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Stocks drop as Wall St. sinks on recession fears

By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
LOCAL SHARES fell on Wednesday, reflecting the steep decline of markets in the United States pulled down by fears of a recession alongside the return of trade war fears.
The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) snapped a two-day rally as it retreated 0.94% or 73.02 points to 7,630.90 yesterday. The broader all-shares index also shed 0.61% or 28.35 points to 4,574.16.
“Philippine shares felt the onslaught of one of the biggest reversals this year as US stocks fell sharply on Tuesday in the biggest decline since the October rout. Investors renewed concerns about a bond market phenomenon signaling a possible economic slowdown,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.
Investors were cautious about the fluctuating bond market, with the gap between short and long-term Treasury rates narrowing this week. The inversion of the yield curve is seen as a sign before almost every recession.
With this, Wall Street’s major indices bled overnight. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunging 3.1% or 799.36 points to 25,027.07. The S&P 500 index plummeted 3.24% or 90.31 points to 2,700.06, while the Nasdaq Composite index tumbled 3.8% or 283.09 points to 7,158.43.
Diversified Securities, Inc. Equities trader Aniceto K. Pangan also attributed the market’s performance to the drop in US markets, disregarding the slower inflation print for the month of November.
“Market corrected today…after US market was down heavily by almost 800 points, despite Philippine inflation rate eased to 6% year on year from 6.7% (in October),” Mr. Pangan said via text.
“The US market was mainly affected by the concerns on the no progress between US-China trade talks, as well as the hawkish stance of US Federal Reserve thereby flattening the short term from the long term yield curve difference indicative of slow growth scenario.”
Back home, four sectoral indices moved to negative territory, led by holding firms which went down 1.4% or 107.13 points to 7,545.26. Financials slipped 0.92% or 16.69 points to 1,798.07; property declined 0.78% or 29.74 points to 3,745.43; while services dipped 0.19% or 2.76 points to 1,437.42.
Meanwhile, the mining and oil counter gained 0.38% or 32.95 points to 8,606.05. Industrials added 0.1% or 11.24 points to 10,907.24.
Some 1.66 billion issues switched hands resulting in a value turnover of P8.32 billion, slowing from the previous session’s P11.49 billion.
Foreign investors turned net sellers, albeit at a meager amount of P28 million versus the previous session’s net purchases of P1.08 billion.
Decliners outpaced advancers by a hair, 98 to 96, while 34 names were unchanged.

Senate says no time for charter change

By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
SENATE PRESIDENT Vicente C. Sotto III on Wednesday said his chamber could no longer tackle, due to time constraints, the draft federal charter that the House of Representatives approved on second reading on Tuesday.
“We don’t have time to take it up. If they had fast-tracked the budget, maybe we could’ve taken it up,” he told reporters.
The House of Representatives has formulated its own version of a draft federal charter through a resolution calling for charter change. It is expected to be passed on third reading on Monday.
The chamber’s proposed Constitution provides a “presidential-bicameral-federal system” of government. It gives power for Congress to establish a federal state through legislation.
Unlike the proposed charter of the Duterte-appointed Consultative Commission (ConCom), the House version does not contain provisions banning political dynasties and limiting congressional terms.
In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, House Speaker Gloria M. Arroyo said the draft federal charter underwent democratic processes, in response to accusations that the chamber railroaded the measure.
“It’s part of the democratic process. There was a debate. It was voted on, we send it to them. That’s part of the democratic process,” she said.
Under the 1987 Constitution, any amendment or revision to the Charter may be proposed through three methods: by convening Congress into a constituent assembly, by electing delegates in a constitutional convention, or by forming a people’s initiative.
Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, who heads the committee that the House’s charter change resolution may be referred to once it is transmitted to the Senate, said in a statement on Wednesday, “If within the administration, they cannot agree on what should be amended in the Constitution, why should it be forced to the public? It will be better if we let the next Congress tackle Charter Change.”

Madrigal named next AFP chief

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has appointed Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr. as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement on Wednesday that Mr. Duterte wants retiring chief of staff General Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. to head the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
In his letter dated Dec. 5 to Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Mr. Duterte said that, “per your letter-endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief of Staff…and Chairman, AFP Board of Generals,…the designation of…(Mr.) Madrigal…as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines…is hereby approved effective December 12, 2018.”
Mr. Panelo, in his statement, also said, “The President announced his intention to appoint General Carlito Galvez, Jr. to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.”
Former presidential peace adviser Jesus G. Dureza resigned last month, following the dismissal of two OPAPP officials due to corruption allegations. In his letter to the President, Mr. Dureza said he was tendering his resignation “to pave the way for the needed reorganization” that the President may wish to undertake at OPAPP.
Last month, Mr. Galvez expressed his interest to become a consultant for the agency. He said he wanted to ensure the smooth implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
“I already conveyed my interest with OPAPP and I told Secretary Dureza that I can be some sort of consultant, so he accepted my request,” he said in a televised press conference on Nov. 19.
“We want that, if ever, during the effective implementation of the BOL, maybe we can also reach out with the BIFF so that they can also join hands with us, so that we can also have a peaceful life,” he said further.
Also in his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Panelo said: “The Chief Executive likewise instructed Secretary of Agriculture Emmanuel Piñol to exert more efforts in assuring that the plight of farmers would be lifted, in the President’s words, ‘to a degree of comfort.’”
“During the same Cabinet meeting, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio, Jr. thanked the President for the opportunity to work with the Administration, and expressed his willingness to work with incoming Secretary Gregorio Honasan II,” Mr. Panelo added.

SC upholds decision clearing Mikey Arroyo from tax case

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) upheld the Court of Tax Appeals’ (CTA) March 21 decision clearing former party-list congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” M. Arroyo from his P27.3-million tax-evasion case.
The SC’s First Division said in a Sept. 12 resolution it dismissed the government’s petition for certiorari on Mr. Arroyo’s case because of “its procedural defects and substantive deficiencies.”
The high court said the CTA “did not act capriciously” and “assiduously sifted the evidence and analysed the records” on Mr. Arroyo’s case.
“Also, the CTA in Division, noting that the [Bureau of Internal Revenue] did not discover the sources of Arroyo’s vaunted income, fully disclosed the various reasons why the State’s theory of the charges could not prosper, and how the chosen audit procedure known as the net worth method did not suffice to prove his criminal liability under the informations,” the resolution read.
The Court also said the petition was prematurely filed because the government did not first file a motion for reconsideration, which is “a gross violation” of the Rules of Court.
“(P)rocedural rules should be treated with utmost respect and due regard mainly because they have been crafted and designed to ensure the prompt adjudication of cases to remedy the worsening problem of delay in the resolution of rival claims and in the administration of justice,” the SC said. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Bayan Muna tops Comelec’s roster of party-list groups

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) released on Wednesday the list of 181 party-list groups that will take part in the 2019 midterm elections, with Bayan Muna topping the list and Kasosyo of former communications assistant secretary Margaux J. Uson at the last.
Among the other parties included in the list are Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party (AKBAYAN), ACT Teachers Party-list, Gabriela Women’s Party-list (Gabriella), Magdalo Para sa Pilipino (Magdalo),Kabataan Party-list (Kabataan), ACTS Overseas Filipino Workers Coalition of Organizations (ACTS-OFW), Ako Bikol, ABONO, An Waray,AnakPawis, Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP), Partido Manggagawa and Kasosyo Producer-Consumer Exchange Association (Kasosyo).
Last October, 185 party-list groups filed their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance.
AnakPawis and TUCP are the electoral wings of labor groups Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), respectively.
Kasosyo party-list was linked to the pork barrel scam years back when it was still AA-Kasosyo.
ACT Teachers was also drawn in controversy recently when its representative, Francisca L. Castro, was arrested for alleged trafficking and kidnapping of minors in behalf of the communist movement.
On Wednesday, the Comelec raffled the names of party-lists, organizations, and coalitions to determine their order in the ballots in next year’s midterm elections. These are the party-list groups:
1. Bayan Muna
2. Kabalikat ng Mamayanan
3. Magkakasama sa Sakahan, Kaunlaran
4. Philippine Educators Alliance for Community Empowerment Party
5. Nagkakaisang Pilipino Para sa Pag-Angat ng Maralitang Manileño
6. National Association of Electricity
7. OFW Family Club, Inc
8. 1-United Transport Koalisyon
9. Kusug Tausug
10. Global Workers and Family Federation, Inc.
11. Agila ng Katutubong Pilipino, Inc.
12, Ang Nars, Inc.
13. Barkadahan Para Sa Bansa Inc.
14. Anakpawis
15. Women and Child Crime Abuse Assistance
16. Construction Wokrers’ Solidarity
17. Parents Teachers Alliance
18. Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa
19. AKO OFW, INC
20. Dumper Philippines Taxi Drivers Association, Inc.
21. Luntiang Pilipinas Party-list
22. Ako Bisdak-Bisayang Dako (AB-BD), Inc.
23. Academicians, Students and Educators Alliance, Inc.
24. Association of Philippine Electric Cooperetives
25. Teachers’ Dignity Party-List
26. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta
27. Amepa-OFW Access Center, Inc.
28. Aksyon Health Workers
29. Bahay Para sa Pamilyang Pilipino
30. Philippine National Police Retirees Association, Inc.
31. Joint Union of Activist Filipino Movement
32. Pinagbuklod Na Filipino Para sa Bayan
33. Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption.
34. Kaagapay ng Mamamayang Pilipino
35. Murang Kuryente Party-list
36. Angkla: Ang Partido ng mga Pilipinong Marino, Inc.
37. Gabriela Women’s Party-list
38. Ako An Bisaya
39. Isang Lapian ng Mangingisda at Bayan Tungo sa kaunlaran
40. Ranao Federal State Movement
41. Philippine Environment Recycling Association, Inc.
42. Kabataan Partylist
43. An Waray
44. Sulong Dignidad Party
45. Wired and Wireless Internet for Filipino, Inc.
46. Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations Inc.
47. Alagaan Natin Ating Kalusugan
48. Talino at Galing Pinoy
49. Abe Kapampangan
50. Isang Alyansang Aalalay sa Pilipino Skilled Workers, Inc.
51. Aksyon Magsasaka-Partido Tinig ng Masa
52. Arts Business and Science Professionals
53. Bagong Henerasyon
54. Alyansa ng mga Mamamayang Probonsyano
55. Partido Manggagagawa
56. Alyansa General, Parents teacher Association Indigenous People, Inc.
57. Gawang Pinoy
58. Ang National Coalition of Indigenous Peoples Action Na! Inc.
59. Sinag Tungo sa Kaunlaran
60. Public Safety Alliance for transformation and Rule of Law Inc.
61. Cyclista at Motorista ng Pilipinas, Inc.
62. Kabalikat ng Baya sa Kaunlaran
63. Kooperatiba-Kapisanan ng Magsasaka ng Pilipinas
64. Probinsyano People’s Movement
65. Union of Nationalist Democratic Filipino Organization
66. Ang Bol-Anon
67. Serbisyo sa Bayan Party
68. Pilipinas Para sa Pinoy
69. Ina na Nagmamahal sa Anak
70. Kilusan ng organisadong Mamamayan Para sa Ulirang transportasyon at Epektibong Reporma
71. Una ang Edukasyon
72. Kapatirang Magmamais ng Pilipinas Inc.
73. Ang Laban ng Indiginong Pilipino
74. Ang Mata-y Alagaan
75. LPG Marketers Association, Inc.
76. Abono
77. Stop & Go Transport Coalition
78. Ako Ayoko sa Bawal na Droga
79. Avid Builders of Active Nation’s Citizenry Towards Empowered Philippines
80. Marino Samahan ng mga Seaman
81. Liga ng mga Mag-uumang Probinsyano, Inc
82. Ang Tao Muna at Bayan
83. ACT Teachers
84. People’s Champ Guardians
85. Kapisanan ng Nagkakaisang Naghahangad ng Kaunlaran, Kasaganaan, Katahimikan at Pagkakaisa
86. Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation, Inc.
87. Buhay Hayaan Yumabong
88. Akbayan Citizens Action party
89. Partido Sandugo
90. Confederation of Senior Citizens Coalition of Phil.
91. Probinsyano Ako
92. Ako Bisaya, Inc
93. Alliance of Volunteer Educators
94. Movement for Economic Transformation and Righteous Opportunities
95. Ating Agapay Sentrong Samahan ng mga Obrero
96. Alliance of Organizations, Networks and Associations of the Philippines
97. Tribal Communities Association of the Philippines
98. Barangay Natin
99. Tingog Sinirangan
100. Manila Teachers’ Savings and Loan Association, Inc.
101. Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support, Inc.
102. Ang Siguro, Inc.
103. Append, Inc.
104. Confederation of Savings and Loan Associations, Inc.
105. Kaisahan ng mga Maliliit na Magsasaka
106. Isogdabaw, Inc.
107. 1Anak Ti Ilocano Association, Inc.
108. Abakada Guro
109. Kalinga-Advocacy For Social Empowerment and Nation Building Through Easing Poverty, Inc.
110. Noble Advancement of Marvelous People of the Philippines, Inc.
111. Ang Pasahero, Inc.
112. Ang Asosasyon Sang Mangunguma Nga Bisaya-Owa Mangunguma, Inc.
113. Tinderong Pinoy Party
114. Agr-Agra Na Reporma Para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement
115. Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines
116. ACTS Overseas Filipino Workers Coalition of organizations
117. Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications and Associations of the Philippines
118. People Surge Disaster Survivors Group, Inc.
119. Alliance for Truthful Information
120. Pambansang Nagkakaisa sa paggawa at Agrikultura
121. Sandigan ng mga Manggagagwa sa Konstruksiyon
122. One Patriotic Coalition of Marginalized Nationals
123. 1-Ang Trabahador na Pinoy
124.Abante Mindanao, Inc
125. Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan
126. Partido Lakas ng Masa
127. Awareness of Keepers of the Environment, Inc.
128. Katipunan ng mga Guardians Brotherhood, Inc.
129. United Filipino Consumers and Commuters, Inc.
130. Coalition of Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines, Inc.
131. Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action Cooperation and Harmony Towards Education Reform
132. Galing sa Puso Party
133. Alliance of Public Transport Organization, Inc.
134. One Bagong Ahapo ng Pilipinas Party-list
135. Association of Farmers, Fisherfolks and Small Miners
136. Ang Kabuhayan
137. You Against Corruption and Poverty
138. Magdalo Para sa Pilipino
139. Alliance of National Urban Poor Organizations Assembly, Inc.
140. 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy, Inc.
141. Ako Bicol Political Party
142. Cooperative NATCCO Network
143. Kilusang Maypagasa
144. Adhikaing Tinataguyod ng kooperatiba
145. Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao Laban sa Kahirapan
146. GUARDJAN (Association of Guard, Utility Helper, Aider, Rider, Driver, Domestic Helper, Janitor, Agent, Nanny of the Philippines, Inc.)
147. Association of Lady Entrepreneurs
148. Aangat Tayo
149. Kabalikat ng Nagkakaisang Manileño
150. Barangay Health Wellness
151. Rural Electric Consumers and Beneficiaries of Development and Advancement, Inc
152. Ako Padayon Pilipino
153. Anak Mindanao
154. Alliance of OFW Party
155. Tanggol Maralita
156. One Unified Transport Alliance of the Philippines — Bicol Region
157. Duty to Energize the republic Through the Enlightenment of the Youth Sectoral Party-list organization
158. Butil Farmers Party
159. Pambansang Kilusan ng Nagkakaisang Manggagagwa, or Kilos na Mangagagawa
160. Tourism Educators and Movers, Philippines
161. Ang Aking Ina Ipaglaban Inc
162. Green Force for the Environment Sons and Daughters of Mother Earth
163. Abang Lingkod, Inc.
164. Agbiag! Timpuyog Ilocano, Inc.
165. Minimum Wage Earners
166. Trade Union Congress Party
167. 1Accountants Pary-list, Inc.
168. Filipino Family Party
169. Wow Pilipinas Movement
170. Social Amelioration & Genuie Intervention on Poverty
171. Democratic Independent Workers’ Association
172. Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Inc.
173. One Philippines
174. Gawing Una ang Tagumpay ng Ordinaryong Mamayanan
175. Partido ng Bayan ang Bida
176. Laang Kawal ng Pilipinas
177. 1 Alliance Advocating Autonomy Party
178. YESPH Community Development
179. RBU Tamang Isip Mental Health Center
180. Grains Retailers’ Confederation of the Philippines, Inc.
181. Kasosyo Producer-Consumer Exchange Association, Inc.
— Gillian M. Cortez

PCA officials ordered to submit courtesy resignation

AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said he has already instructed board members of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to submit their courtesy resignation in accordance with the reorganization of the agency under the Coco Levy Act. In a report of broadcast network ABS-CBN, Mr. Piñol was quoted as saying: “It was I who suggested to give PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) a free hand in selecting new officials.” “They will work until such time the new board members are appointed or if they are reappointed,” Mr. Piñol added. The announcement came after a Cabinet member meeting held last Tuesday. The PCA was transferred back under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture last September, along with the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), which were all placed under the Office of the President during the administration of former President Benigno S.C. Aquino III. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said on Wednesday that among Mr. Duterte’s directives at the Cabinet meeting was for Mr. Piñol “to exert more efforts in assuring that the plight of farmers would be lifted, in the President’s words, ‘to a degree of comfort.’” The implementation of the Coco Levy Act is expected to benefit coconut farmers nationwide, wit the funds to be used for shared facilities, scholarship program, strengthening cooperatives, and health and medical benefits, among others. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

LTFRB cancels franchises of Dimple Star for fatal road crashes

THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has revoked the franchises of Dimple Star Transport Corp. following multiple road accidents involving its provincial buses that resulted to deaths and injuries. In a Dec. 3 decision, the LTFRB ordered the cancelation of the 11 franchises of the bus company, which covered its entire fleet of 118 units. “[T]his Board finds Mr. (Hilbert S.) Napat/Dimple Star to have repeatedly and deliberately violated or willfully and contumaciously refused to comply with the terms and conditions (in) his/its CPC (Certificate of Public Convenience),” it read. Dimple Star has been ordered to surrender to the LTFRB its plates, which will be destructed before being turned over to the Land Transportation Office. In a joint statement with the Department of Transportation (DoTr), the LTFRB said Dimple Star has recorded eight road crashes since 2011, which resulted to the death of 25 individuals and injury of 134. “We are cancelling the franchise of the entire fleet of Dimple Star because of repetitive recklessness in their transport service. One death is already one too many,” LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said in the statement. In March, President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered the arrest of the operator of Dimple Star following a road crash in Occidental Mindoro, where 19 passengers died and 21 others injured. The LTFRB Board said in its decision the casualties from the bus operator’s road accidents show Dimple Star’s failure to honor its franchise. “When a CPC is granted, the justification in the decision is that the proposed service shall promote public interest and convenience and not the private interest of the operator/grantee,” it said. — Denise A. Valdez

Pagsanjan celebrates 350th anniversary

PAGSANJAN town, knows for its falls that takes a thrilling boat ride to reach, is celebrating its 350th founding day this year with the week-long Lagaslas Bangkero Festival from Dec. 6-12. The municipal tourism office said the festivities would be “a tribute to the bangkeros or boatmen who skillfully navigate and shoot the rapids all the way to the picture-perfect falls.” The kick-off event would be the unveiling of the commemorative marker of the Spanish-era Royal Arch, which was built in 1878 to memorialize Pagsanjan as Laguna’s provincial capital from 1688 to 1872. The town has also been declared as Laguna’s “tourist capital.” Mayor Maita Javier-Ejercito said this year’s celebration is “special with the Seal of Good Local Governance received by Pagsanjan from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its stewardship and sound fiscal management.” Aside from the waterfalls, the town’s other attractions are its ancestral stone houses and the new San Isidro Hill Religious Eco-Tourism Park.

MCIAA, Cebu gov’t formalize partnership for Bantayan Airport development; repairs to start soon

THE Cebu provincial government and the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the improvement of the Bantayan Airport, which has been closed since mid-Nov. 2017. The MOA, signed by Gov. Hilario P. Davide III and MCIAA General Manager Steve Y. Dicdican last Nov. 27, sets the terms, conditions and the obligations the two parties. Under the agreement, MCIAA will operate and manage the airport, and allocate P30 million for the repair and maintenance of the existing terminal building, construct the perimeter fence, and improve the runway. In a statement from the Cebu government, Mr. Dicdican said the renovation works will start before the end of the year. The provincial government, on the other hand, will prepare the architectural, engineering and other plans, in consultation with the Civil Aviation and Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the MCIAA, for the development of the facility, currently classified as a community airport, into a commercial airport. The local government will also be responsible for the construction “and thereafter, cost of repair, rehabilitation and improvements of the structures and facilities as a commercial airport.” The ownership of the new terminal and other facilities will be turned over to the MCIAA. Bantayan Island, a popular beach destination in northern Cebu, is not connected by bridge to the mainland.

IP leaders confirm no parents’ consent for children in Talaingod arrest

LEADERS and elders of the Ata-Manobo indigenous people (IP) in Talaingod, Davao del Norte have confirmed that the group of former Bayan Muna representative Saturnino C. Ocampo did not get any consent from parents to bring their children for a solidarity mission, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) said in a statement on Tuesday night, Dec. 4.
“The leaders and members of the Ata-Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in Talaingod town tell a different story. Bae Pilar Libayao of the Municipal Tribal Office of Talaingod questions the taking of their children when there is no conflict happening in their place. She goes further by saying that it is the non-government organizations (NGOs) that bring conflict to their community because the teachers do not teach anything except to fight the government,” the NCIP said.
Last Nov. 29, Mr. Ocampo and 17 others were arrested and charged for human trafficking and kidnapping as they were transporting 14 minors out of Talaingod.
Mr. Ocampo, who is out on bail, claimed that they just rescued the children from alleged harassment of a paramilitary group that closed the Salugpungan schools.
NCIP added, “The spokesperson of the Talaingod Tribal Council of Elders, Datu Lumansad Sibogan, confirms Libayao’s statements saying the NGOs did not obtain the consent of the community relative to the transport of their children. He cited parents looking for their children and finding them among those found at the checkpoint. He also said he previously witnessed NPA (New People’s Army) commanders visiting the schools and being welcomed by Salugpungan teachers, and also saw the students being taught how to dismantle firearms.”
NCIP also noted that the Salugpungan did not secure a permit to operate as required by law, while “the Ata-Manobo Municipal Tribal Council of Elders led by Datu Gibang Apuga issued a resolution asking for the closure of the said schools for, among other reasons, failure to secure consent, misrepresentation to the parents and students of its nature, teachings of hatred against the government instead of academic lessons, and lack of respect of the tribal leadership and customary laws.”
On Monday, Philippine National Police Director General Oscar D. Albayalde said the kidnapping case will be refiled against Mr. Ocampo and his companions.
The left-leaning Makabayan bloc, meanwhile, said it plans to file a case against military officials for accusing one of Mr. Ocampo’s companions, ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France L. Castro, of being a member of the NPA.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Col. Edgard A. Arevalo has countered that the leftist group should instead be afraid of the cases filed against them.
“If there is anything they must be afraid of, it is not their so-called ‘red-tagging’ by the AFP. It is the cases legally filed against them and the mounting evidences against their infamous version of ‘rescue’,” said Mr. Arevalo in a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 5. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Davao-Jinjiang flights start Dec. 18

XIAMEN AIR will launch its direct Davao-Quanzhou (Jinjiang City) route on Dec. 18, following the sisterhood agreement signed between the two cities. On its Website, the airline calls on travelers to “explore this ancient Chinese cultural hub, as well as connect to other cities of China, with our direct flights from the Philippines’ ‘Durian Capital.’” The flights are initially set twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, using a Boeing 737-800. “With the rapid growth of Sino-Philippine Relations in recent years, many provinces and cities of China have conducted exchanges and cooperation with the Philippines, in which fruitful results were achieved, and Davao is the pioneer and model of this,” Xiamen Airlines General Manager Lin Huagun’s said in a letter posted online. Davao City’s tourism office has started accrediting more tour guides who are fluent in Mandarin in preparation for the expected increase in Chinese tourists. Aside from the sisterhood ties, other partnerships signed were a Tourism Exchange Agreement and three memorandum of understanding between businessmen, including the establishment of a Confucius Institute at the Ateneo de Davao University. “On its own, Davao City stands as a strong community. But with partner communities and sister cities like Jinjiang, we stand stronger,” Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said. — Carmencita A. Carillo

Nation at a Glance — (12/06/18)

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

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