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Schauffele shoots closing 11-under 62 to clinch Tournament of Champions

HAWAII — Xander Schauffele equalled the course record with an 11-under-par 62 to win the Sentry Tournament of Champions by a stroke ahead of Gary Woodland in Hawaii on Sunday.
Schauffele started the final round five strokes behind overnight leader Woodland and fell further back with a bogey at the first at the Kapalua Plantation course on Maui.
But two eagles — the second from 105 yards at the par-four 12th — and eight birdies catapulted the American to his fourth victory on the PGA Tour, his second in a couple of months after winning the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai in late October.
Schauffele finished at 23-under 269, and then watched from the scoring trailer as Woodland missed a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-five 18th that would have forced a playoff.
“It was a crazy day,” Schauffele told Golf Channel.
“I started off poorly, chipped in (on the par-five ninth) and then holed out shortly after that.
“I knew it was going to be a birdie-fest coming in. I got nervous coming down the stretch but I was able to pull off some shots.”
None of those shots were better than the 200-yard approach he fired into the green at the par-four 17th, the hardest hole on the course, before reading the breaking nine-foot birdie putt perfectly.
The 25-year-old hit a similarly impressive approach at the last, a fairway-metal from 270 yards that he drew into the heart of the green before two-putting from 12 feet.
All four of his victories have been achieved playing the final round from behind.
“I’m definitely freed up,” he said. “The next step is to go wire-to-wire, have a lead and maintain it.
“I have no idea what really works for me yet. This is only my third year out here. I can’t tell you what the winning formula is.”
Woodland, who started the day with a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy, shot 68 and had to settle for second on 22-under.
“I’m playing great,” he said. “Frustrated right now but Xander played great, hat’s off to him. This one will sting tonight but we’ll regroup.”
Justin Thomas (65) finished third on 18-under, while McIlroy faded with a 72 to finish eight shots back tied for fourth. — Reuters

Women’s quickplay

FIDE World Rapid Championship (women)
St. Petersburg, Russia
Dec. 26-28, 2018

Final Top Standings
(Rapid Ratings are used)

1. GM Ju Wenjun CHN 2584, 10.0/12

2-3. IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh IRI 2402, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina RUS 2477, 9.0/12

4-9. GM Anna Muzychuk UKR 2595, GM Tan Zhongyi CHN 2442, IM Zhansaya Abdumalik KAZ 2444, GM Kateryna Lagno RUS 2539, GM Lei Tingjie CHN 2545, IM Anastasia Bodnaruk RUS 2442, 8.5/12

Total of 124 Participants
Time Control: 15 minutes for the entire game with 10 seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1

FIDE World Blitz Championship (women)
St. Petersburg, Russia
Dec. 29-30, 2018

Final Top Standings
(Blitz Ratings are used)

1. GM Kateryna Lagno RUS 2560, 13.5/17

2. IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh IRI 2377, 13.0/17

3. GM Lei Tingjie CHN 2458, 12.5/17

4. GM Valentina Gunina RUS 2489, 12.0/17

5-7. GM Tan Zhongyi CHN 2494, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina RUS 2422, GM Anna Ushenina UKR 2419, 11.5/17

8-15. WCM Leya Garifullina RUS 2120, GM Ju Wenjun CHN 2558, WGM Zeinab Mamedjarova AZE 2271, IM Inna Gaponenko UKR 2314, GM Anna Muzychuk UKR 2559, GM Antoaneta Stefanova BUL 2490, IM Elisabeth Paehtz GER 2366, WFM Turmunkh Munkhzul MGL 1936, 11.0/17

Total of 125 Participants
Time Control: three minutes for the entire game with two seconds added to your clock after every move starting move 1
The Chinese Grandmaster (GM) Ju Wenjun (born Jan. 31, 1991) was having a great 2018. In Marcb 2018 she challenged GM Tan Zhongyi for the women’s title and won it 5.5-4.5 to become the 17th Women’s World Chess Champion.
Then she led the Chinese women’s squad to the gold medal in the 2018 Batumi World Chess Olympiad and won the individual medal for best performance on board 1 with a score of five wins and four draws for 7/9.
The next world championship was held in November 2018 in Khanty-Mansiysk (don’t ask me why there were two world championships in the same year). The Khanty-Mansiysk event was a tough one as it was a KO tournament with 64 participants and Wenjun had to start from round 1 just like everybody else.
In two-game matches GM Ju defeated Australia’s WIM Kathryn Hardegen 2-0, the tough GM Irina Krush USA 2434 1.5-0.5, her compatriot WGM Zhai Mo CHN 2352 1.5-0.5, then WGM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova UZB 2335, 1.5-0.5 and then former women’s world champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk RUS 2543 1.5-0.5.
The final match to determine who gets the title was against Russia’s Kateryna Lagno, who we will talk more about later. They exchanged wins to finish with a tied match 2-2 in the standard time controls. The first two rapid tie-break games (25 minutes each with 10-second increments) were drawn but then Ju Wenjun won both quick rapid (10 min+10-second increment) games to retain her title.
Ju Wenjun came here to St. Petersburg with the goal of duplicating the “triple-crown” feat of Magnus Carlsen in 2014 when he won the world chess championship under all time controls: classical chess, rapid as well as blitz.
She almost got it. Wenjun won the rapid title a point clear of her closest pursuer, She also beat her main rival Kateryna Lagno quite decisively when the Ukrainian-turned Russian fell into an opening trap.

Ju, Wenjun (2575) — Lagno, Kateryna (2560) [B07]
FIDE Wch Rapid w St. Petersburg (9.1), 28.12.2018

1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.0–0 0–0 6.Re1 Nbd7 7.e4 e5 8.Nc3 c6 9.a4 Re8 10.h3 Qc7 11.a5 exd4 12.Nxd4 Nc5 13.Bf4
With a concrete threat which Kateryna does not notice.
13…Nh5? <D>
If Black had noticed the threat she would have played 13…Nfd7.
POSITION AFTER 13…NH5
14.Ndb5! Qd7
The knight is immune to capture. 14…cxb5 15.Bxd6 with a very big advantage. Black cannot play 15…Qc6 because of 16.e5.
15.Bxd6 Ne6 16.Na3 Bd4 17.Nc4 Rd8 18.Qe2 Ng5 19.g4 Qe6 20.Bh2 Ng7 21.Rad1 h5 22.h4 Nh7 23.g5 Qe7 24.e5 Bg4 25.Bf3 Bxf3 26.Qxf3 Nf5 27.Qf4 Bxc3 28.bxc3 Rxd1 29.Rxd1 Rd8 30.Nd6 Qe6 31.Rd3 Nxd6 32.exd6 Nf8 33.Re3 Qd5 34.Qf6 Qd1+
[34…Rd7 35.Be5 White mates]
35.Kg2 Qd5+ 36.Kf1 Qc4+ 37.Kg1 Qg4+ 38.Bg3 Rd7 39.Re8
And now White has the killer threat of Rxf8+ Kxf8 Qh8 mate.
39…Qd1+ 40.Kh2 1–0
In the Blitz section though it was GM Kateryna Lagno who dominated. Let’s talk about her a bit.
Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Lagno was born Dec. 27, 1989 in Lviv, Ukraine. She represented Ukraine up to 2014 when she moved to Russia. She was a prodigy and attained the Woman’s Grandmaster title at the age of 12 years four months and two days. Twice she was European Women’s Champion and she earned two team gold medals at the women’s chess Olympiad. In 2006 as part of the Ukraine team and 2014 with Russia. She was the women’s world champion in rapid chess in 2014 and in blitz in 2010.

Lagno, Kateryna (2560) — Ju, Wenjun (2558) [D20]
FIDE Wch Blitz w St. Petersburg (11.1), 30.12.2018

Last November in her finals match with Wenjun at the Khanty Mansiysk women’s world chess championship Lagno won the second game and only needed a draw in the 4th and final standard game to win the title. Instead she got checkmated by Jun who launched an all-out kingside attack which she defended poorly against. Then there was this very bad loss against Ju in the Rapid portion (given above). This game must have been very satisfying for Lagno!
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Bd3 Nf6 6.0–0 Be7 7.Re1 0–0 8.Bf1 d5 9.d4 Bd6 10.h3 h6 11.c4 dxc4 12.Bxc4
Who would have thought that a Petroff Defense can transpose to a Queen’s Gambit Accepted? You don’t believe me? Then look at the position after 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 e5 4.Bxc4 exd4 5.exd4 Nf6 6.Nf3 Bd6 7h3 .0–0 8.0–0 h6. Does that look familiar?
12…Nc6 13.Nc3 Bf5 14.d5 Ne7 15.Nd4 Bd7 16.Qf3 Ng6 17.Ne6!?
Tactics like this work in blitz but I don’t think Kateryna would use this in a standard game.
17…Bxe6?
Black should have played 17…Qe7! taking advantage of the fact that the white knight cannot retreat because then her e1–rook would be en prise. After 18.Bd2 fxe6 19.dxe6 Bc6 Black is doing very well.
18.dxe6 Ne5 19.exf7+ Kh8 20.Rxe5!
Kateryna clearly smells blood and pushes through her attack energetically.
20…Bxe5 21.Be3
Intending to go to c5.
21…c6?
Compounds the problem.
22.Bc5 Bd6 23.Rd1 Bxc5 24.Rxd8 Raxd8 25.g3 Bd4 26.Ne2 b5 27.Bb3 c5 28.Nf4 c4 29.Ng6+ Kh7 30.Nxf8+ Rxf8 31.Bc2+ Kh8 32.Qb7 Bc5 33.Qxb5 1–0
And what about GM Anna Muzychuk? When Chinese GM Hou Yifan announced her retirement to concentrate on her studies in Oxford, Muzychuk became the highest rated woman player. In fact, she is the fourth woman after Judit Polgar, Humpy Koneru and Hou Yifan to cross the 2600 ELO rating mark.
Muzychuk won the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship in 2016, and the Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship in 2014 and 2016. How did she do here in St. Petersburg?
As you will see from the tables above she was 4th in the rapid and 12th in the blitz. She just could not get going. I would say though that I found the quality of her chess still on a high level, not counting some accidents. Here is a clean win from the Caro-Kann.

Muzychuk, Anna (2595) — Khotenashvili, Bela (2428) [B15]
FIDE Wch Rapid w St. Petersburg (4.3), 26.12.2018

Playing Black is GM Bela Khotenashvili, a mainstay of the powerhouse Georgian national women’s team.
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6 5.Nxf6+ exf6 6.c3 Bd6 7.Bd3 0–0 8.Qc2 Re8+ 9.Ne2 h5 10.Be3 Nd7 11.0–0–0 Nf8
I should say that this formation is usually more successful for Black, but I don’t understand why. Surely it should be easier to get to the black king than the white one?
12.Ng3 g6 13.Ne4 f5 14.Nxd6 Qxd6 15.g3 Be6 16.c4 b5 17.d5 cxd5 18.c5 Qa6 19.b3 Rec8 20.Kb2 Qa5 21.Rhe1 b4?
A mistake. She should have played 21…Nd7 first, threatening to bring the knight to e5 and maybe sacrifice it on c4. If White responds 22.Bd4 then 22…Qb4! Black will win the c5–pawn.
22.Bd4! Rc6
22…Nd7 no longer works because of 23.c6 Nb6 24.Qd2 the long diagonal will doom Black’s king.
23.Qd2 Kh7 24.g4! hxg4
[24…fxg4 25.Qg5 with the murderous Qxh5+ coming up next]
25.Qg5 Nd7 26.Qh4+ 1–0
On Thursday, the Iranians are now a force in classical, rapid, and blitz chess!
 
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 for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.
bobby@cpamd.net

Timing

The timing of the firing came as a surprise — a shock, even — to many, including Tom Thibodeau himself. His fate as head coach of the Timberwolves was sealed when heralded acquisition of Jimmy Butler, supposedly the last piece they needed to compete with the best of the best, instead left in bad terms after a single year. Yet, even then, not a few quarters believed he would last the season, especially in light of the improvement, however incremental, they showed in the wake of the disgruntled All-Star’s departure.
As odd as the decision of Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor looked, however, timing was precisely what drove him to act. For one thing, he remained intent on seeing the blue and green make the playoffs for a second straight campaign, and he was sufficiently alarmed by their 11th-place standing to conclude that separating from Thibodeau pronto was for the best. For another, he looked to the future and saw recently ousted Bulls mentor Fred Hoiberg working for him anew, with the plan taking on a greater sense of urgency in light the latter’s status as a candidate to manage UCLA’s hoops program.
For now, erstwhile assistant Ryan Saunders will take Thibodeau’s spot on the bench. The ascent, albeit temporary, reflects Taylor’s predilection to tap those he has already had dealings with. Based on reports, the list of possible hires includes Chauncey Billups, who, not coincidentally, played for the Timberwolves at the turn of the millennium. In any case, the objective is clear: crack the Top Eight in the West and make an impact moving forward. It’s why he‘s paying Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins big bucks, and why he’s accepting the burden of Thibodeau’s five-year, $40-million contract signed in 2016.
For Taylor, the good news is that the competition in the National Basketball Association remains wide open. All the travails notwithstanding, the Timberwolves are merely two games out of eighth in the conference. Meanwhile, the addition by subtraction figures to motivate Towns and Wiggins. Enough to cause a stir in the playoffs? Only time will tell.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Local stocks climb as US-China trade talks start

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
LOCAL EQUITIES booked gains on Monday as investors turned upbeat prior to the start of meetings between the United States and China to defuse their ongoing trade war.
The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) climbed 0.34% or 26.55 points to 7,787.66 yesterday, marking its fourth day on a winning streak. The main index hit an intraday high of 7,900.70, but failed to hold on to the large gains until the closing bell.
The broader all-shares index likewise rose 0.41% or 19.38 points to 4,671.97.
“Philippine shares continue to be bought on positive sentiment, this time with hope that a breakthrough will be reached as the Sino-trade discussion starts,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.
Officials from the US and China will meet in Beijing for two days starting Monday to discuss the next steps in their trade spat before their 90-day truce expires on March 1.
The PSEi mirrored the positive finishes of markets abroad. Last Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 3.29% or 746.94 points to 23,433.16. The S&P 500 index advanced 3.43% or 84.05 points to 2,513.94, while the Nasdaq Composite index rallied 4.26% or 275.35 points to 6,738.86.
“Positivity may have come from how US markets surged last Friday, and further sentiment from the lower than expected December inflation figure,” Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez said in an e-mail, referring to the 5.2% inflation rate reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority last Friday.
Mr. Perez also noted that investors may have gone profit taking near the market’s close, given that it closed much lower than its intraday high.
“With [yesterday]’s sell-down at the close, the 7,900 level seems to be the area to watch out for in the coming days. Foreigners may have finally come back in the market as well especially with two consecutive days of inflows above the P1.0 billion mark,” Mr. Perez said.
The local bourse maintained its foreign buying position for the third straight day, with net inflows rising to P1.22 billion from last Friday’s P1.02 billion.
The financials counter was the lone sub-index that ended the day with losses, falling 1.31% or 23.81 points to 1,789.80.
The rest went up, led by property which surged 1.6% or 62.39 points to 3,939.75. Industrials firmed up 0.96% or 108.91 points to 11,358.82; services were up 0.81% or 12.03 points to 1,495.44; holding firms added 0.54% or 41.07 points to 7,648.11; while mining and oil gained 0.32% or 28.83 points to 8,900.98.
Some 1.34 million issues valued at P8.41 billion switched hands, down from the previous session’s P9.04 billion.
Advancers swamped decliners, 126 to 82, while 38 names were unchanged.

Peso strengthens on dovish Fed

THE PESO maintained its strength for a second straight session on Monday, riding on dovish cues from the US Federal Reserve which kept the dollar at bay.
The peso closed at P52.38 versus the greenback yesterday, climbing 13 centavos from its P52.51 finish on Friday to mark its best showing in a month since a P52.32 close on Dec. 3, 2018.
The local unit traded stronger throughout the session, opening at P52.40 against the dollar. It touched P52.445 as its weakest point within the day and logged its best showing at P52.315 before settling at the closing rate.
Two traders sought for comment said the peso benefited from dovish remarks made by Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell, which market players took as a sign that the United States will slow down on further rate hikes.
“The peso strengthened [on Monday] after Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell said that the US central bank will be ‘patient’ in its monetary policy, which signalled dovish cues that the Fed would likely be cautious in its stance for this year following the recent weak global economic data,” one trader said.
In a speech last Friday, Mr. Powell said the Fed is not on a preset path of rate hikes.
Another currency trader pointed out that aggressive selling also added to the peso trades.
Dollars traded yesterday reached $822.45 million, higher than the $684.95 million which exchanged hands last week.
The second trader added that the ongoing shutdown of the US federal government could keep the dollar weak.
“Locally, there are no expected drivers. It’s also light in the US especially given their shutdown,” the trader said.
For today, the first trader expects the peso to trade between P52.30 and P52.50. The other trader said there may be room for the peso to strengthen further to play between the P52.25-P52.50 range. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

Makati court affirms arrest of Trillanes for rebellion

A MAKATI court has denied a motion for reconsideration by opposition Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV on the Sept. 25, 2018 order for his arrest in connection with his revived rebellion case stemming from the Manila Peninsula Siege of 2007.
In an order on Jan. 7, Judge Elmo M. Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 150 ruled that Mr. Trillanes failed to prove that he complied with the requirements for his amnesty such as admission of guilt and submission of application form.
“Unfortunately, Sen. Trillanes failed to prove that the original of the alleged application form exists. Sen. Trillanes even failed to explain his failure to locate or find the copy thereof. He also failed to prove the contents of his application,” Mr. Alameda ruled.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Aug. 31 last year issued Proclamation No. 572 voiding the amnesty granted to Mr. Trillanes in 2011 in connection with his coup d’etat case over the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and his 2007 rebellion case.
Mr. Alameda also said that as the senator failed to prove the existence of his accomplished application form and his admission of guilt, “the substitutionary evidence presented by Sen. Trillanes is considered hearsay evidence and cannot be admitted as evidence to prove compliance with the minimum requirements set forth in Proclamation No. 75.”
Mr. Alameda on Sept. 25 ordered Mr. Trillanes’s arrest and issued a hold-departure order against him, saying the court is “morally convinced of the sufficiency and legality” of Proclamation No. 572. Mr. Trillanes posted bail of P200,000 that day.
On the other hand, Judge Andres B. Soriano of RTC Branch 148, hearing Mr. Trillanes’s coup d’etat case, denied on Oct. 22 last year the prosecution’s motion for Mr. Trillanes’s arrest and hold-departure, saying the 2011 granting of amnesty on the senator is “final and executory.”
Mr. Trillanes is currently abroad after Mr. Alameda on Nov. 29 granted his motion to partially lift the hold-departure order on the senator to allow him to attend various activities in The Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. — V.M.M.V.

Bello, Lapeña, Quintayo under Palace investigation

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
AN OFFICIAL of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Monday said the commission is currently investigating corruption allegations against Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Director-General Isidro S. Lapeña of the Technical and Skills Development Authority, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) chairperson Leonor T. Oralde-Quintayo.
PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna told Palace reporters in a phone patch interview that Mr. Bello, Mr. Lapeña, and Ms. Quintayo are being investigated, adding that the PACC is also investigating corruption complaints against some officials in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Finance (DoF).
Asked if the officials being probed include Secretaries Mark A. Villar and Carlos G. Dominguez III, Mr. Luna said: “May mga tao sa mga departments na ‘yan na iniimbestigahan namin. Hindi secretaries. May mga director-level, RDOs (regional director of operations).” (There are individuals in those departments whom we investigate, but they are not secretaries. There are director-level [officials], RDOs).
In a phone message, PACC Chairman Dante L. Jimenez confirmed Mr. Luna’s disclosure.
Mr. Luna said, “Si Lapeña, motu proprio ‘yun, in connection doon sa magnetic lifters.” (Mr. Lapeña is under motu proprio investigation in connection with the magnetic lifters [found in Cavite that allegedly contained P11 billion in methamphetamine or shabu]).
As for Mr. Bello and Ms. Quintayo, he said: “May complaints sa amin laban sa kanila (We have received complaints against them).”
Mr. Luna cited complaints of corruption and neglect of duty against Ms. Quintayo.
“May mga leaders ng IP (indigenous peoples) na nag-complain na parang kumakampi siya sa isang grupo na hindi legitimate, tapos yung pera doon ni-release,” Mr. Luna said. (There are IP leaders who complained that a certain illegitimate group favored by the Chairperson had received funds from the commission).
“Plus neglect of duty kasi may mga (there are) IP…who say that they are being left out. Hindi inaasikaso (Their concerns are not being addressed).”
Sought for comment, lawyer Erwin M. Caliba, executive assistant to Ms. Quintayo, said in a phone interview the NCIP Chair “welcomes” the investigation.
“She welcomes any investigation to be conducted by the PACC. ‘Yun ‘yung reaction niya (That is her reaction). We will be cooperating with the PACC for whatever investigation that they will be conducting,” he said.
Regarding Mr. Bello, recruitment agency owner Amanda Lalic-Araneta claimed in July last year that she gave him P100,000 and an iPhone as a gift.
She also claimed that Mr. Bello demanded P10-15 million to approve the license for MMML Recruitment Services, Inc. of which Ms. Araneta is president. She then brought her allegations against the Labor Chief to the PACC.
Mr. Luna said the commission has found prima facie evidence against Mr. Bello.
Sought for comment, Mr. Bello told reporters in a phone interview that he is not aware of the PACC’s investigation.
“Ay wala naman akong alam na kaso against me dahil wala namang pina-file,” he said. (I do not know any case against me because nothing has been filed.)
The Labor Chief also said he is confident he can answer the allegations against him.
“Oo naman. Wala naman akong alam na katiwalian na involved ako,” he said. (Yes, of course. I do not know any corruption in which I am involved).
Sought for comment during a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said: “You must remember the President’s policy ever since: There are no sacred cows in this administration. You violate the law, regardless of your status — whether you’re a friend or ally or a political adversary or a relative or a friend or a fraternity brother — wala lahat iyon (It does not matter). You violate the law, you are accountable.”

Palace on China-Taiwan row: ‘It’s between the two countries’

“NEVER MIND them,” said President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s spokesman, in response to questions about China’s latest tension with Taiwan.
“It’s between the two countries,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said, referring to the Asian power and the island it considers a renegade province.
“Taiwan is China’s most sensitive issue and is claimed by Beijing as its sacred territory,” said a report by Reuters, adding that Chinese leader Xi Jinping “has stepped up pressure on the democratic island since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party became president in 2016.
“Tayo ang concern natin ay iyong OFWs,” Mr. Panelo, for his part, said. (Overseas Filipino Workers are our concern).
“Kapag medyo may problema doon arising out of that conflict, saka tayo kikilos for the safety of our OFWs,” he added. (If a problem arises out of that conflict, we’ll take action for the safety of our OFWs).
Asked if the Philippine government will support Taiwan, Mr. Panelo said: “Eh sa ngayon hindi natin kasi alam eh. Hayaan mo na muna sila.” (We do not know the situation yet. Never mind them).
Mr. Xi was quoted by the Reuters report as saying, “We do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to use all necessary measures [to achieve this goal and prevent Taiwan independence].” he also said.
The same report also quoted Taiwan’s Ms. Tsai as saying, “The vast majority in Taiwan resolutely oppose ‘one country, two systems.’ This is the ‘Taiwan consensus.’” — A.L. Balinbin

Senators suggest a portion of road user’s tax for road-safety projects

SENATOR Joseph Victor G. Ejercito on Monday suggested that a portion of the road user’s tax should still be used for road safety projects.
He said this in response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s plan to use the funds for the Bicol region’s flood control projects.
“While I support PRRD’s proposal, I suggest that the portion for road safety projects will be retained and the remaining portion be allotted for the suggestion of the President,” Mr. Ejercito, a vice-chairperson of the Senate committee on finance, said in a mobile phone message to reporters.
“We cannot sacrifice the whole road safety program, this would mean saving lives too,” he added.
For his part, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said the suggestion may be supported as long as it was in line with Republic Act No. 8794 or the law imposing the road user’s tax, also known as the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC).
“As long as the usage is compliant with the provisions of RA 8794 which include a menu list that specifies and limits the description of the projects to be implemented utilizing the proceeds of the MVUC,” Mr. Lacson, also a vice-chairperson of the committee, said in a mobile phone message to reporters.
Mr. Duterte, during a situation briefing last Friday in Camarines Sur in the aftermath of typhoon Usman, said he wanted to use the road user’s tax collected by the Road Board to fund for infrastructure and flood control projects that will improve the Bicol region’s preparedness against disasters.
The President made the statement amid the conflicting positions of both chambers of Congress regarding the bill abolishing the Road Board. The bill, which remained pending, also seeks to transfer the road user’s tax collections to be remitted directly to the National Treasury and to be appropriated for projects of the DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Transportation (DoTr).
House Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. on Sunday said that they are ready to designate members of the bicameral conference committee that will reconcile the disagreeing positions of the House and Senate regarding the abolition of the Road Board. It was Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri who previously proposed for the bicameral conference committee.
In response to Mr. Andaya, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III told reporters in a mobile phone message on Monday that the Road Board issue will be discussed by the Senate in an all-senators caucus on Jan. 14 when Congress resumes session.

SC asked to junk petition against BOL

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
SUPPORTERS of the Bangsomoro Organic Law (BOL) asked the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday to dismiss the petition late last year by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur A. Tan II against the law.
In a petition-in-intervention filed on Jan. 7 by Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito R. Luna, former Commission on Human Rights commissioner Nasser A. Marohomsalic, and The Philippine Association of Islamic Accountants, Inc., represented by its President Amanoding D. Esmail, they said that the Constitution does not limit Congress from passing legislation strengthening or abolishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
They said that Article X, Sections 18 and 19 of the 1987 Constitution mandated the first Congress elected under the Constitution to enact organic laws for the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.
“Petitioner overreach(es) in opining that the constitutional provisions delimit the legislative power of Congress; it is reading something into provisions,” they stated, adding that the Constitution only provided the process on the passage of organic acts.
The petitioners also claimed that the parliamentary government under the BOL will not violate the “constitutional principle of separation of power and check and balance.”
“There is no definitive provision in the Constitution that says that the autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao should not be parliamentary. All that the Constitution requires is that the Philippines is a democratic and republican State.”
They also claimed Mr. Tan lacked legal standing in filing his petition.
“Indeed. It is our submission that Petitioner has not shown any personal and material interest that will be prejudiced or affected adversely where the BOL is implemented. Lacking legal standing, Petitioner recourse the Supreme Court by way of petition assailing particularly the constitutionality of the Bangsamoro Organic Law must therefore fail,” they said.
Mr. Tan in October asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and/or writ of preliminary injunction against the implementation of the BOL due to constitutional issues, claiming that the abolition of the ARMM is only through the amendment of the Constitution.
He also claimed that the parliamentary form of government in the BOL violates the separation of powers as it “fused” the power of the executive and legislative branch of government.
A plebiscite will be held on Jan. 21 and Feb. 6 for the ratification of BOL. If approved, it will serve to abolish ARMM and form the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Under the parliamentary government of the BOL, registered voters in the region will elect members of the Bangsamoro Parliament, which is the legislative arm. The parliament will elect the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Government.
A second petition seeking a TRO against the BOL was also filed by the Philippine Constitution Association over questions on constitutionality.

Fuel prices up this week following international rates hike

OIL COMPANIES are raising the prices of petroleum products this week as trading in the international market had taken a sharp turn on Thursday last week after days of steady decline, Energy officials said on Monday. Gasoline prices will increase by P0.80 per liter (/L), diesel prices by P0.70/L, and gasoline by P0.40/L. This week’s price adjustment is the first increase after reductions in most weeks from Oct. to Dec. last year. Department of Energy Undersecretary William Felix B. Fuentebella said this week’s price increase was “quite unusual” because trading in the global market reversed the downward trend from Monday to Wednesday last week. He attributed the increase to the move by Saudi Arabia to cut its output while other members of the oil cartel discussed the same move. He also cited a statement from officials of the Middle Eastern country for further action if the production cut would not have an impact on prices. — Victor V. Saulon

Police chief says no order to profile ACT members, but 3 officers relieved over leaked document

POLICE DIRECTOR General Oscar D. Albayalde said he has ordered the relieved of three intelligence officers who allegedly “leaked” a document ordering the profiling of members of the left-leaning Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Party-list, but added that he did not sign any such directive.
“As far as I am concerned, wala akong pinirmahan na ganyan at nung nag-leak ‘yan sinabi nu’ng mga different regional directors kung sino nag-leak (I did not sign any orders and when it leaked, the regional directors told me who made the leak)… I have already ordered for all the intelligence officers involved to be relieved,” he told reporters at a briefing on Monday.
Mr. Albayalde said the three officers came from the Manila Police District Station 3, Quezon City Police District Station 6, and Zambales police office.
He added that intelligence officers are expected to do their job “discreetly” and that “profiling” is simply part of police security measures.
“Hindi naman po na kapag ikaw ay prino-file, ang buhay mo ay delikado, namimiligro (It does not mean that when you are being profiled, your life will be in danger)… This is part of our security preparations, security protocols, maintenance of peace and order in this country,” said Mr. Albayalde.
The supposed order to list teachers in private and public schools who are members of the left-leaning group made rounds in social media over the weekend.
ACT members held a rally Monday in front of Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters, to condemn the directive.
“The singling out of ACT members in PNP’s profiling is enough cause for alarm, especially with the state’s track record of violent suppression of dissent. We cannot sit idly by as PNP sows terror in our schools and communities,” ACT Philippine Secretary General Raymond said in a statement.
Malacañang, meanwhile, said that some ACT members are being monitored by the government because of their alleged connection with the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA).
In a press briefing on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo initially denied that the government, through the police, is profiling ACT members, but later said, “If there are such cases, there is a reason to surveil. For example, if someone reports to you that this teacher was seen interacting with those identified NPA, if you are the police, won’t you monitor their actions?”
Mr. Basilio described the government officials’ pronouncements as “pathetic and ludicrous.”
“Malacañang and PNP’s statements are pathetic and ridiculously wrong on so many levels. They were already caught red-handed but futilely attempts to deny or lighten the implications of their illegal activity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya said Secretary Eduardo M. Año is ready to have a dialogue with the Department of Education regarding the alleged crackdown on ACT members.
“Secretary Eduardo M. Año is open to the dialogue requested by the Department of… We would be glad to meet with our partners in DepEd at the soonest possible opportunity,” said Mr. Malaya in a statement on Monday.
“Through this meeting with our counterparts with DepEd, we hope to relay to them that what the PNP is undergoing is not only legal but also necessary,” he added.
DAVAO CITY
In Davao City, Senior Supt. Alexander C. Tagum said the Davao City Police Office has not undertaken any such intelligence gathering because they have not received any order from higher authorities.
“We have not received any order,” Mr. Tagum said when sought for comment.
Reynaldo S. Pardillo, ACT-Davao City Chapter president, confirmed that they have not received reports from members of being surveilled, and said they hope it would stay that way.
“It (surveillance reports) has stirred concerns among our teachers who only wish to receive benefits and salary necessary to support our daily living despite the volume of our work inside and outside the school premises,” Mr. Pardillo said.
The ACT-Davao City Chapter was in a discord with the local government in Oct. last year after Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio denied the group’s demand for a P406 million annual subsidy covering 11,959 teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Ms. Carpio asserted that there is no basis in law for the local government unit to provide such assistance to national government employees, specifically the DepEd, and asked the group to submit another proposal for assistance. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras, Arjay L. Balinbin and Carmelito Q. Francisco

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