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Peso plunges on strong US inflation data, Fed bets

THE PESO plunged against the dollar on Monday to its weakest finish in more than two months due to stronger-than-expected US inflation data as well as market expectations of a US Federal Reserve hike.

The local currency ended yesterday’s session at P51.185 versus the greenback, dropping by 34.5 centavos from its P50.84-per-dollar close on Friday.

This is the local unit’s weakest close in two months or since when it finished at P51.205 against the greenback last Nov. 13.

The peso traded weaker the whole day, opening the session at P50.90 versus the dollar, which was also yesterday’s best showing. The peso’s intraday low, meanwhile, stood at P51.20 against the greenback.

Dollars traded slumped to $892.25 million from the $1.05 billion that changed hands in the previous session.

“The peso dipped strongly today following the release of stronger-than-expected US personal consumption expenditure (PCE) inflation data,” a trader said in an e-mail on Monday.

The trader said PCE inflation, the measurement preferred by the Fed, came out at 2.8% in the fourth quarter of year compared with the figure a quarter ago. This was faster than the market expectation of 1.8%

Meanwhile, Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist of UnionBank of the Philippines, said expectations of a Fed hike soon boosted the dollar,

“I think it’s more of external pressures… They are saying [that the Fed] is going to hike its interest rates three times this year and a lot faster in 2019. Four interest hikes,” Mr. Asuncion said.

He added that market players are also looking at Philippine inflation data for this month, which will be released next week.

“Some investors are also looking at a heightened inflation this January. Maybe that’s one source of sentiment from the market.”

For today, Mr. Asuncion expects the peso to move between P51 and P51.50, while the trader gave a slimmer range of P51 to P51.40.

“The local currency is expected to recover [today] amid likely stronger initial GDP (gross domestic product) growth data from the Eurozone and possible weaker US non-farm private employment data which can weaken the dollar,” the trader said. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Ayala tightens hold on Tutuban Center owner

By Krista A. M. Montealegre,
National Correspondent

PROPERTY GIANT Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) tightened its grip on the owner and developer of Tutuban Center in Divisoria after acquiring a block of shares at a discount to the prevailing market price.

In a disclosure on Monday, Prime Orion Philippines, Inc. said its key shareholder Ayala Land purchased 202.77 million shares of the company worth P496.80 million from Genez Investments Corp. through a block sale at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The shares, which represent 4.14% of Prime Orion’s outstanding capital, were priced at P2.45 apiece, a discount to the stock’s previous close of P2.68 each.

Shares in Prime Orion shed 24 centavos or 8.96% to settle at P2.44 apiece on Monday.

Ayala Land took over Prime Orion in 2016 when the former subscribed to 2.5 billion common shares of the latter at P2.25 each for a total of P5.63 billion.

Prior to the acquisition of shares held by Genez Investments, Ayala Land owned 51.06% of the total outstanding shares of Prime Orion.

Prime Orion owns Tutuban Center in the Divisoria Tutuban Complex, which sits on a 20-hectare property that has 60,000 square meters in gross leasable area. The planned transfer station for the P287-billion North South Railway Project will connect to the Light Rail Transit Line 2 West Station.

The North South Railway Project will have a 56-kilometer commuter rail from Tutuban to Calamba, Laguna, and a 478-km long-haul rail from Tutuban to Legazpi, Albay. It is expected to boost the area’s daily foot traffic of 100,000 by 400,000.

Prime Orion had announced plans to double its leasable area and convert the property into a mixed-use development, using ALI’s investment.

At the start of the month, Ayala Land also raised its interest in Malaysian developer MCT Bhd. to 50.19%, cementing the Philippine firm’s control over the latter.

Under its 2020 Vision, Ayala Land is targeting a 20% annual growth rate to hit a net income of P40 billion.

For the first nine months of 2017, ALI saw an 18% increase in earnings to P17.8 billion, on the back of a 16% growth in revenues to P98.9 billion.

Shares in ALI slipped by P1 or 2.11% to close at P46.50 each on Monday.

Analysts take stock of Duterte’s ratings

By Arjay L. Balinbin

The 2018 SWS Survey Review showed that President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s ratings in the previous year in almost all areas “are generally positive,” said research scientist Mary Racelis of the Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU).

Ms. Racelis, one of the reactors at the 2018 SWS Survey Review presented by SWS President Mahar K. Mangahas at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) on Monday, Jan. 29, noted President Duterte’s “positive” performance in his first year in office as shown by the 2017 results of the SWS surveys, conducted Mar. 25-28, Jun. 23-26, Sep. 23-27, and Dec. 8-16.

“But it’s important to put that in the context of previous presidents, and let’s see what’s going to happen in the next five years because that will be the true comparison in the end,” she added.

Mr. Mangahas, in his presentation, said Mr. Duterte received “good” to “very good” satisfaction ratings in the following areas: fighting terrorism (+67), helping the poor (+66) and the hungry (+33), reconciling with rebel groups (+48 for Muslim rebels and +43 for communist rebels), fighting crimes (+43), and eradicating graft and corruption (+42).

The SWS terminology for satisfaction ratings is as follows: +70 and above, “excellent”; +50 to +69, “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”, +9 to –9, “neutral”; –10 to –29, “poor”; –30 to –49, “bad”; –50 to –69, “very bad”; –70 and below, “execrable.”

PERCEPTION ON CRIME
Moreover, the “rate of victimization of the people by common crimes such as snatching, burglary, carnapping, and physical violence dropped slightly, in line with long-term trends. Fears of home break-in (59%) and of the streets being dangerous to walk at night (48%), which had been rising for several years, receded partially. The presence of many drug addicts in the neighborhood fell substantially, but was still quite high (42%),” Mr. Mangahas said.

SWS also reported that the “Maute/Abu Sayaff uprising in Marawi City was the most followed news of the year. Opinions in September on extending martial law in Mindanao to Dec. 31, 2017, were 54-28 in favor; but 54% said the AFP could suppress the rebels even without martial law. Satisfaction with the government’s suppressive actions was 66-18 overall, but only 29-26 among Muslims. The median expectation of how long it will take for the damaged areas to recover is 5-6 years.”

Meanwhile, opinions on the idea of a “Revolutionary Government” are 31% agree – 39% disagree, or a net -8 contra. Only Mindanao is pro (by +16). Those satisfied with Mr. Duterte are +2 pro; those neutral about him are -22 contra, and those dissatisfied with him are -43 contra, SWS report showed.

The SWS president also pointed out that “Filipino trust in foreign countries has not pivoted: net trust is +60 for the US, versus +6 for Russia and -13 for China. Trust in the UN, EU and Amnesty are all +. Approval of the US leadership fell, as in Asian neighbors.”

“Quality of life (QOL) indicators are extremely favorable” in Mr. Duterte’s first year as president, Mr. Mangahas noted. “Gainers minus losers hit a record +23 in December (+ since 2015). Poverty (46%, 2017) and hunger (12.3%, 2017) are roughly stable. Joblessness is down.”

SATISFACTION WITH DEMOCRACY
It was also highlighted that “satisfaction with how democracy works is very high — fully recovered from the depths of 2000-09. Strong preference of democracy over authoritarianism continues, as does the feeling of freedom to speak openly, even against the administration.”

On the other hand, the report also showed that “while calling the war on illegal drugs (is) successful, the people see the police as not as interested as they (are) in capturing suspects alive; as not telling the truth about suspects ‘fighting back’; as killing suspects from the poor rather than the rich; as mistakenly arresting many non-drug-pushers; and as undeserving of cash rewards. The most popular argument against re-imposing the death penalty is to give the offenders the opportunity to reform themselves.”

Makati Business Club (MBC) Executive Director Peter Angelo V. Perfecto, also one of the participants in the forum, said: “The one difference I’ve noticed in this administration, (the President) tends to his flock or his team, and I think he has many people around him to take the flak for him. Also, if you look at the results, people believe the President is telling the truth. But they don’t believe the police are telling the truth.”

“Clearly, there’s a separation in terms of how they see (the President and the police). Unlike again in the previous administration where everything was (the) President’s fault…I think that’s not happening now,” Mr. Perfecto added.

Senators vote on Faeldon’s transfer of detention from Senate to Pasay jail

By Camille A. Aguinaldo

SENATORS ON Monday agreed on the transfer of detained former Customs commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon from the Senate premises to the Pasay City Jail.

“The Senate unanimously declared that Mr. Faeldon, formerly of Customs, will remain charged with contempt and he will now be remanded to custody of the Pasay City Jail upon order of commitment by the Senate President. And it was agreed upon unanimously,” Senator Richard J. Gordon, who chairs the Senate blue ribbon committee, said during Monday’s session.

Mr. Faeldon has been detained in the Senate in Pasay City since Sept. 11, 2017, after skipping the probe into the shipment of illegal drugs worth P6.4 billion that slipped past the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

The order for his transfer also came on the same day Mr. Faeldon filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court, asking for his release in detention.

In an interview with reporters, Mr. Gordon said it was Mr. Faeldon’s behavior during Monday’s Senate hearing on the corruption at the BoC that prompted senators to move the former Customs’ chief detention to the Pasay City Jail.

“It’s the behavior. It’s his defiance na ayaw niyang humarap. Basta sasabihin ngayon public official na ako, haharap na ako. Hindi pwede (that he does not want to appear. He says he will appear now because he is a public official. That cannot be),” Mr. Gordon said.

During Monday’s hearing, Messrs. Faeldon and Gordon got into a heated exchange after the latter mentioned that the former held a party last December with his family while in detention and that the expenses incurred by the Senate for his detention reached P400,000.

Mr. Faeldon told Mr. Gordon that he was exaggerating on his dinner with his family last Christmas.

“I attended this hearing, sir, because I am now a government employee, not because I expect that you will lead this committee to find out the truth. You are so far from getting that, your honor,” Mr Faeldon said.

“All right. Then you will remain under contempt,” Mr. Gordon fired back.

It was Mr. Faeldon’s first appearance in the Senate investigation since his detention. At the hearing, he also tagged Senators Vicente C. Sotto III and Franklin M. Drilon in “illegal requests” involving the BoC while he was Customs chief.

He claimed Mr. Sotto personally asked him to appoint a customs official to the bureau’s Intelligence and Investigation Service. He also said Mr. Drilon asked him in 2016 to sign a memorandum of agreement between the BoC and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) regarding the renovation of a museum in Iloilo City.

In an interview with reporters, Mr. Sotto said there was nothing illegal about recommending to Mr. Faeldon the promotion of a Customs employee. “He (referring to the Customs officials) was with the Customs for a long time. He asked for a promotion. There was a request. My question is, what was illegal in the request?” he said.

Mr. Drilon, for his part, said he was bewildered by Mr. Faeldon’s statements. “This is a project which seeks to restore historical sites in Iloilo City….In fact, the office was being improved….I don’t understand what he’s talking about,” he told reporters.

Mr. Faeldon also admitted to meeting Kimberly Gamboa and the Teves group, two of the five players allegedly pulling strings at the BoC in facilitating the release of shipments coming into the country. He told senators that they had approached him while he was then Customs chief and inquired about their shipments that he had placed on hold.

As for the remaining players, Mr. Faeldon said he was never in contact with David Tan, Manny Santos and the Davao Group.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson earlier named the five players in the BoC during his privilege speech on Aug. 23, 2017, exposing the “tara” or grease money system hounding the agency.

2 new ambassadors, other appointees named

MALACANÃN PALACE on Monday, Jan. 29, announced President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s latest set of appointees, including two ambassadors and 10 directors.

The President signed the appointment papers of the following individuals last Wednesday, Jan. 24:

  • Ombra T. Jainal, extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Czech Republic
  • Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee, permanent representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland
  • Stanley C. Zambarrano, Director III of the Department of Finance (DoF)
  • Edward L. Cabase, director II of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Transportation (DoTr)
  • Wendell Martin A. Cabrera, Director IV of the Office of Participatory Governance (OPG), Office of the Cabinet Secretary (OCS)
  • Raquel R. Abrantes, Director III of Strategic Action and Response (STAR) Office, OCS
  • Marina C. De Guzman, Director II of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), DoF
  • Honorato D. Alzate, Director IV of Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).
  • Herminia C. Avila, member of the board of directors of North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail)
  • Eduardo S. Quintos IV, member of the board of directors of Northrail
  • Avelino M. Tayag, member of the board of directors of PNOC Exploration Corp.
  • Nanziancino M. Dilay, member of the board of directors of Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc. (PPPI). — Arjay L. Balinbin

Fearless farmers defy Mayon Volcano anger

AS BLISTERING lava spews from the seething volcano nearby, Philippine farmer Jay Balindang leads his buffalo through the ash-strewn paddy fields of the no-go zone, creeping closer to danger in a desperate bid to support his family.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from around the erupting Mayon Volcano, as a white-hot cocktail of gas and volcanic debris streaks down its flanks, threatening local communities who rely on the fertile land at its base.

Fearing a significant eruption that could engulf whole swathes of the nearby land in burning rock and lava flows, authorities have cordoned-off a nine kilometer danger zone around Mayon.

But that has not stopped defiant farmers like Mr. Balindang from tending to crops and livestock that are a crucial part of their livelihoods.

Each day the father of eight leaves his children at a government evacuation center, sneaking past police as he returns to his small farm at the foot of the volcano to feed his precious “carabao” water buffalo.

“I am not afraid of the volcano. We are used to its activity,” the 37-year-old told AFP, at the edge of his rain-lashed rice fields, a few kilometers inside the danger zone.

Farmers make up around 10,000 of the 84,000 people displaced by the eruption of Mayon in Albay province, some 330 kilometers southeast of Manila.

The lush region is famous for its chili peppers, as well as less fiery crops like rice, corn and vegetables.

All are threatened by the volatile volcano, which has gushed molten lava and belched giant clouds of superheated ash since it began erupting two weeks ago.

Local authorities say that beyond the immediate damage to crops caused by the coating of smoldering embers, there are concerns that heavy rainfall could combine with ash and rock to form deadly, fast-moving mudflows that could sweep away entire settlements and block vital rivers.

“This is a new and daunting challenge to our agriculture workers who in the past had to cope with typhoons, landslides and floods,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said.

FARMING THE ‘RING OF FIRE’
Farmers are among the most vulnerable to the meteorological miseries that afflict the Philippines, which is hit by an average of 20 typhoons a year and is in the earthquake-prone volcanic belt around the Pacific known as the “Ring of Fire.”

The 2,460-meter Mayon has been both a blessing and a curse to the farmers living near its slopes for generations.

Volcanic ash can kill vegetation immediately after an eruption, but as it seeps into the ground it can also enrich the soil with minerals that sustain future crops.

“If the ash is thin, it would become a fertilizer but if the ash is thick it would mean farmers who had spent money a lot of money to plant the vegetables lose everything,” Renato U. Solidum, Jr., head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, told AFP.

Vegetable prices have already begun to soar in parts of Albay as the eruption hampers access to key crops.

“We are very famous for these dishes wherein the (taro) leaves are being grown just at the foot of Mount Mayon,” Elsa C. Maranan, chief of the Agriculture department’s local breeding station, told AFP.

“If all this will be destroyed then the production of our delicacies and the income of our farmers will be very much affected.”

DANGEROUS DASH
In a bid to stop farmers from slipping back to tend their own fields, local authorities have set up communal areas, where farmers can graze livestock on ash-free grass.

“We appeal to them not to be stubborn because they are putting the lives of our responders in danger,” Brigadier-General Arnulfo Matanguihan, head of a local task force for the eruption, told AFP.

But many still make a daily hazardous dash back to their own land.

Mr. Balindang said the choice was clear — if he ensures that his pigs, carabaos and cows are fed, then his family will also be assured of something to eat.

“It’s very difficult because I don’t know if we will have any rice left to harvest. For now, we have nothing,” he said. — AFP

Davao, Cebu business chambers zero in on tourism as economic drivers

BUSINESS CHAMBERS in two of the country’s major cities outside the capital Metro Manila are putting focus on the promotion of tourism as a driver for local economic development.

Arturo M. Milan, in his inaugural address as president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) last Friday, said they are looking at the promotion of tourism — alongside agriculture, manufacturing, and information and communications technology — for investments and job creation in the Davao Region.

“I believe these are the areas that will bring the most benefit for all of us and these are areas where we can excel because of the talents of our people and the natural resources that our region is blessed with,” Mr. Milan said.

He said key to the investment promotional campaign is a push for improved “people mobility and connectivity,” particularly sea and air linkages.

“Trade and exchange of goods and services must be pushed through better people mobility and connectivity. We need to lead the way in encouraging regional tourism among our neighboring countries by expanding international flights from and to Davao City,” he said.

Mr. Milan also vowed that DCCCII will make corporate social responsibility the “center of everything we do.”

“Business is not only about business but also giving back to the communities as part of business,” he said.

CEBU CHAMBER
In the Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will be mounting more projects for tourism and entrepreneurship this year, taking advantage of the promising indicators of these two sectors.

CCCI President Melanie C. Ng said the chamber will get more involved in tourism-related projects in Cebu initiated by either the government or the private sector.

“This is the time to act and be decisive,” Ms. Ng said.

She added that tourism also gives way for more Cebuanos to venture into entrepreneurship, noting that growth in tourism impacts on retail, food, and transportation, among other sectors.

CCCI will be providing assistance to entrepreneurs through trainings and other business know-how improvement activities.

Ms. Ng said their group and the Cebu Association of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) already had initial discussions on how to maximize Cebu’s potential to make tourism its top economic driver. — Carmelito Q. Francisco and Ehda M. Dagooc/The Freeman

House bill on ATM scams approved on 2nd reading

THE House of Representatives has passed on second reading a bill seeking to impose stricter penalties on automated teller machine (ATM) hackers and scammers.

House Bill (HB) 6710, passed on second reading last Tuesday, Jan. 23, seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998 and declare “fraudulent activities that ultimately undermine the trust of the public in the banking industry” as a form of economic sabotage and a heinous crime.

These offenses are deemed economic sabotage: hacking of a bank’s system; skimming 50 or more ATM cards; and acts affecting 50 or more online banking accounts, credit cards, ATM cards, and debit cards.

The measure raised the maximum sanction to life imprisonment and a fine of up to P5 million. The current law only imposes a penalty of P10,000 or twice the value obtained by the offender or imprisonment of 20 years at most.

Sought for comment about the bill, Land Bank of the Philippines president Alex V. Buenaventura said in a text message: “Stricter penalties are very timely [and] appropriate for ATM scammers.”

He added: “In fact, the penalties should be as punitive as those imposed on the crime of plunder.”

Also sought for comment, Bank of Philippine Islands executive vice-president Ramon L. Jocson said: “Safety and security of our clients’ accounts is always top priority. This development strengthens our own initiatives to ensure that untoward activities are minimized, if not eliminated.” — Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

Batang Pier ready even sans Terrence Romeo

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

WHILE they would rather have guard Terrence Romeo playing for them in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, still GlobalPort Batang Pier expressed their readiness to compete and go deeper in the tournament even sans the All-Star guard.

Out with a knee injury, there is no definite time yet on when Mr. Romeo would come back and play.

But instead of being hung up on the Romeo situation, GlobalPort (3-3) is forging ahead for now, squeezing everything they could draw out of what it has at its disposal.

“I don’t know when exactly Terrence will come back,” Batang Pier coach Pido Jarencio admitted to members of media following their 107-88 victory over the Meralco Bolts last Sunday.

“When Terrence comes back we can adjust but just the same this team is ready and committed to see our cause through,” he added.

The Batang Pier showed what they are capable to do when collectively in synch when they dominated the Bolts in their last game.

Former Meralco players Jonathan Grey and Kelly Nabong led the way for GlobalPort in the win.

Mr. Grey topscored with 24 points while best-player-of-the-game Nabong had a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds to go along with three blocks.

Sean Anthony had 18 points while Stanley Pringle added 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The win allowed the Batang Pier to put themselves in joint fourth spot in the standings midway into the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament.

“We don’t want to expect when Terrence would come back but until then we will just go all-out and compete and stay aggressive,” Mr. Jarencio said.

Bruno Mars surprises with Grammy sweep

NEW YORK — Bruno Mars, who has revived retro funk and R&B for a new generation, on Sunday completed a surprise sweep of the Grammys as the music world chose his party anthems in tumultuous times.

The industry seized on its annual gala to rally on behalf of the growing women’s movement against sexual harassment, with pop singer Kesha delivering a fierce performance about her own abuse story.

Mars won the night’s top prize, Album of the Year, for 24K Magic as well as Record of the Year, which recognizes top tune, for the title track — a 1980s-style R&B tale of good times with beautiful women.

The Recording Academy, the body of 13,000 music professionals, also gave him Song of the Year, which awards songwriting, for another track on the album — “That’s What I Like,” an old-school ode to making love in high style.

The 32-year-old singer, sporting a bright smile and sunglasses, recalled how he first performed as a child for tourists in his native Hawaii.

“I remember seeing it firsthand — people dancing that had never met each other from two sides of the globe, dancing with each other, toasting with each other, celebrating together,” he said.

“All I wanted to do with this album was that,” he told thousands of industry players at Madison Square Garden in New York, where the Grammys temporarily shifted after 15 years in Los Angeles.

ANTI-CLIMAX FOR RAP
Mars won all of the awards for which he was in the running on what had appeared to be a major night for hip-hop, which for the first time dominated nominations for the major categories.

But the industry either preferred Mars or the vote for rappers split.

Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, who had led with eight nominations, ended the night empty-handed.

Kendrick Lamar for the second time swept all rap categories but failed to win the general prizes.

His five awards included Best Rap Album for DAMN., his turn to a classic hip-hop sound.

Lamar opened the televised gala with a frenetic show, spitting out his verses as he was joined by U2 frontman Bono amid a sea of kung fu-inspired dancers who later fell to the ground as if struck by bullets.

NO LONGER ‘PRETEND-WINNING’ IN SHOWER
Alessia Cara, who rose from making YouTube videos in her bedroom to becoming a socially conscious pop singer, won the closely watched award of Best New Artist.

The 21-year-old from suburban Toronto told the music industry’s gala, “I’ve been pretend-winning Grammys since I was a kid in my shower.”

“I just wanted to encourage everyone to support real music and real artists because everyone deserves the same shot,” Cara added.

Cara has quickly found her voice as a singer with singles such as “Here,” which describes the dread of forced emotions at a party, and “Scars to Your Beautiful,” a call for healthy body image.

RALLYING FOR WOMEN
Amid the growing attention to gender discrimination in the entertainment industry following revelations of sexual misconduct by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, top stars — notably Lady Gaga — walked the red carpet wearing white roses in solidarity with abuse victims and in an appeal for equality.

Kesha — whose pleas to break a deal with her producer, whom she accused of rape, initially fell on deaf ears in the industry — sang her deeply personal song “Praying.”

Her face intense and her voice ferocious, Kesha sang the autobiographical lyrics: “After everything you’ve done / I can thank you for how strong I have become.”

A clutch of female vocalists including Cyndi Lauper offered her both symbolic and literal support, with Kesha embracing the group in a bear-hug as she finished.

Singer Janelle Monae, introducing Kesha, said that the music industry needed to address its own abuse problems.

“To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time’s Up!” Monae said, using a slogan for the movement launched on New Year’s Day by hundreds of prominent women in the entertainment industry.

The Grammys also featured a tribute to music fans killed in attacks in Las Vegas and Manchester last year with country stars Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Brothers Osbourne together performing Eric Clapton’s mournful “Tears in Heaven.”

TRUMP SKEWERED
The Grammys didn’t hold back from more light-hearted political commentary.

Noting President Donald Trump’s reported disdain for reading — and the Grammy award for spoken word — host James Corden introduced a video of famous names reciting from Fire and Fury: Inside The Trump White House, the sensational account of the tycoon-turned-president’s first year in office.

Musicians known for their criticism of Trump started reading from the book including John Legend, Cher and — smoking from his trademark joint — Snoop Dogg.

The video ends with Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the bitter 2016 election.

“The Grammy’s in the bag,” quips Clinton, whose confidence during her race against Trump proved ill-advised. — AFP

Ride-sharing quota for Metro Manila may rise

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is considering an increase in the number of ride-sharing vehicles in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

In a statement, the DoTr said that Secretary Arthur P. Tugade ordered the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to review certain provisions in the memorandum circular which limits the supply base of ride-sharing vehicles in Metro Manila. The LTFRB earlier this month capped at 45,000 the number of transport network company (TNC) vehicles in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Officials refer to this maximum number of vehicles as the common supply base.

The DoTr said that the agency and LTFRB will monitor in the next few weeks the number of booking requests, served and unserved, as well as other factors like number coding, number of working hours, and maintenance schedules. This is to “judiciously arrive” at an objective number for the common supply base.

“Most probably this number might be increased considering the stakeholders, and the riders,” Board Member Aileen Lourdes A. Lizada told reporters in a message.

LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said in an earlier statement the idea of a common base supply came from the transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operators and “dual citizen” drivers or those accredited in more than one TNC, adding that with the new order, TNCs are now “free to tap the supply” for their networks.

He noted that the ceiling of 45,000 for Metro Manila was determined in light of the churn rate, number of full-time and part-time TNVS drivers, peak and off-peak hours, number of bookings, and others. The LTFRB will review the number or the cap every three months.

“We assure you that should there be adjustments in the common supply base as a result of the review, the decision would be based on actual data from the different TNCs through DoTr study, and consultations with the public at large. Rest assured that while the DoTr and LTFRB continue to set fair standards, we shall, in the best way we can, exhaust all measures to meet the needs of the public in a platform of transparency, accountability, and good governance,” DoTr said in its statement. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

More court justices speak up in Sereno impeachment case

THE HOUSE committee on justice resumed its hearings for finding of probable cause on the impeachment case against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno with members of the Supreme Court (SC) and the Court of Appeals (CA) in attendance. SC Associate Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro said that the members-in-charge were not able to immediately act on the survivorship claims because these were not included in the agenda and, therefore, they were not informed of their assignments. SC Associate Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo, on other hand, said that Administrative Order 233 s. 2008 allows the five highest government officials, including the chief justice, to avail of luxury vehicles for security purposes, but noted that Ms. Sereno was the first magistrate to do so. CA Associate Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., meanwhile, admitted that Ms. Sereno did suggest that the three CA justices involved in the case of the “Ilocos 6” file a petition before the SC, and she told him that the “Supreme Court na ang bahala.” — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

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