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Grab, Uber oppose PCC’s proposed interim measures

GRAB Holdings, Inc. and Uber Systems, Inc. rejected the Philippine Competition Commission’s (PCC) proposed interim measures which are aimed at ensuring competition in the local ride-sharing market.
“Based on the comments [of both parties], we will further deliberate the interim measures then we will issue the order,” PCC Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan said after a two-hour public hearing on Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asian business.
Among interim measures being proposed by the PCC include requiring ride-hailing apps to operate independently pending the conclusion of the PCC review; refraining from sharing confidential information; refraining from imposing exclusivity clauses, lock-in periods or termination fees on Uber drivers seeking to join Grab.
The PCC also directed Grab and Uber to refrain from taking further steps that will reduce viability and saleability of either company and from taking any actions that will prejudice the review.
The competition watchdog has started a motu proprio investigation into Grab’s acquisition of the Southeast Asian businesses of rival Uber, saying it believes the deal “may likely substantially lessen, prevent, or restrict competition.”
However, Grab and Uber do not agree with the PCC that such interim measures are needed, and denied the deal reduces competition in the local market, saying consumers can still choose other forms of transportation such as private vehicles, jeepneys, buses and taxis.
“Interim measures are not necessary because the concerns are not real in this case,” said Arlene M. Maneja, one of Grab’s legal representatives.
“The perception that there is high concentration in the relevant market will not be accurate because the market is far bigger,” Ms. Maneja added, noting the companies make up a “small” part of transportation industry which includes jeepneys, tricycles, among others.
She further noted the existing government regulations do not hinder the entry of other transport network vehicle service (TNVS) players.
“The anti-competitive concern will be low because there are very low barriers of entry [for other ride-hailing apps],” Ms. Maneja added.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Board Member Aileen A. Lizada said TNVS applicants only need to submit an audited financial statement, business permit, and an established system to receive complaints. Applications can be processed in two weeks. — Janina C. Lim

Wargames

Movie Review
Ready Player One
Directed by Steven Spielberg
By Noel Vera
ADAPTED from Ernest Cline’s best-seller, Ready Player One is Steven Spielberg returning to form as entertainer — in my book his finest incarnation. Which, when you think about it, isn’t saying a lot, but is saying something.
The plot is Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket gimmick yoked to the mystery premise of Citizen Kane, set in a world much like Neuromancer on steroids. The late James Halliday (Mark Rylance) in creating OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation) — a virtual reality environment shared by practically everyone in 2045 to escape their grimly dystopian world — has also created the ultimate Easter Egg. Follow the clues littered throughout his life and (as in Kane) you will find the egg; find the egg and (as with Wonka’s golden ticket) you will have won control of the whole enchilada, namely OASIS.
The plot and Cline’s book are at most an excuse for the filmmaker to celebrate pop culture, with mentions allusions and quotations from music, movies, videogames, TV shows of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s (But not books — isn’t that strange?); more, it’s the director’s latest best chance to prove himself a special-effects master in a world lousy with special effects.
Spielberg makes a strong case: in a jaw-dropping, eye-popping, early sequence, the hero Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) hurtles down the rolling curves of Harlem River Drive in a DeLorean with sections of road collapsing — dropping cars to lower levels — or levering up to fling them into air; he’s pursued by a roaring T-Rex, speeds past a Batmobile teetering at the edge of a crumpled overpass, and at the finish line confronts a huge, hugely angry Kong. Spielberg takes on Michael Bay, Robert Zemeckis, James Cameron, Peter Jackson, and the Wachowskis, among others, and beats them at their own game. Spielberg’s movie is the only game around, a Rube Goldberg contraption louder than any thunderclap, brighter than any lightning bolt, more intricate than any clockwork mechanism. To date, anyway.
In all that tumult, Spielberg inserts clever little gracenotes: a visit through a man’s life presented as a series of lovingly realized museum tableaus, the sequence in turn a parody of the visit to the Walter P. Thatcher Memorial Library in Kane; a makeout sequence where you can see the girl’s handprints slide suggestively up and down the nooks and crannies of the boy’s immersion suit; a third act taking place in the back of a truck, the truck doors opening and shutting like stage curtains to reveal a series of plot developments.
Along the way Spielberg inserts a lengthy excerpt from The Shining, the single most chilling moment being that first shot when we see the Overlook Hotel perfectly reproduced, down to John Alcott’s bluish winter light (Is it an actual set? A digital rendering?). The excerpt quickly becomes a jokey interlude, Spielberg presumably realizing he couldn’t replicate Kubrick’s monolithic sense of menace, instead going for frenetic chases and cheap laughs.

