Extended foreign buying propels PSEi closer to 8,000 as May ends

May 31, 2019 | 8:05 pm

LOCAL EQUITIES ended the month up for the fourth straight trading day and marked the second weekly climb, buoyed by foreign buying that pushed the main index closer to the 8,000 mark last seen on May 2.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 133.47 points or 1.7% to finish 7,970.02 on Friday — 2.88% higher than a week ago — while the all-shares index added 68.31 points or 1.41% to end at 4,890.37.

“Our index closed strong today due to big net foreign buying activity amounting to P734 million… This positive close may have been buoyed by the BSP’s statement that there will be more rate cuts this year which will likely bring down borrowing costs for companies with aggressive expansion plans,” Jervin S. de Celis, equity trader at the Timson Securities, Inc., said in a mobile phone message on Friday, referring to expectations that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will follow up its 25 basis point cut in benchmark interest rates last May 9 to continue rolling back a cumulative 175 bp increase fired off last year.

BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno had said last May 16 that monetary authorities will “closely look at how banks will use funds freed up” by the phased 200 bp reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cut that began on Friday with a 100 bp cut to 17%.

The 200 bp cut in big banks’ RRR is expected to unleash about P190 billion into the financial system, starting with some P95 billion on Friday.

A 200 bp cut in RRR of thrift banks and 100 bp for rural and cooperative banks are estimated to release an additional P22 billion.

“Proper use will encourage further cuts and speculation will do otherwise,” Mr. Diokno had said.

Foreigners were predominantly bullish for the second consecutive session, ending Friday with P734.415-million net buying that was nearly double Thursday’s P392.5 million.

“Philippine equities extended their winning streak to a fourth straight day, with the PSEi ending the week at 7,970.02, up 133.47 points or 1.7%, closing in on the major resistance at 8,000,” RCBC Securities, Inc. said in a Stock Market Weekend Recap authored by analyst Fiorenzo D. De Jesus.

“The 100bps cut in the reserve requirement effective today together with the BSP’s forecast that May 2019 inflation hit around 2.8-3.6% help sustain the market’s rally.”

FOREIGN BOURSES
Reuters reported on that Wall Street steadied on Thursday after a sell-off, with The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing 0.17%, the S&P 500 adding 0.21% and the Nasdaq Composite increasing by 0.27%.

Much of Asia was down on Friday: Japan’s Topix and Nikkei 225 by 1.29% and 1.63%, respectively; the Shanghai SE Composite by 0.24%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng by 0.79%, India’s S&P BSE Sensex by 0.30% and the MSCI Asia APEX 50 by 0.18%.

On the other hand, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.14%.

LOCAL SCENE
RCBC Securities noted that index heavyweights Ayala Land, Inc. (which increased by 2.7% to P49.50 apiece); SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (which climbed 2.05% to P39.80) and SM Investments Corp. (which added 1.4% to P942 each) “piled 49.56 points onto the market barometer”.

It also noted that “[o]nly five index names ended in negative territory”, namely: Globe Telecom, Inc. (-1.81% to P2,170 apiece); GT Capital Holdings, Inc. (-1.03% to P863), Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (-0.35% to P71.75); Megaworld Corp. (-0.34% to P5.90) and Security Bank Corp. (-0.17% to P175 each). “Investors may have taken profits on Megaworld after the counter hit a 52-week high yesterday,” RCBC Securities said on Friday.

All six sectoral indices increased on Friday: mining & oil by 256.18 points or 3.59% to 7,388.4, property by 96.57 points or 2.28% to 4,325.82, industrials by 195.93 points or 1.71% to 11,634.44, holding firms by 113.59 points or 1.52% to 7,577.31, services by 21.25 points or 1.27% to 1,683.12 and financials by 11.18 points or 0.65% to 1,728.59.

Stocks that gained outnumbered those that declined 105 to 72, while 52 others ended Friday flat.

Some 669.506 million shares worth P8.489 billion changed hands on Friday, compared to Thursday’s 694.774 million shares worth P6.569 billion. — with Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Duterte to Japanese businessmen on war with China: ‘My marines will be wiped out’

May 31, 2019 | 7:55 pm

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter

THE Philippines will not stand a chance in a war with China, President Rodrigo R. Duterte reiterated anew, but this time before an audience of Japanese businessmen on Friday.

“My country is very small, it has progressed a little, but I cannot afford a war with anybody, not only with China. The moment I send out my marines beyond six kilometers, they will all be wiped out,” President Duterte said in his speech at the 25^th International Conference on the Future of Asia in Japan.

The President was tackling the ongoing issue on the West Philippine Sea and the increasing presence of Chinese vessels in the Philippines’ economic zone.

The Department of Foreign Affairs previously said it had issued notes verbales, asserting the Philippines’ claim, but opposition lawmakers have urged the government to take a stronger stand.

Sought for comment, University of Santo Tomas political science professor Marlon M. Villarin said “I think the President does recognize the fact that war is inevitable, we must plan and be ready for it. For now let us all be reasonable in all our actions in dealing with WPS issues, it may escalate more serious problems to our national interest.”

“And that message also goes that, until we are militarily capable of fully asserting our territorial rights, diplomacy is the only option left to us in engaging China,” Mr. Villarin said in a mobile phone message, Friday.

Mr. Duterte also said, “If I get a chance to visit Beijing again, I’ll try to talk to President Xi Jinping.”

“I love China, it has helped us a bit, but it behooves upon us, is it right for a country to claim the whole of the ocean?”

He also proposed that a country that is not identified with the United States should reach out to China.

“Before anything else, it will do us well maybe on a higher ministerial level to talk about this and try to prod China,” he said. “But there has to be somebody not identified with any country that China does not like because there will never be a sort of America (and) China talking seriously about territories.”

Duterte slams climate change conferences

May 31, 2019 | 7:52 pm

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte, before an audience of Japanese businessmen on Friday, slammed the series of international climate-change conferences amid the continuing impact of that phenomenon.

“What ails the system now? What is this conference of climate change for? There is nobody, no entity to enforce the laws governing climate,” President Mr. Duterte said in impromptu remarks in his speech at the Nikkei 25^th International Conference on the Future of Asia in Japan.

He cited his “latest trip outside of the Philippines” when he posed the same question in a discussion with UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres. “Let’s stop kidding ourselves, or else we are just wasting the time and money of the people coming back and forth to this conference which has not improved (the climate-change situation).”

“What have we done from the first meeting to the last? None.”

He also recalled sacking members of his Cabinet for their frequent attendance in climate-change conferences abroad.

In the same speech, the President raised the need for all nations to comply to their obligations beyond their territories, as it affects developing countries, such as the Philippines, most.

“Vulnerabilities are not equally shared by all nations. Developing countries that have contributed the least to global warning, like my country, the Philippines, suffer the most, from its horrendous consequences with (the) water level rising….” he said.

He added: “Developing archipelagic nations, like the Philippines, however, measure our losses in terms of islands and the lives of our citizens.”

Abu Sayyaf kill Dutch captive amid military offensive

May 31, 2019 | 7:43 pm

DUTCH EWOLD Horn, a birdwatcher who was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf in 2012, was killed Friday morning by his captors in Patikul, Sulu, as he tried to escape amid the week-long intense offensive launched by the military against the bandit group, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) reported.

“Horn was shot by one of his guards when he tried to escape from the Abu Sayyaf during this morning’s gunfight,” Brig. Gen. Divino Rey C. Pabayo, Jr., commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu, said in a statement released by the WestMinCom.

Mr. Horn, the longest held captive of the militant group, was taken in the waters off Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi on February 1, 2012, along with Swiss Lorenzo Vinciguerra, a fellow birdwatcher.

During a military operation in December 2014, also in Patikul, Mr. Vinciguerra was rescued after he fought off his captors.

Mr. Pabayo said the Dutch man was being held by the group of Abu Sayyaf top leader Radullan Sahiron.

“Military troops established blockade and encountered Sahiron’s group, composed of 30 fighters at 7:41 a.m,… leading to more than an hour of gunfight that killed six bandits and wounded 12 more,” Mr. Pabayo said.

In the aftermath of the battle, soldiers recovered Mr. Horn’s body along with that of Mingayan Sahiron, the second wife of the Abu Sayyaf leader.

“We condemn the inhumane acts carried out by Abu Sayyaf members against their captives and the innocent in Sulu. They perpetrate violence without compunction and in blatant disregard for human life,” said Lt. Gen. Arnel B. Dela Vega, WestMinCom chief.

The military has launched relentless offensives in Patikul since last weekend after two children were killed and three other civilians were wounded in Barangay Igasan on May 25 when some 30 Abu Sayyaf members attacked their community.

Mr. Pabayo then said that the group, which has terrorist ties, was “enraged with the civilians for cooperating with” the military.

At least seven Abu Sayyaf members died and several others were wounded in clashes over the past week, according to the military. On the government side, several soldiers have been wounded.

Intensified operations against the Abu Sayyaf have been ongoing since late last year following troop reinforcement and an order from President Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose offer to “talk” in July was ignored by the militant group.

The military further stepped up offensives in late January this year after the cathedral twin bombings in Sulu’s capital, Jolo, with the perpetrators linked to the group.

Lacson to distribute in Senate resolution supporting Sotto

May 31, 2019 | 7:42 pm

A RESOLUTION will be circulated among senators to gauge support for Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III’s continuing leadership in the chamber in the 18^th Congress, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said Friday.

“Nag-draft ako ng resolution. Para magkaalaman sa kasamahan namin sino ang alanganin,” Mr. Lacson said in an interview with DzMM.(I drafted a resolution, so we would all know who among our colleagues do not fully support [Mr. Sotto].)

The pronouncement followed speculations of a possible leadership change in the Senate when the 18^th Congress opens on July 22.

“Ngayon may 1-2 na baguhang papasok na panay ang parinig may tinutulak na iba. E simple lang yan. Galing ka rin diyan. Mahanap ka 11 kasama kayong dalawa at sa iyo na. Kung wala kayong 13, ganoon lang kasimple,” Senator Lacson said. (There are one or two newcomers who are hinting that they’re supporting somebody else. It’s simple….If you two find 11 more, then [the leadership is all] yours. If you don’t have the 13 [votes], it’s that simple.)

Mr. Lacson said the draft resolution may also be signed by incoming senators who support Mr. Sotto.

Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, for his part, said in a mobile message to reporters: “We continue to support the leadership of Senate President Tito Sotto. We look up to his manner of managing the legislative work of the Senate, especially the way he works both sides of the aisle. He has always kept the spirit of fairness and collegiality in crafting laws.”

“The Senate as an institution will always be (an) independent constitutional body, contrary to some who fear otherwise, and no doubt the leadership of SP Sotto will maintain this independence in the 18^th Congress.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Comelec to review bidding procedures following Duterte’s remarks against Smartmatic

May 31, 2019 | 7:42 pm

By Charmaine A. Tadalan

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will review its procedures in awarding contracts to election technology providers, following President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s remarks Thursday night against Smartmatic.

“I would like to advise Comelec now… dispose of that Smartmatic and look for a new one that is free of fraud,” Mr. Duterte said in his speech during his meeting with the Filipino community in Japan.

He also proposed the government should do away with the public bidding requirement in securing contracts, which Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said the poll body will explore.

“Kami sa Comelec ay pag-aaralan namin ‘yan. Isa sa mga nabanggit ng Presidente ay tanggalin na ‘yung sistema ng bidding at magandang nabanggit niya ‘yan dahil isa itong pagkilala na ang Comelec… sumusunod sa rules on public bidding at ang Smartmatic ang nananalo sa bidding natin,” Mr. Jimenez said in a press briefing Friday. (We in Comelec will study this. The President proposed, among other things,that the bidding process be removed, and I think it’s good that he mentioned it, as it acknowledges that Comelec follows the rules on public bidding, and that Smartmatic won our bidding.)

“Kung matanggal ‘yung proseso ng bidding, matanggal ‘yung requirement for a public bidding, then maybe there’s something we can work with.” (If the bidding is removed, if that is no longer a requirement, then maybe there’s something we can work with.)

Mr. Jimenez also clarified that Comelec only awards the contract. “Walang hold ang Smartmatic sa Comelec kundi lamang sila nananalo sa bidding natin,” he said. (Smartmatic has no hold on the Comelec other than that it won the bidding.)

For his part, opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said in a statement the administration’s allies should be held accountable for violating election laws. he also flagged Malacannang’s releasing a “baseless” narco-list and Mr. Duterte’s threatening local politicians for not supporting his candidates.

Mr. Pangilinan also criticized the Comelec for having “named a party allied with the majority as the ‘dominant minority.’ This is contrary to our laws, common sense, and the spirit of democracy.”

Parojinog son convicted for illegal possession of drugs

May 31, 2019 | 7:41 pm

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

A QUEZON City court found Reynaldo E. Parojinog, Jr., the son of slain Ozamis City mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr., guilty beyond reasonable doubt for illegal possession of drugs.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 79 sentenced Mr. Parojinog to life imprisonment for violation of Section 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and ordered him to pay a fine of P500,000.

“(T)he prosecution was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that on July 30, 2017, the accused was in possession of more than 50 grams of shabu, a dangerous drugs,” Presiding Judge Nadine Jessica Corazon J. Fama wrote in the decision.

Mr. Parojinog was arrested along with his sister, Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental Vice-Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez, in a raid in their residence on July 30, 2017. Their father, Reynaldo Sr. was killed in the operation along with 11 others.

The court said the prosecution was able to establish all elements of illegal possession of dangerous drugs while Mr. Parojinog failed to present “convincing evidence to rebut his possession of the seized drugs” and that the pieces of evidence against him were tampered.

It also denied Mr. Parojinog’s claim that the drugs were just planted in his house.

“The denial of the accused cannot be given credence by the Court. The claim of the defense that the drugs found in the house of the accused were planted was unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence,” the court said.

Reynaldo Jr. also faces charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Chinese national, 16 others charged with drug trafficking

May 31, 2019 | 7:41 pm

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) filed a criminal complaint before the Department of Justice against a Chinese national and 16 others for the importation of P1.8 billion-worth of shabu discovered last March at the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

In a press statement, PDEA said it recommended the charging of violation of Section 4 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Importation of Dangerous Drugs) against Chinese national Xu Zhi Jian alias Jacky Co and 16 others.

“Documents and affidavits would show that the acts committed by the respondents have a vital connection to the chain of conspiracy, that without such acts, the unlawful importation would be unsuccessful,” PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino was quoted as saying.

“Filing the appropriate charges will serve as a warning to those individuals, especially to government employees, who extend assistance in drug trafficking,” Mr. Aquino said, adding that the PDEA strengthens its coordination with foreign countries to end the bulk smuggling of illegal drugs.

Officials and directors of Wealth Lotus Empire Corporation and Fortuneyield Cargo Services Corporation, the alleged consignees of the shipment, are also included in the complaint.

A joint operative of the PDEA and other government offices and MICP on March 22 resulted in the confiscation of 276,344.82 grams of shabu in MICP-Container Freight Station 3, following an information from their counterparts in Vietnam.

PDEA conducted backtracking investigation which showed that the illegal drugs were concealed using legally imported merchandise (plastic resins) to escape detection.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, in a privileged speech on May 29, also named Mr. Xu as the person behind the illegal drugs shipment.

According to the senator, Mr. Xu fled to Vietnam on April 3, soon after the seizure of the shipment.

For his part, Justice Secretary Menardo I Guevarra told reporters in a text message: “The DOJ will direct the NBI to conduct its own investigation of the subject illegal drug importation and, if evidence warrants, to file the appropriate complaint against the persons found responsible therefore.”

Mr. Guevarra also said the Chinese national has a pending case in China, according to the Consul General of China. “However, he is not in the Interpol watchlist, and this is certified by the Interpol NCB (National Central Bureau) Manila.”

Recalled envoys to reassume posts in Canada

May 31, 2019 | 7:40 pm

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday directed recalled ambassadors and consuls to return to Canada following the shipment of the waste containers.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. earlier recalled those officials after the Canadian government failed to meet the May 15 deadline on the shipment set by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“To our recalled posts, get your flights back. Thanks and sorry for the trouble you went through to drive home a point,” Secretary Locsin said in a social media post, Friday.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma reported the waste containers, which were loaded on MV Bavaria beginning Thursday afternoon, have been pulled out of the port, Friday.

