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Inspiring innovation: The Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2017

The Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2017 has concluded its search for the country’s most successful, inspiring entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines is a program of the SGV Foundation, Inc. with the participation of co-presenters Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, and the Philippine Stock Exchange. In the next few weeks, BusinessWorld will feature each of the finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2017.

IN A WORLD where disruption is constant, changes and challenges can happen in an instant.

It is a world where experienced entrepreneurs thrive because they know that the only way to stay ahead is to embrace creativity and innovation. While every entrepreneur’s tale is unique, the finalists’ stories have similar core elements — an eye for opportunity, a mind open to new ideas and a heart filled with passion and determination. With their powerful resolve to make a true difference for the community and the country, Filipino entrepreneurs are instrumental to our national socioeconomic progress and development.

Now in its 14th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines program celebrates the remarkable men and women of vision, courage, resilience and resourcefulness who catalyze innovation in their respective enterprises and industries.

SGV Foundation President J. Carlitos G. Cruz says: “Now, more than ever, entrepreneurs are disrupting the way people do business, encouraging others to be more resourceful, ingenious and creative. In keeping with today’s highly competitive business world, they pursue, develop and promote new opportunities that help generate income, create more jobs and, ultimately, contribute to Philippine economic development.”

This year’s finalists come from diverse industries, such as food and beverage, real estate development, furniture and foam manufacturing, retail, finance, events styling, technology, personal care products, education and water services.

One of our finalists this year leveraged on childhood memories and food experiences to build a nationwide chain of fast-food outlets.

Another finalist credits his creativity for helping him pioneer events styling in the Philippines.

A finalist’s drive to address the needs of Filipino mobile phone users led him to create one of the country’s first homegrown phone brands.

Yet another entrepreneur focuses on relationships to build and market quality homes and real estate developments.

Through hard work, determination and a deep focus on quality, one finalist grew her home-based food business into a leading catering company.

Another finalist, who spotted an opportunity to market healthy fruit beverages, established a company that now manages 18 diverse food brands.

One finalist had an overarching vision to promote economic and infrastructure development in Mindanao.

Realizing an opportunity to address the potable water needs of people in some provincial areas, another finalist expanded a waterworks company that has transformed the lives of people in several municipalities.

One finalist, driven by a desire to help his family recover from business losses caused by a fire, revolutionized retail and grocery shopping in his province.

Believing in the importance of developing quality, yet affordable homes, one finalist built one of the biggest real estate development companies in the Visayas.

Another finalist applied innovation and integrity to turn a small company into the leading foam manufacturer in the Philippines.

With a keen drive to develop new processes and technologies, one finalist pioneered several building technology innovations in the country.

Another finalist transformed a rural bank into a leading microfinance credit provider in southern Luzon.

Still another used her determination and love for Kapampangan food into a highly popular chain of buffet restaurants.

One finalist parlayed a family tradition of excellence and values into establishing world-class education in the provinces.

Another finalist overcame various challenges to become a market leader in personal care paper products.

One finalist used boldness and unconventional ideas to take Philippine-made furniture to a global market.

Realizing that women needed cosmetics that combined skin care with beauty, one finalist developed a unique line of products.

And, driven by a desire to bring more and better brands and products to his people in Antique, one finalist focused on building a multi-unit franchise company.

By understanding their stories, we can trace their personal and professional journeys as they capitalize on purposeful innovation to drive meaningful change.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines program, as well as its categories, nominees, finalists and winners, is assessed and judged based on ongoing trends, changes and developments in the business environment. All nominees were screened using a system developed by Entrepreneur Of The Year in the United States and used in all countries that participate in the program. Qualified nominees were interviewed and given the chance to submit additional information as necessary. The list was further screened to determine the finalists. An independent panel of judges will select the winners from among the finalists.

The overall winner of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2017 program will represent the country in the World Entrepreneur Of The Year in Monte Carlo, Monaco in June 2018.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program was developed in the United States in 1986 by professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY). Through the program, successful entrepreneurs can come forward and share their inspiring stories to awaken the entrepreneurial spirit in others. In 2001, EY expanded the program and launched the World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards.

The SGV Foundation launched the program locally in 2003 and presented its very first Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines award to Jollibee Foods Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Tan Caktiong, who went on to win as World Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2004. Socorro Cancio-Ramos, founder of National Book Store, was next named Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines in 2004, followed by Lance Y. Gokongwei, president and CEO of Cebu Air, Inc. in 2005; Senen C. Bacani, chairman and president of La Frutera, Inc. in 2006, Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr. of Alaska Milk Corp. in 2007; Jesus P. Tambunting of Planters Development Bank in 2009; Tennyson G. Chen of Bounty Fresh Foods, Inc. in 2010, Erramon I. Aboitiz, president and CEO of AboitizPower Corp. in 2011; Jaime I. Ayala, Founder and CEO, Hybrid Social Solutions, Inc. in 2012; Ben Chan, chairman of Suyen Corp. in 2013 and Nico Jose S. Nolledo, chairman and CEO of Xurpas, Inc. in 2015.

The 2017 search for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines is conducted every two years with the participation of the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, and the Philippine Stock Exchange. Its official airline is Philippine Airlines. Media sponsors are BusinessWorld and the ABS-CBN News Channel.

Beginning Sept. 20, BusinessWorld will be featuring finalists’ stories of how vision and innovation inspired each one to excel in his/her respective industry.

The winners of the Entrepreneur Of The Year will be known on Oct. 18 at a formal awards banquet at the Makati Shangri-la hotel.

Banquet Sponsors are Bench; Bounty Fresh Food, Inc.; CDO Foodsphere; Fiori Di Marghi; Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc.; Jollibee Foods Corp.; LBC; SteelAsia and Universal Harvester, Inc.

Megawide eyes foreign partners for projects

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter

DIVERSIFIED engineering and construction conglomerate Megawide Construction Corp. is bullish on the government’s aggressive infrastructure campaign, as it seeks to participate in the construction of road, bridges, and railway projects throughout the country. 

Megawide President and Chief Operating Officer Edgar B. Saavedra said the company is seeking partnerships with foreign contractors, most likely from Japan, to acquire the technological know-how for these types of projects.

“That’s why we’re also looking at potential partners who have those expertise. Because right now, we still don’t have the expertise in bridges. We will be partnering with probably foreign contractors who wants to come in. So once we have those, we will be bidding heavily or aggressively,” Mr. Saavedra told reporters after the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in Pasig City on Monday.

Megawide has submitted an unsolicited proposal for the East West Railway Project. The 9.77-kilometer line, which will traverse Diliman in Quezon City to España Boulevard in Manila, will have 11 stations with interconnecting facilities to neighboring rail systems. The project seeks to ease traffic congestion in the area. 

“We already have the original proponent status. It was already endorsed by the DoTr (Department of Transportation) to NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). We’re waiting for NEDA approval,” Mr. Saavedra said.

An unsolicited proposal by a private company willing to undertake a project is deemed to be private-sector led, as opposed to a response to a request from the government. The original proponent of a project gets the advantage in such case under a Swiss challenge — the course the government takes when dealing with unsolicited proposals. This requires an invitation to make competing offers while giving the original proponent the right to match them.

AIRPORTS
Meanwhile, Megawide said it is currently on track to finish the construction of the second terminal of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) by June 2018.

The joint venture company of Megawide and Bangalore-based airport operator GMR Infrastructure Ltd. had won the contract for the P17.52-billion MCIA Passenger Terminal Building project under the Aquino administration’s flagship public-private partnership (PPP) program and the concession to develop MCIA for a period of 25 years.

Megawide is also planning to pursue its unsolicited P209-billion proposal for the 50-year development of MCIA, as well as plans for a second independent parallel runway. It is proposing that the construction be done in three phases, first with the rehabilitation of existing runway and taxiways, then a second parallel and independent runway, and finally, Terminal 3. 

The conglomerate is also participating in the engineering, procurement, and construction contract for Clark International Airport slated for this November, as well as the operations and maintenance contract that will be bid out in the first quarter of 2018. The airport’s target construction period will run from December 2017 to December 2020.

“Our experience in developing MCIA lends a distinct advantage because we can participate either as contractor or operator,” Mr. Saavedra said.

This year, Megawide is targeting between 10% and 15% growth in revenues as it banks on getting more construction projects from both the public and private sector.

“(This will be) driven with the mass housing type, wherein we can modularize the construction. And we’re also hoping we can work with the government to address the low-cost (housing), especially for the informal settlers, address the backlog, and address them with formal houses,” Mr. Saavedra said.

