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Bosch Philippines on track for a rebound

BOSCH expects its Philippine business to grow this year, after seeing its energy and building technology segments bounce back in the first half.
“We’re seeing good momentum already in 2018.. The energy and building technology business has bounced back strongly in the first half and we expect that to continue,” Bosch Philippines managing director Richard Walker said in a press conference on Tuesday, July 3.
The supplier of technology services reported 45 million euros in consolidated sales in the Philippines for 2017, a decline after registering three years of double-digit growth. This was attributed to the performance of its energy and building technology business sector and “moderation” of its mobility solutions business, as well as project awards and purchases pushed back to 2018.
Mr. Walker noted its industrial technology, automotive, e-commerce and consumer goods sectors have been doing well for the first half. Growth in consumer goods was driven by sales of its Contractor’s Choice mid-price range of power tools, and the cordless tools.
“We expect the industrial technology area to also increase, with the industry projects launched and realized in the Philippines,” Mr. Walker said.
The company is bullish on its industry 4.0 solutions, given its presence in the manufacturing and heavy industries. It has already secured an industry 4.0 project in the Philippines with a major manufacturer, but did not name the company.
E-commerce is also one of the main drivers for Bosch, having recorded a growth rate of above 100% in 2017. Its accredited online vendors increased to 20, and expanded its digital product catalog to include over 8,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) by the end of last year.
Meanwhile, Bosch is also looking at opportunities related to country’s the jeepney modernization program.
“Jeepneys, currently we are on close watch for this particular vehicle model… We will decide how to approach the requirements,” Frederick Velasquez, Bosch Philippines head of marketing for automotive aftermarket, said.
The company also aims to tap into the infrastructure growth given the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, with its solutions for the construction and transportation sectors.
“‘Build, Build, Build’is very important to drive our business in the future and we want to make sure we get our fair share of that,” Mr. Walker said. — P.P.C.Marcelo

Shocking, charming, timely stories at this year’s Virgin Lab Fest

THERE’S A reason why Tulad ng Dati was sandwiched between two comedy-filled Virgin Lab Fest entries: it’s shocking.
For the benefit of those who have yet to watch the festival, which is ongoing until July 15, Tulad ng Dati is about the meeting of two brothers after the elder finishes a jail sentence. It’s a reunion story where the two reminisce about their past — until they finally talk about their dark secret.
The 30-minute one-act play starts slowly: the two brothers talk about the lives they live inside and outside jail. Then the dialogue inevitably moves forward towards the men’s shocking secret. Their secret — literally and figuratively — is mind fucking. Okay, that’s the only clue I’ll give.
JV Ibesate, the playwright, said the story was not based on real life, but was inspired from a film he had seen.
“Brothers do have special bonds — I do with my own brother — and so I thought of anchoring the story in this thought. Eh, nabaliw ako nang konti (I went a little crazy) — I thought of taking it to the extreme and see where it goes. I understand that it could be alarming. Wala eh, baliw lang po talaga ako (It nothing, I am just really crazy),” he told the audience after the show.
Tulad ng Dati is part of the Virgin Lab Fest’s Set C together with Labor Room and Ensayo.
The festival of first-run or “virgin” one-act plays groups several pieces into different sets to make a full performance.
Before Lihim came Labor Room, written by Ma. Cecilia dela Rosa and directed by José Estrella.
The “virgin” play plays on the idea of devirginized women, as in mothers — a first time mother, a woman who has just lost what would have been her first child, and a mother who already has five children — and their thoughts while inside a public hospital’s labor room.
The story was inspired by the chaos that the writer witnessed in a labor room in a public hospital in Bicol.
Using Filipino humor, the play makes fun of serious matters like the outsized ratios between patients and doctors; patients and beds; and patients and nurses.
But it gets serious when it talks about the plight of women who want to bear a child but can’t and those who didn’t want another child but are already knocked up by their boyfriends, husbands, or live-in partners.
Set C ends with the lighthearted story Ensayo, written by Juan Ekis and directed by Eric Villanueva dela Cruz.
Starring Shirley Lara and Bembol Rocco, Ensayo is a romantic comedy about two older people practicing a kissing scene for their drama class presentation.
Surprisingly, there’s still a thrill between the two characters who could pass as Kathniel’s or Jadine’s grandparents.
Ensayo is cute and light, and if there’s any take away, it is that we don’t have to follow a timeline in life. We can still sign up for an acting workshop at 65 and find love while at it.
The Virgin Lab Fest is on view at the Cultural Center of the Philippines until July 15.
Set A will have performances on July 6, 11, and 15, at 3 p.m., and on July 5, 10, and 14 at 8 p.m. Set B will have performances on July 7 and 12 at 3 p.m., and on July 6, 11, 15 at 8 p.m. Set C will have performances on July 8 and 13 at 3 p.m., and July 7, and 12 at 8 p.m. Set D will have performances on July 5, 10, and 14 at 3 p.m., and July 8 and 13 at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ticketworld. — Nickky Faustine P. de Guzman
For details on the other Virgin Lab Fest shows, read: Virgin Labfest presents a Marawi-inspired musical alongside an EJK play and more
ALSO WATCH: 

