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Palace cites drug war, budget, TRAIN among achievements

THE TAX reform program as recently passed by Congress, the national budget next year, and the controversial anti-drug campaign are among the highlights of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s first full year of 2017, according to a year-end report released Tuesday, Dec. 26, by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).

“This year-end report highlights the key accomplishments of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his administration to give the Filipino people a safe, secure, and comfortable environment through his key platforms of providing law and order, lasting peace, and prosperity for all,” the report said, adding:

“The Duterte administration is committed to eliminate illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption in government. It is, likewise, serious in addressing poverty and inequality across the archipelago.”

In terms of the drug war, the report said, citing the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drug Secretariat and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Special Projects, that,” as of January to September 2017, there have been 16,103 drug dependents enrolled at the Department of Health drug rehabilitation program, (and) 2,236 of them have already completed the program.”

Also, “14,046 drug surrenderers have received livelihood and skills training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),” the Palace report also noted, in contrast to Mr. Duterte’s remarks against rehabilitation of drug users.

Regarding peace and order, the report cited data by the Philippine National Police (PNP) that there has been an 8.44% decrease in total crime volume from 493,912 in January to October 2016 to 452,204 in the same 10-month period the following year. Decrease in robbery incidents was 23.61%, from 18,259 in January to October 2016 to 13,948 in January to October 2017, the report said.

There was considerable focus in the report on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), amid the limelight of the Philippines’ hosting the 31st ASEAN Summit this year and also in the context of the country’s maritime issues with China.

“This is a milestone for the Department of Finance (DoF), which has worked hard for the bill to come into fruition. This Act seeks to make the country’s tax system simpler, fairer and more efficient,” the report said.

“The country’s preparedness is attributed to its substantial financing opportunities, the government’s tax reform program, rising revenue collections, and the declining debt ratio.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Meralco and San Miguel shoot for second win

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

WINNERS in their respective PBA Philippine Cup debut, the Meralco Bolts and defending champions San Miguel Beermen look to stay unbeaten and get a share of the early tournament lead when they collide today in the scheduled main game at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The Bolts and Beermen, two teams which had a solid overall Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) campaign last season, shoot to stay in top form in their 7 p.m. encounter. Preceding their contest is that between the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters and Kia Picanto, both sporting 0-1 records.

Meralco enters the contest fresh from its 103-98 victory over the Blackwater Elite on Dec. 22.

Newly acquired player Niño Canaleta was solid in his Bolts debut, finishing with 25 points, going five-of-eight from beyond the arc, to go along with eight rebounds and two blocks to exact payback on his former PBA ball club.

Guard Baser Amer had 17 points and 12 assists while Jared Dillinger and Chris Newsome added 15 and 12 points, respectively, to help Meralco notch its first win.

As expected, Bolts Coach Norman Black expressed satisfaction and delight over the play of Mr. Canaleta, who the team signed along with free agents Mac Baracael and Jason Ballesteros to boost it as injured Ranidel de Ocampo and Cliff Hodge recuperate.

“Special mention goes to KG (Canaleta) in this game for the exceptional showing he had tonight in scoring. He is going to be a very good addition to our team,” said Mr. Black at the postgame press conference following their win.

TITLE DEFENSE
Also looking to set their campaign to a good start are the Beermen, who are gunning for their fourth straight title in the season-opening PBA tournament.

San Miguel got off on the right foot by defeating Phoenix, 104-96, in the season-opener on Dec. 17 on the back of the strong effort by its solid starting five.

Four-time league most valuable June Mar Fajardo led the Beermen to the win with 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks while Alex Cabagnot had 22 points and Marcio Lassiter 20.

Chris Ross finished with 16 points and nine assists while Arwind Santos had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

“We really wanted to take the first game because we want to bounce back for the kind of finish we had last conference. Good thing everybody did their job and nobody got hurt,” said Mr. Fajardo, named player of the game, following their win as he spoke of the missed opportunity they had for a rare grand slam after falling short in the Governors’ Cup.

The winner of the game today between Meralco and San Miguel joins the NLEX Road Warriors (2-0) at the top of the heap in the standings.

Mindanao still competitive despite security, issues — NCC

THE National Competitiveness Council (NCC) said that parts of Mindanao remain competitive despite slower economic growth this year, with certain cities in the region maintaining high positions in the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).

