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Wage board approves P33 pay hike in Ilocos Region

PNA FILE PHOTO

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Region I (Ilocos Region) approved a P33 minimum daily wage increase.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said the new daily minimum wage in the Ilocos Region is now P468 for the non-agriculture sector employing 10 or more employees, and P435 for the non-agriculture sector employing less than ten employees and the agriculture sector.

The board also granted a P500 increase for domestic workers, with the monthly wage rate now starting at P6,000.

The wage orders were approved on Oct. 16, and will take effect on Nov. 7, a day after the anniversary of the last wage order in the region.

“The Regional Board, comprised of representatives from the government, management, and labor sectors, likewise conducted consultations and a public hearing in their region as part of the minimum wage determination process,” DoLE added in the statement.

The new rates are an 8% increase from current daily wage rates and result in a 12% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th month pay, service incentive leave, and social security benefits such as Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), and Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG).

The move is expected to directly benefit 170,143 minimum wage earners and 349,112 full-time wage and salary workers earning above minimum as a result of the adjustment of wage distortion.

Over 99,000 domestic workers are expected to benefit from the new rates, about 9,000 of them are in live-in arrangements.

Under the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Rules on Minimum Wage Determination, retail and service establishments with no more than ten regular employees, as well as enterprises impacted by natural calamities or human-induced disasters, may seek exemption from the wage increase by applying to the RTWPB.

The DoLE reminded that registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are not covered by the minimum wage law under the Republic Act No. 9178 [2002].

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) welcomed the recent wage adjustments even as it found it the wage increase is “not enough.”

FFW President Jose Sonny G. Matula said in a Viber message that they are still pursuing a legislated wage hike of P150.

“If not legislated by this Congress, we make wage legislation a part of our campaign agenda in the 2025 senatorial elections,” he said.

The FFW also commended Wage Order No. RB 1-DW-05, which set the new monthly wage for domestic workers at P6,000.

“This increase for kasambahay is a much-needed recognition of their hard work and contributions to our households,” said FFW Women Network Vice-President Arta Maines.

“We are pleased to see progress for domestic workers, but we also urge for continued efforts to ensure fair wages across all sectors.”

Kristine to make landfall on Friday

Commuters use their umbrellas during a downpour along Taft Avenue, Manila, July 13, 2023. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE state weather bureau on Monday said that a low-pressure area over the Philippine Sea had intensified into a tropical depression as it moves to make landfall over Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression “Kristine” is expected to make landfall over the northeast portion of Cagayan province by Friday, Oct. 25.

“Kristine is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours. It may reach severe tropical storm category by Wednesday and typhoon category by Thursday evening or Friday morning,” the agency added.

In a 5 p.m. bulletin, Tropical Depression “Kristine” was last seen 760 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar

It was seen packing maximum sustained winds at 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It was moving westward at 15 kph.

“Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favorable environmental conditions,” the weather agency added.

PAGASA had raised Tropical Wind signal no. 1 over the southeastern portion of Isabela, Aurora, the northern and eastern portions of Quezon including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island.

Signal no. 1 was also hoisted over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte.

Additionally, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao — Bucas Grande Group is also under signal no. 1.

Areas placed under storm signals no. 1 are expecting wind speeds of 36 kph to 61 kph along with intermittent rains in the next 36 hours. — Adrian H. Halili

Pimentel ready to lead drug probe

SENATE PRIB

SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” L. Pimentel III on Monday said he is ready to lead a Senate probe into the Duterte administration’s deadly drug war as the chairperson of a Blue Ribbon subcommittee.

The Senator, however, said that the inquiry must be fast-tracked before the proposed national budget is taken up in plenary.

“I am also preparing for the budget hearing. As the minority leader, I have questions to ask. We will stay focused,” he said at a news briefing. “We will deal only with issues relating to the drug war.”

“We do not really have all the time in the world because it is already budget season.”

Senators are set to start plenary debates on the budgets of each government agency by early next month. The Senate aims to approve the government’s spending plan by mid-December at the latest before Congress adjourns, Senate President Francis G. Escudero said earlier this month.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin earlier said that the Palace backs the plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to reopen investigations of high-profile killings under the previous administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

The International Criminal Court has reopened its probe into the drug war, saying it was not satisfied with Philippine efforts to investigate alleged crimes against humanity and extra legal killings. 

Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa and former national police chief had said former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his ex-Cabinet members would be invited to the Senate to answer questions about the campaign.

He said Mr. Duterte is likely to attend and feel more comfortable participating in a Senate inquiry over the lower House’s probe.

The government estimates that at least 6,117 people were killed in Mr. Duterte’s drug war between July 1, 2016 and May 31, 2022, but human rights groups say the death toll could be as high as 30,000.

“I am ready. If two or more senators are interested in the subject matter then I can say it is urgent and we can begin the hearing,” Mr. Pimentel said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Moro rebels to get gov’t benefits

ABOUT 400 Moro rebels in the southern province of Basilan underwent security paper validation that would qualify them for several government services, the Marcos government said.

The services for former members of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) include a cash-for-work program, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) membership and study grants for their children, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said, citing the progress of its MNLF Transformation Program.

OPAPRU said it had verified, validated and profiled 1,963 MNLF members since September 2022.

After profiling and assessment, each combatant will receive cash assistance worth P45,000 and a food package from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

92% online hearing success rate seen

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

Video conferencing hearings conducted by Philippine courts are at a 92% success rate with over 1.5 million sessions since September 2020, the Supreme Court (SC) said on Monday.

“We have already recorded more than 1,500,000 video conferencing hearings with a success rate of 92%,” Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez said during the second anniversary of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SJPI) at the Manila Hotel.

As part of the SJPI, Mr. Marquez said a new committee on electronic testimony was created “in line with the court’s efforts towards technology-driven judiciary and provided all court proceedings, regardless of the nature, type, and state.”

“The court also likewise sought the need to further enhance the rules and guidelines of virtual hearings to address the current issues and concerns of the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

“So, the committee has now finalized the proposed amendments and will be submitting the same report next week. We are just circulating the draft for the signatures of all the members,” he added.

Mr. Marquez added that child witnesses will be further protected from being traumatized when they testify in court through video conferencing hearings.

The top court switched to online hearings during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

BoC seizes P1.57-M marijuana

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Customs bureau said it has seized P1.57 million worth of marijuana at the Port of Clark recently.

In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BoC) confiscated 1.48 grams worth of high-grade “Kush” marijuana in four vacuum-sealed pouches hidden in garments.

According to investigation, the shipment was declared as a “Men’s Track Suit, Polyester Men’s Cotton Shorts,” but unusual images were tracked by Customs’ x-ray inspection project.

Samples of the substance were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for laboratory analysts, which confirmed that the substances were indeed marijuana, Customs said. It is part of the list of dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act.

A warrant of seizure and detention was issued for the shipment for violating Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, BoC said.

Earlier this month, the bureau seized a total of P50 million worth of illegal drugs in separate busts.

In the first six months, the BoC confiscated a total of P2.28 billion worth of illegal drugs. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Cordillera rebel leader captured in Ilocos Norte raid 

STOCK PHOTO | Image by rawpixel.com from Freepik

BAGUIO CITY — Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front (CPDF) spokesman Simon Fiaryao Naogsan, Sr. alias “Ka Filiw” was captured after intelligence operatives from the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division and policemen caught him early Monday morning during a raid at a house, he was temporarily taking refuge in Bacarra town in Ilocos Norte.

His capture, Major General Gulliver L. Señires, 5th ID commander said, “is a significant blow to the remaining communist armed movement in Northern Luzon.”

Mr. Naogsan Sr. held various key positions including Executive Committee Member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee (ICRC), head of Regional Propaganda, and former Secretary of the Kilusang Larangang Guerilla (KLG) for Mountain Province.

The rebel leader, a former government engineer at the Commission on Audit, faces multiple charges of murder and attempted murder filed before the Regional Trial Courts of Ifugao and Mountain Province. He carries a P2.7million reward for his capture.

His arrest, Mr. Señires added, came after the capture of three senior cadres of the ICRC of the CPP-NPA in Conner, Apayao Province, more than a week ago. This shows “the continuous dismantling of the leadership structure of the New People’s Army in the region.”

He added, “the success of this operation is a testament to our troops’ dedication and the community’s unwavering support.”  He further hinted that the information provided by residents was crucial in tracking the rebel leader and ensuring his arrest.   

According to the nongovernment human rights group Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA),  Mr. Naogsan Sr., already in his late 70s, “was in Ilocos Norte to seek medical attention.”

A team reportedly sent by IHRA to check on Mr. Naogsan Sr. confirmed “he was initially detained at the Bacarra Municipal Police Station but has since been moved to an undisclosed location.”

IHRA is raising concern about Mr. Naogsan Sr.’s “safety and well-being” and is calling “for the immediate disclosure of his location and the protection of his rights, particularly due to his medical condition.” — Artemio A. Dumlao

Ex-Maguindanao governor convicted

RACOOL_STUDIO-FREEPIK

AN ex-Maguindanao province governor was found guilty of graft and malversation of public funds amounting to P393 million by the Philippines’ anti-graft court.

In a 66-page decision promulgated on Oct. 18, the Sandiganbayan Third Division convicted the former Maguindanao governor of graft for disbursing P393 million worth of cash advances to bogus contractors meant for the construction of 22 farm-to-market roads throughout the province in 2009.

“[The accused] committed the offense charged when he approved the numerous disbursement vouchers, entered into MOAs (Memorandum of Agreements), signed other pertinent documents, and made payments to fictitious suppliers and contractors, making it appear the Province of Maguindanao actually implemented the subject… projects, when in fact it did not,” the ruling, penned by Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez, read in part.

“The pieces of evidence clearly show [the former official] deliberately orchestrated fictitious payments to various contractors and suppliers for the infrastructure projects which were not implemented,” the ruling added.

The anti-graft court sentenced the former governor to imprisonment of up to 40 years and was ordered to pay back the P393 million to the Bureau of the Treasury. He was also perpetually disqualified from holding any public office.

State lawyers initially sought to recover P400 million from the former official, but the court ruled that only P393 million was eligible as the remaining P7 million was transferred to the Agrarian Reform department, excluding it from the audit.

The Sandiganbayan, in the same decision, acquitted a government auditor alleged to be in cahoots with the former provincial government, citing lack of evidence against him. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Flashflood displaces hundreds in upland Cotabato town

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Hermann Traub from Pixabay

COTABATO CITY — Some 700 villagers were forced to evacuate to high grounds after a large river in the hinterland Magpet town in Cotabato overflowed due to heavy downpour late Sunday.

The local government unit of Magpet and the office of Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza stated in separate reports released on Monday morning that the barangay folks in farming enclaves close to the banks of the Bantac River have relocated to upland areas.

Emergency responders had been dispatched to extend essential relief support, according to Ms. Mendoza.

The flashflood ravaged some 200 hectares of corn and orchard farms, according to barangay officials and personnel of the Magpet Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Ms. Mendoza, chairperson of the Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said she has directed the personnel of their provincial agriculture office to assess the damages to crops the flashflood had caused and help affected farmers rehabilitate their flood-stricken farms. — John Felix M. Unson

Mastermind behind Marawi Catholic worship rite bombing arrested

COTABATO CITY — The police arrested the elusive mastermind of the deadly Dec. 3, 2023 bombing of a Catholic worship rite in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province that left four worshipers dead and injured 43 others.

Arsani D. Membisa, a member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group, was arrested in Barangay Maria Cristina in Iligan City last Wednesday, the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) reported late Sunday.

Brig. Gen Romeo J. Macapaz, director of PRO-BAR, told reporters on Monday that Mr. Membisa, most known as “Lopitos,” was cornered in his hideout in Barangay Maria Cristina by combined agents of the Criminal and Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and personnel of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and the Iligan City Police Office, an operation supported by local officials privy to his presence in the area.

“Vigilant people aware of his exact location provided the information that led to his arrest,” Mr. Macapaz said.

Two cohorts of Membisa were arrested several weeks after they set off on Dec.3, 2023 a powerful improvised explosive device at the Dimaporo Gymnasium inside the campus of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City where a big group of Catholics were hearing mass, killing four worshipers and wounding 43 others.

Local executives in Lanao del Sur have confirmed that Mr. Membisa and his companions are members of the now moribund Dawlah Islamiya, which is fomenting hatred for non-Muslims and tagged in deadly bombings of buses and commercial establishments in Central Mindanao after owners had ignored extortion demands.

Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr. told reporters on Monday that they are grateful to police officials in region 10 and in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the CIDG for having worked out the arrest of the mastermind of the deadly bombing of Catholic worshipers more than 10 months ago.

“My administration is promoting religious solidarity among Muslims and Christians in Marawi City and in all towns in Lanao del Sur. That incident, for us, was so saddening. The bombers had been arrested and soon they shall have their day in court,” Mr. Adiong said. — John Felix M. Unson

Peso weakens amid Middle East conflict

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE PESO depreciated against the dollar on Monday amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The local unit closed at P57.59 per dollar on Monday, down by 7.9 centavos from its P57.511 finish on Friday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Monday’s session stronger at P57.45 against the dollar. Its intraday best was at P57.275, while its weakest showing was its closing level of P57.59 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded went down to $1.34 billion on Monday from $1.74 billion on Friday.

The peso declined against the dollar on Monday amid the conflict in the Middle East, a trader said by phone.

The local unit weakened due to the leak of Israel’s plans for attacks on Iran and after a drone exploded near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort likewise said in a Viber message.

Iran has written to the United Nations nuclear watchdog to complain about Israel’s threats against its nuclear sites, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday at a weekly news conference, Reuters reported.

Israel has vowed to attack Iran in retaliation for a volley of Iranian missiles launched on Oct. 1, leading to widespread speculation that Iran’s nuclear sites could be among Israel’s targets.

The peso was also dragged down by a generally stronger dollar on Monday as odds of Donald J. Trump winning the US presidential election increased, the trader added.

For Tuesday, the trader sees the peso moving between P57.30 and P57.60 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from P57.45 to P57.65. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters

Shares inch lower as market waits for fresh leads

REUTERS

STOCKS ended lower on Monday as investors stayed on the sidelines while waiting for fresh catalysts such as firms’ third quarter results.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched down by 0.12% or 9.10 points to end at 7,406.63 on Monday, while the broader all shares index dropped by 0.03% or 1.23 points to close at 4,080.29.

The PSEi traded mostly sideways during the session, opening at 7,416.81, just slightly above Friday’s close of 7,415.73. It reached an intraday high of 7,428.02 and a low of 7,386.85.

“The local market closed lower this Monday. Investors took a cautious stance while waiting for new positive catalysts, primarily the corporate sector’s third quarter corporate results. Trading was anemic…,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

“Philippine shares had a tepid start as equities begin a new trading week, with more earnings scheduled for release in the coming days,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan likewise said in a Viber message.

Value turnover went down to P3.3 billion on Monday with 638.33 million shares changing hands from the P6.36 billion with 1.44 billion issues traded on Friday.

Last week marked the start of the third-quarter corporate results season, with Bank of the Philippine Islands and Asia United Bank Corp. both reporting record profits in the period.

Meanwhile, Asia shares dipped in and out of positive territory on Monday, under pressure from weakness in Hong Kong stocks, Reuters reported.

China’s blue-chip index swung between losses and gains in early trade, before turning decisively higher by the Asian afternoon, helped by a rise in technology companies. The benchmark was 0.4% higher, while the Shanghai Composite index gained 0.31%.

That failed to excite Hong Kong markets, however, where stocks fell more than 1%, pushing MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 0.26%, a step back in sentiment after US stocks posted a sixth straight week of gains on Friday.

Back home, the sectoral indices were mixed. Property dropped by 0.23% or 6.94 points to 2,940.14; services declined by 0.16% or 3.74 points to 2,254.28; and holding firms inched down by 0.07% or 4.76 points to 6,204.23.

Meanwhile, mining and oil went up by 0.45% or 39.32 points to 8,682.55; financials climbed by 0.07% or 1.77 points to 2,423.37; and industrials rose by 0.03% or 3.14 points to 10,032.13.

“Century Pacific Food, Inc. was the top index gainer, climbing 1.57% to P42. Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. was the main index loser, dropping 1.99% to P16.74,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 113 versus 104, while 53 names were unchanged.

Net foreign buying went down to P161.44 million on Monday from P173.77 million on Friday. — R.M.D. Ochave with Reuters

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