By Gillian M. Cortez
ECONOMIC growth in the Philippines can be complemented further by companies investing in good governance, said participants at a forum on Thursday on “Investing in Integrity: Investments Protection through Anti-Corruption Initiatives.”
“We often speak of integrity (as an) ideal to be strived for, (but) what if integrity or a state of being whole can offer us a way of moving forward?” retiring Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said for her part.
“Good corporate governance has been proven not just (to) impact market price positively,” Philippine Stock Exchange senior vice-president and COO Roel A. Refran said. “They said the movements, the ups and downs of prices are not as volatile if you have a good corporate governance. Sustainability is assured, risks are managed.”
Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority in turn said, “Last quarter, we grew by 6.8%. This is actually the 77th consecutive quarter of positive growth and 45th consecutive quarter growth (that is more than) at least five and a half percent.”
“By 2022, we expect to graduate to upper middle-income country,” she added.
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said, “You better ride on this economic growth. The point is under the Duterte administration, it is really attracting investors because our President believes that investors and investments create jobs.”
He added, “We have a very sound macroeconomic environment right now. Investors are really coming in.” He also said investments last year “posted record levels because (an) example (is) in the Board of Investments alone last year, we did P617 billion.”
“It grew about 40% for the previous year,” he added. “The latest figure, in fact, we just got (for) the January to June (period), showed higher growth than last year.”
“Our greatest asset has always been our people: dependable, hardworking, resilient,” Mr. Lopez also said.
BANNERS CALLING the Philippines a “province of China” mysteriously appeared on bridges in Metro Manila on Thursday, sparking fury on social media on what was the second anniversary of Manila’s victory over Beijing in a landmark arbitration case.
The terms “province of China” and “South China Sea” trended prominently on Twitter, while news reports of the sudden appearance of the red tarpaulin banners along key thoroughfares generated thousands of shares and comments on Facebook.
No group claimed responsibility for the banners, which feature English and Chinese characters and a Chinese flag flanked by dragons. City authorities were seen removing some of them, which were spotted in at least five locations.
Emojis denoting anger or surprise dominated comments on social media next to pictures of the signs, which say “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China.”
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled two years ago that China had no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea and it had breached the Philippines’ sovereign rights by blocking its fishermen and building artificial islands in its Exclusive Economic Zone.
“NOT FUNNY,” former solicitor general and chief lawyer for the Philippine case, Florin T. Hilbay, posted on his social media accounts.
Some users accused the political opposition of making the signs to discredit the government’s warming ties with China.
Others chided the government for not challenging China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. “This is too much. The country was sold off,” one Facebook user said.
The two countries have a bitter history of disputes over maritime sovereignty, but under President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who took office just two weeks before the Hague ruling, Manila has taken a conciliatory approach and wants China’s loans, trade and investments.
Duterte frequently praises Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and in February caused a stir when he jokingly offered the Philippines to Beijing as a province of China.
The Philippines scored an “own goal” in its failure to press China to implement the arbitration ruling, opposition party Akbayan said.
During an event to mark the anniversary of the ruling, Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, who was elected separately to Mr. Duterte, said Filipinos should peacefully protest against the government’s inaction.
Mr. Duterte’s spokesman, Harry Roque, called the banners “absurd” and said it was likely the government’s political enemies were behind them.
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. — Reuters
CoA says ex-Tourism chief Teo could face graft charges over TV deal
FORMER Tourism secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo — PHILSTAR
THE COMMISSION on Audit flagged a possible “conflict of interest” among the Tulfo siblings over the P120-million advertising deal between the Department of Tourism (DoT) and government-owned PTV television network.
The CoA report indicated that this may be a ground to file graft charges against former Tourism secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo.
“Considering that the DoT secretary and the producer of Kilos Pronto are siblings, there is a possible conflict of interest which may be a violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” CoA stated.
The DoT signed a deal with PTV in March 2017 to broadcast the agency’s media campaign for one year.
Ms. Teo’s legal counsel, Ferdinand S. Topacio, said the CoA report is “merely preliminary and inconclusive as far as the criminal liability of my client is concerned.”
“There is as yet not even one criminal complaint against former Secretary Teo, and therefore it is not only premature but unseemly for CoA to be making such pronouncements,” Mr. Topacio told BusinessWorld in a text message on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said the findings “will certainly help us investigate a case.”
“We are not bound by the CoA report but they will certainly enlighten us in our investigation,” The Ombudsman told reporters in a press briefing, Thursday. She also disclosed the Ombudsman has already started investigations in connection to Ms. Teo’s case.
The CoA also cited travel expenditures during Ms. Teo’s term.
The DoT, in a statement issued Thursday, July 12, said while the questioned trips “were official in nature and have adhered to government procedures, it assures the CoA that it will review and revisit the agency’s existing guidelines on the foreign travels of its officials and personnel issued January 2018.”
The department also said if the review deems it necessary, it will “come up with a more stringent version while staying true to its mandate of creating a favorable image of the Philippines within the international community and promoting a positive global view of the country.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan
Duterte to issue EO to guide localized peace talks with NPA
MALACAÑANG ON Thursday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte is set to issue an executive order (EO) for the localized peace talks with members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed unit of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and other militant groups.
“The localized peace talks will start after the EO,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing at the Palace on Thursday, July 12.
The President had a special meeting last Wednesday, July 11, with the Security, Justice and Peace Cabinet cluster, where they agreed on the guidelines for the implementation of the planned localized peace talks.
The guidelines will be spelled out in the EO.
Mr. Roque said the framework that was agreed on covers the following:
1. Nationally orchestrated, centrally directed and locally supervised and implemented.
2. The constitutional integrity and sovereignty will not be compromised.
3. Complete and genuine resolution of the local armed conflict, it shall cover the NPAs, organs of political power and Militia ng Bayan.
4. If there is a cease-fire, the constitutional mandate of the state to protect public safety, civilian welfare, critical infrastructure and private properties and the guarantee of rule of law and order will not be compromised at all times.
5. Government goodwill, full amnesty package based on disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration to the mainstream of society.
6. The necessary enabling environment set by the President for the formal local talks to proceed are local venue, no coalition government or power-sharing, no revolutionary taxes, extortion, arson and violent activities and the fighters to remain in their pre-designated encampment areas.
7. The substantive agenda will be based on the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan and Philippine Development Program 2040.
He added that the localized peace talks will be between the local peace channel and the local fighters.
“Kumbaga (It will be like), leadership; tapos community dialogue, informal open communication line and liaison network to facilitate peace package, social media exploitation, community pressure on the fighters to participate in the local peace process,” he said.
The spokesperson said there will also be an opportunity for “a direct availment of the (government) peace initiative intended to provide the integration and mainstreaming support without going through process of peace negotiation.”
Several local government units as well as military battalions on the ground have been pushing for localized talks after the failed negotiations between the national government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines-CPP — Arjay L. Balinbin
Carpio to decline Chief Justice nomination
ACTING CHIEF Justice Antonio T. Carpio on Thursday said he will decline all nominations to the post of top magistrate even after receiving nominations from the Integrated Bar and the Philippines (IBP) and former Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.
“I already declined. I will not be included in the list because only those who accept in writing will be included in the list,” Mr. Carpio told reporters in an ambush interview on the sidelines of a forum.
Mr. Carpio has previously said he would decline all nominations due to his participation in the case which ousted former chief justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno.
When asked if he would submit a formal letter to President Rodrigo R. Duterte to decline the nomination, Mr. Carpio replied, “I will soon.”
Mr. Carpio is automatically nominated to the post should he submit an acceptance letter to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) as he is the most senior justice in the Supreme Court (SC).
According to the SC’s Public Information Office, it is tradition for the five most senior justices to be automatically nominated.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra disclosed earlier this week that the JBC may bend its rule to include Mr. Carpio in the list even without a letter, following the nominations by Mr. Davide and the IBP. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio
Poe still undecided on reelection bid
SENATOR GRACE Poe-Llamanzares is still uncertain if she will seek reelection in the 2019 midterm elections amid her consistent high ratings in surveys.
“I’m not even sure at this point. It’s a personal reason for me. I have to talk to my husband about this,” she said in a television interview on Thursday, adding that her husband was “traumatized” by the 2016 national elections, where she ran for president.
The first-term senator also noted that some of her pet bills have already been turned into law, such as the recently enacted national feeding program.
“For me, that is already big thing. For that, I think that is already a big help for the country. So we really need to discuss it. And the (survey) numbers will not necessarily be the same next year. It’s not really indicative of your placement in the actual time of elections, that can’t just be the sole basis,” she said. — Camille A. Aguinaldo
THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) has started issuing new arrival and departure cards for international passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). In a statement on July 12, BI officer-in-charge Deputy Commissioner Marc Red Mariñas said “the old arrival and departure card (were) phased out due to observations that it did not provide sufficient information about a traveler who enters or leaves the country.” “[P]assengers are now asked to write their full name, nationality, passport number, contact number, flight/voyage number, purpose of trip, occupation, port of exit/destination, and their address here and abroad,” the statement read. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio
THE Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) is now in the finishing touches, according to the Department of Transportation (DoTr). As of end-June, the PITX stood at a 94.8% completion rate and will soon be inaugurated. The intermodal facility is intended to provide commuters from Cavite seamless interconnectivity going to Metro Manila.
Scallop gathering is a main livelihood in the coastal town of Carles, which includes Gigantes Island. — MELISSA LUZ T. LOPEZ
THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism-Western Visayas (DoT-6) has recommended that tourism establishments in Gigantes Island, under the municipality of Carles, undertake a temporary closure for three to four months to give way to an island clean-up and upgrade their facilities. “They could self-close if they want. It’s just a suggestion but the decision lies with the local government unit,” DoT-6 Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas told the media. The suggestion was presented during the Northern Iloilo Cruise Tourism Ocular Inspection and Stakeholders Dialogue at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on July 10. Ms. Catalbas said the DoT is ready to provide seminars to front liners such as tricycle drivers, pump boat operators, and restaurant owners, among others, to improve the island’s tourism services. She also stressed that the proposed closure is just a preventive measure, not curative, “meaning, that before siya maglala (it gets worse).” The proposal is intended to prevent Gigantes from suffering the fate of Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, which is currently closed to tourism for six months for rehabilitation. Carles Mayor Salagunting A. Betita welcomed the suggestion and said he will take it up with the island’s tourism operators. “There will be a need to offer them alternative livelihood for the affected employees,” he said. The mayor also said that he will form a committee to assess the establishments’ compliance to the regulations. — Louine Hope U. Conserva
ANOTHER BODY was found at the burned down New City Commercial Center (NCCC) Mall in Ma-a on July 11, six months after the tragic incident that has now claimed 39 lives. The body was found amid the ongoing demolition of the building. “Upon validating with the contractor, we immediately secured the area and informed the Inter-agency Task Force and Bureau of Fire regarding this matter. The Bureau of Fire (BFP), Philippine National Police, and Scene of the Crime Operatives were on site last night for proper investigation and transfer of the body to a safe place,” a company statement said. The NCCC management said, “We are now focused on ensuring the proper identification of the body and preserving the dignity of the deceased.” Fire hit the homegrown mall on Dec. 23 last year which took several days to fully contain. Among those killed were 37 employees of call center SSI Philippines, Inc., and one mall employee. The mall management said further queries on the recovery of the body will be addressed by the BFP Davao Region office. The Inter-agency Arson Task Force (IATF) that investigated the incident submitted its final report to the Department of Justice in March and is pending action. The IATF recommended criminal and administrative charges against 18 NCCC officials, the SSI Philippines management, AC Rockport Construction, and 13 officials and personnel from the Davao City Office of the Building Official, BFP-Davao, and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. — Carmencita A. Carillo
By Michael Angelo S. Murillo Senior Reporter
ON SUNDAY, July 15, Filipino boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao makes his return in the ring as he takes on Argentinian Lucas Matthysse for the latter’s World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title in a fight dubbed “Fight of Champions” at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
But unlike the Pacman’s fights in the past, not many are completely sold on the Matthysse bout, and that is not without reason, a local combat sports analyst said.
“If this bout took place at least five or six years ago, it would have earned the credence of a legitimate in-ring demolition derby because back in their heydays, these two were hard-hitting ring beasts. Unfortunately, both men are past their respective primes,” said fight analyst Nissi Icasiano when asked by BusinessWorld for his thoughts on the upcoming fight.
“In his bout against Jeff Horn [in July last year], Pacquiao wasn’t anywhere near the fighter he’d been in his prime. Instead of facing Horn, Chris Algieri, Jessie Vargas and Timothy Bradley for the third time, Pacquiao should have taken the fight with Matthysse many years ago when the Argentinian fighter was still highly thought of by the American boxing fans instead of waiting for him to start looking over-the-hill,” he added.
Mr. Icasiano went on to say that Mr. Matthysse is in the same boat with “clouds of doubt” hovering.
“Matthysse is a world champion at 147 pounds, but only because the WBA ranked him highly and then let him fight an obscure pugilist from Thailand named Tewa Kiram. He is already 35 years old, and there are persistent issues concerning the health of his left eye, which he injured when he suffered a shocking 10th-round knockout defeat to Viktor Postol in October 2015,” he said.
“Moreover, Matthysse was inactive in 2016 and has fought only twice in the last two years. This past January, he looked a bit chunky and struggled to find an offensive rhythm before finally nailing Kiram in the ninth round to win the regular WBA welterweight title,” the analyst added. MOTIVATION?
Mr. Icasiano said that at this stage of 39-year-old Pacquiao’s storied career it is hard to determine his motivation for it could be a lot of things.
But he surmised that one could be looking for a perfect send-off for him as he rides into the sunset.
“You have to question Pacquiao’s motivation at this point of his career. There are a lot of things that you could think of as to why he is still lacing up his eight-ounce gloves, but I would like to think that he wants a decent exit from the sport of boxing. He hasn’t held a WBA title in his 23-year career, and beating a game slugger like Matthysse will be a good send-off for Manny Pacquiao,” he said.
Adding, “However, it is a dangerous situation for boxing’s only eight-division world champion. History shows that when legendary greats push the envelope too far in this business, the sport has a way of being very harsh. This is a sport that doesn’t smile upon ageing legends.”
As for Mr. Matthysse, the fight is a platform for him to stay “relevant,” Mr. Icasiano said.
“For Matthysse, I think he wants one or two more bouts after his bout against Pacquiao. It’s not a good idea at this point, but he seeks a date with champions in the division such as Errol Spence, Jr., Keith Thurman and Terence Crawford,” said the analyst. INTERESTING DYNAMIC
Asked who he thinks would win the fight, Mr. Icasiano said the outcome is very much open and the fight itself presents an interesting dynamic.
“On paper, Pacquiao’s volume punching, footwork and speed should seal the deal against Matthysse. However, how Pacquiao performed against Horn last year is still my main concern. Pacquiao looked so old and past his prime even during his best moments. The age was there for all to see. Pacquiao made a mediocre fighter in Horn look good instead of exposing him the way he would be if he fought the better fighters in the welterweight division… It is possible that with his power diminishing for years, Pacquiao is more likely to rely on years of experience and his great technique if he feels he cannot match Matthysse’s power. Pacquiao still knows how to string together a good barrage,” he said.
“If Matthysse will show up on Sunday in shape with good conditioning, he is still a physical force as Pacquiao looked very depreciated a year ago when he fought Jeff Horn. The fact Pacquiao wasn’t able to outright dominate Horn, who was defeated last June in a stoppage loss to Terence Crawford, doesn’t bode well for his prospects against the hazardous Matthysse,” Mr. Icasiano added.
The Pacquiao-Matthysse fight is to be broadcast locally beginning at 10 a.m.
MOSCOW — Ecstatic Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is confident tiredness will not be an issue for his side when they face France in the World Cup final despite once again coming through extra time to beat England on Wednesday.
Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in the semi-final clash in Moscow, with Mario Mandzukic claiming the winner in the 109th minute after Ivan Perisic had earlier canceled out Kieran Trippier’s free-kick opener.
Dalic’s side were clearly exhausted, but they managed to fight on to the end of two hours of gripping football to take the country of just over four million people into the final for the first time.
However, the biggest concern looking ahead to Sunday’s game is bound to be fatigue, with Croatia having also required extra time and penalties to come through ties against Denmark and hosts Russia in the past two weeks.
France will have had 24 hours longer to prepare for the game after edging out Belgium 1-0 in 90 minutes in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.
“This is fantastic. Two players played with half a leg, but it didn’t show. In extra-time nobody wanted to be substituted. This shows character and is what makes me proud. Nobody gave up,” said Dalic, whose team have played the equivalent of one match more than the French.
“We prepared to get to the final and we want to play it. Going to extra-time might be a problem along with the fact France have had an extra day to recover but there will be no excuses,” he added.
“We have to play as if this were the first game in this tournament.”
No team has ever made it to the World Cup final after going to extra-time in all three prior knockout rounds — England twice won in extra-time in 1990 before losing on penalties to West Germany in the semifinals.
Dalic was only appointed as Croatia coach towards the end of their qualifying campaign, leading them to Russia via a playoff win against Greece. ‘BETTER IN ALL ASPECTS’
He described France as a “top-drawer team with fantastic players”, but his own side have earned their place in the final, their victory over England coming after they earlier destroyed Lionel Messi and Argentina with a 3-0 win in the group stage.
Luka Modric has been inspirational throughout their run, yet there were numerous outstanding performances at the Luzhniki Stadium as Croatia recovered from a shaky opening half hour.
Among the best was Marcelo Brozovic, the Inter Milan midfielder brought into the lineup to provide extra steel in front of the defense.
“We were the better team in all aspects of the game,” said Dalic.
“We played better than we did against Argentina. I told the players before the game there was no pressure — we have reached the semifinals, enjoy your football and this was exactly what we did.”
Croatia now have the chance to take revenge on France after losing 2-1 in Paris when the sides met in the semi-finals back in 1998 — Dalic travelled to that World Cup as a fan.
With such a modest population, they are the smallest country to get to a World Cup final since Uruguay back in 1950, and in the modern game it is a staggering achievement.
“For Croatian football and Croatia as a country this is history being written,” said the 51-year-old Dalic.
“We are going to play England in the League of Nations (in October) and we don’t have a proper stadium to play that game. But we have our hearts, our pride and our players and that is what is really important to us.” — AFP
MOSCOW — Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal deep in extra time as Croatia beat England 2-1 in an utterly gripping World Cup semifinal in Moscow on Wednesday to set up a final date with France.
The Juventus forward netted in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable comeback from a shattered Croatian team and take the small nation of little more than four million people into the World Cup final for the first time in their short history.
Kieran Trippier’s magnificent early free-kick had seemingly set England on course to reach their first final since they lifted the trophy on home soil back in 1966.
But it wasn’t to be, as Croatia came roaring back in the second half and equalized through Ivan Perisic before somehow finding the energy to win despite being taken to extra time for the third time in 11 days.
The biggest winners of the night could well be France, who have had an extra day’s rest for Sunday’s final after edging out Belgium 1-0 on Tuesday.
That will not matter too much right now for Croatia, who are the smallest nation to make it to the final since Uruguay back in 1950.
“It was a very difficult game, we all know what was at stake, how important a semifinal is for a small country such as Croatia,” said man-of-the-match Perisic.
“We started slowly but we showed our character, just as in the previous two knockout rounds when we were one goal down in both matches. We were not that resilient in the past.”
England had been the ones hoping to make history, in what was their first appearance in the semi-finals in 28 years.
Then they were beaten on penalties by West Germany. Having ended their famous penalty curse by beating Colombia in a shoot-out in the last 16, they might have fancied repeating that here.
But Croatia, having won on penalties against Denmark and Russia in the last two rounds, saw the game out, dousing the World Cup dream of Gareth Southgate’s side that had gone from the improbable to the possible over the past month in Russia.
“We’re gutted. It hurts, it hurts a lot,” said captain Harry Kane. “We can hold our heads up high. It’s been a fantastic journey, we got further than anyone else thought we would have.” ENGLAND’S DREAM START
Croatia were looking to the inspirational Luka Modric to control the game, but instead it was he who gave away the early free-kick from which Trippier put England ahead in the fifth minute.
It was a fantastic curling effort from 25 yards from the Tottenham Hotspur full-back, and England could not have imagined a better start.
Croatia were stunned, with Ivan Rakitic, usually so accomplished, especially off his game.
Zlatko Dalic’s side did gradually grow into the contest, but they could still be relieved to go in at half-time only one goal down, especially as Kane was denied by a combination of goalkeeper Danijel Subasic and the woodwork on the half-hour mark.
Croatia hung on and it was to their immense credit that they turned the tide after the break in what developed into an epic encounter at the Luzhniki Stadium.
They equalized in the 68th minute, as Sime Vrsaljko crossed from the right and Perisic stole in front of the stooping Kyle Walker to score with his left foot.
Having looked so comfortable earlier, England’s young side were rattled, and they were lucky not to go behind soon after when Perisic sent a low shot across Jordan Pickford and off the far post. — AFP
FIRMLY secured in the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup and riding a seven-game winning streak, one could not be blamed for taking it easy. But not the streaking Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, who are now more determined to take on the work to go deeper in the tournament.
Beating the Meralco Bolts, 104-90, in Game Two of their best-of-three quarterfinal series, the Kings completed a sweep of their quarters assignment to advance to the next round of the midseason PBA tournament while extending their tournament winning streak to seven games.
While happy that they are playing extremely well of late, Kings coach Tim Cone said they have to remain guarded for the win streak is “both a blessing and a curse” which could bite them if they do not handle it correctly moving forward.
“Coming into the semifinals with a seven-game winning streak, it’s a blessing and it’s a curse at the same time. It’s a blessing because you got some momentum and you are playing well. [It’s] a curse because at some point, you’re gonna come off the mountain,” the multi-titled PBA coach said during the postgame press conference following their Game Two victory.
Mr. Cone further underscored that since they are winning now, the more it is a must for them to keep on pushing to stay on top of their game.
“The more you win, you tend to lose focus. When you are losing and try to get out of a losing streak, that is when you are razor-sharp. When you are winning for quite a while, the focus kinda dissipates. I’m hoping it doesn’t happen to us. When it does, that’s the time you begin to tumble off the mountain which can be tough to recover from,” he said.
In completing the sweep of Meralco, Barangay Ginebra got another solid performance from import Justin Brownlee, who finished with all-around numbers of 36 points, nine assists, six rebounds, three steals and a block.
Greg Slaughter had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds while LA Tenorio had 11 points, including a crucial three-pointer in the closing minutes of the game that stopped a spirited run back by the Bolts.
As of this writing, the Kings are awaiting the winner of the do-or-die match between top seeds Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and eight-seeded team GlobalPort Batang Pier, whom they will face in a best-of-five semifinal series. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
