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With canceled talks with Reds, Duterte to look into ‘fronts’

By Rosemarie A. Zamora

FOLLOWING THE announcement by the government of the cancellation of talks with communist rebels, President Rodrigo R. Duterte will order the arrest of members of the communist rebellion, including their “legal fronts,” his spokesman said on Thursday, Nov. 23.

Mr. Duterte, being a former prosecutor, has legal basis to order the arrest of left-leaning organizations and sympathizers if they are proven to have conspired with the rebels in committing acts of rebellion under the Human Security Act.

“He knows that there can be a conspiracy to commit a crime of both rebellion and the violation of the Human Security Act because you can now be prosecuted, for acts, overt acts constituting rebellion, also for violation of the Human Security Act, where the taking up of arms is intended for the purpose of inflicting fear or terror in the minds of the general public,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., said in his press briefing.

“The President as public prosecutor has said that conspiracy is sufficient basis to accuse them of both rebellion and acts of terrorism because in a conspiracy the act of one is the act of all,” he added.

“Even if they did not physically take up arms, if they are part of a conspiracy to commit acts of terror or rebellion, then they can be held liable under the theory of conspiracy,” he added.

On Wednesday, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza announced the government has canceled all planned meetings with the rebels.

Later that day, Mr. Duterte singled out as well even their legal fronts.

“At ’yung mga legal fronts ninyo, alam ko… ’Wag na lang tayo magbolahan, galing ako diyan eh. You are helping each other conspiring to topple or whatever, to sow terror,” he said. (And your legal fronts, I know….Do not fool me. I’ve been there. You are helping each other conspiring to topple or whatever, to sow terror.)

“We will treat you as a criminal, period. And we will arrest everybody connected with ’yung mga (your) legal fronts nila,” he added.

Asked who the legal fronts are, Mr. Roque said, “I’m sure he (Mr. Duterte) will be guided by security and intelligence agencies of the government.”

“Well, the lawyers, of course, will take care of this. In conspiracy, there must be an agreement for a common purpose and a common design and for overt acts also to reach that common purpose,” he added.

Youths call for gov’t action on child abuse

By Roberto A. Vergara, Jr.
Digital Reporter, SparkUp

FILIPINO YOUTHS from different special needs groups on Thursday, Nov. 23, called on the government to take action on child abuse in the country.

In an assembly organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Child Rights Network in celebration of “World Children’s Day,” four children representing those with disabilities, indigenous peoples (IPs), as well as those affected by disasters and conflicts, voiced out their concerns about issues faced by young Filipinos such as corporal punishment, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, and lack of services for IPs.

On the issue of corporal punishment, Jophet Cam from Roxas City, Capiz, stressed the need for parenting education and the enactment of House Bill 4907 or the “Positive and Non-violent Discipline Act” to ensure a proper way of disciplining children.

Citing the results of the National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children conducted by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and UNICEF, Mr. Cam said three of every five respondents in the five-year study experienced some form of physical violence during their childhood. The study, which tapped 3,866 respondents with age ranging from 13 to 24, found out that more than 60% of these cases happen at home.

“We can also strengthen the implementation of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children and provide proper response to functionality and have a mechanism for monitoring,” Mr. Cam said during the assembly held at the Museo Pambata in Manila.

He added that the government should also create programs that will tackle the negative effects of physical abuse on young people.

To prevent unwanted pregnancy among teenagers, Unice Cataguiz from Quezon province said local communities should have a “teenage facility” to protect the needs and welfare of teenagers and a Violence Against Women and Children desk to provide a channel where they can share their experience.

The need for legislative action to protect children against sexual abuse was also highlighted during the assembly.

Jicarl Golpeo from Sorsogon urged lawmakers to pass the proposed policies aimed at protecting children from sexual exploitation, including the proposed R.A. 8353 or “Anti-Child Rape Law,” and the proposed R.A. 9775 or “Anti-Child Pornography Law.”

