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Choosing between knuckles and a calculator

By Anthony L. Cuaycong
THERE’S SOMETHING to be said about the way Penny-Punching Princess stands out from among a bevy of role-playing games on the Nintendo Switch. It isn’t just because the quirky title comes courtesy of longtime-reliable Nippon Ichi Software, whose stable includes the popular Disgaea and Marl Kingdom series. In larger measure, it’s because the release dares to be different — an action-oriented RPG that has a female protagonist advancing through an adventure via her fists or, as the case may be, her finances.
Penny-Punching Princess begins with beats common to the genre. Devastated by her father’s debt and death, the titular character embarks on a journey of redemption and revenge. Her tale is told in large installments between levels, setting up the battles against the usurious Dragoloan family and its henchmen with equal parts heft and humor. All the same, it’s the gameplay that stands out; even as, in many cases, she lets her knuckles do the damage, there are instances in which she is able to use her cash on hand — by whipping out her trusty calculator — to co-opt obstacles. Her capacity to bribe underlings and objects, even traps, around her provides the game’s biggest come-on.
To be sure, Penny-Punching Princess contains many of the trappings of traditional RPGs. Players can upgrade the main protagonist’s constitution via Zenigami coins, accumulated in levels and tradable to skill points. Additionally, they can build armor to better equip the princess, as well as statues to help her fill her war chest faster. And, make no mistake, she will need all the assistance she can get. Though the game may appear easygoing visually and thematically, it is anything but. In fact, it strives to present a challenge even for veterans of grind-it-out releases.
Admittedly, Penny-Punching Princess isn’t one of those games that require triple-digit hours to complete. That said, it asks of players a high degree of dedication; there will be instances when the princess isn’t properly primed to handle the mini-boss, thereby necessitating a replay of the entire level, beginning with tweaks to her skill set and augmented by in-game adjustments. Moreover, only through experience will players know when to go all out in killing enemies and, in the process, accumulating coins, and when to put the calculator at work (assuming the meter is filled in the first place).
Parenthetically, Penny-Punching Princess compels players to employ a sound strategy that strikes a delicate balance between collecting currency and preserving life. On one hand, there is a need for them to take as little damage as possible, lest they be subject to the “Game Over” screen and be forced to negotiate the dungeon anew. On the other hand, they are enjoined to place the princess in harm’s way in order to make money and, yes, finish the level with a higher ranking.
The easy way out, of course, is to repeat an earlier stage which would have relative lightweights for foes. It’s the worst form of grinding, but, thankfully, Penny-Punching Princess offers an eminently pleasing pixel-art style mixed with a catchy soundtrack. On the flipside, the interface has a pronounced bias for the Nintendo Switch’s touch screen; players who like to play with the console docked will encounter more difficulty summoning the calculator in real time and identifying the subject/s or object/s of their intended bribe. Haggling is an option, but simply accepting the listed prices seems to be more beneficial, never mind the larger expense.
In sum, Penny-Punching Princess provides a decidedly unique action-adventure take on the Switch. It’s been a whole year since Nintendo launched the hybrid console, and owners already have a bevy of alternatives in their hands. Nonetheless, NIS’ latest offering is a medium-length brawler that packs a wallop. At $40, it’s a hearty recommend; it delivers as promised, standing on its merits and not needing false premises to bribe players into picking it up.

Video Game Review

Penny-Punching Princess
Nintendo Switch
THE GOOD

• Unique gameplay, featuring a hitherto-unseen bribe system

• Superb visual design and soundtrack

• Challenging but fair, providing players with ample risk-reward choices

THE BAD

• Controls far from easy to master

• Grinding is a must

• Screen can be noisy at times

• Better played using the touchscreen option

RATING: 8/10

What to see this week

6 films to see on the week of April 13-20, 2018
A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place

THE Abbott family navigates in silence to avoid being targeted by mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. The film is directed by John Krasinski who also stars alongside his real-life wife Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward, and Leon Russom. The Atlantic’s David Sims writes, “A Quiet Place is a taut piece of genre filmmaking, to be sure, though it succeeds because it leads with a believable, if heightened, portrayal of a loving family.” Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a rating of 96%.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Dear Dictator

Dear Dictator

A BRITISH-CARRIBEAN dictator flees the political turmoil in his nation and spends his time communicating with a teenage penpal from suburban America, guiding her with schemes to overcome bullies at school. Directed by Lissa Adario and Joey Syracuse, it stars Michael Caine, Odeya Rush, Katie Holmes, Seth Green, and Jason Riggs. The New York Times’ Jeannette Catsoulis writes, “Ms. Rush is believably disaffected but struggles to anchor a plot lousy with loose ends and lazily drawn relationships. As for Mr. Caine, never one to be fazed by the ludicrous, he plays Anton as less murderous tyrant than grandfatherly codger.” Rotten Tomatoes gave it a rating of just 15%.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Acts of Violence

Acts of Violence

WHEN the fiancée of the youngest MacGregor brother is kidnapped, detectives James Avery and Brooke Baker team up, while the ex-military soldier brothers fight against human traffickers. Directed by Brett Donowho, it stars Bruce Willis, Cole Hauser, Shawn Ashmore, Ashton Holmes, Melissa Bolona, and Sophia Bush. Variety’s Dennis Harvey critiques, “More high-body-count, guns-blazing faceoffs between ex-military civilians and criminals ensue before the desired result is achieved, albeit at great cost. You’d think the protagonists might wonder if they’d taken the right course when there’s a 40% casualty rate on their side, never mind the umpteen villains slain.” Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 0% rating.
MTRCB Rating: R-16
Status Update

Status Update

TEENAGER Kyle Moore is unable to fit in at his new hometown following his parents separation. Then his life changes after discovering a magical social media app that causes his status updates to come true. Directed by Scott Speer, it stars Ross Lynch, Olivia Holt, and Courtney Eaton. The Hollywood Reporter’s John DeFore writes, “That film deserved a stronger theatrical push than it got; this one should zip quickly to streaming outlets, lest it poison the appealing actor’s prospects in movie theaters.”
MTRCB Rating: PG
almost a love story

Almost a Love Story

BANENG and Luigi are childhood friends. Baneng’s mother, an OFW who takes care of Luigi in Italy, has witnessed their love blossom. The childhood sweethearts get a chance to spend time with each other when Baneng finally travels to Italy. Directed by Louie Ignacio, it stars Derrick Monasterio, Barbie Forteza, Lotlot de Leon, Matet de Leon, and Ana Capri.
MTRCB Rating: G
Rampage

Rampage

PRIMATOLOGIST Denise Okoye shares a friendship with George, a silverblack gorilla who has been under his care since birth. However, the gorilla, along with several other animals, turns into an enormous raging creature due to a genetic experiment. To save his gorilla friend and the environment from destruction and, Okoye teams up with a genetic engineer to secure an antidote. Directed by Brad Peyton, it stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Naomi Harris, Malin Akerman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jake Lacey, and Joe Manganiello.
MTRCB Rating: PG

Your Weekend Guide (April 13, 2018)

Shopping galore

THE CIRCUIT Summer Night Market offers retail therapy on weekends at Circuit Makati. Organized by the Common Good Market, the night market’s products include apparel, bags, accessories, gadgets, toys, and cosmetics. It also has food concessionaires such as Pinoy Pao, The Lemonade Bar, Gino’s Pasta Hub, Let’s Kakanin, and Gridiron. For added fun, visitor’s can play with life-sized board games for free when they make a purchase from any of the merchants. The night market runs on the following weekends: April 14-15, April 21 -22, April 28-29, and May 5-6 at the open parking lot.

Healing with scent, sound

LEARN to relax through the Scent and Sound Healing session on April 15, 10 a.m., at Yoga+Express Legazpi (YPELV). Scent and Sound Healing uses the powerful sound vibrations of a gong and essential oils of pure plant and flower essences to charge energy fields. The vibrations produced by the gong can lower the heart rate, reduce stress, anxiety and pain, as well as improve sleep. Wear light comfortable clothes; bring a yoga mat, an eye covering, and a light shawl. It is not recommended for women who are in their first and final trimester of pregnancy, children under the age of seven and those who are suffering from serious mental health problems. Rates are P750 for YPELV members and P950 for non-members. Walk-in rate is P1,000. Yoga+Express Legazpi is located at the Jose Cojuangco Bldg., 119 Dela Rosa corner Castro Sts., Legazpi Village, Makati. For inquiries, text 0918-888-9198.

Earth Day at the park

EARTH Day will be celebrated on April 15 at the Arroceros Forest Park, Manila’s last lung, starting at 7 p.m. A bike tour by the Firefly Brigade will open the celebration. Participants can participate in a nature photography workshop for adults or a storytelling session for children, bird watching, meditation, and nature walks. Fr. John Leydon of the Malate Parish Church will celebrate Mass at 2 p.m. The Arroceros Forest Park lies between the Pasig River and the Metropolitan Theater. Entrance to the park is free.

Experimental show

‘MUSTA, a multisensory experiential journey on depression and mindfulness presented by the students of Arts Management Batch 114 and TAXI Theater, will run on April 13 and 14, at 1, 4, and 7 p.m. at the SDA Theater, College of Saint Benilde. The audience capacity is limited to a maximum of 50 persons per show due to the experiential nature of the production. RSVP with the date and show time of your choice for availability at patriciaeunice.taguba@benilde.edu.ph or through 0956-973-9614. The SDA Theater is located at the 5/F Benilde School of Design and Arts Campus, 950 P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila.

Shang Summer Safari

ENJOY free music this summer with True Faith performing its original chart-toppers at the East Atrium of the Shangri-La Plaza mall on April 14, 7 p.m.

Monty Phyton’s Spamalot

UPSTART Productions presents the Tony award-winning musical comedy Monty Python’s Spamalot on April 13 to 22 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, in Taguig City. The musical is based on Monty Python’s movie Quest for the Holy Grail. For tickets and schedules, contact TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

PPO concert

THE Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra presents the final concert of its 35th season on April 13, 8 p.m., at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The evening’s repertoire includes F. Delius’ A Walk to the Paradise Garden F, Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto M, and De Falla’s El Sombrero de Tres Picos (complete ballet) under the baton of maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura. The featured performer is trumpeter Raymund De Leon. For tickets, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Juan Tamad adaptation

BASED on a short story in Nick Joaquin’s book Pop Stories for Groovy Kids (1979), Tanghalang Pilipino presents a fund-raising stage adaptation of Nang Dalawin ng Pag-ibig si Juan Tamad on April 14, 3 and 7 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Little Theater. The play was adapted by Rody Vera and directed by Jonathan Tadioan. For tickets and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Arsenic and Old Lace

REPERTORY Philippines presents Joseph Kesserling’s black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace. Directed by Jamie Wilson, the story centers on the Brewster family and their homicidal tendencies. The play runs until April 29 at the Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City. For tickets and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Sa Wakas the musical

THE re-run of Sa Wakas: A New Pinoy Rock Musical, featuring the songs of Sugarfree, will be held at the PowerMac Center Spotlight at Circuit Makati until May 26. Co-written by Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan and Mariane Abuan, with musical arrangement by Ejay Yatco, the musical brings together the world of pop rock and theater. For tickets and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Comedy nights

COMEDY MANILA presents Funny Fridays: Can’t Stop Laughing at 8:30 p.m. on April 13 at the Teatrino at Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan. For tickets (P500) and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

The Lion King

THE international touring production of The Lion King has performances at the Theater in Solaire until May 20. Winner of over 70 major international theater awards, it features lyrics and music by Elton John and Tim Rice including the songs “Circle of Life” and the Oscar-winning “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” For details, visit thelionking.ph. For tickets and schedules, visit TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Art in the Park

THE 12th edition of Art in the Park will see 58 galleries, art collectives, independent art spaces, and student groups gathering on April 15, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati City, for the benefit of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. With its primary goal of making Philippine modern and contemporary art more accessible to more people, Art in the Park prescribes a cap of P50,000 on the art works on sale at the festival, and it is not far-fetched to be able to obtain a coveted piece for much less. Admission is free.

Children’s summer camp

LUCKY CHINATOWN offers summer workshops for children from April 16 to May 20, including coloring activities, performing arts, and kiddie combat. Kiddie Summer Camp sessions will be available both in the morning and afternoon. There will be an Arts and Crafts Workshop with Crayola from April 16 to 22; then from April 20 to 21 will be art classes under Masters of Likhang Bata Creativity Center at 2-4 p.m. To join the workshops, present P1,000 single purchase receipt from any mall establishment. For schedules of other workshops, call the mall concierge at 576-8139 or visit http://www.megaworldlifestylemalls.com/.

How PSEi member stocks performed — April 12, 2018

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, April 12, 2018.

Gdp growth projections for select East Asia and Pacific economies

THE WORLD Bank sees the Philippines sustaining last year’s economic growth pace well into 2019, but said much depends on “timely” government spending on infrastructure as well as a close watch on rising inflation pressures and the risk of overheating. Read the full story.

Duterte apologizes to Hong Kong for 2010 Manila hostage crisis

By Arjay L. Balinbin
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday, April 12, “formally” apologized to the government of Hong Kong for the Aug. 23, 2010 hostage crisis in Manila that led to eight Hong Kong tourists killed, early on the watch of then president Benigno S.C. Aquino III.
“The Chinese government and the people of China have always been waiting for this. There has been no official apology coming from the Philippines regarding the incident that happened in August 2010,” the President said in his speech during his meeting with the Filipino community in Hong Kong on Thursday evening.
He added: “To the Chinese people who are here, from the bottom of my heart, as President of the Republic of the Philippines, may I apologize formally to you now. We are sorry the incident happened…I would like to guarantee this will never happen again. [I hope,] this will go a long way to really assuage the feelings of the Chinese people.”
According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), there were “over 2,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong who warmly received” Mr. Duterte at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for his meeting with the Filipino community.
As of January 2018, according to the PCOO, “there are around 222,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong, of (whom) more than 355 Filipino community organizations are registered with the Philippine Consulate General.”
The PCOO likewise said that “most of those organizations are composed of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The Philippine Association of Hong Kong (PAHK) is…the organization of Filipino professionals in Hong Kong that was founded in 1961.”

Duterte to fly to Kuwait for signing of OFW protection agreement

By Arjay L. Balinbin
WITH the Kuwaiti government’s approval of the conditions he set for his visit, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he will soon fly to the Gulf state “to witness” the signing of the agreement on the protection of Filipinos who work there.
Mr. Duterte made the announcement during his meeting with the Filipino community in Hong Kong on Thursday evening.
“I will go to Kuwait to witness the signing [of the agreement]. In fairness to the Kuwaiti government, they agreed to my conditions,” he said.
In his speech at the graduation ceremonies of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) on March 21 in Cavite, the President said that the contract between the Philippines and Kuwait “should include some mandatory provisions like they should be allowed to sleep at least seven hours a day, that they will be fed nutritious food, that there will be no confiscation of passports by the employers, that they will be allowed to go on holidays, and absolutely no physical abuse.”
Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said he expects the formal signing of the agreement to take place within the month of April.
BusinessWorld reported last February that the Kuwaiti government had invited the President to visit as both countries “seek to settle their differences over allegations of extreme abuse of migrant workers” there.
For his part, Mr. Duterte said he “will only visit Kuwait if the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) can assure the implementation of his conditions on the protection of Filipinos” in the Gulf state.

What if the Philippines started its own trade war?

Forget the clickbait title. This is just apropos to last week’s column: like the US, domestic and international law affords the Philippines several avenues at its disposal should a foreign country engage in unfair trade practices or its products harm national interest.
But first, it’s important to determine if the imported products are under a “bound rate”: effectively the “ceiling” the Philippines committed not to go beyond (either at the WTO, ASEAN, or other free trade agreements).
“Unbound” products enable the country to raise tariffs to practically whatever rate it reasonably wants. For “bound” products, the country can adjust tariffs to any level (called the “applied rate”) so long as it’s within the bound rate.
What US President Trump did for steel and aluminum (as there is no opportunity to study each of the 130 or so products involved) involved either unbound products or bound products but the increase was done within the bound rate. Legislation by the US Congress gives him the authority to do this.
The Philippines, as I mentioned previously, has this same mechanism and it’s found in RA 10683, Section 1608 (the “flexible clause,” which used to be Sections 401/402 of the Tariff and Customs Code).
However, it becomes a little bit complicated if the tariff increase needs to go beyond the bound rate. For the Philippines, one proceeds as usual with Section 1608 but a parallel proceeding (for this article, let’s focus on the WTO) under GATT Article XXVIII is necessary.
There, the Philippines informs the Committee on Trade in Goods about its desire to increase tariffs. After which, negotiations will happen with three types of WTO Members: those with “initial negotiating rights,” those with “principal supplying interest” (usually the Member with a large share in the market of the applicant), and those with “substantial interest.”
If an agreement is reached with such other WTO Members, the Philippines can now raise its tariffs but with the corresponding withdrawal of equivalent concessions by the other affected WTO Members.
As stated in the previous article, Trump seems to have gone with Article XXI (the “security clause”). This is available to the Philippines as well. Other options are Article XX (protecting morals, public order, life and health, the environment).
But there are still more avenues for the Philippines to protect itself from imports that are hurting the country. There are also the trade remedies.
There’s the anti-dumping measures (RA 8752), which responds to the dumped products, i.e., products sold to the imported country at prices much lower than that sold from the exporting country.
Then countervailing measures, (RA 8751), which are tariffs or other measures imposed to counter products that benefited from the exporting countries illegal subsidies.
trade war
Finally, there’s safeguards (RA 8800), which are tariffs for those products that come into the country in such amounts and period (i.e., “surge”) that causes serious injury to local industries.
These three measures are incorporated into the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and are found in Sections 711, 713, and 712, respectively. At the same time, however, provisions of the WTO Agreements relating to trade remedies must also be complied with if the countries to be hit are WTO Members.
The Philippines can also protect itself via tariff classifications, particularly if the imported product is taking advantage of some vagueness in the classification description. This is found as well in Section 1608.
One little known measure that survived the transition from the TCCP into the CMTA — and I believe it was correct for Congress to do so — is the “anti-discrimination” provision, previously TCCP Section 304 and now CMTA Section 714. Thus, in the case of a country discriminating against the products of the Philippines, the president can:
“Declare new or additional duties in an amount not exceeding one hundred percent (100%) ad valorem upon goods” of such foreign country; and,
If such foreign country “maintained or increased its said discrimination against the commerce of the Philippines,” to declare the “product of said country or such goods imported in their vessels be excluded hom importation into the Philippines.”
However, whether the application of Section 714 will be WTO consistent is another matter but certainly its application should be considered legal (i.e., constitutional) as far as the Philippines goes.
Anyway, if all else fails, there’s the WTO dispute system.
Yet, consider this: the Chinese retaliatory measures against Trump’s tariffs are clearly questionable vis-à-vis the WTO. But resort to it was made because they know the WTO’s dispute system would take around two years to finish.
Which is precisely the time Trump needs to secure a midterm congressional victory and (perhaps) his own reelection. Meanwhile, China’s businesses and products continue to suffer.
Some things to think about should the Philippines want to defend its trade interests.
“Remember, we presently have an expected overall trade deficit of $3.07 billion, brought about due to slowed exports and the uptick in public infrastructure projects.”
 
Jemy Gatdula is a Senior Fellow of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations and a Philippine Judicial Academy law lecturer for constitutional philosophy and jurisprudence.
jemygatdula@yahoo.com
www.jemygatdula.blogspot.com
facebook.com/jemy.gatdula
Twitter @jemygatdula

