Anti-counterfeiting activities planned for rest of Philippines

April 4, 2022 | 8:15 pm

THE National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) said it will expand its activities to the rest of the country soon in order to address what it considers to be the proliferation of counterfeit goods.

According to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), which is one of the 15 members of the NCIPR, the next target area will be Baguio.

IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said in a virtual press conference on Monday that planned activities in Baguio include inspections and possible raids of establishments selling counterfeit items.

“We are going out. We are reaching out to the other outskirts. We are focusing on Metro Manila first because this is the center (of counterfeiting),” he added.

IPOPHL has announced that the NCIPR seized P24.9 billion worth of counterfeit goods in 2021, against P9.8 billion in 2020.

Mr. Pascua noted that sellers of counterfeits have taken advantage of ease-of-doing-business rules.

“Our desire to facilitate business sometimes is also being abused by these counterfeiters,” Mr. Pascua said, without elaborating.

Mr. Pascua disclosed that the National Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant in Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan on Monday, while the Bureau of Customs conducted a raid in an unspecified location.

Greenhills Shopping Center was listed among the 35 physical markets known for counterfeiting and piracy in the 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy issued by the US Trade Representative.

The report found that sellers of counterfeit goods in the mall are growing bolder in displaying the items compared to previously, when they were more discreet. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Clarifications on tax treatment of PAGCOR, its licensees and contractees

April 4, 2022 | 8:15 pm

Under its Charter, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) was given the mandate to regulate, operate, authorize, and license games, particularly casino gaming. Through this mandate, PAGCOR is expected to generate revenue for the government’s socio-civic and national development programs, as well as help promote the tourism industry.

Not known to everyone, PAGCOR paid a staggering P5.2 billion worth of taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). This amount represents the 5% franchise tax on PAGCOR and its Licensees/Proponents based on its annual audit report for the year 2020 posted on PAGCOR’s website.

In a bid to collect correct and complete taxes, the BIR issued last March 29 Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 32-2022 with the purpose of clarifying the tax treatment of PAGCOR and its licensees and contractees on their income derived from gaming/casino operations and from other related services.

Below is a summary of the RMC:

TAX TREATMENT OF PAGCOR

a. Income from gaming operations

PAGCOR’s income from its operation and licensing of gambling casinos, gaming clubs and other similar recreation or amusement places, and gaming pools are subject to 5% franchise tax in lieu of all taxes.

These incomes include, among others: income from its casino operations; income from dollar pit operations; income from bingo operations, including all variations thereof; and income from mobile bingo operations operated by PAGCOR with agents on commission basis, provided that the agent’s commission income shall be subject to regular tax and consequently, to withholding tax.

The 5% franchise tax shall be in lieu of other direct and indirect taxes like income tax and value-added tax (VAT). In short, PAGCOR is exempted from corporate income tax (CIT), VAT, and other direct or indirect taxes.

b. Income from other related services

On the other hand, income from “other related operations/services” shall be subject to CIT, VAT, and other applicable taxes under the Tax Code.

These incomes include, but are not limited to: regulatory/license fees from licensed private casinos; regulatory/license fees from private bingo operations, including all variations thereof; regulatory/license fees from private casino gaming, internet sports betting, and private mobile gaming operations; regulatory/license fees from private poker operations; regulatory/license fees from private junket operations; regulatory/license fees from SM demo units; regulatory/license fees from all other electronic derivatives of brick-and-mortar games regulated by PAGCOR; and income from other necessary and related services, shows, and entertainment.

Likewise, PAGCOR’s other incomes that are not connected with the above operations are also subject to CIT, VAT, and other applicable taxes under the Tax Code.

Constituted as a withholding agent, PAGCOR shall withhold the appropriate taxes on compensation given to its employees and on income payments to local and foreign suppliers. Moreover, PAGCOR must also collect a qualifying fee from players and remit the same in accordance with the existing laws and regulations.

TAX TREATMENT OF PAGCOR’S LICENSEES

a. Income from gaming operations

PAGCOR’s licensees’ income from the operation of casinos shall be exempt from regular CIT upon payment of the 5% franchise tax since the law is clear that said exemption inures and extends to their benefits.

For VAT purposes, however, the exemption extends only to those individuals or entities that have contracted with PAGCOR; hence, PAGCOR contractees and not licensees. As such, the licensees’ revenue from gaming operations, involving sale of goods and/or services in the course of trade or business, are generally subject to VAT. But should the licensees be contracted with PAGCOR in connection with the latter’s gaming operations, then the sale of goods and/or services performed with PAGCOR in relation to such gaming operations is subject to 0% VAT.

b. Income from other related services/operations

Income realized by PAGCOR’s licensees from other related services/operations shall be subject to regular CIT, VAT, and other applicable taxes under the Tax Code.

TAX TREATMENT OF PAGCOR LICENSEES LOCATED IN ECOZONES/FREEPORTS

a. Income from gaming operations

Income from gaming operations shall be subject to 5% franchise tax. For VAT purposes, the sale of goods and/or services in the course of trade or business is generally subject to VAT. However, if the Licensees are also contracted with PAGCOR in connection with the latter’s gaming operations, then the sale of goods and/or services performed with PAGCOR in relation to such gaming operations is subject to 0% VAT.

b. Income from registered other services/operations

For licensees that are located in ecozones/freeports, their income realized from services/operations that are duly registered with their concerned Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) shall be subject to either 5% gross income tax (GIT) or income tax holiday (ITH), whichever is applicable.

Under the 5% GIT, the licensees are exempt from regular CIT and VAT. On the other hand, under ITH, they are exempt from regular CIT but subject to VAT.

c. Income from unregistered other services/operations

Income realized from related services/operations that are not duly registered with the concerned IPA shall be subject to regular CIT, VAT, and other applicable taxes under the Tax Code.

TAX TREATMENT OF PAGCOR CONTRACTEES

a. Income from contract with PAGCOR

PAGCOR contractees’ revenue derived from their contract with PAGCOR in connection with the latter’s gaming operations shall be exempt from regular CIT upon payment of the 5% franchise tax. However, for VAT purposes, the goods they provided to and/or services they performed for PAGCOR in relation to such gaming operations are subject to 0% VAT.

b. Income from non-gaming revenues or from other related services

These incomes are subject to regular CIT, VAT, and other applicable taxes under the Tax Code.

REMITTANCE OF THE 5% FRANCHISE TAX

The 5% franchise tax shall be payable directly to the BIR, specifically to the concerned Revenue District Office (RDO) where the licensee is registered. This franchise tax is different and distinct from the license/regulatory fees paid by licensees to PAGCOR.

All concerned taxpayers are enjoined to be guided accordingly.

Let’s Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

Nikkolai F. Canceran is a partner from the Tax Advisory & Compliance division of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com

Top Philippine, Chinese envoys discuss sea row

April 4, 2022 | 8:00 pm

Chinese Navy Warship-PCG — PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD PHOTO

THE TOP Philippine and Chinese diplomats discussed their countries’ sea dispute at the weekend, with China saying they should not let differences affect bilateral relations.

“The two sides should remove disturbances calmly and properly manage differences and not let them affect the overall situation of China-Philippines relations,” Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. went to Tunxi, China on Sunday to speak with his Chinese counterpart on the sea dispute after tensions over China’s intrusion into Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

China claims more than 80% of the waterway based on a 1940s map that overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Each year, trillions of dollars of trade flow through the sea, which is also rich in fish and gas.

It has refused to honor a 2016 ruling by a United Nations-backed tribunal that voided its claim.

Both Mr. Locsin and Mr. Wang agreed that maritime issues should be placed in an “appropriate position in bilateral relations,” according to the Chinese Foreign minister.

The Philippine Coast Guard last month said a Chinese vessel’s close distance maneuver had risked a collision near the Scarborough shoal. China said the Philippines should respect its sovereignty over the shoal.

The Philippines later summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian over its navy’s intrusion in the Sulu Sea.

The vessel had reached the Cuyo Group of Islands in Palawan province and Apo Island in Mindoro, it said in a statement. Philippine Navy vessel BRP Antonio Luna challenged the ship, which responded by saying it was exercising innocent passage.

China violated international law when People’s Liberation Army Navy electronic reconnaissance ship ignored orders from the Philippine Navy for them to leave immediately, the Philippine Foreign Affairs department said.

Its movements did not follow a track that could be considered continuous and expeditious, lingering in the Sulu Sea for three days it added.

In 2019, a Chinese aircraft carrier, the CV-16 Liaoning, had also passed through the Philippines’ Sibutu Passage — a narrow sea lane between the main island of Tawi-Tawi and Sibutu Island — without notice.

“We hope that the Philippine ships will earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and rights and interests, abide by China’s domestic law and international law and avoid interfering with the patrol and law enforcement of the China Coast Guard in the above-mentioned waters,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wengbin had said.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it was the fourth time in 10 months since May last year that Chinese Coast Guard ships had sailed too close to Philippine vessels, a “clear violation of the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.”

The shoal, which the Philippines calls Panatag, is about 120 nautical miles (nm) west of Luzon island and within the Southeast Asian nation’s 200 nm exclusive economic zone.

Mr. Wang said China sees the Philippines as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, which explains why its policies toward the country has always remained friendly. 

“China is ready to speed up the construction of key infrastructure projects with the Philippines, continue to provide COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine assistance and enhance public health cooperation according to the need of the Philippines,” he said.

During the meeting, Mr. Locsin said Philippine-China relations have become increasingly mature, while bilateral practical cooperation has achieved historic results, benefiting both sides, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

China is “committed to independence and peaceful development,” by promoting the development of other countries in the region, he was also quoted as saying.

China was the Philippines’ biggest source of imports in the first 11 months of last year as it shipped $24.6 billion worth of goods to the country, government data showed.

It was also the second-biggest export destination, receiving $10.6 billion in goods from the Philippines. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Comelec to burn defective ballots

April 4, 2022 | 7:59 pm

Comelec-printin ballot — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) will burn defective ballots for this year’s elections, according to an election commissioner.

“We will burn the defective ballots in front of members of the media, representatives of political parties, candidates and citizen’s arms,” Election Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia said in a news briefing on Monday. “We will still print testing ballots for final testing and sealing and then reprint defective ballots.”

There are about 178,000 defective ballots and 320,000 ballots for verification as of Monday, he said.

Comelec last week said it had finished printing 67.4 million ballots for the May 9 national and local elections before the April 25 target.

Meanwhile, Mr. Garcia said the second presidential debate on Sunday had improved from last month’s debate.

“This debate really showed the capabilities and qualifications of each candidate,” he said in Filipino. “Their positions and platforms were more clearly expressed.”

Meanwhile, Senator Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who heads the committee on public services, said cash aid distribution to public drivers and operators should be exempted from the election ban.

“We call on the Commission on Elections to expedite its decision on the appeal by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for exemption to allow it to continue the distribution,” she told reporters in a Viber message.

“Our public utlity vehicle drivers and operators have waited long for the cash aid that we have funded in the annual budget to bring succor to our people in times of distress,” she said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Palace: Duterte’s spiritual adviser can defend himself

April 4, 2022 | 7:59 pm

Duterte-Quiboloy-PCOO — Quiboloy (right) conversing with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) — PCOO

THE PRESIDENTIAL palace on Monday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s spiritual adviser should defend himself in court after a United States paralegal said she had helped smuggle members of his religious group into the United States.

“We reiterate that Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a private individual,” the president’s spokesman Jose Martin M. Andanar said in a statement. “He can defend himself in court.”

Six of the nine defendants have been arrested, including Maria de Leon, who confessed that she had participated in a scheme with members of the church for eight years, providing residency and citizenship to its members through fraudulent marriages.

The three other members were believed to be in the Philippines, including Mr. Quiboloy, Mr. Duterte’s long-time friend and spiritual adviser.

A 74-page indictment in November cited a labor trafficking scheme where church members were allegedly brought to the US using fraudulently obtained visas and forced to solicit donations to a bogus children’s charity.

Prosecutors said the donations were used to pay for the “lavish lifestyles” of church leaders.

Mr. Quiboloy and two other defendants recruited females aged 12 to 25 as personal assistants who were required to prepare Mr. Quiboloy’s meals, clean his residences and have sex with him as part of their so-called “night duty,” according to the US Justice department indictment.

Ferdinand S. Topacio, Mr. Quiboloy’s lawyer, has denied all charges and called the victims “polluted witnesses who are disgruntled members with axe to grind against the pastor.”

He also warned the public that “any libelous statements” against Mr. Quiboloy would be “dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.”

The US and the Philippines have an extradition treaty that was signed in Nov. 1994. In March, the Philippine Justice department said it had yet to receive an endorsement from the Foreign Affairs department on the possible extradition of the religious leader to the US. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Senator asks all schools to start physical classes

April 4, 2022 | 7:48 pm

Sen. Gatchalian-2 — SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN FB PAGE

A SENATOR on Monday sought the quick resumption of limited face-to-face classes amid the country’s so-called high learning poverty.

All schools should start limited physical classes as the first step to solve the impact of the coronavirus on the education sector, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who is running for reelection, said in a statement.

“We need to focus on the recovery of the education sector to ensure that our students learn properly,” he said in Filipino.

More than 2.6 million students in 10,206 of 14,396 nominated schools started limited face-to-face classes last month. 

Mr. Gatchalian, who heads the Senate basic education committee, said he would refile a bill that seeks to start a learning recovery program through system-wide tutorial sessions.

The program will cover learning competencies under Language and Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, and Science for Grades 3 to 10. It also seeks to prioritize Reading. Reading, writing and number skills will be prioritized among Kindergarten students.

Mr. Gatchalian cited a joint report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Bank that  showed less than 15% of 10-year-old children in the Philippines could  read or understand a simple story.   

This translates to a learning poverty of more than 85%, slightly lower than the World Bank estimate of 90% last year. In 2019, learning poverty in the Philippines was estimated at 70%. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Robredo, Ka Leody, Domagoso tackle the green energy question

April 4, 2022 | 7:47 pm

THREE presidential candidates on Sunday laid down their plans on expanding the country’s use of renewable energy sources to help mitigate the global climate crisis, but an environmental advocacy group pointed out the need for aspiring future leaders to be more well-versed with the different options and transition issues.

During the second presidential debate of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo said she plans on using more liquefied natural gas and stressed the need for the country to be carbon-neutral.

“It is really clear that we need to be carbon-neutral, so we need to prepare how to transition from being fossil fuel-dependent,” said Ms. Robredo. “What the experts suggest is using liquefied natural gas.”

She noted that the country should be carbon-neutral by 2050.

Department of Energy data show that in 2020, the country’s power mix consisted of 57% coal-fired, 21% renewable energy, 19% natural gas, and 2% oil-based.

The Philippines’ transition plan has set a target of a more balanced energy mix by 2040 with 50% from green energy.

Labor Leader Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman also expressed his stance of doing away with coal-fired power plants and noted that there is already a law for green energy adoption.

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 aims to accelerate the exploration and development of different renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, for his part, put focus on solar energy.

“I will adapt on what Germany and Netherlands is doing right now: agrivoltaic system,” Mr. Domagoso said, referring to the combined use of land areas for agricultural production and power generation.

“This is adaptable within the geography of our country because we are a tropical country. We have so much sun and we can harness the power of the sun to produce energy.”

Greenpeace, an independent environmental group, commended Comelec for including climate issues on the debate agenda.

Greenpeace Campaigner Khevin Yu said “some of the answers last night showed us that our future leaders still have misconceptions on what a genuine renewable energy transition looks like.”

In a statement released Monday, Mr. Yu said, “Now that the gates of electoral discourse have opened up to environmental issues and renewable energy, it is our future leaders’ responsibility to study and make informed decisions in addressing the climate crisis.”

NEXT DEBATE
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia said the second presidential debate on Sunday showed improvements from the first held last month.

“This debate really showed the capabilities and qualifications of each candidate,” he said during a Laging Handa briefing on Monday. “Their positions and platforms were more clearly expressed.”

The presidential debate was held at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City. There was no live audience except for the companions of the candidates and members of the media.

During the debate, candidates were asked a general question per segment and in each succeeding portion, the candidates were divided into groups of three to debate on a topic.

Mr. Garcia noted that the next Comelec-organized debate on April 23 will be in town-hall format, which will allow ordinary citizens to directly ask candidates questions.

He also reiterated that Comelec may push for Congress to pass a law making the presidential debates mandatory in the next elections.

In the first two debates, nine of the 10 presidential candidates participated. The late dictator’s son and namesake Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos was the only absentee on both events. — John Victor D. Ordoñez with reports from Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Alyssa Nicole O. Tan, and Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Singapore Airlines resumes Singapore-Davao-Cebu route

April 4, 2022 | 7:47 pm

SINGAPORE Airlines Ltd. has started daily flights on the Singapore-Davao-Cebu route, which used to be served by its now defunct subsidiary SilkAir.

“The commencement of our operations to Davao and Cebu is a testament of our commitment to expand our operations in the region and grow our network,” Singapore Airlines General Manager Philippines Lee Yong Tat said in a statement on Monday.

On Dec. 1 last year, the carrier’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd. started thrice a week flights between Singapore and Davao.

“The new service will bring about a more comfortable and seamless travel experience for our customers traveling on our regional routes and further strengthen Singapore as a destination and a premier air hub by providing customers with greater convenience and connectivity,” he added.

The company said travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are allowed to transit through Singapore on almost all Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights “as long as they meet the entry requirements of their final destination.”

The Singapore Airlines and Scoot network covers 97 destinations in 34 countries.

Singapore has also eased travel restrictions. Fully-vaccinated travelers on all Singapore Airlines flights with a negative coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test result taken two days before departure do not have to undergo quarantine nor test upon arrival. — MSJ

Manila mayor to push for law regionalizing party-list representation

April 4, 2022 | 7:47 pm

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso said on the weekend that the party-list system should be regionalized to limit the dominance of rich representatives from Metro Manila.

“It has to be regionalized to keep limiting (representatives) from Metro Manila, what they call imperial Manila. To keep limiting the rich from Metro Manila from being elected and making up the party-list system,” he said in Filipino in a live-streamed presidential debate on Sunday organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Are they really representing the marginalized? Are they really representing the intent of the law when it was crafted? That’s how I see it. We have to make a law, through the help, we have many lawmakers or through people’s initiative.”

He said measures must also be established to empower Comelec to better sift through party-list applicants, noting that many of those vying for congressional seats are just extensions of political dynasties or representing privileged sectors.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the party-list system was established to represent marginalized sectors including labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous peoples (IP), cultural, women and youth in the House of Representatives.

Mr. Domagoso said making the party-list voted by region will help ensure proper representation of sectors, especially those in remote provinces.

He said senators should also be voted for per region.

“I want to see senators who are Moro, Igorot, Aetas or IPs across the country,” he said. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Escudero plans to build shelters for homeless LGBT nationwide

April 4, 2022 | 7:47 pm

A SENATORIAL aspirant on Monday said he aims to build shelters for homeless members of the LGBT — lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender — community nationwide as a means of providing equal privileges to the sector.

“If we are committed to giving equal opportunities for all, every public servant should look after the welfare of their marginalized constituents, including the elderly and homeless LGBTs community,” said Francis Joseph G. Escudero, currently governor of Sorsogon province, said in a statement.

“We must embrace all sectors of society for equal care and assistance, including and parallel to those in the LGBT community,” he added.

In his home province, Mr. Escudero is already establishing the first LGBT shelter called Home for Homeless Gays. The facility will include a livelihood training center for all LGBT members in the province.

“We don’t only want to provide a roof and shelter to our elderly and abandoned members of the LGBT community. We also want to give them economic skills and new opportunities to earn a living,” he said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Zamboanga co-ops gear up for cacao, banana PRDP-backed projects

April 4, 2022 | 7:47 pm

BIAO Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-purpose Cooperative, with its trademark Cacao de Biao, won a gold award in the 2021 Edition of the Cocoa Excellence Programme in Paris, France. — CACAO DE BIAO SHOP FB

TWO agricultural cooperatives from the Zamboanga Peninsula Region in southwestern Philippines are preparing to venture into cacao and banana processing with support from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP).

Members of Nanan Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Dimataling Kalipi Federated Association visited cooperatives in Davao Region last week to learn about best practices in management and operations for export-quality products.

The benchmarking activity is in line with the Department of Agriculture’s “big brother” scheme wherein cooperatives are partnered with more experienced counterparts for knowledge sharing, PRDP said in a press release.

Nanan’s big brother was the Biao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-purpose Cooperative (BARBCO) in Davao City, which was also a beneficiary of the World Bank-funded PRDP program.

BARBCO, which already has a post-harvest facility that can process 120 tons of dry fermented beans per year, makes cacao mass or tablea, cacao nibs, and chocolate products.

With its trademark Cacao de Biao, BARBCO won a gold award in the 2021 Edition of the Cocoa Excellence Programme in Paris. The cooperative also produces coffee beans.

For the Dimataling Kalipi group, their big brother was the Fairtrade Farmers Coconut Multi-purpose Cooperative (FFCC) in Davao del Sur, which completed its PRDP-backed organic banana chips project in June 2021.

FFCC’s banana chips are already certified under standards set by Japan, the European Union, and United States.

“With these (certifications), they now have access to high-end markets for their products and raw materials bought from local sources, which in turn are helping local farmers expand their livelihood,” PRDP said. — MSJ

LA Clippers rout Pelicans to clinch West play-in berth

April 4, 2022 | 6:25 pm

MARCUS Morris, Sr. scored 22 points, and the refreshed Los Angeles (LA) Clippers routed the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 119-100 on Sunday night to clinch the eighth spot in the Western Conference heading into the play-in tournament.

Morris (knee) was one of four Clippers starters to return after sitting out a 153-119 victory at Milwaukee on Friday. The others included Paul George (elbow), who scored 15 points, and Reggie Jackson (rest), who had 11 points and 10 assists as the Clippers (39-40) began a season-ending four-game homestand.

Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Terance Mann scored 15 points, Luke Kennard 14 and Isaiah Hartenstein 12.

CJ McCollum scored 19 points, Brandon Ingram added 15, and Jaxson Hayes had 12 points and 10 rebounds to lead the ninth-place Pelicans (34-44), who missed an opportunity to clinch a play-in berth.

The Clippers took control by outscoring the Pelicans 29-13 in the second quarter to build a 22-point half time lead.

The lead shrunk briefly to 19 points early in the third quarter, but Los Angeles extended it to 25 before holding a 92-71 lead at the end of the period.

New Orleans scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to pull within 17, but the Clippers scored the next six points.

The score was tied five times, and the lead changed hands five times in the first quarter, which ended with the Clippers holding a 37-31 lead after making all eight of their 3-point attempts.

Los Angeles scored the first four points of the second quarter to push the lead to double figures before Naji Marshall’s basket provided the Pelicans’ first points of the period.

The Clippers scored 12 straight points to take a 53-33 lead before Jonas Valančiūnas’ basket ended the run.

The lead grew to 23 points twice, and Los Angeles went into half time holding a 66-44 advantage. — Reuters