Approved PEZA investment pledges nearly double

August 30, 2017 | 12:31 am

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which contributes about a third of the country’s total committed investments, registered what it called an “unprecedented performance” as new approvals in the seven months to July reached P132.66 billion, up 89.4% from P70.03 billion in 2016’s comparable period.

“As to number of projects, we have as of July… 363 new projects. This means new ecozones and new industry locators. So we grew by 17.86% compared to last year’s performance,” PEZA Director-General Charito B. Plaza said in a press briefing yesterday at the agency’s main office in Taguig City.

She attributed the improvement to aggressive marketing and promotion efforts, among others. She also cited investors’ sentiment about “a better and more credible government.”

Employment generation as of June, according to the latest available data, hit 1,357,684 new jobs within the economic zones, 6.4% more than the 1,275,842 recorded in the same period last year. The figures represent the comparative periods as of June.

“PEZA usually multiplies this (employment figure) by eight… because we also create indirect employment like drivers, janitors, construction workers, concessionaires… all that will be built to respond to the needs of the workers of the industries and the ecozones,” Ms. Plaza explained.

“So we have 8 million jobs directly and indirectly created.”

Also as of midyear, export revenues generated by the ecozones hit $22.05 billion, up 12.4% from a year ago. “PEZA registers 80% of the total export income of the country,” Ms. Plaza said.

In terms of industrial sectors, ecozone development took the lead with approved investments of P75.41 billion, an increase of 95.2% from P38.64 billion previously.

Manufacturing came next with P21.55 billion, up 26.9% from P16.998 billion a year ago. Of this, electronics and semiconductors accounted for nearly half at P10.97 billion, an increase of 29.6% from P8.46 billion in the same period last year.

In contrast, investments in information technology — largely made up of business process outsourcing (BPO) firms and contact centers — fell by 33.4% to P8.14 billion from P12.22 billion.

“Most of our BPOs and call center locator industries are American companies,” which Ms. Plaza said were awaiting for “a clearer policy” US President Donald Trump on his policy to keep jobs home.

“Nevertheless none of those existing BPOs and call centers pulled out. They stayed and some even took the risk of still expanding by putting up new branches in different parts of the country.”

In the same press conference, Ms. Plaza brought in representatives from a Chinese entity, which is reportedly behind the proposed First Pangasinan Industrial Corp. (FPIC), a 60% Philippine-owned and 40% Taiwanese and Singaporean entity. The company is said to be also urging foreign entities to set up offices in its proposed economic zone in Pangasinan.

“After lengthy deliberation, the PEZA board had resolved to grant a pre-qualification clearance to FPIC’s Philippine-Chinese industrial economic zone,” she said.

Another prospective locator — Chinese entity Xianglu Dragon Group (XDG) — courted controversy after the Taipei Economic Cultural Council issued statements to the Philippine government and to media alleging that its chairman, Chen YouHao, embezzled money from Taiwan and fled to Xiamen, China.

Leonelle M. Infante, the Philippine legal counsel of XDG, denied the allegation.

“To set the record straight, Chairman Chen YouHao’s roots are from Xiamen, China. He had long been a well-respected and successful businessman in China, more than a decade before the Taiwanese government even filed a case against him in the year 2000, instigated by imprisoned Taiwanese President Chen Sui Bien, a ranking member of the current ruling DPP party of Taiwan, who was convicted of corruption,” Ms. Infante said.

“At that time, Chairman Chen was already considered one of the biggest investors in China, when he was forced to flee Taiwan due to political persecution.”

She also denied claims that XDG failed to make tax payments in China, saying that companies under it are among the biggest taxpayers in Xiamen.

“It is not true that the company is losing money. This can be easily proven by the audited financial statements presented to our government agencies,” she said.

“Again, I have to emphasize the facts that the projects in Pangasinan will not borrow any funds from the local Philippine financial institutions,” she said. “All the investment capital will be funded overseas.”

Ms. Plaza said the applicant’s pre-qualification has not yet been submitted to the Office of the President, which will issue the proclamation declaring FPIC as an ecozone qualified to receive government perks. — Victor V. Saulon

Robust growth continues

August 30, 2017 | 12:30 am

By Leo Jaymar G. Uy
Senior Researcher

GROWTH in assets of the country’s biggest banks continued to be robust last quarter, fuelled by these lenders’ aggressive loan expansion.

BusinessWorld’s 2^nd Quarter Banking Report shows the combined assets of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) operating in the country growing 13.93% to P14.01 trillion from P12.3 trillion the past year.