“I hope the age required by the (proposed) Age of Sexual Consent Law will be adjusted to 18 instead of 12 years old,” Ms. Golpeo also said.

With 15% of the Philippine population composed of IPs, Rodeliza Ricablanca from Zamboanga said the government should implement projects to protect and provide the youth among this sector with their needs.

“Indigenous children are deprived of basic rights like education and health care services, and they are aware of it. They can be found in places that are not reached by government services,” Ms. Ricablanca said.

The National Youth Commission (NYC), for its part, said it will implement programs that will help address these concerns.

Patricia Mae Lopez, chief of staff of NYC’s chairperson and CEO, said the commission is collaborating with different government institutions like Department of Education to enhance sex education, with the Department of Health to promote awareness on HIV, and with the Social Welfare Department to conduct awareness training.

“We are currently finding ways to implement small programs and to address the issues presented. We are currently participating [in] discussions with CWC to implement [programs] to prevent [abuse] both in public and private institutions,” Ms. Lopez said.

Sereno camp says congressmen aiding Gadon in impeachment ‘fishing expedition’

By Andrea Louise E. San Juan

THE CAMP of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno yesterday, Nov. 23, slammed complainant lawyer Lorenzo G. Gadon and most members of the House committee on justice for going in a “fishing expedition” in the impeachment case against the country’s top judge.

“It has always been our position that the people’s money should never fund a fishing expedition and unfortunately, this was what exactly happened in Wednesday’s hearing,” said lawyer Josalee S. Deinla, one of the spokespersons of Ms. Sereno.

Ms. Deinla noted that the hearing, which was the start of the committee’s determination of probable cause, was marked by several requests from Mr. Gadon to subpoena witnesses and documents.

“It was not right for the justice committee, chaired by Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo V. Umali to allow Gadon ‘to put the cart before the horse and get away with it,’” she pointed out.

“Mr. Gadon’s resorting to fishing expedition, with the aid of some members of the committee, served to highlight one crucial fact — there is no solid evidence and sufficient grounds for impeachment against the Chief Justice,” she said.

In Wednesday’s hearing, Ako Bicol Representative Rodel M. Batocabe noticed Mr. Gadon’s failure to state specifically the years covered by his allegation pertaining to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of Ms. Sereno.

“At first glance, with due respect to this committee, it seems that we are now on a fishing expedition because we do not have a definite year of SALN,” Mr. Batocabe said during the hearing.

On the other hand, Mr. Gadon, in the impeachment complaint that he filed, claimed that Ms. Sereno did not declare in her SALN her earnings from the time she was a lawyer for the government in its arbitration case against the Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc. (PIATCO).

He said that Ms. Sereno earned P37 million from the job, but her lawyers contested that it amounted to only P30.3 million.

Further, Ms. Sereno’s lawyers asserted that there could be no misdeclaration in the SALN since the legal fees she earned from the PIATCO case for the period 2003-2008 were received prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2010.

Towards the end of the hearing, Quezon City Representative Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte hinted that Mr. Gadon seemed to be using the justice committee and the hearing to obtain the evidence necessary to back up his allegations.

“I’d really like to stress to my good friend (Gadon) and his counsel na ang trabaho po natin sa (that our work here in the) committee is to determine probable cause. Di ba ho? Ang nangyayari ho ay parang tayo po ang nagtatrabaho para sa kanya, para i-build ’yung ebidensyang kailangan niya (What seems to be happening here is we are working for him to build up the evidence that he needs),” Mr. Belmonte told the committee.

Ms. Sereno’s camp also said, “By insisting on the Chief Justice’s personal appearance at the hearings, complainant is not only calling for the violation of her constitutional right to counsel, he is moreover forgetting that she is not responsible for proving her innocence.”

The House committee voted 30-3 in favor of preventing non-members of committee, which includes Ms. Sereno’s lawyers, from speaking or participating in the hearings.

“The onus to prove the allegations still lies on complainant. On this we trust that he’ll miserably fail, judging by yesterday’s events — where he has started to get caught in his own web of lies and even perjured himself.”

Ateneo bracing for tough battle vs La Salle in finals

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

HAD it tough in the Final Four of Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament, the Ateneo Blue Eagles are bracing for yet another difficult battle at hand as they take on the defending champions and rivals De La Salle Green Archers in a best-of-three finals series.

Narrowly escaped being upset by the lower-seeded Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws with an 88-84 overtime win in their do-or-die game last Wednesday, the Eagles, the number one team heading into the playoffs, said that while they are happy with being back in the finals, they know a tougher challenge lies ahead for them as they seek to get back at the Archers for the finals loss they were dealt last year.

“It’s going to be tough [in the finals]. La Salle is the defending champion. They got the MVP [in Ben Mbala] and have very good players. If you look at it man for man it’s a tough task for us but we are not going to look at it as such. Instead we will look at ways at how we can match up well as a team. That is how we should approach it to get an upset over La Salle,” said Ateneo deputy coach Sandy Arespacochaga after their win over FEU.

“Mbala. That is the first thing we have to deal with [against La Salle]. We have to find ways to stay out of foul trouble against Mbala. But at the same time La Salle is not a one-man team. There is a reason why they are in the finals, waiting in the finals. It’s not going to be easy against them. You have to dig deep and give your all and find a way to overcome things,” he added.

In barging into the finals for the second straight time, the Eagles needed to consume their twice-to-beat advantage against the Tamaraws and get clutch plays from their players down the stretch of their sudden death, particularly guard Matt Nieto and big man Isaac Go.

Nieto and Go provided the needed plays on both ends of the court as regulation expired and in the extra period to tow their team to the victory.

It is a showing Ateneo is hoping to build on as they head into the finals against La Salle.

“It was a learning experience for us. It was an opportunity for us to grow as a team and hopefully it serves us well in the finals,” said Mr. Arespacochaga.

He went on to say that they welcome the opportunity to play for the championship again and bent on taking it as far as possible.

“We have matured a lot from last year but at the same time this is a good opportunity for us to write our own history. It’s not going to be easy but it’s a good test of character for us. We are thankful for the opportunity to compete for the championship,” Mr. Arespacochaga said.

The latest championship encounter between Ateneo and La Salle is the sixth time that the two rivals will go at it in the finals in the UAAP.

The Eagles hold the lead in their head-to-head finals encounter, 3-2, but the Archers won the last in 2016 by sweeping Ateneo in their best-of-three finals.

Ateneo and La Salle split their previous two games this season with the former taking the game in the first round of the eliminations, 76-75, while the latter coming back in the second round, 79-76, to thwart the Eagles’ sweep bid in the classification phase.

La Salle booked its spot in the finals last Saturday after making short work of the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their Final Four pairing.

Game One of the UAAP finals is set for tomorrow, Nov. 25, at 4 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Daewoo E&C wins appeal on VAT case

THE COURT of Tax Appeals (CTA) has granted the petition of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Company Ltd. (Daewoo E&C) seeking the cancellation and withdrawal of its supposed P21.5-million value-added tax (VAT) deficiency for taxable year 2007 as imposed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

In a 22-page decision, the CTA upheld Daewoo E&C’s assertion that it did not get due process because the BIR, particularly the chief of the Collection Division of Revenue Region No. 7, failed to deliver to the company the Preliminary Assessment Notice (PAN) and Final Assessment Notice (FAN), which should deem the assessment void.

The CTA pointed out that Section 228 of the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), which guarantees taxpayers’ right to be informed of the law and the facts upon which an assessment is made, as implemented by Revenue Regulations (RR) 12-99, requires the issuance of a PAN and a FAN as part of the due process.

“(T)he testimonial and documentary evidence have established that the PAN and the FAN were not received by petitioner because of the wrong address indicated therein which was uncontroverted by respondent,” reads the ruling penned by Associate Justice Catherine T. Manahan and concurred by Associate Justices Juanito C. Castañeda, Jr. and Caesar A. Casanova.

