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Monday 18,December 2014 Vol. 1030, No. 402015 Wednesday, Vol. 11 No. 83
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P25.00 nationwide | 4 sections 20 pages | 7 days a week
Faster global growth, elections to hike imports by10% in 2016
E
lection spending and the recovery of the global economy will increase the countryâs import payments to at least 10 percent next year, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
INSIDE
âex machinaâ and other top movies of the year Show BusinessMirror
B2-2 Wednesday, December 30, 2015
www.businessmirror.com.ph
âEx Machinaâ and other top movies of the year ALiciA VikAndEr in Ex Machina.
I
By Colin Covert | Star Tribune
canât guarantee that my favorite films in 2015 were the best movies of the past 12 months. after all, I missed such gems as San Andreas and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 by carefully choosing my vacation time. But here are some that I enjoyed hugely, and why. For example, Jurassic World was a better rumbling, roaring dino epic than The Good Dinosaurâ but I still didnât like it enough to award it a place on this partial list of my favorites. Ex Machina gets my applause because it was the smartest film in ages about the emotional lives of robots, much better than Chappie. Domhnall Gleeson stars as a young programmer researching artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a stunning female droid played by alicia Vikander. Shrewd, stylish and suspenseful, it is a must-see before the singularity arrives and technology floods the universe with its own intelligence. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl makes the cut because it was a far better romantic tragicomedy than Fifty Shades of Grey. thomas Mann plays an eternal high-school slacker/movie snob tasked by his pushy mom to be an unlikely friend to classmate Olivia cooke, who is diagnosed with cancer. the film is a nonstop absurdist delight full of very intelligent, nontearjerky teenage musings. that is until the finaleâs rage against the dying of the light makes it an amazing poem of life, love and what people are left to hang onto. Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation was a secretagent sequel that far outclassed Spectre. tom cruise has been playing the spy role longer than Daniel craig, but he seems delighted every time he pulls off some
cockeyed stunt. and so am I. Yes, they both have mystery plots that are almost impossible to decipher, but M:I 5 keeps us engaged by the entire story, not just the star blowinâ stuff up. Shaun the Sheep made the winnersâ circle because this British stop-motion cartoon was better than the heavily animated Pixels (and I liked Pixels, yes, I did, it
The End of the Tour was a cerebral, riveting factbased drama far superior to Stonewall and Woman in Gold, both of which were like watching a house of cards collapse. How do you turn the story of a five-day interview between a Rolling Stone reporter (Jesse Eisenberg) and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) into a philosophical and moving buddy adventure? With great interplay between your performers, insightful dialogue and exquisite direction. Mad Max: Fury Road was a bombastic superhero reboot infinitely better than the heinous Fantastic Four. Itâs a favorite because George Miller was the technically staggering action director of the year, if not the decade. Because tom Hardy kept quiet and let his costar charlize theron score touchdown after touchdown. Because grisly sight gags are great ways to illustrate mankindâs persistent stupidity. Sicario was a far better hard-boiled international thriller than Michael Mannâs wreckage-strewn travesty Blackhat. Its cinematography, story, soundtrack and star power are electrifying, with brilliant work by Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio del toro as federal agents fighting Mexican drug cartels. the political and moral ambiguities of a long war have never spun in such a pessimistic, intense, vicious circle. The Nightmare was a far better midnight fright film than Crimson Peak. Documentarian Rodney ascher channels his personal obsession with bad dreams into the horror genre. His interview subjects are people whose nocturnal terrors cause them to scream themselves awake. this is the only reality film that has ever made me jump and howl in freaked-out horrorâtwice! n
made me laugh, donât judge me, Iâve been in bigger cow pastures than that). the creators of Wallace & Gromit follow their title character and his pals on a day away from the farm, visiting a Big city. Deserving of a nobel Prize for hilarious wordless comedy, itâs an irresistible blend of British deadpan wit and Monty Python-esque skit comedy.
By Cai U. Ordinario
âMy Bebe Love: #kiligPaMoreâ tops MMFF 2015 opening-day gross AS predicted by countless Filipinos all over the globe, My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore has clinched the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) box-office race by emerging as the runaway festival top grosser on opening day. Starring unbeatable comedy box-office royalties Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai de las Alas, together with the phenomenal âAldubâ love team of Alden richards and Maine Mendoza, the movie certainly didnât disappoint and went on to give their legion of followers a fun, wholesome, romantic and thoroughly entertaining movie for the whole family. Produced jointly by five giant film outfitsâ OctoArts Films, M-Zet Television Productions inc., APT Entertainment, GMA Films and Meda
THE cast of My Bebe Love are all smiles during the news conference for the movie held earlier this month.
z
ProductionâMy Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore is directed by Jose Javier reyes, who also cowrote the script. Early on, the victory of My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore was already been sealed as young and old alike, all self-confessed fans and followers of Vic and Ai-Ai, and the millions and millions of Aldub followers, began flooding social media about their excitement to see the film. Observers knew that movie would make a killing at the box office and it certainly did. The movie is replete with high-spirited excitement, heartwarming romance, wholesome fun and excellent Filipino values. To add to the excitement, Joey de Leon, the Eat Bulaga lolas comprised of Paolo Ballesteros,
a
Todayâs Horoscope
By Eugenia Last
CELEBRITIES BORN ON ThIS DAy: Eliza
Dushku, 35; Laila Ali, 38; Tiger Woods, 40; Matt Lauer, 58.
hAPPy BIRThDAy: Donât let anything stand in
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Lady luck is in your corner. When it comes to money, contracts, negotiations and settlements, the planets favor you. Hesitation will be your downfall and arguments will be a waste of time. When an opportunity arises, give it your best shot. HHH
d
Open up conversations with people who have an inside view of an industry that interests you. Networking and socializing with your peers will lead to a new friendship with a colleague you want to collaborate with. HHHHH
b
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Itâs the festive season, and entertainment, socializing and finding time to be affectionate with someone you love is encouraged. A trip to the spa or to spruce up your image will be just what you need to lift your spirits. HHH
c
f
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Donât make changes just because someone else does. Focus on tradition, family and reconnecting with relatives you donât get to see very often. The memories will stir up ideas and inspire you to make plans in the new year. HHHH
e
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You will face
opposition if you arenât forthright about what your motives are. Do your best to reveal what you want and what you are offering. Itâs better to know where you stand than to live a confused life. HHHH
your way. Recognize opportunities and make a point to forge into the future with confidence and brute force. Itâs up to you to make thing happen, so donât waste time waiting for others to catch up. Donât let emotional matters deter you from getting ahead. Put things in perspective and donât look back. Your numbers are 8, 15, 24, 28, 32, 44.
Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola, plus ryzza Mae dizon make special appearances in the movie. Vic Sotto plays the role of Vito, who finds himself in a bitter professional rivalry with cora, played by Ai-Ai. The two are both in
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Youâll
face opposition if you share your personal thoughts and plans. Work undercover until you come up with a foolproof plan. A networking function will be a good place to pick up information. HHH
the business of mounting special events and productions, and both have made a successful name in the profession. conflict erupts when their respective wardsâAnna (Maine), daughter of Vito, gets romantically involved
g
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You are running out of time. Make a point to enforce the changes you want to make before the turn of the year. Itâs important to enter 2016 with a clean slate. You will have to be secretive to avoid interference. HHH
h
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
with coraâs beloved nephew dondi (Alden). As expected, the âparentsâ actively reject the budding romance between the star-crossed lovers and willingly strike an unexpected truce to prevent the romance from happening. The plot thickens when the unexpected alliance of Vito and cora starts blooming into something else. now, itâs the turn of the youngsters to feel disconcerted with the idea of having their folks enter into a different relationship zone. dondi and Anna react to the situation not liking the idea of his auntie and her father falling in love with each other. My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore is in theaters nationwide.
j
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Donât leave anything undone. Avoid arguments or conflicts with someone who doesnât understand what you are doing. Finish what you start and head in a direction that will allow you to lay down a solid foundation for future negotiations. HHHHH
Share your ideas and plans with someone you love or want to spend more time with. Favors will be granted if you decide to enter into a joint venture. Unusual changes at home will inspire you to be more creative. HHHH
k
i
l
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look at your options and ponder what you want to achieve next year. You can bring about changes based on past experience and future goals. Take physical steps to ensure you will be ready when the time comes. HHH PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The disclosure of a personal secret will leave you confused and uncertain about what to do next. Donât let your emotions take over and lead to a situation you cannot reverse. HHH
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Stick close to home and abide by the rules and regulations. You will face opposition if you are indulgent or try to ignore the assignments that are due before the year comes to a close. Secrets will be revealed. HH
BIRThDAy BABy: You are sensitive, kind and a risk-taker. You are open-minded and persuasive.
âmade in the shadeâ By CARLA AzURE The Universal Crossword/Edited by Timothy E. Parker
ACROSS 1 âNo ___, no foulâ 5 Big game venue 10 Not present or future 14 Involved in a yacht race 15 Buoyed wreckage 16 Reed instrument 17 Move emotionally 18 Like a noble gas 19 Give the cold shoulder 20 Cutters in craft stores 23 Trapshooting 24 Nightingale or Barton 25 Butted 28 David Bowieâs rock type 30 The eye has it 31 Mocking imitation 33 Snake that killed a queen 36 Of royal lineage 40 Ma that says baa 41 TV studio sign 42 Wife of Osiris 43 Oktoberfest quaff 44 Measure of reflected light
46 Gestation stations 49 Meal with bitter herbs 51 Wallflowerâs cousin 57 Spontaneous motivation 58 âToo many cooks spoil the broth,â e.g. 59 Brass subordinate 60 Triangle, in a childâs drawing 61 Bus fare 62 Bit of bird food 63 Cat and dog 64 Far from drowsy 65 Casks DOWN 1 Padlock partner 2 ___ spumante (sparkling wine) 3 Horse control 4 Sharpshooter 5 Straight, as wheels 6 Cowboyâs milieu 7 Cast out 8 âTrafficâ cop 9 Matter or freeze start 10 Certain marsupial
11 12 13 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 37 38 39 43 44 45 46 47 48
Despise with a passion Becomes disenchanted In need of a massage Eisenhower, casually Messy situation Hardly a sophisticate State solemnly Type of formality Ending with âchurchâ or âmovieâ Prune, as a tree branch Dipper part 21st Greek letter Church feature Tried to avoid a tag Banco de Mexico concern Dip oneâs ___ the water (test) Itâs heard before a liftoff Hearty dinner dish They may compete with boxers Pre-Christmas period Oahu souvenir Take forcibly Severe spasm Rye fungus
49 Charmerâs critter 50 Ham-and-___ (oaf) 52 Martial arts workout 53 Pagan figurine 54 âIn ___ of flowers...â 55 Tree of Life site 56 Spreads leaves for drying
Solution to yesterdayâs puzzle:
Show
B2-2
pro-friends builds familyfriendly city
Economic Planning Secretary and Neda Director General Arsenio M. Balisacan said imports growth has already been showing encouraging signs that a double-digit hike for next year may be âimminent.â âThe continuing resurgence of imports is a healthy indication of robust investment demand, as it continues to be driven by intermediate and capital goods. The anticipated recovery of the global economy, and brisk election spending will continue to drive imports to double-digit
growth,â Balisacan said. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the growth rate of import payments in October reached 16.8 percent, the highest since Julyâs 23 percent. Data also showed that the growth of the countryâs import bill has not been in the negative territory since June. According to PSA figures, import payments contracted in January, March, April and May. The biggest Continued on A2
JOSE RIZALâS MARTYRDOM Students watch the lights and sounds presentation of Dr. Jose Rizalâs martyrdom at the Rizal Park in Manila. The nation commemorates the 119th death anniversary of the Philippinesâs national hero today. Rizal was sentenced to death after a kangaroo court found him guilty of rebellion, sedition and conspiracy. He was shot at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) on December 30, 1896. ALYSA SALEN
BusinessMirror
PHL peso drops for a third year on Fed, stock outflows
C1 | Wednesday, December 30, 2015 Editor: Tet Andolong
ALEXANDRA
Pro-Friends builds Family-Friendly city ALEXANDRAâS kitchen
COMMUNITY church The Holy Family
A
T
ALEXANDRAâS living room
Bïč Rï©ïșïĄïŹ RïĄïŻï”ïŹ Rï„ïčï„ïł
FAMILY-FRIENDLY city is currently growing in Mega Manila and itâs unlike any other youâve seen before. Another quality development by property developer and game changer Property Company of Friends Inc., or simply Pro-Friends, Lancaster New City is a haven of quality, affordable homes in a complete community made and designed for Filipino families. Deeply rooted in understanding the needs of the Filipino family, Pro-Friends dared to make a difference by delivering a one-of-akind township community near the Metro that would enable the family to completely bond with each other. Starting with its first phase in 2007, Lancaster New City has quickly evolved into a master-planned community that spans to more than 1,400 hectares that covers Kawit, General Trias, and Imus, Cavite. Situated near the Manila-Cavite Expressway, families may now have an option to own reasonably priced homes in a unique township near Metro Manila that focuses in providing families with the most
important aspect of their livesâŠto Live, Learn, Work, Play, and Pray.
Live
LANCASTER New City evolved into a complete community that currently has a selection of two-story townhomes and two-story single attached homes designed for young professionals, start-up families and bigger growing families. Each home is efficiently laid out to have sufficient space for the dwellers to comfortably move around inside the house. Residents of selected house models have their very own Family Courtyard or Family Enclaves, outdoor spaces either at the back or in
CLUBHOUSE
front of each single attached home where children may safely play or they may have their special private gatherings.
Learn
MORE than just providing homes, Lancaster New City sought to make high quality, affordable education accessible to its residents. St. Edward Schools (SES), an educational institution made for the entire Lancaster New City community, gives families the option to send their children to a school that prides in raising globally competitive students with a strong sense of character. In its fourth year, St. Edward Schools has already reached a population of almost 2,000 students. Its first community school, St. Edward Faith Community School, also began its operations this school year (SY 2015-2016) to address the growing demands of the current
Lancaster New City population. Soon, more community schools that are designed to be safely near residential areas will be established for the residentsâ convenience.
Work
INSIDE Lancaster New City is the pioneer IT Park of Cavite, SuntechiPark. Being Pro-Friendsâs first office IT Park development, SuntechiPark is designed to give the residents an option to work close to home, thus, giving them more time to spend with the family. Lancaster New City also has a transport system that would easily bring the residents from their place of work to their homes in less time. As of 2015, Lancaster New Cityâs transport system already has a shuttle that brought residents from the Lancaster New City Transport Hub to the South West Integrated Provincial Transport Terminal (Coastal Mall) and vice versa.
ST. Edward Schoolâs laboratory
Play
ACKNOWLEDGING the need for families to constantly bond with each other, Lancaster New City will be building Downtown Lancaster, a 25-hectare commercial-businesslifestyle district that will provide retail and leisure activities to both office workers and its residents. Within Downtown Lancaster, residents and office workers alike will enjoy the convergence of Suntech iPark with the Square, its commercial area, and Central Greens. The Square will be a sprawling commercial center that houses several commercial and retail establishments. In 2013, The Square already opened its first commercial building and houses a selection of restaurants, wellness boutiques, and other service centers. Central Greens will be a place of relaxation amid the commercial
and retail districts with its treeshaded pathways, pocket gardens, and childrenâs playground.
Pray
A COMMUNITY will never be complete without a place of worship⊠where parents would teach their children about the importance of faith. At the heart of Lancaster New City is the Church of the Holy Family. Built in 2012, the Church of the Holy Family became a place of worship where families may attend Sunday Mass, hold their wedding vows and ceremonies, or celebrate the Simbang Gabi tradition. This is Lancaster New City, the Family-Friendly City delivered by the Pro-Friends to be true to its company mission of creating communities and transforming lives. www.lancasternewcity.com.ph
property
C1
stunning upsets Sports BusinessMirror
he Philippine peso headed for its third straight annual loss, as global funds fled local stocks and tightening monetary policy in the US boosted the dollar. Foreign investors sold $1.2 billion more shares than they bought this year, putting the Philippine Stock Exchange index on course for its first loss since 2008. The peso sank to a six-year low this month as the Federal Reserve (the Fed) raised borrowing costs for the first time in a decade.
Prospects of faster economic growth and robust remittances from overseas workers will support the Southeast Asian nationâs currency in 2016, according to BDO Unibank Inc. The peso has slumped 5.1 percent this year to 47.13 a dollar as of 11:54 a.m. in Manila, prices from the Bankers Association of the Philippines show, set for the longest stretch of annual declines since 2004. The currency rose 0.1 percent on
DOMESTIC LIQUIDITY GREW 9.2% IN NOV
M
By Bianca Cuaresma
oney that is available to you and me, referred to as domestic liquidity or M3 by central bankers, continued to grow at a high single digit in November, indicating that money supply remains ample for the countryâs continued expansion this year and beyond. In a report on Tuesday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said M3 growth rose to P8 trillion in November, representing growth of 9.2 percent. This was unchanged from the revised 9.2-percent acceleration reported the previous October. The still-growing cash supply should prove beneficial for the $285-billion economy, as this
helps fuel the productive sectors and help boost the nationâs capacity to grow. âThe sustained expansion of M3 during the month indicates that money supply remains sufficient to support economic growth,â the central bank said in a statement. âGoing forward, the BSP will continue to monitor domestic liquidity dynamics to ensure that monetary conditions remain in line with price and financial stability,â it added. The central bank attributed the continued expansion of domestic liquidity to sustained demand for credit. In a separate report, the BSP said the outstanding loans of the banking system slowed down a bit See âDomestic liquidity,â A2
Continued on A2
A8
| WednesdAy, december 30, 2015 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph sports@businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
âBill amending Consumer Act unlikely to pass in 16th Congressâ
FOR Serena Williams, losing at the US Open is a nightmare.
STUNNING UPSETS
S
By Paul Newberry The Associated Pres
ERENA WILLIAMS had done all the heavy lifting, or so it seemed. She conquered the grass of Wimbledon, the red clay of Roland Garros, the hard courts of the Australian Open. All that was left for tennisâs first Grand Slam since 1988 was a victory in the US Open, surely a mere formality when Williams got to the semifinals with a 43rd-ranked Italian standing in her way. At 33, Williams was poised to put a remarkable capper on a brilliant career. Roberta Vinci had other ideas. âEvery so often,â Vinci said, âa miracle happens.â For Williams, it was a nightmare. After cruising through
the first set, 6-2, she finally seemed to feel the weight of history. Her legs got sluggish, her shots spraying all over the court. Vinci evened the match, 6-4, and took the decisive third set by the same score. âI saw she was nervous,â Vinci said, âand that helped me.â Williamsâs loss will surely go down as one of the biggest upsets in any sport, which was the only way to stand apart in 2015. Several of these jaw-droppers wouldâve been at the top of the list just about any other year: DOWN GOES ROUSEY!: Ronda Rousey was supposed to be invincible. She won her first 12 mixed-martial arts fightsâeight of them in less than a minuteâbefore stepping into the cage against Holly Holm in Melbourne, Australia. Rowdy Ronda finally met her match Down Under, when Holm finished her off with a devastating
kick to the head. âIâll be back,â Rousey vowed. PERFECT SEASON CRUMBLES: With a roster full of National Basketball Association (NBA)-quality underclassmen, Kentucky was 38-0 and needed two wins to become the first undefeated menâs hoops team in nearly four decades. Turns out, the Wildcats werenât perfect after all. Hard-nosed Wisconsin took down John Calipariâs squad 71-64 at the Final Four. âThe season was a waste,â Kentuckyâs Tyler Ulis said. THE BRAVE BLOSSOMS: In rugby, thereâs a clear line between the worldâs top teams and everyone else. South Africa belongs in the first group. Japan is undoubtedly part of the second. But on the gameâs biggest stage, the team known as âThe Brave Blossomsâ pulled off the greatest upset the sport has ever seen, beating the two-time Rugby World Cup champion Springboks 34-32. âIâm glad weâve managed to not only surprise our own fans back in Japan,â fullback Ayumu Goromaru said, âbut also fans across the world.â ONE SHOT TOO MANY: Jordan Spieth won the first two major championships on the golfing calendar, and coming down the stretch of the British Open it looked as though heâd make it three in a row. The young Texan shared the lead with two holes to go after sinking a 50-foot birdie putt. But he missed an 8-footer at the 17th and slipped out of a playoff by a single shot, denied in his bid for the first modern Grand Slam. âWe gave it a great effort,â Spieth said. âGRAVEYARD OF CHAMPIONSâ: It was certainly a glorious year for American Pharoah, which became the first horse
in 37 years to capture the Triple Crown. But even he was bitten by the upset bug at Saratoga, a track appropriately known as the âGraveyard of Champions.â Caught in the stretch by 16-1 long shot Keen Ice, American Pharoah lost the Travers by three-quarters of a length. But heâll always have that Triple Crown. THE MOUSE THAT ROARED: Bournemouth was toiling in the fourth level of English football in 2010. After climbing to the Premier League for the first time, the Cherries pulled off stunners in back-to-back games this season, knocking off defending champion Chelsea and 20-time champion Manchester United. âJust checking the results again to make certain the last week has actually happened,â Chairman Jeff Mostyn tweeted afterward.
FATHER AND SON: Weâll all remember Kentuckyâs loss, but, perhaps, the most compelling image from the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament was injured Georgia State Coach Ron Hunter tumbling off his stool after his son R.J. hit a three-pointer to cap an improbable upset by the 14th-seeded Panthers over No. 3 Baylor. And letâs not forget UAB prevailing against Iowa State in another 14-beats-three shocker.
By Catherine N. Pillas & Butch Fernandez
victory Florida State, snapping the Seminolesâ 28-game ACC winning streak. Also worthy of mention from college football: Michigan State ending Ohio Stateâs bid for a second straight national championship, and Texas handing Oklahoma its only loss in the Red River Showdown. ITâS ALL IN THE NAME: Tyson Fury was born to be a fighter, even though he entered the world three months early weighing just one pound. His father predicted the ailing infant would not only survive, but grow into a heavyweight champion. Doubling down, he named his son after Mike Tyson. That prophecy was fulfilled when Fury, now 6-foot-9, scored a unanimous decision over Wladimir Klitschko, ending his nine-and-a-half-year reign as champion. If it was any consolation to Klitschko, he had plenty of company in 2015.
A
KICK SIX: Georgia Tech went 1-7 in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season. That lone win wonât soon be forgotten. Lance Austin returned a blocked field goal 78 yards for a touchdown on the final play to give the Yellow Jackets a 22-16
SOCCERâS DARK YEAR
L
ONDONâDawn had just broken in Zurich when a man was spotted being dragged out of an opulent hotelâs side entrance. Raising a single white sheet, hotel staff made an inadequate attempt to shield the guest being forced to check out early after being arrested in his bedroom. Eduardo Li was in clear view on the quiet side street as he was bundled into an unmarked police car, one of seven International Football Federation (Fifa) officials arrested as Swiss police swooped on the Baur au Lac hotel at the behest of American authorities. Years of investigations into soccer corruption burst into public view on the morning of May 27, as the so-called World Cup of fraud was exposed and Fifa would be coerced into cleaning up its act. Li, the Costa Rican federation president who was in Zurich expecting to join Fifaâs elite executive committee, was a lesserknown target of the US case. But his arrest, which was captured on video by the Associated Press (AP) was the most visible. By the end of 2015, four Fifa vice presidents had been indicted in the US, including two swept up in a second wave of arrests in December after being chosen to replace those from the Americas indicted in May. A fifth vice president, Michel Platini, was banished by Fifa from soccer until 2023 along with Sepp Blatterâthe man he was expected to succeed as presidentâafter their dealings became the subject of a Swiss criminal case. After 40 years at Fifa, 17 as president, the reign of the seemingly immovable Blatter ended in disgrace in 2015. Few lamented his downfall. The 79-year-old Blatter did not see it coming in February when he beamed: âNow you see why I am happy,â as he relaxed in a Northern Ireland hotel accompanied by a girlfriend almost 30 years his junior at a Fifa meeting. And Blatter managed to brush off the anger that greeted
revelations about the scale of bribery and kickbacksâ corruption that mostly occurred within confederations rather than involving Fifa headquarters (HQ) in Zurichâto be voted in for a fifth term by federations on May 29. Blatter subjected himself to a bruising encounter with the media the next day, a Saturday morning, when he was asked whether some of the accusations were indicative of his âincompetence or intentional negligence.â Blatter was defiant, vowing to see out his four-year term. The bravado quickly evaporated. âThen came the different information from the US with this and that,â Blatter aide Walter Gagg told the AP. After being warned in meetings with associates that he could be the next Fifa executive in the prosecutorsâ sights, Blatter stunned the world on June 2 by announcing plans to resign, accepting he lacked the gameâs backing. Blatter hoped to hand over power in February, but the Swiss attorney general intervened by raiding Fifaâs HQ in September and questioning the president. Years of suspicions about Blatterâs integrity were confirmed when he was banished by Fifaâs ethics judge for unethical conduct over a financial transaction with Platini, who received the same eight-year ban from soccer. The Swiss investigationâlike the parallel American caseâ will continue into 2016 as trials begin and more officials fear their illicit profiteering from sportingcontracts is uncovered. At the same time, Fifa will implement reforms designed to clean up the organization and elect a new president on February 26. Perhaps, what surprised soccer fans in 2015 as much as the arrests was the interest of US Attorney General Loretta Lynch in such sleaze. But the significant role the worldâs most popular sport plays in the US was confirmed not only by Lynch but by Americans at, of all things in this year, a Fifa event. When the US won a third
Womenâs World Cup title in July, the victory over Japan was watched by more than 25 million American television viewers. The wrong side of passion for soccer in the US was also displayed this year when the AP filmed fans from New York rivals City and Red Bulls clashing before their derby in New Jersey in August, hooliganism previously associated with European supporters. One of the enduring images, though, of a soccer year scarred by wrongdoing was of the gameâs ability to provide a powerful platform for unity after becoming a target for Islamic extremists in last monthâs Paris attacks. After Franceâs match against Germany at the Stade de France was targeted by suicide bombers, who failed to enter the stadium, the French team traveled to England for the friendliest of friendly games. The fixture was overshadowed by a sense of grief, but also of fraternity as the Wembley Stadium arch was lit in the blue, white and red of the French flag and the national anthem was sung by both sets of fans. But amid the display of friendship was a realization that stadiums were now targets. Security was quickly beefed up across Europe and the heightened state of alert led to highprofile games being called off. Soccerâs most pressing concern in 2016 will remain ensuring the safety of fans and players, particularly with France hosting the first 24-team European Championship in June and July. The showpiece event, along with the US-hosted Copa America Centenario, will also offer soccerâs stars a chance to remind people why itâs the worldâs favorite gameârather than a source of corruption. AP
SPORTS 40 years at Fifa, 17 as president, the reign »of theAFTERseemingly immovable Sepp Blatter ends in disgrace in 2015. Few lamented his downfall. AP
A8
Senate bill seeking to amend Republic Act (RA) 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, may no longer be passed by the 16th Congress, a senior official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Tuesday. As time runs out on the Aquino administration and elections will be held in May
PESO exchange rates n US 47.1660
2016, Trade Undersecretary Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba said Senate Bill (SB) 2699 filed by Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, may have to wait for the next Congress. Under SB 2699, the DTI will increase administrative penalties from the present minimum of P500 per violation to P50,000, or 5 percent of the gross value of the consumer product or services subject of the complaint, whichever is higher.
The DTI also wants to be given the power to shut down establishments found selling unsafe products. Dimagiba said a new version of the proposed measure will include measures for consumer safety, in line with the United Nationsâ newly adopted revised guidelines for consumer protection. The revisions were adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 22. According to a statement released by the DTI
on Tuesday, some of the features of the revised guidelines include measures to address gaps in consumer protection in financial services, privacy, energy, travel and tourism. Meanwhile, Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. said on Tuesday that Malacañang has tapped Trade Undersecretary Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. as âad interim secretaryâ of the DTI. Cristobal will fill up the post to be Continued on A2
n japan 0.3920 n UK 70.1783 n HK 6.0857 n CHINA 7.2697 n singapore 33.5176 n australia 34.2652 n EU 51.7411 n SAUDI arabia 12.5766
Source: BSP (29 December 2015)