The latest asset growth pace is faster than the 13.41% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of this year and quicker than the 6.5% expansion of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter. GDP, which is the amount of final goods and services produced in the country, measures the country’s economic performance for a period.

Fuelling asset growth in the second quarter of this year was the 18.38% year-on-year increase in bank loans to P7.116 trillion from last year’s P6.011 trillion. Loans comprise around half of the big banks’ assets.

But banks’ ability to absorb losses eased slightly as their median capital adequacy ratio (CAR) went down to 18.45% in the second quarter from 18.66% in the preceding three-month period. Nevertheless, the ratio remains well above the regulatory minimum of 10% set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as well as the international standard of eight percent. CAR, which is a measure of a bank’s solvency, indicates its ability to absorb losses without having to imperil funds entrusted by depositors.

In terms of profitability, the median return on equity (RoE) of U/KBs improved to 4.7% in the second quarter of this year from 4.27% in the first three months of 2017. RoE measures the amount that shareholders make on every peso invested in a company.

Asset quality edged down somewhat as the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of the biggest banks increased to 1.74% in the second quarter from the first quarter’s 1.64%. This, as total bank borrowings increased 4.87% on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

The second quarter marks the last three months under the watch of former BSP chief Amando M. Tetangco, Jr., who was succeeded last July by current BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr.

Since 1987, BusinessWorld has been tracking the quarterly performance of the country’s largest lenders based on their published statements of condition.

The newspaper’s quarterly banking report ranks banks in terms of the size of their balance sheets. Apart from asset size, the report provides other key ratios to measure bank performance like capital adequacy, earnings and liquidity — all key components of the CAMELS (capital adequacy-assets-management capability-earnings-liquidity- sensitivity) system used internationally in evaluating a lender’s health.

Duterte: Ombudsman meting ‘selective justice’

August 30, 2017 | 12:16 am

By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral
Reporter

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte on Tuesday slammed anew the Office of the Ombudsman for supposedly engaging in “selective justice” as he criticized the way the constitutional body handled the corruption cases filed against several lawmakers.

Duterte: Ombudsman meting ‘selective justice’ — Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales is seen in a huddle with senators before the start of a budget hearing on her agency. Ms. Morales also disclosed on Aug. 29 that ‘we already started our fact-finding investigation’ on the Kian delos Santos case. — *SENATE PRIB*

In his speech before newly appointed government officials in Malacañang, Mr. Duterte said Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales “has mastered the art of selective justice” by slowly acting on complaints against the “friendly” but quickly deciding against “perceived hostilities.”

“The Office of the Ombudsman rightly stresses the importance of due process of law. Yet it cannot act on complaints with the cold neutrality of an impartial tribunal,” Mr. Duterte said, adding that the body failed to perform its constitutional mandate.

“Harsh on some, soft on others even when they all suffer from similar or analogous circumstances….The enemy of the Ombudsman’s friend is the Ombudsman’s enemy too, so it seems. That is how I see it from where I stand,” he added.

To recall, Mr. Duterte earlier blasted Ms. Morales for speaking against his way of fighting narcotics and crime. He also told the Ombudsman to seek clearance from him first before investigating erring cops carrying out his drug war.

But Ms. Morales dismissed Mr. Duterte’s remarks and said the chief executive can’t meddle in the Ombudsman’s affairs. The President later said his statements against Ms. Morales were just a joke.

In his speech yesterday, Mr. Duterte questioned how Ms. Morales handled the corruption charges against senators allegedly involved in the misuse of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

He then cited the cases of detained former senators Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” E. Estrada as examples of Ms. Morales’s supposed impartiality, noting that some lawmakers who were linked to the same corruption scandal were allowed to post bail while others were not.

He also lamented the Ombudsman’s latest decision to indict Senator Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II for alleged misuse of congressional funds. To recall, the President met with Mr. Honasan in Malacañang last Aug. 16.

“You know, it’s sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander. If you allow a certain person to post bail, there is absolutely no ground — legal or otherwise — na bakit ‘yung iba, hindi mo rin gawin (how come with the others, you’re not doing the same)?” he said.

“Bakit ang Ombudsman matagal na siya diyan, natapos na lang itong si Aquino, why can’t they just wind up the cases against the senators?” he said, referring to former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III. (How come the Ombudsman has been there for a long time, Aquino’s term is over, why can’t they just wind up the cases against the senators?)

In 2015, the Supreme Court (SC) granted former senator Juan F. Ponce-Enrile’s petition for bail after he was detained in connection with the multibillion-peso “pork barrel” scam of 2013.

While plunder is a non-bailable offense, the 91-year-old former senator argued in his bail petition that the prosecution has insufficient evidence, adding he is not a flight risk because of his advanced age and physical weakness.

According to Mr. Duterte, Ms. Morales’s office is also corrupt.

He then advised her to let the remaining months of her incumbency to be “truly reflective of your mandate to do justice to everyone without favor or bias.”

“I can only wish that the Ombudsman would go beyond the friendship bonds and adapt the afore-quoted principle as a governing rule in the performance of its constitutional mandate,” he said.

A retired member of the High Court, Ms. Morales was appointed to a seven-year term on July 25, 2011 following the exit of then-Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez on the heels of an impeachment campaign against her by the Aquino camp. She is set to end her term at the anti-graft body in July 2018.

She was appointed by Mr. Aquino, whom she recently indicted for his “liability” in the 2015 manhunt in Mamasapano, Maguindanao that took the lives of 44 police commandos. But Mr. Duterte has belittled this move against his predecessor.

NOT ALLUDING TO SERENO
Still on the topic of corruption, Mr. Duterte yesterday also clarified that he was not referring to SC Justice Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno when he hit an unnamed government official’s luxurious travels.

“Si Justice Sereno made insinuations that siya ‘yung itinuturo ko (that I was alluding to her). Actually, none of the above… generic ‘yun.”

“Ako naman, I rely on documents that are given to us here in the Palace. I do not put a premium of truth in it actually,” he added.

In his speech on Aug. 22, Mr. Duterte said he is looking into the expensive trips allegedly made by an official who is not under the Executive branch as he vowed anew to fight corruption.

Responding to Mr. Duterte’s remarks, Ms. Sereno, in a town hall in Cebu City, said: “That’s his revelation. I don’t know who he’s talking of, definitely I don’t feel alluded to.”

“My travels, my security, and vehicle requirements are all regular and above the board public documents — the record will speak for itself and I have not objected to the public release of the same,” she added.

Early this month, the SC granted the request of two groups for documents that will support their impeachment case against the Chief Justice.

The impeachment case, however, will have to be endorsed by a lawmaker to be formally lodged in the House committee on justice for hearing.

Malacañang earlier said Mr. Duterte, with whom Ms. Sereno had been at loggerheads since June last year, is hands off the case.

The complainants’ memorandum flagged several administrative orders by Ms. Sereno, including the appointment of lawyer Brenda Jay Mendoza as chief of the Philippine Mediation Center of the Philippine Judicial Academy, granting foreign travels and allowance to staff of the Office of the Chief Justice, and “long delay” in certain appointments.

Uber back on the road after paying P190-M fine

August 30, 2017 | 12:15 am

By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Tuesday, Aug. 29, lifted its suspension of the operations of Uber Philippines (Uber Systems, Inc.) after the ride-sharing company paid a fine of P190 million and showed proof of compensation worth P299.24 million to affected drivers/operators.

Uber back on the road after paying P190-M fine — Driver operators outside the Uber main office in Mandaluyong City — *REUTERS/DONDI TAWATAO*

The LTFRB in an order dated Aug. 25 said Uber must pay a fine of P190 million and ensure financial assistance to its drivers/operators in order for the agency to lift its month-long suspension. This was in response to a manifestation filed by Uber offering to pay a P10-million fine in lieu of the month-long suspension ordered by LTFRB on Aug. 14

COMPENSATION
The regulator in its order also directed Uber to pay its transport network vehicle service (TNVS) operators until the day of resumption of operations. Uber previously said it had already spent around P100 million for the compensation of its over 36,000 active operators/drivers.

LTFRB ordered the suspension of Uber operations due to what the agency said was the company’s violation of its July 26 order directing transport network companies (TNCs) to stop accepting and activating accreditation applications.

Representatives of Uber submitted to LTFRB yesterday a check with an amount of P190 million, as well as a bank transaction certification by Wells Fargo showing financial assistance payments made to TNVS operators from Aug. 15 until yesterday.

LTFRB said the lifting of the suspension of Uber is “subject to further verification of actual receipt by TNVS peer-operators of the amount due to each of them.”

Uber released a statement following the announcement of the lifting of the suspension: “We have complied with the requirements outlined by the LTFRB, and are grateful for the opportunity to serve the Philippines again.”

The company also said operations have resumed as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday.

‘INABILITY’ OF LTFRB
Senator Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said that she will complete a report on the bill on TNVS.

