DELIVERY of power to most of Leyte, Samar and Bohol are expected to resume on Wednesday afternoon at the earliest as three geothermal power generation units are ready dispatch up to 129.5 megawatts (MW) after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit the area on July 6, the Department of Energy (DoE) said yesterday.

“We are looking at afternoon tomorrow (Wednesday), at the earliest,” said Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella in a press conference on Tuesday at the DoE headquarters in Taguig City.

He said all 11 electric cooperatives in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas), which covers the Samar and Leyte provinces, and three distribution utilities in the island province of Bohol were ready to receive power.

The Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC), the operator of the geothermal power plants, had been conducting technical tests on the repaired central switching station in coordination with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines to ensure the safe operation of the facilities.

Mr. Fuentebella said once all precautionary measures have been taken, EDC would submit test results by late afternoon Tuesday. He said the company advised that it would take them about 16 to 18 hours to start up ahead of power delivery.

The three power plants are: Upper Mahio Geothermal Power Plant Units 2 and 3 with a 26-megawatt (MW) capacity each, and the Malitbog Unit 1 with 77.5 MW.

“Five days after the quake, we are hoping to start the geothermal power plants and might soon bring back power to major parts of Leyte and Bohol,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi in a statement.

However, Mr. Fuentebella clarified that 290 MW is still required — Samar and Leyte need 290 MW at peak hour, while Bohol needs 80 MW.

Mr. Fuentebella said the EDC’s restoration target is 317 MW by July 16.

In the meantime, EDC has distributed generator sets to vital town installations, such as local government centers, water pumping stations, and hospitals, among others.

The Department of Energy is also in talks with alternative power providers, such as Trans Asia, to mobilize power barges to be brought to Leyte and Bohol.

DAMAGES
Meanwhile, infrastructure damages from the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Leyte July 7 has reached P61.64 million based on assessment as of Tuesday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported.

For relief operations, around P4.55 million worth of assistance — P3.24 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and P1.31 million from the Department of Health — have already been extended to 1,173 families or 6,020 persons affected in 15 barangays, based on yesterday’s reports.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), for its part, recorded a total of 796 aftershocks as of 12 noon yesterday. — Victor V. Saulon and Jil Danielle M. Caro

MALACAÑANG ON Tuesday, July 11, affirmed China and the Philippines continue to be “in dialogue,” a year after an international arbitral ruling on their maritime dispute over the South China Sea.

But a participant at the arbitral proceedings before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, The Netherlands, when sought for comment also on Tuesday, warned the Philippines has “quietly accommodated China’s expansion” in the disputed waters and now risks “weakening its own hand.”

A year ago today, Wednesday, the PCA ruled on an arbitral case brought by the Philippines in 2013 and in the country’s favor, thus rejecting China’s controversial historical claims based on a nine-dash line dating to the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949 and covering much of the South China Sea.

The ruling said in part that “China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights with respect to its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” and that the Asian power had “constructed installations and artificial islands at Mischief Reef without the authorization of the Philippines.”

Beijing, in response, vehemently rejected the landmark ruling, which, on the other hand, elicited a muted response in Manila. Three months later, President Rodrigo R. Duterte embarked on a state visit to China that at once reversed its strained relations with the Philippines on the watch of his predecessor, Benigno S.C. Aquino III, whose administration brought the arbitral case.

Both countries have since enjoyed warmer ties, alongside Chinese pledges in the Philippine economy that critics of Mr. Duterte’s administration believe are detrimental to Philippine sovereignty in the long term.

“A year after the ruling of the PCA at the Hague, the Philippines and China are now in dialogue,” presidential spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said on Tuesday.

He added, “(The) Philippines and China have reviewed their experience on the West Philippine Sea issue, exchange views on current issues of concern to either side, and they have agreed to discuss that they will further discuss mutually acceptable approaches.”

But Jay L. Batongbacal, a consultant in the arbitral proceedings, said when sought for comment that the Philippines “has quietly accommodated China’s expansion into the WPS in exchange for promises of billions of dollars in infrastructure loans, development assistance, and official friendly relations.”

Mr. Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines-Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, warned further that the country “is isolating itself from other claimants and from its traditional allies and friends insofar as the WPS is concerned, thus weakening its own hand in dealing with China on the maritime disputes.”

But the Philippines “can still reverse its over-accommodation and push back on key items such as habitat destruction, overfishing, dangerous maneuvering, and threats of use of force. It still can raise the ruling in order to secure better concessions and commitments from China re the disputes,” Mr. Batongbacal added.

Also sought for comment, De La Salle University political science professor Richard J. Heydarian said: “It is very clear that the priority first is to have a soft landing. We’re looking at the soft landing, for revising our economic investment and diplomatic relationship — reviving bilateral dialogue with China and securing China investment, particularly in infrastructure.”

“The challenge forward is to make sure our sensible soft landing strategy doesn’t end up being interpreted as acquiescence by China in the West Philippine Sea,” Mr. Heydarian added.

He also said Mr. Duterte “really deserves commendation. If you look at the overall balance sheet, we have made multiple concessions and gestures of goodwill on the West Philippine Sea issue, but we are yet to see a single meaningful concession by China in return.”

At a forum on this matter also on Tuesday, analyst and former Education Undersecretary Antonio Valdes said when sought for comment: “I think the moment we start improving our economic relations with China, it will be easier to see a way of dealing with that particular issue. From an issue of confrontation, now you will see an issue of cooperation.”

For his part, former Intelligence Chief Victor N. Corpus said at the same Pandesal Forum, “This legal victory with regards to this ruling is a double edged sword. Because it can do us good, but it can also lead to war. And it must be handled with extreme care.” — with Kristine Joy V. Patag, Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral, and Mario M. Banzon

FORMER senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. has completed the multi-million payment for his electoral protest against Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo.

Mr. Marcos’s lawyer, Victor Rodriguez, confirmed that the payment was made last Monday, July 10, four days before the deadline set by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) which is on July 14.

According to the receipt shown by Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Marcos paid P30,000,200.00 before the Supreme Court (SC) sitting as the PET, completing the required payment of P66,223,000.

The P66 million covers the cost of the retrieval of the ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia in 39,221 clustered precincts contested by Mr. Marcos.

He made the first payment of P36 million on April 17. Mr. Marcos said his supporters pooled money to reach the required amount.

Ms. Robredo, who filed a counter-electoral protest, was directed by PET to pay P15,439,000. She has yet to pay the electoral bond in full.

Ms. Robredo paid the first tranche amounting to P8 million last May 2. She said the amount was loaned from relatives.

On Tuesday, the PET began the preliminary conference to discuss the evidence by both camps, which separately held their press briefings afterwards.

Ma. Bernadette Sardillo, co-counsel for Ms. Robredo, said the tribunal clarified with the camp of Mr. Marcos their position on the Automated Election Server (AES).

Ms. Sardillo recalled Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen asking Mr. Marcos’s camp if they are ready to accept the result of their questioning the AES. “Kasi sinasabi na hindi mo pwede i-surgically remove ang resulta ng VP election sa ibang posisyon (Because they say that you can’t surgically remove just the results of the vice presidential election from other positions),” Ms. Sardillo said.

She also said that the Robredo camp sought an extension for the payment of the second tranche of payment, due on Friday, and was thereafter advised to file a motion before the court.

On the appeal for a recount, Ms. Sardillo said nothing yet has been set with the tribunal, since Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa pointed out that the SC will have difficulty with the recount.

Ms. Sardillo also said the tribunal had asked that witnesses be limited to three per contested precinct. Mr. Marcos has 362 witnesses, and Ms. Robredo has more than 600 witnesses.

Mr. Marcos, leading his media briefing, said he is happy to see the Court tackling his protest.

“Ang maliwanag, ang mga justices ng Tribunal, they are very interested in proceeding to their arguments and finally to the revision of the counting of the votes kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa mga justice na para sa kanila, interesado din sila na mapabilis ang proseso, nang makita ng ating mga kababayan ang naging bilang sa boto,” Mr. Marcos said.

(What’s clear is that the justices of the Tribunal, they are very interested in proceeding to their arguments and finally to the revision of the counting of the votes, so we are very thankful to the justices because they are also interested in fast-tracking the process so that our countrymen can see the counting of their votes.)

George Erwin Garcia, counsel of Mr. Marcos, said they are grateful for the Tribunal’s resolve to continue “despite efforts of the other party (Ms. Robredo’s camp) to delay.”

The case stemmed from an electoral protest filed by Mr. Marcos after losing in the vice-presidential race by a slim margin of about 260,000 votes to Ms. Robredo, within election day when he was leading by almost a million votes early in the election count. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

ONE OF the four suspected members of the local terror group Maute who were stopped from leaving the country on Monday has been confirmed to be in the list of persons with an arrest order, military spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Restituto F. Padilla, Jr. said yesterday.

The three others are still being held at a police facility for further questioning, he added.

The four are among the seven who were stopped by authorities on Monday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as they were about to leave for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They were earlier identified as Mawiyag Ibrahim Cota, Acmali A. Mawiyag, Abdulcahar Racman Maute, Alnizar Palawan Maute, Abdulrahman Maute, Yasser Dumaraya Maute, Ashary Palawan Maute.

Three of the intercepted passengers — Messrs. Cota, Mawiyag and Abdulcahar Racman Maute — were later released after authorities confirmed that “there is no derogatory record against their name.”

“One is positive of arrest order no. 2, as far as I know. That is why a case will be immediately filed to the court. That is what I know. The other [three] are subject to further questioning,” Mr. Padilla said.

Arrest order no. 2 was issued by the Department of National Defense last May 29, covering 125 individuals allegedly involved in the Marawi siege.

However, Mr. Padilla said he has no knowledge of the exact participation of the nabbed suspect to the rebellion.

“Being part of a rebellion does not only constitute being an armed part of the rebellion in the thick of the fighting. It also includes those who are supporting the rebellion in terms of finances and other means,” Mr. Padilla said.

“They might be part of that network who is providing support, say logistics or monetary in nature. Anyone who helps in the rebellion, in any manner, is guilty [in] the name of rebellion,” he added.

The military official also commended the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for it has “once again exhibited its alertness and performance of duty,” when it barred the four suspects from leaving the country.

“We thank them for this effort and for that accomplishment. Hopefully there will be more that will be discovered trying to get out or trying to come in that will be brought to the bars of justice,” Mr. Padilla said.

Mr. Padilla also reported that as of yesterday, 90 soldiers have been killed in the still ongoing fight in Marawi City with the Maute group, which has a casualty count of 381. At least 39 civilians have also died. — Jil Danielle M. Caro

POLICE SUPERINTENDENT Rafael P. Dumlao III, alleged mastermind in the kidnap-murder of Korean businessman Ick Joo Jee, has appealed for provisional liberty before a local trial court.

In a three-page petition filed before the Angeles City Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 58, Mr. Dumlao asked to be allowed to post bail for the charge of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

Mr. Dumlao challenged the evidence against him, saying it was not strong enough and that he was able to defend his innocence in his counter-affidavit.

“For failure to establish the participation of [Mr.] Dumlao vis-a-vis all the elements of the crimes charged, the evidence against the accused is rendered weak — at the very least — and gives ground for the grant of bail,” the petition reads.

Part of Mr. Dumlao’s counter-affidavit reads: “The testimony of witnesses and records of the investigation have no showing that I performed any overt act that would make me liable for the crime of kidnapping for ransom and illegal detention with homicide. It is crystal clear that I was never present in the kidnapping and/or detention of the victims, including the event of his eventual demise.”

Also charged for kidnapping for ransom and homicide are Senior Police Office (SPO)3 Ricky M. Sta. Isabel, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) “striker” Jerry Omlang, and Roy T. Villegas; while GREAM Funeral Services owner Gerardo G. Santiago was charged as an accessory to the crime.

Mr. Jee was kidnapped from his residence in Angeles City, Pampanga on Oct. 18 last year. The same night, he was brought to the police headquarters in Camp Crame where he was allegedly strangled to death by Mr. Sta. Isabel.

All the accused have been arraigned before the sala of Angeles City RTC Branch 58 Presiding Judge Irineo Pangilinan, Jr. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

DAVAO CITY — Information and communication technology (ICT) stakeholders in Davao City are revisiting their industry road map after London-based consultancy firm Tholons, Inc. downgraded the city’s standing in the top 100 outsourcing destinations.

Lawyer Samuel R. Matunog, president of ICT Davao, Inc., said they held a meeting last week to discuss the latest Tholons report, which placed the city at the 85th rank among top industry destinations, down from 69th last year.

“We have decided to review our industry road map so that we can address the gaps,” said Mr. Matunog.

He added that the association will be drafting specific steps that would have to be undertaken.

Mr. Matunog said ICT Davao does not believe that the report entirely reflects the true standing of the city’s industry, but the group is taking it seriously because the Tholons ranking is valued by foreign locators.

The company is an adviser on global outsourcing and research. It has been producing annual reports on the top 100 outsourcing destinations in the world.

What brought down the standing of Davao City were the indices on digital and innovation, which received significant weightage for the first time this year. The city was also still near the bottom on infrastructure, talent, skill and quality of life. On the other hand, the report cited the city’s best aspect was the cost of doing business.

Mr. Matunog said he believes “for certain that the track record of our players in innovation speaks for itself.”

He added that he also “cannot believe how we can rank low in the quality of our human resource with five autonomous universities based in Davao City alone,” and cited that Manila-based industry leaders have recognized the skilled manpower in the city.

In April, during the Philippine Impact Sourcing Conference in the city, Benedict C. Hernandez, board chair of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, said the city has evolved faster than expected from just a recruitment area to one of the top areas in the country for locators. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

FRANZ S. PUMAREN, a councilor of Quezon City and coach of a professional basketball team, faces taxes evasion raps filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday.

The BIR, through Assistant Commissioner James H. Roldan, filed the complaint against retail company All Best Chodvale Development Incorporated and its president, Mr. Pumaren, for allegedly failing to pay taxes amounting to more than P20.45 million in 2009.

Mr. Pumaren is currently serving his second term as councilor, and working as coach of the PBA’s GlobalPort Batang Pier team as well as the UAAP’s Adamson University Falcons.

2 RESTAURANTS
Also facing a tax evasion complaint worth P4.29 million is Bistro Italiano and its president, William A. Stelton, and treasurer, Lawrence C. Ong, for the taxable year 2007.

Another restaurant, Cebu Fiesta, is facing a complaint for almost P8 million for calendar year 2008.

Citing investigation records of BIR Quezon City, Mr. Roldan said the three companies were informed of their tax liabilities, but failed to make a reply or to comply with the notices.

“The respondents’ obstinate failure and continued refusal to pay their long overdue deficiency taxes, despite repeated demands, constitute willful failure to pay taxes due to the government,” Mr. Roldan said.

The three count as the 41st-43rd cases filed under the government’s Run After Tax Evaders program. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

REGIONAL OFFICES of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) are launching their respective Regional Development Plans (RDP) 2017 — 2022 beginning this month as NEDA takes the national development blueprint on a road show around the country. The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, launched in June, is anchored on the Duterte administration’s 0-10-point socioeconomic agenda and is the first medium-term development plan geared towards the country’s long-term vision, AmBisyon Natin 2040. “These regional road shows are part of the agency’s efforts to vigorously promote the implementation of the PDP… The RDPs complement the PDP in promoting inclusive growth, as these focus on regional challenges while being aligned with the national plan,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said in a statement yesterday. The road show’s first stop was in Davao last July 7, and was held yesterday in the South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City Region. Other regions lined up are: Western Visayas (July 14), Northern Mindanao (July 18), Cagayan Valley (July 26), Zamboanga Peninsula (July 27), Central Visayas (July 31), and Caraga (August 1). Meanwhile, the launch of the Cordillera Administrative Region’s RDP is ongoing with a traditional gong relay around the region until July 14.

THREE MORE New People’s Army (NPA) members surrendered to the military in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, according to Army Lt. Col. Eugenio C. Osias IV. This brings the number of rebels who surrendered to 11 since January this year. Mr. Osias did not give out the names of the three. Major-General Angelito M. de Leon, commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division, commended the former rebels for their decision to lay down their arms. “I call on other NPA members to also take advantage and avail of CLIP (Comprehensive Local Integration Program) so that they can start a new life outside the armed struggle,” Mr. De Leon said. — philstar.com

REGISTERED SINGLE owner businesses in Cebu province went up in the first half of 2017 at 9,288 from 7,878 in the same period last year, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported. However, total capitalization of these enterprises stood at P1.2 billion, down from P2.3 billion during the period in review. Zaide C. Bation, consumer welfare head at DTI-Cebu, said one factor that triggered the increase is the mandatory submission of DTI business registration as a pre-requisite for enterprises applying for a mayor’s business permit in almost all local government units. The increase in business name registration is also partly attributed to the establishment of Negosyo Centers, which also handle business registration, in various municipalities and cities in the province. “Hopefully this trend (the increase) will continue [for the rest of the year],” Ms. Bation told The Freeman. She added that registration is also seen to further pick up this year as more Negosyo Centers are planned for opening. Last year, at least nine centers were established and at least 16 more are lined up this year. — The Freeman

SUSPECTED RELIGIOUS extremists shot dead Monday an off-duty militiaman in Pikit town, the fourth murder of a paramilitary volunteer in the province in about four months. Chief Inspector Donald Cabigas of the Pikit municipal police said the fatality, Gilbert Samonte, Sr., was cutting grass along a stretch of a highway in Barangay Dalingaoen when two men on a motorcycle arrived, pulled over and fired at him. The suspects also shot and wounded Mr. Samonte’s son, Gilbert Jr., who is now confined in a hospital. The suspects escaped before responding soldiers guarding a roadside detachment about 40 meters away arrived at the scene. Local officials are convinced the murder of Mr. Samonte could be related still to the deep-seated animosity among local members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) residing at the border of North Cotabato’s adjoining Aleosan and Pikit towns and Moro guerillas led by Abdulrashid Ali. Ali is known in the military and police intelligence communities as a violent religious extremist wanted for various criminal offenses. Ali’s group is suspected to be behind three earlier fatal attacks on off-duty CAFGUs based in Pikit and Aleosan. — philstar.com

THE CEBU City government is eyeing to set up a centralized emergency response hot line using 911, Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña announced, with initial discussions already held with PLDT, Inc. as service provider. “We’re trying to integrate all our services into one number. They’re (PLDT) going to prepare a program for us,” Mr. Osmeña told reporters in a press conference Monday. The hot line, with calls to be monitored by the city’s Command Control Center with help from Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRRMC), will cover services for police assistance, ambulance, fire, and other emergency situations. The mayor said the project has no allocated budget yet, but he intends to use the city’s disaster funds. The arrangement with PLDT, he added, will not be a partnership. “It’s not a partnership. We’re going to be just a customer… They will provide the services which we will pay. We don’t have to worry about maintenance,” he said. — The Freeman