyatt in Shinjuku in Tokyo.

Present at media day were ONE officials, including ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, ONE Esports CEO Carlos Alimurung and President of ONE Championship Japan Andy Hata.

Also in attendance were some of the athletes seeing action in the two-prong ONE: Century offering happening on Oct. 13 at the historic Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Century will feature 22 match-ups, split into two shows of 11 fights.

The matches will feature five Filipinos, two of which are fighting for world titles and one for a grand prix belt.

Part One of Century will be headlined by the atomweight world championship fight between reigning champion Angela “The Unstoppable” Lee and challenger and women’s strawweight champ “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan of China.

Co-main events are the world grand prix finals in the flyweight and lightweight divisions.

Flyweight will have mixed martial arts legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson against Filipino fighter Danny “The King” Kingad.

In the lightweight division, meanwhile, it will be between Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez of the United States and Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev of Turkey.

Supporting Part One of Century are eight top-notch preliminary fights, including that of Team Lakay strawweight Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang against Japanese Senzo Ikeda.

Part One of Century is the scheduled in the morning and will be broadcast on TNT in the United States.

The second fold of the historic ONE Tokyo event, meanwhile, which will air live across 140-plus countries in the evening, is bannered by the light heavyweight clash of champion Aung La “The Burmese Python” N Sang of Myanmar against ONE heavyweight champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera of the Philippines.

Under the N Sang-Vera battle are three world-class co-main events led by the world bantamweight championship fight between reigning champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil and former champ Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of the Philippines.

The flyweight muay thai world championship fight between champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon of Thailand and Walter Goncalves of Brazil as well as the featherweight kickboxing world grand prix championship final between Italy’s Giorgio Petrosyan and France’s Samy Sana are the two other co-main events.

Filipino Honorio “The Rock” Banario is part of the main card, fighting Japanese legend and former ONE lightweight champion Shinya Aoki.

Also included in Part Two of Century are champion versus champion fights from MMA organizations Shooto and Pancrase. In the lead-up to the ONE: Century, the promotion will also hold esports competitions, namely, the ONE Tekken Tokyo Invitational and the ONE Street Fighter Tokyo Challenge, on Oct. 5 to 6, adding further dimension to it as a group and complementing its standing as “Home of Martial Arts.”

“ONE Championship aims to bring the spirit of martial arts back to Japan with our historic 100th live event. I am extremely grateful to have the support of the best Japanese athletes in the world, and the Japanese people… As a company, our impact on society is enormous. We take this responsibility very seriously,” said Mr. Sityodtong at media day, underscoring their thrust as a group and vision moving forward. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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