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US eyes Philippine ties in energy and critical minerals

PCO.GOV.PH

THE UNITED STATES plans to forge more partnerships with the Philippines in the energy sector and critical minerals this year, according to the head of a delegation of American senators.

“We do believe that we are in the moment of extraordinary opportunity, especially for economic ties, to build upon existing strengths, whether they are in the fields of energy or in the fields of rare earth minerals or in the fields of commerce,” US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during a courtesy call in Manila on Tuesday, based on a transcript e-mailed by the Presidential Communications Office.

“These are important alliances for us, and we want to continue to grow.”

Mr. Marcos earlier said his government seeks to attract more investments in renewable energy to fast-track the Philippines’ green transition.

The Philippines aims to raise its renewable energy share in power generation to 35% by 2030 and to 50% by 2040 from 22% now.

During her visit to Manila earlier this month, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said American companies plan to invest more than $1 billion (P56.3 billion) in the Philippines, including deals on developing power and refueling stations.

She said US companies are keen on investing in the Philippines’ semiconductor industry and to double the country’s 13 packaging, testing and assembly facilities.

Miners and semiconductor companies are reluctant to invest in the Philippines due to expensive power, US State Department Undersecretary for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment Jose W. Fernandez said during his visit to Manila last month.

“These are important alliances for us, and we want to continue to grow on that,” Ms. Gillibrand said. “We want to build on the trip that Secretary Raimondo just had here with a number of executives from our companies.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Philippines: UN ruling on Gaza ceasefire long overdue

THE RECENTLY adopted United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza was “long overdue,” the Philippine Foreign Affairs Department (DFA) said on Tuesday, citing the need to keep civilians safe from the war.

“The humanitarian crisis demands swift and unified action from the international community,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said in an X post.

“The prompt implementation of the measures contained in the resolution will urgently relieve the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire and bring forth prospects for lasting peace,” he added.

The Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the unconditional release of hostages and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza. There were 14 votes in favor, with the United States abstaining.

The council rejected a Russia-proposed amendment that would have called for a permanent ceasefire.

The US ambassador said her delegation “fully supports” the critical objectives of the draft resolution, while Algeria’s ambassador said the ceasefire would end “the bloodbath.”

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled meetings between an Israeli delegation and US officials this week after the abstention.

In a statement, he said the resolution “hurts both the war effort and effort to release the abductees.”

The Hamas militant group said it was ready to negotiate for the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Israel launched a barrage of airstrikes in Gaza after Hamas militants backed by waves of rockets stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 Israelis.

Gaza’s Health ministry has said more than 30,000 Palestinians have died in the war. At least four Filipinos died.

In December, the Philippines joined 152 countries in favoring a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, including the unconditional release of all hostages.

The country in October abstained from a resolution that called for a humanitarian truce in Gaza. It joined 144 nations a month later in favoring a general assembly resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem and Syrian Gowan. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Meralco prepared for summer’s high demand

MANILA Electric Co. linemen work on fixing electric posts in Tondo, Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporter

ELECTRICITY demand in the dry season will increase, but the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) assured the public on Tuesday that it has long prepared for the situation by obtaining additional power supply.

Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco’s vice president and head of corporate communications, said the company is coordinating with the Department of Energy (DoE) to ensure continuous delivery of electricity service to customers throughout summer, this year.

“Meralco also proactively obtained additional power supply via a series of competitive selection processes (CSPs) to meet the growing electricity demand of its customers,” Mr. Zaldarriaga said.

The power distributor recently secured an additional 400-megawatt (MW) capacity for its baseload requirement through a bidding which is subject to the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Meralco has secured its supply requirement from Limay Power, Inc., a subsidiary of San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., after it submitted the lowest offer at P6.2708 per kilowatt-hour.

The bidding seeks to augment the power supply needs during the dry months, allowing the company to lessen its exposure to the sport market “when prices are highly volatile,” it said.

After two failed biddings, Meralco is also seeking potential suppliers for the 260-MW power supply to serve its peaking requirements.

Meanwhile, the power distributor has called for increased participation in the government’s Interruptible Load Program, wherein large power consumers are asked to use their generation sets or shift their operations instead of sourcing from the grid.

This is to spare households from power interruptions during instances of red alter or when supply is insufficient to meet the demand.

According to Meralco, there are 105 companies with 530 MW of de-loading capacity across its franchise area that are enrolled in the program.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

Motorbike taxis in provinces mulled

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

AN expansion of the pilot operation of motorcycle taxis outside of the capital region must be contingent upon actual demand to avoid potential disruptions to existing transportation modes in the provinces, a transport alliance leader said on Tuesday.

“Expansion outside of Metro Manila is welcomed, as long as the number of units to be allowed will be determined by the actual need,” said Leonardo V. “Jun” De Leon Jr., national president of transport alliance Laban TNVS, who insisted that any provincial expansion of motorcycle taxi operations should require a consultation with stakeholders.

Quezon Rep. Reynante U. Arogancia, vice-chair of the House Transportation Committee, said expanding the motorcycle transport service outside the National Capital Region (NCR) would address mobility difficulties faced by commuters.

“In the provinces, most ordinary people cannot afford to buy or rent cars or SUVs,” says Mr. Arogancia in supporting the operation of motorcycle taxis, which are now only allowed in Metro-Manila, Metro-Cebu, and Metro-Davao. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

SC junks raps vs BoC executives

WIKIMEDIA/PATRICKROQUE01

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) dismissed a petition from the Department of Finance (DoF) against two Bureau of Customs (BoC) officials over their failure at completely disclosing their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) and reversed a Court of Appeals (CA) decision to fine them for simple negligence.

In junking the administrative charges against spouses Uthman F. Mamadra and Rosalinda P. Mamadra, the SC agreed with the CA that their failure to supply complete information in their SALNs did not warrant the penalty of dismissal from the service.

However, the SC disagreed with the CA that the accused were guilty of Simple Negligence and should be fined equivalent to three months of their salaries.

“All told, the Court finds that the administrative charges against the spouses Mamadra should be dismissed,” the SC resolution released on Tuesday read. It also cited the spouse’s efforts to rectify their errors on the SALNs, particularly on the missing details about stakes in private businesses. 

In 2018 they were found guilty by the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct for not declaring their real properties in Parañaque City, Cavite, and Mindoro Occidental, firearms, and motor vehicles for their 2003-2012 SALNs.

But the SC decision pointed out that “the spouses Mamadra were not given the opportunity to amend or correct their SALN. Their failure to provide a detailed list or supply missing information could have been prevented if they were properly apprised by the head of office or appropriate committee.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

15 BIFF terrorists surrender

COTABATO CITY — Fifteen members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) are the latest to surrender to the government in Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, the Philippine Army in southern Philippines said Tuesday.

Their surrender on Monday brings to 491 the number of local terrorists to surrender from Maguindanao del Sur alone in the past 12 months, according to Major Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

Those who surrendered were led by BIFF faction leader Kagui Karialan, who is wanted for more than 30 high-profile criminal cases pending in different courts in Central Mindanao.

In renouncing their BIFF membership, they also surrendered at least 15 long firearms and a dozen improvised explosive devices or IEDs to the 6th Infantry Battalion led by Col. Michael Glenn S. Manansala. — John Felix M. Unson

2023 oil spill damage hits P4.93B

A PHILIPPINE Coast Guard aerial surveillance shows the oil spill off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. — PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

THE DAMAGE caused by oil spills in 2023 has reached P4.93 billion, according to the data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Tuesday.

The PSA’s Compendium of Philippine Environment Statistics (CPES) Component 4 showed that the damage due to “human-induced disasters” reached P9.29 billion last year, of which 53.1% was mainly from oil spill incidents.

“The reported oil spill in various regions resulted in damages in the agriculture sector,” the agency said.

In 2023, damages brought by “minor human-induced incidents” such as armed conflicts/firefight and fire incidents totaled P4.36 billion.

“The total damages [sic] in infrastructure amounted to P4.31 billion or 98.7% of the total damages [sic] due to minor human-induced incidents,” the PSA said.

Meanwhile, damage resulting from natural extreme weather events and disaster declined by 17.5% to P24.49 billion in 2023 from P29.68 billion a year earlier. 

The total damage wrought by minor natural incidents reached P1.24 billion, up 33.4% from P0.93 billion in 2022.

Infrastructure incurred the highest damage overall at P630 million or 50.7%, followed by agriculture at P530 million or 42.4%. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

P1B set for heritage school repairs

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Tuesday that it has approved the release of P1.134 billion to rehabilitate school buildings regarded as heritage structures.

In a statement, the DBM said it has affirmed the release of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) amounting to P1.134 billion to help restore Gabaldon School Buildings and other heritage school structures.

The amount, which was approved for release on March 1, is expected to benefit 654 classrooms in 83 sites nationwide.

“Whether nestled in bustling cities or remote provinces, these historic edifices hold the promise of progress,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said. 

Galbadons are referred to as old school buildings built during the American colonial period. Its design is inspired by the traditional nipa hut and stone house designs. To date, there are 2,045 Gabaldon Schoolhouses nationwide.

The 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) includes special provision no. 21, which states that heritage school buildings, including Gabaldon school buildings, must be preserved and restored as part of the country’s cultural conservation efforts.

The preservation of these buildings is also mandated under Republic Act No. 11194, the Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act, as well as its implementing rules and regulations.

The Departments of Education (DepEd) and Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are mandated to ensure the full restoration of the old school buildings.

The National Commission for Culture and Arts, the National Historical Commission, and the National Museum of the Philippines are also conducting joint inspections of the buildings, according to DepEd. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

CHR denounces deaths in Davao City’s war on drugs

THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) expressed “grave concern” on Tuesday over the death of five drug suspects in Davao City’s ongoing war against illegal drugs.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte had announced a war against drugs in the city, taking after his father former president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s flagship campaign.

Since the announcement, the CHR received reports of five suspects being killed.

“These acts constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life and due process, and are in direct disregard to the principles of justice and the rule of law,” CHR wrote in a statement.

“Using extrajudicial means undermines the rule of law and destroys faith in legal systems, ultimately hindering genuine efforts to address the root causes of drug-related problems in the country,” it added.

CHR Region 10 has launched its probe concerning the alleged drug-related killings in the city.

It also emphasized the importance of drug abuse and trafficking prevention programs, institutionalizing policies that lift human rights, and following legal frameworks that denounce violence and impunity.

“As duty-bearer, the State has an obligation to respect and protect the human rights of every citizen, in particular, victims of drug-related killings,” the CHR said.

The former president is under investigation by the International Criminal Court for his deadly war on drugs implemented nationwide during his incumbency from 2016-2022. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Lawmaker bats for tax credits for retailers

PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) should provide tax credits or deductions to retailers to ensure their establishments’ compliance to a new policy providing increased discounts to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, a lawmaker said on Tuesday.

“Making price-discounted groceries bought by our seniors and PWDs available for tax breaks or deductions by the supermarkets and other establishments where these were procured will somehow ensure greater compliance by retail outlets,” Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr. said in a statement.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Agriculture (DA), and Energy (DoE) issued a joint administrative order last week, issuing an increase in discounts for the elderly and PWDs to P125 per week from P65.

The discounts cover their purchases of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs).

“If the BIR does not consider granting tax credits to retail outlets, there is a greater possibility for supermarkets or grocery stores to ignore this would-be policy or jack up the prices of their BNPC items to cancel out the discounts of seniors and PWDs,” said Mr. Villafuerte, referring to the potential recourse of struggling retailers to offset the burden of the increased discount cap.

Earlier this month, the Philippine Retailers Association issued a position paper for the government to consider providing direct subsidies or tax incentives “to alleviate the financial burden” faced by retailers granting the joint order.

Basic necessities covered under the joint administrative order include rice, bread, dried and canned fish, beef and poultry meat, and vegetables, among others.

Flour, processed and canned pork, dairy products, toiletries and bath soap, and select construction materials are prime commodities included under the discount cap increase order. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

SC grants petition to determine Malampaya contractor’s tax liabilities

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) granted a state plea to determine a Malampaya project contractor’s tax liabilities, ruling that the absence of a valid assessment for deficiency taxes in her case does not undermine her civil liability for unpaid taxes.

In the 11-page decision penned by Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, the High Court ordered the Court of Appeals (CTA) First Division to determine Rebecca S. Tiotangco’s civil liability for taxes and penalties for 2008-2010.

The CTA en banc had reserved from imposing civil liability for unpaid taxes on Ms. Tiotangco despite finding her guilty of two criminal tax violations in a decision rendered in 2020 because of the “lack of a valid assessment.”

However, the SC cited the recent ruling in “People v. Mendez” and reiterated that “a valid assessment for tax deficiency is not necessary for collecting the taxpayer-accused’s civil liability for unpaid taxes.”

Meanwhile, the CTA en banc cited the 1997 Tax Code which orders the inclusion of an order for payment of unpaid taxes in the criminal case and the final determination of civil liability by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Ms. Tiotangco owns Anilos Trading and Construction, a company involved in the Malampaya graft cases from 2008 to 2010 in Palawan, during the incumbency of then governor Joel T. Reyes.

The Sandiganbayan indicted her in January 2024 for a graft case amounting to almost P92 million across 26 projects. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapses after being hit by container ship

A VIEW of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after it collapsed, in Baltimore, Maryland, US, in this picture released on March 26, 2024. — HARFORD COUNTY MD FIRE & EMS/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

BALTIMORE’s 1.6-mile (2.57 km) Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed and vehicles plunged into the river early on Tuesday after a ship collided into a support pylon, officials said, and rescuers were searching the water for survivors.

A live video posted on YouTube showed the ship ploughing into the bridge in darkness. The headlights of vehicles could be seen on the bridge as huge spans collapsed into the Patapsco River and the ship caught fire. Reuters could not immediately verify the videos.

Up to 20 people were in the water, AFP said, citing the fire department. The Baltimore City Fire Department could not be reached immediately to confirm the number.

The department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident and said workers were searching for seven people.

“We received several 911 calls at around 1:30 am, that a vessel struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the collapse. This is currently a mass casualty incident and we are searching for seven people who are in the river,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department told Reuters.

Baltimore police said they had been notified of the incident at 1:35 a.m. ET (535 GMT) on Tuesday.

The Associated Press reported that multiple vehicles had fallen into the water.

Ship tracking data from LSEG shows a Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, at the location along the Key Bridge where the accident occurred. The registered owner of the ship is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd. and the manager is Synergy Marine Group, LSEG data show.

Synergy Marine Corp. said that the Dali collided with one of the pillars of the bridge and that all its crew members, including the two pilots, had been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

Reuters could not immediately reach Grace Ocean for comment.

“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” Maryland Transportation Authority said in a post on X.

It was not immediately clear if the Baltimore port operations were impacted due to the bridge collapse.

The port’s private and public terminals handled 847,158 autos and light trucks in 2023, the most of any US port. The port also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum and coal, according to a Maryland government website.

The Baltimore port did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

“I’m aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge… Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on X.

The bridge, named after Francis Scott Key, opened in 1977. — Reuters

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