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Duterte’s net satisfaction remains “very good” in 4th quarter — SWS poll

THE NET satisfaction rating of President Rodrigo R. Duterte remained “very good” in the fourth quarter, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Friday.
Mr. Duterte’s net satisfaction rating of +60 in the last quarter of 2018 is six points higher than third quarter’s +54 rating in September.
The President’s 2018 annual average net satisfaction score to +54, five points below the average net +59 in 2017.
According to the SWS survey conducted from Dec. 16 to 19, 74% of Filipino adults were satisfied with the president’s performance, 11% were undecided, and 15% were dissatisfied.
In the December survey, Mr. Duterte saw a big increase in his Metro Manila rating, which went up 22 points to +58 in December from +36 in September.
The president’s rating in Balance Luzon only increased by three points (to +52 from +49) and 13 points in Visayas (to +62 from +49).
Even though it remained “excellent,” Mr. Duterte experienced a decline of four points in his homeland Mindanao to +73 in December from +77 in September.
His satisfaction rating in urban areas went “very good” (+64 in December, up by 22 points from +42 in September).
Although it remained “very good,” Mr. Duterte’s rating in rural areas dropped by five points to +57 in September from +62 in September.
Meanwhile, by class, the president’s rating among members of class ABC went up by 21 points to +62 in December from +41 in September. His net satisfaction rating also increased in the class E level to +65 in December from +45 in September.
Among class D respondents, his rating went up by two points to end at +58 in December from +56 in September.
Mr. Duterte’s rating also improved in all age groups, except among 45-54 year-olds, where his rating dropped by four points to +54 in December from +56 in September.
His rating remained “very good” in both sexes: +63 among men in December (from +55 in September) and +57 among women (compared to +53 in September).
The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,440 adults ages 18 years old and above: 360 each in Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. SWS used sampling error margins of ±2.6% for national percentages, and ±5% each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Arroyo acquitted of 2007 poll sabotage charges

A PASAY regional trial court (RTC) cleared former President and current House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of charges of electoral sabotage during the 2007 senatorial elections.
In a Dec. 17 ruling, the Pasay City RTC Branch 112 granted the demurrer to evidence filed by Ms. Arroyo.
“For failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt of accused Arroyo beyond reasonable doubt and moral certainty despite ample opportunity and even without evidence in favor of said accused, the Demurrer to Evidence is granted and the charge of ‘electoral sabotage’ against accused Arroyo is hereby dismissed,” the ruling penned by judge Jesus B. Mupas read.
The case stemmed from allegations that Ms. Arroyo, who was then president, instructed then Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. to ensure a 12-0 victory for her Tahanan Ekonomiya Aktibo at Magsasaka (TEAM) Unity senatorial ticket in Maguindanao during the 2007 polls.
Mr. Ampatuan then allegedly ordered Attorney Lintang Bedol and Provincial Administrator Norie Unas to tamper results of the elections. Mr. Unas is the case’s whistleblower and witness.
“In the case of accused Arroyo, there is no showing that she committed any overt acts towards the commission of electoral sabotage nor did she directly participate therein or even exerted moral ascendancy over her co-accused to commit the crime,” the court said.
“Judiciously examining the evidence, both documentary and testimonial, presented by the prosecution during the more or less seven (7) years that the present case has been undergoing trial, this court finds that the prosecution has failed to discharge its duty to prove the guilt of accused Arroyo beyond reasonable doubt, even in the absence of controverting evidence on the part of the accused,” it added.
The court also noted Mr. Unas’ testimony wasn’t the same as the 12 other witnesses in the case, saying that no one mentioned the name of Ms. Arroyo in relation to electoral sabotage.
“This alone is fatal to the case of prosecution,” the court said.
A P1 million bond posted for Ms. Arroyo’s provisional liberty was also ordered released by the Pasay RTC. — Gillian M. Cortez

