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PHL seen carving out niche as alternative metals source if major suppliers falter

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Philippines could position itself as an alternative metals supplier if major producers like Indonesia take their output off global markets, or if supply is otherwise disrupted, IHS Markit said.

It added that the Philippines is well-positioned in metals required for electric cars and other “green” applications.

At a recent virtual forum, IHS Markit Associate Director of Pricing and Purchasing Amanda Eglinton said the Philippines can fill supply gaps in the event Indonesia, the top nickel exporter, once again bans ore exports.

Ms. Eglinton added that 72% of all nickel produced goes into the manufacture of stainless steel, while electric vehicle (EV) batteries are a growth market, currently accounting for 7% of nickel demand.

“If there were to be disruptions to that supply, that would open up a big opportunity for the Philippines,” Ms. Eglinton said.

“We do expect demand from the battery sector to dominate the growth in nickel consumption. Over the last year, the Philippines and Indonesia have been the top producers of mined nickel globally, and will continue to (grow) in the following years,” she added.

Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the Philippines is already heading towards servicing the green economy and tapping surging global demand for the metals deemed critical for products meant to arrest environmental degradation.

“Our view for a modern post pandemic Philippine economy can be anchored on the results from the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), particularly as we see this imperative for greening the supply chain as an opportunity for the Philippines to process critical minerals including green metals where the Philippines has relative abundance, such as nickel, cobalt and copper,” Mr. Rodolfo said.

Citing the International Copper Study Group, the Board of Investments (BoI) said Philippine copper production has stabilized at between 70,000 and 80,000 metric tons (MT) over the last two or three years, with production estimated to hit 400,000 MT in the next 20 years.

IHS Markit Director of Research and Pricing John Mothersole said the Philippines can compete with other markets due to its strategic location.

“While the Philippines is a relatively small producer, the country can stand head and shoulders in other markets with its strategic location coupled with the additional investments in smelting and refining capacity,” Mr. Mothersole said.

Mr. Mothersole said copper is seen as an efficient electrical and thermal conductor, which reduces the energy needed to power devices.

“There is no doubt that copper is vital in energy transition because of the efficiency in transmitting energy. Gross copper demand for energy transition will be three times higher by 2035 globally, driven by electric vehicles and power distribution investment. In fact, energy transition technology accounts for about 6.6 million MT of the world’s copper production with a total market of about 25 to 26 million MT,” Mr. Mothersole said.

According to the BoI, the Philippines is set to attract more investors to the Leyte Ecological Industrial Zone, which is billed as a suitable location for copper processing.

Celine Buechel, IHS Markit Principal Research Analyst-Battery Materials, said cobalt demand could post growth rates in the double digits between 2020 and 2030.

“Additionally, EV batteries have increased their share in overall cobalt consumption at 13% in 2020 and up to 36% in 2025. Cobalt consumption will be greater in electric cars than in portable devices after 2025,” Ms. Buechel said.

Stefan Schlag Leon Beraud, IHS Markit’s executive director for Inorganic Chemicals, Minerals, and Mining Chemicals, said the Philippines can jump-start its electric vehicle industry via subsidies and restrictions on the use of combustion engines in vehicles.

Asked to comment, Nickel Asia Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Antonio G. Zamora said by mobile phone message that IHS Markit’s projection is positive for the mining industry.

“It is a fact that the foundation of a green economy is a responsible and sustainable mining industry,” Mr. Zamora said.

“The growing global demand for renewable energy and electric vehicles will keep green metal prices high for some time to come. Nickel Asia is poised to take advantage of this demand and supply equation for green metals — not to mention also our diversification into the renewable energy sphere,” he added.

Michael T. Toledo, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines chairman, said in a mobile phone message that metals supporting green technology will be key products for the mining industry.

“The fact that the Philippines is rich in copper and nickel bodes well both for the mining industry and the economy. The Philippines is in a good position to be a major supplier of these minerals,” Mr. Toledo said.

“Copper, for example, is used for electric cable, and will be indispensable for electric vehicles and renewable energy generators such as solar panels. Nickel, on the other hand, is used for automobile batteries to make them safe and stable,” he added.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau estimates the value of Philippine metallic mineral output in the first nine months of 2021 rose 22.34% to P121.16 billion as metal prices rose. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave 

Fertilizer subsidies, LGU rice procurement readied to cushion inflation impact of Ukraine crisis

PHILSTAR

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is preparing for any inflation fallout from the invasion of Ukraine by allocating more funds to fertilizer subsidies, while arranging for more financing to provincial local government units (LGUs) seeking to procure and stock up on rice.

The financing initiative will expand a concessional loan program run by the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines to provincial governments to buy palay, or unmilled rice, to support their own farmers and serve as a source of affordable rice.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said in a statement that the measures will “boost food production, and provide our farmers, fishers, and rural folk much-needed income… If we fail to act now, the net result will be high food prices and inflation, resulting in food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition.”

Mr. Dar said that President Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved the measures and is set to issue an executive order to formalize such schemes.

Extra funding will go mainly to fertilizer subsidies for farmers planting rice, corn, high-value crops, sugarcane, and coconut. Funding will also go to urban and peri-urban agriculture, animal feed production using local materials, and the enhancement of aquaculture and ocean fishery output.

“High fuel prices directly impact on the cost of farm inputs, fertilizer, feed, and biologics,” Mr. Dar said.

“While the Philippines does not directly import fertilizer from either Russia and Ukraine — which account for 18% and 4%, respectively, of the global supply of urea — their conflict will greatly reduce the volume traded globally,” he added.

The DA also proposed to return the National Irrigation Administration to the department’s control to ensure “better water management” for agriculture. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Attracting foreign investment in the post-pandemic future

With the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the decline in cases, we see signs of a rebound for the Philippine economy. More businesses have reopened, and several others have recalibrated their operations to align with anticipated demand in the post-pandemic future.

One of the contributors to the country’s burgeoning economic activity is the surge in foreign direct investment (FDI), which amounted to P133.47 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021, much higher than the year-earlier P36.49 billion. The result was driven by equity investments or capital infusions in manufacturing, the financial and insurance sectors, and real estate. This year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projects that FDI could reach P425 billion on the back of expected improvements in the domestic and global investment climate.

To this end, it is worth highlighting some key considerations for foreign investors seeking to start or expand their businesses in the Philippines.

REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Foreign investors setting up shop in the Philippines will generally be governed by the provisions of the Foreign Investments Act (FIA) of 1991. The FIA restricts foreign ownership in specified industries or sectors covered by existing laws or identified under the Foreign Investments Negative List. There is also a minimum capital requirement based on the type of entity or industry a foreign investor plans to enter. Thus, it is important to know if foreign participation restrictions apply and the required minimum capitalization, among other requirements, when entering the Philippine market, or any market for that matter. 

BUSINESS STRUCTURES
Another important consideration for a foreign investor is the type of business structure that best serves its business needs. Most foreign investors that establish a presence here set up a domestic corporation or a branch office if they plan to undertake full business operations because the other types of business structures (i.e., representative office and ROHQ) have limitations on allowable activity.

Between establishing a domestic corporation and a branch, a branch is often regarded as more tax-efficient, as it is taxed on Philippine-sourced income only. It may also provide flexibility in operations and consistency in the legal processes and transactions with its parent or head office.

TAXATION
From business inception to closure, foreign investors have to deal with direct and indirect taxes. Currently, the Philippines’ regular corporate income tax (RCIT) rate is at 25% for large enterprises and 20% for small and medium enterprises. The rates were reduced after the signing of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act last year to counter the effects of the pandemic on the economy. Aside from RCIT, there are temporary reductions in certain tax rates, which include, among others, the minimum corporate income tax (MCIT) rate from 2% to 1% and percentage tax from 3% to 1%, both running until June 30, 2023 only. 

The Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate is 12% for the sale of goods, property, and services in the Philippines, except for certain transactions subject to zero percent VAT or VAT-exempt, as provided for in the Tax Code.

Withholding tax on certain domestic and foreign income payments is also imposed depending on the nature of the transaction and place of performance of the service.

INCENTIVES
The Philippines provides fiscal incentives, such as tax relief and preferential tax treatment, to companies whose activities fall within the government’s Investment Priorities Plan. If qualified, a foreign investor may register its business with an Investment Promotion Agency (IPA).  Currently, the Philippines has about 19 IPAs tasked with positioning the country as a prime destination for investment. The Board of Investments and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority are the two IPAs that receive the most registration applications. Under the law, approval of incentives is within the authority of the IPAs, unless the proposed project or activity exceeds an investment capital threshold of P1 billion. In this case, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) will be the approving entity for the application.

With the enactment of CREATE, the fiscal incentives granted to IPA-registered enterprises have been rationalized. CREATE instituted an incentive system based on industry and location tiers. Essentially, longer incentives will be given to activities in more advanced sectors and less developed areas, with periods of up to 17 years. The first four to seven years could be granted an income tax holiday, while the remaining five to 10 years could see operations enjoying either an enhanced deduction or a 5% special corporate income tax (for export enterprises only) on gross income earned, depending on the option taken by the IPA-registered enterprise.

As of this writing, the FIRB has yet to release the latest Strategic Investment Priority Plan, which will determine the priority industries, projects, and activities to be granted fiscal incentives under CREATE.

EASE OF DOING BUSINESS LAW
In 2018, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act (Republic Act 11032), was signed into law, with the intention of improving the country’s global competitiveness ranking.

Its key reforms include: (1) faster processing of business permits and licenses; (2) standard turnaround time for government transactions depending on the complexity of the task; (3) automated business registration processes to minimize graft and corruption; (4) establishment of a citizen’s charter detailing the requirements for each type of transaction, the person responsible, lead time, fees, and procedures for filing; and (5) accountability of agency heads and other officials.

In 2020, the Philippines moved 29 notches higher in rank from 2019 in the Global Competitiveness Index, with expected improvements in the following years as more initiatives are instituted by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the lead implementing agency. While there may still be a number of things to streamline in the current set-up, the improvement in the ease of doing business, so far, is evident especially during the pandemic.   Sustaining this and introducing more efficiencies would accord the Philippines a competitive advantage and further transform it into a sweet spot for foreign investment.

As the country moves forward to economic recovery, nurturing a healthy business and regulatory environment sets the stage for enticing foreign investment, which is much needed to propel our economic growth after the pandemic.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

 

Nelson Soriano is a tax director at Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

nelson.soriano@pwc.com

Senator: Russian assault may embolden China

PHOTO of a destroyed Russian T-90 tank. — REDDIT

By Alyssa Nicole O. Tan, Reporter

THE NEXT Philippine president should be an expert war strategist to ward off a potential invasion from other nations such as China, according to a former police chief who is running for president this year.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could particularly embolden China to do the same, Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, Sr. said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Perhaps subliminally, I’ve been thinking, what if we get invaded by China and we are the ones seeking help from the world?” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

“We might be ashamed to seek help because we did not have the courage to join a community of nations in condemning a clear aggression, unprovoked aggression, made against a weaker country like Ukraine,” Mr. Lacson said. “That is my position.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment.

The presidential bet insists the Philippines can’t stay neutral when a weaker country is being suppressed, noting that there may come a time when the Philippines faces the same predicament.

Russia has launched a devastating attack by air, land and sea on Ukraine, a European democracy of 44 million people, and its forces were on the outskirts of the capital, Kyiv. President Vladimir Putin denied for months he would invade his neighbor, but then tore up a peace deal and sent forces across borders in Ukraine’s north, east and south.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday night said the Philippines had voted yes to a United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It sought an end to the fighting and appealed for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“It is difficult when you’re living in a world at war,” Mr. Lacson said. “All countries will be embroiled. Even we would get involved in it because alliances will be formed. That is what we need to avoid.”

Fortunately, he said, China abstained from the UN Security Council voting on the Ukraine crisis. This shows China is neither condemning nor condoning the Russian invasion, he said.

“A bad indication is if China voted in favor of Russia,” Mr. Lacson said. “I would think that they might also invade us in the West Philippine Sea or our territory. That could provoke another crisis.”

The senator backed President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s move to discuss with his Cabinet members the effects of the Russian invasion on the Philippine economy. “They should do scenario-building.”

Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, Sr. said “war should always be the last option… because there are many possible ways to solve the problem.“

“It would probably be good if we were peacemakers although of course, we are members of the UN, so we should support our allies if we ever reach the last option,” the boxing champion told reporters in a Viber message. “There’s nothing else we can do.”

Pacman, as he is called by many Filipinos, said Russia and Ukraine should talk and try to reach a compromise. “The problem can only be solved by talking and discussing it,” he said. “At the end of the day, when there is a war, there is a massacre, both sides lose.”

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that as of Tuesday, at least 136 Ukrainian civilians including 13 children had been killed during Russia’s assault.

Ukrainian and Russian representatives held talks on Monday for a possible cease-fire and the withdrawal of Russian forces. Both sides agreed to talk again in the coming days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said Russia’s continued attacks were meant to extract concessions from his country, but it would not work.

Last month, he pleaded that his country be admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) so that the 30-member intergovernmental alliance, which consists of 28 European  and two North American countries, could provide military assistance.

NATO on Monday said it would provide Ukraine with air defense missiles and anti-tank weapons after NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg held another call with Mr. Zelensky. The alliance and the United States  earlier said they would not send forces to fight alongside Ukraine.

DoH posts lowest daily COVID tally at 866 infections

PHILIPPINE STAR/ VICTOR MARTIN

THE PHILIPPINES posted 866 infections on Wednesday — the lowest daily tally this year — bringing the total to 3.66 million.

The death toll hit 56,504 after 53 more patients died, while recoveries rose by 1,622 to 3.56 million, it said in a bulletin.

It said 4.7% of 23,738 samples from Feb. 27 tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is within the World Health Organization’s threshold.

Coronavirus tests in February were fewer than in January, when the heavily mutated Omicron variant spurred a spike in infections.

Of 50,827 active cases, 474 did not show symptoms, 45,862 were mild, 2,776 were moderate, 1,417 were severe and 298 were critical.

DoH said 87% of new cases occurred on Feb. 17 to March 2. The top regions with cases in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 176, Western Visayas with 119 and Central Luzon with 82 infections. It added that 43% of new deaths occurred in February and 4% in January.

Five duplicates were removed from the tally, three of which were reclassified as recoveries, while 46 recoveries were relisted as deaths. Eight laboratories failed to submit data on Feb. 28.

DoH said 25% of intensive care unit beds in the country were occupied, while the rate for Metro Manila was 24%.

The agency was “prepared for the worst case scenario” after the lockdown in the capital region and 38 other areas were eased to the lowest alert level, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III told the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Before we decided to deescalate, we made an analysis of the capacity of the healthcare system of the country, regionally and locally,” he said.

The Philippines is aiming to vaccinate more people as it reopens the economy.

The government would boost vaccination efforts as it further relaxes restrictions in 39 areas under Alert Level 1,  Health Undersecretary Myrna C. Cabotaje told a televised news briefing.

She said the government would improve its house-to-house vaccination efforts and boost information drives to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

Ms. Cabotaje said the government aims to conduct its fourth national vaccination drive on March 10 to 12. The government missed its goal of injecting five million doses during its last national vaccination drive.

She said some Filipinos did not see the need to get a booster shot, while others doubt it usefulness. Only about 10 million people have received a top-up shot.

Government data showed that 93% of healthcare workers, 62.82% of seniors and 92% of seriously ill people have been fully vaccinated.

DoH on Tuesday said it would stop reporting daily coronavirus infections starting March 7.

The agency would issue weekly bulletins instead, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire told a televised news briefing.

She said the agency would keep the COVID-19 tracker on its website, but it would eventually be updated weekly. “As to the case numbers, if it’s mild, we treat it like it’s part of our lives,” Ms. Vergeire said. “We live with the virus, we focus on the critical.”

The Philippines, which was among the hardest hit by COVID-19 in Southeast Asia, endured one of the longest lockdowns in the world.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the main island of Luzon in mid-March of 2020 to contain the virus that was first detected in Wuhan, China. — K.A.T. Atienza

Over 100 Filipinos opt to remain in Ukraine

A blast is seen in the TV tower in Kyiv on March 1, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. — REUTERS

ABOUT 141 Filipinos in Ukraine have declined or are still considering whether to take up the Philippine government’s offer for repatriation, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday. 

DFA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola said those who are opting to stay for now include 45 Filipinos who are still in the capital Kyiv, among the urban centers heavily bombarded by Russian forces.  

The others are staying in Lviv, a city about 70 kilometers from the border with Poland, or have moved to areas near Ukraine’s border with other countries such as Hungary.  

“They want to stay there for a while. This is the wait-and-see attitude,” Ms. Arriola said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview with Teleradyo. 

“The rest of them are scattered already. They’re quite spread out right now but many have already crossed the border,” she added. 

The DFA also confirmed on Wednesday the safe arrival of 21 Filipino seafarers in Moldova from Ukraine, bringing the total to 27. It said Philippine Honorary Consul in Moldova Victor Gaina organized the extraction of the all-Filipino crew of MV S-Breeze, a bulk carrier. 

On Tuesday, 13 Filipinos arrived in Manila via an Emirates Airlines flight. The group was part of 40 evacuees who left Kyiv for Lviv and were welcomed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. at the Poland border.  

All repatriation expenses, including transport, food, accommodation, RT-PCR test, and airfare to Manila were paid for using the DFA’s Assistance-to-Nationals fund. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

SC asked to reverse ruling on anti-terror law

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

HUMAN RIGHTS lawyers have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its decision upholding the constitutionality of questioned provisions of the anti-terrorism law passed in 2020. 

In a joint 71-page motion, the lawyers who earlier filed separate petitions reiterated that certain provisions of the law will “impermissibly infringe upon protected freedoms, usurp judicial powers, and deprive liberty and property without due process.” 

“All the foregoing, we plead as one the Honorable Court — without prejudice to the submission of separate or supplemental motions or pleadings by respective Petitioners — to revisit and to take an even closer look, particularly on the critical questions and issues of a perfidious legislation that transgresses the Constitution and terrifies, torments and terrorizes its own people,” they said. 

The petitioners criticized the third instance of membership to a terrorist organization specified by the law, which punishes an individual who would voluntarily join any group “organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism” found in Section 10 of the law.  

They said this classification was unconstitutional because it was too vague and broad of a parameter. 

The country’s High Court, by a vote of 9-6, had previously declared this section as not unconstitutional. 

On the other hand, the Supreme Court, voting 12-3 in a case hearing last December, declared as unlawful a provision in the anti-terrorism law stating that a protest could be considered terrorism if it is intended to cause death or physical harm, to endanger a person’s life, or to create a serious public safety risk. 

Republic Act No. 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 repealed the 2007 human security act.  

“This law has deadly consequences as it has red-tagged and has targeted indigenous groups,” Antonio M. La Viña, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government and one of the lawyers who filed the motion, said in a press briefing on Wednesday. 

Mr. La Viña cited one of his clients, who was a volunteer teacher for an indigenous community, had recently been killed along with four other people who were allegedly tagged as communists by the military. 

Neri J. Colmenares, senatorial candidate and one of the petitioners, said that the Philippines does not need the law since the country already has existing measures to combat what the government may classify as terrorist threats. 

The country’s Anti-Money Laundering Council has said that the law is crucial to efforts in countering “dirty money” and terrorism financing. — John Victor D. Ordoñez 

Academe leaders endorse Robredo-Pangilinan tandem

MORE THAN 100 leaders of the academe — including current and former heads of schools and universities, and former education officials — have signed a joint statement endorsing presidential bet Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan.

In a statement, the signatories said Ms. Robredo’s leadership “shines through best in times of crisis” and can find solutions that are “context-based, data-driven and equity-oriented.” 

“Thus, circumspect of the challenges ahead, we believe that Robredo is the Education President our country needs, to address this learning crisis and attain quality education for all,” they said. 

They urged the tandem to increase education funding to 6% of the country’s gross domestic product, pay attention to early childhood care and development, and pursue necessary technology-mediated teaching and learning-related reforms to improve the quality of learning in schools. 

They also asked Ms. Robredo and Mr. Pangilinan to invest heavily in improving teacher skills and launch a nationwide campaign to enhance the value of technical and vocational education and training. 

They said the next government should also rationalize the role of public and private educational institutions, ensuring complementarity and improving the efficiency of the entire education system. 

The signatories include Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Roberto Yap, De La Salle University President Br. Bernard Oca, De La Salle Philippines President Edgar Chua and Adamson University President Fr. Marcelo Manimtim.  

Former Commission on Higher Education chairpersons Patricia B. Licuanan, Angel C. Alcala and Ester A. Garcia, and former Department of Education secretaries Armin A. Luistro and Fe A. Hidalgo, and former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Edicio G. Dela Torre also signed the statement. 

The signatories also condemned historical revisionism, which presented the regime of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos as the country’s “golden years” despite human rights abuses, media censorship and underinvestment in education. 

“We take this stand consistent with our responsibility to ensure that academic institutions serve as safe spaces for discussion and truth-telling while reminding our fellow educational leaders how our schools and universities served as bastions of truth during the years of the dictatorship,” they said. 

DOMAGOSO ON DRUGS
Meanwhile, presidential aspirant Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, currently mayor of Manila, said he intends to address the illegal drug trade by tightening border controls. 

“The thing is, we must go to the source. Most likely, it is part of the products being smuggled into our country. It is able to enter here,” he said in Filipino in a live-streamed interview held in Bataan on Wednesday.  

“If it is true that there is no manufacturer (in the country), no one’s producing it here anymore, why do we still have drugs? So, my modest assessment is they are able to enter via air or water. Remember that we are an archipelagic country and we don’t have enough resources to watch over more than 7,000 islands of our country. So, most likely, it’s entering here. We need to guard it. We need to tighten (the borders),” he said.  

The standard-bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko also said that he will continue the war on drugs — a controversial program of the current Duterte administration over alleged human rights violations — but will ensure that suspects will be arrested through strict adherence to legal procedures.    

“I have said that we will continue the war on drugs and we will acknowledge the laws related to that and implement them,” he said. 

The Philippine drug war is the anti-drug policy of President Rodrigo R. Duterte who began his term on June 30, 2016. 

The Manila mayor also said that he will not revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant due to safety and environmental risks. 

“Well, I don’t think that the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant today is suitable for power generation. They have to permanently close it down,” he was quoted as saying in Filipino in a statement released on Tuesday.  

“For now, there are many other resources of energy: renewable, gas or coal. As long as there is technology and these technologies are available and cost less. I am not saying it’s not harmful but it has less harmful effects on the environment. That’s what I’m prioritizing, especially if there is an opportunity to copy what the Netherlands did,” he said. 

The Bataan Nucleair Power Plant, built during the reign of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, was never operated following questions on safety and corruption over the project contract. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

3 terrorist group members, 1 soldier killed in Lanao del Sur clash

WESTMINCOM

THREE members of the Islamic State-affiliated Daulah Islamiyah-Maute group and one soldier were killed Tuesday as government forces launched a land and air offensive against the local terrorists’ camp in Maguing, Lanao del Sur, the military reported on March 2.  

Four other soldiers were wounded during the initial encounter that lasted for about three hours on Tuesday morning, according to the military’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom). 

WestMinCom said troops have also recovered a significant weapons cache of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute group, which was conducting training operations and planning for sabotage activities at the attack site.  

The troops halted operations in the evening to allow more people in surrounding communities to move to evacuation centers following a meeting with local and religious leaders of the Bangsamoro region.   

“To all the peace-loving citizens of Lanao del Sur, just remain calm and allow us to do our job. Your armed forces will not allow these terrorists to inflict harm on your respective communities,”  WestMinCom chief Alfredo Rosario, Jr. said in a statement.  

“We will not stop until these lawless elements are completely crushed,” he said.  

The Daulah Islamiyah-Maute group were responsible for a series of bombings between Sept. 2021 to February this year on facilities of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP). Seven soldiers and two NGCP civilian personnel were wounded in these attacks, according to the military.  

Maguing Mayor Fahad D. Molok, in a statement late Tuesday, assured residents that local officials and government forces are continuously discussing a “permanent solution and ceasefire to bring back peace and order to the municipality.” 

Some members of the Daulah Islamiya were formerly under the leaders of the Maute group who took siege of Marawi City in 2017 and have since been killed by government forces. — MSJ

Pandemic alert level should now be up to LGUs, says Sorsogon governor

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

CORONAVIRUS ALERT level declarations should now be transferred to local governments (LGUs) as the country continues to record a decline in infections, a provincial governor said.    

“I prefer to give only local governments, municipalities, cities or provinces the power to determine and say what the alert level will be in their respective localities,” Sorsogon Governor Francis Joseph G. Escudero, who is running for the Senate in the May election, said in a mix of English and Filipino in a statement on Wednesday. 

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, a national inter-agency task force determines the alert level for specific areas and local governments issue orders in line with national guidelines.  

“The local chief executives probably know better what the situation really is than the one who decided for us in that regard,” he said. 

Mr. Escudero cited his home province as an example, which has been under Alert Level 2 for a long time despite more than half of the province’s villages being free from coronavirus cases.   

The 5-level alert level system determines mobility and other restrictions, with 1 being the most relaxed. The capital region Metro Manila and 38 other areas are under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15. 

“I have seen more best practices in the provinces as well as in the cities and municipalities in our country that can be learned by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) and DoH (Department of Health) compared to the fact that we are forced to comply with certain laws that are not appropriate or appropriate in our area,” Mr. Escudero said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Manila court junks motion to dismiss Castillo hazing case

HORACIO CASTILLO III FB PAGE

A MANILA court has rejected a motion to dismiss a case against 10 members of a fraternity allegedly involved in the death of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III in 2017.

In a 12-page decision dated Feb.24, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 11 ruled that the fraternity members did not present the necessary evidence to prove that Mr. Castillo did not die from the alleged hazing. 

“The prosecution having established that Horacio died of hazing and that all the accused were present during the commission of the crime, it is now incumbent upon the accused to adduce evidence to controvert that of the prosecution or that they prevented the commission of the crime of hazing,” reads part of the ruling penned by Acting Presiding Judge Shirley L. Magsipoc-Pagalilauan. 

The members of the fraternity filed a demurrer to evidence to dismiss the case, citing that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Mr. Castillo’s death resulted from his injuries sustained from the alleged hazing.  

A demurrer to evidence asserts that the evidence presented by the opposing party is insufficient. 

The group of fraternity officials cited testimonies of medical doctors who said that the victim’s heart was “grossly enlarged,” which could have caused his death. 

The court, however, asserted: “Still even if the victim is suffering from an internal ailment, liver or heart disease, or tuberculosis, if the blow delivered by the accused is the efficient cause of death; accelerated his death; or is the proximate cause of death; then there is criminal liability.” 

Mr. Castillo was declared dead on arrival at the Chinese General Hospital, after participating in the fraternity’s initiation rites. 

The accused are facing charges for violating the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995. — John Victor D. Ordonez

Full house

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

ST. PETER Parish in Quezon City is full to its adjusted capacity on March 2 as devotees in Catholic-majority Philippines flocked to churches in observance of Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. Minimum health protocols such as face mask and distancing continue to be observed even as most other restrictions have been lifted in Metro Manila.

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