DOTr eyes MRT3 buyout under Duterte admin

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is reviving talks of a buyout of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), a plan of the previous Aquino administration that did not work out.

DOTr Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez revealed this as the Senate probe into the MRT3 mess resumed on Tuesday, May 23. (WATCH: LIVE: Senate hearing on MRT3 issues)

"Ang direction namin diyan is to buy out [the private sector's stake]... Pinag-aaralan pa (Our direction there is to buy out the private sector's stake. We are still studying it)," Chavez said.

Former president Benigno Aquino III signed an executive order in 2013 ordering the buyout so the government could auction off the operations and maintenance of the MRT3 without having to bother with legal obstacles. The MRT3 is partly owned by the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC).

The plan was aimed at solving the problems over the ownership and end huge rental fees to the MRTC. (READ: Poe blames Roxas for MRT3 mess)

Chavez said the government has been paying equity rental of at least P610 million monthly to the MRTC for the past 15 years, adding there are 7 to 8 more years left.

Currently, the DOTr and the MRTC operate the train system while Busan Universal Rail Incorporated (BURI) maintains it. (READ: Duterte names retired general as new MRT3 GM)

Put under LRTA regulation

Chavez said they want the MRT3 reorganized and then privatized for 25 years.

"Kailangan ma-privatize ang operations and maintenance ng MRT3 (The operations and maintenance of the MRT3 have to be privatized). This is still being studied, no finality yet, nasa pag-aaral (we're in the stage of studying it). MRT3 should be privatized. How many years? 25 years," he said.

Before the buyout, the DOTr is eyeing an executive order to transfer the MRT3 under the regulation of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) so all 3 train systems, including LRT Line 1 and Line 2, will be under one regulatory body.

"Dalawa ho 'yan. Magkakambal ho dapat ang privatization and the reorganization. (There are two issues. Privatization and reorganization are twin concerns.) Pinapag-aralan namin ni (We're studying with) Secretary [Arthur] Tugade an executive order to be issued by the President transferring the MRT3 to LRTA, is that enough?" Chavez said.

"Ang theory namin the PNR has a board, the LRTA has a board, we are creating a Mindanao Railway Corporation, it has a board. Para 'di na nagiging discretion ng general manager at transportation secretary. May fiscal autonomy, interoperability, may totoong nagbabantay. Right now the MRT3 is just a project management office," he added.

(Our theory is that the Philippine National Railways has a board, the LRTA has a board, we are creating a Mindanao Railway Corporation, it has a board. So it won't be up to the discretion of the general manager and the transportation secretary. There will be fiscal autonomy, interoperability, there is a real overseer. Right now the MRT3 is just a project management office.)

Putting the MRT3 under the LRTA before the buyout and eventual privatization, Chavez added, will be beneficial.

"Pero ano pagkakaiba pag i-privatize mo na ngayon ang MRT3 under LRTA? Magkakaroon na ng committee to monitor [the] concession agreement," he said.

(But what's the difference if you privatize the MRT3 now under the LRTA? There will be a committee to monitor the concession agreement.)

The 2017 General Appropriations Act or the national budget, however, does not include an allocation for the planned buyout.

The MRT3, running from North Avenue to Taft Avenue, serves nearly 500,000 passengers daily – way beyond its capacity of 350,000. Passengers have long endured the inconvenience associated with riding the MRT3 – long lines, delays, and accidents. (READ: No more long lines by end-2017 – MRT3 management)

Duterte to file multiple estafa charges vs ABS-CBN President Rodrigo Duterte, addressing ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez, launches another curse-filled tirade against the TV network

In another rage-filled outburst against ABS-CBN, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will file charges of "multiple syndicated estafa" against the television network.

"I'm telling you now, I will be filing charges of multiple syndicated estafa," he said in his speech at the launch of housing designs for the military and police in Davao City on Friday, May 19.

He quickly followed this up with a slew of curses: "Kawalang hiya ninyo, kapal ng mukha ninyo, putangina ninyo leche kayo (You have no shame, your faces are too thick, you sons of bitches)."

At the start of his rant, he addressed ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III.

"Gabby Lopez, I paid ABS-CBN P2.8 million....You accepted my money, you never bothered to show my propaganda (political advertisements). After the elections, you didn't return the money," said Duterte.

The President claimed political advertisements of other candidates met the same fate. These candidates include his running mate, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano; and Senator Francis Escudero, a vice-presidential candidate.

Duterte had earlier vowed to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's 25-year legislative franchise which grants it the right to operate as a broadcasting firm.

Its current franchise will expire while Duterte is still in power. House Bill 4349 seeking to renew the franchise is still at the committee level. (READ: ABS-CBN franchise for urgent renewal, clarifies lawmaker)

The day Duterte was giving his speech, ABS-CBN held a briefing for its investors in Makati.

Spurning press freedom

Duterte spurned "press freedom" as a shield for ABS-CBN, saying the network's act of supposedly "stealing" from politicians like him means they had it coming.

"Press freedom, kayo 'yung number one magnanakaw, ayaw 'nyo isauli 'yung propiedad, press freedom (Press freedom, you are the number one thief, you don't want to return what belongs to us, press freedom)?" he said.

He said it was his "constitutional right" to express his anger against media.

"Us, how about our freedom? We have our freedom of expression to express our anger and that is also my constitutional right. You are bullshit," he said.

After another slew of insults, he ended his speech abruptly by saying: "You want to know my sentiments? Fuck you. Salamat (Thank you)."

Lobbing insults and threats against media outfits has been a fixture in recent speeches of the President.

In particular, he has called out ABS-CBN and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. While initially he pointed out their supposedly biased news, he eventually began targeting their owners, the Lopez, Prieto, and Rufino families.

Both media outfits have denied allegations of unfair or inaccurate news.

TV5 moves closer to break even by 2019

TV5 NETWORK, Inc. is on track to break even by 2019 as its losses are gradually narrowing, TV5 Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said on Friday.
“I guess so, yeah [we’ll break even by 2019], so far the numbers are looking much better than last year. The losses are down significantly,” Mr. Pangilinan said on the sidelines of a forum organized by BusinessWorld on Friday.
The country’s third-biggest broadcast firm appears to be gaining momentum after years of losses, targeting to trim its net losses by 67% this year.
Earlier this year, TV5 President Vincent P. Reyes told reporters that the network “likely exceeded by 20% to 22%” of its revenue projections and earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in 2016.
Since the network, then named ABC Development Corp., was acquired in 2009, the PLDT Group has been pouring resources into TV5 to bring it at par with its competitors ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, Inc.
Mr. Pangilinan said further manpower reduction is “unlikely” for TV5 and PLDT, Inc. this year.
“[TV5] no, unlikely. [For PLDT], if anything, if there’s any manpower reduction program, it will be voluntary, not mandatory,” he said, when asked if there will be further job cuts at the two companies.
TV5 earlier implemented efforts to streamline its work force and moved to shift to a new programming strategy that will highlight its own produced content.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pangilinan said he remains optimistic that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) numbers will improve the coming quarters after first quarter economic data fell below expectations.
“I was slightly surprised why it was... It was, I think, within range maybe but on the lower end of the range. But I think [National Economic and Development Authority] Secretary [Ernesto M.] Pernia pointed out that historically that has been the case if you compare it year on year, obviously this year is not an election year so there’s an explanation,” he said.
“I think we’re still optimistic that the succeeding quarters will be higher than 6.4%,” he added.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that GDP growth eased to 6.4% in the first quarter, below the low end of the government’s 6.5-7.5% target for the year and slower compared to the 6.6% posted in the preceding quarter and 6.9% in the same period last year.
TV5 is a wholly owned subsidiary of MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of MediaQuest Holdings, has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. -- I.C.C. Delavin

Another telefantasya from GMA Network

GMA Network has replaced “Encantadia” with “Mulawin Vs. Ravena” which is expected to be as successful.

The network made history with the ground-breaking telefantasya “Mulawin” 13 years ago.

Dennis Trillo returns as Gabriel. He embraces his fate as a Ravena and is now the King of Halconia.
Joining the powerhouse ensemble are Lovi Poe as Magindara, the goddess of the sea and daughter of Sandawa; Carla Abellana as Aviona; and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid as Sandawa, the immortal goddess of nature and keeper of Mt. Apo.

Also in the cast are Heart Evangelista-Escudero as Alwina; Tom Rodriguez as Rodrigo; Ariel Rivera as Panabon; Bea Binene, Derrick Monasterio, Kiko Estrada, Bianca Umali, and Miguel Tanfelix.
Completing the cast are Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews as Dionisio, Joko Diaz, Martin del Rosario, Charee Pineda,Nova Villa, Roi Vinzon, Valerie Concepcion, JC Tiuseco, David Licauco, Chynna Ortaleza-Cipriano, Dion Ignacio, Winwyn Marquez, and TJ Trinidad.

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A tribute to Uly

Pinoy percussionist Uly Avante will be given a tribute on May 25 at the RJ Bistro, Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

Some of the best bands and artists will be featured in the concert. Surprise guest performers will grace the evening including Richard Merk, Emcy Corteza, Pat Castillo, Jeannie Tiongco (with the Sticky Band), Henry Katindig, Colby dela Calzada, Mar Dizon and Rudy Lozano.

Uly Avante passed on of a kidney infection and colon cancer just a few days ago.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 23, go to Sam Milby, Rochelle Pangilinan, Elizabeth Chang, Rita Carlos, May Villarica, Vida Bañez, Nelia Lim, Pia Pascua, Santiago Razon, Bingle H. Limjoco, Rafael Butch Francisco, Maita Gomez, Joan Cabalda Banaga, Eunkyong Choi, Ma. Asuncion Candelaria, Jael Diane, Geneveive G. Marcos, and Blanchi Balamide… Happy wedding anniversary to Alfonso and Adeliza Pelayo…May 24 celebrators are Michael de Mesa, Susan Laudico, Mila Baylon, Mrs. Susan Blanco-Alonte, Sharon Samarista, Ma. Victoria R. Aurelio, Ma. Lourdes “Joy” Blanco, Mae Paner, Reymar Noriel and Susan Enriquez of “Unang Hirit...” Happy wedding anniversary to Irineo “Boy” and Evelyn Lohan, and Col. Rody and Lydia Capco Tensuan...