Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 9732

New housing dep’t seen up and running this month

THE new Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is expected to start operations by the last week of May, according to House committee on housing and urban development Chairman Alfredo Abelardo B. Benitez, the Representative for Negros Occidental’s 3rd District.

In a phone message to BusinessWorld on Monday, Mr. Benitez said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11201, creating the DHSUD, will be finalized on “May 22.”

“Yes, that is our plan,” he said, adding that the new department is expected to be operational by “last week of May.”

Mr. Benitez said his office and the office of Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, who chairs the Senate committee on urban planning, are directly involved in the drafting of the IRR.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed the measure into law on Feb. 14. The new department merges the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

The new department, according to the law, will act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing, human settlements and urban development, which also means that it will formulate national housing and urban development policies, strategies and standards that are consistent with the Philippine Development Plan to promote social and economic welfare.

The department will be composed of the Office of the Secretary, and the various bureaus, services and regional offices.

The Office of the Secretary, the law also said, will house the Office of the Department Secretary, the Offices of the Undersecretaries, the Offices of the Assistant Secretaries, and their immediate support staff.

In a chance interview, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman Eduardo D. del Rosario said in February that with the creation of the DHSUD, the next area of focus will be addressing the housing needs of poor Filipinos.

He said his agency is planning to come up with a proposed measure, which will be called “Republic Act on the Development and Production of Housing Units Nationwide.”

The proposed bill, he said, will target around two million informal settler families nationwide.

Also in a televised interview with One News in February, national president Noel Toti M. Cariño of the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders Association noted that one of the functions of the new department is to address the housing backlog.

“The figures will show that the production of housing has not been really encouraging. It has remained lethargic. We are producing no more than 200 thousand housing units in a sector that needs it very much. For a time before, there was a problem of financing take out (the process by which financial institutions take over developer-generated mortgages). So a lot of developers were discouraged to actually go into housing because the funds could have easily dried up,” he said.

He added that the government “should at least be producing 500 thousand units a year.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

ERC studying way forward with licenses expiring amid Supreme Court TRO

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is set to deliberate on how to move forward in promoting greater competition in the retail electricity business as the licenses of those authorized to engage in it are about to expire by 2021 to 2022 while a court-issued temporary restraining order (TRO) remains unresolved.

“Really, we have to be very careful lest we may be, the action of the ERC, may be construed as something that would breach the line of the TRO. We’re very careful. But of course, we have studied this and it’s now ready for commission deliberations,” said Agnes VST Devanadera, ERC chairperson and chief executive officer.

The commission’s top official was reacting to questions on the agency’s next move amid the continuing impasse in the full implementation of rules governing retail competition and open access (RCOA), a scheme that aims to increase the number of electricity suppliers thus lowering the cost of power.

On Feb. 21, 2017, the Supreme Court issued a TRO against a circular issued by the Department of Energy (DoE) and four resolutions issued by the ERC, less than a week before Feb. 26, 2017 when power users consuming an average of at least 1 megawatt (MW) per month for the past year are required to source power from a licensed retail electricity supplier (RES) and away from distribution utilities.

In issuing the TRO, the high court noted that the petitioners — entities that include schools and business groups — had established “a clear, legal right” considering that Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) provides for the voluntary migration of end-users to the contestable market.

Among the provisions that were put on hold is the issuance of new RES licenses. The DoE has since issued a circular making the migration voluntary instead of mandatory, although the ERC opted to wait for the resolution of the case at the Supreme Court.

“We have seven expired licenses, and we have also received 12 applications to renew licenses,” said ERC Spokesperson Floresinda B. Digal. “But given the TRO, we are constrained to act on these licenses because one of the rules that are on TRO is on the licensing of the RES.”

She said the commission had issued 30 licenses, with the remaining licensed 23 retail electricity suppliers awaiting the expiry of their licenses by 2021, and only a few by 2022.

The Retail Electricity Suppliers Association previously raised the possibility that should the impasse extend indefinitely, the retail electricity business will run out of licensed suppliers, resulting in the contestable customers returning to the distribution utilities.

ERC Commissioner Catherine P. Maceda said the pending RES license applications remain “active” while the agency studies the way forward amid the TRO.

Based on existing rules, a RES with an expired license stands to lose its license should it continue to operate. It can also be penalized.

“But there’s already a study done and meron na pong recommendation din na pag-uusapan ng (there’s also a recommendation that will be discussed by the) commission,” she said. “I don’t know if they will present this for the next meeting also, but there’s already a recommendation as well.”

“This is still subject to the deliberation of the commission if that will hold water — the recommendation,” she said, adding that the recommendation covers “how to move forward” amid the TRO without disclosing what the move will be.

A report issued by the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) placed the number of registered contestable customers, or those whose consumption reached the threshold set by the ERC, reached 1,198 as of end-2018 from only 240 when the retail market was launched on June 26, 2013.

The market recorded a total of 30 registered retail electricity suppliers, 14 registered local retail electricity suppliers, and 24 registered suppliers of last resort. A local RES serves as the retail supplier within the captive market of a distribution utility.

