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PFL: Kaya FC makes it five straight victories

KAYA FC-ILOILO made it five wins in a row in the ongoing Philippines Football League (PFL) tournament after defeating Philippine Air Force FC, 5-0, in league action on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Jordan Mintah had a brace with Alfred Osei, Jovin Bedic, and Darryl Roberts adding a goal each to help their team to the victory that took Kaya to a 5-0-0 record and 15 points for solo leadership in the standings.

Kaya took control right from the get-go with Mr. Osei breaking through for a goal just after a quarter of an hour into the match.

Six minutes later it was Mr. Mintah on the scoring end to double their lead.

Kaya kept the pressure up but Air Force would hold its own to make it just a 2-nil deficit by the halftime break.

In the second half, Kaya was at it again, attacking the Airmen’s defense and eventually puncturing through care of Mr. Bedic.

The team’s lead was stretched to 4-0 when Mr. Roberts, off the bench, made his presence felt on offense, slotting in a goal in the 69th minute.

Kaya put on the finishing touches with another Mintah goal seven minutes from time to complete the shutout victory.

“I’m happy for the five straight wins, and I’m looking forward to how we can continue. We have three crucial games in the first two weeks of July, so it’s very important for us. It’s going to be a real test on whether or not we can continue the streak,” said Kaya coach Noel Marcaida postgame.

Also victorious last Saturday were Stallion Laguna FC and Ceres-Negros FC.

Stallion beat Global Cebu FC, 5-1, while Ceres was a 4-0 winner over Mendiola FC 1991.

The wins pushed Stallion (3-2-1) and Ceres (3-1-0) to 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the tournament, good for second and third place to date. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Gilas Youth drops first game at FIBA U19 World Cup against host Greece

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

GILAS PILIPINAS Youth fought hard in its first game at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup but came up short in the end against host Greece, losing, 85-69, early Sunday morning (Manila time).

While it held its own in the early goings of the contest at the Heraklion Indoor Sports Arena, the Philippine national youth team struggled to keep in step with the Greeks in the second half as the latter created separation on their way to the victory.

Gilas Youth played undermanned for much of the contest after big man AJ Edu suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter.

With a little less than eight minutes left in the opening canto, Edu drove to the basket but fell on the floor and immediately clutched his right knee. He was later carried off the court by his teammates.

Injury report after confirmed Edu suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal tear which have ruled him out for the remainder of the tournament.

In his absence, Kai Sotto and the rest of the big guys of the Philippine team tried to hold the fort but foul trouble eventually caught up with them, limiting what they were able to do the rest of the way.

Nikolas Arsenopoulos paced the Greeks with 18 points while Aristotelis Sotiriou had 16 points and nine rebounds.

For the Philippines it was Sotto who led the way with 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Gerry Abadiano also had 13 points with Dave Ildefonso adding 12 points of his own.

Following their loss, Gilas Youth coach Sandy Arespacochaga said that the loss of Edu early disrupted their game plan but nonetheless gave credit to the players for their effort to keep fighting despite the tough situation they were forced into.

He also expressed hope for the fast recovery of Edu.

“We gave it our best but some details, especially on defense, we gave up too many offensive rebounds. We fouled too much and sent them to the line. It’s a tough loss. Hopefully we can recover and learn from this game and be better than this game,” Mr. Arespacochaga was quoted as saying by the official FIBA Website.

Gilas Youth looks to bounce back when it takes on Argentina early Monday morning.

Teams Phenom and Gilas rule Red Bull Reign PHL

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL staging of Red Bull Reign Philippines was staged at the weekend with Team Phenom and Team Gilas ruling the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

Held at Kerry Sports Manila last Saturday, Red Bull Reign, the energy drink brand’s popular 3-on-3 street basketball tournament, gathered once again some of the top teams in the land in a day of competitive action which served as a qualifier for the global finals later this year in Toronto, Canada.

After a series of competitions, Team Phenom emerged as the winner in the men’s division while Team Gilas ruled the women’s side.

They will compete in the global finals and pit their skills against squads from other countries like Belgium, Canada, India, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Russian Federation, Turkey and United Kingdom.

In last Saturday’s finals, Phenom, composed of Michole Sorela, Junjie Hallare, and Shaq Alanes bested a Prince Eze-bannered Team Basilan, 22-19.

