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Elasto Painters break Fuel Masters’ win run

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

JOLTED by a strong start to the game, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters halted the erstwhile streaking Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters with a 120-99 victory yesterday in their PBA Philippine Cup encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Exploding for 39 points in the first quarter while limiting their opponents to just 13 markers, the Elasto Painters established a cushion that proved to be too much to overcome for the Fuel Masters en route to notching their first win in their last three games and improving to 2-2 in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament.

Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood and Ed Daquioag got the Rain or Shine motor humming, sending their team to a distance of 20-7 in the first six minutes of the contest.

The Elasto Painters rampage continued for the rest of the quarter as they established the 28-point advantage at the end of the opening quarter.

In the second quarter, having full view of the hole they dug themselves in, the Fuel Masters competed on a firmer footing.

They went on a 10-2 blast to start the second frame, cutting their deficit to 20 points with three minutes lapsing.

Rain or Shine countered to reestablish added control but Phoenix kept charging back and reduced the Elasto Painters’ lead to just 17 by the halftime break, 57-40.

Losing some ground in the previous quarter, the Elasto Painters, behind veteran James Yap and Mr. Daquioag, reasserted their might, establishing their biggest lead of 39 points, 86-47, with five minutes left in the canto.

MINI RALLY
Baskets from Matthew Wright and Doug Kramer towed Phoenix closer, 88-56, after two minutes.

When the quarter smoke cleared, the paint masters held a 98-67 lead.

Firmly in control of the match, Rain or Shine spent the fourth quarter staying in steady form amid the attempts by Phoenix to come closer and make the score respectable.

The Fuel Masters came within 19 points, 112-93, with 2:56 minutes to go but that was closest they could as the Elasto Painters went for the closeout and win thereafter.

Mr. Daquioag led Rain or Shine’s thrust with 21 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists.

Mr. Yap had 20 markers with Mr. Tiu adding 17 points and seven assists.

Dexter Maiquez finished with 18 points while rookie Rey Nambatac, Maverick Ahanmisi and Jewel Ponferada all scored in double digits for Rain or Shine.

Matthew Wright and rookie Jason Perkins paced Phoenix, which dropped to 2-2, with 17 points apiece.

“It was a total team effort for us especially on defense in the first quarter. And we just took it from there,” said Mr. Daquioag, who was named player of the game.

Rain or Shine takes on Kia Picanto (0-4) next on Saturday, Jan. 20, while Phoenix collides with the Magnolia Hotshots (3-1) on the same day.

DBM to study possible pay hike for teachers

THE GOVERNMENT will commission an independent body to study raising the pay of various civil servants, including teachers, with the review expected early next year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

“At around First Quarter of 2019, the DBM will commission an independent firm to do a benchmarking exercise on the salary of teachers and other government personnel such as doctors, nurses, and lawyers,” Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said during a briefing at the DBM headquarters yesterday.

“Based on the results of this study, the DBM will propose the appropriate level of compensation for government workers,” he added.

Mr. Diokno said that raising salaries of teachers or any other government employees is not a priority right now, as pay structures dictated by the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) remain in effect until next year.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered the DBM to look into raising public school teachers’ salaries.

An entry-level public school teacher earns a monthly salary of P26,375 including bonuses and allowances, according to Mr. Diokno.

With the fourth tranche of the SSL next year, Mr. Diokno said this category’s monthly compensation package will increase to P27,046.

He noted that personnel costs for public schools under the 2019 government budget are expected to hit P398.83 billion — registering an average annual increase of 14.2% since 2016.

Doubling the teachers’ salaries would require an additional P343.7 billion according to Mr. Diokno, which is equivalent to 2% of gross domestic product.

He said that this would produce a 5% budget deficit, breaching the 3% cap that the government has set.

“This will make the public sector deficit unmanageable. It will put at risk the excellent international financial standing that the Duterte administration has built in the past 18 months,” Mr. Diokno said.

He said that doubling teachers’ salaries would require new taxes on top of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act — which he said that the public may not want.

“We will be hard-pressed to finance our Budget priorities,” said Mr. Diokno, referring to the administration’s infrastructure drive, the rehabilitation of Marawi City, and the offer of free tuition for college students.

“We must think and prioritize long-term solutions for our country’s development and for the people’s general welfare,” Mr. Diokno said.

The DBM secretary also noted that public school teachers are already relatively high. He noted a study done by Towers Watson in 2015 and 2016 showing that the pay for public school teachers is 46% higher compared with their private sector counterparts.

“We recognize the important role of our teachers. However, we would prefer to let the third and fourth tranches of SSL run their course before we propose a new scheme,” Mr. Diokno said. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Taguig terminal construction to start by 2nd half of 2018

CONSTRUCTION OF the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange (ITX) will start by the second half of the year, the government announced yesterday.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr), together with partner Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI), held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Jan. 17, for the project that is expected to be operational by the first half of 2020.

The Taguig ITX project, the DoTr said in a statement, is a six-storey building on a 5.57-hectare area inside the Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) compound and will connect passengers from the Laguna-Batangas areas to other transport hubs.

The project will also provide bays and parking for 1,200 public utility buses and vehicles. Upon completion, Taguig ITX is expected to house around 4,000 buses and accommodate 160,000 passengers daily. It will feature a pedestrian walkway connection to the Philippine National Railways (PNR) FTI station and the proposed subway system, and will house a passenger concourse, a centralized ticketing area, and business establishments.

The DoTr also announced that ALI has agreed to forgo the P277-million annual grantor payment (AGP), which is supposed to be paid by the government on a yearly basis for 35 years.

Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said in the statement that “he sat down with (the) top honchos of ALI to forgo the P277-million AGP.”

“Let‘s find ways how we can stop the practice and paradigm of government paying the private sector royalty grounds as they operate terminals. Under the contract,” Mr. Tugade said.

ALI won the bidding for the project in 2015 under the previous government, with the project then named the integrated transport system south terminal (ITS South), after offering a lower AGP than Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI). — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Teener Kostyuk seen as ‘Future of tennis’

MELBOURNE — Teenage sensation Marta Kostyuk was hailed as the “future of tennis” Wednesday after she became the youngest Australian Open second-round winner since “Swiss Miss” Martina Hingis in 1996.

The 15-year-old was rewarded with an all-Ukrainian clash against fourth seed Elina Svitolina as her fairy-tale run at the year’s first Grand Slam continued with a win over local wildcard Olivia Rogowska 6-3, 7-5.

It had commentators gushing that Kostyuk was “the future of tennis” as she extended her win streak at Melbourne Park to an incredible 11 matches after lifting the Australian Open girls’ title in 2017 and coming through qualifying this year.

“This is the future, ladies and gentlemen. Fifteen years of age,” said former British number one Sam Smith on Australia’s Channel 7. “This is an incredible story. This is the future of tennis on your screen.”

Before the start of this week Kostyuk’s total career prize money was $6,733, but she already has plans for the bumper $142,500 pay day she will earn even if she loses to Svitolina in the third round.

“Maybe I will get presents for my family, first of all, of course, because I have big family,” she said. “And then for myself a bit. Yeah.”

Playing since the age of five and watched by tennis-playing mum and coach Talina Beyko, who once reached 391st in the world, in her player’s box on Margaret Court Arena, Kostyuk said she had been used to setting new standards.

“I think I broke some records every year so I feel OK about it,” she said.

In the first round she had dismantled Chinese number one and 25th seed Peng Shuai in straight sets in just 57 minutes.

The talented Kostyuk continued in the same vein against Rogowska, taking the first set in 39 minutes.

“I didn’t feel like she was 15 at all,” said Rogowska. “I feel she’s going to be a dangerous player when she grows up. Obviously she had some silly errors, I think with experience she’ll clean that up.”

‘HEADLESS CHICKEN’
Svitolina clearly knows what to expect when she faces her young compatriot on Friday.

“I little bit watched her first round,” said the world number four after coming through a three-set battle against Katerina Siniakova.

“You know, she has nothing to lose, she goes just for everything. You know, a little bit like a headless chicken.”

The youngster is managed by former player Ivan Ljubicic, Roger Federer’s coach, and said she was pleased to have such experience in her corner.

“He is always helping me, telling me what was wrong, even when I win,” she said laughing. “I am lucky to have his experience.”

And long hours of practice, she said, was the key to her success.

“Well, I heard a lot of times that I’m talented, and I know that,” she told reporters with all the swagger of confident youth.

“But I know that only talent will not help me to play good. So I can say that I’m working pretty hard.” — AFP

Court orders arrest of communist leaders Tiamzons, Silva

By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

A COURT has ordered the cancellation of the bail and re-arrest of Communist Party of the Philippines — New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, and National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Adelberto A. Silva.

In a ruling signed on Jan. 11 and made available to the media on Jan. 17, Presiding Judge Thelma B. Medina of Branch 32 of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted the “recommitment and cancellation of bond” of the three accused and issued warrants for their arrest.

This comes after President Rodrigo R. Duterte cancelled the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Panel and the CPP-NPA through Proclamation No. 360 signed last Nov. 23, 2017.

The Tiamzon couple and Mr. Silva were freed to allow their participation in the peace talks.

“In view of the termination of the peace negotiations with the NDF-CPP-NPA, the accused, who were merely granted provisional liberty for purposes of their supposed participation in said peace talks, should be recommitted to the courts and their respective bonds should likewise be automatically cancelled,” the order read.

NDFP Negotiating Panel Legal Consultant Edre U. Olalia said a motion for reconsideration “remains a legal option.”

Mr. Olalia also insisted that the “peace negotiations have not yet been terminated properly and in accordance with the solemn and binding protocol mutually agreed upon by the parties.”

“A unilateral declaration by one side without the proper written notice duly receipted by the other, no matter how categorical yet at the same unjustified, does not make the grade and does not bind the latter,” Mr. Olalia added.

The Tiamzons and Mr. Silva were among the accused in a mass murder in Leyte in the 1980s suspected to be perpetrated by communist rebels.

Abas reappointed as Comelec chair

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has renewed the appointment of Sheriff M. Abas as chair of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), subject to the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments (CA). The nomination of Mr. Abas, who was first appointed on Nov. 22, 2017 after former Comelec chair Andres D. Bautista resigned amid controversies and impeachment proceedings, was bypassed by the CA last year. Based on the new appointment papers released by the Palace on Wed., Jan. 17, Mr. Abas, who was among the Comelec commissioners, will serve Mr. Bautista’s unexpired term until Feb. 2, 2022. The President signed the appointment papers of Mr. Abas last Tuesday, Jan. 16. — Arjay L. Balinbin

HSBC Private Banking sees strong markets despite high valuations

THE private banking arm of Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. (HSBC) expects the Philippine stock market to continue its rise this year, driven by the Asian boost in the global economic growth as well as the so-called “fourth industrial revolution.”

“After the strong rally in 2017, many investors worry about high valuations. But in our view, record-high equity index levels are not a good enough reason to stay on the sidelines,” Willem Sels, chief market strategist of HSBC Private Banking, was quoted as saying in a statement.

In a media roundtable in Makati on Wednesday, Mr. Sels cited the “pivot to Asia” and the fourth industrial revolution — or the productivity benefits brought about by more automation and artificial intelligence — as the two main reasons to be positive this year.

Fan Cheuk Wan, head of investment strategy in Asia for HSBC Private Bank, said Asia excluding Japan will lead global economic growth until 2060.

“Looking at the long term, we also expect Asia to remain the most important growth driver for the global economy, as China and India alone are projected to contribute almost 50% of global [gross domestic product] growth for the next 42 years,” Ms. Fan said, adding that this will underpin investment opportunities in the region, both for equity and credit markets.

“We project the Asian equity market to deliver stronger-than-global average growth at 13%,” she added, compared with 10% for developed markets.

Ms. Fan noted that China’s Belt and Road Initiative will bolster economic growth in Asia, as this will create new demand for real estate, trading and logistics companies across the initiative’s economic corridor.

“Asia-focused financial institutions exposed to the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) will likely benefit from increasing cross-border financing activities to fund the related infrastructure projects,” she added.

On the domestic side, Ms. Fan said: “We have a neutral view on Philippine equities as high remittances and strong investments support robust economic growth and steady earnings performance. This helps mitigate risk of the high valuations of the Philippine stock market.”

Meanwhile, HSBC Private Bank said another reason to remain positive in investing this year is because of the “fourth industrial revolution.”

“We are not that worried about high valuations of technology stocks, as we expect [the fourth industrial revolution] to transform business models, create innovative solutions and opening up new markets, supporting strong earnings growth,” Mr. Sels said, adding that the industrial revolution makes every company a technology company. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Pacquiao says in talks to fight Lomachenko

BOXING legend Manny Pacquiao said yesterday he was in talks for a blockbuster bout with world champion Vasyl Lomachenko, widely considered the best “pound-for-pound” fighter on the planet.

