Consumer group questions TransCo’s FiT overpayment

October 5, 2018 | 12:02 am

A CONSUMER GROUP has questioned the P36.53 million overpaid by National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) to renewable energy (RE) companies for the power they produced under the feed-in tariff (FiT) system, and sought a disclosure of an updated figure while pushing for changes in how the amount is being computed.
“What was the basis of TransCo’s computation of overpayment?” Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba, president of Laban Konsyumer, Inc., said in an e-mail sent to reporters.
Based on documents from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the discrepancy arose after TransCo used the capacity mentioned in the FiT certificate of compliance issued by the regulator to the RE companies, which turned out to be larger for some of them than what was listed in the certificate of endorsement issued by the Department of Energy (DoE).
The DoE issues its endorsement to determine which among the power plants were first to dispatch energy to the grid and qualified to receive the FiT or the guaranteed fixed payment. The so-called “race to FiT,” which capped the installation target for each RE sources, hastened the development of power generation projects.
The DoE endorsement becomes the basis for the certificates of compliance issued by the ERC, which are in turn reviewed by TransCo before issuing a renewable energy payment agreement to the developers.
“How can we be sure that the overpayment should not actually be larger than estimated by TransCo as no details were provided?” Mr. Dimagiba said. “What is TransCo’s latest estimate of the overpayment amount?”
Mr. Dimagiba also asked whether ERC should initiate a rule-making process to amend its own FiT rules to clarify that TransCo should compute tariff payments based on DoE’s certificate of endorsement, instead of ERC’s certificate of compliance.
In June, the ERC resolved the overpayment issue by directing TransCo to offset the amount given to the generation companies on a staggered basis for one year for those that received P1 million or more, and a one-time offsetting for amounts below P1 million.
The feed-in tariff system offers cost-based compensation to renewable energy generators, providing price certainty and long-term contracts that help finance investments in clean energy.
Sought for comment, Sharon O. Montañer, who heads ERC’s financial and administrative service, said there was no increase in the amount after the agency’s order in June. She added that ERC had since used the DoE figure in the computation.
She said TransCo would simply offset the overpayment from the future claims of the renewable energy companies. — V.V. Saulon

Banks fail to comply with required Agri-Agra lending

October 5, 2018 | 12:02 am

By Melissa Luz T. Lopez, Senior Reporter
BIG BANKS again failed to comply with required lending to the farming sector in June, which came at a time of robust asset growth, latest central bank data showed.
Universal, commercial and thrift banks ignored the prescribed credit quota under the Agri-Agra Law as of the first semester, with total lending to the industry settling to roughly half the required amounts during the period.
Republic Act 10000 or the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act mandates banks to allot at least 10% of its total loanable funds to agrarian reform beneficiaries and 15% for farmers and fisherfolk.
Banks only extended P629.98 billion loans to the agriculture sector as of end-June, or just 54.7% of the P1.151 trillion they should have lent out to beneficiaries during that period. However, this is 26% higher than the P500.79 billion worth of credit lines granted to the industry as of June 2017, according to latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
Based on data from previous quarters, the bigger lenders mostly prefer to pay penalties for non-compliance rather than lend to the so-called “risky” segment.
Broken down, there is dismal compliance for the 10% agra component, with approved loans just at 0.98% of the banks’ available funds of P4.605 trillion. The lenders extended P45.052 billion to agrarian reform land developers as of June, 58% higher than the P28.531 billion granted during the same period in 2017.
Big banks posted the lowest compliance rate, having set aside 0.78% of loanable funds or P33.361 billion to the sector, a far cry from the P427.094 billion they should have given. Thrift banks also missed the requirement and handed out P3.33 billion for agrarian reform, well below the P25.962 billion standard.
In contrast, rural and cooperative banks surpassed the floor rate and allotted over 11% of their available funds. This amounted to P8.361 billion, well above the P7.477 billion minimum prescribed under the law.
Banks were more upbeat towards farmers and fisherfolk, with industry compliance at 12.7% versus the 15% minimum. Lenders gave a total of P584.928 billion loans as of June, up by a fourth from the P472.255 billion granted during the same period last year although still short of the P690.799 billion standard.
Big lenders granted P548.885 billion for agriculture-related activities during the first half, against the P640.64 billion which they should have provided. This accounted for 12.85% of their loanable funds. Thrift banks were also reluctant to lend to the sector, having given only P6.84 billion against a P38.944-billion requirement.
For their part, rural and cooperative lenders surpassed the legal requirement and allotted 24.5% of loanable funds for the agri component. This is equivalent to P18.291 billion, well above the P11.215 billion minimum.
Banks are given several options to meet the required lending. Direct compliance involves extending credit lines to qualified borrowers and the purchase of eligible loans from other financial firms.
Meanwhile, alternative methods include investing in duly-declared eligible debt instruments, investing in the special deposit accounts of BSP-accredited rural lenders, wholesale lending to rural banks, granting rediscount loans to other banks covering farm loan credits, and the extension of loans for public infrastructure for the benefit of the farming sector.
BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier previously said the Agri-Agra law may be amended to include other forms of credit as compliant borrowings, such as financing for farm-to-market roads and related infrastructure.