Megawide reported an attributable profit of P927 million in the first semester of 2017, slower than the P985 million recorded in the same period in 2016. Revenues, meanwhile, stood at P9.64 billion, 5.4% lower year on year. 

Shares in Megawide added 12 centavos or 0.71% to P17.14 apiece at the stock exchange on Monday.

MGI’s Sizzlin’ Steak to enter Middle East market

MAX’S Group, Inc. (MGI) looks to expand its footprint in the Middle East after entering into an agreement to put up seven Sizzlin’ Steak outlets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the next five years.

The listed casual dining restaurant operator announced on Monday its partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Kasamar Holdings (KH) for establishment of Sizzlin’ Steak branches, the first of which is targeted to open by early 2018.

“We are witnessing the emergence of Sizzlin’ Steak as a global mainstream brand. At the same time, we are pleased with our partnership with Kasamar Holdings to introduce our hot plate concept to the UAE,” MGI President and Chief Executive Officer Robert F. Trota was quoted as saying in a statement.

For his part, KH Director Mo Bississo cited MGI’s reputation in the food and beverage industry in the Philippines as well as the value proposition of the brand as among the reasons for the partnership.

“We genuinely believe in the uniqueness and value proposition offered by Sizzlin’ Steak. We look forward to launching our first shop in the UAE by early next year with the intent to accelerate rollout in the long-term. I am confident the brand will be positively received by the local community due to its mainstream appeal,” Mr. Bississo said in the statement.

KH has core interests in private equity and venture, real estate, and public securities, while also operating one of the largest private health care providers in UAE.

The partnership with KH marks the fourth development contract MGI signed into this year, adding to the pool of over 130 stores set to open in the coming years.

This will be added to MGI’s current portfolio of 655 stores, including 55 franchised outlets located across North America, the Middle East and some parts of Asia.

MGI currently has three brands in the Middle East, namely Max’s Restaurant, Yellow Cab, and Pancake House.

Also under MGI’s brands are Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, Max’s Corner Bakery, Teriyaki Boy, Dencio’s, Meranti, Le Coeur De France, Maple, Kabisera, and Singkit.

MGI posted an attributable profit of P154 million in the second quarter of 2017, 18% higher than its earnings in the April to June period in 2017. This follows a 14% uptick in revenues to P3.14 billion for the period.

Including first quarter results, MGI’s year-to-date net income attributable to the parent rose 12% year on year to P329 million, while revenues went up 11% to P6.05 billion.

Shares in MGI climbed 40 centavos or 1.95% to P20.90 each at the stock exchange on Monday. — Arra B. Francia

Security Bank, RCBC roll out online card lock feature

CUSTOMERS of Security Bank Corp. and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) now have the option to employ online card locking to prevent thieves from gaining access to their accounts.

In separate statements on Monday, the two lenders announced that clients may choose to use a card lock and unlock feature online, which would allow them to limit the access and use of their physical debit and credit cards.

The banks introduced the new feature in order to boost cybersecurity, which has been an emerging threat to global banking systems amid rising cases of card fraud and hacking.

Once a card is locked, it will not be allowed to make withdrawals from any automated teller machine nor can it be used for online and point-of-sale transactions.

“Customers can lock their cards for as long as they prefer and just unlock it when needed. They can also utilize the Lock feature whenever they temporarily misplace their card or when they are traveling to prevent unauthorized charges,” Security Bank first vice-president and fraud management division head John Joseph C. Jocson was quoted as saying yesterday.

An e-mail and text message alert will also be sent every time a card is locked and unlocked through Security Bank Online, and will soon be available through the bank’s mobile app.

For its part, RCBC also said that the new feature stands as a fresh layer of security versus cyber threats, especially with online payments and e-commerce consistently on the rise. Access to the lock-unlock feature is included in RCBC’s Online Banking account, which currently serves around 300,000 users nationwide.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. has tagged rising cybersecurity threats as a concern for the central bank, as he acknowledged that greater use of digital platforms meant greater efficiency and wider financial inclusion.

Earlier this year, the BSP required banks to adopt a multi-factor authentication system, which was a way to tighten standards on client verification. Eyed in full swing by October, the new rule requires banks to confirm a client’s identity using at least two different methods before a person can proceed in making high-value fund transfers or payments.

Among the most common e-commerce transactions are bills payment, online shopping, purchase of airline tickets, and hotel bookings, according to BSP Circular 958 issued in April. Financial firms must adopt “more stringent security controls” for such deals to deter fraudsters from stealing money.

Shares in Security Bank closed at P245 apiece on Monday, down P2.40 or 0.97% from the previous session’s finish.

Meanwhile, RCBC shares finished at P 50.20 each, dropping 35 centavos or 0.69%.

Japan Tobacco’s expansion plans face hurdles in Philippines — BMI Research

JAPAN TOBACCO’S (JT) expansion in the Philippines is facing headwinds, as a nationwide ban on public smoking and higher taxes on tobacco products are expected to dampen demand for cigarettes, according to BMI Research.

In an industry trend analysis, BMI said the Philippines and Indonesia are “strong tobacco sales growth markets” in Southeast Asia. It noted that tobacco demand in the Philippines is seen to grow 6% year on year until 2021, slower than Indonesia’s 8.5% growth during the same period.

“We believe Indonesia will be the stronger performer of the two, as there are some risks associated with JT’s entry into the Philippines. First, changes in legislation will result in an increase in taxes for tobacco products through the Sin Tax Reform Law that will impose a unitary tax of P30 on all cigarettes from January 2017,” BMI said.

Republic Act No. 10351, or Sin Tax Reform Law, restructures the previous two-tiered tax rate for cigarettes. The unitary rate for all types of cigarettes is now P30 per pack.

Previously, cigarettes were taxed and stamped according to their net retail price. Cigarettes priced below P11.50 were taxed at P25 per pack; while those priced higher were taxed at P29.

“This will reduce the consumption of cigarettes as a price rise could deter smokers,” the Fitch unit said.

Demand for cigarettes in the Philippines is also expected to take a hit after President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Executive Order no. 26 in May, imposing a nationwide ban on smoking in public places.

“This would further depress the growth in tobacco spending present in the Philippines,” the Fitch unit added.

JT has been making an aggressive push into emerging Asian markets, after seeing a drop in domestic sales in Japan. It recently acquired local cigarette firms in the Philippines and Indonesia.

The international cigarette maker entered a tripartite deal with the Philippine national government and local tobacco firm Mighty Corp., to buy out the latter and pay its P25-billion tax liabilities — which turned to be the largest tax settlement case in Philippine history.

On Sept. 7, JT announced that it has completed the acquisition of Mighty Corp.’s assets valued at P46.8 billion after it was approved by the country’s competition body.

JT also bought “kretek” cigarette maker PT. Karyadibya Mahardhika (KDM) and PT. Surya Mustika Nusantara (SMN) in Indonesia for $677 million.

BMI expects JT, whose brands include Winston and Camel, to continue its expansion in the Southeast Asia.

“As JT lowered its domestic cigarette sales forecast for its 2017 financial year in August 2017, as the number of smokers fall, BMI predicts that the company will continue its expansion deeper into Southeast Asia. Showing one of the highest growth rates in Asia are the countries of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, which are forecast to offer growth rates in tobacco spending of 10.2%, 10% and 9.6% respectively over the medium term (2017-2021). Further expansion into these high growth markets will help offset declining volumes in its domestic market,” the report read. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Peso strengthens on weak key US data

THE PESO gained strength versus the dollar yesterday on the back of weak economic data in the United States, with the sideways move reflecting market caution ahead of President Donald J. Trump’s speech before the United Nations.

The local unit ended at P51.10 on Monday, slightly appreciating from the P51.165-per-dollar finish on Friday. The peso opened barely changed at P51.17 against the greenback. It touched P51.26 as its intraday low before settling at the closing rate, which was also its best showing during the session.

Two traders attributed the recovery of the peso mainly to paling sentiment towards the dollar ahead of key developments offshore.

“The peso closed surprisingly stronger [yesterday]. This may be because US retail sales was weaker than expected, which eventually weakened the dollar on Friday night,” one trader said.

US retail sales unexpectedly fell in August and industrial output recorded its biggest drop since 2009 as Hurricane Harvey disrupted activity, suggesting the storm could set back economic growth in the third quarter.

