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TRABAHO measures to require only one hearing — Salceda

REPRESENTATIVE JOSE Ma. C. Salceda, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee, said that some of the 28 laws proposed by business groups can be expedited because they were passed on third reading by the previous Congress.

The legislation already vetted during the last Congressional session include the amendments to the Public Service Act; the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) bill; amendments to the Foreign Investment Act; amendments to the Retail Trade Act; and the third package of the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act.

He said these measures may end up going through after only one committee hearing.

“In this regard, many of the Priority A list of 13, 5 are to benefit from Rule 10 Sec. 48 which requires only one committee hearing for bills approved on third reading in the previous Congress,” Mr. Salceda, of the Second district of Albay, said late Wednesday.

He said of the second set of 15 bills, TRAIN 2 Plus and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority Act will also benefit from Rule 10 Sec. 48. TRAIN 2 Plus covers more taxes on tobacco, alcohol, mining, coal and casinos.

Although the panel takes into consideration the views of the business groups, Mr. Salceda noted that its priority remains the legislation identified as urgent by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in his State of the Nation Address.

“The House of Representatives under Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano will consider the wish list submitted by the business chambers. The driving force, however, for the legislative effort of the 18th Congress, will be the President, as the country’s Chief Executive, in his articulated imperatives in the State of the Nation Address,” said Mr. Salceda.

He added, “We are encouraged by the overall positive view of the business groups and foreign chambers on the Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (CITIRA) Bill as being beneficial to our country’s economic growth but Congress considers the measure as a structural reform to make the tax system more efficient, more performance-based and fairer to all sectors.”

The senior deputy majority leader, Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla of Cavite’s 7th district, said that the House’s main priority is the national budget.

“We welcome their suggestions. We will bring the bills to the floor at the soonest possible time. But we will pass the budget first as our priority,” Mr. Remulla told BusinessWorld by phone Thursday.

He added, “We will seek the counsel of the DoF (Department of Finance) and other executive offices. The first matter for our plenary consideration may be the TRABAHO Bill, as we intend to put into use Section 48 of the house rules.” — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Further easing expected from central bank as inflation drops

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is expected to further reduce its interest rates and the bank reserve requirement ratio (RRR) on the back of easing inflation, First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said.

According to the July edition of “The Market Call” sent to reporters on Thursday, FMIC and UA&P expect a 50-basis-point (bp) cut from the central bank in the second half of the year on “plunging inflation.”

The BSP announced on Wednesday that headline inflation in July could have settled between 2% and 2.8%, citing lower rice and liquefied petroleum gas prices, cheaper electricity rates and a stronger peso, which made imports cheaper.

The floor of BSP’s estimate would be the lowest in more than two and a half years or since October 2016’s 1.8%, while the ceiling compares with June’s 2.7% and the 5.7% in July 2018.

“This will not only provide liquidity to banks, but also spur private lending and exports (via peso depreciation),” FMIC and UA&P said.

The central bank, whose Monetary Board meets on Aug. 8 for its fifth policy review for 2019, has signaled further cuts in benchmark interest rates.

The BSP reduced borrowing costs by 25 basis points (bps) in May, following a cumulative 175- bp hike last year in the face of multi-year-high inflation rates that brought 2018’s average to a decade-high 5.2%.

It also conducted a phased cut in RRR, bringing it to 16% for universal and commercial banks and to six percent for thrift lenders on July 26.

FMIC and UA&P also projected the Philippine economy to have grown by 6% in the second quarter, driven by softer inflation and strong state spending.

“Softer headline inflation and robust government spending is expected to boost Q2’s economic expansion channeled through higher consumer and government spending,” FMIC and UA&P said.

Data released in June brought in “more positive signs of economic recovery,” as inflation plunged to 2.7% and as government spending grew 8.9%.

The report also indicated that economic growth will likely accelerate further for the rest of 2019 on the back of consumer, government and investment spending.

The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee slashed its 2019 GDP growth assumption in mid-March to 6-7% from 7-8% originally, following the four-month delay in the passage of the 2019 national budget.

The government operated on a reenacted 2018 budget from the start of the year until April 15, when President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the latest general appropriations bill into law, but vetoed P95.3 billion in appropriations that he said were not in accordance with the administration’s priorities. The veto reduced this year’s national budget to about P3.662 trillion. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

PhilMech says farm mechanization aid focused on 1,200 towns

THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said that 1,200 municipalities from major rice-producing provinces will benefit from the P5-billion mechanization component of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

In a briefing on Thursday, Rodolfo P. Estigoy, head of applied communications for PhilMech, said that the implementing guidelines for the mechanization program were approved last month. The rules identify six clusters nationwide as the channels for spending on mechanization.

Luzon will have three clusters, the Visayas one, and Mindanao two.

An initial P2.1 billion was allocated to the agency by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), with the remainder to follow. Some P2 billion will go towards machinery procurement, while P100 million will fund extension services.

The distribution, delivery, and installation of the machinery will be needs-based. PhilMech had previously considered providing farmers with a whole set of machineries for the whole process of farming.

Under the needs-based scheme, farmers in need of a particular type of equipment will be provided the needed machinery. If PhilMech starts distributing dryers, for instance, all farmers needing dryers will be prioritized.

The agency will start gathering information on needed equipment this month, with procurement to start in September.

By February, PhilMech hopes to start with distribution, delivery, and installation of the procured items.

To join the program, a farmer must be registered with the DA, work within the six clusters identified by the agency, and must be a member of a farmers’ group, include irrigation associations, farmers’ cooperatives, and agrarian reform beneficiary organizations. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Farmers press for anti-dumping duties on undervalued rice imports

A FARMERS’ organization said persistent undervaluation of rice imports is depriving the agriculture sector of tariffs to fund upgrades to their farming technology, and urged the government to counter the undervaluation by resorting to anti-dumping duties.

In a statement, Federation of Free Farmers National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor noted that data from the Bureau of Customs indicate that the average landed cost of rice imports inclusive of insurance and freight was at $227 per metric ton (MT), well below the $391 per MT to $422 per MT estimated cost from the various producing countries, suggesting undervalued shipments which cost the government about P5 billion in foregone revenue.

He said undervalued gain imports represent unfair competition that is also exerting pressure on the prices of domestically-grown rice.

Anti-dumping duties are imposed on imports which a government determines to be priced below fair market value. In the Philippines, these measures are authorized by Republic Act 8752, or the Anti-Dumping Act of 1999, which allows the Secretary of Agriculture to initiate an anti-dumping investigation, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to require importers to post cash bonds equivalent to the estimated dumping margin, and the Tariff Commission to conduct investigations into anti-dumping complaints.

“The BoC has argued that they cannot question the declared value of imported rice if valid documents are submitted by the importer, even if there appears to be a clear case of undervaluation,” Mr. Montemayor said.

“With anti-dumping, an importer will be subject to higher anti-dumping duties the larger the undervaluation, no matter what documents are submitted. RA 8752 also provides that the license of an importer who is caught dumping can be cancelled, and its officers can be barred from holding positions in any business enterprise in the country,” he noted.

The BoC recently said that it is on track to fund from tariffs the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which by law must be allocated P10 billion a year.

The Rice Tariffication Act allows rice to be imported more freely by private entities, in exchange for a tariff of 35% on grain from Southeast Asia. The tariffs will finance RCEF to help farmers raise their productivity and gain more access to inputs and credit.

The BoC has collected about P6.5 billion in tariffs as of mid-July. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

MinDa added to energy investment council

THE Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) was added to the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC), the national inter-agency body tasked to coordinate investments in the energy sector.

EICC council members unanimously adopted a resolution on MinDA’s inclusion during the 2nd EICC Full Council Meeting in Taguig City this week.

