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DAR, police team up for agri program to assist rebel returnees

THE DEPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform is partnering with the Philippine National Police for a program that aims to help rebel returnees through farm livelihood.  

Agrarian Reform Secretary John R. Castriciones said in a statement on Thursday that the department and the police, through its Calabarzon regional office, will sign a memorandum of understanding on April 30 for the Sitio Kapayapaan (SIKAP) Buhay program.

Under the program, a model farm will be developed in Kalayaan, Laguna where former rebels can train on farming skills and technology. 

“We contribute in the peace-building efforts of the government by giving the rebel returnees livelihood and properties that could also contribute in securing the country’s food supply,” Mr. Castriciones said.

After training, the returnees will be transferred to three settlement areas in the provinces of Laguna, Quezon, and Rizal where they will be given a piece of land where they can apply their farming skills.

“The lands that they would receive are idle government-owned lands provided by the DAR, while the rebel returnees who are willing to participate in the SIKAP-Buhay Project are screened by the PNP-Police Regional Office 4A,” the department said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Globe Telecom partners with University of Mindanao for cell tower to boost coverage

REUTERS

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. has partnered with University of Mindanao (UM) for the installation of a cell tower that will boost coverage in the school’s Matina campus as well as Davao City’s central area.

“This is an area where we were challenged in terms of internet and connectivity. What happened in Dec. 23, 2016 when NCCC Mall was razed by fire, where we had a temporary cell site on top of the building, when it got burned down the signal and coverage in this particular area got compromised,” Ric Angelo Aquino, regional sales head of Globe MyBusiness South Mindanao, said in an interview during the site’s inauguration on Tuesday.

The tower delivers an average speed of 30mbps, he said.

The campus is located near several other academic institutions, the city’s downtown area, and residential neighborhoods.

The project broke ground in Feb. 2020, prior to the imposition of coronavirus-related restrictions.

“Today’s inauguration of the cell site comes at a time when interconnectivity is needed more than ever,” says Edward Anthony Go, first vice chairman of the UM Board of Trustees. He also said they are looking forward to “the continued partnership with Globe, with the hope of improving and uplifting the lives of our community.”

UM is a private, non-sectarian academic institution with five other campuses in different parts of Davao Region. Under the partnership, UM teachers and students get a limited free internet access from Globe.

The Ayala-led firm and the university first teamed up in 2017 for the Digital Thumbprint Program, which was intended to help schools gain a better understanding of the importance of digital connectivity and online security.

“It is part of our vision to empower teachers and students with the latest technology so that the graduates of UM become responsible citizens that contribute to the country’s growing and thriving economy,” Mr. Aquino said. — Maya M. Padillo

Gov’t plans ivermectin trial as COVID-19 treatment in Metro Manila by May

THE CLINICAL trial for anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as treatment for coronavirus may start by end-May within Metro Manila, the Department of Science and Technology said.

Jaime C. Montoya, executive director of the agency’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, said they are looking at conducting the trial in the capital region for faster recruitment of around 1,200 participants. “The study will actually target mild cases, and some moderate cases, but these are patients seen in the quarantine facilities,” he told an online briefing.

“Because based on the review of the Living CPG (Clinical Practice Guidelines) and the recommendation of the World Health Organization, these are the type of patients na insufficient ang evidence (where evidence is insufficient) for benefit of ivermectin,” he added.

Marissa M. Alejandria, president of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, said the trial will also look at whether the drug will prevent progression to severe disease and hospitalization as well as faster resolution of symptoms and viral clearance.

Mr. Montoya said the trial will also be “very useful” in monitoring the possible side effects of the drug that may be unique to Filipinos.

The Department of Health on Wednesday said there is still insufficient evidence to recommend the use of the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

“There is that remark that the quality of evidence is very low,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire told an online briefing, citing the reevaluation of evidence on ivermectin as a treatment for the COVID-19 issued by group of medical societies, including the Health department and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She said ivermectin is not recommended for severe COVID-19 cases and combining it with doxycycline, which is used to treat bacterial infections. Ms. Vergeire said only hospitals granted a compassionate special permit by the local drug regulator are allowed to distribute ivermectin.

