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SBP and Chooks-to-Go hold 3×3 caging in Cebu

THE FIRST of the two-day 3×3 basketball fiesta of Chooks-to-Go and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was a rousing success.
The Manok ng Bayan-SBP 3X3 notched the FIBA-record for most kids playing in a 3×3 game, Saturday afternoon at the Sisters of Mary School Boystown in Minglanilla, Cebu.
A grand total of 1,380 kids signed up in the FIBA 3X3 Play app and played in the eight-hour, SBP-sanctioned under-18 tourney. This shattered the previous-FIBA record of 1,114.
“We at Chooks-to-Go are really elated with the turnout. But this victory is not ours alone. It’s the country’s achievement,” beamed Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas. “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the SBP and the sisters from SMS for making all of this possible.”
Gracing the event together with the sports patron were SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio, Batang Gilas team manager Andrew Teh, and former youth team stars Kobe Paras and Thirdy Ravena.
This project by the SBP that was played across 50 courts was headed by SBP’s Mark Solano, Ryan Betia, Xander Gubat, Region XIII director Jerry Abuyabor, and SMS athletic director Van Parmis.
“I’ll put some religious context to this when I say this is divine intervention. This is divine providence. God works in mysterious ways because it was by accident that the SBP learned there were these number of courts. And we’re glad that we’re making history with these young kids,” said Mr. Barrios.
“It’s very overwhelming and heartwarming that we got into this partnership with Chooks-to-Go and the Sisters of Mary nuns to make this happen.”
The champions of Leg 4, composed of Joeffrey Ramiso, Argie Basaya, Dennis Gantaloa, and Alunar Escraman ruled day one of the tournament, beating Leg 3 champions, made up of Jayar Tigle, Junel Mainit, Alexander Respito, and Bretneil Zamoria in the champion of champions battle in front of their Alloysian peers.
Leg 2 was won by John Vincent Valenzona, Jimboy Roxas, Ralph Kendrick Delposo, and Mark Anthony Gidayawan of B46. Topping Leg 1 were the B32 quartet of John Louie Lechedo, Archie Samonte, John Rey Ichon, and Adrian Cacaldo.
But there is one more record still standing — the most number of participants in a tournament which is set at 1,898. And yesterday, the SBP was looking to topple this record as well at Girlstown in Talisay.
“We are not yet done,” declared Mr. Mascariñas.

Chua claims 4-peat as Prima Bowler of the Year

KENNETH CHUA bagged his fourth consecutive male bowler of the year title recently in the Team Prima Annual Awards Night at the V Corporate Centre in Makati City.
The 27-year-old national bowler was a strong contender for the award as he topped the 16th DATBI-CSI NBT Invitational Open in Dagupan, Pangasinan and Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF) PAGCOR Philippine International Open last May.
He also captured the 2018 MBA Open Masters last July and his recent was last week’s First PBF national Matchplay Championships. Those achievements were enough to snare his fourth overall Bowler of the Year award during the annual event organized by Team Prima chairman Alexander Lim.
“Winning the Prima bowler of the year for the fourth consecutive time feels special. Hard work and persistence have helped me to bring home the 2018 Prima bowler of the year,” said Chua. “I would thank the Lord for giving me strength to help me achieve my goals for 2018.”
Alexis Sy, meanwhile, regained the female bowler of the year crown after ruling the 2018 Bowling World Cup National Championship last October to qualify for the 54th International Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada last November along with bowler Merwin Tan.
Sy also represented the country as part of the women’s team in the 2018 Asian Games last August.
In the badminton class, Nephtali Pineda and Andre Abalos won the men and women of the year award while Zeth Quiambao and Ghiselle Bautista grabbed the junior male and female awards, respectively.
Other awardees were Clarence Tiu and Vivian Padawan (Bowler of the Year Cebu Male and Female), Art Barrientos, Dale Lazo (Junior Bowler of the Year Male and Female), Nicco Agujo and Pauline Sta. Ana (Most Improved Bowler of the Year Male and Female).
In other sports, veteran cyclist Eboy Farr copped the Cyclist of the Year title while Cha Pagdilao took home the Photographer of the Year award and triathlete Wacky Baniqued claimed the Multisport Athlete of the Year crown.