By film’s end (skip the rest of the article if you plan to see the movie!) Watts and Halliday meet in the latter’s childhood bedroom where Halliday explains to Watts the secret to living a full life, and what all this — OASIS, reality — ultimately means. Nothing particularly new, only you get this sense that Spielberg at 71 and father of seven children wants to impart words of wisdom to us the audience through his avatar (Rylance’s Halliday). It’s a nice lecture; brief and interestingly lit, framed, acted, but still a lecture.
A well-made thrill sensation, the best Spielberg has done in years, and head and shoulders above most of his contemporaries. If in the end that statement doesn’t amount to much may be because Spielberg’s movie — his entire career, almost — lacks a sense of subversion, of threat, of real danger; a sense that watching his pictures can change your view of things, shake you to your core (if this sounds like a summing up, the movie seems to cry out for one, of both work and maker). Spielberg, after all is said and done, isn’t so much an artist as he is a craftsman — superbly gifted, but basically a straightshooter with few layers underneath. The man sets the tone, which in turn informs Rylance’s performance of Halliday; looking at Rylance’s dreamy eyes, listening to his softspoken voice. You can tell he hasn’t a single sardonic bone in his body. He’s meant to comfort not criticize; at most he admonishes, mildly.
There’s plenty to criticize if you wish. Spielberg pays homage to American pop culture with a dash of Japanese pop; European. African, and other Asian cultures barely rate a mention. He concentrates on science fiction and fantasy, peers myopically at narrative fiction without considering alternatives, confines himself to the past 40 years as if the previous centuries never happened. Spielberg fails to note the rich irony of revolutionaries taking control of a mighty corporation in a motion picture produced by a corporation almost as mighty — if references to Batman, Superman, and The Shining abound you have Warner Studios to thank (and Warner lawyers, for mention of other studios’ properties); if you want even richer irony, the movie should ideally have been done by Disney, which owns everything else under the sun.
“Reality is real” Rylance’s Halliday finally informs us; Wade responds by turning OASIS off on Tuesdays and Thursdays — hardly what you’d call an earth-shattering decision (for starters he could have thrown in Sunday). I can see Charlton Heston pulling it all down around him without a moment’s hesitation; at the very least he can sink to his knees on a wet beach shaking a fist at the sky and screaming. “God damn you! God damn you all to hell!” I feel his pain.
MTRCB Rating: PG

Ethical collaboration

THE VARIED AND COMPLEX challenges in the health care system require proactive collaborations between the government, patients, professional organizations, and the private sector. Recognizing that each one has a unique role and responsibility, they work together to ensure that medical decisions are made in the best interest of patients. In all their interactions, the health care community upholds principles such as patient focus, integrity, independence, transparency, and accountability. To this end, a consensus framework for ethical collaboration was established between patient organizations, health care professionals and the research pharmaceutical sector in support of high quality patient care.
The International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), and World Medical Association (WMA) support the Consensus Framework for Ethical Collaboration.
It aims to ensure that the relationship between patients, health care professionals, the pharmaceutical sector, and their organizations, is based on ethical and responsible decision making. It has four overarching principles, namely: Put Patients First; Support Ethical Research and Innovation; Ensure Independence and Ethical Conduct; and Promote Transparency and Accountability.
The Consensus Framework outlines some of the key areas that should be considered by all partners to help guide ethical collaborations at the individual and organizational levels. It encompasses a shared commitment of organizations representing patients, health care professionals, and the pharmaceutical sector to continually improve health and ensure, in collaboration with other stakeholders, that all patients receive appropriate treatment.
The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) representing the research pharmaceutical sector in the country, fully endorses the consensus framework. In signifying its support for the ethical principles, PHAP signed the consensus framework with the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), which represents at least one million members and local patient advocacy groups, and recently, the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA) representing the approximately 15,000 licensed pharmacists in the country.
“To practice the profession in an ethical manner is one of the key competencies expected of a pharmacy graduate in the Philippines… they were cloaked with white coats by pharmacy leaders and they take their vow to serve within legal, professional and ethical boundaries,” said PPhA President Dr. Yolanda Robles during the signing of the consensus framework. “As patient safety and health outcomes are on top of the agenda, we need to be united in ensuring that these goals are met through ethical practice.”
Under the principle of putting patients as a priority, partners support the attainment of optimal care for all patients and their caregivers. It also recognizes that all partners working in health care have a right and responsibility to collaborate to improve health care access and delivery. Towards this end, establishing partnerships will aim to deliver greater patient benefits.
The second principle encourages the conduct of clinical and related research to generate new knowledge about effective and appropriate use of health treatments. In guaranteeing independence and ethical conduct, the third principle is about interactions that must at all times be ethical, appropriate, and professional. The fourth and final principle supports transparency and accountability in individual and collaborative activities.
We call on organizations to join the health care community in upholding ethical collaboration between patient organizations, health care professionals and the pharmaceutical sector. The ultimate beneficiary of this collaboration is the Filipino patient.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP). Medicine Cabinet is a weekly PHAP column that aims to promote awareness on public health and health care-related issues
medicinecabinet@phap.org.ph

