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5 hectares of port area set aside for informal settlers

The Philippine Port Authority (PPA) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Housing Authority and the City of Manila, among other agencies, to set aside five hectares of the port area for over 2,000 housing units to be occupied by informal settlers in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila. The informal settlers will be displaced by Manila Bay’s ongoing rehabilitation. The PPA will also allot P1 billion to the development of the housing project. Port operators International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and the Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. (MNHPI) are also among the signatories. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Human Rights Award

Rappler CEO Maria A. Ressa is seen in this photo with (L to R) former education secretary Armin A. Luistro, former Philippine president Benigno S.C. Aquino III, Inquirer columnist Randolph S. David, Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David, and De La Salle University (DLSU)-College of Law Dean Jose Manuel I. Diokno. Together with the Jose W. Diokno Foundation, DLSU conferred on Tuesday the “Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights Award” to Bishop David and Ms. Ressa. Also on Tuesday, Ms. Ressa asked the Manila regional trial court (RTC) Branch 46 to dismiss the cyberlibel case against her and former researcher Reynaldo Santos, Jr.

Duterte vents on PLDT hotline, company assures action

PLDT Inc. on Tuesday issued a statement in response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s remarks last Sunday that he will “shut down” the company if it cannot set up more trunklines to accommodate citizens’ complaints. Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT, Inc. chairman, president and CEO, told reporters on Tuesday, “We apologize for that. We’re glad that the President called our attention to it.” He added: “It’s a bit more complicated than what it appears. Apparently the 8888 is really a call center operations for both telcos, 20 lines each. And they’re supposed to provide the lines, which we have provided, but the lines are not manned properly. They’re undermanned….To be fair, while it’s a 20-20, total of 40 lines, 20 each, we have 20 but we’re getting 75% of calls. I guess we have more fixed line subscribers. We’re gonna put in more lines than the 20 mandated or agreed with the government, and we will man it because the manning it is supposed to be government.” For his part, PLDT, Inc. Public Affairs Head Ramon R. Isberto said, “We are currently taking steps to address the concern expressed by the President to improve the public’s access to the Citizen’s Complaint Center 8888 hotline number.” Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

Courtesy call

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray paid a courtesy call to Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III on Tuesday. She also visited Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo earlier that day.

Peso rises to nine-month high

THE PESO strengthened to a nine-month high against the dollar on Tuesday on the back of developments in the trade negotiations between the United States and China.
The local currency ended Tuesday’s session at P52.025 versus the greenback, four centavos stronger than the P52.065-per-dollar finish last Friday.
This was the peso’s best showing in more than nine months or since it ended at P51.80 versus the dollar on May 10, 2019.
The peso opened the session stronger at P51.955 per dollar, climbing to as high as P51.95 intraday. Meanwhile, its worst showing stood at P52.10 against the US currency.
Dollars traded declined to $909.11 million from the $961.87 million that changed hands in the previous session.
A trader said the peso appreciated against the dollar on easing US-China trade fears.
On Monday, US President Donald J. Trump announced that Washington is planning on delaying the additional tariffs on Chinese goods scheduled to begin on March 1 as its trade negotiations with China made “substantial progress.” The two leaders are also expected to meet in Mar-a-Lago, Florida for a summit to “conclude an agreement.”
However, UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. chief economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said the market is “wary” again if a trade deal between China and US will actually happen.
“This wariness is actually across regional currencies. I expect this sentiment to continue this week,” Mr. Asuncion said in a text message yesterday.
He added that the fourth quarter US gross domestic product growth figure “can help drive markets better this week.”
For today, the trader expects the peso to move between P51.90 and P52.10 versus the dollar, while Mr. Asuncion gave a P51.90-P52.30 range.
“The peso is expected to strengthen ahead of key US economic data and various Federal Reserve speeches this week,” the trader said in an e-mail.
Meanwhile, most Asian currencies trod water on Tuesday after investors reined in the previous session’s optimism about progress in Sino-US trade talks as markets awaited more cues on whether the conflict can be resolved. — K.A.N. Vidal with Reuters

PSEi climbs on blue chips, trade talks’ progress

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
THE MAIN INDEX firmed up on Tuesday, lifted by gains of index heavyweights alongside optimism on the United States and China’s trade deal.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose 0.32% or 26.03 points to close at 7,988.16 following the long weekend. The broader all-shares index likewise climbed 0.25% or 12.28 points to 4,896.11.
“Because of the holiday, the market has just now digested the positive news that the March 1 deadline for US China talks has been extended, building on optimism that it will be solved sooner than later,” AAA Southeast Equities, Inc. President William Matthew M. Cabangon said via text.
Mr. Cabangon noted that local investors are still selling into the rally, with most of the support coming from foreign investors who recorded a net buying figure of P1.21 billion. This is more than five times the P17.62 million posted last Friday.
“Until we receive more clarity on the next BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) chief and on the global trade talks, it may prove difficult to meaningfully breach the 8,000 PSEi level,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Timson Securities, Inc. trader Jervin S. de Celis attributed the PSEi’s uptick to the performance of blue chips.
“Our index still closed 26 points higher after heavyweights such as BDO (Unibank, Inc.), ALI (Ayala Land, Inc.), JGS (JG Summit Holdings, Inc.), SM (SM Investments Corp.) and SMPH (SM Prime Holdings, Inc.) lifted the bourse,” Mr. De Celis said in a mobile phone message.
Shares in BDO were the most actively traded yesterday, soaring 1.55% to P131 each, after reporting that net income surged by 17% to P32.7 billion in 2018. This is higher than its profit guidance of P31 billion last year.
ALI was up 1.01%, JGS jumped 1.46%, SM added 0.51%, while SMPH ended 0.64% higher.
Financials was the lone counter in the red, dropping 0.43% or 7.64 points to close at 1,747.04.
The rest were in positive territory, led by mining and oil which jumped 0.81% or 70.30 points to close at 8,680.15. Holding firms gained 0.6% or 48.45 points to 8,069.37; property went up 0.58% or 23.79 points to 4,069.47; industrials advanced 0.38% or 44.48 points to 11,722.65; while services added 0.36% or 5.81 points to 1,584.20.
Value turnover improved to P10.93 billion on Tuesday versus the previous session’s P8.01 billion after some 1.15 billion issues switched hands. Decliners outpaced advancers, 104 to 91, while 51 names were unchanged.
Wall Street indices also ended higher overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went up 0.23% or 60.14 points to 26,091.95. The S&P 500 index added 0.12% or 3.44 points to 2,796.11, while the Nasdaq Composite index firmed up 0.36% or 26.92 points to 7,554.46.
Most Asian markets dropped on Tuesday, as investors sought clarity on the trade deal between the US and China.

Nation at a Glance — (02/27/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.
Nation at a Glance — (02/27/19)

PBA: PHL Cup returns with Big Dome twin bill

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
FOLLOWING a two-week break to give way to the campaign of the national team in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Philippine Basketball Association returns today with a double-header set at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
On tap is the Philippine Cup encounter between the Meralco Bolts and Columbian Dyip at 4:30 p.m. and Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters against the Northport Batang Pier at 7 p.m.
Meralco (2-3) has been having it up-and-down in the All-Filipino tournament and been middling early in the tournament.
Leading the way for the Bolts is Chris Newsome with 12.4 points per game to go along with 5.6 rebounds.
Guard Baser Amer is chipping in 11.6 points while Nico Salva has been good for 10.4 points.
The Bolts lost in their last game against the NLEX Road Warriors, 87-83, on Feb. 2 in a tightly fought match that was decided in the closing seconds.
Looking to thwart Meralco is Columbian (2-4), currently in a three-game slide.
Top rookie pick CJ Perez continues to lead the Dyip with all-around numbers of 17.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals.
Columbian has seen their push dip significantly of late after opening the tournament with a 2-1 record. Its latest loss was dealt by the Alaska Aces, 94-72, on Feb. 6.
Meanwhile in the second game, Phoenix (5-1) tries to bounce back after absorbing its first loss of the tournament prior to the break.
The Fuel Masters saw their undefeated run halted by the league-leading Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 98-94, on Feb. 10.
Jason Perkins had 27 points versus Rain or Shine but it was not enough to tow his team to the win.
“The loss stings but we are at 5-1 and we cannot complain about that. We just have to improve on the next game and avoid losing two straight to stay on track of a top-two finish in the elimination,” said Phoenix coach Louie Alas last time around.
“[The FIBA window break] has its pros and cons. Coming off a loss, of course, you want to get back right away. But on the other hand, it affords us time to assess what happened in this game and correct our mistakes,” he added.
Out to stop Phoenix’s rise is Northport (2-2), which is sliding of late after a 2-0 start.
The offensive juggernaut duo of Stanley Pringle (22.5 ppg) and Sean Anthony (20.5 ppg), the number one and two leaders in scoring in the tournament, are bannering the team with help from big man Mo Tautuaa (17 ppg and 8 rpg) and rookie Robert Bolick (13 ppg).
In their last game on Feb. 8, the Batang Pier lost to Rain or Shine, 107-100.
HERO’S WELCOME
Meanwhile, the triumphant Gilas Pilipinas squad received a hero’s welcome on Monday night upon its arrival after securing for the country a spot in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China later this year.
Defeating Kazakhstan, 93-75, in its final game in the World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Sunday in Astana, Gilas gave its cause a boost, winding up as the best four-placed team in the merged groups in the second round to punch a ticket to the quadrennial basketball spectacle.
“It’s a total team effort. It’s not only the team itself but also the people behind it, the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) for its total support to the team as well as to the PBA, all the team owners, the PBA board and Commissioner Willie Marcial. We thank as well the Filipino basketball fans in Qatar and Astana and here in the country who prayed for us,” said Gilas coach Yeng Guiao at their arrival.
The national team coach, too, gave credit to his team, especially naturalized player Andray Blatche, for really stepping up.
“Andray Blatche was crucial. It was very obvious. He read the situations well and did what he needed to do in the games. And the others stepped up as well,” said Mr. Guiao, who also touted the efforts of erstwhile Gilas coach Chot Reyes and the teams early in the qualifiers for allowing them to have enough cushion and margin for error in the end.

UE, Adamson collide

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE number of winless teams in Season 81 women’s volleyball of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines gets narrowed as struggling University of the East Lady Warriors and Adamson Lady Falcons collide in league action today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
Both sporting 0-2 records, UE and Adamson look to finally barge into the win column in the ongoing UAAP season in their 4 p.m. encounter and break away from a logjam at the tailend of the standings.
Playing in the opening game at 2 p.m., meanwhile, are the defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers (2-0) and the National University Lady Bulldogs (1-1).
While they have come out of the tournament with more spring this time around, the Lady Warriors still have not found the breakthrough they are angling more, falling to University of the Philippines in five sets and NU in three in their first two assignments.
Leading the way for UE is Judith Abil, who has been averaging 15 points a game to date, with Meanne Mendrez and Seth Rodriguez adding eight and six points, respectively, per match.
In their last match against NU, the Lady Warriors competed but just could not sustain the fight in each of the three sets en route to the shutout loss. Abil and Mendrez led their team in said game with 10 and eight points each.
Adamson, too, is fighting out of the starting gates but has not caught a break.
The Lady Falcons dropped a five-setter to University of Santo Tomas in their season opener before bowing to La Salle in three last weekend.
Bernadette Flora has been good for 11.5 points per game for Adamson with veterans Joy Dacuron and Eli Soyud averaging just below double digits at 9.5 points each.
As a team, Adamson is in the top three in three categories, including tops in receives with 40.24% efficiency.
TOLENTINO IS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Meanwhile, the Ateneo Lady Eagles’ Kat Tolentino was adjudged UAAP player of the week after helping her team to back-to-back victories following a loss in their opener in Season 81.
Tolentino averaged 20.5 points in their two victories over UST and Far Eastern University, helping her team to a 2-1 record for the season.
“For me I realized that I can’t just stand there and tip the ball or hit it light. I have to go all out. I have to spike with power and how I normally do it,” said the Fil-Canadian spiker, who is the league’s leading scorer with 19 points per match, of the aggressiveness she is showing this year.
In winning the award, given by print and online media covering the league, Tolentino beat out La Salle’s Michelle Cobb, Milena Alessandrini of UST, and NU rookie Ivy Lacsina.

Kaya FC in away AFC Cup match in Vientiane, Laos

Kaya FC
REIGNING Copa Paulino Alcantara champion Kaya FC-Iloilo gets its 2019 AFC Cup campaign rolling today, taking on Lao Toyota FC in opening Group H action at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane.
Earned the right to represent the country in the AFC Cup after bagging the inaugural title of the Copa last year, Kaya is now channelling its focus in the Asian tournament, looking to do well.
Also in Group H are Home United FC of Singapore and PSM Makassar of Indonesia.
Representing the Philippines as well in the tournament is Philippines Football League champion Ceres-Negros FC, which opened its own bid in Group G yesterday in Bacolod City.
Kaya is making a return trip to the AFC Cup since 2016 where it reached the knockout stage of the tournament.
Part of the team in the prestigious Asian competition are forwards Jovin Bedic, Jordan Mintah and Darryl Roberts, defenders Simone Rota, and Alfred Osei, and midfielder Marwin Angeles.
Kaya’s clash with Lao Toyota is set for 7:30 p.m. and can be seen live over 5Plus (formerly Aksyon TV), and on ESPN5’s Website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

PSA to honor local ONE World Champions at Awards Night

THE PHILIPPINE Sportswriters Association is set to acknowledge the best of Philippine sports in the previous year at the SMC-PSA Annual Awards Night late yesterday.
Filipino superstars Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and Brandon “The Truth” Vera are set to be cited after claiming World Title victories in ONE Championship.
They accumulated an astonishing record of 12-0 last year as the Filipino athletes shone in The Home Of Martial Arts.
“It’s an honor definitely,” Folayang said.
“It’s always a blessing to be in this position and be recognized for what we do. We hope that through this, we will continue to inspire others.”
Folayang reclaimed his ONE Lightweight World Title when he defeated Singapore’s Amir Khan by way of unanimous decision last November at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS, the same night Vera defended his ONE Heavyweight World Title against Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli of Italy.
Belingon finally got his hands on the ONE Bantamweight World Champion when he defeated Bibiano Fernandes via split decision in a highly-anticipated rematch at ONE: HEART OF THE LION this past November.
They will be joined by several notable names in other sports which include WBO mini flyweight champion Vic Saludar and Manny Pacquiao’s trainer Buboy Fernandez Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, and golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Lois Kaye Go, all gold medal winners at the 2018 Asian Games will be awarded with the coveted Athlete of the Year honors.

Canlubang and Luisita start showdown in PAL Seniors Interclub golf

CEBU CITY — The 33rd Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships get under way Wednesday with defending champion Canlubang and 16-time titlist Luisita kicking off their showdown at the Alta Vista Golf Club, a mountain course designed by Gary Player.
Both teams made only one change in their respective lineups with Tommy Manotoc returning for Canlubang and former pro Demy Saclot debuting for Luisita.
Except for Dave Hernandez, Canlubang will be represented by the same team that beat Luisita by eight points last year in Bacolod City. They are brothers Abe and Pem Rosal, Rolly Viray, Mari Hechanova, Abe Avena, Zaldy Villa and Damasus Wong.
Luisita, which last won the crown in 2017, also fielded the same players that played last year, namely: Eddie Bagtas, Benjie Sumulong, Rodel Mangulabnan, Raffy Garcia, Chino Raymundo, Edmund Yee and Chito Laureta.
With the addition of Manotoc, a fixture in many champion teams, Canlubang remains a formidable squad, but Luisita captain Jeric Hechanova is unfazed.
“In the end, it’s up to our team to perform and not worry about the other team,” Hechanova said.
Hechanova said all his players are playing well in the run-up to the Interclub, particularly Mangulabnan, the reigning national seniors champion.
Cebu Country Club and Del Monte complete the cast in the championship division. A record field of 108 teams is seeing action in the four-day event that will also be played at the Club Filipino de Cebu.
The Molave scoring system will be used in the four-to-play, three-to-count event. Par is worth 3 points and regulation play is equivalent to 54 points.

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