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Manufacturers’ supply chain worries multiply as tariff walls start going up

A worker uses a microscope at an electronics manufacturing assembly plant in Biñan, Laguna, April 20, 2016. — REUTERS

MANUFACTURERS, already worried about the lack of resilience in their supply chains, are bracing for further disruption as trading partners start erecting tariff barriers.

“Supply chain security (is a challenge) because right now you are seeing a lot of disruption,” according to Earl Lawrence S. Qua, president of the Electronics Industry Association of the Philippines.

“Tariffs are creating new barriers, and we feel that there are counter tariffs coming in once the initial tariffs are made. So it could have a cascading effect. Of course, it is something we are just projecting at the moment, but it is hard to predict,” he added.

He said that the electronics industry is more exposed to global events, being export-oriented.

“Not many companies are making big decisions at the moment. So you are looking at a potential US slowdown. Those are the things that we are paying attention to as far as growth is concerned,” he said.

However, he said the Philippines could both benefit and be potentially affected negatively by the US tariffs.

“Having said that, if you look at the trade balance between the US and the Philippines compared to, let’s say, China, Mexico, and Vietnam, we’re fairly balanced in trade,” he said.

“We’re not very high on the list of potential targets for additional tariffs. So we as a country might benefit from that. There’s some insulation, but it’s very hard to predict the actions of the current US administration,” he added.

Jimmy T. Chan, Metalworking Industries Association of the Philippines – Metro Manila president, cited smuggling and lack of standardization as key issues.

“These two are very urgent, and if they can be resolved, I think it would benefit the manufacturing industry, particularly the metal sector,” he said.

He said the Bureau of Philippine Standards is not implementing standards in terms of which products can be used as roofing material.

Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. Marites T. Directo said the industry’s biggest issue is logistics, which she identified as a significant cost apart from cost of materials.

“Disruption in transportation routes due to conflicts affects timely delivery of goods and increases freight costs, while fluctuations in currency rates affect fuel prices, resulting in an increase in distribution costs,” she said.

“Availability (of materials) due to climate change and accessibility of inputs leads to shortages and price increases. All of these will have an impact on manufacturing costs,” she added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Producers agree to hold prices steady — DTI

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities have agreed to not raise prices for the time being.

“With regard to the suggested retail prices (SRP), there will be no price increase because we had good talks with the manufacturer. They are very cooperative,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque told BusinessWorld.

She said some manufacturers have filed requests to raise prices with the DTI.

“Of course, we have to expect that (there will be requests) because the prices of raw materials are going up. But for now, there is no price increase,” she added.

On Feb. 6, the department released its last SRP bulletin covering 191 stock-keeping units across 28 categories.

In the bulletin, 40% of the products posted price increases, while prices declined for 3%. Some 56% were unchanged while one decreased in quantity while holding prices steady.

Ms. Roque had no updates regarding the streamlining of the SRP bulletin.

The DTI in July 2024 said that it is proposing to delist some of the products being monitored in the SRP bulletin.

The delisting was intended to leave sardines, powdered milk, bread, laundry soap, instant noodles, processed and canned pork, beef, poultry meat, and toilet soap in the SRP bulletin. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Charoen Pokphand PHL to supply 100 hogs per day in pilot program

REUTERS

THE government-run Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) has signed a hog supply deal with the Philippine arm of Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CP Foods) to help stabilize pork prices in Metro Manila, as the government struggles to enforce its suggested price caps on the commodity.

A memorandum of agreement signed by FTI President Joseph Lo and CP Foods Chief Operating Officer Nattakorn Sujipittham calls for CP Foods to initially supply 100 live hogs each day at a discount.

The hogs will be sent directly to a slaughterhouse in Caloocan.

The hogs will then be processed into carcass form, for delivery to various wet markets.

“This partnership aims to stabilize pork prices in Metro Manila, where consumers have been grappling with rising food costs,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a statement.

CP Foods was deemed to be capable of supplying the volume needed for the pilot, it added.

“We needed a company that can guarantee the volume we need at the price we were looking at to achieve our goals.”

CP Foods, a leading integrated agro-industrial and food company, in November announced a P10-billion plan to build 20 new breeding farms to help increase pork production.

The DA on March 10 imposed a maximum suggested retail price for pork of P300 per kilo for fresh carcasses, P350 for kasim (shoulder) and pigue (leg), and P380 for liempo (belly).

“Compliance with the MSRP on pork has remained low,” the DA said, with dealers giving various reasons for breaching the price ceiling,” the DA said.

The level of compliance with the pork MSRP was about 30%, according to a survey of 170 stalls monitored by the authorities, the DA has said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the price of fresh liempo in the March 1-5 period rose to P384.08 per kilo from P378.84 in the previous monitoring period of Feb. 15-17 and P375.02 a month earlier. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

GOCC subsidies top P4B in Jan.

PHILIPPINE STAR/BOY SANTOS

SUBSIDIES provided to state-run firms rose to P4.39 billion in January, the Bureau of the Treasury said, after zero subsidies were issued to government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) a year earlier.

In January, the National Food Authority received subsidies of P2.25 billion, followed by the National Irrigation Administration, which got P1.09 billion.

Other GOCCs that received at least P100 million were the Philippine Heart Center (P184 million), the Philippine Rice Research Institute (P156 million), the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (P124 million) and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (P116 million).

The Light Rail Transit Authority received P74 million, the Small Business Corp. P63 million and the Philippine Coconut Authority with P61 million.

Other recipients of subsidies were the Lung Center of the Philippines (P59 million), the National Dairy Authority (P35 million), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (P34 million), the Development Academy of the Philippines (P28 million), the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (P24 million), and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (P20 million).

Receiving subsidies of less than P20 million were the People’s Television Network, Inc. (P18 million), the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (P14 million), and the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (P10 million).

The Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care received P9 million, the Southern Philippines Development Authority P7 million, the Philippine Center for Economic Development P5 million, and the Philippine Tax Academy P5 million.

The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority received P4 million.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. was stripped of subsidies in 2025.

The government provides subsidies to GOCCs to help cover operational expenses not supported by revenue.

Subsidies to GOCCs totaled P138.8 billion last year, down from P163.5 billion in 2023. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

PHL food sales seen growing 5%

CUSTOMERS eat at a restaurant in a mall in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

PHILIPPINE FOOD sales are forecast to grow 5% this year as a result of sustained domestic demand driven by population growth, rising incomes, and overseas remittances, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Food and beverage manufacturing is expanding in the Philippines, indicating solid growth in the industry despite higher production costs, particularly for inputs, the USDA said in a report by its Foreign Agricultural Service.

It said Philippine manufacturers are exploring product diversification and nutritious food options while tapping new customers to increase sales.

It said the 5% forecast is also supported by easing inflation, which fell to 2.1% in February from 2.9% a month earlier.

“Food and beverage manufacturers’ sales grew 5% and 11%, respectively, in 2024 despite inflationary pressures,” the report noted, adding that food and beverage consumption grew 3% in the same year and “still forms the majority of household spending in the Philippines.”

The report said food and beverage retail sales will likely grow 7% in 2025 “as the expansion of modern retail stores continues.”

Food and beverage retail sales grew 6% in 2024, against 8% in 2023.

The USDA said it projected “robust” growth of 12% for food services as restaurant chains drive sales with expanding store networks and new restaurant concepts, while maintaining online deliveries.

It said the Philippines has an enabling environment for food and beverages, with its economy poised to grow by 6% in 2025 with “higher consumption as incomes rise and the population continues to steadily grow.”

The Philippine economy grew 5.6% in 2024, below the 6%-6.5% government target. The service (6.7%) and industry (5.6%) sectors posted growth in 2024 while agriculture, forestry, and fishing (-1.2%) sectors declined.

The report also took note of the 1.5% annual growth in the Philippine population, which was estimated at 120 million people.

The USDA said the majority of Philippine consumers have adopted thriftier spending practices, shifting preferences toward smaller package sizes or private-label brands.

Overall food sales are forecast to “continue growing.”

The report noted that Philippine manufacturers rely on ingredients from the US, which remains the largest single-country exporter to the Philippines with 16% market share despite preferential market access and proximity to China, India, New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asian countries.

“Canada and Europe compete in the premium product market but face similar constraints as the US,” it said.

The report said the Philippine market presents “strong opportunities” for wheat, dairy products, poultry, pork, beef, starch products, fruits, and vegetables from the US, adding that premiumization and healthier trends provide opportunities for US exporters.

The report noted that US exporters remain at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis Asia due to logistics and transportation lead time and costs.

“US exporters face trade barriers such as higher tariffs (Most-Favored Nation) compared to Asian countries with preferential trade agreements,” it added.

It noted that rising input costs have led some Philippine manufacturers to source from multiple suppliers and substitute some ingredients to increase margins. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Philippine military told to prepare for Taiwan invasion as China holds drills

A NAVY miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration taken April 11, 2023. — REUTERS

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

MILITARY FORCES in northern Philippines should start “planning for action” in the event of an invasion of neighboring Taiwan, its military chief said on Tuesday, as China started joint army, navy and rocket force exercises around Taiwan as a “stern warning” against separatism.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is expanding its strategic plan to include Taipei in anticipation of a potential invasion that could inadvertently involve the Philippines, AFP Chief of Staff Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. said at the anniversary of the military’s Northern Luzon Command.

“Do not be content with securing just the northern hemisphere up to Mavulis island,” he said at Camp Aquino in Tarlac province north of Manila, referring to the Philippines’ northernmost island that lies 140 kilometers southeast of the southern tip of Taiwan.

“Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan. We will extend our sphere of operations,” he added in Filipino.

Taiwan sent warships to respond to China’s navy approaching its coast, Reuters reported.

The exercises around the democratically governed island, which China views as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring under its control, come after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called Beijing a “foreign hostile force” last month.

Mr. Brawner’s remarks came days after the visit of US Defense Secretary Peter Brian Hegseth to Manila, where he reiterated Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to its oldest treaty ally in Asia.

In his first trip to Manila, Mr. Hegseth vowed to reestablish deterrence to counter China’s aggression in the South China Sea by deploying weapons with advanced capabilities to the Philippines, including an anti-ship missile system and unmanned sea vessels.

Philippine and US special forces will conduct drills in northern Batanes province, near Taiwan.

China lays claim over Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province. It has threatened to annex the self-ruled island, by force if necessary, endangering Taiwan’s population of 23 million and threatening the world’s most advanced semiconductor factories.

While the US has vowed to protect Taiwan, Washington has adopted a policy of “strategic ambiguity” whether to militarily step in if China launches an invasion.

Mr. Brawner said it would be the job of the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command to rescue Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan should Beijing attack. “There are 250,000 overseas Filipino workers working in Taiwan and we will have to rescue them.”

The military chief said certain areas in the Philippines are considered potential invasion points, underscoring the need to prepare for war. “I do not want to sound alarmist, but we have to prepare.”

“We achieve peace through strength, and we achieve strength by preparing for war,” he added.

He also accused Beijing of actively forging alliances and seeking to exert influence within Philippine society.

“We are aware of this, and it is not mere speculation,” Mr. Brawner said. “They’re already infiltrating our institutions, our schools, our businesses, our churches, even our ranks in the military.”

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Philippine authorities earlier this year arrested a number of Chinese nationals accused of spying on joint Philippine-US military sites, the presidential palace and the national headquarters of the country’s military and police.

Seized from them were advanced spying tools, including drones, devices that can intercept mobile signals and equipment to create 3D images of structures.

Meanwhile, political and security analysts said the Philippines should expand its defense and security ties with allies closer to home and avoid overreliance on the US amid uncertainties with President Donald J. Trump’s foreign policy.

“US Defense Secretary Peter Brian Hegseth doesn’t inspire confidence back home due to his lack of background in this sector, in contrast to Biden’s Lloyd Austin,” Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“The Philippines will be more prudent to ultimately build our alternative network of allies close to home.”

The US Defense chief met with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro, Jr. and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on March 28 to discuss continued cooperation on keeping the peace in the Indo-Pacific region and South China Sea.

“While the Philippines endorses reliance on military material with the US, it has to start exploring multi-alignment of defense diplomacy with reliable like-minded nations and lay down the foundations of a revitalized self-reliant defense posture,” Chester B. Cabalza, founding president at Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Communist China feels the pressure of strategic competition with its rival in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen military ties and deterrence cooperation.” — with John Victor D. Ordoñez

Philippines sends rescue team to help search for Myanmar quake survivors

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINES on Tuesday sent a team of soldiers and government doctors to help earthquake victims in Myanmar.

The first batch of 58 members of the humanitarian aid team, composed of 91 army and air force soldiers and people from the Office of Civil Defense and Bureau of Fire Protection, left Manila’s Villamor Air Base aboard two C-130 transport planes at midnight on Tuesday, the Philippine Air Force said in a statement.

The second batch, which also consists of staff from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Health and Environment departments, and private mining and energy companies, will follow on April 2.

They brought search and rescue equipment and medical supplies.

The team will stay in Myanmar, where the death toll from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28 has topped 2,000, for two weeks.

“These personnel are ready to perform life-saving operations, provide medical assistance and deliver critical aid throughout the mission,” the air force said in the statement. “This mission affirms the Philippine government’s dedication to humanitarian assistance, reinforcing our nation’s commitment to swift disaster response and regional cooperation.”

In a separate statement, Human Rights Watch said Myanmar’s military junta should let humanitarian aid flow unimpeded into Naypyidaw, the capital.

“The junta needs to… ensure that humanitarian aid quickly reaches those whose lives are at risk in earthquake-affected areas,” Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said.

Myanmar descended into turmoil after its military overthrew the civilian government in 2021, plunging the Southeast Asian nation into a civil war. State forces, pro-democracy and ethnic armed groups have engaged in hostilities that has driven more than 3 million Burmese people out of their homes, according to United Nations data.

“All sides must urgently allow space for humanitarian relief and ensure that aid workers can operate in safety,” Julie Isabel Bishop, UN special envoy on Myanmar, said in a statement published on the UN website on Monday.

“Continuing military operations in disaster-affected areas risks further loss of life and undermines the shared imperative to respond,” she added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Purchase of local jeepneys under modernization pushed

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE TRANSPORTATION department should consider tapping local jeepney makers rather than importing public utility jeepneys (PUJs) under the government’s modernization plan to limit fare increases, a congressman said on Monday.

“The cheaper the PUJ units procured, the less the fare adjustments will be necessary,” Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda told Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon in a letter, a copy of which he shared with reporters.

“There are domestic manufacturers that offer cheaper alternatives to previously procured imported PUJs,” the congressman, who heads the House of Representatives ways and means committee, said.

Mr. Salceda asked Mr. Dizon if his office could contribute to the Transportation department’s review of state efforts to modernize the country’s aging public transportation system. He said his office is conducting a financial study on the program’s viability.

Jeepney modernization began in 2017 to enhance public safety and curb air pollution by replacing it with newer and environment-friendly alternatives. Originally repurposed from surplus US military vehicles after World War II, jeepneys have evolved into a cornerstone of the Philippine transport network.

But jeepney operators have criticized the modernization program, citing expensive modern units worth more than P2 million.

“The unit price of modern PUJ units will determine whether fare increases are needed for the future,” Mr. Salceda said.

He alleged that leaders of some transport cooperatives have received kickbacks for their purchase of modern jeepney units from some manufacturers.

“In the House committee on transportation, allegations were made about rebates of as much as P400,000 per unit being given to heads of transport cooperatives in exchange for agreeing to procure certain units of modern PUJs,” he said in the letter.

Under the plan, jeepney operators must consolidate into cooperatives to create more efficient transport routes and professionalize the industry. About 86% of combined jeepney, bus and van units have applied for consolidation under the initial phase of the modernization program, according to Mr. Dizon.

Mr. Salceda said route mapping could be done optimally due to advancements in transportation planning technology. “Route rationalization can now be done through more modern optimization techniques,” he said.

The Transportation department should also ensure that persons with disabilities and senior citizens could use the transportation system, he said. “We must minimize gaps in public transportation routes.”

The government should also look at improving public transportation routes to airports to improve accessibility, he added.

Mr. Dizon earlier said his agency is open to some changes to the government’s public transport modernization program to address the concerns of transport groups, which staged a three-day strike starting on March 24. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Senate probe of ICC arrest gives Duterte allies platform to boost political clout

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

THE ALLIES of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte are using the Senate investigation into his arrest as a platform to solidify their standing in the upcoming midterm elections, political analysts said.

“This is more just performing to the base and solidifying their ranks to vote for Duterte-backed candidates,” Hansley A. Juliano, a political science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila University said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, chaired by Senator and presidential sister Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, on March 20 launched an inquiry into the arrest of the Mr. Duterte citing questions on the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the Philippines.

Local police arrested Mr. Duterte after the ICC ordered his arrest and sought the help of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol). The tough-talking leader was arrested shortly after arriving from Hong Kong and was put on a chartered plane to the Netherlands on March 11.

The ICC has been investigating Mr. Duterte and his cohorts for crimes against humanity that he allegedly committed when he was still the mayor of Davao City and for the first three years of his presidency, when the Philippines was still a member of the international tribunal.

Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said that the committee hearing is meant to allow Ms. Marcos to improve her support for re-election and “court the political base of the Dutertes.”

The office of Senator Marcos did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Ms. Marcos recently withdrew from administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, citing differences in the administration’s actions regarding the arrest of the ex-President.

“She is giving platform to Duterte allies to spread and mainstream their claims that basically aim to undermine the legitimacy of the ICC arrest and continue to mobilize their supporters,” Mr. Aguirre said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Ms. Marcos ranked outside of the “Magic 12” in the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) latest survey, placing 16th in March, two places down from her ranking in January and February.

Mr. Duterte’s former aide, re-electionist Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go, topped the list with Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo; while his former police chief, Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa placed 9th.

The same survey reported that nine out of 12 senatorial bets backed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. made it to the top 13 preferred candidates of Filipino voters.

The Philippine midterm elections on May 12, 2025, will determine 12 of the 24 seats in the Senate, along with positions in the House of Representatives and local government units.

Mr. Aguirre added that Ms. Marcos is only trying to save her senatorial bid and “to allow the Duterte camp to intensify its effort to influence its support base by creating contents for their social media operations.”

Several Duterte allies have questioned the validity of his arrest, citing the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

“There is nothing that the hearing can accomplish in terms of the illegality of arrest because that is a given. The world which watched the arrest already knew that it was illegal,” Former presidential legal counsel Salvador S. Panelo said in a Viber message.

In 2018, the ex-President withdrew the Philippines from the international tribunal’s founding treaty when it started looking into allegations of systematic extrajudicial killings. It took effect in 2019.

“Expecting a structure of global governance to bow to a domestic body, not even one that speaks it’s language, is definitely wishful thinking,” Mr. Juliano added.

He said that no legal institutions and bodies from both the government and the civil society are willing to sanction anything against the ICC.

NOT NECESSARY
Meanwhile, officials from the executive branch have notified the committee that they will not be attending the hearing on Thursday, according to a letter sent by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin to Ms. Marcos and the Senate President on Tuesday.

“We believe that further participation may no longer be necessary at this time, especially considering the Honorable Chairperson has publicly relayed her comprehensive finding,” Mr. Bersamin said in his letter, sent to reporters.

He added that the four petitions filed in the Supreme Court involving the arrest and surrender of Mr. Duterte are intertwined with the agenda of the committee hearing.

“Further discussions on the matters in the agenda of the hearing may constitute violation of the sub judice rule, which could unduly influence the ongoing proceedings,” he added.

The Presidential Palace said earlier that it will not prevent officials from attending the second committee hearing, scheduled on Thursday (April 3), based on the Senate committee calendar.

According to her preliminary report, Ms. Marcos said the Philippines had no obligation to arrest and surrender Mr. Duterte to the ICC, and the government had not only helped the ICC in the arrest but have planned it before a warrant was issued.

Gov’t tightens building regulations

BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday said it would work with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure local government units enforce stricter building permit regulations to brace for deadly quakes.

“We have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with them, possibly urging them to issue reminders to our local government units, especially the local building officials, to ensure proper implementation of occupancy permits, as well as the issuance of construction and building permits that are in strict compliance with our Building Code,” OCD spokesperson Chris Noel Bendijo told a televised briefing in Filipino.

The country’s National Capital Region sits on the West Valley Fault line which could potentially experience a major earthquake. The fault line traverses the cities of Taguig, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon City, Pasig, Makati, and Marikina, as well as the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite and Bulacan.

A potential 7.2 magnitude earthquake on the West Valley Fault, or “The Big One,” could result in an estimated 48,000 fatalities and $48 billion in economic losses, according to the World Bank.

“Compliance with the National Building Code must be prioritized and verified to ensure that it is being followed,” Mr. Bendijo said.

“This is an area we need to catch up on and there are still many basic issues we need to address.”

A 7.7-magnitude quake struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand last Friday, crippling major infrastructures like airports, bridges and highways. The recent quake is considered to be one of the biggest in the last century.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that according to China Central Television, Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing said the earthquake death toll has reached 2,719, with around 4,521 injured, and over 400 still missing.

Mr. Bendijo said a 90-person contingent consisting of personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Health and the OCD are in Myanmar to aid emergency response efforts in the Southeast Asian nation.

Myanmar had requested emergency search and rescue teams (with K9 or SAR dogs), medical assistance teams, medicines, medical equipment, emergency first aid kits, mobile generators, water sanitation kits, solar-powered lights, among other supplies, the OCD said in a statement on March 30. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Release of Filipinos in Qatar pushed

DFA FB PAGE

SENATE PRESIDENT Francis G. Escudero on Tuesday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to work with authorities in Qatar to expedite the release of Filipinos who participated in a political demonstration in support of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

In a statement, the senate chief said that Philippine authorities should “work for the release of the rest of the Filipinos held in detention in connection with the political demonstration and extend all help and legal assistance as necessary.”

Last week, 20 Filipinos were nabbed by Qatari authorities for participating in an unauthorized political demonstration, in support of Mr. Duterte who is facing trial at the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.

The DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers said that four, including three minors, have been released.

According to the DFA, any type of political rally in Qatar is prohibited and any individual found guilty of violating the law could face imprisonment of up to three years.

“We remind our compatriots to always obey the laws and regulations of the countries they are in. However, what is important is that they be released as soon as possible. For me, what they have experienced is enough as a lesson in this matter,” Mr. Escudero said in Filipino. — Adrian H. Halili

Over 17,000 register to vote abroad

RIYADHPE.DFA.GOV.PH

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said over 17,000 Filipinos had enrolled for overseas voting ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.

The Commission also noted that of the 93 diplomatic posts, 77 will adopt internet voting, while 16 posts will use the Automated Counting Machine voting system, based on a document Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia shared to reporters in a Viber group.

The majority of overseas Filipinos will cast their votes through internet-based platforms across 77 posts globally. This method will cover a wide range of countries across various regions, including:

Asia Pacific: Thailand, Brunei, Australia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan, among others.

Europe: Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Middle East and Africa: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, South Africa, and Israel.

North and Latin America: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina.

Meanwhile, 16 posts have been designated for ACM voting, primarily covering countries and territories with larger Filipino populations or where internet voting infrastructure may be limited.

These include: Asia Pacific: China (Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and others), Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea.

Europe: Türkiye (Ankara and Istanbul) and Russia.

Middle East and Africa: Nigeria, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Libya.

The 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections will take place on May 12, giving voters the opportunity to elect new members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and local government units. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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