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Garin, Ubial face off at Dengvaxia hearing

By Arjay L. Balinbin

FORMER DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial told the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday, Dec. 14, that former DoH chief Janette L. Garin’s husband, Iloilo 1st District Representative Oscar S. Garin, Jr. “pressured” her at the committee on appropriations meeting last Aug. 14 to “expand and purchase more” Sanofi Pasteur’s Dengvaxia vaccines, which she said she “strongly opposed” and for this reason, she was “not confirmed as DoH secretary.”

“I am positive that my confirmation was prejudiced by the Dengvaxia issue. I strongly opposed this at the start. When I was with DoH, I tried doing damage control,” Ms. Ubial told Senator Richard J. Gordon, committee chair, during interpellation.

She added:”I was pressured to expand to other areas. I was asked by Representative Oscar Richard Garin, Jr. to include this in the 2018 budget.”

Responding to Ms. Ubial’s accusation, Ms. Garin said: “For the record, Oscar Garin is my husband at hindi po siya miyembro ng CA (and he is not a member of the Commission on Appointments).”

“My point here, your honor, is sino po ba kami para impluwensiyahan ang (who are we to influence the) CA? It’s an independent body that should not be dragged in pointing accusations to the DoH,” said Ms. Garin, who is Ms. Ubial’s predecessor.

Mr. Gordon questioned as well why the P3.5-billion budget for the anti-dengue vaccine was released too quickly in 2015.

Former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III explained that “it was already the end of the year and if they would not be able to release the budget then, the mass vaccination would be delayed.”

Mr. Gordon said that “in 2012, out of 187,000 dengue cases, 921 have died. In 2013, out of 186,000 cases, 591 have died. In 2014, out of 113,485 cases, 425 have died. In 2015, out of 214,000 cases, 647 have died. Last year, out of 220,580 cases, 1,092 died,” all these in contrast to Mr. Aquino’s noting that “deaths from dengue cases had dropped from 1,057 in 2010 to 317 in October 2015.”

Health expert Mary Ann D. Lansang refuted Mr. Gordon’s figures, pointing out that majority of the “deaths cited in his statistics are not in the age group covered by Dengvaxia.”

World Health Organization (WHO) country representative Gundo Aurel Weiler said in his opening statement that based on the WHO position paper published in 2016, the organization did not include a recommendation to countries to introduce the dengue vaccine into their national immunization programs.

It “did not include a blanket recommendation,” Mr. Weiler said, adding that the “WHO outlined a series of considerations national governments should take into account in deciding whether to introduce the vaccine, based on a review of available data at the time, along with possible risks.”

For his part, Mr. Aquino said he “received reports Dengvaxia underwent all the necessary processes.”

“Before the government made a decision on Dengvaxia, no one expressed opposition,” Mr. Aquino said.

Meanwhile, Sanofi Pasteur’s Thomas Triomphe insisted that the “efficacy of Dengvaxia was communicated to the government.”

Ms. Garin said the launching of Dengvaxia in the country “was part of the pipeline for dengue prevention and control as suggested by the WHO in 2010 to 2012, which is to control dengue through vector control, early consultation, estimate full burden of dengue, and vaccine implementation.”

Mr. Gordon said he understands that Ms. Garin was “enthusiastic” about bringing Dengvaxia to the Philippines.

“I cannot blame you. Dengvaxia is a miracle drug,” Mr. Gordon said. “What we saw was not just the protection rate of 65.5%, but what was important was the 80.8% reduction in hospitalization and 93.2% reduction in severity,” Ms. Garin added.

Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption General Counsel Atty. Ferdinand S. Topacio, meanwhile, accused Mr. Aquino of “conspiring with other officials in illegally-funded Dengvaxia program,” saying the release of funds for the procurement of Dengvaxia had presidential approval.

Mr. Topacio also suggested that the committee conduct a probe on the “plunder” committed by “Mr. Aquino and several DoH officials.”

For his part, Mr. Aquino said at the press conference: “Yung kanina, na nagsabi ng plunder etc. na andaming sinabi. Parang napansin din ba ninyo, after nung charges na sinabi niya sa kumite na imbestigahin niyo ito. Kung baga aakusa ako ng isang tao, magsasampa ako ng kaso, may pruweba ako, doon mag-aakusa sila, pinapahanap kina Senator Gordon at miyembro ng kumite na kayo maghanap ng ebidenysa namin. Di kaya may mali doon?”