China pushes back against yuan slide, pledges stability

CHINA said it will keep the yuan stable. – REUTERS

CHINA will keep the currency stable at an equilibrium level, and the central bank will maintain a prudent, neutral policy stance, according to People’s Bank of China (PBoC) Governor Yi Gang.
Using standard language to describe the stance on the currency, Yi said the central bank will “keep the yuan exchange rate basically stable at reasonable and balanced level.” That and comments by another PBoC official earlier on Tuesday are the first clear statement on the currency by the central bank since the yuan started weakening in mid-June.
“Recently the foreign exchange market has shown some volatility and we’re paying close attention to that,” Yi said in a statement responding to a request by the China Securities Journal posted on the central bank’s website. The fluctuation is “mainly due to factors such as a stronger dollar and external uncertainties, and there’s been some pro-cyclical behavior,” he said.
The yuan is the worst performing currency in Asia over the past month, losing more than 4% against the dollar as the domestic economy slows and the nation slides closer to a trade war with the US The currency strengthened immediately after the comments were reported, having earlier weakened beyond 6.7 to the dollar.
“The PBoC is sending a verbal warning and intervention that the recent slump in the yuan was too quick,” said Zhou Hao, an economist at Commerzbank AG in Singapore. “In the short term, the yuan could strengthen as traders take profit from the recent slide. But if the market ignores the PBoC and keeps pushing the yuan weaker quickly, the central bank may conduct heavy intervention to send a stronger signal.”
China’s financial risks are controllable, Yi said, adding that “China has a managed floating currency exchange rate mechanism which is based on market supply and demand and with reference to the basket of currencies.” — Bloomberg

How resilient is the Philippines’ business environment compared to those of other economies?

How PSEi member stocks performed — July 3, 2018

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

Palace expresses confidence in PNP solving political murders after second mayor killed

