More than 1,000 beggars rescued by police during Christmas period

December 25, 2018 | 5:49 pm

THE POLICE rescued more than 1,030 members of indigenous people (IP) groups and 619 minors who were begging for alms in the streets in the days leading up to Christmas. Among IP, the National Capital Region Police Office report listed 202 Aetas, 198 Badjaos, and 630 others in 131 operations conducted in various districts from Dec. 11 to 25. All of the rescued beggars were turned over to the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local barangays. The rescue operations were in accordance with Presidential Decree 1563 or the Anti-Mendicancy Law of 1978, which states that giving alms to needy people who take to the streets is not the right way to help them as it breeds crime and creates traffic hazard. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Panglao resorts warned anew

December 25, 2018 | 5:48 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism-Central Visayas (DoT-7) again called on resorts in Panglao, Bohol to comply with environmental rules as the government implements a crackdown on violators. DoT Regional Director Shalimar H. Tamano particularly reminded resorts on the island, home of the new ‘green’ international airport of the province, to adhere to easement requirements. “Once again, we would like to remind our concerned stakeholders to adhere to the environmental requirements, particularly the compliance of valid wastewater discharge permit and observance of the easement within the shorelines,” Ms. Tamano said in an advisory. This came following the Dec. 10 letter of Panglao Mayor Leonila P. Montero, telling tourism stakeholders that the 20-meter easement law and the additional 10 meters easement ordinance must be followed; and water quality violations must be corrected. In April this year, Panglao’s local government received a marching order from President Rodrigo R. Duterte, through Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, to address environmental violations on the popular island destination. Ms. Montero said violators will not be allowed to renew their business permits for 2019 if they do not comply with the order. “Without a business permit for 2019, one cannot do any business for 2019. The situation is very urgent and demands serious action for all of us, as stakeholders,” she said. — The Freeman

Davao police to bring human rights case vs NPA in international court

December 25, 2018 | 5:47 pm

THE REGIONAL Police Office (RPO) in Davao is bringing cases against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for alleged human rights violations against indigenous people (IP) in the region, particularly in the town of Talaingod in Davao del Norte. The ECHR is an international court established through the European Convention on Human Rights. Chief Supt. Marcelo C. Morales, RPO chief, said last week that the cases will be filed through the police National Task Force. “The evidence that we will be sending to the National Task Force will be submitted to the EU (European Union) so we can expose the human rights violations committed by the NPA (against the community),” said Mr. Morales. He added that key witnesses to the cases will be relatives of the victims whose rights were violated. At present, he added, police investigators are busy collating pieces of evidence, including conducting forensic examinations on bodies of the supposed victims of the armed group. Also last week, members of the police and military exhumed the remains of tribal leader Datu Salangan, who was buried beneath his house after NPA members reportedly stabbed and shot him to death. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

ARMM records P20-B investments in 2012-2018

December 25, 2018 | 5:47 pm

THE REGIONAL Board of Investments (RBOI) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) recorded P20.07 billion investments in the period 2012-2018. ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, in his state of the region address last Dec. 19, cited that more than 15,000 jobs were created through the entry of various companies. “In the span of seven years that we’ve been together, RBOI recorded over 20-billion investments that contributed to our region’s economy,” said Mr. Hataman, who was appointed in 2011, won the seat in the succeeding elections, and is stepping down in July next year. The RBOI, in its report for the regional address, said, “Since 2013 the RBOI has consistently been reaching its investment target set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and in fact, the agency has been exceeding the target set by DBM in achieving more than P1.0 billion registered investments every year since 2013.” The biggest investment at P1.016 billion came from ChocoInvest Corporation, a local firm that set up a cacao plantation project in Buldon, Maguindanao. Mr. Hataman also noted that the recorded investments since 2012 do not include the informal sector of micro, small and medium-scale enterprises. “This is aside from the SMEs and informal economy that started due to the region’s peace and security,” he said. ARMM’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth rate jumped from 0.4% in 2016 to 7.3% in 2017.

Nation at a Glance — (12/26/18)

December 25, 2018 | 5:47 pm

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Dashing through the store: Filipinos and last-minute Christmas shopping

December 23, 2018 | 12:53 am

Christmas is the jolliest time of the year. Parties and reunions are booked left and right, and one can’t help but be swept up in the spirit of spending time with loved ones.
But Christmas is also the busiest time of year. On top of cramming deliverables ahead of vacation leaves, one may find themselves left with little time for essential activities like Christmas shopping.
If this is a recurring theme during your holidays, you are not alone. A recent study by online voucher platform Picodi reveals that close to half of Filipinos wait till the last minute before scrambling to secure their holiday buys.

Late tidings we bring

When it comes to Christmas shopping, 43 percent of Filipinos buy their gifts in December, with only 7 percent starting as early as September.
Jean Chua, an advertising account manager and first-time Christmas shopper this year, attributes it to lack of time. “You’re going about your everyday routine, then next thing you know, it’s a week before Christmas already,” she said.
For others, they can’t help but wait for Christmas season because of the special circumstances that happen during this time. Vanya Peralta-Tantoco, a digital marketing and event specialist, waits for the seasonal cash bonuses to fund her shopping. Mall sales also encourage her to wait until the last-minute in the hopes of getting the most bang for her buck.

It’s the thought that counts

On the flip side of the coin are shoppers like Tricia Rivera, an English teacher, who starts purchasing gifts by October. By doing most of her buying online, she’s not only able to avoid the heavy crowds but also save up by buying over a stretch of time in online sales.
With so much extra time in her hands, she admits that she often flounders on the perfect presents for her loved ones. But to her, it’s better to put a lot of thought in them than none at all.
“Over the years, I learned how much people love personalized gifts… I want to give gifts I have carefully thought of and not bought just because the gift-giving will be in a few days,” she said.

Naughty or nice

Tricia says it’s always best to get a head start on Christmas shopping for a number of reasons. “You will have more time with family and friends instead of fussing over what gift to buy,” she said. “Also, buy gifts bit by bit so you get to enjoy more of your 13th month for yourself and your family.”
But for late shoppers like Jean, Vanya, and the nearly half of Filipinos that procrastinate in buying gifts, only time will tell if they can beat their 43 percent record next year.
“I will try to plan ahead and buy gifts little by little just so it’s not spent all at once,” said Vanya. “But sometimes it just happens. Maybe it’s part of the Christmas frenzy.”

Duterte: Let’s abolish the Road Board

December 21, 2018 | 8:45 pm

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte himself has said that he wants, and will support the move, to abolish the Road Board.
“I hate to say it but please, if it’s good for the people, good for the trust deposited on the people on government, let’s just go ahead and abolish it,” he said in a speech Friday evening at the Philippine Air Force (PAF) change of command ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
The President acknowledged that a “Constitutional crisis” could arise from the different positions of the two chambers of Congress on the matter, but he said he will side with the Senate.
“You know, there is a little bit of a ruckus there in Congress regarding the abolition or the continuance of the Road Users’ Tax. I believe that the Senate has decided the right thing and has stated that the Road Tax Board has been dismantled,” Mr. Duterte said, noting that this has been his position “since he assumed office” in 2016.
“I’ve always been wary about this office because it has been the milking cow of people who are government. Ever since I really questioned the existence of this office. it is nothing but a depository of money and for corruption,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo already said in a press briefing in Malacañang that the President will “most likely” sign the bill abolishing the Road Board even without the signature of House Speaker Gloria M. Arroyo.
“It (the bill) was received by the legislative liaison office… Still they (House of Representatives) can say, ‘but we did not sign it’, so there might be a legal question on whether or not that is, from the point of view of the law, is indeed an enrolled bill ready for signing. So maybe somebody will have to go to the courts,” Mr. Panelo said.
“If the President really wants to end this, he will sign it. And then they will go to the court. Those from the House may question it,” he added.
House bill No. 7436, which abolishes the Road Board, was adopted by the Senate last Sept 12, but was later rescinded by the House of Representatives on the same day.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III earlier said the matter has to be brought to the courts after the two chambers of Congress held different views as to whether the Road Board was considered abolished or not.
Ms. Arroyo, meanwhile, said she has yet to consult Mr. Duterte on the Road Board abolition issue.
“I have to consult the President on that,” the Speaker said earlier on Friday, before the President’s speech at the PAF event.
House Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. — who has been asserting that Mr. Duterte told him during a dinner in September that the policy direction is to reform, and not abolish, the Road Board — also released a statement Friday reiterating his claim and citing a letter of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III to Ms. Arroyo dated Sept. 20.
The letter outlined the priority tax measures of the Duterte administration.
“Sa sulat na iyon, malinaw ang gusto ng DoF: taasan ang registration fees ng mga motorsiklo, kotse, truck , jeep, SUV at lahat ng motor vehicles. ‘Ni walang pahapyaw na buwagin ang Road Board (In that letter, it is clear what the DoF wants: Increase the registrations fees of motorcycles, cars, trucks, jeeps, SUVs, and all motor vehicles. There is no hint whatsoever on abolishing the Road Board),” Mr. Andaya said.
In the letter, Mr. Dominguez requested the House committee on ways and means to pass the proposed reforms on tax amnesty, excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products, motor vehicle road user charge, capital income and financial taxes, and property valuation “in the following order.”
“We, in Congress, believed that Sec. Dominguez is speaking for the economic managers when he spelled out the government’s economic agenda,” Mr. Andaya said. — Camille A. Aguinaldo and Charmaine A. Tadalan

World Bank cuts Philippine growth forecasts on elevated inflation, budget reenactment, weak trade

December 21, 2018 | 7:41 pm

By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
Reporter
THE WORLD BANK cut its economic growth forecast for the Philippines as sustained high inflation, lower infrastructure disbursements next semester due to reenactment of the national budget and continued weakness of global trade offset the lift from spending related to the May 13, 2019 mid-term elections.
In a statement on Friday, the Washington, D.C-based multilateral lender said it expects Philippine gross domestic product growth to settle at 6.4% this year and 6.5% in 2019, compared to the 6.5% and 6.7% respective estimates it made in October.
“As part of its forecasting exercise, the World Bank has updated its growth projections for the Philippines to 6.4 percent in 2018 and 6.5 percent in 2019, to reflect recent economic trends,” the statement read.
“While persistent high inflation may temper private consumption growth in the fourth quarter of 2018, a moderation in inflation in following quarters is expected to boost consumer confidence and raise private consumption in 2019,” it added.
Inflation peaked at 6.7% in September and October which was the fastest pace in nine years, although the overall pace of price increases slowed to six percent in November and averaged 5.2% in the first 11 months. This is above the central bank’s 2-4% target and sits at the higher end of the government’s official 4.8-5.2% forecast average for this year. The government, however, sees inflation to ease further in 2019, within the 3-4% range.
The World Bank said that the forthcoming reenacted budget in 2019 would slow public spending at least for the first semester.
“Investment growth however maybe be tempered in the first half of 2019 due to the possible reenactment of the first-quarter 2019 budget following a delay in the budget approval process.”
The Senate has conceded that it will not be able to finish deliberations of the proposed 2019 General Appropriations Act before the end of the year, and expects the spending plan to be enacted in February instead. That will be followed, however, by the ban on public works before the May 13 elections.
Deliberations in the House of Representatives on the proposed 2019 budget were stalled for about two weeks in August over lawmakers’ opposition to the Executive’s shift to a national budget based on the limited spending capacities of departments and agencies. The chamber approved the spending plan on final reading on Nov. 20, leaving little time for the Senate to study it carefully. Already, lawmakers from both chambers have flagged allegedly irregular “insertions” in the budget.
Economic managers have warned that non-passage of a new budget for 2019 may cut economic growth by 1.1-2.3 percentage points, as it disallows the spending for new projects, if non-enactment were to last for a whole year.
“Moreover, global trade is expected to remain weak, thus dampening exports,” said the World Bank, which in earlier reports had blamed simmering trade tensions between United States and China.
However, election-related spending would support GDP growth in 2019, according to the multilateral lender. “Also, the mid-term election in May is also expected to strengthen consumption by temporarily raising employment and disposable incomes in early 2019.”
The statement quoted World Bank Senior Economist Rong Qian as saying: “A strong, consistent delivery of the infrastructure investment agenda while sustaining improvements in health, education and social protection will be key to maintaining the robust and inclusive growth outlook of the Philippines.”
The World Bank ended its statement by saying that “the Philippines remains one of the fast-growing economies in the East Asia and the Pacific Region”, the reduced growth forecast notwithstanding.
The World Bank’s forecast compares with the Asian Development Bank’s 6.4% and 6.7% estimates for 2018, and 2019, respectively, the International Monetary Fund’s 6.5% and 6.7%, and 6.7% from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for both years.

SEC clears Iloilo healthcare provider’s IPO plan

December 21, 2018 | 7:41 pm

An Iloilo City-based company that manages hospitals and healthcare facilities has secured approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to sell its shares through an initial public offering (IPO).
Allied Care Experts (Ace) Medical Center Iloilo, Inc. plans to sell 36,000 common shares at an offer price ranging from P25,500 to P40,000 each, or gross proceeds of up to P1.44 billion.
Based on documents released by the SEC on Friday, the IPO’s net proceeds — after taxes and fees — is expected at P956,927,865, the bulk of which or 40% is for construction of facilities at P382,771,146, with 30% going to medical equipment at P287,078,359.50.
Pre-operating expenses will corner 20%, with the rest shared by fees for architects and engineers, as well as hospital and office furniture and fixtures.
The IPO shares are equivalent to 3,600 blocks or 10 shares per block.
Ace Medical Center-Iloilo has registered a total of 240,000 common shares with the SEC, of which 203,400 are issued and outstanding and 600 the founder’s shares all at P1,000 apiece. The latter shares are not part of the public offering.
The company was established to maintain, operate, own and manage hospitals, medical and related healthcare facilities and businesses. These businesses include clinical laboratories, diagnostic centers, ambulatory clinics, condo hospitals, scientific research and allied undertakings and services.
Amado Manuel C. Enriquez Jr. is chairman of the board, while Ferjenel G. Biron is president and Amado M. Lavalle Jr. is vice-president of the La Paz, Iloilo City-based company.
In its prospectus, the company said it is its mission to set up a tertiary health care facility with an organized, systematic, cost-effective and holistic approach to its goal of providing the best quality and justifiable medical services to its clients and shareholders.
Upon construction, it will operate initially as a secondary hospital. It will then seek accreditation for residency training of its doctors and accomplish its purpose of setting up a tertiary hospital.
“It will operate a complete and world-class facility, manned by medical specialists who are competent and fully qualified in their line of work, and have equally efficient well motivated employees and management staff,” the company said in its prospectus.
The SEC memorandum on the the company’s IPO states that the major stockholders of the company are committed to fund the construction, development, pre-operations and start-up costs of the hospital. The company is backed with a credit line facility.
As of Nov. 30, the company’s hospital building was 75% constructed and estimated to be completed by July next year. The building is targeted to be inaugurated in September 2019. — Victor V. Saulon

PSE pursues Shenzhen tie-up

December 21, 2018 | 7:41 pm

THE PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE (PSE) has taken further steps to explore potential avenues for cooperation with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE), visiting that Chinese city late last month to learn about the Chinese bourse’s listing and disclosure regulations and other market-related functions.
PSE President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Monzon said in a statement on Friday that the visit was “a productive one for us as we gained valuable insights on the processes and technologies” of the SZSE.
“PSE and SZSE agreed to collaborate on market development initiatives in the near future,” the statement read.
The delegation from the Philippines visited SZSE on Nov. 29-30. Officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and of the PSE were joined in the visit by representatives of PSE subsidiaries Securities Clearing Corp. of the Philippines (SCCP) and Capital Markets Integrity Corp., as well as its affiliates Philippine Dealing Exchange Corp. and Philippine Depository Trust Corp.
Those involved in the meetings included SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino, SEC Commissioner Ephyro Luis B. Amatong, PSE President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Monzon, PSE Chief Operating Officer (COO) Roel A. Refran, SCCP COO Renee D. Rubio, China Securities Regulatory Commission Shenzhen Branch Deputy Commissioner Zuo Ding, SZSE Chairman Wu Lijun, SZSE Executive Vice-President Peng Ming; SZSE Vice-Chairman of Listed Company Regulatory Committee Fu Binghui; SZSE Vice-Chairman of Product and Participant Management Committee and Director of Membership Supervision Department Tang Rui and SZSE International Department Director Liu Fuzhong.
The statement said members of the Philippine delegation learned more about SZSE’s regulations, market services and connectivity, market data products, as well as trading, surveillance and clearing and depository systems.
The visit comes about a year after representatives of SZSE visited the PSE to explore potential areas for cooperation between the two exchanges.
The two signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009 to undertake sharing of information on various market-related matters.
In October 2017, Mr. Monzon announced that the PSE was wooing its counterpart in China to invest in the local stock market. The move was seen to set the stage for the creation of a Manila-Shenzhen trading link that could give Chinese investors access to shares listed in the Philippines and vice versa. — V. V. Saulon

UNHRC-WGAD refers De Lima case to 3 rapporteurs

December 21, 2018 | 7:40 pm

THE UNITED Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) has referred Senator Leila M. De Lima’s case to three special rapporteurs for investigation on her alleged unjust detention.
In a statement issued by Ms. De Lima’s camp on Friday, the formal referral of her case was part of the recommendations officially adopted by the UNHRC-WGAD in its opinion during its 82^nd session last Aug. 24 and published on Nov. 30
The UN Working Group referred the case to the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women Dubravka Simonovic, and UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Diego Garcia-Sayan.
According to the UN body, the case was referred to the special rapporteurs after it found sufficient grounds that Ms. De Lima’s rights were violated as a duly-elected senator and a human rights defender.
“The Working Group concludes that the violations of Ms. De Lima’s rights to a fair trial are of such gravity as to render her deprivation of liberty arbitrary,” the Opinion stated.
The office of Ms. De Lima also noted that the special rapporteurs will look into the alleged violations committed against the senator for her statements on extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, gender-discrimination against the senator, the violations of the senator’s rights for a fair trial.
Sought for comment, presidential spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the UNHRC-WGAD is already intruding into the sovereignty of the country.
“They have been saying that and we’ve been saying that the problem with you people is you’re listening to the critics of this administration… There is a process in this country and we follow that process. They are there because probable cause was found. That’s why information was filed against this accused,” Mr. Panelo said at a televised press briefing at the Palace on Friday. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Angkas asks Supreme Court to lift TRO

December 21, 2018 | 7:40 pm

MOTORCYCLE-HAILING firm Angkas asked the Supreme Court (SC) to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued last Dec. 7, which allows authorities to apprehend Angkas drivers.
In the petition filed Dec. 13 and released to the media on Thursday, Angkas claimed that the SC erred in issuing the TRO sought by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulation Board (LTFRB) as DOTr has already admitted that DBDOYC, Inc., the app provider of Angkas, is not within its jurisdiction.
Under Department Order (DO) No. 2015-11, DOTr recognized “pre-arranged transportation service using internet-based technology application or digital platform technology and that statutory law is yet to keep up with technological change.”
The DO also stated that a “Transport Network Company” is only required to get accreditation from the LTFRB “while waiting guidance from the legislature regarding regulation of the new industry and to promulgate the guidelines for their accreditation.”
Angkas also claimed that the LTFRB regulates public transportation services while the DBDOYC cannot be considered as public utilities or common carriers as the SC previously ruled that the determination whether one is a business of public utility depends on the nature of the service.
“DBDOYC is a software application provider and does not operate a transportation service,” the company said.
“Even the Angkas-accredited drivers are likewise not common carriers or public utilities as they do not hold out their services generally to the public and they may refuse at any time any legitimate demand for service,” it added.
It also pointed out that the TRO issued by the SC does not have definite period, which consequently means it serves as a preliminary injunction.
“(T)he restraining order thus effectively operates as a writ of preliminary injunction, which as stated may not be granted without prior notice and hearing,” Angkas said.
A preliminary injunction “may not be granted without hearing and prior notice to the adverse party” while a TRO is issued for matters of extreme urgency and is effective for 72 hours.
Angkas also claimed that the petition violated the hierarchy of courts for directly appealing to the SC the decision of a Mandaluyong regional trial court.
Although there are exceptions in defying the hierarchy of courts on the grounds of “special and important reasons clearly stated in the petition” and cases of national interest and of serious implications, the ride-hailing service claimed that the petitioners failed to justify in their complaint the jurisdiction of the high court.
“In short, by petitioners’ own presentation, there was no valid reason to skip the Court of Appeals in the hierarchy, much less forego the filing of a Motion for Reconsideration with the trial court,” Angkas said in the petition. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas