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LeBron with Bronny

LeBron James did not mince words when he was asked about the possibility of returning to the Cavaliers anew. Caught in a wave of goodwill borne of the enthusiastic reception he received from hometown family members, friends, and fans, he replied to the query of Jason Lloyd of The Athletic with matter-of-fact resolve. “The door’s not closed on that,” he said, fresh off a practice session with other Western Conference All-Stars at Cleveland State facilities. “I’m not saying I’m coming back and playing. I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds. I don’t even know when I’m free.”

James is being disingenuous, of course. Of all the marquee names in the National Basketball Association, he’s arguably the most knowledgeable about his status, and on how he can best maximize it. The increased mobility players enjoy these days is largely because he dared challenge the status quo, and succeed in so doing. And, if nothing else, he’s certainly aware he will again be a free agent after the 2022-23 season. So while he’s right in saying he doesn’t know what the future holds, it’s not because of ambiguity insofar as his contract with the Lakers is concerned.

Interestingly, James isn’t so much as exhibiting wanderlust as showing disappointment in his current plight. For all his machinations behind the scenes, the roster the Lakers assembled heading into the current campaign is far from thriving. He hasn’t been to the All-Star break with a losing record in 18 years, and he was still a rookie back then. And the irony is that all the setbacks have come with him setting personal milestone after personal milestone. He’s doing his best, but his best hasn’t been enough in the face of the frailties of those around him.

There are, to be sure, two sides to every coin, and it’s fair to argue that the Cavaliers will not want to take him in, the reverence with which the wine and gold regard him notwithstanding. They’re doing all right on their own, rising the wave of a youth invasion slated to keep them competitive for some time to come. Those strides would most definitely be sacrificed if the welcome mat is spread for him. And, make no mistake, he’ll see the third time as the charm only if it leads to the opportunity of burning rubber with Bronny, his son — as is his publicly stated intent.

“My last year will be played with my son,” James told Lloyd. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.” So there. At this point, nothing else matters. And considering how he continues to wreak havoc on the court, the bet looks like a safe one.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Philippines’ January BoP deficit smallest in 10 months

The Philippines balance of payment (BoP) position stood at a $102-million deficit in January — the smallest in 10 months — as the government continued to service its foreign debt.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday evening showed BoP in January was slimmer than the $752-million gap in January 2021. However, it was a reversal from the $991-million surfeit in December.

This was the smallest BoP deficit in 10 months or since the $73-million gap in March 2021.

“The BoP deficit in January 2022 reflected outflows arising mainly from the national government’s (NG) payments of its foreign currency debt obligations,” the central bank said in a statement.

Last year, the country’s outstanding debt reached P11.7 trillion, rising by P2 trillion or 19.7% from its level as of end-2020, based on data from the Bureau of the Treasury. About 30% or P3.56 trillion were foreign debt.

Latest data from the Treasury showed principal payments to foreign creditors in November amounted to P6.95 billion.

The January BoP deficit also comes after the influx of remittances in December, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricofort said in a Viber message. December sees higher inflows as overseas Filipino workers send more to their families back home for the holidays.

At its end-January level, the BoP reflects a final gross international reserves of $107.69 billion, which is down by 1% from $108.79 billion a month earlier.

The country’s dollar reserves are enough to cover 8.4 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.7 times based on residual maturity. It is also equivalent to 10.2 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

The BoP gives a glimpse into the country’s transactions with the rest of the world. A deficit means more funds left the country, while a surplus shows that more money came in.

“Going forward, any improvement in BoP and GIR for the coming months could help provide greater cushion for the peso exchange rate versus the dollar especially versus any speculative attacks,” Mr. Ricafort said.

The peso has been weakening versus the greenback as the market priced in signals on impending monetary policy tightening of major central banks like the US Federal Reserve.

The local unit closed 6.2% weaker year on year to P50.999 a dollar on Dec. 31, its last trading day in 2021. It closed stronger at P50.95 on Jan. 31, but has been trading weaker within the P51 a dollar level in previous weeks.

The BSP projects the BoP position to reach a $700-million surfeit by the end of 2022, which is equivalent to 0.4% of the gross domestic product. It posted a $1.35-billion surfeit in 2021, the smallest since 2008 amid a wider trade deficit.

Fitch keeps negative outlook for PHL amid debt, growth concerns

Fitch Ratings affirmed the Philippines' investment grade rating. -- Photo by Michael Varcas, The Philippine Star

By Jenina P. Ibañez, Senior Reporter  

Fitch Ratings affirmed the Philippines’ investment grade rating but also maintained the negative outlook, as it flagged uncertainties to the country’s medium-term growth trajectory and hurdles to bringing down debt. 

“The negative outlook reflects uncertainty about medium-term growth prospects as well as possible challenges in unwinding the policy response to the health crisis and bringing government debt on a firm downward path,” the credit rater said in a note on Friday. 

A negative outlook means Fitch could downgrade the Philippines’ credit rating in the next 12 to 18 months. The outlook was revised to negative from stable in July 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic on the economy. 

Fitch Ratings said it maintained the “BBB” credit rating as the Philippines balances strong external buffers against lagging per capita income and governance indicators. 

“It also reflects weak government revenue mobilization compared with peers and government debt/GDP (gross domestic product) that rose sharply from pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels but is forecast to stay close to the ‘BBB’ median over the next few years,” Fitch Ratings said. 

A “BBB” rating indicates low default risk and adequate capacity to pay, although some unfavorable economic conditions could impede said capacity. 

The Philippines ended 2021 with P11.73 trillion in outstanding debt, up 19.7% year on year as the government continued to ramp up borrowings to finance its pandemic response. 

The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio stood at 60.5% as of end-2021, a tad higher than the 60% threshold considered as manageable by multilateral lenders for developing economies and the highest since the 65.7% seen in 2005. 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in a statement said the Philippines has maintained the same rating throughout the pandemic, in contrast to ratings downgrades seen by many other countries. 

“Besides improvement in the COVID situation amid rising vaccination rates, we also see that rising credit activities and a favorable inflation outlook will support growth moving forward,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said. 

“The Philippine banking system has kept the impact of the crisis manageable. Philippine banks continue to serve the rising demand for credit. We also expect inflation to stay well within the target range of 2%-4% this year up to 2024, which will provide an enabling environment for consumption and investments,” he added. 

Fitch Ratings also retained its Philippine GDP forecast for 2022 at 6.9%, but cut the estimate for 2023 to 7% from 7.1% previously. 

It said risks that could lead to a credit rating downgrade include reduced confidence in returning to strong medium-term growth and the failure to cut the debt-to-GDP ratio. Potential failure could be caused by a reversal of tax reforms or a far from prudent macroeconomic policy framework. 

In contrast, a ratings upgrade could stem from stronger public finances backed by a broader government revenue base that cuts down the debt-to-GDP ratio. 

“Fitch upholding the current rating was expected. The true test would be to retain our rating by June as this would be one year from Fitch downgrading our outlook to negative,” ING Bank N.V. Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an e-mail. 

He said medium-term growth prospects are still far from positive given the economic scars caused by the pandemic and the debt-to-GDP ratio. 

“Unwinding the extraordinary stimulus carried out during the pandemic will likely be more challenging than anticipated with BSP extending the cash advance to the national government into 2022,” he said. 

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion meanwhile said the country is at a pivotal point due to the upcoming change in administration. The national elections is scheduled on May 9. 

“We have to see a credible fiscal reform strategy from the incoming administration and Congress that will support an already precarious economic recovery and consequently deal with rising debt-to-GDP ratios and other important fiscal metrics,” he said in a Viber message. 

Although the country will be led by a new administration by June, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said the “deep bench of technocrats” guiding the country’s economic policies will stay beyond June and will continue pursuing structural reforms. 

“These, in turn, will help the Philippines sail through its next stage of economic development as we expect the Philippines to transition from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income status this year.” 

Philippines seeks European investors’ support for green bonds

REUTERS

The Department of Finance (DoF) has pitched its maiden green bonds set to be offered “in the coming weeks” to European investors as the government seeks to finance clean energy projects.  

In a news release, the DoF said Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III sought European investor support for the Philippines’ maiden green bond offering of at least $500 million.  

The offering will raise funds for the Philippines’ clean energy projects and other climate change mitigation initiatives.  

Mr. Dominguez said the offering is one of several government initiatives to fight climate change after wealthier economies failed to fulfill a $100 billion pledge to help developing nations tackle climate change each year by 2020.  

“We cannot wait for the bureaucrats in the industrialized world to take their sweet time splitting hairs on the idea that the countries that polluted and continue to pollute the most must bear the greater part of the financial burden of reversing global warming that they started 175 years ago,” he told the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in a recorded message.  

“This is, for us, the essential meaning of climate justice.”  

Funds raised from green bonds are used for climate mitigation and environmental projects.  

Mr. Dominguez recently said that the DoF is in talks with banks on the appropriate structure of its maiden ESG (environmental, social, and governance) offering. The department is assessing the size, tenor, and currency markets.  

On Wednesday, fixed-income news provider IFR reported the Philippines had mandated Bank of China, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered and UBS for a potential US dollar bond offering in the ESG format.  

Citing a source aware of the development, IFR said the Philippines was looking to raise $1 billion to $2 billion from medium- to long-term bonds.  

“The timing of the issue, of course, will depend on prevailing market conditions and investor sentiments,” Mr. Dominguez told CNBC on Friday.  

“We are in deep conversation with our bankers, and as soon as the market conditions are ready, we will make the appropriate announcement as to the exact timing and size of our sustainability bond issue.”  

The Philippines has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% from 2020 to 2030. Of the 75% target, just 2.71% can be achieved with internal resources, while the remaining 72.29% is conditional on international assistance.  

China emitted 27% of the world’s greenhouse gas total in 2019, followed by the US at 11% and India at 6.6%, think tank Rhodium Group said.  

“We are disappointed, however, that the Western countries with the greatest volume of emissions were far less ambitious in their commitments to the global effort to rescue the planet. This includes many European countries,” Mr. Dominguez said.  — Jenina P. Ibañez 

BSP says won’t revise inflation target range

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) plans to retain its 2-4% inflation target even after changes to the base year. 

“We do not anticipate any revision to the government’s 2-4% inflation target range in light of the shift to the 2018 base year,” BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said in a briefing on Thursday. 

“While changes in the CPI (consumer price index) basket affect actual and forecasted inflation, the BSP is of the view that such changes have no material impact on the choice of the appropriate inflation target.” 

The Philippine Statistics Authority changed its base year for the CPI to 2018 starting in January to reflect changing Filipino household consumption patterns.  

Mr. Dakila said the shift will not affect the target range because it “represents the optimal level of inflation.”  

This level, he said, is consistent with the BSP’s aim of ensuring price and financial stability that would support the sustainable growth of the Philippine economy. 

This “optimal level”, he added, is determined regardless of the composition of the CPI basket and the weights of the various CPI components. 

He noted that the inflation target is set by the interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), in consultation with the Philippine central bank. 

“We also know that the inflation target is subject to the DBCC’s periodic review,” Mr. Dakila said. 

BSP raised its inflation forecast for 2022 to 3.7% from 3.4% previously, staying within its 2%-4% target. It also increased its 2023 estimate to 3.3% from 3.2%. 

Shortages of pork and fish supply, along with the effect of higher oil prices on transport fares, remain risks to the inflation outlook, BSP said. 

The country’s headline inflation slowed to 3% year on year in January, easing from the 3.2% in December and the 3.7% print in January last year.  

The BSP on Thursday kept its key rate unchanged, but hinted at an “eventual normalization” of policy once recovery is sustained or inflation risks rise. — Jenina P. Ibañez 

IATF now accepting national COVID-19 vaccination certificates from 15 more countries

Hundreds of Filipinos wait in line at a COVID-19 vaccination site in Pasay City, Jan. 16. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will now be accepting the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates of 15 more countries, the Presidential Palace said on Friday.

The proof of vaccination of the following countries — Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Indonesia, Macau SAR, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Syria — will now be recognized in the Philippines, said Acting Presidential Spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles at a televised news briefing.

He also noted that 455,140 Pfizer vaccine doses that were purchased by the national government for the adult population arrived at the NAIA Terminal 3 on Thursday night. On Wednesday, 780,000 Pfizer vaccine doses, purchased through the financial assistance of the World Bank for five- to 11-year-old children, were received.

During the same briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said that over 329,000 children between five to 11 years old have been vaccinated against the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as of Thursday.

“We are expecting more parents to register their children in the coming days as they realize how COVID-19 vaccines help keep their children safe and protected against the virus,” she added.

Ms. Vergeire also said that over 3 million Filipinos nationwide have received their primary doses and booster shots under the third Bayanihan, Bakunahan program, which ends today.

She noted that 2.67 million jabs were administered to the general population, 551,392 of which were the first dose, 1.08 million were the second, and 167, 677 were single-shot doses. A total of 864, 287 booster shots were given.

“Vaccine efficacy after a booster dose shows significant impact on preventing severe diseases and hospitalizations,” the health undersecretary said. “It also provides 25 times more protection against the Omicron variant.”

As of Thursday, 62.2 million people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 61.55 million have received their first dose. 9.49 million have received their top-up shots.

IS A 2ND BOOSTER NEEDED?

Meanwhile, infectious diseases expert Dr. Edsel Maurice T. Salvaña said that they are still looking into the need for second booster shots.

“We all know that vaccines protect us in three ways: first they can decrease transmission, number two is they can decrease infection… and the third is the protection against severe disease,” he said in a televised news briefing on Friday.

Mr. Salvaña said that while the first three doses assured the recipients of those benefits, a second booster shot will barely increase protection against severe diseases. In this case, it’s likely that it will only be used for the most vulnerable population, including the old and those with comorbidities, as well as individuals who are highly exposed to the virus such as healthcare workers.

The highest priority should still be given to the primary series of the vaccines – the first two doses – he added, because these provide the most significant protection against COVID-19.

“Do not get the fourth dose – a second booster – first because its efficacy is still uncertain as well as any possible side effects, said Mr. Salvaña, noting that there may also be more advanced vaccines in the future that become better alternatives for a fourth shot.

COVID-19 ALLOWANCE

Meanwhile, Ms. Vergeire clarified that the P7.92 billion released by the budget department to the health department on Thursday for the One COVID-19 Allowance is a streamlined version of the allowances already received by healthcare professionals in the past.

With this, she said the validation and computation process will be lumped according to their classification, making the process faster and ensuring that chances will be lower of delays in providing benefits to the healthcare workers.

Eligible for the allowance are 526,727 healthcare and non-healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 response. The allowance will be providing each worker with P3,000, P6,000, or P9,000 monthly depending on their level of risk at their jobs.

Now that the budget has been released, Ms. Vergeire said, benefits will be distributed to health professionals as soon as the processing is completed. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

EU tells Philippines to enhance efforts to comply with STCW convention

https://marina.gov.ph/

THE EUROPEAN Union (EU) late Thursday told the Philippines to enhance its efforts to comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention (STCW Convention), after it warned the agency that failure to meet requirements before the deadline will result in Filipino marine officers being barred from working on EU-flagged vessels.

A delegation led by Vice-Admiral Robert A. Empedrad, the head of the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) met with European Commission Director-General Henrik Hololei and other officials of the European Commission (EC) Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) in Brussels on Feb. 8.

“While Director-General Hololei was grateful to Vice-Admiral Empedrad for meeting informally in Brussels and for his oral presentation, he made clear that the Commission’s assessment would solely be based on the written reply to the Commission notification, to be provided no later than 10 March 2022,” the EU said in a statement.

“He reiterated that this formal reply should contain concrete evidence of the measures already taken by the Philippine authorities to ensure compliance with the country’s obligations under the STCW Convention,” it added.

Following an inspection conducted in 2020, the EC had notified the Philippines of a number of deficiencies — including serious ones — identified in the Philippine seafarers’ education, training, and certification system.

An earlier EU statement noted that “inconsistences have been identified in relation to the competences covered by the education and training programs leading to the issuing of officers’ certificates, as well as in several approved programs regarding teaching and examination methods, facilities and equipment. Inconsistencies have also been identified in the monitoring of inspections and evaluations of the schools. In addition, there have been concerning findings as regards simulators and on-board training.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had urged Marina, which is responsible for the implementation of the convention, to address deficiencies identified by the EU since 2006. “We strongly urge Marina to comply. The livelihoods of thousands of our seafarers are at stake.”

“I warned Marina and sent a memo to Art Tugade and the Palace. I will stand by the EU or EC which invited me in Brussels away from a useless conference to tell me what was up: 16 years of no action from Marina and the impending doom of our maritime industry,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. said in a previous tweet.

According to Marina’s data, there are about 50,000 Filipinos working in EU-flagged ships, mostly from Malta, Greece, Norway, and Germany.

During the meeting, the EC also explained to the Philippines’ relevant authorities, specifically the Commission on Higher Education and Marina, the procedure to follow in the notification letter and the next steps following the Philippines’ reply. They provided concrete examples of what it expects to receive in the response.

In a previous release, the EC said it will assess the reply of the Philippines before determining its next course of action. “In case of a negative assessment, the European Union might eventually withdraw the recognition of the Philippines STCW system and, therefore, the certificates for masters and officers delivered by the Philippine maritime schools.”

“In that case, existing certificates for masters and officers would continue to be recognized until the time of their natural expiry, but new certificates would not be recognized to work on EU-flagged ships,” it added.

The EU maintained its hopes that the country would conduct the necessary internal reforms and amendments to comply fully with the STCW requirements by the indicated deadline, as it is aware of the contribution of seafarers to the Filipino economy.

Filipino seafarers, it added, are equally important to them since one of five foreign seafarers on EU-flagged ships is Filipino. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Former Davao city accountant appointed as new COA chair by President Duterte

A FORMER Davao city accountant has been appointed as the new Commission on Audit (COA) chair by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the Presidential Palace said on Friday.

Acting Presidential Spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said at a televised news briefing that Mr. Duterte had signed the appointment papers of Rizalina Noval Justol on Thursday. She will be replacing former COA chairman Michael G. Aguinaldo whose seven-year term ended on Feb. 2.

Ms. Justol served as the accountant of the Davao City government when Mr. Duterte was the city mayor.

“We wish Chairperson Justol success and assure her that the government will always be supportive of COA’s efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of government funds,” he said.

When asked during the briefing why Ms. Justol was appointed to the position despite facing plunder and malversation raps in 2010, Mr. Nograles gave his assurance that all officials are appointed based on their credentials, experience, achievements, and accomplishments.

“For positions like COA chair and many high positions, apart from the appointment, it will still go through a process of confirmation,” he added.

The complaint had been filed not only against Ms. Justol, but also Mr. Duterte and other officials from Davao City for allegedly misusing about P2.93 billion worth of public funds from 2003 to 2006.

The status of the complaint is not clear.

Aside from having being an accountant of the President’s hometown, Ms. Justol had also served as Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

PH reports under 5,000 COVID infections for 10th straight day

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINES reported less than 5,000 coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infections for the 10th straight day on Friday. The daily bulletin of the Department of Health (DoH) listed 2,232 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of infections since the pandemic started in 2020 to 3.6 million.

The death toll hit 55,409 after 79 more patients died, while the number of recoveries rose by 3,010 to 3.53 million, the DoH said in its bulletin.

It said 9.1% of 29,812 samples tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 16, way above the 5% threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

There were 65,796 active cases, 946 of which did not show symptoms, 60,252 of which were mild, 2,869 were moderate, 1,422 were severe, and 307 were critical.

The DoH said 95% of the latest cases occurred from Feb. 5 to 18. The top regions with new cases in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 378, Calabarzon with 236, and Central Visayas with 212 infections. It added that 20% of new deaths occurred in February and 41% in January.

The agency said 100 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 95 of which were reclassified as recoveries, with 70 recoveries relisted as deaths. Five laboratories failed to submit data on Feb. 16.

It said 31% of intensive care unit beds in the country are being used, while the rate for Metro Manila is 32%. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Comelec says had permission to enter private properties for poster removal

Amid reports that law enforcers had entered private property to remove campaign material, the spokesman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that they had not entered these areas without consent.

“It has always been part of the practice of Comelec to ask for permission to enter, even in the last couple of days,” Comelec Spokesman James B. Jimenez told the ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday.

“We do not go invade private spaces or residences for the purpose of enforcing our rules,” Mr. Jimenez added.

The election body had earlier issued an order for law enforcers to take down oversized campaign materials, which election lawyers have said is equivalent to warrantless seizure.

Citizens have the right to put up any size of posters inside their own property because of the freedom of speech provided by the 1987 Constitution, election lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal said in a news briefing on Thursday.

The private persons who owned the dismantled banners and posters are not connected officially to a candidate’s campaign, Ibarra M. Gutierrez III, spokesman of Vice-President and presidential candidate Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, said in the same briefing.

“We’ve never felt the need to specify that non-candidates will be covered by this (regulation) because it seems obvious that any material that promotes the victory or defeat of a candidate should be considered propaganda material,” Mr. Jimenez added.

He noted that under Comelec rules, campaign and propaganda materials should have disclaimers showing who paid for them in support of a particular candidate.

Videos and photos of authorities dismantling campaign materials of Ms. Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan were posted on social media by the opposition tandem’s supporters and have gone viral.

One of the posts showed a mural showing support of the tandem painted over by an official of the Comelec. Mr. Jimenez said that the official had previously asked the owner for permission to paint over the mural and was given consent to do so.

Comelec is not singling out any candidate while implementing the rules, as authorities also took down materials of almost all presidential candidates, he added.

“We cannot get to all sites of materials in one day, you can only do so much in a day and we will get to them,” Mr. Jimenez stressed.

The Supreme Court had reminded the election body in the past not to overstep its authority, lawyers from the University of the Philippines said in a statement on Thursday, citing similar cases in the past.

Political speech is a preferred right and stands on a higher level during an election, the lawyers said.

“The need to regulate campaign propaganda inside properties stems from the need to ensure a level playing field,” Mr. Jimenez said.

He added that freedom of expression and freedom of speech are not absolute rights and can be regulated under the proper conditions.

Senator and presidential candidate Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr. earlier said that Comelec should review its campaign rules because some of these are impractical.

Human Rights lawyer and senatorial bet Jose Manuel “Chel” I. Diokno earlier said law enforcers have no power to dismantle these campaign materials, no matter the size, on private property.

Meanwhile, Acting Comelec Chairperson Socorro B. Inting said that the election body may review the rules on face-to-face campaigning in compliance with the latest guidelines of the country’s pandemic task force. — John Victor D. Ordonez

DENR Secretary Cimatu resigns

THE PRESIDENTIAL Palace on Friday confirmed the resignation of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu who had been serving in that post since 2017.

Acting Presidential Spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said at a televised news briefing that the resignation letter, submitted to the President on Monday, cited health as his reason.

Environment Undersecretary Jim O. Sampulna will be designated as the officer-in-charge of the department.

Mr. Cimatu had previously served as the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2022 under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was later appointed as a special envoy to the Middle East during the Iraq war.

Under the current administration, he headed the rehabilitation of both Boracay and Manila Bay. He was also assigned to oversee the coronavirus 2019 response in Cebu city, as it had the highest number of confirmed cases in the latter part of 2020. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

PH Chief Justice seeks US assistance for office for Judicial Marshals

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Chief Justice of the Philippines has sought assistance from the United States of America on establishing a judicial marshals academy.

A bill creating the Office of the Judicial Marshals is now with President Rodrigo R. Duterte for his signature, according to a statement released on Friday.

If the proposed measure is passed, there will be a security force under the supervision of the high court which will ensure the safety of members of the judiciary and their families.

During a courtesy visit by ad interim US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava on Thursday, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and other associate justices asked for aid in establishing a judicial marshals academy.

The courtesy call was held inside the session hall to provide better physical distancing.

“We truly appreciate all the help and support that the US government has extended to the Court,” Mr. Gesmundo said, noting that the US government’s donation of equipment for video conferences to the court “will contribute to our collective commitment in expanding the public’s access to justice through technology.”

The chief justice discussed the court’s ongoing judicial reforms, among others, including the country’s strategic plan for judicial innovations from 2022 to 2026 where a framework and set of approaches were formulated to achieve better results on the Judiciary’s mandates was presented.

Ms. Variava reaffirmed their support for the Court’s reform projects, including the Office of the Judicial Marshals.

She said it was “great to see how technology is being used for court proceedings” and that the US government will “help and support you in ways we can. We highly value your friendship.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

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