Young Pinoy chess phenom shines in Singapore chessfest

FILIPINO chess wizard Jasper Concepcion Faeldonia finished tied for first in the 35th Singapore National Age Group Chess Championships last Sunday at the Kallang Theatre at the Singapore Sports Hub. The 14-year-old Faeldonia, a grade 8 student of Arellano University — under the watchful eye of National Master Rudy Ibañez and Odiongan, Romblon mayor Trina Firmalo-Fabic — defeated Fook Weng Pheng of Malaysia in the eight and final round. Faeldonia needed two hours and 30 minutes to beat his last round opponent using the black side of the Chebanenko Slav in 35 pushes.
The Manila-based Faeldonia who hails from Odiongan, Romblon is the 2018 Philippine Age Group Under 14-champion. He tied with top seed Sean Christian Goh of Singapore for a total of seven points in eight outings. Faeldonia’s Singapore stint is supported by Mayor Fabic, Arellano University, Manila councilor Anton Capistrano, sportsman Reli de Leon, eight-time Illinois champion International Master Angelo Young, national master Edgardo Garma, seven-time Philippine executive champion Dr. Jenny Mayor, Arena Grandmaster and Fide Master elect Robert Suelo Jr. Arellano University head coach national master Rudy Ibañez says, “God bless Jasper. Its a good sign to keep your nerves of steel specially this is a campaign outside our country.” — Marlon Bernadino

Motivated Griffin

Blake Griffin was empathic in his denial. Asked about his sprint off the court after warmups yesterday, he waxed angry and argued that it was simply part of his pregame routine over the last nine years. Never mind that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer stood waiting for him in the sidelines ready for a handshake, and that he, in turn, appeared to veer away and head straight to the tunnel. In retrospect, he may well have been right — which is not to contest he wasn’t being disingenuous as well; not for nothing had they not spoken at all since he was traded to the Pistons in late January.
If there was any doubt as to where Griffin stood in regard to his stunning departure from the Clippers, he made sure to erase it with a masterful performance. His stat line said it all; he scored 44 points (on 21 shots), grabbed eight rebounds, and issued five assists in leading the Pistons to victory. He was engaged on both ends of the floor from opening tip, and after he put up 15 in the first quarter alone, all and sundry knew he was on a mission. The fans at Staples Center certainly appreciated his presence, if not his contributions to the cause since being drafted first overall in 2009; they greeted him with cheers when he made his appearance, and then with an ovation when a tribute of his past exploits was shown on the Jombotron.
Life continues, of course, and Griffin underscored how much — and, yes, how little — he has moved on. The Clippers’ severance of their ties with him shocked him, not because he didn’t like his new digs, but because he was promised the keys to the franchise — along with a whopping five-year, $171-million contract — in the immediate past offseason. That he had no clue of his diminished status in the few intervening months served to further pry open his wounds. And that he still looks insistent on picking at scabs indicates he won’t be speaking with Ballmer, or head coach Doc Rivers, or head of hoops operations Lawrence Frank anytime soon.
It is, to be sure, irrelevant in the final analysis. Griffin is, by all accounts, at his best with the Pistons, norming career highs in points and true shooting percentage, and, under new mentor Dwane Casey, acting as the fulcrum of the offense. Given his contributions, he’s clearly bent on earning every cent of his salary. And for all the pettiness of his beef with the Clippers, it has kept him motivated. That said, Detroit is not Los Angeles, and where he once harbored championship aspirations, he now has an eye towards simply making the playoffs. He is where he is, and, one day, he may yet truly acknowledge it en route to finding peace of mind.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

From the Front Page: PHL to outpace China’s GDP growth

The nation’s anti-money laundering council has set its sights on local nonprofit groups, estimating P600 billion in funds from illegal activities channeled through these outfits over the last five years. The group’s latest report pointed to “service type non-profit organizations particularly involved in charitable, agricultural, educational, and livelihood activities largely located in the National Capital Region.” Most of the P600 billion was generated through investment scams and Janet Napoles Lim’s infamous pork barrel scheme, the report found.
Foreign currency reserves settled in at the highest level in seven months last December, marking the second straight month on the rise. Gross international reserves totaled $78.461 billion, up from November, but lower than the $81.57 billion recorded a year prior. The central bank attributed the relative growth to inflows from its foreign exchange operations, coupled with foreign currency deposits and gains from its gold holdings.
Finance officials say investor confidence in the country is up, following the recent sale of $1.5 billion in 10-year offshore dollar bonds. This marked a successful return to the international capital markets, the Bureau of the Treasury said, with the debt notes rated “BBB”, a notch above minimum investment grade. Finance Secretary Dominguez says this illustrates the government’s “ability to maintain fiscal discipline while spending big on infrastructure modernization, human capital development, and social protection of the poor.”
According to the World Bank’s latest global economic report, the Philippines is expected to weather the world GDP growth slowdown over the next few years. The nation will be among the fastest-growing countries in East Asia and the Pacific, roughly matching or outpacing China. But while a robust economic base and macroeconomic fundamentals have shielded the country from external shocks, some external and local risks still pose a threat to the Philippine economy.
With the May midterms closing in, “political positioning” could dampen Philippine growth. That’s according to Moody’s Investors Service, which cited the tax reform and national budget approval delays as signs of rising political risks. “Rather than political infighting in the Philippines, what we see is a political calendar having an impact with regards to reform and the functioning of the government,” said Christian de Guzman, Moody’s senior credit officer.

Foreign direct investments continue to drop in October

By Melissa Luz T. Lopez, Senior Reporter
FOREIGN investments to the Philippines sustained a three-month slide in October, the central bank reported on Friday, casting doubt on forecasts of another banner year amid a slump in sentiment.
Foreign direct investments (FDI) plunged to $491.37 million for the month, marking a 74.2% plunge from the $1.904 billion tallied in October 2017.
This sustains a third straight decline in inflows, and is the lowest level logged since July 2017 when investments shored up just $344.19 million.
FDIs infuse additional capital for the Philippine economy, which open up more jobs and spur domestic activity by supporting business expansions.
The drop was attributed to a sharp decline in equity inflows, with the net investments plunging to $98 million from $1.529 billion a year ago. October saw gross placements at $112 million but cancelled out by $14 million in outflows. This is a far cry from the $1.595 billion investments a year ago, which was only met by $66 million in withdrawn capital.
Reinvested earnings, or funds which foreign businesses chose to keep here to fuel business expansions, slightly rose to $62 million from $57 million previously.
Investments in debt instruments or inter-company borrowings also rose to $331 million from $318 million, up 4.2% year-on-year.
In a statement, the BSP said bulk of the investments went into manufacturing; real estate; financial and insurance; electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply; and wholesale and retail trade activities.
October’s plunge brought the 10-month FDI tally amounted to $8.53 billion, just 1.8% higher than the $8.376 billion received during the comparable period in 2017.
The biggest investment sources are Singapore ($905.65 million), Hong Kong ($263.97 million), China ($189.33 million), Japan ($183.51 million) and United States ($120.21 million), the central bank added.
The sustained decline in FDI inflows cast doubt on the BSP’s $10.4-billion forecast for 2018, which was revised from the initial $9.2-billion estimate and is higher than the $10.049 billion tally in 2017.
One analyst said the slump may be due to global geopolitical tensions, which kept investors wary of making big bets.
“I think the general sentiment on the uncertainties brought about by the US-China trade war has momentarily affected investor sentiment for the Philippines. Even as studies assert that a continued trade war may actually be beneficial for countries like the Philippines, the uncertainties are seemingly strong and forcing potential investors to wait and see again,” said Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines.
“However, recent developments on the trade showdown showing improvement on general sentiment, may sway the negative tide of uncertainty,” he added.
Still, Mr. Asuncion flagged that while FDI inflows may improve, it “may not be enough” to realize the full-year estimate.
Michael L. Ricafort, economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., also noted that lower FDIs may have been due to the passage of package two of tax reform, which prompted a “wait-and-see” stance among investors as they seek clarity on the fate of fiscal incentives scheme in the country which the bill wants to revamp.
Rising inflation, higher interest rates and a weaker peso may have also turned foreign businesses away, but Mr. Ricafort said that FDIs “could start to pick up” now that prices are easing.

