Duterte cites Espenido’s efforts in drug war

August 29, 2017 | 12:14 am

By Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral
Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday ordered the police force carrying out his drug war to kill “idiots” who violently resist arrest shortly after a teenager was slain by cops in an anti-drug operation that sparked public clamor.

In his speech at the Heroes’ Cemetery on the occasion of National Heroes’ Day, Mr. Duterte departed from his prepared speech and addressed Jovani Espenido, the police chief of Ozamiz City where a longtime mayor allegedly involved in the narcotics trade was killed in a deadly police raid.

Mr. Duterte then announced that he will reassign Mr. Espenido to Iloilo City, saying the police officer requested to be transferred to the said city whose mayor was tagged by the President as a “protector” of drug traffickers.

“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 told Mr. Espenido.

“Because if there is violence, then you have to overcome that violence to bring him to the folds of the law, and you can put him under your custody,” he added.

Mr. Espenido led the raid last July 30 in the residence of Mr. Parojinog, the second mayor killed under the administration’s war on drugs. The first was Mayor Roland R. Espinosa, Sr. of Albuera City, where Mr. Espenido also served as police head.

Early this month, Mr. Espenido hinted that he will be transferred to another area with the “next target.”

Responding to Mr. Espenido’s reassignment to his municipality, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, whose name appears in the President’s list of narco-politicians, told local newspaper Panay News that he will work with Mr. Espenido in solving the city’s drug menace.

“In the city of Iloilo, I will share with him our own strategies and compare notes on how to win this war at the barangay level,” Mr. Mabilog said.

“I look forward to working side by side with Chief Inspector Espenido as the President’s point-man in the battle against illegal drugs in Iloilo, both city and province,” he added.

Thousands of people have been killed in the course of Mr. Duterte’s brutal narcotics crackdown, with human rights watchdogs saying most of the fatalities are extrajudicial killings committed by cops and unknown assailants.

But the government has vehemently denied this and insisted that police are only killing in self-defense while gangsters are silencing potential witnesses.

With Mr. Espenido heading Iloilo’s police, Mr. Duterte said in the same speech yesterday that he now doubts if Mr. Mabilog will stay alive.

The firebrand leader also warned the mayor in a media interview later that day to stop protecting drug lords, or he will die.

“For the longest time, [in my] updated list, nandiyan ka (you’re there),” Mr. Duterte said.

‘FOLLOW RULES OF ENGAGEMENT’
Despite his harsh orders to policemen fighting his war on drugs, Mr. Duterte reminded them to follow the rules of engagement, saying “murder and homicide and unlawful killings” were not allowed and that police had to uphold the rule of law while carrying out their duties.

“Just follow the rules of engagement, the requirements of the performance of duty, which you have learned in… all those four years,” Mr. Duterte said.

But he also said: “But if he resists, and if it is a violent one, I hate to see dead policemen and soldiers performing their duty.”

The chief executive’s remarks came on the heels of the death of 17-year-old Grade 11 student Kian delos Santos in the hands of Caloocan City cops. The killing has generated condemnation in the country and abroad and sparked protests against the conduct of the drug war. — with Rosemarie A. Zamora

Aguirre vows hands off on Kian delos Santos case

August 29, 2017 | 12:13 am

By Kristine Joy V. Patag
Reporter

RESPONDING TO calls for his inhibition from murder raps against cops in Kian Loyd delos Santos’s killing on Aug. 17, Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II on Monday said: “I will not even touch that case.”

law students-Kian — Law students from different Universities in Metro Manila urge Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to inhibit himself from the investigation on the slay case of Kian delos Santos during a press conference in Manila on Aug. 28, 2017. EDD GUMBAN/PHILIPPINE STAR

A group of student leaders yesterday joined Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel’s call to Mr. Aguirre to inhibit himself from the murder case against Caloocan City Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo and three other policemen.

Student leaders from the University of the Philippines College of Law and members of the Millennials Against Dictators, also yesterday, criticized Mr. Aguirre’s pronouncements as malicious. “His various statements about the case (have) shown that he’s already made up his mind about the case. He called Kian’s death overblown and the witnesses ‘brainwashed.’ All of this, apparently in efforts to continue the war on drugs, a known failure as a policy measure,” they said.