C-suite gender equality deemed critical in finance

October 5, 2018 | 12:02 am

MCKINSEY & Co. said gender disparity in the boardrooms of financial institutions remains an issue in the Philippines, and called female representation important in the context of a customer base that is growing more diverse.
McKinsey Managing Partner Kristine Romano said even though the banking industry employs more women than men, C-suite representation remains a “real issue.”
“What’s interesting about this market is that in general, in financial services, there are actually more women than men in banks — for example, tellers and branch staff are typically >50% female,” Ms. Romano told BusinessWorld via e-mail.
“However… the real issue in the Philippines, as we find in other markets, is the ability of women to get to the most senior posts in banking.”
She cited a September study conducted by McKinsey and LeanIn.org in North America, which found that only 19% of top positions are held by women in financial services, noting that key barrier to the rise of women was what she called an ambition gap.
According to the Closing the gap: Leadership perspectives on promoting women in financial services research, over half of the women — or those who have reached the level of vice-president or above — believe that they have missed out on opportunities because of their gender, compared with just 10% of their male peers.
The study added that women are promoted at lower rates than men across all sub-industries, which include asset management and wholesale banking, banking and consumer finance as well as insurance.
Ms. Roman said harnessing gender diversity in the workplace is “critically important” at a global level as clients are getting more diverse as well.
“The concern is that as the traditional customer base becomes more diverse, so too must the companies that service them,” she said.
“Many we spoke to believe the competitive marketplace ultimately will demand diversity from financial services providers-especially as women increasingly take the financial reins of their households.”
Aside from providing representation to better reflect the more diverse customer base, Ms. Romano added that promoting gender parity in the workforce will also translate to profitability for the company.
The study indicates that companies rated in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 21% more likely to outperform in terms of profitability.
“Our research shows that firms that are more diverse are in fact more profitable, so this is a business imperative, not a ‘nice to have’ initiative,” Ms. Romano said.
McKinsey proposes a number of best-practice solutions to help achieve gender equality in the industry, such as enhancing access to sponsorship, eliminating bias from performance reviews and promotions, giving employees more flexibility to balance work and family and building accountability into the system through diversity targeting among others.
“While it’s hard to predict precisely what the future looks like, our view is that the more that corporate leaders — both male and female — view gender equality as a strategic priority and one that is integrated into the organization’s day-to-day work, the more we can realistically expect a change to occur,” Ms. Romano said. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Half of The Last Jedi haters were bots, trolls, activists, study says

