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E-Painters down Beermen

THE Rain or Shine Elasto Painters made it a winning return to action for them in the PBA Philippine Cup, topping defending champions  San Miguel Beermen, 87-83, on Tuesday at the Angeles University Foundation gym in Pampanga.

One of the last teams to make their debut in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) “bubble” at Clark City, Rain or Shine got its campaign to an auspicious start by collectively holding its own against San Miguel.

The E-Painters got off to a fiery start led by sophomore Javee Mocon, sprinting to a 16-0 lead early in the first quarter.

San Miguel, however, would eventually find its footing, charging back to come within five points, 25-20, after the opening 12 minutes.

The Beermen continued with their charge to begin the second canto.

They opened with a 9-4 run to level the count at 29-all by the 6:47 mark, off a bucket from big man Mo Tautuaa.

Beau Belga and rookie Clint Doliguez then conspired for a 7-0 run for Rain or Shine in the next two minutes to give their team a 36-29 cushion.

They would use it as leverage to maintain control and take a 46-41 advantage by the halftime break.

Looking to get a firmer hold of the contest, San Miguel once again launched an aggressive push in the third quarter.

Marcio Lassiter and Mr. Tautuaa towed the Beermen to within two points, 53-51, in the first six minutes.

But like what they had been doing all game long at that point, the E-Painters would find ways to keep their opponents at bay.

Jewel Ponferrada, Sidney Onwubere and Mr. Mocon provided the baskets for Rain or Shine as they went on to take a 67-54 lead entering the final quarter.

Found themselves on the ropes, the Beermen tried to make an effort to wiggle out of it at the start of the fourth.

They would come within four points, 73-69, with 5:45 to go in the contest.

Mr. Mocon, though, provided more breathing space for his team with a triple 30 seconds later to make it a seven-point lead, 76-69.

San Miguel kept angling to sway the tide in its favor after.

The score was at 81-78 with 57 seconds remaining and the E-Painters still ahead.

Kris Rosales made it a four-point lead, 82-78, for Rain or Shine after splitting his free throws with 29 ticks left.

Off a time out, Terrence Romeo would hit a three-pointer to narrow the gap to a point, 82-81, with 27 seconds remaining.

Rain or Shine then sued for time to set up a play.

It was a timeout that bore fruit as Rey Nambatac hit a triple of his own to push the E-Painters ahead by four points, 85-81, with 12 seconds to go.

They would not relinquish the position thereafter as they moved to close out the match.  

Mr. Mocon top-scored for Rain or Shine with a game-high 25 points to go along with six rebounds.

Mr. Rosales had 15 while Beau Belga finished with 12 for the E-Painters (1-0).

Over at San Miguel (1-1) it was Mr. Lassiter who led with 20 points, followed by Alex Cabagnot with 18.

Mr. Tautuaa had a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rain or Shine-San Miguel was the fifth game to be played since the PBA returned to action for the tournament bubble which is aimed at completing at least one conference in its pandemic-hit season.

Under the bubble, the teams and the rest of the PBA contingent are holed up in Clark City for the duration of the tournament

Both the E-Painters and Beermen will return to action next on Oct. 16 against Terra Firma Dyip and TNT Tropang Giga, respectively. – Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Regulator may extend freeze order vs power cuts to end of the year

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it will require power distributors to extend the moratorium on power disconnections until the end of the year.

The commission is set to issue an advisory ordering distribution utilities to defer power disconnections to after Dec. 31, its chairperson told Senators during the Department of Energy’s budget hearing Tuesday.

“‘Yan po ‘yung nakalagay sa aming draft ngayon (That’s what we’ve written in our draft advisory),” ERC Chairperson Agnes VST Devanadera said in a reply to a question by Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel.

“Kasama na po sa i-issue ng ERC ang relaxation ng disconnection policies (The relaxation of disconnection policies is also included in our upcoming advisory),” she said.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the Philippines’ largest power utility, is due to lift its self-imposed moratorium on disconnections on Oct. 31. It first suspended disconnections in April.

“Meralco has always been considerate of the circumstances of its customers, hence the seven months (since the start of the pandemic) of disconnection moratorium being observed,” Lawrence S. Fernandez, Meralco’s head of utility economics, said last week.

The ERC noted the initiative of some power distributors that declared their own moratorium even without a government order.

On Sept. 23, the Department of Energy ordered the energy industry players to continue extending grace periods and enforcing a staggered payment scheme for their customers. This was issued complying with the Republic Act No. 11494, or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan II).

Even with the said order, the government is requesting that those with the capacity to settle their electric bills pay them within the due dates.

“We are asking all those who can pay their electric bills to please pay,” Ms. Devanadera said. “And we are also asking the government agencies who have (the) budget for this to please implement their payment to help out the industry,” she added. — Adam J. Ang

Electronics industry backs retention of current tax perks for exporters

THE electronics industry said it supports separate tax regimes which would allow the export sector to retain its current incentives while applying a different system for domestic-only producers.

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) in a statement Tuesday said that it supports the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (PEZA) appeal for two separate tax regimes.

“Retain the current incentives and separate the incentives for domestic versus export industries like electronics,” SEIPI said.

The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act pending at the Senate proposes to cut corporate income tax as well as rationalize tax incentives.

SEIPI had asked for a “grandfather” clause that would allow current investors to keep their incentives. Currently, investors pay 5% tax based on gross income earned in lieu of national and local taxes — after an initial income tax holiday period.

“Without competitive incentives compared to Vietnam and other ASEAN countries, there will be a small probability of expansion in the Philippines,” SEIPI said.

PEZA in a separate statement Monday said exporters should not be treated equally to companies producing for the domestic market.

“The exporters compete in a global market and face tougher competition from international competitors, while the domestic market only focuses on local consumers with few competitors,” PEZA said.

“In terms of tax incentives, it is a crucial factor for export-based investors as part of ease and cost of doing business. Investors compare tax incentives in different countries.”

PEZA cited the cost-benefit analysis produced by the National Economic Development Authority, which found that incentives increased production, investment, and tax revenue. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Rules on duty exemptions for medical supplies, donated devices issued

THE Department of Finance (DoF) has approved the rules governing tax and duty-free imports of medical supplies and donated devices for use in remote learning.

In a statement Tuesday, it said Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez approved Customs Administrative Order (CAO) No. 12-2020, which will serve as the implementing rules and regulations for the tax-exempt import component of Republic Act (RA) No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan II).

The CAO exempts importers and manufacturers from Customs duties, taxes and fees when importing medical products, equipment and supplies intended for the coronavirus containment effort.

The order also applies to devices used for online learning such as personal computers, laptops, tablets and other equipment donated to public schools, including state universities, colleges and the vocational institutions under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The exemptions will apply retroactively to include imports from June 25, or after RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan I) expired.

The DoF said Customs will refund taxes and duties paid for eligible imports cleared starting June 25, but the importer will have to obtain first a tax exemption indorsement from the DoF to avail of the tax relief.

The tax exemptions will be valid until Dec. 19.

Importers and manufacturers will have to secure regulatory clearances from agencies with supervisory authority over the imports, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Health.

The DoF said donated imports of health products with clearances will be “automatically cleared,” while those not subject to FDA’s clearance will no longer need to present a certification.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has also issued rules on the tax perks available to donors of devices for use in remote learning.

It allows donors to deduct the value of the donations from gross income, while some items are also exempt from donor’s tax and value-added tax. — Beatrice M. Laforga

US businesses say Philippines not keeping up with region in improving business climate

AMERICAN BUSINESSES said they broadly agree with the US State Department’s conclusion that the Philippine investment climate in 2020 is improving, though they believe the improvements are insufficient to keep up with its neighbors.

They added that the State Department report underplayed the impact on investment of the drug war and tax incentive uncertainty.

John Forbes, senior advisor to the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said in a mobile message Tuesday that the group agrees with the assessment of overall improvement, “but we think not enough to keep up with regional competitors.”

The State Department report found that foreign direct investment (FDI) remains low relative to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It ranked fifth out of the 10 ASEAN economies in terms of FDI  in 2019.

Mr. Forbes said that the report understates the negative impact of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s drug war, which has killed at least 8,663 people. He added that “the recent unwillingness of the government to accept international arbitral awards” has also had an effect on investor sentiment.

Manila Water Company, Inc.and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. waived almost P11 billion in awards won from arbitration cases against the government, after they were accused of economic sabotage by Mr. Duterte.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore in separate cases ordered the government to pay the concessionaires after the government did not reimburse foregone revenues from the regulator’s refusal to allow the concessionaires to raise rates.

Discussing the political and security environment, the report noted terrorist groups in some regions, as well as human rights concerns arising from the drug war.

“The ongoing operation continues to receive worldwide attention for its harsh tactics,” it said.

Mr. Forbes added that the report underplayed the uncertainty surrounding the pending changes in tax incentives, which could upend investors’ cost structures.

The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) pending with the Senate proposes to cut corporate income tax as well as rationalize tax incentives.

Business groups including the American chamber recently reiterated their call to congress for the grandfathering of current incentives for exporters, such as the 5% tax based on gross income earned in lieu of national and local taxes following an initial income tax holiday period.

“Grandfathering will provide them the confidence to remain in the Philippines long-term,” the business groups said.

While Mr. Forbes said that the report is comprehensive and useful for investors, he notes that it could in the future add more positive information on sectors that have attracted substantial FDI.

The report said the Philippines has been addressing its FDI constraints, including restrictions on foreign ownership and investment and problems with red tape. It said the business environment for exporters under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority has been transparent, and noted the promise of the government’s infrastructure program.

The report noted the “pervasive and long-standing problem” of corruption in both public and private sectors. — Jenina P. Ibañez

LNG imports still ‘best option’ for PHL energy security — DoE

LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG) imports remain the best way to address the Philippines’ power needs in the next few years, the Secretary of Energy said.

“While the LNG industry is still in its infancy stage, imports of LNG remains the best option for the Philippines at the moment to assure the country’s future energy requirements will be sufficiently met,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said in a message to the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference 2020.

The Malampaya field off northern Palawan is the country’s only source of natural gas and is expected to be completely depleted by 2027.

“They say that the Malampaya supply can go as far as 2027 but it does not have enough gas for the further expansion needed to provide future natural gas requirements particularly with the plan to expand application of LNG in the industrial, commercial, residential, and transport sectors,” Mr. Cusi said. 

The Malampaya gas-to-power project under Service Contract 38 accounts for 3,200 megawatts of electricity, or 21.1% of gross power generation in 2019. The field is operated by Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., along with its partners, Udenna Group’s UC Malampaya LLC and Philippine National Oil Co.-Exploration Corp.

The government is evaluating various LNG terminal proposals to hold the expected imports that will replace Malampaya’s output.

So far, it signed off on LNG terminal projects put forward by the Lucio Tan Group with Blackstone Group’s affiliate Gen X Energy, First Gen Corp. with Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd., US-based Excelerate Energy, and Energy World Gas Operations Philippines, Inc.

Among the four proposals, the Lopez group’s First Gen is poised to deliver imported natural gas as early as 2022 with the construction of its interim gas terminal starting in the last quarter of this year. The DoE (Department of Energy) last month gave the company the go signal to begin construction.

The DoE is committed to developing the Philippines as a regional LNG hub. In 2017, it passed the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation which seeks to develop an LNG market. Recently, it issued an LNG investors’ guide to aid in the government’s efforts to raise natural gas capacity. — Adam J. Ang

Near self-sufficiency in food seen possible with reforms like RCEF

AGRICULTURE Secretary William D. Dar said food production needs to be made more sustainable if it is to meet domestic demand, and added that he expects to achieve a level of near self-sufficiency with the help of reforms like the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

In remarks delivered for World Food Day Monday, Mr. Dar said the country’s current food adequacy level is at about 80% overall, and cited the need for further reforms to meet demand from the growing population.

“Sustainability is the key to producing enough,” he said, noting that the Philippines currently has to import to plug the gaps.

“Given the program on rice tariffication, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, and other programs that we are now putting in place… sometime in the future… almost all of the food requirements of the country can be locally produced,” Mr. Dar said.

Mr. Dar also directed the DA’s National Rice Program and Philippine Rice Research Institute to update their plans on changing consumer preferences and requirements.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority, the DA (Department of Agriculture) said food production has not kept up with population growth.

“We need to take care of our commodity industry. Local production is the priority, and imports (should) be a last resort,” Mr. Dar said.

Mr. Dar also noted that in the case of rice, some farmers and millers admitted that imported rice is superior in quality and taste.

“This is a development that the DA must consider. What is needed by the country now is not just higher levels of productivity but quality rice as well,” Mr. Dar said.

The DA has targeted a rice self-sufficiency level of 93%, from 86% currently.

According to the DA’s latest food supply outlook, the best-case scenario for the year-end rice inventory is 3.42 million metric tons (MT), equivalent to a 97-day supply.

However, pork and staple fish like round scad (galunggong) are projected to be in deficit at the end of the year.

The yearend pork deficit is estimated at 231,030 MT, equivalent to 45 days’ demand, while the demand for galunggong is expected to outstrip supply by 51,765 MT. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Filipino Jr. player Alex Eala now number 2 in the world

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THANKS to her impressive run in the recently concluded French Open juniors tournament where she reached the semifinals, young Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala saw her rankings climb to a career-best to date number two.

In the latest update of its world tennis tour juniors rankings, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) now has Eala, 15, second with 2148.75 points, just a rung below currently top-ranked Elsa Jacquemot of France (2261.25).

It was a two-spot climb for Globe Telecom ambassador Eala, who was ranked fourth in the world entering Roland Garros.

The ascent was a continuation of the steady rise of Eala, a scholar of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain, in the sport in the last three years.

In 2018, Eala was ranked 248 in the world. She continued to work on her game and made waves after and climbed to 11th by the end of 2019.

Early this year she cracked the top 10, climbing to fifth then to fourth.

In January, she won the 2020 Australian Open juniors doubles title with partner Priska Nugroho of Indonesia, becoming in the process the first Filipina to win a grand slam title, be it in juniors or seniors play.

“#2 World ITF Girls Junior Ranking! Happy with my performance and thank you again for all your support! It has truly been an amazing week!” wrote Eala on her official Facebook page upon learning of the latest ITF rankings.

Eala, hailing from Quezon City, had it eventful at the French Open.

She reached the Final Four before losing to now-world number one and eventual champion Jacquemot, 3-6, 2-6.

But despite falling short in her Roland Garros quest, Eala said it was a journey full of lessons which she intends to use in continuing to build up her game.

She cited “mental toughness” as key moving forward.

“Your mentality is really what differentiates you from your opponents. In a tournament like this (French Open), skill levels are very much the same. It’s really a matter of who can sustain it more,” Eala said.

Behind Eala in the latest world rankings is former number one Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra (2023.75), followed by Diane Parry of France (1967.5) and Daria Snigur of Ukraine (1930).

Completing the top 10 are Russia’s Polina Kudermetova (1828.75), USA’s Robin Montgomery (1667.5), Germany’s Alexandra Vecic (1457.5), Belarus’ Kristina Dmitruk (1454.25), and USA’s Alexa Noel (1452.5).

Marcial relieved that PBA has restarted, says it’s ‘so far, so good’

IT took a while for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to return from the coronavirus pandemic break it was forced into but now that it is back, the league is equally thankful and relieved even as it is happy to share that everything has been up and running well up to this point.

Graced anew the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said to have the league back in action is gratifying, more so since the path to it was not easy.

“Yes, it is a big relief to have the PBA back. I felt goosebumps when we restarted on Sunday. It’s a special feeling. For a while there, we thought it was already a lost season, but we did not lose hope and to see the league back is a great feeling,” said Mr. Marcial.

“It was not easy building the bubble, but we’re now here. And we’re hoping and praying that the bubble will be a successful one. I hope everybody will stay healthy. We’re taking it a step at a time,” he added.

The PBA resumed its Season 45 with the Philippine Cup on Oct. 11 after being forced to suspend it back in March because of the pandemic.

The tournament is being held under a bubble setup at Clark City in Angeles, Pampanga.

Under the PBA bubble, which is similar to that employed in the National Basketball Association, players, coaches, and staff of the teams and the league are holed up in Clark for the duration of the tournament and shuttled to and from the hotel and the playing venue.

Games are being played at the Angeles University Foundation gym with the Quest Plus Hotel inside Mimosa serving as the official home of all the participants.

To guard against the spread of the coronavirus, the league has scheduled regular swab testing of all participants and set up protocols which it vowed to strictly enforce.

Since resuming its season on Sunday, Mr. Marcial said everything is doing well.

“So far, so good. There have been no major concerns yet. Everything that was in the plan is being followed,” the PBA chief said.

“The players are upbeat, despite the sacrifice they have to make being away from their families and all. And they know it’s not only for us, but also for the fans and the Filipinos,” he added.

Now up and running again, Mr. Marcial vowed that they in the PBA would try to continue to work and see their return have a successful conclusion.

“This is for the fans. That’s our motivation in this restart, that is to be able to give fun and entertainment to them after a long while,” he said. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

UAAP acknowledges receipt of UST endorsement of Ayo appeal

The board of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines on Tuesday acknowledged its receipt of a letter from the University of Santo Tomas endorsing the appeal of its former men’s basketball coach Aldin Ayo to have the indefinite ban slapped on him rescinded.

In a statement, the UAAP said it has received the endorsement letter from UST which it hopes to tackle “in due time.”

Mr. Ayo was meted an indefinite ban from participating in all league events and UAAP-sanctioned activities by the Board of Trustees which ratified the recommendation of the UAAP Board of Managing Directors last month over his involvement in the alleged training “bubble” of the Growling Tigers at the coach’s hometown of Capuy, Sorsogon, beginning June.   

The supposed training bubble took place at a time when any sporting activity was still prohibited under government health and safety protocols set to guard against the spread of the coronavirus.

The UAAP handed down the sanction on Mr. Ayo based on UST’s own probe of the incident that had the coach culpable of violations, ruling that “Ayo [endangered] the health and well-being of the student athletes under his charge when he conducted the training during a government-declared state of public emergency.”

Cited, too, as reason for the decision were the governing principles of the association.

Mr. Ayo moved to appeal the ban after, saying it was “not appropriate under the circumstances,” something UST agrees to, viewing it as “too harsh.” 

His push for reconsideration gained wind recently when Sorsogon police, after conducting investigation, which was certified by Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero, concluded that the UST team did not violate protocols as what it had involved only “farming activities,” which are allowed under existing conditions.

The police also said that the Growling Tigers were able to meet the needed requirements prior to going to Sorsogon.

These included declaring that they are not persons under monitoring (PUMs), did not exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days and were tested accordingly prior to the trip, and secured all the necessary travel passes from the Joint Task Force COVID Shield.

The team also observed the mandatory 14-day mandatory home quarantine before they proceeded to its “personal development farm training.”

Mr. Ayo resigned from his post on Sept. 4 amid the investigation conducted on the alleged bubble while the majority of the players who were part of UST’s finals run last year have since left the team and gone elsewhere. – Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Margot’s homer, catch carry Tampa Bay to 2-0 ALCS lead

MANUEL MARGOT slammed a three-run homer and made a spectacular catch to lead the Rays to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday in San Diego, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

Mike Zunino added a solo blast for the Rays, who are two victories away from reaching the World Series for the second time in the franchise’s 23-season history.

Game 3 in the best-of-seven ALCS is scheduled for Tuesday.

Carlos Correa homered for the Astros, who have scored three runs in the series while leaving 21 runners stranded.

Houston right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (0-1) struck out 11 in seven innings. He gave up four runs (one earned) on four hits and a hit batter without issuing a walk.

Rays right-hander Charlie Morton (1-0) repeatedly pitched out of trouble while hurling five shutout innings. He allowed five hits, one walk and one hit batter while striking out five.

Tampa Bay right-hander Pete Fairbanks served up Correa’s homer during his two innings. Left-hander Aaron Loup retired two batters and allowed a hit in the eighth, right-hander Ryan Thompson recorded the last out of the eighth and righty Nick Anderson worked out of a jam in the ninth to notch his first career postseason save. — Reuters

Far Eastern University to hold free online chess seminar on Oct. 24

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY will continue to hold free online chess lessons set on Oct. 24 with an aim of empowering the youth especially those with potential but are financially challenged.

Made possible by FEU chairman Aurelio Montinola III and assisted by athletics director Mark Molina, the long webinar via Zoom, which has a morning and afternoon session, is open to all boys and girls aged 11 to 17 years old.

No less than Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre and national women’s team and FEU coach GM Jayson Gonzales will be one among the many top masters who will train and help participants improve their game.

“Helping the development of chess among young people especially the low income or less fortunate families is the main objective and mission of the program,” said Mr. Gonzales.

Janelle Mae Frayna, an FEU alumna and the country’s first and only Woman GM, is also among the trainers that also include International Masters Paulo Bersamina and Jerad Docena and Woman FIDE Master Michelle Yaon.

To register, kindly fill-out the link below: https://forms.gle/KuaCEqNTAkRMTEJP6 or please message FEU Chess Team’s official Facebook Page.

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