Another round of fuel subsidies for farmers urged as prices climb

April 18, 2024 | 7:59 pm

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) should consider giving another round of fuel subsidies to farmers in the second half of the year if fuel prices continue to soar, a congressman said on Thursday.

Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee cited rising tensions in the Middle East and the likelihood of oil prices to continue climbing as the premise for the DA to study the possibility of providing another round of fuel subsidies.

The government had already allocated P510 million in financial assistance to farmers to subsidize mounting fuel costs.

“A one-time P3,000 fuel subsidy is not enough (for farmers) given the rise in prices of oil products,” Mr. Lee said in Filipino.

He said the DA should also assist farmers in registering for the agency’s list of Filipinos engaged in agricultural activities so they can avail of the government’s fuel subsidy.

CASH AID FOR FARMERS
In La Union, farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihoods are suffering due to extreme weather conditions brought about by El Niño are set to receive financial aid from the provincial government.

La Union Governor Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David announced on Thursday the enactment Provincial Ordinance No. 425-2023 which would provide a cash assistance of P8,000 or P10,000 for farmers who recorded partial and total crop damages. Distressed fishermen are also entitled to the cash aid.

A total of P3 million has been appropriated for the Agricultural Emergency Trust Fund, which would benefit around 300 La Union farmers, said Sharon Viloria, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Agriculture Office. To qualify, an applicant must be a member of an accredited farmer/fisherfolks cooperative, Ms. Viloria required.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lee called on the DA to fast-track the modernization of its registry system of agricultural workers to ensure that all farmers and fisherfolk receive aid from the government.

“We have, for a long time, advocated for the modernization of the RSBSA (Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture) because many farmers and fishermen have not received aid because they are not included within the list,” he said in Filipino.

“The DA should give farmers and fisherfolks a chance to register in the RSBSA while there are still no final regulations on the fuel subsidy program,” he added in Filipino. — with a report from Artemio A. Dumlao

Evacuation of Mideast OFWs ready

April 18, 2024 | 7:58 pm

THE PHILIPPINE government is prepared to evacuate Filipinos in the Middle East should tensions escalate in the region, authorities told Thursday’s briefing in Congress as contingency measures were discussed in case hostilities between Israel and Iran and other parties turn for the worse.

However, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. said details of the evacuation plans are kept confidential to avoid being sabotaged by terror groups who might take advantage of the situation.

“Contingency plans must not be publicized, we don’t want the (evacuation) details to fall into the wrong hands,” he said

“(We) briefed Filipino community leaders in the crisis plan. There, the Filipino community leaders had an understanding of the crisis plan,” seconded Department of Migrant Workers Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac in the same briefing.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is ready to evacuate Filipinos overseas. However, their contingency plan should be reserved “for last resort” only if other means of evacuating Filipinos fail.

The Middle East is home to at least 2.2 million Filipinos, according to a 2020 DFA report. It also hosts around 70% of all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) abroad, Mr. Cacdac told BusinessWorld.

“With escalating hostilities, there’s a heightened risk of conflict spiraling over into neighboring countries where many overseas Filipino workers are deployed,” Party-list Rep. Ron P. Salo said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Singapore FM seeks deeper ties

April 18, 2024 | 7:58 pm

SINGAPORE Foreign Minister (FM) Vivian Balakrishnan and Philippine senators on Wednesday met to explore more areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly in agriculture, trade and maritime security.

“The senators and foreign minister (Mr. Balakrishnan) also agreed that the tensions in the South China Sea must be eased and that greater dialogue and restraint among countries must be encouraged in order to maintain peace, stability and prosperity of the region,” the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau (PRIB) said in a statement.

The visiting Singaporean official met with Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri and Senators Aquilino Martin D. Pimentel III, Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay and Cynthia A. Villar and “discussed the potentials of greater trade and investments, especially in agriculture and transportation,” it said.

Mr. Balakrishnan and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo on Tuesday said both countries are pushing for a code of conduct in the South China Sea to ease Chinese aggression in the waterway.

“Nevertheless, (we are pushing this) because we believe it is one way to reduce the possibility of complications of collisions or disputes occur in the waves of the South China Sea,” he told a news briefing.

Mr. Zubiri also thanked Singapore for watching over the rights of 200,000 Filipino workers based in the country. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

SC: Child, wife abusers not just men

April 18, 2024 | 7:54 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Supreme Court (SC) has upheld rulings that any person, regardless of gender, can be charged with violence against women and children (VAWC) for committing such abuses against a woman or child.

“The law uses a gender-neutral term when referring to offenders,” wrote Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F Leonen in the SC resolution released on Wednesday and discussed in a forum in Baguio City by Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting.

Ms. Ting said the petitioner in the case filed to quash the complaint against her, claiming that as a woman, she cannot be charged with violations under the VAWC on the contention that the law was made against men’s abusive acts on women and children.

A regional trial court denied her petition and, subsequently, the Court of Appeals did so, too.

In the same forum, Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh underscored the need for Philippine laws to be updated to be gender-inclusive and gender sensitive.

“We are far from equality with our laws. We still have many laws discriminating against other genders,” she said in Filipino. At present, the Committee on Gender Responsiveness is focusing on raising consciousness and awareness, she said. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Customs seizes P218-M ‘shabu’

April 18, 2024 | 7:54 pm

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) said it intercepted a parcel of methamphetamine or “shabu” worth an estimated P218 million.

In a statement on Thursday, the agency said that it seized a parcel containing about 32 kilograms of “shabu” in a warehouse in Pasay City.

“The shipment was declared as ‘machinery muffler’ from Zimbabwe and underwent rigorous profiling…which led to the discovery of shabu concealed inside the mufflers,” it added.

The agency said that the consignee was arrested, and charges will be filed accordingly. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Zubiri seeks more trade with Japan

April 18, 2024 | 7:53 pm

SENATE President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri met with Japanese Ambassador to Manila Kazuya Endo on Wednesday, asking the newly assigned envoy for constant engagement with Japanese businesses to boost trade and investments in the Philippines.

“He (Mr. Zubiri) also encouraged the Ambassador to engage private and business sectors from Japan in a healthy discussion once the CREATE MORE Act is being deliberated upon in the Philippine Senate, to further boost Philippines’ and Japan’s cooperation in terms of trade and investment,” the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau said in a statement.

The House of Representatives on March 18 passed on final reading amendments to the law designed to revive the post-pandemic economy through tax incentives contained in the CREATE MORE Act.

The CREATE MORE (CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy) measure cuts corporate income tax to 20% from 25%. It also provides duty exemptions and value-added tax (VAT) exemptions on imports. The Senate has yet to deliberate on the measure.

Earlier, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian filed a resolution seeking to probe the large volume of denied VAT refunds, citing complaints from Japanese companies which threatened to leave Manila after finding it hard to apply for these.

In November, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines President Shigeru Shimoda told a Senate hearing that Congress should push for more tax incentives for Japanese companies to expand their operations in the Philippines.

On another front, Mr. Zubiri said Thursday he was hopeful negotiations on the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan and the Philippines move forward to allow the deployment of troops on each other’s soil. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Hepatitis B vaccinations pushed

April 18, 2024 | 7:53 pm

CHILDREN must be vaccinated against Hepatitis B to prevent a liver cancer outbreak in 2024, a congressman and former health secretary said on Thursday.

“Come 2042 to 2045, many could have liver cancer or Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Philippines due to unvaccinated children,” Iloilo Rep. Janette L. Garin said in a statement in Filipino.

The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the alarm against the disease earlier this month as figures showed that around 3,500 people die from viral hepatitis daily.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids entering the body through wounds, during birth and delivery, and sexual intercourse.

With Hepatitis B accounting for 1.3 million deaths annually, WHO said it is not surprising that it is blamed for 83% of deaths due to the liver disease.

“If someone not vaccinated contracts Hepatitis B, there is a 30% chance that it can progress to Hepatocellular Carcinoma, a deadly type of liver cancer,” Ms. Garin said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

DoJ says Teves’ son tried to bribe Timor-Leste police

April 18, 2024 | 7:52 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) revealed on Thursday that a son of dismissed congressman Arnolfo A. Teves, Jr. has been exposed for allegedly attempting to bribe Timor Leste police for preferential treatment while detained at a Dili prison.

The DoJ cited a report from Timorese media outlet Hatutan that Mr. Teves’ son allegedly offered a $2,000 (P114,000) to a member of the Polícia Científica De Investigação Criminal (PCIC) in exchange for ensuring his father’s safety in and outside of the Becora Prison.

Hatutan’s report detailed the exchange, where a PCIC member sent Mr. Teves’ son a WhatsApp message, suggesting that with payment, they could ensure “100% security” for his father.

The member claimed that the Prison Guard Chief at Becora had already instructed staff to provide maximum security for Mr. Teves during his detention, the report said.

PCIC Director Vicente Fernandes e Brito declined to comment on the allegations.

The bribery allegations have spurred calls within Timorese law enforcement for the Filipino ex-congressman’s extradition to the Philippines, where he faces multiple murder charges.

Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, who had long called on Mr. Teves to come home and face his accusers, said: “Let us stop playing hide and seek with the law, one cannot evade accountability for eternity.”

Mr. Teves’ legal counsel, Ferdinand S. Topacio, did not immediately to BusinessWorld’s requests for comment.

On Wednesday, Mr. Topacio accused the DoJ of witness tampering, a claim denied by DoJ Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV, citing the strength of their evidence in the case. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Cignal TV partners with POC on coverage of Paris Olympics

April 18, 2024 | 6:36 pm

(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
7:30 a.m.-JRU vs Letran (men)
10 a.m.-JRU vs Letran (women)
2 p.m.-AU vs San Beda (women)
5 p.m.-AU vs San Beda (men)

CIGNAL TV has officially come in as partner of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in the country’s centennial participation in the coming Paris Olympiad.

Cignal TV, according to MediaQuest and Cignal TV President and Chief Executive Officer Jane Basas, is preparing the most comprehensive coverage of the July 26 to Aug. 11 Games.

This includes campaigns leading to the June 21 grand sendoff and the Filipino Olympians’ one-month training camp in the northeast French city of Metz prior to competition proper.

“We will bring every memorable moment to the Filipino fans, from the time our athletes leave to their (pre-Games) training all the way until they come back hopefully bringing medals for the country,” Ms. Basas said in yesterday’s press launch with POC President Bambol Tolentino, POC Secretary General Wharton Chan, and Cignal TV first vice president and head for channels and content management Sienna Olaso.

“To do this, we commit all available resources across the MediaQuest group from our pay-TV platforms to our free-to-air platforms to our digital platforms and we are working closely as well with PLDT and Smart to make sure that we scale the distribution and reach and content across the country,” Ms. Basas added.

Mr. Tolentino expressed gratitude to Cignal TV for joining this Olympic journey.

“We are very excited with his partnership between the POC and Cignal,” said Mr. Tolentino.

Ms. Olaso said Cignal will promote the Philippines’ Olympic drive in all platforms for the next 99 days before the opening and produce a 13-part miniseries with reporters embedded to chronicle their journey.

The network, meanwhile, is finalizing a deal for broadcast rights of the Olympiad.

“We’re in the tailend of our discussion with the official rights holder for the Olympic Games. We don’t have a final agreement yet but we’re trying our best with the support of our chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and the POC to secure the rights,” said Ms. Basas.

“Our objective is put as many games, particularly the games where Filipinos are competing in all available platforms — free-to-air, we have our dedicated sports channel RPTV, One Sports sa digital free to air and of course Cignal. We are looking as many as 18 channels bringing the most comprehensive coverage of the Games. But our priority is the Filipino athletes.” — Olmin Leyba

Fil-Am Jung-Ruivivar Olympic hopes alive in uneven bars

April 18, 2024 | 6:36 pm

FIL-AM Levi Jung-Ruivivar kept her Olympic hopes alive by making the women’s uneven bars even as Paris-bound Carlos Yulo failed to make the men’s floor exercise finals of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup Series in Doha, Qatar on Thursday.

Ms. Jung-Ruivivar, 17, claimed the eighth and last finals seat by scoring 13.2 points that kept her in the hunt of joining fellow gymnasts Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas and weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ando in this July’s Paris Games.

But she must finish at least second among the finalists who have yet to earn their Olympics slots.

Of the eight, Algerian Kaylia Nemour, Portuguese Filipa Martins and Ukrainian Anna Lashchevska, who finished first, fifth and seventh with 15.400, 13.366 and 13.233 in the qualification round, respectively, have already booked their Paris berths by virtue of their strong performances in the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium last year.

So regardless of the final scores and positions of Mmess. Nemour, Martins and Lashchevska, the two Paris slots will be basically fought by Ms. Jung-Ruivivar, Belarus’ Alena Tsitavets (second, 13.666), New Zealand’s Georgia-Rose Brown (third, 13.400), Sweden’s Nathalie Westlund (fourth, 13.400), and Belgium’s Maellyse Brassart (sixth, 13.255).

Meanwhile, many-time world titlist Mr. Yulo was a shadow of his old self again as he wound up just 21^st in his favorite event — the floor exercise — with a score of 12.666 in the qualification phase and failed to make the cut.

Mr. Yulo, however, will have his other chances in two more apparatuses as he wades into battle in his other events where he excelled before — the vault and parallel bars today.

Another Philippine bet, Emma Malabuyo, will shoot for an Olympic spot as she sees action in the women’s floor exercise today. — Joey Villar

SMB eyes early quarters slot against freefalling Converge

April 18, 2024 | 6:35 pm

Games Friday
(PhilSports Arena)
4:30 p.m. — Converge vs San Miguel Beer
7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs TNT

SAN Miguel Beer (SMB) attempts to get on the next rung of what coach Jorge Gallent dubbed as their step-by-step mission in the PBA Philippine Cup.

With a spotless 5-0 mark, the league-leading Beermen are well in position to notch win No. 6 and get into the quarterfinals ahead of everyone in this tight race.

And Mr. Gallent’s rampaging squad can achieve this by taking care of business Friday at 4:30 p.m. against freefalling Converge (0-7) in a top-versus-bottom tiff at the PhilSports Arena.

“We’re taking it one game at a time. Right now, we think of Converge. That’s the ladder,” said Mr. Gallent after claiming their latest prey, Terrafirma, 113-110, last Wednesday and closing in on an early Last-8 qualification.

“So we have 11 steps (in the elimination round). We’re going to our sixth step. That’s the only thing we’re thinking of.”

Though practically out of it all, the FiberXers can use a morale-boosting upset now. Aldin Ayo’s youth-laden charges played their best game of the All-Filipino a week ago in a close 107-113 loss to Phoenix.

Like defending champion SMB, Ginebra (5-3) seeks a quarters-clinching sixth victory in the 7:30 p.m. showdown with TNT (4-3).

The Gin Kings, however, will have a big void to fill in the wing position following the calf injury that forced Jamie Malonzo out of action for some four weeks.

“We’re going to miss Jamie, no doubt. He does a lot for us on both sides. That position, with Miah (Gray) and Aljon (Mariano), along with Jamie, used to be our position of strength and depth. But with all of them injured, we’ll have to be creative and force some guys to play up in size or perhaps for Japeth (Aguilar), to play down in size,” coach Tim Cone told The STAR.

“Collectively, we’ve just got to move on and figure out ways to win games and get ourselves to the playoffs.”

The Gin Kings and the Tropang Giga are similarly on a two-game streak that neither would like to end as the quarters chase heats up. — Olmin Leyba

76ers hold off Heat, advance to face Knicks in first round

April 18, 2024 | 6:35 pm

JOEL EMBIID collected 23 points and 15 rebounds and Nicolas Batum drained six 3-pointers to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers to a 105-104 victory over the Miami Heat in an NBA play-in game on Wednesday.

Mr. Batum finished with 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the floor, and Tyrese Maxey added 19 points. Kelly Oubre, Jr. recorded 11 points and eight rebounds, and Tobias Harris added nine points and 10 boards.

The seventh-seeded 76ers outscored Miami 66-53 in the second half to set up an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the second-seeded New York Knicks. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Saturday in New York.

Miami’s Tyler Herro contributed 25 points and nine assists, and Jimmy Butler had 19 points, five assists and five steals.

Rookie Jaime Jaquez, Jr. scored 15 points off the bench for the Heat, who will look to capture the eighth seed on Friday when they host the Bulls. Chicago won the late Wednesday game 131-116 over the Atlanta Hawks. — Reuters