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Duterte told to prioritize Sea Lanes measure

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte should certify as urgent the passage of a bill that will designate areas in the South China Sea where foreign vessels can pass through, a Supreme Court magistrate said.

Justice Antonio T. Carpio said Congress should hasten the approval of the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Passage bill.

“The law can require foreign ships exercising the right to archipelagic sea lane passage to turn on their automatic identification system and for submarines to surface and show their flag,” the magistrate said. The bill, he added, has been pending in Congress for years.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a coastal state cannot require foreign vessels to have prior notification before their passage, Mr. Carpio said.

“We should make clear to our people, and to the world, that the West Philippine Sea refers to waters in the South China Sea over which the Philippines has sovereignty, sovereign rights or jurisdiction,” he said, referring to parts of the main waterway within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines will “shoo away” unauthorized foreign vessels including Chinese warships that pass through its waters and use military force if necessary, presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said this week.

He said Chinese warships have repeatedly entered Philippine waters without notifying authorities, in violation of international law.

“Either we get a compliance in a friendly manner or we enforce it in an unfriendly manner,” he said earlier.

The Armed Forces has said at least five Chinese warships had passed through the Sibutu Strait in Tawi-Tawi province in southern Philippines without notice.

Mr. Panelo said Mr. Duterte must decide whether to bring up the matter to Chinese President Xi Jinping when he visits Beijing later this month.

He said earlier Mr. Duterte was planning to invoke the July 2016 ruling of a United Nations arbitral court in The Hague that voided China’s claims with Taiwan to more than 80% of the South China Sea.

China rejected the decision of the international court, which has failed to halt its island-building activities in areas also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Also yesterday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. on Thursday said countries should respect international law, including those covering the sea.

Many states refuse to recognize or carry out “judicial or arbitral awards they lost fairly and legally,” he said in a speech.

Mr. Locsin has threatened to fire off diplomatic protests against China after the military said five Chinese warships had been spotted off Sibutu Strait. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Charmaine A. Tadalan

Senators buck Sanchez release; DoJ says case still being reviewed

SENATORS on Thursday opposed the early release of former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez, a convicted rapist and murderer, and urged authorities to review his qualifications.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon, the country’s justice secretary at the time of Mr. Sanchez’s conviction, said he was shocked when he heard about the plan for the convict’s release for good conduct.

The lawmaker said he would call for an investigation into the plan, noting that the former mayor had been caught twice hiding illegal drugs while inside the national jail.

“From the records it would appear that he has not changed at all, engaging in shabu distribution 10 years after he was convicted in 1995,” Mr. Drilon said.

In 2006, Mr. Sanchez was charged with illegal possession of drugs and four years later, he was caught again with P1.5 million worth of crystal meth hidden in a statue of the Virgin Mary, he told ABS-CBN News.

“He is charged with engaging in drug trading inside the Bilibid penitentiary and on that basis alone he cannot qualify to avail himself of the benefits under the law,” Mr. Drilon said.

He said the Senate inquiry would look into the possible abuse of a law that increased the time allowance for inmates’ good conduct.

Mr. Sanchez was convicted in 1995 for the rape and murder of two University of the Philippines students in 1993.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday said the convict might be released along with thousands of other inmates for good conduct. Their release cannot be appealed, he added.

The Supreme Court in June allowed the retroactive application of time allowance for inmates’ good conduct.

Senator M. Panfilo Lacson said the controversy should prompt amendments to the 2013 law that increased the good conduct time allowance.

Some crimes such as terrorism and rape with homicide should not be covered by early release, Mr. Lacson, a former policy chief, said in a statement.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said Mr. Sanchez should not be released from jail since he has yet to indemnify the victims’ families. He also said this should prompt lawmakers to consider reviving the death penalty.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said Mr. Sanchez was unqualified to have his jail term reduced because his supposed good conduct remains questionable.

“Sanchez has shown no signs of remorse and displayed no effort at improving himself in behavior or character inside the penitentiary,” she said in a statement.

But Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa said Mr. Sanchez deserves a second chance, citing how the former mayor has become “a changed man.”

Also yesterday, Mr. Guevarra said the Bureau of Corrections would still evaluate whether Mr. Sanchez, who was also convicted of murder for the 1991 killing of a father and his son, qualifies for an early release.

While inmates convicted of heinous crimes are not eligible for an early release for good conduct, there is no law that defines heinous crimes, he said in a mobile-phone message. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Chief justice selection extended to Sept. 2

THE SELECTION process for the country’s chief justice has been extended through Sept. 2, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said yesterday.

Four Supreme Court magistrates are vying for the top court position, whose application deadline was originally set for Aug. 20.

Justices Diosdado M. Peralta and Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, who will both retire in 2022, have accepted their automatic nomination. Justices Andres B. Reyes, Jr. and Jose C. Reyes, Jr. are also vying for the post that will be opened when Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin retires on Oct. 18.

Justices Antonio T. Carpio, Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen, and Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, on the other hand, have declined their nominations.

Mr. Carpio, appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is retiring on Oct. 18. He served for 18 years in the High Court and unsuccessfully applied for the position four times.

Mr. Leonen, an appointee of ex-President Benigno S.C. Aquino III, said his decision was the “right thing to do for myself, this court and this country.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Duterte lifts small-town lotto ban

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has lifted the ban on small-town lottery, with conditions, the presidential palace said on Thursday night.

Compliant franchise holders must make a three-month deposit while noncompliant ones must pay arrears, presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement. Franchise holders cannot sue.

Mr. Duterte on July 26 ordered the closure of all gaming operations under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for corruption. He lifted the suspension on lotto games on July 30.

The president on has said he might create an agency under his office that will award STL franchises to prevent corruption.

He cited allegations that some retired police generals own STL franchises and have not paid the government’s revenue share. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Yasay arrested by Manila police

FORMER Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. was arrested yesterday for allegedly violating banking laws, according to a post he made in his Facebook account.

Mr. Yasay, who also served as Securities and Exchange Commission chairman, posted a photo secretly taken by his wife while he was being processed for mugshots by Manila police.

A Manila trial court ordered his arrest “for criminal  charges that were allegedly committed by officials of Banco Filipino from 2003 to 2006,” according to his post. He added that he joined the shuttered bank in 2009.

Mr. Yasay was accused of conspiring with five other officials of the shuttered bank to get an anomalous loan worth P350 million for a company, according to a copy of a police report. They allegedly failed to report the loan to the central bank.

“I am not posting bail until I am brought before the judge where I will question this abuse of process and travesty of justice,” Mr. Yasay said.

Mr. Yasay headed the Securities and Exchange Commission under then President Fidel V. Ramos. He ran for vice president in 2010 and lost.

Mr. Yasay briefly served as President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s top diplomat before lawmakers rejected his appointment in 2017. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

8 Mindanao youth making a difference chosen for New Zealand training

By Maya M. Padillo, Correspondent

A COMMUNITY worker who assists women-traders in Tawi-Tawi, a volunteer who was part of the team that evacuated some 1,700 residents trapped during the Marawi siege, and a Davao City-based rugby coach to less-privileged children — they are among the eight young leaders from Mindanao who are off to New Zealand on Aug. 23 for a four-month leadership program.

The Mindanao Young Leaders Programme (MinYLP), with a P97-million funding from the New Zealand government over five years, is managed by charity organization UnionAID with International Alert Philippines, and the Victoria University of Wellington.

The MinYLP aims to give young leaders exposure to new ideas, develop their research and evaluation skills, and contribute further to peace and sustainable development initiatives in Mindanao communities.

“Poverty is one of the main problems in Tawi-Tawi. It is very rich in natural resources, we have abundant supply of fishes as well as bananas that we can use, manufacture items that we can export. But women traders don‘t have the skills to process these items… I am helping them through the help of International Alert,” said MinYLP scholar Sharifa Ain Abdulmajid Lipae, project officer of the Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women Association Inc.

