SWS: 48% of Pinoy families felt poor

August 3, 2022 | 8:13 pm

poverty-slum-area — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

NEARLY half of Filipino families felt poor, according to a poll by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Of 1,500 adults polled on June 26 to 29, 48% rated themselves as “poor,” while 31% said they were “borderline poor,” SWS said in a report on Wednesday. It added that 21% said they were not poor.

The latest results changed significantly from its April poll, when 43% of Filipino families felt poor, 34 % rated themselves borderline poor and 23% said they were not poor.

“The estimated number of self-rated poor families were 12.2 million in June and 10.9 million in April,” it said.

SWS said poor families increased in all areas, especially in Metro Manila and the Visayas region. Self-rated poor families rose to 64% from 48% in the Visayas, and to 41% from 32% in Metro Manila.

Families who considered themselves borderline poor fell to 26% from 46% in Visayas, to 22% from 42% in Metro Manila, and to 31% from 33% in Mindanao.

In Luzon areas outside Metro Manila, families who considered themselves borderline poor rose to 36% from 28%.

Families who said they were not poor also increased to 37% from 26% in Metro Manila, and to 10% from 6% in Visayas. The rate fell in Luzon areas outside Metro Manila to 28% from 37%, while it remained at 7% in Mindanao.

The SWS poll showed that 34% of Filipino families considered themselves “food-poor,” while 40% rated themselves “borderline food-poor.” It added that 26% said they were not food-poor.

A party-list group said the government should take control of oil prices to solve the rising cost of living.

“We’ve been calling for this (price control on oil) since last year,” Anakpawis Party-list National President and former congressman Ariel B. Casilao said in a statement. “If no actions are taken the continued increase of oil products, its effects on the country will get worse.”

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, a group of agricultural workers, and Pamalakaya, an alliance of activist fisherfolk, said the cost of production for rice grains had risen by P8,000, while the cost for fishing rose by P3,800 a month.

The SWS poll had an error margin of ±2.5 points. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Matthew Carl L. Montecillo

Palace encourages LGUs to seek out PPP infra projects

August 3, 2022 | 8:07 pm

road-construction-workers — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has urged local governments to pursue public-private partnerships (PPPs) to build infrastructure within their jurisdictions.

“I think this is the way forward, and I encourage all our local government units (LGUs) to be open to the possibilities of PPPs,” he said in a meeting with the League of Cities of the Philippines on Tuesday. His remarks were released by the Palace on Wednesday.

Mr. Marcos said the government has received offers to fund big-ticket projects.

“There are many opportunities especially in infrastructure. Many of our friends from abroad — especially the ambassadors who paid courtesy calls to us — are offering help,” he said.

The offers, Mr. Marcos said, include funding via official development assistance and joint ventures by private-sector entities.

“Well, you’re local government, you know that already. Local government generally cannot do it by itself,” Mr. Marcos said.

“We have to find partners, we have to find local partners, we have to find investors. Sanay na kayo diyan (you’re used to this).”

Mr. Marcos said he sees digitalization playing a prominent role among the PPP projects. “Digitalization is going to be a very natural fit for something like PPPs,” he said.

In his first address to Congress, the President said his government would create more opportunities to collaborate with the private sector.

Mr. Marcos is also pushing for amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer Law.

The Management Association of the Philippines urged the administration last month to “rectify overly stringent” Material Adverse Government Action provisions that discourage PPP investment due to high regulatory and political risks.

It said the government should also honor the sanctity of contracts through good-faith adherence to PPP contract terms and decisions of international arbitration tribunals.

The government’s infrastructure push is expected to generate jobs. But Terry L. Ridon of InfraWatchPH told BusinessWorld that this is “dependent on how fast PPPs are greenlighted by the current government while ensuring social and environmental safeguards.”

“There can be no massive job generation in PPPs until the last government approval has been secured,” he said. “The government can adopt the initiatives of the private sector to create new areas of study to support the country’s infrastructure push.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Early start to sugar milling seen easing shortages

August 3, 2022 | 8:06 pm

THE reopening of some sugar mills ahead of the traditional milling season is expected to address sugar supply concerns, according to the vice-governor of a leading sugar-producing province.

“With (early reopening), we hope (to contribute) to resolving supply issues; in turn, we will also be seeing growth in our local economy,” Negros Occidental Vice-Governor Jeffrey P. Ferrer said in a statement.

Mr. Ferrer said that he made the appeal to sugar mills months ago as sugar prices rose.

“There were rumors of a sugar shortage (at the time). And I am very much appreciative that our sugar mills responded favorably,” he added.

Mills that have announced their reopening include First Farmers, Hawaiian Philippines Co., Victorias Milling Co., URC La Carlota and Sagay Central.

“The early start of the milling season is also going to be beneficial to our sugar farmers as it coincides with the reopening of the school year and they will have one less problem (in terms of expenses to deal with) especially since some schools are now going to conduct face-to-face classes,” he added.

As of July 29, the average price of refined sugar in wet markets was P93 per kilogram, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced that it will consult the sugar industry to assess the state of the sugar inventory.

The DA is exploring a reclassification of sugar stocks to ensure the diversion of supply to the consumer market and away from industrial users, and also to determine appropriate import levels if needed. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Tulfo threatens to summon officials of inefficient power co-ops before Senate Energy Committee

August 3, 2022 | 8:06 pm

THE CHAIRMAN of the Senate Energy Committee said he intends to summon or even file charges against officials of inefficient power cooperatives that fail to deliver reliable and low-cost services to the countryside.

Citing high power costs and frequent rotational power interruptions, Senator Rafael T. Tulfo said in a statement on Wednesday: “I will make sure that I take immediate action on the problems faced by the people, especially the frequent brownouts in the provinces, including Palawan, Bataan, and Davao.”

He also said he plans to investigate officials and individuals involved in delivering unreliable power.

“If we need to summon, we will summon the capitalist politicians, who, more often than not, are partners or directors of electric cooperatives that cause frequent brownouts in the provinces,” he said, raising the possibility of filing charges against such persons.

“Regardless if they are my friends or not, I will charge them,” he said.

“Because that’s my promise to the Filipinos who voted for me that once I get elected as a Senator, I’ll make sure that all the problems they bring to me will be heard in the Senate,” he added.

He plans to set meetings to hear proposals from industry experts and stakeholders, seeking to question why several problems recur and how to solve them.

Priority bills before the energy committee in the 19^th Congress include Senate Bill (SB) 358 or the proposed Recoverable System Loss Act, SB 151 or the proposed Waste to Energy Act and SB 156 or the proposed Energy Advocate Act. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Workforce skills critical if Philippines is to gain from ‘demographic dividend’

August 3, 2022 | 8:06 pm

classroom-students_BB20001-02 — PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

ANY RELIANCE on the so-called “demographic dividend” for economic growth will depend on the skills young workers acquire on the way to becoming the most numerous cohort of the working-age population, analysts said.

However, “this is nothing more than the demographic transition. For the first time in our history, we have a larger proportion of working age individuals instead of those who are still in schooling and those who are retired,” according to Leonardo A. Lanzona, director of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development.

“The main question is how advanced are we in taking advantage of our demographic transition. Our Asian neighbors have been able to utilize this resource to the full by engaging in more industrialization and enhancing trade. So far, we don’t see much of this developing,” he added in an e-mail on Wednesday.

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said on Saturday that the relative youth of the population will drive the consumer-driven economy forward.

“The young population, they consume a lot. (Domestic consumption is) actually the major mover or source of growth, plus investment. Investment… (creates) a lot of jobs, and along the way, you create a lot of consumption also,” Mr. Diokno said.

University of Asia and the Pacific Economist Bernardo M. Villegas said in an e-mail on Wednesday that the relative youth of the workforce remains a powerful driver.

“The greatest asset of the Philippines is our young and growing population. Thanks to a very youthful population (our median age is 24 years), our domestic market is very attractive to both domestic and foreign investors. Personal consumption is a growth driver,” he said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the youth labor force consisted of 7.3 million out of an estimated youth population of 20.14 million, or 36.25%, in May 2022.

New entrants to the labor force tagged between 15 and 24 years old increased by 11.12% from a month earlier to 999,000 in May.

The youth employment rate improved to 87.9% in May, against 85.5% a year earlier, and 87.7% a month earlier, according to the PSA.

But Mr. Villegas concurred that human capital development will be critical.

“The challenges we have to face are addressing the poor quality of basic education and the mismatch between what our institutions of higher education are producing as graduates and the actual demand of industry. There should be more emphasis on technical vocational courses than college diplomas,” Mr. Villegas said.

“The problem is that our industry is regionally concentrated in only NCR, Calabarzon and Central Luzon. Unless we push our industries to the other regions, we will remain a fragmented economy regionally. But without the needed skills in these regions, this goal will not be feasible. The priority in infrastructure which the previous and current administrations have indicated will not (deliver the expected) returns if we do not engage in skills development,” Mr. Lanzona said.

A silver lining from the pandemic could be a shift in how the young view technical vocational courses.

“The pandemic convinced many young people to forget getting a college diploma and take short courses in order to reskill, upskill and retool themselves so that they could be immediately employed in industries that are short of technical skills,” Mr. Villegas said.

“It will be the young who can be upskilled, reskilled and retooled to be employed in knowledge-based IT enterprises that will grow faster than the call centers, which are in danger of being replaced by Artificial Intelligence and Robotics,” he added. — Diego Gabriel C. Robles

BPOs hope to ride WFH wave by expanding to countryside

August 3, 2022 | 8:04 pm

THE business process outsourcing (BPO) industry said 30% of its workforce has relocated to the countryside due to the pandemic, presenting an opportunity for the industry to decentralize operations and generate opportunities in untapped markets.

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said BPO companies, which are also known collectively as the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry, could end up establishing new hubs given the level of talent now dispersed in the countryside.

Frankie Antolin, IBPAP talent attraction and development executive director, said at a conference hosted by the Makati Business Club on Wednesday that “about 30% of our headcount … in the countryside and we want to look for different ways that we can expand that (headcount) a lot more,” Ms. Antolin said.

Ms. Antolin hopes that rural expansion brings IT-BPM work opportunities closer to the people.

“It is not really just about decongesting, but we want to be able to bring the (IT-BPM) sector and create more IT-BPM digital hubs across the country. That is certainly one of the priorities that we have which is to move and expand into the countryside,” Ms. Antolin said.

Ms. Antolin said hybrid work has been a success for the industry since the pandemic began in 2020, with staffing levels and revenue rising in 2021.

“The last two years have been a success for the industry. We have seen that there is no sacrifice in terms of productivity as long as we have appropriate work-from-home (WFH), work from anywhere arrangements,” Ms. Antolin said.

“We’ve had a strong 2021. The number of full-time employees increased by 120,000 bringing the industry’s total headcount to 1.44 million and registering growth of 9.1% compared to 2020. We’ve also recorded very good growth in terms of revenue, (at) P29.49 billion, or a 10.6% jump,” she added.

Digital platform Grab Business Director for Sales Amit Patel said that hybrid work will remain even after the pandemic.

“I feel that hybrid work will be here to stay. Not every organization can support this. There are industries that will need to work in the office because of their type of work. We need to balance that as well. (Hybrid work) will stay. It is probably something that is going to outlast the pandemic,” Mr. Patel said.

On June 21, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) issued FIRB Resolution No. 017-22 which temporarily permitted registered IT-BPM firms to implement 70% onsite and 30% WFH arrangements between April 1 and Sept. 12 without affecting their fiscal incentives.

Incentives are governed by Republic Act No. 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law, which normally requires all operations by companies enjoying the perks to do their work within economic zones. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

PHL shift to LNG imports under threat from high gas prices

August 3, 2022 | 8:04 pm

THE Philippines’ plan to import its natural gas needs following the depletion of the Malampaya field is being upended by the rise in natural gas prices, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

“The country is entering the global LNG market at a time of extreme uncertainty. Global LNG supply is constrained due partly to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and LNG prices continue to hit record highs,” according to Sam Reynolds, an energy finance analyst writing in an IEEFA report.

IEEFA said that risks surrounding limited global LNG supply are expected to continue over the next decade, potentially derailing the Philippines’ growth plans, which are predicated on generating sufficient energy.

The market for gas was disrupted by the Ukraine war, which triggered sanctions on Russia and caused Europe to seek gas elsewhere in order to reduce dependence on Russian gas, sending prices upward.

Several LNG importing countries are protected by long-term purchase contracts, which require sellers to deliver LNG on a predetermined schedule and price formula. The Philippines, however, does not have any long-term contracts according to the International Energy Agency’s gas market update.

“This means that the country will be forced to outbid wealthy buyers in Europe and Northeast Asia for limited LNG supplies, exposing the country to high prices and extreme volatility. Without access to affordable fuel, LNG-to-power proposals in the Philippines could be delayed, canceled, or stranded,” IEEFA added.

IEEFA also said that the window of opportunity for LNG investment is closing quickly. It warned that inability to buy LNG at competitive rates could leave new terminals and LNG-fired power plants idle.

According to the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, the Philippines has 36.5 million tons per annum of LNG terminal capacity under development. The Philippines also has 29.9 gigawatts of gas-fired power projects.

San Miguel Corp. accounts for the largest share of the proposed capacity, while First Gen Corp. and Atlantic Gulf & Pacific International Holdings Pte. Ltd. were anticipated to commence commercial operations of LNG projects. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Ex-PEZA head claims investors confused by OIC arrangement

August 3, 2022 | 8:04 pm

THE FORMER director-general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said economic zone locators are finding it confusing to operate amid conflicting statements on the status of the agency’s leadership.

Charito B. Plaza, in a news conference on Wednesday, was responding to a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) order affirming the new leadership at the agency following a period when certain agency officials were declared officers in charge (OIC) by the new administration.

Ms. Plaza said she is awaiting an official response of the Office of the President (OP) after seeking clarification on her status.

Ms. Plaza was appointed by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the PEZA’s Director General in September 2016. The change of government created a situation where certain agency heads were instructed to remain in their posts temporarily.

“I will only abide by the OP decision. It is only the President who (can) appoint the PEZA Director-General. Locators are at a loss and are worried. We are praying that the OP can address the issue,” Ms. Plaza said.

Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual had issued Department Order No. 22-68 on Aug. 2 which affirmed as PEZA OIC Director-General Tereso O. Panga until Dec. 31, or until a replacement is appointed.

According to Ms. Plaza, Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 3 issued by the OP on July 27 superseded MC No. 1 issued on June 30.

MC No. 1 declared vacant all positions held by presidential appointees; in the absence of designated replacements, the OIC position will be taken up by the agency official who is next in seniority.

Ms. Plaza said that MC No. 1 did not specify whether a government instrumentality such as PEZA was covered. PEZA was conferred government instrumentality status by a Supreme Court ruling (G.R. No. 184203), prompting Ms. Plaza to seek clarification from the OP.

MC No. 3 subsequently clarified that government instrumentalities and government-owned or controlled corporations with corporate powers are exempt from MC No. 1.

“MC No. 1 clearly stated that we are exempt (from the co-terminous rule for appointees of President Duterte) because PEZA is a government instrumentality, with corporate powers, exempted from paying real estate tax, as stated by the Supreme Court decision in PEZA’s case against Lapu-lapu City in Cebu in 2018,” Ms. Plaza said.

Before Ms. Plaza’s news conference, PEZA’s Corporate Communications Division said in an e-mail that the agency is obeying the DTI’s order.

“Please be informed that we in PEZA are bound and are obeying DTI Department Order No. 2022-88 affirming Mr. Panga as the PEZA OIC,” it said.

Asked to comment, Mr. Panga said in a Viber message that he issued a statement to PEZA employees that work within the agency should not be disrupted.

“Let’s focus on our work and not allow ourselves to get distracted. We have the law on our side and the full support of the DTI, PEZA officers and employees, ecozone locators and partner industries,” Mr. Panga said in the statement.

“We also pray for Ms. Plaza and for all PEZAns that we may resolve as soon as possible this crisis in a peaceful, decent and honorable manner. I am just an OIC and doing my job, following the OP directives under MC 1 and MC 3. I would be glad to turn over the reins to whoever will be appointed PEZA Director-General by the President,” he added.

Mr. Panga has spent 24 years with PEZA. He was a former division chief of Policy Planning, zone manager of Lima Technology Center and other ecozones in Batangas, zone administrator of Baguio City Economic Zone and Cavite Economic Zone, and had been deputy director general for Policy and Planning since 2010. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Let’s talk about sanctions

August 3, 2022 | 8:03 pm

In February, Russia invaded Ukraine, bringing down upon Moscow a regime of sanctions mostly from Western countries. What does it mean when sanctions are imposed on an individual, class of persons, entity or country?

The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) defines sanctions as “punitive or restrictive actions taken by individual countries, regimes, or coalitions with the primary purpose of provoking a change in behavior or policy. Sanctions can restrict trade, financial transactions, diplomatic relations, and movement. They can be specific or general in their implementation and enforcement. Sanctions are also referred to as restrictive measures.”

Sanctions can be imposed by one country (unilateral) or by multiple countries (multilateral) on an individual, class of persons, entity, or country to influence their actions.

For instance, under the United Nations Charter, the Security Council can take action to maintain or restore international peace and security under Chapter VII of the charter. The Security Council is composed of 15 Members. The five permanent members are China, France, the Russian Federation, the UK, and the US. The 10 non-permanent members are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. Sanctions that have been approved are binding on all member states.

The European Union (EU) implements all sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council. In addition, the EU may also decide to impose sanctions on its own initiative (‘EU autonomous sanctions’). EU sanctions apply within the jurisdiction of the EU, to EU nationals in any location and to companies and organizations incorporated under the law of a member state. Enforcement must be undertaken by the member states.

Moreover, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the US. OFAC publishes lists of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. It also lists individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific.

The Export Control Organization (ECO) of the UK licenses controlled goods and goods caught by a country-specific embargo, while Her Majesty’s Treasury licenses funds or assets.

Taking the war in Ukraine as an example, the US and the UK have both imposed additional sanctions on Russia, which include: banning new inbound investment, as well as severe sanctions on two Russian financial institutions (Alfa Bank and Sberbank), on major state-owned enterprises, and on government officials and their family members.

As part of the UK’s efforts to isolate Vladimir Putin, it announced sanctions against seven oligarchs. Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, had his assets frozen, and was prohibited from transacting with UK individuals and businesses, and barred from travel. Abramovich’s one-time business partner, industrialist Oleg Deripaska, was also similarly sanctioned.

Another notable example is the long-time sanctions regime imposed on North Korea due to the country’s continuing pursuit of its nuclear and missile program. Executive Order 13722 blocks the Government of North Korea and the Workers’ Party of Korea; prohibits the export and re-export of goods, services (including financial services), as well as technology from the US, or by a US person to North Korea; and prohibits new investment in North Korea by a US person.

Sanctions can further be classified into four types: diplomatic, financial, trade and travel. A diplomatic sanction restricts or suspends membership in international organizations and diplomatic visits that affect the ability of the target to interact with other countries. It can also limit access to financial aid or loans. Financial sanctions can involve account seizures or freezing. Trade sanctions, sometimes called embargoes, limit the import/export of specific goods (e.g., arms, oil or diamonds) or services (e.g., technology, training, financing). Travel sanctions restrict the mobility of individuals on the list (preventing them from traveling to and through certain countries). It can extend to any asset including bank accounts to pay for travel.

As payment transactions are predominantly the only record that can detect a potential sanctions violations, a financial institution’s role is crucial in discerning the circumstances that warrant sanctions. Financial institutions also have the right to seize or freeze assets to prevent payments to certain individuals.

Thus, a financial institution must have a robust Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance program in place which should be based on the following pillars to combat financial crime: internal policies, procedures and controls; designation of an AML officer; employee training; independent testing; and customer due diligence (CDD). As part of CDD, financial institutions must identify and verify the identity of the customer as well as the parties that own or control them, their transactions and the applicable sanctions. The customer’s and parties’ name would need to be screened against the sanctions list. These are done through intelligence gathering, checking of transactions with violations, and filing of suspicious activity reports. A good AML compliance program will help financial institutions determine any involvement that a customer has with a sanctioned target or if the customer itself is a sanctioned individual or entity. Lastly, there should be a check done on the customer’s transactions to make sure that they are not dealing with sanctioned individuals or entities. When done properly, it should help prevent financial institutions from violating sanctions.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

Joanne Reyes is a manager at the Financial Crime practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting Services Philippines Co. Ltd., a Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

+63 (2) 8845-2728

joanne.reyes@pwc.com

PHL men’s team stuns Sweden with Paragua heroics on Board 1

August 3, 2022 | 7:26 pm

GM-Mark-Paragua_official-fb — Grandmasters Mark Paragua — MARK PARAGUA FB PAGE

Women’s team suffer setback against Swedes, 2.5-1.5

Grandmasters Mark Paragua — MARK PARAGUA FB PAGE

GRANDMASTER (GM) Mark Paragua dug deep into his endgame bag of tricks as he carved out the nerve-wracking victory on top board in lifting the Philippines to a stunning 2.5-1.5 win over a fancied Sweden in the fifth round on Tuesday night and into the top 10 of the 44^th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Left with the responsibility of carrying the fight after GMs John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo and International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina drew their respective games in the lower boards, the 38-year-old Mr. Paragua willfully went for a win when he could have easily sent his duel with GM Erik Blomqvist into a draw.

The New York-based many-time World Cup veteran built on a slim lead brick by brick, layer by layer until he got the much needed break against an unnerved Mr. Blomqvist and turned it into lasting advantage.

When it was over, his unnerved higher-rated foe was facing the specter of losing his rook to Mr. Paragua and resigned on the 69^th move.

The emphatic win sent the Filipinos, who are being sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, into an 18-nation logjam at eighth spot with eight match points apiece and a highly anticipated duel with 21^st ranked Israel in the sixth round at press time for a chance at climbing up into the top five along with the big guns.

The country was just two points behind co-leaders India 2 and Armenia, which own perfect scores of 10 points, and a point closer to third to seventh placers Uzbekistan, India 1, Cuba, Iran and a Wesley So-paced United States of America with nine points each.

National men’s coach Eugene Torre said they would rest Mr. Gomez in favor of GM Banjo Barcenilla.

WOMEN’S TEAM
It was, in contrast, heartbreaking for the Filipinas as Janelle Mae Frayna lost to Eline Roebers on top board that sealed their 2.5-1.5 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked Swedes.

WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego prevailed over FIDE Master Machteld Van Foreest on board three while WGM candidate Kylen Joy Mordido halved the point with WIM Rosa Ratsma on board four.

WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda fell to grizzled veteran GM Peng Zhaoqin on second board.

The GM Jayson Gonzales-mentored Filipinas slipped to a 35-nation tie at 39^th with six points and they were facing the Ecuadorians in the sixth round. — Joey Villar

Thrower Asusano captures lone gold for PHL bets in 11^th ASEAN Para Games

August 3, 2022 | 7:25 pm

**Golden throw**
CENDY Asusano shows winning form in ruling the women’s shot put F54 in athletic action at the Manahan Stadium in the 11th ASEAN Para Games on Wednesday in Surakarta, Indonesia. — TEAMPHI ASEANPARAGAMES

THROWER Cendy Asusano emerged the lone bright spot to what had been a slow and uneventful day for the Philippines, snaring the women’s shot put F54 gold medal in the 11^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games in Solo, Indonesia.

Ms. Asusano heaved a 5.65 meters on her fourth attempt to not only capture her second gold after ruling javelin on Monday, but also eclipse her old mark of 5.50m she registered in copping one of the three mints she took home in the 2017 edition of the biennial meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

But she will no longer match her triple-gold haul last time as she was disqualified in the discus throw the day before that was caused by an accidental loose strap on her throwing chair, which was prohibited, that denied her that important mint.

“I just did not think of it (disqualification) anymore so that I won’t be stressed. And I’m thankful to God that I won,” said the proud Pasig native.

It was the lone gold the country produced in the day after an eight-gold deluge that was highlighted by the magnificent chess team’s four-gold rampage in the standard event the day before.

It somehow slowed down the country’s bid in surpassing, if not replicating, its 20-gold, 20-silver and 29-bronze harvest in Kuala Lumpur.

At press time, the country had amassed 14 mints in all.

It was not as if the Filipinos, whose trip here is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, didn’t try.

Over at the Jatadiri Sports Complex in Semarang, swimmers Roland Sabido and Arnel Aba added silver and bronze medals, respectively, to the country’s collection in the stint backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Mr. Sabido was second in the men’s 100-meter backstroke S9 event in one minute, 15.820 seconds while Mr. Aba bagged the bronze medal in the men’s 100-meter butterfly stroke S9 event in 1:23.40.

Contributing bronze medals in athletics were King James Reyes and Andy Avellana in the men’s 1,500-meter T46 race and men’s high jump F11-13 event, respectively.

Table tennis likewise delivered a bronze through the Class 10 mixed doubles tandem of Pablo Catalan, Jr. and Minnie Cagdag, who took a 6-11, 8-11, 4-11 loss to Indonesia’s Komet Akbar and Aminah in the semifinals.

Overnight, judo also gave the country its first medal in the sport courtesy of Peterson Onas in the men’s J1-60kg class.

But the swimmers hope to recover from their anemic showing on Thursday with 2017 Malaysian Para Games gold medalist Gary Bejino, veteran Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom expected to vie for gold on Thursday. — Joey Villar

HD Spikers seek revenge vs sister team Power Hitters

August 3, 2022 | 7:24 pm

CIGNAL seeks to get back at sister team PLDT as the former shoots for a first win in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational, which goes to the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday.

The HD Spikers were shorthanded the last time they faced the Power Hitters in a 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22 defeat in an elimination-round showdown last Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Cignal played minus Ces Molina (sore ankle) and skipper Rachel Anne Daquis, Jerillie Malabanan, Roselyn Doria, Ayel Estranero and Chai Troncoso (various health reasons).

Their absence helped PLDT get the win that catapulted them in the six-team semis where it jumpstarted its campaign with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-21 triumph over Army Black Mamba on Tuesday.

But with its title bid on the line, Cignal is expected to show no mercy this time as it is expected to send back the cavalry headed by Mses. Molina and Daquis and show PLDT that the Open Conference third place is the better team.

Game time is at 5:30 p.m.

Creamline, for its part, aims to ride on their strong showing in the elims where they ended up No. 1 with a 5-1 record, as it tangles with Army Black Mamba (0-1) at 2:30 p.m.

A win for the Cool Smashers would relaunch their bid to claim one of the two berths to the one-game finale where they would have a chance to snare their second crown following their Open Conference conquest last April.

Creamline is expected to draw strength from what everybody calls “The Fantastic Four” of skipper Alyssa Valdez, setter Jia de Guzman, reigning Open Conference MVP Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza. — Joey Villar