It did so in dramatic fashion with Mr. Sorela draining the two points from beyond the arc that clinched for them the victory.

Over at the women’s side, Janine Pontejos, Clare Castro, Jack Animam, and Afril Bernardino steamrolled their way to the title, with Team Gilas beating Team Zamboanga, 22-6.

Misses Pontejos, Castro, Animam and Bernardino are staples in the women’s national team and recently competed at the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in May in China.

“We’re very excited for what has been happening and the future as well. Red Bull has been active in promoting 3×3 not just in the Philippines but also abroad. This is a qualifier and the Philippines is making its mark not only in the world but also in the Red Bull map,” said Vince Hizon, tournament director, in an interview with BusinessWorld as he spoke of the traction Red Bull Reign has made in the country since 2017.

He went on to share that he believes that Teams Phenom and Gilas will be competitive in the global finals but should expect a tough challenge from the rest of the field.

“Our women are really good. They are tall and athletic and they play cohesively and together. So they have a fairly decent chance. The men, if they can shoot the way they did, they can beat anybody. In this kind of tournament, the teams that get hot at the right moment generally win so you’ll never know,” Mr. Hizon said.

Mr. Hizon also said that for next year they hope to secure the rights to bring the Red Bull global finals here in the Philippines where some 30 teams are expected to participate. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Milo Marathon ‘19 gets SEA Games significance

THE ANNUAL National Milo Marathon kicks off its 2019 edition later this month with the theme “One Team. One Nation. Go Philippines!” in support of the country’s athletes seeing action at the 30th Southeast Asian Games this year, which the Philippines is hosting.

Building on the anticipation of the country’s hosting of the biennial SEA Games, Milo said it hopes this year’s staging of the national marathon takes added significance and inspires participants to give their best.

“We call on the entire nation to get involved and rally behind our athletes as they compete in our home soil for this significant sporting event,” said Lester Castillo, Milo Sports Manager, at the marathon’s media launch on Friday at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

“The SEA Games marks an exciting time for Philippine sports. May this event serve as an inspiration to all our runners to aspire for greatness throughout the season,” he added.

In partnership with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), Milo said it will send six-time Milo Marathon Queen Mary Joy Tabala and Milo Marathon runner-up Jerald Zabala to the SEA Games and represent the country in the marathon event.

Mr. Zabala took the place of 2018 Milo Marathon King Rafael Poliquit, who passed away early this year.

The 2019 Milo National Marathon is expected to attract over 150,000 runners.

After the kickoff leg in Manila, the marathon goes to Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Aug. 4, Lucena (Sept. 15), Batangas (Sept. 22), Cebu (Sept. 29), Iloilo (Oct. 6), General Santos (Oct. 13), Davao (Oct. 20) and Cagayan de Oro (Nov. 17).

The national finals, which usually takes place in December, has been moved to Jan. 19, 2020 to give way to the hosting of the SEA Games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 13. The national finals is hosted by Tarlac, which expressed its readiness to host at the event’s launch.

For more information on the 2019 National Milo Marathon, log on to www.milo.com.ph or at the Milo Philippines Facebook page. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Defending champion Novak Djokovic prepares for Wimbledon with tiring ‘seven-hour’ meeting

LONDON — Preparing to try and retain a Wimbledon title is arduous enough but men’s top seed Novak Djokovic says he has spent as much time in the past few days playing politics as hitting tennis balls.

As president of the ATP Player Council, Djokovic has had his hands full of late dealing with the fallout from the resignation of ATP Board member Justin Gimelstob, who in April was sentenced to three years probation and 60 hours community service on an assault charge.

Following a Player Council meeting on Friday to vote on a replacement for Gimelstob, as well as discuss Grand Slam prize money and the distribution of prize money at lower levels, Dutch player Robin Haase quit from the Board, saying it had been an “unproductive” year and that the Council had “not moved the game forward.” Andy Murray’s brother Jamie followed suit.

At his pre-tournament news conference Djokovic revealed the previous night’s meeting had gone on until midnight as splits within the game, widened by ATP chairman Chris Kermode being denied a contract extension in March, were thrashed out.

“For all of us taking part in this tournament, staying for seven hours and not going through the whole agenda yet, is quite tiring,” Djokovic told reporters.

“But there’s a larger picture and larger issues that Robin was addressing. I think it’s a system and a structure that keeps on failing us. I’ve been saying this before.”

Djokovic said he respected Haase’s decision to step down, saying the “leaking” of information from Player Council meetings over the past 10 months had been a contributory factor.

“That was a trigger because of which Robin decided to step down, and many others,” the Serb, who is bidding to a fifth Wimbledon title, said.

Djokovic, who in May complained that “everyone holds me accountable for everything that happens in tennis at the moment,” says his team would prefer it if he stepped away and just focused on winning more Grand Slams.

“I mean, I’ve obviously considered various options. I did consider also stepping down,” Djokovic, 32, said.

“I think my team wants me to step down, honestly. It’s obvious. But I feel something is telling me from inside that I’m supposed to still stay there because I feel that we are part of the big transitional phase in tennis at the moment.

“Having a top player, I feel it means a lot to the group.

“So I still feel I can make my contribution, even though it goes against probably my schedule, certainly tennis at times, but I feel there is a greater good, I guess. That’s why I’m there.” — Reuters

Bowler Tan wins in Singapore

MERWIN TAN bagged the boys’ Masters youth championships in the 51st Singapore International Open 2019 over the weekend, proving his early success in the 20th Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Malaysia was no fluke.

Tan, 19, claimed the championship by rolling a leading 1,687 pinfalls in eight games to beat Malaysian Megan Zaqrul Haiqal by five pins, while Japanese Keita Tokushia settled for third place with 1,657 pinfalls at the Singapore Bowling Tamasek Club in Rifle Range, Singapore.

The country’s emerging national junior bowler supported by the Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF) won last April the boys’ singles gold in the Asian Youth Championships followed by the men’s open masters title in the recent Philippine International Open in Mandaluyong City.

“I’don’t want to put pressure on Merwin but he is favored to win the title because of his performances in the last few months. Merwin has very good work ethic, trying to improve himself everytime and master his craft. He’s always practicing what he does. He is a good example to other youth bowlers” said head coach Biboy Rivera.

Bea Hernandez, meanwhile, came out short by seven pins (1,667) in the girls’ youth masters to settle for 2nd place against winner Yuen Hui Shan Natalene of Singapore (1,674). Singaporean Tay Kai Lin Arianne finished third with 1,643 pin falls.

The Filipino bowlers were supported by PAGCOR, Smart and the MVP Sports Foundation, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Besides Tan and Hernandez, the other members of the team are Alexis Sy, Liza Del Rosario, Kenzo Umali, Grace Gella, Kenneth Chua, Lara Posadas, Dyan Coronacion, Patrick Nuqui, Mades Arles, Raoul Miranda, Enzo Hernandez, Rachelle Leon, Alyssa Ty, Norel Nuevo, Emerson Gotencio and Kayle Abad.

The Singapore Open is one of the PBF’s international exposures to hone the skills of the Philippine bowling team for the upcoming hosting of 30th Southeast Asian Games in the country.

PWDs participate in the sixth staging of the Ability Games

THE SIXTH ABILITY Games, an annual sporting event which provides Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) the opportunity to maximize their capabilities in different sports activities, was recently hosted by Volunteer PWD, an association dedicated to organizing activities that raise consciousness on the world of PWDs.

Held in partnership with the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Center for Sports Development (CSD), at the College’s Gymnasium of the Taft Campus, participants displayed their sporting skills and talents in chess, table tennis, badminton and even dance.

The Volunteer PWD was established in 2013 by its founder Eva Parreño, who has been closely working with CSD to support and raise awareness for persons with different disabilities and abilities.

“It’s my vision to see PWDs become well accepted and be included as members of society who are productive, professional, independent, responsible, and empowered,” Ms. Parreño explained.

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Information, Education and Communication Division Chief Rizalio R. Sanchez imparted encouragement and inspiration for the PWDs to overcome their limitations.

“It is overwhelming to know that there are such activities that would really help PWDs to showcase their special skills and talents,” Mr. Sanchez clarified.

“We are glad to hold this fun-filled sports activity for six consecutive years to enhance the social awareness of the public. Benilde as an inclusive institution, values PWD individuals regardless of learning difficulties or disability who are subject to constraints and assist them overcome their limitations,” DLS-CSB CSD Operation and Support Services head Leonard Babiera noted.

Lloyd Escoses, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 94 Coach of the Year for Women’s Badminton, together with the Blazing Shuttlers, trained the competitors with the basic stance, serving, and gripping techniques of badminton.