(Lately, there was someone who said many things including plunder, etc. Did you notice, after all the charges he mentioned, he told the committee to investigate us. If I were to accuse someone, I would file a case and I have proof. At the hearing, however, they made accusations against us and asked Senator Gordon and the committee members to find evidence for them. Don’t you see anything wrong with that?)

Mr. Aquino also said Mr. Topacio could be sued for his remarks.

F2 Logistics digs deep to force PSL Grand Prix winner-take-all

THE F2 Logistics Cargo Movers launched a torrid fourth-set rally to pull off a heart-stopping 25-20, 24-26, 14-25, 25-19, 15-4 victory over the Petron Blaze Spikers to equalize their Chooks-to Go-Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) Grand Prix best-of-three finals series last night at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

The Cargo Movers crawled back from a deep 0-9 hole in the fourth set before setting out as the more galvanized team in the fifth to claim Game Two and send the series to a rubber match on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Import Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela sizzled at the attack zone, but it was veterans Cha Cruz and Aby Marano who delivered in a furious rally in the fourth set en route to a masterful performance in the decider.

Ms. Perez, who campaigned for the Venezuelan national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, tallied 20 kills to finish with 25 points while Kennedy Bryan also stepped up and chipped in 15 markers for F2 Logistics, which is looking to avenge its setback to Petron in the finals of the All-Filipino Conference last July.

National team member Marano delivered 10 points, highlighted by four blocks for the Cargo Movers’ 17 total blocks.

Ms. Cruz came off the bench with eight points, many of them in the crucial fourth set.

Head coach Ramil de Jesus lauded his wards’ great defense, but noted that it was their composure in the fourth set that prompted them to deny Petron its second Grand Prix title in four years.

“They (Petron) felt it was over,” said Mr. De Jesus, heaving a sigh of relief after the Cargo Movers recovered from a sluggish start in the fourth.

“If you look at it, you may think that it’s already over. But my team refused to quit. We managed to stay close in the fourth set to gain momentum in the fifth set.”

Mr. De Jesus added that Game Three would be anybody’s ball game.

“I think we already have the momentum,” he said. “It’s going to be an intense battle.”

Lindsay Stalzer, the Most Valuable Player in 2015, knocked down 20 kills and three aces for 24 points while Hillary Hurley had 16 markers for Petron.

Duterte says he is open to a deal with ABS-CBN

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte said he is willing to strike a deal with ABS-CBN Corp. if the broadcast network would help him in his campaign for a shift to a federal system of government.

Mr. Duterte made the proposal during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner where he again slammed ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Gabriel “Gabby” L. Lopez III, whom he claims to have a debt to government.

“Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa (If you help in the) federal system campaign at gawain ninyong (and you make it a) slogan also for the unity and to preserve the republic, makipag-areglo ako (I will enter into a compromise deal),” he said.

“Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism…I’m willing to shake hands with you,” he added.

Mr. Duterte has also accused Mr. Lopez of estafa for supposedly not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 election campaign.

The President had previously threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s television franchise.

“But kayo, may mali man rin kayo, may utang rin kayo sa gobyerno (you, you have also made a mistake, you also have a debt to government), do your part and maybe we can talk about it,” Mr. Duterte said.

“But most of all, try to be a part of an entity or hindi kailangan (it does not have to be under) PDP, promote something that will save and allow the country to prosper for our children.” — Rosemarie A. Zamora

‘He was my monster’: Actress Salma Hayek alleges Harvey Weinstein misconduct

CHICAGO — Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek has joined the ranks of Hollywood women accusing movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, calling him a “monster” in an article published by the New York Times on Tuesday.

“For years, he was my monster,” Hayek wrote in the opinion piece in which she included descriptions of sexual harassment, bullying and threats.

Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, issued a statement on his behalf on Wednesday night disputing Hayek’s account and calling her allegations of sexual misconduct inaccurate.

More than 50 women have claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them over the past three decades. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the accusations against Weinstein.

Hayek’s spokeswoman had no immediate comment on Wednesday.

Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault or rape by Weinstein.