Tech businesses powering Asia-Pacific growth

London’s venerable Financial Times (FT) recently released its first-ever “FT 1000 High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific” list — with 26 Filipino firms making the grade, all of which are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange except for one.
The inaugural list covers 11 of the region’s more developed economies: Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Rankings were based on the percentage of revenue growth between 2013 and 2016.
Topping the FT 1000 are two firms from the fintech industry, Prospa of Australia and Pushpay of New Zealand, which had compounded annual growth rates (CAGR) of 445% and 408%, respectively.
Among the Filipino firms on the list, the top three with their respective ranks and CAGR are: ASpace Philippines (53rd place at 115.2%); DFNN, Inc. (193rd place at 49.3%); and PetroEnergy Resources Corp. (320th place at 34.8%).
Unlisted ASpace is a support services company that provides co-working spaces in Makati, Taguig, and Cebu. As the only Filipino core technology firm in the list, DFNN is recognized in both the fintech and gaming industries. PetroEnergy has a diversified business portfolio in oil exploration, renewable energy, and power generation.
Other Philippine-domiciled companies on the FT 1000 list are (in descending order, ranked between 394th and 996th places): Semirara Mining and Power Corp.; Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc.; Leisure & Resorts World Corp.; Pryce Corp.; Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp.; JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; Concepcion Industrial Corp; Megawide Construction Corp.; Puregold Price Club, Inc.; STI Education Systems Holdings, Inc.; Harbor Star Shipping Services, Inc.; Cebu Air, Inc.; Solid Group, Inc.; Century Pacific Food, Inc.; MacroAsia Corp.; SSI Group, Inc.; Jollibee Foods Corp.; Asian Terminals, Inc.; SPC Power Corp.; Crown Asia Chemicals Corp; Emperador, Inc.; Manila Broadcasting Co.; and Philippine H2O Ventures Corp.
From a pool of 14,000 companies that were chosen on criteria that they generated revenues of at least $100,000 in 2013 and at least $1 million in 2016, the top 1,000 fastest-growing firms were vetted by FT and compiled by its research partner Statista.
India had 271 companies on the list, followed by Japan with 190 and Australia with 115. In terms of most number of companies from a single city, Tokyo came out on top with 134, ahead of Mumbai’s 60 and Sydney’s 52.
Founded by two British publishing entrepreneurs in 1888, FT was acquired by Nikkei of Japan in 2015. It is best known for the “Footsie” or the FTSE 100, a share index of the 100 listed companies with the highest market capitalization on the London Stock Exchange.
The FT 1000 list demonstrates that technology businesses are leading the way in Asia-Pacific, ranging from e-commerce and financial services to health care and beyond. Overall, it shows that high-growth companies are powering the economies of the world’s fastest-growing region during the so-called Asian Century.
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
Philippine Azkals head coach Thomas Dooley will be the main speaker during the “Anything is Possible” forum today from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Conference Center in Makati City. The AIM motivational forum is organized by the Teen Azkals Foundation and is open to the public.
Mr. Dooley is still fresh from leading the national football team to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 to be staged in the United Arab Emirates. A former US international player, he has been the most successful coach of the Azkals since taking over the team in 2014.
 