Suppliers of last resort serve those who were not able to contract with a licensed RES.

Majority or 1,080 registered contestable customers were in Luzon and the remaining 118 customers were in the Visayas. Mindanao is not yet part of the market as it does not have a fully functioning electricity spot market.

Of the total registrants, 19% were in the 750-kilowatt (kW)-to-999 kW contestability threshold, while 81% were in the 1 MW-and-above threshold. The retail activities of contestable customers were almost equally divided between industrial and commercial by end-2018.

The total registrants were about 64% of the 1,876 electricity end-users that were already issued a certificate of contestability by the ERC. The remaining 36% electricity end-users already issued with the certificate have not yet registered in the market.

The total energy consumption of the registered contestable customers for 2018 stood at about 17,628 gigawatt-hours (GWh). The consumption level accounts for about 23% of the combined energy consumption of the registered contestable customers and the captive customers for the year 2018.

Majority of the registered contestable customers were located within the franchise area of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest distribution utility. By end-2018, about 31% of all registrants were being supplied by the suppliers under the Meralco group. — Victor V. Saulon

DoE says rules in place for competitive selection after high court ruling

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is not keen on issuing directives to power generation companies (gencos) and distribution utilities (DUs) that were affected by the Supreme Court decision requiring all power supply contracts forged after June 30, 2015 to undergo a competitive selection process (CSP).

“It’s simple. We already have the competitive selection process policy. Section 2 provides for the exemptions, all the rest gives the rules, so they have to have the third-party bids and awards committee already. They should beef up their power supply procurement plan, and if there’s a need [for] emergencies, they have Section 2 for the exemptions [from] the CSP,” said DoE Undersecretary William Felix B. Fuentebella in an interview.

On May 6, 2019, the Supreme Court’s public information office said the tribunal ruled that power supply agreement (PSA) applications submitted by the DUs on or after June 30, 2015 were to comply with the CSP in accordance with DoE Circular No. DC2015-06-008.

The circular required all DUs to undergo CSP, a form of competitive public bidding for their purchase of electricity from gencos, in securing PSAs. It became effective on June 30, 2015 after its publication.

The competitive public bidding requirement is aimed at ensuring a fair, reasonable, and cost effective generation charge for consumers, under a transparent power sale mechanism between the generation companies and the DUs.

The court further ordered that the power purchase cost after compliance with the CSP is to retroact to the date of the PSA’s effectivity, but in no case earlier than June 30, 2015, for purposes of passing the purchase cost to consumers.

Its ruling set aside Resolution 13 of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) that set the cut-off date for the compliance of the CSP requirement to Nov. 7, 2015. The agency’s resolution postponed the implementation of the provisions of the DoE circular by 130 days.

“The policies are already in place. They just have to follow the policy,” Mr. Fuentebella said.

“We have to look at the original decision. ’Yun na lang ang hinihintay ko (that’s all I’m waiting for), but most of the decisions are prospective.”

On May 10, the ERC said it had summoned the concerned electric power industry stakeholders and required them to submit information that will enable the agency to assess the possible impact of the SC decision.

It required the submission of documents by May 15, 2019, including the details of the procurement process of the affected contracts along with supporting papers, and a list of existing major or critical loads to be affected.

It also asked for other local or locational circumstances to be considered in relation to supply stability, actual monthly amount paid for the contracts involved, and actual historical customer profile from June 2015 to December 2018.

The ERC also asked stakeholders to submit their projected power supply-demand scenario from 2019 to 2026.

The agency said it had held initial discussions with the DoE earlier last week to collaborate on the possible measures that can be undertaken in order to manage the impact of the Supreme Court ruling to the consuming public.

“We assure the public that we will do everything within the Commission’s mandate to protect the welfare of the consumers relative to the impact of the recent Supreme Court decision. We are considering and exploring various scenarios to address the impact of the Supreme Court ruling,” ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera said. — Victor V. Saulon

German chamber sees TRABAHO dampening investment

GERMAN investment is expected to decline this year in line with those of other foreign businesses as they await clarity on the fiscal incentives reforms currently pending in Congress.

In its Annual Review 2018-2019 report, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), said its parent organization AHK’s World Business Outlook is signaling a decrease in expected investment from the German business community in the Philippines.

“The ongoing discussion about TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) II, also known as the TRABAHO (Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities) Bill, is likely to be one of the factors contributing to the investment slow-down,” according to the report, which was provided to reporters last week.

“With the midterm election… the tax reform packages’s finalization and its implementation was postponed until after (May 13), leaving the issue unclear for investors in the upcoming months,” it added.

The House measure, which was approved on third and final reading, intends to cut the corporate income tax (CIT) to 20% from 30% by 2029, on a staggered basis.

The Senate version proposes slashing the CIT to 25% on the first year of implementation.

Both intend to remove certain fiscal incentives that the Department of Finance blames for lowering its tax collections, particularly the 5% gross income earned incentive.