Hayek wrote in the article that she was inspired to share her experiences after other women came forward. Her account largely centered around the time she was involved with making the 2002 film, Frida, in which she portrayed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Hayek wrote that she was pleased to have the opportunity to work with Weinstein and Miramax, which he then owned, because it was “synonymous with quality, sophistication and risk taking in films.” But, she wrote, she found herself rebuffing sexual advances and requests from Weinstein.

After reaching a deal for Weinstein to pay for the rights to the movie that would eventually catapult her to household fame, the now 51-year-old actress and producer said it became “my turn to say no.”

“No to opening the door to him at all hours of the night, hotel after hotel, location after location,” she wrote.

“No to me taking a shower with him. No to letting him watch me take a shower. No to letting him give me a massage. No to letting a naked friend of his give me a massage. No to letting him give me oral sex. No to my getting naked with another woman.”

Weinstein’s “Machiavellian rage” accompanied every refusal and once included “the terrifying words, ‘I will kill you, don’t think I can’t,” she said.

After jumping through impossible demands set by Weinstein to keep the movie on track, Hayek said the sexual harassment stopped once filming began “but the rage escalated.”

‘NERVOUS BREAKDOWN’
Hayek wrote that Weinstein was threatening to shut down the production of Frida and that he pressured her into doing a sex scene with another woman in the film. Hayek said that when she went to film the scene, “… for the first and last time in my career, I had a nervous breakdown.”

When the movie was finished, Weinstein allegedly said it was not good enough for theatrical release and threatened to send it straight to video.

Frida — a critically acclaimed biopic about the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo — eventually won two Oscars and grossed more than $56 million at the box office.

The actress, who called Weinstein a “passionate cinephile, a risk taker, a patron of talent in film, a loving father and a monster,” wrote, “I never showed Harvey how terrified I was of him.”

“Until there is equality in our industry, with men and women having the same value in every aspect of it, our community will continue to be a fertile ground for predators,” she wrote.

Baird issued a statement on behalf of Weinstein that disputed Hayek’s version of events.

“Mr. Weinstein regards Salma Hayek as a first-class actress and cast her in several of his movies, among them Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Dogma, and Studio 54. He was very proud of her Best Actress Academy Award nomination for Frida and continues to support her work,” the statement said.

“While Jennifer Lopez was interested in playing Frida and at the time was a bigger star, Mr. Weinstein overruled other investors to back Salma as the lead,” it said.

The statement also said Miramax put up half of the money in a film with a budget of more than $12 million, and also noted that there was “creative friction” on the film, which it said “served to drive the project to perfection.”

“Mr. Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming,” the statement said. “All of the sexual allegations as portrayed by Salma are not accurate and others who witnessed the events have a different account of what transpired.” — Reuters/AFP

SM opens 67th mall

SM PRIME Holdings, Inc. will be opening the doors for its 67th mall in the country today (Dec. 15), allowing the company to further strengthen its presence in Southern Luzon.

In a statement, the listed property giant said SM Center Lemery will add 25,000 square meters (sq.m.) of gross floor area (GFA) to its portfolio, ending the year with a footprint of over 8 million sq.m. in the Philippines.

“Lemery has been a gateway to different attractions in Batangas, and with this, it’s been continually developing to meet the needs and standards of its residents and visitors. SM Center Lemery takes part in meeting these needs,” SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said in a statement.

SM Center Lemery will be the company’s third mall in Batangas after SM City Batangas and SM City Lipa.

The newest shopping mall will have three floors offering a mix of services from retail and food tenants. It will also have staple brands located in other SM stores such as SM Hypermarket, BDO, Ace Hardware, Miniso, SM Appliance Center, and Watson’s among others.

SM Prime said around 90% of spaces at SM Center Lemery have already been leased out.

The property holding firm of country’s richest man Henry Sy, Sr. has already opened six new malls earlier this year, namely SM Center Pulilan in Bulacan, SM CDO Downtown Premier in Cagayan de Oro, S Maison at Conrad Manila in Pasay City, SM Cherry Antipolo in Rizal, SM City Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown in Cagayan.

SM Prime’s continued mall expansion pushed its net income attributable to the parent by 15% to P20 billion in the first nine months of 2017. Revenues rose 12% year on year to P64.69 billion.

Shares in SM Prime saw a 3.56% uptick or P1.30 to close at P37.80 at the stock exchange on Thursday. — Arra B. Francia

Universities could be opened up to foreign investment

THE GOVERNMENT will explore more sectors to be liberalized for foreign investors, including universities, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said that the next NEDA Board meeting will discuss the 11th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL).

“The Economic Development Cluster has already approved NEDA’s recommendations on the 11th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List, or FINL. The NEDA Board at its next meeting will take this up,” Mr. Pernia said during NEDA’s year-end briefing yesterday at its headquarters in Mandaluyong.

Among those being considered for wider foreign ownership are universities.

“The establishment of universities by (foreign investors) themselves, or in partnership with local universities, is still not included in the proposed changes in the FINL. So we’ll try to put that in also,” said Mr. Pernia.

He said that opening up the education system to foreigners is a common practice in the region.

“There’s no reason to be behind these countries. We have already been lagging behind in our education sector,” Mr. Pernia added.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed on Nov. 21 Memorandum Order No. 16 that ordered government agencies to “ take immediate steps” on either lifting or easing foreign participation in various industries.

These sectors include: recruitment companies, whether for local or foreign employment; the practice of particular professions, where allowing foreign participation will redound to the public benefit; contracts for the construction and repair of domestically-funded public works; public services, except activities and systems that are recognized as public utilities such as transmission and distribution of electricity, water pipeline distribution systems, and sewerage pipeline systems; culture, production, milling, processing, and trading, except retailing, of rice and corn and acquiring by barter, purchase, or otherwise, rice and corn and the by-products thereof; teaching at higher education levels; and retail trade enterprises.

“We will look through the list again and we’ll see how much more we can put in there,” Mr. Pernia said

Aside from the FINL, NEDA Assistant Secretary Jonathan L. Uy said that there will be six proposals up for approval by the NEDA Board “within this month.”

However, the six items will go through ad referendum approval since the en banc NEDA Board will not be able to meet before the year ends. Ad referendum approval is resorted to when an en banc quorum is not available.

“We expect to have six more to propose to the NEDA Board, ad referendum, with three new projects,” said Mr. Uy.

These included the  P20.313-billion Safe Philippines Project, which will put up 18 integrated operations and command centers, equipped with video surveillance systems and a remote backup data center; the P11.369-billion Bridge Construction and Acceleration Project for Socioeconomic Development; and the procurement of the seven Philippine Coast Guard Maritime Disaster Response Helicopters for P5.887 billion.

Also up for approval are the loan validity and construction period extensions of the Samar Pacific Coastal Project and the Jalaur River Multi-purpose Project, as well as additional financing for the New Bohol Airport.

Mr. Pernia said that the full NEDA Board, composed of Cabinet members and chaired by the President, may meet sometime in January.

With some 15 big-ticket infrastructure projects given the green light this year, Mr. Pernia said that he expects a similar number to be approved in 2018.

“Based on what we’ve done just looking at 2017, we were able to get projects processed and approved, 20 of them. Hard projects alone will be 15 of the 20… We try to get the NEDA Board to meet every two months. We try to keep that pace so we expect 15 more next year,” he said. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Qatar says FIFA World Cup preparations ahead of schedule

PREPARATIONS for the first FIFA World Cup happening in the Middle East in 2022 is well ahead of schedule, this according to Qatar Foreign Minister His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

In local celebration of their National Day early this week held at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, the Qatari foreign minister said that they are very excited to host and welcome the best footballers and fans in the world and that they have been making major progress in their preparations.

“2022 FIFA World Cup is a first and foremost opportunity for the Arab world and the Middle East to highlight the true and peaceful nature of the rest of the world. It also gives the State of Qatar a great opportunity to stimulate innovation, positive change and sustainable development,” said His Excellency during the reception attended by foreign dignitaries and government officials.

“The State of Qatar is currently building eight stadiums, 64 training grounds, five fan areas and accommodation, as well as major infrastructure developments including roads, railways and airports. The World Cup is an occasion to bring people together, overcoming geographical, religious, cultural and linguistic differences,” he added.

As they prepare for the biggest football event in the world, Qatari officials said the Philippines has been part of it through Filipino workers whom they described as “very professional, educated and talented.”

“Qatar now has more than 240,000 Filipino workers and they are enjoying the privilege of the Qatari government. They are also our partners in development, and we are looking forward to an even stronger relationship. And because of the FIFA World Cup 2022, we now require additional supply of manpower from the Philippines. We also see Filipino workers as one of the best in the world, very professional, educated and talented,” said Qatar Ambassador to the Philippines Ali Ibrahim Al Malki in his own message during the reception.

The Qatar ambassador continued that Qatar-Philippine relations has been doing well as both groups have been willing partners in a number of agreements.

“The ties between the Philippines and Qatar are going very well. This year in April, President [Rodrigo R.] Duterte visited Qatar and both sides signed new agreements; we are also currently working on other agreements right now. We are expecting this relationship to go ahead with more enhancements in the field of investment, as well as political cooperation,” Mr. Al Malki said.

The FIFA World Cup 2022 takes place from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18 and will feature 32 teams/nations. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Women accuse rap mogul Simmons of rape

NEW YORK — At least three women say that they were raped by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, who recently left his business empire following abuse allegations, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

The 60-year-old hip-hop legend denied the rape accusations — which date back to 1988 — and voiced support for the growing movement of women speaking out against abusive men.

Simmons announced on Nov. 30 that he was stepping down from his business roles after two women accused him of assault, which he also denied.

But The New York Times article described an alleged pattern of behavior by the enormously influential Def Jam Recordings cofounder, who was accused of preying on women entering the industry.

Tina Baker, a singer who has performed back-up for Madonna and Bruce Springsteen, said Simmons was her manager when he invited her to his apartment in 1990 or 1991.

She told the newspaper that he pinned her down as raped her. The Times said the account was confirmed by four people close to her including her ex-husband and therapist.

“I didn’t have sex with a man for almost nine years” afterward, Baker told the newspaper. “I went into a cocoon.”

Simmons said he never had sex with Baker. He said in a statement: “I vehemently deny all these allegations.”

“I have accepted that I can and should get dirt on my sleeves if it means witnessing the birth of a new consciousness about women,” he said.

Unlike many in the brash world of hip-hop, Simmons in recent years has developed a clean, spiritual image as he promotes yoga and veganism.

But the newspaper also reported an incident in 2014 in which a woman said Simmons touched her inappropriately after encountering him in a Miami hotel.

Simmons and fellow producer Rick Rubin helped bring hip-hop to wide US audiences in the 1980s when they founded Def Jam, a label that signed major acts such as the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and later Public Enemy.

Accusations of rape and sexual harassment against now disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein have opened the floodgates, prompting scores of women to speak up not just about abuse in the entertainment and media industries as well as in politics. — AFP

‘Phantom’ ratification of TRAIN to be challenged at SC: Lawmakers

By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

CONGRESSMEN opposed to what they criticized as the “invalid” and “phantom” ratification of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) plan to challenge this ratification before the Supreme Court.

“All options are on the table. Including the legal, ’yung pagtakbo sa (on going to the) Supreme Court,” ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio L. Tinio said in an interview with reporters on Thursday, Dec. 14.

For his part, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate said of the ratified measure, which has drawn keen interest among taxpayers: “But more importantly, dalhin ito sa mamamayan (let’s bring this to the citizenry). Sa tingin namin ’yun naman ang importante: malaman ng mamamayan kung paano niraratsada ang mga batas dito (We think that’s what’s important: for the people to know how laws are rushed here).”

The House ratified the TRAIN on Wednesday night before its adjournment at 10:05 p.m. Deputy Speaker Raneo E. Abu presided over the plenary while Iloilo Rep. Arthur R. Defensor Jr. acted as Majority Floor Leader.

“Habang paulit-ulit na nag-o-object tayo, dahil malinaw na walang tao — walang tao sa floor, wala pa yatang 10 ’yung nasa floor — nag-object tayo, hindi tayo ni-recognize ng presiding officer tapos sinabi nila ‘There being no objection, the bicameral report for the TRAIN is hereby approved,’” Mr. Tinio recounted.

(While we were repeatedly objecting, because clearly, there was nobody — nobody on the floor, barely 10 people were on the floor — we objected, we were not recognized by the presiding officer, and then they said, “There being no objection, the bicameral report for the TRAIN is hereby approved.”)

Mr. Tinio said this violated Rule X, Section 63 of the Rules of the House of Representatives that “(a) conference committee report shall be ratified by a majority vote of the Members of the House present, there being a quorum.”

“Alam din namin na wala nang tao kaya ang iniisip namin, paano pa mara-ratify ito ngayong nag-alisan na ang karamihan?” Mr. Tinio said in part. (We know that no one is present so we were thinking, how can we ratify it now that the majority have already left?)

The party-list lawmaker said his colleagues were at the Christmas party of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

‘PHANTOM REPORT’
Mr. Zarate said Mr. Abu moved to have the bicameral conference report ratified but he held no copy of the report. “Last night, they ratified a phantom bicam report, dahil walang dinistribute sa floor kahit na ano lang sana, semblance na ’yung mga naiwan sa floor, binigyan nila ng bicam report, wala.”

(Last night, they ratified a phantom bicam report because they did not distribute anything to the floor, not even a semblance for the ones remaining at the floor, they did not provide us the bicam report. Nothing.)

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel B. Casilao said the House leadership can easily call for a special session specifically for the purpose of ratifying the TRAIN with enough members on the floor.

“Until (Dec.) 15 pa naman kami and they have the numbers,” Mr. Casilao said. (We have until Dec. 15 and they have the numbers.)

Sought for comment, Rep. Dakila Carlo E. Cua said in an interview with BusinessWorld: “Wala kasi ako doon, so I really cannot…comment, but my take lang is…ulitin natin ’yung ratification kung sa tingin niyang insufficient. We can always do it again.” (I wasn’t there,…but my take is…let’s repeat the ratification if [they] think it’s insufficient. We can always do it again.)

Also sought for comment, Mr. Abu insisted that “everything was done in order.”

“Everything was in order… It was properly moved by the majority leader and as far as we know, ginawa natin kung ano ’yung nasa proseso (we did what was according to procedure),” he said in a phone interview.

Mr. Abu noted the number of members present during the roll call and with 232 members registered in the attendance, he maintained there was a quorum.

“Ang tinitingnan lagi naman diyan eh ’yung quorum before mag-start ng session at… ’yun ang aming pinapanindigang bilang sa pagpo-proseso ng trabaho namin, kung sino yung nag-respond sa roll call namin,” Mr. Abu said.

(What we’re looking at is the quorum before the start of the session and… that’s what we go by, those who responded to the roll call.)

For his part, Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas said he was not present because he had to leave early due to an emergency. “In fact, I did not go to the PDP-Laban (Christmas party) either,” he said in a text message to the media.

“If any member is contesting the report of the presiding officer and the floor leaders about the proceedings leading to the ratification of the BiCam Committee Report on the TRAIN, such member could bring it to the attention of Plenary or, if not contented, to the courts,” Mr. Fariñas also said.

Copper bears beware as strike risks rise in top producer Chile

COPPER FORECASTERS are reassessing their projections as the top-producing country prepares for its busiest year ever for wage talks.

Under a new labor code and with higher prices inflating workers’ pay expectations, Chilean mines will negotiate contracts with 32 unions next year. That represents about three-quarters of the country’s copper output, or about one-fifth of world production. Globally, labor negotiations could trigger disruptions at mines producing about 40% of supply, according to Barclays Plc, which this week raised its price estimate.

While prospects of slower Chinese demand growth have sent copper back below $7,000 a metric ton in the past few weeks, supply is also constrained after years of cutbacks spurred by low prices.

That means any disruptions resulting from strikes could quickly tighten up the market — as happened this year with stoppages at Escondida in Chile and Grasberg in Indonesia. If that occurs, prices could go back above $7,000 in the first half of the year,  Bank of America Corp. analysts said last week.

“It’s going to be pretty tough,”  Andrew Cosgrove, senior energy and mining analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, said by telephone. “Copper price risks mainly come from the Chinese property sector, but the Chilean negotiations add a thicker layer of price support.”

He expects supply to increase by 200,000 to 300,000 tons next year, signaling a fairly balanced market. But a repeat of this year’s strike interruptions would easily wipe out that increase. “Given how many negotiations are on, it could be even worse.”

While workers in Southern Copper Corp. mines in Peru returned to work on Tuesday after a 20-day strike, one union at Teck Resources Ltd.’s Quebrada Blanca mine in Chile were preparing to go on strike in what would be the first stoppage under the country’s new labor code.

Most of Chile’s largest mines face wage talks next year, although much of the attention will be on BHP Billiton Ltd.’s Escondida. The longest mine strike in the country’s modern history ended in March with no accord and an extension of the old contract until June 2018. Tensions ran high during a stoppage in which workers set up camp at the mine entrance, displaying dummies hanging from ropes representing executives and recording videos burning company letters.

An announcement by BHP in November to cut 3% of Escondida’s work force spurred a 24-hour strike and threats of further action, with unions calling the layoffs an act of intimidation ahead of next year’s wage talks.

“Under the labor reform that came in last April, there is no downside for the employees during the negotiations,” said Cesar Perez-Novoa, an analyst at BTG Pactual in Santiago. “Unions are empowered and this will influence negotiations. They are better prepared from a legal and economic point of view.”

“Workers have made sacrifices over the last two years,” said Gustavo Tapia, president of Chile’s Mining Federation, which represents more than 20 unions from the largest mines. “Everyone can see that prices and production are higher, so the talk of crisis is no longer relevant.”

At the highest point of the last commodities cycle, juicy end-of-conflict bonuses were at the center of the talks. Now, negotiations are more likely to focus on benefits, Tapia said. Unions won’t be making unreasonable demands, he said, but they will ask for what they deserve after years of cost cutting.

“We need to have this discussion in a responsible manner,” Tapia said. “If companies keep talking about crisis, the answer will be to strike. And if they don’t understand that, this could be a year of many stoppages.”

While copper prices are about 14% higher than a year ago, volatility over the last few months will mean companies will tread with caution, according to Diego Hernandez, president of Chile’s mining association, Sonami. On the other side, unions might have learned a lesson from the Escondida strike, which ended with no agreement, no end-of-conflict bonus for workers and a salary freeze that will only end when the new contract is signed.

“We are confident that workers will act realistically and with moderation in these negotiation processes,” Hernandez said in written answers to questions. “There is a need to act with caution, especially considering that investment hasn’t been strong enough to reverse the fall in employment that happened over the last few months.”

With higher copper prices and empowered unions, companies should try to sign early wage agreements with their workers, said Colin Hamilton, a managing director of commodities at BMO Capital Markets in London. “Unions are willing to sit and wait because there’s no urgency on their side. They have a lot more leverage.”

Last month, Antofagasta Plc failed to reach an early agreement with workers at its Los Pelambres mine after five weeks of talks. Formal negotiations will start Jan. 2, when the union presents its contract proposal, making it the first negotiation of the year. The company, which has never had a strike at any of its mines, declined to comment on the talks and said they are a normal part of the collective-bargaining process.

Codelco avoided strikes in all of its wage negotiations this year. The state-owned company — whose Chief Executive Officer Nelson Pizarro famously said it didn’t have “a single f—–g peso” — signed contracts with no real wage increases and austere bonuses. On Tuesday, Pizarro reiterated that any wage increases would have to be tied to productivity improvements.

Strikes could affect about 4.2% of the world’s total copper production, Hamilton said. But that percentage could increase given the number of union contracts up for renegotiation next year.

“We are projecting a very tight copper market by mid-2019,” Hamilton said. “The focus is on the supply side of the equation and any problems there would mean that tightness could be pulled forward if we have significant disruption.” — Bloomberg

Dara relives 2NE1 experience, delights fans in solo concert

By Anjie Blardony Ureta, Contributor

Concert Review
Penshoppe Presents: Dara
Featuring Sandara Park
Dec. 1, Kia Theater,
Cubao, Quezon City

KOREAN pop star Sandara Park paid tribute to 2NE1 and their loyal Blackjacks in a most unforgettable and loving way at her mini-concert on Dec. 1 at the Kia Theater in Quezon City. Going solo for the first time on a musical stage, Ms. Park performed familiar songs and vibrantly arranged medleys from 2NE1’s greatest hits which brought devoted fans much consolation and, to some degree, a welcome opportunity for closure considering how the iconic girl group was abruptly disbanded by its agency in November last year.

The show, dubbed Penshoppe Presents: Dara, was organized by the Philippine-based global fashion brand upon the request of Ms. Park, who has been its international ambassador since 2015. “She really wanted this event for her fans and she didn’t have to ask twice,” affirmed Penshoppe brand director Jeff Bascon. “Dara is such a pleasure to work with and her fans are incredibly supportive, truly awesome! We’re more than happy to partner with her on this.”

Aside from sponsoring the event and distributing free tickets to local fan groups, the brand also heightened the excitement in the theater by giving 100 lucky people from the audience a chance to have their photos taken with their idol onstage.

HUGOT AND DELIGHT
Clad in the glammed-up street wear that is reminiscent of the distinct, game-changing fashion style of 2NE1, Ms. Park emerged onstage looking radiant and triumphant. The familiar strains of the group’s mammoth debut hit, “Fire,” filled the air and the audience broke into frenzied screams, with banners raised and lightsticks waved proudly in the air. After the opening number, she segued to her “hugot spiel” in which she profusely thanked the Blackjacks (as 2NE1’s fans are called) who have remained steadfast and dedicated beyond the quartet’s seven-year stint as one of the most radical, award-winning, and influential girl groups in K-pop history. While she admitted to feeling nostalgic and a bit lonely performing without her band mates for the first time, she mentioned that the girls had expressed their support by calling and messaging her right before the show.

“Kinakabahan ako,” she remarked in Filipino, “pero kakayanin ko (I’m nervous but I will do my best)!” True enough, the anxiety immediately transformed into adrenaline and soon, the stage exploded with joy that lit up the entire theater. And while she would humbly acknowledged that she was not the best singer or dancer in the group, the energy and passion that she had invested into the project — from her earnest preparation to her all-out performance — definitely paid off. It was clear that her sole mission that night was to delight the fans, and in this she succeeded exceptionally well.

NOSTALGIC PLAYLIST
The evening’s repertoire included some of 2NE1’s chart-busting songs, but skillfully arranged in a manner which the performer herself described as “Dara-style.” With the help of musician-friends like Choice 37 and Sunwoo Jung-A (both successful singers, songwriters, and producers in Korea), Ms. Park was able to create a pulsating playlist that spanned an interesting variety of styles, from pop to dance to acoustic. An obvious crowd favorite was an acoustic medley that included “Fire,” “I Am the Best,” “Can’t Nobody,” and “I Love You” which ended with a sultry chair dance.

She also added a dash of OPM to the show with a balloons-and-hearts rendition of the local hit, “Kapag Tumibok ang Puso.” When the fans began clamoring for her popular Filipino single, “In or Out,” recorded when she first joined the local entertainment industry in 2004, Ms. Park jokingly replied: “Sorry, wala sa set list. Matured na ako no, hindi na ako kung-krung (Sorry it’s not in the set list. I’m matured now, I’m no longer zany)!” She added that she had considered putting in a song by her favorite singer, Regine Velasquez, but was unable to do so because “hindi ko kayang bumirit (I can’t hit the high notes)!” which sent the crowd laughing.

The hour-long program seemed to have ended almost abruptly when Ms. Park announced her last song, “Go Away,” which was a staple in most 2NE1 concerts. With her characteristic humor, she hinted to the fans that she still had one number up her sleeve if they should ask her for an encore — and it was, of course, the much awaited monster hit, “I Am the Best,” which sent the crowd to its feet, dancing, cheering, and singing along until the very last note and the stage was empty… except for the lingering joy and exhilaration that hung thickly in the air, as well as in the hearts of the fans.

Hosted by radio and TV presenter Justin Quirino, Penshoppe Presents: Dara also featured opening performances by acoustic musician Keiko Necesario and Club Penshoppe members Emilio Perez and Ronnie Alonte.

Dec. 26, Jan. 2 declared holidays in gov’t agencies, courts

DEC. 26 and Jan. 2, 2018 have been declared as additional holidays for government agencies under the Executive department through Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 37 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea on Dec. 13 and issued yesterday. In line with the Malacañang memo, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno also issued an authorization yesterday suspending work in all courts nationwide during those two days. MC 37 said the work suspension is intended “to give the employees of the government full opportunity to celebrate the holidays with their families and loved ones.” — Rosemarie A. Zamora

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