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Daddy James

LeBron James just can’t get any slack. Even his mere attendance at a basketball game of his son’s team has been placed under scrutiny. Admittedly, he calls attention to himself in manners other parents can’t and those from the outside looking in may deem overenthusiastic at best. Joining players’ pickup lines to throw down dunks and celebrating to the point where he becomes the focus of attention instead of the action on the court isn’t normal by any means. Which is why he has been pilloried by armchair pundits and on social media.

On the other hand, James isn’t just any proud father; he’s LeBron Freaking James, among the best of the best at the sport he’s watching and by far the most recognizable athlete in North America, if not the world, precisely because of the polarizing figure he cuts. He gets called out any which way, from every conceivable angle, and for the most ridiculous of reasons. And because nobody has been living under a rock all this time, all eyes invariably become glued to him no matter what he does. And, make no mistake, he would have courted criticism even if he stayed passive throughout the North Coast Blue Chips’ 14U Invite championship match.

Knowing this to be the truth, James simply resolves to do what he does. He doesn’t care about the opinions of quarters he can’t ever please, anyway. What he’s truly impassioned about are clear: Basketball, his son, and his son’s teammates. It’s why he doesn’t think twice about indulging in high-flying slams; he sees himself as part of their team. And about cheering for outstanding plays. In reacting to one memorable give-and-go sequence during the title match, for example, he basked to such an extreme that he invaded the court, lost his right shoe while kicking the air, and gave a chest bump. The clincher? LeBron Junior wasn’t even suited up.

Little wonder, then, that the Blue Chips love James. Sure, they get special perks like support from Nike and coaching from him. And, sure, they benefit from their association with Bronnie. Then again, he gives his time freely, and his praise unreservedly. And, in response, they return the affection. In particular, AAU Star Dior Johnson took to Twitter to defend him, arguing that “This is Crazy to see … you guys take what this man does off the court for granted … sounds like hate … My Dad has never been to ONE of my basketball Games … In fact I haven’t even seen my father in 4 Years lol.”

Needless to say, the sight of 15-year-old kids providing measured perspectives serves only to underscore the myopic lens with which James is viewed by supposedly learned shapers of opinion who can’t even get their facts straight. The latter don’t matter to him, though. The former do; as far as he’s concerned, he’s doing right by them, and, in their progress, they by him. Enough said.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Peso ends flat vs dollar ahead of Fed decision

THE PESO was steady against the dollar on Wednesday as market participants stayed on the sidelines ahead of the conclusion of US Federal Reserve meeting.

The local unit closed yesterday’s session at P50.89 versus the greenback, flat from its Tuesday finish.

The peso opened the session at P50.82 against the dollar, climbing to as high as P50.81 intraday. Meanwhile, its worst showing stood at P50.92 versus the greenback.

Trading volume thinned to $885.57 million from the $1.124 billion that switched hands the previous day.

Traders interviewed yesterday said the peso moved sideways as market players stayed on the sidelines ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting’s conclusion.

“Actually, the dollar-peso just consolidated. It closed at the same level. There was not much meaningful flow to try to go for a stronger dollar-peso. Still the same, we’re waiting for the Fed’s decision,” a trader said in a phone interview.

The Fed was widely expected to trim rates by at least 25 basis points (bp) during the meeting of its policy-setting FOMC on July 30-31.

“I think the perception is for a 25-bp cut. Anything that is different from a 25-bp cut will entail a reaction from the market,” the trader said.

Another trader added that the peso moved within a tight range yesterday as players also anticipated signals for more policy easing from the Fed this year.

“I think the market was pricing a cut tonight and two more cuts for the year. The big question now is will they cut more before the year ends,” the second trader said.

For today, the first trader expects the peso to move between P50.80 and P51.20 versus the dollar, while the other gave a P50.80-P51 range. — KANV

PSEi returns to 8,000 on US-China trade concerns

By Arra B. Francia, Senior Reporter

THE MAIN INDEX retreated to the 8,000 level on Wednesday following another round of warnings from the United States against China on their trade deal, alongside expectations of the US Federal Reserve’s policy decision.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) plunged 1.28% or 104.66 points to close at 8,045.80 yesterday, while the broader all-shares index likewise dropped 0.93% or 46.02 points to 4,890.06.