Only five facilities had been allowed to use the drug against the coronavirus under a special permit, FDA Director-General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo said in a mobile phone message on Tuesday. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Shipowner faces violation notice for alleged discharge of untreated wastewater in Manila Bay

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Thursday that it will be issuing a notice of violation against the owner of MV Sarangani, which was identified as the source of untreated wastewater dumped at the Manila Bay over the weekend.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu visited the area Monday where he discussed the incident with the coast guard and local authorities. In a media release issued on Thursday, he was quoted as saying that they hope to get to the bottom of the issue.

Samples taken from the discharge area showed a level of effluent fecal coliform at 1,700 most probable number per 100 milliliters (MPN/100 mL), said DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones.

The standard effluent fecal coliform level is at 200 MPN/100 mL.

Meanwhile, data from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) also showed that ambient fecal coliform stood at 2,400 MPN/100 mL, higher than the standard 100 MPN/100 mL. Oil and grease traced to MV Sarangani reached 19 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which exceeded the standard of 5 mg/L.

“We found out that the wastewater from the vessel is above the standard of the DENR. On this basis, we can now issue a Notice of Violation to the owner,” Mr. Leones said.

A technical conference will be held to hear MV Sarangani’s side.

Once due process is completed, the EMB and coast guard will file a case against the shipowner before the Manila Bay Task Force.

Mr. Leones said the shipowner may face charges for violating the Clean Water Act, the Marine Pollution Decree, and Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, among others. “If held liable, based on the provisions of the Clean Water Act, the vessel owner has to pay a daily fine ranging from P10,000 to P200,000 from the start of the discharge until such time that it has cleaned up the affected area,” the DENR said.

To prevent similar incidents, Mr. Cimatu said the department will implement a 2.5 kilometer no-entry zone for vessels, except for those that will deliver dolomite for the DENR’s ongoing beach nourishment project in the bay. — Angelica Y. Yang

New mineral reporting code seen implemented this year

FULL IMPLEMENTATION of the changes to the 2007 Philippine Mineral Reporting Code (PMRC) to comply with international reporting standards is expected within the year, according to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE).

PSE Chief Operating Officer Roel A. Refran said at a virtual briefing Thursday that the proposed 2020 version of the PMRC could be implemented by that timeframe.

“The full implementation, hopefully, will take effect within the year, including the provision for the transitory period which is two years from approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),” Mr. Refran said.

“We are already in discussions with the SEC on the finalized version. We are just going to finalize a couple of regulatory issues as they pertain to PSE,” he added.

The PMRC Committee initiated the review of the current reporting code in February 2019 to make it more internationally compliant.

Ciceron A. Angeles, Jr., the PMRC Committee chair, said at the briefing that the 2007 PMRC sets out the minimum standards, recommendations, and guidelines for the public reporting of exploration results, mineral resources, and ore reserves.

Mr. Angeles added that the 2007 PMRC is applicable to all solid mineral raw materials such as coal, gold, nickel, and chromite, but does not include liquid or gaseous materials such as oil.

“It is required for all listed mining and mineral exploration companies in the PSE or when applying for listing with the PSE,” Mr. Angeles said.

However, Mr. Angeles said there is a need to revise the 2007 PMRC to bring it in line with major global mineral reporting codes such as 2019 Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards.     

Some of the changes include in the proposed 2020 PMRC include changing the term “competent person” to “accredited competent person;” changing reporting terminology from ore reserve to mineral reserve; introduction of technical studies such as the scoping, pre-feasibility, and feasibility studies; and the addition of other non-technical aspects of reporting like commodity pricing, among others.

The PSE also proposed changes to the 2007 PMRC such as mitigation and remediation plans to solve environmental, social, and health and safety impacts; and the inclusion of a consent form to indicate the accredited competent person agrees to the public disclosure of the report.

Dennis A. Quintero, Philippines Australia Business Council chairman, noted that the mining industry currently accounts 6.3% or $4.38 billion of Philippine exports, while its share of gross domestic product is 0.6% or P124.5 billion.

Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Chairman Gerard H. Brimo said the revision to the PMRC is timely after the signing of Executive Order (EO) No. 130 on April 14, which lifted the nine-year moratorium on new mining projects.

However, Mr. Brimo said the return of foreign investors will take time despite the lifting of the moratorium, adding that the ban on open-pit mining should be lifted.

He cited a report released by a Canadian think-tank, Fraser Institute, which showed that the Philippines was unranked in its 2019 and 2020 surveys for attractive and stable mining jurisdictions. 

“The ban on open-pit mining, a standard mining method practiced all over the mining world, needs to be lifted, as without this, the lifting of the moratorium on new mining projects alone will not allow the industry to achieve its full potential,” Mr. Brimo said.

“We want to be able to attract quality investors with substantial resources and expertise. We can only achieve that if the fiscal regime for mining is competitive, keeping in mind that we are competing with other mineralized countries for investment in this sector,” he added.

The ban on open-pit mining method was implemented by the late former Environment Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez in 2017 due to its adverse impact on the environment.

Meanwhile, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Wilfredo G. Moncano said the draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of EO 130 is making progress, adding that he was able to recently discuss the draft with Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.

“Mr. Cimatu said the IRR should be issued soon and he is ready to sign it. We shall soon be inviting stakeholders as part of due process to hear their comments, suggestions, and inputs to this draft IRR. It may (happen) next week or the following week,” Mr. Moncano said.

“The MGB will strive to have this IRR forwarded to the Office of the Secretary for his signature as soon as possible. This IRR will come in the form of a department administrative order,” he added.

Asked to identify companies or projects affected by the lifting of the moratorium, Mr. Moncano said the MGB is still weighing whether to release the list.

“We need to balance the interests of the mining companies. There were opinions that if we publicized these names to the media, they might be targets of anti-mining protests,” Mr. Moncano said.

“We are seriously looking at providing these names to the media and to the public but we are also looking at the possibility that these mining projects will be opposed by these anti-mining groups,” he added.

In 2020, the MGB estimated the value of metallic mining output to have risen 1.13% to P132.21 billion, of which nickel ore and its by-products accounted for 51.8% or P68.48 billion; gold 36% or P47.60 billion; copper 11.25% or P14.88 billion; and silver, chromite, and iron P1.26 billion. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Push for new mining tax arrangements emerging

MINERS need to be “taxed right” to extract more value for the government from their activities, after the recent issuance of an executive order lifting the moratorium on new mining agreements, a senior legislator said.

In a statement Thursday, Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda said miners should be taxed more in the form of corporate income tax, excise tax, royalties for indigenous peoples, local business tax, real property tax, and windfall profits taxes.

“We have to tax mining right. Otherwise, miners will simply extract wealth from our land without the proportional benefit to the public. Those who take from the country should give enough to the people,” he added.

On April 14, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 130, which will allow the negotiation of new mining agreements and a review of current deals.

Mr. Salceda said he recommended that the Department of Finance tax the new agreements at better rates. He also called for stronger involvement of the department in the process of negotiating these mining agreements alongside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mr. Salceda said he aims to pass a measure setting a baseline for the negotiation of mining production sharing agreements to prevent the government from getting shortchanged.

His panel, the House Committee on Ways and Means, is focusing on passing a new tax regime for mining through House Bill 6135, the proposed law “Establishing The Fiscal Regime For The Mining Industry.”

The measure, if enacted, is expected to generate P7.2 billion during the first year of implementation and P37.9 billion over the succeeding five years. — Gillian M. Cortez

Japanese company planning Batangas wiring factory

JAPAN’S Leading Co., Ltd. plans to set up a 1.7-hectare factory in Batangas to produce $12 million in wiring harnesses for export to the US every year.

The company will set up its factory on the Lima Land industrial park in Batangas, and will establish a Philippine subsidiary by the third quarter, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said in a statement Thursday. The plant is expected to create 150 jobs.

Leading is the latest of various Japanese wiring harness firms investing in the Philippines.

Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. announced in September that it broke ground on a new factory in Pangasinan, while Yokowo Co., Ltd. said it will invest P230 million in a Bataan facility.

“We plan to hold regular consultations with wiring harness players to explore how they can be enticed to produce more high-tech products, which are needed to support the growing interface between electronics hardware and software,” DTI Commercial Counselor Dita Angara-Mathay said.

“Wiring harness applications have been expanding beyond the automotive sector to cover the telecommunications and medical industries. Our Philippine engineers can certainly contribute to investor plans to upgrade products and processes.”

The Philippines exported almost $1.9 billion worth of wiring harnesses last year, almost half of which went to Japan, the DTI said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Privacy regulator proposes fines for leaks of information

PHILSTAR

PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS could be fined for the year if they violate data privacy rules, according to draft guidelines being circulated for comment by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said.

The NPC on Thursday published a notice detailing the proposed guidelines, which call for fines on companies violating the Data Privacy Act, or Republic Act 10173.

The proposed fines run as high as 5% of “gross income” for the year for violations. Asked to elaborate on the exact item on the income statement line the fine will be assessed from, the NPC declined to comment, other than to say that it will not be discussing the draft until all comments that emerge from the public consultation are compiled.

Private-sector organizations that process personal information — or those that outsource such processing — can be fined between 1% to 5% of gross income if they break general data privacy rules, such as using personal information beyond the declared purposes.

Last year the commission asked businesses that collect contact tracing forms to limit their use of customers’ personal information, asking the businesses to seek consent for the use of data for other purposes.

Organizations could also be fined for failing to secure consent for the use of personal data or violating people’s rights to be informed about, access, and dispute inaccuracies about their personal information.

Fines can also be imposed on organizations that fail to use appropriate data protection measures or which fail to notify the commission about personal data breaches.

They can also be fined up to P50,000 if they fail to comply with orders from the commission.

The NPC, in deciding on fines, will consider if the violation was intentional or the result of negligence, and the extent of the damage done to the data subject. The commission may under the guidelines also decrease fines for organizations that show proof of financial difficulty.

Comments on the draft will be accepted until May 14. The commission will hold an online public consultation on Friday, April 30. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Gov’t to audit 4 mines in BARMM beginning October

PHILSTAR

THE Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), which regulates dealings between the National Government and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said the Mining Industry Coordination Council (MICC) will conduct audit the operations of four mines in the region starting in October.

The audit was agreed to by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, who co-chair the IGRB, at a March 26 meeting, the Department of Finance (DoF) said in a statement Thursday.

The DoF said the Bangsamoro government agreed to have mines in the region included in the list of companies that MICC will look into in its third round of audits.

The audits will cover technical, legal, social, economic and environmental aspects of mining operations, it said, following the same procedure used by the MICC in the previous two audit rounds covering 50 mines since 2018.

The latest round took place in October 2019 and ended in December 2020. The initial round ran from February to August 2018.

Experts from the region can also join future audits of the MICC outside the BARMM to boost their technical capacity. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Bill to require gov’t to undertake bulk purchasing of pork products

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A BILL has been filed in the House of Representatives requiring the government to directly purchase pork from producers for sale to the public at subsidized prices.

In a statement Thursday, Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo said she filed House Bill No. 9256, or the Affordable Pork Act of 2021, which would authorize the President to purchase pork from producers during emergencies.

“Only the government will have the ability to ‘buy high’ from producers and ‘sell low’ to consumers. With the government acting as the middleman, it can ensure that pork is bought from hog raisers at a reasonable price, then sold at a retail price that is competitive with imports. In effect, the government provides price support to producers during the crisis, while also ensuring consumers can buy pork at the lowest possible prices,” she said.

She added that the bill not only aims to protect the hog industry but also ensure fair market prices for pork.

Ms. Quimbo said that the measure also will require import permits to be deemed approved if an agency does not act on it within a prescribed period.

The bill also outlined greater penalties, including life imprisonment, for pork smugglers and profiteers.

The bill also proposed to establish a Swine Competitiveness Enhancement Fund which will support the hog industry, to be funded by tax revenue collected from pork import tariffs. — Gillian M. Cortez

Accelerated shift to online life forces telco infrastructure to improve

GLOBE.COM.PH

By Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, Reporter

JOHN RUSSELL DC. MANARANG, a college freshman currently studying at home in Pasig City, like many students during the pandemic, has occasional difficulty attending all his remote classes.

“I experience some internet issues from time to time. Sometimes, I am unable to join my online classes due to internet disruptions or connectivity problems. Whenever that happens, I just use my mobile phone and buy load credits for me to be able to attend,” Mr. Manarang said in a phone interview.

The pandemic caught the telecommunications industry off guard but provided it with an unparalleled opportunity in the long-awaited transition to digitizing nearly every aspect of home and business life. But before that happened, the industry had a bit of work to do.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said in late February that the Philippines ranked 86th out of 140 countries in terms of mobile internet speed, and 100th out of 175 in fixed broadband speed in January, citing the findings of the Ookla Speedtest Global Index.

The DICT said Ookla concluded that Philippine mobile internet speed averaged 25.77 megabits per second (Mbps) while fixed broadband was at 32.73 Mbps.

While reflecting an improvement from December’s 22.50 Mbps and 31.44 Mbps, respectively, in December, internet speeds continue to lag the world. The Ookla index’s January global average for mobile internet speed was 46.74 Mbps, and for fixed broadband 96.98 Mbps.

The Philippines is a long way from matching the world leaders — the United Arab Emirates for mobile internet speed at 183.03 Mbps, and Singapore for fixed broadband speed at 247.54 Mbps.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II said in February that the DICT and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) are conducting bi-monthly meetings with telecommunications companies (telcos) to check their network rollout plans.

“Our vision of digital transformation will be realized if all Filipinos… have quality access to internet connectivity services at affordable prices,” Mr. Honasan said.

That was where things stood on the eve of the market entry of the third telco, DITO Telecommunity Corp. (DITO), which will join incumbents PLDT, Inc., Globe Telecom, Inc., and Converge ICT Solutions, Inc.

DEMAND SET TO INCREASE
The DICT’s former acting secretary, Eliseo M. Rio, Jr., said in a phone message that demand for broadband access is expected to increase substantially as a result of the pandemic.

“Demand for broadband access will definitely increase by a factor of at least 2.5. The pandemic made our people realize the importance of internet connectivity in their daily lives,” Mr. Rio said.

Mr. Rio said telcos are having a hard time handling current demand for broadband access, but things started rolling after President Rodrigo R. Duterte threatened the industry during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July with shutdown or expropriation if services do not improve.

“Since then, they have put much investment in their infrastructure, with the government reducing red tape for permits to put up telecommunication infrastructure,” Mr. Rio said.

Mr. Rio said the entry of DITO will improve services and competition, but it may not be enough for the Philippines to overcome its longstanding problems with connectivity.

“Right now, demand is there but supply is lacking because of lack of infrastructure,” Mr. Rio said.

“It will take around five years to put up the necessary infrastructure so that the supply can adequately satisfy the demand,” he added.

Mr. Rio said the telecommunications network would have been overwhelmed had the pandemic happened only two years earlier.

“In 2018, our infrastructure would have not been able to handle the unprecedented load caused by the lockdown,” Mr. Rio said.

IMPROVEMENTS IN BROADBAND
PLDT said it has been accelerating its expansion to increase internet coverage and strengthen connectivity across the country.

The telco announced in December a capital expenditure (capex) budget of between P88 billion and P92 billion for 2021 to improve service to its mobile and fixed-line customers, and to meet increased demand during the pandemic.

It said that as of Jan. 28, its fiber to the home offering is available in 48% of the Philippines’ 1,634 cities and municipalities.

PLDT also claimed progress in its fiber infrastructure, which will allow it to offer 5G technology in more parts of the country. Its fiber infrastructure also supports its 4G, 3G, and 2G networks.

PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has rolled out its 5G network in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, and Pampanga; as well as Davao City and Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, Carcar, Mandaue, and Talisay.

Globe recently announced a capex budget of about P70 billion this year, higher than the revised capex guidance of P50 billion in 2020.

In a statement, Globe said it plans to build 2,000 cellular towers and roll out one million fiber to the home lines in 2021.

In 2020, Globe said it built close to 1,300 new cell sites or towers. Citing NTC data, it said it accounted for 10,395 towers out of a national total of 22,834.

“The total home broadband subscriber base now stands at 3.8 million, driven mainly by the sustained increase in fixed wireless broadband users,” Globe said.

PROSPECTS FOR SMALL INTERNET PROVIDERS
Despite the improvements at the major incumbents, Mr. Rio said it might be worthwhile to help upgrade smaller players, particularly in the countryside.

“These need not be as big as Globe, Smart and DITO, but small telcos like the hundreds of provincial telcos and community access television (CATV) operators we have in the country. However, the government must give these telcos access to internet bandwidth which right now is cornered by the big players,” Mr. Rio said.

Mr. Rio said the pandemic has made internet connectivity as basic a necessity as food, clothing, and shelter, allowing members of a household to work, study or play while confined to the home by quarantine.

“The pandemic made people realize the importance of internet connectivity in their daily lives. One need not go to an office or to a school, for one can work from home or take classes from home. Further, people can even earn a living online, teaching or creating websites,” Mr. Rio said.

“People realized that most activities we take for granted in the real world can be done more efficiently in the virtual world,” he added.

Westbrook leads Wizards past Lakers, 116-107

WASHINGTON WIZARDS FB PAGE
RUSSELL Westbrook had a triple-double as the Washington Wizards beat the visiting Los Angeles Lakers (116-107) on Wednesday. — WASHINGTON WIZARDS FB PAGE

RUSSELL Westbrook had a triple-double, Bradley Beal scored 27 points and the Washington Wizards beat the visiting Los Angeles Lakers (116-107) on Wednesday.

Westbrook finished with 18 points, 18 rebounds and 14 assists for his 30th triple-double of the season. Alex Len had 18 points and nine rebounds for Washington (28-34), which has won 11-of-13 and currently holds the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers (36-26) with 26 points. Andre Drummond had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who have lost four of five.

The Lakers shot 43.8% (42-of-96) from the field and were outrebounded (61-49).

Los Angeles trailed by six at half time and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s three-pointer pulled the Lakers within 69-67 with 7:52 left in the third quarter. But Raul Neto’s three-pointer kicked off a 17-2 Wizards run, capped by Beal’s three-pointer and Len’s free throw, which made it 85-69. The Lakers went scoreless for just over four minutes.

Ish Smith’s three-pointer pushed the lead to 90-74 and the margin was 13 after three quarters.

The Wizards increased the lead to 19 points early in the fourth quarter when Westbrook got a rebound and hit Smith ahead of the pack for a dunk with 9:11 remaining.

Davis hit a trey to get the Lakers within 102-89 midway through the fourth quarter and dunks by Ben McLemore and Davis made it 102-93 with 5:29 remaining.

Westbrook hit a driving layup to push the lead back to 11 and, after a Lakers miss, Beal hit a step-back three-pointer to make it 112-98 with 3:11 remaining.

Markieff Morris’ jumper gave the Lakers a 45-41 lead midway through the second quarter, but Lopez scored eight straight points to put the Wizards up by four.

Beal’s pull-up jumper gave the Wizards their biggest lead of the half (57-49).

Beal, who finished 11-of-18 from the field, had 15 points in the first half, and Montrezl Harrell led the Lakers with 12.

CELTICS END SKID
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown’s 38 points and Jayson Tatum’s 35 propelled the Boston Celtics to a bounce-back 120-111 victory against the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

The Celtics (33-30) snapped a three-game losing streak that included a home loss a night earlier to struggling Oklahoma City. They also avenged Sunday’s lopsided 21-point setback at Charlotte.

Aaron Nesmith had 15 points off the Boston bench and teammate Tristan Thompson tallied 12 points and 13 rebounds. The Celtics played again without injured guard Kemba Walker (oblique).

The Hornets (30-32) lost their second game in as many nights despite 25 points from Devonte’ Graham. P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges each added 19 points and Cody Zeller, who had been stuck on the bench in recent games, racked up 16 points. — Reuters

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