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College calendar shift urged

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A CONGRESSMAN called on the government on Monday to revert the academic year of colleges and universities back to the old June-March calendar for the same reason the President approved the shift for the K-to-12 school year: to spare students and teachers from heat exhaustion.

“We just have one question: are college students heatproof? Is it enough that we shift to online classes or distance learning every time heat skyrockets for college students?” Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel said in a statement in Filipino.

The Department of Education (DepEd) had proposed shifting the calendar’s end to March next year before temperatures start reaching unbearable levels, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. approved last week.

Mr. Manuel said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should review the policy of colleges to start their academic year around August.

CHED did not respond to a Viber message seeking comment on the matter.

At present, most colleges and universities in the Philippines are to begin their academic calendar in August or September to end by around June next year, even if they experienced the same problem of having to cancel face-to-face classes due to extreme heat conditions in the summer months.

“Did the quality of education become better due to the calendar shift?” he said in Filipino. “We just went along to follow the standards set by foreign universities and companies,” referring to the decision to shift the academic calendar to its current schedule. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Agro-industry roadmap pushed

CARDPH.COM

A ROADMAP to modernize the country’s livestock, poultry and dairy industries is crucial to boosting agricultural production and ensuring food security, a Philippine senator said on Monday.

In a statement, Senator Cynthia A. Villar cited Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures showing that agricultural output expanded by only 0.4%, well below the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) 2.3%–2.5% growth target.

She had filed Senate Bill No. 2558 in a bid to create a Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Competitiveness Enhancement Fund from tariffs collected on imported products from these industries worth P7.8 billion yearly for the next 10 years.

The measure would also establish the Office of the Undersecretary of the National Livestock, Poultry, Dairy, and other Animals Program to craft policies for developing production in these sectors. 

“For the longest time, the Livestock, Poultry and Dairy sector has been left to be run by the private sector, now with this Act, the government will actively support and participate in the development of the sector,” said Ms. Villar.

She said these industries accounted for more than a quarter of agricultural output, based on the PSA report, and that while crop, livestock, and poultry production increased, the figures were tempered by a decline in fisheries.

In the first quarter of this year, farm output was flat expanding by 0.05% amid a prolonged dry spell induced by the El Niño weather event.

Pushing for SB 2558’s approval, Ms. Villar said: “Our native animals, such as hogs, chicken, horses, carabaos, among others, will not only be preserved but promoted and their population multiplied.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Manila eyes wider car-free Sundays

MANILA is looking at the possibly of extending its Move Manila Car-Free Sundays to the Pasig River Esplanade and the Binondo District.

Speaking on television on Monday, Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” H. Lacuna-Pangan said the extended route would enable people to “appreciate the beauty” of the historical buildings of Binondo and Escolta.

Ms. Lacuna-Pangan on May 13 signed an ordinance allowing a portion of Roxas Boulevard to be closed for physical activities from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Sunday.

In addition to extending this car-less Sunday to cover Binondo area, Ms. Lacuna-Pangan said the city would also be ensuring heritage buildings in the area are maintained by exercising the city’s regulatory powers.

Apart from encouraging physical activity, the capital city aims to promote tourism and business activities in the area.

Vehicles are diverted to other highways, such as Taft Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Maria Orosa Street, Kalaw Avenue, M.H. del Pilar Street, and Bonifacio Drive to avoid the closed portion of Roxas Boulevard. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

BIFF bomb-maker dies in clash

IMPROVISED explosive devices (IED) left by members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters driven away by soldiers from Barangay Butilen in Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur last Saturday are now in the custody of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division. — PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — A suspected bomb-maker of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in an air and ground anti-terrorism operation in Barangay Butilen, Salibo town, Maguindanao del Sur.

Major Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told reporters on Monday that the calibrated anti-terror operation last Saturday resulted in the seizure of 26 powerful improvised explosive devices (IED).

He said the offensive was launched after municipal officials reported the convergence in the area of BIFF members, as if preparing for a large-scale attack.

Soldiers dispatched to clear the area, after the aerial maneuvers by Philippine Air Force attack helicopters and fixed-wing bombers, engaged the BIFF terrorists in a gunbattle that ended in the death of the suspected BIFF bomb-maker. — John Felix M. Unson

SC seeks comment on P17.9-B Comelec-Miru Systems deal

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINE Supreme Court (SC) on Monday sought the comments of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other respondents in a petition to annul the P17.9-billion contract with its automated election systems provider for 2025.

