Sandiganbayan drops charges vs. accused in Morong 43 case

July 19, 2019 | 7:34 pm

THE Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has dismissed the charges filed by a group of health workers known as the “Morong 43” against seven military and police officers who allegedly detained and tortured them in Morong, Rizal in 2010.

The court granted the demurrer to evidence filed by military officials Jorge Segovia, Aurelio Baladad, Brigadier Joselito Reyes, Cristobal Zaragoza, and police officials Jovily Cabading, Marion Balonglong, and Allan Nobleza.

“Hence, the court finds the evidence adduced by the prosecution insufficient to sustain indictment or to support a verdict of guilt thus, warranting the dismissal of the herein cases,” the anti-graft court said in a resolution dated July 1.

The accused were charged with violating Republic Act No. 7438 or “An Act Defining Certain Rights of Person Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation as well as the Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers.”

The complainants were Jane Balleta, Samson Castillo, Mercy Castro, Dr. Merry Mia Clamor, Gary Liberal, Reynaldo Macabenta, Dr. Alexis Montes, Ma. Teresa Quinawayan.

The charges were filed by the medical workers who said that they were illegally arrested, detained, and tortured by uniformed men following a Feb. 6, 2010 raid on a farm house in Morong, Rizal where they were conducting a medical training session.

The law enforcement agencies, on the other hand, alleged that the 43 persons arrested were members of the communist New People’s Army and were, instead, training for handling explosives.

“The testimonies of the complaining witnesses failed to show accused’s participation in an alleged conspiracy. Conspiracy must, like the crime itself, be proven beyond reasonable doubt. Suppositions based on mere presumptions and not on solid facts do not constitute proof beyond reasonable doubt,” said the resolution. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

SC will look into Duterte’s complaint on TROs

July 19, 2019 | 7:33 pm

SUPREME Court (SC) Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin said the High Court will look into which particular incident triggered President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s complaint about judges issuing Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) on government infrastructure projects.

In an interview with reporters on Friday, Mr. Bersamin said “I do not know which incident the president might have been referring to. The court administrator is addressing this. I am sure of that.”

Earlier this week, Mr. Duterte said in an interview with the The Daily Tribune that he will investigate judges who release TROs on government infrastructure projects. He was also quoted as saying some judges also easily approve plea bargains in cases related to drug charges.

Mr. Bersamin added that trial court judges are well aware that the issuance of TROs on national infrastructure projects is prohibited and that they should observe this prohibition

“We have a standing order to all the trial judges and other courts to be self restrained in the issuance of TROs and they have to be mindful that we have a law really that bans the issuance of TROs and injunctive orders as far as national infrastructure projects are concerned,” he said.

Administrative Circular No. 07-99 states that issuing a TRO on cases that involve the implementation of national infrastructure projects is banned. The Circular was issued in 1999 as a directive by then President Joseph E. Estrada who asked the SC to follow the Presidential Decree 1818.

On Thursday, the SC said in a statement that all judges must practice caution and judiciousness when issuing TROs and writs of preliminary injunctions by reminding them to follow the 1999 Administrative Circular and the succeeding circulars that reinforce it. — Gillian M. Cortez

Duterte promises Customs officials due process

July 19, 2019 | 7:32 pm

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday met with “several” officials and employees of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) whom he had placed on floating status for alleged corruption.

“The Office of the President confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte met with several officials and employees of the Bureau of Customs today here at the Malacañan Palace,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement he issued late Thursday.

Mr. Panelo said the President told the Customs employees and officials during the meeting that they will be given their day in court, consistent with due process.

“Administrative charges over allegations of corrupt practices in office will be filed against them before the Office of the Ombudsman, unless they opt to resign, and the prosecutors will ask for their immediate suspension,” the spokesman said.

Mr. Duterte, the spokesman also said “that [President Duterte] would not begrudge them if they would avail of legal remedies to question their removal from office.”

“The President has been forthright in telling these customs officials and employees that corruption has no place under his watch,” he added.

Mr. Duterte also thanked the Customs officials and employees for accepting his invitation to meet him at the Palace, which according to him, showed they still have respect for him, Mr. Panelo noted.

But pending the filing of cases, they shall be on “floating status without authority to act on official matters,” the Palace official said.

“Let this serve as a reminder to all those officials or employees in the government that they cannot escape liability or accountability for their acts of corruption under the Duterte administration,” he said.

On July 11, the president had said that he would be axing 64 ranking officials of the Bureau of Customs due to their involvement in corruption. He made the announcement in a speech after the official signing of a $1.3-billion loan agreement for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project at the Malacañan Palace.

“I will be dismissing 64 Customs employees. In the meantime, I want them to report here in Malacañang,” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Supreme Court launches its own app

July 19, 2019 | 7:30 pm

THE Supreme Court (SC) has launched its namesake app with the aim of increasing the public’s access to data on courts and lawyers. This is part of the judiciary’s effort to keep up to date with technology.

On Friday, the High Court formally launched the Supreme Court Philippines App, designed to be used on mobile devices and tablets. This is the SC’s latest dive into technological innovation after it launched the SC E-Library last month and revamped its website.

Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin said during the app’s launch that the SC App, “will seamlessly connect the public to data on the courts and lawyers.”

The SC App will contain the following features which are meant to be useful to the public, especially to students and lawyers: a court locator, a lawyers list, Judiciary Memorabilia which contains information on the history of the High Court, and the SC Directory which contains contact information for the offices and departments it handles.

SC Public Information Chief Brian Keith F. Hosaka said that even if the app had just been released, they are already eyeing different ways to improve it. One of the features being planned is the inclusion of the SC E-Library in the app, so court decisions can be easily accessed.

“As early as now, there are updates and improvements being planned for the SC App. One of which is to improve information by showing if the lawyer is suspended from the practice law due to administrative sanctions… and one very important upgrade is the inclusion of the E-Library,” he said during the launch. — Gillian M. Cortez

No charges to be filed against Estrada — DILG

July 19, 2019 | 7:26 pm

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Friday that there is no need to file charges against former Manila City mayor Joseph E. Estrada for allegedly not turning over official city government documents to his successor, Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagaso.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said that the agency’s investigation showed that Mr. Estrada’s team had turned over the documents to the DILG Manila Office, which were then submitted to the new administration on July 2.

“Our DILG Manila Field Office reviewed and validated the transition documents and the same were forwarded to the Office of the City Administrator Felixberto Espiritu, copy furnished the Office of the City Mayor on July 2, 2019,” said Mr. Malaya in a statement.

Mr. Estrada did not attend the turn-over ceremony on June 28 at the Quirino Grandstand.

Mr. Malaya noted that despite the absence of the former city mayor, the former city administrator had endorsed the transition documents to DILG City Director Rolynne Javier in the afternoon of the same day after the staff of the incoming Secretary to the Mayor refused to receive the documents.

“The turnover ceremony is just ceremonial to symbolize the transition of power from an outgoing official to the next. Even if there is no formal ceremony or even if Estrada failed to attend the turnover rites, what’s important is that the transition documents are intact and are now in the possession of Mayor Isko’s team,” said Mr. Malaya.

The DILG has earlier issued Memorandum Circular No. 2019-39 which requires the creation of Local Governance Transition Teams to ensure smooth leadership and management transition. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Inflation eases in Q2, seen slowing further

July 19, 2019 | 7:16 pm

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) said inflation settled at the midpoint of its target band in the second quarter, driven by improved domestic food supply conditions.

Inflation is also seen easing further in the coming months to fall within the government’s target for the year, with the effect of the mild El Niño phenomenon not expected to be a huge risk to prices.

Headline inflation eased to three percent in the April-June period, coming from the 3.8% recorded in the previous quarter and settling within the 2-4% target band. This brought domestic inflation to settle at 3.4% in the first half of the year.

In a press conference on Friday, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said lower price increases in the second quarter was driven by reduced food inflation brought by improved domestic food supply conditions.

“In particular, rice prices declined with the ongoing harvest season and the continued arrival of imports,” Mr. Dakila said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed on Feb. 14 the rice tariffication law, which seeks to liberalize importation of the staple by replacing quantitative restrictions on rice imports with levies: 5% for rice coming from within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); 40% for imports within the 350,000 metric-ton minimum access volume (MAV), regardless of country; and 180% for above-MAV imports from non-ASEAN countries.

Apart from rice, the BSP said other large-weighted food items such as meat, fish as well as milk, cheese and eggs also contributed to the slowdown of food inflation.

“Lower food prices in turn offset the impact of higher fuel prices,” Mr. Dakila added.

Energy prices climbed in the second quarter amid tighter supply concerns, with Dubai crude oil prices went up 6.1% on average in the April-June period.

“This was brought about by several developments including the strong compliance of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and selected non-OPEC countries to their agreement to reduce supply,” the BSP said.

Core inflation — which strips volatile food and energy items in the consumer basket — slowed to 3.4% in the second quarter, coming from the 3.9% in the previous quarter.

INFLATION TO CONTINUE EASING
Looking ahead, the BSP expects inflation to “continue to ease,” expecting it to settle within its 2-4% target band until 2020.

“Inflation is projected to decelerate close to the low end of the target range in Q3 2019 before settling close to the midpoint of the target over the medium term,” the central bank said.

The BSP added that risks to the inflation outlook are “broadly balanced” for 2019 and 2020, as higher electricity rates, transport fare adjustments, proposed reforms in the excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and cigarettes and prolonged El Niño episode stand as “main upside risks.”

On the other hand, downside risks include slower global economic growth due to protectionist policies between US and China as well as geopolitical tensions.

Dennis D. Lapid, BSP Monetary Policy Sub-Sector officer-in-charge, said the central bank does not see the “mild” El Niño episode as a “huge” risk.

“It (El Niño) might be a little better now because we’ve liberalized the trade regime for rice. So you’ll now see response from the private sector kung magka-shortage ng (if there will be a shortage in) domestic supply,” Mr. Lapid told reporters on Friday.

He added that the dry spell can last until the end of the year, prompting the BSP to look at its effect on inflation until next year.

“So you have much drier period in the first, early part of 2020 and heading into the summer months. So that could also impact on 2020,” Mr. Lapid said.

During its June 20 monetary policy meeting, the central bank revised its inflation forecast for this year to 2.7% from the 2.9% expected in May and to 3% from 3.1% for 2020, on the back of likely lower global oil prices and the peso’s appreciation. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

CoA notes irregularities in PAGCOR school building project

July 19, 2019 | 7:15 pm

THE Commission on Audit (CoA) has flagged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) for the poor implementation of a P12-billion school building project dubbed as “Matuwid Na Daan Sa Silid Aralan.”

According to the annual audit report, only 6,471 classrooms were completed and the remaining 457 classrooms were still either under construction or at procurement and planning stage.

“Verification disclosed that there were 457 classrooms with total project cost of P714.496 million, or 6.6 percent of the total 6,928 classrooms set to be finished as of December 31, 2017 that are still incomplete based on the Monitoring Report dated January 31, 2019,” said COA.

“Likewise, there was no written agreement for extension of the construction of these classrooms between PAGCOR and the implementing agencies,” it added.

State auditors also noted that there were anomalies in the construction of 211 classrooms with a project cost of P393.450 million.

The report showed some of these classrooms were not yet completed but reported as 100% complete in status report. There were also non-existent school buildings included in the record and cases where construction has not yet started but public bidding was already conducted prior months ago and where construction was already abandoned.

The auditing agency said PAGCOR commented that it will “conduct necessary investigation to determine whether the implementing agencies were remiss or negligent in the implementation of the project and initiate sanctions, if warranted.”

CoA added that P1.189 billion funds released to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) remained unliquidated as of Dec. 31.

In the report, state auditors said DepEd has yet to respond to the demand for the return for the remaining unused funds of P441 million. Meanwhile, the DPWH already signified its intention to return the unused P747.669 million in funds.

However, CoA said the DPWH requested from PAGCOR “the approval of additional requirements needed to complete those classrooms that are still under/on-going construction.” — V.A.C. Ferreras

Duty Free to open Go Lokal’s Marahuyo store in Pasay

July 19, 2019 | 7:12 pm

DUTY FREE Philippines Corp. (DFP) is set to open the first local high-end store of Go Lokal called Marahuyo before the end of the year in the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.

In a statement on Friday, the state-led agency said Marahuyo will be a 50-square meter (sq.m.) concept store that will feature local high-end brands. This will be located within the Duty Free Luxe in the complex and cater mostly to foreign and Filipino travelers abd overseas Filipino workers.

The initial batch of suppliers went through product testing by the Department of Trade and Industry to make sure all products meet its quality standards, but more brands can still be added.

The brands include Aranaz (handbags), Earl Carlo Gariando Enterprises (clutch bags made of bass), Quiddity (handcrafted leather bags), Helena Alegre Jewelry (scriptural and fabricated Jewelry), and Joanique (fashion accessories), Maria Angelica Rare Finds (antique accessories), Arnel Papa (fashion jewelry), Mele + Marie (handbags), Adante Leyesa (fashion accessories), Joyce Makitalo (fashion jewelry), and Ann Ong (fashion jewelry).

“The rich cultural diversity of the Philippines is expressed in these crafts which differentiate us other destinations elsewhere in the world. When customers buy our local brands, we are not just exporting a product, but more importantly, we are exporting our culture,” DFP Chief Operating Officer Vicente Pelagio A. Angala said in a statement.

“Our challenge is for us getting our products in the market for wider consumer, that is why we are thankful to Duty Free Philippines for giving us a venue so we can help and provide more jobs to local communities,” one of the suppliers said in a statement. — VMPG

Cebu Pacific interested in Cebu-Mati flights

July 19, 2019 | 7:11 pm

MATI CITY, DAVAO ORIENTAL — Budget airline Cebu Pacific is interested in launching flights between Cebu and Mati City once the latter’s airport opens for commercial operations, according to Mati Mayor Michelle N. Rabat.

“Cebu Pacific ang nakakita ng (has seen the) potential ng ating (of our) Mati as a tourist destination,” she told the media on Thursday, noting that the carrier has expressed intent to serve the Cebu-Mati route.

Negotiations over land ownership issues on the airport’s site has started, said the mayor, whose clan is among those involved in the talks.

“We have yet to settle the issue of the land where the airport is built. I don’t want it to sound biased but it is owned by the Rabat-Rocamora, our families,” said Ms. Rabat, adding that “some documents” have gone missing.

The airport was built in the early 1980s under then Davao Oriental governor Francisco G. Rabat, the incumbent mayor’s father.

“We will try to settle that, to pacify the families (and tell them that there is a) commitment that eventually bibilhin yan (it will be paid for), but for now, allow us to develop so we can open it,” Ms. Rabat said.

She further explained that the national government, specifically the Department of Transportation, could not step in for rehabilitation if they do not have the pertinent documents on the project.

One of the main improvement works needed is an expansion of the existing 1,625-meter runway to accommodate bigger aircraft.

A P200-million fund from the national budget, through the Department of Tourism, has already been allocated for the runway.

Ms. Rabat said they are aiming to reach a settlement within the year, with support from the Davao Oriental provincial government.

“Hopefully we will be able to hit the target,at nakatutok din ang gobernador dito sa project na ito (the governor is also focusing on this project),” she said.

Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang earlier said the airport’s opening is one of his priorities to boost, not just tourism but the overall investment climate in the province.

“Both the provincial and the (Mati) city government believe that the reopening of the airport will bring more opportunities for the growth,” said Mr. Dayanghirang in an e-mail sent to BusinessWorld earlier this month.

Davao Oriental’s popular tourist destinations include the Dahican Beach in Mati, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mt. Hamiguitan, and Aliwagwag Falls, among others.

Mr. Dayanghirang said the provincial government is also working on the construction of an inland resort as well as an 800-person capacity convention center. — Maya M. Padillo and Carmelito Q. Francisco

BHI in talks with foreign property firm for Cavite project

July 19, 2019 | 7:10 pm

By Arra B. Francia, Senior Reporter

BOULEVARD Holdings, Inc. (BHI) is in talks with a foreign real estate firm for the development of a piece of land next to the soon-to-be-opened Zamora Ocean Course in Cavite.

In a message to shareholders disclosed on Friday, BHI Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jose Marcel E. Panlilio said they are entertaining a counter offer from a Japanese-Hong Kong developer to acquire or participate in the projetc’s development.

“The foreign entity is one of the few successful Japanese-Hong Kong developers to venture abroad in most of the high-end Asian capitals, putting up high rises, shopping malls, super premium residential villas and office towers. Its affiliate is also part of the Hang Seng Index,” Mr. Panlilio said.

The company said it has already conducted due diligence for the past two months, with most conditions favorable to both parties. It will finalize more details in the company’s upcoming board meeting on July 29.

Once completed, the company said the project will cater to middle-income Japanese retirees and airline crew.

“We can say that BHI might finally benefit from the Duterte bonanza with more foreign investors in town and the Sangley Airport soon to be developed,” Mr. Panlilio said.

On the other hand, the company also said they are looking to launch their mixed use township project with privately held firm Revolution Precrafted Properties Philippines, Inc. (RPPPI) by August.

Mr. Panlilio noted that their partner had to move the launch date due to revisions on the density for project, which includes a 500 to 700-unit condotel, residential, and villas on one of the firm’s beach properties.

The project is seen to fetch P1.9 billion in sales, 15% of which will go to BHI over a four to five-year period.

“All they need now is to come to terms with the best contractor to start this,” Mr. Panlilio said, adding that they will disclose more details by mid-August.

BHI posted a net income attributable to the parent of P2.51 million in its quarter ending Feb. 28, following gross revenues of P41.3 million, three percent higher year on year.

Shares in BHI jumped 3.12% or 0.2 centavos to close at 6.6 centavos apiece on Friday.

Lorenzo Tan assumes top post at House of Investments

July 19, 2019 | 7:08 pm

HOUSE of Investments Inc. (HI) has appointed banker Lorenzo V. Tan as its president and chief executive officer.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, the listed holding company of the Yuchengco Group said Mr. Tan officially took office on Friday.

“He now carries on the task of continuing to steer House of Investments, Inc., honoring the legacy of the company’s outgoing president Mr. Medel Nera,” the company said in a statement.

Mr. Tan was previously the managing director of Primeiro Partners, an independent investment bank. He was also formerly the president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) and chairman of the Asian Bankers Association (ABA).

He was also president and chief executive officer of Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), Sunlife Financial Phils., Philippine National Bank (PNB), and United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB).

He quit RCBC in May 2016, despite being cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with the $81 million money laundering scandal involving funds stolen from the Bangladesh central bank.

Mr. Tan began his career in Citibank New York, Los Angeles and Singapore.

HI’s businesses include construction (EEI Corp.), education (iPeople Inc.), renewable energy (Petroenergy Resources Corp.), property (Manila Memorial Park Cemetery, Inc. and RCBC Realty), pharmaceuticals (HI-EISAI Pharmaceutical Inc.) and automobile (Honda and Isuzu dealerships).

Shares in HI went up 0.15% or 0.01 centavos to P6.50 each on Friday. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Arthaland creates new subsidiary to handle new project

July 19, 2019 | 7:06 pm

NICHE property developer Arthaland Corp. has set up a new subsidiary in preparation for a new project in the future.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday, the listed company said it has incorporated Bhavana Properties, Inc. It has also subscribed to 24.999 million common shares in Bhavana, priced at P1 each.

“The wholly-owned subsidiary will be the vehicle used to acquire another property for an upcoming project the details of which will be disclosed as and when appropriate,” the company said.

The company raised P1 billion from the issuance of preferred shares last month, which it plans to use for land acquisitions and for ramping up operations in the future.

Arthaland earlier said it is in the final stages of acquiring two properties in Manila and Cebu, as part of efforts to grow its portfolio by five times in 2022. It targets to have 550,000 square meters of developed land under its network by then.

Arthaland recently started construction for its 8.1-hectare mixed use development in Binan, Laguna, its first township project. It will house 108 villas scheduled for completion in 2021.

The company remains on the lookout for more land acquisitions in the CALABARZON area and other key cities in the country in the future, in addition to the 50 hectares it currently has.

Arthaland’s net income attributable to the parent surged 185% to P201.8 million in the first quarter of 2019, while gross revenues also jumped 337% to P466.35 million.

Shares in Arthaland dropped 1.87% or two centavos to close at P1.05 each at the stock exchange on Friday. — Arra B. Francia