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Investment industry backs ASEAN deals on freedom of movement

By Arra B. Francia
Reporter
SECURITIES professionals welcomed the freer entry of investment professionals from major ASEAN markets, calling a recently-agreed arrangement a step forward in developing investor expertise.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signed last week a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum Professional Mobility Framework with its counterparts in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. The agreement intends to facilitate the cross-border movement of investment advisers across ASEAN-member countries.
The initial phase of the Professional Mobility Framework will introduce the ACMF Pass, which will “allow licensed professionals to provide advisory services within participating ASEAN jurisdictions, with fast-track registration and no additional licensing requirements.”
The Professional Mobility Framework is set to be implemented in January, with the ACMF Pass to be valid for two years. After this, the professional’s presence in another ASEAN country will then be subjected to host regulation.
Professionals who may avail of the pass include licensed salesmen for equities and fixed income securities and certified investment solicitors employed by fund managers.
“This recent MoU on investment professionals is a major development in the ongoing move towards a standardized ASEAN, bringing the Philippines closer in quality to more advanced markets such as Singapore,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Equity Analyst Rens V. Cruz II said in a mobile message.
Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Piper Chaucer Tan said the initiative will demonstrate the growth potential of Philippine capital markets to the rest of ASEAN.
“This is also an opportunity for our local bourse to be open or increase awareness among fellow Filipinos, since it has been estimated that less than one million are actively trading in the stock market… Neighboring countries might be able to also invest here in the Philippines,” Mr. Tan said via text.
AP Securities, Inc. Research Analyst Rachelle C. Cruz viewed the signing of the MoU as a positive step, noting that information is “the fulcrum of every investment decision.”
“Any framework intended to enhance efficiency of the flow of funds within the financial market should be viewed as positive. Also, this professional mobility framework will be beneficial to investment professionals across ASEAN as they will be able to integrate their knowledge and gain more experience in the member-countries’ financial markets,” Ms. Cruz said in an e-mail.
Papa Securities Corp. Deputy Head of Research Arabelle C. Maghirang said the MoU will make knowledge transfer less constrained.
“Knowledge transfer and access to regionally-acknowledged best practices will be beneficial. Likewise, increased objective investment valuation will also benefit investors,” Ms. Maghirang said in a separate e-mail.
Regina Capital’s Mr. Cruz noted that over the short term, there will be a temporary increase in competition as foreign professionals enter the country. This however is expected to be “greatly overshadowed by the influx of expertise, skill sets and innovation, allowing domestic professionals to learn from their counterparts.”
AP Securities’ Ms. Cruz said the competition will encourage locals to improve existing financial products or services, as well as innovate to attract clients and “protect or expand” their market share.
“Increased efficiency of information also mean lower costs for Filipino investors,” Ms. Cruz said.
Ms. Maghirang concurred, saying that “streamlining the quality of services will also help in increasing deals within the region and make advisory services more competitive.”

Manila Water unit wins approval to start building San Fabian project

A UNIT of Manila Water Co., Inc. has received approval to proceed with the construction of a water supply system in San Fabian, Pangasinan after it was granted the franchise by the municipality, the listed company said on Tuesday.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, Ayala-controlled Manila Water said its wholly owned subsidiary Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Inc. (MWPV) received notice to proceed after San Fabian enacted Ordinance No. 19, Series of 2018.
The total capital expenditure for the project is estimated at P742 million.
“The project is expected to be operational by 2019,” it added.
The ordinance grants MWPV the franchise to establish, construct, operate, manage, repair and maintain water supply system and facilities. It also grants the company the franchise to provide septage management in San Fabian.
San Fabian in northeastern Pangasinan, where Manila Water also has a concession agreement with the Calasiao Water District.
The franchise granted to MWPV covers 25 years. It has an assumed billed volume of 12.6 million liters per day (MLD) by the end of the franchise period.
Manila Water also announced that MWPV received on Friday a notice of award from the Tanauan Water District in Batangas to implement a joint venture project for the design, improvement, upgrade, rehabilitation and expansion of the town’s water supply and sanitation facilities.
The notice of award also includes the financing and construction of such facilities and infrastructure, the management, operation and maintenance of water supply and sanitation facilities, and the provision of incidental services.
The project, which has an estimated capital expenditure of P1.509 billion over 25 years, is estimated to deliver a potential billed water volume of 13.18 MLD.
Manila Water said upon completion of the conditions specified in the notice, its consortium with and MWPV will enter into a joint venture agreement with the water district for the implementation of the project.
On Tuesday, Manila Water rose 1.18% to P25.70. — Victor V. Saulon

DTI imposes price caps on Christmas feast groceries

THE Department of Trade and Industry has released suggested retail prices (SRP) for items likely to be consumed for the traditional Christmas meal, including ham, cheese, canned fruit, pasta and sauces.
The list, dated Oct. 13, covers 216 items classified by stock-keeping unit (SKU), a system of tracking inventory, which are likely to be purchased for Christmas celebrations, particularly the dinner known as the “noche buena.”
The price caps include 38 SKUs of ham by brand and product type; 12 of fruit cocktail; 13 of cheese; 26 of sandwich spread; 19 of mayonnaise; 11 of a domestic variety of Edam-type cheese known as queso de bola; 20 of pasta; 28 of pasta sauce; and 19 of tomato sauce, among others.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the items where price increases have been noted generally tend to be premium brands.
“Those that increased are the high-end brands and only on special products like premium hams and queso de bola, fruit cocktail and mayonnaise,” Mr. Lopez said in a mobile message.
“But basic, regular and mass-based brands of ham, queso de bola: NO price increase,” he added.
Among pasta and sauces, only the premium brand Del Monte has adjusted prices upward, he said, while equivalent brands from RFM Corp. and Universal Robina Corp. kept prices steady.
He noted that some items like ham tend to be discounted closer to Christmas. — Janina C. Lim

Customs bureau launches rules for new import appraisal system

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) on Tuesday released the guidelines for the nationwide implementation of its web-based, no-contact goods assessment system.
Customs Commissioner Isidro S. Lapeña signed Memorandum Order 17-2018 on Oct. 11, published in the newspaper yesterday, to implement the new trade facilitation system in all 17 ports where the BoC operates.
The 1-Assessment system is a web-based management software and application system for the appraisal of imported goods. Its key feature is zero human contact in transactions between customs officers and importers.
The platform, also known as the Enhanced Goods Declaration Verification System, also helps brokers and importers get real-time information on the status of their goods declaration lodged with the BoC electronically.
The assessors handling the system is also selected randomly.
It was first piloted at the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port in December, followed by the ports of Subic, Clark and Batangas in July.
Mr. Lapeña has said that the electronic application system will reduce red tape, and curb collusion between Customs appraisers and importers declaring goods in a manner that reduces the latter’s tax due.
The new system also processes applications on a first in, first out basis, doing away with so-called VIP treatment for favored importers.
The system also tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) by examiner and appraiser based on speed and efficiency. These KPIs, along with the processing time averages, will be monitored by the Bureau. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