“With most regional markets downed after Trump’s negative comments on the US-China trade negotiations, this cascaded to the local market with the start of Ghost month tomorrow wherein liquidity will further subside as most investors remain on the sidelines,” Diversified Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a text message on Wednesday.

In a series of tweets, US President Donald Trump said China has yet to start purchasing agricultural products from the US. He also said that should he get reelected next year and no deal with China has been signed, the terms of their trade agreement will be much tougher than what is currently being discussed.

The Chinese ghost month is also set to start on Aug. 1, where the public typically holds off on making investments.

Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez also noted in an e-mail that investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee’s policy decision.

“All eyes on the Fed meeting tonight however, as market movement for the next couple of days would likely be based on that,” Mr. Perez said on Wednesday.

The PSEi tracked negative sentiment across the world, which saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average slip 0.09% or 23.33 points to 27,198.02. The S&P 500 index dipped 0.26% or 7.79 points to 3,013.18, while the Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.24% or 19.72 points to 8,273.61.

Back home, mining and oil was the lone counter in the green, adding 0.03% or 2.48 points to 7,885.78.

The rest went down, led by property which plummeted 2.31% or 100.46 points to 4,234.33. Index heavyweights SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Ayala Land, Inc. pulled down the market as they were two of the most actively traded stocks yesterday, dropping 2.67% and 2.54%, respectively.

Industrials slumped 1.29% or 147.10 points to 11,252.52; holding firms tumbled 1.19% or 94.64 points to 7,844.36; financials lost 0.62% or 11.62 points to 1,842.49; while services went down 0.02% or 0.47 point to 1,644.35.

Some 2.07 billion issues valued at P7.45 billion changed hands, improving from the previous session’s P6.87 billion.

Decliners were double that of advancers, 137 to 68, while 45 names were unchanged.

Foreign investors turned net sellers at P465.49 million, against the previous session’s P631.12 million worth of net purchases.

Lotto operations back; PCSO loses P250 million

LOTTO operations resumed on Wednesday after the state-owned charity lost at least P250 million from a four-day suspension by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said yesterday.

Mr. Duterte had lifted the suspension “because investigators found no anomalies in the conduct of its operations,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement late Tuesday. “Its sanctity remained untainted and the regulatory rules have been followed.”

All the other gaming operations with franchises, licenses and permits given by PCSO, such as small-town lottery, Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan remained suspended pending investigation, he said.

These were being probed for illegal activities including corruption and Mr. Duterte wants to first evaluate the results of the investigation, Mr. Panelo said.

The losses covered only lotto, PCSO General Manager Royina M. Garma said at a televised briefing yesterday.

Nelson Santos, chairman of the Philippine Online Lottery Agents Association, Inc. (POLAI) said not all lotto outlets have resumed operations due to some technical problems.

He traced the president’s decision to keep the ban other gaming operations such as Keno because of an alleged P4 billion net loss, citing the initial probe of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“They were wondering why operations continued despite the loss,” Mr. Santos said by telephone.

NBI Spokesman Ferdinand Lavin didn’t immediately reply to a text message seeking comment.

VERY TRANSPARENT
Ms. Garma said they had reviewed all lotto processes and found that there were safety nets to prevent corruption. The agency in the next two weeks will study how they can explain to the president that the small-town lottery is “very transparent and free from corruption.”

PCSO will let police and government agents probe individuals at the agency who may have been involved in corruption, Ms. Garma said.

Once small-town lotto operations are back, PCSO will be very strict to ensure it is corruption-free. “We mean business,” she said, adding state gaming operations should be free from graft.

PCSO might move small-time lotto draws from provinces to regions to make it more transparent, she said.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Monday ordered NBI on Monday to prioritize it probe of “massive corruption” in state gambling operations.

HOUSE PROBE
Meanwhile, House Minority leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante Jr. has filed a resolution to investigate alleged corruption at PCSO. “The innocent should not be made to suffer because of the guilty,” he told a briefing yesterday.

Also yesterday, senators weighed in on the issue by supporting the lifting of the ban.

“I’m told Lotto operations are clean,” Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III told reporters via a teleconference. “I concur with the president’s move.”

Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara said the resumption of lotto operations means funding for universal health care provided by law won’t be jeopardized.

“We are confident the President will deliver on his vow to crack down on corruption within the PCSO in order to plug the leakages,” he said.