October 5, 2018 | 12:02 am

LOS ANGELES — How much did movie fans hate Star Wars: The Last Jedi?
Perhaps not as fiercely as social media might suggest, according to a US academic study which found that half of negative tweets about the 2017 movie came from bots, trolls, or political activists, some of whom may be Russian.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which focused on ageing Jedi Luke Skywalker’s reluctance to be drawn back into the battle against the dark side in the sci-fi saga, prompted criticism online after its December 2017 release.
Many lashed out at key roles given to women and actors of color in the movie, while others were dismayed at the apparent death of Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill.
The Disney movie took $1.3 billion at the global box-office, compared to $2 billion for 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
A study by University of Southern California (USC) research fellow Morten Bay, released on Monday, analyzed the language, Twitter handles, and IP addresses of more than 1,200 tweets sent to Last Jedi director Rian Johnson’s Twitter handle in the seven months after the film’s release.
“Overall, 50.9% of those tweeting negatively was likely politically motivated or not even human,” Bay wrote. He said they appeared to be using the debate around The Last Jedi “to propagate political messages supporting extreme right-wing causes and the discrimination of gender, race or sexuality.
“A number of these users appear to be Russian trolls,” Bay added in the paper, called “Weaponizing the Haters: The Last Jedi and the strategic politicization of pop culture through social media manipulation.”
Disney did not respond to a request for comment on the research but Johnson said on Twitter that the overall findings were “consistent with my experience online.”
“This is not about fans liking or not liking the movie — I’ve had tons of great talks with great fans online and off who liked and disliked stuff, that’s what fandom is all about. This is specifically about a virulent strain of online harassment,” Johnson tweeted on Tuesday.
Bay compared his findings to other studies around attempts to influence Americans through social media platforms.
Bay said the likely objective was to increase “media coverage of the fandom conflict, thereby adding to and further propagating a narrative of widespread discord and dysfunction in American society.”
A US Senate panel has been examining reported Russian efforts to influence US political public opinion before and after the 2016 election of President Donald Trump. — Reuters

Good intentions

October 5, 2018 | 12:02 am

By Anthony L. Cuaycong
THERE’S NO QUESTION that the Gundam franchise has become huge to the point of ubiquity. These days, offshoots of animation studio Sunrise’s intellectual property can be found practically anywhere, way beyond the small and big screens and into toy establishments, hobby shops, book and video game stores, and collectors’ corners. It has become so ingrained in popular culture that a 65-foot-tall Unicorn mecha in Odaiba stands as one of Japan’s biggest — literally and figuratively — tourist attractions.
Considering how the franchise has turned into a veritable money-making machine, it’s hard to imagine that it once came close to being relegated to the dustbins of history. Mobile Suit Gundam, the television series that introduced it to the public in 1979, lasted just three months short of a year due to low ratings. Still, Bandai must have seen something in the 43 episodes that aired since it produced themed merchandise shortly thereafter. The decision spawned a juggernaut that now generates close to ¥100 billion in revenues yearly.
Needless to say, a chunk of the Gundam-related income Bandai Namco pulls in comes from its video game business. In terms of quality of the titles, the franchise has had mixed results. Still, there can be no doubting its intent to vary the ways in which it dips from the well, if for no other reason than to entice loyal fans to maintain their support with each new release. In this regard, the Gundam Breaker line has seen worthy improvements, with Gundam Breaker 3 representing an apex in the way it incorporates real-life Gunpla (the construction and beautification of mecha model kits) in the gameplay.
Parenthetically, gamers who appreciated the hack-and-slash action in Gundam Breaker 3 couldn’t wait for its successor to hit the shelves. And if New Gundam Breaker gained significant attention heading into its release, it was precisely because of the heightened anticipation of something better having been created in the two and half years that passed.
Given the extremely high expectations, New Gundam Breaker may well have been doomed to mediocrity even if it managed to retain much of what made Gundam Breaker 3 tick. As its very name indicates, however, it presents quirks to the previously established series structure where players engage in Gunpla and then subject their creations to battle after battle. Even as it still involves a lot of building and customization, it has, in cases, modified mission parameters as to require the completion of objectives other than combat, and under trying circumstances to boot.
The premise of New Gundam Breaker is, to be sure, no more or less weighty and sound than those of its predecessors. Offered in visual-novel format, the Story Mode is set in a Japanese high school where academics steeped in Gunpla are terrorized by a Student Council bent on making the strong, well, stronger at the expense of the weak. With this as backdrop, players control the main character, an outstanding builder and fighter with designs of becoming a professional, and get him to form and lead a rebel group in an effort to uphold the institution’s egalitarian purpose.
If nothing else, the narrative fits with New Gundam Breaker’s objective of engaging players in Gunpla creativity and excellence as validated by victories in combat. Perhaps it goes too far with its relationship-fostering aims; in order to flesh out interaction between characters, the dialogue can be tedious and repetitive. With an art style and thematic design that hews to the younger set, the presentation initially catches the eye, but could well prove diversionary and immaterial to those bent on action.
In this light, New Gundam Breaker’s battle mechanics are where estimation of its value will ultimately be based. Were its combat parameters the same as those of its older siblings, it would be forgiven its character-development missteps. Unfortunately, it boasts of changes that make progress and progression difficult. The degree of customization allowed and required remain all but boundless, a decided plus. However, the acquisition and collation of necessary components entail considerable in-game currency that grinding is inevitable, and to the point of excess. And even as these parts can be scavenged and salvaged during skirmishes, the odds of the right ones being made available through this route range from slim to zero.
Certainly, it doesn’t help that New Gundam Breaker’s cooperative modes have a task-completion bent that serves to muddle the path to success. Three-on-three scenarios don’t always lead to direct confrontations. Instead, the opposing teams aim for victory by way of points garnered when specific goals are attained. And when battles do break out, mechas take such damage that appendages can be lost as quickly as they are found. Meanwhile, noticeable lags and uneven frame rates make online options risky at best.
To its credit, Bandai Namco has taken the backlash against New Gundam Breaker in the two months since its release seriously, and has, in turn, resolved to make the gameplay better over time through continuous patching, not to mention implemented deep discounts to its sticker price. For longtime fans of the series, the hope is that the changes make the latest release more like previous ones. Until then, though, it serves as a stark reminder of what the road to heck is paved with. If there’s any consolation, it’s that the franchise will keep thriving, and that, somewhere in the not-too-distant future, a newer, better Gundam Breaker will be in the offing.