Mere anarchy

His defenders and partisans, as well as the trolls his regime pays out of public funds, describe President Rodrigo Duterte’s “leadership” as “decisive.”
They’re referring to the speed with which he tried to address the drug problem — the extent of which his minions, among them Alan Peter Cayetano, and he himself, exaggerate — and his promise to end it within six months. (Cayetano told the United Nations last year that seven million Filipinos are drug addicts, while Mr. Duterte pegs the number at four million. PDEA, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, put it at less than two million in 2016.)
They probably also have in mind his signing in record time the misnamed Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), and his mobilizing his allies in the House of Representatives to rush Constitutional amendments and the shift to a federal form of government.
There’s also his decision, after calling the resort island of Boracay a cesspool, to keep tourists out of it for six months.
He allowed the bombing of Marawi City to dislodge the allegedly terrorist Maute Group. He also initiated peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) upon his election to the Presidency, and just as quickly terminated the talks, and officially labeled the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorist organizations.
At about the same time in 2016, he announced the adoption of an independent foreign policy, and recalled the US record of intervention in the Philippines. Supposedly to clear the way for the changes he wants to put in place, he set in motion a campaign to remove the Chief Justice, and challenged the impartiality of the Ombudsman.
All are clear indications, his partisans say, of his concern for the country and its future and his readiness to make the decisions needed to realize the changes he promised during the 2016 campaign for the presidency.
These acts and policy decisions are proof enough that he has the will to make them. But it has since become clear that these were made with hardly any understanding of, or regard for, the consequences — and without any preparation or plan in place to cushion their impact on the little that’s left of Philippine democracy, the country’s institutions, and even on much of the population.
The anti-drug campaign has foundered on the exemption from prosecution of some of the biggest drug lords in the country and their collaborators in government, some of whom have even been promoted. It has also hardened the culture of impunity dominant in an already abusive, barely competent police force. Worst of all is the human cost of the campaign: the barbaric extrajudicial killing of some 14,000 individuals including women and children, whose humanity Mr. Duterte and his accomplices in Congress and the executive branch have denied to justify the violation of their rights to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
The killing of breadwinners in poor communities has also left behind scores of widows and orphans whose very survival is uncertain — a largely ignored humanitarian crisis whose dimensions are likely to grow as the killings continue.
TRAIN reduced taxes among the wealthier classes, but is wreaking havoc among the very same poor communities whose residents have been the most numerous victims of what has turned out to be a war, not against drugs, but against the poor. Despite assurances from government economists, TRAIN has so raised the prices of basic commodities and other needs that it has become another weapon in the regime war against them.
The Boracay decision has not only cost thousands their livelihood. It has also severely damaged the country’s standing as a tourist destination. And yet Mr. Duterte had earlier approved Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar’s multimillion-peso “nation branding” project to attract tourists and foreign investors — and discussed with a Chinese gambling magnate the possibility of the latter’s building a casino or two in Boracay.
Marawi City is in ruins, with some 300,000 residents displaced by the mindless destruction the regime unleashed on that once proud community. But while it desperately needs reconstruction, the building of a military installation in that city has taken precedence over the resettlement of displaced families. The whole of Mindanao is still under martial law, and human rights violations including extrajudicial killings multiplying.
As if to demonstrate that peace and meaningful change are far from his concerns, Mr. Duterte ended the peace talks with the NDFP when the government and NDFP peace panels were on the verge of discussing the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reforms (CASER), to which concurrence by both parties could have led to the end of hostilities.
Despite his terrorist tag on the CPP and NPA, Mr. Duterte, in what looks like a public relations ploy to assuage international criticism, has announced the conditional resumption of peace talks between the government and the NDFP.
The regime attacks on the Chief Justice and the Ombudsman have meanwhile demonstrated that it is not the desire for unencumbered power to achieve change that drives them, but mere hostility to the system of checks and balances crucial to preventing the abuse of executive privilege.
As for Mr. Duterte’s “independent foreign policy,” what has most characterized it is the virtual surrender of the country’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea to the strategic interests of China, which has constructed military bases in what is indisputably Philippine waters and its exclusive economic zone. Despite his rants against United States intervention, and his sourcing guns from China and Russia, the country remains a US economic and military dependency. It was in the context of the regime failure to protect Philippine sovereignty that Mr. Duterte, in another display of unintended irony, urged Filipinos last April 9 to defend it.
What’s evident in all these is not only an anti-democratic mind-set.
Even more obvious is the lack of consistency, the contradictions, and the outright chaos in the utterances, declarations, and rants that assume the form of official policies under the Duterte regime. “Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,” and “the ceremony of innocence…drowned.” (W.B. Yeats)
Rather than deserving of the term “decisive,” what passes for the “leadership” the country is afflicted with is more aptly described as lawless, inept, and divisive. It has made democratic discourse almost impossible through its dominant use of invective, harassment, and hate speech to silence independent journalists, dissenters, and regime critics. No other administration has made killing as acceptable as policy among its supporters, and human rights and the rule of law as despised. Its enshrinement of the use of force as the solution to every problem has made it the most dangerous regime of all that this land of fear has had to endure since that of Ferdinand Marcos’s.
If the Marcos terror regime politicized the police and military, the Duterte regime has further empowered them. If the Marcos kleptocracy divided the country between the poor and powerless on one hand and the wealthy and powerful on the other, the Duterte regime has further sharpened mass unawareness of the difference between truth and falsehood by making ignorance a virtue and knowledge a crime. And if the Marcos abomination made self-interest and corruption the ruling ideology in government, so has the Duterte regime made opportunism, mendacity and complicit silence in the face of the worst abuses the only paths to survival and advancement at the highest levels of the bureaucracy.
But even more distressing is the willingness among vast sections of the population to ignore, tolerate, or even cheer the abuses and killings that are now the staples of Philippine reality. The anarchy and violence of the regime are bringing out the worst in a people so long inured to perennial injustice, fear, and their own miseries that they have become uncaring of the plight of others. The loss of the sense of common humanity among many in that fraction of mankind known as Filipinos is among the Duterte regime’s sorriest legacies to the uncertain future.
 
Luis V. Teodoro is on Facebook and Twitter (@luisteodoro). The views expressed in Vantage Point are his own and do not represent the views of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.
www.luisteodoro.com

Silver

Easter signifies rebirth and renewal. It is the most important holy day after Christmas. April recalls many happy memories of childhood birthdays in Baguio, the old summer capital.
In another sense, April marks the 25th anniversary of this column.
Flashback to April 1993. My first article “A Haven for young girls,” was the story of the dedicated Oblate sisters whose unique mission to heal young victims of incest and abuse. It was a different type of mission beyond education and conversion. It touched the heart and resonated with the deep yearning to do more for others.
At a Jungian retreat workshop at the Cenacle, the dynamic Sister Isadora Irrisarri OSSR, the Spanish superior and Sister Nida Viovicente explained their work with marginalized women — prostitutes in Venezuela, bar girls in Cebu, street girls and the poor young victims of incest and abuse in Metro Manila.
The meeting was fateful because an enduring bond of friendship was forged. It became my advocacy — to help abused girls.
In the Philippines, the sisters have worked with young girls aged nine to 18. Among their partners are the Child Protection Unit-PGH, with the cooperation and sponsorship of Department of Social Welfare (DSWD), volunteer lawyers, the police and foreign and local foundations such as the Consuelo (Zobel) Foundation.
The group of dedicated nuns, composed of trained psychologists and social workers, continue to evaluate and process the girls. Then they heal, rehabilitate, educate and teach them livelihood skills at various centers throughout the country.
Twenty-five years later, Sister Isadora has passed to heaven. However, her influence lingers and continues to inspire the sisters to carry on their difficult and complex task. Now there are doing more counseling work with families. Young abused boys also need processing, therapy, and protection.
There have been major changes in the foundation, congregation, and community. The original sisters are determined to fulfill their noble mission despite the obstacles.
I have met and interviewed some of the young girls (then nine years old). Their heartbreaking stories were moving.
I have watched the sisters — “love in action.”
Some of the Amerasian girls have gone to college through grants from the Pearl Buck Foundation. They have blossomed and have chosen to be social workers and counselors who help others. They now lead normal lives and are raising their young families.
The sisters and the “wounded healers” are all heroines. They give of themselves unceasingly, unconditionally. They deserve support and admiration.
When the original article came out, the late publisher and editor-in-chief Raul L. Locsin invited me to continue writing in the opinion page. “Beyond Brushstrokes” was born. RLL and the late editor Mike D. Marasigan were great mentors who encouraged and set a good example for writers and journalists.
It is a great honor to be a part of this prestigious newspaper. And it is still a challenge — to think of topics. “Write about what you feel strongly about,” MDM remarked.
In 1996, Bookmark, Inc. published the anthology Beyond Brushstrokes that featured my interviews of significant Filipinos. The book launch was held at the Ayala Museum with an exhibit of paintings.
It was a humbling and delightful experience to combine the articles with my artworks. The subjects have made a positive impact in the business and banking sectors. Two prominent, idealistic men entered politics and eventually became statesmen who served the country with integrity.
There are times when one needs to draw inspiration, ideas, and phrases from the past. There have been some articles and thoughts that people considered relevant now so they have requested me to recall and to rewrite a few.
On the personal side, there have been life-changing crises, some major storms that have caused more than the occasional creative block. This column has been an anchor through those hard times and a source of joy, too. It is still evolving.
One has to goes beyond the surface to find a familiar chord somewhere. Sometimes, the article resonates with the reader’s feelings, imagination and spirit. And that makes it all worthwhile.
Happy Silver Anniversary!
 
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.
mavrufino@gmail.com

Should dogs also go malling?

Malls have already banned smoking, gun-toting, and skateboarding inside the premises. Does this intolerance for disruptive behavior extend to dogs? Sure, they’re on a leash, and okay some of them look cute in their batman costume, but they can bark loudly and snarl at passers-by.
It now seems to be an accepted practice to walk dogs in all sorts of places which used to be limited to neighborhoods of gated communities and public parks. Should dogs be allowed at malls?
It’s even now a valid lifestyle question in a TV interview to ask — are you a cat person or dog person? One is not expected to reply — I’m just a person-person. I like to walk with animals with two legs only who don’t need to be on a leash.
Those who love dogs and even sleep with them for warmth and companionship not available in less hairy substitutes can skip this piece altogether. I mean no offense and do not want to invite rude comments.
Here are some routine actuations of dog owners (and walkers) that make me uncomfortable with canis familaris. As an aside, these are intelligent people who can discuss the anti-Semitism in Merchant of Venice in its portrayal of Shylock, over iced coffee.
“Don’t worry, Sir. She doesn’t bite.” Such assurance from a dog handler to a threatened septuagenarian is intended to allay fears of being attacked. (She only bites those who walk slowly.) The use of the feminine gender for a pet (not the feminine noun for dog) instead of the neuter form shows the walker’s personification of a beast, explaining its behavioral history vis-à-vis the exposed ankles of strangers.
The retractable leash has made the idea of restraining an animal’s radius of aggravation moot. This dog accessory (which has a child-restraining version) allows the animal to stray as the leash reels out, and not drag along its owner. The pet can frolic with unrestrained glee along a bigger radius of passers-by. (In the interest of fairness, some strangers do squat and pet the dog with affectionate gurgling sounds.) The maximum length of the leash is unknown. And the uncertainty principle adds to the delight of the owner in seeing the panic-stricken faces of shoppers, especially those carrying heavy grocery bags which may include pet food… for the terrapin.
Dogs have become mobile accessories, as dogs themselves have been accessorized. There are colorful dog collars, sun glasses, and even tube attire to elicit even from even the hard-hearted non-dog-lovers a grudging admission that there is really a retail boom in Manila — where do they buy these togs for dogs?
As a child growing up in a big family, I had my own exposure to household dogs, mostly to provide security by barking at those who press the wrong passcode at the gate. I was given the opportunity to give our no-breed grubby-looking dogs names after Russian authors. My favorite was Fyodor Mikhailovitch. Whenever I called out his name, he would come to me with his tongue hanging out as if to recite a passage from Crime and Punishment. I was never tempted to pet Fyodor on the head or tickle his belly.
Even the most responsible dog walkers admit the loathsome and to their mind inevitable habit of dogs doing their business, usually in grassy portions of parks, footpaths, or vacant lots. The first three letters of “poodle” summarizes one loathsome aspect of dogs. In Paris, dog owners are required by law to clean up the doggy mess. These upright citizens scoop up dog poo by picking this up with a hand encased in a plastic bag they carry which is then turned inside out to neatly store the feces without needing to touch it directly, in the nearest bin. This same hygienic process is provided to those who dine on oversized hot dogs — a different kind of canine.
While dogs now get to have celebrities to push for their adoption, it may be better for them to contribute scholarships to the needy. Anyway, it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. But sometimes, they stir, snarl, and bark with wild abandon. Then it’s time to head for the escalator and hope the retractable leash hits its limit… with a gagging trashing sound left far behind.
 
A. R. Samson is Chairman and CEO, TOUCH xda.
ar.samson@yahoo.com

DoE may step in as licensing body for retail power suppliers

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is studying the legality of becoming the issuer of licenses for retail electricity suppliers, a function currently taken up by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) but put on hold by a court order on rules governing retail competition and open access (RCOA).
“The Secretary (Alfonso G. Cusi) ordered us to look into it because we can no longer wait for other agencies to act on these things,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella told reporters.
“At the end of the day, the DoE will always push forward with its power of choice campaign. So no agency nor company can further delay this order of the secretary,” he said.
“We have to act. So that’s the direction,” he added.
Mr. Fuentebella said the DoE was looking at a policy that would allow it to be the party to handle the licensing.
“We’re looking at the entire situation right now,” he added, referring to the stalled regulations after the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) by the Supreme Court on Feb. 21, 2017.
RCOA was meant to give retail electricity suppliers (RES) access to the power distribution network as they serve electricity users whose consumption has grown to reach the threshold set by the ERC. These big “contestable” power users are mandated to buy their electricity from a licensed RES, moving them out of the captive market of a distribution utility.
Some sectors, including educational institutions, questioned the mandatory provision of the RCOA rules before the Supreme Court. The TRO came out at time when the threshold was about to be lowered to 750 kilowatts (kW).
The ERC has opted to wait for the high court’s decision on the issue. But the DoE opted to issue new rules that dropped the questioned provisions of RCOA, specifically its “mandatory” aspect. In the meantime, several RES licenses have expired or about to expire, resulting in uncertainty in the supply for those who previously contracted with the retail suppliers.
Thus far, only those consuming a monthly average of 1 megawatt (MW) remain contestable customers, leaving the retail electricity suppliers to compete for a slice of a limited market.
Mr. Fuentebella said the policy that would spell out the DoE’s function as issuer of RES licenses might be included in the upcoming rules on the Green Energy Option (GEO), a scheme that allows customers the option to be supplied only with renewable energy sources.
Unlike the RCOA rules, GEO will cover consumers with an electricity usage as low as 100 kW, which he described as those with two- to three-storey buildings. — Victor V. Saulon

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