“Finally, the containers of garbage transported from Canada and stored at the Subic Bay Freeport for several years now have been pulled out as of today, May 31, 2019,” Lawyer Eisma said in a statement, issued in her official Facebook page.

“A total of 69 garbage-laden containers — 67 of which have been in Subic for the past few years, and 2 recently brought in from Manila — were loaded onto MV Bavaria, a Liberian-flagged container ship commissioned to transport the containers back to Canada.”

The DFA reported the shipment was accomplished in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Embassy of Canada in the Philippines, and the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).

Mr. Locsin said the ICTSI waived all costs on land, while the Canadian government shouldered the shipment cost, amounting to P10 million.

This development resulted from President Duterte’s threat to wage war against Canada if the waste containers, which had been in the country for six years, remain in the Philippines.

OCD clarifies unused funds flagged by COA

May 31, 2019 | 7:40 pm

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the P36.91 million funds donated to victims of the 2017 Marawi Siege are with the OCD and “are not missing,” following a report from the Commission on Audit (COA) on the “poor utilization” of the funds.

In a statement, the OCD said it is using the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the “expeditious delivery of service” to the Marawi Siege victims.

“We would like to assure the public that the funds for the victims of the Marawi siege in the amount of 36.91 Million from various donors (are) still with the OCD and are not missing. The reason for the low utilization of the donated funds is that the OCD was instead utilizing its Quick Response Fund (QRF) to ensure expeditious delivery services to the victims of Marawi,” the OCD said in a statement.

According to the COA report, there is still a balance of P36,910,725.00 out of the P36,920,725.00 Marawi Siege donations received as of December 2018 as only P10,000 was utilized as financial assistance to one beneficiary of a dead victim.

“The poor utilization of the donated funds defeated the purpose of donation and that the good intention of the donors for human consideration was not fully served,” the COA said in its report.

The OCD said the P36.91 million donated funds in its custody “will form part of the funding source for projects that will be implemented for the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City.”

“We have initial utilization of said funds not reflected in the COA report which is the 1 (million) support to TFBM (Task Force Bangon Marawi) Field Office for their project during the Ramadan holiday on June 5,” OCD said.

“We are also in the process of identifying specific projects by any implementing agency which can be funded or augmented with the said donated funds,” it added.

OCD also said it has instructed its regional offices to assist in “every possible way” the victims of natural disasters and other hazards in the processing of the required documents to avail financial assistance, after the COA indicated in the report that the production of the required documents “could be very burdens for some of the victims” which could be one of the cause of low utilized funds.

It also said it provided the said financial support even pending the completion of the documents which are required from beneficiaries for liquidation of the Accountable Officers.

“The OCD adheres to the observation of the COA stated in its Annual Audit Report. Rest assured that the OCD shall continuously improve its processes and procedures in compliance to existing laws, rules, and regulation specifically in the proper management and utilization of funds,” OCD said.

War broke out in Marawi Ctiy after the terrorist Maute group attacked the city on May 23, 2017. President Rodrigo R. Duterte imposed martial law in Mindanao following the siege. Martial law remains after the liberation of Marawi on Oct. 17, 2017, and the killing of Maute leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.

JBC to interview 24 applicants for SC associate justice

May 31, 2019 | 7:38 pm

THE Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is set to interview 24 applicants vying for the position of Supreme Court associate justice to be vacated by Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo on his retirement on July 29.

Justices from the Court of Appeals (CA) dominated the list of applicants with 17 coming from the appellate court.

Scheduled for interview on June 21 are CA Justices Rodil V. Zalameda, Pablito A. Perez, Maria Filomena D. Singh and law professor Jeremy Benigno I. Gatdula.

CA Justices Elihu A. Ybañez, Oscar V. Badelles, Manuel M. Barrios, Ramon M. Bato, Jr., Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr., and Ramon A. Cruz are scheduled for interview on June 25. Also set for interview that day are Sandiganbayan Presiding Judge Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang and Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Lanee Cui-David.

Scheduled for interview on June 26 are CA Justices Stephen C. Cruz, Eduardo B. Peralta, Jr., Japar B. Dimaampao, Ramon R. Garcia, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Mario V. Lopez, Edgardo L. Delos Santos, and Ricardo R. Rosario, along with Sandiganbayan Justices Efren N. de la Cruz and Alex L. Quiroz, Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, and former Ateneo law dean Cesar L. Villanueva.

The public is given until June 11 to submit any sworn complaint, report, or opposition against the candidates.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte recently appointed CA Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting to fill in the vacancy left by now Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin when he was appointed to the top post, completing the 15-seat tribunal.

Ilocos region leads in mixed Q1 production of fruits, vegetables, root crops

May 31, 2019 | 7:37 pm

vegetable stall market — *PHILSTAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN*

By Vincent Mariel P. Galang, Reporter

PRODUCTION of major fruit crops, vegetables, and root crops recorded mixed results for the first quarter, according to data by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), with the Ilocos region leading vegetable production.

According to its Major Fruit Crops Quarterly Bulletin, production of banana went down 1.4% to 2.14 million metric tons (MT), with 37.1% from Davao Region, followed by Northern Mindanao (24.9%), and SOCCSKSARGEN (12.8%).

The Cavendish variety recorded the highest production of 1.2 million MT or 56.6% of total production. Saba was second with 25% of total production, and Lakatan with 8.9%.

Calamansi recorded a higher production by 0.6% to 14,950 MT. Calabarzon region recorded 2,960 MT or 19.8% of the total production, followed by MIMAROPA with 16.6%, and Central Luzon with 12.9%.

Mango production dropped 2.8% to 94,920 MT. Ilocos region was recorded to be the largest producer, contributing 54.6%, followed by Central Luzon (16.5%), and Western Visayas (6.8%).

The Carabao variety contributed the largest share with 77,250 MT.

Pineapple production also dropped 0.04% to 621,370 MT. Northern Mindanao was the highest producer, contributing 346,450 MT or 55.8% of total pineapple production. This is followed by SOCCSKSARGEN (34.7%) and Bicol Region (5.9%).

For major vegetables and root crops, mung bean production increased by 2.6% to 8,140 MT. Ilocos region was the top producer at 3,120 MT or 38.3% of the total production during the quarter. This is followed by Western Visayas with 22.6% of the total production and Central Luzon with 13.9% of the total production.

Peanut production decreased 0.5% to 12,250 MT. Ilocos region was the major producer with 7,450 MT, or 60.8% of total output, followed by Western Visayas with 8.3% share, and Northern Mindanao with 7% share.

Cabbage production increased 0.5% to 30,930 MT, with 78% or 24,130 MT from CAR, followed by Central Visayas and Ilocos region with 6.2% and 5.5%, respectively.

Eggplant production during the quarter also went up 1.9% to 80,530 MT. Ilocos region was the top producer with 31,240 MT or 38.8%, followed by Central Luzon with 20.5% and Calabarzon with 14.9%.

Tomato production increased 3.9% to 95,300 MT. Ilocos region was again the top producer, contributing 42,580 or 44.7%, followed by Central Luzon with 22.8% and Calabarzon with 8.9%.

Production of garlic decreased 5% to 6,490 MT. Ilocos Region was the highest producer with 4,820 MT or 74.3% share, followed by MIMAROPA with 19.4% share, and Cagayan Valley with 5% share.

Bermuda onion production also grew 29% to 125,990 MT, with 89.1% or 112,290 MT from Central Luzon, 6.4% from Cagayan Valley, and 2.3% from MIMAROPA region.

Production of native onion dipped 0.1% to 26,500 MT, with the Ilocos region accounting for 93.3% or 24,730 MT of total production, followed by Central Luzon with 6.5% share.

For sweet potato, production increased 1.3% to 112,300 MT. Bicol region was the top producer, with 21,660 MT or 19.3% share, followed by Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas with 12.2% and 12%, respectively.

Cassava production went down 5.6% to 514,230 MT. Northern Mindanao accounted for 33.6% or 172,850 MT, followed by ARMM with 19.4% and Cagayan Valley with 15.8%.