BSP downplays effect of Hanjin default on banking industry

By Melissa Luz T. Lopez, Senior Reporter
and Denise A. Valdez, Reporter
LOCAL banks’ exposure to embattled firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC-Philippines) is “negligible,” a senior central bank official said, noting that local lenders are well-placed to weather these loan defaults.
The South Korean shipbuilder’s unit based in Subic Bay filed for corporate rehabilitation last Jan. 8, leaving some $412 million in outstanding loans from Philippine banks in limbo.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Officer-in-Charge Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said they have received a report about Hanjin’s fallout, but an initial assessment by the regulator shows that the banking industry can weather this blow.
“Based on our initial assessment, some banks are exposed to Hanjin but relative to both total loans of the banking system and total FCDU (foreign currency deposit units) loans of the banking system, their exposure is very negligible,” Mr. Guinigundo said in a text message when sought for comment.
A report claimed that the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), and BDO Unibank, Inc. are now working together to cover their combined loan exposure to the Korean conglomerate. The lenders are said to be working to take control of Hanjin’s property in Zambales, with assets estimated at $1.6 billion.
This did not prevent investors to take caution, with bank stocks at the Philippine Stock Exchange seeing the biggest plunge during Friday’s session. By market close, the financials sub-index slipped by 2.54% amid the PSEi’s 1.02% decline and the broader all shares-index’s 0.73% dip.
Stock prices of three of the listed banks slid in the wake of the news. Shares at RCBC suffered the steepest blow as it dropped by 9.12% on Friday, while Metrobank and BPI stock prices went down by 4.82% and 4.76%, respectively. Meanwhile, BDO shares steadied from Thursday’s close.
The involved banks are among the 10 biggest lenders in the Philippines.
“The banks in compliance with the BSP’s regulations have risk management systems in place, they are very liquid and their profitability has been sustained. Their loan loss provisioning is more than a hundred percent. They can very well handle and manage this specific case,” Mr. Guinigundo added.
The central bank has long introduced a set of standards to manage credit risks by asking big banks to maintain capital buffers worth at least 10% of their assets, as well as maintaining a 25% single borrower’s limit (SBL) to manage exposures.
In particular, the SBL caps credit lines extended to a single person or firm to ensure that the banks will not fold even if that borrower will suddenly default.
However, Mr. Guinigundo declined to give further comments, noting that Hanjin’s fate is now pending before a regional trial court in Olongapo. Overall, he said that local banks are “very strong” and adequately capitalized overall.
In a separate statement, BDO President Nestor V. Tan admitted that they have an exposure to Hanjin but they are “more than adequately provided for” in terms of potential losses.
CHINESE FIRMS KEEN ON SUBIC SHIPYARD
Meanwhile, two shipbuilders from China have expressed interest in acquiring HHIC-Philippines, according to an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
“Over the past two days, we have gotten in touch again with the mga pumuntang investors dati [investors who visited before]. Sinabi natin situation and malaki interest nila [We told them about the situation and they’ve shown great interest]… Dalawa from China [Two from China],”
Ceferino S. Rodolfo, DTI undersecretary and Board of Investments (BoI) managing director, said during a DTI press briefing in Makati City on Friday.
While naming the companies, Mr. Rodolfo described them as big shipyard operators in China. He said representatives from the Chinese companies have asked him for more information about HHIC’s Subic shipyard operations.
Last Tuesday, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported the Philippine unit of Hanjin filed for corporate rehabilitation almost 13 years after it was established.
In a statement, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said “serious financial trouble” pushed Hanjin to file for corporate rehabilitation with the Regional Trial Court of Olongapo City.
SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said Hanjin officials informed her that the company’s debts reached around $400 million from Philippine banks, and around $900 million from South Korean lenders.
“The bottomline is that the company said it does not have enough cash to repay its loans, and that it cannot continue with its operations under these circumstances,” Ms. Eisma was quoted in the statement as saying.
Mr. Rodolfo said while a number of investors have already been looking at opportunities in the Philippines for shipbuilding and repair — some of which have also visited Hanjin in Subic — the recent news sparked interest from investors.
“If you look at the assets of Hanjin, it’s very specialized for the very big vessels, international vessels. Very few companies would have that capability to produce those kinds of ships and market,” he said, noting that the two Chinese companies are in the business of building big ships, and the other one in producing roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) ships too.
“From an industry development perspective, our interest in the Philippines is to produce the smaller ones, those that would provide to us the RoRo ships. So we’re looking at all possibilities,” Mr. Rodolfo added.
The BoI official also recalled that around two to three investors visited the Subic shipyard last year, but HHIC-Philippines was valued then at $2.6 billion. Right now, he said the enterprise value of HHIC-Philippines is estimated at $1.6 billion.
Mr. Rodolfo noted the company has reduced its pool of workers to 3,800 from around 40,000 workers when it was at its peak.
SBMA said in its Wednesday statement the company is still working on six multi-million building projects.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the DTI is eager to find a white knight for HHIC-Philippines.
“The first objective natin [of DTI] is ma-replace siya ng [to replace it with] another shipbuilder that will take over,” he said during the briefing.
“Their problem really is the working capital, cash flow that is basically hampering their operation. So ang kailangan masuportahan [where support is needed] is first, to assist in the possible strategic investor coming from the industry to be the one doing, taking over. In other words, buying that business,” Mr. Lopez added.
HHIC maintains a shipyard at the Subic Bay Freeport Area since 2006 and has hired over 22,000 workers prior to this week’s shutdown.

Duterte tops Pulse Asia trust ratings survey

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte remains the most trusted among the four top national officials, according to Pulse Asia’s December 2018 Nationwide Survey on the performance and trust ratings of key government officials.
But Mr. Duterte’s ally, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is the least trusted top official, according to the survey.
Released on Friday, Jan. 11, the Pulse Asia survey results for the month of December last year showed that Mr. Duterte’s trust rating was at 76%, up by four percentage points from his rating in September.
The trust ratings of Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo (56%) and Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III (66%) did not change since the September survey.
The trust rating of Ms. Arroyo was 21%, up by two percentage points from her 19% trust rating in September.
The number Filipinos who distrust Ms. Arroyo has increased by two percentage points to 45% from 43% in September.
Meanwhile, Mr. Duterte’s distrust rating has decreased by three percentage points to 6% from 9% in September. The distrust ratings of Ms. Robredo and Mr. Sotto remained at 17% and 6%, respectively.
PERFORMANCE RATINGS
The same survey, which was conducted from Dec. 14 to 21 last year with a sample of 1,800 representative adults (18 years old and above) nationwide, showed that the approval rating of Mr. Duterte’s performance has increased by six percentage points to 81% from September’s 75%.
The Approval rating of Ms. Robredo rose by 1 percentage point in December from the previous 61%. From 73%, Mr. Sotto’s approval rating rose to 74%. Ms. Arroyo, for her part, got 27%.
“Most Filipinos express appreciation for the performance of President Rodrigo R. Duterte (81%), Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo (62%), and Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III (74%),” said the report. “In contrast, a big plurality of Filipinos (43%) are critical of the work done by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Levels of indecision regarding the performance of these national government officials range from 13% for President Duterte to 30% for House Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo. Between September and December 2018, the only notable movement in these figures is the increase in the approval rating of President Duterte (+6 percentage points).”
Pulse Asia noted that there was no comparative performance data available for Ms. Arroyo because she was not included in the performance question in the September 2018 survey. She assumed the House leadership on July 23, 2018, less than three months before the survey was conducted.
“Just as President Duterte scores majority approval and trust ratings across geographic areas (69% to 96% and 67% to 91%, respectively) and socio-economic groupings (78% to 87% and 74% to 82%, respectively), Senate President Sotto also has the approval and trust of most Filipinos in the different geographic areas (66% to 77% and 60% to 73%, respectively) and socio-economic classes (72% to 74% and 63% to 68%, respectively),” the report said.
As for Ms. Robredo, the Pulse Asia said she “registers majority approval and trust ratings in most geographic areas (64% to 70% and 55% to 60%, respectively) and Classes D and E (61% to 72% and 55% to 62%, respectively). The latter also has a majority approval rating in Class ABC (56%). However, less than half of those in this socio-economic grouping trust the Vice-President (49%).”
On Ms. Arroyo, “the only majority figure obtained by the House Speaker is her 52% distrust rating in Metro Manila. Big pluralities to near majorities in the rest of Luzon (43% and 46%, respectively), the Visayas (47% and 49%, respectively), and Class D (44% and 46%, respectively) are critical of and distrust House Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo. Around the same percentages either disapprove of or are undecided about the latter’s performance in Metro Manila (46% versus 38%) and Class ABC (39% versus 32%) while she records essentially the same distrust and indecision figures in Mindanao (37% versus 38%), Class ABC (47% versus 31%), and Class E (42% versus 40%),” the report states.
“Public assessment of the lawmaker’s performance is split three ways in Mindanao and Class ABC with 29% to 33% being appreciative of what she did in the past quarter, 29% to 32% expressing ambivalence on the matter, and 38% to 39% having a negative opinion about it.”