NEA lending to power cooperatives exceeds 2018 targets after nine months

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) has released loans to electric cooperatives amounting to P1.8 billion, exceeding its target for the year ahead of schedule, the agency said on Tuesday.
The loans, which surpassed NEA’s target of P1.7 billion for the year, were extended to 57 electric cooperatives (ECs) as of the end of September. They included calamity loans to typhoon-hit utilities.
“In times of calamity, the NEA provides on-time calamity loans as financial assistance to the ECs in order to repair damaged distribution systems and restore immediately power supply to their member-consumer-owners,” said Vicar Loureen G. Lofranco, acting deputy administrator of the agency’s corporate resources and financial services office, in a statement.
NEA released a total of P1.049 billion to 45 electric cooperatives to finance capital expenditure projects. It also released P99 million to six other ECs for the repair and rehabilitation of damaged distribution facilities due to typhoons Lawin, Urduja and Vinta, and other calamities.
The ECs that availed of calamity loans are the Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Biliran Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc.; First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc.; and Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc.
During the nine months, NEA said Quezon I Electric Cooperative, Inc. borrowed P20 million to finance its monthly shortfall on the settlement of power accounts with generation companies and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).
The Zamboanga Electric Cooperative, Inc. availed of P145 million as a stand-by credit facility to strengthen its creditworthiness with generation companies and the market operator.
NEA also issued P134 million worth of loans to four cooperatives to buy modular generator sets. These are the Misamis Oriental I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P38.762 million); Misamis Oriental II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P43.516 million); Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P32.901 million); and Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P18.771 million).
Nine ECs obtained working capital loans amounting to P374 million, the agency said. These are the Abra Electric Cooperative (P18.456 million); Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P58.462 million); Marinduque Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P66.795 million); Sorsogon I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P28.613 million); Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P65 million); Camotes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P7.387 million); Negros Oriental I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P20 million); Misamis Oriental II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P79 million)’ and Nueva Ecija II Electric Cooperative, Inc. area two (P30 million).
“Loan availment by the ECs is included in the fast-track lane being implemented by the NEA. The processing time is 24 working days for regular loans, 13 days for short-term loans and seven days for calamity loans,” the agency said.
A calamity loan offered by the NEA has a 10-year repayment term with a maximum grace period of a year and an interest rate of 3.25% per annum. The agency said it had been offering a number of loan programs to the ECs to help them provide continuous and better delivery of service to their member-consumer-owners. — Victor V. Saulon

Bill regulating data retention by telcos hurdles House panel

A BILL amending the anti-wiretapping act to regulate telcos’ data retention practices has passed out of committee and is awaiting plenary action at the House of Representatives.
House Bill 8378 prohibits the telecommunications industry from retaining data for more than one year, unless the information needs to be preserved for a pending court case.
If enacted, the provision will be introduced as a new section of Republic Act No. 4200, An Act to Prohibit and Penalize Wire Tapping and other Related Violations of the Privacy Communication.
The bill also provides for penalties of a P1 million maximum fine and six-12 years’ imprisonment.
House Bill 8378 is currently awaiting disposal by the Rules Committee where it was on the order of business before Congress adjourned on Oct. 12.
The bill also authorizes wiretapping for cases of conspiracy to commit coups, robbery, and syndicated illegal recruitment, among others.
Currently, RA 4200 lists as acceptable justifications for wiretapping the crimes of treason, espionage, provoking war and disloyalty in case of war, piracy, mutiny on the high seas, and rebellion, among others. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Reforming the PPP Model