Pacquiao, 39, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions, is eyeing an April date with the Ukrainian World Boxing Organization superfeatherweight champ during a break from his duties as a Philippines senator.

“There are negotiations now about the number one pound-for-pound (boxer) which is Lomachenko,” Pacquiao said in an interview on ABS-CBN television.

“There are still talks on the weight, reducing the weight,” said Pacquiao, who has been fighting as a welterweight.

Pacquiao aides told AFP there has been no agreement on the venue and the actual date of the Lomachenko fight.

Rated by boxing experts as the world’s top “pound-for-pound” fighter, Lomachenko, 29, has lost just once in 11 pro bouts and won all the others by knockout.

Pacquiao, whose loss of his WBO welterweight title to Australia’s Jeff Horn last year left his record standing at 59 wins, seven losses and two draws, is now in the twilight of his career.

The Filipino southpaw retired briefly in 2016 but made a comeback to retake his WBO title from Jessie Vargas just months later. He has not scored a knockout win in the past eight years.

In contrast Lomachenko cemented his status last year after retaining his WBO junior lightweight title.

Lomachenko, who won gold in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, rocketed to the top of his weight class after turning pro in 2013, winning nine world championship fights in his first 11 contests.

Pacquiao, who has not climbed the ring since the Horn loss, said last month he had opened talks to fight mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor in April.

But the Irishman said he wanted his next bout to be a return to the octagon after losing a boxing bout to unbeaten Floyd Mayweather by a 10th-round technical knockout in their much-hyped fight in Las Vegas in August last year.

On Wednesday, Pacquiao rejected calls for him to retire for good, adding he did not believe his recent losses tarnished his record.

“You know, I miss boxing,” Pacquiao said, adding he was “still okay.”

Pacquiao, elected a senator in 2016, said he would only train for three months for an April fight so he did not neglect his legislative duties.

“That’s more than enough.”

Pacquiao said Wednesday he was also open to fighting British boxer Amir Khan but said any fight would have to be done in April when the Philippine Congress would go on break. — AFP

Bignay and duhat wines get the gourmet treatment

THE FRUIT trees in your backyard, or the ones lining the highways you cruise down during road trips apparently yield excellent wine.

Bignay, duhat, and turmeric were the stars at a dinner earlier this week in Sofitel’s La Veranda, with wines provided by local wine companies Dielle’s and St. Ambrose.

The wines, normally sold in souvenir shops, are apparently fit to serve at very fine tables. This offering is part of Sofitel’s Flavors of The World: Filipino promo, launched on Jan. 15 and running until the 21st.

The first wine, Dielle’s Black Plum Honey Wine, is made from the fruit of the duhat tree (Syzygium cumini, also known as jambolan, Java plum or black plum). It had a tint like rosé, and a fragrance akin to powdery perfume with a touch of lavender. It had a pronounced fruity flavor which reminded this writer of a creamy Pouilly-Fumé he has had years ago.

This was paired with a Pork adobo terrine, slow-cooked quail eggs, and garlic tuiles, which gave refinement to the simple flavors of the adobo (pork and/or chicken stewed in vinegar).

Dielle’s, a company based on Muntinlupa, specializes in bee-keeping and honey production. Most of the honey goes on to make mead, a wine-based liquor found in the West. Its founder, identified as Lolo Ben on its Web site (real name: Luke Macababbad), said that he started producing spirits after a burning accident on a drilling machine. Dielle’s has operations in Laguna, Batangas, and Muntinlupa.

St. Ambrose wines, which produces wine out of the native bignay fruit (Antidesma bunius, also known as currant tree), also has operations based south of Manila.

Next came Dielle’s Turmeric Honey Wine, paired with Ginger and lemongrass seabass, coconut-moringa sauce, and Native paella wrapped in mustard Leaves. The wine smelled like a spice market, and it had a taste that was almost spicy, like drinking in the vapors from a curry. It had a woody note with hints of ginger and an aftertaste like cinnamon. With the sea bass, it provided structure and tempered heat to the already formidable spiciness.

We took it a step further, for the wine’s yellow tint reminded us of crisp New World white wines: we paired this with sushi, and the heat cleansed the palate and the more base flavors of the fish.