Sought for comment, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar said in a statement: “The latest Pulse Asia Survey, which gives President Rodrigo Roa Duterte an 81% Approval and 76% Trust Rating, is a testament to how this administration is attuned to the needs of the greater majority. This government will continue to focus on the goal of giving a ‘comfortable life for all’ rid of hard drugs, criminality and corruption.”
For her part, Ms. Arroyo said: “Those trust ratings are not new to me. Remember, I was pilloried very much when I was president so I haven’t done much to overcome that because I just have to do my work. My thrust is to concentrate on my work. I already said it the last time, I am not a stranger to those kinds of ratings.”
SENATE, HOUSE, AND SUPREME COURT
From September to December 2018, the Pulse Asia survey results showed that gains in public approval were experienced by the Senate (69%, up by six percentage points), the Lower House (66%, up by 10 percentage points), and the Supreme Court (64%, up by 12 percentage points).
“In terms of the trustworthiness of these entities, the only marked movements are the: (1.) increase in trust ratings of the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court in the Visayas (both at +11 percentage points); (2.) gain in public trust experienced by the High Court in Class D (+7 percentage points); and (3.) drop in indecision figures recorded by the Supreme Court in the Visayas (-11 percentage points) and Class D (-9 percentage points),” the report said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Trillanes charged with making grave threats

EMBATTLED opposition Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV is facing yet another court case — this time he has been charged with threatening a government official.
In a document released on Friday, Janette O. Herras-Baggas, the Assistant City prosecutor of the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 47, charged Mr. Trillanes with the crime of “grave threats” stemming from a confrontation with Labor Undersecretary Jacinto V. Paras during a Senate hearing last year.
According to the charge sheet, the senator made the following statements during the May 29, 2018 hearing which “created fear and anxiety on the mind” of Mr. Parras “that the threats will be carried out”:
“Ang lakas ng loob mo. Hindi magtatanggol ang amo mo. Matatapos din yan. Yayariin kita. Mersenaryo ka. Yayariin kita. (You’ve got some nerve. Your master will not save you. That will end. I will finish you. You are a mercenary. I will finish you.)”
“Tatawa-tawa ka pa. May araw ka din. Yayariin kita. (Go on, laugh. Your day will come. I will end you.)”
“Suwerte mo… mabait itong… secretary kun’di yayariin kita eh. (You are lucky… this secretary is nice, if he was not, I would finish you.)”
“I have conducted a preliminary investigation of this case in accordance with law, that the complainant was personally examined and that on the basis of the sworn statement and other evidence presented, there is reasonable ground to believe that the crime charged has been committed,” said the document which was signed by Assistant City Prosecutor.
Arraignment and a preliminary conference on the case have been set for the morning of Feb. 15, according to an order by Acting Presiding Judge Joeven D. Dellosa from the Pasay MTC dated Dec. 14, 2018. The order and the charge sheet, which was received by the court on Dec. 7, were only made public on Friday.
In the same order, Mr. Dellosa directed Mr. Paras “to appear before the Court on the same date for purposes of plea bargaining, where allowed, and notification of trial dates.”
Mr. Trillanes, who recently returned from a trip to Europe, said that he will face all the accusations against him in court.
“I just arrived from my trip last Wednesday despite all threats against me, precisely, to show there people that I am not afraid of them,” the senator said in a statement released on Friday.
This is not the first case Mr. Paras has filed against Mr. Trillanes. Last year, the Labor Undersecretary charged the Opposition Senator with inciting to sedition in relation to statements made by the senator after President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued Proclamation No. 572 which voided Mr. Trillanes’ 2011 amnesty on coup d’etat charges.
Because of Proclamation No. 572, Mr. Trillanes is currently facing a revived rebellion case in a Makati court related to the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007.
Mr. Trillanes also has a libel case in Davao. — Gillian M. Cortez