Meanwhile, Coach Jesusa Tayag and the Blazing Paddlers demonstrated the fundamentals like holding the paddle, the proper serve, and the scoring and rules of table tennis.

Members of the Benilde Pep Squad taught children with autism from ages 8 to 13 lively dance steps accompanied by popular K-Pop songs such as Blackpink’s “Kill This Love” and Momolamd’s “Baam,” which they performed.

Among the attendees were from the DLS-CSB’s Saint Brother Jaime Hilario Institute (SBJHI) and the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), Autism Society of the Philippines of Manila, Pasay and Cavite Chapter, Amputee for Life (AMP4life), and Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines (DSAPI).

They were joined by Las Piñas PWD Federation, Our Lady of the Airways Parish, AccessiWheels, Cerebral Palsy Warriors Philippines, Philippine International Network for Accessible Tourism, Inc. (PINATI) Malanday, Marikina City, Persons With Different Abilities-PWDA of Bambang, Taguig City, and Grain Foundation for PWD Inc.

Free agency

If there’s anything the current offseason in the National Basketball Association has shown, it’s that players want to control their destiny. They’re making plans based on developing realities and seeing how they can conceivably come closer to meeting their ultimate objective. Given the surfeit of talent, they understand that getting ahead means getting support. Which is why marquee names are constantly engaging with each other and cooking up scenarios where individual goals dovetail with collective pursuits.

No doubt, the speed with which information flows and is imparted in this day and age of social media makes appreciating the big picture more difficult. In the face of constantly moving targets, those from the outside looking in are compelled to engage in no small measure of speculation. There is, to be sure, the option of simply waiting for things to happen with finality and then assess the 2019-20 campaign from there, but half the fun is in going along for the thrills the free agency ride provides. What is true — or passes off for truth — constantly evolves in the face of the sheer number of options available to protagonists.

It isn’t just increased mobility that makes proceedings hazy and outcomes difficult to predict. It’s also the volume of warm bodies looking for the best possible landing spots. All eyes may be on the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, and Kemba Walker, but there can be no glossing over the fact that a full four-tenths of the league can be changing addresses of their own volition. The nomadic situation amps up volatility and provides cause for percolating her possibilities. Will Leonard and Durant team up as Knicks or Clippers? Will this force Irving to abandon plans to ink with the Nets and instead join the Lakers? And so on and so forth.

Under the circumstances, the difficulty of parsing truth from modicums of truth becomes more pronounced, but likewise engenders further discussion. It’s all well and good for the commissioner’s office, which most decidedly welcomes the headlines scenario-building makes. The constant jockeying for position all but creates another season — and certainly another source of entertainment — in and of itself. And the fun doesn’t end there. When the dust settles, up next is walking the talk; all the moves off the court will have to be validated (or not) on it.

Indeed, chemistry and a host of other factors remain up in the air. Still, players will have followed their heart and put themselves in prime position to succeed. And that, in the final analysis, is what matters. Until the next round of movements, of course.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing the 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.

Ban on new NCR eco-zones puts P34B in BPO investment at risk

SOME P34.238 billion worth of business process outsourcing (BPO) projects are at risk due to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s recent order to halt the processing of economic zone applications in the National Capital Region.

In a mobile message last week, Deputy Director-General of the (Philippine Economic Zone Authority)PEZA’s Policy and Planning Tereso O. Panga said this was the total worth of 22 projects — 21 information technology (IT) centers and one IT park — pending at the Office of the President (OP).

Some 131 more projects, which have not been turned over to the OP, are also at risk.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry said it will seek a longer period for the business process outsourcing industry to fulfill the OP’s documentary requirements in order to obtain an official proclamation for their economic zones.

Asked to comment on Administrative Order (AO) 18, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the DTI will request from Mr. Duterte a longer transition period.

“I will just review (whether we will seek) three months or how many months. Offhand, three months is good enough,” Mr. Lopez told reporters Friday night in Makati City.

“We will discuss internally. Kung pumayag si Presidente, amend (If the President agrees, we will amend). I don’t know. The best case is an amendment). Kung hindi, the boss, sinabi na niya yan, yan na ang policy (If not, that’s the policy, because that’s what the boss says),” Mr. Lopez added.

The DTI’s three-month request is shorter than the six-month minimum transition period to be sought by PEZA as the agency considers the time needed to make many locations ready, in terms of infrastructure and technological capacity, to host BPOs.

The six months would also allow the applicants more time to meet the documentary requirements, some of which Mr. Panga has said are difficult to obtain and are unnecessary.

However, Mr. Lopez defended the need for the requirements as part of a thorough due diligence.

In all, Mr. Lopez said the policy is necessary to bring jobs to those in the rural areas who are compelled to move to Metro Manila to find work.

AO 18 took effect on June 22. The moratorium covers applications submitted to the OP and puts under pressure those that are lacking in their documentary requirements. It gives PEZA until July 22 to address those deficiencies.

PEZA will be given 30 days to act on an incomplete application upon receipt of notice from the OP.

Mr. Panga has yet to draft a letter of request to the president as PEZA awaits input from the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

IBPAP President and CEO Rey C. Untal had said the industry projects most of the growth to be generated by Metro Manila, noting the group forecasts the take-up of office space in Metro Manila to hit 400,000 to 450,000 square meters this year.

The BPO industry accounts for 30% to 35% of the total office space take-up in the metropolis.

About 56.17% of the 381 PEZA-registered IT economic zones nationwide are in Metro Manila.

In the four months to April, IT-related investment pledges at PEZA fell 7.08% year on year to P4.632 billion.

In the first quarter, exports from the sector rose 6.75% to $3.071 billion while employment rose 10.68% to 741,905 persons. — Janina C. Lim

ANZ expects spending recovery only in 3rd quarter

ANZ Banking Group said it maintained its estimate for Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2019 to 6%, the lower range of the government’s target range of 6-7%, with public investment and spending unlikely to recover until the third quarter of 2019.

“We continue to expect GDP growth at 6% in 2019. Although private consumption is likely to remain firm, public expenditure and investment are not likely to recover until Q3,” ANZ said in its Asia Economic Outlook report.

“The impact of the delayed 2019 budget was apparent from a contraction in public spending as well as its attendant impact on private investment. The latter was also likely affected by rate hikes made last year. Indeed, we expect the impact from the delayed budget along with the election-related public construction ban to have extended into Q2.”

“Capital imports and government disbursements in April remained disappointing, suggest sustained weakness in public spending and investment,” ANZ said.

ANZ noted that only private consumption accelerated in the first quarter, with GDP growth only at 5.6%, due largely to the delayed passage of the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

ANZ’s forecast is below the 6.2% GDP growth posted in 2018.

However, ANZ said that a slowdown in growth could “help arrest some of the underlying imbalances in the Philippine economy” in the area of imports, credit and inflation.

ANZ said merchandise imports grew at a slower pace of 2.8% in April from 10.3% in December, based on a three-month average basis, resulting in a lower trade deficit of $3.1 billion in the first quarter compared with $4.2 billion in the last quarter of 2018.

ANZ also said the contraction in exports slowed to 0.5% in April from 1.5% in December.

“If these trends continue, the current account balance as (a share of) GDP will improve in 2019,” ANZ said.

ANZ sees economic growth of 6.2% next year.

Last week, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said that it is still possible to achieve a 6.5% GDP expansion this year due to election spending, consumption, and lower inflation.

“I would say 6.5% is attainable,” Mr. Pernia said, noting however, that growth in the second quarter is “not as strong as the third quarter would be.”

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has revised its inflation forecast for this year to 2.7% from the earlier 2.9%. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

DoST tells Western Visayas schools to explore AI

By Emme Rose S. Santiagudo
Correspondent

THE WESTERN Visayas Region has the potential to become a hub for the science and technology sector due to the strong research and development performance of its state universities and colleges (SUCs), according to Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña.

“If you talk of about Western Visayas, it’s more agriculture, fisheries, and marine science that is being done here,” Mr. Dela Peña said in a news conference last week during the ViScience 2019: Visayas Science Festival at the Iloilo Convention Center.

Among the SUCs in the region are the University of the Philippines Visayas, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), and the West Visayas State University, which recently had 12 of its graduates as topnotchers in the Nursing Licensure exam.

Mr. Dela Peña said while agriculture and marine science research should remain a priority, he called on the academe and researchers in the region to explore artificial intelligence (AI) and other Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors such as space technology, autonomous vehicles, and digital health care sensors.

“In ISAT-U for example, they are into engineering and metal working and in Negros, they are also strong in engineering. University of San Agustin has also started research on pharmaceuticals that are derived from the sea,” he said, speaking in mixed English and Filipino.