Napoles appeals plunder conviction

BUSINESSWOMAN Janet L. Napoles on Friday appealed her conviction for plunder in connection with the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.
In a motion for reconsideration filed before the Sandiganbayan First Division, Ms. Napoles cited the recent acquittal of former Senator Ramon B. Revilla Jr. of plunder charges, saying this “necessarily negated the crime of plunder because there is no main plunderer who amassed the ill-gotten wealth.”
“With the acquittal of Revilla, there is no main plunderer, hence, there is no plunder. Therefore, as a necessary consequence, his co-accused must also be acquitted,” she said.
In the Dec. 7 decision of the Sandiganbayan, Mr. Revilla was acquitted of charges that he gained P224.5 million from the pork barrel scam. However, Mr. Revilla’s former chief-of-staff Richard A. Cambe and Ms. Napoles were sentenced to life imprisonment, having been found “guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
Ms. Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, said the anti-graft court’s decision did not identify the main plunderer between herself and Mr. Cambe. She also noted the crime should have been committed by a public officer for it to be considered plunder.
Ms. Napoles said Mr. Cambe cannot be accused as the main plunderer since the prosecution failed to prove that he took at least P50 million, the minimum amount for a crime to be considered plunder.
“The sole evidence of the prosecution shows that Cambe took only P13,935,000.00 which is way below the threshold of P50 million,” she said.
Ms. Napoles also noted the pork barrel scam whistleblowers and other state witnesses “are not credible enough to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”
“In fact, the admission of the other witnesses that they were coached by the prosecution to corborate the untruthful statements of Benhur Luy should render their testimonies of doubtful veracity,” Ms. Napoles said. — G.M.Cortez

Review of US-PHL defense treaty not influenced by other countries

REVIEWING the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) between the Philippines and the United States is not influenced by the interest of other countries, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said on Friday.
In a press briefing at the Malacañan Palace, the Department of National Defense (DND) chief said plans to review the decades old treaty is in the interest of national security.
“We’re going to approach this MDT in the backdrop of what’s happening in the area and our interest as a nation — not the interest of other nations but our interests,” he told reporters on Friday.
The MDT was signed back in 1951 by both representatives of the Philippines and the US as formality of both of the countries’ alliance during foreign attack.
Mr. Lorenzana said there is a need to reassess the treaty since this was issued during the Cold War.
“Do we still have a Cold War today? Is it still relevant to our security? Baka hindi na (Maybe not).”
The Defense Secretary said there are no concrete plans as of now on how the government will review the treaty, but he has ordered lawyers to look into it.
On the other hand, Mr. Lorenzana is also planning to ask legislators to look into the Commonwealth Act No. 1 or The National Defense Act signed back in 1935 and “convince them to amend it to align it with what’s happening now.”
“The National Defense Act is still the law being followed by the military up to now. 1935 pa yun, napakatagal na (It’s from 1935 [so] it’s a really long time already),” Mr. Lorenzana added.
The said law called for the creation of an independent army of the Philippines. — GMC

Comelec inks MoA with AFP, PNP

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (AFP) to ensure that the upcoming plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Ratification will be peaceful.
Present during the MoA signing were Comelec Comissioner Al A. Parreno, AFP Chief-of-Staff Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., and PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde.
Mr. Parreno said that the partnership is timely not only because of the upcoming BOL Plebiscite but also the upcoming midterm elections in May.
“In the future there will be many challenges ahead of us. First of which is the plebiscite which will happen on Jan. 21, 2019 and another plebiscite which will happen in Feb. 6 which is still part of the Bangsamoro plebiscite. The three agencies will be working together and then we will have the national and local elections,” the Comelec Commissioner stressed.
For his part, Mr. Albayalde said that the PNP will do their best to safeguard the people during the elections.
“For the part of the Philippine National Police, we can only ensure the that the Bangsamoro Organic Law Plebiscite and the national and local elections will be peaceful and safe,” he said. — G.M. Cortez