Mr. Delos Santos was killed in the course of an anti-drug campaign in Caloocan City. CCTV footage showed him being accosted by the policemen toward a street corner where he was later shot dead, but the accused cops said they were accosting a police asset, not the boy.

For his part, Mr. Aguirre said in a text message to reporters: “These so-called student leaders are misinformed or ignorant of our procedures at the DoJ,” he said in a text message to reporters.

“At the moment, the prosecutors at the National Prosecution Service will handle it. Even on appeal, I will not handle the case. The cases on appeal are assigned to my [five Undersecretaries],” he added.

In a separate statement by the DoJ, Mr. Aguirre reiterated: “The violent taking of the life of our youth is deplorable. It simply cannot be allowed to go unpunished. And I give my solemn reassurances to everyone that the ones responsible for this dastardly act will be punished to the full extent of the law.”

The boy’s parents, Saldy F. delos Santos and Lorenza D. delos Santos, were represented by Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta, in filing complaints against Mr. Cerillo and the now-relieved cops, Police Officer 3 (PO3) Arnel Oares, PO1 Jerwin Cruz, and PO1 Jeremias Pereda last Friday, Aug. 25.

Mr. Aguirre and Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel have since been exchanging barbed comments, asking each other from inhibiting the case.

Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel said the justice chief is destroying the capability of the witnesses by insinuating that they are susceptible to her influences. “Bakit parang mas paniniwalaan pa niya ang mga testimoniya na convicted na halimbawa na drug lord, kesa paniwalaan niya ang mga bata na takot na takot na traumatized na nga pero naglalabas pa rin ng sarili nilang katotohaan? (Why would he be more inclined to believe the testimony of a convicted drug lord, for example, than these children who are afraid and traumatized but are still coming out with their truth?)” she added.

Mr. Aguirre fired back that the senator should likewise inhibit from the Senate investigation on Mr. Delos Santos’s death, as “her fairness and impartiality are under question.”

During the Senate investigation Thursday last week, it was established that Mr. Delos Santos’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs was based on unverified social media comments.

The Senate is scheduled to hold an executive session today, Aug. 29, on the Delos Santos murder.

BURI disputes ‘misinformation’ by DoTr on malfunctioning in MRT

August 29, 2017 | 12:12 am

By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

BUSAN UNIVERSAL Rail, Inc. (BURI) in a statement on Monday, Aug. 28, disputed the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) “misinformation” that the company was to blame for the periodic malfunctioning of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3.

File photo of passengers of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) train walking on the track to the nearest station after a brake failure of the train caused it to stop in Manila on January 20, 2011. Seven passengers were hurt according to a police officer. — AFP

“We seek to correct the misinformation repeatedly being spread by DoTr Undersecretary (Cesar) Chavez. He keeps rehashing the wrong information as if to condition the public into viewing BURI negatively and to baselessly support his unjust plan to terminate BURI’s contract,” the company’s statement read.

BURI said it was referring to remarks made by Mr. Chavez, the DoTr’s Undersecretary for Railways, at a hearing by the House of Representatives last week on the DoTr budget.

The DoTr in January 2016 signed a three-year contract with BURI for MRT-3’s maintenance.

BURI said glitches were also recorded during the time Sumitomo Corp. was handling the train system’s maintenance.

“Even in year 2000, when Sumitomo was maintaining the system in the MRT’s first year of operation, when the trains and rails were brand new and ridership was much less, the MRT already logged 1,492 glitches. That fact shows that the glitches are more reasonably due to design flaws — and not mainly maintenance issues. Through the years, the deterioration of the rails and passenger loading above the intended usage only worsened the system’s condition and resulted in more glitches,” the Filipino-South Korean joint venture said in a statement.

Mr. Chavez told BusinessWorld that the legal office of DoTr is currently reviewing a document from his office regarding plans to terminate the contract with BURI.

Mr. Chavez in a message to reporters also cited the following reasons, regarding the period of January 2016 to June 2017, as to why the contract with BURI should be terminated: failure to maintain safe and reliable train availability, going by six derailment incidents; failure to maintain the required number of efficient trains as evidenced by 98 service interruptions and 833 passenger unloading incidents; failure to prepare feasible procurement plans for spare parts; failure to maintain up-to-date maintenance and repair records; and failure to implement safety standards and regulations for personnel.

The company also said: “To set the record straight, it is untrue that BURI has not been procuring proper spare parts. When BURI started its contract in January 2016, only 40 of MRT’s 72 cars were running. These 40 cars were enough for only 13 three-car trains. The other cars were inoperable and had many missing parts…Since then, BURI fixed 28 cars to presently deliver the contract minimum of 18 trains for revenue operation.”

The company also denied it was supplying “fake parts” to the MRT-3.

“BURI clarifies that it has not supplied any fake part to the MRT-3. BURI is moving forward to meet its commitment (to) train reliability, and safety and comfort for the ridership,” BURI said.

Father of militant leaders dies in government custody

August 29, 2017 | 12:11 am

THE FATHER of the leaders of the pro-Islamic State Maute group that seized control of a southern Philippine town in May died while in government custody, authorities said on Sunday.

Father of militant leaders dies in government custody — Cayamora Maute after his arrest in Davao City on June 6. — *REUTERS*

Cayamora Maute was taken to a hospital on Sunday afternoon after his blood pressure rose but he died along the way, the Philippines’ prison bureau said.

The May 23 occupation of Marawi City by the Maute group, led by his two sons Abdullah and Omarkhayam, triggered a brutal urban battle with military forces that entered its fourth month last week.

It has raised concern that Islamic State, on a back foot in Syria and Iraq, is building a regional base on the Philippine island of Mindanao that could pose a threat to neighboring Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

More than 700 people, including 130 soldiers, have been killed since the militants, aided by foreign fighters from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East, seized control of the city of 200,000.

Mr. Maute had several ailments when he was taken into custody in June, including diabetes and hypertension, Xavier Solda, spokesman at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, told reporters.

The extent of his involvement in the group is not immediately clear but when he was arrested in June, a military spokesman expressed hope he could persuade his sons to stop fighting and surrender.

“This is an unfortunate incident for his family, but more so to the victims of terrorism in Marawi and their relatives who are awaiting justice and expecting that Mr. Cayamora would answer and atone for his involvement in the Marawi rebellion,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Eduardo M. Año said in a statement. — Reuters

Aguirre asks SC to transfer Parojinog case to NCR court

August 29, 2017 | 12:10 am

JUSTICE SECRETARY Vitaliano N. Aguirre II has asked Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno to transfer the case of the Parojinog siblings to a trial court in the National Capital Region (NCR), citing possible security threats and minimizing trial costs.

Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Eschavez and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog Jr. (in red bull cap) arrive at the NAIA terminal 3 on August 1, 2017. — EDD GUMBAN/PHILIPPINE STAR

In a three-page letter, Mr. Aguirre “implores” the Supreme Court (SC) to transfer the case of Ozamiz City Vice-Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez and her brother Reynaldo Parojinog, Jr. from the Ozamiz City Regional Trial Court to an NCR court, “preferably the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City.”

“Transferring the venue of the trial to the National Capital Judicial Region will obviate the need for security personnel to be assigned to the witnesses and more [Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)] security escorts for the accused, thereby reducing costs of trial” Mr. Aguirre said.

“In addition, not only are the judges in Ozamiz City hesitant to try the cases in their sala, the Office of the City Prosecutor of Ozamiz City has likewise expressed concern and fear of threats in the event that they will be tasked to prosecute the cases in Ozamiz City,” Mr. Aguirre added.

“I would like to stress that notwithstanding the death of Mayor Parojinog, their clout should not be underestimated. The fact that they have been in power in Ozamiz City for so long is a clear indication that they have the capacity to influence, if not threaten the prosecution witnesses, the judges and the prosecutors and subvert the criminal proceedings in their favor,” Mr. Aguirre stressed.

A copy of the letter dated Aug. 17 was shared by Justice Undersecretary Erickson H. Balmes yesterday.

The Department of Justice (DoJ), in a resolution dated Aug. 2, indicted the siblings on illegal possession of firearms and dangerous drugs.

Ms. Parojinog-Echavez was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of dangerous drugs. Her brother, Mr. Parojinog, was charged with three counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and one count each on illegal possession of explosives and of dangerous drugs. The two accused are currently detained at the National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

They were arrested early Sunday morning following a raid at their home on the morning of July 30 that left 15 people dead, including their parents. On Aug. 1 ,they underwent inquest proceedings at the Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Family patriarch and mayor of Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr. was earlier identified by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as a narco-politician.

The older Mr. Parojinog was killed in the said raid by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) led by Ozamiz City Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

President cites ‘reports’ linking CCT funds to arms purchase by Reds

August 29, 2017 | 12:09 am

SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA — Following the rejection of his Left-leaning Social Welfare chief, President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday said he has received reports that government funds were being used by communist fighters to buy weapons under the watch of then Social Welfare Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.

File photo of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Social Welfare Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo while visiting the typhoon-stricken communities in Batanes on October 14, 2016. KING RODRIGUEZ/ Presidential Photo

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Duterte said there were reports claiming that some funds for the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program were granted by Ms. Taguiwalo to poor members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the communists’ armed wing.

But while he had no problem with Leftist fighters receiving money from government for their food, Mr. Duterte said there were speculations that the subsidy was instead spent to purchase ammunitions after the NPA said it plans to intensify its recruitment.

“Baka naibili ng mga bala o armas, because of the pronouncement of Sison that they are expanding, that they are recruiting,” Mr. Duterte said, referring to founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Jose Maria “Joma” Sison.

“So, therefore, they would need more arms. They can buy, ambush, steal, or extort, whatever,” he added.

Asked if he shares the same suspicion, the President said: “Hindi ko sinabi ’yan. Merong mga reports (I did not say that. There were reports).”

“I leave it to the others to pass judgment,” he added.

Ms. Taguiwalo’s appointment had been bypassed five times before the Commission on Appointments’ (CA) rejected her ad-interim appointment after more than a year in office. She is the third Duterte-appointee rejected by the powerful legislative body.

It was not immediately clear why the Left-leaning Cabinet official was rejected, but there were speculations that the collapse of peace talks between the state and communists created an air of uncertainty over her position.

In his previous interviews, Mr. Duterte lamented the CA’s decision on the “bright” Ms. Taguiwalo and said he could not do anything about it. He also said he has yet to find a replacement for her.

The President has also insisted he does not try to influence the commission, even though he has the backing of a legislative super majority.

Social Welfare Undersecretary Emmanuel A. Leyco was designated as the Social Welfare department’s officer-in-charge. — Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral

Senate to focus on shabu shipment inquiry amid charges between Lacson, Faeldon

August 29, 2017 | 12:08 am

ON the heels of an expose by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson last Wednesday, Aug. 23, and subsequent countercharges by resigned Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon, the ongoing investigation on illegal drugs by the Senate Blue-Ribbon Committee will still focus on its primary agenda: How P6.4 billion worth of shabu were shipped into the country.

In a telephone interview on Monday, Senator and committee chairman Richard J. Gordon said it is only when Mr. Lacson refers corruption allegations against Mr. Faeldon to a committee that a formal investigation can begin.

In his privileged speech last week, Mr. Lacson enumerated a list of Customs officials receiving bribe money, allegedly led by Mr. Faeldon himself.

Mr. Gordon said Mr. Faeldon is welcome to clear his name during the Blue Ribbon investigation. He also added that since President Rodrigo R. Duterte has restated his trust in the outgoing BoC commissioner, it is up to Mr. Faeldon to prove that he is worthy of that trust.

As for Mr. Faeldon’s accusations of Mr. Lacson’s son, Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson, Jr., smuggling cement, Mr. Gordon said that the statements that the former commissioner made were not under oath.

Mr. Gordon said the committee is already reviewing its preliminary report but is looking at yet another hearing to wrap up the investigation.

