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Peso recovers against dollar on ‘slightly better’ trade data

peso bills
THE PESO is expected to trade between P51.90 and P52.10 today. — PHILSTAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE PESO recovered against the dollar on Tuesday following the resumption of trade talks between the United States and China as well as the country’s “slightly better” December trade data.
The local unit closed Tuesday’s session at P52.075 versus the greenback, stronger than the P52.11 finish last Monday.
The peso opened the session weaker at P52.185 per dollar, slipping to as low as P52.27 intraday. Meanwhile, it rebounded to close at its best showing for the day.
Trading volume picked up to $1.165 billion from the $1.14 billion that switched hands the previous day.
A foreign exchange trader said the peso traded mixed yesterday, as it weakened in the morning session only to bounce back.
“We saw some retracement for the dollar. It rallied overnight, but it retreated during Asia time,” the trader said in a phone interview.
Another trader said the peso said the local unit strengthened “on news of resumption of trade talks between the US and China.”
Negotiators from the US and China are meeting again in Beijing later this week to strike a trade deal before the March 1 deadline.
Preparatory talks were held ahead of the arrival Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
“The peso appreciated on… the upbeat Philippine trade report,” the trader noted in an e-mail.
The country’s trade deficit stood at $3.752 billion, narrowing from the $3.972 billion recorded a year ago, as imports and exports declined year-on-year by 9.4% and 12.3%, respectively.
For 2018, the trade balance posted a record-high $41.44 billion deficit, from the $27.38 billion in 2017 and $26.702 billion in 2016.
“We had a slightly better trade balance on the back of falling imports. We saw a positive peso after that, but when it came out, it was pretty much ignored,” the first trader added.
For today, the second trader expects the peso to trade between P51.90 and P52.10, while the other gave a P51.90-P52.30 range. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Bourse falls further towards 8,000 on profit taking

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
THE BOURSE ended lower for the third straight trading day on Tuesday, falling below the 8,000 mark for the first time in seven sessions before clawing back just above that line as investors went on another round of profit taking, opting for second-liners instead of blue chips.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) retreated 0.64% or 51.62 points to close at 8,009.92 yesterday, while the broader all-shares index dropped 0.69% or 34.07 points to 4,858.41.
“The PSEi continues to trade sideways as second-liners and speculative issues take the spotlight and are heavily traded by investors,” Eagle Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun said in an e-mail.
“The main index was barely able to hang on to the 8,000 key level after trading below it earlier in the day,” Mr. Mangun added.
“Blue chips remain in the back seat while we saw several speculative issues ended the day at their respective ceiling prices.”
Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez noted that the index succumbed to another round of profit taking, as investors looked for new catalysts to prop up sentiment. “With the PSEi already showing signs of weakness with its intraday dip below the 8,000 mark in the afternoon, watch out if the level will continue to hold for the rest of the week,” Mr. Perez said via e-mail.
Services were the lone sectoral index that eked out gains, adding 0.16% or 2.59 points to 1,604.70.
The rest declined: industrials by 1.24% or 144.27 points to 11,474.13; mining and oil by 0.93% or 80.36 points to 8,527.97; holding firms by 0.74% or 60.19 points to 7,982.35; property by 0.63% or 25.71 points to 4,006.39; and financials by 0.26% or 4.88 points to 1,828.19.
Some 2.74 billion shares worth P7.24 billion switched hands, compared to Monday’s 3.37 billion worth P6 billion.
Investors abroad remained predominantly bullish for the 18th straight session, driving net foreign buying up threefold to P260.34 million from Monday’s P82.14 million.
Stocks that dropped swamped those that gained, 124 to 86, while 46 others ended flat.
Tuesday’s list of 20 most active stocks showed those that lost narrowly outnumbering those that gained.
Those that ended with gains include Asiabest Group International, Inc. (up 9.35%); Alliance Global Group, Inc. (up 2.44%); International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (up 1.92%) and Wilcon Depot, Inc. (up 1.78%). “Overseas funds picked up ICTSI (P348-million net foreign buying) the most as the counter benefited from a 1.52% upweight in the MSCI Philippines index,” RCBC Securities, Inc. said in a Stock Market Daily Recap attributed to analyst Fiorenzo D. de Jesus.
Those that lost included Xurpas, Inc. (down 11.74%); Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp. (down 4.76%); GT Capital Holdings, Inc. (down 1.83%); and SM Investments Corp. (down 1.4%).

Senatorial candidates kick off election campaign

SENATORIAL candidates under Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) kicked off their election campaign in Pampanga on Tuesday, while the opposition Liberal Party’s eight candidates under the Otso Diretso banner began their stumping in Caloocan City, a hotspot in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s drug war.
Ms. Carpio herself led the caravan in Pampanga where President Duterte had a landslide victory in the 2016 presidential election, as cited by a representative of the province, Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Noong nakaraang halalan, pinakamalaking landslide na nakuha ni Mayor Rodrigo Duterte sa labas ng kanyang baluarte, walang iba kundi sa probinsya ng Pampanga,” Ms. Arroyo said at the rally there, Tuesday. (In the last election, then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte won his biggest landslide in Pampanga).
Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Francis N. Tolentino and Kathrina Yu-Pimentel, representing her husband, reelectionist Senator Aquilino L. Pimentel III, spoke of needed reforms in behalf of labor.
Reelectionist Senator Cynthia A. Villar and journalist Jiggy Manicad pushed for agricultural development, while reelectionist Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito spoke about infrastructure and transportation development. Also seeking reelection is Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara.
Deputy Speaker Pia S. Cayetano of the 2nd district of Taguig City spoke of vaccine hesitancy, amid the continuing Dengvaxia scare. Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos said she will push for the suspension or reduction of the value-added tax, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence T. Go echoed President Duterte’s program of government.
“Galit si Pangulo sa droga, galit din po ako sa droga,” Mr. Go said. “Galit si Pangulo sa kriminal, galit din po ako sa kriminal.” (The President hates drugs, I also hate drugs. The President hates criminals, I also hate criminals).
Representative Zajid G. Mangudadatu of the 2nd district of Maguindanao and former Philippine National Police chief Ronald M. dela Rosa said they will push for peace and order as well as the welfare of the youth.
Former senators Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” E. Estrada, both tagged in the mutli-billion pork-barrel scam, recalled their bonding during their detention from that scandal.
ROXAS NO-SHOW
The LP’s Otso Diretso slate, on the other hand, is composed of reelectionist Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV, former senator and interior secretary Manuel A. Roxas II, Magdalo Party-List Representative Gary C. Alejano, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel I. Diokno, civic leader Samira A. Gutoc, former solicitor-general Florin T. Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal, and former Quezon representative Lorenzo R. Tañada III.
Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, the opposition slate’s campaign manager and LP president, said they chose to begin their campaign in Caloocan City because the cities in Metro Manila traditionally voted opposition candidates during the midterm elections. Caloocan City Rep. Edgar R. Erice is also an LP stalwart. Caloocan City has about 648,000 registered voters according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The opposition’s slate is set to hold its proclamation rally on Wednesday in Naga City, the hometown of Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo.
Mr. Roxas was not present at the kick-off campaign in Caloocan City. Mr. Erice, his campaign manager, explained that it was Mr. Roxas’s tradition to start his campaign in Capiz, his hometown.
“It is important now that we have listened and we are informed of the real needs of the Filipino family, it’s time that we give back to the people, present to them our plans, and hopefully establish an independent Senate,” Mr. Aquino said.
Mr. Alejano said he will pursue security policies that will assert the Philippines’ rights in the West Philippine Sea as well as strengthen the country’s Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Mr. Diokno said he aims to reform the justice system as a legislator, adding that his past experiences to defend human rights before the courts were no longer enough because of the flawed justice system.
Ms. Gutoc said for her part, “The unexplained delayed Marawi rehabilitation, the unexplained distance of government in the provinces is what I’m bringing in my 21-year stay in Mindanao.”
Mr. Hilbay said he will bring to the Senate the perspective of ordinary Filipinos. Mr. Macalintal said he will push for policies that would expand the benefits of senior citizens.
In a statement, Mr. Tañada said he will continue to champion the rights of workers, farmers and fisherfolk.
The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) started its campaign in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. The party’s bets, reelectionist Senator Nancy S. Binay-Angeles and lawyer Dan Roleda, were joined by former senator Juan F. Ponce Enrile and reelectionist Senators Juan Edgardo M. Angara and Joseph Victor G. Ejercito. The province has around 1.6 million registered voters, according to the Comelec.
In a statement, Ms. Binay-Angeles said she would continue to pursue tourism development as well as her advocacy for women, children and senior citizens if reelected.
Meanwhile, Senator Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares, who is running as an independent candidate, started her campaign in Payatas, Quezon City, where she held a feeding program for children. Quezon City has around 1.1 million registered voters.
She told reporters that she chose to start her campaign through a school feeding program because the children served as her constant reminder of why she was seeking re-election. She said her legislative agenda would remain the passage of the freedom of information bill.
Ms. Poe has been alternating with Ms. Villar as front-runners in the senatorial polls.
LABOR ISSUES, HOTSPOTS
Also on Tuesday, Defend Jobs Philippines launched #LaborVote2019. “In the upcoming May 2019 senatorial and local elections, Filipino workers will be as empowered and more intelligent voters as ever,” Defend Jobs Spokesperson Christian Lloyd Magsoy said.
In a statement on Tuesday, Defend Jobs said by March, “they are set to release the result of their study on the track record and stance on 10 key labor issues including endo (end of contractualization), wage increase, occupational health and safety, right to self-organization, trade union repression, child labor, migration, tax and high prices, and poverty alleviation.”
The advocacy coalition is also set to release a list of “pro-labor candidates,” and will be holding a series of town hall-type assemblies.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified 701 election hotspots as campaign period starts for the midterm elections on May.
“[The] latest validated information of election watchlist of areas identified a total of 701 election hotspots that comprise 42.9% of the 1,634 cities and municipalities across the country,” PNP chief Director General Oscar D. Albayalde said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday.
Of the 701 election hotspots, the data of PNP noted 223 election areas of concern (Yellow Category), 382 election areas of immediate concern (Orange Category), 94 election areas of grave concern (Red Category) and two election areas under the control of the Commission on Elections.
PNP said 27 areas of grave concern or under Red category were identified in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 19 in the Bicol Region, seven each in Calabarzon and Western Mindanao, six each in Mimaropa and Western Visayas, five in Northern Mindanao, four each in SOCCSKSARGEN and Cordillera, three in Eastern Visayas, two each in Central Luzon and Davao region, and one each in Caraga and Cagayan Valley region.
There are no Red Areas in NCR and the Ilocos region.
For his part, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr. said government troops will be on the lookout for rebels involved in a “permit to campaign fee” scheme.
“Inaano natin sa mga tropa, maging, on the lookout especially for extortionists. Ang maganda rito ngayon may mga areas na nag-declare na nga ng persona non grata ang NPA [New People’s Army], so itong mga lugar na ‘to, definitely hindi na talaga makapag-extort itong NPA terrorists na ito,” Mr. Madrigal told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday. (I’m reminding our troops to be on the lookout for extortionists. Fortunately, there were already areas which declared NPA members as persona non grata. With that, they cannot extort money anymore in those areas.) — reports by Charmaine A. Tadalan, Camille A. Aguinaldo, Vince Angelo C. Ferreras, and Gillian M. Cortez

Abu Sayyaf suspect arrested in Manila

AN ABU SAYYAF Group (ASG) member wanted for kidnapping and illegal detention was arrested by the police on Sunday morning at Ermita, Manila.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) presented on Tuesday Abdurahman Daiyung, alias Biznar Salabudin or Abu Talha, who was arrested at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday. The warrant for his arrest was issued by Presiding Judge Leo Jay T. Principe of the Regional Trial Court of Basilan, Ninth Judicial Region, Branch 1.
NCRPO chief Director Guillermo T. Eleazar said Mr. Daiyung had been in Manila for the past few months, keeping in touch with other alleged members of the terror group.
Mr. Eleazar said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday, “Nagtatago siya and sa ngayon (Mr. Daiyung had been in hiding and for now), he’s been here for just few months. He is a welder at na-monitor natin na umiikot at pumupunta siya sa ibang mga kasamahan niya rito.” (We monitored him going around and visiting other [Abu Sayyaf] members here).
Mr. Daiyung was one of the ASG members, led by Isnilon Hapilon, behind the June 11, 2001, kidnapping of 15 employees of the Golden Harvest Plantation in Lantawan, Basilan. A hostage who had been freed positively identified the suspect and filed an affidavit against him.
The PNP also said Mr. Daiyung was involved in a bombing incident in Kidapawan City on Oct. 10, 2002. Seven were killed 24 were injured in that attack.
Mr. Eleazar said, “Probably merong supporters at sympathizers [Probably there are supporters and sympathizers of the Abu Sayyaf Group]. But we’d like to tell the public, kung itatanong natin kung meron na-imo-monitor na credible or validated info as to their plan of staging terror activities, wala tayong ganon (we are monitoring and there are no such plans).”
“Pero hindi natin pwedeng i-discount ‘yung possibility na nagpa-plano sila ng ganun,” the NCRPO chief added. (But we cannot discount the possibility of such a terror plot). — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Jee Ick-Joo murder witness ordered freed

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter
A PAMPANGA COURT granted a petition of a police officer who is a state witness in the October 2016 kidnap and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo to be released from the restrictive custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group.
In the two-page order dated Jan. 30, Judge Irin Zenaida S. Buan of Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 56 ruled that Senior Police Officer (SPO) 4 Roy L. Villegas has finished his testimony and fulfilled his duty as state witness.
“The testimony of state witness Villegas, there is no more valid reason to recall his discharge, thus effects of his discharge should be given effect,” the judge said.
Ms. Buan also junked the argument of accused SPO3 Ricky M. Sta. Isabel and Jerry A. Omlang who opposed the motion of Mr. Villegas, claiming that his discharge is not yet final due to a pending petition before the Court of Appeals against it.
The RTC cited the Section 7, Rule 65 of the Rules of Court which “clearly mandates that the pendency of a petition for certiorari will not interrupt the course of the main case unless a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction is issued by the appellate court.”
Mr. Jee was abducted along with his househelp Marisa Morquicho from his home in Angeles City on Oct. 18, 2016, in an alleged anti-drug operation. Ms. Morquicho was released but the Korean national was killed right at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, and his cremated remains were reportedly flushed in a toilet.
Mr. Villegas was initially charged with kidnapping along with Superintendent Rafael Dumlao III, Messrs. Sta. Isabel, and Omlang, and funeral homeowner Gerardo G. Santiago.
RTC Branch 58 in January 2018 granted the petition of the Department of Justice (DoJ) to turn Mr. Villegas state witness, saying that “while he directly participated in the execution stage, he had no direct participation in the actual killing of Jee Ick-joo.”
Mr. Villegas was the one who tagged Mr. Dumlao, former PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group head, as the mastermind in Mr. Jee’s murder, together with Messrs. Sta. Isabel and Omlang and several others.

Palace reviewing legality of 2 firms’ deal in passport production

MALACAÑANG ON Tuesday said it is currently reviewing the legality of the joint venture agreement between APO Production Unit, Inc. (APUI) and United Graphic Expression Corporation (UGEC) on passport production.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said his office has already received a copy of the joint venture contract.
“We are still evaluating whether it contravenes the intent of the law, because according to — there are some lawyers who are saying that the joint venture, puwede (is allowed),” he said.
He added that their assessment so far points to the need for the submission of other documents such as the “original contract between the foreign corporation that was handling it before it was taken over from it.”
In a social media post on Jan. 12, former Foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. said that in 2015, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) awarded — “without bidding on condition that no part of the contract can be subcontracted or assigned to a private printer” — the operation of the electronic passport system to state-run APUI, an attached agency of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
“In stark violation of that condition, APUI engaged the services of the United Graphic Expression Corporation for the production of the new E-passports,” Mr. Yasay said, adding that the contract to APUI was awarded even amid a still “subsisting” contract from 2006 between the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Francois-Charles Oberthur Fiduciare (FCOF).
Mr. Yasay also said that on Feb. 10, 2017, Mr. Panelo, as chief presidential legal counsel, “determined that the assignment of the passport printing services to UGEC was illegal and demanded that all rights over all the personal data, source code, data center and other information relating to the performance of the E-passports printing services unlawfully subcontracted to UGEC be reconveyed to the DFA or be acknowledged to be exclusively owned and controlled by the DFA.”
Mr. Panelo explained that his previous opinion on the matter was not conclusive because it was based on incomplete documents.
“The documents were incomplete, so I could not give a conclusive opinion on the matter…. So we’ve been asking them to give us all the documents relative to that matter,” he said in a briefing on Jan. 14. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Assault charge, deportation recommended vs Chinese who threw taho at cop

THE MANDALUYONG City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended the filing of a direct assault charge against a 23-year old Chinese national who threw a soy bean curd drink (taho) to a police officer last Feb. 9.
In the inquest resolution dated Feb. 11, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Leynard O. Dumlao said the action of Zhang Jiale against complainant Police Officer 1 William L. Cristobal “is considered a deliberate and serious defiance to a police officer who was performing his duties at that time.”
“It is offensive both by legal and moral norm considering that there was no provocation on the part of the police officers. Simply put, respondent’s unwarranted act is an abrasive affront against officer in uniform representing a national institution,” the resolution read.
The complaint for disobedience to an agent of a person in authority was dismissed as it was considered a necessary consequence of an assault while the unjust vexation complaint was deemed absorbed in direct assault.
The resolution was approved by City Prosecutor Bernabe Augustus C. Solis.
DEPORTATION
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Legal Division has also recommended the filing of a deportation case.
“Our Legal Team saw that there was probable cause to file a deportation case against her. The BI can file a case motu proprio, especially since there are photos showing what happened,” BI spokesperson Krizia Dana M. Sandoval.
BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente for his part said, “This is an utter display of disobedience and arrogance against a person of authority. The Bureau will not tolerate such acts, as this shows disrespect to the country.”
Ms. Zhang threw a cup of taho at Mr. Cristobal at the MRT 3-Boni Station after being scolded for bringing the drink despite the ban on liquids at train stations.
She became viral online after photos, and later a video, of the incident circulated on social media.
Ms. Sandoval also said that Ms. Zhang, who reportedly arrived in Manila on October 2018 under a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa, will automatically be placed under the BI’s watchlist. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

P90 million worth of shabu

The Bureau of Customs–Port of NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) turn over on Feb. 12 to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) a shipment of the illegal substance shabu estimated to be worth P90 million. The intercepted shipment was declared as muffler parts sent from West Covina, California, USA. PDEA is now preparing to file charges against the consignee and his cohorts.

Kennon Road to be opened for light vehicles going up to Baguio City

KENNON ROAD, which has been under rehabilitation and repairs, will be temporarily opened on Feb. 14-18 and Feb. 22-March 4, but only for lights vehicles and just for the direction going up to Baguio City, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced yesterday. Light vehicles covered are those with a maximum weight of five tons, as recommended by the Kennon Road Task Force. The temporary opening of the road is intended to help ease the expected traffic congestion as people flock to the mountain city for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming and Panagbenga Festival. “The DPWH-CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) and other members of Kennon Road Task Force have agreed to open Kennon Road just for motorists going to Baguio. Those leaving Baguio can then utilize Marcos Highway, Naguilian Road or the Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual-Tubao Road,” DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said in a statement. Residents could be granted access to Kennon Road if they have submitted their vehicles’ plate numbers, to be included in the list of exemptions endorsed by their respective barangay chairman to Mayor Ignacio R. Rivera of the town of Tuba in Benguet province.

2 indicted in Trece Martires VM’s murder

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) indicted two individuals, including the alleged gunman, in the slay of Trece Martires Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan, according to DoJ spokesperson and Undersecretary Markk L. Perete. In a text message to reporters, Mr. Perete said the complaint over Mr. Lubigan’s death was resolved last week, citing the National Prosecution Service. Indicted were alleged gunman Ariel F. Paiton for two counts of murder and Councilor Lawrence “Umbe” Arca of Maragondon as accessory to the crime. Accessories are those who have knowledge of the crime without participating in the commission of the crime itself. Mr. Perete, however, said the complaint against Luis V. Abad, Jr., Mayor Melandres de Sagun, and Rhonel Bersamina were dismissed. Mr. Lubigan, together with his driver Romulo Guillemer, were shot inside his vehicle on July 7, 2018. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Another Abu Sayyaf member surrenders in Sulu

A MEMBER of the Abu Sayyaf, described by the military as a follower of the militant group’s top leader Radulan Sahiron, surrendered and turned over his weapon on Feb. 10, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) reported on Tuesday. Sixty year-old Basari Sali surrendered to the troops of the Philippine Marine Ready Force Sulu and gave them his Grand rifle. “The intensive efforts and dedication of the government troops, particularly the Fleet-Marine forces in Sulu, led to the surrender of Sali and the recovery of a loose firearm,” said Rear Admiral Rene V. Medina, commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao. Government forces have been pursuing the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of Sulu, with operations intensified in the aftermath of the church bombing in Jolo, Sulu’s capital, last Jan. 27. The Abu Sayyaf has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the twin bombings. Lieutenant General Arnel B. Dela Vega, WestMinCom commander, said, “With the escalated offensives and the pursuit of remaining terrorists, we anticipate that more Abu Sayyaf militants will be convinced to abandon the group and surrender to the troops in Sulu.” He added, “Nevertheless, our heightened operations will continue to crush the militants and suppress terrorism in the province.”

Final tally on plebiscite for new Bangsamoro areas postponed anew

THE NATIONAL Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC) postponed yet again its session in the final tabulation and proclamation of results on the Feb. 6 North Cotabato and Lanao Del Norte plebiscite. During its session on Tuesday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sheriff A. Abas said the session will be resumed on Wednesday. “With reports from the working group, it is clear we cannot finish the tabulation and the audit today. We will declare a recess and reconvene tomorrow at 2 p.m.,” he said. Six municipalities in Lanao Del Norte and 67 villages in seven municipalities of North Cotabato were involved in the Feb. 6 plebiscite for inclusion to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The seven North Cotabato Municipalities are Aleosan, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan, Tulunan, and Pikit. As of this reporting, the certificate of canvass of votes (COCVs) for the municipality of Cabacan, Pigkawayan, and Midsayap are pending with the audit group. Only Pikit was already set for tabulation. Aleosan, Carmen, and Tulunan are the only municipalities so far whose votes have already been declared canvassed by the NPBOC with no corrections in their COCVs. The COCVs of Lanao Del Norte have also been deemed canvassed but a “formal error” was detected in the number of registered voters stated in the COCVs and the number of registered voters listed in the summary of statement of votes (SOV). NPBOC said this error does not affect the outcome of the canvassed votes. — Gillian M. Cortez

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