DTI to investigate surge in ceramic floor, wall tiles imports

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will conduct a preliminary investigation on the surge in imports of ceramic floor and wall tiles after domestic manufacturers said these excessive shipments are hurting the local market.
In a notice published in a newspaper on Dec. 28, DTI said it found a clear case that warrants the preliminary investigation into the imports of such products following an application from the Philippine ceramic floor and wall tiles industry for the initiation of safeguard measures.
DTI said the its evaluation of the evidence from the industry showed that the cost of imports alone was cheaper compared to selling price of local products. Weighted average landed cost of imports from major sources (China, Indonesia, and Vietnam) in 2017, or the average total expenditure for buying and shipping a product which includes costs like customs duties, currency conversion, insurance, etc., was lower by 3.27% than the average selling of domestic products, which can drive local competitors out of the market, and further prevent the entry of new ones.
In 2015, a price depression, the point when local producers decrease their selling price to compete with importers, as accounted at 5.56%. From then, local producers have not increased their prices.
The department noted in the notice that the “significant increase in the volume of imported ceramic floor and wall tiles preceded the serious injury to the industry from 2015 to 2017.”
For the period of 2013 to 2017, market share of domestic producers declined to 14% in 2017 from 96% in 2013. Bulk of the imports in 2017 came from China (85.25%) from only 3.76% in 2013, followed by Indonesia (6.84%), and Vietnam (3.2%), which was the top importer in 2013 accounting for 48.22%. Earnings before interest and taxes also declined by 203% in 2015 from 71% in 2013. On the other hand, percentage of imported cement significantly grew from 4% in 2013 to 88% in 2016.
All in all, the import trend for ceramic floor and wall tiles increased from 2013 to 2016, DTI found. Imports for 2017 were lower by 13% compared to the previous year, but were higher by 2,192% in 2014, which is the pre-surge level. Share of imports to domestic production reached 696% in 2016 from merely 4% in 2013. Although the 2017 share was lower by 96%, or was at 600%, this was higher by 572% in 2014.
The department also noted that these conditions show the market share of local products was displaced during the period as imports increased.
With this, DTI is encouraging interested parties to submit their comments and position on the matter. Submissions may be made to the Bureau of Import Services, or in the office of DTI in Makati City within five days from date of publication of the notice. — VMPG

Initial rollout of National Cyber Intelligence Platform seen next month

THE INITIAL STAGES of the National Cyber Intelligence Platform (NICP) are expected to be launched this January, according to an advisor of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
DICT cyber security on enabling technologies advisor Karla S. Cruz said on Thursday that the initial phase targets 10 government agencies that meet an initial digital readiness assessment.
“We cannot prevent threats. The goal of the NCIP is to be able to monitor both internal and external threats. But internal threats, we would really have to start within the government first, so within the first three months as the department is setting up the NCIP, the goal is to put together 10 of the priority agencies that we have identified,” Ms. Cruz said in a phone interview.
The 10 agencies are the Office of the President, Department of Finance, Department of Energy, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, DICT, National Security Council, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Transportation, and Presidential Communications Operations Office.
“This can change depending on the readiness of this agencies if they have a network security in place,” Ms. Cruz clarified.
Ms. Cruz noted that the country lacks highly skilled technology professionals, and the DICT is now working with the academe to provide people with skills to combat threats.
Ms. Cruz cited the Bangladesh bank cyber heist as an example, which affected the banking industry and the country as well.
“How they entered, how they attacked, was cyber, but the basic infrastructure of the country was affected, so when you look at that, it is not one country attacking one country as well. They are really stateless,” Ms. Cruz said.
She explained that the NCIP will help improve response time, and build defenses using gathered data even before an attack is felt with full force.
The NCIP, which is a centralized monitoring system, will be headed by DICT Assistant Secretary Allan S. Cabanlong.
“The government must strengthen policy, come up with comprehensive plans, and monitor implementation to build internal resilience, allowing us to become better allies, ensuring cooperation in cyberspace,” Mr. Cabanlong said in a statement.
The NCIP aims to build resilience for the country in the next five years, Ms. Cruz said, which includes being implemented in the national elections.
The NCIP is part of the Philippines National Cybersecurity Plan 2022. According to DICT, the plan’s primary goals are to assure continuous operations of the country’s critical infrastructures, public and military networks; implementing cyber resiliency measures to enhance ability to respond to threats before, during and after attacks; effective coordination with law enforcement agencies; and to build a cybersecurity educated community. — R.J.N. Ignacio

DoE monitoring oil firms’ compliance with excise tax implementation

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is monitoring oil firms to ensure the second round of excise taxes for petroleum slated for 2019 will only be imposed on new inventory.
“With the imposition of the additional excise taxes, we are stringently looking at the 2018 inventories of oil companies in order to protect consumers from unjust trading and profiteering once the second tranche is operationalized,” DoE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi was quoted as saying in a Thursday statement.
The DoE, together with the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Customs, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, set up a mechanism to monitor the remaining inventories of oil companies before the implementation of the P2/liter excise tax next year, he said.
“We are ready to implement the second tranche of TRAIN, which imposes additional excise taxes to various commodities like petroleum products by New Year,” Mr. Cusi said.
He also noted that not complying with this order will have corresponding penalties.
“The sale of old stocks, referring to the remaining balance of the inventory ending 31 December 2018, which was not covered by the second tranche of excise taxes should not be collected from the consumers. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the law — not only administrative penalties like closure of the establishment will be imposed, but also the criminal penalty of large scale estafa,” Mr. Cusi said.
On Dec. 4, President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved his economic managers’ recommendation to scrap his order to suspend the oil price hike.
This means the continued implementation of the second tranche of the oil excise tax — an additional P2/liter set in 2019. This is after a P2.50/liter levy implemented in January 2018. An additional tax of P1.5/liter will be imposed in 2020.
The government noted that several factors were considered in the decision to implement the tax next year, including easing inflation amid a steep decrease in oil prices. — VMPG

LT Group to restart Asian Alcohol operations

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
LT Group, Inc. (LTG) plans to revive the operations of its unit Asian Alcohol Corp., around eight years after the distillery temporarily halted its operations.
In a statement issued Friday, tycoon Lucio Tan, Sr.’s conglomerate said Asian Alcohol will begin its biofuel production as part of the company’s efforts to develop clean and renewable energy projects.
“Next year, Asian Alcohol will begin its biofuel production. Like Absolut Distillers, it will blaze new paths and return to its old glory,” LTG Director Lucio K. Tan, Jr. said in a statement.
Prior to the suspension of its operations, Asian Alcohol was the country’s second largest distillery. The company stands on a 10-hectare property with alcohol aging and wastewater treatment facilities capable of converting distillery waste into biogas energy for its power requirements. The facility had a daily rated capacity of 210,000 liters of quality ethyl alcohol back then.
The company expects Asian Alcohol to mirror the operations of Absolut Distillers, Inc. in Batangas, which has since generated over P880 million from its bioethanol operations starting in 2015.
At the same time, Absolut Distillers will be commissioning a six-effect evaporator to improve its wastewater treatment. The firm will further add a pot still distillery and a small mill.
UPBEAT ON TANDUAY
Meanwhile, Mr. Tan is also upbeat on the growth prospects of LTG’s other business units, particularly Tanduay Distillers, Inc. and Macroasia Corp.
Mr. Tan, who also serves as the president and chief operating officer of Tanduay Distillers, said he expects the firm to sell 20 million cases this year as it further expands in Luzon. The company is also exploring markets overseas.
“Tanduay will grow its assets to compete and be even more relevant in the liquor industry,” Mr. Tan said.
The executive also said they are preparing Macroasia to go “full blast” next year, citing its plans to expand to water. At present, Macroasia’s core business is in aviation support, where it provides aircraft maintenance, repairs and overhaul services, in-flight catering services, and airport ground handling services, among others.
“Macroasia is going full blast with our thrust to address the future of water…our Chairman (Lucio Tan Sr.) has already been building dams to complement the farmers with their harvest up north. We are now investing more on this valuable liquid,” Mr. Tan said.
Alongside the group’s expansion efforts, Mr. Tan also emphasized the need for more sustainable practices that will help diminish the impacts of climate change.
“Our thrust is to participate and develop clean and renewable energy projects for our sustainability…reduce our carbon footprint to underscore our commitment to help mitigate the effects of climate change. I believe this is incumbent upon us as a responsible corporate entity, where we can invest in technologies that will unravel economic opportunities for the group and our employees,” he said.
LTG delivered an attributable profit of P12.57 billion in the first nine months of 2018, almost double the P6.83 billion it posted in the same period a year ago. Gross revenues meanwhile stood at P54.47 billion, 16% higher year-on-year.
Shares in LTG dropped 0.84% or 14 centavos to close at P16.60 each at the stock exchange on Friday.

Semirara’s Victor Consunji passes away

SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) President and Chief Operating Officer Victor A. Consunji has passed away on Dec. 27, Thursday. He was 68 years old.
The country’s largest coal producer disclosed Mr. Consunji’s death to the stock exchange on Friday.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear and beloved Mr. Victor Almeda Consunji on December 27, 2018,” SMPC said.
“Under Mr. Consunji’s leadership, he was able to turn around the coal mining operations allowing the corporation to reach new heights paving the way for SMPC to become the only integrated power company in the country.”
With a degree in political science from the Ateneo de Davao University, Mr. Consunji has served as the vice chairman of SMPC’s board of directors since 2014. He was also president and chief operating officer of SEM-Calaca Power Corp. and Southwest Luzon Power Corp., as well as a director of SMPC’s parent firm, DMCI Holdings, Inc. at the time of his death.
Mr. Consunji is one of the seven children of the late David M. Consunji, who founded DMCI Holdings back in 1954.
In 2000, Mr. Consunji was in the news after he steered a private plane back to safety after its pilot suffered a heart attack mid-air.
The flight bound for Manila from Caticlan, Aklan, had gone down from an altitude of 3,000 feet before Mr. Consunji took control. Following the instructions of a pilot from a nearby plane who caught his emergency signals, the executive was able to land the aircraft off Laiya Beach in Batangas, saving two of his other companions in the flight.
Mr. Consunji’s wake is being held at the San Antonio Forbes Chapels. His remains will be interred at the Heritage Park in Taguig following a 2 p.m. mass at San Antonio Forbes on Dec. 30, Sunday. — Arra B. Francia

MPIC unit obtains P19-B loan for Cebu-Cordova bridge

A TOLLWAYS subsidiary of the Metro Pacific group sealed another loan deal this month to fund the construction of its bridge project in Cebu City.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) told the stock exchange on Friday its indirect subsidiary Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corp. (CCLEC) — which is part of its tollways unit Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) — signed a P19-billion, 15-year term loan facility to support the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEx).
“The loan is secured by a pledge over CCLEC shares and a security interest over certain assets of CCLEC. Proceeds of the loan will be used by CCLEC to fund the construction costs and other project costs of its toll road facility linking Cebu and Cordova with a cable-stayed bridge as part of the facility,” it said.
Last Friday, MPTC Chief Financial Officer Christopher Daniel C. Lizo told reporters the loan deal for CCLEx involved six local banks.
The total project cost of CCLEx is estimated at around P26 billion to P29 billion, including “indirect project costs.”
Commercial operations of the 8.5-kilometer, two-lane toll bridge is targeted to start in 2021. MPTC President Rodrigo E. Franco said in July a maximum of P89 toll fee is eyed at CCLEx.
Once operational, the bridge is expected to reduce travel time from Mactan to Cebu by half, with an initial traffic of 40,000 vehicles a day.
Last week, MPTC subsidiary MPCALA Holdings, Inc. signed a P24.2-billion loan agreement with a different set of lenders for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) project.
The six banks are BDO Unibank, Inc.; UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc.; Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC); Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI); Security Bank Corp., and Land Bank of the Philippines.
MPIC is one of the three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez

Maynilad gets ISO certification for business continuity

MAYNILAD Water Services, Inc., the private concessionaire for Metro Manila’s west zone, said it was given an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification in Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS).
The company said in a statement on Friday it was conferred the ISO 22301:2012 award by third party auditor and certification body TUV Rheinland Philippines.
“Attaining this ISO certification affirms that our operations can immediately recover from calamities, and that our BCMS is aligned with international best practices,” Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez said in the statement.
ISO 22301:2012 is defined in the ISO website as the ability of an institution or organization to “plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve a documented management system to protect against, reduce the likelihood of occurrence, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents when they arise.”
Maynilad said its ability to sustain and resume operations in times of calamity was acknowledged when it was granted the certification.
“It proves that Maynilad has an effective system in ensuring the sustained delivery and restoration of water service to customers during emergencies and calamity situations,” it said.
The operations of Maynilad covers areas in Manila, Quezon City, Makati City, Caloocan City, ParaÒaque City, Las Piñas City, Muntinlupa City, Valenzuela City, Navotas City and Malabon City. It also serves Cavite, Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez

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