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VP stripped of P650M in confidential budget

PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

By Beatriz Marie D. Cruz and John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporters

PHILIPPINE congressmen on Tuesday stripped several agencies including the Office of the Vice President (OVP) of their confidential funds, transferring P1.23 billion worth of these funds to security agencies amid worsening tensions with China.

“The Office of the Vice President and Departments of Education (DepEd), Information and Communications, Agriculture and Foreign Affairs are getting zero confidential funds under the 2024 General Appropriations bill,” Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo told a news briefing.

The decision showed there are tensions within the ruling coalition involving key players like Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio and Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“It was a political masterstroke to indirectly attack VP Sara under the guise of a national security imperative brought by the West Philippine Sea territorial disputes,” he said.

Ms. Duterte-Carpio is seeking confidential funds worth P500 million for her office and P150 million for DepEd, which she also heads.   

Last week, she said anyone who opposes confidential funds opposes peace. “Whoever opposes peace is an enemy of the nation.”

Mr. Aguirre said Ms. Duterte-Carpio’s demand for confidential funds would affect her public image. “She is now painted as a privileged and powerful person who cannot wait to win the presidential election in 2028. This is something that is in stark contrast with how the Dutertes want themselves to be perceived by the public — disinterested in power and wealth.”

Under the proposed changes to the 2024 budget, P300 million in intelligence funds will be given to the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), P100 million to the National Security Council (NSC) and P200 million to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The Transportation department will get P381.8 million for airport development and expansion of the air strip on Thitu Island, a Philippine-occupied territory in the Spratlys that it calls Pag-asa.

“The bulk of the funding will be channeled to agencies in charge of ensuring national security especially in the West Philippine Sea,” Ms. Quimbo said, referring to areas of the South China Sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

‘VOLATILE SITUATION’
The House also allotted P1 billion to the Philippine Fisheries Authority so it can build fishery and post-harvest facilities in Palawan and the Spratly Islands.

“The volatile situation in the West Philippine Sea calls for immediate and decisive action to protect our national sovereignty,” Ms. Quimbo said.

Instead of confidential funds, allocations under agencies’ maintenance and other operating expenses now include P30 million for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), P25 million for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), P30 million for the Department of Foreign Affairs, P50 million for the Office of the Ombudsman and P150 million for DepEd’s aid to students and teachers.

The House committee also allotted an additional P20 billion for the Agriculture department’s rice subsidy program and P40 billion for the National Irrigation Administration solar-driven irrigation pumps.

The Philippine Coconut Authority will get P2 billion more for seed planting, and P1.5 billion was earmarked for African Swine Fever vaccines.

“The main goal was to rationalize the allocation of resources to fight inflation, and to invest in human capital and our country’s future,” Ms. Quimbo said.

Congressmen also allocated P43.9 billion in medical aid and P1 billion for poor patients at the Philippine General Hospital.

They also allotted P35 billion in aid for the Social Welfare department and P17.5 billion for the Labor department’s jobless and internship programs.

The Commission on Higher Education will get P17.1 billion for its financial assistance program, while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will receive P10.4 billion.

The Senate is still conducting hearings on their version of the budget, which it expects to approve next month.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis N. Tolentino moved to increase the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) so it could build military infrastructure including those in the South China Sea.

“I think they (defense agencies) deserve to have a bigger chunk of the pie,” he told a hearing on the DPWH budget.

Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said P3.8 billion of the agency’s P822.2-billion budget for next year would be used to improve facilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This is P6 billion lower than this year’s allocation.

“The Department of National Defense (DND) will endorse to us facilities that it would want to be incorporated in its programs,” he said.

The Philippines is planning to replace a dilapidated ship that it grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 with a permanent structure, Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command chief Alberto Carlos told reporters last month.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have worsened after the latter’s coast guard fired water cannons at Philippine vessels trying to deliver food and other supplies to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre.

Philippine senators have been pushing higher budgets for the Philippine Coast Guard and other security agencies.

Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero earlier proposed to build a pier and lodging structures for Filipino soldiers and fishermen at Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin.

