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AirAsia signs on to pitch PHL to Muslim travelers

AIRASIA

THE Department of Tourism (DoT) said on Thursday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AirAsia Philippines, which will help promote Muslim-friendly tourism.

“The potential of halal and Muslim-friendly tourism is huge for the Philippines because halal tourism globally is one of the largest sectors of tourism, and its value is growing exponentially precisely because it touches upon so many countries,” Tourism Secretary Ma. Christina G. Frasco said on the sidelines of a briefing on Thursday.

“We are making great strides to ensure that we pay attention to everything that needs to be done to make the Philippines Muslim-friendly and halal-friendly,” she added.

Under the MoU, AirAsia Philippines committed to providing halal-certified meals on all flights, co-marketing on campaigns, and integrating the Love the Philippines branding in its materials.

Meanwhile, the DoT will provide AirAsia with training to enhance the airline’s services.

“Both parties will work together to elevate the Philippines’ appeal to Muslim travelers while maintaining mutual respect for each other’s intellectual property and brand integrity,” the DoT said.

AirAsia Philippines Chief Executive Officer Ricardo P. Isla said AirAsia Philippines served 550,000 halal meals last year.

“We will add more (options) in our menu. We currently offer not only Filipino food but also Malaysian, Indonesian, Japanese, and Singaporean food. And not only that, our sandwiches are also halal,” he said.

Mr. Isla added that AirAsia plans to speed up and be more aggressive in growing its domestic network.

“We have identified Cebu, Caticlan, and Cagayan de Oro, where we have significantly increased our frequency,” he said.

“We know that our international travel is very important, but our priority for 2025 is to speed up the growth of our domestic sector. And that, therefore, is going to be a big contribution as far as our tourism program in the Philippines is concerned,” he added.

According to Ms. Frasco, the DoT hopes to onboard more private-sector partners to help make the Philippines a more Muslim-friendly destination.

Asked about the DoT’s targets for international arrivals this year, Ms. Frasco said tourism receipts are more important than arrivals in determining the robustness of the tourism industry.

“We will definitely work towards exceeding the visitor receipts of P760 billion. The numbers we must focus on are not just physically counting the number of foreign arrivals in the Philippines against ASEAN counterparts,” she said.

“The question should be, ‘How much has tourism been contributing to the economy, and how many people are being employed by tourism?,’” she added.

In 2024, tourism receipts totaled P760.5 billion, exceeding the 2019 level of P600.01 billion.

“In addition to that, we are fully committed to further growing our domestic tourism market, currently valued at over $66 billion. So, these are the numbers that we should pay attention to because this is what can give support and livelihood to our countrymen,” she said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Peso weakens further vs dollar as strong US data may keep Fed hawkish

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE PESO dropped further to hit a near three-week low against the dollar on Thursday as strong US labor data fanned bets that the US Federal Reserve would keep rates unchanged at their meeting this month.

The local unit closed at P58.50 per dollar on Thursday, weakening by 10.5 centavos from its P58.395 finish on Wednesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

This was its weakest finish in nearly three weeks or since it closed at P58.81 per dollar on Dec. 20, 2024.

The peso opened Thursday’s session weaker at P58.45 against the dollar. Its intraday best was at P58.333, while it dropped to as low as P58.62 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged rose to $1.83 billion on Thursday from $1.74 billion on Wednesday.

The peso declined against the dollar as the market reacted to US initial jobless claims data, a trader said by phone.

Strong US data supported the dollar’s rise, which weighed on the peso, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

For Friday, the trader sees the peso moving between P58.30 and P58.60 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from P58.40 to P58.60.

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell to an 11-month low last week, pointing to a stable labor market, though a slowdown in hiring has led some laid-off workers to experience long bouts of joblessness, Reuters reported.

Signs of a steadily cooling labor market could allow the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates unchanged in January against the backdrop of still high inflation.

The US central bank last month projected a shallower path of rate cuts this year than had been forecast in September, when it launched its policy easing cycle.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 201,000 for the week ended Jan. 4, the lowest level since February 2024, the Labor department said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 218,000 claims for the latest week.

