Gov’t debt service bill rises 10%

August 21, 2018 | 9:59 pm

THE GOVERNMENT debt service bill in the first half was P415 billion, up 9.92%, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said.
The payments represent 56.68% of the debt service allocated for 2018, based on the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF).
Of the total debt payments made in the first half, 60.2% of the total or P250.39 billion, went to settle principal obligations, up 10.41% year-on-year.
Interest payments amounted to P165.51 billion, up 9.19%.
Some 68% or P170.39 billion worth of principal payments went to domestic creditors for maturing bonds, while P80 billion went to foreign creditors.
Some 70% or P114.57 billion worth of interest payments went to domestic creditors while P50.94 billion went to foreign holders of government debt.
In June, the government paid out P30.76 billion, up 22.81% from a year earlier, including P24.07 billion worth of interest, up 24.85% higher from a year earlier.
Of the June interest payments, P19.5 billion went to domestic creditors.
June amortization payments on the other hand totaled P6.69 billion, up 15.96%, with P6.51 billion going to foreign creditors. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Environmental issues, instability may undermine labor — ILO

August 21, 2018 | 9:59 pm

THE International Labor Organization (ILO) has found that 93% of the poor in the Asia-Pacific are exposed to environmental degradation and political instability, creating difficulties for the labor sector.
“Conflicts have had a negative impact on fundamental rights at work, as there are many instances when freedom of association and collective bargaining, may be restricted by states during conflicts and disasters,” ILO Philippines Director Khalid Hassan said in the Trade Regional Forum on Decent Work for Peace and Resilience held at Crown Plaza on Tuesday.
In the Asia-Pacific, ILO reported in a statement on Tuesday that “about 93% of people in extreme poverty live in countries that are environmentally vulnerable, politically fragile or both.”
They also estimated that 1.5 billion live in countries going through “fragility and armed violence” and an additional 200 million people are affected by all kinds of onset disasters.
“Fragility, conflict, and disaster undermine people’s livelihoods and create decent-work deficits. If not addressed, these problems can lead to increased poverty, inequality, and social unrest,” ILO said.
Mr. Hassan said that both conflicts and disasters make countries experience “untold hardships including destruction of workplaces, increase in unemployment, separation of families, and displacement of people.”
He added that such crises in vulnerable countries experience also “dislocate” their labor markets.
“This leads to decreased protections against discrimination and increases in the use of forced labor and child labor,” he said.
ILO said that its Recommendation 205 on Employment, Decent Work for Peace and Resilience emphasize “prevention, recovery, peace, and resilience” by creating more employment and decent jobs.” — Gillian M. Cortez

Budget cuts may do away with subsidies at DA farmers’ markets

August 21, 2018 | 9:58 pm

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is exploring subsidy-free options for sustaining the markets known as TienDA after the department’s budget for 2019 was cut.
Undersecretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Jose Gabriel M. La Viña told BusinessWorld that the department is still planning to establish or break ground on around 30 more TienDAs by the end of the year.
Of the 30 TienDAs, 20 serve military bases and the remaining 10 will serve the general public. The DA is also planning to establish TienDAs for fish.
“The problem with TienDA is that it’s subsidized so the people in the bureaucracy look at it as an expense. So when you have more of them, where will we get the money? That’s the question,” he added.
“It will have to be self-sustained. The farmer and the fisherfolk must want to go there even if they aren’t subsidized. Which means that they should be making much more money than when they were selling to the middleman,” Mr. La Viña said.
“The other possibility is working with the private sector with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs or transferring the budget where allowed by law. Those are the things we are working on.”
For the stores serving military bases, known as TienDA para sa mga Bayani, Mr. La Viña said the Armed Forces of the Philippines “suggested that we include into the mix the rebel returnees — for them to be trained to sell their goods at the TienDA.” — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