The adjustments to the tax perks under the TRABAHO Bill are expected to mostly impact export-oriented companies.

The report added that the proposed reduction of incentives has been “met with skepticism as the current incentive package is considered globally competitive.”

The report said investors are eagerly awaiting reforms meant to streamline permit and regulatory dealings with government.

“In this regard, GPCCI anticipated the implementation of the newly signed law on ease of doing business. The intention of this law is to cut red tape and simplify business processes.”

Risk factors cited in the report were securing skilled labor and infrastructure challenges.

The group added that the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program offers German firms a huge potential market for construction-related products and services.

“GPCCI is looking forward to a positive 2019, expecting a strong growth rate of over 6% again, despite challenging global trends, volatility due to trade disputes, growing protectionism and in Europe in particular, Brexit,” it added. — Janina C. Lim

Taxpayers’ First Quarter Election

Just yesterday, millions of registered Filipino voters headed to their respective precincts to exercise their rights to suffrage. Leading up to Election Day, Filipinos were bombarded with countless campaign advertisements — from catchy jingles and sponsored social media posts to political rallies and public debates — all in the hope that candidates could influence and win the people’s vote. Now, candidates and voters alike are in limbo, hoping and praying that the election odds are in their favor.

For taxpayers, the election is not over yet. Other than voting during yesterday’s midterm elections, taxpayers have another selection to make, this time in their first quarter income tax returns (ITR). For individual taxpayers who are required to file ITRs, the deadline for their first quarter ITR for 2019 is tomorrow, May 15; for corporate taxpayers, the deadline is May 30.

INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS
For individual taxpayers, certain sole proprietors engaged in business or those practicing their profession have to decide on the income tax regime they will adopt.

Specifically, they have to choose whether they will apply an 8% or a 0 to 35% graduated income tax rate. In addition, such individual taxpayers also have the option to choose how to deduct against their gross receipts/sales: itemized deduction or optional standard deduction (OSD).

8% PREFERENTIAL OR 0 TO 35% GRADUATED
The 8% tax option is applicable to qualified individuals whose gross receipts or gross sales and other non-operating income for the taxable year do not exceed P3,000,000. When the individual opts for the 8% tax, it will be a straightforward computation of their gross sales or receipts, less a P250,000 exemption, then multiplied by the 8% income tax rate. If the taxpayer opts for the 0 to 35% graduated income tax rates, on the other hand, they can subtract the allowable deductions against their gross receipts or gross sales to arrive at their net taxable income.

ITEMIZED DEDUCTION OR 40% OSD
Individual taxpayers also have the power to choose the manner of deduction taken to arrive at their net taxable income. Itemized deduction allows the taxpayer to deduct their business-related expenses, such as salaries, rentals, and depreciation expenses, among others. Note that the conditions of deductibility under the tax rules apply to such expenses. By choosing itemized deduction, there could be instances where the bottom line result is a net loss, rather than a net income.

OSD, on the other hand, is equivalent to 40% of the taxpayer’s gross sales or gross receipts. As its name suggests, the OSD is a fixed percentage of the taxpayer’s income. Under this method, there will always be a net taxable income, since only 40% is being deducted against the taxpayer’s income.

CORPORATE TAXPAYERS
Corporate taxpayers can choose whether to adopt the itemized deduction or the OSD methods.

Under the itemized deduction method, corporate taxpayers will be allowed to deduct actual corporate business expenses; likewise, the conditions for deductibility apply to each type of expense. In contrast, the OSD is computed in an amount not exceeding 40% of the corporate taxpayer’s gross income, as defined by the tax rules. For comparison, while the OSD for individuals is based on their gross sales or receipts, the OSD for corporations is based on gross income.

IRREVOCABILITY OF THE ELECTION
The choice of tax regime (whether 8% or graduated income tax rates for individuals) or the option of method of deduction (whether itemized deduction or OSD) is irrevocable for the applicable taxable year. Once the selection is made, it cannot be changed by any future amendment of the ITR.

For individual income taxpayers, what tax rate then should a home-based online consultant choose to compute their income taxes for the year? Should they make the same decision as a financial adviser regularly earning commissions? What about a businessman who owns and operates a gas station or a hardware store? Should they take same option as a practicing doctor or lawyer? The individual’s projected income for 2019 must be considered.

Similarly, for corporate taxpayers, budgeted or forecast income statements for the year are prepared. These budgets and forecasts should be carefully studied to determine whether itemized deduction or OSD would be more advantageous. A corporation with an expected low profit margin or incurring losses would more likely opt for itemized deduction; while companies with a high profit margin could consider OSD.

These are just general reminders on the taxpayer’s election for the first quarter ITR. The details can be carefully read in Revenue Regulations No. 16-2008, 08-2018, and other related issuances. Additionally, taxpayers need to make a cautious analysis of their financial figures or projections and other circumstances.

So, the May 13 elections have ended, and it can be surmised that Filipino voters thought matters through before casting their ballots. In the same vein, it is obviously fitting that taxpayers make the same responsible evaluation when it comes to their choices related to filing their first quarter ITR. Remember, your choices in the first quarter ITR are irrevocable for this year.

