Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 12784

Auto sales up 16.8% in first 11 months ahead of higher excise tax

AUTO SALES in the 11 months to November rose 16.8% as buyers got their purchases in ahead of a higher excise tax to take effect in 2018, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association, Inc. (TMA) said.

AUTO sales in the 11 months to November rose 16.8% as buyers got their purchases in ahead of a higher excise tax to take effect in 2018, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association, Inc. (TMA) said. — BW FILE PHOTO

In a joint report, the associations said sales in the 11 months to November totaled 380,179 units, or within striking distance of the full-year target of 400,000 units.

In November, sales totaled 40,799 units, up 23.8% from a year earlier and up 11.7% from October.

CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez in a statement said December sales will be supported by aggressive promotions.

“Carrying the momentum from November sales, the outlook for December remains strong driven by the good sales performance of key models. We are confident that the year-end industry target will be met as we continue with competitive promotional support and marketing activities,” he added.

Car sales rose 3.8% to 125,242 units in the 11 months, representing 32.94% of the auto market, while commercial vehicle (CV) sales rose 24.5% to 254,937 units, or 67.06% of the market, driven by promotions and widely available stock.

Sales in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) and Asian Utility Vehicle (AUV) subcategories rose 26% and 22.2%, respectively in the first 11 months. LCVs sales totaled 165,814 units while AUV sales amounted to 73,414 units.

Light truck sales rose 15.7% to 9,195 units.

Sales of category IV and V trucks and buses rose 37.1% and 9.9% respectively to 4,430 units and 2,084 units in the 11 months.

Toyota was the leading brand, holding 43.82% of the market, with Mitsubishi at 17.55% and Ford at 8.42%. — Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

Making gift giving easy

AS THE holiday season really gets going, one starts to panic over the barely touched Christmas list. One of the easiest ways to remedy this it to give food — after all, who does not like a good chocolate or appreciate a fancy tea or olive oil. Even the much-maligned fruitcake has its fans.

Here are some ready-to-gift Christmas food options to consider.

The Christmas spirit fills the lobby of The Peninsula Manila, especially when choirs sing Christmas carols in the Lobby from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at certain evenings this month. One can enjoy this heavenly music while choosing from three festive food hampers at the giant gingerbread house set up at the Lobby or at The Peninsula Boutique. On offer are The Santa Hamper (P4,800) which is filled with a bottle of Lolea Sangria, some peanut crunch, a panettone, roast coffee beans from Sagada, a duck terrine, Peninsula white chocolate, a chocolate mendiant, and a medium sized chocolate Santa; The Sweet Indulgence Hamper (P7,800), which also contains sangria, panettone, Sagada coffee, and a medium sized chocolate Santa, plus Peninsula milk chocolate, Almendino turron, Banoffee spread, Crema De Morcilla, Rocher chocolate, pate de fruit, and a Peninsula Chef Bear key ring; and, The Peninsula Gourmet Hamper (P16,800), which, aside from two bottles of the sangria, panettone, Sagada coffee, and pate de fruit, also includes salted coco caramel, canard rillettes, Christmas jam, Modena balsamic vinegar, a Penguin Santa chocolate, hazelnut crunch, gingerbread cookies, Peninsula dark chocolate and white chocolate bars, a Peninsula silver-plated hat key ring, a Peninsula page bear mug, and a special Peninsula snow page plush toy. For every purchase of over P10,000, the hotel will provide complimentary delivery service to Makati City, Pasay City, Mandaluyong City and Bonifacio Global City.

There are also hampers at the Marriott Hotel, featuring holiday delicacies and Marriott signature items (the Premium hamper costs P3,988 while the Deluxe Hamper is P2,500). Or one can choose a Gingerbread Chalet in classic or a red velvet twist (P780) or a Gingerbread Man available in classic and red velvet too (P65) which one can hang it on the Christmas tree, serve it on a plate, or just give it to young carolers. For chocolate lovers, the hotel has a selection made with the creamiest Swiss chocolate available in white, milk and dark chocolate including some options that look almost too cute to eat like the Big Belly Santa (P330), the Santa Sleigh (P350), and Snowman (P430). The Marriott Manila is located at 2 Resorts Drive, Pasay City. For details, call 836-9998 or visit www.manilamarriott.com.