A United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 voided China claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea based on a 1940s map.

The five-member court said China violated Philippine sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by building artificial islands and for failing to prevent its citizens from fishing in the zone.

China has largely ignored the ruling, calling it void. Aside from the Philippines and China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim parts of the waterway.

38 Filipinos in Israel want to come home

A VIEW OF ROCKETS fired by Palestinians in response to Israeli airstrikes during an operation in Gaza City, Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. — REUTERS

THIRTY-EIGHT Filipinos in Israel want to come home amid a worsening war between Israeli forces and Hamas militants that started at the weekend, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Tuesday.

The Philippines would not ban the deployment of Filipino workers to Israel just yet, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac told a palace briefing.

“The situation we are in is that we have a government-to-government hiring arrangement with our Israeli counterparts so it’s a two-way street,” he said. “We have to be well-coordinated with our Israeli Labor and Immigration counterparts before we proceed even without a deployment ban.”

At the weekend, Hamas militants backed by a barrage of rockets stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns, killing dozens and kidnapping others in an unprecedented surprise attack.

A stunned Israel launched air strikes in Gaza, with its prime minister vowing to inflict an “unprecedented price” on the Palestinian Islamist militants.

Among the 38 Filipinos who want to come home are 17 children aged two to 15 years from nine families, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Teresita C. Daza told reporters in a WhatsApp message.

Eleven of the spouses are Palestinians, she said.

Mr. Cacdac, citing a DMW survey, said 313 Filipinos said they were safe from the hostilities. The government was verifying a possible death of a Filipino worker in Israel, he added.

Filipino hotel workers would still be deployed to Israel in the absence of a deployment ban, he said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told the same briefing Philippine embassies in Tel Aviv, Amman, Jordan and Cairo have recommended raising the alert level to 3, which would call for the voluntary repatriation of Filipinos.

He said there were more than 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, 95% of whom do not live near Gaza. Seven Filipinos were still missing, he added.

“The situation is different in Gaza where you have about 137 Filipinos, Mr. De Vega said. “They are not overseas Filipino workers (OFW) but they are married to Palestinians.”

“We’re not telling you not to go (to Israel), but we’re advising you to postpone (trips) until hostilities end.”

Meanwhile, Party-list Rep. Ron P. Salo filed a resolution that seeks to create a task force to help OFWs in Israel and Gaza. 

“The crisis management and response task force [should] provide regular updates to the public to raise awareness of the government’s commitment and efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our OFWs in Israel and Gaza,” he said in House Resolution 1369.   

The task force will monitor the whereabouts of Filipinos and their families in Israel and Gaza and work with neighboring countries for possible exit points.

It will also work with international groups like the International Organization for Migration, Red Crescent and Red Cross to help Filipinos in the area, as well as communicate directly with Filipino nationals for security and psychological support.   

“Effective around-the-clock monitoring and tracking of Filipino nationals in the region is essential in ensuring immediate assistance and repatriation, when necessary,” Mr. Salo said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Quezon City is Philippines’ richest city for third straight year

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QUEZON CITY was the richest local government in the Philippines in 2022, with assets hitting P433.4 billion, according to the Commission on Audit (CoA).

This was 1% lower than a year earlier, CoA said in its annual financial report released on Monday.

Makati City came in second place with assets worth P239.48 billion, followed by the city of Manila with P77.51 billion.

In 2020, Quezon City grabbed Makati City’s spot as the richest city with assets reaching P452.33 billion.

Cebu was the richest province with assets hitting P235.74 billion, or a 9.51% increase from a year earlier. Rizal was the second-richest province with assets reaching P35.6 billion, followed by Batangas with P32 billion.

The richest municipality was Carmona, Cavite with P6.5 billion in assets, followed by Limay, Bataan with P5.79 billion and Silang, Cavite with P4.45 billion.

Other cities that made it to the top 10 richest in 2022 were Pasig (P52.1 billion), Taguig (40.8 billion), Mandaue (34.2 billion), Mandaluyong (P32.5 billion), Cebu (P30.5 billion), Davao (P29.7 billion) and Parañaque (27.3 billion).

Making it to the top 10 richest municipalities were Caluya, Antique (P3.82 billion), Cabugao, Ilocos Sur (P3.80 billion), Cainta, Rizal (P3.76 billion), Taytay, Rizal (P3.67 billion), Claver, Surigao del Norte (P3.56 billion), Binangonan, Rizal (P3.49 billion) and Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur (P3.26 billion).

The fourth-richest province was Davao De Oro (P23.11 billion), followed by Bukidnon (P21.06 billion), Ilocos Sur (21.56 billion), Iloilo (P19.98 billion), Negros Occidental (19.42 billion), Cavite (19.34 billion) and Pampanga (19.13 billion).

According to CoA, total assets were computed based on the local governments’ current assets, which are composed of cash and cash equivalents, investments, receivables, inventories and pre-payments and deferred changes.

Also part of the assets were investments, receivables, investment property, property, plant and equipment, biological and intangible assets. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

NPC warns public against sharing, copying leaked PhilHealth data

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THE NATIONAL Privacy Commission (NPC) has issued a “critical warning” to the public against any attempt to download and share personal data leaked by hackers following the recent ransomware attack on the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“It has come to our attention that the personal data exfiltrated from PhilHealth is being shared illicitly,” NPC said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“We want to emphasize the gravity of this situation and the severe consequences that await anyone involved in processing, downloading, or sharing this data without legitimate purpose or without authorization,” the NPC said.

Under Section 25 of the Data Privacy Act (DPA) of 2012, those found guilty of unauthorized processing of personal information will face penalties that include imprisonment for one to three years and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P2 million.

Meanwhile, unauthorized processing of sensitive personal information carries more substantial penalties that include three to six years imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P4 million.

“Sharing such leaked data exposes affected individuals to a range of risks, including identity theft, fraud, extortion, blackmail, and other malicious activities,” the NPC said.

“We urge you, as responsible citizens, to refrain from resharing this data and to promptly report its presence to the relevant authorities, including the NPC and law enforcement agencies,” it added.

The NPC also called on personal information controllers and processors to strengthen their data protection measures.

“Compliance with the DPA and other relevant laws and regulations is not just essential; it is a collective responsibility to protect the rights and privacy of every Filipino,” it said.

In an interview with One Balita Pilipinas on Tuesday, National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division Executive Officer Efren Abantao advised the PhilHealth members to update their online credentials.

“That is why it is better if we will have strong username and password and even better if we will employ two-factor authentication,” Mr. Abantao said in Filipino.

Mr. Abantao also said that the NBI has suggested the change of PhilHealth numbers and employee identification numbers to the concerned agencies noting that it is just right as it is a shared responsibility.

However, he said that although the sharing and download of the data violates the DPA, it will be hard to trace the people involved especially if they will be able to preserve their anonymity.

“It will be hard for us to trace them but there is still the possibility we will be able to trace who downloaded the data,” he added.

In September, PhilHealth was hit by a ransomware attack, in which the hackers demanded $300,000 from the government in exchange for decryption keys.

Last week, the hackers were said to have started publishing personal data including employee records, picture, payroll details, and hospital bills from about 600 gigabytes of data taken from the state health insurance agency.

Trading with Israel continues

AS ISRAEL has declared itself at war with the Palestinians, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday that the conflict is not likely to cause a major disruption to the Philippines’ long-standing agricultural trade with the Jewish state.

“The Israel government has been a long-time partner of the DA in various initiatives particularly in water management and fertilization, and so we hope for the immediate resolution of the conflict in the Middle East,” DA spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa said in a statement.

He said Israel purchases desiccated coconut, pineapple juice and concentrates, and other mixtures from local producers. “Part of the trading agreement between the Philippines and Israel is the importation of different processed products, including orange and grape juice, as well as other fructose,” he added.

Mr. De Mesa said that both countries have also been closely collaborating on various initiatives in improving local food production.

“Fertigation, an Israeli-technology which combines the efficient distribution of plant nutrients through drip irrigation, has been adapted in various rice areas in the Philippines,” the DA statement read.

Local farmers have already been practicing fertigation as the method enables them to apply the precise amount of nutrients in their crops while conserving water, explained Mr. De Mesa.

From January to October, a total of 4,555 metric tons of muriate of potash have been imported, according data to the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. — Adrian H. Halili

CHR probes labor leader’s slay

THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) revealed on Tuesday that it had already started its own investigation into the death of a Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) labor organizer, who was fatally shot by policemen last month.

“CHR is already conducting its motu proprio (on its own) independent investigation on the case of the KMU leader,” CHR Chairman Richard P. Palpal-latoc told BusinessWorld in a text message, responding to a question on the incident.

He added that the CHR’s Region 4-A office (covering Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) is “on the case,” since the fatal shooting of the 67-year-old KMU labor organizer Jude Thaddeus Fernandez happened in Binangonan, Rizal.

However, Mr. Palpal-latoc declined to provide more details until the CHR’s investigation into the Sept. 29 incident is completed.

In a statement earlier in the day, KMU cited the need for the international and domestic bodies to seek accountability for these human rights abuses, citing the tragic fate of Mr. Fernandez. “Jude’s death mirrors the worsening situation of labor in the Philippines,” KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis said in Filipino.

The KMU leader renewed calls made last week to the CHR as well as the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations to investigate trade unionist killings and other human rights violations against labor activists.

The KMU noted that Mr. Fernandez’s fatal shooting is the 72nd case of labor-related killings in the Philippines since 2016 and the fourth since the ILO sent its High-Level Tripartite mission in January to meet with trade unions and state officials on the need to address various forms of abuse against workers.

In November last year, the Philippines accepted 200 recommendations from the United Nations Human Rights Council, which included measures to investigate extralegal killings and protect journalists. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

LTFRB now led by board member

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DoTr) confirmed on Tuesday that Mercy P. Leynes is now the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), following the suspension of its chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III for alleged corruption.

In a special order, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the appointment of Ms. Leynes, who currently serves as LTFRB board member, will be effective on Oct. 10, 2023 to Oct. 9, 2024.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ordered the relief of Mr. Guadiz as LTFRB chairman after Jeffrey G. Tumbado, a former executive assistant of the suspended official, appeared in a transport group’s press conference to expose alleged corruption in the agency.

In a separate statement on Monday, DoTr has asked Mr. Guadiz to explain the allegations against him.

“We already launched an investigation on the allegations against the LTFRB. While we are already evaluating the alleged irregularities involving [Chairman Guadiz], we also issued a notice to explain against Guadiz for him to shed light on the allegations,” Mr. Bautista said.  — Ashley Erika O. Jose

3 delivery men killed in ambush

KJPARGETER-FREEPIK

COTABATO CITY — Motorcycle-riding gunmen armed with M-16 assault rifles opened fire at a truck loaded with dozens of motorcycles along the highway in Gingoog City on Tuesday morning, killing the driver and his two delivery crew members.

The Gingoog City Police Station said the ambush happened at 11 a.m. along a secluded stretch of the highway in Barangay Aracan. During the attack, the driver lost control of the delivery truck, causing it to tip over to its side and crash in the middle of the road.

All the victims were working for a motorcycle store in Cagayan de Oro City, where the motorcycles loaded on the truck were supposed to be delivered.

The Misamis Oriental Police Provincial Office, in a separate statement, said the motive in the attack was still under investigation. — John Felix M. Unson

Pagdanganan climbs world golf rankings

REJUVENATED Bianca Pagdanganan soared to a year-high 160th in the women’s world golf rankings after turning in third and second place finishes in the last two weeks.

From No. 314 in late September, Ms. Pagdanganan made a big 81-spot leap to 233 with joint third place in the NW Arkansas Championship on Oct. 1.

Not stopping there, the 25-year-old big hitter followed this career-best-equaling feat with a new all-time high of shared runner-up in Sunday’s Ascendant LPGA Benefitting Volunteers of America in Texas.

This feat enabled Ms. Pagdanganan to make a jump of 73 in the latest rankings released yesterday. Overall, the Tokyo Olympics veteran enjoyed a climb of 154 spots over the last weeks, giving her a big boost going into her next competitions.

At the same time, Ms. Pagdanganan’s pair of superb performances netted her combined earnings of $256,186.

Meanwhile, Dottie Ardina moved 12 spots up to No. 325 after tying for 24th in the Ascendant LPGA.

Yuka Saso, who formerly represented the Philippines, shared 28th in the Stanley Ladies Honda of the LPGA of Japan Tour over in Shizuoka, and remained at No. 24.

American Lilia Vu maintained her hold of top spot as Chinese Ruoning Yin, South Korea’s Jin Young Ko, American Nelly Korda and France’s Celine Boutier stayed at Nos. 2 to 5. — Olmin Leyba

Wembanyama, Holmgren star in preseason debuts

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA put on an impressive display in his preseason debut Monday, but was outdone by another big man playing in his first NBA exhibition contest, Chet Holmgren.

Mr. Holmgren logged 21 points and nine rebounds, guiding the host Oklahoma City Thunder to a 122-121 win over Mr. Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Mr. Wembanyama wound up with 20 points and five rebounds.

Mr. Wembanyama, the first overall pick in this year’s draft out of France, said of Mr. Holmgren, the second overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2022 draft, “I feel like he hurt us. … I know it’s just preseason but for sure the games against OKC are gonna be interesting.” Mr. Holmgren said.

“I feel like Vic as well as myself really did a good job (Monday) of understanding that it’s not the Chet versus Vic Show. We want that to be a charity game in the summer or something, but this is the Thunder versus Spurs.”

”It’s preseason. We’re trying to get better within our teams, and sometimes that comes down to making a play individually, but going out there and making it about ourselves wasn’t what I was trying to do and I’m sure it wasn’t what he was trying to do on his end.”

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said about Mr. Holmgren, “He’s fantastic. … He’s got a complete game, he’s smart, he knows how to play, he’s a good one for sure.”

Speaking about the two rookie big men, Mr. Popovich said, “They’re gonna be a lot of fun for everybody to watch over their careers.”

Mr. Holmgren played 16 minutes, all in the first half, and hit seven of his 10 field-goal attempts, including both of his shots from 3-point range. Mr. Wembanyama played 19 minutes before sitting out the fourth quarter. He shot 8 of 13 from the field and 2 of 5 from 3-point range.

Mr. Wembanyama grabbed two steals but committed a game-high four turnovers.

The Thunder led by 13 points with less than five minutes left in the game before holding on for the win.

Oklahoma City’s Ousmane Dieng blocked a layup attempt by Charles Bediako with 4.1 seconds left, and San Antonio’s Devonte’ Graham missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.

The Spurs open the regular season against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 25, the same day the Thunder begin on the road against the Chicago Bulls. The first of four regular-season meetings between the Spurs and Thunder is scheduled for Nov. 14 in Oklahoma City. — Reuters

Raiders ride three interceptions to victory

LAS VEGAS cornerback Amik Robertson intercepted a pass from Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love in the end zone with 44 seconds to go, and the Raiders held on for a 17-13 win over the visiting Packers on Monday night.

Linebacker Robert Spillane added two interceptions for Las Vegas (2-3), which won for the first time since its season opener.

Jimmy Garoppolo completed 22 of 31 passes for 208 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the Raiders.

Love connected on 16 of 30 passes for 182 yards and threw three interceptions for Green Bay (2-3).

AJ Dillon scored the Packers’ lone touchdown and finished with 20 carries for 76 yards.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby finished with one sack and four tackles for loss for the Raiders, who allowed a season low in points.

Las Vegas scored the go-ahead touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. Josh Jacobs rushed for a 2-yard score to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive.

The Packers trailed by a touchdown at halftime but scored 10 straight points in the third quarter to take a 13-10 advantage.

Mr. Dillon evened the score at 10-10 on a 5-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive of the second half. It marked his first trip to the end zone this season.

Green Bay pulled ahead 13-10 on Anders Carlson’s 22-yard field goal with 5:16 to go in the third quarter.

A 77-yard completion from Love to Christian Watson set up the score.

The Packers opened the scoring with 2:38 left in the first quarter. Carlson made a 37-yard field goal to cap an eight-play, 75-yard drive.

Las Vegas grabbed a 7-3 lead with 4:09 remaining in the second quarter. Garoppolo found Jakobi Meyers on a slant route across the middle, and Mr. Meyers outmuscled a defender to reach the end zone for a 9-yard TD.

The Raiders made it 10-3 less than two minutes later. Four plays after Spillane’s first interception of the night, Daniel Carlson, the older brother of the Packers’ kicker, made a 26-yard field goal.

Green Bay played without running back Aaron Jones, who was inactive because of a hamstring injury. — Reuters

FIA boss Ben Sulayem wants more F1 teams and fewer races

DOHA — Formula One needs more teams and fewer races and should welcome Michael Andretti’s entry bid as good for business and the spirit of the sport, according to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The Emirati told Reuters at the Qatar Grand Prix he was optimistic the planned American 11th team with General Motors’ Cadillac brand would make it to the starting grid despite opposition from existing competitors.

The governing FIA announced last week it had approved Mr. Andretti’s application and sent it on to Liberty Media-owned Formula One Management (FOM) for commercial discussions.

Those detailed talks could take some time.

“Saying no to a team which has been approved by the FIA, it’s very hard to say no,” Ben Sulayem said in his office at the Lusail circuit.

“You can call me optimistic, I’m always optimistic. I think yes,” he added when asked whether he thought Mr. Andretti would prevail. Ben Sulayem said Liberty Media’s share price had gone up when the FIA’s approval of Andretti was announced.

The FIA should be asking, begging, OEMs (car manufacturers) to come in. We should not just say no to them,” he said. “If you say what is my dream, it is to fill up the 12 (slots) and to have one US team from an OEM and a PU (power unit) and a driver from there driving. And then go to China maybe and ask for the same thing and do it.”

Teams are opposed to increasing the grid beyond the current 10 because it would reduce their share of the prize pot and dilute their overall value, but they have no say in the decision.

Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali has sounded lukewarm and said any expansion had to be right for the business. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said anyone wanting to join the party should buy an existing team, an expensive option with the sport’s popularity surging and valuations around the $1-billion mark.

A new team must pay a $200-million dilution fee, to be shared among existing competitors, under the current rules but some say that is not enough.

“You cannot force Andretti/GM to buy another team just because they (the owners) want to sell,” said Ben Sulayem. “I won’t mention names but they were after me to go on and convince GM to do that. It’s not my job. I was not elected to do that. I am not a broker.”

“We are allowed to have 12 teams (in the rules). Some of the teams said ‘Oh, it will be crowded’. Really? We are already running a Hollywood team with us,” he said, referring to Brad Pitt’s F1 movie being filmed at some races.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said in May that new teams would be hard to fit in.

“The circuits are supposed to have enough garages and space for 12 teams…I think the number of races is too much (rather) than the number of teams. We need more teams and fewer races,” continued Ben Sulayem. “The teams are looking at the piece of cake. I understand their worries…but our worries are different.”

Next season will have a record 24 rounds, up from 22 this year and 19 a decade ago, and staff burnout is a concern.

Ben Sulayem said Mr. Andretti could also enter without a commercial agreement, although whether they would want to is another matter. “We hope not. But it could happen. It can happen,” he said.

He dismissed talk of a power struggle between Formula One and the FIA but emphasised the governing body’s position as ‘landlord.’

“We are not a service provider. We own the championship. We leased it, we are the landlord. So that has to be respected also,” he said. “My intention was never to embarrass or to put someone in a corner, Liberty or FOM (Formula One Management). I am here for the spirit of the sport.” — Reuters

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