The High Court ordered the Comelec and the joint venture (JV) of Miru Systems Co., Ltd., Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. to comment on the petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) filed by former congressman Edgar R. Erice.

The SC gave the Comelec 10 days from its receipt of the order to comment.

Mr. Erice on April 18 claimed the contract between Comelec and the other respondents violated the Election Automation Law of 2007 (Republic Act 9363), as the voting machine from Miru is allegedly only a “prototype.”

R.A. 9363 requires the system procured to have demonstrated capability and successful use in a prior electoral exercise.

The business entities in the JV secured the 2025 elections contract worth almost P18 billion last Feb. 21, following a unanimous vote by the Comelec en banc, which led to the issuing of the En Banc Minute Resolution No. 24-0114.

Mr. Erice’s petition seeks to bar the Comelec from awarding the contract to the bidder.

In a message sent to a group chat with reporters, Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body would comply with the SC’s order for a comment.

“We are so elated that the High Court did not issue any injunctive writ,” said Mr. Garcia. “Thus, our preparations for the automated 2025 NLE will proceed as scheduled in view of a very tight timeline that we have.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Lawmaker wants bill curbing illicit tobacco trade prioritized

SVKLIMKIN -PIXABAY

THE GOVERNMENT must prioritize a measure that aims to curb the illicit tobacco trade in the country in order to keep public health in check and minimize its revenue losses, amounting to P60 billion in 2023 alone, a congressman said.

“The government should prioritize the measure to curb illicit tobacco trade [and] to minimize its adverse effects to public health,” Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda said during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing last week.

Illegal tobacco trade is harmful to public health as well as government revenues as it makes it affordable and accessible to consumers without undergoing proper trade avenues.

The Sin Tax Reform Act of 2012 stipulates that at least 80% of the generated revenue from the law should be allocated for the universal health care program under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Illicit tobacco trade is particularly detrimental to public health,” the explanatory note of House Bill (HB) No. 10329 stated. “[It] makes cheap cigarettes accessible to the consumers… and leads to losses in tobacco tax revenues, which… are earmarked for the implementation of the Universal Health Care Law.”

Tobacco-related diseases cost the government at least P188 billion yearly in public health expenses, Mr. Salceda said during the panel hearing.

Authored by Mr. Salceda, HB No. 10329 requires tobacco companies to register their tobacco machinery and ingredients to the government and introduces a “track-and-trace” for the tobacco value chain, allowing the state to monitor the flow of tobacco-related goods in the country.

“This is a remedial legislation aimed to eliminate revenue losses from the illicit tobacco trade,” he said. “We aim to reap the benefits provided under our sin tax law to immediately supplement the funding for our healthcare system.”

The country’s sin tax is a “landmark” legislation as it sought to support further the country’s healthcare system, Adolfo Jose Montessa, Action for Economic Reforms representative, told the House panel.

“Our comprehensive approach, through the six tax reform, not only improved health outcomes but also strengthened the financial sustainability of our country’s healthcare system,” he said.

The combined budget for the Department of Health (DoH) and PhilHealth increased by 422% due to the sin tax law, he added.

However, the significant “gains” from the tax law are threatened by the uptick in the illicit trade of “sin” products. “In 2023, excise tax collections declined to P291.7 billion,” Mr. Montessa said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Proximity ties PHL to Taiwan dispute with China — analyst

SOVEREIGNTY and security issues in Taiwan, including any escalation of military movements by China, is more likely to affect the Philippines because of their commonalities in maritime space and defense alliances, an analyst said.

“Taiwan and the West Philippine Sea are two separate issues. But if you look at the geographic location, it’s actually quite near to each other. And there’s some connections in terms of its maritime space,” Robin Michael U. Garcia, president and CEO of WR Advisory Group, said at a forum in Makati City on Monday.

China claims the South China Sea almost in its entirety, including areas that are well within Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). It has sanctioned the Chinese Coast Guard’s dangerous maneuvers and deployment of water cannons to block Philippine resupply and rotation missions to Manila’s outpost in Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin).

Recently, China has launched military drills to simulate an attack on Taiwan, which it regards as its renegade province, describing it a “dangerous separatist.”

Taiwan has governed independently of China since 1949, but just days after the inauguration of its new head of state, President William Lai, military drills were launched by Beijing.

As in the case of the Philippines, the US is also Taiwan’s bulwark against Beijing’s diplomatic and military pressure.

“In some way, it (the Philippines) is connected to Taiwan,” Mr. Garcia said.

Mavudis, which is part of the Batanes group of islands, is just about 140 km from Eluanbi, Taiwan’s southernmost tip.

Batanes was among the key sites of US-Philippines military drills conducted from Apr. 24 to May 8.

In March, the Philippines reported the presence of a Chinese research vessel in Benham Rise, a 24-million-hectare underwater feature within the Philippines’ continental shelf, in a move that experts said could be part of Beijing’s underwater surveys in preparation for a potential invasion of Taiwan.

At the forum, WR CEO and President Cleve V. Arguelles said in the event of an unarmed conflict between China and Taiwan, 86% of Filipinos want the Philippines to remain neutral.

He cited a WR Numero poll of 1,765 Filipino adults in March, in which 65% of respondents said the tension in the West Philippine Sea is worsening.

Of the respondents, 68% said the Armed Forces of the Philippines was managing the tension “very well,” while 33.2% said the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. was doing well.

Mr. Arguelles warned China has been taking advantage of “elite factionalism” in fragile democracies such as the Philippines, whose many citizens believe the government should focus on resolving domestic issues including soaring living costs and lack of economic opportunities “rather than actively participating in international issues.”

“Some actors, some forces, may take advantage of this prevailing attitude among Filipinos,” he said. “Many Filipinos would rather that we focus on domestic issues.”

Despite concerns on increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea, “only 14% of Filipinos say that China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea must be given priority by the government,” Mr. Arguelles added, noting it may be a challenge for the government to get public support for its efforts against Chinese intrusions into Philippine waters.

In the same survey, 27.8% said they didn’t trust Chinese President Xi Jinping, higher than the distrust rate of 11.8% for US President Joseph R. Biden and 19.3% for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Arguelles urged Philippine policymakers and civil society to closely monitor China’s potential interference in the 2025 midterm polls and the first parliament elections in the Bangsamoro region this year.

Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Jay Tristan Tarriela said earlier this month modernization efforts for the country’s coast guard and armed forces as well as budget allocation for its territorial defense are at stake in 2025.

Meanwhile, in the event of an escalation of tensions or even a potential invasion of Taiwan by China, the Philippine migrant affairs chief said at the weekend that it has prepared measures to repatriate migrant Filipino workers.

“We are always ready,” Department of Migrant Workers acting Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said in a briefing last Saturday. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Senate urged not to make POGO probe a witch hunt

BW FILE PHOTO

PHILIPPINE senators should ensure they will not resort to personal attacks or get side-tracked in their probe of a Tarlac mayor accused of being a Chinese spy entangled in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), according to an academic and activist, who cited the need for the investigation to result in laws addressing crimes.

“Senate should focus on the issues that aid legislation,” Teresita Ang-See, founding president of Filipino-Chinese organization Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, said in a statement on Monday “This kind of witch hunt and personal attacks are way below decency and reflects badly on the dignity of the Senate.”

Last week, Senators grilled Bamban Mayor Alice L. Guo about her background and history due to her alleged links to crimes committed by POGO outfits.

Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Estrada told a Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality that he had received “very reliable information” on Ms. Guo’s  alleged live-in partner running a POGO company in Bamban Tarlac, which the mayor denied outright.

Ms. Ang-See said the investigation has gotten sidetracked from POGOs to Ms. Guo’s personal life and her luxurious lifestyle.

“I am not against the Senate investigating Guo,” she said. “However, something which originated from concerns about POGO got sidetracked and had become ridiculous zarzuela and the POGO investigation disappeared from the scene.”

In a statement on Monday, Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said senators and officials from government agencies will hold a closed-door executive session before the next hearing on POGOs to discuss other leads on the outfits being linked to government surveillance.

“This is not a witch hunt. This is not about politics,” she said. “This is about national security, criminal activities, accountability in public service, the rights and welfare of women and children, and the structural failure of our system to regulate POGO as a business model.”

Malacañang last month ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze the assets of a POGO hub in Tarlac.

A total of 868 POGO workers were rescued during a March 13 raid after the company was linked to human trafficking and torture crimes.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission seized about P6 million in cash and passports in 11 vaults found in the POGO hub. Authorities also seized at least 60. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

PSEi sinks to 6,500 level anew amid lack of leads

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE MAIN INDEX dropped to the 6,500 level again on Monday as investors stayed on the sidelines while looking for fresh catalysts.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined by 0.72% or 48.29 points to end at 6,571.60 on Monday, while the broader all shares index fell by 0.38% or 13.41 points to close at 3,510.08.

Monday’s finish was the lowest in almost two weeks and was the first time the PSEi ended at the 6,500 level since it closed at 6,558.63 on May 15.

“The local market moved sideways as investors had few fundamental leads. Technically, traders were taking profits as the main index encountered resistance from a confluence of moving averages near the 6,700 level. Investors are in a wait-and-see mode, anticipating further guidance on the direction of interest rates,” AB Capital Securities, Inc. Vice-President Jovis L. Vistan said in a Viber message.

“The next major data that could provide insight into global interest rates is due later this week, with the release of the US Q1 GDP (first-quarter gross domestic product) and, more importantly, the latest US PCE (personal consumption expenditures) data, which many view as a potential indicator of increased inflationary pressures,” Mr. Vistan said.

The second estimate for first-quarter US GDP data will be released on May 30, Thursday, while April US PCE data will come out on May 31, Friday.

“MSCI rebalancing outflow and peso volatility were behind poor market sentiment, overriding positives such as double-digit corporate earnings of 13% for PSEi members and BSP’s (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) dovish tilt,” First Metro Investment Corp. Head of Research Cristina S. Ulang said in a Viber message.

“Investors were awaiting data that could influence the decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas regarding interest rates,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Analyst Claire T. Alviar added in a Viber message.

BSP Eli M. Remolona, Jr. this month said the Monetary Board could begin easing their policy stance by the second half, with a 25-basis-point cut possible at their Aug. 15 meeting.

This would mean that the BSP could kick off its easing cycle earlier than the US Federal Reserve, which is expected to begin cutting rates by September.

Almost all sectoral indices closed lower on Monday, with industrials being the sole gainer, rising by 0.25% or 23.88 points to 9,263.85.

Meanwhile, mining and oil declined by 1.34% or 125.05 points to 9,152.25; financials went down by 0.9% or 18.05 points to 1,979.80; property dropped by 0.84% or 21.06 points to 2,480.51; services retreated by 0.78% or 15.67 points to 1,991.72; and holding firms lost 0.67% or 39.87 points to 5,870.73.

Value turnover fell to P4.19 billion on Monday with 3.42 billion shares changing hands from the P4.47 billion with 557.45 million issues traded on Friday.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 104 versus 84, while 45 names were unchanged.

Net foreign selling stood at P487.86 million on Monday versus the P203.34 million in net buying seen on Friday. — R.M.D. Ochave

Peso advances against dollar as market waits for key US data

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO rose on Monday amid broad dollar weakness as the market awaits key economic data releases.

The local unit closed at P58.11 per dollar on Monday, strengthening by eight centavos from its P58.19 finish on Friday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Monday’s session slightly stronger at P58.18 against the dollar. Its intraday best was at P58.06, while its weakest showing was at P58.20 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged plunged to $791.5 million on Monday from $1.38 billion on Friday.

The peso was supported by a generally weaker dollar as the market awaited key economic data, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

“The peso gained from profit-taking after hitting the year lows last Friday and fewer dollar transactions due to a US federal holiday today,” a trader added in an e-mail on Monday.

The dollar held steady on Monday, but was set for its first monthly loss this year, as investors were focused on US, European and Japanese inflation data to guide the global interest rate outlook, Reuters reported.

Foreign exchange trade has been dominated by the hunt for “carry” in recent months, punishing low-yield currencies and supporting the dollar, while US data has blown hot and cold and dented policy makers’ confidence on the rates outlook.

Trading on Monday was thinned out by holidays in Britain and the United States.

Friday’s reading for the US core personal consumption expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, is expected to be steady month-on-month.

The dollar had fallen back after data showed a slowdown in consumer price rises in April and confirming the trend could pull it lower still — but the big picture is that inflation and inflation indicators remain above the Fed’s 2% target.

The dollar index, which measures the performance of the US currency against six others, was last down modestly at 104.71. It is on track for a drop of 1.5% in May, the most in one month since December.

The yen may seal its first monthly gain of the year this month thanks to suspected intervention from Japanese authorities towards the end of April and at the start of May, but it has been slipping back since then.

It was steady at 156.88 to the dollar on Monday but has won little support from rising Japanese government bond yields — at the 10-year tenor, for example, they remain nearly 350 basis points below US yields.

For Tuesday, the trader said the peso could weaken anew due to hawkish remarks from US Federal Reserve officials.

The trader sees the peso moving between P57.95 and P58.20 on Tuesday, while Mr. Ricafort expects the peso to range from P58 to P58.20 per dollar. — AMCS with Reuters

Mavs put Wolves in deep 0-3 hole

P.J. WASHINGTON — JEROME MIRON/USA TODAY SPORTS/REUTERS

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES coach Chris Finch calls them 3-minute games.

In this case, he was off by 38 seconds.

  P.J. Washington  broke a late tie with a 3-pointer, Daniel Gafford made big plays at both ends of the court down the stretch and the Dallas Mavericks outdueled the visiting Timberwolves for a 116-107 victory in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals Sunday night to go up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series.

The Mavericks can advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning the 2011 title when the clubs meet again Tuesday in Dallas. The Mavericks pulled away thanks to a 12-3 run in the final 3:38.

“We need one more. Nothing’s done yet,” said Mavericks star Luka Doncic, who shared game-high scoring honors with teammate Kyrie Irving with 33 points. “They have an amazing team. If we get one more, then we get a rest.”

The Mavericks shot 55.9 percent from the floor and 50 percent (14 of 28) from 3-point range. Dallas took 14 more free-throw attempts and shot 83.9 percent from the stripe.

Anthony Edwards finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and a game-high nine assists for the Timberwolves, who shot 50.6 percent from the floor but hit only 9 of 30 attempts from beyond the arc.

“I thought it was our offense that broke down more than anything,” Mr. Finch said. “We have to try to score alongside them. The whole series, we’ve struggled to close games. These three-minute games that we’re playing, we’re losing. There was some sloppy execution there, too. We’ve got to be better.”

After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half, the Timberwolves drew even at 77-all on Mr. Edwards’ basket with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter, the first of 10 ties in the next 13 minutes.

Mr. Washington broke the last deadlock with his 3-pointer with 3:38 remaining to give the Mavericks a 107-104 lead. Mr. Doncic made it 109-105 on a short jumper with 2:16 remaining, and Irving connected from the right corner for a six-point advantage.

“They tried to double me the whole game; they tried to double Ky(rie). That just makes us better,” Mr. Doncic said. “Everybody touches the ball; everybody makes plays. That’s what helps us win. We come down to the stretch and we execute.”

Getting additional playing time after backup center Dereck Lively II had to leave the game in the third quarter with a strained neck, Mr. Gafford blocked Mike Conley’s layup attempt with 56.7 seconds left, then dunked a lob pass from Mr. Doncic despite being fouled.

Mr. Gafford’s free throw increased the lead to 114-105 with 34.8 seconds remaining, effectively closing the door on the third-seeded Timberwolves.

Mr. Doncic finished with seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. Mr. Washington chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Derrick Jones, Jr. added 11 points.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, but shot just 5-for-18 overall and 0-for-8 on 3-pointers. Mike Conley had 16 points, Jaden McDaniels chipped in with 15, Naz Reid 14 and Kyle Anderson 10. — Reuters

Pacers promise to play harder, extend series

THE BOSTON CELTICS are in the driver’s seat but Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle says his club will be controlling the throttle in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.

There’s no reason for Indiana to do anything other than push the pedal to the metal on Monday night in Indianapolis since no team has recovered from a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history.

“We’re not going to be deterred,” Mr. Carlisle said of the mountain to navigate. “We’re going to be back here Monday night looking to extend the series and we’re going to come at it even harder. We have to. We don’t have a choice…. Believe me, we are going after them.”

While the Pacers will stay off the brakes, the Celtics will be trying to close the door on the series.

Top-seeded Boston moved within one victory of advancing to the East finals for the second time in three seasons by rallying from an 18-point, third-quarter deficit to post a 114-111 road victory in Game 3 on Saturday.

“We’ve met every challenge,” Celtics star Jayson Tatum said. “We’re in a great position right now, one win away from the finals. But we can’t look past Monday or anything like that, and we have a special opportunity to go back to the finals.”

Indiana played without All-NBA third-team selection Tyrese Haliburton in Game 3 and also could be without the star point guard’s services on Monday. Carlisle said he had no injury update to provide during his Sunday media availability. — Reuters

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