Under the law, 40% of PCSO’s charity fund goes to the enforcement of universal health care programs.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian reiterated that PCSO gaming operations should be privatized.

“Because lotto is primarily computerized and automated, the leakage in revenue is very negligible, if at all,” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin, Charmaine A. Tadalan and Beatrice M. Laforga and Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

House seeks PhilHealth probe

MINORITY congressmen have sought an investigation of alleged corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

The House of Representatives should scrutinize the national budget for health, the biggest chunk of which goes to PhilHealth, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos T. Zarate, the deputy minority leader, told reporters yesterday.

Private service provider WellMed Dialysis & Laboratory Center Corp. allegedly had fraudulent medical claims from PhilHealth for deceased patients as well as patients who did not receive their full weekly treatments.

A former WellMed employee said the company had managed to exploit the claims because PhilHealth had relied on the service provider’s reports.

Meanwhile, Marikina Rep. Stella A. Quimbo said Congress should consider “giving competition” to PhilHealth by choosing another health insurance provider.

The representative said that Congress should consider allowing other insurance providers to compete for the service.

Congress should choose a health insurance provider that can do PhilHealth’s job “if within one year, reforms are not implemented and performance does not improve,” she said.

Ms. Quimbo said PhilHealth’s blunder would hinder the goals of universal health care. The implementing rules for universal health care should address issues of fraud, she added.

Meanwhile, Magsasaka Partylist Rep. Argel Cabatbat claimed some investigators of the alleged fraud at PhilHealth were being harassed.

The Senate has expressed an interest to probe Health Secretary Francisco H. Duque III for alleged conflict of interest involving a family company. Mr. Duque is also an ex-officio officer of PhilHealth.

In a complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman last June, the complainants alleged that PhilHealth’s had rented a private office in Dagupan City for half-a-million pesos a month.

The complaint-affidavit claimed the Health secretary was a stockholder of the company. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Chinese ships should keep transponders on, says Carpio

FOREIGN ships passing through Philippine territory should keep their transponders on so authorities can identify them, a Supreme Court magistrate said after reports that Chinese vessels have sneaked into Philippine seas.

“They should not be passing secretly because if you turn off your automatic identification system (AIS), that means you don’t want to be seen,” Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio told reporters yesterday. “I think it’s very stealthy if you do that.”

The AIS is a tracking system that uses transponders on ships and is used by vessel traffic services.

The magistrate said he agrees with Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, who said ships that pass through the country’s territorial seas should not turn off their transponders.

“So if you turn it off, you are not acting innocently,” Mr. Carpio said.

While transponders are not required, the country should notify foreigners and announce a policy requiring the same, he added.

Mr. Lorenzana on Tuesday said he told Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua not to turn off their AIS following reports last month of a Chinese aircraft carrier passing through Sibutu Strait without notifying authorities.

China has been building artificial islands in the disputed Spratlys and setting up installations that include runways. It claims sovereignty over more than 80 percent of the South China Sea based on its so-called nine-dash line drawn on a 1940s map.

Mr. Duterte has sought closer investment and trade ties with Beijing, including over resources in the disputed sea, since he assumed office in 2016.

His predecessor, Benigno S. Aquino III, sued China before an international arbitration tribunal over its territorial claims, and won. He also strengthened Philippine alliance with the US to try to check China’s expansion in the main waterway.

Aside from China and the Philippines, other claimants to the main waterway are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. — VMMV

Itbayat infrastructure damage at P293M — DPWH; DoTr lines up port improvements

INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE cost from the July 27 earthquakes in Itbayat, Batanes is so far estimated at P292.85 million, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

This assessment covers 978 houses, public building, roads, and slope protection structures.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr), meanwhile, has vowed to fast-track the repair, expansion, and development of both air and sea ports in Batanes.

Following an inspection last Monday, Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade assured local officials that port repairs will commence immediately.

In the meantime, the Philippine Coast Guard has been directed to deploy rubber boats to Itbayat, Basco, and Sabang islands.

“We immediately conducted steps to secure ease of movement of goods and people so that the recovery of the province will also come in swiftly,” Mr. Tugade said in a statement.

DoTr said among the work identified is the ongoing runway extension project at the Itbayat Airport will be reconsidered for up to 1,500 meters to improve viability for commercial, security and disaster relief operations.

The Basco Airport will also be studied for runway extension.

For sea transport, a new location will be surveyed for the Port of Mauyen, which has been made more difficult to access due to landslides triggered by the earthquakes.

The Valanga Port, the only seaport that links Basco and Itbayat, will be expanded to include a back-up area, berthing facility, and a passenger shed.

Meanwhile, China has donated P10 million to the earthquake victims.

“The Chinese government expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to those affected families and decided to donate 10 million pesos to aid the victims and support the Philippine government in its efforts to rebuild Batanes and help local residents return to normal life,” the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said in a statement on Wednesday.

The tremors left nine dead and 64 others injured. It has also displaced some 805 out of 911 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported as of July 31. — with Charmaine A. Tadalan

Dagupan forms flood commission with private-public sector members

DAGUPAN CITY has formed the Flood Mitigation Commission, tapping private sector engineers, architects, and environmental planners who will work with local and national government counterparts in drawing up immediate and long-term solutions to the flooding problem. Mayor Brian C. Lim, in a press briefing on July 30, announced the commission’s private sector members, namely: Engineers Joseph Lo of the business sector, and Liberato Aficial and Arnold Palmero of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers; and Architects Maximo Tan and Zosimo Ganaden of the United Architects of the Philippines. The city government will be represented by Nancy Nazareno of the City Engineer’s Office, James Louell Fernandez and Jose Jesus Torio of the City Planning and Development Office, City Legal Officer Terence Marata, and lawyer Michael Camilo Datario, city government consultant. Mr. Lim will chair the commission while Mr. Lo will be vice-chair. “The commission is primarily tasked to create a master plan for the City of Dagupan in coordination with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and other government agencies on how to resolve our flooding both in the short and the long term,” Mr. Lim said in a statement from the City Information Office. In the executive order creating the commission, Mr. Lim cited that flooding in most parts of the city — which were caused by irregular land conversions, extreme weather events, and piecemeal infrastructure projects and urban planning — has been a “great threat” to the city’s development. He also said that in a flood mapping survey conducted by the University of the Philippines in 2017, three fourths of the city’s 48-square-kilometer land area experienced flood levels of at least 40 centimeters, with other areas twice to thrice as much. “The same study shows that aggravating the flooding, which the city is currently experiencing, will persist if no immediate and comprehensive interventions are undertaken,” Mr. Lim said.

Former military general appointed to MWSS board

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has appointed Emmanuel B. Salamat, a former commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NolCom), as member of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) board of trustees, Malacañang announced on Wednesday. The Palace said Mr. Duterte signed the appointment paper of Mr. Salamat on July 29. In its official website, the Armed Forces of the Philippines describes Mr. Salamat as “one of the finest among contemporary generals of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).” A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Sandiwa Class of 1985, Mr. Salamat “reached the pinnacle of his career in the PMC when he was installed as the Commandant of the Corps — a position most coveted by every Marine Officer.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Transport groups oppose P2P buses between airport and Megaworld transport hub

SEVERAL TRANSPORT groups have questioned the operations of premium point-to-point (P2P) buses in Iloilo, particularly those plying the route between the Megaworld Transport Hub in Iloilo City to the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town. The New Iloilo Airport Transport Association and Association (NIATA) and the Association of Taxi Operators in Panay (ATOP) submitted a position letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod last July 17 expressing opposition to the provisional authority granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to Southwest Travel and Tours. “Our associations are strongly opposing the grant of the provisional authority to Southwest Transport as it violates several existing ordinances,” the position letter said. The transport associations also lamented that they were never notified nor informed about the provisional authority. The Western Visayas Transport Coalition also submitted an opposition letter to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on July 31. Iloilo City Councilor Rommel D. Duron, chairman of the committee on transportation, said they will review the ordinance granted to Megaworld’s transport hub and review if there is a need to regulate the P2P’s scheduled trips.—Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Prison-made bags, paintings and other goods will be at SM bazaar this weekend

HANDICRAFTS SUCH as bags and coin banks as well as paintings made by inmates — or persons deprived of liberty (PDL), for the more appropriate term — will be displayed and up for sale during a three-day bazaar at the SM City Davao on Aug. 2 to 4. Jail Inspector Helen Rose C. Saragena said the goods are from the 11 jail facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management Penology (BJMP) in the Davao Region. “We conceptualized programs and livelihood opportunities in preparation for their integration in society by equipping them with new sources of income,” she said during the Kapihan sa Davao forum earlier this week. The BJMP has partnered with the regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the training and starter kits. Among the courses offered by TESDA are bookkeeping, touch therapy, bread making, and carpentry. Ms. Saragena also encouraged the public to visit their facilities, where they have more products that they can’t bring to a bazaar. “Like the poultry products,” she said, “Kung bibisita kayo sa jail, madi-discover ninyo na maraming talented na (if you come visit the jail, you will discover that we have many talented) PDLs.” — Maya M. Padillo

Nationwide round-up

Malacañang not dismissing suggestion to return Dengvaxia vaccine to the market

MALACAÑANG ON Wednesday said it is open to the suggestion of former Health secretary and now Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette L. Garin to make the controversial Dengvaxia vaccines available to the public to help curb the increasing dengue cases nationwide. “We are always open to anything that will benefit the Filipino people. We are not closed to any suggestion,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a media interview at the Palace on Wednesday when sought for comment. He added that there is still a need to conduct an “extensive” investigation on the alleged Dengvaxia vaccine-related deaths. “We need to investigate exactly the situation involving Dengvaxia,” he said. Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, during a visit to Iloilo last week, told the local media that the Department of Health (DoH) is not considering just yet a possible revival of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccination program. “We need to study the recommendation… because there is no specific test that would exactly prove that a person has been infected by dengue,” he said. He emphasized that risks should be balanced with many other factors, noting that those who can benefit from the Dengvaxia vaccine are only those with prior exposure to the dengue virus. Mr. Duque explained that the available dengue test “cross-reacts” with other viruses like Chikungunya and Zika virus. “Remember the test cross reacts with other viruses, so it could be Chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, it could be Zika virus, and I heard it cross reacts with measles virus. So having said that, if it is positive, you are not sure if it’s positive of dengue virus,” he said. The DoH’s Dengvaxia vaccination program has been cancelled and the vaccine banned in the Philippine market since last year following allegations of related deaths among children who received the vaccine. — Arjay L. Balinbin

TESDA-certified service providers can now be hired online

GRADUATES OF trainings certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) can now be hired through the website www.911tesda.ph, which was formally launched Tuesday. Among the services available are basic housekeeping and cleaning; carpentry; and massage therapy. In a statement on Wednesday, TESDA said its National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development “developed 911TESDA as a free web-based linking program that aims to provide employment opportunities for certified graduates of technical vocational education and training (TVET), and deliver skill-service needs of individuals, households and enterprises.” TESDA said their partner digital service platforms anticipate demand for service providers this year to be as high as 11,425. As of July 26, more than 2,000 national certificate holders have already registered in the system. The 911TESDA services are initially available in the following areas: Metro Manila, Bulacan, Palayan City in Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna. By next month, TESDA plans to expand these services to the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, and Davao. — Gillian M. Cortez

Leonen to propose computerized Bar exams, other reforms

ASSOCIATE JUSTICE Marvic F. Leonen said he intends to propose reforms in the Bar examinations in 2020, including the possibility of conducting computerized testing, which would allow for more than one venue. He also plans to propose a simple “pass or fail system” in viewing the exam results. Mr. Leonen, chairperson for the 2020 Bar examinations, also wants to have all Bar question and suggested answers submitted in the past 40 years be uploaded in the Supreme Court website. “We want the bar to simply be a qualifying exam. It is not an exam to find out the most brilliant of lawyers, it is only an exam to add into our ranks the lawyers that deserve to practice,” he said during the Legal Education Board Summit held in Manila. The annual Bar examinations, conducted through hand-writing, are held in four Sundays of November at the University of Santo Tomas. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

DILG reports 86 cities now have smoke-free ordinances


THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 86 cities in the country have already passed smoke-free ordinances since the President issued Executive Order No. 26 two years ago. “Smoke-free means 100% free from tobacco smoke, where it cannot be seen, smelled, sensed or measured,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said in a statement on Wednesday. There are 145 cities in the country, according to Philippine Statistics Authority data. DILG also reported that 48 cities have designated smoking areas in their respective localities while 65 cities have created smoke-free task forces that ensure compliance to smoke-free policies. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

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