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2 die in Bukidnon highway mishap

COTABATO CITY — Two individuals died while five others were badly injured in a highway accident in Quezon town in Bukidnon on Monday.

The accident involved a refrigerated truck full of frozen fish that rammed a van and a motorcycle into a roadside ravine.

Senior officials of the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office and the Police Regional Office-10 told reporters on Tuesday that Mohammad Exan Bola, 53, of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, and the 26-year-old Jayser Pendorat Bautil, a resident of Barangay Kalilangan in Pantar, Lanao del Norte, were declared dead on arrival.

An initial report from the Quezon Municipal Police Station released to reporters early Tuesday stated that the driver of the refrigerated light truck lost control of the wheel when its brakes malfunctioned while maneuvering through a steep, downhill stretch of a highway in Barangay Palacapao in Quezon and hit a motorcycle and an L300 van ahead.

Witnesses had told police investigators who responded to the incident that all three vehicles that figured in the accident repeatedly rolled and landed in an open field about 50 meters down.

Mr. Bautil was a helper of the driver of the refrigerated truck, bearing license plates ZAD 6080, driven by the 45-year-old Solaiman Baco Moctar, of Digos City in Davao del Sur.

The road mishap left five others, including Moctar, the driver of the L300 van and the motorist, badly injured.

Police investigators and barangay officials have confirmed to reporters that the right arm of one of the victims got severed from the shoulder and was found in a grassy spot several meters away. — John Felix M. Unson

Cabinet to focus on 16 major infra projects

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE first full Cabinet meeting of the year tackled the 16 flagship infrastructure projects that need the government’s immediate attention, with the goal of achieving at least partial operations before the government steps down in 2028, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said.

Speaking at a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Mr. Bautista said the Cabinet also discussed the implementation of the 2025 budget.

The 16 flagship projects include the North-South Commuter Railway, the Metro Manila Subway Project, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 4, MRT Line 7, Light Rail Transit  Line 1 Extension, the New Cebu International Container Port, the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul, Mindanao Railway, and the New Dumaguete Airport.

Mr. Bautista said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is focusing on rail projects, especially the proposed North-South Commuter Railway, a 147-kilometer line connecting Clark Airport to Calamba, Laguna.

“It started during the previous administration, we are now working to complete this so that we can have partial operations by the end of 2028,” Mr. Bautista said. 

He said the Department of Transportation (DoTr) is currently handling 69 flagship infrastructure projects out of the 186 that were approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board, which is headed by the President.

“Out of these 69, there are major projects that need to be implemented as soon as possible,” he said. 

Mr. Bautista said cuts in the DoTr’s budget for 2025 will not affect priority projects, noting that the reductions only affected the foreign-assisted projects.

“We should be able to fund these from the loan proceeds,” he said. “We’re happy that the government’s share of most of our infrastructure projects was not reduced so we will continue to implement these programs.”

Mr. Bautista said the DoTr can still avail of the loans to fund major projects like the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway.

“We can still draw on the loans. We just need support from the Department of Budget and Management,” he said. “We have also discussed this with our development partners, and they will continue to provide the loans to the DoTr.”

Mr. Marcos on Dec. 30 signed into law the P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025 but vetoed more than P194 billion worth of line items that he said were inconsistent with his administration’s priorities.

In a statement after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Mr. Marcos “wants government agencies to reexamine the administration’s programs contained in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) but were defunded by Congress.”

“We have to reexamine so that the programs that we wanted — that we put in the NEP — can somehow be restored,” Mr. Marcos was quoted as saying.

“For the rest of the departments, I need you to give me the priorities — the things that we prioritized in the NEP that were removed in terms of budgeting, in terms of appropriations,” the President added.

The PCO said the President would like to “sit down with each department to ensure the government’s actual expenditure program will resemble the NEP.”

Among the items that the President wanted to look into were the P12 billion decrease in the budget for the maintenance of roads, the P500 million reduction in the funding for routine maintenance of bridges, and the P21-billion budget cut for feasibility studies, the PCO added.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin reiterated at the same briefing that the inclusion of funding for the military and police academies in the education budget was compliant with the Constitution.

He said the inclusion of the Philippine National Police Academy and Philippine Military Academy funding in the education budget requires a look at the issue “with a broader understanding.”

“If before the treatment was that the budget for education was only that allocated to DepEd (Department of Education), that was the wisdom at that time,” he said.

He said the vetoed items in the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways, which was allocated P1.01 trillion, caused the education sector to obtain the biggest share of the budget, as required by the Constitution.

Mr. Bersamin said the full Cabinet meeting — the 18th under the Marcos administration was “not able to tackle all the scheduled items because of lack of time… But we can assure you that whatever was discussed, we discussed it with thoroughness.”

EVs, green tech seen driving nickel, copper demand in 2025

REUTERS

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

MINERS are expected to encounter stronger demand for major Philippine minerals like copper, nickel, and gold in 2025, industry officials said.

“We remain upbeat on nickel given that the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy technologies will undoubtedly drive demand in 2025 and beyond,” Michael T. Toledo, chairman of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP), said via Viber.

This outlook points to a recovery in nickel, after nickel ore production fell 12% year on year to 25.7 million dry metric tons (DMT). Value had also dropped 21% to P42.98 billion.

Mr. Toledo added that copper is expected to remain a catalyst for the de-carbonization effort, alongside nickel.

“(It) will demonstrate its increasing role as a vital indicator of global economic health,” he said.

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the value of metallic mineral production rose 3.17% to P195.92 billion in the first nine months of 2024.

Copper output jumped 44% to 280,718 DMT, while value increased 53% to P27.92 billion.

Nickel and copper remain top commodities for the manufacture of electric vehicles and renewable energy components.

On the other hand, Mr. Toledo said that gold prices are expected to hit $3,000 per ounce by mid-2025, citing expert forecasts.

“Given the geopolitical uncertainties posed by the US-China-Russia tensions and the Middle East conflicts, it could even reach over $5,000,” he added.

Gold production declined 4% in the nine-month period to 22,034 kilograms. On the other hand the value of gold produced rose 19% to P92.67 billion.

Mr. Toledo said that the global push towards net-zero is expected to slow with the start of US President-elect Donald J. Trump’s second term.

“We don’t know yet how the Trump presidency will affect commodity prices, particularly those of minerals needed for clean energy.  Experts, however, believe President-elect Donald Trump’s return will only slow, but not stop, the global drive towards net-zero emissions,” he added.

He said that the government also should include a “financial stability clause” in all mineral agreements to address the unstable mining business environment in the Philippines and reassure potential investors.

“This will guarantee continuity of mining operations and assure the sanctity of contracts, regardless of material adverse changes in government policy that would prevent mining contractors from performing their obligations,” he added.

Additionally, Mr. Toledo said that the potential passage of the new mining fiscal regime and the digitization of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) application process were “welcome developments.”

The DENR has said it was planning to launch the digital application platform for mining permits this year to streamline processing.

The government is set to approve a law that will boost the government’s share of mining industry profits through a simplified five-tier royalty tax system.

Mr. Toledo said that addressing the problems faced by mining companies will “undoubtedly attract more mining investment and put us in a better position to participate in a significant way in both extraction and processing of minerals that are vital to the production of renewable energy products.”

Tobacco excise collections on track to miss 2024 target

REUTERS

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it collected P130.91 billion in tobacco excise taxes in the first 11 months of 2024, well behind the pace needed to hit the year’s target of P185.34 billion.

BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said at a hearing at the House of Representatives that consumption patterns for tobacco are changing, with users shifting away from cigarettes in favor of heated tobacco products and vapor products. He also cited the proliferation of products that evade tax, including smuggled cigarettes.

The Department of Science and Technology Food and Nutrition Research Institute said 10 to 19-year-olds currently smoking grew by 4.8% in 2023.

In the same House briefing, the Ways and Means committee heard proposals for a 20% ad valorem tax on vape units.

Currently, the Philippines charges an excise tax of P60 per pack of 20 cigarettes while vape products are levied a P54.60 per milliliter (mL) tax for salt nicotine and P63 per 10 mL tax for classic nicotine products, according to the excise tax rates prescribed by the Bureau of Customs for 2024.

“In principle, we are actually supportive of the unitary rate, particularly in the vapor products for ease of tax and be able to hit our health goals,” Finance Assistant Secretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano said.

“However, we would like to note that we are still studying the optimal rate because as you know right now for salt nicotine it was P54.60 per mL last year but for the free-base per 2024 to P63 per mL,” he added.

Meanwhile, Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) President Jericho B. Nograles said the organization is not in favor of the proposed 20% ad valorem tax on vape devices “as it was already covered in the 12% value-added tax.”

To deter the illicit trade in tobacco products, the PTI proposed that the current tax system be revisited to “determine the optimal tax rate that will allow the government to achieve its twin objectives of raising revenue and discouraging consumption of tobacco products without any unintended consequences.”

Mr. Nograles added that a single rate will be crucial for all vapor products.

The unnumbered substitute bill to House Bill No. 10329, which deals with the illicit tobacco trade, proposes a 5% increase in the tax rate for vapor products starting Jan. 1, 2027. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

November factory output contracts 4.2%

Workers are seen inside a manufacturing plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, March 1, 2023. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

FACTORY OUTPUT declined in November by 4.2% year on year, with the indicator dragged down by consecutive typhoons, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.

According to preliminary results from the PSA’s Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries, factory production, as measured by the volume of production index (VoPI), the November reading reversed a gain of a revised 0.7% in October and a 2.1% rise a year earlier.

The November reading was the weakest since the 5.1% contraction in September.

Month on month, the manufacturing sector’s VoPI fell 1.9%, deepening a 0.4% drop in October. Stripping out seasonality, factory output fell 1.9% in November from a 5.5% rise a month earlier.

Manufacturing output growth for the first 11 months averaged 1.1%, against 5.1% a year earlier.

The forward-looking indicators, on the other hand, are pointing to a recovery. The Philippine manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) compiled by S&P Global rose to 53.8 in November from 52.9 in October, the strongest reading since the 54.1 posted in May 2022.

PMIs are a gauge of the volume of raw material orders, which will be turned into manufactured goods later. The strength of purchasing is a proxy for how manufacturers forecast demand in the near future. A PMI reading below 50 points to a contraction in the manufacturing activity, while expansions are signaled by PMIs above 50.

“The supply chain disruptions as a result of adverse weather conditions, leading to port congestion and flooding and eventually to longer lead times for inputs,” Leonardo A. Lanzona, an economics professor at the Ateneo de Manila, said via Messenger.

Mr. Lanzona also said that inflationary pressures were present in November, raising input costs for manufacturers.

Inflation accelerated to 2.5% in November, as prices of vegetables, meat and fish rose after six typhoons entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility throughout the month.

Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., said by telephone that disruptions in the global supply chain caused by geopolitical tensions have also affected the electronics industry.

The PSA said that the November decline was led by food manufacturing, which contracted 0.8%. Food products account for 18.7% of manufacturing activity.

The manufacture of transport equipment fell 0.4%, and the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical declined 5.6%.

Average capacity utilization rate was 75.6% in November, topping the 74.8% from November 2023. The October reading was a revised 75.8%.

Nineteen out of 22 industry categories posted average capacity utilization rates of more than 70%. — Pierce Oel A. Montalvo

German chamber finds energy costs, logistics topping businesses’ concerns

LUFTHANSA-TECHNIK.COM

GERMAN companies listed high energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, and supply chain disruptions as their top concerns that tempered their confidence in the Philippine market, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) said.

Citing its World Business Outlook Survey, the GPCCI said in a statement on Tuesday that 54% of the respondents said they expect to expand their workforces in the Philippines, exceeding regional and worldwide averages.

Some 44% also said that they plan to increase investment in the Philippines, while 55% expressed positive sentiment towards the current business environment.

However, the GPCCI said that this optimism is being undermined by challenges in energy costs, infrastructure, and supply chains.

“The AHK World Business Outlook Survey demonstrates the Philippines’ ability to deliver good results, particularly in employment growth and investment intentions, compared to global counterparts,” GPCCI President Marie Antoniette Mariano said.

“However, while this optimism is encouraging, we must remain vigilant in addressing the structural challenges that could hinder sustained progress,” she added.

The GPCCI said that the Philippines showed higher sensitivity to rising energy prices and commodity costs compared to other ASEAN markets, while infrastructure bottlenecks were more pronounced.

“It is crucial to prioritize policies that enhance energy efficiency, modernize infrastructure, and build resilient supply chains to ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainable growth,” GPCCI Board Director and Policy and Advocacy Chairperson Marian Norbert Majer said. 

Meanwhile, the GPCCI said that businesses in the Philippines view efforts to meet sustainability requirements as a competitive advantage.

The GPCCI said 43% of the businesses identified sustainability practices as a growth driver. This is slightly higher than the global average of 41%.

To leverage sustainability, the chamber cited the need for reforms to address long-standing issues.

“Sustainability is a defining factor for the future of business, and the survey underscores its importance as a driver of competitiveness in the Philippines,” GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer said.

Around 44% of the companies cited a shortage of skilled labor as a risk, while 40% identified economic policy. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

BCDA says continued use of Capas, Tarlac landfill illegal

METRO CLARK WASTE MANAGEMENT FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said on Tuesday that Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWMC) continues to operate at the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill, violating the temporary restraining order against its use.

“The BCDA denounces the continuous illegal operations of the MCWMC of the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill in Capas, Tarlac, in violation of the 60-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals,” the BCDA said in a statement. 

“The TRO essentially allows the landowner, BCDA, to recover the state-owned property, there being no effective injunction that will hinder it (from doing) so,” it added.

According to the BCDA, it received reports that MCWMC had set up a station along the road outside the Kalangitan landfill.

“Aside from the barriers set up by MCWMC preventing recovery efforts, security on the ground reported a foul smell emanating from the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill, raising health and safety concerns for the neighboring communities,” it said.

The BCDA said it contacted the Philippine National Police, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and sanitation inspectors and public health officials of the governments of Tarlac and Capas.

“BCDA urges MCWMC to uphold the rule of law, to stop trespassing on government property, and to cease its illegal operations at Kalangitan,” it said.

It also called on local government units, businesses, and other clients to stop using the landfill.

“To reiterate, the landfill has no Authority to Operate (ATO) or business permit. Continued use of the facility constitutes a violation of existing environmental laws such as Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” it added.

Last month, BCDA warned that the continuous use of the 100-hectare landfill is against the law and noted that the contract between its subsidiary Clark Development Corp. and MCWMC expired on Oct. 5 and cannot be renewed or extended. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

ERC capex aprovals in 2024 top P101B

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved capital expenditure (capex) proposals amounting to P101.81 billion in 2024.

The applications had been filed by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and various distribution utilities (DUs) and electric cooperatives, ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa C. Dimalanta told reporters at a recent briefing.

“All in all, these projects amounted to P101 billion in investments required from NGCP and the DUs” benefiting more than 185,000 customers, she said.

The commission issued decisions involving 37 capex projects. Thirteen applications were from the NGCP and 20 were from DUs.

It also promulgated 12 NGCP capex projects and three DU projects.

In 2024, the ERC approved of 11 power supply agreements, allowing the distribution of electricity generated by plants with capacity of up to 3,052.9 MW.

It also approved 31 ancillary services procurement agreements worth 41.63 MW and 15 point-to-point applications, paving the way for the delivery of 2,362.43 MW of capacity.

The ERC also approved 386 certificates of compliance (CoCs) and provisional authorities to operation for independent power producers, 3,806 CoCs for qualified end-users, 894 CoCs for self-generating facilities, and 53 CoCs for distributed energy resources.

A CoC is a license issued by the ERC that grants permission to operate, allowing the entry of a total of 27,424.327 MW new capacities from issued certificates.

“This year, we are targeting to issue the final decisions for all 36 ancillary services agreements. There are also 15 point-to-point (applications). These are the lines from the plant connecting to the grid,” Ms. Dimalanta said.

For 2025, the ERC’s first-half priorities include the completion of the rate reset processes covering the fourth and fifth regulatory periods for the NGCP and power distributor Manila Electric Co., respectively.

The rate reset process is usually a forward-looking exercise that requires the regulated entity to submit forecast expenditures and proposed projects over a five-year regulatory period. The ERC assesses the actual performance of the entity and adjusts rates as needed.

The commission is also hoping to act on the pending petitions of the state-run National Power Corp. (NPC) regarding its rate application for Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME), a monthly charge collected from on-grid electricity end-users used to subsidize cost of power in off-grid areas.

“Hoping by this first month of the year, we will resolve all the pending UCME petitions of NPC to align with the current UCME petitions,” the ERC chief said.

The commission is also hoping to finish the roadmap on Full Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) and the campaign on Omnibus Customer Choice Programs within the first half of the year. RCOA allows qualified electricity consumers to choose their own power supplier.

For the second half, the key priorities include the resolution for NGCP’s rate reset covering the fifth regulatory period, completion of the reset of other private DUs, and revision of the secondary price cap at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

SC upholds contested EPIRA provisions

ANDREY METELEV-UNSPLASH

THE Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the constitutionality of several provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), ruling that electricity generation and supply are not public utility operations but remain subject to regulation by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

In a resolution promulgated on July 31, 2024, but publicized on Jan. 7, the Court, sitting en banc, dismissed a petition filed by Anakpawis Rep. Fernando L. Hicap, and others, against the ERC, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the Executive Secretary, that had sought to declare several sections of the law unconstitutional.

The Court upheld Sections 6 and 29 of EPIRA, clarifying that electricity generation and supply are not considered public utility operations and remain subject to regulation by the ERC.

In the same Resolution, the Court also affirmed Sections 34 and 43(b)(ii) of the law, which grant the ERC the authority to determine and approve the universal charge imposed on electricity end-users.

Additionally, it upheld Section 43(f), empowering the ERC to establish charges that enable distribution utilities to recover their losses.

The Court found no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the ERC in its implementation of the law.

It said that for a business to be classified as a public utility, it must offer a service essential to the public.

Since power generation and supply companies serve only a limited customer base and do not interact directly with the public, they are not considered public utilities.

Nevertheless, companies remain subject to government regulation due to the safeguards outlined in the EPIRA, which are designed to prevent abuse or irregularities.

These safeguards include the requirement for companies to obtain a certificate of compliance from the ERC, along with other regulatory measures.

The court added the universal charge is not a tax, as it is not designed to generate revenue. Instead, it aims to support the sustainability of the electric power industry under the State’s police power to promote public welfare.

EPIRA grants the ERC the authority to determine and approve this charge.

In addition, the court affirmed the ERC’s authority to implement a system allowing distribution utilities to recover losses, thereby ensuring the efficiency and quality of their services.

The delegation of this power from Congress to the ERC is protected by clear standards and limitations outlined in the EPIRA, it ruled.

The petitioners had argued that the ERC committed grave abuse of discretion in issuing guidelines for the Automatic Adjustment of Generation Rate and System Loss Rates by Distribution Utilities (AGRA Rules).

They also questioned the ERC’s approval of a staggered implementation of power rate increases requested by Meralco in December 2013.

They also claimed that the universal charge is a form of tax, which must be set by Congress. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

NZ poultry imports banned after bird flu outbreak

REUTERS

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it banned imports of poultry and wild birds from New Zealand (NZ) after an outbreak of Type H7N6 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.

In Memorandum Order No. 1, the DA said shipments of domestic and wild birds, poultry meat, day-old chicks, eggs, and semen from the country were suspended.

“There is a need to prevent the entry of the HPAI virus to protect the health of Philippine poultry,” it added.

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries submitted a report to the World Organization for Animal Health, regarding an outbreak of HPAI in Canterbury in November affecting domestic birds.

An official report from the New Zealand government was submitted on Dec. 1 following confirmation by the New Zealand National Animal Health Laboratory.

The DA suspended the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import certificates for poultry products from New Zealand.

According to the Bureau of Animal Industry, avian flu has been detected in 53 Philippine municipalities across five provinces as of Jan 3. — Adrian H. Halili

BCDA awards management deal for John Hay golf course

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE interim management contract for the golf facilities at Camp John Hay (CJH) in Baguio City has been awarded to Golfplus Management, Inc., the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the BCDA said Golfplus operates the driving ranges of the Nuvali and Alviera estates and of sports management and marketing agency DuckWorld PH.

“We know the CJH golf course is a crowd favorite in the golf community. New and former players will continue to enjoy premium services at the estate facilities during the interim period,” BCDA Vice-President Mark P. Torres said.

The golf estate facilities, which were formerly handled by CJH Development Corp. subsidiary CJH Golf Club, Inc., have been recovered by the BCDA after a notice to vacate was served to CJH DevCo on Monday.

“We will be introducing improvements and evaluating systems and protocols to provide appropriate recommendations when the estate is ready to be turned over to a long-term private partner,” Golfplus President and Interim Management Head Eduardo P. Arguelles said.

“We want to assure clients and stakeholders that we will be updating everyone regularly to guide them during the transition,” he added.

The golf estate facilities will be closed on Jan. 7 and 8 to facilitate an inventory of the property and other transitional activities.

“The new management will make sure services continue and workers and caddies are cared for,” John Hay Management Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Marlo Quadra said.

“We look forward to upholding the prestige of the golf estate and quality of service for players and guests,” he added.

LODGING
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the BCDA said the Manor and Forest Lodge at CJH will also have a new interim manager, Landco Pacific Corp.

“This is to assist the BCDA in transitioning the properties to a new private partner once they are ready to be awarded for long-term lease and management arrangements,” Landco said.

A subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Landco will be the interim operator of the facilities for one year, extendable to two.

“We are happy to assist the BCDA in this transition. CJH must realize its potential as a special economic zone. This is a significant first step,” MPIC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“We have assembled a highly capable team to make sure that these legacy properties are protected and enhanced as cornerstones of Baguio history and tourism. Staff and guests need not worry,” he added.

The interim task force for the management transition of the hotels will be led by Patrick C. Gregorio, the head of Landco Lifestyle Ventures. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

SEAG gold medalist Mervin Guarte stabbed to death in Calapan City

MERVIN GUARTE — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

SOUTHEAST ASIAN GAMES (SEAG) gold medalist Mervin Guarte suffered a tragic end after a stabbing incident that led to his demise on Monday in his hometown Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

“We are still in shock, very sad,” said Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation President Alberto Agra after learning of Mr. Guarte’s passing.

According to police reports, the unidentified assailant stabbed Mr. Guarte in the chest while the latter was sleeping in the living room of Brgy. Councilor Dante Albo Abel at 4:30 a.m.

Mr. Guarte, an Air Force man, managed to call for help and was rushed to a nearby hospital before expiring.

It was a gruesome death to an athlete who had brought honor to the country following a pair of SEA Games gold in obstacle racing and the same number of silver in athletics.

He was 33.

The incident drew an outpouring of condolences from friends and fellow national team mainstays including Olympic boxing medalists Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial.

“RIP boss meg,” said Ms. Petecio.

Rest in peace, meg,” said Mr. Marcial.

“Mourning for our one of the medalist athletes from Patafa to Obstacle for his untimely demise,” Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, for his part, said.

“The Philippine sports community mourns the untimely death of Mervin Guarte, a long-time member of the national team and a multi-medalist from the Southeast Asian Games,” said Philippine Sports Commission Chair Richard Bachmann in a statement.

“Rest in peace! Thank you for your service to the country, Mervin (Guarte),” he added.

For Olympian pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, he will miss someone he considers like an older brother.

“I just learned the devastating news of the shocking death of my friend and National Teammate Kuya Mervin Guarte,” said Mr. Obiena. “May his soul rest in peace, and I am sending my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.  What a tragedy.  Only 33 years old.”

“This is another poignant reminder to us all, that we must embrace every day as a gift as tomorrow is never guaranteed. Blessed to have shared the track with you. Rest well my friend,” he added. — Joey Villar

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