Let’s Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

 

Mica Dyan T. Borja is a senior from the Tax Advisory & Compliance division of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com.

Beermen and Hotshots brace for Game 7 grind

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series between defending champions San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok goes to a deciding Game Seven on Wednesday with both teams expecting a grind and a match necessitating only their best.

Forced after the Beermen took Game Six, 98-86, on Sunday to level the series and stave off being dethroned, the two teams now make one last go at it to be crowned this season’s Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino champion.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria said they are very thankful to have been able to tie the series and give themselves a chance to retain their title, which has been in their hold for the last four years.

“We are very thankful to be able to level the series. I think key for us in this game was our defense. Hopefully we can continue it in the rubber match,” said Mr. Austria following Game Six.

The San Miguel coach said they feel good of their chances in Game Seven but acknowledges that Magnolia would come in prepared and ready to battle.

“It would take a lot preparation and hard work for us heading into Game Seven because we all know Magnolia is used to grind-out games. They continue to hustle and play tough no matter what,” he added.

Mr. Austria said a good sign for them was that erstwhile struggling Marcio Lassiter finally found his shots last time around.

Still working his way back from a back injury, Mr. Lassiter had his best game in a while in Game Six, finishing with 20 points on 50% shooting (7-of-14) to go along with seven rebounds.

His solid game complemented the efforts of June Mar Fajardo (23 points and 18 rebounds) and Chris Ross (17 points and six assists) to help their team to the victory.

“Hopefully Marcio gets his consistency. He’s still not there but his working his way to form. We all know how important he is to our team. We hope this game would boost his confidence going into the rubber match,” said Mr. Austria.

While they missed out the opportunity to close things out in Game Six, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said they are still bullish of getting the job done in Game Seven.

“Despite the loss I still give credit to my players for they never gave up. We had our chances but I guess the game was really for San Miguel because they hit big shots that helped their cause. But we will review the tape and see what we can improve on,” Mr. Victolero said.

In Game Six, guard Jio Jalalon top-scored for the Hotshots with 17 points with Ian Sangalang adding 14.

Mr. Victolero went on to say that Game Seven should be a fun one for the entire PBA as the two teams could only be expected to give their all.

Game Seven of the PBA Philippine Cup finals is on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Leonard tows Raptors to conference finals

KAWHI LEONARD hit a buzzer-beating jump shot that bounced up and around the rim before finally dropping through the net, and the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers, 92-90, on Sunday night in the seventh and deciding game of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

Leonard finished with 41 points and eight rebounds, and the winning shot came after Jimmy Butler had tied the game on a layup with 4.2 seconds remaining.

Teammates swarmed Leonard along the baseline after his fall away shot from the right corner. Toronto advanced to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the conference finals. The Raptors are seeking their first NBA Finals appearance. Leonard hit a 24-foot jumper with 1:42 to play to give Toronto an 87-85 lead.

The Raptors led by four with 1:14 to play on a steal by Kyle Lowry, who set up Pascal Siakam for the layup.

Butler made one of two free throws, cutting the lead to three. With 12.1 seconds to play, Joel Embiid made two free throws to trim the lead to one.

Leonard made one of two free throws with 10.8 seconds remaining, and Butler tied the score at 90 on his layup.

Serge Ibaka provided 17 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors. Siakam had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Lowry, who had an injured thumb taped in the first half, had 10 points, and Marc Gasol added seven points and 11 rebounds.

Embiid had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers. JJ Redick scored 17 points, Butler added 16, Tobias Harris scored 15 and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Ben Simmons finished with 13 points.

After the Raptors took a five-point lead early in the fourth quarter on Ibaka’s three-pointer, Embiid’s 3-pointer put the 76ers ahead by one point with 7:37 left.

The Raptors took a five-point lead on Leonard’s floating jumper and a free throw with 4:48 to go

But Redick nailed a jumper and hit the free throw to tie the game at 85 with 3:29 remaining.

The Raptors led 18-13 after one quarter and 44-40 at halftime.

Meanwhile, CJ McCollum scored 37 points, including a fadeaway jumper with 11.4 seconds left, and the Portland Trail Blazers rallied to beat the host Denver Nuggets 100-96 in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals also on Sunday.

The Nuggets with the win advanced to the Western Conference finals against the Golden State Warriors. — Reuters

Kaya plays in key match

WITH ITS place in the next round of the 2019 AFC Cup still in the balance, Kaya FC-Iloilo tries to give its bid a boost with a victory in its final game in group play today against Home United FC in Singapore.

One of three teams still in the mix to advance to the AZEAN Zonal semifinals of the tournament as the best runner-up, Kaya is eyeing a key win at the Jalan Besar Stadium in its scheduled 8:30 p.m. match.

A victory secures for Kaya the second seed in Group H and 11 points to keep in step with two other hopefuls.

However, victories by either, or both, Hanoi FC and Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam in Groups F and G, respectively, in their final matches outright eliminate Kaya.