“The Supreme Court has already ruled that failure to prove receipt of the assessment raises no other conclusion that no assessment was issued Wherefore, the instant Petition for Review is hereby granted,” it added.

The case stems from the Preliminary Collection Letter (PCL) issued on April 24, 2013 by the Chief of the Collection Division of Revenue Region No. 7, Ruth Vivian G. Gadia, asking Daewoo E&C to pay its VAT deficiencies for 2007 amounting to P21,531,983.39, inclusive of increments.

The PCL was received by the petitioner on May 30, 2013.

However, the PAN and the FAN, dated Oct. 8, 2010 and April 15,2011, respectively, were never delivered to the company’s office due to an apparent “miscommunication” among BIR officers.

“We cannot help but conclude that there must have been some miscommunication among the revenue officers as to the correct address of petitioner, particularly in the years 2010 and 2011 when the PAN and the FAN were respectively issued and supposedly served upon petitioner,” the tax court pointed out.

“It is a well-entrenched rule that if a taxpayer denies ever having received an assessment from the BIR, it becomes incumbent upon the latter to prove by competent evidence that such notice was indeed received by the addressee.”

Daewoo E&C transferred its address to the 15th Floor, the Taipan Place, Ortigas Center, Pasig City effective 2009, which it properly filed before Revenue District Office No. 47 as supported by documentary evidence.

“The failure to validly serve the PAN and the FAN to petitioner, the latter’s non-receipt thereof and the issuance of the FAN beyond the three-year period constitute the bases of the petitioner’s claim that such assessments are void and should be canceled by this Court,” the CTA ruled. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan

ASG Technologies in talks with BPO, retailers

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato

ASG TECHNOLOGIES Group, Inc. is offering its digital transformation services to retailers and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in the Philippines.

In a recent interview with BusinessWorld, ASG Technologies General Manager for Asia Pacific Praveen Kumar said the company is in talks with three retail businesses and between six to eight BPOs in the Philippines.

“We are talking to most of the large enterprises in the Philippines around how they can go digital, what do they need to go digital and also these small to medium enterprises that want to take that approach because it improves productivity, reduces timeline, ensure efficiency, — there are a lot of benefits. There is a cost, initially, but the benefit happens over a period of time,” he said.

Mr. Kumar said the shift to digital is a “no brainer,” as it helps remove corruption and forgery, and increases workflow efficiency. He noted a company can save between 15-40% in costs when it upgrades its systems.

ASG provides services that include storing and managing content for enterprises, which Mr. Kumar said can speed up the company’s processes and help in the ease of doing business. According to the World Bank Group’s ease of doing business report, the Philippines ranks 99th out of the 190 countries in the list.

“In the world of instant gratification, you want the work done instantly. So, we’ve reached the stage I think where — I don’t know in the Philippines how long it takes to open a bank or a stock trading account but we’ve reached a stage in many countries in Asia where you can open a bank account in 30 minutes. You can have your debit card in 30 minutes and it can be issued to you in 30 minutes,” he added.

While there is no benchmark in gauging the pace and growth of the digital transformation in the Philippines, Mr. Kumar said both public and private sectors are on the right track in adapting to technological changes.

The shift to digital transformation, which can come in the form of intranet programs or applications exclusive to private entities or making soft copies of files accessible to a select few, may take three to five years to be fully operational.

“I think every country is taking steps to that direction. It’s an evolution, we have to be patient and today’s generation wants everything instantly,” Mr. Kumar said.

ASG Technologies opened a Philippine office in Taguig this year, after 13 years of operating through a representative office.

The company is bullish on its growth, saying its targets are in “double digits.”

“We expect a similar growth next year also in the Philippines, considering the investments that are happening here so we’re very happy and content that there’s a lot of potential to grow and succeed in the Philippines,” Mr. Kumar said.

Gilas opens World Cup qualifiers bid today

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE quest of the Philippines for a spot in the FIBA World Cup 2019 begins today as Gilas Pilipinas plays its first group play game in the Asian Qualifiers in Tokyo.

Lumped in Group B of the tournament along with Japan, Australia and Chinese Taipei, the Philippines eyes to start its campaign on a winning note when its takes the floor against the host team at the Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo at 6 p.m., Manila time.

The game is the first of six home and away games during competition windows as stipulated in FIBA’s new competition system to determine the top seven teams joining World Cup host China as representatives of Asia/Oceania at the 32-field Basketball World Cup happening in August 2019.

Bannering the Gilas campaign in the qualifiers is a pool of 16 players to be coached by Vincent “Chot” Reyes.

The pool is composed of naturalized player Andray Blatche, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, Japeth Aguilar, Matthew Wright, Calvin Abueva, June Mar Fajardo, Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood, Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, Troy Rosario, Allein Maliksi, Kiefer Ravena, Mac Belo, and Kevin Alas.

As part of its preparation, Gilas conducted a series of closed-door practices in the weeks leading up to the qualifiers to give utmost focus on what it needs to do come tournament proper.

Recognizing the importance of having a good start to the tournament, Mr. Reyes said they will try their best to come out strong right at the onset.

“The goal is clear for us which to go deep in the tournament. So we will be competitive against Japan and Chinese Taipei,” said Mr. Reyes in the run-up to the qualifiers, referring to their first two games with that against Chinese Taipei happening on Monday, Nov. 27, here in Manila.

“It’s very important that we get these first two games,” he added.

Jayson Castro
Gilas Point Guard #7 Jayson Castro — FIBA WEB SITE

Looking to thwart Gilas in its initial mission is Japan which recently named its 14-player pool to start its own campaign.

Leading the Akatsuki Five that is coached by Julio Lamas are explosive wingmen Yudai Baba, Makoto Hiejima and Daiki Tanaka as well as speedster Yuki Togashi and sweet-shooting Naoto Tsuji. Its front line, meanwhile, has twin brothers Joji and Kosuke Takeuchi playing alongside veteran Atsuya Ota and naturalized forward Ira Brown.

Other teams competing in the Asian Qualifiers are China, New Zealand, Korea and Hong Kong in Group A; Syria, Lebanon, India and Jordan in Group C; and Iraq, Qatar, Kazakhstan and Iran in Group D.

The Gilas-Japan game will be televised live over ESPN5 at 6 p.m.

MEDICAL RESOURCE
Meanwhile, in time for the start of the World Cup Qualifiers, world basketball governing body FIBA released a basketball-specific tool outlining best practices and preventative measures to aid team doctors in achieving the highest possible level of care for players.

The medical resource features information on the prevention of common basketball injuries, concussions, cardiac screening, ethical considerations for a team physician and anti-doping, among others, said FIBA in an announcement shared to global sports media.

“I am very proud of the work the Medical Commission has undertaken to safeguard and prioritize the health of basketball players around the world. I believe that the Medical Resource is a valuable tool for team doctors in the understanding of the specific risks that basketball players face,” said Dr. Peter Harcourt, chairman of FIBA’s Medical Commission.

“I wish to thank the Medical Commission for working tirelessly and enabling us to have this valuable resource. Consistently increasing our medical know-how — and sharing it with the basketball family — is another step in the development of our sport on and off the court. FIBA will continue to invest in projects that protect the well-being of our players,” Patrick Baumann, FIBA secretary-general and International Olympic Committee member, for his part, said.

Makati surpasses 2017 revenue target

THE MAKATI City government has collected P15.5 billion in revenues, mainly from business and real estate taxes, in the first 10 months of the year, surpassing its 2017 target of P14.5 billion, the Office of the City Treasurer reported.

The Treasurer’s report, according to a statement from the local government, shows that more than half of the collection came from business taxes at P8.2 billion, which accounts for 97% of this year’s target.

Real property tax totaled P5.4 billion, which is already above target and 17.5% higher than the full-year 2016 collection.

Officer-in-charge Treasurer Jesusa E. Cuneta pointed out in her report that the increase in realty collection was boosted by the P727.76 million from delinquent taxpayers and penalties.

The Realty Tax Division, upon the order of Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay-Campos, has been issuing demand letters to property owners with outstanding obligations, and will be publishing a list of delinquent taxpayers this December, Ms. Cuneta said.

The city treasurer also said that the satellite payment system in the barangays was another effective collection measure, generating around P90 million since January.

Under the Computerized Barangay Realty Tax Payment System, launched in 2005, a quarterly collection period is scheduled wherein satellite payment centers that are electronically linked to the Treasury Department are set up in barangay halls. Of the city’s 33 barangays, 31 are covered by the program.

Other local revenue sources includes Fees & Charges, P658.5 million, and Economic Enterprises at P186.4 million. Makati has an internal revenue allotment (IRA) of P886.8 million from the national fund.

Champion Askren looks to exit the only way he knows how to — a winner

WORLD mixed martial arts welterweight champion Ben “Funky” Askren will take the cage for one last time today in Singapore at ONE Championship’s “Immortal Pursuit” event and the American fighter is out to exit the only way he knows how to — winning.

After eight years as a professional mixed martial artist and compiling an unblemished record of 17-0, 33-year-old Askren is going to hang up his gloves and concentrate on other pursuits.

His last fight will be against MMA legend and Evolve MMA teammate Shinya Aoki of Japan where he will stake his ONE world welterweight title in the headliner for “ONE: Immortal Pursuit” that will happen at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

It is an opportunity that he said he is looking forward to for the challenge it presents and a chance to showcase his top-caliber skills for one last time.

“Shinya is a really good final opponent. Obviously, he is a legend of the sport, and he is a really big challenge on the ground, which is where I like to compete, personally. I am excited for this bout,” said Mr. Askren as he prepares for his final fight.

“I said from day one that I am the best in the world at what I do, and this is what I am going to do every single time. I have been saying that since I started in 2009, and I believe it more strongly than ever because I have proved it 17 times now, and I am pumped to prove it again. He’s (Aoki) going to stick around until I put him out,” he added.

Entering the fight today, Mr. Askren in coming off an impressive second-round technical knockout win over Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam in September.

Mr. Aoki (40-7), for his part, is making his cage return after a year since losing the lightweight belt to Filipino Eduard “Landslide” Folayang.

Serving as co-main event is the lightweight clash between Adrian “The Hunter” Pang and Amir Khan.

Also part of the card is Filipino women’s atomweight fighter Gina “Conviction” Iniong, who will take on Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi of Japan.

Ms. Iniong (6-2) of Team Lakay in Baguio is fighting just two weeks after her last fight in ONE at “Legends in the World” here in Manila and is looking at the Yamaguchi fight as the last step to get a shot at being a world champion.

ONE: Immortal Pursuit will be broadcast live over ABS-CBN S+A beginning at 8:30 p.m. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

D&L seeks PEZA perks for new facility

D&L INDUSTRIES, Inc. is seeking incentives from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for its planned manufacturing facilities in Batangas, as the company aims to grow its export business in the next few years.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday, D&L said its units D&L Premium Foods Corp. (PFC) and Natura Aeropack Corp. submitted applications with PEZA for the registration of the manufacturing facilities to be built on a 26-hectare property inside the First Industrial Township. The First Industrial Township is designated as a special economic zone in Batangas.

“This initiative is part of the group’s strategic direction to grow the export business and focus on higher value and higher margin products,” it said.

Natura’s facility will manufacture coconut oil fractions, coconut-based surfactants, and consumer products for health care, personal care and home care.

If approved by PEZA, D&L will be entitled to incentives such as income tax holiday for a certain number of years, and tax and duty-free importation of raw materials and capital equipment. It will also have to comply with the 50% required export sales required for Filipino corporations in economic zones.

The listed food, chemical and aerosols manufacturer targets to complete construction and commissioning of the Batangas facility by 2021.

ROOM TO GROW
“We have room to grow. Our utilization now is 70%. So say in the next two or three years, we can still use our existing facilities for growth. But one consideration is it takes us time to build a new plant, so it’s now good to start planning and constructing, because we don’t want bottleneck,” D&L President and Chief Executive Officer Alvin D. Lao said in a briefing on Wednesday.

Mr. Lao said the company’s expansion program will also accommodate the demand from new contracts it could potentially sign in the future.

“Expanding to the new site will help our export business. So 50% of our business coming from exports, it will be something we will be able to achieve not just with our existing business, but also with our expansion,” he said.

To date, Mr. Lao said D&L’s export business comprises 25% of overall revenues.

He expects increased export sales as the company enters new markets in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Indonesia.

D&L booked a 15% increase in earnings in the July to September period to P771 million, as revenues likewise increased 27% to P7.2 billion for the three-month period.

This year, the company is tracking a 10% profit guidance boosted by robust growth across its food, oleochemicals, specialty plastics, and aerosols businesses.

Shares in D&L added 14 centavos or 1.33% to close at P10.68 each at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday. — Arra B. Francia

Expect above normal rain until Q1 2018 as weak La Niña develops

A LA Niña condition is developing and could bring in “above normal rainfall” around the country until March 2018, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The weather agency said the cold ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific that have been observed since September this year — which characterize La Niña — have persisted. “Weak La Niña is likely to bring above normal rainfall in different parts of the country in the coming several months,” PAGASA said in a statement released on Nov. 22. “Impacts also include slightly warmer air temperatures in varying degrees from place to place and from time to time, although the northeast (NE) monsoon may bring surges of cold temperatures over the northern and eastern parts of Luzon,” it added. PAGASA also forecasts a “higher chance” of tropical cyclone occurrence that may bring more rainfall until the first quarter 2018.

Philippines Football League: Top teams FC Meralco Manila, Ceres Negros FC lock horns

PHILIPPINES Football League (PFL) top teams FC Meralco Manila and Ceres-Negros FC collide today at the newly built Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite, with the top spot at stake.

Separated by just a point in the standings, Meralco (17-6-4) with 57 points and Ceres (17-5-4) with 56 look to come out triumphant in today’s contest to secure the top seed heading into the two-leg semifinals of the national football league and build momentum as they advance to the next round.

“This is an important match for both teams as we close the regular season. Some players are suspended but we will see the fighting nature of the club,” said Meralco coach Aris Caslib at yesterday’s pre-game press conference at the PFF House of Football in Pasig City.

“The mind-set of the coaches is to prepare for the knockout stage. But we put a premium on the match. We want to expose players who can help,” he added.

It is the same mind-set that Ceres is having, notwithstanding the team being undermanned with several players out due to suspension and injuries.

“Some of our players are suspended, some are injured, but we hope to win the game and finish at the top of the table,” said Ceres assistant Jo-oc Treyes at yesterday’s press conference.

“Kota Kawase (defender) is suspended. Fernando Rodriguez has a knee injury, MCL. We are waiting for the medical report. Martin Steuble and Luke Woodland are also injured. We hope Manny Ott can come back for the postseason,” Mr. Treyes added.

The regular season of the PFL is now down to three playdates, including today’s schedule.

Apart from Meralco and Ceres, other teams advancing to the semifinals are Kaya FC Makati with 47 points and Global Cebu FC with 44.

As per tournament schedule, the two-legged semifinals of the PFL will be held on Dec. 2, 3, 9, and 10 with the one-match final set for Dec. 16.

The Meralco-Ceres match will be played 3 p.m. behind closed doors but will be aired on Gametime TV CH 109 and SLBN Sportsnet Channel 107 exclusively on Cignal TV. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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