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Customs 2021 collections exceed pre-pandemic levels

PHILSTAR

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) collected P645.77 billion in 2021, exceeding the P630.31 billion generated in 2019, the last year before the pandemic, as international trade rebounded after the 2020 economic downturn.

Collections last year were about 20% higher than the P537 billion logged in 2020 and 4.7% above the bureau’s target, the bureau said in a statement on Monday.

“The BoC’s positive revenue collection performance is attributed to the improved valuation, intensified enforcement operations against illegal importations, and improved compliance by traders with customs laws,” the bureau said.

Gradually improving import volumes and efforts to improve goods transport during the pandemic also contributed to higher collections, the BoC added.

Customs collections declined by 14% in 2020.

In December 2021, the bureau collected P62.48 billion, which exceeded its target for the month by more than 20%.

Of the 17 collection districts, 13 exceeded their targets for the year.

These include the Port of San Fernando, Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Port of Batangas, Port of Legaspi, and Port of Iloilo.

The Ports of Surigao, Zamboanga, Davao, Subic, Clark and Limay, Bataan also surpassed their 2021 targets. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Lost manufacturing, construction jobs seen dampening Q4 growth

REUTERS

JOBS shed by the manufacturing and construction industries will likely temper fourth quarter economic activity, to bring the full-year growth estimate to 5-6%, offsetting gains from a pickup in business activity, First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia and the Pacific said in a joint report on Monday.

“We remain sanguine over the growth prospects for Q4-2021, as more firms have reopened, and consumers headed back to malls and restaurants,” the institutions said.

“We should end with a full year 2021 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 5%-6%, and improving further in 2022, due to heavy election spending.”

The government recently raised its GDP projection for 2021 to 5.5% after the economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter even with lockdowns imposed to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks.

According to the report, the manufacturing sector appears to have led economic activity in the fourth quarter, as employment levels improved.

“However, we caution against over-optimism on account of the job losses in construction and manufacturing industries, tepid employment gains in the services sector in October, as well as uninspiring export expansion.”

The institutions are mostly optimistic, noting the expansion in manufacturing.

The Philippine Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures factory activity, rose to 51.8 last month from 51.7 in November, the highest since the 52.2 reading in March.

The report’s authors also said that the inflation rate in December will likely fall below 4% with the decline in oil prices.

This aligns with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projections, which noted headline inflation likely ranged between 3.5% to 4.3% in December.

However, the institutions noted that the employment situation is mixed, with construction jobs falling 7% and manufacturing jobs slipping 1.2% month on month in October.

Services jobs in transportation, insurance, retail, and public administration also fell.

“While employment rose in October, other facets of the labor situation paint a more mixed picture,” the institutions said.

“But we expect good prints for November and December, with increased economic activity, and Q1-2022 with national and local elections in sight.” — Jenina P. Ibañez

Fish imports approved to fill supply gap in typhoon zone

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it approved a plan to import 11,015 metric tons (MT) of frozen fish for wet markets in typhoon-hit areas to ensure adequate supply.

In a statement, the DA said on Monday that the imports will be distributed to the parts of the Visayas and Mindanao affected by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in order to stabilize food prices.

The designated ports of entry are Davao City and Cebu City.

As of Jan. 3, agricultural damage caused by Odette was estimated at P10.7 billion, with 163,760 farmers and fisherfolk affected across 370,142-hectares of agricultural land, the DA said.

Lost production volume was 244,924 MT.

The fisheries sector was most affected with losses valued at P3 billion or 28.2% to the total, affecting 50,256 fisherfolk.

The DA said it will “ensure that the fish for wet markets to be imported will not compete with local catch,” with Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances covering these imports due to expire on Jan. 31.

Eligible importers need to have shipped in at least 70% of the volume applied for in the last importing round, with no pending cases. They must also sell imported fish at a wholesale price of P75 per kilogram.

“We are also giving notice to the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC) to convene soonest to consider a proposal to import additional volumes of fish in 2022 under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 259 for distribution in public wet markets, as most of the fish cages and mariculture parks in Visayas and Mindanao, (and some) in Calabarzon and Mimaropa, were badly damaged and need immediate repair or re-establishment,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said in a statement.

In August, a certificate of necessity was issued to import 60,000 MT of frozen small pelagic fish, in order to ensure adequate supply and keep prices in check. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Davao quarry raid results in arrests, equipment seizures

PHILSTAR

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it apprehended 14 illegal miners in Barangay Waan, Davao City on Dec. 11.

In a statement on Monday, the DENR said the operation was carried out by its Environmental Law Enforcement and Protection Service (ELEPS), which seized unlicensed equipment apart from arresting the persons engaged in unauthorized quarrying.

Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the operation was designed to “deter potential culprits and discourage them from violating existing environmental laws.”

In March, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio had issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) after the quarry operators ignored previous CDOs issued between 2018 and 2020.

Environment Undersecretary Benito T. de Leon said the “continual success of the ELEPS operations proves that the DENR needs an enforcement bureau.”

ELEPS handles illegal quarrying cases, including unauthorized operations inside the Taal Volcano Protected Area Landscape.

The miners are charged with violating the Philippine Mining Act of 1995.

On Dec. 23, the government lifted the four-year ban on open-pit mining. The DENR said on Dec. 29 that the removal of the ban is not expected to hinder enforcement efforts against illegal miners.

“The lifting of the open-pit ban does not… result in more illegal miners because their areas are separate from that of the large-scale miners,” Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Wilfredo G. Moncano said. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

DoE backs power industry system audit after typhoon damage

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said on Monday that it is seeking a system audit of the power sector after Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) did extensive damage to the industry.

“We have been pushing for the system audit, but we are looking into the action to be taken by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC),” Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella said in a news conference.

Last week, a group of electricity consumers said they wrote to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on Dec. 21, urging the department to investigate the grid operator’s alleged shortcomings in providing sufficient power to areas affected by the typhoon.

In its letter, the group said it wants an audit of the grid operator’s transmission system to allow the Energy department to pinpoint areas where upgrades may be needed to make the transmission system more resilient.

The ERC was also asked to carry out a financial audit of the NGCP’s capital expenditures for rehabilitating and upgrading the transmission system.

“(The system audit) is not only about the Build Back Better (plans) for the transmission network or the distribution system, it also comes with system operations, better pre-positioning and stockpiling of (electricity) posts,” Mr. Fuentebella added.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed on Nov. 18, 2020, Executive Order No. 120 creating the Build Back Better Task Force to oversee post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

The Energy undersecretary also added that the National Transmission Corp., a government agency operating and managing power transmission system that links power plants to the electric distribution utilities, must also perform an inventory.

 The grid operator has restored 87 of the 95 transmission lines toppled by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, NGCP Head of System Operations Reynaldo B. Abadilla said that while full power has not been restored to Bohol still, it has sought to prepare Bohol power companies for energization.

Bohol 1 Electric Cooperative and Bohol 2 Electric Cooperative are targeted for power restoration on Jan. 31. — Marielle C. Lucenio

2022 Tax Trends and Ends

The new year has officially started, and it would be prudent to start the year right by getting to know the trends that taxpayers may want to look forward to. This year, there are new tax rules that are bound to begin and end, some of which are described below.

OUTRIGHT RECOGNITION OF INPUT VALUE-ADDED TAX (VAT) ON CAPITAL GOODS
The introduction of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act in 2018 brought with it an amendment that provides that the “amortization of input VAT” on purchased or imported capital goods will no longer be allowed beginning Jan. 1, 2022. Therefore, the related input VAT on capital goods acquired in 2022 may be fully recognized outright and be claimed as input tax credits against output tax during the month when the capital goods are purchased or imported, regardless of whether the aggregate acquisition cost in a calendar month exceeds P1 million.

Prior to the effectivity of the TRAIN Act, the Tax Code, as amended, provided that the input VAT on capital goods purchased or imported in a calendar month for use in a trade or business be spread evenly over 60 months if the aggregate acquisition cost for such goods, excluding the VAT component thereof, exceeds P1 million; provided, however, that if the estimated useful life of the capital goods is less than five years, the input VAT be spread over such a period.

On the above development, what will happen to the unutilized input VAT as of Dec. 31, 2021?

Under the TRAIN Act, the unutilized input VAT may still be amortized as scheduled until fully utilized. Thus, it is essential for taxpayers to separately monitor the input VAT on the purchases or imports made starting Jan. 1, 2022, and those that were acquired on or before Dec. 31, 2021.

CHANGE IN REGIONAL OPERATING HEADQUARTERS (ROHQ) INCOME TAX RATE
This year’s tax trends will also affect the ROHQs. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, ROHQs will no longer be considered special corporations subject to the preferential tax rate. They will now be subjected to Regular Corporate Income Tax (RCIT) just like regulars Resident Foreign Corporations (RFC).

Previously, under the TRAIN Act, ROHQs were subject to a preferential tax rate of 10% on their taxable income. However, due to the effectivity of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, and as per Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 5-2021, the tax rate has increased to 25% RCIT. With the change, the Minimum Corporate Income Tax (MCIT) of 1% is also now applicable provided the ROHQ is on its fourth taxable year in 2022. The MCIT rate is effective for ROHQs starting Jan. 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The MCIT rate will revert to 2% starting July 1, 2023.

Considering the changes, ROHQs are expected to transition from using BIR Form No. 1702-MX to BIR Form No. 1702-RT in the preparation of their income tax returns.

NEW EXCISE TAX RATES
Further adjustments to the excise tax rates on certain excisable products are also to be expected. The adjustment process started with the implementation of the TRAIN Act, with updates issued under subsequent regulations. These include Republic Act (RA) No. 11346, also known as the Tobacco Law of 2019, which increases the excise tax from P50.00 to P55.00 per pack of cigarettes that are packed by hand or by machine.

On the other hand, RA No. 11467 increased certain excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco products, and e-cigarettes.  For fermented liquors, the increase is from P37.00 to P39.00 per liter. For heated tobacco products, the increase is from P27.50 to P30.00 per pack of 20 units or packaging combinations of not more than 20 units. There are other upward adjustments on excise taxes, and the effectivity of such adjustments is Jan. 1, 2022.

REVERSION TO 3 YEARS FOR NET OPERATING LOSS CARRY-OVER (NOLCO)
The period for NOLCO carry-over had been adjusted to provide some relief for the impact of COVID-19 on businesses. Under RR No. 25-2020 (implementing certain provisions of Bayanihan to Recover as One Act), the net operating loss (NOL) for taxable years 2020 and 2021 was to be carried over as a deduction from gross income for the next five consecutive taxable years, immediately following the year of such loss.

For 2022, the NOLCO period will revert to three years. Hence, for taxpayers using calendar years, their NOL for the year ending Dec. 31, 2022 will be allowed to be carried for three consecutive taxable years. On the other hand, for taxpayers using fiscal years, as per Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 138-2020, those who have fiscal years ending after June 30, 2022 will revert to the three consecutive taxable years for their NOL incurred in fiscal years ending after June 30, 2022.

Starting the new year right means that taxpayers ought to know the new trends in taxation in aid of compliance and decision-making. It is necessary to know the newest trends, what’s in and what’s out, in order to deal with the changes. Doing so will help ensure that taxpayers have the necessary tools to begin the year right.

Let’s Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

 

Mary Grace G. Lualhati is a senior in charge from the Tax Advisory & Compliance division of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com

Metro to limit unvaccinated residents’ movement

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

MAYORS in Manila, the capital and nearby cities have agreed to bar unvaccinated people from going out to contain a fresh surge in infections probably spurred by the highly mutated Omicron variant.

The mayors affirmed a resolution for the cities to pass local laws that will restrict the movement of unvaccinated residents, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said in an e-mailed statement on Monday.

This after the government raised the coronavirus alert in the capital region to Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15.

The restrictions would ensure that public health gains in the past months are sustained amid the threat of the Omicron variant, the MMDA said, citing the resolution.

“Despite the availability of vaccines, there is a number of individuals who adamantly opt not to be vaccinated and thus, become more susceptible to severe cases of COVID-19 infection,” it said. This would require hospital care that could unduly burden the region’s healthcare system, it added.

Unvaccinated residents must remain in their houses except to buy food and other basic goods, the MMDA said.

They will also be barred from entering restaurants and from going on leisure trips to malls, hotels, event venues, sports and country clubs and similar facilities, it added.

The MMDA said unvaccinated workers and job seekers must take RT-PCR tests every two weeks at their own expense and present a COVID-19 negative result before being admitted to work.

In the absence of the RT PCR test, a rapid antigen test may be used instead. The rules also cover nonresidents who work or travel to the National Capital Region (NCR).

The policy is “not grounded in realities of communities or evidence,” said Joshua L. San Pedro, co-convenor of the Coalition for People’s Right to Health.

“With the Omicron variant, both vaccinated and unvaccinated alike can be infected,” the doctor said in a Facebook Messenger chat. He also cited inequitable access to vaccines, worsened by the impending need for booster shots across the country.

‘DISCRIMINATION’
Mr. San Pedro said the government should prioritize proven virus containment measures. “The broader and more urgent solutions of testing, contact tracing and quarantine must be funded and done at the community level to mitigate infections.”

“Ensuring access to essential health services must be at the core of the COVID-19 response instead of blanket restrictions and discrimination,” he added.

Forcing residents to stay home would not be enough to curb infections, Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas said in a statement.

“Vaccinated individuals can be carriers of the virus and can still test positive for COVID-19,” she said. “That is why this latest Metro Manila Council policy is blind to the actual situation on the ground.”

She said the recent infection spike happened even if most of Metro Manila residents have been fully vaccinated. It would be difficult to contain the virus without expanded and free mass testing, she added.

“We have been pushing for mass testing for a long time, but until now, there are no funds set aside for this, even in the 2022 budget,” Ms. Brosas said in Filipino.

“These are just temporary measures while the NCR is under Level 3 for the protection of unvaccinated individuals amid the spiking number of COVID cases in the region,” MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Jr. said. The order will be lifted once the region goes back to the second alert level.

The Interior and Local Government department backed the order, saying “unvaccinated individuals pose threats to the community.”

“We fully support the decision of the Metro Manila Council to bar unvaccinated individuals in public places,” Interior Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya told a televised news briefing. “We also support the policy requiring unvaccinated workers to take an RT-PCR test every two weeks at their own expense.”

The government might tighten restrictions in areas near the capital region as the country faces threats from the Omicron variant, Mr. Malaya separately told the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

“We are observing very closely the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan,” he said. “The Department of Health is getting all the necessary data to get a clear picture of the situation in those areas.”

The Calabarzon region posted more than 680 coronavirus infections on Sunday, bringing its total to 499,604. The region had 3,196 active cases as of Jan. 2, with 5,813 deaths.

Also on Monday, the presidential palace said an inter-agency task force would reassess restrictions under Alert Level 3 as more people get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“When these rules were crafted and announced, that was a time when our vaccination coverage was still low,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles told ANC. “It’s something that we will revisit, which is why our technical working group is meeting today.”

About 49.85 million people have been fully vaccinated as of Jan. 2, data from the Health department showed. About 1.85 million booster shots have been given out. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Philippines posts more than 4,000 coronavirus cases

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES is now at high risk again from the coronavirus, health authorities said on Monday, as the country posted more than 4,000 infections presumably spurred by the highly mutated Omicron variant.

Coronavirus infections have more than tripled in the past two weeks, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire told an online news briefing.

She added that the country had an average daily attack rate of 1.07 cases for 100,000 people, which was moderate.

Healthcare use nationwide remained at low risk, with only 18% of hospital beds used, Ms. Vergeire said. She added that 22% of intensive care unit beds were occupied.

Manila, the capital and nearby areas were also under high risk from the coronavirus, she said. Infections have grown more than nine times in the past two weeks and its average daily attack rate was 5.42 for 100,000 people.

The Philippines posted 4,084 coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total to 2.86 million. The death toll hit 51,586 after 16 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 497 to 2.78 million, the Department of Health said in a bulletin.

The agency said 20.7% of 18,587 samples on Jan. 1 tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), above the 5% benchmark set by the World Health Organization.

There were 24,992 active cases, 795 of which did not show symptoms, 19,252 were mild, 3,051 were moderate, 1,563 were severe and 331 were critical.

The DoH said 99% of the cases occurred from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3. The top regions with the most infections in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 2,831, Calabarzon with 571 and Central Luzon with 273. It added that 69% of deaths occurred in December, 19% in October and 6% each in September and August.

The agency said 18 duplicates had been removed from the Friday tally, 15 of which were recoveries. It added that 178 patients had tested negative and were removed from the tally. Of these, 177 were recoveries, while seven recoveries were relisted as deaths.

Two laboratories did not operate on Jan. 1, while 21 laboratories failed to submit data.

The Health department said 23% of intensive care units in the Philippines were occupied, while the rate for Metro Manila was 29%.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte raised the virus alert in Metro Manila to Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15 as the country faces the threat of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Ms. Vergeire said transmission of the Omicron variant is “assumed” even if the agency has yet to verify it through gene sequencing.

The heavily mutated virus was now being spread at the community level since cases in the country have multiplied, she added.

The Philippines has detected three local cases and 11 imported cases of the variant first detected in southern Africa.

Meanwhile, Rolando Enrique D. Domingo has resigned as chief of the Food and Drug Administration.

“I did my part to help during the pandemic,” he said in a Viber message, without saying why he quit. “The FDA is now stronger, more efficient and systems are in place. It’s time for me to move on to other things.”

Face-to-face classes in metro suspended on rising infections

PHILSTAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE EDUCATION department has suspended pilot face-to-face classes in Metro Manila after President Rodrigo R. Duterte tightened the lockdown level in the capital region amid rising coronavirus infections. 

The suspension stands until the coronavirus alert level returns to Level 2, it said in an advisory on Sunday night. It announced the decision weeks after almost 30 public schools in the capital region started holding limited face-to-face classes. 

Physical classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2 will continue, the agency said. 

The government raised the alert level in the capital region as the country faces threats from the heavily mutated Omicron variant. 

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the basic education committee, urged the government to fast-track vaccine rollout for children aged 12 to 17 to protect students from infections. 

In a statement, Mr. Gatchalian said teachers should be tested regularly for the coronavirus “especially because they continue to report for work despite the lack of face-to-face classes.” 

He said schools in areas under Alert Level 2 should follow protocols such as contact tracing and install adequate sanitation facilities. 

Education officials earlier told a Senate hearing 7.1 million out of 12.7 million minors aged 12 to 17 have received at least their first vaccine dose, while 2.7 million got fully vaccinated. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza 

WWF-Philippines calls on presidential candidates bring climate crisis to the table

AN ENVIRONMENTAL group on Monday urged Philippine presidential candidates to include the climate crisis in the 2022 national elections agenda.

Candidates must explain to the public how the Philippines under the next administration “will implement the proper actions in line with our international commitments,” WWF-Philippines said in an e-mailed statement. 

“The climate, nature, and environment should be on the agenda of candidates along with our advocacies on climate justice and equity,” said Angela Consuelo Ibay, WWF-Philippines’ head of Climate and Energy. 

In the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow from Oct. 31 to Nov.12, the Philippines signed commitments to halt deforestation and restore forest land, pursue a clean energy transition, and take voluntary actions to reduce methane emissions. 

The group called on candidates and government officials to ensure that the agreements signed in the international conference with hundreds of other countries will “become institutionalized and continue to be implemented by the next administration.”

“Beholden dapat yung next administration to keep up with our international commitments and international agreements,” Ms. Ibay said. “We will have to be accountable to those international commitments.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza 

Higher budget starting this year will boost local governments’ calamity, pandemic response — senators 

DILG.GOV.PH

LOCAL governments’ ability to manage calamities and the continuing coronavirus pandemic will get a boost starting this year with the higher allocation from national taxes, but only with continued support from the national government, two senators said on Monday.

“Constantly faced with huge challenges primarily brought about by calamities and disasters, the significant revenue increases for LGUs (local government units) will certainly be a big boost for them, and hopefully usher in an era of energized and more empowered LGUs,” Senator Leila M. de Lima said in a statement.

“With greater autonomy comes greater responsibility, and resources are key to LGU empowerment and rural progress,” she added.

The LGUs will be receiving P959.04 billion this year from the signed P5.024-trillion 2022 General Appropriations Act. The amount represents 40% of the P2.4 trillion tax base computed by the Department of Finance.

“Doubts being expressed on their spending capacity should serve as a challenge for LGUs to work harder and more efficiently as (the) government braces itself for the start of the implementation of the Mandanas ruling,” Ms. De Lima said.

The national government, she added, “should do all it can to assist and support LGUs in achieving genuine and effective autonomy that is beneficial to all.” 

The Mandanas ruling refers to a 2018 Supreme Court decision that recognizes LGUs’ entitlement to a 40% share of all national taxes and not just those collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. 

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Executive Order 138 last year containing guidelines to ensure that the decentralization process and the increase in the LGU’s just share in national taxes will be carried out systematically and smoothly.

Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, meanwhile, called for the immediate release of the increased funding for LGUs this year. 

“Our LGUs are the frontliners, and they urgently need the long-denied Mandanas-Garcia ruling realized in this year’s national budget,” said Ms. Marcos, chair of the Senate economic affairs committee.

At the same time, she said national government assistance “will still be needed, especially in fourth- to sixth-class municipalities where public hospitals are not ready for a full transfer of functions.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

Election commissioner warns against disorder during Marcos disqualification hearing

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

A COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) official warned parties involved in a disqualification hearing against presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. of being held in contempt and thrown in jail if they “disturb” the proceedings.

“Anyone who will disturb the proceeding on Jan. 7 or interrupt me or a Commissioner will be declared in contempt and sent to Manila Jail for 48 hours,” Comelec Commissioner Ma. Rowena Amelia V. Guanzon, who is part of the division handling the case, said on Twitter on Monday. 

Ms. Guanzon had informally reprimanded lawyers involved in the cases in previous tweets in December.

She also gave a reminder on strict adherence to health protocols and other Comelec regulations.

“Bring vax cards and be ready for antigen test upon entry in the 8th floor lobby. No mask no entry. No bodyguards, no weapons,” she said.

The preliminary conference on the Akbayan Citizen Action Party’s petition against Mr. Marcos will be the first hearing among seven cases filed against the late dictator’s son and namesake. 

Two other cases led by Bonifacio P. Ilagan and Abubakar Mangelen will also be taken up on that day.

Akbayan submitted a disqualification petition on Dec. 2, citing that Mr. Marcos should be banned from seeking the presidency because of his conviction in a tax-related case, which carries a penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

The other petitions assert similar arguments, while Mr. Mangelen claims that he is the duly-elected chairman of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and that Mr. Marcos’ certificate of nomination and acceptance by the party is “unauthorized, defective, invalid, and void.” 

Pending cases against election candidates handled by the Comelec’s Second Division will begin their hearings on Jan. 14.

Meanwhile, the Marcos camp announced Monday that more than 20 staff of their headquarters in Mandaluyong City tested positive for coronavirus. 

The office will be temporary closed until further notice and all activities will be deferred until Jan. 15. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

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