NCC Co-chairman Guillermo M. Luz told BusinessWorld that big cities in Mindanao continue to outperform parts of Metro Manila.

“Certain cities in Mindanao… have stepped up and they are among the most competitive cities in the Philippines. I see Davao, I see Tagum and I see Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City [having high ranks in the index],” he added.

“There are places that are doing well and the towns are doing better. So, it’s a case of getting more and more of them to get competitive among the other cities.”

Mr. Luz said large cities in Mindanao are seeing improvements in educational attainment, better access to water, and a decline in poverty rates, all criteria used to measure local government units in the CMCI.

In rankings released in August, Davao City was the third most competitive highly urbanized area in the Philippines according to the CMCI, inching two notches up from last year’s 5th place and maintaining its position in the top five for four years.

However, none of the other cities in the Davao region made it to the top 10.

Tagum City was in 21st place. In the most competitive provinces category, South Cotabato ranked second.

While pockets of Mindanao are seeing stunted economic growth, Mr. Luz added that President Rodrigo R. Duterte being from the region helps put Mindanao in the spotlight and may cause investment to trickle southwards.

“As far as people are concerned, he came from a metropolitan area so it brings a lot of attention to the place and that’s a good thing,” he added.

The Board of Investments said last month that based on 10-month investment pledges data, south-central Mindanao, the island’s leading region for investment pledges ranked sixth nationwide.

South-central Mindanao includes South Cotabato, Cotabato City, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City, which a 31.98% decrease in investment pledges year on year to P14.27 million.

Northern Mindanao was ninth nationwide with P7.06 million worth of investment pledges, down 27.91%, followed by the Davao region at P5.09 million, down 38.34%.

The Caraga and Zamboanga Pensinsula regions were ranked 13th and last nationwide, respectively, with Caraga investment pledges at P1.35 million, with no comparative data available from a year earlier, while Zamboanga Peninsula accounted for zero in the 10 months to October.

The depressed investment climate was blamed on the Marawi siege.

Mr. Luz said that every area has its challenges, with the biggest issues overall being infrastructure and utilities. He also noted that security concerns also affected overall investments due to generalizations about the whole region being unsafe.

“The government wants to help but obviously it has limitations. Credit, for instance. I don’t think that can come from the government but it can come from the banking system,” he added.

“Connectivity, Internet, e-commerce — all those types of things will have to be provided by the private sector. I don’t think the government is in the position to supply everything.” — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

Warriors down Cavaliers; Thunder and Wizards win

NEW YORK — Kevin Durant scored 25 points, Klay Thompson added 24 and both made crucial plays in the final seconds Monday, lifting the NBA champion Golden State Warriors over Cleveland, 99-92.

In a Christmas rematch of the NBA Finals that marked their third consecutive meeting on the holiday, the host Warriors won for the 12th time in 13 games to reach 27-7 while the Cavaliers fell to 24-10.

Golden State grabbed a 90-81 edge, the Warriors’ biggest of the night, before the Cavaliers answered with an 11-2 run, pulling level at 92-92 on a LeBron James layup with two minutes remaining.

Thompson sank a 3-pointer to put Golden State ahead to stay and tough defensive pressure by Durant forced James to lose the ball out of bounds.

“He wants to guard him,” coach Steve Kerr said of Durant’s desire to defend James. “It just so happens that KD is the right matchup for us and he wants the job.”

The Cavaliers got the ball back after the Warriors missed two 3-point shots. James drove to the basket and appeared to be fouled, but no whistle was blown and the ball was ruled to have gone out of bounds off James.

“He fouled me twice,” James said. “But whatever. What are you going to do about it?”

Durant said his moves were clean.

“He’s too big,” Durant said. “He’s too big for that. He’s too big. That ain’t no foul.”

The Cavs were forced to foul to stop the clock and Thompson sank four late free throws to seal the triumph.

“Klay was great down the stretch and we were able to pull this game out,” said Warriors forward Draymond Green.

“Kevin was great. He made a big play on LeBron. He was able to put his heart out there and make the big play and get us the ball.”

Green contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his first triple double of the season.

Cleveland’s Kevin Love had game highs of 31 points and 18 rebounds while James added 20 points but made a game-high seven turnovers.

The Warriors were without Stephen Curry, who has missed three weeks with an ankle injury and could miss another week, while the Cavaliers were without Isaiah Thomas, who has been sidelined since being obtained in a trade with Boston involving Kyrie Irving.

WIZARDS DUMP CELTICS
At Boston, the Celtics took a 95-90 lead with 6:18 remaining on an Irving 3-pointer in their first-ever Christmas Day home game.

But Washington scored the next 12 points, Bradley Beal and Kelly Oubre each making five points in the pivotal run, and the Wizards closed the game with a 21-8 run in a 111-103 victory.

Beal scored a game-high 25 points while John Wall added 21 points and 14 assists and Otto Porter added 20 points for the Wizards. Irving and Jayson Tatum each scored 20 to lead the Celtics.

THUNDER DOWNS HOUSTON
At Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook scored 31 points and passed off 11 assists to spark the host Thunder over Houston, 112-107.

Paul George added 24 points and Carmelo Anthony contributed 20 as Oklahoma City surged ahead in the final minutes for the victory.

James Harden had 29 points and 14 assists to lead the Rockets, who fell to 25-7 and a game behind Golden State for the NBA’s best record.

At Madison Square Garden, Joel Embiid scored 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds while J.J. Redick added 24 points to power the Philadelphia 76ers over host New York, 105-98.

Redick sank four 3-pointers while Australian Ben Simmons, who finished with only eight points, made a steal and breakaway slam dunk with 66 seconds remaining to give the 76ers an eight-point cushion.

Enes Kanter had 31 points — 14 in the third quarter — and 22 rebounds to lead the Knicks while Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points in a losing cause. — AFP

LTFRB orders suspension of Partas

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has ordered the preventive suspension of the franchise of bus operator Partas Transportation Co. following an accident in La Union involving a Partas bus and a jeepney, which killed 20 people. The regulatory agency will suspend for 30 days starting today, Dec. 27, one franchise with seven units of the Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte-Sampaloc, Manila route of the bus company, after the company failed to provide the required dash-cam footage from the bus in question. Partas has 29 franchises with 187 units total. The Partas bus bound for Laoag, Ilocos Norte, collided with a jeepney bound for Bauang in Agoo, La Union province, early on Christmas Day. Apart from the 20 people killed, 26 others were injured. LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lourdes A. Lizada told reporters the preventive suspension order “will be effective immediately upon receipt of Partas of the same. That is a 30-day preventive suspension order, when they will submit the dash-cam footage.” Ms. Lizada added: “The Board has noted the increasing number of accidents nationwide involving public utility buses (PUB) and jeepneys (PUJ). In light of the foregoing, the Board is warning all PUV (public utility vehicle) operators in the event of any accident involving your unit and if the initial finding would lead or prove that you are at fault, the Board will issue a preventive suspension order on your franchise.” An AB Liner passenger bus fell into a ravine in Tagkawayan, Quezon, early Tuesday morning, Dec. 26, injuring 12 people. A PUJ accident in Cotabato City killed four and injured 26 others, and a PUB (City Bus, Inc.) accident in Quezon City killed two. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Newbie delivers a decent reboot

By Zsarlene B. Chua
Reporter

Movie review
Ang Panday
Directed by Rodel Nacianceno

CARLO J. CAPARAS’ Ang Panday has been one of the most enduring — and oft re-booted — action-fantasy films in the Philippines since it burst onto the big screen in 1980 with Fernando Poe, Jr. playing the titular blacksmith Flavio whose duty it is to save the world from the evil Lizardo.

Flavio’s balaraw (sword) was passed on to Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. who played the character in 1993’s Dugo ng Panday, in the 2009 GMA Films’ reboot, and in its 2011 sequel.

More than 30 years since Mr. Poe created the role, the country is again re-introduced to a new Panday, this time played by former indie darling turned formidable action star Coco Martin.

Simply titled, Ang Panday, the film is also Mr. Martin’s directorial debut (he uses his real name, Rodel Nacianceno, for his director’s credit; he also serves as one of the film’s executive producers) and unlike other Panday flicks which are set in fantasy worlds, his Panday is set in modern day Tondo, Manila — well, partly.

The story follows Flavio III, the grandson of the original Panday, who doesn’t know about his world-saving destiny. He was saved as an infant from hordes of aswang (shapeshifting monsters) by a kindly midwife (Jaclyn Jose in the flashbacks and Gloria Romero in present time). The attack cost the lives of his father Flavio II and his mother.

Flavio III lives in Tondo where he is, not surprisingly, a blacksmith, peddling saws and knives and using a pedicab — until his destiny catches up with him when Lizardo (Jake Cuenca) returns and tries to take over the world once again.

Now that we’re up to speed, here’s the review: Ang Panday isn’t as bad as this writer expected, and while it isn’t that good either, it is a decent movie for a first-time director who wants to make a commercial film and enter the film in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The thing that makes the film surprisingly okay (remember: I went into the screening without expectations of quality) is that it reflects snippets of Mr. Martin’s background as an indie actor under auteur Brillante Mendoza — it’s there in some shaky camera shots among the filth and squalor, and in some of his dramatic scenes.

But the film is also unmistakably commercial in its numerous storylines: from coming out to your family as gay, to the incomplete love story between young lovebirds which is dropped and never revisited after the first hour.

It was also there in the forced jokes and exaggerated expressions when Flavio visits the Kaharian ng Liwanag and meets a diwata (a fairy played by Kylie Versoza).

One might say that the film is really a culmination of Mr. Martin’s long career trajectory, from his start as an indie actor to his becoming an action star.

And there were little feats of genius in the film, such as a confrontation between a demolition team and informal settlers that turns into a FlipTop rap battle, to the sudden music video featuring Flavio III and his gang of FlipToppers which includes rappers like Bassilyo (real name: Lordivino Ignacio). It was good fun.

For fans of Mr. Martin’s Ang Probinsyano (also a role originated by Fernando Poe, Jr.), Ang Panday is basically an extension of the Probinsyano world — from the action scenes (and numerous motorcycle scenes) to a funny parody of Yeon Sang-ho’s 2016 zombie hit Train to Busan as a PNR train to Tutuban under an attack of aswang.

If I were to nitpick, there are quite a number of things I would label as cons including Mr. Cuenca’s portrayal of Lizardo which came off as overacting instead of novel and slithery like the character’s name — he has been quoted in interviews as saying that his character peg was Jim Morrison of the Doors.

Then there is Mariel de Leon’s lackluster performance as the leading lady, Maria. She is practically wallpaper.

Finally I take issue with the fact that the action-fantasy film suddenly turned into a Hong Kong martial arts film in the last 20 minutes or so, with a training sequence reminiscent of Karate Kid and the aswang army turning into ninja warriors.

But after all is said and done, it is a laudable effort by a debut director wanting to recoup a P100-million film budget. It is good fun as long as you don’t look too hard.

MTRCB Rating: G

Anti-drug village chief shot dead during Christmas party

A BARANGAY captain was shot dead in Tondo, Manila, by motorcycle-riding killers as he was celebrating with constituents at a party on Christmas Day. Barangay 104 chairman Randy “Bong” Reyes was gunned down at Capulong Street as he was giving away gifts after singing videoke songs. A tricycle driver, Rodel Mariano, was also wounded by the gunmen, but Manila police chief inspector Romeo Estabillo said this was accidental. Mr. Reyes was described as an aggressive participant in the anti-drug campaign in his village, although he was a former user. The village chief was the second person to be shot by “riding-in-tandem” killers on Capulong Street. — News5/interaksyon.com

Eagles rip Raiders for top seed; Steelers claim bye

NEW YORK — Rookie Jake Elliott kicked a decisive 48-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining Monday as the NFL-best Philadelphia Eagles beat Oakland 19-10 to clinch a top playoff seed.

The Eagles, who added a defensive touchdown on a final-play fumble recovery to boost their winning margin, improved to 13-2 and will have a home-field edge throughout the National Conference playoffs as a result of the Christmas home triumph.

In the other holiday matchup, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes and the Steelers clinched a first-round NFL playoff bye with a 34-6 drubbing of the Houston Texans.

The Steelers matched New England atop the American Conference at 12-3 but Pittsburgh can only take the top-seed spot by beating Cleveland (0-15) next Sunday and have the Patriots lose to the New York Jets (5-10).

At Philadelphia, Nick Foles flipped a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jay Ajayi to put Philadelphia ahead but the Raiders equalized at 7-7 at half-time on Derek Carr’s 63-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper.

Italian kicker Giorgio Tavecchio booted a 25-yard field goal for Oakland but Elliott made a 35-yard field goal to pull Philadelphia level 10-10.

Tavecchio missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with 7:58 remaining and Carr threw an interception to Philadelphia’s Ronald Darby with 49 seconds remaining to set up Elliott’s crucial kick.

At Houston, Roethlisberger was looking forward to Pittsburgh’s first opening-round playoff bye since 2010, one that will allow injured receiver Antonio Brown to heal before their post-season run starts.

“It’ll be nice for AB and some other guys who are banged up,” Roethlisberger said. “To get feelng healthy is a great feeling.”

Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell kicked a 34-yard field goal 4:16 into the first quarter to open the scoring at Houston.

Roethlisberger flipped a five-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hunter only 3:45 later to give the Steelers a 10-0 edge.

Roosevelt Nix scored on a one-yard run to cap an 11-play, 80-yard march that put Pittsburgh ahead 17-0 and Boswell added a 36-yard field goal to lift the Steelers ahead 20-0 at halftime.

Le’Veon Bell added a 10-yard touchdown run to stretch Pittsburgh’s lead but Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins answered with an acrobatic three-yard touchdown grab, tipping the ball with his right hand before catching it with his left.

A two-point conversion pass attempt missed, leaving the Steelers ahead 27-6.

Roethlisberger responded with a 17-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster to complete his 136th regular-season victory as “Big Ben” matched a club record in his 200th Steelers appearance. — AFP

Fighting violence with violence

By Michelle Anne P. Soliman

Movie review
Gandarrapiddo: The Revengers Squad
Directed by Joyce E. Bernal

PATTERNING a movie’s title and characters on foreign comic books, a decades-long secret, and the evil-becomes-good-and-good-becomes-evil storyline — it’s all been done before. Sadly, it continues. Gandarrapiddo: The Revengers Squad begins with a fight scene, with Gandarra (comic Vice Ganda playing a gay superhero whose power and strength are gained from a lipstick staff) defeating Madman (RK Bagatsing), but a falling rock lands on our protagonist’s head, leading to amnesia. Gandarra forgets she’s a superhero. The rest of the Revengers Squad — Flawlessa, Higopa, Pospora, and Barna — decide to adopt Madman’s son Chino and live a normal life on earth.

Over the next two decades the Revengers live as ordinary people — while devising all kinds of schemes to get Gandarra to regain her memory — but are conflicted on whether or not to tell Chino (Daniel Padilla) about his origins and his superpowers which will kick in when he turns 21. As they bicker, Chino discovers his ability to move swiftly (earning him the name Rapiddo).

Naturally there are villains — Minos (Egay Falcon), who wants to steal Gandarra’s powerful lipstick staff, Kweenie (beauty queen Pia Wurthzbach), and the Mabulate rebels.

The change in the story’s focus from Chino’s transformation to Rapiddo to the main plot of defeating Minos is much too abrupt. Meanwhile, the change in Kweenie’s character from villain to a kind of long-lost sister of Gandarra lacks progression.

The incorporation of relevant social issues and current events — the prevalence of fake news and violence in the community — come off as rather trivialized.

While the movie’s jokes and funny scenes inspired choruses of laughter from the audience at the screening, this writer remained straight-faced the entire time. By the movie’s climax, I badly wanted the villain defeated already just to end the movie. Overall, the story aims to present the importance of family and selflessness. It also emphasized the value of love and doing good to others — during dialogues. Let’s give it that.

MTRCB Rating: G

Yacht race record tipped as Sydney to Hobart fleet sail

SYDNEY — Supermaxi yacht Black Jack led the Sydney to Hobart fleet out of the harbor Tuesday, chasing a new race record amid “dream” conditions in the grueling annual dash down Australia’s east coast.

Four 100-footer supermaxis are among the 102 entries in the 73rd edition of the 628-nautical mile (1,163-kilometer) bluewater classic, viewed as one of the toughest yacht races in the world.

The big boats benefitted from the light east to south-easterly winds as they sped out of the harbor in the spectacular Boxing Day launch to the event.

Black Jack was followed by fellow supermaxi favorites Wild Oats XI and LDV Comanche, with the pair sparking early drama after almost colliding.

Wild Oats appeared to tack too close to its rival near the exit to Sydney Heads, leading to a protest from Comanche.

Earlier, Wild Oats supermaxi tactician Iain Murray told reporters before the start of the race of the wind conditions that “in all my 24 times of going down here, it’s never been as good as this.”

“It’s very rare that you get this continually off-the-wind, cross-the-wind, wind start-to-finish sort of scenario, it’s something we all dream about really.”

Murray said with the super-yachts — Comanche, Wild Oats, Black Jack and InfoTrack — capable to reaching up to 20 knots, a new line honors record for the fastest vessel could be possible.

Australian supermaxi Perpetual Loyal, renamed to InfoTrack this year under new owner Christian Beck, arrived at Hobart’s Constitution Dock in a record time of 1 day 13 hours 31 minutes 20 seconds last year.

“The numbers suggest a race record is easily achievable for I think any of the maxi boats,” Murray added.

“These boats are capable of 20 knots. The current record is 17 something. It’s just getting around the corners is the hard part.”

A big unknown will be the conditions on the Derwent in Hobart, a fickle river that could offer up windless holes that can halt a boat for hours.

The super maxis are expected to arrive at Storm Bay late Wednesday afternoon, and into the Derwent leading to Constitution Dock at night.

“We’re looking forward to some terrific sailing,” Comanche navigator Stan Honey said.

“The dicey part happens after Tasman Island… We get to the Derwent at the worst time.”

This is the strongest lineup of supermaxis to contest the Sydney to Hobart, with all four having won line honors in previous races.

Eight-time winner Wild Oats is hoping to make it third time lucky after being forced to retire from the last two races.

The forecast continues to favour the medium-sized 45 to 55-foot boats, as well as the Oatley family’s smaller entry Wild Oats X in the race for the Tattersall Cup.

The Cup is handicap honours for the vessel that performs best according to size.

This year’s race — which draws spectators on land and in boats in Sydney — has also attracted a record-equaling 27 internationals including from China, France, the United States and Italy. — AFP

Toyota 11-month sales eclipse 2016 tally

Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila

TOYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) appears on course for another banner year as it already surpassed 2016 sales figures last month.

Speaking to journalists last week, TMP President Satoru Suzuki revealed that 17,268 Toyota vehicles were sold in November, bringing the company’s year-to-date total to 166,601 units. In 2016, the Japan-headquartered global leader registered 158,728 units in sales in the Philippines.

“This milestone has been driven by the continued strong performance of the best-selling sedan in the market, the Vios, with year-to-date sales of 34,338 units,” Mr. Suzuki said. “Together with [this] locally manufactured vehicle, [our] other top-selling models aided us in further securing our leadership position in six out of eight segments in the industry.”

TRAIN ON THE WAY
Meanwhile, in light of the recently approved RA 10963, or Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill, expected to take effect in 2018, TMP Vice-Chairman Alfred V. Ty commented, “The speculation is now over. The bill has been signed, and we know what’s going to happen. For Toyota, Lexus and many manufacturers, what came out is a bit of a surprise from what we anticipated.”

Mr. Ty was referring to the markedly different schedule of tax rates to be imposed on the sale of new vehicles. The approved TRAIN now levies a tax of 4% on vehicles valued at P600,000 and below, 10% for those above P600,000 up to P1 million, 20% for those above P1 million up to P4 million, and 50% for those above P4 million. Excluded from tariff are electric vehicles and pickup trucks, while hybrid vehicles will be taxed at half the new rates.

Mr. Ty continued, “There were a lot of speculations in the market when the year started. [But] in a sense, car makers could admit that they benefited from all the rush sales that the public created.

“We can plan once again. It comes out to be not as bad as we thought it would be. The future of the auto industry remains to be bright and remains to be a key factor in the growth of the Philippine economy. That’s really the end game for all of us and we’d like to be relevant and part of [it].”

NEW YARIS REVEALED
Also at the event held at the soon-to-open Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, TMP displayed the vastly refreshed Toyota Yaris, veritably considered an all-new version.

TMP sees the new, Thailand-manufactured Yaris as “an effort to further invigorate the image” of the longtime Toyota hatchback. It now features a more sporty front fascia, lent by “swept-back” head lamp assembly and an aggressively designed bumper. Halogen lights are bestowed the 1.5S variant and four-beam head lamps go into the 1.3E. The rear fascia of the new Yaris has also been re-imagined into a sight somewhat similar to the Fortuner’s own backside.

The 1.5S supplants the previous 1.5G, and features daytime running lights, grip-type chrome accents, six audio speakers, a push-button start/stop system, eco-drive mode, and sport-drive mode. The car maker also equipped the top Yaris variant with its Toyota Vehicle Security System (TVSS) with alarm and immobilizer, and smart entry with speed-sensing door lock. Seven air bags come as standard across the three variants.

Under the hood is the same power plant — the four-cylinder, in-line 16-valve DOHC VVT-i engine that comes in 1.5-liter and 1.3-liter displacements. The former generates 105 hp and 141 Nm, the latter 97 hp and 121 Nm.

The new Yaris is available in seven colors, including the debuting Citrus Mica Metallic (exclusive to the 1.5S). The other exterior hues are Freedom White, Attitude Black, Orange Metallic, Gray Metallic (for 1.5S only), Thermalyte (for 1.3 variants only), and Red Mica Metallic (for 1.3 variants). Pre-TRAIN pricing is as follows: 1.5S A/T (P1.006 million), 1.3E A/T (P877,000), and 1.3E M/T (P825,000).

Pyongyang likely to pursue talks, South says in rosy 2018 forecast

SEOUL — South Korea predicted on Tuesday that North Korea would look to open negotiations with the United States next year in an optimistic outlook for 2018, even as Seoul set up a specialized military team to confront nuclear threats from the North.

The UN Security Council unanimously imposed new, tougher sanctions on reclusive North Korea on Friday for its recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, a move the North branded an economic blockade and act of war.

“North Korea will seek negotiation with United States, while continuing to pursue its effort to be recognized as a de facto nuclear-possessing country,” South Korea’s Unification Ministry said in a report, without offering any reasons for its conclusion.

The Ministry of Defense said it would assign four units to operate under a new official overseeing North Korea policy, aimed to “deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threat.”

Tensions have risen over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, which it pursues in defiance of years of UN Security Council resolutions, with bellicose rhetoric coming from both Pyongyang and the White House.

US diplomats have made clear they are seeking a diplomatic solution but President Donald J. Trump has derided talks as useless and said Pyongyang must commit to giving up its nuclear weapons before any talks can begin.

In a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency, North Korea said the United States was terrified by its nuclear force and was getting “more and more frenzied in the moves to impose the harshest-ever sanctions and pressure on our country.”

China, the North’s lone major ally, and Russia both supported the latest UN sanctions, which seek to limit the North’s access to refined petroleum products and crude oil and its earnings from workers abroad, while on Monday Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called for all countries to ease tension.

On Tuesday, Beijing released customs data indicating China exported no oil products to North Korea in November, apparently going over and beyond UN sanctions.

China, the main source of North Korea’s fuel, did not export any gasoline, jet fuel, diesel or fuel oil to its neighbor last month, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

China also imported no iron ore, coal or lead from North Korea in November.

In its 2018 forecast, South Korea’s Unification Ministry said it believed the North would eventually find ways to blunt the effects of the sanctions.

“Countermeasures will be orchestrated to deal with the effects, including cuts in trade volume and foreign currency inflow, lack of supplies, and reduced production in each part of the economy,” the report said.

The latest round of sanctions was prompted by the Nov. 29 test of what North Korea said was an intercontinental ballistic missile that put the US mainland within range of its nuclear weapons.

SATELLITE
The Joongang Ilbo Daily newspaper, citing an unnamed South Korean government official, reported on Tuesday that North Korea could also be preparing to launch a satellite into space.

Experts have said such launches are likely aimed at further developing the North’s ballistic missile technology, and as such would be prohibited under UN resolutions.

The North Korean Rodong Sinmun newspaper said on Monday saying that “peaceful space development is a legitimate right of a sovereign state.”

North Korea regularly threatens to destroy South Korea, the United States and Japan, and says its weapons are necessary to counter US aggression.

The United States stations 28,500 troops in the South, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, and regularly carries out military exercises with the South, which the North sees as preparations for invasion. — Reuters

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