Price manipulation not at farmgate level, Agriculture department says

August 21, 2018 | 9:57 pm

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said prices of produce are stable at farmgate level and any irregular price movements are taking place at the distribution and retail levels.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said prices at farmgate are stable and that he expects “the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to strengthen its price monitoring. Even the DA, with the help of the DTI, should intensify price monitoring.”
Mr. Piñol, in a social media post on Tuesday, also reiterated that the rising prices are due to speculation of inadequate supply.
“What needs to be done now is for government to exercise its full powers in checking profiteering and price manipulation in the market,” he said.
Both the DTI and the DA began joint market monitoring in wet markets after the DA imposed suggested retail prices on eight farm goods in June.
Among the measures pursued by the DA were the importation of 117,000 metric tons (MT) of round scad, or galunggong, to be directly sent to wet markets, and the lifting of the security safeguard measures for poultry to lower chicken prices.
A security safeguard measure is intended to protect domestic producers by temporarily restrict imports of a commodity.
“Shortly after the lifting of the SSG for poultry, the farm gate prices of broiler chicken which was at P95 per kilo a week before, steadily went down,” Mr. Piñol claimed.
“Poultry raisers rang alarm bells as the farm gate price plummeted to P77 per kilo [on Tuesday], threatening the profitability of the industry,” he added, noting that the retail price for chicken as observed by DTI, however, remained unchanged.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that both chicken and hog posted increase in production to by 4.47% to 462,335 MT and 2.81% to 557,270 MT, respectively, in the second quarter.
This was attributed to better facilities in broiler farms for poultry and better farmgate price for pork.
Average farmgate price for live hogs for slaughter went up by 7.65% to P117.88 per kilogram (kg) while average farmgate price for broiler chicken posted a 0.45% increment to P86.76 per kg.
The two commodities are seen to have a steadily increasing demand by the last quarter, spurred by the holiday season.
The DA gave importers who did not utilize their Minimum Access Volume allocations the ultimatum to bring in their goods before August ends to avoid further increase of prices in the market.
Despite this, the DA junked the proposal to lower tariffs which Mr. Piñol earlier said can be detrimental in the long term as it would put local production at risk of lower priced imports.
Instead, the DA will be adding more commodities in the list of other farm goods with SRPs.
“This would be [imposed] before the “-ber” months [hit],” Mr. Piñol added.

Hidilyn Diaz gives Philippines first gold medal

August 21, 2018 | 9:43 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
TOP Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz broke the gold medal drought for the Philippines at the18th Asian Games in Indonesia on Tuesday night, topping the women’s 53 kg weightlifting event at the Jakarta International Expo.
A silver medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, Ms. Diaz delivered the golden performance in the ongoing Asiad by edging out Kristian Shermetova of Turmekistan for the top spot.
Ms. Diaz lifted a total of 207 kg to Ms. Shermetova’s 206 on the strength of a 115-kg lift in the clean and jerk to overhaul her deficit in the snatch where she lifted 92 kg to the Turkmenistan lifter’s 93 kg.
Ms. Shermetova initially lifted 113 kg in the clean and jerk and tried to salvage the win by attempting to lift 116 kg in her third and final attempt but could not pull it off, handing the victory to Ms. Diaz.
Ms. Diaz’s gold was in addition to the four bronze medals Team Philippines won earlier, one each from the men’s and women’s poomsae teams, taekwondo jin Pauline Lopez (women’s -57 kg event) and wushu’s Agatha Wong.

China survives PHL, 82-80

August 21, 2018 | 9:42 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
CHINA survived a spirited challenge from the Philippines in their preliminary Group D match at the 18^th Asian Games on Tuesday, winning, 82-80, at the Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Regaining their composure just in time to snatch back the win, the Chinese avoided opening their Asiad bid with a disaster as they held on for the win in a game that proved to be too close for comfort for them.
The Philippines got off to a fast start as JP Erram and Jordan Clarkson helped their team to an early 5-0 lead in the first minute of the opening quarter.
China though would go on a 7-0 blast in the next two minutes as big man Zhou Qi waxed hot to help overtake the Philippines, 7-5.
It would use it as a springboard to build a 20-12 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The Chinese continued to dominate to start the second quarter, outscoring the Philippines, 7-3, to extend their lead to 12 points, 27-15, at the 7:16 mark.
But led by Mr. Clarkson and Paul Lee, the Filipinos would make headway in its attempt to rally back, coming to within six points, 31-25, with two minutes remaining and slashing their deficit some more to 36-31 by the halftime break.
The two teams jostled to begin the third quarter.
The count stood at 47-42 with 6:17 remaining before China went to score five straight points to make it a 10-point lead, 52-42, after a minute.
But Mr. Clarkson, getting it done beyond the arc, would not allow the Philippines to lose further ground after, towing his team to level the count at 55-all at the 2:36 mark.
The Chinese though eventually survived the Philippine charge back, holding a 59-57 lead after three quarters.
In the fourth period, Abudurexit Abudushalamu would jump-start China’s offense, helping his team create further distance, 74-66, midway into the frame.
Messrs. Erram, Pringle and Lee then conspired to rack up eight straight points to tie the count anew at 74-all with 3:46 to go.
The Philippines went on to seize the lead, 76-74, after two free throws by Christian Standhardinger at the three-minute mark.
A basket by Pringle with 2:38 left on the clock to extend the Philippines’ lead to three, 78-75. The Filipinos held a two-point cushion, 80-78, entering the final minute before Zhao Rui rallied his team back, scoring off the break to tie the score at 80-all and hitting crucial free throws with 13 seconds to go to get the lead back, 82-80.
Mr. Lee had a chance to win the game for the Philippines but his three-point heave failed to connect, preserving the win for the Chinese.
Mr. Zhou led China with 25 points while Wang Zhelin had 13.
Messrs. Abudurexit and Zhao finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Mr. Clarkson had 28 points with Mr. Stanhardinger adding 18 and Mr. Pringle 14.
Despite the loss, it is highly likely that the Philippines will advance to the quarterfinals after drubbing Kazakhstan, 96-59, in its tournament opener.
China and Kazakhstan play their Group D match today.

