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Smartmatic among bidders for voter verification project

By Gillian M. Cortez
THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) announced yesterday that SMMT-TIM 2016, Inc./Smartmatic International Holding BV (Smartmatic) is one of the interested bidders in the voter registration verification project for next year’s mid-term elections despite alleged alterations in the 2016 polls.
“They have not been blacklisted and there is no proceedings blacklisting them so they are still eligible to participate subject to the conditions as provided in the TOR (Terms of Reference),” Comelec Special Bids and Awards Committee Chairperson J. Thaddeus P. Hernan said during a press conference on the opening of bids.
He added, «They’re not blacklisted by any government agency for that matter.»
Other companies that submitted bid documents were Megadata Corporation, NextIX Inc. and Gemalto Ph., and Dermalog ISMS.
The Special Bids and Awards Committee board is currently in the preliminary procurement proceedings.
The next step would be reviewing the bids before conducting a post-qualification proceedings.
After post-qualifications, the lowest calculated qualified bidder will be awarded the contract.
The project, Mr. Hernan said, requires “a single voter registration verification management system that shall effectively manage the data for all cities and municipalities.”
The poll body has already purchased more than 97,000 vote counting machines (VCM) from Smartmatic worth P8.1 billion for next year’s elections.
Smartmatic was investigated in the past for allegedly altering their script in the servers during the transmission of votes in 2016, but no sufficient evidence was found proving related fraud.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hernan said the automated system of verification that will be used in the 2019 national and local elections will be able to prevent “flying voters”.
“There will be no more discretion on the part of the electoral board as to the voters,” he said, because the finger scanning system will verify the identity.
Comelec plans to hold a mock election to test the system after awarding the contract.

Marquez downplays Davao mayor opposition to his SC application

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
COURT ADMINISTRATOR Jose Midas P. Marquez, who is in the line-up of applicants for Supreme Court (SC) associate justice, has downplayed the opposition filed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio against him.
Ms. Carpio, daughter of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, claims that Mr. Marquez was trying to find favor by meddling in her disbarment case.
In his interview yesterday with the Judicial and Board Council (JBC) for the associate justice post, Mr. Marquez said he was not involved in the filing of the withdrawal of the disbarment case.
“The allegation that I talked to the complainants, the witnesses, I did something, I manipulated, I maneuvered, actually, your honor, with all due respect, is not accurate,” he said.
In a statement on social media, Ms. Carpio claimed that there is an individual seeking a position in the SC who is trying to get her attention by trying “to spin” her case.
“The Office of the President should think twice in appointing this individual to be a justice, more so a chief justice,” the mayor said.
It was revealed in the JBC interview that Ms. Carpio has filed her opposition against Mr. Marquez.
A disbarment case was filed against Ms. Carpio in 2011, during which she was also Davao City mayor, after she punched a trial court sheriff for ignoring her plea to postpone a demolition operation in an illegal settlement area at the height of a flooding calamity in the city.
Mr. Marquez claimed that the sheriffs who filed the case met in April 2018 and the president of the Sheriffs Confederation of the Philippines proposed to withdraw the disbarment case against the Presidential daughter.
Mr. Marquez said he only met the sheriffs early in September 2018 to clarify what happened when he received the affidavit of Ms. Carpio.
He said the sheriffs only met him to seek his advice regarding the filing of withdrawal of the disbarment case, to which he replied that it would be up to them.
“Your honor I am not aware what information has reached the good mayor but it seems and as borne by her affidavit, it appears that I spoke to the sheriff and convinced them to file a motion to withdraw… In fact, when they filed that motion to withdraw before the office of the bar confidante, I was not informed, I was not aware, I was only told later on that it was already filed,” he said.
JBC member Milagros Fernan-Cayosa further noted that Ms. Carpio’s opposition also cited a certain Gemma Sotto, who was “purportedly” going to Davao to meet the mayor for the benefit of Mr. Marquez.
The court administrator also denied this allegation, saying: “Well, I do not know exactly what she was going to do, but yes, they were saying, including her, that I will help you here, I will help you there, I just say ‘thank you.’”
Mr. Marquez also denied the opposition filed by Ryzza Joy E. Laurea, which alleged that he misappropriated the $21.9 million loan fund provided by the World Bank for the Judicial reform Project in 2003, saying that “no single centavo” passed the Office of Court Administration.
“Ms. Laurea is misinformed that these projects were managed by the Office of the Court Administrator and these funds went through the office of the court administrator,” he said.
“I think Ms. Laurea came to that erroneous conclusion because there was a time when I wore multiple hats, I was court administrator, I was chief of staff of office of the chief justice, I was head of the Public Information Office, I was spokesman of the court. But even with those multiple positions, I was handling back then, these funds never passed my office,” he added.
Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro affirmed Mr. Marquez’s claims.
“I’d like to confirm that based on my personal knowledge. Court Administrator Marquez had nothing to do with the disbursement of the proceeds of the World Bank loan,” she said.
Apart from Mr. Marquez, other vying for the associate justice position are: Court of Appeals (CA) Justices Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr., Rosmari D. Carandang, Stephen C. Cruz, Edgardo L. Delos Santos, Japar B. Dimaampao, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, and Mario V. Lopez.
Other candidates whose previous interviews are still valid are: Tagum City Judge Virginia D. Tehano-Ang, CA Justices Oscar V. Badelles, Manuel M. Barrios, Ramon D.R. Garcia, and Amy C. Lazaro-Javier.
The candidate who will be chosen will take the seat vacated by now Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires.

Infrastructure damage from Ompong at almost P7B

TYPHOON OMPONG (international name: Mangkhut), the strongest to hit the country so far this year, left behind almost P7 billion in infrastructure damages, based on the partial estimate of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In a statement yesterday, DPWH said the destruction includes P1.539 billion in roads; P52 million, bridges; P5.278 billion, flood control structures; and P78.30 million, public buildings. Over the past two weeks, DPWH regional and district offices were able to clear 77 roads that were closed due to Ompong and the southwest monsoon rains.

Cebu PENRO says quarry suspension to stay until companies’ operations proven safe

THE SUSPENSION order issued by the Cebu governor last week on all quarry operations with permits under the provincial government will stay until companies are proven in an evaluation “that their operations are safe,” according to Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) head Jayson P. Lozano. In a statement, Mr. Lozano said the temporary stoppage is intended to avoid any incident similar to the landslides in Barangay Tinaan, Naga City last Sept. 20. Quarrying is believed to have triggered the tragedy that buried more than 60 houses, killing 60 people and 28 still missing as of Wednesday. Mr. Lozano explained that those covered by the suspension are small-scale operators with permits for an area coverage of up to a maximum of five hectares. “Large scale operations or those that goes beyond five hectares are under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau,” Mr. Lozano said. The governor has earlier said that he is ready to shut down mining companies that willl be found to have violated regulations. The PENRO chief said a multi-sectoral team will conduct the assessment on each company, along with technical experts who will check operational procedures.

PECO network improved in last 8 years, but still lags in delivery — Singapore firm study

PANAY ELECTRIC Company, Inc.’s (PECO) operations in the last eight years has improved, according to a study commissioned to a Singapore-based firm, but the review did not include the customer service aspect. The business sector group Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILED), which commissioned the study, said in a statement that it has received the final report of professional services consultancy firm WSP on the state of PECO’s distribution network. The WSP 2018 report concluded that: PECO’s network performance has improved significantly since 2010; however, the service provided to its franchisees lags behind what distribution utilities in key Philippine cities — Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao — provide; the gap widens even more when compared with those in the ASEAN region; recommendations made in 2010 have been implemented but not in full. ILED Executive Director Francisco Gentoral said the study is crucial as “it offers an independent, objective, and global view of PECO’s network performance and the quality of its asset and system platform.” Mr. Gentoral added, “ILED, in line with its mission to promote Iloilo as a preferred investment destination, emphasizes the urgency for world-class and not just better electricity service. In this regard, it seeks for the full and immediate implementation of the recommendations as set forth in this WSP 2018 report, recognizing that what the report recommends are just the minimum steps a distribution utility should take to serve its stakeholders.” PECO’s franchise is due to expire in 2019 and its application for renewal is up for review in Congress. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

Mangosteen island

AMID continued peace and security concerns in Sulu, the province celebrated on Sept. 25 the first Sulu Mangosteen Festival, highlighting the fruit that is abundant on the island and the many processed products that are ready for expanded marketing. Sulu Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II, in his speech, appealed to regional and national government agencies to help the province promote and bring the mangosteen goods to consumers. Provincial Agriculture Officer Mercian Aspi said the development and tapping into the health benefits and other uses of mangosteen will be a good livelihood source for local farmers.

Migration season: Glan to hold 1st Raptor Watch Festival

THE FIRST Autumn Migration Raptor Watch Festival will be held on Oct. 5 in the town of Glan, Sarangani, one of the stopover sites of birds making the journey from Taiwan and Japan towards Indonesia. The migratory birds have been observed in the last couple of years to take a layover in Rio del Pilar, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 12 (DENR-12). Last year, the Sarangani provincial government, through the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center, recorded 132,945 birds composed of Chinese Sparrowhawk (96%), Grey-faced Buzzard (3%), Peregrine Falcon and Western Osprey (1%). The monitoring and study continues this year, said DENR-12, “to generate scientific data that will help authorities understand certain aspects of raptor biology, migration behaviors and to help identify critical sites for conservation.” This year’s monitoring season includes a reforestation initiative of one of the roosting sites, Mt. Taltak, in partnership with Raptorwatch Network Philippines and the Japanese Society for the Preservation of Birds. The Raptor Watch Festival aims to highlight the importance of maintaining the environmental health of the area to keep the raptors coming

Nation at a Glance — (09/27/18)

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

Peso drops ahead of BSP

THE PESO slipped ahead of the policy meetings of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the US Federal Reserve. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO weakened by a tad to a fresh 12-year low on Wednesday as the market awaits the policy decisions of the local and US central banks.
The local unit ended Wednesday’s session at P54.325 versus the greenback, a shade weaker than the P54.31-per-dollar finish the previous day.
This was the peso’s weakest in nearly 13 years since it closed at P54.425 versus the greenback on Nov. 22, 2005.
The peso opened the session stronger at P54.29, climbing to as high as P54.22. However, its intraday low stood at the closing rate of P54.325 against the US currency.
Dollars traded declined to $623.4 million from the $668.35 million that switched hands on Tuesday.
A foreign exchange trader said the peso consolidated during Wednesday’s trading even as the bias was on the high.
“It traded to as [high] as P54.22 as we saw the dollar in general traded a bit lower versus the major currencies,” the trader said in a phone interview. “However, it traded weaker towards the close.”
The trader added that the movement was contained as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) traded at the P54.35 level.
“For Thursday, let’s see what the will BSP do. We also have to see their rhetoric if it’s still going to be hawkish,” the trader added.
The central bank is widely expect to raise its benchmark rates by another 50 basis points (bp) to rein in inflation, which quickened to its fastest pace in nearly a decade at 6.4% in August.
Meanwhile, another trader said the peso closed again to a record low ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting, where it’s expected to raise key rates by 25 bps.
For Thursday, the first trader expect the peso to move between P54.20 and P54.35, while the other gave a P54.10-P54.30 range.
“The local currency might gain strength as market players will likely to take profits from the hawkish Fed rate decision and in anticipation to [hawkish] monetary policy decision from the BSP at the close of the trading day,” the second trader noted. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Shares decline ahead of Fed, BSP rate decisions

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
STOCKS FELL anew on Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of the back-to-back meetings of the United States Federal Reserve and the country’s own central bank.
The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped 0.87% or 63.96 points to close at 7,268.21 yesterday, extending Tuesday’s decline. The broader all-shares index likewise slipped 0.76% or 34.43 points to finish at 4,460.47.
“The market movement today is, I think, a risk-off sentiment ahead of FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) rate decision and of course BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) Monetary Board meeting,” IB Gimenez Securities, Inc. Research Head Joylin F. Telagen said via text on Wednesday.
The FOMC will have its two-day policy meeting from Sept. 26-27, with consensus pointing to a rate hike of 25 basis points (bps).
Meanwhile, the BSP’s Monetary Board will also meet on Thursday for its own review, with most projections citing as much as a 50 bps increase in benchmark interest rates. This move is expected to temper inflation in the months ahead, after it shot up to 6.4% last August, the highest in around nine years.
“With regards to the expected 50 bps rate hike [on Thursday] to curve inflation, I still believe inflation is still yet to peak in the 3rd or 4th quarter this year and might taper back to 4-5% levels early 2019, therefore the government’s GDP target of 7-8% remains under threat,” Unicapital Securities, Inc. Certified Securities Representative Cristopher Adrian T. San Pedro said in a separate message.
On a technical note, Mr. San Pedro said the market might test the next support level at 7,200 and 7,134 after encountering the 7,433 resistance.
“I believe the market still lacks macroeconomic catalysts in the short term and this is why the investors are still cautious and on the sidelines,” he said.
Property was the lone sector that managed to log gains, climbing 1.67% or 60.41 points to 3,660.22. The rest declined, led by financials, which plunged 3.6% or 59.41 points to 1,590.40. Industrials lost 1.66% or 183.78 points to 10,844.93; services shed 1.54% or 23.21 points to 1,480.87; mining and oil dipped 1.29% or 118.76 points to 9,043.50; and holding firms slumped 0.28% or 20.40 points to 7,135.03.
Some 1.05 billion issues switched hands, resulting in a turnover of P4.94 billion, higher than the previous session’s P3.50 billion. Decliners trumped advancers, 121 to 66, while 54 issues closed flat.
Net foreign outflows widened to P520.35 million versus the P160.45 million recorded on Tuesday. This marked the 20th straight day that foreign investors logged a net foreign selling position.
Meanwhile, most Asian markets rose on Wednesday as most investors also waited for the third interest rate hike by the US Fed for this year.

NLEX halts Blackwater in coach Guiao’s return

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE NLEX Road Warriors welcomed back head coach Yeng Guiao in a grand way, beating erstwhile undefeated Blackwater Elite, 124-106, in Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup action on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Back after more than a month away to coach the national team, Mr. Guiao saw his team play inspired and consistent ball on both ends throughout the contest to get back on the winning track and improve to 4-2 for the tournament.
The two teams slugged it out to start the contest, fighting to a 9-8 count, with NLEX ahead, at the 6:07 mark of first quarter.
Blackwater would then make its move with Nards Pinto leading to tie the score at 14-all after two minutes before taking a three-point lead, 17-14, with 3:28 left.
But the Road Warriors had the last laugh as they finished the quarter strong to hold a 24-19 lead at the end of the first frame.
It was a back-and-forth affair once again to begin the second canto.
The Elite came within two points, 33-31, in the first five minutes.
Import Aaron Fuller though stabilized things for NLEX after, helping to create added distance from Blackwater, 39-33, with 5:57 left.
The Elite continued to charge back for the remainder of the quarter but the Road Warriors found ways to hold them off as NLEX stayed on top, 55-45, at the half.
In the third period NLEX was firing from all cylinders, towed by Larry Fonacier and Kenneth Ighalo, outscoring its opponent, 26-13, to pull away for an 81-58 advantage by the 5:09 mark.
Mr. Walker and Paul Zamar tried to lead Blackwater back the rest of the way, finding some success in narrowing their deficit to just 15 points, 90-75, entering the fourth period.
The Elite began the payoff quarter aggressively only to find the Road Warriors up to the challenge.
NLEX held a 99-89 lead with six minutes remaining, extending it to 15 points, 107-92, at the 4:24 mark.
From there the Road Warriors just matched whatever the Elite threw at them on their way to the victory.
Mr. Fonacier led NLEX with 24 points, going 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. It was his highest output in a Road Warriors uniform.
Mr. Fuller also had 24 points to go along with 20 rebounds while Mr. Ighalo had 18 points.
For Blackwater (4-1), which lost for the first time after four straight victories to open its Governors’ Cup bid, it was Roi Sumang who led the way with 24 points.
Messrs. Walker and Zamar had 16 points apiece and Mr. Pinto 15.
“We really came prepared for this game seeing how Blackwater is for real. The players were excited to play again after a long break and I, too, coaching, having the feel of the PBA again,” said Mr. Guiao after the win.

Blue Eagles soar past Red Warriors, 89-62

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE flight of defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles in Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines got further wind on Wednesday after they beat out the University of the East Red Warriors, 89-62, at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Used a strong effort in the middle quarters, the Eagles were unrelenting on the Warriors as they ran away with the victory, their third straight after starting their season campaign with a loss.
Ateneo had it dominant to start the contest, pounding on UE late in the opening quarter to take a 24-10 lead at the end of the first 10 minutes.
The Warriors tried to make up some ground in the second period only to find a not-too-willing party in the Eagles who continued to pile on the pressure on UE.
On the strength of a balanced attack, the Eagles would move on to hold sway, 43-31, at the break.
The Eagles came out firing to start the third canto behind Thirdy Ravena, Will Navarro, and Matt Nieto.
They outscored the Warriors, 15-5, to extend their lead to 58-36 at the midway point of the frame.
UE though would rack up eight straight points after, led by guard JC Cullar, to narrow their deficit to just 14 points, 58-44, at the 3:16 mark.
Anton Asistio and Isaac Go would help Ateneo restore order as the team finished strong to hold a 68-44 advantage heading into the final canto.
Veteran Alvin Pasaol tried to rally the Warriors back only to see the Eagles stand their ground in command and deflect any comeback.
The count stood at 79-52 with five minutes remaining on the clock, and Ateneo comfortably ahead, and it was all Eagles the rest of the way.
Raffy Verano led the Eagles (3-1) with 12 points before limping out late in the game after apparently spraining his ankle.
Navarro finished with 11 while Asistio and Jolo Mendoza had nine points apiece.
Angelo Kouame and Ravena each scored eight points for the Eagles.
Pasaol, meanwhile, paced UE (0-4) with 17 points and eight boards followed by Wilson Bartolome with 12 markers.
“We knew entering the game that UE does not quit no matter the score so we wanted to match it up until the end,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga in the postgame press conference, referring to the mindset they had in the contest.
Ateneo next plays the University of Santo Tomas (1-2) on Sept. 29 while UE takes on Far Eastern University (2-1) on Sept. 30.

Workers in Qatar’s $45 billion World Cup final city went unpaid for months: Amnesty

LONDON — Dozens of migrants working on Qatar’s $45 billion World Cup final city of Lusail have gone unpaid for months, Amnesty International said Wednesday, the latest rights accusation against the 2022 tournament host.
Mercury MENA “failed to pay its workers thousands of dollars in wages and work benefits, leaving them stranded and penniless” in the country, according to the London-based rights group.
However in response, football’s governing body FIFA accused Amnesty of being “misleading” and said the non-payments were not connected to the 2022 tournament.
Amnesty alleges that at least 78 employees from Nepal, India, and the Philippines had not been paid since February 2016 and were owed an average of $2,000 (€1,700) — for some the equivalent of several months’ wages.
In some cases this had “ruined lives,” said Amnesty, which urged the Doha government to pay the workers, some of whom took out huge loans to secure a job in the super-wealthy Gulf state.
One worker, Ernesto, a piping foreman from the Philippines, told Amnesty he was in greater debt after working in Qatar for two years than before he arrived in the country.
Other labourers from Nepal said they had to take their children out of school or sell land to cover debts incurred by working in Qatar.
“By ensuring they get the wages which they are owed, Qatar can help these migrant workers to rebuild their lives,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s director of global issues.
It claimed Mercury MENA “took advantage” of Qatar’s “kafala” system, which prevents workers from changing jobs or leaving the country without the permission of bosses.
Unpaid workers eventually allowed to leave Qatar only did so at their own cost, said Amnesty.
As well as helping build Lusail city, which is also the venue for the 2022 football tournament’s opening match, Mercury MENA helped build a showcase stadium that was an integral part of Qatar’s winning presentation to FIFA in December 2010.
In November, Amnesty spoke to the company’s chief executive, who acknowledged “cashflow problems.” There has been no further response.
However, FIFA rejected the Amnesty claims.
“We have no reason to believe the reported violations of workers’ rights are in fact linked to FIFA and the 2022 World Cup,” a spokesman told AFP.
“We regret Amnesty chose to frame its statement in such a misleading manner.”
The findings come at a time when the World Cup host is under intense scrutiny over labor rights.
Earlier this month, Doha said it would abolish exit permits — a cornerstone of the kafala system likened to modern-day slavery — but has not given a date for when this will come into force.
In April, the International Labour Organization opened an office in Doha, part of an agreement under which the United Nations agency will oversee wholesale labour reform in the emirate.
There are some two million foreign workers in Qatar, many employed directly or indirectly on vast World Cup infrastructure projects. — AFP

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