Another trader said the peso simply moved within its recent range as market players adopt a wait-and-see stance ahead of major events scheduled this week.

“They’re just watching out for Trump’s speech before the UN (United Nations). Right now, the expectation is it won’t be diplomatic so some are taking positions,” the second trader said, referring to the US President’s maiden address before the 193-member group, which is likely to touch on recent geopolitical unrest with North Korea.

The trader noted that market players are likewise holding out for the upcoming meeting of the US Federal Reserve as they await the central bank’s decision on interest rates: “The Fed’s decision will depend on the impact of hurricanes Irma and Harvey. If the effect is negative, the Fed might not raise rates and that will weaken the dollar.”

The Federal Open Market Committee with hold a rate-setting meeting on Sept. 19-20, with players waiting for cues on the timing of the Fed’s unwinding of their bond portfolio as well as whether a December hike remains on the table.

Dollars traded yesterday totalled $502.9 million, down from the $638.6 million that exchanged hands on Friday. Both traders said the amount was roughly average, although bigger flows seen during the afternoon supported the peso.

For today, the first trader expects the peso to trade between P51 to P51.20 against the greenback, while the other trader sees a P51.05-P51.25 range. Tuesday could see light trading ahead of the Fed meeting later this week. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

P21 wage hike expected to take effect October

By Mario M. Banzon

THE NATIONAL Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) on Monday, Sept. 18, unanimously approved Wage Order No. NCR-21 granting workers in the National Capital Region a P21 daily wage increase.

This is now up to the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board — National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) to schedule the date of publication for the said wage order, an official of the Department of Labor and Employment said.

“We approved the NCR Wage Order No 21 today. And it was unanimously approved so after the approval of the NWPC of the said wage order it would be up for publication by Regional NCR and then after 15 days of notification it will take effect,” Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia of DoLE’s Human Capital Development and Regional Operations said in an interview after a meeting by the NWPC on Monday morning.

Sought for comment, the RTWPB-NCR Board Secretary Kim S. Lagcao said in a text message: “Naka-standby na po kami kapag may (We are on standby upon the) formal endorsement (by the) NWPC that the wage order is approved. Pag wala ‘yun, hindi pa namin ma-publish (Without that, we can’t publish [the order]).”

Asked for the possible effectivity of the wage order, Mr. Lagcao said “probably October.” “ (But) as to the exact effectivity hindi pa natin (we still can’t) ma-determine,” he added.

According to David L. Diwa, NWPC Commissioner representing labor and vice-chair of Lakas Manggagawa Labor Center and President of National Labor Union, if the RTWPB-NCR “can publish it Friday or next week then it becomes effective on or before Oct. 15, 2017.”

“RTWPB-NCR can transmit our endorsement to OSEC (Office of the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment, Secretary Silvestre H. Belo III) for his signature in two or three days. They can negotiate/reserved paid ads in two national dailies beginning tomorrow,” Mr. Diwa said in a text message.

Upon effectivity, the minimum wage for the nonagricultural sectors will be P512 while for Agriculture (Plantation and Non-Plantation), Retail/ Service Establishments employing 15 workers or less, and Manufacturing Establishments regularly employing less than 10 workers, the new wage rate will be P475.

When sought for comment, John D. Forbes, senior adviser at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ACCP), said “for the most part, our members pay well above minimum wage.”

He also noted in his text message: “Within ASEAN, there are economies which are getting huge investments in export factories such as Vietnam with $19 billion in the first half of 2017. 320,000 Vietnamese make goods for Nike because production costs — labor, land, power — are lower there than China and the Philippines, for example. Vietnam exports five times the value of Philippine export goods. We wonder if the Philippines has a policy to compete with Vietnam or prefers to import products made in Vietnam. Maybe it is time to accelerate policies to make the Philippines more competitive.”

Donald G. Dee, president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP), reiterated his remarks in an earlier interview that both labor and employers are not happy with the wage hike.

“For the record, we voted against the wage order because the wages in NCR (are) already the highest in the Southeast Asian region. We also stated that the wage increase will only benefit organized labor plus some SMEs. These will only cover, more or less, 25% of the labor pool. The rest of the workers will not benefit, yet they will have to suffer the higher prices in the coming months,” Mr. Dee said in a text message.

In addition, he said “the culprit in arriving at the increase in wages is the loss of the purchasing power and the high cost of living in the country.”