J. Albert Gamboa is Chief Financial Officer of the Asian Center for Legal Excellence and serves as Co-Chairman of the FINEX Media Affairs Committee.

Gameplay flourishes where the story languishes

By Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong
NIPPON ICHI Software distinguishes itself from other developers by the style of its games. Displaying its strengths in the tactical genre, it is responsible for, among others, the Disgaea and Phantom Brave franchises, Japanese role-playing series that offer a lot of depth and a heap of charm. For all the headway it has made in churning out fan favorites, however, it does branch out from time to time while retaining its uniqueness. Enter The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2. Boasting of a traditional NIS feel and quirkiness alongside a singular visual flair, it definitely has the trappings gamers have come to expect from the publisher. As a hack-and-slash actioner, it features quick combos, exploration, and fast-paced combat.
Taking on the role of the Hundred Knight, a creature of the witch Chelka’s creation who can assume various forms called “facets,” you follow their story and endeavor to learn more about the strange illness that wreaks havoc on the children of the local population. Under Chelka’s command, you explore dungeons, use your skills, create weapons, fight monsters, perform wacky combos, and in the end, solve the mystery of the Witch’s Disease.
It all sounds interesting, to be sure, adding to the hype which, admittedly, The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2’s original story doesn’t quite live up to. While its premise is sound, it’s let down by its lack of focus. Initially, things start off on a promising note, as Chelka, possessing a young girl’s body, is forced to deal with the girl’s older sister. Injected with dark humor and tone, it seems like it’s going somewhere interesting as it slowly expands its world and introduces new characters. Unfortunately, its pacing is, at best, uneven, and while the dialogue remains consistently witty, its visual-novel-like segments simply don’t do the plot justice.
Thankfully, The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2’s gameplay flourishes where the story languishes. It’s an isometric dungeon crawler with all the markings of the genre, but with definitely welcome twists. You get to arm Hundred Knight with five separate weapons, and combos are based on the order they are equipped. And depending on what type of weapon is used, Hundred Knight changes attack patterns and damage output. The result is an interesting dance between moving and exploiting enemy weak spots and making sure to equip the proper weapons to suit the requisite playstyle. Couple this with the skills you have access to and the game’s class system (the aforesaid “facets,” which can be switched on the fly), and battles become less of a tedious grind and more like a rhythm that you adapt to.
That said, The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 has other issues to contend with. It’s certainly fun, but sometimes feels like it’s at odds with itself. While the game encourages players to be aggressive and to keep moving forward due to its GigaCalories mechanic, the controls don’t exactly flow as well as they should. The visuals are captivating and movement is smooth, but the camera remains a constant source of frustration, often hiding foes from sight until they’re already near. Aiming at enemies can be annoying due to the lack of depth the top-down perspective lends. And, at worst, it suffers from a glaring inability to break away from its gameplay loop. While hunting foes and getting stronger in the process of vanquishing them is definitely engrossing, it’s just about the only thing you can do. Its action elements are addictive, but the scattershot approach to a seemingly compelling storyline may dampen the mood depending on your commitment to see it through. If you’re not keen on unveiling the resolution, there’s simply not much for you to look forward to aside from engaging in battle after battle.
In the final analysis, The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2 is an acquired taste. The story isn’t up to snuff, but it’s faithful in tone to its predecessor, and it promises hours upon hours of gameplay to keep adrenal glands pumping. Moreover, its core mechanics are solid enough that even without a gripping story proceeding briskly, it’s got loads to offer. It falls short of its lofty goals, but if you’re looking to burn an afternoon or two exploring dungeons and beating down foes at steady frame rates, you’ll find your fix in it and deem your $60 a worthy investment.