Hanoi and Becamex are currently ahead of Kaya in the best runner-up race with 10 points each.

Hanoi plays Group F leader Tampines Rovers of Singapore while Becamex takes on Group G top team Ceres-Negros FC on May 15.

Kaya enters today’s important match off a 5-1 shellacking of also-ran Lao Toyota FC of Laos at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City on April 30.

The game saw Ghanaian forward Jordan Mintah finally find his groove, finishing with a hat trick to help his team to the victory.

Erstwhile struggling Mintah got the scoring going for Kaya in the 11th minute when the Ghanaian poked a shot past the Lao goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead.

Just as the opening half drew to a close, Kaya doubled its lead care of midfielder Connor Tacagni, who nodded a goal in the 40th minute.

In the second half, Lao got buried deeper when Mr. Mintah scored his second goal in the 66th minute.

The visiting side scrambled to stay in the game, managing to squeak in a goal in the 70th minute from forward Kazuo Homma.

But that was the closest Lao could get as Kaya put its foot down and went on a strong finish, punctuated by goals from Yannick Tuason (86’) and Mr. Mintah (89’) to complete the impressive victory.

After, the Kaya think tank lauded the team’s solid showing from start to finish, something they hope to duplicate in today’s contest.

“I’m so happy for my boys. That was hard work from start to finish. In general, we played really well today,” said Kaya coach Noel Marcaida of the performance they showed against Lao. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Intellectual property in sports center of Benilde confab

IN commemoration of the National Intellectual Property Month in the Philippines and World Intellectual Property Day, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde recently held a forum discussing the value of IP in relation to sports.

Organized by the Intellectual Property Management Center (IPMC) of CSB and held at the School of Design and Arts Campus in April, the forum, entitled “The Role of Intellectual Property and Sports,” gathered experts in the field of legal practice, technology, graphic design and sports to discuss the value of Intellectual Property (IP) before a crowd of students, athletes and associates.

Panelists were CSB Center for Sports and Development and taekwondo Olympian Stephen Fernandez, IP Law practitioner and book author Ernesto Salao, and sports photographer and graphic designer Tristan Tamayo. Forum moderator was Atty. Janice Tejano, Director of the IPMC.

During the forum, the panellists discussed how IP comes into play in various levels in sports.

Mr. Fernandez touched on the role in economic development of IP in global sports.

“IP helps in generating income from the sale of sports-related goods and services. It has become increasingly important to athletes who want to create, protect, and commercially leverage their rights by staking their own intellectual property claim or by licensing or transferring their rights,” said Mr. Fernandez.

Mr. Salao, for his part, reiterated the need for inventors to be assured that they are properly compensated for their ideas and work, which is one the facets that the forum wanted to bring forth.

“All things covered by intellectual property are supposed to help us, help an athlete, a corporation, a marketer, and a photographer do their jobs better,” the IP Law practitioner.

Mr. Tamayo, meanwhile, took time to enjoin fellow photographers and artists to learn the copyright and related rights to safeguard their works.

“For all creators, know the value of your art and learn to protect your work, whatever it would be, what form it may be to avoid others stealing your personal pieces,” said Mr. Tamayo.

The Role of Intellectual Property and Sports forum was set up on April 3 by the IPMC of CSB which is under the Office of the Chancellor and administers the IP Rights Policy and its implementing rules and regulations, and manages the college’s development, registration, protection and licensing. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Le Tour has two technical stages

THE Tagaytay City climb and the winding roads leading to and from Donsol in Sorsogon are bound to test how well the 75 cyclists could adopt quickly and strongly to technical rides in the Le Tour de Filipinas that celebrates its 10th year from June 14 to 18.

Stage One of the Le Tour de Filipinas on June 14 starts and ends in Tagaytay City but its not picturesque Taal Volcano that provides glitter to the race, but the descent from the Praying Hands monument on Aguinaldo Highway and the climb in Barangay Sampaloc in Talisay town that provides the challenge.

The stage could be short at 129.50 km but for Paquito Rivas, the tour’s race manager and owner of the moniker Eagle of the Mountain, said the kick off would sap the most out of the cyclists.

There are five stages this time in the International Cycling Union Category 2.2 event founded by PhilCycling chairman Bert Lina to celebrate a decade of racing. And Stage Five on June 18 is as crucial as the first in Tagaytay.

Covering 145.80 km, the riders will be flagged off from Legaspi City and will pass through Donsol that is made famous by the butanding (whale sharks).

The whale sharks are famous for being amiable to humans, but the route at Luzon’s southern tip could be brutal to the cyclists.

Sandwiched by the two technical stages are long rides over the flat and well-paved Maharlika Highway that dissects the Bicol Region where sprinters could frolic on.

Fifteen teams — five local and 10 international — composed of 75 riders are vying in the race.

Ghana FC dethrones Super Eagles in Philam Life 7s Football League; Outkast wins

AFTER settling for a heartbreaking runner-up finish in Season 2, Ghana FC dominated and broke through against the Super Eagles in their Philam Life 7s Football League men’s final rematch, 3-1, to emerge as champions in Season 3 Sunday at the McKinley Hill Stadium.

The Ayi Bimbo-mentored squad shocked the packed venue by controlling possession and scoring two quick goals in the first half, coming from forwards Emmanuel Mbata and Daniel Ashley to go up 2-0 in a 10-minute span.

It left the Super Eagles flat and unable to dictate the pace throughout the match as the ousted champions played catch-up for the entire duration.

In the second half, Super Eagles tried to mount a comeback with Emmanuel Sylvernus converting a goal. However, the defense and crisp passing of Ghana FC were too much to handle for them, and striker Junior Sam chipped in another goal to secure the victory.

“When we scored 2-0 in the first half, Super Eagles’ confidence was really shut down and even if they scored a goal in the second half, we were not worried because I know we can score another goal to seal the win. I knew already that we will get another goal,” said Mr. Bimbo.

“It was really hard for us to keep it at a clean sheet because of their pressing but I was glad that after they scored their lone goal, my teammates tried their best to score another one to kill their momentum,” added Steve Waledji.

“When I said that we will go all the way, I meant it. We were not going to think about our opponent, and we just focused on winning. I told [my guys] that this is not a revenge game. I told them that let’s all have fun,” added Mr. Bimbo.

In the women’s division, it was Outkast FC prevailing over the tough Stallion-Hiraya side, coming from behind to bag home the inaugural Philam Life 7s Women’s Football League title via a 2-1 win.

Hiraya’s Aiza Mondero opened the scoring in the final, as her side kept pressing early on in the first half. Stallion-Hiraya looked good after 25 minutes, but Outkast relied on veterans Let Dimzon and Loreta Ladero to pour in two goals to complete their comeback.

Ms. Ladero’s go-ahead goal came in the second half as she volleyed a cross from Alesa Dolino that went past Hiraya coach-goal keeper Haya Ibarra.

Their defense also tightened in the second half, as Stallion-Hiraya had a difficult time on their counter attacks and the Keuts Smith-managed squad controlled the possessions just enough to preserve the win.

In the Philam Life 7s Football League all-star game, Team Foreigner All-Stars, coached by Danny Kross, walloped Bimbo’s Team Filipino All-Stars, 5-nil in the seasonal centerpiece of the league.

Strikers Kathy Aihunu and David Asare sparked Team Foreigners’ torrid start on offense by converting two goals in the first half. Hamed Hajimehdi, Stacey Arthur, and Ebere Ogochukwu scored one goal each to add on to their goal total as they built an insurmountable lead against Team Philippines.

Having topnotch goalkeepers like Dini Outtara and Abu Ibrahim also helped the squad maintain the clean sheet throughout the match. The Foreigner All-Stars had players like Gui Matsunaga, Joaco Canas, Otuyemi Emmanuel, Hideo Muraoka, Petar Sajko, and Tako Odawara.

The Filipino All-Stars were bannered by Daniel Matsunaga, Anton Del Rosario, Roberto Orlandez, Roberto Corsame, Cedric Hodreal, Rafael Halili, Mateo Yuhico, Amanda Fernandez, and Joyce Semacio, to name a few.

UAAP women wars

UAAP Season 81
2018-2019 UAAP Chess Team Tournament (Women)
1st Floor, QPAV Building, UST, España St., Manila
Sept. 19-Oct. 28, 2018

DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY (DLSU), 43 pts, 23 match points

bd01 Mira Mirano 9/13, bd02 WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego 6/6, bd03 Ella Grace Moulic 11.5/14, bd04 Samantha Glo Revita 11.5/14, bd05 Franchell Eds Javier 4/7, bd06 Daphne Mae Dy 1/2. Team Captain: Mira Mirano, Team Coaches: FM Randy Segarra, Susan Grace Neri, Team Managers: Aurelio Family, George Barcelon, Gerardo Achacoso.

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES (UP), 29.5 pts, 19 match points

bd01 Ynna Sophia Canape 7.5/14, bd02 Jee-Ann Faye Barry 0/4, bd03 Geraldine Guyo 8.5/14, bd04 Justnin Macapuno 9.5/14, bd05 Martina Sophia Casiano 4/9, bd06 Queenie Rose Solis 0/1. Team Captain: Ynna Sophia Canape, Head Coach: FM Leonardo Carlos, Asst. Coach: WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito, Team Manager: Sol Marfori.

ADAMSON UNIVERSITY (AdU), 28.5 pts, 16 match points

bd01 Bonalyn Ornido 3/9, bd02 Jellie Ann Magro 10/14, bd03 Jean Paula dela Cruz 5.5/12, bd04 Abigail Tamundong 7.5/14, bd05 Jashua Patria 2.5/7. Team Captain: Jullie Ann Magro, Team Coach: Christopher Rodriguez.

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST (UE), 28 pts, 15 match points

bd01 Virgenie Ruaya 8/14, bd02 Monaliza Geronimo 0/2, bd03 Cristhina Ann Medenilla 7/14, bd04 Kimberly Chu 4.5/13, bd096 Isabel Palibino 8.5/13. Team Captain: Virgenie Ruaya, Head Coach: John Perzeus Orozco.

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST), 25 pts, 14 match points

bd01 Glenderlyn Anana 4/11, bd02 Highzzy Manaloto 9.5/14, bd03 Cyamir Jill Villanueva 2/9, bd04 Mary Ann Alcantara 7.5/14, bd05 Charlotte Britney Paez, 2/5, bd06 Hilary Claire Murillo 0/3. Team Captain: Highzzy Manaloto, Team Coach: IM Ronald Dableo, Team Manager: Michaela Concio.

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU), 24.5 pts, 8 match points

bd01 Enrica Villa 7/13, bd02 Marife dela Torre 7/13, bd03 Viona Nepascua 3.5/9, bd04 Babylyn Salanga 2/6, bd05 Janin Crisologo 2/6, bd06 Jemima Valdez 3/9. Team Captain: Michelle Yaon, Team Coach: GM Jayson Gonzales, Team Manager: Atty. Ruel Canobas, Asst. Team Manager: WFM Shania Mae Mendoza.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (NU), 23.5 pts, 10 match points

bd01 Mary Rose Trono 0/1, bd02 Jemelee Oandasan 5/12, bd03 Ma. Kathrine Grace Almodal 3/12, bd04 Lovely Iris Reyes 7.5/13, bd05 Kisha Marie D. Flores 3.5/10, bd06 Charmaine Lilan Manga 4.5/8. Team Captain: Lovely Iris Reyes, Team Coach: Jose Aquino Jr, Asst. Coach: Mark Anthony Bernales, Team Manager: Samson Go, Manny Go.

ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY (ADMU), 22 pts, 7 match points

bd01 Jillian Jay Feliciano 1/7, bd02 Alexis Anne Osena 7.5/14, bd03 Merlene Membrere 5.5/14, bd04 Laila Camel G. Nadera 7/14, bd05 Ma. Minella Christine Sandoval 1/7. Team Captain: Jillian Jay Feliciano, Team Coach: IM Yves Ranola, Team Managers: Bernice Ty, Maegan Lim, Brena Mae Membrere.

Individual Medal Awardees

Most Valuable Player: Mira Mirano, DLSU

Rookie of the Year: Samantha Glo Revita, DLSU

Board 1
Gold — Mira Mirano, DLSU 9/13
Silver — Virgenie Ruaya, UE 8/14
Bronze — Enrica Villa, FEU 7/13

Board 2
Gold — Highzzy Manaloto UST, 9.5/14
Silver — Marife dela Torre FEU, 7/13
Bronze — Alexis Anne Osena, ADMU 7.5/14

Board 3
Gold — Ella Grace Moulic, DLSU 11.5/14
Silver — Julie Ann Magro, AdU 10/14
Bronze — Geraldine Guyo, UP 8.5/14

Board 4
Gold — Samantha Glo Revite, DLSU 11.5/14
Silver — Justnin Macapuno, UP 9.5/14
Bronze — Lovely Iris Reyes, NU 7.5/13

Board 5
Gold — Isabel Palibino, UE 8.5/13
Silver — Franchell Eds Javier, DLSU 4/7
Bronze — Abigail Tamundong, AdU 7.5/14

Board 6
Gold — Charmain Lilan Manga, NU 4.5/8
Silver — Jashua Patria, AdU 2.5/7
Bronze — Jemima Valdez, FEU 3/9

Last year WIM Bernadette Galas played top board for De La Salle University in the UAAP Women’s Team Championship and scored 12/13, leading the Lady Archers to the team gold and winning for herself board 1 gold honors as well as the overall Most Valuable Player award.

Her teammate WIM (Woman International Master) Marie Antoinette San Diego did very well too — she won the individual gold on 3rd board with a mind-boggling 12.5/13 score.

So what happens with the defending champion DLSU team this year when WIM Galas is no longer available to play and WIM San Diego misses more than half of the event because she is representing the Philippines in the Women’s Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia?

Apparently, no problem at all. Ms. Tonette San Diego could only play 6 games but whitewashed her opponents 6/6. WCM Mira Mirano had 9/13 on top board and replicated Bernadette Galas’s feat last year — Mira was the individual gold medalist on board 1 and was declared the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Most Valuable Player. Then there is their 3rd board Ella Grace Moulic, 11.5/14 on 3rd board and likewise individual gold medalist.

DLSU added new players WFM Samantha Glo Revita, Daphne Mae Dy and Franchell Eds Javier and they all did well, especially the talented Rosales, Pangasinan product Glo Revita, a veteran of the Age Group competitions in Southeast Asia where she won several gold medals in previous years. Here in her debut season she was 11.5/14 on board 4, also an individual gold-medal winning performance.

No other school could keep up with De La Salle University and the players from Taft wound up with 43 pts out of a maximum of 56, a full 13.5 points ahead of the second-player UP Lady Maroons. This might be the biggest winning margin ever in the history of the UAAP. Really impressive performance — let us take a look at their games.

[UST] MANALOTO, Highzzy G. — [DLSU] WIM SAN DIEGO, Marie Antoinette M. [A36]

2018–19 UAAP Chess (WOMEN) 1st Flr., QPAV Bldg., UST, Es (11.1), 20.10.2018

Tonette gets the jump on White in the opening from which her opponent does not recover.

1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 g6 3.e4 Bg7 4.g3 Nc6 5.Bg2 a6 6.Nge2 b5

A Benko Gambit-like sacrifice specifically targeted against the Botvinnik formation (pawns on c4 and e4, knights on c3 and e2 with fianchettoed bishop on g2) of White. It scores well for Black.

7.cxb5 axb5 8.0–0

Taking the pawn is not recommended. After 8.Nxb5 Ba6 9.Nec3 (9.Nbc3 Bd3 10.0–0 Nb4) 9…Qa5 10.a4 (10.Na3 Ne5 White will have difficulty castling) 10…Bxc3 11.dxc3 Bxb5 12.axb5 Qxa1 13.bxc6 dxc6 both sides have chances but I think most people would prefer Black here. Lagopatis, N. (2182)-Navara, D. (2715) Achaia 2013 0–1 53.

8…Ba6 9.Re1

White goes into passive play. The position calls for dynamic play, something like 9.e5! Bxe5 10.Ne4 c4 (10…d6?! is what White is trying to provoke, to be met by 11.Nxc5!) 11.d4! cxd3 12.Nf4 it is going to be an exciting game.

9…e6 10.Nf4 Nge7 11.Bf1 Nd4 12.Kg2 Nec6 13.Nce2 b4 14.Nxd4 Nxd4 15.Ne2?

[15.Bxa6 is almost forced]

15…Bxe2 16.Bxe2 b3 17.Bd3

[17.a3 Nc2]

17…0–0 18.a3 d5 19.Bb1 dxe4 20.Bxe4 Ra7 21.Rb1 f5 22.Bf3 e5

POSITION AFTER 22…E5

Clearly White is about to be overrun by Black’s pawns.

23.d3 Nc2 24.Rf1 Rd7 25.Bc6 Rxd3 26.Qe2 c4

White’s bishop is stranded with nowhere to go. Black will continue …e5–e4 and …Nc2–d40f3.

27.Ba4 Qa8+ 28.f3 Qxa4 29.Bg5 h6 30.Be7 Ne3+ 31.Kh3 Re8 32.Bb4 f4 33.Rg1 Qd7+ 34.g4 h5 35.Kh4 Bf6+ 36.g5 Nf5+ 37.Kh3 Nd4+ 0–1

Samantha “Glo” Revita was obviously too strong for board 4. She caught several of her opponents in opening traps. For those who survive the opening she gets to display her endgame skills.

[DLSU] REVITA, Samantha Glo C. — [NU] FLORES, Kisha Marie D. [A45]

2018–19 UAAP Chess (WOMEN) 1st Flr., QPAV Bldg., UST, España (10.1), 14.10.2018

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 e6 3.e4 Be7 4.e5 Nd5 5.Bxe7 Qxe7 6.c4 Nf4 7.Nc3 d6 8.g3 Ng6 9.f4 dxe5 10.dxe5 0–0 11.Bg2 Rd8 12.Qe2 Na6 13.Nf3 Bd7 14.0–0 Bc6 15.Rfd1 Nc5 16.b4 Na4 17.Nxa4 Bxa4 18.Rxd8+ Rxd8 19.a3 Qd7 20.Ra2 Bd1 21.Qe3 Bxf3 22.Bxf3 b6 23.Kf2 Qd4 24.Rc2 Ne7 25.Be4 Kf8 26.Qxd4 Rxd4 27.Ke3 Rd1 28.Rd2 Rxd2 29.Kxd2

White’s only plus is the slightly weakened Black queenside pawns. Surprisingly enough she quickly turns this into a big advantage.

29…h6 30.Kc3 Ke8 31.c5 Kd7 32.Kc4 c6 33.cxb6 axb6 34.a4 Kc7 35.a5 bxa5?

Correct is 35…Kb7! perhaps Kisha Flores was afraid of 36.b5 but then 36…bxa5 37.Kc5 Kc7 38.bxc6 a4 the white king has to go pick up the a-pawn and Black’s forces will in turn capture White’s c6–pawn.

36.bxa5 Nc8 37.Kc5 Ne7 38.a6 Nd5 39.Bh7 Ne7 40.Be4 Nd5 41.a7 Kb7 42.a8Q+ Kxa8 43.Kxc6 Ne3 44.Kd7+ Kb8 45.Ke7 Nf1 46.Kxf7 Nxh2 47.Kxe6 Kc8 48.Kf7 Ng4 49.e6 1–0

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

1...9,7319,7329,733...12,965Page 9,732 of 12,965
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube