DTI adopts international standards for electrical wiring

July 26, 2022 | 8:31 pm

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it recently adopted three international standards for electrical wiring which it said promote safer use of such products.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DTI said the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) recently adopted Philippine National Standards (PNS) UL 248-1:2021 — Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 1: General Requirements, PNS UL 248-6:2021 — Low-Voltage Fuses — Part 6: Class H Non-Renewable Fuses, and PNS UL 67:2021 —Panelboards.

“Following the collaboration and licensing agreement between the DTI-BPS and the UL Standards and Engagement (ULSE) in November 2020, the DTI-BPS has recently adopted and promulgated three international standards on electrical wiring devices as PNS,” the DTI said.

“The standards were the result of the collaboration of experts, both from the BPS/Technical Committee (TC) 10 and ULSE, on electrical wiring devices,” it added.

BPS Director Neil P. Catajay said the standards create common guidelines for electrical wiring and associated work practices which improve safety. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Analysts warn of instability sans anti-graft drive

July 26, 2022 | 7:54 pm

BBM-Marcos — OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY/ ROBINSON NIÑAL

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE MARCOS government’s failure to prioritize anti-corruption measures might lead to political instability that could derail the state’s economic recovery agenda, according to analysts.

“You can’t attract investments and business confidence without assurance of good governance,” Maria Ela L. Atienza, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

She said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his first address to Congress on Monday failed to discuss ways to strengthen the rule of law, ensure accountability and transparency and reform the country’s ailing justice system.

The president also did not discuss political reforms that can strengthen institutions and democratic processes, which are crucial to equitable growth, she added.

Mr. Marcos’ first State of the Nation Address (SONA) focused on the economy and failed to tackle a wide range of political and governance concerns, Sonny A. Africa, executive director of think tank Ibon Foundation, said in a Messenger chat.

“The SONA actually telegraphed our problem with how far we can expect the Marcos administration to deal with human rights, corruption, disinformation, political dynasties, electoral reform and other aspects of poor governance,” he said.

Mr. Marcos on Monday vowed to overhaul the tax system and unveiled a 19-point legislative agenda meant to spur growth and make the Philippines an investment destination amid a coronavirus pandemic.

Mr. Marcos started his speech with a promise to implement sound fiscal management and tax administration reforms to boost revenue collections.

The president should have promised the business community he would ensure state accountability and a fair investment climate, said Francisco A. Magno, who teaches political science and development studies at De La Salle University.

“Honest companies that would like to participate in government bidding procedures should be assuaged that there would a level business playing field where favoritism is not the name of the game,” he said in a Messenger chat.

While the president vowed to continue public investments in infrastructure, social development and health services, “he did not touch on the need to apply due diligence procedures in the awarding of contracts,” Mr. Magno said.

JUSTICE SYSTEM
“Corruption — whether done in secret or exposed by whistleblowers and legislative inquiries — will definitely dampen pandemic response and economic recovery issues,” Ms. Atienza said.

Mr. Marcos, 64, could not escape pressure to address corruption allegations against him and his family, she added. “It is difficult to lead by example when you and your family have unsettled issues.”

Ms. Atienza said potential corruption issues against the administration would likely be set aside if he has a strong backing from lawmakers, who can investigate just about anything “in aid of legislation.”

It would depend on how popular he remains and whether the super majority will remain loyal to him, she said.

Should Mr. Marcos eventually prioritize good governance and political reforms, “that would mean a major political shift is unfolding,” said Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo De Manila University.

He said the public should expect Mr. Marcos to consolidate his political base after the SONA “to make sure that their hold on power is stable and strong.”

“It will be personalistic and populist,” Mr. Aguirre said in a Messenger chat. “It is risky for it would mean that the alliances and alignments would change in the coming months.”

Former Senator Franklin M. Drilon also cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s silence on his plans for the country’s justice system.

“I wish the president tackled the state of our justice system and the rule of law in his first State of the Nation Address,” Mr. Drilon, who is also a former Justice chief, said in a statement.

“He tackled everything from COVID-19 to our failing education system to our economic recovery. However, one critical ingredient is missing: the rule of law.”

He said he hoped these issues would not be “swept under the rug,” adding that the Duterte government had also neglected these.

“I was hoping that there would have been a stronger statement in terms of good governance,” Management Association of the Philippines President Rogelio L. Singson told One News channel.

“If I’m a Cabinet member and I want to implement good governance principles, will my president be behind me if I go against contractors or politicians? That will always be a question behind a Cabinet member’s direction,” he added.

The Marcos administration is targeting 6.5-7.5% economic growth this year and 6.5-8% through 2028.

Mr. Marcos pledged to bring down the poverty rate to 9% by the end of his six-year term, and the ratio of the state’s budget deficit to economic output to 3%. The government also seeks to attain upper middle-income status by 2024. — with Alyssa Nicole O. Tan and Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Forfeiture of four Marcos properties rejected by court

July 26, 2022 | 7:53 pm

Marcos family-1 — PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY

THE PHILIPPINES’ anti-graft court has dismissed a government lawsuit seeking to recover at least four Marcos properties in the absence of sufficient evidence that these had been illegally obtained.

In a 12-page resolution dated July 22 and made public on Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division said the state had failed to prove its claims “through a preponderance of evidence.”

The court affirmed its December 2019 ruling that rejected the government’s forfeiture case covering the properties still within the Marcos family’s control, including a beach house, guest house and museum in Ilocos Norte province and a house in Manila.

The dismissal covers “properties that allegedly have not yet been recovered by the government,” according to a copy of the decision written by Justice Alex L. Quiroz uploaded on the court’s website.

The court on Dec. 29, 2019 dismissed the government’s forfeiture case against the estate of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos and his family. On July 12 last year, it partially granted the state’s motion for reconsideration.

“The court resolved that a sweeping dismissal of the entire complaint on the ground of the best evidence rule (now original document rule) is not warranted, considering that many of the subject properties have long been recovered by the government,” it said in its latest ruling.

Instead, the anti-graft court ordered the government to submit a list of all the properties covered by the forfeiture lawsuit and their status.

Mr. Quiroz noted that the court had given the state the opportunity to submit further evidence, which it failed to do. In its compliance pleading dated April 25, 2022, the government said all documents and pieces of evidence had been presented during the trial.

Among the ill-gotten assets recovered by the government were shares in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. worth P25.2 billion, shares in Philippine Telecoms Investment Corp. worth P25.2 billion, several houses in Baguio City and 526 art pieces now under the custody of the Philippine central bank. — Norman P. Aquino, J.V.D. Ordoñez and K.A.T. Atienza

Vape measure lapses into law

July 26, 2022 | 7:52 pm

vape-smoke — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

A PHILIPPINE bill that lowers the minimum age for vape access has lapsed into law.

The law, which transfers the regulation of vapes and other heated tobacco products to the Trade department from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), lapsed into law on July 25, according to a copy of letter to Congress signed by Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez.

A bill approved by Congress on third reading and sent to the president’s office becomes a law within 30 days of inaction. The bill was sent to Mr. Marcos’ office on June 24.

The law lowers the minimum age for people who can use vapes to 18 from 21 years. It also allows the products to be sold online.

Health authorities and advocates had been urging Mr. Marcos and his predecessor to veto the bill, saying vape regulation should stay with the FDA because it involves public health. The bill may introduce nonessential and dangerous habits to the youth, they added.

Allowing the bill to lapse into law is a “betrayal of public health” and a “regrettable development in the face of President Marcos’ commitment to build back better,” ImagineLaw said in a statement.

The group said the bill “dismantles existing measures that protect our health and protect our youth from lifelong addiction.”

“It is a deregulation measure that will lead to a vaping epidemic among young people,” it said. “The measure is against the overwhelming medical advice of medical associations and health experts.”

The group urged Mr. Marcos not to neglect tobacco control. “We hope that the president will ensure that the Vape bill will be implemented with our health in mind, not the commercial interests of those that pushed its passage.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Rappler founder seeks reversal of cyber-libel verdict

July 26, 2022 | 7:51 pm

RAPPLER, INC. founder Maria A. Ressa has asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to reconsider her conviction for cyber-libel.

In a 32-page motion, the Nobel Peace Prize awardee said the appellate court had erred in applying the law on cyber-libel retroactively. She said the court had extended the period within which a person may be charged with the crime to 15 years instead of the one year mandated by the Revised Penal Code.

“It is abundantly clear that this court is well aware of the presence of competing interpretations of the law on libel,” she said. “Yet, when this case called for the application of these fundamental principles, this court did the exact opposite and adopted interpretations of the law and of facts that are most prejudicial to the accused.”

The court on July 7 affirmed a Manila trial court ruling that convicted Ms. Ressa of cyber-libel over a 2012 article on the news website that claimed a businessman was involved in crimes such as human trafficking, murder and drug trafficking.

The decision added eight months and 20 days to the initial six-year sentence handed by the trial court, saying the article was malicious and defamatory.

Ms. Ressa and her former researcher, Reynaldo Santos, Jr. argued that the published story was a “logical conclusion of journalistic duty.” She also said the law took effect four months after the article was published.

The appellate court disagreed, noting that the news website later updated the story to fix a typographical error. But the defendants said correcting an error did not mean republishing the article.

Last month, the Securities and Exchange Commission upheld the closure of Rappler for allegedly violating restrictions on foreign ownership in mass media.

Human rights lawyer Amal A. Clooney earlier denounced Ms. Ressa’s conviction, saying the news article had been written in good faith and should be protected by free speech. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Minority bloc files resolution calling for De Lima’s release

July 26, 2022 | 6:58 pm

Leila-de-lima — OFFICE OF SEN. LEILA DE LIMA/RELEASE

THE TWO-MEMBER minority bloc in the Senate have filed a resolution urging the Justice department to release their former colleague, Leila M. de Lima, who has been detained since 2017 for her alleged involvement in illegal drug trade.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Martin “Koko” L. Pimentel III and Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said the former senator’s arrest and incarceration were “unjust and arbitrary,” citing recent recantations by at least four key witnesses.