Tom Hardy brings out Marvel’s darker side in new movie Venom

October 5, 2018 | 12:01 am

LOS ANGELES — In the new movie Venom, British actor Tom Hardy plays an investigative journalist whose body is invaded by an alien with violent instincts who feeds on a diet of human flesh.
It is a darker tale from the Marvel Comics superhero universe than what audiences have seen in recent films such as The Avengers series released by Walt Disney Co.
“His version of doing good is just eating,” Hardy said of Venom. “The world is an all-you-can-eat buffet, and human beings are on the menu, so that’s not great for humanity as your hero.”
The story is a Jekyll-and-Hyde tale where Hardy’s journalist character, Eddie Brock, tries to keep Venom’s bad behavior under control. Venom is being released by Sony Pictures, which owns rights to several Marvel characters that are not owned by Disney.
Hardy said Venom has similarities to several classic monster movies.
“There’s an element of original Ghostbusters, a slightly ’80s retro vibe to it, which I enjoyed, and a bit of Teen Wolf and American Werewolf in London vibe to it,” Hardy said.
The star said he also received input from his 10-year-old son on how to play the role.
“My son’s a massive fan of Marvel and Venom, and he was very clear about what I can and can’t do,” Hardy said at the movie’s red-carpet premiere, adding “It’s very odd being told what to do by your son who’s 10 and him being right.”
Venom co-stars fellow British actor Riz Ahmed as villainous corporation owner Carlton Drake and Michelle Williams as Brock’s former girlfriend. It is the first time Oscar-nominated Williams has starred in a superhero movie.
Venom was created by comic book writer Todd McFarlane, who invented the new character after he struggled to draw Spider-Man.
“Venom is a by-product of me wanting to draw a blue and red Spider-Man costume,” McFarlane said. “Thirty years later, you’ve got a big movie!” — Reuters

Corporate governance in a family-owned corporation

October 5, 2018 | 12:01 am

AT THE BAIPHIL 3^rd General Membership Meeting, corporate governance “guru” and guest speaker Dr. Jesus Estanislao emphasized that governance demands a focus on the long-term, realizing a great “vision” in five to ten years. Governance demands a focus on the institution and what the institution should become. Yes, people are very important, but cautioned against personalities. He said governance asks for a strategy, a set of priorities pursued across all the different facets of any business. The key focus is on priorities which must be inter-connected and mutually supportive.
How then does one apply and observe them to a family-owned or controlled corporation? Tough question, he said, especially if the founding patriarch is still around. Governance goes way beyond mere practices and rules. It is made alive and comes into genuine force only if individuals decide to take on and personify the basic governance personal values such as integrity, fairness to all, personal discipline and courage. These are the personal values that make governance really count. These are the governance values that should be adopted by all corporations. Dr. Estanislao said this is required of everyone and more so of family members, given their significant position within a family-owned corporation, they are specially called upon to observe these personal governance values.
Is governance all about compliance? Is it simply ticking off some 100 scorecard questions such as:
• Do we have diversity e.g. enough women directors in our board?
• Do we have enough independent directors?
• Are the independent directors within their 9-year limit? (Former Prime Minister Cesar Virata told me “Flor, do you mean to tell me at the end of the 9^th year, I lose the independence in my decisions?”)
• Do we provide for electronic voting during our AGM?
• Is the chairman different from the CEO, etc.?
Governance is more than compliance, it is a mindset, a development mindset, an institution-strengthening mindset, one that wants to ensure long-term sustainability of high-level performance and therefore, it is more than a box ticking exercise. We need to ensure that we have a clear answer to questions such as:
• Do we have a clear long-term strategy associated with the vision we have?
• Do we have a clear road map on how to deliver transformation and game-changing results, using a performance scorecard?
• Do we have a corporate culture that aims to transform individuals, teams, and the whole enterprise itself into governance and transformation agents to benefit the wider community as well?
He asked what non-family members should bring to the governance table so they contribute to adding value to the family-owned and controlled corporation they work for. The answer is the same whether one works for a family corporation or a widely owned corporation. The institutional governance values of commitment and loyalty (not to personalities), but to the corporation and its progress, sustained into a long-term future. Commitment must come with competence — the continuous acquisition of knowledge, skills, and culture to meet the challenges of a changing environment. Commitment with competence and loyalty should also have the spirit of service, which breeds professionalism and patriotism. He added that patriotism is something we Filipinos still need to put more serious work into.
He concluded that “governance essentials’ application to a family-owned and controlled corporation is more demanding for members of the controlling family who may be working in such a corporation. The demands on non-family members who may be working there are the same as if they were working in some other corporation, not controlled by any single family.”
FINEX will soon launch the book “Ethics: White, Black or Gray?” featuring 50 interesting and thought-provoking articles from the government and private sector. And personal ethical behavior is a pillar of corporate governance.

Flor G. Tarriela is the Chairman of Philippine National Bank. She is former Undersecretary of Finance and the First Filipina Vice President of Citibank N.A. She is Go Negosyo 2018 Woman Intrapreneur Awardee. She is a FINEX Foundation Trustee and an Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) Fellow.

SEC warns public vs three investment entities

October 5, 2018 | 12:01 am

THE COUNTRY’S corporate regulator has advised the public against three entities which have been soliciting investments without the necessary licenses.
In separate advisories posted to its website on Thursday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) classified the following groups as entities that may turn out to be “fraudulent investment schemes”: NutriWealth Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Bibli Online Store and KAPA Community Ministry International, Inc.
For NutriWealth, the SEC found that the cooperative has been offering investments under several names such as Nutriwealth Producer’s Cooperative, Nutriphysics Wellness Association, Inc., Nutriwealth Wellness Association, Inc., Nutriwealth Manufacturing Plant, Inc., Nutriwealth School of Wealth & Wellness Foundation, Inc., Minviluz Farmers and Fishermen Integrated Livelihood Association, Inc. and Value Chain Methodology (VCM).
NutriWealth was found to have conducted a Financial Literacy Caravan Israel, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Italy, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, targeting overseas Filipino workers in the area.
Here, the group offered investments dubbed as savings, where the public can deposit P1,000-P100,000 per month for a fixed term of five to 35 years. Investors are then promised an annual interest income of 12%.
NutriWealth also has VCM, which invites the public to invest in the Dragon Fruit Global Project, Poultry Farm Project, and Manufactured Herbal Coffee and Rice Production, which assures investors of as much as 10 times the amount of their investments for a fixed period of five to 20 years.
The commission warned the public that NutriWealth and the corporations and associations connected to it do not have licenses or permits to solicit investments from the public.
Meanwhile, Bibli Online Store was found to be inviting people to sign up in its affiliate’s website, mybiblios.com, after which they are instructed to purchase an activation code worth P800 and activation pin worth P295.
Investors can then get a compensation plan which allows them to earn from P100 for every person they recruit into the system, up to P75,000 worth of down payment for a brand new car of their own choice.
There is however no record of Bibli Online Store being registered as a corporation or partnership with the SEC. With this, it is further unauthorized to solicit investments from the public.
The SEC further advised people to stop investing in KAPA Community Ministry International, Inc., a non-stock corporation operating in Pangyan Glan and Alabel, Sarangani Province, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, and General Santos City, South Cotabato.
The group representative by a certain Joel Apolinario was found to be inviting people to invest in their company every month for as long as they please, in exchange for a 30% interest income at the end of the month. The investment is then labeled as a Deed of Donation or Certificate of Membership.
The SEC said KAPA Community does not have a secondary license to solicit such investments.
Entities who act as salesmen, brokers, or agents of NutriWealth, Bibli Online, and KAPA Community may be prosecuted and held criminally liable as per Section 28 of the Securities Regulation Code. They may also be penalized with a maximum fine of P5,000,000 or imprisoned by up to 21 years, or both. — Arra B. Francia

Your Weekend Guide (October 5, 2018)

October 5, 2018 | 12:01 am

Guadalupe The Musical

JULIE Borromeo’s Performing Arts Foundations presents Guadalupe The Musical at the Meralco Theater until Oct. 14. With book and lyrics by Joel Trinidad and direction by Baby Barredo, the story is based on the apparition of the Virgin Mary to peasant Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Mamma Mia! returns

BENNY Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus’ Mamma Mia!, a jukebox musical featuring ABBA songs, returns to Manila at the Theatre at Solaire until Oct. 20. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Carmen and Other Dances

BALLET Philippines presents Carmen and Other Dances on Oct. 5 to 7 at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Dance workshops with G-Force

THE G-FORCE Project 2018 Sembreak Dance Workshop will be held at the G-Force Dance Center, Expansion Wing of Festival Mall on Oct. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, and 21 for Batch 2. The workshops from all participating G-Force branches will culminate in a dance concert on Oct. 31 in The Theatre at Solaire. Enrollment is P8,500 for six sessions of one type of class (except the #WhiteShirtLove class), inclusive of performance at the concert. Returning students who present their previous G-Force Project ID and students taking two or more types of classes will receive discounts. For more information, download the G-Force Dance Center app.

Lungs

THE SANDBOX Collective and 9 Works Theatrical present Duncan Macmillan’s play Lungs, which has performances until Oct. 7 at the Power MAC Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati. With temperatures warming, sea levels rising, and the planet slowly dying, one couple considers the unthinkable — having a baby. Directed by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, it stars Sab Jose and Jake Cuenca. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

A Doll’s House Part 2

RED TURNIP Theater presents Lucas Hnath’s A Doll’s House Part 2, which picks up Henrik Ibsen’s story 15 years later. The domestic drama has performances until Oct. 7 at the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall, BGC Arts Center in Taguig City. Directed by Cris Villonco, the show stars Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Nora and Carlitos Siguion-Reyna as Torvald. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Rapunzel: A Very Hairy Fairy Tale

REPERTORY’s Theater for Young Audiences and the City of Makati present Rapunzel: A Very Hairy Fairy Tale until Jan. 27 at Onstage Theatre in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Fans’ petition brings tour of K-pop band Day6 to Manila

SOUTH KOREAN boy band Day6 will be performing in the Philippines on Oct. 6 when the Day6 1^st World Tour Youth in Manila is staged at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. The concert is the result of a viral petition initiated by fans on www.mymusictaste.com, an online service that brings together music fans to request their favorite artist’s concert. In response, Day6 and MyMusicTaste collaborated to make the fans’ dream come true. The five-member band debuted in 2015 and has produced songs like the debut single “Congratulations” to its new release “Shoot Me.” With two full studio albums under its belt, Day6 also made a successful debut in Japan with one of its songs becoming the theme song for the Japanese drama Repeat. Tickets to the Manila concert are available via TicketNet. Information about the tour and tickets can be found on http://mmt.fans/wJxZ and MyMusicTaste’s social media channels.

Guest stars: Clinton, Albright, Powell

October 5, 2018 | 12:01 am

SONY CHANNEL’s political series, Madam Secretary, will have former secretaries of state Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright and General Colin Powell make guest appearances in the fifth season premiere that airs Oct. 8, 9 p.m. In this unprecedented episode, Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord, played by award-winning actress Téa Leoni, turns to the former real-life secretaries of state to ask their advice on how best to respond to a delicate situation. “We’re delighted to have these three former secretaries of state be part of our season premiere,” said Barbara Hall, Executive Producer and Series Creator. “It was a privilege to experience their perspectives and discourse both in and behind the scenes.” Lori McCreary, Executive Producer added, “Having three powerhouses of diplomacy agree to come on our show is awe-inspiring and humbling. The fact that we were able to find a time in their busy schedules when they were all available is a miracle. We welcome Secretary Albright, Secretary Clinton and General Powell to the Madam Secretary family!” Madeleine Albright, the first woman to become Secretary of State, held the position from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. General Colin Powell served as Secretary of State from 2001 until 2005 under President George Bush. Hillary Clinton served as Secretary of State from 2009 until 2013 under President Barack Obama. Sony Channel is available on Cablelink Channel 39, Cignal Channel 120, G Sat Channel 48, and SKYCable Channel 35.

Death threats against management

October 5, 2018 | 12:01 am

Two of our department managers who are actively engaged in negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the union have received death threats. The two managers are very vocal against the excessive demands of the union. What’s the best approach for management? — Talking Tough.
One lazy Saturday afternoon, a retired soldier was talking with his teenage son about his exploits in the military. He said: “When I was in the Army, we had a drill sergeant who was so tough he used to wear a wig.” The young man was perplexed. “What’s so tough about that, Dad?”
The old man smiles: “Well… he used to keep the wig on his head with a nail!”
We’re amused by this story because work life can be hard on management people, to the point of being life-threatening to some. Short of that, the feeling of being harassed while in a position of responsibility can contribute to sleepless nights. For management, a CBA year is always a critical situation, especially if you have a union trying to use unconventional means to press the approval of its economic and political demands.
A CBA negotiation can become tense in any event, even more so if things reach the point of death threats against management. Instead of having a positive, dispassionate discourse on the new terms and conditions of employment, management now faces the stress of sitting across the table from people who may wish them harm.
How management responds to that negotiating tactic could spell disaster for future labor-management relations. If management gives in, chances are, the union may develop a fearsome reputation. Management is left with two options — fight or flight.
Before making a choice, let us learn from Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho: “Only a fool makes threats, and only another fool feels threatened.” Now, let’s explore the following approaches:
One, report the matter to the police. Don’t delay. File a report right away including the complete details on how and when the death threat was received, including the witnesses who received it. This approach is echoed by long-time management lawyer and seasoned labor relations expert — Ranulfo P. Payos, now vice president at the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.
Two, request a criminal investigation. This is best done by competent agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation or the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. An ongoing third-party investigation may put the union in defensive mode, possibly provoking it into unreasonable action. Be prepared for this, but don’t be swayed by any outbursts of union leaders. If this happens, adjourn the meeting immediately.
Three, inform the union about the death threat. Do this formally during a CBA negotiation meeting but be careful not to accuse anyone from the union. Besides, you don’t have clear and concrete evidence yet. “Bring it out in the open by placing it on record in the minutes of the meeting,” recommends management lawyer Apollo Sangalang. “If the union objects to its inclusion in the minutes, request the union to police its ranks,” says Mr. Sangalang who is the former Executive Director of National Labor Relations Commission.
Four, increase the level of security. Install additional CCTV cameras, if necessary and frisk employees during ingress and egress. Include management in order not to be accused of unfair treatment. Request the police to monitor the area. A police report justifies this. Heightened security sends a signal to everyone that management is in command.
Last, prepare for any contingency. Stock up on food and other necessities for the workers and their managers who may need to work 24/7 in the event of industrial action. Hold the CBA meeting inside company premises instead of outside. This could worsen the situation, but management has no choice but to prepare.
Handling a problem like death threats without any planning could make matters worse. It’s not always easy to remain calm in these situations, since the union may in fact be harboring people with malevolent intent.
Once you have determined the applicability of the above measures to your particular situation, anticipate all possible eventualities. Any crisis of this magnitude calls for calibrated, reasonable management action to prevent a situation from deteriorating and return things to normal.
Every step of the way, management should try to take an objective approach in resolving issues with the union. While it’s natural to accuse the union, management must not do it. That advice may seem counter intuitive, but that is one way for you to take it rationally. Accusing the union of sending death threats against management “is most unfair. Sinister really,” according to a highly-respected union lawyer and notable labor law academician who does not want to be identified.
“From my 40 years’ experience, I know unions do not use death threats to win CBA negotiations. Why would unions resort to these? These are unprincipled and surely, ineffective (and) counterproductive” approaches to negotiating an agreement with management.
ELBONOMICS: A fearful death threat is riddled with poor grammar and spelling.

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What to see this week

October 5, 2018 | 12:01 am

6 films to see on the week of October 5 – October 11, 2018

Destination Wedding

FRANK and Lindsay meet on their way to a destination wedding and discover that they hate everything about it, especially each other. Sparring with someone long enough can make anything happen as they cope with other during the entire weekend. Directed by Victor Levin, the film stars Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Dj Dallenbach, and Greg Lucey. Hollywood Reporter’s Justin Lowe writes, “Whatever the intent, forcing a couple of middle-aged misanthropes to reluctantly attend the nuptials of their rather reviled friends sets a hopelessly high bar for delivering satisfying entertainment.” Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 42% rating.
MTRCB Rating: R-13

Tres

THE action-thriller focuses on the socially relevant issue on drug users, traffickers, and anti-drug law enforcers. The movie is divided in to three episodes — “Virgo,” “72 Hours,” and “Amats.” Directed by Dondon Santos, it stars Jolo, Luigi, and Bryan Revilla.
MTRCB Rating: R-16

Venom

EDDIE BROCK becomes the host of an alien symbiote just when he planned to attempt a comeback as an investigative journalist. He then begins to protect the world from an organization seeking their own symbiote. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, Venom — based on the Marvel Comics character — stars Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Scott Haze, Reid Scott, Riz Ahmed, and Jenny Slate. “It’s a mess, but wow, is it ever a fun, fascinating mess,” writes Tribune News Service’s Katie Walsh.
MTRCB Rating: PG

Para sa Broken Hearted

BASED on Marcelo Santos III novel, the story follows several relationships and shows how to deal with a breakup. Directed by Digo Ricio, the film stars Yassi Pressman, Shy Carlos, Louise Delos Reyes, Marco Gumabao, and Sam Concepcion.
MTRCB Rating: PG

The Witch Files

AFTER inadvertently harnessing the ambient energy of persecuted witches when they go through a forest, a group of teenagers attain the ability to make their desires a reality. However, they soon realize that they are not in control of everything. Directed by Kyle Rankin, the film stars Britt Flatmo, Holly Taylor, Paget Brewster, Greg Finley, and Valerie Mahaffey.
MTRCB Rating: PG

Little Italy

CHILDHOOD friends Leo and Nikki develop a relationship despite both of their families feuding over their respective pizzerias. Directed by Daniel Petrie, the film stars Hayden Christensen, Emma Roberts, and Alyssa Milano. “My favorite groaner moment takes place during a backyard barbecue, where everyone drinks Peroni beer and makes sure the labels face the camera,” writes Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times.
MTRCB Rating; PG

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