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Australia eyes more than P4B a year to support PHL mining, RE, infrastructure

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By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

AUSTRALIA plans to provide the Philippines more than P4 billion yearly until 2029 in official development assistance (ODA) to support mining, infrastructure, renewable energy (RE) and agriculture, as part of the country’s five-year development partnership plan with the Southeast Asian nation.

“We are talking about multiples of more than P4 billion per year of predominantly official development assistance in the Philippines to help [it] achieve good economic reforms,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu told a news briefing in Makati after the launch of the program.

She said the Australian Embassy in Manila has brought in Australian mining tax experts to work with their Philippine counterparts as Congress deliberates on a measure that seeks to develop a new tax regime for the industry.

The embassy has also been encouraging players in the Australian mining industry to partner with mining companies in the Philippines on mining best practices.

Senators are set to continue floor debates on a proposal for a five-tier margin-based royalty rate system for the sector ranging from 1% to 5%, and a five-tier windfall profit tax system from 1% to 10%.

The House of Representatives approved its version of the measure in September last year.

Senate Bill No. 2826 seeks a royalty of 5% from large-scale miners inside mineral reservations based on gross output, while those outside reservations will follow the five-tier margin regime.

The government expects to generate P6.26 billion in yearly revenues from the mining tax regime, according to the Department of Finance.

The existing tax system for mining companies requires them to pay corporate income, excise, royalty, local business and real property taxes, as well as fees to indigenous communities.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday urged the Senate to fast-track the measure’s approval.

Ms. Yu noted that about P3.6 billion of Australian’s planned annual funding assistance would be in the form of official development assistance.

In the past two decades, funding assistance from Australia to the Philippines has reached about P63 billion.

“We will support Philippine government agencies to implement key economic reforms, partner with the Philippines in key sectors including infrastructure, RE, telecommunications and digitization,” Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Jan Adams said in a speech at the launch of the partnership.

Canberra will also work with Manila to improve its cash transfer and social protection programs for poor Filipinos. It will also partner with Philippine institutions to boost human capital and skill development programs to raise the employability of Philippine workers.

“These are sectors where Australia believes we have a comparative advantage… We’ll be looking to help develop your mining sector,” Ms. Yu said.

Two-way trade between the countries reached P378 billion last year, while more than 250 Australian companies employed 44,000 Filipinos.

Trade and investment between Canberra and Manila could grow by 10% this year, Luisa Rust, minister-counselor and senior trade and investment commissioner of the Australian Embassy, earlier told reporters.

“The development partnership plan builds on our countries’ close partnership, and sets out how we will pursue our shared development priorities so that together, we can shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” Ms. Yu said.

Marcos leads inauguration of Sorsogon sports complex

FORMER Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo greets President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. as former Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV looks on at a holding area before the President inaugurated a 12,000-capacity sports arena in Sorsogon province. — PCO

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Sunday led the inauguration of a 12,000-capacity sports arena in Sorsogon in the Bicol region, at an event attended by his closest rival in the 2022 presidential race.

The arena, which can accommodate up to 20,000 for full-house sports activities, could serve as a national training camp for Filipino athletes, he said in a speech. It is a step toward increasing the number of Filipino Olympians, he added.

The President said the arena could be used for conferences, summits, concerts and competitions.

Mr. Marcos briefly shook hands with former Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo and ex-Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV at a holding area before leading the inauguration.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero, who was Sorsogon governor before returning to the Senate in 2022, said he had invited Ms. Robredo to welcome the President on behalf of the Bicol region.

“We may have opposing beliefs and opinions, but I know that we are one in our goal to improve the lives of every Filipino,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech in Filipino.

Mr. Marcos lost to Ms. Robredo by a hair in the 2016 vice presidential race. He filed an election lawsuit, alleging fraud, that the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed in 2021.

He made a comeback in 2022 by beating Ms. Robredo in the presidential election. He became the first candidate in the history of the Fifth Republic to win by a majority, getting nearly 59% of the vote. — KATA

Criticism vs public officials’ performance not always slanderous, Supreme Court says

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THE Supreme Court (SC) ruled that statements against public officials are not always defamatory or slanderous if they pertain to the performance of their official duties unless done with malice.

In a ruling, written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the high court’s Second Division said that actual malice must be proven to count remarks against public officials as defamatory or slanderous, citing Article 358 of the Revised Penal Code.

The Code provided that there is oral defamation or slander when (1) there is an allegation of a crime, fault, or flaw; (2) made orally; (3) publicly; (4) maliciously; (5) towards a person, alive or dead; and (6) such allegation tends to cause dishonor on the person defamed.

“In interpreting laws criminalizing defamation of public officers, this Court notes that protection of these fundamental rights is primordial,” the 15-page decision, promulgated on Dec. 6, 2023, read. It was publicly released on Oct. 16.

“Recognizing that free speech empowers the citizens in exacting accountability from public officers, conviction for defamation involving statements related to their discharge of official duties entails proof that they were made with actual malice. Actual malice cannot be presumed,” it added.

The ruling stemmed from a Lanao del Norte village officer who accused her neighbor of grave oral defamation and other light threats following a series of confrontations.

The village officer had mediated in a barangay conciliation to settle disputes between two individuals.

The mother of one party, however, said the village officer should not have mediated “because she is dumb, has not gone to school, and is ignorant.” The ruling noted that many people allegedly heard the statements.

This prompted the village officer to raise the issue before the Municipal Trial Court, which convicted the accused of oral defamation but junked the light threat charge. The accused appealed the ruling before the Court of Appeals, which also upheld her conviction.

The accused then filed a petition before the SC, which ruled in her favor.

The high court said the remarks made by the accused were related to the official’s duties as a village officer and the prosecution failed to prove actual malice.

“Being ‘sensitive’ has no place in this line of service, especially when allowing otherwise has the potential to create a chilling effect on the public,” the top court’s decision read. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Voters prey to ‘client’ politics

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

FILIPINO VOTERS remain easy prey for clientelistic campaigning, a political science analyst said, as the Tulfo-led ACT-CIS dominate a party-list survey conducted by research firm Acquisition Apps, Inc.

“The angle of clientelism is also facilitated by the fact [that] the emerging middle class and electorate are themselves brought up in clientelistic norms,” Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“It doesn’t say anything new about Filipino voters: they remain vulnerable and due to lack of progressive legislation/policy regulation that uplifts their economic conditions, they will remain vulnerable, which makes them easy prey for clientelistic campaigning,” he added.

Mr. Juliano was reacting to a survey made by Acquisition Apps which showed ACT-CIS is poised to win three seats at the House of Representatives in next year’s midterm elections.

In an e-mail statement on Wednesday night, the survey showed the group garnered the top rank with 11.21% voter preference.

Other party-lists projected to win two seats were 4Ps party list (3.66%); Ako Bicol Party list (3.58%); 1-Rider Party list (2.82%); ACT Teachers Party list (2.67%); and GABRIELA Party list (2.51%).

Meanwhile, Malasakit@Bayanihan Party List (1.83%), AGRI (1.68%), Duterte Youth Party List (1.68%), Senior Citizens Party List (1.60%), and Ako Bisaya Party List (1.52%) are among 39 incumbent party-list groups expected to secure a seat.

Two newcomers were seen winning a seat, with Solid North Party List (1.07%) and FPJ Panday Bayanihan (FPJPB) Party list (1.00%).

The survey was conducted last Oct. 1 to 4, with 2,400 respondents. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

45 OFWs from Lebanon arrive

BI PHOTO

FORTY-FIVE overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated on Thursday from war-torn Lebanon, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

In a Facebook post, the agency said the 45 OFWs and two children were aboard Kuwait Airways 417 from Beirut.

This batch is one of the biggest groups the DMW has assisted through voluntary repatriation since fighting erupted in the Middle Eastern country in late 2023, it said in a separate Viber message to BusinessWorld.

The 45 repatriated Filipinos were on top of 480 OFWs and a total of 30 dependents who have been sent home due to the fighting, based on DMW data.

The Middle East has been facing increased tensions attack of Hamas in Israel since Oct. 7, 2023.

Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group in support of Palestine, has been launching a series of attack against Israel to show support.

As a result, the Israel Defense Forces retaliated by also launching attacks against Lebanon. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Marcos thanks Israel for OFW help

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PCO.GOV.PH

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday thanked Israel for supposedly taking care of Filipinos amid its clashes with militant groups opposed to its occupation of Palestine.

“Israel’s swift assistance in ensuring their [Filipinos] safety, especially during these challenging times, means a great deal to us,” he said in a statement late on Wednesday, following a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Mr. Marcos did not fully disclose what he and Mr. Herzog had discussed during their phone call.

He nevertheless said Israel remains one of the Philippines’ “trusted bilateral partners in the Middle East region, citing “historic friendship that predates the establishment of the Israeli state.”

“We remain hopeful for a swift path to peace, and together, may we continue to build on the strong bonds between our nations.”

The Israeli military earlier this month launched a wave of air raids on southern Lebanon as Jerusalem marked the anniversary of Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023. 

Israel’s air raids and ground invasion of southern Lebanon were at neutralizing “Hezbollah targets” that it said were “immediate threat” to northern Israeli communities.

Hezbollah militants have shown resistance to Israeli forces amid the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

The Lebanese health ministry said Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon and the capital Beirut killed 27 people on Wednesday, based on an Al Jazeera report.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon known as United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Israeli forces continued to fire at its watchtower in the south, amid growing international criticism of Israel’s attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers over the past days.

“Yet again we see direct and apparently deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position,” the peacekeeping mission said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This morning, peacekeepers at a position near Kfar Kila observed an IDF Merkava tank firing at their watchtower,” it added. “Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged.”

UNIFIL on Sunday said Israeli troops “forcibly entered” its position near the village of Ramia with two tanks crossing the UN-mandated blue line and fired smoke rounds near peacekeepers.

The Philippines last month joined 123 other countries in favoring a United Nations resolution urging Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories within a year.

Israeli settlement activities involved the transfer of its nationals “into the occupied territories, the confiscation of land, the forced transfer of Palestinian civilians, including Bedouin families,” according to the November resolution.

The settlements also involved “the exploitation of natural resources, the fragmentation of territory and other actions against the Palestinian civilian population,” among other issues.

The Gaza Strip is one of the two territories occupied by Palestinians — the other being the West Bank, which the Israeli government has been trying to invade in recent years. The two areas, along with East Jerusalem, came under Israeli occupation after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Since the war, Israel has responded to Palestinians’ demand for a homeland through military force. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

MCIA to set up green framework

BW FILE PHOTO

THE MACTAN-CEBU International Airport (MCIA) has signed an agreement with Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East to establish a sustainability framework as part of its commitment to reach net zero ambition.

“We aspire to inspire other airports across the Philippines and Asia to follow suit. Together, we can drive sustainable tourism, ensuring that destinations worldwide offer enriching and responsible experiences for generations to come,” Athanasios Titonis, chief executive officer of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, said in a statement on Thursday.

In a media release, MCIA, managed by Aboitiz InfraCapital GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (Aboitiz InfraCapital GMCAC), said it signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a comprehensive framework on green and sustainable efforts to reach net zero.

Net zero refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to as close as zero as possible while offsetting any remaining greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The net zero roadmap will include carbon footprint projection, adoption of governance frameworks, and proposals in utilizing greener and sustainable options in areas like fuel consumption, and operations.

The program will also provide capital expenditure guidance on planning, implementation strategies, carbon offsetting measures, while also connecting airports with financial institutions for possible funding.

“As the industry continues to face increasing pressure to minimize its carbon footprint, we recognize that robust action is required to ensure that airports are prepared for a sustainable future. Through our Net Zero Roadmap program, we offer tailored support to airports like Mactan Cebu International, helping them create practical, effective plans,” ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Director General Stefano Baronci said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

P90-M smuggled fuel seized

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THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Thursday said it impounded a tanker found transferring P90 million worth of fuel to four trucks to avoid paying taxes.

On Wednesday, a fuel tanker and four lorries were caught transferring smuggled fuel at the Batangas port, the BoC said in a statement.

The subsequent fuel marking testing on the subject fuel showed failed results, “which meant that the fuel did not have proper markings indicating payment of duties and taxes.”

The seized vessel has an estimated value of P300 million, BoC said. Its cargo contains 1.8 million liters with a cost of P50 per liter, valued at around P90 million.

Likewise, the trucks were valued at P3 million each, or P12 million in total.

Juvymax R. Uy, who serves as deputy commissioner at the Customs’ intelligence group said that two lorry trucks contained 40,000 liters and 14,000 liters of unmarked fuel, respectively.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service Director Verne Y. Enciso, said it has been monitoring the “paihi” modus, in which larger tankers off-load fuel to smaller vessels to escape tax payments.

To determine whether the proper taxes are paid, the bureau uses a unique chemical to mark imported and locally refined petroleum products. This would help avoid smuggling and misdeclaration of fuel products.

“Our operation against these individuals and groups is not a one-time thing. We have been monitoring them for months and finally, they are now in our hands,” Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio was quoted in the statement.

Offenders will face possible charges for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

NCR malls open until 11 p.m. starting Nov. 18

MAJOR shopping malls in the National Capital Region will adjust their mall operating hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting Nov. 18 to ease traffic congestion ahead of the “holiday rush”, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said on Thursday said in a circular.

The adjusted mall hours will be in place until Dec. 25, it added. Prior to this, malls opened at 10 a.m.

Shopping mall operators will also submit traffic management plans to MMDA for their mall sales and promotional events two weeks before Nov. 18, the circular read.

Malls will also conduct deliveries only during nighttime from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, it added, noting the exemption of perishable goods.

Mall-wide sales will only be permitted on weekends, but sale on certain stores inside the mall is allowed even on weekdays, it said.

In a briefing on Wednesday, MMDA said it will talk to the Department of Transportation to discuss the extension of operating hours of the railway systems and the EDSA Carousel bus lines.

Reconsider ‘shared voting’ system in cooperative code, Senate told

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THE Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives, Inc. (PCCI) on Thursday asked senators to reconsider a provision on “shared voting” in its proposed amendments to the cooperative code, saying this could limit the power of cooperatives to a few.

Senate Bill No. 2811 proposes an option for “shared voting,” wherein “the voting rights of the member-cooperatives shall be proportionate to the number of their paid-up shares.” The measure is up for second reading at the plenary.

“The number of shares a member holds must not give them more voting power, as this would lead to a few members with more shares having more control and potentially monopolizing the cooperative,” the PCCI said in a statement.

In a recent Senate hearing, CLIMBS Life and General Insurance Cooperative President Roel D. Raboy cited openness to allowing 40% share capital holdings in a federation, given that such shares do not carry voting rights.

Mr. Raboy said a shared voting system would turn cooperatives into a “corporation-like” model.

The cooperative model currently follows the one-member, one-vote principle, while the corporate model follows a shared voting system.

“If share voting schemes become part of the law, it would be difficult to ensure that they continue to serve their democratic purpose.”

“In the Senate’s version, they are giving operations for either a cooperative vote system or a shared vote system,” Edwin A. Bustillos, executive director, told reporters on the sidelines of a forum.

However, a shared voting system may allow corporations to disguise themselves as a cooperative and evade taxes, Mr. Bustillos said.

“Some may create a corporation, have this registered as a cooperative, and eventually avail of the tax exemption. But it is controlled by a few, And that’s not the value and principles of cooperative,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

The groups also opposed the Senate’s proposal to remove tax perks for cooperatives, noting that its members are already subject to tax in the form of income and value-added taxes. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Alternative energy sources top concern of business leaders in Mindanao

JEROME CMG-UNSPLASH

DAVAO CITY — Business leaders emphasized that finding alternative sources of energy is the top concern of the business sector in Mindanao following the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA’s) forecast that the island will be facing a power shortage in the next five years.

General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Miguel Rene Alcantara Dominguez told Businessworld that one of the topics presented by MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro in a forum last month was the growing concern that Mindanao be losing power by 2027 to 2028.

“MinDA foresees that we will most likely lose power by 2027 to 2028. Back to the experience we had in 2010,” Mr. Dominguez said.

According to Mr. Montenegro, the rate of the annual growth of demand for energy in Mindanao is around 5% to 7%, which is about 100 megawatts every year needed to be able to keep up with the growing demand due to the expansion of the property sector, agri-business, industries, and household expansions.

“Therefore, the reserve that we have today will start to go down unless new capacities come in to replace the ones that are being used already by the growing demand,” he said.

Joji Ilagan-Bian, chair of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Committee on the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), said the business sector in Mindanao has informed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in a resolution that the priority of the business sector in Mindanao is to look for alternative sources of power because it was said that after two or three years, we will have shortage of power.

Ms. Bian said a stable power supply consequently improves the economy and entices more investors to come in.

“If we are not able to work at the power problems these investments would not be in proportion to the source of power. We are looking at power investors, and private partnerships with the government and we are also looking at all sources of investment including outside of the country, foreign investors to look at it also for the Philippines. Power is what makes the economy roll and without that economy would be at a standstill,” she said.

Mr. Dominguez said among the options that were discussed to address the looming power shortage is the availability of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex, which is eyed to be rehabilitated in 2026.

“If Agus Pulangi is rehabilitated, we will most likely have an additional 300 to 350 megawatts,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mark Christian P. Marollano, supervising science research specialist at the Department of Energy, said that the department is continuously monitoring power projects to help meet the future power demand in the country particularly in Mindanao.

“Due to economic developments, demand will also continue to increase, that is why we have put up power plants in Mindanao,” he said in mixed English and Filipino. — Maya M. Padillo

Cop dies in South Cotabato road mishap

COTABATO CITY — A police patrolman, who is actively involved in the interfaith solidarity promotion projects of their unit, died instantly after his car collided head-on with a 10-wheeler truck in Barangay Glamang in Polomolok, South Cotabato on Wednesday afternoon.

Brig. Gen. James E. Gulmatico, director of the Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12), told reporters on Thursday that the accident fatality, Patrolman Fahad A. Masula was under the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 12, a large rapid reaction unit of PRO-12.

Mr. Masula, who belonged to a Muslim clan in Koronadal City, helped push forward the police-community relations thrusts of the RMFB 12, according to his companions and superiors in the unit.

He was immediately buried by his relatives in keeping with Islamic tradition of burying the dead within 24 hours after death.

Mr. Masula’s car, a Toyota Vios hit the side of a 10-wheeler truck approaching from the opposite direction of the Koronadal-General Santos Highway in Barangay Glamang in Polomolok.

Witnesses had told barangay officials and police probers that Mr. Masula may have lost control of the wheel due to mechanical trouble, having seen his car wiggled first before hitting the frontal left side of the large green truck.

He was declared dead on arrival by doctors in a hospital where he was brought by emergency responders from the Polomolok local government unit for treatment.

Mr. Gulmatico said the driver of the truck that figured in the accident, Ronnie Anggot Torino, voluntarily yielded to policemen who responded to the incident and turned over to them his driver’s license. — John Felix M. Unson

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