By Dane Angelo M. Enerio
Malacañang Palace on Tuesday evening (July 3) said it was confident the Philippine National Police (PNP) “would be able to conduct a fair and thorough investigation” on the assassinations of Tanauan (Batangas) Mayor Antonio C. Halili and General Tinio (Nueva Ecija) Mayor Ferdinand P. Bote.
Mr. Bote was ambushed on Tuesday afternoon by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen outside the office of the National Irrigation Administration in Cabanatuan City while Mr. Halili was shot the day before by an unidentified assailant during his city government’s weekly flag ceremony.
Aside from being able to solve the murders, Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque also said PNP Director-General Oscar G. Albayalde would be able to “bring the perpetrators to justice.”
“We assure everyone that we would discharge the state obligation for every murder,” Mr. Roque told reporters hours after the death of Mr. Bote.
According to him, the government, “will spare no effort in getting to the bottom of this latest violent crime.”
President Rodrigo R. Duterte had accused Mr. Halili of being involved in illegal drugs as he was named in the government’s “narco-list” of suspected drug personalities and cohorts. When asked if the same could be said for Mr. Bote, Mr. Roque told reporters the General Tinio mayor was “not (in) the narcolist” and that he was even “a supporter of (Mr. Duterte.)”
Sought for comment on the death of Mr. Bote, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday evening told reporters in a text message he has “given direct orders to the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to investigate (the) two murders in a row.”
The assassinations are the latest in a trend of violent crimes committed in broad daylight, following the murders of former state prosecutor Salvador Soliman on Monday and Nueva Ecija priest Richmon Nilo last June 10.
Mr. Soliman was the fifth prosecutor while Mr. Nilo was the third priest to have been killed in a similar manner in the past six months.
In a press statement released on Tuesday night, Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan described Mr. Bato’s death as, “a wrenching reminder of the breakdown of law and order in the country.”
“This administration ran on a strong anti-crime platform, but two years after, what we see instead is widespread criminality, lawlessness, and corruption,” he said.
According to him, “Mayor Bote was a humble, hard-working, and upright public servant in our community.”
Senator Emmanuel J. Villanueva, for his part, said, “the series of killings in broad daylight are seriously alarming.”
“We urge the authorities to investigate the brazen killing of our local officials. Perpetrators must be immediately held liable and justice must be served,” he said in a statement also released on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, opposition Senators Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel and Antonio F. Trillanes IV blamed Mr. Duterte for bringing what they described as “the dark ages” to the country as he had introduced a “culture of violence” with his remarks and actions.
Mr. Duterte, known for throwing expletives and making threats, has been criticized by local and foreign watch groups, politicians, and activists due to his administration’s ongoing anti-drug campaign which the PNP said has resulted in the deaths of 4,200 suspected drug dealers. — with a report from Arjay L. Balinbin and Camille A. Aguinaldo

Coca-Cola Philippines ties up with government to support returning women OFWs

Coca-Cola Philippines will partner with the government in supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFW) through livelihood programs.
Coca-Cola Philippines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to help support returning female OFWs. Coca-Cola said that 50.5% of the 2.3 million OFWs recorded in 2014 are female.
“This reinforces the commitment of Coca-Cola Philippines to support the reintegration of women OFWs through economic empowerment. As a partner of the government and the Filipino people, the Company will continue to find ways to help contribute in the development of a better society,” said Jonah De Lumen-Pernia, Coca-Cola Philippines public affairs and communications director.
The beverage company also teamed up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to create and implement the Sari-Sari Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program, which has helped 140,000 women. This program is part of Coca-Cola’s 5by20 initiative to help women become more empowered in business.
“This is in line with the global initiative of Coca-Cola to economically empower 5 million women by 2020. While we have initially focused on the women sari-sari store owners and carinderia owners, we have expanded it to include marginalized OFWs, especially returning women OFWs from the domestic and care work sectors. We thank the government in seeing the importance of the program and how it can contribute towards the successful reintegration of our OFWs to their families and communities,” said Gilda C. Maquilan, Coca-Cola Philippines 5by20 lead and sustainability manager. — Gillian M. Cortez

ConCom completes draft federal charter

THE CONSULTATIVE Committee (ConCom) tasked to review the 1987 Constitution unanimously approved on Tuesday, July 3, a draft Federal Constitution, almost five months after the body appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte first convened on Feb. 19.
In a briefer sent to the media, ConCom said it “hopes to submit the draft to the President on or before July 9 — as originally planned — in time for the SONA (Mr. Duterte’s State of the Nation Address) on July 23.”
Highlights of the draft charter, according to the briefer, are its definition on National Territory, provisions on political parties, the ban on political dynasties and turncoatism, and the establishment of a Democracy Fund to finance any given election campaign.
The draft charter also proposes 18 regions — 16 federated regions, the Bangsamoro and the Federated Region of the Cordilleras — as distinguished from the existing 17 regions in the present system under the 1987 Constitution.
National Territory, in Article I of the draft charter, is defined thus: “The Philippines has sovereignty over its territory, consisting of the islands and waters encompassed by its archipelagic baselines, its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the continental shelf, and its airspace. It has sovereignty over islands and features outside its archipelagic baselines pursuant to the laws of the Federal Republic, the law of nations and the judgments of competent international courts or tribunals. It likewise has sovereignty over other territories belonging to the Philippines by historic right or legal title.”
“The Philippines has sovereign rights over that maritime expanse beyond its territorial sea to the extent reserved to it by international law, as well as over its extended continental shelf, including the Philippine Rise. Its citizens shall enjoy the right to all resources within these areas,” reads Section 2 of Article I.
On political parties, the draft charter said, “Every political party shall be registered with the Federal Commission on Elections which shall require that the political party submit its constitution and by-laws, platform, principles, policies and general program of government, a verified list of national officials, members of the executive board or its equivalent, and the heads of its regional, provincial, and highly urbanized city chapters.”
“Financial contributions from religious organizations, foreigners and foreign governments, and illegal sources are prohibited,” Article V on Suffrage and Political Rights also read in part.
Section 7 on turncoatism has such provisions as follows:
“Members of any political party elected to public office are prohibited from changing political parties within their term of office.”
“Candidates and officials of any political party are prohibited from changing political party two (2) years after the election and two (2) years before the next election.”
“Those who violate the foregoing provisions shall be: (1) removed from the office to which they have been elected; (2) barred from appointment to any government position for one electoral cycle; (3) prohibited from running for public office in the next election; (4) required to return any party funds they used for the campaign. The Federal Commission on Elections shall initiate the appropriate proceedings in the proper court.”
“No political party shall accept any member in violation of sub-section (a) and (b). Any violation thereof shall be a ground for the cancellation of its registration.”
“The Federal Republic shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties to prevent the concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of political power in persons related to one another,” Section 8 under Article V read, adding:
“Persons related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, as described above, are prohibited from running simultaneously for more than one national and one regional or local position. However, in the event that two or more members of the same family are running, the member who shall be allowed to be a candidate shall be determined by the drawing of lots.”
Section 6(c) of Article V read “There shall be a Democracy Fund, which shall serve as a repository of campaign funds. The Federal Commission on Elections shall administer the Democracy Fund and promulgate rules and regulations therefor. The Federal Commission on Audit shall have the power, authority, and duty to examine and audit all funds pertaining to the Democracy Fund.”
The draft charter also said citizens contributing from P10,000 to P100,000 to the Fund, and corporations, partnerships or associations contributing P100,000 to P3 million to the Fund “shall be allowed a full credit against income tax due for the taxable year coinciding with the elections in which such political party or presidential candidate (supported by the citizen or corporation) participated.”
Section 6 (g) read, “Unless ordered by the Federal Electoral Court, all information pertaining to the contributors and the amount of their contributions shall be deemed confidential and shall be made available only to the Federal Commission on Elections, the Federal Commission on Audit, and the Internal Revenue officials for purposes of regulation, auditing, and tax credit, respectively.”
“The draft covers basically all the problems faced by a citizen in this country,” former Senate leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. said when sought for comment.
“Therefore, (the citizen) economic, social, and political rights are protected and (he) can already participate in determining the future for himself and for this country,” he added.
“All the basic principles, which we have approved today, I have absolutely no reservations,” retired associate justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura said.
“I believe that this first draft was arrived at honestly, independent of any personal motives, and insulated from any political bias,” said lawyer and ConCom member Rodolfo D. Robles when also sought for comment.
Despite every member having positive comments with their approval, some have their reservations towards it.
“I voted yes, with reservation. That’s all I have to say,” ConCom member Atty. Victor S. de la Serna said in his short speech before the committee.
In Executive Order No. 10 issued by Mr. Duterte in 2016, the ConCom shall have six months to finish drafting the proposed federal charter. — interviews by G.M. Cortez

Duterte, CBCP leader to meet on July 9

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday announced that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is set to meet next week, July 9, with the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Davao Archbishop Romulo G. Valles.
Meanwhile, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo challenged Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. on the latter’s remarks on Monday that some members of the clergy are “united with the CCP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) in an effort to oust President Duterte.”
Regarding the meeting on Monday, Mr. Roque said on Tuesday: “Well, I confirm that this Monday, July 9, Archbishop Valles will be meeting with the President here in Malacañang. So, that’s the update on the dialogue. Although the President highlighted that this is really not unusual because they have had open communication lines with Archbishop Valles since he became President.”
Mr. Roque also clarified anew his remarks on Monday. “I should highlight that I did not generalize. Some may see it as a very minor clarification, but I was very clear. [I said] ‘some’ — not the [Catholic] institution itself.”
He noted that “some high-ranking leaders of the Church, prior to [Monday’s] statement,” made unnecessary comments about Mr. Duterte.
“You heard what Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said about the President — that God did not ordain him to be President. So, I think it’s always bilateral. If there is going to be a cessation of hostile language, I think it has to be from both institutions,” Mr. Roque said.
He said “it’s not just the President who should be told as we hold this dialogue, that perhaps there should be a ceasefire; it should also be told to some leading Church leaders as well.”
He added: “It’s been established. The CPP-NPA has been here for what, how many years already, 60 years, hindi pa ba tayo (are we not) familiar with the strategy — which is to build a National Democratic Front? There will be efforts on the part of the CPP-NPA to penetrate all sectors of society. That’s not new,” he said.
In a report by CBCP News on Tuesday, Mr. Pabillo was quoted as saying, “[Mr. Roque] should name names. (Otherwise), he is just spreading rumors. That is not responsible reporting. This is one way of spreading false news.”
Mr. Roque’s statement, according to Mr. Pabillo, “shows how insecure” the administration is. “They are so blinded by their fears and their biases that they cannot see their mistakes. They deflect on others their inefficiencies.”
The President’s spokesman, for his part, said the purpose of his statement was to “alert all institutions now that there’s all out — now that there’s no peace talks ongoing, expect the CPP-NPA to go back to its old ways.”
“There will be more of this noise, not just coming from the CPP-NPA, but also from forces that have embedded themselves in a different society. So, it’s a warning to everyone: we’re back to where we were in the past now that apparently we have set aside peace talks for the time being,” Mr. Roque said.
The spokesman likewise stressed that it is not the intention of Mr. Duterte’s administration to silence the Church.
He added: “We both serve the people. We should work for the benefit of the people. Pag nagtuligsa sila, asahan nila sasagot ang Presidente (If they denounce the President, expect him to respond)…. They can talk, but expect the President to talk back.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

DoJ awaits ruling on petition to tag Reds as terrorists

THE DECISION to declare as terrorists 649 people allegedly affiliated with the communist rebellion in the country is now with the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra told reporters on Tuesday in a text message.
The Department of Justice’s (DoJ) petition to tag as terrorists people allegedly connected with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), followed after CPP founder Jose Maria Sison’s announcement last week to end peace talks with President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his government.
According to Mr. Guevarra, “The petition to declare CPP-NPA-NDF (New Democratic Front) as a terrorist organization under the Human Security Act is now pending in the court. We will leave it to the court to make the final determination.”
Under Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9372, or the Human Security Act of 2007, the Department of Justice (DoJ) must get clearance from a regional trial court before any organization, association, or group of persons can be declared terrorists.
DoJ submitted its petition on Feb. 21 and included Mr. Sison, alleged CPP leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, NDF consultant Rafael Baylosis, former NDF peace panel chief Luis Jalandoni, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, and former Bayan Muna party-list representative Satur Ocampo, among others.
Ms. Corpuz had labeled her inclusion in the list as “baseless” and “malicious.” — D.A.M. Enerio

Ambush on Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote

MULTIPLE reports say General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote was gunned down on Tuesday afternoon. Bote was reportedly shot in front of the city hospital of Cabanatuan City. His death came a day after Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili’s murder. — philstar.com

President’s men to hold pre-SONA forums

THE OFFICE of the Cabinet Secretary and the Presidential Communications Operations Office are set to hold a series of forums at the Philippine International Convention Center to discuss the policies, programs, and projects implemented during the second year of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration prior to his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23, Malacañang announced on Tuesday. According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., the first forum will be held on July 6, where economic cluster Secretaries Carlos G. Dominguez and Mark A. Villar will present the accomplishments and plans of their respective departments. The July 11 forum will feature the participatory governance cluster headed by Secretary Eduardo M. Año and the human development and poverty reduction cluster headed by Acting Secretary Virginia N. Orogo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The third forum on July 18 will feature the climate change adaptation and mitigation, national disaster risk reduction and resiliency cluster with Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, and the security, justice and peace cluster with Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana. — Arjay L. Balinbin

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