The committee has so far conducted four hearings on the shabu shipment. — Mario M. Banzon

San Beda and Arellano reengage in NCAA today

August 29, 2017 | 12:07 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

THE San Beda Red Lions and Arellano Chiefs, finals protagonists from last year in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), reengage for Season 93 today on the final day of first-round elimination play at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

San Beda and Arellano reengage in NCAA today — The second-running and defending champions San Beda Red Lions finish their NCAA Season 93 first-round assignment against the Arellano Chiefs today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. — *ALVIN S. GO*

Both coming off victories in their last assignments, the Lions (7-1) and Chiefs (3-5) look to end the first round on a high in their 4 p.m. set-to and use it as a jump-off point to a good start in the second round.

Mendiola-based San Beda actually has won six straight after being tripped initially in its campaign in the ongoing season of the country’s longest-standing collegiate league.

The latest of the Lions’ conquests was over the Perpetual Help Altas at the latter’s own home in Las Piñas, 57-53, on Aug. 17.

Clint Doliguez and Robert Bolick took charge for the Lions in the win to notch their sixth victory in a row and stay within striking distance of the league-leading Lyceum Pirates (9-0).

Doliguez had a team-high 11 points while Bolick had all-around numbers of 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists albeit committing eight turnovers.

While it was hardly a pretty game for their standards, San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez still hailed the win over Perpetual Help as a “good win” and credited his players for bucking the tough challenge by the Altas at their home.

BACK ON THE WINNING TRACK
Arellano, for its parts, got back on the winning track in its previous game after absorbing four straight losses, beating the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 87-81, last Friday.

The win did not come easy for the Chiefs though as they had to fight back from 16 points down at one point.

Rookie Levi dela Cruz produced a career-high 24 points to make up for the struggles of floor leader Kent Salado, who was held to just nine points in the game.

Big man Lervin Flores had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds to go along with two blocks for the Chiefs.

“We have been waiting for this win for a while now. We’re happy we got back to winning before we take on San Beda,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera following their victory.

Also playing their final game in the opening round of NCAA Season 93 are the suddenly streaking Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (5-3) and downward-spiralling Mapua Cardinals (1-7).

They collide at 2 p.m.

Fuel prices up this week

August 29, 2017 | 12:07 am

Fuel prices up this week

AFTER TWO weeks of decline, diesel prices this week rose by P0.20 per liter to follow the movement of petroleum product prices in the international market. Gasoline prices increased by P0.35 per liter, its sixth straight week of increase, oil retailers that sent their advisories as of 5:00 p.m. said on Monday. Kerosene prices increased by P0.20 per liter after two consecutive weeks of decrease. For most oil companies, the price increase were implemented at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Last week, gasoline prices rose by P0.20 per liter while diesel prices slipped by P0.10 a liter. Kerosene prices dropped by P0.15 per liter. — Victor V. Saulon

Something old, something new

August 29, 2017 | 12:06 am

FROM THE late 1800s to the early 1900s, every movie in the world was silent. Very few of these movies still exist, most of them are gone for good, having been ravaged by time, war, and the elements.

BUSTER KEATON in a scene from *The General*

The International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFF Manila) – which was the first of its kind in Asia – has, for a decade now, been featuring these quite relics of a forgotten age and has been giving them sound. The films are scored live by local and, on occasion, foreign bands and acts during their screenings at the festival.

In a twist, it has also been featuring silent movies that have been made long after the advent of sound on the silver screen.

Now on its 11^th year, the ISFFM will open on Thursday, Aug. 31, and run until Sunday, Sept. 3 at the Shang Cineplex of the Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City.

The festival will feature films from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Austria the United States, Japan, and the Philippines. The film screenings are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

THE FESTIVAL FILMS
The ISFFM opens on Aug. 31, 8 p.m., with a screening by Instituto Cervantes of Jose de Togores’ 1918 classic action/comedy El Golfo, a love story between a noble lady and a former pickpocket she helps send to school. The film will be accompanied by a live performance of rock band Talahib.

The second day will feature a screening of Anthony Asquith’s Underground. The film was restored by the British Film Institute after the discovery of an alternative print at the Brussels Cinematheque Royale. The movie, which dates back to 1928, “is a silent romance that reveals 1920s London life in the underground tube system,” a press release explains. Dub band Goodleaf will accompany the film, which is being presented by the British Council on Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Afterwards, French-Vietnamese harpist Heloise La Harpe, pianist Ryan Villamor, and percussionist Aldous Castro will provide the accompanying music for Marcel L’Herbier’s L’Inhumaine (The New Enchantment) at 9:30 p.m. The story of love and deceit is presented by the Embassy of France to the Philippines.

Instrumental rock trio Tom’s Story will perform during the world premiere of Filipino-Italian director Ruben Maria Soriquez’ 2017 Una Famiglia Perfetta (A Perfect Family) at 3 p.m. on Sept. 2. The experimental silent film is presented by the Philippine Italian Association and the Embassy of Italy.

In a very different performance, noted Japanese benshi or silent film narrator/actor/storyteller Ichiro Kataoka will provide a live interpretation of the 1933 silent film Hijosen no Onna (Dragnet Girl) – which is about life with the Yakuza in the 1930s – that same day at 5:30 p.m. The Celso Espejo Rondalla, which plays Filipino music on traditional string instruments, accompanies the screening and narration. The film is presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila.

Meanwhile, Lourd de Veyra’s “stoner-metal quartet” Kapitan Kulam will perform during the screening of Gym Lumbera’s 2012 two-person drama about infidelity, Taglish, at 8 p.m. that day.

At 3 p.m. of the last day of the festival, the Embassy of Austria will screen Gustav Ucicky’s 1927 movie Café Elektric, the last film made and released by pioneer major film studio Sascha-Film. Starring Marlene Dietrich in a tale of love between the rich and poor, the film will be scored live by Rivermaya, one of the country’s most enduring bands.

At 5:30 p.m., Raymund Marasigan’s band Sandwich will perform along to George Wilhelm Pabst’s 1929 masterpiece Pandora’s Box which was based on Frank Wedekind’s controversial play. The film, screened by Goethe-Institut Philippinen, features Louise Brooks in this story about the Roaring ’20s.

The festival closes at 8 p.m. with a performance by the Flippin Soul Stompers of Clyde Bruckman performing for Buster Keaton’s 1926 comedy The General. The film, which is presented by the US Embassy, stars Keaton as an “ill-fated railroad engineer” during the American Civil War.

As part of the festival, there will be an exhibit at the mall’s Atrium with partner-organization Para sa Sining. Creative collaborators from this community will also present Musika x Pelikula, contemporary silent films created by their members, scored live by emerging Filipino artists at 2 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 3.

For details, visit the ISFFM Facebook page at Facebook.com/InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila. – Susan Claire Agbayani

‘Boxing is boxing and MMA is MMA’

August 29, 2017 | 12:06 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

THE much-hyped and anticipated “crossover” encounter between boxing superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor “The Notorious” McGregor was successfully held at the weekend with the former emerging victorious in the fight done right up his alley by way of a 10^th-round technical knockout.

‘Boxing is boxing and MMA is MMA’ — Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (R) hits Conor McGregor in the ninth round of their super welterweight boxing match at T-Mobile Arena on Aug. 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada. — *AFP*

General consensus after the fight, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday (Manila time), was that while it hardly was a boxing purist’s delight, it nonetheless exceeded expectations for being competitive and entertaining.

Such sentiment was shared by local fight analyst Nissi Icasiano even as he said that at the end of the day, what “The Money Fight” showed was that boxing and MMA are still categories all their own.

“Of course, it’s surprising to see that a boxing novice such as Conor McGregor lasted for at least 10 rounds with a master boxer and a defensive genius like Floyd Mayweather. Mayweather did what everyone thought he would do against a guy boxing professionally for the first time, only it took a little longer. His age and two-year inactivity might have played a factor…,” said Mr. Icasiano when asked by BusinessWorld for his thoughts on the fight.

“But I am not revoking anything from McGregor because he had to do what he needed to do to make it at least competitive for the first four rounds. McGregor did give it a go and went to work early as Floyd tried to figure him out. Once the opening round began, it was McGregor who found his rhythm. He constantly fawned at Mayweather with his right hand, using his reach to keep the undefeated 40-year-old at an uncomfortable distance… Mayweather got his groove around the sixth round. At that time, Mayweather was already comfortable delivering some hard rights,” added the analyst, who writes about and follows both boxing and MMA.

Mr. Icasiano went on to say that the fight further underscored that while boxing and MMA have some commonalities they are still different in various respects.

“In the end, the boxer won the boxing match. It was a different turf for McGregor, who was not used to fight beyond 25 minutes and was huffing and puffing for dear life. He was already in the abyss when he reached the seventh and eighth frames of the contest. And like I mentioned before, going the distance has been McGregor’s problem. Boxing and MMA definitely belong to the category of combat sports, but they’re entirely two different sports. McGregor was wiped out, clearly out of his league in a fight lasting this long, obviously having used up all of his energy early,” the analyst said.

As for the question which won in the whole crossover affair that is The Money Fight, boxing or MMA, Mr. Icasiano said MMA no doubt got a major boost but boxing, too, gained traction.

“Like what I said before, mixed martial arts is the real winner of this event. It got the exposure that it needed in order to be put on a higher pedestal. But the big lesson is that no mixed martial artist should just barge in and expect to beat someone who is once considered as the best boxer on the planet. For boxing, it had the last laugh. It had a good turnout in terms of revenue and reception. It was also an opportunity to showcase the sweet science in other sports’ fan base,” he said.

But will he recommend more of such events to be staged in the future? Mr. Icasiano said he would rather see the two sports concentrate on their respective ends and try to develop and enhance the level of competition on each field.

“I would rather see cross-promotion bouts in both sports. The best of Golden Boy Promotions to go up against the best fighters from Mayweather Promotions. And conversely in MMA, UFC vs. ONE Championship or Bellator vs. Professional Fighters League. Events like Mayweather vs. McGregor is a production that we can’t do often. I hope both sports will instead focus more on how to upgrade their individual levels of competition, and groom new stars from whom they will benefit in the future,” he said.

Dominguez says veto an ‘option’ if tax reform is watered down

August 29, 2017 | 12:06 am

ECONOMIC MANAGERS said they could ask the President to veto the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion bill if it is watered down further by legislators.

“That is an option,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told reporters in his office last week when asked about the government’s options if the bill’s revenue-raising provisions fall short.

They also advised President Rodrigo R. Duterte not to sign Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, claiming it would be unaffordable and is not adequately targeted to benefit the poor.

“It’s going to be very difficult. You have to remember that we have additional expenses. We have the (free) education (law),” Mr. Dominguez said.

He said that implementing the proposal would cost the government P50 billion in the first year, some P60 billion in the second year, and about P80 billion in the succeeding year.

According to Mr. Dominguez, a diluted tax reform program along with rising costs will push the fiscal deficit past levels deemed prudent for a government’s fiscal position.

“Where are we going to get the money? It’s not really the net revenue that we are looking at, it is the deficit. Anything above 3% (of gross domestic product) is not responsible,” said the Finance chief.

He also said that a weaker revenue version of the bill would only be able to fund about half of the infrastructure projects planned under the “Build Build Build” program.

Mr. Duterte urged Congress in his second State of the Nation Address to pass the Finance department-backed tax reform bill.

Analysts from Moody’s Investors Service and Credit Suisse have said that the tax bill could lead to a credit rating upgrade as it improves the state’s weak revenue effort, which has been one of their top concerns.

Asked whether a downgraded tax reform proposal would be credit-negative, Mr. Dominguez said: “We [will] certainly risk it.”

In its current configuration, the program is expected to yield P133.8 billion in the first year of implementation. The Department of Finance however supports a version backed by the Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III that would generate a higher P157 billion tax take.

The tax program features a reduction of personal income tax rates, a rationalization of estate and donor taxes, while withdrawing some value-added tax exemptions, raising excise taxes on petroleum and automobiles, and introducing a sugar-sweetened beverage tax.

The program would fund the government’s ambitious P8.4 trillion infrastructure spending over the medium term, leading to projected annual economic growth of 7-8% starting next year. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan