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Effusive compliments

Facing members of the media on the eve of the Lakers’ tiff against the Hornets, LeBron James was asked the inevitable queries about how he felt his career stacked up vis-a-vis that of host franchise owner Michael Jordan. Needless to say, he was effusive in his praise of the all-time great, whom he considered his childhood idol and whose trajectory he continues to follow. Growing up under challenging circumstances, he said, His Airness served as one of his few inspirations. Which, no doubt, was why he wound up hitting the ground running in yesterday’s match; he sought approbation from the single most important spectator apart from the record 19,461 on hand at the Spectrum Center.
By the time the first quarter ended, James had 12, five, and two to his name. He was engaged on both ends of the court, unusual in light of his increasing proclivity to pace himself, and his exertions enabled the Lakers to build a nine-point lead when he was subbed out with 55.9 ticks left in the period. He would go on to play 19 more minutes and produce 12 more markers, seven more caroms, and nine more dimes, his triple-double a fitting statement in the face of comparisons with Jordan, who watched the proceedings from a luxury box.
In truth, James is no Jordan, and his peak doesn’t compare to the other’s. That said, he boasts of longevity that, when all is said and done, may yet produce an unparalleled body of work. He’s two weeks from turning 34, and yet he’s still firmly in the Most Valuable Player conversation. When most other stars are already looking to hang up their jerseys, he’s turning in remarkable stat lines. Certainly, his presence is why the Lakers, whose preseason projections had them modestly clinging to a playoff seat, think they can instead claim Top-Four seeding.
First thing’s first, though. For all the heightened optimism, James knows success is a journey and not a destination. From what he sees, the Lakers still have a long way to go. They remain prone to mistakes borne of inexperience and excessive enthusiasm. And, as their loss to the Rockets last week proved, they’re lacking in composure, especially under pressure. It’s where he believes he can most help — and he did yesterday, with Jordan looking.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Theater talents: Binondo musical and Lea Salonga win big in ALIW Awards

Lea Salonga and the team behind Binondo A Tsinoy Musical were the big winners at the annual ALIW Awards night held on Dec. 13 at the Manila Hotel.
Tied with singer Erik Santos, Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga won the Entertainer of the Year award.
“Thank you also for the Entertainer of the Year Award! It was a huge thrill accepting it alongside my friend Erik Santos, who won his own as well! Yup, it was a tie!!! 2018 has been quite the year, and I’m grateful for it all. Grateful for a great cadre of fans that have been nothing but kind… for a wonderful supportive family that has been my grounding force… and for great friends that encourage and lift me up, as well as tell me the truth when I need to really hear it. I can’t say this enough: thank you. You are beyond the word ‘blessing’,” she shared in her Facebook account.
Ms. Salonga’s concert for her 40th anniversary in the industry (“LS40”) won her the Best Major Concert, female, category award. She said in her long Facebook post: “Since it was the concert that won and not the artist, that trophy belongs to my mother, the indomitable and indefatigable Ligaya Salonga, who at 81 years old is one of the fiercest humans on the planet. The concert truly was hers; all I had to do was get up on stage in a cool tux or gown and sing.”
The Binondo team, produced by Rebecca Chuaunsu, bagged six awards:  best original musical production, best stage director (Joel Lamangan), best ensemble performance, best actor-musical (David Ezra), best actress-musical (Carla Guevarra-Laforteza), and best composer for original musical theater (Von de Guzman).
Founded by Alice H. Reyes in 1976, ALIW Awards recognizes live entertainment performances.
2018 ALIW AWARDS RESULTS
Awards night held last December 13, 2018  at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel.
BEST CHILD PERFORMER

  • Kris Robles (Cinderella/Kids’ Acts Philippines)

BEST NEW ARTIST (FEMALE)

  • Janah Zaplan

BEST NEW ARTIST (MALE)

  • Shanti Dope

BEST NEW ARTIST (Group)

  • Ben N Ben

BEST CULTURAL DANCE GROUP

  • Tribu Panayanon (Iloilo City)

BEST CLASSICAL DANCE COMPANY

  • Ballet Philippines
  • Junior Halili Dance Company

BEST CULTURAL/THEATER GROUP

  • Uyat Artista (Angeles City, Pampanga)

BEST CHORAL GROUP

  • Capiz State University Main Chorale (Roxas City)

BEST FESTIVAL CATALYST/ORGANIZER

  • Mayor Mildred Joy Que (Karatong Festival/Dulag, Leyte)

BEST FESTIVAL PRACTICES and  PERFORMANCE

  • Fiesta Republika (Malolos Bulacan)

BEST INSTRUMENTALIST

  • Noli Aurillo (Guitar)

BEST DJ for Electronic Dance Music

  • Jennifer Lee

BEST FEMALE HOST

  • Cherry Maning

BEST MALE HOST

  • RJ Ledesma

BEST CLASSICAL DANCER

  • Nicole Barroso (Ballet Manila)

BEST STAND-UP COMEDIAN/HOST FOR COMEDY BARS

  • Boobay

BEST SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR

  • Rodel Mercado (Michaela Fashion Revolution/Robinsons Manila)

BEST SPECIAL EVENTS/PRODUCT LAUNCH

  • Gabay Guro PLDT (MOA Arena)

BEST CLASSICAL PERFORMER (FEMALE)

  • Jade Riccio

BEST CLASSICAL PERFORMER (MALE)

  • Jon Joven Uy

BEST CROSSOVER PERFORMER  (MALE)

  • Arman Ferrer

BEST CROSSOVER PERFORMER  (FEMALE)

  • Lara Maigue

BEST PRODUCTION FOR CHILDREN

  • Cinderella (Kids’ Acts Philippines)

BEST NON-MUSICAL PRODUCTION

  • M. Butterfly (Frontrow Entertainment/Jhett Tolentino)

BEST ORIGINAL MUSICAL PRODUCTION

  • Supremo Redux (Philippine Stagers Foundation)
  • Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical (Rebecca Chuaunsu Production/Synergy 88 Digital)

BEST DANCE PRODUCTION

  • Iconic 2  (Ballet Manila)

BEST STAGE DIRECTOR (NON-MUSICAL)

  • Kanakan Balentagos (M.Butterfly/Frontrow Entertainment)

BEST STAGE DIRECTOR (MUSICAL)

  • Joel Lamangan (Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical/Rebecca Chuaunsu Production)
  • Luigi Nacario (Cinderella/Kid’s Acts Philippines)

BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE  (MUSICAL)

  • Dulce (Nasaan si Hesus/ Buhay Isang Awit Foundation)

BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE  (NON-MUSICAL)

  • Missy MaraMara (Kundiman Party/Dulaang UP)

BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE  (MUSICAL)

  • Norman Penaflorida (Geegee at Waterina/Artist Playground)
  • Patrick Libao (Supremo Redux/Philippine Stagers Foundation)

BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE  (NON MUSICAL)

  • Vance Larena (Dilaw o Pula/Philippine Stagers Foundation)

BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

  • Ensemble Cast of Binondo,A Tsinoy Musical (Rebecca Chuaunsu /Synergy 88)

BEST NEW CONCEPT PRODUCTION

  • Hanggang sa Dulo ng Forever (CLDCAS Jocson College)

BEST PERFORMER in a NEW CONCEPT PRODUCTION

  • Banaue Miclat-Janssen (Ginugunita Kita 2018/Maningning Miclat Foundation)

BEST DIRECTOR IN NEW CONCEPT PRODUCTION

  • Jayson Gantan Pabalan  (Hanggang sa Dulo ng Forever/CLDCAS Jocson College)

BEST ACTOR (NON-MUSICAL)

  • RS Francisco (M.Butterfly/Frontrow Entertainment/Jhett Tolentino)

BEST ACTRESS (NON MUSICAL)

  • Skyzx Labastilla (Ang Dalagita’y ‘Sang Bagay na ‘Di-Buo/Dulaang UP)

BEST ACTOR (MUSICAL)

  • Roeder Camanag (Geegee at Waterina/Artist Playground)
  • David Ezra (Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical/Rebecca Chuaunsu/Synergy88)

BEST ACTRESS (MUSICAL)

  • Tanya Manalang (All Out of Love/Resorts World)
  • Carla Guevarra- Laforteza (Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical/Rebecca Chuaunsu /Synergy 88)

BEST CONCERT STAGE DIRECTOR

  • Floy Quintos (Madly Filipiniana/Pinoy Playlist)

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR

  • Jesse Lucas (Geegee at Waterina/ Artist Playground)

BEST COMPOSER FOR ORIGINAL MUSICAL THEATER

  • Von de Guzman (Binondo/Tsinoy Musical/Grand Leisure Corp)

BEST PERFORMER IN HOTEL, MUSIC LOUNGES, AND BARS

  • Jean Kiley (Centerstage/City of Dreams)

BEST PERFORMER IN HOTEL, MUSIC LOUNGES, AND BARS (GROUP)

  • Silk (Centerplay/City of Dreams)

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A CONCERT (MALE)

  • Ruben Laurente (PPP Trip ni Bentot/Maybank Performing Center)

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A CONCERT (FEMALE)

  • Dulce (Saturday Special/Hipodrome/Winford Hotel)

BEST COLLABORATION IN A CONCERT

  • Lani Misalucha/Morissette Amon  (A Lani Morissette Musical Journey/ Solaire)

BEST MAJOR CONCERT (GROUP)

  • 4th Impact (Invasion/Kia Theater)

BEST MAJOR CONCERT (MALE)

  • Erik Santos (My Greatest Moments/MOA Arena)

BEST MAJOR CONCERT (FEMALE)

  • Lea Salonga (40th Anniversary Concert/PICC)

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

  • ERIK SANTOS
  • LEA SALONGA

HALL OF FAME AWARDEES

  • Bambanti Festival (Isabela)  – Best Festival Practices and Performance
  • Merjohn Lagaya – Best Instrumentalist  (Violin)
  • Draybers – Best Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars
  • Al Gatmaitan – Best Classical Performer
  • Noel Comia Jr. – Best Child Performer

SPECIAL AWARD

  • Mayor Joy Belmonte
  • Maybank Performing Arts Center
  • Anabelle M. Calleja  (Mauban Quezon Tourism)
  • Jose Toots Tolentino
  • Pablo Tariman
  • Madly Filipiniana
  • Dance Xchange (NCCA/Shirley Halili Cruz)
  • Tanghalang Sta Ana

ALICE HERNANDEZ REYES ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

  • Imelda Papin

LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

  • Pocholo Malilin (Executive Producer/Club Mwah)
  • Rey Valera
  • Lisa Macuja
  • Nemesio V. Regalado Jr.

From the Front Page: Trade deficit, halted inflation, ease of business

The BSP voted to keep benchmark interest rates unchanged on Thursday, keeping the range at a nine-year-high 4.25% to 5.25%. Inflation is expected to trek a “lower path” over the next two years, prompting the BSP to steady benchmark rates. BSP Assistant Governor Dakila projects inflation to dip below four percent by the end of Q1 2019.
This decision comes after five consecutive tightening moves by the monetary board, bringing inflation up a total of 175 basis points. Analysts attribute the deceleration to price pressures from food and oil “finally dissipating”. After 10 straight months of accelerating, headline inflation has taken a turn and is likely to head back to target by next year,” said BPI lead economist Emilio S. Neri, Jr.
Meanwhile, Congress adjourned this week for its Dec. 15 to Jan. 13 holiday break, putting discussions on the second tax reform package on hold. While talks will resume come Jan. 14, the Finance Department fears the looming midterm elections may distract from the Senate Ways and Means committee discussions on cutting corporate income tax rates and fiscal incentives.
Preliminary data from the Philippines Statistics Authority showed October trade at a $4.212 billion deficit, a new record high, up from September’s $3.723 billion and October 2017’s $2.585 billion. Cumulatively, the balance of trade yielded a $33.918-billion deficit, bigger than the $20.128-billion gap recorded in last year’s comparable 10 months.
The Trade Department leads a host of state agencies calling for the repeal or amendment of a suite of laws, in a bid to further ease the burden on small businesses and to improve public services. These include the Bulk Sales Law (made obsolete by technological developments) and the Bonded Warehouse Act (made redundant by new government measures to ensure food sufficiency and stable prices).

Wider trade gap seen in 2018, 2019 — BSP

By Melissa Luz T. Lopez, Senior Reporter
THE central bank expects external trade to balloon to a wider deficit this year and in 2019 as imports are seen to surge faster and as global growth tapers off.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) published their latest balance of payments (BoP) projections on Friday, where they expect a bigger trade gap to persist alongside increased investment inflows.
The BoP measures the country’s transactions with the rest of the world at a given time. A deficit means more funds fled the economy than what went in, while a surplus shows that more money entered the Philippines.
The central bank now expects a $5.5-billion BoP deficit this year, more than triple the $1.5-billion forecast given back in May. The BoP tally now stands at a $5.594 billion deficit as of end-October.
This will also surge from a $900-million shortfall posted in 2017, equivalent to 0.3% of gross domestic product.
The BoP deficit will narrow to $3.5 billion in 2019, according to Dennis D. Lapid, director of BSP’s Department of Economic Research.
“One of the key developments that has happened since May is that… we were hearing a lot of trade tensions. Some of those trade tensions have materialized,” Mr. Lapid said during a press briefing.
“We’re also seeing global growth and global trade activity for goods and services, that has had a dampening effect.”
IMPORTS SURGING
Driving the wider gap in external payments is a growing trade deficit, with the current account expected to expand to a $6.4-billion shortfall in 2018, representing a steadily rising import bill.
The latest forecasts show that imports will grow by another 10% this year from an 18% increase in 2017. In contrast, exports will remain in a slump and pick up by just 1%, following a 21.4% jump posted last year.
These imports reflect additional raw material and capital goods, which are seen to support domestic economic activity.
The trade gap will account for 1.9% of GDP, the widest since 2001.
The current account — which measures fund flows drawn from goods and services trading — will broaden further to an $8.4 billion shortfall next year and will account for 2.3% of GDP, also the biggest share in 17 years.
However, Assistant Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said that these figures are not directly comparable given the different states of the economy.
“We’re not seeing any widening of the current account to unsustainable levels,” Mr. Dakila said. “Looking forward, we’ve already seen a normalization in prices of oil, so this is going to moderate the imports of mineral fuels.”
The current account is now at a $6.47 billion deficit from January-September.
The Philippines has been seeing current account surpluses until a reversal in 2015, although authorities said this simply reflected increased domestic economic activity given heavy importations for the local infrastructure drive.
By 2019, the central bank sees a better exports picture as growth is seen to pick up by 10%, together with an 11% growth in imports.
DOLLAR INFLOWS
The central bank also expects more foreign direct investments (FDI) to enter the Philippines, helping offset softer increases in service inflows.
Cash remittances are expected to grow by 3% this year and in 2019, softer than a 4% increase initially expected.
Travel receipts are seen to grow faster at 13% until next year, up from 10% previously. On the other hand, business process outsourcing revenues will soften to an 8% increase from an earlier 10% estimate.
FDIs are seen to post a banner year at $10.4 billion this year from $10.1 billion in 2017. This will be followed by $10.2 billion in 2019.

Water rates to go up in January

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
CUSTOMERS served by Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires will notice a slight increase in their bills starting Jan. 1, after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) approved rate adjustments based on inflation and the movement of the peso against the US dollar.
MWSS Chief Regulator Patrick Lester N. Ty said on Friday that its board of trustees has approved a net upward adjustment of 64 centavos per cubic meter (cu.m.) for east zone concessionaire Manila Water Company, Inc., and a P1.48 per cu.m. hike for west zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
“(These adjustments) were approved by the board of trustees yesterday (Thursday night) and will be published on Dec. 16 and to be effective Jan. 1, 2019,” Mr. Ty said in a press conference in Quezon City on Friday. MWSS reviews water rates every quarter.
Manila Water takes into account an upward of adjustment of P1.54 per cu.m for inflation, and a decrease of 90 centavos for foreign currency differential adjustment (FCDA).
This indicates a P3.34 increase in the water bills of customers with a monthly billed volume of 10 cu.m. or less; P7.39 for those with 20 cu.m., and P15.01 for those with 30 cu.m.
Meanwhile, the increase for Maynilad is based on a P1.95 per cu.m. increase due to inflation, tempered by 47-centavo decrease for FCDA.
Customers with a monthly billed volume of 10 cu.m. or less will pay an additional P5.30. Those using 20 cu.m. will pay P20.08 more, while those using 30 cu.m. will pay P41.02 more.
Mr. Ty noted that the adjustment due to inflation is based on the 5.7% inflation print recorded last July.
“Based on the concession agreement, it’s the inflation rate as of July. That will be the one used for the purposes of any adjustment in Jan. 1 the following year,” he explained.
The FCDA is a mechanism used by the MWSS and the service concessionaires to provide them a “no gain, no loss” principle. Concessionaires pay foreign currency-denominated concession fees to the MWSS, in addition to loans used to finance service improvement projects.
“Any foreign loan exposure they have will result to an FCDA adjustment. So for example any movement in the peso versus the Japanese yen or US dollars and the euro will result in an adjustment. If the peso is appreciating, then that means the FCDA will result in a negative adjustment. If the peso is depreciating, it will result in an upward adjustment,” Mr. Ty explained.
The chief regulator also noted that the FCDA could post a downward adjustment should the peso continue to appreciate against the US dollar.

No special session for 2019 budget — Palace

MALACAÑANG on Friday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte will no longer call for a special session for Congress to finish its deliberations on the proposed 2019 budget.
“I would like to confirm the announcement that the President will not be calling for a special session,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a televised press briefing on Friday, Dec. 14.
He said Senate members informed the President through Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno “that it’s physically impossible for them to hold a session because it ended yesterday (Dec. 13).”
“I suppose there’s so many activities that will involve the attention, the presence of all members of Congress. So in deference to that, the President is not calling [for a] special session,” he explained.
For his part, Mr. Diokno said in a statement: “The Senators appear exhausted. They requested a break. Congress will resume on Jan 14.”
“Hopefully, the legislators will be fully reinvigorated by then and will act swiftly for the enactment of the 2019 budget. The sooner Congress act on the new budget, the lower the negative impact of a reenacted one on the economy. Since the capital spending is not re-enacted public capital formation will suffer leading to loss of jobs and deeper poverty,” he also said.
Under the 1987 Constitution, the President can call on Congress to convene in special session at any time.
Mr. Diokno has warned that a reenacted 2018 budget, as called for if Congress fails to pass budget legislation for 2019, will delay the implementation of new projects in light of the public works ban accompanying the May elections.
The Senate is planning to insert provisions in the General Appropriations Bill or to pass a joint resolution that will remove the election ban on public works for 2019 to address the concerns of the executive branch. — A.L. Balinbin

Malacañang calls lawmakers’ treatment of Diokno ‘unparliamentary’

MALACAÑANG on Friday slammed lawmakers at the House of Representatives for their “unparliamentary behavior” towards Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno.
The House conducted its Question Hour last Tuesday, Dec. 11, subjecting the Budget chief to questioning over the alleged realignment of funds in the proposed budget.
Last Wednesday, the House adopted a resolution urging President Rodrigo R. Duterte to reconsider the appointment of Mr. Diokno over alleged irregularities in the proposed budget.
In a televised press briefing on Friday, Mr. Panelo said some Cabinet members have expressed their opinions on how Mr. Diokno was treated by some congressmen during the Question Hour.
“I will read to you certain salient points. From [Finance] Secretary Carlos (G.) Dominguez: ‘To use a congressional process to bombard Secretary Diokno with preconceived questions and answers in aid not of legislation but of persecution and excoriating him with baseless allegations is a mockery of standard democratic procedures. The fact that the resolution was swiftly approved and submitted the day after indicates that these series of acts was politically motivated and reeks of power play and ill purposes.’”
He added: “From [Transportation] Secretary [Arthur P.] Tugade: ‘We have witnessed the disrespect and utter lack of courtesy displayed by members of the House of Representatives toward the Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno. The congressional resolution urging a reconsideration of the DBM Secretary’s appointment is a sheer violation of the separation of powers on the basis of seemingly biased and hastily called Question Hour.’”
Mr. Panelo said that Malacañang “accordingly hopes that there would be no repeat of the recent incident in the House of Representatives involving our Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno.”
He also said that “this unparliamentary behavior has no place in the hallowed grounds of Congress, where members are referred to as ‘Honorable’ as they represent their districts or sectors.”
“There is no honor in browbeating a fellow worker and officer in government. We will not allow a similar incident from taking place,” Mr. Panelo stressed. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Software for Comelec’s election management system ready

ONE software program to be used by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for next year’s midterm elections has already been completed, in time before the release of the list of candidates this month.
On Friday, the poll body livestreamed the presentation to stakeholders and media of American voting software company Pro V&V on how the software will be assembled and executed for the upcoming 2019 elections.
The trusted build or the software program to be used to convert the source code for all equipment to be used in the 2019 elections is already done. This system is crucial for automated elections, whose components include election management system (EMS), vote counting machine (VMS), and the counting and canvassing machine (CCM).
The trusted build finished is for the EMS only. In automated elections, the EMS is used to organize preparations and materials needed for elections.
Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said that rather than make the software programs for all three components of the automated elections simultaneously, they went ahead with the EMS because the poll body will be printing the ballots very soon.
“Kapag narelease namin ang list of candidates, ready na tayo to start designing the ballots (When we release the list of candidates, we are already ready to start designing the ballots)and after the designing of ballots, ready natin imprenta ang balota (we are ready to print the ballots).”
For his part, Comelec Comissioner Marlon S. Casquejo told reporters the trusted build for the VCM and CCM will be expected in early January.
“Our timeline says we have to make that data before the end of December which is why we decided to have the EMS first.”
Comelec is set to release the names of candidates for the local and national elections next week, later than its earlier target of Dec. 15.
“This will allow pending issues related to several candidacies to be settled, without negatively impacting the final contents of the 2019 ballot,” Mr. Jimenez said in a statement to reporters on Friday. — GMC

Faeldon vows to resign if son’s drug links are proven

BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Nicanor E. Faeldon promised to step down from his post, if it is proven that his son is involved in illegal drug activities.
“What I can assure everybody is if my son is involved in any way(…), I will resign immediately and hunt him down,” the BuCor chief said in an interview with ANC on Friday, after his son Nicanor Faeldon Jr. was arrested in Naga City during a drug raid.
Mr. Faeldon resigned as Customs chief in August 2017 following the controversy over the P6.4 billion-worth of illegal drugs that entered the country in May 2017.
Mr. Faeldon said he will not interfere in the Naga police’s investigation involving his son.
“I commend the Naga City Police Authorities on their efforts to curb if not totally eliminate illegal drugs. I will not lift a finger to influence their on-going investigation and arrest SOP,” the BuCor Chief said in a statement on Friday.
Justice Undersecretary Markk L. Perete said Mr. Faeldon offered to go on leave while the police are conducting the investigation.
“As to the BuCor Chief’s offer to go on leave, the Department will have to study the matter, taking into consideration a number of facts, among which are: the Chief has just been recently appointed, and the independence and integrity of the investigation on the matter is not likely to be affected by his stay in the BuCor,” he said.
Mr. Faeldon was formally appointed as BuCor Director-General last month. — G. M. Cortez

PNP on high alert for possible attacks by Reds

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is on high alert for any possible attacks by communist rebels in response to the third extension of martial law in Mindanao.
“Philippine National Police maneuver forces have been put on high alert mode for any possible tactical engagement with CPP/NPA terrorist elements that have been ordered to escalate attacks on government and prized civilian targets,” PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde in a statement late Thursday.
Mr. Albayalde said strike forces were already deployed to 10 provinces in Eastern Visayas, Negros Island, and Bicol region.
“The latest order of Joma Sison of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) exposed anew the culture of lies, deception and violence of the aging underground movement in its 50-year rebellion to wrest power from government,” said Mr. Albayalde.
The PNP chief added that the communist rebels will use the extension of martial law in Mindanao as an excuse for “further hostilities against the government.”
“The CPP/NPA has found a convenient excuse in the Congressional approval of the martial law extension in Mindanao as reason to stage further hostilities against government and civilian targets even as it earlier declared a farce 5-day Yuletide ceasefire to trick government into reciprocating the CPP/NPA sham gesture of goodwill,” stated Mr. Albayalde.
Mr. Albayalde also said the government is open to welcome rebels who want to surrender. — V.A.C. Ferreras

ADB approves $408-million assistance package for Marawi rehab

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved on Friday a $408-million financial assistance package for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Marawi City.
The Emergency Assistance for Reconstruction and Recovery of Marawi package includes a $300-million loan for programs and activities under the government’s Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program which covers local governance and peacebuilding, housing and settlement, business and livelihood, and social services.
Another loan worth $100 million will help the Department of Public Works and Highways in the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure into climate resilient and accessible structures.
ADB will also provide $8-million worth of grants to restore and rehabilitate water supply systems in 19 barangays or villages. A portion of this will be also used for the construction of local health units, procurement of mobile medical clinics, employment and livelihood programs, and primary education in internally displaced people communities.
“In my interaction with residents of Marawi, they expressed their desire for a better future for their children. We hope that through this new ADB loan and grants package, we can help transform Marawi into a thriving economic center in southern Philippines, where people live in peace and prosperity,” ADB Vice-President Stephen Groff was quoted as saying in the statement.
Mr. Groff and some staffers of ADB went to Marawi City last November to meet with the locals and check the situation of the city a year after terrorists attacked it, ADB said.
“With the government’s recovery plan in place, it’s essential that we quickly implement and roll out the programs. It’s important to focus on helping young Maranaos regain a sense of normalcy in a safe learning environment, which they are longing for,” said ADB Country Director for the Philippines Kelly Bird.
ADB’s support to Marawi’s rebuilding is aligned with its new Country Partnership Strategy, under which up to $1 billion in development assistance is set to be prepared from 2018 to 2021 to address poverty and income inequality in Mindanao. — V.A.C. Ferreras

DICT seeks mandatory unlocking of devices for postpaid users

THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is seeking to implement a policy requiring telecommunications companies to unlock mobile devices after a lock-in period.
Memorandum Order No. 004 signed by the DICT on Friday ordered the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to come up with a memorandum circular that would require a mandatory unlocking of mobile phones and devices for subscribers.
“The Department issues this Memorandum Order to govern the issuance by the NTC of the appropriate rules and regulations, i.e. a Memorandum Circular, in order to effect the Policy contained in this Order,” it said.
The order said telcos who have subscribers with devices acquired through a lock-in period should be allowed to shift to any service provider after it completes the terms of its subscription agreement, “to provide the user or subscriber greater freedom and flexibility.”
Reigning telcos Globe Telecom, Inc. and PLDT, Inc.’s wireless brands Smart Communications, Inc. both offer subscription agreements to its customers where mobile phones and devices may be acquired free of charge or through a subsidy in exchange of a lock-in period with the provider.
As of the third quarter of 2018, Globe has a total postpaid subscriber base of 2.5 million users, while PLDT has 1.4 million in Smart and 975,364 in Sun.
Prior to the DICT initiative, Senate Bill No. 1643 or the proposed Network Freedom Act has been filed in Senate by Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian. The bill also seeks to allow mobile subscribers greater freedom to switch networks any time.
While the bill initially wanted to prohibit the lock-in period entirely, Mr. Gatchalian said last month the policy may spare telcos a nine-month lock-in period for its subscribers before they may allow them to change networks.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez

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