“Having paved the way for improving the power situation in Mindanao following the supply crisis in 2012, MinDA’s membership in EICC now provides us with a larger platform to push forward our current power development agenda of providing a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply for Mindanao,” MinDA OIC Chairman Nathaniel D. Dalumpines was quoted as saying in a statement Thursday.

Assistant Secretary Romeo M. Montenegro, also MinDA’s deputy executive director, said EICC’s efforts are in line with the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS), under Republic Act No. 11234.

MinDA noted that power development is among its flagship programs, including a strong push for renewable energy development.

The EVOSS Act, signed in March. 2019, is intended to streamline application for permits and/or certifications required in power generation, transmission, or distribution projects.

MinDA co-chairs the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) with the Department of Energy (DoE). The MPMC was created to coordinate development plans to improve the power situation in Mindanao.

Over the years, MinDA has helped in energy projects, such as the facilitation of power development projects under the One-Stop Facilitation and Monitoring Center targeting small hydro, biomass and solar projects in 2014.

The project was in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development’s Clean Energy and Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Resilience and Sustainability.

The agency has also participated in adopting strategies under the Mindanao Energy Plan to address concerns on energy supplies. The DoE projected Mindanao’s needs at an additional 3,500 MW by 2030 and over 10,000 MW by 2040. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

CoA finds most MMDA flood control projects uncompleted in 2018

THE Commission on Audit (CoA) said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) left uncompleted last year 117 out 170 flood control projects with a total cost of P878.6 million.

“Of the 170 flood control projects for implementation and completion during the year, 53 projects have been completed, 53 were on-going, and 64 projects were not yet started as of December 31, 2018,” CoA said in its audit report for 2018.

CoA said that MMDA did not include in its annual plan for infrastructure projects the procurement timetable for each activity. The MMDA also failed to expedite the implementation of procurement after the Department of Budget and Management ordered it to do so.

“For the implemented projects, it was noted that all of them were completed in the 3rd and 4th quarter of CY 2018, thereby defeating the intent of mitigating or preventing the impact of heavy rains to the public at large to which these projects could easily serve their purposes,” said the report.

In the report, MMDA commented that its Flood Control and Sewerage Management Office (FCSMO) has directed some of its flood control operation districts to supervise the implementation of projects.

“FCSMO has directed the eleven Flood Control Operations directly responsible for the project implementation to closely supervise the execution of the works so that any concern which might arise can be properly addressed and acted upon,” it commented in the report. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Solar Para sa Bayan franchise signed

SOLAR Para Sa Bayan Corp. (SPSB) said Thursday that has been notified that its franchise has been signed by the President, adding that it is willing to work with parties that had opposed its plan to build power microgrids in unserved and underserved areas through.

In a statement, the company said President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed on July 31 Republic Act No. 11357, An Act Granting Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation a Franchise to Operate Microgrids in the Remote and Unviable, or Unserved or Underserved Areas in Selected Provinces of the Philippines.

The company, led by Leandro L. Leviste, said it was told by Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs Secretary Adelino B. Sitoy about the signing.

“We thank President Duterte for giving new choices for electricity to Filipinos in unserved and underserved areas. This is not for us but the Filipino people, and we owe it to the consumers who fought for this to deliver the service they have long deserved,” it said.

The company said electric utilities and power suppliers had claimed the bill “encroached” upon their service areas, and opposed how the bill allows SPSB to enter selected areas that experience regular brownouts, claiming that brownouts are due to many factors that are beyond their control.

“We also wish to extend an olive branch to those who once opposed this bill, for us to support the [Department of Energy’s] goal of achieving 100% electrification and ending energy poverty in the Philippines by 2022. It is time for us to join forces and work together for the common good,” it added.

SPSB said since 2017, it has brought 24/7 power to 12 towns for the first time, benefiting more than 200,000 Filipinos, in regions including Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Cagayan Valley, Bicol, Central Visayas, and Davao, without any government subsidy.

The company said it was following Mr. Duterte’s call for the private sector to take the initiative in ending energy poverty in the Philippines by 2022.

The franchise runs for 25 years and authorizes the company to operate in Aklan, Aurora, Bohol, Cagayan, Camiguin, Capiz, Campostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Guimaras, Isabela, Masbate, Misamis Occidental, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Tawi-Tawi.

The bill was approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate on June 3, 2019.

According to the SPSBC, the final version of the bill included the following amendments: “Limits the scope to unserved or underserved areas in selected provinces; requires the use of renewable energy; subjects SPSBC to regulation by the DoE and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC); obligates SPSBC to provide accessible and reliable service, and local employment, with financial penalties for failing to meet these obligations; and explicitly states SPSBC ‘shall not be entitled to any government subsidy.’” — Victor V. Saulon, Arjay L. Balinbin

Senate seeking probe of Health department overstocking of medicine

SENATORS said they intend to investigate the Department of Health after the Commission on Audit (CoA) found the department to have overstocked P18.4 billion worth of medicine, much of which is approaching their expiration dates.

Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, in Senate Resolution No. 53, proposed to conduct the investigation into the department’s medicine inventory, procured between 2015 and 2018.

“Many Filipinos for lack of money can’t buy medicine or are undermedicating themselves. And then they read reports about drugs in some government warehouses going to waste,” Mr. Angara said in a statement late Wednesday.

CoA, in its 2018 audit report, noted that P300 million worth of medicine, or 2% of the overall stock, was nearing expiry as of Jan. 31, 2019. The report also found that over P30 million worth of expired medicine was distributed to various health centers.

Mr. Angara said the Health department should review its supply chain to determine the bottlenecks which cause overstocking.

“Is it a question of overprescription or the prescription of the wrong drugs?” he said.

Mr. Angara raised the need for an inquiry in light of the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which will cost P257 billion in the first year of implementation.

In a separate development, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said he is receiving information on the alleged “conflict of interest” involving Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III as well as other irregularities in the operations of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

“Hindi lang kay Secretary Duque, pati sa PhilHealth…Pero ang dapat mas tingnan natin ang sa PhilHealth (Not just with Mr. Duque, but also PhilHealth, which we need to pay more attention to)” Mr. Lacson said in a briefing Thursday.

Mr. Lacson has said that a PhilHealth office in Region 1 is located in a building owned by the family of Mr. Duque. He also recently revealed that the DoH awarded contracts to Doctors Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (DPI), which is largely owned by the family of Mr. Duque.

The blue ribbon committee has said that Mr. Duque will not be attending a hearing set for next week as he will be visiting regions affected by the Dengue outbreak. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

San Miguel Beermen take another shot at finals spot

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series between the San Miguel Beermen and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters hits Game Four today with both teams highly determined to see their respective causes through.

San Miguel continues to lead the series, 2-1, despite losing in Game Three on Wednesday, 112-104, and makes another go at a finals spot in their 7 p.m. game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while Rain or Shine looks to tie the series and extend it to a deciding game.

Rain or Shine bucked an explosive game from San Miguel import Chris McCullough and another ferocious charge back from the Beermen to take Game Three and fight another day.

Like what they had been doing all series long, the Elasto Painters got off to a strong start, racing to a 30-14 advantage after one quarter.

But the Beermen would rally back, led by Mr. McCullough to level the game at 54-all at the halftime break.

The two teams slugged it out for the entire second half before Rey Nambatac, Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga came up big on both ends of the court down the stretch to outlast their opponents and keep their tournament lives burning.

Import Carl Montgomery led the way for Rain or Shine in the win with 25 points and 15 rebounds with Mr. Nambatac finishing with 22 points to earn player of the game honors.

Mr. Belga had 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Mr. Norwood had 11 points.

For San Miguel it was Mr. McCullough who top-scored with 51 points to go along with 14 boards.

Alex Cabagnot had 16 points while Christian Standhardinger finished with 14.

While they fell short in their initially attempt to close out the series, the Philippine Cup champions Beermen remain upbeat and doggedly determined to puncture their way to another PBA finals.

