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Gov’t MRT3 stake sale to take time

THE GOVERNMENT will wait until the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 is rehabilitated before it unloads shares held by the two largest state-run banks, the Finance chief said.

“We… are working with the DoTr (Department of Transportation) to finally resolve all the issues with the MRT 3. And that will include what to do with the interest of LBP and DBP in the MRT,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told reporters late last week, referring to the stakes of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines. “It’s a rather complicated deal because it involves selling the shares.”

“First of all it involves getting a new maintenance contractor… Then we will determine exactly how we will treat the interest of DBP and LBP,” he added.

“Because the real issue now is the riding public — my gosh people are still lining up for a long time to get in the train — that’s the first priority: to get it working right.”

The banks own a combined stake of about 80% in MRT-3.

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) — a consortium of Metro Pacific Investment Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Macquarie Holdings (Philippines) Ltd. Pte. — submitted an unsolicited proposal to the government in September to take over the MRT-3, including rehabilitation, operation and maintenance. The MPIC in September estimated investment needed to rehabilitate the system at P20 billion, from P12.5 billion initially.

LRMC bagged original proponent status in September last year and now awaits approval by the National Economic and Development Authority Board, headed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, for the conduct of a Swiss challenge.

MPIC is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Dengvaxia probe resumes amid new allegations

AMID RECENT developments, the House committees on health and on good government and public accountability continues its probe today, Feb. 5, on the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine.

Last Friday, the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) bared the results of its study which found that at least three of 14 deaths under their investigation were due to dengue despite the said fatalities having receiving Dengvaxia.

Sought for comment, Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Ty Pimentel, who heads the committee on good government and public accountability, said in a text message: “We will proceed with our hearing [today] in spite of the recent developments [because] we still have many questions [to ask] and there are still many documents [that] must be submitted to the committee.” Mr. Pimentel heads the inquiry together with Quezon Representative Angelina D.L. Tan, chairperson of the health committee.

The hearing, which is based on House Resolutions (HRs) 444, 480, and 1519 as well as the Nov. 28, 2016 privilege speech of Oriental Mindoro Representative Paulino Salvador C. Leachon, seeks to probe the possible irregularity in the P3.5-billion vaccine contract with pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur.

“Some of the required documents pertain to the procurement and we are deliberating if there is a need to invite former president [Benigno S.C. Aquino III],” Mr. Pimentel added.

Among the resource persons invited to the hearing are incumbent and former officials of the Department of Health (DoH) led by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and a predecessor of his, Janette L. Garin, Sanofi Pasteur Asia-Pacific head Thomas Triomphe, Sanofi Philippines Medical Director Maria Ruby Rosa Dizon, Formulary Executive Council (FEC) Chair Froilan A. Bagabaldo, and World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines representative Gundo Weiler.

The program was halted in November last year after Sanofi Pasteur warned that the vaccine should not be administered to patients who have not had dengue before.

For his part, Senator Richard J. Gordon on Sunday said the blue ribbon committee has unearthed documents on the vaccine that he claimed were being hidden by DoH officials.

“We have found that there [are] people who have hidden documents, DoH officials who did not report the deficiencies of Sanofi,” he said in a radio interview.

Mr. Gordon said the documents would show Ms. Garin’s influence when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed the Dengvaxia manufacturer to distribute its product in the country back in 2015.

He said he planned to raise the issue on Tuesday when the Senate continues its investigation into the Dengvaxia fiasco.

Also in the interview, Mr. Gordon said Mr. Aquino III and former budget secretary Florencio B. Abad, as well as other DoH officials, could be charged with graft over the alleged improper procurement of the vaccines.

“Graft cases can be filed to those who made the improper, illegal procurement of the vaccine… I’m sure that they would be hit there. I have no doubts,” Mr. Gordon said in Filipino.

They could also be charged with homicide or physical injuries through reckless imprudence if it is proven that the vaccine caused the deaths of children who received Dengvaxia, the senator also pointed out.

But asked about a complaint filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last Friday, Mr. Gordon said he disagreed with the charges that the group filed against Mr. Aquino, Ms. Garin and other former DoH officials.

“I don’t agree necessar(ily) with what they filed….That has not been proven. We are not yet there. It was done haphazardly,” he said in Filipino.

The VACC in its complaint asserted that the former officials violated Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code when they procured the vaccines 45 days before the May 2016 national elections. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz, Camille A. Aguinaldo

Senator calls out DoTr chief on better MRT service by end-Feb.

By Camille A. Aguinaldo

SENATOR GRACE Poe-Llamanzares on Sunday said she expects better services in the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) by the end of February following assurances by Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade on the arrival of new spare parts for the train system.

“We are all getting impatient already. But I guess our deadline for Secretary Tugade is his promise that by February the situation will be better upon the arrival of the spare parts,” she said in a radio interview.

Mr. Tugade had earlier appealed for understanding to the public after fewer MRT trains operated in the past weeks due to maintenance issues, causing longer passenger queues and a decline in the average number of passengers.

Commuters interviewed for this story bared adjusting to the difficulties of commuting via the MRT, by alternating their mode of commuting or doing their work before reporting to their offices to avoid the rush hour.

Mr. Tugade said the spare parts they ordered last December will start arriving in January.

In her radio interview, as also issued in a press statement on Sunday, Ms. Llamanzares said the government should also consider long-term solutions to address the problems hounding the busiest train system if it continuously fails to improve its services.

“They could mull over whether they will invite another third party or they will privatize it,” Ms. Llamanzares said in Filipino.

She added that if government chooses to privatize the MRT, then it should monitor train fares and review any move to hike fares.

Ms. Llamanzares also urged the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to fast-track its search for a reliable maintenance service provider.

The government took over the maintenance of the MRT last November after it canceled its contract with maintenance contractor Busan Universal Rail, Inc. (BURI)

“They have many press releases, one of which says that Sumitomo is considering taking over. But nothing is definitive….We don’t know for sure. There are conflicting reports. I want to hear it from Secretary Tugade himself about the actual plan,” the senator said in Filipino.

Ms. Llamanzares also called on the Ombudsman to expedite the cases against former transportation secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya for entering into disadvantageous contracts over the MRT trains and the former maintenance provider.

She said she was poised to draft another committee report to discuss in detail the accountability of Mr. Abaya and other former transportation officials.

“We don’t want revenge. We just want accountability,” Ms. Llamanzares said.

Budget chief notes bonuses of teachers pending with DepEd

By Arjay L. Balinbin

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) has no definite date yet as to when it can release the performance-based bonuses (PBB) of schoolteachers, noting that the Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to finish some required paperwork for evaluation and processing of these payables.

“(I) think DepEd has yet to submit the prioritized list of beneficiaries,” Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said in a text message when sought for comment on Sunday, Feb. 4.

Asked whether DepEd has communicated with DBM on when it might submit the said documents, Mr. Diokno said: “DBM staff is constantly in touch with DepEd staff.”

In a media statement last Friday, Feb. 2, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, vice-chairman of the Senate education committee said “teachers have yet to receive their bonuses for schoolyear 2016-2017.”

Mr. Gatchalian said “the long delay in the release of these bonuses is absolutely unacceptable. Our grossly underpaid teachers rely on these bonuses to support their families and make ends meet.”

For his part, Mr. Diokno said he “attribute(s) the difficulty to the enormous size of the DepEd bureaucracy.”

“It has more than half a million officials and staff,” he added.

Mr. Gatchalian also pointed out that DepEd Undersecretary Jesus Lorenzo R. Mateo “blamed failed biddings and delayed processing of clearances.”

The budget secretary, in a press briefing last month said his department is not to blame for the delay in bonuses. “Hindi namin fault ’yon kasi (It’s not our fault, because) it goes through a process…nasa (it’s up to the concerned) agencies na ’yan. As far as I am concerned, hindi sa amin ’yun (it’s not ours)….’Yong (The) performance bonus naturally should be based on last year’s performance,” Mr. Diokno said then.

In a press statement last week, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas said: “Teachers are still waiting for this incentive which is mandated by law. And since this is funded for fiscal year 2016, we believe that there is no reason for the government to further delay its release.”

According to TDC, the PBB is an incentive under Executive Order No. 80 of 2012, as further reinforced through Executive Order No. 201.

The teachers’ group also said the “PBB could be a source of corruption, division, and dishonesty.”

“The amount(s) of the PBB from Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 to 2015 range from P5,000 to P35,000 based on their ‘performance,’ but teachers claim that DepEd has no clear-cut standard resulting in incentive disparity and demoralization among the teachers since it was first implemented in school year 2012-2013. For FY 2016, which falls (under) school year 2016-2017 for public schoolteachers, PBB amount was raised to minimum of 50% to 65% of the basic salary of teachers,” TDC said.

The group further noted the release of the PBB has been delayed since school year 2012-2013, but this is the first time the delay has reached the next fiscal year. “The PBB is supposedly given by the end of the year, but the DepEd uses school year as its rating period. Thus, the PBB for FY 2012 incentive was only released in August 2013, the same fate…for PBB of teachers (in) the succeeding years.”

Mr. Gatchalian, for his part, urged DepEd to “streamline their clearance processing mechanisms to ensure that no further delays will occur.”

“Ensuring that teachers are properly compensated for their hard work and dedication to the youth of this country is something that should be at the top of the government’s To Do list. Our teachers deserve better than this,” the senator added.

OFW Watch app ready for download

OFW WATCH, with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, has launched a mobile phone application that aims to empower and protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through social networking technology and geo-location data. “We launched this in Hong Kong in February last year as a pilot project… We are eyeing to reach countries where our OFWs are. This is already accessible on both android and iOS,” said OFW-turned-technology entrepreneur Myrna Y. Padilla, OFW Watch president and founder. OFW Watch is a community service initiative of Ms. Padilla’s Mynd Dynamic Team, Inc. based in Davao City. Ms. Padilla said OFWs themselves are usually the first to help fellow distressed Filipinos abroad, and the mobile app serves as a platform for more immediate assistance. Among the features of the app are an “SOS button” and a “Work Journal” where OFWs can record working conditions. “In terms of security all communications between the OFWs and the servers are encrypted. With regards to the pranks, meron po tayo administrators and it’s still an ongoing test for us also,” said Project Manager Paul Domag. DoLE Undersecretary Joel B. Maglungsod, meanwhile, said they are targeting to launch the app in the Middle East soon. — Maya M. Padillo

Trillanes to file resolution calling for Duterte bank accounts probe

SENATOR ANTONIO F. Trillanes IV is set to file a resolution today, Feb. 5, seeking to investigate the alleged undisclosed bank transactions of President Rodrigo R. Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. In a statement released yesterday, Mr. Trillanes said he was answering Mr. Duterte’s challenge to investigate his alleged ill-gotten wealth. “President Duterte must address this issue squarely once and for all and stop fooling the Filipino people. If he has nothing to hide, he should bare it all and sign the waiver,” he said. The senator earlier claimed that Mr. Duterte held 17 accounts in three banks amounting to P2.4 billion. His proposed resolution cites the report of Vera Files that Mr. Duterte and his daughter failed to disclose in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) their joint deposits and investments, which exceed P100 million. Sought for comment, Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque brushed it aside, saying Mr. Trillanes has long been making such threats. Mr. Roque said, “Lumang tugtugin. Election pa ’yan. Wala na ba bago? Parang sirang plaka.” — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Number coding scheme takes effect in 4 Cavite main roads

A NUMBER coding scheme, patterned after the one in Metro Manila, will be strictly implemented starting today, Feb. 5, in four major thoroughfares in Cavite, the provincial government has announced. The roads covered are:

• Aguinaldo Highway (Bacoor to Dasmariñas-Silang boundary)

• Governor’s Drive (Carmona to Trece Martires City – Tanza boundary)

• Molino Boulevard (Aguinaldo Highway to the Molino – Salawag – Paliparan Road)

• Molino-Salawag-Paliparan Road (Zapote, Bacoor to Paliparan, Dasmariñas City)

The vehicular reduction system, contained in Provincial Ordinance No. 164 as amended by Provincial Ordinance No. 173, exempts government vehicles, public utility vehicles, ambulances and other vehicles carrying person/s in need of emergency medical attention, firetrucks, police and military vehicles, registered school buses, and vehicles carrying relief goods for calamity areas. Licenses for exemption are also open for application, covering perishable goods delivery vehicles, company shuttle service, vehicles outfitted for persons with disabilities, and vehicles used by business locators and tourism agents, among others. Violators will be penalized with confiscation of driver’s license and a P300 fine.

Davao City cracks down on unlicensed security agencies

A DAVAO City councilor has called for the purging of private security agencies in the city following a report of groups operating without the needed permits. Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta, chair of the council committee on peace and public safety, said her office has started cross-referencing data from the Regional Civil Security Unit, Department of Labor and Employment, and the city government. If they are not included in the lists of these agencies, “they are considered illegal and existing laws will apply,” said Ms. Acosta. The Regional Security Association (RESA) earlier released a report that some security agencies have been doing business without permits. “I am warning all the owners of establishments who are getting contracts to please check if your agency has a business permit because if you are caught conducting business with them, you could face penalties as there are already existing laws on this,” warned Ms. Acosta. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

29 of 30 barangays back Dumaguete City sanitary landfill plan

THE PROPOSED construction of a sanitary landfill in the outskirts of Barangay Candau-ay in Dumaguete City has gained the support of 29 of 30 barangays in the city. A landfill is required under Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management of 2000. The village chiefs said the landfill is long overdue, especially as the open dumpsite in Candau-ay is becoming a health hazard, aside from violating provisions of the solid waste management law. Several closure orders on the dumpsite have been received by the city government, starting from previous administrations, with a penalty reaching P2.514 million. In an interview Friday, Mayor Felipe Antonio B. Remollo said he would not want this problem to be passed on to another set of city officials. The city has earlier complied with seven of the 13 parameters set by Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and is now waiting for further instructions from the regional office of the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau. — The Freeman

After Cebu City: Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu mull anti-counterflow law

OFFICIALS OF Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue cities are now looking into the implementation of an anti-counterflowing law, similar to that of Cebu City which takes effect today, Feb. 5. Cebu Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña signed last Friday Executive Order (EO) No. 34, which will penalize counter-flowing with a P500 fine on the driver and impounding the vehicle for 30 days. The EO was issued amid the rising concern over the worsening traffic condition in the city and its neighboring areas in Metro Cebu. “Most annoying of all these traffic violations are reckless driving, most specifically what is known as driving left or counter-flowing, which to the mind of the general public is not only a brazen disregard of basic road courtesy, but a cold display of indifference to the safety and wellbeing of other road users,” reads a part of the order. Francisco Ouano, operations chief the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), said 24 teams of mobile patrol groups will be deployed in three shifts. Each team has four members composed of three city traffic enforcers and one policeman. Fifty members of Task Force Alpha, the enforcement arm of the CCTO, will also supplement the mobile patrol personnel in implementing the EO. — The Freeman

Indonesia’s unstable rules keeping foreign investors away

JAKARTA — The chief of Indonesia’s investment board said on Friday frequent and abrupt changes in regulations were discouraging foreign investors from putting money into Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

Earlier last week, Thomas Lembong warned that Indonesia is ”still losing out” to neighbors such as the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.

Mr. Lembong, head of the Investment Coordinating Board, told reporters on Friday it is common knowledge that “sudden and constant changes in regulations create instability that is hard for any investor who’s willing to take a risk with their capital.”

“Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia have more stable regulations.”

Foreign investors have applauded some efforts by the government to streamline regulations, but say there are still too many restrictive regulations and a stifling bureaucracy.

Indonesia’s economy has been growing at about five percent annually in recent years, but policy makers have been frustrated by an inability to speed up the pace, partly due to sluggish consumption and tepid investment.

Last year, Indonesia recorded 8.5% more foreign direct investment (FDI) in rupiah terms than it attracted in 2016.

For 2017, FDI in sectors excluding banking and oil and gas was 430.5 trillion rupiah ($32 billion). For 2016, it reported an 8.4% increase in rupiah terms.

Indonesia has sought to scale back a so-called “negative investment list” that restricts or caps sectors open to foreign investors.

In February 2016, President Joko Widodo’s administration opened up sectors ranging from e-commerce and telecommunication equipment in a move dubbed “Big Bang”.

But Mr. Widodo’s pledge to revise the list further is yet to materialise.

The revision “is in process. The president has instructed us to evaluate this but let’s abide by the existing one for now,” Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said on Friday.

On Wednesday, Mr. Widodo warned that Indonesia was losing out to neighbours in export markets.

“This big country of Indonesia is inferior to Thailand in terms of exports. With enormous resources and human resources, we are losing. There is something wrong and something has to be changed,” the state news agency Antara quoted him as saying in a speech at the Trade Ministry.

Mr. Lukita said overcomplicated regulations and red tape were also obstructing foreign trade agreements.

Indonesia had only reached one free trade deal in the past eight years, with Chile, he said. — Reuters

ARMM vows continued infra project delivery despite latest Abu Sayyaf attack

THE AUTONOMOUS Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) government has condemned the latest attack by members of the Abu Sayyaf group that left two road project workers dead and two others seriously injured, but vowed to carry on with the implementation of public infrastructure needed for development. “We remain firm in our determination to continue building the infrastructure our people need. Yes, we grieve, but these attacks will not deter the ARMM regional government from continuing efforts to provide the infrastructure and vital services our people need,” ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman said in a statement released on Feb. 3. Last week, an Abu Sayyaf gunman shot at a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-ARMM truck and a transit mixer with an M203 assault rifle, killing the drivers of both vehicles. Two more DPWH-ARMM personnel who were with the slain drivers are still in critical condition. Mr. Hataman said, “The DPWH-ARMM builds so development can reach the most isolated and poorest communities — even if our district engineer has been attacked twice with hand grenades, even as the department has been subjected to numerous threats, and attempts at extortion.” — Mindanao Bureau

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