He also cited a recent private sector development in Capiz where a center has been set up for artificial intelligence development.

“In Capiz… they have… a private-sector development, where they allocated a certain area which they call Spring Valley. There is already one building there where they operate a center that is devoted to artificial intelligence. If you go there, you can find 10-15 young people employed doing software development and I think they are already conducting training in artificial intelligence.”

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Iloilo Provincial Director Ermelinda P. Pollentes said the department is trying to collaborate with the Capiz Innovation Center in Pueblo de Panay.

“We are also trying to see how we can link up with the Capiz Innovation Center of Pueblo de Panay. They have already some advanced developments, in the IT (information technology) sector. We would like to link up with them (to help) start-ups,” she said.

She said the DTI wants to position Iloilo as the country’s sixth Regional Inclusive Innovation Center.

“This is in preparation for the digital transformation age. I believe Iloilo is ready for this. We have been supporting the province through our shared service facilities (SSF) and other high-level equipment that will help small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) to level up their operations,” she said.

Western Visayas, the fifth-largest economy outside of the capital, had a gross regional domestic product (GRDP) amounting to P372.87 billion in 2018. Of the total, 58.1% came from the services sector, 24.7% from industries, and 17.2% from agriculture and fisheries.

The ViScience 2019 festival showcased knowledge and technology products generated by various universities from the three Visayas regions with support from the DoST, and served as a venue for more collaboration between the various institutions.

Among the technology products that were presented were the Flood Hazard Mapping in Western Visayas initiative by UP Cebu, a Botanical Dewormer from Capiz State University, and several products from UPV: algal paste, a remotely operated automatic bottom feeder, and mussel sauce.

CTA amends 3M ruling, orders payment of P20.5 million

THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) said it ordered 3M Philippines, Inc. to pay P20.5 million in tax deficiency for 2011.

In an amended decision dated June 19, the CTA second division partially granted the motion for reconsideration of 3M Philippines, Inc., finding it entitled to a refund of P1.6 million representing its erroneous payment of deficiency income tax.

However, it upheld a finding that 3M was liable for an assessed deficiency of P20.5 million representing value-added tax (VAT), expanded withholding tax (EWT), and withholding tax on compensation (WTC) inclusive of interests, saying it was not able to provide supporting documents that proved its refund claim.

The company said that court was wrong to rule that it was liable for VAT deficiency on additional taxable income per amended income tax return (ITR) of P3.1 million, but the CTA said it “did not provide supporting documents on the item of additional taxable income per amended ITR.”

It also claimed that the CTA incorrectly disallowed input tax due to improper invoicing worth P4.47 million.

“Petitioner’s arguments are a mere rehash of the same facts and issues which have already been discussed upon extensively in the assailed Decision,” the CTA ruled.

As to the EWT and WTC, the court upheld its previous decision that 3M is liable for EWT of P1.5 million and deficiency WTC of P2.1 million.

“A careful evaluation of petitioner’s arguments with respect to the deficiency EWT and WTC reveals that these are essentially mere rehashes of the same facts and issues which have already been evaluated thoroughly in the assailed Decision,” the court said.

3M claimed that the court mistakenly ruled that it did not provide sufficient documentary evidence to refute the deficiency EWT assessment and it disagreed with the charges to the salaries and allowances account in the 2011 Audited Financial Statement figures, representing SSS employer contributions, and other expenses among others.

The court said that the income tax of 3M “is effectively extinguished” due to its overpayment of P6.55 million income tax, enough to cover its deficiency income tax of P684,788.25 and interest of P423,326.96.

3M was also ordered to pay the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) delinquency interest rate of 12% on the unpaid basic deficiency taxes of P12.8 million plus corresponding 25% surcharge and deficiency interest as of Nov. 5, 2015.

The court also denied for lack of merit the motion for partial reconsideration of the BIR.

The CTA on Jan. 30 canceled the final withholding tax of 3M worth P620,167.17 and denied its refund claim worth P5.8 million. It was also ordered to pay deficiency taxes of P20.8 million and delinquency interest rate of 12% on total unpaid amount of P12.9 million on its basic tax deficiency.

The decision was written by Associate Justice Juanito C. Castañeda, Jr. and concurred in by Associate Justice Catherine T. Manahan. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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