They, however, expressed concern over their slow start to games, which has been a familiar trend for the team not only in the series but for much of the ongoing tournament.

“We are concerned with our bad start. It has been the case throughout the conference. It is something we have to address because it affects our game. We are always in a catch-up situation which takes a toll on us late in the game,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria after Game Three.

“It’s unfortunate that we loss because our import scored 51 points but we are still leading and we just have to say positive,” he added.

Over at Rain or Shine, coach Caloy Garcia was thankful to have finally broken through with a win in the series despite nearly melting down anew.

“It was a good win. We almost had another meltdown, losing an 18-point lead in the first half. But it’s really hard playing against San Miguel. I’m just proud we are not going to be swept by a powerhouse team. The players came out and played hard. We just did not want to lose today and hopefully we can extend the series and get another one,” Mr. Garcia said.

He, however, highlighted the need for them to work on their game, particularly in taking care of the ball.

“We must take care of our turnovers. San Miguel is good in capitalizing on those mistakes,” Mr. Garcia said.

NCAA: Lions, Blazers in battle of unbeaten teams

UNBEATEN teams in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 battle it out today as the defending champions San Beda Red Lions meet up with the College of Saint Benilde Blazers in league action today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Both sporting identical 4-0 records, the Lions and Blazers collide in the opening seniors play at 12 noon, out to keep their cards unblemished while holding the distinction as the lone spotless team in the ongoing season of the country’s oldest collegiate league.

San Beda chalked up its latest win over rivals San Sebastian Stags, 73-59, on July 26.

Reigning NCAA player of the week Calvin Oftana stepped up for the Lions over the Stags, finishing with a near triple-double of 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, in a game that had San Beda turning things around in the second half en route to the victory.

The trio of Evan Nelle, Donald Tankoua and James Canlas each had 14 points for San Beda.

“This is a good win for us. It further helps our confidence moving forward,” said Lions coach Boyet Fernandez, whose team is gunning for a fourth straight NCAA title.

Saint Benilde, meanwhile, has started strong and looks to sustain it.

It played sans top man Justin Gutang in their last game because of knee injury but still managed to earn a fourth straight victory with a 77-72 win over San Sebastian on July 30.

Guard Unique Naboa paced CSB with 15 points, followed by Chris Flores with 14.

Jimboy Pasturan and Clement Leutcheu each had 12 points for the Blazers while veteran Yankie Haruna finally played his first game from injury and finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

“We just stuck together and found ways to win,” said CSB coach TY Tang after their win.

Meanwhile, also playing today are San Sebastian (2-3) against the Perpetual Help Altas (2-3) at 2 p.m. and the Lyceum Pirates (4-1) versus the Arellano Chiefs (1-4) at 4 p.m. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Marikina grants Manila Water original proponent status

Manila Water logo

MANILA WATER Co., Inc. said Marikina had granted the Ayala-controlled water concessionaire the certificate of acceptance and grant of original proponent status to build and operate the city’s integrated waste management facility.

It told the stock exchange Thursday that it had received the certificate dated July 22, 2019 from the office the mayor “to treat and process the city solid waste of Marikina City.”

It added that Manila Water’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Manila Water Total Solutions Corp., submitted an unsolicited proposal to build and operate the facility through a joint venture arrangement.

“The Certificate granted by the City of Marikina authorizes the commencement of detailed negotiations with respect to the terms and conditions of the project,” it said.

Manila Water disclosed last month that it signed and executed a joint venture agreement (JVA) with the Calbayog City Water District to handle the city’s water system through a project with estimated capital expenditure of P1.197 billion.

Manila Water, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Calbayog Water Co., Inc. and the water district are to execute the project for 25 years from start date as defined in the JVA. The water system is estimated to deliver a potential billed volume of 28.48 million liters per day by year 2043.

Also last month, the company forged a similar JVA with the Lambunao Water District to handle the water system of Lambunao town in Iloilo province in a 35-year project that will entail a capital expenditure of P78.98 million. The project is estimated to deliver a potential billed volume of 2.93 million liters per day by 2054.

Both deals cover the design, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, operation, financing, expansion and management of the water system in the areas. The handling of the wastewater system is included in the Calbayog City project.

On Thursday, Manila Water fell 2.13% to P23. — Victor V. Saulon

ONE Championship all set to rock Manila anew

THE BIGGEST CARD in the Philippines of ONE Championship happens today at the Mall of Asia Arena, promising another exciting and slam-bang night of combat sports action.

The third event here this year and 18th since 2012, “ONE: Dawn of Heroes” is touted as the biggest show of the promotion in the country to date, boasting of a number of high-stakes contests and highly accomplished fighters from different parts of the world.

Dawn of Heroes is headlined by the world featherweight championship fight between Vietnamese-Australian champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen and Japanese challenger Koyomi Matsushima.

Co-headlining it is the flyweight muay thai world championship fight of champion Jonathan Haggerty of England against Rodtang Jitmuangnon of Thailand.

It also marks the Manila fight debut of mixed martial arts legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez of the United States.

Also fighting are five stalwarts from top local MMA team in Team Lakay, namely, Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Danny “The King” Kingad, Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, Honorio “The Rock” Banario and Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly.

Mr. Nguyen is coming off a successful return to featherweight last time around after spending some time fighting in lightweight and bantamweight, knocking out Narantungalag Jadamba of Mongolia (flying knee) in the second round last April here in Manila.

He has expressed his desire to punctuate his top-class form in featherweight against Mr. Matsushima and continue to reign as champion.

“I hope you guys are as excited as I am, being able to come back here and compete in front of the Manila fans and Filipinos. First and foremost, I’m just happy to compete at the highest level,” said Mr. Nguyen (12-3) at the press conference for “Dawn” on Tuesday.

“I want to say congratulations to Koyomi Matsushima in earning his title shot by winning his last bout decisively. It’s an honor and I’m excited to go up against a warrior who puts it all on the line as much as I do. On Friday night, you all are in for a treat. I’ve been working so hard and I’m sure he’s been working so hard as well. But this is my division…and still,” he added.

The East versus West lightweight clash between Mr. Folayang of the Philippines and Mr. Alvarez of the United States is also much anticipated and both men vowed to give what fans they want while at the same see their respective goals through.

“I’ll be facing Eddie [Alvarez]. He’s one of those athletes that I spent a lot of time watching before. It’s a huge honor for me to be able to test my skills against him. My preparations have gone well. I lost my belt last March. That chapter of my career has closed. It’s time to write another chapter of my journey,” said Mr. Folayang (21-7), the former ONE lightweight champion.

For Mr. Alvarez (29-7), a former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champ, he knows that he is up not only against Mr. Folayang but also the Filipino fans who are rallying behind the local hero but said it would not stop him from doing what he has to do — win.

“I rarely come as a nemesis to a country. Usually, I’m the guy holding the belt. It’s unusual for me to be the bad guy, but I promise you if I’m the bad guy, I will not disappoint. I respect Eduard [Folayang]. I respect everything he’s done not just as a fighter, but also as a human being for his community. This is what this sport is all about. It’s beyond what goes on in the Circle,” said Alvarez, who lost in his ONE debut against Russian Timofey Nastyukhin in March.

Messrs. Folayang and Alvarez are to face in a ONE lightweight grand prix semifinal match.

Meanwhile, Mr. Johnson will face Japanese Tatsumitsu Wada in a flyweight grand prix semifinal with Mr. Kingad fighting in the other bracket against Australian Reece McLaren.

The winners in the flyweight grand prix semifinals face off in the finals in October in Japan.

Mr. Eustaquio, for his part, battles Yuya Wakamatsu of Japan in a flyweight world grand prix alternate bout while Messrs. Banario and Kelly are featured in preliminary lightweight and featherweight fights.

Dawn of Heroes is will be broadcast live over the ONE app and ABS-CBN S+A as well as online on iWant and on Facebook. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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