“For the sake of the commuters, I am committed to complete as soon as possible the report on the TNVS bill that is currently undergoing TWG (technical working group) meetings. The TWG meetings aim to thresh out and address all related issues concerning the operation of Uber, Grab and the like,” the senator said in a statement.

Ms. Poe also said the bill aims to prevent another suspension, rooted in what she said in the “inability” of LTFRB to adapt to technology.

“This way, we may avoid the recurrence of a similar suspension affecting the TNVS community, which is rooted (in) the apparent inability of the LTFRB to adjust and adapt to new technology. Based on what happened, it seems that it flexes its discretion as a whimsical regulator just for the sake of imposing regulations,” Ms. Poe said.

Trust in gov’t highest since 2011: survey

August 30, 2017 | 12:14 am

By Patricia B. Aquino
Interaksyon

THE PEOPLE’S trust in the government is at its highest since 2011, according to the fifth Philippine Trust Index (PTI), a survey by communications agency EON Group.

duterte — President Rodrigo R. Duterte pictured during the Parade and review held at Camp Aguinaldo last July 01, 2016. — Michael Varcas / Philippine Star

From 40% of respondents saying they trusted the government in 2011, to 58% in 2012, to 50% in 2014 and 2015, trust had grown by 30 percentage points to 80% in 2017. 1,200 Filipinos aged 18 to 65 were surveyed from March to April 2017 — before President Rodrigo R. Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao, and also before the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos in Caloocan City, with CCTV footage and witnesses revealing that he was supposedly murdered by the police, countering the latter’s initial claims that it was a shootout.

Of government “sub-institutions,” the Office of the President had the highest trust at 82%. In comparison, it had 54% in 2011, during the first year of then President Benigno S.C. Aquino III, and the first year EON conducted a survey.

In the 2017 PTI, the Office of the President was followed by local government units, with a 78% trust rating. The Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court, and Regional Trial Courts had the same trust rating of 67%, followed by the Cabinet, with 65%.

LOWEST TRUST FOR OVP
The Office of the Vice-President (OVP) had the lowest trust rating among the government sub-institutions monitored by EON, at 57%.

As for the main institutions EON monitored in each survey, it found that trust was highest in the Church and the academe at 93% for both institutions. It was followed by the government, the media (78%), business (75%), and nongovernmental organizations (59 %).

Government agencies which provided social services were also looked at. Respondents afforded the greatest trust in Philhealth, the Social Security System, the Department of Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, and Pag-ibig, respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, the lowest trust was given to the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Finance, respectively.

According to EON chief innovation officer Mori Rodriguez, speaking at the launch of the PTI on Tuesday at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig City, this had to do with the frequency of interactions between the respondents and government agencies.

People could only trust what they know and understand, he added.

Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Michel Kristian R. Ablan welcomed the results, saying the Office of the President had tried to draw closer to the public by holding daily press briefings and livestreaming Mr. Duterte’s events.

University of the Philippines law student Farah Ali Ghodsinia, who hails from Marawi City, said that Mindanaoans and Muslim Filipinos supported the President because he came from Mindanao and repeatedly talked about his lineage. She believed the government was sincere, and that it was pursuing a “noble goal,” which was peace.

After doing outreach work in Lanao, however, she sensed disquiet among the people who were displaced by the fighting between government troops and the Maute terrorist group.

“Who really is protecting us here? There are a number of groups who say that the air strikes should stop. But then there are also other groups who say that, you know what, wait, this is being done for your safety and protection. So there is this growing sense of confusion which I feel should be dearly addressed,” she said.

She also noted that people were suffering from trauma and needed to hear that the government would not be left behind. Communication between the government and local leaders, tribal leaders, religious leaders, NGOs, and civil society groups on the ground was essential, Ms. Ghodsinia stressed.

“You already have the credibility and the charisma, but you know, further boosting on the delivery of [development promises] will be really essential,” she said.

Mr. Ablan acknowledged her recommendations.

“Of course the bar is set high, and by no means are we going to rest on our laurels. We do recognize that we have to deliver on the… promised programs and everything. Otherwise… the high ratings may fall and they may fall fast,” he said.

Iain Twine, vice-chairman for communications marketing firm Edelman’s Asia-Pacific team, added that the government was in a honeymoon period, which was why it was possible that its trust rating would plummet next year.

EON also found that Filipinos would trust a government that improved their daily lives in concrete ways.

Their satisfaction was based on the Duterte administration’s ability to accomplish the following, in this order:

1. Putting corrupt politicians to jail,

2. Preparing communities for disasters,

3. Ensuring national peace and security,

4. Providing better job opportunities,

5. Helping the poor address their basic needs,

6. Improving the Philippine economy,

7. Protecting Philippine territories,

8. Preserving Filipino cultural heritage,

9. Supporting industry development,

10. Meeting target tax collections, and

11. Solving traffic problems.

For the first time, EON also looked at social media from June 2016 to June 2017, with the help of its social media listening tool Groundswell.

The Office of the President and the Office of the Vice-President were most mentioned among the discussions about the government, at 37% and 29%, respectively. The former had the most positive sentiments, while the latter had the most negative ones.

Issues that were most discussed online were the Marawi crisis and martial law in Mindanao, death penalty, extrajudicial killings, war on drugs, and violent groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and the New People’s Army, in that order.

Trillanes tags in-law of Duterte in hearing on drug shipment

August 30, 2017 | 12:13 am

THE SENATE blue-ribbon committee on Tuesday, Aug. 29, resumed its inquiry on the P6.4 billion worth of shabu illegally shipped into the country late last May, with an opposition senator focusing his questions on the possible involvement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s family, including a son-in-law, in customs operations.

Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, taking his turn at the inquiry, grilled Bureau of Customs (BoC) deputy commissioner Gerardo O. Gambala and former Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Neil Anthony L. Estrella regarding the alleged visits of lawyer Manases R. Carpio, husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, and Davao Vice-Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte at the BoC.

Mr. Gambala denied ever seeing the vice-mayor in the BoC premises. For his part, Mr. Estrella said he once “chanced upon” Mr. Carpio stepping out of now-resigned Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon’s office, but was unfamiliar with the purpose of that visit.

Mr. Trillanes nevertheless said: “This confirms my information na hindi lamang si Paolo ang umeeksena o pumapapel dito sa operasyon ng Customs kung hindi maging si Mans Carpio na rin, so family affair na ito ng Pamilya Duterte.” (This confirms my information that it is not only Paolo but Mans Carpio is also involved in customs operations, so this is a family affair by the Duterte family.)The senator also alleged that, according to his sources, Mr. Duterte was there on two occasions.

“They don’t have any business sa Bureau of Customs except mag-aayos talaga sila, mag-e-exert sila ng influence at mage-endorse sila ng tao, so ganun ‘yun e,” Mr. Trillanes also said. (They don’t have any business in the Bureau of Customs except for arranging deals, exerting influence and endorsing people, so that’s how it is.)

The senator also claimed that Messrs. Carpio and the younger Duterte are involved in allowing questionable shipments to pass through Customs with a “no-look fee.”

“Ganun ‘yung transaction. So lahat ‘yan nagmamano sila lahat kay Paolo Duterte,” Mr. Trillanes also claimed. (That’s how the transactions go. They all seek Paolo Duterte’s blessings.)

On questioning, Mr. Trillanes said he will soon bring in witnesses (“Darating tayo d’yan”).

Mr. Carpio, responding on social media, said, “It is my job as a lawyer to appear before government agencies for and on behalf of my principals. Senator Trillanes is imputing malice in saying that my appearance before the BoC is because of smuggling.”

At Malacañang also on Tuesday, President Duterte reaffirmed anew that he will resign if his children are proven to be involved in corruption.

For his part, the committee chairman, Senator Richard J. Gordon, said Mr. Trillanes “should produce evidence. I can’t just call anybody here.”

Mr. Gordon also said the focus should be on the source of the illegal drugs, which is China, as he suggested a “Chinese conspiracy” and said the Chinese government should cooperate with the committee’s investigation.

Asked if he had a specific request to the Chinese government, he said: “Dalhin ‘yung Tong Yang Ping. Sino pa ‘yung nandoon na nahuli nila? Sino ‘yung mga taong alam nilang pinagdadalhan ng droga?” (Bring Tong Yang Ping. Tell us the names of those apprehended there. Who are the people they know are trafficking in drugs?)

Others invited to the hearing were Mr. Faeldon, his chief of staff lawyer Mandy Anderson, Davao City Councilor Nilo “Small” Abellera Jr., and Col. Allen Capuyan.

Mr. Abellera, who is alleged to be a member of the Davao Group smuggling racket, begged off from Tuesday’s hearing. In a letter to the committee dated Aug. 28, he cited a medical condition as explained in a medical certificate attached to his letter.

Mr. Abellera asked that he be allowed to attend the hearings scheduled this Thursday, Aug. 31, and on Sept. 4. He also sent an affidavit stating he had “no knowledge, let alone any participation, on the shipment of shabu from China.” He acknowledged meeting with broker Mark Ruben G. Taguba II in Davao and a certain “Jack,” but declined their request to arrange a meeting with the younger Mr. Duterte.

“Knowing that the Vice Mayor does not involve himself with such matters, I politely told Jack that I could not arrange such meeting,” went Mr. Abellera’s affidavit.

Also on Tuesday, the Department of Finance issued a letter of commendation by Finance Secretary Ccarlos G. Dominguez citing Mr. Faeldon’s “impeccable character, honesty, sincerity and strong leadership.”

“In the brief time that you served as the Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner, you have proven to be a man of unquestionable integrity,” went Mr. Dominguez’s letter dated Aug.22 which noted further that “Through your unwavering dedication and perseverance, the country’s second biggest revenue collection agency exceeded its collection targets…”

“More significantly, with the BoC’s initiative, rigorous investigative work and effective law enforcement on your watch, we were able to catch the biggest instance of tax fraud in Philippine history,” the letter also read, adding:

“You have also made a tremendous effort in meeting head-on the enormous challenge of cleansing the bureau of corrupt employees. Under your leadership, transparency and accountability began to be the norm in the BoC.”

“You have my trust and confidence. I look forward to working with you again in the future.” — Mario M. Banzon

Espenido: We’re pro-life

August 30, 2017 | 12:12 am

POLICE CHIEF Inspector Jovie R. Espenido, who led the bloody raid that resulted in the death of 16 including the mayor of Ozamiz City, said on Tuesday he is “pro-life,” adding that the city mayor of Iloilo, where he would be transferred next, should have nothing to worry about if he has done nothing wrong.

In an ambush interview yesterday at the Department of Justice (DoJ), Mr. Espenido reiterated that he is only carrying out the drug war of President Rodrigo R. Duterte as a law enforcer.

On Monday, in a speech marking National Heroes’ Day, Mr. Duterte cited the efforts of policemen and ordered them to kill “idiots” who violently resist arrest. The remarks followed about a week after a teenager in Caloocan City was slain by cops in an anti-drug operation that sparked public concern and outrage.

Among the guests in the event held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) was Mr. Espenido, of whom Mr. Duterte said: “Your duty requires you to overcome the resistance of the person you are arresting….[If] he resists, and it is a violent one, placing in jeopardy the lives of my policemen, and of course, the military, you are free to kill the idiots. That is my order to you.”

Mr. Duterte also pointed out a pattern in Mr. Espenido’s assignments: “You asked for the assignment sa Leyte, namatay ang mayor doon. (The mayor there died.) You asked for another assignment sa Ozamiz, namatay ang mayor doon — si [Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr.]. Ngayon gusto mo sa Iloilo kasi nga si (The mayor there died — Mr. Parojinog. Now, you want to go to Iloilo because) [Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog] has been identified as a protector.”

Mr. Espenido denied it. “Hindi naman,” he said, adding: “Ang sa atin man lang, pro-life tayo.” (We’re pro-life.)

Mr. Espenido was the chief of the Albuera Police when the alleged narco-mayor in Leyte, Roland R. Espinosa, Sr., was arrested. Mr. Espinosa was eventually killed by members of the Criminal Investigation Detection Group Region 8 (CIDG R8), then-led by Superintendent Marvin Wynn Marcos, in a supposed raid in his detention cell in Baybay, Leyte, in November last year.

The late Ozamiz City mayor Parojinog, meanwhile, was killed in a raid led by Mr. Espenido last July 30. Fifteen others, including the wife of Mr. Parojinog, were also killed.

But Mr. Espenido said yesterday that he remains “a professional law enforcer.” He added that once he steps foot in Iloilo City, the first thing he will do is pray.

“Magdasal na pahintulutan tayo na ma-comply yung karapat dapat na i-comply natin sa Iloilo in reference sa mga information na shabulized yung city na yun. Depende tayo sa Panginoon talaga,” he said.

(Let’s pray that we be allowed to comply with what we need to comply in Iloilo, in reference to information we received that it is a city where shabu proliferates. We really depend on God.)

He also noted, however, that he has yet to receive an order on when he will be transferred to Iloilo City.

Mr. Espenido was at the DoJ to submit his counter-affidavit in the murder and illegal detention case filed against him by the kin of Francisco Manzano, one of the nine suspected robbers in an operation last June.

In his counter-affidavit, he asked the DoJ to dismiss the criminal complaints against him, saying the complainant had given in to the Parojinogs.

“It is very unfortunate that complainant has succumbed to the pressure by the Parojinog group. Understandably, she is hopeless. I know fully well that this case is sponsored by the Parojinog group because the suspects involved were members of their armed group, and, more importantly to stop me from doing my job as a police officer.”

His counsel, Andres Fernandez, said Mr. Espenido maintained it was “a legitimate operation.” — Kristine Joy V. Patag

New appointees announced

August 30, 2017 | 12:11 am

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte appointed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor, Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. as governor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the Philippines, effective July 3.

Mr. Espenilla is also deemed alternate governor of the World Bank Group for the Philippines and Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the Philippines, also effective July 3.

Mr. Duterte appointed Mr. Espenilla as the new BSP governor on May 8, replacing Amando M. Tetangco, Jr.

The BSP governor also sits as chairman of the Monetary Board, heads the financial intelligence unit Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and occupies ex-officio seats in various national government agencies and state-run corporations.

Other new government appointees are as follows:

• Isidro S. Lapeña as commissioner of Bureau of Customs

• Manuel Felino V. Ramos as Assistant Secretary of the Department of National Defense

• Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema as commissioner representing Luzon, National Youth Commission

• Efren F. Piñol as Director IV for Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

• Terso Depone Gregorio Sr. as Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II of the Department of Agrarian Reform

• Randy B. Escolango as Deputy Commissioner for Insurance Commission of the Department of Finance

• Edgar B. Tolentino as Director II of the Bureau of Internal Revenue

• Flor G. Limpin as Local Government Operations Officer VIII of the Department of the Interior and Local Government

• Margarita H. Baynosa as Local Government Operations Officer VIII of the Department of the Interior and Local Government

• Ma. Ana T. Nuguid as Director IV of the Department of Tourism

• Jose Charito I. Cortez II as Prosecutor II of the Office of the City Prosecutor-Davao City, National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice

• Yehlen D. Sanchez as Prosecutor II of the Office of the City Prosecutor-Davao City, National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice

• Nendell Hanz L. Abella as Commissioner, representing the workers sector, seventh division on National Labor Relations Commission

• Rizza Mae H. Sam as Prosecutor II of the Office of the City Prosecutor-Davao City, National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice

• Jordana Day V. VIllamor-Sarong as Prosecutor II of the Office of the City Prosecutor-Davao City, National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice

• Dina Joy Canencia Teñala as Prosecutor II of the Office of the City Prosecutor-Davao City, National Prosecution Service of the Department of Justice

• Romeo Magsalos as Director II, National Police College, Philippine Public Safety College of the Department of the Interior and Local Government

• Glenda S. Arquiza as Chairperson of Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing, Professional Regulation Commission

• Michael J. Capati as Director IV of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 of the Department of Transportation

• Mr. Leonard R. Bañago as Chief Fire Director of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

• Joseph Del Mar Yap as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Singapore

• Maria Cleofe R. Natividad as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria — Rosemarie A. Zamora

Australia offers to train Philippine troops in IS fight

August 30, 2017 | 12:10 am

AUSTRALIA ON Tuesday offered to help train the Philippine military to tackle Islamic militants terrorizing parts of the country, calling the threat “deeply concerning.”

soldier — This photo taken on July 22, 2017 shows a Philippine Marine observing Islamic militant positions on the frontline in Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao, as fighting between government troops and Islamist militants enters its second month.
— AFP

Philippine forces have been besieging militants in the southern city of Marawi for almost 100 days. But the gunmen, flying the Islamic State group’s black flag, have defied military assaults including air strikes and artillery barrages.

Australia, which has an extensive defense cooperation program with Manila, has already deployed two high-tech AP-3C Orion aircraft for surveillance, and is keen to provide further help.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she recently spoke to Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte who wanted to bolster resources for his armed forces.

“We would be ready to support the Philippines in the same way we are supporting Iraq in advising, assisting and training,” she said.

“We indicated what we have been doing in Iraq. I went through with the president in some detail the support we have given in Iraq, that does not include troops on the ground. That is advising and assisting.”

Australia is part of the coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, with 780 defense personnel based in the Middle East.

Ms. Bishop said it was “deeply concerning” for the entire Asian region that Islamic State had a presence in the southern Philippines, with the US, Malaysia and Indonesia also offering support.

Mr. Duterte declared martial law across Mindanao island, home to 20 million people, on May 23 immediately after fighters flying the IS flag rampaged through Marawi.

Their assault on the city ignited an unprecedented urban war, which Mr. Duterte has warned is part of an IS campaign to establish a base in Mindanao. — AFP

MCIA passenger traffic hits 5.17 million in first half

August 30, 2017 | 12:09 am

PASSENGER TRAFFIC at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the country’s second-busiest airport, reached 5.17 million from January to June this year, 16% higher than the same period in 2016 and hitting half of the airport’s 10 million target for 2017, based on data from the MCIA Authority. During the six-month period, international passengers increased 40% to 1.59 million from 1.14 million year on year, while domestic passengers reached 3.58 million, up 8% from 3.32 million. Air traffic volume also saw a 22% growth to 43,268 from 35,570 during the period in review. Megawide Construction Corp., which took over operations of the Mactan airport in November 2014 through GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) with its Bangalore-based foreign partner GMR Infrastructure Ltd., earlier said its airport business remains strong with the double-digit increase in passenger and air traffic volume at the MCIA. The construction of MCIA’s new passenger Terminal 2 is in full swing and is expected to be completed by June next year. This will bring the airport’s capacity to a total of 12.5 million passengers per annum. — The Freeman

Judoka Takahashi, equestrian Syquia in shiny golden SEA Games debut

August 30, 2017 | 12:09 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

NEWCOMERS in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games when they entered this year’s edition of the biennial regional sporting meet in Malaysia, judoka Mariya Takahashi and male equestrian John Colin Syquia came out of it as gold medal winners.

Judoka Takahashi, equestrian Syquia in shiny golden SEA Games debut — Mariya Takahashi of the Philippines competes against Surattana Thongsri of Thailand in the finals of the women’s -70 kg. class of the 29^th Southeast Asian Games judo competition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center Hall 5. Takahashi prevailed via ippon to win the gold medal. — *PSC-POC MEDIA GROUP*

Competed for the first time in the SEA Games, Ms. Takahashi and Mr. Syquia proved themselves to be breakout stars for the Philippines by claiming gold in their respective events and provided golden shining moments for the country, which unfortunately have turned out to be few and far in between relative to the rest of the field, in the Kuala Lumpur Games.

Sixteen-year-old Filipino-Japanese Takahashi claimed the gold in the women’s -70 kg. event of the 29^th SEA Games.

Ms. Takahashi drew a bye in the preliminaries before clobbering Thi Dieu Tien Nguyen of Vietnam in the semifinals and then moved on to dethrone Surratana Thongsri of Thailand via ippon in the first 43 seconds of their match en route to awarding the Philippines a gold.

“I’m very happy with this win,” Ms. Takahashi’s said through an interpreter after her gold medal-winning performance.

Her impressive showing has the judo federation in the country excited and very proud and is looking at her as one of the athletes, along with fellow gold medalist Kiyomi Watanabe, in the sport to be groomed for bigger competitions ahead, including the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

“She is [one of] our brightest bets in the 2019 SEA Games all the way to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Philippine Judo Federation president Dave Carter.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) also expressed its commitment to back her training while the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) would recommend her for an athletic scholarship program, where she would be entitled to a $500 monthly allowance.

FIRST GOLD SINCE 2011
Mr. Syquia, meanwhile, had Philippine equestrian back in the gold medal tally since 2011 by winning the individual show jumping title.

Riding Adventure E, Mr. Syquia, who is based in Florida, was tied with five other riders in the first two rounds before blazing in the jump off to clock a commanding 37.63 seconds over Malaysians Sharmini Christina Ratnasingham (41.30 seconds) and Dato’ Seri Mahamad Fathil Qabi Ambak (41.66 seconds).

His victory was the lone bright spot for the Philippines on Monday with his gold.

“This (gold medal) is very special because this is the first time for me to compete in the SEA Games,” said Mr. Syquia, 46, a horse-dealer as well who participates in shows and derbies in Wellington, Florida.

Toledo City Mayor Osmeña suspended

August 30, 2017 | 12:08 am

MAYOR JOHN Henry “Sonny” R. Osmeña of Toledo City, Cebu has been ordered suspended for one year after the Ombudsman found him guilty of grave abuse of authority for his “consistent and undue refusal to release the quarterly real property tax (RPT) shares of Barangay Daanlungsod.” The 81-year-old former senator and congressman will also be facing trial before the Sandiganbayan after the Ombudsman found probable cause to charge him with six counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, or Republic Act No. 3019. In his counter-affidavit, Mr. Osmeña defended that the funds could not be released to the village because of a pending boundary dispute between Barangays Sangi and Daanlungsod as well as a pending case between Sangi versus the Toledo City government. However, in a resolution approved last Aug. 9, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said that “the boundary dispute between the two barangays had long been settled.”