Clarkson gives added dimension to PHL’s Asiad bid

August 21, 2018 | 9:42 pm

JAKARTA — Al Panlilio has had his share of challenging moments early in his tenure as president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
From the crisis the local governing body in basketball encountered brought about by the free-for-all incident during the game of Gilas Pilipinas and Australia and the consequent suspension of the players and coaches of our national squad, to the initial decision to pull out from the basketball competition in the Asian Games before reconsidering and eventually forming a team formation of the team, the SBP has had it rough of late.
But all these things were overshadowed when Philippine basketball was able to bring in National Basketball Association player Jordan Clarkson in the Asian Games.
Suddenly, Philippine basketball has put itself at the forefront of the regional international competition with Mr. Clarkson serving as the face of the Filipino contingent here and becoming the event’s biggest star.
Mr. Clarkson was the Philippines’ flag-bearer and from the moment he arrived in Indonesia he had drawn international attention.
“I think it’s the first time we’re going to have an active NBA player as part of the Philippine national team. It’s very common for the other countries, but for the Philippines, it’s very rare,” Panlilio told BusinessWorld in an interview.
According to Mr. Panlilio, the SBP moved heaven and earth just to convince the NBA to allow Mr. Clarkson to participate in the Asian Games.
The NBA gave Mr. Clarkson a one-time exemption to compete in the Asian Games as the league only allows its players to join the qualifying tournaments for the World Cup and the Olympics.
“We would like to thank the NBA for allowing Clarkson. Jordan really wanted to carry the Philippine jersey. We were able to meet his fanily and it’s very supportive also. As for the SBP, we’re hoping to bring in Jordan in more competitions,” added Mr. Panlilio.
“We just have to work on his schedules. I know he has commitments in the NBA.”
If available in the future, the SBP could bring in Mr. Clarkson to play either as a naturalized player or as a local and that is something the SBP is working on, according to Mr. Panlilio.
“From a FIBA standpoint, Jordan is considered a naturalized player. The SBP is working, but it might take some time, for FIBA to reconsider because the situation of the Philippines is different. By law, under our Constitution, if you are born or one of your parents is a Filipino, and you were born anywhere else in the world, you are still considered a Filipino at the time of birth,” said Mr. Panlilio.
“In the US, if you’re born in the US, you are a US citizen. What we’re trying to do is discuss with FIBA that they would give consideration to the Philippines, our nature, because there are 10 million Filipinos working abroad and for sure, they will have kids abroad. By blood, their lineage is Filipino. We’re hoping FIBA would adjust their rules and allow certain Filipinos to become real Filipino players, not naturalized.” — Rey Joble

Lopez adds fourth bronze medal to haul

August 21, 2018 | 9:41 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE PHILIPPINES’ medal haul at the 18^th Asian Games in Indonesia is now up to four bronzes after Pauline Lopez threw in her share of hardware in the Women’s -57kg taekwondo event on Tuesday at the Jakarta Convention Center.
Losing, 11-4, to Luo Zongshi of China in the semifinals, Ms. Lopez saw her impressive run in the event come to an end and settle for bronze.
In the lead-up to semifinals, 22-year-old Lopez was on a fiery roll, taking down her opponent in solid fashion.
She first shut out Feng Xiao of Macau, China, 8-0, in the round of 16 before lording it over Chunara Gyani of Nepal, 20-0, in the quarterfinals to book her place in the semifinals.
Ms. Lopez kept the match close in the first two rounds against Ms. Luo but just could not keep in step with her opponent in the final round to slump to the loss.
The bronze from Ms. Lopez is the third medal from taekwondo after the Philippines’ poomsae men’s and women’s teams bagged a bronze each on Sunday.
Wushu’s Agatha Wong accounts for the other bronze medal of the country as of this writing.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, China continues to lead in the medal standings with 20 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals followed by Japan (8-12-12) and Korea (5-10-11).
Scheduled to see action later yesterday, meanwhile, was Olympic silver medallist Hidilyn Diaz, who was to compete in the 53kg event, while wushu artists Divine Wally and Jean Claude Saclag were to compete in the quarterfinals of their respective events.
PHILIPPINE BLU GIRLS
Meanwhile, the Philippine women’s softball team plunges into another double-header today at the Gelura Bung Karno diamond.
The Philippine Blu Girls will take on host team Indonesia at 1:30 p.m. (Manila time) before facing Chinese Taipei at 9 p.m.
The team is hoping to sustain its fine form to date in the Asiad where it won its first three games, beating Hong Kong, 8-0, Korea, 5-3, and China, 1-0, in that order.
It was set to face Japan late yesterday seeking to win four straight.
The Japan game was something the team was looking forward to as it tries to avenge the 7-0 loss it absorbed to the Japanese at the Asian Championship last December.
The Blu Girls try to go for a sweep of their remaining games in the classification phase to book a spot in the next round.
“We hope to continue winning to earn a spot in the next round,” said national coach Venerando Dizer said.
Tournament format will see the top four teams advancing to a page system semifinal to determine the protagonists for the gold medal. The losers will square off for the bronze.

NLEX Road Warriors try to cop third win in a row

August 21, 2018 | 9:41 pm

EARLY Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup leaders NLEX Road Warriors gun for their third win in a row when they play tournament-debuting Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok in the main game today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hot off the starting blocks notwithstanding the absence of key personnel for varying reasons to begin their campaign in the season-ending PBA tournament, the Road Warriors look to sustain their good form to date and stack up victories to give themselves more ground until they are back with a full complement.
Playing sans head coach Yeng Guiao and veteran big man Asi Taulava who are in the Asian Games in Indonesia right now and guards Kevin Alas (injury) and Kiefer Ravena (FIBA suspension), NLEX is managing to rack up victories with a total team effort under the baton of interim coach Jojo Lastimosa.
In their most recent victory, a 123-107 mastery of NorthPort Batang Pier on Aug. 19, the Road Warriors saw eight players score eight points or more, which proved to be too much to handle for their opponents.
Import Olu Ashaolu led the way for NLEX with 27 points and 13 rebounds with Larry Fonacier and Mark Tallo adding 14 points apiece.
JR Quinahan had 12 while Kenneth Ighalo had 11, and Juami Tiongson and Alex Mallari with 10 each.
Cyrus Baguio had eight points off the bench.
NLEX, however, will be playing with a replacement import in Aaron Fuller against Magnolia as Mr. Ashaolu rehabs his injured right knee.
Mr. Fuller will take over for Mr. Ashaolu until the latter is ready to play once again in the tournament.
In the absence of their original import, the Road Warriors will be banking on NLEX-returning Fuller and the rest of their local crew, including Mr. Tallo, who was named player of the week for his splendid play so far under NLEX.
Picked up from the free-agent pool by the Road Warriors, Mr. Tallo has been steady for 15 points, 2.5 rebounds and two assists per game in his new team’s first two assignments.
Out to put a stop to NLEX’s streak, meanwhile, are the Hotshots, who are off a disappointing finish in the previous tournament where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Magnolia will be bannered by import Romeo Travis, who previously played for the Alaska Aces in 2015 and posted numbers of 24.1 points, 12.6 rebounds and three assists en route to winning the best import award in the Governors’ Cup.
Like NLEX, Magnolia will be without a key piece to start its campaign as guard Paul Lee, too, is playing in the Asiad.
Opening PBA action today at 4:30 p.m. is the clash between the Phoenix Fuel Masters and Columbian Dyip.
The game will mark the Phoenix debut of All-Star forward Calvin Abueva, who the team got in the in-between conference break from Alaska.
Columbian (0-1), meanwhile, seeks to bounce back after opening its tournament bid with a loss. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Son warns of tough route for South Korea football

August 21, 2018 | 9:40 pm

JAKARTA — Son Heung-min has warned South Korea face a tough run to the Asian Games final after failing to top their group, as he bids for a gold that could save his career from being derailed by military service.
Son’s volley in a 1-0 win against Kyrgyzstan fired his team into the last 16 of the regional Olympics Monday, setting up a clash with fellow heavyweight Iran — the tournament’s top-ranked team.
Nothing less than gold will be enough to exempt Son, 26, from his 21-month compulsory military service, and he warned his young teammates they will need to be more clinical in front of goal.
“The Iran team is very strong. We need to prepare very well,” said Son.
“We are all professional players, so I think they should learn by themselves — I don’t think I need to say anything to them.
“But we know what we need to improve on for the next game.”
South Korea finished second in its group after a shock loss to Malaysia.
Victory against Iran on Thursday would likely see South Korea face a highly rated Uzbekistan side in the quarterfinals.
“Iran and another strong team Uzbekistan could both be the champion for this tournament,” Son added. “We all have the chance to get the gold medal.”
Son is playing at the Asian Games after being granted special permission by Spurs, with whom he signed a new, five-year contract last month.
He is one of three wild cards — players aged over 23 — selected to play in the U23 tournament.
Iran’s senior team is Asia’s top-ranked side, standing at 33 in FIFA’s rankings, and impressed in a tough World Cup group featuring Spain and Portugal.
Uzbekistan, who won Asian Games gold in 1994, have a promising young crop of players coming through, and won every group game without conceding a single goal.
South Korea coach Kim Hak-bum echoed his star forward’s warnings, describing Iran as “quite powerful.” — AFP

NCAA: Letran Knights back on the winning track

August 21, 2018 | 9:40 pm

THE Letran Knights are back on the winning track in Season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) after they defeated the Mapua Cardinals, 84-63, in opening seniors play on Tuesday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Lost their previous two assignments, the Knights recovered their footing against the Cardinals, dominating from the start to book the victory and halt their losing skid.
Showing better ball movement, Letran was in its offensive element right from the get-go, racing to a 13-8 lead in the first five minutes of the opening quarter before settling for a 23-13 advantage at the end of the period.
In the second quarter, the Knights continued to pound it on the Cardinals, with veterans Bong Quinto and JP Calvo leading the charge.
Letran would extend its lead to 17 points, 42-25, by the halftime break.
Mapua tried to gain some ground to start the third period but only saw matters turn for the worse with the Knights maintaining their go-getting mindset.
Letran’s lead stretched to 26 points, 59-33, midway into the third frame and stayed commanding the rest of the way, holding a 63-39 cushion heading into the final 10 minutes.
With the ball game pretty much under control, the Knights spent the fourth quarter just fending off the fight being put up by the Cardinals.
Former University of the East player Bonbon Batiller provided much of the firepower for the Knights as they sped to the skid-busting victory.
Calvo had 20 points to lead the Knights, who improved to 5-3 for the season after the win over Mapua.
Larry Muyang had 15 points while Quinto had a triple-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Batiller had 11 points with Chris Fajarito adding 10 for the Knights.
Arvin Gamboa was the lone Cardinal in double digits with 13 points.
“In our last game [against Lyceum] we had a tough loss. So coach [Jeff Napa] just told us to let it sink in and use it as motivation to bounce back in this game,” said Calvo following their victory. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Red Bull challenges gamers with Kumite tourney

August 21, 2018 | 9:39 pm

RECOGNIZING the burgeoning gaming scene in the country, energy drink maker Red Bull is bringing to the Philippines for the first time the Red Bull Kumite tournament.
Red Bull Kumite is a showdown between the best Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition players in the world.
The contest has reached gamers all over the world, with qualifications now open across new territories. Each game takes place inside a cage until only one player is left standing.
This will be the first time that the Philippines will be holding a regional tournament, which will happen on Sept. 29 at Chaos Nightclub, City of Dreams in Manila, with one winner to be flown to Paris, France, to represent the country on Nov. 10 for the Last Chance Qualifier.
The global e-sports tournament is now on its fourth straight year of staging.
Qualifiers have been taking place all over the world since April, with national qualifiers expected to finish in October.
In the Last Chance Qualifier, 256 players will battle for the last two remaining spots in Kumite World Championship.
A total of 16 players, two from the Last Chance Qualifier and 14 of the best Street Fighter V players invited by Red Bull, will square off in a series of head-to-head battles on Nov. 11 to determine the 2018 Red Bull Kumite Champion.
Those interested in joining the Philippine leg of the Red Bull Kumite tournament must pay a registration fee of P250.
Interested participants may enter at win.gs/kumiteph. — MASM