Responding to concerns of alienating the private sector, Secretary Dominguez III said the administration welcomes unsolicited proposals, since the private sector would have a better grasp in identifying potential problems and offering better solutions to these problems. Unsurprisingly, the more welcome attitude towards unsolicited proposals has led to a surge in submissions from the private sector.
Since the Duterte administration assumed office, the PPP Center has already reviewed 64 unsolicited projects. Some of the more high-profile proposals include the San Miguel Corporation’s proposal to build, operate, and maintain an airport in Bulacan, the Alliance Global Group’s “skytrain” from Guadalupe to Bonifacio Global City, and Metro Pacific’s proposal to take over the MRT-3. Seven leading conglomerates have also banded together to form the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) consortium, with the aim to redevelop and upgrade our main international gateway.
With the increasing interest in unsolicited bids, it is only timely to clarify the framework and the rules governing these proposals. On October 15, independent think tank Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute (ADRi) hosted a roundtable discussion in partnership with the PPP Center where the current rules of the game were explained and potential reforms were discussed.
PPP Center Executive Director Ferdinand Pecson underscored that PPPs are the answer to the government’s lack of capacity to develop projects. With regards to unsolicited proposals, however, what the government wants has turned into a guessing game.
Through the PPP Act, the PPP center continues to push for legislative reforms in Congress to allow for faster processing of projects, he said. One of its proposals is to address the fragmented legal framework in the current system.
Another issue is the lack of flexibility for implementing agencies to accept projects that are not part of their priority list, alongside the requirement that a new technology must be employed. The PPP center’s remedy is to allow unsolicited bids for priority projects. The private proponent must compensate the implementing agency if it has already incurred development costs for the project in the last five years. The proposal will also allow unsolicited bids to be converted to solicited projects, subject to reasonable compensation to the proponent. Another proposal is to extend the current 60-day competitive challenge period to at least 6 months, giving more time to interested parties to submit their bids.
cranes
Dr. Epictetus Patalinghug, ADRi Trustee, said unsolicited projects have their own drawbacks, including the lack of competition and transparency, leaving room for corruption. He explained that the proponent may lobby for the development of the project, and such pressure may interfere with proper urban planning.
Dr. Patalinghug offered an alternative approach to unsolicited proposals: separate the proposal stage from the award stage. NEDA-ICC should choose a small number of proposals each year, and the selected proponents should receive a fixed prize. Such approach gives incentives for competition in unsolicited proposals, without altering the competitiveness and transparency of the award process.
Using the NAIA rehabilitation proposal as an example, former National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Romulo Neri questioned why unsolicited proposals were allowed for a national priority project. He remarked that we seem to be surrendering to the private sector when it should have been a government initiative.
Citing the PhP 735-billion Bulacan airport project as another example, he said that its huge cost poses risks to the banking system. Mr. Neri’s proposal was for the government to present the problem as part of its investment plan and ask the private sector to offer their best solution to the problem. For his part, NAIA consortium spokesperson, Jimbo Reverente, emphasized that upgrading NAIA is in everyone’s best interest and added that the seven-group consortium backs the multi-airport strategy. Reacting to the PPP Center’s proposal to extend the competitive challenge period, Mr. Reverente remarked that six months is too long.
In the era of Build, Build, Build, our government officials must explore and exhaust different options to speed up project implementation. Of course, different project financing schemes have their own strengths and weaknesses. As such, it would be unwise to dismiss the PPP model as inferior.
Each project should be carefully evaluated to determine which mode of financing is most appropriate. Our top officials must instead rally behind the efforts of the PPP Center to address the ambiguities and weaknesses in the current system. After all, the government cannot do it all. We still need the private sector to fill a gap that the government cannot.
 
Weslene Irish Uy is deputy executive director for research of Stratbase-ADRi.

A challenge and an opportunity for political empowerment

Ditas De Los Santos-Yamane is a Filipino-American who is running for mayor of National City in San Diego County. Yamane, who is a licensed real estate broker, is a tireless community worker. Every festival or fair of the Fil-Am community and every civic initiative that the city mounts will likely have her among the workhorses. She has also served as president of the local chamber of commerce and is chair of the city’s planning commission and committee on government affairs of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors.
In theory, Yamane has a better than even chance of victory. National City is known as Southern California’s equivalent of Daly City and Vallejo in terms of the size of the Pinoy population — close to 10,000 which account for over 17% of the city’s residents. Yamane also has the endorsement of the outgoing, termed-out mayor, Ron Morrison.
The problem is that only a small percentage of National City Pinoys register to vote and an even smaller number, around 1,500, actually go to the polls.
This is not unique to National City. Pinoys are politically passive and only watch uncaring as Chinese-Americans and other Asian ethnic groups run for elective office and win. You can almost hear them say, “So what?”
There are a number of reasons for this passivity.
First of all, most Pinoys are happy enough earning a living and being able to pay their bills. Many have two jobs (some, as many as three) and they don’t particularly care about volunteering in the community and adding to their burden.
Secondly, political and elective positions in America translate into a lot of work and very little money — unlike Philippine politics which candidates and those in power use to enrich themselves and to promote their business interests.
Thirdly, there is hell to pay if a politician or public official steals and is caught – and the likelihood of being exposed, indicted and jailed is very high. Militant media and volunteer groups, as well as the American justice system, see to that.
And fourthly, Fil-Ams who have held public office are wary of being accused of nepotism or favoritism. Former President Erap Estrada’s walang kama-kamaganak, walang kai-kaibigan mantra would have had to become a reality in America, whether he liked it or not. President Donald Trump is beginning to find that out in the current probe of his financial dealings.
Pete Fajardo, who served as mayor of Carson City in Los Angeles County, found that out too, to his grief. He was indicted and jailed over alleged hanky-panky in connection with city services.
It’s a completely different ballgame for Philippine politicians who are used to getting away with overpricing, ghost employees and outright bribery and extortion. They wouldn’t survive in America.
While Fil-Am community leaders talk loud and long about the need for political empowerment and while those who listen to them nod dutifully in agreement, there are very few signs that Pinoys will take advantage of their voting potential sooner rather than later.
PH elections
The Fil-Am population is close to 5 million and we have the highest rate of naturalization as US citizens among the ethnic groups in America. That could be wielded as a potent voting bloc, if these numbers could be harnessed.
Ditas Yamane is among the few individuals who appreciate the importance of political empowerment. Political clout – more specifically voting clout and clout in terms of financial support for candidates – has resulted in advantageous legislation and ordinances, as well as social services for minority communities. In this regard Fil-Ams are being overlooked.
As in any political environment, the victorious candidates invariably ask who helped them win, who contributed to the campaign pot and who delivered the swing votes. In terms of contributions to political campaigns, Fil-Ams are laggards. What the Chinese can raise in one night of fund-raising, Pinoys can’t even deliver in a year. That lack of financial clout could be offset somewhat if Pinoys would only vote. But only a few do. Since we don’t scratch the candidates’ backs, they don’t bother to scratch ours once they are in power.
The fact that it took a long time for Filipino World War II veterans to gain benefits for their military service under the US flag is one indication of the lack of political influence of Fil-Ams. It took years of dogged lobbying, while veterans were dying due to old age, before the US Congress and the White House finally approved an appropriation for the men who fought bravely in Bataan, Corregidor, and other battle fronts.
I once described their plight as The Second Death March.
But in a modest way, political awareness is gaining, especially among the young Fil-Ams. It took such a young Pinoy, Mike Guingona, to break into Daly City politics. He ran for city council and won and served as mayor several times (the mayor is not elected but chosen from among council members).
In fact, at the city level, more and more Pinoys have been running and winning in elections as members of the school board or as council members, even as mayors. The current mayor of Daly City is a Fil-Am, Juslyn Manalo. Myrna Lardizabal de Vera is in the Hercules city council and has served as mayor a couple of times, in a system similar to that of Daly City. In Vallejo, however, the Fil-Am city mayor, Bob Sampayan, was elected to the post. In Milpitas, in Silicon Valley, former termed-out mayor Jose Esteves is running for the same elective office again. Another Fil-Am, Henry Manayan, also served as mayor before Esteves.
However, Fil-Ams are not yet ready for big-time politics. While Ben Cayetano of Hawaii became the governor of Filipino descent, the closest thing Pinoys have come to a seat in the US Congress at present is Bobby Scott of Virginia, whose grandmother was Pinay. Steve Austria of Ohio served one term in Congress but decided against running for reelection.
In California, where over 2 million Pinoys live, there is only one person of Filipino descent in the state legislator, Rob Bonta. A promising candidate for state assembly, Mae Cendaña Torlakson (a niece of the late Minister of Information Greg Cendaña) lost in a bruising contest.
Hopefully, with the new generation of Fil-Ams, like Ditas Yamana, the challenge and opportunities in political empowerment in America will eventually be adequately met and harnessed.
Perhaps by then, the remaining Filipino World War II veterans who are still hoping to be united with their families in America will finally see a family reunification bill passed in the US Congress by a Pinoy senator and a Pinoy congressman. In the meantime, we hope the Fil-Am community will wake up and rally to the cause of a Pinay candidate for mayor of National City and other Fil-Am hopefuls in the coming November elections.
 
Greg B. Macabenta is an advertising and communications man shuttling between San Francisco and Manila and providing unique insights on issues from both perspectives.
gregmacabenta@hotmail.com

Continuing compliance requirements for the Data Privacy Act of 2012

Entities and individuals covered by Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (“DPA”) were required to register with the National Privacy Commission (“NPC”) in two (2) phases: (1) the appointment of a Data Protection Officer by last 09 September 2017; and (2) the registration of Data Processing Systems by last 08 March 2018.
Under NPC Circular No. 17-01, the NPC shall issue a certificate of registration to a personal information controller or processor who has successfully completed the registration. This certificate will be valid until the 8th day of March of the next following year. To renew its registration, a personal information controller or processor may file an application for the renewal of its certificate of registration within two (2) months prior to, but not later than the 8th day of March every year.
According to the same circular, registrations where no applications for renewal have been filed are deemed revoked. However, a personal information controller or processor may be allowed to file an application for renewal beyond the prescribed period upon approval of the NPC and only for good cause shown. In this regard, it shall notify the NPC of its intention to renew its registration and the reason for its delay.
Another yearly requirement to be complied with by personal information controllers or processors, regardless of whether they are mandated to register their Data Protection Officer and Data Processing Systems, is the submission of the Annual Security Incident Report. Under Rule IX, Section 41 of the DPA Implementing Rules and Regulations (“DPA-IRR”), security incidents and personal data breaches must be documented through written reports, a general summary of which shall be submitted to the NPC annually. The NPC had set the deadline for each annual security incident report to at the end of the first quarter of every year. Thus, for all security incidents between the period from January to December 2017, the deadline for the submission of the report was originally on 31 March 2018. However, this deadline was extended to 30 June 2018 to allow more entities and individuals to comply with the requirement. In view of this, the NPC issued Advisory No. 18-02 which provided specific and updated templates for the submission of the annual security incident report and personal data breach notifications.
As regards personal data breach notifications, Chapter III, Section 20 of the DPA and Rule IX, Section 38 of the DPA-IRR provide that a personal information controller shall, within seventy-two (72) hours upon knowledge, or reasonable belief, of the occurrence of a personal data breach requiring notification, inform the NPC and affected data subjects of the same. A personal data breach requires notification when sensitive personal information or other information that may, under the circumstances, be used to enable identity fraud are reasonably believed to have been acquired by an unauthorized person, and the personal information controller or the NPC believes that such unauthorized acquisition is likely to give rise to a real risk of serious harm to any affected data subject. According to NPC Circular No. 16-03, “other information” shall include, but not be limited to: data about the financial or economic situation of the data subject; usernames, passwords and other login data; biometric data; copies of identification documents, licenses or unique identifiers like Philhealth, SSS, GSIS, TIN number; or other similar information, which may be made the basis of decisions concerning the data subject, including the grant of rights or benefits. According to the same circular, the obligation to notify remains with the personal information controller even if the processing of information is outsourced or subcontracted to a personal information processor.
The notification shall at least describe the nature of the breach such as how it occurred, a chronology of the pertinent events, approximate number of data subjects or records involved, nature of the breach (whether an availability, integrity, or confidentiality breach), the likely consequences thereof, and the contact information of the data protection officer or any other accountable persons, the personal data possibly involved, and the measures taken or proposed to be taken to address the breach, secure or recover the data compromised, mitigate the consequences and limit the damage, if any, to those affected by the incident, inform the data subjects affected, and prevent a recurrence of the incident, by the entity to address the breach.
This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and not offered as and does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion.
 
Noelle Jenina Francesca E. Buan is an Associate of the Intellectual Property Department at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).
830-800
nebuan@accralaw.com

Our teachers, our treasures

Because I was probably promoted too fast in my earlier schooling and am a natural rebel, I was not always an exemplary student. However, because I was blessed to have been sent to exemplary schools, and gifted with many extraordinary teachers, I was fortunate nonetheless to have learned from the best. To this day, I often think of my dedicated teachers all the way back to my kindergarten days, to whom I owe so much.
The teacher whom I often remember, and to whom I pray for guidance is Sr. Celine Marie of Maryknoll College, whom I acknowledge was the one who taught me how to really read and write. Against my rebellious nature, she made us write a daily journal, submit a book report once a month, and write a precis of difficult reading materials which she assigned as weekly readings. She went beyond just reading our outputs. She took the trouble to sit us down and give feedback on what we could do better, and hopefully, best. I often felt that she considered mediocrity a crime, or even a sin!
My high school English teacher in the province was Mrs. Gervacia Ponferrada Arce who was painstaking in motivating us to write our compositions and helping us to improve our English. When I visited her in her classroom almost thirty years later, she actually remembered me, and broke out into tears! Sr. Anne Marie of Maryknoll, our math teacher, was well known as a terror. Fortunately, in my youth, math was my favorite subject, so I somehow survived her toughness.
In grade school, we had a civics education (“Good manners and right conduct”) teacher named Mr. Bitque who also happened to be the scoutmaster. He seemed to have taken to heart the Boy Scout values of trustworthiness, courtesy, bravery, and reverence to the point where I was inspired to join the Girl Scouts! I also took to heart his emphasis on doing one’s duty for the sake of others.
The teacher who blew my mind and expanded my mental horizons was Fr. Joseph Goertz, SVD, dean of the College of Liberal Arts in the University Of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu. He taught us philosophy and introduced us to the thinking of Jean Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, who was actually, at the time, restricted reading. Because the European priests were so broad-minded, I was somehow able to peep at Chardin’s restricted books with the cooperation of Fr. John Vogelgesang, the head of the huge USC library.
At the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), my marketing instincts were sharpened by extraordinary professors Peter Garrucho and Dr. Ned Roberto, both of whom eventually became my professional colleagues. Professors Victor Lim and Gasty Ortigas helped me sharpen strategic thinking.
It was at AIM where I developed my faith in the case method as the most effective learning methodology because it challenges the student to freely analyze, diagnose and prescribe solutions and approaches to complex managerial problems without relying on doctrine or textbooks.
Perhaps being blessed with great teachers is why, intuitively, I have tried to give back by trying to be a good teacher in one way or another. In fact, my first regular job was as a high school and college teacher in a missionary school in a provincial town. Writing this column, in a way, is often like teaching, using the case method.
To this day, almost 60 years later, I am in touch with Dr. Patricia Milan, one of my most outstanding high school students. Dr. Milan earned a doctorate degree abroad and became a state university president and leading expert on indigenous trees in the country. Aida Tan, another high school student in Baybay, Leyte, was honored as the “most outstanding Carolinian” when she went to the University of San Carlos in Cebu. It is said that success as a teacher is best manifested when your students surpass your achievements!
Having been a student and teacher, I have deep appreciation for what a teacher can do as a key agent in human development. Our people, after all, are our most important assets, and the raison d’etre for the institution which we call democratic government.
Democracy is, after all, of the people, for the people, and by the people. The quality of our citizenry determines our success as a nation, and of government as an institution. Our teachers certainly have a critical role to play in ensuring that our people are effective agents for a better life for their community and the nation.
The election fever is heating up. And senatorial surveys are revealing that questionable characters like Jinggoy Estrada seem to be up there among those likely to win. His father, a convicted plunderer, and former president is running for re-election as Mayor of Manila. Non-performers like Lito Lapid are also in the likely winners list. Then we have responsible and clearly qualified candidates trailing in the surveys. We have a House of Representatives that actually considered removing the post of Vice-President for no sensible reason other than politics.
Let’s face it, our government is a mess. And our electorate certainly needs to be better educated. Moreover, to borrow a phrase from senatorial candidate Chel Diokno, our judiciary is “in shambles.” The people charged with ensuring adequate rice supply seem to have messed up; and it is the poor who are paying the price for their incompetence, or who knows, corruption.
Why are we in such a mess? It seems to me that one of the major reasons is because we have neglected our educational system. We paid our teachers so little for so long that we failed to attract the best and the brightest into this noble profession. It is so sad that so many of our teachers ended up working overseas as housekeepers; or selling longaniza or underwear on the side to make ends meet. All these, even while working nights and week-ends to do lessons plans, check papers and compute grades.
The present administration gives more importance to policemen and soldiers by paying them more than our teachers. Surely, there is something seriously wrong with our values system. It is time to give fair and higher value to the difficult and crucial work that our teachers have to do to ensure that our children and their children turn out to be more discriminating voters and responsible citizens than we have become. Paying them enough so they can live in dignity is one big step.
 
Teresa S. Abesamis is a former professor at the Asian Institute of Management and an independent development management consultant.
tsabesamis0114@yahoo.com

Aces try to strengthen top four hold vs Dyip

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
HAD their two-game ascent in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup halted last time around, the Alaska Aces look to regroup and bounce back when they take on the Columbian Dyip in opening league action today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Currently perched at fourth place with a 5-2 record, the Aces shoot for the win against the already-eliminated Dyip (0-8) in their scheduled 4:30 p.m. joust even as they try to rebound from an 83-73 defeat at the hands of the league-leading Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in their previous game.
A win by Alaska over Columbian will help its cause of finishing in the top four at the end of the elimination round of the season-ending PBA tournament and earning the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Against Magnolia in their last game, the Aces got off to a good start but just could not sustain it as they slumped to the defeat.
Import Mike Harris had another stellar double-double of 24 points and 25 rebounds while Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
After them though not much support came from the other Aces, limiting their capacity to fight back as the match progressed and nabbing the win.
While still in the thick of things for a top four finish with four games left in its schedule, including today’s game, Alaska coach Alex Compton said they have to be on top of their game the rest of the way if they are to hold on to a top four spot and even go deeper in the tournament.
“We like to be married into those top four spots [but] we’ve got to be better,” said Mr. Compton after their loss to Magnolia.
Looking to frustrate Alaska in its push is Columbian, which has been competing in the Governors’ Cup but just could not catch a break so far.
Import Akeem Wright is leading the way for the Johnedel Cardel-coached Dyip with averages of 22.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Guards Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King are also providing motor with the former good for 14.4 points and 3.4 assists and the latter 22.4 points and 7.9 rebounds.
Jackson Corpuz is the other Columbian player in double digits in scoring with 12.2 points.
The latest of the defeats of the Dyip was at the hands of the Northport Batang Pier, 118-101, on Oct. 6.
Meanwhile, playing in the second game at 7 p.m. are Northport (2-6) and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (1-4).
The Batang Pier have won two straight after dropping their first six games to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot while the Elasto Painters finally broke through the win column in their last game after four straight losses to open their Governors’ Cup bid.
In other news, incendiary forward Calvin Abueva of the Phoenix Fuel Masters was fined by the league P10,000 on Monday after displaying the dirty finger in two instances.
Mr. Abueva, who joined Phoenix in the in-between conference break, was slapped P4,000 for the act in their game against the NLEX Road Warriors on Oct. 10 and the San Miguel Beermen on Oct. 12.
The Gilas Pilipinas player has been steady for Phoenix (6-2) with averages of 14 points, nine rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.

DLSU eyes share of third spot

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
Currently holding the fourth spot in the elimination round of University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81, the De La Salle Green Archers take on the University of the East Red Warriors today at the Mall of Asia Arena with the end view of advancing some more in the top half of the standings.
Sporting a 4-3 record, the Archers trail Far Eastern University (5-3) and with a win over the Warriors in their 2 p.m. match they will tie the Tamaraws at third while creating further separation with now-rolling University of Santo Tomas (4-4), the fifth-running team at this point of the competition.
La Salle is coming off a nail-biter of a win over Adamson University, 79-78, in overtime on Oct. 13 in a game that was tightly fought throughout.
Aljun Melecio paced the Archers in the win with 22 points, going for 8-of-18 shooting from the floor.
Big man Justine Baltazar had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds while Santi Santillan had 16 and nine for La Salle.
Showing composure under pressure, La Salle coach Louie Gonzalez said he is happy with what he saw of his players against the Falcons and hopes they get to sustain it.
“We’re still a work in progress but the players showed great composure,” Mr. Gonzalez said.
UE (1-6), on the other end, has dropped two straight games after finally booking its first victory of the season.
The Warriors lost to National University in their final game of the first round, 88-61, on Oct. 13.
The Joe Silva-coached Warriors competed early in the contest before losing their grip as the match wore on to absorb the rout.
Alvin Pasaol was once again at the forefront of the UE attack, finishing with 20 points to go along with nine boards.
Chris Connor had a career-high 15 points while guard Philip Manalang had 10.
Playing in the second game at 4 p.m. are Adamson (5-2) and season host NU (2-5).
The Falcons have lost back-to-back heading into the game while the Bulldogs are fresh from halting a five-game losing streak.
Meanwhile, super rookie CJ Cansino of UST was named player of the week by the league press corps after helping his team bag two wins in a row last week.
Cansino, who also played high school ball with UST, averaged 11 points, 11 rebounds, 4.5 assists and a steal in their back-to-back wins over UP and FEU to move to the middle of the pack.
In winning the award, Cansino edged out teammate Zach Wang, Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena and Angelo Kouame, La Salle’s Melecio and NU’s John Lloyd Clemente.

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