Minutes of the Fed’s Dec. 17-18 meeting published on Wednesday showed policy makers viewed labor market conditions as “gradually easing,” and saw “no signs of rapid deterioration.” They, however, noted “that labor market indicators merited close monitoring.”

Labor market stability was underscored by government data on Tuesday showing an increase in job openings in November, with 1.13 vacancies for every unemployed person, up from 1.12 in October. Uncertainty over the impact of proposed policies from President-elect Donald J. Trump’s incoming administration is also seen causing the Fed to pause rate cuts this month.

US Treasury prices fell, with the yield on the 10-year note rising to the highest level since April. Stocks on Wall Street declined in response, while the dollar gained versus a basket of currencies.

The central bank lowered its benchmark overnight interest rate by 25 basis points to the 4.25%-4.50% range last month.

The Fed, however, projected only two rate cuts this year compared to the four it had forecast in September. The policy rate was hiked by 5.25 percentage points in 2022 and 2023 to tame inflation. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters

Last-minute bargain hunting buoys PHL shares

BW FILE PHOTO

PHILIPPINE SHARES rose on Thursday, lifted by last-minute bargain hunting after trading in the red for most of the session, as minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s December meeting affected market sentiment.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index rose by 0.22% or 14.85 points to end at 6,511.57 on Thursday, while the broader all shares index climbed by 0.19% or 7.44 points to 3,757.29.

“Last-minute bargain hunting brought the local market to a positive close this Thursday. For most of the day, however, the market was in the negative territory as the Fed’s concerns over the US inflation outlook as expressed in their latest minutes of the meeting weighed on sentiment,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

“Philippine shares traded mostly in the red for most of the session before closing slightly higher to finish above the 6,500 mark again. US stocks closed mixed as Fed minutes highlighted heightened inflation risks, dampening hopes for significant rate cuts this year,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

The reality of US President-elect Donald J. Trump’s election victory on a platform of aggressive tariffs and deportation of some immigrants landed hard at the Federal Reserve’s meeting last month, with US central bank officials raising new inflation concerns and staff suggesting the incoming administration’s plans may slow economic growth and raise unemployment, Reuters reported.

Amid an otherwise sanguine outlook of continually slowing inflation, participants at the Dec. 17-18 meeting “noted that recent higher-than-expected readings on inflation, and the effects of potential changes in trade and immigration policy, suggested that the process could take longer than previously anticipated,” according to minutes of that session released on Wednesday.

After the release of the minutes, interest rate futures markets continued to reflect bets that the Fed would keep its policy rate steady in the current 4.25%-4.50% range at its next couple of meetings, with the first reduction coming in May at the earliest, and the odds of a second cut in 2025 only at 50%.

Back home, majority of sectoral indices posted gains on Thursday. Holding firms increased by 0.55% or 30.97 points to 5,577.22; property went up by 0.42% or 9.89 points to 2,351.54; services climbed by 0.36% or 7.66 points to 2,118.55; and industrials rose by 0.29% or 27.24 points to 9,239.64. Meanwhile, mining and oil declined by 0.76% or 59.65 points to 7,790.73 and financials retreated by 0.43% or 9.61 points to 2,191.10.

Value turnover decreased to P4.52 billion on Thursday with 1.53 billion shares exchanged from the P4.69 billion with 921.83 million issues traded on Wednesday.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 108 versus 99, while 39 names were unchanged.

Net foreign selling declined to P98.099 million on Thursday from P501.53 million on Wednesday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave with Reuters

China denies state-sponsored hacking of Philippine government websites

FREEPIK

By John Victor D. Ordoñez and Beatriz Marie D. Cruz, Reporters

THE CHINESE Embassy in Manila on Thursday dispelled allegations of state-sponsored hacking against the Philippines’ Executive branch, calling it groundless.

“China’s position on hacking and cyberattacks is consistent and clear,” it said in a statement. “We firmly oppose and crack down on hacking and cyberattacks in accordance with law, and at the same time we also oppose unjustified labeling, groundless accusations, or smear campaign for geopolitical purposes.”

Chinese state-backed hackers have penetrated the Philippine government’s Executive branch and had stolen sensitive data as part of a years-long campaign, according to Bloomberg News.

“It is worth noting that the report links the hacking to the South China Sea issue and mentions that the United States and others have provided technical support and technology to the Philippines,” the Chinese Embassy said.

“Who is the mastermind behind this hype farce and who is using cyber-issues to stir up the regional situation and seek geopolitical interests? The answer is self-evident,” it added.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John E. Uy on Tuesday said “no current information has been compromised” from recent hacking attempts since the agency had detected them early on and secured the system.

“What we have seen so far are old data from many years ago that are being regurgitated, recycled just to make an impression that they were successful in doing so,” he told a news briefing at the presidential palace.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in July said cybercrimes rose by 21.8% to 4,469 in the first quarter of 2024 from a year earlier.

Ransomware group Medusa in 2023 hacked into the systems of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and leaked sensitive data, including bank details of about 42 million members when the government refused to pay a $300,000 ransom.

The Philippines and China have been embroiled in repeated spats in the past few years over disputed features within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.

The Philippines, one of the weakest in the world in terms of military capability, is important to Washington’s efforts to push back against China, which claims the South China Sea almost in its entirety.

The United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague in 2016 voided China’s claim over the waterway for being illegal. Beijing has ignored the ruling.

In 2022, the Philippines only had about 200 cybersecurity professionals compared with 2,000 in Singapore, Mr. Uy earlier said, noting that 80% of Filipino cyber-experts work overseas.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology has identified and addressed more than 20,144 vulnerabilities in state cybersecurity systems last year, DICT Undersecretary David L. Almirol, Jr. told a Senate hearing in October.

“Proposed measures to boost the country’s cybersecurity should ensure regular updates and reviews to keep pace with technological advancements and establish a monitoring body to ensure compliance and effectiveness of the law,” Ronald B. Gustilo, national campaigner for Digital Pinoys, said in a Viber message.

WORKING WITH TAIWAN
Meanwhile, security analysts said the government of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should beef up its cyber-infrastructure and train more experts as it remains vulnerable to cyberattacks amid geopolitical tensions with China.

“The cyberattacks in Taiwan are real and expected given its proximity and current strategic bullseye with Beijing,” Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation (IDSC), said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “The Philippines is no exception since we have a strategic problem with China in the West Philippine Sea.”

On Monday, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau said Chinese cyberattacks against its state agencies averaged 2.4 million attacks daily in 2024.

Mr. Cabalza said the Philippines lacks investments in infrastructure, curriculum and specialists to guard its cyberspace against external threats.

“Manila is still lacking in building its cyber-infrastructure, innovative hardware and software, but it has a large pool of talented cyber-specialists.”

He also cited the need to invest more in cyber-curricula and training.

The National Computer Energy Response Team (NCERT) handled 2,855 cyber-incidents last year, a 55.67% increase from a year earlier, according to data obtained by BusinessWorld. The NCERT is a division under the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) Cybersecurity bureau.

Project SONAR, a network scanning initiative by the DICT, identified and reported 437,720 vulnerabilities in online assets.

Philippine sectors that have been more vulnerable to various cyber-related incidents include government and emergency services, banking and finance, the military, academe and healthcare, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian C. Dy told BusinessWorld.

The agency would enhance its incident response capabilities against cyberattacks, he said.

“With the upsurge of ever-evolving cyberthreats and attacks that can impact anyone, anytime and anywhere, it is imperative for the DICT to provide continuous, uninterrupted services to enhance its incident response capabilities, safeguard the Philippine cyberspace and ensure the integrity and security of critical information infrastructure,” Mr. Dy said in a Viber message.

NCERT also engages in continuous information sharing with Taiwan CERT, particularly on suspicious cyber-activities.

“This ongoing exchange of data strengthens the cybersecurity response capabilities of both teams and helps address potential cyberthreats effectively,” he added.

PHL gov’t said to have OKd nickel projects without consulting communities

NICKELASIA.COM

THE PHILIPPINE government approved several nickel mining projects despite allegations of insufficient consultation with local communities and concerns over risks to health, the environment and livelihoods, according to Amnesty International Philippines.

In a statement, the human rights group criticized the approval process, saying it had failed to meet standards for free, prior and informed consent required under domestic and international laws.

Many of the affected communities are indigenous groups that rely on natural resources for survival, it added.

“Indigenous peoples and rural communities are paying a heavy price for the world’s scramble for energy transition minerals,” Amnesty International Philippines Chairperson Veronica V. Cabe said in the statement.

“They are now being forced to endure the negative impacts of these mining operations on their health, livelihoods and access to clean water,” she added.

Amnesty International Philippines’ 128-page report discussed how the Philippine nickel boom allegedly harms human rights of communities in Santa Cruz, Zambales and Brooke’s Point, the ancestral home of the Palawan indigenous people of Palawan province.

The Philippines is the world’s second-largest supplier of nickel ore, a key component in electric vehicle batteries.

The report highlighted community claims of pollution, deforestation and the destruction of sites deemed sacred by indigenous groups. The seven mining companies named in the report denied the allegations against them, the group said.

Environment Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Rochelle Elena A. Gamboa did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

In Santa Cruz and Brooke’s Point, communities reported a rise in health problems since the opening of the mines, including asthma, coughing, respiratory difficulties, as well as skin conditions and irritation of the eyes, throat, and skin, Amnesty International said.

They also cited a decline in water quality, with several freshwater sources turning “reddish-brown,” affecting the livelihood of fishermen and leading to lower crop yields.

Amnesty International urged authorities to halt the projects until adequate consultations are conducted and stronger safeguards are enforced.

“The Philippine government must suspend these mining operations until it has conducted an urgent investigation into human rights and environmental abuses, while nickel mine operators must put human rights at the center of their operations,” Amnesty International’s Business and Human Rights researcher Alysha Khambay said.

Ms. Cabe said the two communities had to deal with “seriously flawed consultation processes” due to misrepresentation and a lack of information.

Indigenous and rural communities were not properly informed about their human rights and environmental risks associated with nickel mining, according to the report.

“In both Santa Cruz and Brooke’s Point, people who rely on their natural environment to sustain their livelihoods reported being unable to access information crucial to understanding the impact of nickel mining on their communities,” it said. “In many cases, project documents such as environmental impact assessments were not provided.”

In some instances, community members were denied access to project documents, hindering their ability to make informed decisions about the mining projects, according to the group.

“Companies have a responsibility to conduct due diligence to identify and prevent human rights abuses linked to their operations or business relationships and address negative impacts when they are found to occur,” Amnesty International said.

The research, conducted from September 2023 to October 2024, involved interviews with 90 community members. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PHL procession draws hundreds of thousands of devotees

THOUSANDS of Catholic devotees on Thursday joined the annual procession of the “Black Nazarene,” a life-sized image of Jesus Christ bearing a cross. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

HUNDREDS of thousands of barefoot devotees joined an annual procession in the Philippines of a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ on Thursday in one of the world’s grandest displays of Catholic devotion and expression of faith.

Filipinos turned the streets of Manila to a sea of maroon and gold and swarmed the “Black Nazarene,” a life-sized image of Jesus Christ bearing down a cross, as devotees jostled for a chance to pull the thick rope towing the carriage across the Philippine capital.

The procession’s organizers said about 220,000 people attended mass before the procession, while 94,500 were in the march as of 8 a.m. That number was expected to swell as it moved along its 5.8-kilometer route.

Other devotees threw white towels at the idol as marshals wiped them off its surface, believing that touching the statue would bless them and heal their illnesses.

Nearly 80% of Filipinos identify as Roman Catholic, a key legacy of Spanish colonization of the Philippines for more than 300 years.

The late Filipino priest and theologian Sabino Vengco said in 2019 the statue’s revered black color was due to the mesquite wood used in making the image, debunking a longstanding myth its blackened image was due to a fire that erupted on the ship that carried it to the Philippines from Mexico in the early 17th century.

As of 3:42 p.m., the idol and thousands of devotees were making their way along Arlegui St. in Manila, the city’s Public Information Office said in a Facebook post.

“This historic tradition, founded in great devotion, reminds us of the strength that allows us to find harmony in our faith as a people,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said in a statement. “I am confident that we can epitomize the example of the Nazarene in our daily lives as hope bearers, peacemakers and builders of society.”

The Philippine Red Cross on Thursday morning said its medics had helped more than a hundred patients at the Quirino Grandstand, five of whom were transferred to the hospital due to severe dizziness and chest pains.

The Red Cross deployed 1,000 volunteers and personnel for the gathering, including 10 doctors and 20 nurses.

The procession, called the “traslacion” or translation, commemorates the transfer of the Black Nazarene from a church inside the old Spanish capital of Intramuros to its present location in Quiapo Church.

Cardinal Jose Advincula, Manila’s archbishop, told devotees on Thursday to turn away from evil, greed and vices and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

“Let us live up to his commandments, embrace his teachings and follow his example. It is better to follow the beloved Lord,” he said in his homily before the procession. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza with Reuters

Excessive discipline with intent to harm a child’s dignity counts as abuse, SC says

WIKIMEDIA/PATRICKROQUE01

THE Supreme Court (SC) ruled that disciplining children, which results in physical injuries, may be considered child abuse if there is a clear intent to harm a child’s dignity.

The court’s Second Division in a ruling published on Jan. 9 upheld that parents have the right to discipline their children, but this must not involve violence, excessiveness, or disproportionality to the child’s behavior.

“When the infliction of physical injuries against a minor is done at the spur of the moment or intended to discipline or correct the wrongful behavior of the child, it is imperative that the specific intent to debase, degrade, or demean the intrinsic worth and dignity of the child as a human be established,” the 13-page ruling penned by Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez read.

It added that without the specific intent to harm dignity, such actions may not amount to child abuse but could still be punishable under other provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

The case stemmed from the conviction of a father under the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act (Republic Act No. 7610) for subjecting his two children to violent and excessive punishment.

The father claimed his actions were intended as discipline for misbehavior, such as skipping meals and taking money from their coin banks.

Lower courts, including the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals, had earlier found the father guilty of child abuse under the law, which defines such acts as intended to “debase, degrade, or demean” a child’s dignity.

The father elevated the case to the SC, asserting he lacked intent to harm his children’s dignity.

The father was sentenced to four to six years in prison, fined P45,000, and ordered to pay P180,000 in damages to his children.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Thursday lauded the newly established one-stop system for reporting of child rights violations, saying it cements the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“The Commission fully supports this initiative as it enhances the State’s obligation to protect the rights and welfare of children, as mandated under Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act,” it said in a statement.

“Furthermore, this initiative reaffirms the Philippines’ commitment as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes that all actions concerning children should prioritize their best interests,” it added.

The Makabata program, created under Executive Order No. 79, facilitates age-appropriate and gender-responsive support, skills development, legal services, and alternative care placements for victims.

“The program further works on reintegrating children into their families and communities through after-care services, community support networks, and long-term monitoring to ensure continued protection and well-being,” the CHR said. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Marcos to meet US, Japan chiefs

MOFA.GO.JP

MALACAÑANG on Thursday confirmed the reported virtual meeting among President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., outgoing United States (US) President Joseph R. Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

This comes months after Mr. Marcos, Mr. Biden, and former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a trilateral meeting in Washington in April last year.

The upcoming “trilateral phone call” is scheduled for Jan. 12, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar B. Chavez said in a Viber message to reporters. 

He did not elaborate.

The three countries held a maritime cooperative activity in December last year, in line with their commitment to keeping peace and freedom of navigation in international waters and in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US and Japan have been at the forefront of international condemnation of China’s intrusions into Philippine waters in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

Security analysts have said the three-way partnership is likely to continue under President-elect Donald J. Trump, who promoted the concept of a “free and open Indo-Pacific” in his first US presidency. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

N. Korea missile launch denounced   

People watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing what appeared to be a long-range ballistic missile, at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 18, 2023. — YONHAP VIA REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINES on Thursday expressed “serious concern” and denounced the ballistic launch conducted by the North Korean government earlier this week, as it urged the country to avoid jeopardizing peace and economic progress in the region.

“We renew our call on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to promptly cease these activities and abide by all international obligations, including relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, and to commit to peaceful and constructive dialogue,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

North Korea on Monday launched a ballistic missile that flew 1,100 kilometers that landed between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, South Korea’s military said in a statement on Monday.

Seoul’s joint chiefs of staff said the midrange missile was fired from an area near Pyongyang and was detected early by US and South Korean militaries.

Last year, Manila denounced two separate North Korean missile launches as it called for peace and continued dialogue in the Korean Peninsula.

In 2021, the Senate ratified UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, making the Philippines the 53rd nation to adopt the treaty. The treaty, signed by 86 countries, took effect after it was ratified by at least 50 states.

The treaty bars nations from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, transferring, possessing, stockpiling, using or threatening to use nuclear weapons.

“Such provocative actions undermine economic progress, peace, and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region,” the Philippine Foreign Affairs department said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Kanlaon agri damage at P129M

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO/ROB ILUMBA UGBINADA

AGRICULTURAL damage due to the eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano late last year was estimated at P129.39 million according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In its latest report, the DA said that the volume of crops lost stood at 5,420 metric tons (MT) across 581 hectares, affecting 1,431 farmers in the area.

The DA said high-value crops sustained the most damage following the eruption on Negros Island.

The value of loss was reckoned at P124.93 million with total volumes of about 5,311 MT across 450 hectares of farmland. Affected high-value crops included upland and lowland vegetables, spices, legumes, fruit trees, root crops, coffee, and cacao.

Damage to the rice crop was valued at P3.06 million, with the volume of lost crops at 91 MT spanning 124 hectares. On the other hand, damage to corn crop was valued at P503,350 with volume lost at 18 MT.

The DA said that damage to livestock and poultry was estimated at P900,100 affecting 321 heads, including chicken, carabao, cattle, and goat.

The agency added that it would provide agricultural inputs such as rice and corn seeds, as well as drugs and biologics for livestock from its regional field office. 

The Agricultural Credit Policy Council will also provide loans of up to P25,000 to affected farmers.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation will also indemnify insured farmers affected by the eruption. — Adrian H. Halili

Sandiganbayan chief judge named

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday appointed Geraldine Faith A. Econg as the new head judge of the Philippines’ anti-graft court.

Ms. Econg, 57, served nearly nine years as associate justice of the Sandiganbayan, heading the special court’s second division before being elevated to presiding justice.

She was appointed to the anti-graft court in Jan. 2016 by then-President Benigno S.C. Aquino III and will retire from the Sandiganbayan in Aug. 2037 upon reaching the mandated retirement age of 70 years old.

Ms. Econg will replace fellow Aquino appointee Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, who retired as chief judge of the anti-corruption court in Nov. 2024.

“Pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby appointed Presiding Judge, Sandiganbayan, vice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang,” read a Palace letter addressed to Ms. Econg and signed by Mr. Marcos. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Sandiganbayan clears ex-VP Binay, son of graft over P1.3-B school building

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINES’ anti-graft court acquitted former Vice-President (VP) Jejomar C. Binay, Sr. and ex-Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay, Jr. of graft charges in connection to the P1.3-billion Makati City Science High School contract, granting their dismissal request.

In an 86-page resolution issued on Dec. 13, the Sandiganbayan Special Fifth Division granted the demurrer to evidence against the Binays and their co-accused, citing lack of evidence against them.

“The prosecution’s evidence utterly failed to prove all the charges,” a part of the resolution penned by Associate Justice Rafael R. Lagos stated.

“The prosecution only propounded bare, unsubstantiated allegations that it was Binay, Sr. who ordered the rigging of the procurement process… and it was Binay, Jr. who intervened and agreed to the falsification of the other documents,” it added.

The Binays faced complaints over “alleged irregularities” in the procurement of P17.4-million architectural and engineering services and P1.33-billion construction services for the 10-story Makati Science High School building.

The anti-graft court said the prosecution relied on witnesses without direct knowledge of the allegations, weakening their case.

“All the purported key witnesses for the prosecution had a critical flaw: they lacked direct, first-hand knowledge of the truth regarding the charges against all of the accused,” the ruling read.

State prosecutors also failed to show that the accused acted in “bad faith” in the procurement of construction services for the school building, the court stated.

“The prosecution evidence is bereft of proof that [the] accused, in the performance of their respective functions… had acted in evident bad faith,” it stated in the ruling. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

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