Video Game Review

The Witch and the Hundred Knight 2
PlayStation 4
THE GOOD

• Quirky and fun

• Colorful artstyle and design

• Compelling combat mechanics

• Simple but surprisingly addictive gameplay

THE BAD

• Uneven pace

• Storytelling falls short of sustaining promising start

• Bad camera angles with poor camera controls

• Highly repetitive

RATING: 7/10

Things to consider before accepting a new job

I have a “happy problem” because I received a very tempting job offer (triple of my current pay and perks) made by another company. I’d like to consider it except that I’m comfortable with my current boss and my colleagues, whom I’ve known for more than 13 years. Could you me give advice? — Can’t Decide.
God gave us two ends: One to think with and one to sit on. Heads you win, tails you lose. With your head, you need to fully understand yourself and what you want. With that alone, you’ll readily understand if the new job is the right one for you.
You sit it out, and you may never know if the same opportunity will come again.
Sure, you’re old enough, but unless you’ve applied Johari Window model — a technique to better understand an individual’s relationship with oneself and others — then it could be difficult, particularly, if it falls under a blind spot and the “unknown.” But at least, you’ve only two choices.
MATERIAL THINGS VS RELATIONSHIPS
Judging from your question, it appears to me that you’re torn between two choices — material things (triple pay package) and relationships with people. Would you take the risk of working with people you don’t like inside a company that offers the best material package for you? Or, would you rather remain in your current job where you’re happy with your boss and colleagues at work? Which is which?
The best approach for you is to conduct an inventory of what you want in your work life and if you can live with it till kingdom come. The inventory may include the “people chart” as prescribed by Richard N. Bolles in his annual edition of What Color is Your Parachute?
Bolles’ “people chart” has four columns: One, the places (or organizations) that you have worked thus far in your life. Two, without naming names, describe the “kinds of people there who drove (you) nuts in those organizations.” Describe their character and why you dislike them. Three, “kinds of people (you’d) prefer not to have to work with, in order of preference.” Rank them according to who is the “best” and “worse” person to work with.
Four, describe the “kinds of people (you’d) like to work with, in order of preference.”
Now, if your current job is your first job, then you can make do by simply defining the best character of people that you’d like to emulate and worse characters that you hate.
THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK
Now what? Assuming that you accept the new job, then how do you intend to proceed? Remember that in a new work environment, there will be challenges involving your new boss, unfamiliar colleagues, coping with their style, the new demands and responsibilities that come with it, new things that you need to learn, and the pressure of wanting to do a good job right away and make a positive first impression.
But what if you can’t avoid making a mistake? What, if in your desire to harvest low-hanging fruit, you stepped on the toes of some people, including your boss? After all, we learn by making mistakes. Then, how would you minimize the impact of making those mistakes? Obviously, by knowing what could happen to you if you accept that new job.
This can only be done by asking the following questions directly to the HR manager, who can give you an objective view, because he’s also interested in reducing early turnover within the first year of hiring which can be disastrous for you as well. If you agree with this, then the following questions are very important to explore:
One, what is the reason for the vacancy? Was the former occupant fired or volunteered to resign to accept a new job elsewhere? If the previous job holder was fired, then explore the reason or reasons. The same thing applies even if he moved elsewhere. With these questions, you can get a preview of what could happen to you, if not provide you with some ideas on the expected perils of your new job.
One more thing. Beware if the HR manager is mum on this issue. This alone would be a red flag. Whatever the answer, probe for the reason and pursue the logical conclusions.
Two, why can’t the company promote someone from within? It’s the logical thing to do for a dynamic organization that knows the value of business continuity, risk management, and if only to guarantee the value of employee morale, among other things. If they can’t promote someone from within, then why not? Is there an updated succession plan? If none, what prevents them from doing it? Or if they have something, then why can’t they implement it?
Three, what’s the management style of my prospective boss? The boat matters more than the rowing, so to speak. A toxic boss is difficult to manage even if you have the best of intentions. Is he an insecure type? Is he the type who would not mince words and curse people even for minor mistakes? Is he the type who is equally interested in your career advancement?
13 YEARS OF SERVICE
Next on my mind is   your 13 years of service with your current company. Are you superstitious? How well can you handle the number 13? I remember happening it to me close to 25 years ago when I was pirated by the big boss of one company, who tripled my current pay and topped it with a new car and housing loan – all to sweeten the deal.
I got a flat tire when I was on my way to my prospective new office to sign the employment contract. It happened despite the fact that I was using a one-year old car with brand new set of tires given to me by my employer at the time. It’s good that a taxi driver helped me change the flat tire so that I managed to arrive on the appointed time with my future boss.
Looking back, I’m constrained to reflect on that incident. That’s because I didn’t stay long (only about 15 months) with the pirating company as I had a serious disagreement with my boss on certain principles. So what can we conclude from that incident? Was my flat tire a sign that I should not have accepted the new job? I’m not sure.
In your case, your 13 years of service may be telling you something. Is this the year when bad luck could happen to you in your current company? We can’t tell. One thing is sure though, you can always pray that it does not happen to you.
elbonomics@gmail.com

How PSEi member stocks performed — April 5, 2018

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

Headline inflation rates in the Philippines

THE RISE of prices of widely used goods pierced the ceiling of the official 2018 full-year inflation target to clock its fastest pace in at least five years, prompting the central bank to signal a “measured” policy response amid calls for interest rate hikes. Read the full story.
Inflation

Guevarra named new DoJ chief

SENIOR DEPUTY Executive Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra has been named the new justice secretary following Vitaliano N. Aguirre II’s resignation which President Rodrigo R. Duterte has accepted, as he announced on Thursday.
Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. confirmed Mr. Guevarra’s appointment late Thursday afternoon after Mr. Duterte’s announcement of Mr. Aguirre’s resignation.
There was much speculation early this week that Mr. Duterte had fired Mr. Aguirre, after a series of controversial cases on his watch as justice secretary, including the dismissal of drug charges against known drug personalities.
Announcing that he had accepted Mr. Aguirre’s resignation in his speech Thursday at Malacañang, Mr. Duterte also called Mr. Aguirre “my fraternity brother.”
For his part, Mr. Roque said of Mr. Guevarra: “Alam po natin, kilala natin si Sec. Guevarra, talaga namang napatunayan na ang kagalingan sa batas at integridad mayroon si Sec. Guevarra.” (We know Sec. Guevarra, he is competent with law and has integrity.)
Mr. Roque said Mr. Guevarra will “take his oath right away” as his appointment papers were already signed.

Albayalde, Galvez head PNP, AFP

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte named Metro Manila police chief Oscar D. Albayalde as the new head of the 175,000-member Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing the tough-talking Ronald M. dela Rosa, whose extended tenure ends soon.
Mr. Roque also announced the appointment of Lieutenant-General Carlito Galvez, who led troops in a five-month-long battle in a southern city last year, as the new military chief.
“I told (Camp Crame), may bago tayong Chief PC (PNP Chief). I’m going to announce it now: it’s Albayalde,” Mr. Duterte said during the awarding of Outstanding Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Coastal Communities in Malacañang Palace.
“Kasi tinanong ko ‘yung mga taga-Davao, I mentioned two other names. Sabi, ‘Ayan, sir, mahusay ‘yan, mabait.’ Tinanong ko si Albayalde. ‘Sir masyadong istrikto ‘yan.’ Iyan si Albayalde ang inyo… Albayalde is the man for you,” Mr. Duterte said. (I asked those from Davao, I mentioned two other names. They said, “They’re capable and kind.” I asked of Albayalde. “Sir, he’s too strict.” So you get Albayalde… Albayalde is the man for you.)
Following this announcement, Mr. Albayalde expressed gratitude to the President for his “trust and confidence.”
“Rest assured that I will not betray their trust and confidence na ibinigay nila sa ‘kin, ‘yun ang maipapangako ko sa kanila (that they gave me, this is what I can promise them),” Mr. Albayalde said in a phone interview.
Likewise, Mr. Albayalde thanked Mr. Dela Rosa for endorsing him to the President.
Mr. Albayalde, who came from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala Class of 1986 with Mr. Dela Rosa, was assigned to the NCRPO in July 2016. He is known for conducting surprise visits to police stations and dismissing negligent officials. He is set to retire in November 2019. — MNRDLC with Reuters

Duterte open to Sison’s return with resumption of peace talks

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte said he is willing to grant Jose Maria Sison, chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of Philippines (NDFP), an “assurance” that he can return to the Philippines for peace talks without being arrested, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in his press briefing on Thursday, April 5.
The spokesman likewise announced that Mr. Duterte informed the Cabinet last Wednesday, April 4, that he has authorized the resumption of peace talks.
However, it is “subject to the President’s conditions,” Mr. Roque said.   “Number one, that the NPA-CPP-NDF would honor a genuine ceasefire and that there should actually be no shooting if and when the peace talks resume.”
“Number two, that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) would desist from collecting revolutionary taxes while a cease-fire is ongoing.
“And number three, that the CPP-NPA would not insist on a coalition government because that is absolutely not part of the bargaining table.”
Should the CPP-NPA agree on the said conditions, the peace talks could resume, Mr. Roque said, adding: “And if peace talks would resume, the President said he’s even able and willing to grant Joma Sison an assurance that he can come home without being arrested for the purpose of participating in the peace talks.”
STOP ‘CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES’
For his part, Eduardo M. Año, officer-in-charge of the Department of Interior and Local Government, called on NPA rebels to stop its “criminal activities” if they are to pursue peace.
“You cannot demand peace yet do violence. Peace negotiations require an enabling environment for your side and the government panel to hear out each other and arrive at sincere agreements,” Mr. Año said in a statement.
He added: “There is no use talking peace if government forces and civilians are dying and the CPP/NPA/NDF continues to conduct criminal activities, particularly arson. It is contrary to getting back to the peace table. Talking peace needs confidence-building measures.”
Also following the President’s order to resume talks with the rebels, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bienvenido R. Datuin Jr. said government troops “support the administration in all its efforts and initiatives to bring just and lasting peace and development for the country.”
But, for his part, AFP Eastern Mindanao commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr. said there is still no order with regards to the campaign against NPA, which the Palace had declared terrorists with Proclamation 374.
“We will be awaiting instructions, pero understood na tuloy naman kami (but it’s understood that we will proceed [with our offensive]),” Mr. Madrigal said.
The peace talks were terminated in November last year with Proclamation 360.
‘NO NEED TO DEAL WITH THOSE IN THE NETHERLANDS’
Opposition Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, for his part, said he preferred “localized peace talks.”
“My suggestion ultimately is localized peace talks, meaning each communist front has a different approach. We don’t need to deal with those in the Netherlands,” he said at the Kapihan sa Senado media forum Thursday
Localized peace talks meant excluding the leadership of Mr. Sison who is in exile in the Netherlands. But this mode was already rejected by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
For his part, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson last Wednesday called on the government to consider other strategies to resolve the longtime conflict with the communist rebels.
“History will tell us, it has become a vicious cycle. Peace talks, violations, then blame game, then peace talks again. Cease-fires were also violated…. So it’s about time the government should consider other options or other strategies to really end this insurgency problem,” he told reporters. —Arjay L. Balinbin, Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz, and Camille A. Aguinaldo

DICT hopes to choose 3rd player before Duterte’s SONA in July

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) plans to select the “third player” in the telecommunications industry before President Rodrigo R. Duterte delivers his next State of the Nation Address (SONA) in late July.
Acting DICT Secretary Eliseo M. Rio, Jr. said the department has a “self-imposed timeline” of selecting the industry’s new entrant before the SONA, which the President must deliver to Congress on the last Monday of July.
“The self-imposed timeline is before the SONA,” Mr. Rio told reporters on the sidelines of the Digital Disruption forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on April 5.
He also said the DICT may release the second draft of the terms of reference (TOR) by the end of the month and the final version by the second week of May.
Mr. Rio said the department has been working on the TOR with consultants, including representatives of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The second draft was scheduled to be released around the end of March, but Mr. Rio said there were legal issues stemming from a Supreme Court ruling which bar the awarding of frequency to a consortium.
A possible remedy is for the winning consortium to select a lead company to whom the DICT will award frequency.
“There was also a problem with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)… concerning legal issues with consortiums.”
“We did some research on a Supreme Court decision, and concluded we could not award frequency to a consortium. It must be (to) a lead telco … so what is likely to happen is, the consortium must elect a lead telco to be given the award of frequencies,” Mr. Rio said.
Mr. Rio said that in the new draft TOR, the department is looking at including financial requirements as selection criteria. These will be weighted against the committed speed and coverage.
The first draft TOR, published in February, included the financial requirement of a net worth of at least P10 billion. The government initially sought to select a candidate submitting the highest financial commitment over five years, but after a public consultation and concerns expressed by interested companies, the DICT said it would be shifting its focus to requiring wide coverage and high speed.
“The performance, we will measure, and of course, their committed financial investment because they might say that, this is our speed, faster than Singapore. But it has to backed up by the money that they will invest,” Mr. Rio said.
A public consultation is to be scheduled after the publication of the second draft TOR. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

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