In an interview during their send-off dinner Tuesday in Davao City, Ms. Lipae said their group helps develop the entrepreneurial and processing skills of women small-scale traders who ply maritime borders between the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

A native of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, she noted that cross-border trade is a lifeline and revenue source for conflict-affected and far-flung communities, which are not easily reached by government development programs and private investments.

Another scholar, Abubakar “Abs” De Juan Basman from Marawi City, said he plans to establish a youth early response network after he returns from the New Zealand program.

“Hopefully, the participants (of his project) will learn disaster management and conflict resolution, and also to get involved in preventing violence and conflicts,” said Mr. Basman, who was part of the White Helmets volunteer rescue group that saved some 1,700 lives by going into the battle zone during the Marawi siege in 2017.

In the aftermath of the siege, Mr. Basman helped in database management for the survivors and casualties, and continues to be engaged in the evacuation centers and temporary shelters.

“Ang problema namin sa (Our problem in the) province, not just in Marawi, but Lanao del Sur, hindi pa bukas sa isipan ng mga tao ang maging (people are not yet fully aware of being) disaster-ready,” he said.

His fellow scholar Hilton Lanuza Soberano, club manager of the Davao Durian Rugby Football Club, wants to strengthen the use of sports as a tool for grassroots development.

“Young and adults have an innate desire to play. Using sports now as a platform to involve different groups, nawawala ‘yung mga (we are able to break down) barriers and misconceptions of one tribe or religion,” he said.

Mr. Soberano said he plans to hold a Mindanao-wide caravan, especially in far-flung areas, to promote peace and economic growth by engaging people in sports.

The five other MinYLP scholars are: Alexis Yonson from Cagayan de Oro City, who works with indigenous people (IP) weavers, coffee producers, and entrepreneurs; Rohanie Ibra Amer from Marawi City, a development worker focusing on a gender-based violence project; journalist Malaya Genotiva from Davao City; ecologist and conservationist Ben Raye Marco from Pigcawayan in North Cotabato; and Sanny Priann Justo from Esperanza in Agusan del Sur, a teacher and Red Cross youth advisor.

“These are all leaders. When we did the selection process, we also wanted their commitment, that is why there is a special course in the program where they will be able to explore their particular interests in New Zealand. At the same time, they will have the opportunity to create their own proposal for the projects that they will implement here,” Diana Jean Moraleda, Senior Communications and Social Media Officer of International Alert Philippines said in an interview.

“The change projects are not compulsory, but optional when they come back and they will be provided with small grants,” she added.

Vicente T. Lao, New Zealand honorary consul to Mindanao and chair of the Mindanao Business Council, said the scholars will be able to learn best practices in New Zealand that they can adopt back home.

He noted that New Zealand itself has not been spared from terror-related incidents, citing the mosque shootings last March.

“One of the trips they will be having is a trip to Christchurch… after that (shooting) incident, there were conflict alleviation protocols that were put in place and we want our people to learn how that can be done because it might come in handy,” Mr. Lao said.

New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines David Strachan, who led the send-off ceremony for the scholars, said his country is “committed to do what it can to support peace and stability in Mindanao. We recognize the pivotal role youth will play as agents of change.”

He added, “This is historic because this is the inaugural batch of the Mindanao Youth Leadership Programme… as we speak now, this is probably the greatest opportunity to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for Mindanao.”

Storm Ineng, monsoon to bring rains in Luzon, Palawan, Mindoro

RAINS ARE expected in many parts of Luzon, including the capital Metro Manila, on Friday due to tropical storm Ineng and the southwest monsoon, according to weather bureau PAGASA. “Moderate to heavy rains may be experienced over Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Group of Islands), Ilocos Norte and Apayao. Light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains may prevail over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro Provinces, northern portions of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands), and the rest of Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley,” PAGASA said. As of the 5 p.m. Thursday bulletin, tropical cyclone wind signal #1 was up over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, northern Abra and Ilocos Norte. Ineng was still unlikely to make landfall in the country, but it is forecasted to further intensify into a sever tropical storm. As of 4:00 p.m. Thursday, the storm had maximum sustained winds of up to 75 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h. Typhoon Ineng is expected to be out of the Philippine area by Sunday.

Cebu, Bohol provinces tighten watch on entry of raw and processed pork

PHILSTAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE GOVERNORS of neighboring provinces Bohol and Cebu have issued directives to tighten watch on the entry of pork meat and processed pork products while the Department of Agriculture (DA) is determining the cause of unusual swine mortality in backyard farms in Luzon. Bohol Gov. Arthur C. Yap, a former DA chief, issued a memo to mayors and the Provincial Veterinarian on Aug. 20 ordering them to deploy personnel who will assist in port quarantine inspections. “Considering the hog industry in Bohol affects more than 30,000 households in 21 municipalities valued at more than P6 billion, we have to be proactive in ensuring the protection and sustainability of our local hog industry,” Mr. Yap said in a statement. He also communicated with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia to coordinate efforts. On Aug. 21, Ms. Garcia issued an executive order directing the members of the local African Swine Fever (ASF) committee to establish a larger ASF Task Force. Cebu is a net importer of pork, consuming 63 million kilos of pork per year, 15% more than what it produces. — with a report from The Freeman

Davao City council approves P1.474B supplemental budget

THE DAVAO City council approved this week the P1.474 billion supplemental budget proposed for various projects, including waste management and transport terminals for the high priority bus system (HPBS). This amount will augment the P8.8 billion annual budget approved for this year. City Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang, chair of the committee on appropriation, said the local government currently has a P2 billion available fund source from the budget surplus, appropriation revision, and loan proceeds. The solid waste management program will get P160 million while the HPBS has been allocated P100 million for the construction of two terminals, one each in the northern and southern parts of the city. The tourism sector is getting P70 million for promotional activities. City Tourism Operations Officer Regina Rosa D. Tecson earlier said the city government is in need of funds for immediate marketing initiatives, although what the industry requires for the long-term is a “comprehensive framework” that will become a “bible… in crafting its programs.” About P31.75 million of the supplemental budget will be spent for the annual bonuses of the city’s 2,585 regular employees. “Qualified employees will get as much as 60% bonus… depending on their performance,” said Mr. Dayanghirang, noting that the national government has allowed local government units to provide performance-based bonuses. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

Nationwide round-up

DoH says Dengvaxia ban stays, but Sanofi can reapply for new registration


THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Thursday reiterated its position supporting the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) revocation of the certificate of product registration (CPR) for the Dengvaxia vaccine amid calls to lift the ban. In a statement, DoH said it stands by the December 2018 FDA order for Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. to surrender the original CPRs for Dengvaxia MD and Dengvaxia. Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said their decision is based on Sanofi’s noncompliance with post-marketing document submissions, and not a question of the vaccine’s efficacy. “The Department of Health is committed to strong and strict implementation of our health laws and regulations. We know how critical this is to our efforts to rebuild public trust and confidence in our public health programs and in vaccines that have long been proven effective,” he said. The DoH said they have already notified Sanofi officials that the company can reapply for a new CPR, “faithfully complying with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations.” — Gillian M. Cortez

Witnesses point to KAPA members behind Kidapawan journalist’s murder

THE PRESIDENTIAL Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) on Thursday presented two main witnesses against at least 10 members of the Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. (KAPA), who are allegedly behind the killing of Brigada News anchor Eduardo Dizon of Kidapawan City. One of the two witnesses, according to PTFoMS Executive Director Joel Sy Egco, is among the suspects. “We have two witnesses with us: Renato Sardoncillo and Hilario Lape, Jr., who acted as the spotter during the actual shooting. The suspects, based on our witnesses’ affidavits are KAPA members who are also media people themselves,” Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar said. “The reason why they are here is to assure them of government protection as they are being subjected to intimidation or other forms of threat by the suspects who, based on our information, are influential people in their province,” he added. Madona Dizon, wife of the victim, said the testimonies of the witnesses strengthen her family’s case against KAPA members. Ms. Dizon said before her husband’s murder, they were already receiving threats from the group. KAPA, whose license has been revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission, is under investigation and several of its officers are facing charges for operating an alleged investment scam. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Nation at a Glance — (08/23/19)

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

Nation at a Glance

Cabinet draws up legislative priorities

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
Reporter

REFORMS opening up the Philippines to more foreign investments and increasing its competitiveness against Southeast Asian rivals lead the economic cluster’s legislative agenda for the first regular session of the 18th Congress, a Cabinet official said on Wednesday.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said the six government clusters were asked to identify their respective legislative agenda, based on level of priority and urgency, legislative stage and “political acceptance,” among other criteria.

“What we did… meron kaming (we had a) matrix, meron kaming high level of priority, high level of urgency, in advanced legislative stage, high political acceptance, ease of passage, presence of a consensus bill or administration measure,” he said in a media forum in Manila.

“I think that was the basis for us to classify kung sa’n namin aim na maipasa, kung sa (which measures we wanted passed in the) first regular session, second regular session or third.”

The economic cluster is pushing the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (CITIRA), which will reduce the rate of this levy gradually to 20% by 2029 from 30%, the highest in Southeast Asia, and remove redundant fiscal incentives.

Also among bills targeted for approval in this session, which ends on June 5 next year, were the proposed amendment to Republic Act No. 7042, or the Foreign Investments Act of 1991, to remove restrictions on foreigners from practicing their profession in the Philippines; to the 82-year-old Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the Public Service Act, which will lift foreign ownership limits in utilities; and RA 8762, or the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, which will reduce the required minimum paid-up capital for foreign entrants to the country’s retail sector.

Mr. Nograles also cited amendments to RA 1405, Bank Secrecy Law, initially to allow authorities to verify asset declarations of tax amnesty applicants but also as a measure against corruption and crime; the increase in excise tax on alcohol products as well as the proposed “Pondo Para sa Pagbabago” Act and Access to Data Transmission Act.

The participatory governance cluster, meanwhile, moved for passage of the Budget Modernization bill, the fifth round of government salary standardization and the Freedom of Information bill.

Other Cabinet clusters cited amendments to RA 9372, or the Human Security Act of 2007; creation of the Department of Disaster and Resilience and the Department of Water; and establishment of a Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund.

The full council meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), which is tasked to harmonize the legislative agenda of the Executive branch and Congress, may be pushed to September in light of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s visit to China in the last week of August.

“We hoped to schedule it dapat this month… August, baka September na lang,” Mr. Nograles said.

LEDAC held its last meeting in September 2017.

The council, as provided by Republic Act No. 7640, is chaired by the President and includes among its members the Vice-President, the Speaker, seven Cabinet members designated by the President, three senators designated by the Senate President, three members of the House designated by the Speaker, as well as a representative each from local government, the youth and the private sectors.

The leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate will meet on Aug. 27 to prepare for the full LEDAC to hammer out a common legislative agenda. That meeting will have as participants Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon and Finance committee chair Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, on the part of the Senate. The House will be represented by Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano (Taguig City-1st district), Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte (Camarines Sur 2nd district), Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (Leyte 1st district), Minority Leader Bienvenido M. Abante Jr. (Manila 6th district), Appropriations committee chairman Isidro T. Ungab (Davao City 3rd district) and Ways and Means chair Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda (Albay 2nd district).

Mr. Salceda on Aug. 5 said the House, for its part, will prioritize the proposed increase in excise tax on alcohol products, Public Service Act amendments, establishment of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, proposed CITIRA, and establishment of Malasakit Centers on top of the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020.

The Senate has yet to set a legislative agenda, but Mr. Sotto on July 22 had said among the chamber’s priorities were also amendments to the Human Security Act, Public Service Act and Foreign Investments Act of 1991.

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