E-trikes in Zamboanga City

August 14, 2019 | 9:02 pm

The first batch of environment-friendly tricycles for Zamboanga City, composed of 38 Euro 4-compliant units made in Italy, were launched Tuesday. These public utility vehicles, purchased with funding assistance from the ZGEMPCO group and the Land Bank of the Philippines, are part of the transport modernization program, which the city government aims to complete within the next five years.

Peso recovers vs dollar as Trump delays tariffs

August 14, 2019 | 9:00 pm

THE PESO appreciated on Wednesday after the United States put off its implementation of additional tariffs on Chinese goods to December.

The local unit gained 18 centavos to close at P52.28 against the dollar yesterday from its P52.46 finish on Tuesday.

It opened trading at P52.10 against the greenback, which was also the local currency’s strongest showing for the day. Its intraday low was at P52.32 per dollar.

Dollars traded on Wednesday reached $1.27 billion, slightly higher than previous day’s $1.209 billion.

“The peso strengthened on profit taking after the US delayed the imposition of new tariffs on some Chinese goods to December 2019,” a trader said via e-mail.

Another bond trader interview via phone share the same sentiment, noting that during the afternoon session, the local currency was “short-squeezed” as it tracked offshore currencies.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed off his Sept. 1 deadline for 10% tariffs on remaining Chinese imports, delaying duties on cellphones, laptops and other consumer goods, in the hopes of blunting their impact on US holiday sales.

Mr. Trump’s 10% tariffs will be effective from Dec. 15 for thousands of products including clothing and footwear, possibly buttressing the holiday selling season from some of the fallout from the protracted trade spat between the world’s two largest economies.

For today, the peso will likely climb further on weak US data.

“The local currency is expected to appreciate ahead of likely weaker US retail sales report for July 2019,” the first trader said.

The first trader expects peso to move within the P52.15-P52.45 range against the greenback, while the second trader sees the local unit at P52.15 to P52.55 versus the dollar today. — Mark T. Amoguis

Shares rebound as investors hunt for bargains

August 14, 2019 | 9:00 pm

LOCAL SHARES recovered on Wednesday as investors hunted for bargains despite continued negative sentiment due to the Hong Kong protests.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up 0.9% or 70.20 points to close at 7,858.65 yesterday. The broader all-shares index also climbed 0.56% or 26.70 points to 4,768.92

“The PSEi did a rebound from [Tuesday]’s slump as investors hunt for bargains. With some blue chips reporting stellar earnings performance [on Tuesday], investors rushed to get in to SM (SM Investments Corp.), JFC (Jollibee Foods Corp.), ICT (International Container Terminal Services, Inc.), ALI (Ayala Land, Inc.) and BDO (BDO Unibank, Inc.) which helped lifted the index in the afternoon session,” Jervin S. de Celis, equity trader at Timson Securities, Inc., said in a text message.

However, he noted that foreigners remained as net sellers for the seventh straight session due to cautiousness amid the ongoing Hong Kong protests. Net foreign selling was logged at P959.09 million outflow yesterday, down from Tuesday’s P2.12 billion.

The protest, which has been going on for weeks, has caused hundreds of flights canceled from Hong Kong’s airport. This anti-government movement started in June in response to a proposed extradition bill, which is now suspended, but later on evolved into a movement demanding for democracy and investigations into police brutality.

Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez attributed the recovery to the performance of US markets.

“The index ended 70 points in the green at 7,858.65, largely just following optimism from the US market session last night,” Mr. Perez said in an e-mail on Wednesday, adding that this “should be the barometer to look out for moving forward.”

US stocks closed higher on Tuesday after an announced delay of planned tariffs on some Chinese imports brought buyers back to the equities market in a broad-based rally.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 372.54 points or 1.44% to 26,279.91; the S&P 500 gained 42.57 points or 1.48% to 2,926.32; and the Nasdaq Composite added 152.95 points or 1.95% to 8,016.36.

Back home, all sub-sectors ended in the green except for the holding firms counter, which lost 0.15% or 12.19 points to end at 7,658.82.

Meanwhile, industrials went up 2.12% or 227.32 points to 10,928.30; property rose 1.99% or 79.60 points to 4,073; services climbed 1.41% or 22.22 points to 1,591.96; financials gained 0.4% or 7.28 points to 1,826.28; and mining and oil added 0.33% or 27.04 points to end the session at 8,230.03.

Some 1.17 billion issues valued at P6.56 billion switched hands on Wednesday, lower than the previous session’s P8.58 billion.

Advancers outnumbered losers, 112 to 83, while 40 issues were unchanged. — V.M.P. Galang

Iloilo City council to review franchises granted to 3 water distributors

August 14, 2019 | 9:00 pm

THE ILOILO City council passed a resolution on Tuesday seeking a review of the legality of the franchises granted by the previous council to three water distributors.

Councilor Jose Efrain G. Treñas, proponent of the resolution, said he will tap the City Legal Office (CLO) to look into the franchises granted to New Earth Water System Inc. (NEWS), the partnership between Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) and Tubig Pilipinas Group, Inc. (TPGI), and Villar-led Prime Water Infrastructure Corp.

Mr. Treñas said the review would help clear out the legality, validity, or impropriety of the council’s issuance of franchises to utilities as well as guide the new set of councilors in future decisions.

“We want to be clarified by the City Legal. If it is legal, good, then we move forward, unless we find irregularities. This is also for the new members of the city council so that they will be clarified. The results of the investigation guide us on deciding future applications,” he said.

The most recent franchise was released last May to NEWS, a subsidiary of the Lucio Tan-controlled Boracay Tubig System, Inc.

The first franchise issued was to South Balibago Resources, Inc. (SBRI).

The city’s existing and main water supplier, Metro Iloilo Water (MIW) — previously known as Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) — has questioned the council’s authority to grant a franchise and filed cases in court against SBRI, Prime Water, and city officials.

MIWD cites the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Opinion No. 18 Series of 2018, which states that local governments do not have the authority to grant water and sanitation franchise.

The opinion also stated that the granting of water permits is under the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).

Former councilor Plaridel C. Nava said the review is an insult to the previous council.

“He (Mr. Treñas) should respect the previous council because of the assumption of regularity because he was part of it before,” Mr. Nava said.

He added that such a review will create a negative impression on possible investors in the city.

“This will create an impression to the investors that businesses in the metro have no permanency and guarantee because it is being questioned,” he said.

Mr. Nava also said the decision on the legality of the council-issued franchises should be left to the court where MWID filed cases.

“Let us respect the judicial process. There are pending cases in the court and it is only the court that can determine, whether or not our actuations before, were valid or null,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Piñol vows to “work just as hard” as MinDA chair

August 14, 2019 | 8:59 pm

FORMER AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol on Wednesday took his oath as the new chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). In a social media post, Mr. Piñol said: “Today, I took my oath to serve as the new Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), a Cabinet portfolio which carries the rank of Secretary.” He said the position has a fixed term of six years “thus ensuring sustainability of all initiatives beyond the term of the incumbent President.” Mr. Piñol noted that his new responsibility is “a multi-task job” that would involve agriculture, trade and commerce, international relations and security concerns. “The MinDA Chair is also the Philippine Government’s representative to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asia Growth Area Regional Grouping ( BIMP-EAGA),” he said. “My added task is to serve as President Rody (Rodrigo R.) Duterte’s ‘Point Person’ to the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).” A Mindanaoan, Mr. Piñol said the new post “will also bring me closer to my family and, of course, my farm.” He also vowed that: “Just as when I was Secretary of Agriculture I will work just as hard.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

GenSan starts road, sidewalk clearing operations

August 14, 2019 | 8:58 pm

THE GENERAL Santos City local government has started road and sidewalk clearing operations, with dialogues held between authorities and affected vendors. Among the first areas covered last Aug. 13 were Cagampang-Casquejo streets to corner Magsaysay Avenue, and Santiago Boulevard-Magsaysay Avenue to Cagampang streets. In the evening, the clearing team under the City Administrator’s Office went to Pioneer Avenue, where food vendors set up shop at night, mainly to cater to students. Clearing team head Jorge Manzano assured vendors that an alternative site will be provided as he appealed for them to cooperate. The clearing operations is in line with the President’s order during his State of the Nation Address last July for local governments to clear public roads and sidewalks from all obstructions. The Department of Interior and Local Government has also issued a memorandum in line with the directive.

Nationwide round-up

August 14, 2019 | 8:56 pm

Bill filed for establishment of emergency medical care facilities for tourists

A LAWMAKER has filed a bill that aims to establish emergency and trauma facilities in tourism hubs in the country following recent reports of accidents involving tourists. Biñan City Rep. Marlyn B. Alonte filed House Bill 3873, which requires the Department of Tourism and Department of Health to jointly develop standards for trauma and emergency medical care for all three- to five-star resorts and hotels. “To address the gap in emergency medical care at tourist destinations, House Bill 3873 establishes in every Department of Health regional medical center at least ten (10) trauma and emergency care field facilities in cities and municipalities where there are clusters of tourism resorts,” Ms. Alonte said in a statement on August 14. Under the measure, tourists without health care insurance might be charged with a minimal amount that could be included in the hotel bill. “If they don’t have HMO (health maintenance organization) or health care coverage for medical emergencies, a small and affordable charge can be included in their hotel bill upon booking that would represent the premium for emergency health care coverage,” said Ms. Alonte. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Sanctions vs schools, officials proposed for ‘tolerating’ recruitment in leftist movement

A SENATE committee is considering the imposition of criminal and administrative liabilities against schools and its administration for “tolerating” the recruitment of students by leftist groups. The Philippine National Police-Manila Police District (PNP-MPD) made the proposal Wednesday during the continuing hearing of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs on the alleged illegal recruitment of minors by groups linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines. “We know for a fact there are some school or school administrators, who are tolerating one way or another, and nakita naman natin kanina na alam ng (we saw here earlier that) school administrators (do know),” PNP-MPD director Vicente D. Danao, Jr. said during the hearing. “Wala po tayong batas (We have no law) administratively and criminally penalizing these people, even if the occurrence of such recruitment is happening before their eyes,” he said. Mr. Danao also pushed for the imposition of stiffer penalties for those involved in the recruitment of minors, which at present is a prison term of six months to six years, and a fine of P700. Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa, the panel chair, said he will consider the recommendation. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Nation at a Glance — (08/15/19)

August 14, 2019 | 8:54 pm

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

After convincing win, options abound for Pacquiao’s next fight — Gibbons

August 14, 2019 | 8:00 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

International matchmaker Sean Gibbons — *ALVIN S. GO*

SUCCESSFULLY and convincingly overcoming the latest challenge in his Hall-of-Fame boxing career, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is not short in options for his next fight.

This according to Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions.

Meeting members of sports media for the first time at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the Amelie Hotel-Manila, Mr. Gibbons said their camp is weighing various options to take coming on the heels of the conquest of the Filipino legend of American champion Keith Thurman and his WBA super welterweight title in July.

A “convincing” split decision winner. 40-year-old Pacquiao, the MP Promotions president said, proved he is still a force to be reckoned with and ready to take on any opponent when he returns to the ring early next year.

American Gibbons mentioned champion fighters Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia and Shawn Porter as possible next opponents for Pacman even as he expressed reservation over a rematch with Mr. Thurman.

“Danny Garcia, Mikey Garcia, there’s other guys out there to fight. Shawn Porter,” said Mr. Gibbons at the PSA Forum, presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel-Manila, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Danny Garcia, the former holder of the World Boxing Council welterweight title, was initially considered as an opponent for Mr. Pacquiao prior to the Thurman fight while Mikey Garcia is a former lightweight and junior welterweight title holder.

Mr. Porter, meanwhile, was a former sparring partner of Mr. Pacquiao and current WBC champion who’s scheduled for a unification match against Errol Spence this September at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Gibbons went on to say that they are not so high in having a rematch with Mr. Thurman, especially after how Mr. Pacquiao convincingly beat the former.

“He (Thurman) had his opportunity, he had his shot. If there’s a real demand for it like the (Juan Manuel) Marquez, the (Marco Antonio) Barrera, the (Erik) Morales, those type of fights. If the public have a huge demand to do it again, if there’s an outcry for it. But he (Pacquiao) beat him clean,” the veteran international matchmaker said.

Against Mr. Thurman, Mr. Pacquiao showed firmer command for the most part of the scheduled 12-rounder and took everything that his opponent threw at him on his way to the 115-112, 113-114 and 115-112 split decision win; an outcome Mr. Gibbons insisted should have been a unanimous decision.

Just the same, split decision or not, Mr. Gibbons said it was a convincing victory.

As to a possible rematch with undefeated retired fighter Floyd Mayweather, Mr. Gibbons said they are very open to it but as of the moment there is nothing definite yet on that front.

Sale makes strikeout history

August 14, 2019 | 7:59 pm

CLEVELAND — Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a tiebreaking home run in the top of the 10^th inning as the visiting Boston Red Sox overcame blowing a five-run lead to beat the Cleveland Indians 7-6 Tuesday night.

After the Indians tied the score on Francisco Lindor’s RBI double in the bottom of the ninth, Bradley’s one-out homer off Nick Wittgren (4-1) in the 10^th restored the Red Sox’s lead.

Earlier in the game, Red Sox starter Chris Sale made major league history by becoming the fastest pitcher to reach 2,000 career strikeouts when he whiffed Oscar Mercado to end the third inning. Sale accomplished the feat in 1,626 innings, besting Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez’s mark of 1,711 1/3 innings.

Sale gave up five runs (three earned) on five hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings, recording 12 strikeouts. Rafael Devers had four doubles among a career-high six hits, and he also drove in three runs to lead the Boston offense. Carlos Santana and Franmil Reyes homered for the Indians. — Reuters

Teenager Gauff, former champ Stosur get US Open wild cards

August 14, 2019 | 7:59 pm

NEW YORK — American teenager Cori “Coco” Gauff and former champion Samantha Stosur were among players to be given wild cards into the main draw of the US Open starting later this month, organizers said on Tuesday.

Gauff, 15, stunned players and fans alike when she made her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam at this year’s Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round where she was beaten by eventual champion Simona Halep.

Gauff, the youngest finalist in the girls’ singles event at the US Open in 2017 aged 13, is one of five teenagers given wild cards at Flushing Meadows.

Americans Cathy McNally, Whitney Osuigwe and Katie Volynets (all 17) and France’s 16-year-old Diane Parry, who became the youngest player this decade to win a main-draw match in the French Open in May, also received them.

Australia’s Stosur, US Open champion in 2011, will be making her 15^th appearance in the main draw. The 35-year-old, who last reached a Grand Slam singles semifinal in 2016 at Roland Garros, was also a doubles champion in New York in 2005.

“Parry and Stosur earn their entry via the USTA’s reciprocal wildcard arrangement with the French Tennis Federation and Tennis Australia,” organizers said in a statement.

American Jack Sock headlines the men’s singles wildcards.

The 26-year-old, who was sidelined for six months after sustaining a thumb injury at the Australian Open, is looking to maintain his streak of playing in every US Open main draw since 2010. — Reuters

Philippine national women’s football team begins campaign at 2019 AFF Women’s Championship

August 14, 2019 | 7:58 pm

THE Philippine national women’s football team plunges into action in the 2019 AFF Women’s Championship in Thailand today with an eye on making a run for a podium finish this time around.

Failed to go deep in recent iterations of the tournament organized by the ASEAN Football Federation, the Malditas are angling for a better finish in this edition of the championship while also looking to kick their Southeast Asian Games preparations into a higher gear.

Happening in Chonburi, the Philippine team is bracketed in Group A of the competition along with host Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste.

The Malditas, whose campaign is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and MVP Sports Foundation, will play Malaysia first today at IPE Chonburi Field 1 followed by Timor-Leste on Aug. 17.

They then play Thailand on Aug. 21 before finishing their group play assignment two days later.

Tournament format calls for the top two teams in the two groupings advancing to the knockout stage.

Group B has Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

For the 2019 AFF Women’s Championship, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) formed a 23-player squad culled from the various University Athletic Association of the Philippines teams and PFF Women’s League clubs.

The players are Mari Caparros, Stacey Cavill, Inna Palacios, Mea Bernal, Alesa Dolino, Chelo Hodges, Mary Lam, Claire Lim, Hali Long, Tara Shelton, Calah Simarago and Sara Castañeda.

Also part of the team are Eloiza Fagsao, Patrice Impelido (captain), Kyla Inquig, Charisa Lemoran, Hazel Lustan, Rocelle Mendano, Irish Navaja, Kathleen Rodriguez, Dionesa Tolentin, Alisha Del Campo and Quinly Quezada.

The team started preparation for the tournament in late June that saw them play tune-up matches along the way.

The bad weather in the recent weeks made practicing outdoor tough but the team made up for it by training indoors.

“We’re ready for the tournament. We had some challenges during training because of the heavy rain in the last couple of weeks which forced us to cancel some training sessions. But we also did indoor training to make up for some of the lost time,” said Malditas coach Let Dimzon at the team’s send-off last weekend, as she spoke of the preparation they had.

“We had a number of tune-up games, including one against Macau, which we used as gauge of where we are,” she added.

Ms. Dimzon went on to say that key for them is polishing their attacking and sticking to their game plan.

For Ms. Impelido, the team being together for a long time now is something they are banking on.

“This team has been together for a time now. We have team chemistry which is good for the team heading into the tournament. We are excited and confident to make a run at a podium finish,” said the Malditas captain.

“The Philippine Women’s National Team has continuously set the bar in the recent times,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes of the Malditas, who vied for the first time for a World Cup berth in the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

“We wish them luck as they look for a podium finish in the AFF Women’s Championship 2019 which serves as preview for the upcoming 30^th Southeast Asian Games,” he added.

The 30^th SEA Games happens this Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 here in the country.

ARANETA IS OLYMPIC CDM
Meanwhile, PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. was appointed chef de mission (CDM) of the Philippine delegation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The appointment of Mr. Araneta, who is at the helm of the PFF since 2010, was announced at the Philippine Olympic Committee general assembly on Tuesday.

“It is a great honor to represent the country and our national athletes as the Chef de Mission for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We look forward to this upcoming campaign as we yearn for our first-ever Olympic gold medal,” said Mr. Araneta of his appointment.