Estrella-Pantaleon bridge closure reset to Jan. 19

THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge which links Makati City and Mandaluyong City will be closed starting on Jan. 19 for three years of reconstruction.
The bridge was initially scheduled to close on Jan. 12. Prior to that, the bridge was closed for two days on September last year, but it was reopened for the Yuletide season upon the request of the MMDA.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will spearhead the reconstruction of the bridge.
MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia, Jr. said that it will be a total replacement. The new bridge will be made to handle more vehicles that traverse between Makati and Mandaluyong.
“Total replacement ang gagawin (It will be a total replacement)… This bridge is only two way, kaso ’yung capacity niya hindi na kaya ’yung 35,000 na dumadaan in an average [day] (it does not have the capacity to handle the average of 35,000 vehicles that pass through it a day). It’s not just the safety, it is about widening it to cater [to] more [vehicles],” said Mr. Garcia in a press briefing on Friday, Jan. 11.
Mr. Garcia said that from its current two lanes, the bridge will have four lanes and sidewalks after the reconstruction.
Aside from the volume of the vehicles that pass through the bridge, the MMDA also cited safety concerns about the bridge, citing the need to prepare for a possible high-magnitude earthquake in the future.
“’Yung Philvolcs, nagkaroon tayo ng study diyan. Matibay siya, pero hindi siya designed for a highly urbanized area,” said Mr. Garcia. (The Philvolcs [Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology] had a study about the bridge. It is sturdy but it is not designed for a highly urbanized area.)
He added, “They really need to widen it at patibayan rin. Alam naman natin yung natural disasters hindi natin alam kung kailan darating ’yan.” (They really need to widen it and strengthen it. We all know that natural disasters are unpredictable.)
With the closure, motorists’ travel time between the cities could increase to 30 minutes to an hour, from the usual 10-minute drive when using the bridge.
Mr. Garcia said the replacement of the bridge, also known as Rockwell Bridge, will take 30 months.
The reconstruction of the bridge is part of the government’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure project and is funded by the Chinese government with a budget of P1.47 billion.
The Estrella-Pantaleon bridge will be closed starting at 4 a.m. on Jan. 19.
On Monday, Jan. 14, the MMDA will start road clearing operations along the alternate routes which are as follows:
• All vehicles coming from the Cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan ,and Quezon City using the Mabuhay Lane (Sgt. Bumatay and Barangka Drive) must take right at Pantaleon, then Coronado, then take the Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge to their destination.
• Vehicles coming from Maysilo and San Francisco should go straight ahead to Coronado and the Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge to their destination.
• Other vehicles coming from Mandaluyong going to the Makati Business Center via EDSA can turn at the Guadalupe Cloverleaf to J.P. Rizal Ave. Extension, then turn left at Estrella towards their destination.
• All exiting vehicles from TIVOLI Garden Residences shall use the back gate located at the private road (Sen. N. Gonzales Road).
• All vehicles coming from Makati Ave. should take P. Burgos (which will be made a one way street), straight to the Makati-Mandaluyong Bridge, then Coronado, then San Francisco, then they can take the Mabuhay Lane to their destination.
• Vehicles coming from Rockwell can take Estrella then turn right at Gumamela St., then left at Camia St. to J.P. Rizal, then on to their destination.
• Public utility jeeps (PUJ) and tricycles shall be diverted to the Private Road (Sen. N. Gonzales Road) and vice versa. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

PNP, AFP ordered to secure the BOL plebiscite, elections

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to secure the upcoming plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the National and Local Elections (NLE).
The president issued Memorandum Order (MO) 34 on Dec. 28, 2018, which states that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will deputize the PNP, AFP, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the BOL plebiscite on Jan. 21 will be peaceful and orderly.
Also issued on the same day was MO 35 on the deputation by the Comelec of the PNP, AFP, and other law enforcement agencies for the midterm elections on May 13.
The two Memorandum Orders were only made public on Friday, Jan. 11.
Section 2 of Article 9-C of the 1987 Constitution states that the Comelec will “deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.”
On Dec. 28, the Comelec signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the AFP and PNP before members of the media for the three agencies to work together in ensuring the safe implementation of the BOL plebiscite and NLE.
Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez told reporters on Friday that the commission’s authority to deputize the law enforcement departments and agencies “is standard practice.”
He added that for the midterm elections, “We can provide training for them (the law enforcement departments and agencies) so that on election day, makakapagadminsiter sila ng (they can administer their) presence sa iba’t ibang (in different) polling places.”
Regarding the BOL, the Comelec announced the final list of petitioner-local government units (LGUs) that will take part in the plebiscite. The BOL states that areas that are contiguous have the option to join the new Bangsamoro region.
The plebiscite for the approved contingent areas of the Bangsamoro region will be on Feb. 6. — Gillian M. Cortez

Gov’t gaining grounds vs Reds — DILG

THE government is gaining ground against the communist insurgency as the number of rebels continues to decline, said Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año.
Saying that 8,367 rebels surrendered to the government between July 1 and Dec. 28, 2018, Mr. Año said the communist movement is currently in a sharp decline. Many of the former rebels were granted benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
“Lives are being changed by the E-CLIP program,” he said in a statement released on Friday, Jan. 11. “With more than a thousand former rebels who have received financial assistance last year, we hope that their testimonies will serve as an encouragement for more communist rebels to surrender.”
Of the 8,367, he said 1,207 were armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) while the rest were with the Militia ng Bayan, the Sangay ng Partido sa Lokal, and underground mass activists.
The Interior secretary said that communist leader Jose Maria C. Sison cannot accept the decline of communist rebels.
“We must remember that Joma [Mr. Sison’s nickname] is a master-propagandist. He will twist facts to suit his own reality. Hindi niya kasi matanggap na nagtatagumpay ang programa ng gobyerno para sa mga rebelde at maraming rebelde na ang gustong magbagong-buhay (He cannot accept that the government’s program for rebels is succeeding and that there are many rebels who want to change their lives),” said Mr. Año.
He added, “To arrest the decline of the Communist movement, Joma and his minions has been clamoring for the resumption of the Oslo peace talks. That’s the best way to stop the hemorrhage. They were already given their chance and blew it, the train has left the station.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Sison said the communist party will remain steadfast despite attacks by government forces.
“In the test of strength in the battlefield, the revolutionary movement hopes and strives to win victories all the way to the overthrow of the Duterte regime and it is up to Duterte offer peace negotiations for addressing the roots of the armed conflict with comprehensive agreements on social, economic, and political reforms,” said Mr. Sison in a statement released on Friday.
He added, “In the meantime, the NPA has no choice but to intensify the armed struggle even as the NDFP (the National Democratic Front of the Philippines) keeps the door open to peace negotiations.”
Recently, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said that the government is aiming to put an end to the communist insurgency in the last three years of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’ term in office. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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