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Marcos rating up 3 points in December

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s net satisfaction rating rose by 3 points to 47 in December from a quarter earlier, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

In a statement, the pollster classified the score as “good,”

The president’s net satisfaction rating was highest in Luzon areas outside Metro Manila at 52 (very good), followed by the Visayas in central Philippines at 51 (very good), the National Capital Region at 44 (good) and Mindanao at 38 (good).

Hie net satisfaction rating fell by 12 points in Mindanao from a quarter earlier, SWS said. It rose by 8 points in Metro Manila, by 4 points in Luzon and by 18 points in the Visayas.

Mr. Marcos has pursued closer ties with the US and other western allies amid worsening tensions with China.

The poll, which interviewed 1,200 adults, had an error margin of ±2.8 points. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Bill to ban online gambling ads

SENATE PRIB

A SENATOR has filed a bill seeking to impose a fine of as much as P500,000 and jail time of up to three years against individuals promoting gambling online.

Under Senator Robin C. Padilla’s Senate Bill No. 2602, filed on March 12, the Department of Justice is tasked to issue an order restricting access to online content promoting gambling, with the National Telecommunications Commission in-charge of monitoring compliance.

Internet service providers would need to comply with the disabling orders within 48 hours after they are issued.

Mr. Padilla, who heads the Senate Commitee on Public Information and Mass Media, said in a statement on Thursday that the proposed laws aim to “lessen, if not eliminate the exposure and impact of gambling to the general public, especially the youth.”

“Considering the evolving landscape of social media platforms, this representation has been apprised of the availability of online user-generated content relating to gambling that demonstrates, promotes and provides instructions on betting or staking to the general public,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Mary Grace N. Poe-Llamanzares called on law enforcers to boost their efforts to act on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) that conduct fraud.

“Our inability to stop the POGO-related crimes will be a mockery of our laws and will perpetuate the cycle of exploitation and abuse not only of Filipinos but of their foreigner victims,” she said in a statement. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Former QC mayor must face trial

THE PHILIPPINES’ anti-graft court has rejected a motion to dismiss a corruption lawsuit against former Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista in connection with the city’s P32.1-million deal with a local software company in 2019.

In a 23-page resolution dated March 8, the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division denied the junking of the prosecution’s evidence in the charge sheet against the ex-mayor and his co-accused, former Quezon City Administrator Aldrin C. Cuna.

Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estofesa penned the resolution denying Mr. Bautista’s motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence and ruling that there is probable cause for the case to proceed to trial.

Mr. Bautista and Mr. Cuna have been charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. 3019) over alleged irregularities in the P32.1-million deal with Geodata Solutions, Inc. for the procurement of online occupational permitting and tracking systems for the city government. 

The anti-graft court denied Mr. Cuna’s motion for demurrer as well, and set the presentation of defense evidence on March 20.

Mr. Bautista had denied a conspiracy with Mr. Cuna, stating that he was not even part of the bids and awards committee and could not be faulted for any irregularity.

He also maintained that the deal was above board and delivered to the city government.

The resolution of the court noted that there was an appropriation ordinance for the project, contrary to the claim of the prosecution. But the prosecution also argued that Mr. Bautista and Mr. Cuna had allegedly approved full payment to Geodata even before it completed the delivery.

Associate Justices Zaldy V. Trespeses and Georgina D. Hidalgo concurred with the resolution that the case deserved a full-blown trial. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Japan supports 2 NGO projects

JAPAN has approved a P22.45-million grant to fund the construction of rainwater tanks to supply clean water to Bohol and greenhouses and solar panel systems in Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and Misamis Oriental provinces, the Embassy of Japan in Manila announced on Thursday.

Japanese Charges d’Affaires Matsuda Kenichi signed the grant contracts for assistance on Wednesday for the two Japanese non-government organization (NGO) projects: Ikaw-Ako, and the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International (OISICA International).

Ikaw-Ako is implementing a project that will construct water supply systems that reuse rainwater in Bohol, a high rainfall area.

OISICA, on the other hand, would work with the Philippine Textile Research Institute to conduct short-term training on silkworm farming in Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya and Misamis Oriental to support the local textile industries in these provinces. The project would also install greenhouses and solar panel systems in the provinces. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

MTRCB rules vs explicit content

THE MOVIE and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) junked a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) filed by Cignal TV, Inc. and its program “Private Convos with Doc Rica,” upholding its January decision to prohibit the show for explicit content.

In its decision on the MR released on Thursday, the Board maintained its original position, stating that the TV program “purely appeals to prurient interest.”

It noted that the program presented explicit content on graphic sexual experiences revealed by its guests during child-viewing hours.

“As a Regulatory and Developmental Board, the MTRCB ensures that content under its jurisdiction fosters positive values and contributes to the moral development of children,” MTRCB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Diorella Maria “Lala” S. Antonio said. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Solar cuts Cebu factory’s emissions

VIVANT Energy Vice President-Operations Mark Habana, Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn O. Bercede, MCCI President Mark Ynoc and TIIC President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ong gather for the ceremonial switch-on of iPak’s solar rooftop in the city. — VIVANT ENERGY PHOTO

CEBU-BASED manufacturing company Treasure Island Industrial Corp. (TIIC) has increased the capacity of its rooftop solar plant to about 35% of its energy demand, cutting further its annual carbon emissions.

Through a partnership with Corenergy, TIIC expanded the solar generation capacity of its packaging division, iPak, by 729.3-kilowatt peak (kWp) to subsequently prevent the emission of 527 metric tons of carbon dioxide in a year, TIIC said in a statement on Thursday.

“We are very satisfied with our partnership with Corenergy because we can have a cheaper energy source and yet one that is clean and friendly to the environment,” TIIC President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ong said.

Mark D. Habana, Vivant Energy’s vice president of operations, said that the solar project with TIIC is its first in Cebu.

iPak, which specializes in manufacturing flexible and rigid plastic packaging, completed the first phase of its rooftop solar project in 2019 with the installation of a 1,345-kWp system supplied by Corenergy. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

BIR raids vape seller with P75.7-M tax deficiency

E-LIQUIDS UK-UNSPLASH

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) has confiscated illicit vape products which cost the government P75.7 million in lost revenues.

In a statement on Thursday, the agency said it raided the vape seller’s warehouse in San Pablo City, Laguna and confiscated 102,900 bottles of vape products.

“The total deficiency taxes computed by the BIR for the San Pablo raid is P75.7 million,” said the BIR, adding that two individuals were arrested.

They will be charged with failure to file tax returns and attempting to evade or defeat taxes, among others, it added.

“This successful raid of a vape warehouse containing 102,900 bottles of Flava vape products will be one of many. The BIR supports the whole of government approach in eradicating illicit vape products,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said.

“We have warned you as early as 2022. Our raids are successful. We won the criminal cases. You already have pending warrants of arrest. Register and pay your proper taxes, or suffer the consequences,” he added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Peso inches down before key US data

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO inched down against the dollar on Thursday ahead of the release of key US economic data.

The local unit closed at P55.40 per dollar on Thursday, weakening by less than a centavo from its P55.396 finish on Wednesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Thursday’s session slightly stronger at P55.37 against the dollar. Its weakest showing was at P55.44, while its intraday best was at P55.36.

Dollars exchanged slipped to $868.8 million on Thursday from $1.01 billion on Wednesday.

The peso weakened before the release of US producer price index and retail sales data overnight and as global crude prices rose, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

“The peso slightly weakened ahead of a potentially robust US retail sales report overnight,” a trader said in an e-mail.

The dollar inched higher on Thursday as investors waited for US economic data later in the day, Reuters reported.

The dollar index, which gauges the currency against six major peers, rose 0.14% to 102.89.

It has largely shrugged off Tuesday’s hotter-than-expected US consumer inflation data and is roughly unchanged since the figures. The index is up around 1.5% this year as US data has shown that the economy remains strong, causing investors to rein in their bets on rapid and deep interest rate cuts. 

Data due at 1230 GMT (8.30 a.m. ET) — on producer inflation, retail sales and weekly jobless claims — could provide more clues about the timing of rate cuts.

Meanwhile, Brent rose four cents to $84.07 a barrel, while US crude was flat at $79.72 per barrel.

For Friday, the trader said the peso could weaken further due to expectations of a rate cut by China’s central bank.

The trader sees the peso moving between P55.30 and P55.55 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from P55.30 to P55.50. — AMCS with Reuters

Speaker calls for Bohol resort probe

CAPTAIN’S PEAK RESORT in Sagbayan, Bohol — SCREENGRAB FROM REN THE ADVENTURER

THE HOUSE Speaker has ordered a congressional probe into the operations of a resort at Chocolate Hills in Bohol, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected area, Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said on Thursday.

“We are set to file on Monday a moto proprio inquiry regarding that matter,” Mr. Tulfo told a media conference, citing a directive from Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

In a statement released earlier this week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that it already issued a temporary closure order for the resort on Sept. 6 last year and that a notice of violation for operating without an environmental compliance certificate was served last January.

“What I don’t understand is who gave the building permit,” Mr. Tulfo said. “I say this because you cannot construct any buildings in the Philippines without a permit from the LGU (Local Government Unit).”

He said that accountability for the construction and operation of the resort should extend to Bohol’s provincial government and the DENR. “If it’s a heritage site, a tourist attraction, then there must be park rangers patrolling the area. The question now is: Where were the park rangers?”

The House will include in its probe the Land Registration Authority since the land also needs to be titled before the resort’s construction. Mr. Tulfo expressed disbelief that a title was issued for the area between the mounds of the Chocolate Hills.

Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay, who heads the Senate tourism committee, filed on Wednesday Senate Resolution No. 967, seeking a similar investigation. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PSEi extends climb as market eyes bargains

BW FILE PHOTO

THE ENCHMARK NDEX rose further on Thursday as investors continued to pick up cheap stocks and amid strong foreign buying before the release of key US economic data.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 0.03% or 2.45 points to close at 6,967.96 on Thursday. Meanwhile, the broader all shares index dropped by 0.09% or 3.46 points to finish at 3,610.74.

“This Thursday, the local market inched up by 2.45 points (0.03%) to 6,967.96 with investors hunting for bargains at the last minute,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research and Engagement Officer Mikhail Philippe Q. Plopenio said in a Viber message.

“Foreign funds also contributed to the bourse’s climb as foreigners were net buyers with net inflows,” he added.

Net foreign buying rose to P630.22 million on Thursday from P506.95 million on Wednesday.

“Philippine equities ended up mixed ahead of the FTSE rebalancing… Investors are on the lookout for the US February producer price index due later today,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message on Thursday.

Asian shares held near seven-month highs on Thursday though traded mostly sideways as investors awaited fresh catalysts that would provide further clarity on the global interest rate easing cycle, Reuters reported.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was last little changed and strayed not too far from a seven-month peak hit in the previous session, as traders shrugged off higher-than-expected US inflation rate data.

Attention now turns to US producer price data due later in the day, which feeds into the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index, as well as retail sales figures for February.

The core PCE index is the US Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation.

Thursday’s data run comes ahead of the Fed’s policy meeting next week, where focus will be on clues as to how soon policy makers could commence their rate-easing cycle.

Back home, majority of sectoral indices closed lower, led by mining and oil, which dropped by 2.17% or 181.63 points to 8,166.96. Industrials decreased by 0.62% or 57.06 points to 9,013.87; services went down by 0.25% or 4.70 points to 1,842.82; and financials retreated by 0.2% or 4.19 points to 2,026.68.

Meanwhile, roperty climbed by 0.47% or 13.55 points to 2,840.32, and holding firms rose by 0.4% or 27.11 points to 6,679.52.

“Among the index members, Bloomberry Resorts Corp. was at the top, climbing 2.43% to P11.78. Emperador, Inc. lost the most, dropping 4.65% to P16.40,” Mr. Plopenio said.

Value turnover climbed to P7.92 billion on Thursday with 891.56 million issues switching hands from the P6.51 billion with 702.86 million shares traded the previous day.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 119 versus 84, while 41 names closed unchanged. — R.M.D. Ochave with Reuters

Electricity rates hike seen in Baguio, Benguet

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY — Electricity consumers here and in the rest of Benguet province are bracing for higher monthly power bills this March as the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) implements transmission charge increases, according to the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco).

Beneco said on Wednesday that the NGCP’s adjustments, particularly in ancillary service charges, are expected to impact consumers, prompting the cooperative to raise concerns in a letter dated March 7 to Ma. Cynthia Manrique, head of Revenue and Regulatory Affairs at NGCP.

The letter asked that the NGCP clarified its decision for the sudden surge in ancillary service charges from January to February 2024.

Beneco General Manager Melchor Licoben cited that the increase in contingency reserve charges reached 509%, translating to a cost of P21.3 million for Beneco and marking a 218% surge from the previous billing cycle.

The NGCP, which is responsible for the country’s transmission system, levies transmission charges, which include ancillary services, on distribution utilities like Beneco.

In view of the surge in charges, Beneco advised residential consumers to anticipate a transmission charge increase of P0.3667 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

It said low-voltage commercial and industrial consumers, public buildings, and streetlights are also expected to see a rise of P0.4705 per kWh in their bills.

Olive Bete, Executive Services and Regulatory Compliance Officer (ESRCO) from the office of the General Manager, said residential consumers are set for a hike from P9.9796 per kWh in February to P10.4435 per kWh in March — an increase of P0.4369 per kWh.

For an average family consuming 100 kWh per month, this means an additional cost of P46.39 for March, inclusive of value-added tax, she said.

Ms. Bete also expressed concern over the supposed lack of transparency in NGCP’s billing, urging the corporation to inform consumers about the reasons behind the substantial increase.

Mr. Licoben also urged NGCP to promptly notify consumers of the adjustments, as meter readings began on Wednesday, and the upcoming bills will reflect the increased ancillary charges. — Artemio A. Dumlao

SMB opens its All-Filipino bid vs ROS; Gin Kings eye third win

JORGE GALLENT— PBA.PH

Games Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs San Miguel
7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Meralco

WITH San Miguel Beer (SMB) just getting its feet wet in the PBA Philippine Cup, Rain or Shine (ROS) coach Yeng Guiao feels it’s the best time to ambush the defending champions.

“Probably a good time to play them,” Mr. Guiao said ahead of Friday’s showdown with the Beermen, who are hitting the court for the first time since capturing the Commissioner’s Cup back on Feb. 14.

“There’s no sense of urgency for them. That might be something we can take advantage of.”

Going to the 4:30 p.m. tiff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Mr. Guiao’s troops enjoy the benefit of being in the heat of battle already, although their first three outings all ended in losses.

If you ask SMB counterpart Jorge Gallent, though, the Beermen are ready to go. “We’re good,” said Mr. Gallent, a first-time champion coach who is in position to score a sweep of the two-conference season in the All-Filipino.

Mr. Gallent is drawing confidence from the fact it’s virtually all hands on deck for SMB, with June Mar Fajardo (calf) and Terrence Romeo (ankle) back in the grind after sustaining injuries in the previous title drive.

Meanwhile, unbeaten Barangay Ginebra seeks to make it three straight and maintain its hold of the lead versus struggling Meralco (1-3) in the 7:30 p.m. main gig.

Bucking the absence of ace playmaker Scottie Thompson, the Gin Kings started their campaign with victories over ROS, 113-107, and Phoenix, 102-92, and then found themselves in pole position Wednesday following the fall of erstwhile spotless pacesetter Blackwater (3-1) to NLEX (4-1), 97-103.

It’s a different story for the Bolts, who only have one win to show and even lost their last two assignments prior to rekindling their rivalry with the Gin Kings.

Both Ginebra and Meralco are aiming for a momentum-builder before they take a break for the PBA All Star festivities and the Holy Week holidays. — Olmin Leyba

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