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel’s bakers have also come up with a variety of sweet treats for the season like gingerbread snowflake cookies (P225/6pcs), Christmas cake pops (P255/6pcs), and a gingerbread train (P495). All goodies may be ordered with holiday packaging at minimal cost. Orders can be made at the Gingerbread Train display at The Lounge located at Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, 17 Orchard Road, Eastwood City, Bagumbayan, Quezon City or by calling 570-7777, or sending an e-mail to erhfbsec@richmondehotel.com.ph.

Its sister hotel, the Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, has boxes of freshly baked pastries to give as gifts.

Available until Jan. 6 are goodies like pistachio double cream cheese bread (P225), bacon tomato cheese bread (P220), banana walnut bread (P265), and cinnamon cluster bread (P190) which are available at the Lobby Café. Also available are sweet treats like Craquelin cream puff (P100), chocolate cream puff (P120), coffee buns with cream cheese filling (P150/box of 4pcs), chocolate crinkles (P270/jar of 15pcs), Reese’s chocolate cookies (P260/pack of 7pcs), and Red Velvet cake at 4” (P250) and 6” (P350) sizes. Then there is its signature pastry — the oversized Richmonde Ensaymada which comes in plain, ube, salted egg, and quezo de bola flavors. The complete collection of holiday goodies can be found at the Lobby Café of Richmonde Hotel Ortigas. Bulk orders should be placed two days in advance. Call 638-7777 or e-mail rhofbsec@richmondehotel.com.ph to inquire or to order.

CHOCOLATES AND TEA
For something a bit simpler, Villa del Conte has come up with the Minusculo gift boxes — elegantly designed gift boxes are filled with its chocolates that everyone on your list would be sure to enjoy. The gift boxes come with either five pralines (P295), or six pralines (P340), and are available at all Villa Del Conte stores in Greenbelt 5, Century City Mall, Shangri-La Mall, Resorts World Manila, SM Megamall and Robinsons Magnolia or contact 893-2575. To order, visit www.villadelcontecioccolato.com.

The Sabino Leone Christmas Olive Oil takes the spotlight at Oliviers&Co. as this limited edition gold and green bottle contains an Italian Grand Crus — a creamy, velvety oil with hints of fresh herbs, and a floral taste profile with notes of fresh grass, bitter almond, and green pepper. Accompanying this Christmas olive oil is the Balsamic Vinegar Noel — a blend of cooked grape must, concentrated grape must, and wine vinegar, making it perfect for vinaigrettes, vegetables, poultry, or tuna. Also on offer is the 2017 Best Gift Set of five olive oils and condiments in an elegant gift box. To make gift-shopping easier, Oliviers&Co. also prepared gift baskets containing olive oils along with other kitchen essentials. There is the Balsamic Vinegar with Condiment Taster Set, the Limited Edition MeliMelo Set (which combines two limited edition balsamic condiment and three specialty oils or condiments), the Essentials Set (one basic oil, a limited edition condiment, and an olive paste), or the Starter Seasoning Set (with eggplant caviar, black olive relish, and mixes for meat, salad, and fish). As an ultimate indulgence, Oliviers&Co. offers a Truffle Collection which combines both white and black truffle specialty oils, a salt and white truffle mix, a Parmesan and truffle cream, a summer truffle in olive oil, and porcini mushroom cream with truffles in one gift box. There are Oliviers&Co. boutiques in Central Square, Bonifacio High Street, and Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center.

For tea lovers, you cannot go wrong with TWG’s specialties. For the ultimate bespoke gift, create your own TWG Tea hamper by choosing from a collection of over 400 loose teas from 41 tea-producing regions around the world, accessories and packed tins of tea, in addition to tea jellies, sugars, and macarons. There is the Joy of Christmas Tea which is part of TWG Tea’s seasonal Haute Couture Tea Collection, and there is also a range of other collections such as the World Voyage Christmas Tea Set, an exquisite offering in an elegant box and sleeve enclosing six TWG Tea mini tea tins, or the Red Christmas Teabag gift box with 15 hand sewn 100% cotton teabags, highlighted with burnished gold imagery of snowy sleigh rides. The Joy of Christmas Tea in Haute Couture Tea Collection retails at P1,600. The Red Christmas Teabag gift box is P1,200, and The World Voyage Christmas Tea Set is P5,995. They are available in TWG Tea Salons & Boutiques at Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Central Square, and S Maison Conrad Manila. TWG Tea Boutiques are also located in Okada Manila and Ayala Center Cebu.

For sweet treats, consider the Yuletide Velvet Collection from the kitchens of the culinary experts-mentored, student-run Andrew Café. The Velvet Christmas Cake Splendor is a blend of green and red velvet, packed and covered with cream cheese filling, then topped with green, white, and red dragees, M&M dark chocolates, and crowned with sugar cookies and mint Kisses. The Chocolate Cupcake Trio come in various designs: Christmas trees, wreaths, and Santa hats, all garnished with Swiss meringue butter cream, and adorned with dragees and fondant. Andrew Café is located at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Taft Campus, Corner of Estrada and Leon Guinto Streets, Malate, Manila.

Finally, there is the Red Ribbon HoliDozen which comes in three variants filled with Red Ribbon treats: the HoliDozenCheesy Ensaimada, HoliDozenAssorted Mamon with flavors like butter, ube, mocha, creamy, white choco almond, caramel, cookies and cream, and cheesy, and the HoliDozenAssorted Pastries which contains cheesy ensaimada, butter mamons, and choco cake slices. Gift-givers can also customize the HoliDozen boxes with different combinations to cater to every kind of person. Gift vouchers are also available.

PBA Season 43 is a go this weekend at the Big Dome

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

AMID the impasse currently besetting its leadership, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is pushing through with Season 43 this weekend.

Showing a “united” front at a press conference held at the Okada Manila yesterday, the league, with all 12 teams represented, said the new season of the PBA is to kick off on Sunday, Dec. 17, as scheduled even as it said all stakeholders are working and bent on resolving the conflict among the league officials.

“Happy to see all teams represented here. Dec. 17 is still the D-Day for the start of Season 43,” said outgoing board chairman Mikee Romero of GlobalPort Batang Pier in yesterday’s press conference.

“The PBA is here. It’s hard to imagine the country without the PBA. It’s business as usual. Let the games begin,” he added.

The league board members are currently divided on the standing of PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa.

Seven teams, namely TNT KaTropa, Alaska Aces, Blackwater Elite, Meralco Bolts, NLEX Road Warriors, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, citing “lost of confidence” over “questionable” decisions of Mr. Narvasa of late, are calling for his outright resignation.

Five teams — San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, Magnolia Hotshots, Kia Picanto and GlobalPort — meanwhile, are batting for Mr. Narvasa’s retention until due process has been done.

Despite the quagmire, incoming chairman Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX promised an exciting Season 43 for the country’s pro league.

“Expect a more exciting year for the PBA. We want to continue delighting the fans and stay relevant,” Mr. Fernandez said.

Also yesterday, the league announced that it posted a 3% increase in gate receipts in Season 42 from the previous season.

FAVORITES
Meanwhile, San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and TNT were consensus teams to beat in the season-opening All-Filipino Cup.

Citing an intact lineup and good showing in the previous conferences, the three were top-of-mind choices by most of the teams when asked for their thoughts on the upcoming tournament.

Season 43 starts off with the traditional parade of teams and opening ceremonies at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to be followed by the lone game between defending champion San Miguel and Phoenix at 6:45 p.m.

Quality-of-life expectations rise in Q3 — SWS

QUALITY-OF-LIFE expectations in the next 12 months rose in the third quarter compared with the second, Social Weather Stations (SWS) said, citing the results of a survey of 1,500 respondents nationwide.

The net score of respondents who believe their personal quality of life will improve in the next 12 months was +42, up from +40 in the preceding quarter, it said.

The net score is the difference between percentage of respondents expecting an improvement, classified by SWS as “optimists,” and those expecting conditions to deteriorate, or “pessimists.”

SWS said it considers a net score of +42 to be “excellent.”    

“Net personal optimism had been excellent since December 2015 except in (the quarter ending) March 2017,” the SWS noted, when it was “very high” at +36, it said.

Mindanao yielded net personal optimism of +46, against +37 in the preceding quarter. In Metro Manila, the indicator rose six points to +52 over the same period.

It classified net personal optimism as “very high” in the Visayas, where the net score rose three points to +39. In Balance Luzon, which excludes Metro Manila, the net score fell to a “very high” +39 from an “excellent” +42 a quarter earlier.

“The 2-point rise in Net Personal Optimism nationwide was due to increases in Mindanao, Metro Manila and Visayas, combine with a slight decline in Balance Luzon from June 2017 to September 2017,” the SWS noted.

The ABC socioeconomic class net score rose 14 points in the quarter to +53, taking the category over the line to “excellent” from “very high” a quarter earlier.

The Class D net score rose a point to +42, remaining “excellent,” while the Class E score also rose a point to +38, or “very high.”

The survey also indicated that 43% of those surveyed were bullish that the general Philippine economy will improve next year, while 12% are expecting it to deteriorate, for a net score of +30, which it considers “excellent” and three points higher than the net score of a quarter earlier.

It said net optimism on the Philippine Economy has been “excellent” for eight surveys running, or since December 2015.

In Mindanao, it rose 17 points to +51 from the preceding quarter. In Metro Manila, it rose three points to +30. Balance Luzon was unchanged at +23 while Visayas fell three points to +24.

Across all classes, net scores were also “excellent” with ABC up 11 points at +33, E up eight points at +32, and D up three points at +30.

Asked about changes to their personal quality of life compared with 12 months earlier, 39% said their lives improved while 19% said they are worse off, for a net score of +19, which SWS classifies as “very high.” The net score rose two points from a quarter earlier and matches the record +19 from the quarter ending September 2016.

It said gains in this score were driven largely by respondents in Mindanao and Metro Manila, with a steady rise noted in Balance Luzon, and a decline in the Visayas.

Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc said in an e-mail message: “It seems that there are marked increases across the board. This means that optimism about the Philippine economy by Filipinos themselves is high. This is indicative optimism is in support of the recent better-than-expected 3Q GDP growth of 6.9% and the continuing strong macroeconomic fundamentals.”

Noting positive views for the next 12 months, he said the result suggests significant level of satisfaction with the current administration’s economic polices.

“Although there is still much to be done, it seems that the general and growing sentiment is positive towards what the Duterte administration is trying to accomplish, such as the Build, Build, Build and tax reform programs,” he added. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

Villar urges more extensive coconut-cacao intercropping

DAVAO CITY — The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and cacao industry stakeholders should strengthen links to maximize the potential of existing coconut farms for cacao intercropping, Senator Cynthia A. Villar said.

Ms. Villar, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, said the PCA could take the lead in pursuing partnerships using its allocation for intercropping programs on cacao as well as coffee. 

“The PCA has a budget for that. In fact, one of our competitive advantages in cacao production is linked with coconut farming (as) we have over two million hectares (ha.) of coconut farms that are ideal for coconut-cacao intercropping,” Ms. Villar said in a speech delivered for her by a representative during the opening of this year’s Kakao Konek-Cacao Conference and Chocolate Exposition held on Dec. 5-6.

As of 2016, the country had 3.565 million ha. planted to coconut, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data. In the same year, the PCA reported 143,902 ha. covered under its Accelerated Planting/Replanting Program.   

“The PCA targets to increase the number of coconut trees by at least 10 million trees this year, 15 million trees in 2018, and 20 million trees every year starting 2019,” the United Coconut Associations of the Philippines, Inc. said in a statement.

For the cacao industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has set a production goal of 100,000 metric tons (MT) by 2022, which has been adjusted from the original target year 2020.

Total cacao output as of 2016, based on PSA data, was only 6,263 MT. Of this, 5,073 came from the Davao Region. The province of Davao del Sur had the biggest contribution at 1,702.54 MT, followed by Davao City with 1,606.80. The rest of the provinces produced the following: Davao del Norte, 945.31 MT; Davao Oriental, 507.26 MT; and Compostela Valley, 311.92 MT.

“We all need to work together for the cacao industry’s development under the national program and the industry road map to help cacao farmers and chocolate makers… We also need to involve other) government agencies (like the PCA, ” Ms. Villar said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), with its P8-billion Greening Program, is another agency that could be tapped by the cacao industry, she added.

“Cacao planting is part of the of the DENR Greening Program,” the senator said, suggesting that DENR allow farmers to plant high-value crops such as cacao in government-owned forests.

The Department of Tourism, meanwhile, can be tapped through its Farm Tourism campaign.

The multi-sectoral National Cacao Development Council, led by the DA, has representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, and the National Economic and Development Authority. — Maya M. Padillo

Azarenka gets Australian Open wildcard amidst custody battle

MELBOURNE — Two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, who has been locked in a custody battle over her baby son, was Wednesday handed a wildcard into January’s Australian Open.

Tournament director Craig Tiley said every assistance would be provided to the former Belarus world number one so she can compete at the Melbourne event where she has achieved her greatest success.

“Vika’s current situation is obviously very difficult for her and we have reached out to offer any support we can,” Tiley said.

“As a two-time Australian Open champion we’ve awarded her a wildcard and look forward to seeing her back on court in Melbourne in January.”

Azarenka returned from maternity leave in the middle of the year but was forced to skip the US Open in August after a Los Angeles judge presiding in a custody case over her son Leo ruled the child could not leave California until the matter had been settled.

Azarenka, who has slipped down the rankings to be world number 210, said she was looking forward to returning to the opening Grand Slam of the year.

“I’m so excited about coming back to Melbourne for the Australian Open, it’s my favorite tournament,” she said.

“I’ve won there twice and always feel so comfortable on court and the city is great.

“It’s been a tough year and being able to come back to the Australian Open will be a really positive way to start 2018. I’d like to thank Craig and his team for their understanding and support and can’t wait to see all my Aussie fans again.”

The tournament runs from Jan. 15-28. — AFP

Rethink the FDA

We have beefed up the military, to protect the country from external and internal threats. We have beefed up the national police, to fight crime and to go after illegal drugs. But, have we beefed up the agency that fights the most important fight — protecting people from the potential if not fatal harm or damage that can be caused by everyday products, food and medicine included?

I raise this point in light of a number of things: the reported approval in December 2015 of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine against Dengue; the mandate that Congress intends to place on the FDA to measure the sugar content of sweetened beverages for purposes of taxing them; and, potential conflict of interest of the FDA leadership.

In fairness to FDA, 10 days ago it ordered the pullout of Dengvaxia. This was after the release of information that the vaccine can also cause some harm.

In Advisory No. 2017-318 dated Dec. 4, FDA Director-General Nela Puno said drug maker Sanofi Pasteur should “immediately…suspend the sale/distribution/marketing of Dengvaxia and cause the withdrawal of Dengvaxia in the market pending compliance with the directives of the FDA.”

While quick preventive action has just been taken, the fact of the matter is, two years ago FDA itself — under a different administration — approved the vaccine, on which basis the product was commercially launched in the Philippines in early 2016. It is a fact that Dengvaxia could not have been sold and launched in the country back then, if the FDA hadn’t approved it.

And this brings us to the question of whether or not FDA, to date, is strong and capable enough, and independent enough, and truly technically competent to resist political and economic pressures with respect to fulfilling its mandate of protecting the consuming public from potential harmful effects of everyday products?

I would have to say that much still needs to be done in terms of making FDA a truly reliable, dependable, and credible institution. Structurally and functionally, it should be free from interference from the Department of Health, and its head, while a presidential appointee, should be vetted exhaustively in terms of academic and professional qualifications and technical competencies.

Its personnel should be trained, with required mandatory continuing education, and its equipment and facilities improved to ensure that only the strictest health and safety standards are used in the approval and regulatory processes.

Moreover, the agency and its head should also be made more accountable, and perhaps liable, for bad calls.

Republic Act 9711 created the FDA in 2009, having renamed the former Bureau of Food and Drug.

To date, the FDA remains under the Department of Health. Its head is a presidential appointee. Further, Section 7 of the law states, “The [FDA] director-general shall, preferably, possess either a university degree in medicine or at least the relevant master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences or allied sciences, or equivalent executive course in any regulatory management.”

The same section also states that, “a person who was previously employed in a regular full-time capacity regardless of its consultative designation at higher management supervisory levels in regulated establishments, including related foundations, shall be disqualified from appointment as director-general and deputy director-general within three (3) years from termination of employment with the said establishment or foundation.”

Where Congress failed, in my opinion, is when it premised the FDA head’s legislated list of qualifications as simply “preferred,” rather than actually requiring them.

Thus, under the law, the agency may actually be headed by someone who does not possess any of the qualifications stated, like a medical degree or a “master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences or allied sciences, or equivalent executive course in any regulatory management.

In the case of the present FDA head, I don’t think she has any of the qualifications stated above. And this is actually fine, under the law. Also, I have read that she ran her own cosmetics business in the past — a company regulated by FDA. I am uncertain, however, if she meets the legally required three-year holding period — that she cannot be appointed to FDA “within three (3) years from termination of employment” from such a regulated establishment.

But, this is not about the present FDA head or her qualifications. This has more to do with whether FDA, at present, is ready to deal with situations like that caused by its Dengvaxia approval of 2015.

In fact, even in terms of sugar content measurement, if memory serves me, FDA had informed Congress that it was incapable of such task at present.

Given such, why should Congress even give them that mandate?

The FDA is a front-line agency with respect to protecting consumers, and ensuring public health and safety. And yet, it doesn’t seem to enjoy the focus, attention, and resources it requires to effectively fulfill this mandate. That it was perhaps prevailed upon or pressured to approve Dengvaxia in 2015 is proof of this. Only for the agency to backtrack two years after — with public damage already done.

Can FDA — or, at least its previous head — now be held accountable, and perhaps liable, for the 2015 approval? Again, as I understand things, Dengvaxia could not have been commercially launched in the Philippines in 2016 without FDA approval in December 2015. Suspension of sale and distribution now is just a preventive measure. Meantime, the vaccine has already been administered to hundreds of thousands of adults and children despite concerns regarding it.

Incidentally, the US FDA had total resources of about $4.9 billion in 2016. Moreover, the US FDA is presently headed by a Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who is a physician, medical policy expert, and public health advocate who previously served as FDA Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs and before that, as a senior advisor to the FDA Commissioner. He was a senior advisor to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and had served on the US Federal Health Information Technology Policy Committee. He was a Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the New York University School of Medicine in Manhattan. And other than a medical degree, he also holds a degree in Economics.

The resources dedicated, and the qualifications required, indicate the seriousness and importance of the US FDA and its task. This is perhaps considering that more people may die of sickness and accidents — which can be mitigated by an FDA properly and diligently and efficiently doing its job — rather than war or crime or illegal drugs combined.

Can we not give our own FDA the same level of support and attention? Should we not level up our own FDA to better protect public health, safety, and welfare? Should we not demand more from our FDA and its head and its people? Should we not make our FDA more accountable if not liable for approvals that end up endangering rather than protecting the public?

 

Marvin A. Tort is a former managing editor of BusinessWorld, and a former chairman of the Philippines Press Council.

matort@yahoo.com

Rico’s Lechon seeks court injunction anew

Rico's lechon logo

3MRS DIONSON Corp., owner of the Rico’s Lechon restaurant chain, has filed another petition asking the court to reverse its earlier decision that denied the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction against the Cebu City government over the closure of three of the company’s sites of operations. In its motion for reconsideration, 3MRS Dionson reiterated that it has complied with the requirements for the issuance of business permits. Earlier, Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge James Stewart Ramon E. Himalaloan denied the issuance of a writ of preliminary mandatory injunction for lack of legal basis. Mr. Himalaloan said although 3MRS Dionson suffered irreparable damage from the closure of its business establishments, it failed to comply with the requisite documents listed in the business application form. In the new petition, the company, through lawyer Deolito L. Alvarez, said the court should reconsider its earlier ruling because the documents which the company allegedly failed to comply with were not included in the lists of items enumerated in the notice to comply, which were required under the show cause order. “The Honorable Court will kindly take a second hard look on the Notice to Comply and the Show Cause Order if there is one item that mentions about documents which respondents claimed required to be submitted,” read the motion. — The Freeman

Local products get a boost at Shopwise

IN A bid to make local products from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) available to the general population, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with Shopwise hypermarkets has dedicated an aisle in the supermarket for local products as part of the department’s ongoing Go Lokal! program.

“We started talking [with DTI] in September… [this is] our way of helping fellow countrymen with their businesses,” Irwin C. Lee, CEO of Rustans Supercenter, Inc., said during the launch on Dec. 4 at Shopwise Araneta Center, Quezon City.

Mr. Lee added that they are giving the space for MSMEs “vetted and validated by the DTI” and the Go Lokal! aisles will also be set up in other Shopwise branches.

The Shopwise Araneta branch has chosen 51 products — mostly food products — such as Cebu dried mangoes and otap (a cookie), among others.

Shopwise currently has 12 hypermarkets alongside seven smaller “Express” branches nationwide.

Go Lokal! is a DTI-led initiative meant to “give more opportunities for Filipino businesses,” and “giving opportunities for products to be showcased,” said DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez during the launch.

Described as a “design-led concept store showcasing quality products crafted, designed and created by Philippine MSMEs,” the project is envisioned “as an opportunity for the country’s micro and small enterprises to go mainstream and test the marketability of their products without incurring the high costs of operating a retail outlet,” according to the DTI Web site.

“The challenge [for small businesses] is always where to sell as listing fees and rent can be high… in this project, [products] will be exposed to consumers, volume buyers and foreign buyers,” Mr. Jimenez added.

DTI has also partnered with other retailers under the Go Lokal! project including SM Robinsons, Ayala Malls, and City Malls. — ZBC

Sophos warns vs rise in cybersecurity threats

By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo
Reporter

CYBERSECURITY company Sophos Group Plc has warned against increasing cybersecurity threats.

“The global threat landscape would be very similar to the Philippines, with ransomware, zero-day attacks,” Sumit Bansal, managing director, ASEAN and Korea at Sophos said in a media roundtable discussion.

Mr. Bansal added that phishing is on the rise, particularly with hackers getting “very good” at mimicking legitimate e-mail messages.“[The] 66% of malware is through e-mail. So e-mail is the way in.”

Of all the ransomware intercepted by Sophos Labs in 2017, the highest share was recorded in the United States (17.2%), followed by the United Kingdom (11%), Belgium (8.6%), while 6.5% circulated in Singapore, and 5.3% circulated in Indonesia.

“The richer countries will be targeted more, because they can get people to pay up,” Mr. Bansal said.

The Philippines recorded at 1.9% share of the intercepted attacks, but with increasing attacks and a wider range of techniques used.

Cyberattacks are becoming difficult to trace or locate, as cyber criminals use techniques to use different Internet protocol (IP) addresses.

The security software and hardware company also said it has noticed an increase in attacks on Android devices, because of easy access to Android devices and software, as well as its popularity as a mobile operating system.

“Android devices can go to non-sanctioned Google stores… Because of so many stores, you may have malicious malware sitting there,” Mr. Bansal said. He cited the case of Pokémon GO, wherein many Android users who live in places where the game was geo-blocked went to non-sanctioned stores to download the game, but he said 90% of those games were fake.

Mr. Bansal said, however, that no operating system is immune from attacks, with their company also seeing increasing attacks on Macintosh devices.

All these trends have made security solutions evolve. From an initial “reactive” approach, to an “evasive” approach, the solutions now are “predictive”, meaning aiming to stop ransomware and other attacks before they can even infect systems.

Phoenix Petroleum to expand LPG business in Luzon

PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines, Inc. is targeting to widen its share of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market in the country, as it plans to expand in Luzon.

“There is a lot of opportunities for growth [as] 80% of the market is in Luzon,” Henry Albert R. Fadullon, Phoenix chief operating officer, told reporters on Tuesday night.

Phoenix’s LPG business is currently only in the Visayas and Mindanao, with its nationwide market share at only 6%, he said.

To meet the strong demand in Luzon, Phoenix has placed an order for 650,000 cylinders for LPG, which will be delivered next year.

“[It’s] probably one of the biggest purchases of cylinders placed in the market,” Mr. Fadullon said. “A significant portion of that is going to be for Luzon.”

He declined to disclose the cost per cylinder and the resulting industry ranking of the company in terms of volume sales, but noted the cooking gas will be available in Phoenix service stations to supplement its availability in traditional retail trading outlets.

As of the third quarter, Phoenix has a total 523 service stations, or 18 more than the end-2016’s 505, company officials said. The outlay for the new cylinders will be tucked into next year’s capital expenditure.

“[It’s] planned for next year. You pay progressively. You pay when it gets delivered,” Mr. Fadullon said.

The expansion of the Davao City-based listed company comes as it integrates the LPG business of Petronas Energy Philippines, Inc.

The acquisition of the LPG business, since renamed Phoenix LPG Philippines, Inc., is a strong growth and value driver for Phoenix in its expansion, company officials said. 

Ignacia S. Braga IV, vice-president for finance of Phoenix’s parent Udenna Corp., said Phoenix remains the biggest contributor to the holding firm’s revenues but 2017 ushered in changes in Udenna’s revenue contributions. 

“I’m not even familiar yet with the Petronas volume [because] it’s part of the consolidation,” she said. “So the (third quarter) does not have it yet. It will be a surprise by the end of the year.”

In the third quarter, Phoenix posted a net income of P826.54 million, more than double last year’s P338.62 million, with the newly acquired LPG business boosting profit.

Aside from the acquisition of the LPG business, the company owned by businessman Dennis A. Uy announced in October the acquisition of 100% of Family Mart, the third-largest convenience store brand in the country.

On Wednesday, shares in Phoenix rose by 0.83% to close at P12.20 each. — Victor V. Saulon

Biado vs Ignacio in all-Pinoy last 16 match

THE Philippines’ Carlo Biado and Jeffrey Ignacio will square off in an all-Pinoy final 16 match. This is an intriguing matchup as the 34-year-old Biado is the veteran in the group who’s been knocking on the door of big time success for three years, while the 25-year-old Ignacio has wowed Filipino fans with his awesome talent, but has yet to produce long-term success. Biado will certainly come in as the favorite, as several months back he won a gold medal in the World Games and seems to have finally picked up a knack for closing out big matches.

Ko Pin Yi manhandled Austria’s Max Lechner, 11-3. In the final 16 Ko will take on the Philippines Roland Garcia. Garcia, who was once a protégé of the legendary Efren Reyes, and even comes from the same hometown as Reyes, has reached his best effort at a world championship this week in Doha.

A massive surprise in the final 16 is Myanmar’s Maung Maung. The 23-year-old has been a revelation all week and kept up the superb play under immense pressure today. In the round of 32, the Philippines’ Jeffrey de Luna threw everything he could at Maung, but Maung never flinched and closed out the match nicely, 11-9.

Venezuelan-Jordanian Jalal Yousef is very well known on the pro circuit. Yousef is enjoying his best ever success this week in Doha. After his second straight win today, Yousef revealed that he came to Doha brimming with confidence.

“I’m playing good,” Yousef said. “I’m breaking good. I was in the States for two months I played in a lot of tournaments. Ten days ago I played in a tournament in Dubai I played really good. I’ve been practicing a lot and I’m playing good and I’m excited to play. I feel like I’m in shape. I’m playing my best game right now. I hope I can keep it up.”

Yousef will match wits with China’s Dang Jinhu, another hard-nosed player who plays under the radar. Chinese veteran Liu Haitao joins Dang in the final 16. Today Liu barely escaped the round of 32 with an 11-10 win over Spain’s Francisco Sanchez Ruiz.

Despite the plethora of upstarts, veterans and current and former world champions in the final 16, fans in Doha and around the world can’t help but keep turning their attentions to the two young superstars remaining in the field; Germany’s 20-year-old Joshua Filler, and Albania’s 18-year-old Klenti Kaci.

Filler continued to cruise at his usual lightning pace in two matches today, seemingly playing without a care in the world, shooting lights-out pool, and keeping that determined look that speaks of a champion in the making.

In terms of styles, Kaci is the polar opposite of Filler; clinical, methodical and deliberate. But the Albanian seems absolutely impervious to pressure and exudes pool playing class at all times during a match. Nobody would be surprised if Kaci found himself raising the trophy come Thursday evening.

Kaci, however, will have his hands full against Canadian John Morra, whose confidence seems to be soaring. Morra first turned back world number one Chang Jun Lin, 11-9, then beat Russia’s Konstantin Stepanov by the same score line to advance.

The final 16 and quarterfinals will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 13. The round of 16 begins at 10 a.m. Doha time (GMT +3), while the quarterfinals begins at 2 p.m. All matches will be race to 11, alternate break.

1...12,78312,78412,785...13,729Page 12,784 of 13,729
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube