MANILA: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday (Dec 30) told owners of a media conglomerate that has drawn his ire to sell the company ahead of the network's franchise expiry.
The mercurial leader has a rocky relationship with the media, especially with those critical of his bloody anti-narcotics campaign, and he has threatened numerous times to block the franchise extension of ABS-CBN Corporation
"This ABS-CBN, your contract will expire, and you try to renew. I don't know what will happen to you," Duterte said in a speech before earthquake victims in the province of Cotabato.
The broadcast franchise of ABS-CBN, the country's largest media conglomerate with dozens of local and national radio and television stations covering news, entertainment and public affairs, will expire in March 2020.
"If I were you, just sell it," Duterte said of the network, which he had accused of not airing his paid advertisement during the presidential race in 2016.
A Bill to extend its licence is pending in congress, which is dominated by Duterte's allies.
ABS-CBN did not immediately respond to request for comment on a public holiday.
Duterte, in numerous public speeches, has lashed out at the media, while his office has at times accused media companies of bias or distorting his statements.
The Philippine leader enjoys a high approval rating and is wildly popular on social media. His supporters, including bloggers, fiercely defend him and his policies, and have targeted journalists.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-abs-cbn-corp-media-sell-out-12220574
Monday, December 30, 2019
Duterte to ABS-CBN: Better to sell the network
'Magrenew kayo, ewan ko lang kung may mangyari diyan,' President Rodrigo Duterte tells the media giant
Months before the expiration of the media giant's franchise, President Rodrigo Duterte told ABS-CBN that it would be better to "just sell" the network as he reiterated that it was unlikely that Congress would renew its franchise.
Duterte made his latest tirade against ABS-CBN as he spoke to earthquake victims of M'lang town in Cotabato on Monday, December 30.
"Itong ABS, mag-expire ang contract ninyo. Magrenew kayo, ewan ko lang kung may mangyari diyan. Kung ako sa inyo, ipagbili 'nyo na ‘yan (ABS-CBN, your contract will expire. You want to renew, but I don't know if that will happen. If I were you, I'd sell it)," Duterte said.
ABS-CBN's legislative franchise was approved through Republic Act No. 7966 on March 30, 1995. It is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
In his latest rant, Duterte said that it was about time that the Filipino people "get back" at ABS-CBN, even though it was the Chief Executive who had an axe to grind against it. He had been slamming the network since the start of his presidency as it supposedly did not air his political ads during the 2016 campaign.
"I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever," Duterte said on Monday, referring to ABS-CBN.
Several bills have been filed at the House of Representatives to renew the ABS-CBN franchise, but the lower chamber did not tackle them before the Christmas break.
If the bill is not passed and signed into law, ABS-CBN will have to close down its radio and television operations. House committee on legislative franchises chairman Franz Alvarez earlier said that the chamber would tackle the bills in early 2020.
Opposition lawmakers such as Senator Leila de Lima have urged Congress to renew the franchise, saying that doing otherwise would make them complicit in the death of democracy in the country.
Renewed threats
Duterte's rant against ABS-CBN was part of his usual diatribe against oligarchs he accused of "screwing over" the government.
On Monday, he again threatened to "jail" the Ayalas and Manny Pangilinan, for alleged corruption in their water distribution operations in Metro Manila, which both have denied. (READ: Look back: Duterte's tussles with big business)
Duterte started hitting the water concessionaires after the Ayala-led Manila Water won in an arbitration case against the Philippine government in a Singapore court, which ordered the latter to pay Manila Water P7.4 billion. After Duterte threatened to scrap the 1997 water deal with Manila Water and Pangilinan's Maynilad, both said they would no longer demand payment from government.
Duterte also lambasted the Inquirer Group on Monday, accusing it of being a "mouthpiece" of the oligarchs. He even "invited" the earthquake victims in the audience to join him in "attacking" the Inquirer office in Manila. (READ: Duterte's target: The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
"Hintayin ko kayo sa Maynila. Sabay-sabay tayo, sugurin natin 'yan sila. Kaya 'nyo? (I'll wait for you in Manila. Let's do it together, lets attack them. Can you do that)?" Duterte said, as his joke drew cheers and laughter from the audience.
In 2017, business tycoon and Duterte's friend Ramon Ang bought the majority shares of the Inquirer Group from the Prietos.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/248223-duterte-abs-cbn-sell-network-than-renew-franchise
Months before the expiration of the media giant's franchise, President Rodrigo Duterte told ABS-CBN that it would be better to "just sell" the network as he reiterated that it was unlikely that Congress would renew its franchise.
Duterte made his latest tirade against ABS-CBN as he spoke to earthquake victims of M'lang town in Cotabato on Monday, December 30.
"Itong ABS, mag-expire ang contract ninyo. Magrenew kayo, ewan ko lang kung may mangyari diyan. Kung ako sa inyo, ipagbili 'nyo na ‘yan (ABS-CBN, your contract will expire. You want to renew, but I don't know if that will happen. If I were you, I'd sell it)," Duterte said.
ABS-CBN's legislative franchise was approved through Republic Act No. 7966 on March 30, 1995. It is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
In his latest rant, Duterte said that it was about time that the Filipino people "get back" at ABS-CBN, even though it was the Chief Executive who had an axe to grind against it. He had been slamming the network since the start of his presidency as it supposedly did not air his political ads during the 2016 campaign.
"I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever," Duterte said on Monday, referring to ABS-CBN.
Several bills have been filed at the House of Representatives to renew the ABS-CBN franchise, but the lower chamber did not tackle them before the Christmas break.
If the bill is not passed and signed into law, ABS-CBN will have to close down its radio and television operations. House committee on legislative franchises chairman Franz Alvarez earlier said that the chamber would tackle the bills in early 2020.
Opposition lawmakers such as Senator Leila de Lima have urged Congress to renew the franchise, saying that doing otherwise would make them complicit in the death of democracy in the country.
Renewed threats
Duterte's rant against ABS-CBN was part of his usual diatribe against oligarchs he accused of "screwing over" the government.
On Monday, he again threatened to "jail" the Ayalas and Manny Pangilinan, for alleged corruption in their water distribution operations in Metro Manila, which both have denied. (READ: Look back: Duterte's tussles with big business)
Duterte started hitting the water concessionaires after the Ayala-led Manila Water won in an arbitration case against the Philippine government in a Singapore court, which ordered the latter to pay Manila Water P7.4 billion. After Duterte threatened to scrap the 1997 water deal with Manila Water and Pangilinan's Maynilad, both said they would no longer demand payment from government.
Duterte also lambasted the Inquirer Group on Monday, accusing it of being a "mouthpiece" of the oligarchs. He even "invited" the earthquake victims in the audience to join him in "attacking" the Inquirer office in Manila. (READ: Duterte's target: The Philippine Daily Inquirer)
"Hintayin ko kayo sa Maynila. Sabay-sabay tayo, sugurin natin 'yan sila. Kaya 'nyo? (I'll wait for you in Manila. Let's do it together, lets attack them. Can you do that)?" Duterte said, as his joke drew cheers and laughter from the audience.
In 2017, business tycoon and Duterte's friend Ramon Ang bought the majority shares of the Inquirer Group from the Prietos.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/248223-duterte-abs-cbn-sell-network-than-renew-franchise
Philippines' Duterte tells troubled media conglomerate owners to sell out
MANILA, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday told owners of a media conglomerate that has drawn his ire to sell the company ahead of the network's franchise expiry.
The mercurial leader has a rocky relationship with the media, especially with those critical of his bloody anti-narcotics campaign, and he has threatened numerous times to block the franchise extension of ABS-CBN Corp.
"This ABS, your contract will expire, and you try to renew. I don't know what will happen to you," Duterte said in a speech before earthquake victims in the southern province of North Cotabato.
The broadcast franchise of ABS-CBN, the country's largest media conglomerate with dozens of local and national radio and television stations covering news, entertainment and public affairs, will expire in March 2020.
"If I were you, just sell it," Duterte said of the network, which he had accused of not airing his paid advertisement during the presidential race in 2016.
A bill to extend its licence is pending in congress, which is dominated by Duterte's allies.
ABS-CBN did not immediately respond to request for comment on a public holiday.
Duterte, in numerous public speeches, has lashed out at the media, while his office has at times accused media companies of bias or distorting his statements.
The Philippine leader enjoys a high approval rating and is wildly popular on social media. His supporters, including bloggers, fiercely defend him and his policies, and have targeted journalists.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/philippines-duterte-tells-troubled-media-conglomerate-owners-to-sell-out-2019-12-30
The mercurial leader has a rocky relationship with the media, especially with those critical of his bloody anti-narcotics campaign, and he has threatened numerous times to block the franchise extension of ABS-CBN Corp.
"This ABS, your contract will expire, and you try to renew. I don't know what will happen to you," Duterte said in a speech before earthquake victims in the southern province of North Cotabato.
The broadcast franchise of ABS-CBN, the country's largest media conglomerate with dozens of local and national radio and television stations covering news, entertainment and public affairs, will expire in March 2020.
"If I were you, just sell it," Duterte said of the network, which he had accused of not airing his paid advertisement during the presidential race in 2016.
A bill to extend its licence is pending in congress, which is dominated by Duterte's allies.
ABS-CBN did not immediately respond to request for comment on a public holiday.
Duterte, in numerous public speeches, has lashed out at the media, while his office has at times accused media companies of bias or distorting his statements.
The Philippine leader enjoys a high approval rating and is wildly popular on social media. His supporters, including bloggers, fiercely defend him and his policies, and have targeted journalists.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/philippines-duterte-tells-troubled-media-conglomerate-owners-to-sell-out-2019-12-30
Duterte tells ABS-CBN owners to just sell the TV network
Three months before the expiration of ABS-CBN's franchise, President Rodrigo Duterte Monday said the television network should just be sold as he vowed to give its owners an episode they won't forget.
Duterte, who has accused ABS-CBN of biased reporting and of "swindling" him for not airing his campaign commercial, said there is no assurance that the network's franchise would be renewed. The Lopez-owned network's franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
"Your contract is about to expire. You will try to renew it but I don't know what will happen to that," the president said during his visit to earthquake victims in M'lang, Cotabato.
"Kung ako sa inyo ipagbili niyo na 'yan. Kasi ang mga Pilipino ngayon lang makaganti sa inyong kalokohan (If I were you, I would sell it. It's only now that Filipinos would be able to get back at your wrongdoings). And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever," he added.
Duterte claimed previous presidents did not act against the interests of some businesses because they were afraid of ABS-CBN.
Duterte had claimed that ABS-CBN did not return the money he paid for campaign commercials even if the advertisements did not air. He had also accused the network of magnifying "garbage" stories peddled by his critics.
Earlier this month, Duterte vowed to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.
"I will see to it that you're out," he said in a speech delivered in Malacañang last December 3.
Duterte blasts Inquirer
Duterte also accused broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer of being a "mouthpiece" of oligarchs.
"You son of a b****, Inquirer, everyone. You are silent. Because you are the mouthpiece of oligarchs in the Philippines. You son of a b**** Inquirer, you are on the take," the president said.
"You are no better than a prostitute. You sell your talent to the rich. Against the poor. Yan. That's why I have always been angry with the rich," he added.
Duterte claimed owners of the broadsheet have used their influence to evade taxes.
"They did not pay taxes, just like donut, just like Inquirer," the president said, apparently referring to the Prietos, the family that owns the broadsheet and the exclusive Philippine franchisee of Dunkin' Donuts.
Duterte had claimed that the Prietos only paid P8 million to settle a P1 billion tax deficiency of Dunkin Donuts during the time of former President Benigno Aquino III.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/30/1980834/duterte-tells-abs-cbn-owners-just-sell-tv-network
Duterte, who has accused ABS-CBN of biased reporting and of "swindling" him for not airing his campaign commercial, said there is no assurance that the network's franchise would be renewed. The Lopez-owned network's franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
"Your contract is about to expire. You will try to renew it but I don't know what will happen to that," the president said during his visit to earthquake victims in M'lang, Cotabato.
"Kung ako sa inyo ipagbili niyo na 'yan. Kasi ang mga Pilipino ngayon lang makaganti sa inyong kalokohan (If I were you, I would sell it. It's only now that Filipinos would be able to get back at your wrongdoings). And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever," he added.
Duterte claimed previous presidents did not act against the interests of some businesses because they were afraid of ABS-CBN.
Duterte had claimed that ABS-CBN did not return the money he paid for campaign commercials even if the advertisements did not air. He had also accused the network of magnifying "garbage" stories peddled by his critics.
Earlier this month, Duterte vowed to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.
"I will see to it that you're out," he said in a speech delivered in Malacañang last December 3.
Duterte blasts Inquirer
Duterte also accused broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer of being a "mouthpiece" of oligarchs.
"You son of a b****, Inquirer, everyone. You are silent. Because you are the mouthpiece of oligarchs in the Philippines. You son of a b**** Inquirer, you are on the take," the president said.
"You are no better than a prostitute. You sell your talent to the rich. Against the poor. Yan. That's why I have always been angry with the rich," he added.
Duterte claimed owners of the broadsheet have used their influence to evade taxes.
"They did not pay taxes, just like donut, just like Inquirer," the president said, apparently referring to the Prietos, the family that owns the broadsheet and the exclusive Philippine franchisee of Dunkin' Donuts.
Duterte had claimed that the Prietos only paid P8 million to settle a P1 billion tax deficiency of Dunkin Donuts during the time of former President Benigno Aquino III.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/30/1980834/duterte-tells-abs-cbn-owners-just-sell-tv-network
Duterte tells ABS-CBN execs to sell company
President Rodrigo Duterte again vented his anger at ABS-CBN Corporation in his latest speech, even suggesting a way out for the hard-pressed major television network.
"Itong ABS-CBN, mag-expire ang contract ninyo, mag-renew kayo, ewan ko lang kung mangyari. Ako pa sa'yo, pagbili na ninyo 'yan," Duterte said in a talk to earthquake victims in Cotabato Monday.
[Translation: ABS-CBN, your contract is set to expire. I don't know if it will be renewed. If I were you, I'd sell the company.]
In a series of tweets Monday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said Duterte's latest statement bore "all the signs of a shakedown and raises questions over his real intentions for seeking to block the renewal of the broadcast network’s franchise."
"Words that appear to be marching orders to his minions in Congress, led by Alan Peter Cayetano, who has admitted having “personal objections” to renewing the franchise in a clear conflict of interest," they said.
NUJP added, "We call on the community of independent Filipino journalists and on citizens who cherish democracy to band together and protect the free arena of ideas that the closure or forced sale of ABS-CBN would severely weaken."
The franchise of the embattled media company will expire in March 2020, unless Congress and Duterte approve its extension.
Congress was unable to tackle five pending bills to extend ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years in 2019.
Duterte has also consistently stood firm against the network and its executives.
The President's primary objection stemmed from the network's alleged failure to run his paid campaign advertisements during the 2016 election.
ABS-CBN is one of the major TV networks in the country, with around 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular employees and 3,325 talents at the end of 2018, according to its report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/30/duterte-abs-cbn-franchise-sale.html
"Itong ABS-CBN, mag-expire ang contract ninyo, mag-renew kayo, ewan ko lang kung mangyari. Ako pa sa'yo, pagbili na ninyo 'yan," Duterte said in a talk to earthquake victims in Cotabato Monday.
[Translation: ABS-CBN, your contract is set to expire. I don't know if it will be renewed. If I were you, I'd sell the company.]
In a series of tweets Monday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said Duterte's latest statement bore "all the signs of a shakedown and raises questions over his real intentions for seeking to block the renewal of the broadcast network’s franchise."
"Words that appear to be marching orders to his minions in Congress, led by Alan Peter Cayetano, who has admitted having “personal objections” to renewing the franchise in a clear conflict of interest," they said.
NUJP added, "We call on the community of independent Filipino journalists and on citizens who cherish democracy to band together and protect the free arena of ideas that the closure or forced sale of ABS-CBN would severely weaken."
The franchise of the embattled media company will expire in March 2020, unless Congress and Duterte approve its extension.
Congress was unable to tackle five pending bills to extend ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years in 2019.
Duterte has also consistently stood firm against the network and its executives.
The President's primary objection stemmed from the network's alleged failure to run his paid campaign advertisements during the 2016 election.
ABS-CBN is one of the major TV networks in the country, with around 6,730 regular employees, 900 non-regular employees and 3,325 talents at the end of 2018, according to its report to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/12/30/duterte-abs-cbn-franchise-sale.html
BREAKING: Duterte tells ABS-CBN to just sell the network
After threatening television giant ABS-CBN with closure by not renewing its franchise, President Duterte on Monday gave an unsolicited advice to the network — put it on sale.
Duterte made the proposal with little over two months left until ABS-CBN’s broadcast rights expires. It is congress that is mandated by the constitution to enact franchise bills pending before it.
If the franchise is not granted, the country’s largest network would have to close down its TV and radio operations by March 20, 2020.
“Itong ABS, mag-expire ang contract ninyo. Mag-renew kayo, ewan ko lang kung may mangyari diyan. Kung ako sa inyo ipagbili niyo na ‘yan,” Duterte said in a speech before earthquake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato.
“Kasi ang mga Pilipino ngayon lang makaganti sa inyong kalokohan. And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever,” he added.
Duterte has several times in the past threatened to block the franchise renewal of the Kapamilya network after what he claimed to be unfair treatment of him during the presidential campaign period.
The President has also repeatedly accused ABS-CBN of estafa for supposedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for during the May 2016 presidential elections.
He has also slammed the network for airing what he deemed to be unfair or slanted reports about him.
The proposed sale of ABS-CBN came on the heels of reports that Duterte’s friend, Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy recently formed the Udenna Communications Media and Entertainment Holdings Corp, which expands his business to media and entertainment sector.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1207388/fwd-breaking-3-months-before-franchise-expires-duterte-tells-abs-cbn-to-just-sell-the-network
Duterte made the proposal with little over two months left until ABS-CBN’s broadcast rights expires. It is congress that is mandated by the constitution to enact franchise bills pending before it.
If the franchise is not granted, the country’s largest network would have to close down its TV and radio operations by March 20, 2020.
“Itong ABS, mag-expire ang contract ninyo. Mag-renew kayo, ewan ko lang kung may mangyari diyan. Kung ako sa inyo ipagbili niyo na ‘yan,” Duterte said in a speech before earthquake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato.
“Kasi ang mga Pilipino ngayon lang makaganti sa inyong kalokohan. And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever,” he added.
Duterte has several times in the past threatened to block the franchise renewal of the Kapamilya network after what he claimed to be unfair treatment of him during the presidential campaign period.
The President has also repeatedly accused ABS-CBN of estafa for supposedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for during the May 2016 presidential elections.
He has also slammed the network for airing what he deemed to be unfair or slanted reports about him.
The proposed sale of ABS-CBN came on the heels of reports that Duterte’s friend, Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy recently formed the Udenna Communications Media and Entertainment Holdings Corp, which expands his business to media and entertainment sector.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1207388/fwd-breaking-3-months-before-franchise-expires-duterte-tells-abs-cbn-to-just-sell-the-network
Three-month countdown: What are ABS-CBN’s chances of renewing its franchise?
PANGASINAN, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is rallying for public support to defend press freedom after President Rodrigo Duterte delivered fresh blows against media giant ABS-CBN, whose congressional franchise is set to expire in three months.
“Itong ABS, mag-expire ang contract ninyo. Mag-renew kayo, ewan ko lang kung may mangyari diyan. Kung ako sa inyo, ipagbili niyo na ‘yan...And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever,” Duterte said in a Monday speech while visiting earthquake victims in North Cotabato.
(ABS-CBN’s contract is about to expire. Try to renew your franchise, let’s see what happens. If I were you, I might as well sell the network.)
Admin-led Congress
The NUJP described Duterte's statement as a veiled threat with “[w]ords that appear to be marching orders to his minions in Congress, led by Alan Peter Cayetano, who has admitted having ‘personal objections’ to renewing the franchise in a clear conflict of interest.”
ABS-CBN's franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020, after which its broadcast services will cease operation.
At least five bills have been filed to extend the media network’s broadcasting operations for another 25 years.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has not acted on the pending legislation to renew the said franchise.
An administration-recognized super majority stands in the House with about 290 members. It is helmed by Speaker Cayetano who was the president’s running mate in the 2016 elections and Cabinet appointee prior to speakership.
Duterte also brokered the initial "term-sharing" agreement between Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco that saw the former rise to the speakership.
President’s signature needed
Broadcast companies, including radio and television networks, in the Philippines are required to seek a franchise from Congress under Republic Act 3846.
“No person, firm, company, association or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio station within the Philippine Islands without having first obtained a franchise therefore from the Philippine Legislature,” RA 3846 reads.
ABS-CBN’s current franchise was granted a term of 25 years under Republic Act 7966, approved on March 30, 1995. It states:
“The ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, hereunder referred to as the grantee, its successors or assigns, is hereby granted a franchise to construct, operate and maintain, for commercial purposes and in the public interest, television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the Philippines.”
A congressional franchise bill needs to be approved by the House of Representatives before it is transmitted to the Senate. The version of the bill approved by both chambers would then still need the president’s approval.
Duterte, however, has repeatedly criticized ABS-CBN and stated that he is determined to block the renewal of its franchise.
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end (your franchise will end) next year. If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan (its renewal), I'm sorry. You're out. I will see to it that you're out,” the president said earlier this month.
Last year, the president said he disapproves of the renewal of the media company’s franchise but would not meddle in renewal talks.
“Now, ABS-CBN, their franchise is due for renewal... But I will never also intervene. But if I had my way, I will not give it back to you,” Duterte said in August 2018.
ABS-CBN’s future
Global watchdog organizations have since taken to ABS-CBN's side amid the franchise renewal issue, denouncing the Philippine government's alleged attack on press freedom and democracy.
Labor group Defend Job Philippines also said that the politicking is threatening the livelihood of thousands of ABS-CBN employees.
NUJP has asked Congress to act independently on the franchise renewal issue, estimating that between 10,000 to 11,000 are at risk of losing their jobs.
The hashtag #ABSCBNIsNotForSale trended on Twitter toward the year’s end with citizens reacting at the president’s tirades.
“We call on the community of independent Filipino journalists and on citizens who cherish democracy to band together and protect the free arena of ideas that the closure or forced sale of ABS-CBN would severely weaken,” the NUJP said in a statement posted New Year’s Eve.
“The alternative— the death of freedom of the press and of free expression— is too horrible to contemplate.”
Detained Sen. Leila de Lima also related the franchise renewal issue to what she said is a pattern of government repression against its critics.
“The closure of a media outlet over a personal whim and political vendetta has no place in a free, democratic and just society,” the senator said in a statement earlier this month.
“Clearly, the President’s attacks on Rappler and Inquirer, and recently, his renewed threats of blocking ABS-CBN’s franchise, are part of his regime’s blatant crackdown, broader propaganda, and misinformation against media outlets, opposition leaders and organizations who criticize and challenge his crooked and brutal policies.”
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/31/1981058/three-month-countdown-what-are-abs-cbns-chances-renewing-its-franchise
(ABS-CBN’s contract is about to expire. Try to renew your franchise, let’s see what happens. If I were you, I might as well sell the network.)
Admin-led Congress
The NUJP described Duterte's statement as a veiled threat with “[w]ords that appear to be marching orders to his minions in Congress, led by Alan Peter Cayetano, who has admitted having ‘personal objections’ to renewing the franchise in a clear conflict of interest.”
ABS-CBN's franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020, after which its broadcast services will cease operation.
At least five bills have been filed to extend the media network’s broadcasting operations for another 25 years.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has not acted on the pending legislation to renew the said franchise.
An administration-recognized super majority stands in the House with about 290 members. It is helmed by Speaker Cayetano who was the president’s running mate in the 2016 elections and Cabinet appointee prior to speakership.
Duterte also brokered the initial "term-sharing" agreement between Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco that saw the former rise to the speakership.
President’s signature needed
Broadcast companies, including radio and television networks, in the Philippines are required to seek a franchise from Congress under Republic Act 3846.
“No person, firm, company, association or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio station within the Philippine Islands without having first obtained a franchise therefore from the Philippine Legislature,” RA 3846 reads.
ABS-CBN’s current franchise was granted a term of 25 years under Republic Act 7966, approved on March 30, 1995. It states:
“The ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, hereunder referred to as the grantee, its successors or assigns, is hereby granted a franchise to construct, operate and maintain, for commercial purposes and in the public interest, television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the Philippines.”
A congressional franchise bill needs to be approved by the House of Representatives before it is transmitted to the Senate. The version of the bill approved by both chambers would then still need the president’s approval.
Duterte, however, has repeatedly criticized ABS-CBN and stated that he is determined to block the renewal of its franchise.
“Ang inyong franchise mag-end (your franchise will end) next year. If you are expecting na ma-renew 'yan (its renewal), I'm sorry. You're out. I will see to it that you're out,” the president said earlier this month.
Last year, the president said he disapproves of the renewal of the media company’s franchise but would not meddle in renewal talks.
“Now, ABS-CBN, their franchise is due for renewal... But I will never also intervene. But if I had my way, I will not give it back to you,” Duterte said in August 2018.
ABS-CBN’s future
Global watchdog organizations have since taken to ABS-CBN's side amid the franchise renewal issue, denouncing the Philippine government's alleged attack on press freedom and democracy.
Labor group Defend Job Philippines also said that the politicking is threatening the livelihood of thousands of ABS-CBN employees.
NUJP has asked Congress to act independently on the franchise renewal issue, estimating that between 10,000 to 11,000 are at risk of losing their jobs.
The hashtag #ABSCBNIsNotForSale trended on Twitter toward the year’s end with citizens reacting at the president’s tirades.
“We call on the community of independent Filipino journalists and on citizens who cherish democracy to band together and protect the free arena of ideas that the closure or forced sale of ABS-CBN would severely weaken,” the NUJP said in a statement posted New Year’s Eve.
“The alternative— the death of freedom of the press and of free expression— is too horrible to contemplate.”
Detained Sen. Leila de Lima also related the franchise renewal issue to what she said is a pattern of government repression against its critics.
“The closure of a media outlet over a personal whim and political vendetta has no place in a free, democratic and just society,” the senator said in a statement earlier this month.
“Clearly, the President’s attacks on Rappler and Inquirer, and recently, his renewed threats of blocking ABS-CBN’s franchise, are part of his regime’s blatant crackdown, broader propaganda, and misinformation against media outlets, opposition leaders and organizations who criticize and challenge his crooked and brutal policies.”
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/12/31/1981058/three-month-countdown-what-are-abs-cbns-chances-renewing-its-franchise
Rizal Day part of millennium bash
AN AWARD-WINNING film based on the life of national hero Jose Rizal and a musical based on his novel ''Noli Me Tangere'' will be presented today at the Rizal Park as part of the millennium celebrations and to mark the 123rd anniversary of his death.
Rizal was executed by firing squad at the same park, which was then called Bagumbayan.
A day later, the park will also be the center of the millennium celebrations, starting with a special concelebrated Misa Milenya (Millennium Mass) to be officiated by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.
The millennium celebration frenzy will be repeated in several other parts of the country, from Metro Manila to as far north as Benguet and as far south as Davao Oriental.
Celebration organizers have issued helpful tips for enjoying and living through the revelry, including bringing your own survival kits.
Today's Araw ng Dakilang Bayani (Day of the Great Hero), which is part of the Pistang Milenyo Filipino (Filipino Millennium Festival), will also include a retracing at 5:30 a.m. of Rizal's last footsteps from his prison cell at Fort Santiago to the execution site.
The retracing will be done by the members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal.
At 7 a.m., President Duterte is expected to lead the traditional flag-raising and wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument.
''Rizal,'' the 1998 movie directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, will be shown at 8 p.m. at the Rizal Park's open-air auditorium, according to Tourism Director Romulo de los Reyes, festival chair.
''Kanser,'' the musical, will be staged at 6 p.m. at the same place. It is directed by Tony Espejo.
Also at 6 p.m., a light and sound show on the martyrdom of Rizal will be presented.
At 7 p.m., designer Lito Perez will hold a modern kimono fashion show at the park's Japanese garden.
All the Rizal Park shows are open to the public for free.
The millennium celebrations at the Rizal Park, which kicked off on Thursday, will be capped by a grand fireworks display tomorrow at midnight.
The Department of Budget and Management allocated P30 million for the festivities at the Rizal Park and in other parts of the country.
Vigor and commitment
Yesterday, only two days before the world bids goodbye to 2019, President Duterte urged the people to greet the new year ''with renewed vigor.''
Speaking on his weekly radio-TV program "Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa," Mr. Duterte promised to ''further intensify my commitment to ensure good governance and provide the people, especially the poor, with better services.''
He said that like in most Filipino homes, he and his family would pray together on New Year's Eve, aside from joining the Rizal Park festivities.
The President and other members of the First Family will attend the 5 p.m. Mass to be said by Cardinal Tagle at the Quirino Grandstand tomorrow.
Representatives of labor, women and children, fishermen, farmers, indigenous communities and other sectors will join them in the offertory procession.
Bro. Mike Velarde, Servant-Leader of El Shaddai, earlier announced he expected about 500,000 flock members to also attend the millennium Mass.
Pope's message
Pope Francis message to the Filipino people will be read during the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand and in selected Marian shrines in other parts of the country, according to Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, who chairs the Committee on the Turn of the Century Celebration.
The Mass, which will project the Philippines as a pilgrimage destination in Asia, will be covered live by the national multi-media.
The President will then welcome the new millennium by leading a symbolic kapit-bisig (linking of arms), which will be replicated all over the country.
People joining the celebration at the Rizal Park are advised to bring food.
''People should bring their own food as if they're going on a picnic because, unfortunately, we can't offer them any,'' said De los Reyes.
He also advised people to bring raincoats or umbrellas.
They should also be on alert for petty criminals such as holdup men and pickpockets, although policemen and security men will be roving around the park, he said.
He predicted that the Dec. 31 crowd at Rizal Park alone could swell to at least 5 million.
House watch
People at the Rizal Park will be screened for guns, firecrackers and drugs by about 1,000 roving members of the Western Police District before and during the celebration with the President, according to Chief Supt. Avelino Razon, WPD director.
''Make sure somebody stays home to keep watch against burglars who might take advantage of the situation,'' said Razon. ''Nonetheless, there will be enough patrol units going around the other parts of the city to discourage criminals during the celebration.''
A concert and a huge dance party will follow the 50-minute fireworks display.
''On a happy note, there are no high-risk areas and no serious threats to the celebration,'' the WPD chief added.
What not to bring
Organizers of the millennium party on Ayala Avenue in Makati City also have tips for frolickers.
o Bring some cash. ''You don't have to bring anything, just cash,'' said P/Chief Insp. Candido Ruiz, traffic commander of the Ayala party.
Food, drinks and souvenirs will be sold at different booths to be set up on Ayala by Makati's five-star hotels, restaurants and Ayala Center merchants.
o Bring protection from the rain.
o Don't bring guns.
''No one with a gun will be allowed to enter the party premises,'' said Ruiz. ''Only those who are authorized to bring guns (policemen, security force) will be allowed to do so.''
o Don't bring pointed objects such as knives, ice picks and the like.
o Merrymakers will be allowed to bring alcoholic drinks as long as they are in plastic containers. Bottled drinks--juice, soft drinks, beer, liquor--are strictly prohibited.
Ruiz said organizers had not decided if they would allow beer in can.
The party will be free for all, so everyone is invited to attend. ''You can come in any attire you want,'' he said.
o Vehicles will be barred from the avenues, but not revelers, said traffic Executive Director Ernesto Camarillo of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Star-studded
Why should people choose the Ayala party over those at The Fort in Fort Bonifacio, Rizal Park in Manila and Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City?
''Because top celebrities, show biz personalities will be there to perform live before the crowd, which is expected to be more than 100,000,'' said Ruiz.
Camarillo said party organizers had been receiving feelers that President Duterte would proceed to Ayala after the official millennium party at Rizal Park.
With the theme ''One with the World,'' the Makati party will be hosted by Ayala Land's Ayala Malls in cooperation with GMA-7.
It will be telecast worldwide as part of the 26-hour Millennium Day broadcast of Britain's BBC and the US-based ABC networks.
The party will start at 5 p.m. and will build up at about 10 p.m. when entertainers perform musical numbers on a giant stage at the intersection of Ayala and Makati avenues.
People in the Ayala party can watch the different millennium celebrations around the globe starting at 8 p.m. through giant TV screens on the two intersecting avenues.
From 11:50 p.m. to midnight, and again at 1:30 a.m., about 800 million viewers around the world will be tuning in on the Ayala millennium celebration.
''We want to showcase the Philippines as a world-class entertainment center and we've gathered our best talents to achieve that,''' said Ayala Land marketing manager Tina Esguerra.
The Ayala party will end with fireworks, laser shows and a confetti shower.
Pollution and firecrackers
Though likely to be ignored by millennium revelers, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources warned against burning tires and the wanton use of pyrotechnics for these are dangerous to health and the environment as well as to property.
In a statement, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said burning tires and pyrotechnics give off ozone-depleting sulfur dioxide, heavy metals and their oxides.
As of yesterday, one man had been killed and more than 150 injured, mostly by firecrackers, in pre-millennium celebrations, said police.
The first death was recorded on Tuesday when a motorcycle ridden by a man who had just bought a bunch of firecrackers turned into a high-speed firebomb in Valenzuela, Metro Manila.
The package exploded and ignited the vehicle after coming in contact with the exhaust pipe, killing a bystander and injuring three motorists including the motorcycle rider who had both legs amputated, said Supt. Nemesio Neron.
Elsewhere in the country, 150 people were injured in firecracker blasts and 10 wounded by stray bullets, said Senior Supt. Rodolfo Tor, chief of the firearms and explosives unit of the Philippine National Police. With reports from Norman Bordadora, TJ Burgonio, Carlito Pablo, Michael Lim Ubac, AFP
Rizal was executed by firing squad at the same park, which was then called Bagumbayan.
A day later, the park will also be the center of the millennium celebrations, starting with a special concelebrated Misa Milenya (Millennium Mass) to be officiated by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.
The millennium celebration frenzy will be repeated in several other parts of the country, from Metro Manila to as far north as Benguet and as far south as Davao Oriental.
Celebration organizers have issued helpful tips for enjoying and living through the revelry, including bringing your own survival kits.
Today's Araw ng Dakilang Bayani (Day of the Great Hero), which is part of the Pistang Milenyo Filipino (Filipino Millennium Festival), will also include a retracing at 5:30 a.m. of Rizal's last footsteps from his prison cell at Fort Santiago to the execution site.
The retracing will be done by the members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal.
At 7 a.m., President Duterte is expected to lead the traditional flag-raising and wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument.
''Rizal,'' the 1998 movie directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, will be shown at 8 p.m. at the Rizal Park's open-air auditorium, according to Tourism Director Romulo de los Reyes, festival chair.
''Kanser,'' the musical, will be staged at 6 p.m. at the same place. It is directed by Tony Espejo.
Also at 6 p.m., a light and sound show on the martyrdom of Rizal will be presented.
At 7 p.m., designer Lito Perez will hold a modern kimono fashion show at the park's Japanese garden.
All the Rizal Park shows are open to the public for free.
The millennium celebrations at the Rizal Park, which kicked off on Thursday, will be capped by a grand fireworks display tomorrow at midnight.
The Department of Budget and Management allocated P30 million for the festivities at the Rizal Park and in other parts of the country.
Vigor and commitment
Yesterday, only two days before the world bids goodbye to 2019, President Duterte urged the people to greet the new year ''with renewed vigor.''
Speaking on his weekly radio-TV program "Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa," Mr. Duterte promised to ''further intensify my commitment to ensure good governance and provide the people, especially the poor, with better services.''
He said that like in most Filipino homes, he and his family would pray together on New Year's Eve, aside from joining the Rizal Park festivities.
The President and other members of the First Family will attend the 5 p.m. Mass to be said by Cardinal Tagle at the Quirino Grandstand tomorrow.
Representatives of labor, women and children, fishermen, farmers, indigenous communities and other sectors will join them in the offertory procession.
Bro. Mike Velarde, Servant-Leader of El Shaddai, earlier announced he expected about 500,000 flock members to also attend the millennium Mass.
Pope's message
Pope Francis message to the Filipino people will be read during the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand and in selected Marian shrines in other parts of the country, according to Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, who chairs the Committee on the Turn of the Century Celebration.
The Mass, which will project the Philippines as a pilgrimage destination in Asia, will be covered live by the national multi-media.
The President will then welcome the new millennium by leading a symbolic kapit-bisig (linking of arms), which will be replicated all over the country.
People joining the celebration at the Rizal Park are advised to bring food.
''People should bring their own food as if they're going on a picnic because, unfortunately, we can't offer them any,'' said De los Reyes.
He also advised people to bring raincoats or umbrellas.
They should also be on alert for petty criminals such as holdup men and pickpockets, although policemen and security men will be roving around the park, he said.
He predicted that the Dec. 31 crowd at Rizal Park alone could swell to at least 5 million.
House watch
People at the Rizal Park will be screened for guns, firecrackers and drugs by about 1,000 roving members of the Western Police District before and during the celebration with the President, according to Chief Supt. Avelino Razon, WPD director.
''Make sure somebody stays home to keep watch against burglars who might take advantage of the situation,'' said Razon. ''Nonetheless, there will be enough patrol units going around the other parts of the city to discourage criminals during the celebration.''
A concert and a huge dance party will follow the 50-minute fireworks display.
''On a happy note, there are no high-risk areas and no serious threats to the celebration,'' the WPD chief added.
What not to bring
Organizers of the millennium party on Ayala Avenue in Makati City also have tips for frolickers.
o Bring some cash. ''You don't have to bring anything, just cash,'' said P/Chief Insp. Candido Ruiz, traffic commander of the Ayala party.
Food, drinks and souvenirs will be sold at different booths to be set up on Ayala by Makati's five-star hotels, restaurants and Ayala Center merchants.
o Bring protection from the rain.
o Don't bring guns.
''No one with a gun will be allowed to enter the party premises,'' said Ruiz. ''Only those who are authorized to bring guns (policemen, security force) will be allowed to do so.''
o Don't bring pointed objects such as knives, ice picks and the like.
o Merrymakers will be allowed to bring alcoholic drinks as long as they are in plastic containers. Bottled drinks--juice, soft drinks, beer, liquor--are strictly prohibited.
Ruiz said organizers had not decided if they would allow beer in can.
The party will be free for all, so everyone is invited to attend. ''You can come in any attire you want,'' he said.
o Vehicles will be barred from the avenues, but not revelers, said traffic Executive Director Ernesto Camarillo of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
Star-studded
Why should people choose the Ayala party over those at The Fort in Fort Bonifacio, Rizal Park in Manila and Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City?
''Because top celebrities, show biz personalities will be there to perform live before the crowd, which is expected to be more than 100,000,'' said Ruiz.
Camarillo said party organizers had been receiving feelers that President Duterte would proceed to Ayala after the official millennium party at Rizal Park.
With the theme ''One with the World,'' the Makati party will be hosted by Ayala Land's Ayala Malls in cooperation with GMA-7.
It will be telecast worldwide as part of the 26-hour Millennium Day broadcast of Britain's BBC and the US-based ABC networks.
The party will start at 5 p.m. and will build up at about 10 p.m. when entertainers perform musical numbers on a giant stage at the intersection of Ayala and Makati avenues.
People in the Ayala party can watch the different millennium celebrations around the globe starting at 8 p.m. through giant TV screens on the two intersecting avenues.
From 11:50 p.m. to midnight, and again at 1:30 a.m., about 800 million viewers around the world will be tuning in on the Ayala millennium celebration.
''We want to showcase the Philippines as a world-class entertainment center and we've gathered our best talents to achieve that,''' said Ayala Land marketing manager Tina Esguerra.
The Ayala party will end with fireworks, laser shows and a confetti shower.
Pollution and firecrackers
Though likely to be ignored by millennium revelers, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources warned against burning tires and the wanton use of pyrotechnics for these are dangerous to health and the environment as well as to property.
In a statement, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said burning tires and pyrotechnics give off ozone-depleting sulfur dioxide, heavy metals and their oxides.
As of yesterday, one man had been killed and more than 150 injured, mostly by firecrackers, in pre-millennium celebrations, said police.
The first death was recorded on Tuesday when a motorcycle ridden by a man who had just bought a bunch of firecrackers turned into a high-speed firebomb in Valenzuela, Metro Manila.
The package exploded and ignited the vehicle after coming in contact with the exhaust pipe, killing a bystander and injuring three motorists including the motorcycle rider who had both legs amputated, said Supt. Nemesio Neron.
Elsewhere in the country, 150 people were injured in firecracker blasts and 10 wounded by stray bullets, said Senior Supt. Rodolfo Tor, chief of the firearms and explosives unit of the Philippine National Police. With reports from Norman Bordadora, TJ Burgonio, Carlito Pablo, Michael Lim Ubac, AFP
DFA at OWWA Rescue Office, bubuksan sa Palayan City
Inaasahang bubuksan sa Marso ang satellite office ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) at Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) Rescue Office sa Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Ayon kay Palayan City Mayor Rianne Cuevas, nag-uusap na sila ng mga opisyal ng DFA at OWWA para maglagay ng satellite office sa kanyang probinsiya upang hindi na mahirapan ang kanyang mga kababayan na OFW sa pagkuha at pag-renew ng kanilang pasaporte.
Sinabi ng Alkalde, maging ang mga OFW sa Aurora province at iba pang kalapit na lugar ay maaari ng kumuha ng kanilang passport sa Palayan City at hindi na kailangan pang lumuwas ng Metro Manila sa oras na mabuksan ang mga nabanggit na opisina.
“Nais lang po nating pagaanin ang mga buhay ng ating mga bayaning OFW habang nilalakad nila ang kanilang mga papeles, clearance at kontrata,” anang Alkalde.
Maging ang seaman’s book at iba pang requirement ay maaari ng kunin sa Palayan City “One Stop Business Hub” sa oras na maging ‘full operation’ na ito.
Sa ngayon, anang Alkalde ay inaalam na ng Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) kung gaano karami ang mga marino sa Nueva Ecija at Aurora para sa kanilang paglalagay ng processing office sa lungsod.
Para naman sa mga maiiwang pamilya ng OFW, maglalagay na rin ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) satellite office, maging ang “Go Negosyo” para sa maaaring pagkakakitaan ng mga ito habang nasa abroad ang kanilang kaanak.
Ayon pa kay Mayor Cuevas, libre ang pag-print, xerox, paggamit ng computer at internet sa One Stop Shop Center for OFW (OSSCO) office.
https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/bansa/2019/12/30/1980751/dfa-owwa-rescue-office-bubuksan-sa-palayan-city
Ayon kay Palayan City Mayor Rianne Cuevas, nag-uusap na sila ng mga opisyal ng DFA at OWWA para maglagay ng satellite office sa kanyang probinsiya upang hindi na mahirapan ang kanyang mga kababayan na OFW sa pagkuha at pag-renew ng kanilang pasaporte.
Sinabi ng Alkalde, maging ang mga OFW sa Aurora province at iba pang kalapit na lugar ay maaari ng kumuha ng kanilang passport sa Palayan City at hindi na kailangan pang lumuwas ng Metro Manila sa oras na mabuksan ang mga nabanggit na opisina.
“Nais lang po nating pagaanin ang mga buhay ng ating mga bayaning OFW habang nilalakad nila ang kanilang mga papeles, clearance at kontrata,” anang Alkalde.
Maging ang seaman’s book at iba pang requirement ay maaari ng kunin sa Palayan City “One Stop Business Hub” sa oras na maging ‘full operation’ na ito.
Sa ngayon, anang Alkalde ay inaalam na ng Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) kung gaano karami ang mga marino sa Nueva Ecija at Aurora para sa kanilang paglalagay ng processing office sa lungsod.
Para naman sa mga maiiwang pamilya ng OFW, maglalagay na rin ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) satellite office, maging ang “Go Negosyo” para sa maaaring pagkakakitaan ng mga ito habang nasa abroad ang kanilang kaanak.
Ayon pa kay Mayor Cuevas, libre ang pag-print, xerox, paggamit ng computer at internet sa One Stop Shop Center for OFW (OSSCO) office.
https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/bansa/2019/12/30/1980751/dfa-owwa-rescue-office-bubuksan-sa-palayan-city
TV5 open to let Lopezes buy block airtime if ABS-CBN doesn’t get franchise
WHILE TV5 Network Inc. is reluctant to take any step toward helping save ABS-CBN Corp.—in danger of closure unless it gets it’s a new franchise by March—the former is open to allowing the latter to buy block airtime to stream its content.
Manuel V. Pangilinan, who chairs TV 5’s parent PLDT Inc., also debunked online reports that the Lopez-led network is in talks to buy TV 5.
“No one is talking to us,” he said. “I don’t think they want to buy into a losing company.”
Pangilinan stressed his group’s cool reception to the prospect of being acquired.
“We’re not offering them anything, we’re not suggesting anything to them. We don’t want to take the first step,” he said.
ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise will expire on March 30. President Duterte has made it his mission to “block” the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, claiming that the company had been remiss in its duties as a media platform.
With this, Pangilinan said his group remains open to negotiating for terms not related to any form of equity acquisition.
“We have lots of highways on 5. Setting aside the politics, if they want to [buy] block time, we’re prepared to talk. We don’t have a lot of entertainment content, anyway. So, it’s up to them,” he said.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/30/tv5-open-to-let-lopezes-buy-block-airtime-if-abs-cbn-doesnt-get-franchise/
Manuel V. Pangilinan, who chairs TV 5’s parent PLDT Inc., also debunked online reports that the Lopez-led network is in talks to buy TV 5.
“No one is talking to us,” he said. “I don’t think they want to buy into a losing company.”
Pangilinan stressed his group’s cool reception to the prospect of being acquired.
“We’re not offering them anything, we’re not suggesting anything to them. We don’t want to take the first step,” he said.
ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise will expire on March 30. President Duterte has made it his mission to “block” the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, claiming that the company had been remiss in its duties as a media platform.
With this, Pangilinan said his group remains open to negotiating for terms not related to any form of equity acquisition.
“We have lots of highways on 5. Setting aside the politics, if they want to [buy] block time, we’re prepared to talk. We don’t have a lot of entertainment content, anyway. So, it’s up to them,” he said.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/30/tv5-open-to-let-lopezes-buy-block-airtime-if-abs-cbn-doesnt-get-franchise/
Pangan: Addressing the job mismatch
A BIG boost to addressing jobs mismatch with employers' demand is the entry of Asian Development Bank via a $400-million policy-based loan to support the Philippine government's efforts to increase youth employment.
At present, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) offices of local government units provide employment to the youth through its Special Program for the Employment of Students during vacation, or precisely in April every year and grant them salaries for 20 days of immersion in government offices and fast food chains.
At least, the salaries received by the students can augment funds for their tuition and other school needs.
I understand that Asian Development Bank has a long standing partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) regarding youth employment programs and it has plans to continue helping generate more job opportunities for young Filipinos.
I hope private Filipino entities would follow suit and give opportunities for employment to Filipino compatriots. ADB has a list of unemployed Filipinos, particularly the women sector and supports our labor policy referral including introduction of unemployment insurance.
ADB loan aims to address the skills mismatch between young job seekers and the competencies required by employers and I hope it will be used for this purpose.
* * *
Budget delays and boo-boos. There are apprehensions that the General Appropriations Bill for 2020 may suffer the same delay as last year's budget. Oh no!
But Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed confidence that there would be no sad repeat of the Senate-House impasse over the 2019 national budget, blaming the P95 billion worth of post-ratification insertions by the lawmakers. Mahilig yata ang mga kongresista natin sa insertions!
The bad effect on the economy was witnessed by us, caused by the delay. Ayayay!
* * *
A bit of good news for seniors. Some 100 senior citizens in Pasay City were hired as temporary airport ushers by way of an agreement between the local government unit of Pasay City, the Manila International Airport Authority, Ang Probinsiyano party-list and Dole.
Reportedly, they will perform manageable tasks such as guiding airport passengers to their seats and to offices the patrons need to go to or which lanes to queue in.
The seniors will work for three hours in the morning and another three hours in the afternoon for 15 days with a salary of P537 daily wage rate.
I just hope other local government units will employ seniors in their turfs.
* * *
Non-renewal of ABS-CBN franchise. It is sad to hear that this entertainment giant network has been the target of the President's ire that its franchise will not be renewed by Congress, which is dominated by Duterte's allies.
Whatever will be the fate of the franchise, so many of its stars, artists and other workers will suffer the loss of their respective jobs just because of Duterte's tantrums and vindictiveness. Whew!
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1837974
At present, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) offices of local government units provide employment to the youth through its Special Program for the Employment of Students during vacation, or precisely in April every year and grant them salaries for 20 days of immersion in government offices and fast food chains.
At least, the salaries received by the students can augment funds for their tuition and other school needs.
I understand that Asian Development Bank has a long standing partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) regarding youth employment programs and it has plans to continue helping generate more job opportunities for young Filipinos.
I hope private Filipino entities would follow suit and give opportunities for employment to Filipino compatriots. ADB has a list of unemployed Filipinos, particularly the women sector and supports our labor policy referral including introduction of unemployment insurance.
ADB loan aims to address the skills mismatch between young job seekers and the competencies required by employers and I hope it will be used for this purpose.
* * *
Budget delays and boo-boos. There are apprehensions that the General Appropriations Bill for 2020 may suffer the same delay as last year's budget. Oh no!
But Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed confidence that there would be no sad repeat of the Senate-House impasse over the 2019 national budget, blaming the P95 billion worth of post-ratification insertions by the lawmakers. Mahilig yata ang mga kongresista natin sa insertions!
The bad effect on the economy was witnessed by us, caused by the delay. Ayayay!
* * *
A bit of good news for seniors. Some 100 senior citizens in Pasay City were hired as temporary airport ushers by way of an agreement between the local government unit of Pasay City, the Manila International Airport Authority, Ang Probinsiyano party-list and Dole.
Reportedly, they will perform manageable tasks such as guiding airport passengers to their seats and to offices the patrons need to go to or which lanes to queue in.
The seniors will work for three hours in the morning and another three hours in the afternoon for 15 days with a salary of P537 daily wage rate.
I just hope other local government units will employ seniors in their turfs.
* * *
Non-renewal of ABS-CBN franchise. It is sad to hear that this entertainment giant network has been the target of the President's ire that its franchise will not be renewed by Congress, which is dominated by Duterte's allies.
Whatever will be the fate of the franchise, so many of its stars, artists and other workers will suffer the loss of their respective jobs just because of Duterte's tantrums and vindictiveness. Whew!
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1837974
Saturday, December 28, 2019
SM Supermalls ChriSMs 2010 TV Commercial
Lets have happy times good cheers are here!
Lets have some greeting and kissing my dear
Lets have a happy Christmas all
Shopping, Shopping, Shopping at SM Malls!
Santa Claus in reindeer and sleighing
Mistletoeing, Wrapping, and rolling
All the Christmas things we do
Shopping, shopping, shopping, me and you!
All you kiddies both naughty and nice
Playing, Gaming, Zillion Surprises!
Toys and gadgets are waiting for you
Shopping, shopping, shopping all fun and new!
Gifts are here, gifts are there
One giant spirit every where
Christmas, Christmas, great big fun
SM Supermalling and were not done!
Skating snowing, movie screening
Wrapping, rolling, feasting rushing and
Christmas, Christmas sights and sounds
Shopping shopping shopping round and round!
Gifts are here, gifts are there!
Great big loving everywhere
Christmas, Christmas here to stay
Shopping shopping shopping SM Supermalling
Merry Christmas ChriSMs all the way!
Congress fails to tackle ABS-CBN franchise renewal in 2019
By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN
With just three months remaining before its current franchise lapses, efforts to secure franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN failed to prosper this 2019.
Not a single of the franchise renewal bill of ABS-CBN filed in the House of Representatives under the 18th Congress has been tackled by the Committee of Legislative Franchises under Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez with only two days remaining before the end of the decade.
Nine proposed legislations seeking to give the broadcast giant a fresh start were already pending before the Lower House.
Prior to the congressional break earlier this month, two more proposed legislations that seek to to give the Kapamilya network a fresh 25-year franchise starting this coming March were filed by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) and Josephine Ramirez-Sato (Mindoro Oriental) under House Bills 5705 and 5753 respectively.
ABS-CBN needs to secure the passage of their congressional franchise on or before March 30, 2020—the expiration date set by its current franchise under Republic Act No. 7966—or the network will have to cease operating as a broadcast network if Congress fails to act on the franchise bill.
Earlier in December, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said there is still hope that the franchise application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN may hurdle congressional approval before it expires by March 2020.
The House leader sadi there is “more than enough time” for the franchise panel to tackle it by “January (or) February.”
“March pa naman ‘yung expiration ng franchise,” said Cayetano.
But Cayetano admitted that uncertainty still remains over the status of the ABS-CBN’s franchise application amidst President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest threat to block its renewal.
“Depende sa kalalabasan ng hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken,” said Cayetano’s response when asked if Congress can approve the Kapamilya network’s franchise bill ahead of its expiration
https://politics.com.ph/congress-fails-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-in-2019/
With just three months remaining before its current franchise lapses, efforts to secure franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN failed to prosper this 2019.
Not a single of the franchise renewal bill of ABS-CBN filed in the House of Representatives under the 18th Congress has been tackled by the Committee of Legislative Franchises under Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez with only two days remaining before the end of the decade.
Nine proposed legislations seeking to give the broadcast giant a fresh start were already pending before the Lower House.
Prior to the congressional break earlier this month, two more proposed legislations that seek to to give the Kapamilya network a fresh 25-year franchise starting this coming March were filed by Reps. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) and Josephine Ramirez-Sato (Mindoro Oriental) under House Bills 5705 and 5753 respectively.
ABS-CBN needs to secure the passage of their congressional franchise on or before March 30, 2020—the expiration date set by its current franchise under Republic Act No. 7966—or the network will have to cease operating as a broadcast network if Congress fails to act on the franchise bill.
Earlier in December, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said there is still hope that the franchise application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN may hurdle congressional approval before it expires by March 2020.
The House leader sadi there is “more than enough time” for the franchise panel to tackle it by “January (or) February.”
“March pa naman ‘yung expiration ng franchise,” said Cayetano.
But Cayetano admitted that uncertainty still remains over the status of the ABS-CBN’s franchise application amidst President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest threat to block its renewal.
“Depende sa kalalabasan ng hearing. I cannot preempt the committee or the issues that will be taken,” said Cayetano’s response when asked if Congress can approve the Kapamilya network’s franchise bill ahead of its expiration
https://politics.com.ph/congress-fails-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-in-2019/
Thursday, December 26, 2019
SM Prime Harrison Plaza Property
Current State of Harrizon Plaza Area and Shopwise: (26 December)
The only things left in Shopwise are like pretty much dated items.
The dilapitated mall was also featured in Vice Ganda's Movie "The Mall, The Merrier", the filming was done while National Bookstore was open which closed last October. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGCIP-FdeD4
I asked some few people in SM and I got a few tidbits of information:
1. The mall may start construction in late 2020 and it may take around 5 years to complete.
2. First mall in city of Manila to bear the Premier flagship.
3. The new complex will host 2 or 3 condominiums similar to Light Residences. The mall will have 4 stories of commercial stores that house nearly 300-600 shops and IMAX theatres.
4. The Hypermarket part of Harrison plaza will remain and will undergo integration as soon as the mall section is completed. Transport terminal may be possible as well. Century Park hotel stores nearby as not included in the plan.
1. 2025 completion? Mukhang doable la laki ng complex.
2. So should we call this development SM Harrison Premier or in my own terms, Republic of Shoemart Harrison Premier?
3. Ugh, the ugly SMDC condos...
4. Pwede nang maging permanent terminal ng mga Vito Cruz jeepneys, UV Express at multicab na pa-CCP yung transport terminal. Yung huling sentence, yan ba yung Village Square?
The only things left in Shopwise are like pretty much dated items.
The dilapitated mall was also featured in Vice Ganda's Movie "The Mall, The Merrier", the filming was done while National Bookstore was open which closed last October. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGCIP-FdeD4
I asked some few people in SM and I got a few tidbits of information:
1. The mall may start construction in late 2020 and it may take around 5 years to complete.
2. First mall in city of Manila to bear the Premier flagship.
3. The new complex will host 2 or 3 condominiums similar to Light Residences. The mall will have 4 stories of commercial stores that house nearly 300-600 shops and IMAX theatres.
4. The Hypermarket part of Harrison plaza will remain and will undergo integration as soon as the mall section is completed. Transport terminal may be possible as well. Century Park hotel stores nearby as not included in the plan.
1. 2025 completion? Mukhang doable la laki ng complex.
2. So should we call this development SM Harrison Premier or in my own terms, Republic of Shoemart Harrison Premier?
3. Ugh, the ugly SMDC condos...
4. Pwede nang maging permanent terminal ng mga Vito Cruz jeepneys, UV Express at multicab na pa-CCP yung transport terminal. Yung huling sentence, yan ba yung Village Square?
AKLAN READIES BIGGEST ATI-ATIHAN FOR NEW DECADE
Almost everyone in the province of Aklan is pre-occupied with one thing: the first Ati-Atihan festival in the new millennium.
The “Ati-Atihan” festival, which is the biggest, most colorful and internationally known mardi gras in the Philippines, is held to coincide with the feast of the “Sto. Niño” (Holy Child) on the third week of January.
“All the 17 towns, including Kalibo, are preparing for the festival which is expected to be the biggest, noisiest, most hilarious and exciting we’ve ever staged,” said Aklan Gov. Florencio “Joeben” Miraflores, chairman of the Aklan Tourism Development Council.
Kalibo is not the only place in the coutnry which will see Ati-Atihan revelry. In Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Visayan Association (MEMVA) in coordination with the United Aklanon Association of Metro Manila (UNAAM) and Protect Aklan Movement (PAM) groups will hold their Ati-Atihan in Tondo, Paco and Pandacan, Manila; Quezon City and Caloocan City, according to MEMVA spokesman Jose Lazarito.
President Duterte, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas are among government officials invited to Ati-Atihan festivals in Aklan and Metro Manila.
The non-stop street dancing will culminate on January 19, 2020, the feast day of Sto Niño. The Ati-Atihan will get extensive coverage from local and international newspapers, wire service agencies, and Philippine and international TV networks.
The “Ati-Atihan” festival, which is the biggest, most colorful and internationally known mardi gras in the Philippines, is held to coincide with the feast of the “Sto. Niño” (Holy Child) on the third week of January.
“All the 17 towns, including Kalibo, are preparing for the festival which is expected to be the biggest, noisiest, most hilarious and exciting we’ve ever staged,” said Aklan Gov. Florencio “Joeben” Miraflores, chairman of the Aklan Tourism Development Council.
Kalibo is not the only place in the coutnry which will see Ati-Atihan revelry. In Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Visayan Association (MEMVA) in coordination with the United Aklanon Association of Metro Manila (UNAAM) and Protect Aklan Movement (PAM) groups will hold their Ati-Atihan in Tondo, Paco and Pandacan, Manila; Quezon City and Caloocan City, according to MEMVA spokesman Jose Lazarito.
President Duterte, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas are among government officials invited to Ati-Atihan festivals in Aklan and Metro Manila.
The non-stop street dancing will culminate on January 19, 2020, the feast day of Sto Niño. The Ati-Atihan will get extensive coverage from local and international newspapers, wire service agencies, and Philippine and international TV networks.
Uncertainties of 2019
Uncertainties played a definitive role throughout the year and had a decisive effect on the country’s economic growth as measured through its gross domestic product (GDP).
Delays in the passage of the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act well into April and the ban on infrastructure projects extending to the May 12 election pulled GDP growth way below economic projections for the period, and posed serious challenges to the whole-year targets.
With the government’s Build Build Build program seriously delayed, doubts were cast on whether the original intention of relying chiefly on Official Development Assistance (ODA) could deliver the goods, and if there was a need to tweak the original methodology to achieve the target of spending P8.7 trillion by 2022.
The controversial Rice Tariffication Law was, likewise, not resulting in the desired benefits: retail rice prices were not budging lower even with the glut in imported rice or the low farmgate palay prices; and more importantly, rice farmers and mill owners were losing heavily with the delays in the release of government funds as promised by the rice law.
A presidential approval or veto on the proposed anti-contracting labor law met with sighs of relief by the business sector, which had mounted a last-minute lobby to persuade the President from totally banning contractual work.
Of course, the veto did not sit well with labor groups who had supported the President during his election bid on the promise that endo, or the end-of-contract labor practice that was being abused by some companies, would be totally stopped.
Mixed signals
Low water levels during the summer months unleashed a backlash on Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System concessionaires Ayala-led Manila Water and Pangilinan-led Maynilad after the President publicly declared that the Philippine government would not pay for promised rate increases stipulated in contracts.
Additionally, the President called for a review of the 25-year contracts signed in 1996, tagging them as onerous, and with a threat of not renewing them. Manila Water and Maynilad have since waived their claim on the P11 billion estimated rate increases that they had not received, and agreed to revisit the alleged onerous terms.
In Congress, lawmakers questioned the extension of Manila Water and Maynilad’s concessions granted in 2009 for another 15 years, from 2022 to 2037. This prompted the MWSS Board to repudiate the extension, potentially paving the way for new companies to take over.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has been quick to dispel fears of any negative impact on investor confidence on what had been seen by some sectors as squeeze play and arm-twisting tactics by the Duterte government on the private sector.
It must be pointed out that Manila Water and Maynilad have, by large, kept to their commitments by extending water coverage in their designated areas to roughly 100 percent on a 24-hour basis, with significantly reduced water leakages.
If there had been any recent water shortages, it was because MWSS failed to secure the water supply that the concessionaires needed to distribute in their areas. To date, the promised new water source from the proposed Kaliwa Water Dam in Infanta, Quezon continues to be delayed.
Yellow and red alerts
During the summer months too, Meralco was forced to issue successive yellow and red alerts after power reserves from Luzon-based electricity generation plants dipped to low levels.
In this case, the Energy Regulatory Board had failed to facilitate the construction of new power generators for a variety of reasons, including its inability to implement the retail competition and open access provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 because of a Supreme Court ruling.
Recently, the Supreme Court again issued another ruling that resulted in further delays in getting power plants off the ground, this time by insisting that Meralco undertakes a competitive selection process (CSP) in choosing partner power plants.
To date, Meralco’s ability to deliver electricity in the coming months is again threatened by more delays after the CSP it conducted recently failed because only one bidder had participated.
Coincidentally, Congress has opted to delay discussions on the extension of ABS-CBN Corp.’s operating franchise to next year, just a few months away from its expiry date of March 30, 2020. ABS-CBN is currently operating on a 25-year franchise secured through a law passed on March 30, 1995.
The worst that could happen if ABS-CBN’s franchise is not renewed would be the shutdown of its radio and television operations, founded in 1946 by the Lopez family, and now regarded as having the most extensive reach in the country and largest in earnings.
During the dictatorship years of former president Ferdinand Marcos, the Lopezes were political rivals persecuted for their ownership of ABS-CBN as well as Meralco. The latter, though, is now under the MVP Group of Companies led by Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Lone bidder
Late last year, the much-prolonged selection of the much-awaited third telecom company to challenge the duopoly of PLDT-Smart Telecommunications and Globe Telecommunications yielded to a lone bidder: Mislatel Consortium led by businessman Dennis A. Uy’s Udenna Corp. and China Telecom.
Mislatel has been renamed as Dito Telecomunity, and recently posted a report as being on track during its first year of operations to initially cover 37 percent of the whole Philippines delivering a minimum internet speed of 27 Mbps through a P150-billion capital and operational expenditure budget.
Uy, a Davao-based businessman and regarded as a close friend of the President, is also on track to expanding his business interests, which initially involved petroleum and shipping, but has now diversified into real estate and telecommunications.
Facebook and Twitter
We are actively using two social networking websites to reach out more often and even interact with and engage our readers, friends and colleagues in the various areas of interest that I tackle in my column. Please like us on www.facebook.com/ReyGamboa and follow us on www.twitter.com/ReyGamboa.
Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/26/1979735/uncertainties-2019
Delays in the passage of the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act well into April and the ban on infrastructure projects extending to the May 12 election pulled GDP growth way below economic projections for the period, and posed serious challenges to the whole-year targets.
With the government’s Build Build Build program seriously delayed, doubts were cast on whether the original intention of relying chiefly on Official Development Assistance (ODA) could deliver the goods, and if there was a need to tweak the original methodology to achieve the target of spending P8.7 trillion by 2022.
The controversial Rice Tariffication Law was, likewise, not resulting in the desired benefits: retail rice prices were not budging lower even with the glut in imported rice or the low farmgate palay prices; and more importantly, rice farmers and mill owners were losing heavily with the delays in the release of government funds as promised by the rice law.
A presidential approval or veto on the proposed anti-contracting labor law met with sighs of relief by the business sector, which had mounted a last-minute lobby to persuade the President from totally banning contractual work.
Of course, the veto did not sit well with labor groups who had supported the President during his election bid on the promise that endo, or the end-of-contract labor practice that was being abused by some companies, would be totally stopped.
Mixed signals
Low water levels during the summer months unleashed a backlash on Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System concessionaires Ayala-led Manila Water and Pangilinan-led Maynilad after the President publicly declared that the Philippine government would not pay for promised rate increases stipulated in contracts.
Additionally, the President called for a review of the 25-year contracts signed in 1996, tagging them as onerous, and with a threat of not renewing them. Manila Water and Maynilad have since waived their claim on the P11 billion estimated rate increases that they had not received, and agreed to revisit the alleged onerous terms.
In Congress, lawmakers questioned the extension of Manila Water and Maynilad’s concessions granted in 2009 for another 15 years, from 2022 to 2037. This prompted the MWSS Board to repudiate the extension, potentially paving the way for new companies to take over.
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has been quick to dispel fears of any negative impact on investor confidence on what had been seen by some sectors as squeeze play and arm-twisting tactics by the Duterte government on the private sector.
It must be pointed out that Manila Water and Maynilad have, by large, kept to their commitments by extending water coverage in their designated areas to roughly 100 percent on a 24-hour basis, with significantly reduced water leakages.
If there had been any recent water shortages, it was because MWSS failed to secure the water supply that the concessionaires needed to distribute in their areas. To date, the promised new water source from the proposed Kaliwa Water Dam in Infanta, Quezon continues to be delayed.
Yellow and red alerts
During the summer months too, Meralco was forced to issue successive yellow and red alerts after power reserves from Luzon-based electricity generation plants dipped to low levels.
In this case, the Energy Regulatory Board had failed to facilitate the construction of new power generators for a variety of reasons, including its inability to implement the retail competition and open access provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 because of a Supreme Court ruling.
Recently, the Supreme Court again issued another ruling that resulted in further delays in getting power plants off the ground, this time by insisting that Meralco undertakes a competitive selection process (CSP) in choosing partner power plants.
To date, Meralco’s ability to deliver electricity in the coming months is again threatened by more delays after the CSP it conducted recently failed because only one bidder had participated.
Coincidentally, Congress has opted to delay discussions on the extension of ABS-CBN Corp.’s operating franchise to next year, just a few months away from its expiry date of March 30, 2020. ABS-CBN is currently operating on a 25-year franchise secured through a law passed on March 30, 1995.
The worst that could happen if ABS-CBN’s franchise is not renewed would be the shutdown of its radio and television operations, founded in 1946 by the Lopez family, and now regarded as having the most extensive reach in the country and largest in earnings.
During the dictatorship years of former president Ferdinand Marcos, the Lopezes were political rivals persecuted for their ownership of ABS-CBN as well as Meralco. The latter, though, is now under the MVP Group of Companies led by Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Lone bidder
Late last year, the much-prolonged selection of the much-awaited third telecom company to challenge the duopoly of PLDT-Smart Telecommunications and Globe Telecommunications yielded to a lone bidder: Mislatel Consortium led by businessman Dennis A. Uy’s Udenna Corp. and China Telecom.
Mislatel has been renamed as Dito Telecomunity, and recently posted a report as being on track during its first year of operations to initially cover 37 percent of the whole Philippines delivering a minimum internet speed of 27 Mbps through a P150-billion capital and operational expenditure budget.
Uy, a Davao-based businessman and regarded as a close friend of the President, is also on track to expanding his business interests, which initially involved petroleum and shipping, but has now diversified into real estate and telecommunications.
Facebook and Twitter
We are actively using two social networking websites to reach out more often and even interact with and engage our readers, friends and colleagues in the various areas of interest that I tackle in my column. Please like us on www.facebook.com/ReyGamboa and follow us on www.twitter.com/ReyGamboa.
Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/26/1979735/uncertainties-2019
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Harrison Plaza, tuluyan nang magsasara sa katapusan ng 2019
"End of an era" para sa loyal patrons ng Harrison Plaza ang nalalapit na demolition sa 43-year-old mall sa Malate, Manila bilang pagbibigay-daan sa bagong residential building at shopping complex na itatayo sa naturang lugar.
Dating sementeryo (Ermita Cemetery) at parke (Harrison Park) ang kinatitirikan ng Harrison Plaza na nagbukas noong 1976.
Marami ang nalungkot sa balitang tuluyan nang isasara ang Harrison Plaza sa huling araw ng December 2019 dahil naging bahagi ng kanilang buhay ang establishment na naghatid ng mga masasaya at malulungkot na alaala noong kabataan nila.
Naging popular din sa mga turista ang Harrison Plaza, na may isang department store at apat na sinehan na parehong nagsara dahil sa tumitinding kumpetisyon sa mga higit na bago at malalaking mall.
Gibain man ang Harrison Plaza, na-immortalize naman ang pangalawa sa oldest mall sa Pilipinas dahil dito kinunan ang mga eksena nina Vice Ganda at Anne Curtis sa M&M The Mall, The Merrier.
Hindi ginamit sa pelikula ang pangalan ng Harrison Plaza dahil pinalitan ito ng Tamol Mall, pero nakilala pa rin ng mga taong may mga hindi makakalimutang karanasan at alaala sa nabanggit na mall.
Puwedeng sabihin nina Vice at Anne na naging bahagi rin sila ng Harrison Plaza, na magiging alaala na lamang sa kanilang pelikula na kasalukuyang nangunguna sa box-office race ng 45th Metro Manila Film Festival.
Incidentally, pansamantalang nagpaalam si Anne bilang co-host ng It’s Showtime noong Lunes, December 23, dahil sa payo ng kanyang doktor na magpahinga siya.
Ang pagbubuntis sa magiging panganay na anak nila ni Erwan Heussaff ang priority ni Anne.
Nakatakdang magsilang si Anne sa March 2020 kaya matatagalan pa bago siya muling mapanood sa It’s Showtime.
https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/cabinet-files/148382/harrison-plaza-to-close-this-2019-a734-20191225
Dating sementeryo (Ermita Cemetery) at parke (Harrison Park) ang kinatitirikan ng Harrison Plaza na nagbukas noong 1976.
Marami ang nalungkot sa balitang tuluyan nang isasara ang Harrison Plaza sa huling araw ng December 2019 dahil naging bahagi ng kanilang buhay ang establishment na naghatid ng mga masasaya at malulungkot na alaala noong kabataan nila.
Naging popular din sa mga turista ang Harrison Plaza, na may isang department store at apat na sinehan na parehong nagsara dahil sa tumitinding kumpetisyon sa mga higit na bago at malalaking mall.
Gibain man ang Harrison Plaza, na-immortalize naman ang pangalawa sa oldest mall sa Pilipinas dahil dito kinunan ang mga eksena nina Vice Ganda at Anne Curtis sa M&M The Mall, The Merrier.
Hindi ginamit sa pelikula ang pangalan ng Harrison Plaza dahil pinalitan ito ng Tamol Mall, pero nakilala pa rin ng mga taong may mga hindi makakalimutang karanasan at alaala sa nabanggit na mall.
Puwedeng sabihin nina Vice at Anne na naging bahagi rin sila ng Harrison Plaza, na magiging alaala na lamang sa kanilang pelikula na kasalukuyang nangunguna sa box-office race ng 45th Metro Manila Film Festival.
Incidentally, pansamantalang nagpaalam si Anne bilang co-host ng It’s Showtime noong Lunes, December 23, dahil sa payo ng kanyang doktor na magpahinga siya.
Ang pagbubuntis sa magiging panganay na anak nila ni Erwan Heussaff ang priority ni Anne.
Nakatakdang magsilang si Anne sa March 2020 kaya matatagalan pa bago siya muling mapanood sa It’s Showtime.
https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/cabinet-files/148382/harrison-plaza-to-close-this-2019-a734-20191225
Jubilee Year opens to a flow of graces
By Howard Q. Dee
THE JUBILEE YEAR 2000 is not just about celebrating 20 centuries of Christianity and ushering in a new Christian millennium.
It is not the end of the world.
Instead, it comes with great anticipation of the imminent fulfillment of a heavenly promise: ''My Immaculate Heart will triumph! An era of peace will be given to mankind.''
The tradition of the jubilee year is derived from the Jewish ''sabbatical year'' when the earth was left fallow, slaves and prisoners were set free, debts were forgiven and everyone returned to their ancestral home and the land returned to those dispossessed of them.
And every 50 years, a jubilee year is celebrated with splendor and solemnity.
The Jubilee Year 2000 is like no other jubilee. In the old tradition, a generation consisted of 40 years. We, in the year 2000, belong to the 50th generation after Christ was born. We are completing one generation of jubilees to begin a new age of Christianity. Surely the gates of heaven will open with an avalanche of graces to flow. We, on earth, must open our doors to Christ!
Springtime of faith
The Holy Father, with the theme of Isaiah 61 that Christ used to announce his messianic mission, promises ''a new springtime for the Faith.'' But this glory, he foretold, comes with a heavy price. The Church will once again become a Church of martyrs.
Today, we are witnesses to the martyrdom of the Church in Rwanda, East Timor, and now in China where organized persecution torments the faithful.
Martyrdom in this ''fullness of times'' is not limited to the shedding of Christian blood. The gigantic waves of materialism have inundated Christian citadels around the globe, leaving in its wake a godless culture, destroying moral truths and values and secularizing every human activity and institution, the schools and churches not exempted.
The Holy Father looks beyond this suffering of the moment to celebrate the glory that shall soon be revealed. The faithful awaits in vigil for this proximate triumph.
The Pope said: ''At the end of this century, the words spoken by the Lady to the shepherd children of Fatima seem to be close to their fulfillment . . . When the victory comes, it will be brought by Mary.''
Aren't we being foolhardy, to expect a triumph amid the deepening darkness?
Catholic historian Ralph Martin explains: ''In the very darkest days and hours, in the midst of what is certainly a great apostasy, the seeds of a new Pentecost and a new evangelization are being sown. At the end of the century, it appears that the darkness is growing darker and yet the light is shining more brightly.''
Cardinal Hans Urs Von Baltazar, the eminent theologian, describes a ferocious battle in progress: ''The nearer the end approaches, the more fierce becomes the battle. The more the Holy Spirit becomes present in history, the more prevalent is what Jesus calls the sin against the Holy Spirit.''
It is the proximate victory, preordained by God, which gives us cause for celebration. In celebrating the Jubilee, Vatican tells '' to look forward to his glorious second coming and the full realization of the kingdom of God.'' The Holy Father said ''while waiting for Christ's return in glory, we must live in hope as we build the kingdom which Christ will hand over to the Father at the end of time.''
This end of time or the ''novissimi'' associated with the prophecies of Fatima, is not to be interpreted as the end of the world.
According to Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi, OSJ, in his exhaustive research on the teachings of the Fathers and the Saints on the Millennium and the End Times, it is ''but the end of the times of the reign of the human will and the beginning of the times of the reign of God's Divine Will, or God's rest in creation'' lasting a thousand years. Could this ''seven-day'' rest correspond to the era of peace promised by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917?
Urgent need
Our Lady of All Nations in her Amsterdam (1945) and Akita (1973) messages, spoke of the urgent need for a radical conversion and return to God to prevent a great chastisement by fire that would destroy a great part of humanity. She asks us to pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit in a second Pentecost to save the world from ''degeneration, disaster and war.''
Our Lady asked for the Papal proclamation of a new dogma recognizing her as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate to empower her to accomplish this mission. Heaven leaves it to us to determine how the triumph of good over evil shall be attained, either by the cleansing fire of chastisement or by the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit, depending on our response to the call of conversion, repentance and reparation.
Year of the Lord's favor
Remember that Isaiah 61, the central theme of the Jubilee Year, proclaims not only ''a year of the Lord's favor'' but also ''a day of vengeance for our God'' when God will make manifest his presence and omnipotence.
The Holy Father, in his role as the gardener in the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13), is appealing to the Master to be patient to allow him to fertilize the fruitless fig tree that it may bear fruit during the Jubilee.
This cultivation to restore our faith to fruitfulness the Pope calls the new evangelization: ''The whole of humanity, which is at a very difficult time, has great need of it. How, in fact, could we remain silent in the face of the sad spectacle . . . which seems to drive individuals and whole populations onto the brink of the abyss? . . . It is time to return to God! . . . Our world hungers for faith, for an authentic and deep faith, because God alone can fully satisfy the desire of the human heart.''
This moving appeal of the Holy Father is a clarion call for Christian soldiers to march into battle to ''take up the struggle for the world's soul.''
Cardinal Von Baltazar said that this is a ''struggle for the soul of the contemporary world at its height when the spirit of this world seems strongest, . . . a world that is distancing itself from the Gospel.''
While the secular world celebrates the passing of an era, unmindful of the grave dangers that lurk in the days ahead, we must quicken our hearts in prayer to receive Christ and open our doors to him.
The Pope beacons: ''Open your door to Christ, welcome the Spirit, so that a new Pentecost may take place in every community! A new humanity, a joyful one, will arise from your midst. Today the Lord is passing by. He is calling you.''
In the Jubilee Year of the Lord's favor, His Spirit shall come to revive us with a new heart. He shall free us from the slavery of sin. Our debts shall be forgiven and our inheritance shall be restored to us. We shall reclaim our rights to our ancestral land, Paradise, where the Father awaits us. Our Blessed Mother, the Morning Star, shall come with her Spouse to guide us to her Son, ''who is the true light that enlightens everyone.''
THE JUBILEE YEAR 2000 is not just about celebrating 20 centuries of Christianity and ushering in a new Christian millennium.
It is not the end of the world.
Instead, it comes with great anticipation of the imminent fulfillment of a heavenly promise: ''My Immaculate Heart will triumph! An era of peace will be given to mankind.''
The tradition of the jubilee year is derived from the Jewish ''sabbatical year'' when the earth was left fallow, slaves and prisoners were set free, debts were forgiven and everyone returned to their ancestral home and the land returned to those dispossessed of them.
And every 50 years, a jubilee year is celebrated with splendor and solemnity.
The Jubilee Year 2000 is like no other jubilee. In the old tradition, a generation consisted of 40 years. We, in the year 2000, belong to the 50th generation after Christ was born. We are completing one generation of jubilees to begin a new age of Christianity. Surely the gates of heaven will open with an avalanche of graces to flow. We, on earth, must open our doors to Christ!
Springtime of faith
The Holy Father, with the theme of Isaiah 61 that Christ used to announce his messianic mission, promises ''a new springtime for the Faith.'' But this glory, he foretold, comes with a heavy price. The Church will once again become a Church of martyrs.
Today, we are witnesses to the martyrdom of the Church in Rwanda, East Timor, and now in China where organized persecution torments the faithful.
Martyrdom in this ''fullness of times'' is not limited to the shedding of Christian blood. The gigantic waves of materialism have inundated Christian citadels around the globe, leaving in its wake a godless culture, destroying moral truths and values and secularizing every human activity and institution, the schools and churches not exempted.
The Holy Father looks beyond this suffering of the moment to celebrate the glory that shall soon be revealed. The faithful awaits in vigil for this proximate triumph.
The Pope said: ''At the end of this century, the words spoken by the Lady to the shepherd children of Fatima seem to be close to their fulfillment . . . When the victory comes, it will be brought by Mary.''
Aren't we being foolhardy, to expect a triumph amid the deepening darkness?
Catholic historian Ralph Martin explains: ''In the very darkest days and hours, in the midst of what is certainly a great apostasy, the seeds of a new Pentecost and a new evangelization are being sown. At the end of the century, it appears that the darkness is growing darker and yet the light is shining more brightly.''
Cardinal Hans Urs Von Baltazar, the eminent theologian, describes a ferocious battle in progress: ''The nearer the end approaches, the more fierce becomes the battle. The more the Holy Spirit becomes present in history, the more prevalent is what Jesus calls the sin against the Holy Spirit.''
It is the proximate victory, preordained by God, which gives us cause for celebration. In celebrating the Jubilee, Vatican tells '' to look forward to his glorious second coming and the full realization of the kingdom of God.'' The Holy Father said ''while waiting for Christ's return in glory, we must live in hope as we build the kingdom which Christ will hand over to the Father at the end of time.''
This end of time or the ''novissimi'' associated with the prophecies of Fatima, is not to be interpreted as the end of the world.
According to Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi, OSJ, in his exhaustive research on the teachings of the Fathers and the Saints on the Millennium and the End Times, it is ''but the end of the times of the reign of the human will and the beginning of the times of the reign of God's Divine Will, or God's rest in creation'' lasting a thousand years. Could this ''seven-day'' rest correspond to the era of peace promised by Our Lady of Fatima in 1917?
Urgent need
Our Lady of All Nations in her Amsterdam (1945) and Akita (1973) messages, spoke of the urgent need for a radical conversion and return to God to prevent a great chastisement by fire that would destroy a great part of humanity. She asks us to pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit in a second Pentecost to save the world from ''degeneration, disaster and war.''
Our Lady asked for the Papal proclamation of a new dogma recognizing her as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix and Advocate to empower her to accomplish this mission. Heaven leaves it to us to determine how the triumph of good over evil shall be attained, either by the cleansing fire of chastisement or by the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit, depending on our response to the call of conversion, repentance and reparation.
Year of the Lord's favor
Remember that Isaiah 61, the central theme of the Jubilee Year, proclaims not only ''a year of the Lord's favor'' but also ''a day of vengeance for our God'' when God will make manifest his presence and omnipotence.
The Holy Father, in his role as the gardener in the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13), is appealing to the Master to be patient to allow him to fertilize the fruitless fig tree that it may bear fruit during the Jubilee.
This cultivation to restore our faith to fruitfulness the Pope calls the new evangelization: ''The whole of humanity, which is at a very difficult time, has great need of it. How, in fact, could we remain silent in the face of the sad spectacle . . . which seems to drive individuals and whole populations onto the brink of the abyss? . . . It is time to return to God! . . . Our world hungers for faith, for an authentic and deep faith, because God alone can fully satisfy the desire of the human heart.''
This moving appeal of the Holy Father is a clarion call for Christian soldiers to march into battle to ''take up the struggle for the world's soul.''
Cardinal Von Baltazar said that this is a ''struggle for the soul of the contemporary world at its height when the spirit of this world seems strongest, . . . a world that is distancing itself from the Gospel.''
While the secular world celebrates the passing of an era, unmindful of the grave dangers that lurk in the days ahead, we must quicken our hearts in prayer to receive Christ and open our doors to him.
The Pope beacons: ''Open your door to Christ, welcome the Spirit, so that a new Pentecost may take place in every community! A new humanity, a joyful one, will arise from your midst. Today the Lord is passing by. He is calling you.''
In the Jubilee Year of the Lord's favor, His Spirit shall come to revive us with a new heart. He shall free us from the slavery of sin. Our debts shall be forgiven and our inheritance shall be restored to us. We shall reclaim our rights to our ancestral land, Paradise, where the Father awaits us. Our Blessed Mother, the Morning Star, shall come with her Spouse to guide us to her Son, ''who is the true light that enlightens everyone.''
PUSAN POINT MILLENNIUM SUNRISE PACKAGE TOURS READY
Special package tours are now available for nature lovers and mountaineers who will trek to Pusan Point in Davao Oriental to watch the first sunrise of the 21st century.
The dawn of the new millennium in the Philippines will be first visible at exactly 5:46 A.M. on Jan 1, 2020 at Pusan Point, Barangay Santiago in Caraga, Davao Oriental. Watching the first millennium sunrise will highlight the festivities of the day in the region.
In a report to Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat of the Department of Tourism, DOT Region XI Director Tanya Rabat-Tan said preparations may not be as grand as in other places but the sight will be memorable to whoever will be lucky enough to witness it.
Araneta chairs the Committee on the Turn-of-the-Century Celebration, which is tasked to prepare for the country’s observance of the new millennium.
The celebration of the event, dubbed Pusan Point: "First Sight, First Light," will feature a variety of activities aimed at fostering peace and unity of the Filipinos.
Among these activities are a mountain bike tour, Parada ng mga Parol, sports festival, search for Binibining Caraga and a guided tour for parties interested to discover more about Pusan Point.
Tourists will be treated to a socio-cultural show and a grill party at the park on Dec. 31, before a sunrise breakfast and salo-salo at dawn on Jan 1, 2020.
Dakudao said a major infrastructure development is being undertaken in Caraga, especially improvement of the trails leading to Pusan Point.
She added that tour packages have been arranged for the convenience of out-of-town guests.
Since there is no permanent settlement near the site, two types of accommodations have been made available. Guests may be accommodated either in tents or makeshift camps installed in the site of Caraga Tourism complex.
Dakudao said the package rate for the tents is only P2,350, which is inclusive of round trip aircon transportation, meals and entrance fees.
A guest’s stay at the Caraga Tourism Complex is only P3,250, which includes round trip aircon transportation, meals, entrance fees and a guided tour.
The preparations in Caraga are part of the Pistang Milenyo Filipino, a six-day nationwide celebration set for Dec. 26 to 31.
Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat said the activities in Manila will be held at the Rizal Park, which will be transformed into a special Millennium Park with colorful decorations and festivities meant to attract people to the Turn-of-the-Century program at the Quirino grandstand on Dec. 31, where President Duterte and his family will join the masses say goodbye to 2019 and welcome the year 2020.
The dawn of the new millennium in the Philippines will be first visible at exactly 5:46 A.M. on Jan 1, 2020 at Pusan Point, Barangay Santiago in Caraga, Davao Oriental. Watching the first millennium sunrise will highlight the festivities of the day in the region.
In a report to Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat of the Department of Tourism, DOT Region XI Director Tanya Rabat-Tan said preparations may not be as grand as in other places but the sight will be memorable to whoever will be lucky enough to witness it.
Araneta chairs the Committee on the Turn-of-the-Century Celebration, which is tasked to prepare for the country’s observance of the new millennium.
The celebration of the event, dubbed Pusan Point: "First Sight, First Light," will feature a variety of activities aimed at fostering peace and unity of the Filipinos.
Among these activities are a mountain bike tour, Parada ng mga Parol, sports festival, search for Binibining Caraga and a guided tour for parties interested to discover more about Pusan Point.
Tourists will be treated to a socio-cultural show and a grill party at the park on Dec. 31, before a sunrise breakfast and salo-salo at dawn on Jan 1, 2020.
Dakudao said a major infrastructure development is being undertaken in Caraga, especially improvement of the trails leading to Pusan Point.
She added that tour packages have been arranged for the convenience of out-of-town guests.
Since there is no permanent settlement near the site, two types of accommodations have been made available. Guests may be accommodated either in tents or makeshift camps installed in the site of Caraga Tourism complex.
Dakudao said the package rate for the tents is only P2,350, which is inclusive of round trip aircon transportation, meals and entrance fees.
A guest’s stay at the Caraga Tourism Complex is only P3,250, which includes round trip aircon transportation, meals, entrance fees and a guided tour.
The preparations in Caraga are part of the Pistang Milenyo Filipino, a six-day nationwide celebration set for Dec. 26 to 31.
Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat said the activities in Manila will be held at the Rizal Park, which will be transformed into a special Millennium Park with colorful decorations and festivities meant to attract people to the Turn-of-the-Century program at the Quirino grandstand on Dec. 31, where President Duterte and his family will join the masses say goodbye to 2019 and welcome the year 2020.
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
PCC approves Filinvest, Mitsubishi partnership for property development
The Gotianun family’s Filinvest Development Inc. has received the approval of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to proceed with its partnership with global business giant Mitsubishi Corp. for the development of a mixed use property in Alabang.
In a recent decision, the government’s anti-trust body said the proposed partnership would not result in substantial lessening of competition in the markets for commercial real estate developments.
“This is because post-transaction, sufficient competitive constraints remain from other market participants within and outside of Alabang, Muntinlupa City,” the PCC said.
Last October, Filinvest through Filinvest Alabang Inc. said it was partnering with Mitsubishi for the development of a portion of Filinvest City in Alabang into a mixed use property with an investment of P15 billion.
Under the agreement, Mitsubishi will acquire a 40 percent interest in FAI’s almost 17,000 square meters of land at the heart of Filinvest City.
The parties will jointly develop the property as a multi-tower, mixed-use complex through a joint venture company.
Proponents will invest an estimated P15 billion for the project, which is anticipated to add approximately 183,000 square meters of mixed-use gross leasable area in the central business district in Alabang.
FAI and MC are set to bring in their expertise and experience in the fields of construction, operations and management, and urban development, to create their first shared innovative landmark.
The new project is envisioned to be a landmark development that will feature grade A office spaces complemented with impressive retail concepts in the area.
The project is strategically located in Filinvest City, Alabang. Specifically, the new mixed-use development would be situated across the newly expanded Festival Mall and adjacent to the premier residential strip Parkway Avenue.
FAI is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corporation, focusing on mixed-use urban developments in Metro Manila using modern and ecological urban planning and design.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/24/1979335/pcc-approves-filinvest-mitsubishi-partnership-property-development
In a recent decision, the government’s anti-trust body said the proposed partnership would not result in substantial lessening of competition in the markets for commercial real estate developments.
“This is because post-transaction, sufficient competitive constraints remain from other market participants within and outside of Alabang, Muntinlupa City,” the PCC said.
Last October, Filinvest through Filinvest Alabang Inc. said it was partnering with Mitsubishi for the development of a portion of Filinvest City in Alabang into a mixed use property with an investment of P15 billion.
Under the agreement, Mitsubishi will acquire a 40 percent interest in FAI’s almost 17,000 square meters of land at the heart of Filinvest City.
The parties will jointly develop the property as a multi-tower, mixed-use complex through a joint venture company.
Proponents will invest an estimated P15 billion for the project, which is anticipated to add approximately 183,000 square meters of mixed-use gross leasable area in the central business district in Alabang.
FAI and MC are set to bring in their expertise and experience in the fields of construction, operations and management, and urban development, to create their first shared innovative landmark.
The new project is envisioned to be a landmark development that will feature grade A office spaces complemented with impressive retail concepts in the area.
The project is strategically located in Filinvest City, Alabang. Specifically, the new mixed-use development would be situated across the newly expanded Festival Mall and adjacent to the premier residential strip Parkway Avenue.
FAI is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corporation, focusing on mixed-use urban developments in Metro Manila using modern and ecological urban planning and design.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/24/1979335/pcc-approves-filinvest-mitsubishi-partnership-property-development
Sunday, December 22, 2019
‘Muling makita ka, at makasama ka…’
“Pasko na naman, ngunit wala ka pa…”
Our group poured our hearts out as we sang this most nostalgic Filipino Christmas song to a group of fellow overseas Filipino workers gathered around a table in a restaurant.
A woman in the group took out a handkerchief from her sling bag to wipe the tears from her eyes. Her friend who was seated next to her wrapped her arms around her, trying to console her friend from what I assumed were mixed feelings of homesickness and happiness.
This is a common scenario whenever we go caroling among our kababayan in restaurants and in their homes, in the foreign country we are in.
For years, our organization has been doing this throughout the season of giving, so we can become a channel of blessings and reach out to Filipinos both here and back in the Philippines.
All donations we receive are used to hold concerts for a cause, medical missions, sports festivals and relief goods distribution, to benefit fellow Filipinos who have been laid off from their respective companies and consequently have no means to support and provide for themselves.
Likewise, we are able to extend our help in the Philippines through chosen charitable institutions that conduct the same programs, especially those that help out victims of natural calamities.
This mission is like striking two birds with one stone: We put smiles on the faces of our kababayan while helping them at the same time.
On several occasions, a family would sing with us as the lyrics of “Himig ng Pasko” and “Pasko na Naman” filled the air, and children would dance to “Jingle Bells.”
A couple dining out would hold hands and flash a joyful smile at each other as they listened to the sweet melody of “A Perfect Christmas.”
Or a group of Filipino company workers would start recalling their childhood caroling experiences, past Christmases with their families and those Christmas celebrations they had missed.
Filipino nurses, engineers, accountants, construction workers, teachers and even students would sing along with us in unison, and the scene becomes a picture of a united Filipino community.
In the midst of this beautiful portrait of a joyous Filipino family, some break down, while others try to hold back tears.
Nevertheless, everyone is overwhelmed by the feeling of being at home again, if only for a fleeting moment. Many of them have not been able to celebrate Christmas with their families for more than 10 years.
Looking at them, I can’t help but miss celebrating Christmas with my family, too. It has been a while since we had noche buena together, and since I last saw how excited my parents, siblings, nephews and nieces were as they pried open the gifts that had long been kept under the Christmas tree.
Their grateful smiles and laughter always reminded me to thank God for giving me the best gift — my family. And it has been a while since we last prayed together around our simple dining table on Christmas Eve, thanking God for His greatest expression of love, which has kept us intact through thick and thin.
For our fellow OFWs thousands of miles away from their families, hearing Christmas songs in our native tongue brings back the precious moments they have shared with their loved ones, and reminds them of the very reason that brought them here — to give their families the gift of a better future.
“Muling makita ka, at makasama ka sa araw ng Pasko,” says the last line of a favorite carol — and even as the last note fades away, the glowing smiles on the faces of our fellow OFWs seem to be unfading.
Every Christmas carol reminds OFWs of their long absence from the lives of their loved ones back in our homeland, but, more importantly, it also reminds them of the eternal presence of hope — that one day, no matter how long they may have to wait and sacrifice, they will sing these songs again with their families when they return to the place they call home.
* * *
Apolinar T. Malabayabas, 26, works in an international school abroad. He enjoys putting smiles on people’s faces.
https://opinion.inquirer.net/126034/muling-makita-ka-at-makasama-ka
Friday, December 20, 2019
Sotto cites Go for his ‘Malasakit Center’ as Senate fast-tracks passage of bills before holiday break
By Mario Casayuran and Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, delivering his year-end accomplishment report at the Senate regular session last Wednesday night, said the bills authored and backed by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go now become part of the achievements of the 18th Congress.
In his speech, Sotto cited two Go bills passed by the 18th Congress and enacted into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, namely the postponement of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections and the Malasakit Center Act of 2019.
Both measures are important items on the legislative agenda promised by Go during the 2019 election campaign period. They were filed in July, right after Go assumed office.
Seeking to complement the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, Republic Act (RA) No. 11463, known as the Malasakit Center Act of 2019, provides for the establishment of Malasakit Centers in 73 hospitals all over the country run by the Department of Health (DOH), and in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila.
“With the Malasakit Center Act in place to complement the Universal Health Care Law, we are a step closer towards making quality health care more accessible and affordable for all Filipinos, especially the indigent and poor patients in need of medical assistance from the government,” Go said.
The center consolidates the medical and financial assistance that patients may apply for from four government agencies — DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Meanwhile, RA 11462 moves the next barangay and SK elections from the second Monday of May 2020 to December 5, 2022, and then on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years thereafter.
The law extends the term of the current barangay and SK officials from two years to four and a half years.
Explaining his reason for backing the measure in past interviews, Go said that village officials should be given enough time to implement their programs.
Sotto also cited three bills already approved by the Senate on third and final reading. These are the bill increasing the excise tax on alcohol, heated tobacco and vapor products; the Go-backed Separate Facilities for Heinous Crimes Act; and the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5 which Go also co-authored.
Lauding neophyte senators, including Go, for their “fresh and dynamic ideas,” Sotto ended his speech by saying that he is optimistic about the coming year.
“We had a great start, which can be attributed to the efforts of all the senators. This is just the beginning of our commitment to the people we serve. We are looking forward to a more fruitful 2020 as we intend to perform better for our beloved Filipino families,” Sotto said.
As part of his legislative agenda aimed at helping the Duterte administration achieve positive genuine change felt by all Filipinos, Go has already filed 21 Senate resolutions and authored thirty bills in his first six months as senator, two of which have already been signed into law; and four committee reports he sponsored or co-sponsored in the Senate plenary.
Senate goes on holiday break
Meanwhile, the 24-member Senate goes on a month-long Christmas break beginning Thursday, resuming on Jan. 20, 2020.
Before adjourning past 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed sin tax bill seeking higher excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and the imposition of excise tax on heated tobacco products and vapor cigarettes.
Senators also moved to enroll for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature the proposed Salary Standardization Law that will modify and increase the basic salaries of civilian government employees, including public school teachers. The adjusted salary rates are expected to take effect starting January.
For Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, however, the timely passage of the P4.1-trillion proposed 2020 national budget topped the list of the Senate’s accomplishments in the first five months of the first regular session of the 18th Congress.
The Upper Chamber ratified and adopted the final version of the proposed General Appropriations Act last week.
“The budget is the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, we will be spared the difficulties arising from a re-enacted budget as had happened earlier this year. The re-enacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU (local government unit) employees for the first quarter of 2019,” Zubiri said in a statement.
Passed on third and final reading were Senate Bill No. 1122, proposing the declaration of a National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims; Senate Bill No. 643, seeking the grant of night shift differential pay to government workers; Senate Bill No. 1077, proposing the creation of the National Transportation Safety Board Act; Senate Bill No. 1155, seeking to extend the validity of the License to Own, Permit to Carry, and Registration of Firearms; and Senate Bill No. 1055, pushing the establishment of a separate facilities for heinous crime convicts.
Also approved by the Senate was House Bill No. 5437 extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/19/sotto-cites-go-for-his-malasakit-center-as-senate-fast-tracks-passage-of-bills-before-holiday-break/
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, delivering his year-end accomplishment report at the Senate regular session last Wednesday night, said the bills authored and backed by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go now become part of the achievements of the 18th Congress.
In his speech, Sotto cited two Go bills passed by the 18th Congress and enacted into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, namely the postponement of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections and the Malasakit Center Act of 2019.
Both measures are important items on the legislative agenda promised by Go during the 2019 election campaign period. They were filed in July, right after Go assumed office.
Seeking to complement the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, Republic Act (RA) No. 11463, known as the Malasakit Center Act of 2019, provides for the establishment of Malasakit Centers in 73 hospitals all over the country run by the Department of Health (DOH), and in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila.
“With the Malasakit Center Act in place to complement the Universal Health Care Law, we are a step closer towards making quality health care more accessible and affordable for all Filipinos, especially the indigent and poor patients in need of medical assistance from the government,” Go said.
The center consolidates the medical and financial assistance that patients may apply for from four government agencies — DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Meanwhile, RA 11462 moves the next barangay and SK elections from the second Monday of May 2020 to December 5, 2022, and then on the first Monday of December 2025 and every three years thereafter.
The law extends the term of the current barangay and SK officials from two years to four and a half years.
Explaining his reason for backing the measure in past interviews, Go said that village officials should be given enough time to implement their programs.
Sotto also cited three bills already approved by the Senate on third and final reading. These are the bill increasing the excise tax on alcohol, heated tobacco and vapor products; the Go-backed Separate Facilities for Heinous Crimes Act; and the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 5 which Go also co-authored.
Lauding neophyte senators, including Go, for their “fresh and dynamic ideas,” Sotto ended his speech by saying that he is optimistic about the coming year.
“We had a great start, which can be attributed to the efforts of all the senators. This is just the beginning of our commitment to the people we serve. We are looking forward to a more fruitful 2020 as we intend to perform better for our beloved Filipino families,” Sotto said.
As part of his legislative agenda aimed at helping the Duterte administration achieve positive genuine change felt by all Filipinos, Go has already filed 21 Senate resolutions and authored thirty bills in his first six months as senator, two of which have already been signed into law; and four committee reports he sponsored or co-sponsored in the Senate plenary.
Senate goes on holiday break
Meanwhile, the 24-member Senate goes on a month-long Christmas break beginning Thursday, resuming on Jan. 20, 2020.
Before adjourning past 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed sin tax bill seeking higher excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and the imposition of excise tax on heated tobacco products and vapor cigarettes.
Senators also moved to enroll for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature the proposed Salary Standardization Law that will modify and increase the basic salaries of civilian government employees, including public school teachers. The adjusted salary rates are expected to take effect starting January.
For Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, however, the timely passage of the P4.1-trillion proposed 2020 national budget topped the list of the Senate’s accomplishments in the first five months of the first regular session of the 18th Congress.
The Upper Chamber ratified and adopted the final version of the proposed General Appropriations Act last week.
“The budget is the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, we will be spared the difficulties arising from a re-enacted budget as had happened earlier this year. The re-enacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU (local government unit) employees for the first quarter of 2019,” Zubiri said in a statement.
Passed on third and final reading were Senate Bill No. 1122, proposing the declaration of a National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims; Senate Bill No. 643, seeking the grant of night shift differential pay to government workers; Senate Bill No. 1077, proposing the creation of the National Transportation Safety Board Act; Senate Bill No. 1155, seeking to extend the validity of the License to Own, Permit to Carry, and Registration of Firearms; and Senate Bill No. 1055, pushing the establishment of a separate facilities for heinous crime convicts.
Also approved by the Senate was House Bill No. 5437 extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/19/sotto-cites-go-for-his-malasakit-center-as-senate-fast-tracks-passage-of-bills-before-holiday-break/
Senate adjourns session for 1-month break, cites bills tackled
THE Senate adjourned its session Wednesday, December 18, to go on a one-month legislative break during the holidays. Regular sessions will resume on January 20, 2020, Monday.
Topping the list of the Senate’s accomplishments in the first four months of the First Regular Session in the 18th Congress, is the passing of the P4.1-trillion 2020 General Appropriations Act, which it ratified and adopted last week.
“We opened the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress with a new batch of senators raring and eager to buckle down to work, and I am happy to note that we were able to file a record number of bills and resolutions, foremost of which is the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.
“The budget is the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, we will be spared from the difficulties arising from a reenacted budget as had happened earlier this year.
“The reenacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU employees for the first quarter of 2019,” he added.
From the start of the 18th Congress last July 22 until December 17 of this year, the senators had filed a total of 1,241 bills and 281 resolutions.
The Senate successfully passed Republic Act 11462, the first law passed by the 18th Congress, principally sponsored by Sen. Imee Marcos. It postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections formerly scheduled for next year and moved these to December 5, 2022, for which the government would have allocated P5.77 billion, according to the Commission on Elections.
This was followed by the Malasakit Center Act (RA 11463), principally sponsored by Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, that will establish Malasakit Centers in all government-owned hospitals—of which 54 have been established, the most recent was in
Antipolo, Rizal.
The Senate passed the following on Third and Final Reading: the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims Act (SB 1122); the Night Shift Differential Pay (SB 643); the National Transportation Safety Board Act (SB 1077); an Act Fixing the Validity Period of the License to Own, Permit to Carry and Registration of Firearms (SB 1155); the Salary Standardization Law 5 (SB 1219); and Establishment of Separate Facilities for Prisoners Convicted of Heinous Crimes (SB 1055); Amending the National Internal Revenue Code by Increasing the Excise Tax on Alcohol, Heated Tobacco and Vapor Products and for other purposes (SB 1074); among others. Also approved by the Senate was House Bill 5437 extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO).
It also adopted 35 resolutions, noteworthy of which is Senate Resolution 22 that expressed the sense of the Senate opposing liberalization of the sugar industry in order to protect the livelihood of millions of sugar workers and agrarian reform beneficiaries; SR 18 recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Philippines and Republic of Korea relations;
SR 8, reconstituting the special committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.
“We went head-on against negative issues by steadfastly tackling serious issues afflicting the country’s jails, the illegal drugs problems, rising HIV cases and the decline in incomes of rice farmers and hog raisers due to calamities, diseases and import liberalization. However, the first four months also saw the Senate positively united in support of the stellar performance of our athletes with resolutions filed to honor athletes in windsurfing, arnis, weightlifting, wushu, among others, during the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines. Indeed, it was a productive six months of 2019,” concluded Zubiri.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/20/senate-adjourns-session-for-1-month-break-cites-bills-tackled/
Topping the list of the Senate’s accomplishments in the first four months of the First Regular Session in the 18th Congress, is the passing of the P4.1-trillion 2020 General Appropriations Act, which it ratified and adopted last week.
“We opened the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress with a new batch of senators raring and eager to buckle down to work, and I am happy to note that we were able to file a record number of bills and resolutions, foremost of which is the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.
“The budget is the most important law of the land. By approving it well ahead of the Christmas break, we will be spared from the difficulties arising from a reenacted budget as had happened earlier this year.
“The reenacted budget delayed projects and, worse, delayed salaries of national and LGU employees for the first quarter of 2019,” he added.
From the start of the 18th Congress last July 22 until December 17 of this year, the senators had filed a total of 1,241 bills and 281 resolutions.
The Senate successfully passed Republic Act 11462, the first law passed by the 18th Congress, principally sponsored by Sen. Imee Marcos. It postponed the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections formerly scheduled for next year and moved these to December 5, 2022, for which the government would have allocated P5.77 billion, according to the Commission on Elections.
This was followed by the Malasakit Center Act (RA 11463), principally sponsored by Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, that will establish Malasakit Centers in all government-owned hospitals—of which 54 have been established, the most recent was in
Antipolo, Rizal.
The Senate passed the following on Third and Final Reading: the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims Act (SB 1122); the Night Shift Differential Pay (SB 643); the National Transportation Safety Board Act (SB 1077); an Act Fixing the Validity Period of the License to Own, Permit to Carry and Registration of Firearms (SB 1155); the Salary Standardization Law 5 (SB 1219); and Establishment of Separate Facilities for Prisoners Convicted of Heinous Crimes (SB 1055); Amending the National Internal Revenue Code by Increasing the Excise Tax on Alcohol, Heated Tobacco and Vapor Products and for other purposes (SB 1074); among others. Also approved by the Senate was House Bill 5437 extending the availability of the 2019 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlays (CO).
It also adopted 35 resolutions, noteworthy of which is Senate Resolution 22 that expressed the sense of the Senate opposing liberalization of the sugar industry in order to protect the livelihood of millions of sugar workers and agrarian reform beneficiaries; SR 18 recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Philippines and Republic of Korea relations;
SR 8, reconstituting the special committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation.
“We went head-on against negative issues by steadfastly tackling serious issues afflicting the country’s jails, the illegal drugs problems, rising HIV cases and the decline in incomes of rice farmers and hog raisers due to calamities, diseases and import liberalization. However, the first four months also saw the Senate positively united in support of the stellar performance of our athletes with resolutions filed to honor athletes in windsurfing, arnis, weightlifting, wushu, among others, during the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines. Indeed, it was a productive six months of 2019,” concluded Zubiri.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/20/senate-adjourns-session-for-1-month-break-cites-bills-tackled/
‘2020 budget signing likely to happen in early January’
PRESIDENT Duterte will not be able to sign the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 before the year ends, given the time constraints as it has to undergo the required review by the Office of the President and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Acting Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado said in an interview on Thursday that the 2020 budget is now scheduled to be signed by the President by the first week of January.
He said there will also a ceremonial signing of the 2020 General Appropriations Act in Malacañang.
“Given [the] time constraints, [because of the] holiday…so probably [it will be] first of January. But that’s okay. The new year has just started, and there won’t be so many activities that time,” Avisado told the BusinessMirror, in a mix of English and Filipino, on the sidelines of the public launch of the Philippine Open Government Partnership National Action Plan 2019-2021.
The President earlier expected to sign the budget before year-end.
Asked if the pushback in schedule of the signing of the 2020 national budget had something to do with the alleged last-minute insertions as claimed earlier by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Avisado said: “Hindi naman po [Not really]. It’s really the process that has to be undertaken [where a review is to be done].”
The budget chief also refused to comment on the alleged insertions as they have yet to get hold of a copy of the enrolled bill.
“Hindi ko pa po masasabing insertion kasi wala naman po ako doon. At hindi ko naman alam kung ano ’yung proseso [I can’t say it’s an insertion because I wasn’t there, and I don’t know what process they took]. But we’re saying that we’ll be able know that once we get hold of the enrolled bill [because then we can compare the] NEP [National Expenditure Program] as submitted versus the enrolled bill.”
Lacson earlier skipped the signing of the bicameral report on the money measure because of his concerns on the alleged last-minute insertions.
The senator claimed that there are still “lump sums” and “vaguely described” projects in the bicameral report.
The senator’s office reportedly received a USB flash drive containing a list of 1,253 budget items worth P83.219 billion that was allegedly used as the congressmen’s “source” of their “list” of 742 projects worth P16.345 billion that were inserted in the bicameral report.
Section 5 (7), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution reads: “If by the end of any fiscal year, Congress failed to pass the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for the ensuing year, the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the preceding year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and in effect until the GAB is passed by Congress.”
This year, the government was forced to operate on a reenacted budget for months since the passage of the 2019 national budget got delayed due to a number of issues, including alleged last-minute insertions and realignments by lawmakers.
The President was only able to sign the budget on April 15 this year.
Due to the budget impasse, new and continuing infrastructure projects were not started earlier in the year when the weather conditions were better. On top of that, the government also had to comply with the election ban from March 29 until May 12.
The delay in the passage of the budget was also blamed for the slower GDP growth for the first quarter and second quarter at 5.6 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. This is lower than the 6.6 percent and 6.2 percent recorded last year.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/20/2020-budget-signing-likely-to-happen-in-early-january/
Acting Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado said in an interview on Thursday that the 2020 budget is now scheduled to be signed by the President by the first week of January.
He said there will also a ceremonial signing of the 2020 General Appropriations Act in Malacañang.
“Given [the] time constraints, [because of the] holiday…so probably [it will be] first of January. But that’s okay. The new year has just started, and there won’t be so many activities that time,” Avisado told the BusinessMirror, in a mix of English and Filipino, on the sidelines of the public launch of the Philippine Open Government Partnership National Action Plan 2019-2021.
The President earlier expected to sign the budget before year-end.
Asked if the pushback in schedule of the signing of the 2020 national budget had something to do with the alleged last-minute insertions as claimed earlier by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Avisado said: “Hindi naman po [Not really]. It’s really the process that has to be undertaken [where a review is to be done].”
The budget chief also refused to comment on the alleged insertions as they have yet to get hold of a copy of the enrolled bill.
“Hindi ko pa po masasabing insertion kasi wala naman po ako doon. At hindi ko naman alam kung ano ’yung proseso [I can’t say it’s an insertion because I wasn’t there, and I don’t know what process they took]. But we’re saying that we’ll be able know that once we get hold of the enrolled bill [because then we can compare the] NEP [National Expenditure Program] as submitted versus the enrolled bill.”
Lacson earlier skipped the signing of the bicameral report on the money measure because of his concerns on the alleged last-minute insertions.
The senator claimed that there are still “lump sums” and “vaguely described” projects in the bicameral report.
The senator’s office reportedly received a USB flash drive containing a list of 1,253 budget items worth P83.219 billion that was allegedly used as the congressmen’s “source” of their “list” of 742 projects worth P16.345 billion that were inserted in the bicameral report.
Section 5 (7), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution reads: “If by the end of any fiscal year, Congress failed to pass the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for the ensuing year, the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the preceding year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and in effect until the GAB is passed by Congress.”
This year, the government was forced to operate on a reenacted budget for months since the passage of the 2019 national budget got delayed due to a number of issues, including alleged last-minute insertions and realignments by lawmakers.
The President was only able to sign the budget on April 15 this year.
Due to the budget impasse, new and continuing infrastructure projects were not started earlier in the year when the weather conditions were better. On top of that, the government also had to comply with the election ban from March 29 until May 12.
The delay in the passage of the budget was also blamed for the slower GDP growth for the first quarter and second quarter at 5.6 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. This is lower than the 6.6 percent and 6.2 percent recorded last year.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/12/20/2020-budget-signing-likely-to-happen-in-early-january/
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Against independence
President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated threats against ABS-CBN — the latest his declaration that he will “see to it” that it will be “out” once its franchise to operate expires — must be challenged and opposed, quite simply because it is wrong.
It is wrong for its pettiness and narrow, self-serving, and vindictive partisanship. But it is equally wrong for its pro-people and anti-oligarchy pretensions.
Mr. Duterte would not only shut down the country’s biggest radio and television network, which employs over 11,000 men and women all over the country, on no other basis than his claim that it did not air his propaganda materials during the 2016 campaign for the Presidency. He would also enable his cronies — one of whom is only too eager to add the network to his vast range of recent acquisitions — into taking control of it in a reprise of the crony capitalism of the Marcos dictatorship. Once that happens, one of the most influential media organizations in the Philippines will become no more than a regime mouthpiece and the platform from which its purveyors of false information will dominate public discourse.
His arrogant certainty that the House of Representatives will do as he wants also underscores once more the demise of that body’s supposedly co-equal status and independence, and its lethal impact on the tattered remains of Philippine democracy. But Mr. Duterte’s threat is even more fundamentally wrong for being an attack on a media organization for airing reports on the thousands of killings in his so-called “war on drugs” and for some of its anchors’ and reporters’ being critical of his China and West Philippine Sea Policy. Mr. Duterte wrongly presumes that he is lord and master of all he surveys and has the prerogative to allow only those media organizations that pander to him and his regime to exist and to continue to function despite Article III Section 4 of the Constitution.
This latest threat against the media is so obviously meant to intimidate not only the independent press but also every truth-teller, whether human rights defender or rural missionary. It is an assault on media freedom and the right to free expression and information from the multiplicity of sources citizens need to exercise their sovereign power to decide on matters that concern them.
The shutdown of any media organization, whether big or small and whatever its views, reduces the number of contending voices on which citizens depend to get at the truth. All media and journalists’ organizations, media advocacy groups, civil society, and everyone else who still believes in media freedom, free expression, and democracy must expose the Duterte threat for the brazenly tyrannical scheme to intimidate the media that it is, and demand that the House of Representatives renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
As in the case of regime attempts to silence the online news site Rappler, a threat against one is a threat against all. Once ABS-CBN is shut down on the say-so of a president who despises criticism and truth-telling, every other media organization can be similarly silenced by denying or withdrawing its franchise, or through some other nefarious means.
And yet, despite Mr. Duterte’s threats and his subaltern Alan Peter Cayetano’s repeatedly echoing of them, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) found that much of the media, including ABS-CBN itself, have chosen to keep silent about it, apparently because of the cutthroat rivalry in the broadcasting industry, and ABS-CBN’s hesitation in reporting on something in which its self-interest is involved. But there is also the mistaken belief that despite Mr. Duterte’s attacks on press freedom and free expression, it is still possible to negotiate and reason with him.
Among the broadcast organizations, only CNN Philippines and TV5’s Aksyon have so far aired any report on ABS-CBN’s problem with Mr. Duterte. Print was more forthright. The three Manila newspapers of general circulation did report on it in addition to Mr. Duterte’s rant, and so did some columnists. Some reports also pointed out that despite Cayetano’s assurance of “due process,” he himself has been criticizing ABS-CBN for being allegedly anti-regime.
It was on social media — on Twitter and Facebook — where there was more attention paid to it, and where most Netizens expressed their opposition to the shutting down of ABS-CBN. But the prospects for the renewal of its franchise are not encouraging. There is a bill pending in the House renewing the ABS-CBN franchise when it expires on March 30, 2020. Cayetano earlier assured the public that the House would discuss it before yearend. But he is now saying that they have enough time to do next year, when, if its franchise is not renewed, the network will have to cease operations.
Mr. Duterte’s most recent tirade against ABS-CBN was his fourth in the last two years. He accused the network of unfair reporting in 2017, and of refusing to run political ads that he said he had paid for. In May of the same year, he also threatened to file charges against it for allegedly “swindling” him. He said the same things and made the same threats a year ago, in November 2018.
Not only for the possible loss of employment of thousands of men and women should the threat to shut down the country’s biggest broadcasting network have made the six o’clock news and aroused citizen concern. It would also send to the rest of the media and everyone else the unmistakable message that the Duterte regime will not relent in its campaign to silence its perceived critics, including any entity that dares show some semblance of independence.
Mr. Duterte has used the powers of his office as well as his control over the other two supposedly independent and co-equal branches of government to harass and silence his critics in and out of the media. Not only has he threatened online news site Rappler and the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper; he has also made good on those threats. Rappler has had to defend itself from 11 complaints and court cases meant to intimidate and silence it, even as its reporters are prevented from covering public events in which Mr. Duterte is present. The regime’s keyboard army of trolls and its print media hacks also demonize the Inquirer at every opportunity.
The threatened and impending shutdown of ABS-CBN is part of the same assault aimed at intimidating not only the critical press, but also anyone and anything else that takes seriously the democratic need to monitor and hold government to account.
But because he has not placed the entire Philippines under martial law as Ferdinand Marcos did in 1972, there is the mistaken belief that Mr. Duterte’s rule is not as oppressive as that of his idol and mentor. His implementation of what amounts to de facto martial rule without the benefit of a declaration has lulled the citizenry into the mistaken belief that he won’t go as far.
It explains why much of the news media, including ABS-CBN, seem unable to understand the urgency of bringing the issue to the public’s attention as a threat not only to the entire press but also to free expression and the plurality of voices democracy needs to survive. Make no mistake about it: Mr. Duterte and his accomplices are as focused on silencing anyone and anything with any glimmer of independent thought as the Marcos terror regime was.
Luis V. Teodoro is on Facebook and Twitter (@luisteodoro).
https://www.bworldonline.com/against-independence/
It is wrong for its pettiness and narrow, self-serving, and vindictive partisanship. But it is equally wrong for its pro-people and anti-oligarchy pretensions.
Mr. Duterte would not only shut down the country’s biggest radio and television network, which employs over 11,000 men and women all over the country, on no other basis than his claim that it did not air his propaganda materials during the 2016 campaign for the Presidency. He would also enable his cronies — one of whom is only too eager to add the network to his vast range of recent acquisitions — into taking control of it in a reprise of the crony capitalism of the Marcos dictatorship. Once that happens, one of the most influential media organizations in the Philippines will become no more than a regime mouthpiece and the platform from which its purveyors of false information will dominate public discourse.
His arrogant certainty that the House of Representatives will do as he wants also underscores once more the demise of that body’s supposedly co-equal status and independence, and its lethal impact on the tattered remains of Philippine democracy. But Mr. Duterte’s threat is even more fundamentally wrong for being an attack on a media organization for airing reports on the thousands of killings in his so-called “war on drugs” and for some of its anchors’ and reporters’ being critical of his China and West Philippine Sea Policy. Mr. Duterte wrongly presumes that he is lord and master of all he surveys and has the prerogative to allow only those media organizations that pander to him and his regime to exist and to continue to function despite Article III Section 4 of the Constitution.
This latest threat against the media is so obviously meant to intimidate not only the independent press but also every truth-teller, whether human rights defender or rural missionary. It is an assault on media freedom and the right to free expression and information from the multiplicity of sources citizens need to exercise their sovereign power to decide on matters that concern them.
The shutdown of any media organization, whether big or small and whatever its views, reduces the number of contending voices on which citizens depend to get at the truth. All media and journalists’ organizations, media advocacy groups, civil society, and everyone else who still believes in media freedom, free expression, and democracy must expose the Duterte threat for the brazenly tyrannical scheme to intimidate the media that it is, and demand that the House of Representatives renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
As in the case of regime attempts to silence the online news site Rappler, a threat against one is a threat against all. Once ABS-CBN is shut down on the say-so of a president who despises criticism and truth-telling, every other media organization can be similarly silenced by denying or withdrawing its franchise, or through some other nefarious means.
And yet, despite Mr. Duterte’s threats and his subaltern Alan Peter Cayetano’s repeatedly echoing of them, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) found that much of the media, including ABS-CBN itself, have chosen to keep silent about it, apparently because of the cutthroat rivalry in the broadcasting industry, and ABS-CBN’s hesitation in reporting on something in which its self-interest is involved. But there is also the mistaken belief that despite Mr. Duterte’s attacks on press freedom and free expression, it is still possible to negotiate and reason with him.
Among the broadcast organizations, only CNN Philippines and TV5’s Aksyon have so far aired any report on ABS-CBN’s problem with Mr. Duterte. Print was more forthright. The three Manila newspapers of general circulation did report on it in addition to Mr. Duterte’s rant, and so did some columnists. Some reports also pointed out that despite Cayetano’s assurance of “due process,” he himself has been criticizing ABS-CBN for being allegedly anti-regime.
It was on social media — on Twitter and Facebook — where there was more attention paid to it, and where most Netizens expressed their opposition to the shutting down of ABS-CBN. But the prospects for the renewal of its franchise are not encouraging. There is a bill pending in the House renewing the ABS-CBN franchise when it expires on March 30, 2020. Cayetano earlier assured the public that the House would discuss it before yearend. But he is now saying that they have enough time to do next year, when, if its franchise is not renewed, the network will have to cease operations.
Mr. Duterte’s most recent tirade against ABS-CBN was his fourth in the last two years. He accused the network of unfair reporting in 2017, and of refusing to run political ads that he said he had paid for. In May of the same year, he also threatened to file charges against it for allegedly “swindling” him. He said the same things and made the same threats a year ago, in November 2018.
Not only for the possible loss of employment of thousands of men and women should the threat to shut down the country’s biggest broadcasting network have made the six o’clock news and aroused citizen concern. It would also send to the rest of the media and everyone else the unmistakable message that the Duterte regime will not relent in its campaign to silence its perceived critics, including any entity that dares show some semblance of independence.
Mr. Duterte has used the powers of his office as well as his control over the other two supposedly independent and co-equal branches of government to harass and silence his critics in and out of the media. Not only has he threatened online news site Rappler and the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper; he has also made good on those threats. Rappler has had to defend itself from 11 complaints and court cases meant to intimidate and silence it, even as its reporters are prevented from covering public events in which Mr. Duterte is present. The regime’s keyboard army of trolls and its print media hacks also demonize the Inquirer at every opportunity.
The threatened and impending shutdown of ABS-CBN is part of the same assault aimed at intimidating not only the critical press, but also anyone and anything else that takes seriously the democratic need to monitor and hold government to account.
But because he has not placed the entire Philippines under martial law as Ferdinand Marcos did in 1972, there is the mistaken belief that Mr. Duterte’s rule is not as oppressive as that of his idol and mentor. His implementation of what amounts to de facto martial rule without the benefit of a declaration has lulled the citizenry into the mistaken belief that he won’t go as far.
It explains why much of the news media, including ABS-CBN, seem unable to understand the urgency of bringing the issue to the public’s attention as a threat not only to the entire press but also to free expression and the plurality of voices democracy needs to survive. Make no mistake about it: Mr. Duterte and his accomplices are as focused on silencing anyone and anything with any glimmer of independent thought as the Marcos terror regime was.
Luis V. Teodoro is on Facebook and Twitter (@luisteodoro).
https://www.bworldonline.com/against-independence/
D.M. Wenceslao submits proposals for Parañaque, Cavite reclamation projects
Integrated property developer D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. said Tuesday submitted new proposals to the Philippine Reclamation Authority to undertake reclamation projects in Parañaque City and Cavite.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, DMW said the project in Parañaque is an additional 400 hectares of land in front of Aseana City and Entertainment City.
The proposal contains two reclamation areas where the government is expected to receive 200 hectares at zero cost to it.
Meanwhile, the project in Cavite is for the reclamation of approximately 335 hectares of offshore island in Sangley in preparation for the development of the Sangley International Airport. The proposal is undergoing review by the Office of the President, Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the government to strengthen the country’s development activities,” DMW Chairman Delfin Wenceslao Jr. said.
“We look forward to demonstrate once again our expertise in land reclamation. Over the last 50 years, we have reclaimed more than 2,400,000 square meters of land across the Philippines,” Wenceslao added.
DMW is the master developer and primary owner of Aseana City, a development project with a total land area of 107.5 hectares located along the coastal waters of Manila Bay.
Since 1965, DMW has reclaimed more than 2.4 million square meters of land, leased or developed 250,000 square meters of land and buildings, and completed over 140 construction and infrastructure projects.
On Thursday, shares in DMW were down 1.01% to close at P9.80 each. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/19/1978313/dm-wenceslao-submits-proposals-paraaque-cavite-reclamation-projects
In a disclosure to the stock exchange, DMW said the project in Parañaque is an additional 400 hectares of land in front of Aseana City and Entertainment City.
The proposal contains two reclamation areas where the government is expected to receive 200 hectares at zero cost to it.
Meanwhile, the project in Cavite is for the reclamation of approximately 335 hectares of offshore island in Sangley in preparation for the development of the Sangley International Airport. The proposal is undergoing review by the Office of the President, Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the government to strengthen the country’s development activities,” DMW Chairman Delfin Wenceslao Jr. said.
“We look forward to demonstrate once again our expertise in land reclamation. Over the last 50 years, we have reclaimed more than 2,400,000 square meters of land across the Philippines,” Wenceslao added.
DMW is the master developer and primary owner of Aseana City, a development project with a total land area of 107.5 hectares located along the coastal waters of Manila Bay.
Since 1965, DMW has reclaimed more than 2.4 million square meters of land, leased or developed 250,000 square meters of land and buildings, and completed over 140 construction and infrastructure projects.
On Thursday, shares in DMW were down 1.01% to close at P9.80 each. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/12/19/1978313/dm-wenceslao-submits-proposals-paraaque-cavite-reclamation-projects
[ANALYSIS] Duterte’s foul attacks on big business: What is he up to?
The Duterte government has shown a propensity to disrespect contracts, ignore property rights, and harass businesses
This year Newsbreak, Rappler’s investigative and in-depth section, is capping off 2019 with a series of stories threaded by the theme of lawlessness. (READ: 2019: Lawlessness in the Philippines under Duterte)
Whether in the halls of Malacañang, in our streets, or in our open seas, the Duterte government has demonstrably and consistently disdained the rule of law and our Constitution.
But in this piece I argue there’s one more type of lawlessness that has plagued us in recent years: economic lawlessness.
You might take this to mean situations where private firms take matters into their own hands and disregard laws and regulations.
But here I’m talking about the fact that the Duterte government has shown a propensity to disrespect contracts, ignore property rights, and harass businesses.
Duterte, of course, is no stranger in antagonizing the private sector. (READ: Look back: Duterte’s tussles with big business)
In this piece let’s focus on Duterte’s recent attacks on 3 big corporations – Manila Water, Maynilad, and ABS-CBN – and try to glean what he’s up to.
Water firms thrown in the deep end
Duterte’s attacks on Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires – Manila Water and Maynilad – are a perfect example of economic lawlessness.
More than a week ago the two firms were shocked to learn that their concession agreements, which allow them to operate as Metro Manila’s water distributors, were cut short by their regulator (the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System) from 2037 to 2022.
That’s 15 years earlier than stipulated in their concession agreements with government.
This revocation is a huge blow. Both firms are already strategizing and laying out capital for the next 18 years, only to realize all their plans have rested on shifting sand.
Maynilad’s Vice Chairman Isidro Consunji even hinted that both companies may go bankrupt if negotiations break down.
This terrible plot twist was the culmination of attacks from Duterte himself.
Earlier Duterte fumed at the water firms because the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore ordered the Philippine government to pay Manila Water P7.39 billion. This was because the government had unjustly blocked the firm from raising water rates before.
In the wake of this decision, Duterte branded the water firms’ owners as “oligarchs” and “economic saboteurs.” Later Duterte even warned he might order a military takeover of such firms.
Unsurprisingly, the stock prices of both Manila Water and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, which owns much of Maynilad, recently nosedived (Figures 1 and 2). Manila Water’s stock price even dropped to its lowest level in 12 years.
It’s bad enough that these plummeting stock prices represent billions of losses for shareholders in both companies. But it also threatens the pensions of millions of private employees enrolled in the Social Security System, which has substantial investments in Manila Water.
Above all, the revocation sends a bad signal to investors (here and abroad) that the Philippine government cannot keep its long-term contracts with the private sector and can capriciously change the rules in the middle of the game.
This cannot be. Imagine a basketball game where the referee suddenly announces traveling is permissible and each team can now have more than 5 players at a time.
Just as basketball rules can’t change in the middle of a game, so rules between the government and the private sector can’t change on a whim.
With our business sector enveloped by a thick fog of uncertainty, which investors will now dare to strike deals with the government?
ABS-CBN’s fight for survival (again)
The Duterte administration is also flexing its muscle toward another big business, namely ABS-CBN.
Next year ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise to operate as a media firm – specifically to “construct, operate and maintain…television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the Philippines” – will be up for renewal by Congress.
But for years now Duterte has repeatedly threatened to rally lawmaker friends and block said renewal.
Most recently Duterte said, “Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. (Your franchise will end next year. If you expect it to be renewed, I’m sorry.) I will see to it that you’re out.”
As a result of this latest presidential threat, ABS-CBN’s stock price also dipped (Figure 3), albeit nowhere near the nosedive of Manila Water and MPIC’s stock prices.
Of course it’s entirely within Congress’s discretion to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise or not.
But Duterte’s ostensible reason for attacking ABS-CBN seems unreasonably shallow. Duterte once claimed the station committed swindling for failing to air some of his ads during the 2016 elections.
More important, Duterte’s attack on ABS-CBN brings to mind similar bullying by the Marcos regime against the Lopezes.
Recall that former president Ferdinand Marcos, absent formal charges, had ordered the arrest of Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. in 1972, shortly after martial law was declared, in a bid to neutralize the political power of the Lopez clan.
In exchange for Geny’s release, Geny’s father (Don Eugenio Lopez) was forced to give up many of their businesses – including Meralco and the progenitor of ABS-CBN – to enrich Marcos and his cronies.
Even with Don Eugenio’s capitulation, Geny was in fact not released and only managed to escape prison in 1977, five years after his arrest.
Marcos’s forcible takeover of the Lopezes’ businesses and assets was clearly a predatory act. Fast forward to present day, Duterte is repeating history by attacking ABS-CBN.
Whether Duterte’s attack is predatory, too, remains to be seen. Yet his actions show just how the state could use its might to intimidate, corner, and beat to a pulp a private company – just because it can.
Ulterior motives
A number of people speculate Duterte’s slew of attacks against big businesses is part and parcel of a larger strategy to prop up his own cadre of budding oligarchs.
That is, by attacking big companies and devaluing their stocks, Duterte might be opening an opportunity for his wealthy friends to take over these embattled companies.
By “friends” we mean, for instance, Davao tycoon Dennis Uy and former senator Manny Villar. Both are multibillionaires and their business empires have noticeably expanded of late.
Just when ABS-CBN’s fate is hanging by a thread, Dennis Uy is reportedly eyeing an expansion into media and telecom. Some even go on to say Uy may be the “white knight” who will ultimately save ABS-CBN next year.
Meanwhile, amid the impending exit of the current water concessionaires, the Villars are venturing into water what with Prime Water. Duterte was even quoted as saying the Villars might one day enter water distribution in Metro Manila.
If these speculations turn out to be true, then Duterte’s purported hatred towards oligarchs proves merely illusory. He’s just weeding out the old to make way for the new.
The author is a PhD candidate at the UP School of Economics. His views are independent of the views of his affiliations. Follow JC on Twitter (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ (usapangecon.com).
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/247501-analysis-duterte-foul-attacks-on-big-business
This year Newsbreak, Rappler’s investigative and in-depth section, is capping off 2019 with a series of stories threaded by the theme of lawlessness. (READ: 2019: Lawlessness in the Philippines under Duterte)
Whether in the halls of Malacañang, in our streets, or in our open seas, the Duterte government has demonstrably and consistently disdained the rule of law and our Constitution.
But in this piece I argue there’s one more type of lawlessness that has plagued us in recent years: economic lawlessness.
You might take this to mean situations where private firms take matters into their own hands and disregard laws and regulations.
But here I’m talking about the fact that the Duterte government has shown a propensity to disrespect contracts, ignore property rights, and harass businesses.
Duterte, of course, is no stranger in antagonizing the private sector. (READ: Look back: Duterte’s tussles with big business)
In this piece let’s focus on Duterte’s recent attacks on 3 big corporations – Manila Water, Maynilad, and ABS-CBN – and try to glean what he’s up to.
Water firms thrown in the deep end
Duterte’s attacks on Metro Manila’s two water concessionaires – Manila Water and Maynilad – are a perfect example of economic lawlessness.
More than a week ago the two firms were shocked to learn that their concession agreements, which allow them to operate as Metro Manila’s water distributors, were cut short by their regulator (the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System) from 2037 to 2022.
That’s 15 years earlier than stipulated in their concession agreements with government.
This revocation is a huge blow. Both firms are already strategizing and laying out capital for the next 18 years, only to realize all their plans have rested on shifting sand.
Maynilad’s Vice Chairman Isidro Consunji even hinted that both companies may go bankrupt if negotiations break down.
This terrible plot twist was the culmination of attacks from Duterte himself.
Earlier Duterte fumed at the water firms because the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore ordered the Philippine government to pay Manila Water P7.39 billion. This was because the government had unjustly blocked the firm from raising water rates before.
In the wake of this decision, Duterte branded the water firms’ owners as “oligarchs” and “economic saboteurs.” Later Duterte even warned he might order a military takeover of such firms.
Unsurprisingly, the stock prices of both Manila Water and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, which owns much of Maynilad, recently nosedived (Figures 1 and 2). Manila Water’s stock price even dropped to its lowest level in 12 years.
It’s bad enough that these plummeting stock prices represent billions of losses for shareholders in both companies. But it also threatens the pensions of millions of private employees enrolled in the Social Security System, which has substantial investments in Manila Water.
Above all, the revocation sends a bad signal to investors (here and abroad) that the Philippine government cannot keep its long-term contracts with the private sector and can capriciously change the rules in the middle of the game.
This cannot be. Imagine a basketball game where the referee suddenly announces traveling is permissible and each team can now have more than 5 players at a time.
Just as basketball rules can’t change in the middle of a game, so rules between the government and the private sector can’t change on a whim.
With our business sector enveloped by a thick fog of uncertainty, which investors will now dare to strike deals with the government?
ABS-CBN’s fight for survival (again)
The Duterte administration is also flexing its muscle toward another big business, namely ABS-CBN.
Next year ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise to operate as a media firm – specifically to “construct, operate and maintain…television and radio broadcasting stations in and throughout the Philippines” – will be up for renewal by Congress.
But for years now Duterte has repeatedly threatened to rally lawmaker friends and block said renewal.
Most recently Duterte said, “Ang iyong franchise mag-end next year. If you expect ma-renew ‘yan, I’m sorry. (Your franchise will end next year. If you expect it to be renewed, I’m sorry.) I will see to it that you’re out.”
As a result of this latest presidential threat, ABS-CBN’s stock price also dipped (Figure 3), albeit nowhere near the nosedive of Manila Water and MPIC’s stock prices.
Of course it’s entirely within Congress’s discretion to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise or not.
But Duterte’s ostensible reason for attacking ABS-CBN seems unreasonably shallow. Duterte once claimed the station committed swindling for failing to air some of his ads during the 2016 elections.
More important, Duterte’s attack on ABS-CBN brings to mind similar bullying by the Marcos regime against the Lopezes.
Recall that former president Ferdinand Marcos, absent formal charges, had ordered the arrest of Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr. in 1972, shortly after martial law was declared, in a bid to neutralize the political power of the Lopez clan.
In exchange for Geny’s release, Geny’s father (Don Eugenio Lopez) was forced to give up many of their businesses – including Meralco and the progenitor of ABS-CBN – to enrich Marcos and his cronies.
Even with Don Eugenio’s capitulation, Geny was in fact not released and only managed to escape prison in 1977, five years after his arrest.
Marcos’s forcible takeover of the Lopezes’ businesses and assets was clearly a predatory act. Fast forward to present day, Duterte is repeating history by attacking ABS-CBN.
Whether Duterte’s attack is predatory, too, remains to be seen. Yet his actions show just how the state could use its might to intimidate, corner, and beat to a pulp a private company – just because it can.
Ulterior motives
A number of people speculate Duterte’s slew of attacks against big businesses is part and parcel of a larger strategy to prop up his own cadre of budding oligarchs.
That is, by attacking big companies and devaluing their stocks, Duterte might be opening an opportunity for his wealthy friends to take over these embattled companies.
By “friends” we mean, for instance, Davao tycoon Dennis Uy and former senator Manny Villar. Both are multibillionaires and their business empires have noticeably expanded of late.
Just when ABS-CBN’s fate is hanging by a thread, Dennis Uy is reportedly eyeing an expansion into media and telecom. Some even go on to say Uy may be the “white knight” who will ultimately save ABS-CBN next year.
Meanwhile, amid the impending exit of the current water concessionaires, the Villars are venturing into water what with Prime Water. Duterte was even quoted as saying the Villars might one day enter water distribution in Metro Manila.
If these speculations turn out to be true, then Duterte’s purported hatred towards oligarchs proves merely illusory. He’s just weeding out the old to make way for the new.
The author is a PhD candidate at the UP School of Economics. His views are independent of the views of his affiliations. Follow JC on Twitter (@jcpunongbayan) and Usapang Econ (usapangecon.com).
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/247501-analysis-duterte-foul-attacks-on-big-business
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