Finally came St. Ambrose Bignay Wine, with a color like cabernet, and about the same scent, but the flavor profile of a Merlot, with a more overt fruity tone. It managed to hold its own with the gamey flavor of a Lamb rack with caldereta (goat stew) emulsion, mint foam, and local rice arancini.

All in all, it all boils down to presentation. The wines, made with local ingredients that are easy to ignore, were more than palatable, served in the right glasses and at the right temperature. — Joseph L. Garcia

There are 48 foreign terrorists in Mindanao — military

THE GOVERNMENT has monitored 48 foreign terrorists operating and recruiting in Mindanao, the military told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief of staff for Intelligence, said that there has been an “influx” of foreign terrorists, “in the guise of tourists and businessmen,” in the southern Philippines. At the resumption of oral arguments on the extension of martial law, Mr. Trinidad made a presentation to justify the AFP’s request for a yearlong extension of martial law in Mindanao. — philstar

See full story on https://goo.gl/559WG2

Davao’s Sagrex Foods developing Middle East frozen plantain market

DAVAO CITY-BASED Sagrex Foods, Inc. is investing about $1 million in a facility that will export frozen plantain, a variety of cooking banana known in the Philippines as “saba.”

Sagrex Foods Vice-President Gregory S. Marañon said the company is targeting the Middle East market with a “mircowaveable saba” product.

“We want to develop the Middle East market because that’s still underserved and under-penetrated by our business,” he said in an interview last week.

Mr. Marañon said the target is to start exports by April. The Sagrex affiliate in charge of developing the market is First Tropical Foods Corp.

Sagrex has been exporting its Golden Saba-branded product to the US, Australia, and Canada.

“In the Middle East, all the food is imported there and the price of fresh saba high, so we see big potential for (frozen saba) because it is a good substitute for an expensive product,” Mr. Marañon said.

The large population of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East is expected to help drive demand, he said.

“As you know, saba is very familiar to Filipinos, it’s something that they crave,” Mr. Marañon said.

The factory is being set up inside the Anflo Industrial Economic (AIE) zone in Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

First Tropical Foods, leasing 2,000 square meters at the AIE, is registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

“The building is a warehouse, but we are converting it into a factory that will house our food storage facility,” Mr. Marañon said, adding that the facility will be certified according to the appropriate food safety and quality standards.

Mr. Marañon said most of the equipment needed for the processing — including peeling, steaming and freezing saba — has  been delivered.

Sagrex Foods has been operating a factory in Tibungco, Davao City for eight years and the facility has hit 100% capacity. — Maya M. Padillo

Davis scores 45 as Pelicans beat Celtics

LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis scored 45 points as the New Orleans Pelicans jolted the Boston Celtics, 116-113, in an overtime thriller at the TD Garden on Tuesday.

Davis, who before the game had brushed off reports linking him to a possible move to Boston, gave the home fans a glimpse of what they might be missing with a virtuoso performance.

The 24-year-old power forward was in sensational form, also chipping in with 16 rebounds and two assists, as the Pelicans improved to 23-20 to go into sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

Davis was backed with 23 points from Jrue Holiday while DeMarcus Cousins added 19. Ian Clark added 15 from the bench as the Pelicans held their nerve in overtime to close out the win.

The Celtics, meanwhile, remain firmly in charge at the top of the NBA’s Eastern Conference at 34-11, but saw a seven-game winning streak come to an end with the loss.

Kyrie Irving led the scoring for Boston with 27 points but the Celtics were left ruing an inability to close out the win after leading 101-96 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Davis had provided the inspiration for New Orleans, producing two nerveless free throws to put New Orleans, 104-102, ahead as the buzzer ticked closer.

But Irving conjured a driving layup with 11.8 seconds left to force overtime at 104-104.

Marcus Smart made a 10-foot pullup jumper to help Boston take a 113-110 lead with just over two minutes left in overtime. But Cousins hit back with a two-pointer before Holiday made it 114-113.

Holiday then sunk a 13-footer to make it 116-113 and the Pelicans held on.

Elsewhere Tuesday, Evan Fournier starred for the Orlando Magic in a 108-102 upset of the Minnesota Timberwolves in Florida.

The Magic went into the contest languishing at the foot of the Eastern Conference with the worst record in the division.

But a career-high scoring display from France’s Fournier, who finished with 32 points, helped the Magic stun the Timberwolves, who have the third best record in the Western Conference at 29-17. — AFP

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