Mr. Dee also noted, “While the Regional Tripartite mechanism is a good idea, it cannot as yet be the effective policy in wage fixing.” He had previously stated that ECoP “will be making proposals to improve the purchasing power of the peso.”

For his part, Alan A. Tanjusay, spokesperson of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), said in a statement on Sunday the labor alliance will no longer pursue a reconsideration on its petition for a P184 daily wage hike.

The TUCP had also petitioned separately for a P259 wage hike, and another group sought an increase of P175 in four tranches.

Faeldon files ethics complaint vs Lacson

NICANOR E. FAELDON on Monday filed an ethics complaint against Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr. after the lawmaker last month accused the resigned Bureau of Customs (BoC) chief of being among those benefitting from the systemic corruption at the agency.

Mr. Faeldon, who continues to refuse testifying about the “tara” system and drug smuggling at the BoC, remains confined at the Senate in Pasay City but was allowed to get out of his detention room for some minutes to file his complaint against Mr. Lacson.

In his privileged speech last August, Mr. Lacson said Mr. Faeldon “should’ve stood firm” against the tara system at the bureau “even if he’s alone” but “instead of going against the system, siya ang kinain ng sistema (he was the one eaten by the system).”

Among the payolas supposedly received by Mr. Faeldon after he was appointed BoC chief last year was a “welcome pasalubong (present)” of P100 million, according to the lawmaker.

The former BoC commissioner on Monday said there was no truth to the allegations being hurled against him by Mr. Lacson and that the lawmaker could not use these lies to malign a Senate resource person like him.

Mr. Faeldon also asked if Mr. Lacson was attacking him to protect the interest of the lawmaker’s son. He challenged Mr. Lacson to show evidence that he had a hand in corrupt activities at the BoC.

Earlier, Mr. Faeldon accused Mr. Lacson’s son of allegedly smuggling billions of pesos worth of cement by undervaluing freight costs. He also insinuated that Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson, Jr. and his firm Bonjourno could be “fronting” for the senator.

Mr. Faeldon said Mr. Lacson Jr.’s firm was among the 600 importers he suspended and that he personally knew of four shiploads of cement last year — three in July, within his “first 12 days in office,” worth more than P100 million, and one in October — whose freight cost the senator’s son allegedly undervalued by at least 50%, declaring $8 a metric ton when the prevailing cost was between $16-$20.

Another ethics complaint will be filed by Mr. Faeldon against Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV on Sept. 25. — News5/interaksyon.com

Duterte: Sept. 21 ‘day of protest’

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday, Sept. 18, said he has declared Thursday, Sept. 21, as a “day of protest,” amid plans by his critics to hold protest rallies on that day which marks the 45th anniversary of the proclamation of martial law.

Mr. Duterte’s critics have increasingly likened him to a predecessor he has openly admired from time to time, the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, who established a dictatorship with his martial-law proclamation dated Sept. 21 and enforced two days later, that year of 1972.

During his visit to the wake of slain police officer Junior Hilario, Mr. Duterte said classes and work in government offices are suspended on the 21st.

“I have declared it as a day of protest. Lahat ng gustong mag-protesta laban sa gobyerno, laban sa pulis, sa military o lahat, magbabaan kayo diyan, mag-protesta kami,” Mr. Duterte said. (All those who want to protest against the government, the police, the military or everyone, step out, protest.)

“Walang trabaho at…kung gusto ‘yung taga-gobyerno, meron man ‘yang ‘yung mga unyon-unyon diyan, the unions created under the — they should participate,” he added. (No work and…those in government…the unions created under the — they should participate.)

But he also added: “I’m asking you, do not commit crimes. No vandalism, no lahat kasi ang pulis pati ang (nothing, because the police and the) Army sa barracks lang. Ang makikita ninyo diyan ang traffic lang (All you’ll see is the traffic),” Mr. Duterte said.

Earlier, an alliance opposing the government’s alleged fascist measures had accused the Duterte administration of “trying to desperately sabotage” the planned anti-dictatorship Sept. 21 rally at the Luneta Park.

“In an effort to scare rally participants, President (Rodrigo R.) Duterte has hinted that armed members of the New People’s Army would join the event and threatened to declare martial law nationwide if the rally turned violent,” the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) led by former senator Rene A.V. Saguisag, former Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri J. Colmenares, former Quezon representative Lorenzo R. Tañada III, Free Legal Assistance Group chairman Jose Manuel I. Diokno, activist nun Mary John Mananzan, and University of the Philippines Diliman chancellor Michael Tan.

“He (Duterte) also said he would declare a holiday on the 21st, apparently in order to keep students and employees at home and prevent them from going to Luneta en masse from their schools and workplaces,” MAT said.

Also, the group said it had received reports last Sunday that the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council would be holding a nationwide earthquake drill in the afternoon of Sept. 21, simultaneous with the Luneta rally.

“We will not be intimidated by such actions. We will not be prevented from exercising our constitutional right to freedom of expression and assembly,” the alliance said.

“The Movement Against Tyranny calls on our people to come to the Luneta on Sept. 21 and stand together, in solidarity and in peace, to show our opposition to the state-perpetrated extrajudicial killings and President Duterte’s dangerous drift towards authoritarian rule,” it said.

“Let this year’s anniversary of Marcos’ declaration of martial law be a drawing of the line against the emergence of a new dictatorship. We shall gather at the Luneta from 4-8 pm united in one call: ‘Stop the killings, never again to tyranny and dictatorship,’” the group added. — interaksyon.com with Rosemarie A. Zamora

Iloilo City Mayor Mabilog, councilor to be charged over towing deal

ILOILO CITY Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, who is currently on medical leave and out of the country, and City Councilor Plaridel C. Nava II will be facing charges before the Sandiganbayan over a deal with 3L Towing Services in 2015.

In a statement yesterday, the Office of the Ombudsman said it found probable cause to charge the two with one count each of violation of Section 3 (h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).

The two local officials have accused each other of having business interest in 3L Towing Services, which was awarded exclusive clamping authority without a bidding process.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, in a resolution, said her office found that on April 8, 2014, the city council, or the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), approved a proposal, sponsored by Mr. Nava, incorporating the use of a wheel towing clamp as part of the towing ordinance.

Then on Feb. 17, 2015, the SP approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the local government and 3L Towing Services for the implementation of the city’s clamping ordinance.

Under the MoA, 70% of the fines collected would go to the towing company while the remaining 30% would be the city government’s share.

Two weeks later, or on Feb. 27, Mr. Mabilog wrote an urgent letter to the SP informing them of the suspension of the MoA due to “some technical issues.”

On May 19, 2015, 3L proprietor Leny Garcia wrote to Mr. Mabilog offering to withdraw from the MoA “amidst the legal issues confronting it and submit to legal processes prescribed by laws on government bidding and procurement.”

Mr. Nava, the chairman of the committee on transportation, accused Mr. Mabilog of actually owning 3L and claimed that the mayor had a direct financial interest in the MoA.

The Ombudsman quotes Mr. Nava as saying: “ (Mr.) Mabilog allegedly employed his services to perpetuate and consummate his illegitimate, immoral, dishonest and underground acts and transactions with private groups and corporate personalities doing or intending to do business in the city of Iloilo by using his power and influence as the chief executive of the city government.”

Mr. Nava narrated that the mayor instructed him to look for someone they could trust to stand as a dummy owner and to estimate the cost and expenditures for the proposed business venture on clamping services. According to the complaint, Mr. Nava regularly reported to Mabilog about the status of the business venture and that on June 16, 2014, Mr. Mabilog handed him P500,000.00 in cash as part of his capital contribution to the business. The mayor also reportedly expedited the release of the business and mayor’s permits of the towing company.

In his countercharge, Mr. Mabilog claimed that “it is Nava who has pecuniary interest in 3L because it was the latter who told him about it and its intention of bidding for the towing project even defending the qualifications of 3L.”

In its resolution, the Ombudsman said that “while Mabilog and Nava pointed to each other as the true owner of 3L and thus have financial or pecuniary interest in the MoA for towing and clamping, one thing is clear from their accusations and counter-accusations — both colluded to create 3L, to get Garcia to act as its dummy owner, to have the business registered with the DTI and BIR, to secure its business and mayor’s permits, and to have it awarded the MoA with the city government without going through a competitive process.”

“Simply put, there was a meeting of the minds between them to do an illegal act and thus they must both suffer its consequences,” Ms. Morales said.

Under Section 3 (h) of R.A. No. 3019, public officials are prohibited from directly or indirectly having financing or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity.

Politics take center stage as Handmaid’s Tale sweeps Emmys

LOS ANGELES – Television’s glittering Emmys placed politics front and center on Sunday, lavishing The Handmaid’s Tale with awards for its bleak portrait of an authoritarian America.

The glitzy ceremony in downtown Los Angeles – the first under the administration of President Donald Trump – was widely expected to have a strongly political flavor, and host Stephen Colbert set the tone in his opening monologue.

“However you feel about the president, and you do feel about the president, you can’t deny that every show was influenced by Donald Trump in some way,” he said.

“All the late night shows, obviously, House of Cards, the new season of American Horror Story.”

Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale and HBO miniseries Big Little Lies were the big winners, with five statuettes each.

Big Little Lies cast members Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Alexander Skarsgard all took home Emmys, along with director Jean-Marc Vallee. It also won outstanding limited series.

The Handmaid’s Tale, Hulu’s acclaimed series based on the 1985 novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, won awards for writing and directing as well as the biggest prize of the night – outstanding drama series.

Ann Dowd, picking up her first Emmy at age 61 for her portrayal of brutal instructor Aunt Lydia, spoke of how her award was “a dream” while outstanding lead actress Elisabeth Moss turned the air blue with an expletive strewn acceptance speech.

Hulu will have the most to celebrate as the post-show parties get started, stealing a march on rival streaming platform Netflix, which won just four statuettes all evening.

On a night that rewarded ethnic diversity, Sterling K. Brown picked up lead actor in a drama for This is Us while Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe, Riz Ahmed and Donald Glover also made it to the podium.

But politics was always going to be the story of the awards from the moment John Lithgow picked up the first one: best supporting actor in a drama for his acclaimed turn as Winston Churchill in Netflix’s British royal drama The Crown.

“In these crazy times his life even as an old man reminds us what leadership and courage in government really looks like,” the US actor said.

NBC’s long-running comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live went into Emmys week with 22 nominations – the joint-highest total alongside Westworld – after a year of mercilessly spoofing the new commander-in-chief.

Its haul of five Creative Arts statuettes included outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for Melissa McCarthy, whose “Unhinged Spicey” take on Sean Spicer came to embody early criticism of the administration.

The former White House press secretary, whose full-throated defense of Trump earned him derision on television, delighted his former tormentors in a surprise appearance at the opening of the show.

‘GREATEST HONOR’
SNL took four statuettes, with Kate McKinnon tearfully accepting the award for best supporting actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of Hillary Clinton.

She told reporters backstage that the role had been “the greatest honor of my life” and talked of the “special kind of electricity” on set every week.

Alec Baldwin was tapped as best supporting actor in a comedy for his Trump impersonation.

“I suppose I should say at long last, Mr. President, here is your Emmy,” he joked, in a dig at Trump’s oft-stated annoyance at never having won a statuette for NBC reality show The Apprentice or its celebrity spin-off.

The show also picked up the award for best variety sketch show and outstanding directing.

Elsewhere in the comedy stakes, the 33-year-old Glover took home a brace of statuettes for directing and starring in the FX comedy series Atlanta.

The award caps a huge year for Glover, who already has two Golden Globes for the show, focused on the Georgia capital’s rap scene.

Glover got a loud cheer when he took to the stage and thanked Trump for “making black people number one on the most oppressed list.”

British funnyman Charlie Brooker also picked up two Emmys for writing and producing “San Junipero,” a feature-length episode of the dark comedy series Black Mirror.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in one of the least surprising announcements of the night, won her sixth consecutive Emmy for playing hapless ex-president Selena Meyer in HBO’s Veep, which also won best comedy series.

WIDE OPEN FIELD
The network’s fantasy epic Game of Thrones has a record 38 awards, but was ineligible for the 69th Primetime Emmys, having started its seventh season too late.

That left the field open for several much talked-about first-timers, including HBO sci-fi Western show Westworld, and Netflix’s 1980s-set horror series Stranger Things.

Neither was able to add to their five Creative Arts Emmys, however.

Perennial favorite HBO led the networks with 10 Emmys. Next were NBC (six), Hulu (five), Netflix (four) and FX (two). – AFP

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