Proof-of-Parking Space bill seen to complement MMDA policy on parking

January 13, 2019 | 10:11 pm

SENATOR Sherwin T. Gatchalian said the Proof-of-Parking Space bill still needs to be enacted with the aim of helping decongest Metro Manila’sroads, following the policy of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to impose higher fines on illegal parked vehicles.
“The MMDA’s move to impose higher penalties may now prompt motorists to think twice before parking their cars along the streets,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
“However, I believe that we still need a law that will instill a culture of responsible vehicle ownership among Filipinos,” he added.
Senate Bill No. 201 or the proposed Proof-of-Parking Space Act, which he filed, requires individuals and businesses to execute an affidavit confirming that they have acquired a parking space before being allowed to purchase vehicles.
The bill also mandates the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the MMDA, and local government units to conduct ocular inspections of major and minor thoroughfares of Metro Manila in order to remove illegally parked vehicles and to catch erring car owners.
A technical working group was created last October by the Senate committee on trade, commerce and entrepreneurship to refine the bill.
The MMDA recently raised the fine for attended illegally parked vehicles from P200 to P1,000. Meanwhile, drivers of unattended illegally parked vehicles will have to pay P2,000. M. Gatchalian said the bill was a complement for the MMDA’srecent policies intended to solve Metro Manila traffic.
“With this bill, we hope to make National Capital Region (NCR) a more livable place by decongesting the roads of our nation’scapital, taking a modest step toward solving Manila’sperennial traffic in the process,” he said. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Comelec: Be mindful of authorized checkpoints

January 13, 2019 | 10:11 pm

COMMISSION on Elections Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said motorists need to be aware of Comelec checkpoints as distinguished from fake checkpoints.
“The checkpoint should be located in a well-lit area and it must be manned by uniformed personnel. Kung ang checkpoint ay nasa isang madilim na lugar (If the checkpoint is in a dark area), we advise our motorists to exercise caution and discretion kasi (because) under our rules, kailangan (it must be a) well-lit area,” he said in an interview on Sunday.
He added that motorists should also see to it that a checkpoint has a sign identifying it as a “Comelec checkpoint.”
“The sign should also have the name and contact info of the election officer in charge of the area and the police officer who is in charge of the checkpoint itself,” Mr. Jimenez also said.
Mr. Jimenez said Comelec checkpoint sites “will practice plain view doctrine.”
Comelec checkpoints change locations every day and will be implemented nationwide.
Election period kicked in on Sunday, putting in effect Comelec-supervised checkpoints for the gun ban. The firearms ban will last the whole election period to June 12.
For his part, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said in a press briefing on Saturday, “Tayo ay gumagawa ng checkpoints dahil ito ay isang mabisang (We are doing checkpoints because this is an effective) intervention for crime prevention.” — Gillian M. Cortez

Azkals determined to save a win in Asian Cup debut

January 13, 2019 | 8:17 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
WITH the prospects of them advancing to the knockout stage of their debut AFC Asian Cup campaign no longer too high, the Philippine Azkals are channelling their focus to at least saving a win when they take on Kyrgyz Republic later this week in their final game in group play of the prestigious continental football spectacle.
Bowing to China People’s Republic, 3-0, last Friday in their Group C encounter, the Azkals now are at two defeats with no wins to show for and just have to hope they land among the four best third-placed teams in the groupings with a win over Kyrgyzstan on Jan. 16 to advance to the next phase.
While its fate of advancing in the tournament is still to be determined, the Philippine men’s national football team is now focusing on what it can control and win over fellow Asian Cup newbie Kyrgyzstan to bag a breakthrough win to build on moving forward.
“Overall, in the two games we have played, we have shown that we can play football. We are not going home yet, and we will see what happens in the last group stage game,” Azkals coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose team lost, 1-0, to Korea Republic in its opener on Jan. 7, was quoted as saying by the official AFC Asian Cup Website after their game against China.
But the veteran football coach, who had stops in England, Mexico, Ivory Coast and China, said they could have done better in their game against the Chinese but nonetheless proud of the efforts of the Azkals.
“It seems strange maybe but I’m rather proud of our team even if we lost 3-nil. We played very well, and we should have taken the lead. Before the game I identified three China players who were very dangerous, and Wu Lei was one of those. He scored two great goals as we did not pay him enough attention and we paid the price because of that,” said Mr. Eriksson.
Against China, the Azkals fell, 1-0, in the 40^th minute after Mr. Wu punctured in for the Chinese. The forward then doubled their lead with another goal in the 66^th minute.
For good measure, China added a third goal in the 80^th minute care of substitute Yu Dabao to complete the win that thrust the team to the next round of the competition.
For veteran Azkals player Phil Younghusband, the first goal they surrendered in the first half proved to be telling and something they just could not recover from.
“Once China got the first goal it was always going to be difficult because we play a 5-4-1 with the aim of keeping the scoreline goalless as long as possible,” Mr. Younghusband was quoted as saying by the AFC.
“Against Korea Republic we were able to keep it at 0-0 until around the 70^th minute, but with China scoring in the first half it made things harder for us. You start to chase the equalizer, chase the game, and lose spaces and lose discipline. And good teams are able to exploit that,” he added.
But the national player, who has represented the Philippines in over a hundred international matches, highlighted that there is still much to play for against Krygyzstan especially for a team like the Philippines, which is still carving its place in the Asian football scene.
“We have to win the next game. We have played [Kyrgyzstan] twice in the last few years. Played them away, played them home and we got two wins. But this is a different stage, they may have different players, we have different players. It’s a different arena,” said Mr. Younghusband.
“It will be a difficult game and they have some players we’ll need to watch out for, but we’ll now have time to prepare for all those things ahead of the match,” he added.

Banged-up Alaska Aces still looking to live up to standards

January 13, 2019 | 8:17 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
LARGELY banged-up after a gruelling campaign last season that saw them play 14 months, the Alaska Aces recognize that the just-started Season 44 of the Philippine Basketball Association will be a rough for them one early on. But they are bent on not allowing the thought consume their bid too much even as they vow to continue to play at par with their standards as a franchise.
Meeting members of the press last week in the PBA’s first-ever Media Day at the Tent of Solaire Resort and Casino, Alaska coach Alex Compton shared that they are taking a “one step back, two steps forward” approach in the early goings of the new season of the local professional league with many of their players still injured, which forced them to push back their preparation.
“All of us coaches would love to have a preseason to prepare and practice. In our case we don’t have a preseason with all our injuries. Ideally we should have six weeks of practice but us we start on Monday (today). We felt what is the point of practicing early if they are all broken down and banged-up and we can’t play five-on-five,” said Mr. Compton in an interview with BusinessWorld during media day.
“I think this will be a one step backward and two steps forward for us because we’re the last team to practice and we got so many injured guys. At anything you do, you have to practice, you have to prepare. So it’s going to be a challenge early,” he added.
The amiable Alaska coach said they are expecting to miss Vic Manuel for much, if not for the entire duration, of the season-opening Philippine Cup because of back injury while starting guard Simon Enciso is decommissioned for at least six weeks after undergoing a procedure on his knee.
Also nursing varying injuries are JVee Casio, Chris Banchero and Sonny Thoss.
Mr. Compton said good thing for them was that the league scheduled the team to play several weeks after than the rest of the field, along with the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok whom they faced and lost to in the Governors’ Cup a month ago, allowing them some time to work on their game.
“With all our injuries, had we to start on opening day it will be a big problem for us. I think the league was right in having us play later than the others because the finals [of the Governors’ Cup] ended on Dec. 19. So compared with most of the teams which had over a month to prepare, we have the fewest time to rest before the season starts,” said the coach, whose wards begin their Philippine Cup campaign on Feb. 3 against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Notwithstanding the current predicament they are in, Mr. Compton said it is still important for them to play and represent their team the right way, adhering to the standards they have set for themselves.
“While we have to deal with all these, we also must not lose our standards,” the Alaska coach underscored.
“There is a certain level of effort and energy that we demand of ourselves but at the same time we need to be realistic and manage our expectations. In the process, however, we must not compromise our standards,” Mr. Compton added.

San Miguel’s Fajardo makes PBA history as five-time league MVP

January 13, 2019 | 8:16 pm

BULACAN — June Mar Fajardo made Philippine Basketball Association history yesterday as he became the first five-time league most valuable player after being handed the top individual award for Season 43 during the Leo Awards at the Philippine Arena.
Banking on season averages of 20.6 ppg, 12.4 rpg, and 1.2 bpg in 47 outings last year that also saw him helping the San Miguel Beermen to two finals appearances and one title, the Cebuano big man notched his fifth straight MVP award.
In winning the award, Mr. Fajardo, 29, beat out Stanley Pringle of Northport Batang Pier in a two-way fight for the prestigious individual plum.
Mr. Fajardo’s latest MVP accolade moved him past PBA legends Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, whom he previously shared the most number of league MVP awards with four.
“I would like to thank God for this award. In life you just don’t know what will happen. I just continued to work hard and improve myself,” said Mr. Fajardo, who was joined by his parents in receiving the MVP award.
“I never thought I would break the record for most MVP awards. This is so special for me. I’m happy I got to share this with my parents,” he added.
Meanwhile, other winners at the annual Leo Awards were Gabe Norwood of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (Sportsmanship Award); Scottie Thompson of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (Most Improved Player); Mr. Norwood, Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok’s Rafi Reavis and Rome Dela Rosa, San Miguel’s Fajardo and Chris Ross (All-PBA Defensive Team); and Jason Perkins of the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (Rookie of the Year).
Mythical Second Team Selections were Mr. Thompson of Barangay Ginebra, Mark Barroca of Magnolia, Arwind Santos of San Miguel, JP Erram (previously of Blackwater Elite and now of the NLEX Road Warriors), and Matthew Wright of Phoenix; and First Mythical Selections were Mr. Pringley, Paul Lee of Magnolia, Mr. Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra and Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Queiroz leads Iran to Asian Cup last 16, Iraq also progresses

January 13, 2019 | 8:16 pm

AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Iran sealed their place in the knockout phase of the Asian Cup on Saturday as Carlos Queiroz’s side claimed a 2-0 win over Vietnam, while Iraq also booked their spot in the next round of the continental championship.
Iraq’s comfortable 3-0 win over debutants Yemen saw them join Iran in advancing from group D before the pair face off on Wednesday to determine who finishes in top spot in the standings ahead of the Round of 16.
Sardar Azmoun scored twice for the Iranians, who are looking to win the title for the first time since 1976, against a valiant Vietnam in a game in which Queiroz made three changes to the side that won their opener against Yemen.
“I believe that you need to have your entire squad ready to make a contribution at any moment,” said Queiroz.
“You can win games with starting line-ups but you win championships with squads. My duty as a coach is to keep the 23 players positive and with a constructive attitude.”
Azmoun put Iran ahead seven minutes before the break when he headed home Saman Ghoddos’s lofted cutback from close range.
The Rubin Kazan forward then put the result beyond doubt in the 69^th minute when he held off the Vietnamese defense before slotting into the bottom corner of Dang Van Lam’s goal.
Iraq had few problems brushing aside a Yemen side that lost 5-0 to the Iranians in their first game of the tournament.
Muhannad Ali put Srecko Katanec’s side in front with 11 minutes on the clock when he danced past several defenders and slammed home the ball from the edge of the area.
Eight minutes later, Besan Rasan teased the Yemeni defence before scoring his side’s second goal from distance as Iraq took charge of the game, with Alaa Abbas adding a third in injury time.
In the day’s late game, Saudi Arabia notched up their second win in group E to edge closer to the next round as Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side saw off Lebanon.
The 2-0 win means the Saudis will be guaranteed a top-two finish in the group and a place in the Round of 16 if Qatar defeat North Korea in their meeting in Al Ain on Sunday.
Fahad Al Muwallad put Pizzi’s side in front 12 minutes into the game when he smashed the ball past Lebanon goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil and into the roof of the net.
Hussain Al Mogahwi made his team’s second goal midway through the second half when he slid in to nudge Hatan Behebri’s perfectly delivered cross over the line from three metres out. — Reuters

Go For Gold Philippine sepak takraw team ready for Southeast Asian Games buildup

January 13, 2019 | 8:15 pm

THE PHILIPPINE sepak takraw team has a busy calendar aided by the solid backing of Go For Gold on its bid to claim the ultimate prize in the 30^th Southeast Asian Games.
Aiming for no less than the gold medal in the SEAG, the 2016 world champions will begin their journey to success by competing in the coming Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia on April 26-May 4 where the toughest teams are anticipated to show up.
“The key is to expose our players to as many overseas tournaments as we can for them to gain more experience against a variety of opponents,” said Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association, Inc. President Karen Tanchanco-Caballero.
Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go recently committed to throw his all-out support to sepak takraw’s buildup for the 11-nation Games on Nov. 30-Dec. 11 to be held in the cities of Clark, Subic and several venues in Metro Manila.
Right after their campaign in the Arafura meet, both the men’s and women’s squads are bound to set up camp in South Korea and Thailand for a few months before joining several leagues in Thailand to polish their skills and competitive spirit.
They brought home a silver and three bronze medals from the 2018 King’s Cup Sepak Takraw World Championships held in Nakhon Rachasima, Thailand where the toughest sepak performers from 31 countries suited up.
Caballero bared that they had tapped new athletes purely for exposure, but the team still came up with good results.
“With more games and tournaments coming up, they are really bound to improve in time for the SEA Games,” said Go, also the vice president for marketing of Powerball Marketing and Logistics Corp., the company behind the Go For Gold project.
Aside from sepak takraw, Go For Gold is also a staunch supporter of several national teams in cycling, wrestling, dragonboat, triathlon and skateboarding.
Seasoned players Rheyjey Ortouste, Ronsited Gabayeron, Emmanuel Escote led the men’s team along with Joshua Gleen Bullo, Alvin Pangan, John Carlo Lee and John Bobier.
Joining the squad backed by Go For Gold and the Philippine Sports Commission are John Jeffrey Morcillos, Joeart Jumawan, Nestleer Bandivas, Christian George Encabo and Regie Reznan Pabriga.
Forming the women’s squad are Mary Melody Taming, Abegail Sinogbuhan, Gelyn Evora, Josefina Maat, Jean Marie Sucalit, Jea Mae Pepito, Jocielle Fernandez, Aisa Sabellita, Allyssa Bandoy and Lhaina Lheil Mangubat.

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

January 13, 2019 | 8:15 pm

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

January 13, 2019 | 8:15 pm

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 16^th 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 54^th 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

January 13, 2019 | 8:14 pm

FILIPINO chess wizard Jasper Concepcion Faeldonia finished tied for first in the 35^th 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

January 13, 2019 | 8:14 pm

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

January 12, 2019 | 12:54 am

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.

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