One of three cases against Ms. De Lima has been dismissed.

“With these series of recantations, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Senator De Lima’s arrest and continued unjust detention was nothing more than a carefully orchestrated ploy to silence an outspoken critic and passionate human rights advocate,” the senators said in the resolution.

The drug charges against Ms. De Lima started after she led a Senate investigation of Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs that has killed thousands.

In her previous post as head of the Commission on Human Rights, she also probed the assassination of suspected drug pushers by the so-called Davao Death Squad, allegedly upon the orders of Mr. Duterte when he was still the city mayor.

In her five years in detention, Ms. De Lima has repeatedly asserted her innocence, saying she was being prosecuted for criticizing Mr. Duterte’s drug war.

“We are asking the Department of Justice to withdraw the cases against Sen. Leila and release her. If I am not mistaken, early on in the administration, the Justice Secretary said that they will not prevent it. We take hope that this is another sign of hope,” Ms. Hontiveros said in a press conference with Mr. Pimentel on Tuesday.

The two lawmakers also expressed optimism that their role as the minority in the upper chamber will eventually gain support from their colleagues in the 19^th Congress.

“We are ready but you might be surprised by the Senate. As time passes by, you will see the independent stand of our colleagues. They will help us perform the task of the minority,” Mr. Pimentel said.

“We will keep in touch with the minority in the house,” he added. “It’s just teamwork, you need good teamwork, time management and division of labor.”

“We are outnumbered, but always outnumbered, never outfought,” Ms. Hontiveros said. “On the issues that we have to stand up for, we will continuously work for.”

Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” E. Angara has said that although there is a “supermajority” in the chamber, there is no absolute assurance that priority bills listed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. during his first address will swiftly pass in Congress.

“Although there is a lot of support there, other senators also have their own views, it will have to be discussed and debated,” he said in a statement. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Health dep’t vows to pursue science-based decisions, resilient healthcare system

July 26, 2022 | 6:57 pm

Vaccination-child-PHILSTAR-EDD-GUMBAN — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE HEALTH department on Tuesday vowed to make science-based decisions and make the Philippine healthcare system resilient to future diseases as it backed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. ‘s decision to ditch lockdowns.

Maria Rosario S. Vergeire, officer-in-charge of the Department of Health (DoH), said the government will increase the current seven public health laboratories across the country to 30 by 2030 to boost the country’s response to emerging and re-emerging diseases.

“We are going to have this strengthened epidemiology and surveillance units all over the country and that is already part of the budget that we have proposed to the department of Budget of Management so that we’ll be able to use science as basis for actions for our local government units,” she told an economic briefing a day after Mr. Marcos’ first address to Congress.

“We would like to base all of our decisions with evidence and data.”

The government also aims to establish more specialty care facilities in different parts of the country, increasing these to 329 from 46 by 2025, Ms. Vergeire said.

It also targets to build 3,000 additional primary care facilities, and 400,000 more hospital beds “for us to be at par with our neighboring countries,” she added.

To decongest facilities, the government is pushing for telemedicine services, Ms. Vergeire said.

In his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, Mr. Maros urged Congress to pass measures that would establish a vaccine institute and a center for disease control and prevention.

Mr. Marcos, who vowed to build more health centers and specialty hospitals nationwide, said his government would not resort to lockdowns.

“We are one with the call of the President. There won’t be lockdowns anymore and in the future,” Ms. Vergeire said. “Eventually we should be able to prepare our healthcare system and be prepared in case there will be another pandemic of this scale,” referring to coronavirus.

While coronavirus Omicron subvariants are still spreading in the Philippines, “nationwide cases have been reported to be mild and can be allowed to heal at home,” Ms. Vergeire said.

She said the hospital admission rate remains at low risk, with severe and critical cases at only 8.69% of total admissions as of July 26.

The Health official said 59% of the DoH’s budget for this year came from sin tax collections, referring to levy imposed on cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages.

“We intend to use these sin taxes to pursue our objectives for health facilities.”

She said the government would tap the private sector to provide services that the DoH cannot provide. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Government rightsizing could mean more funds for nurses, teachers, engineers

July 26, 2022 | 6:56 pm

Government-transaction-BW — BW FILE PHOTO

A VETERAN lawmaker said the administration’s plan to “right-size” the bureaucracy could mean more funds for crucial personnel in the fields of health, education, and science.

“The idea is scrap unnecessary positions and use them to create essential ones, or use the savings from abolished items to fill the shortage of critical workforce,” Batangas Rep. Ralph G. Recto said in a press release on Tuesday.

Mr. Recto, who also previously served several terms in the Senate, said rightsizing should be guided by improving government service and not simply cutting down on manpower costs.

He did note that the government’s personnel service expenses have more than doubled in the last decade to P1.405 trillion this year from P593 billion in 2012.

“Taxpayers are shelling out P3.850 billion daily for the salary and allowances of national government personnel and the pension of retired servicemen,” he said.

The solon, demonstrating an example, said if rightsizing can trim down the cost by at least P20 billion annually, that savings could be used to recruit more medical workers such as nurses, medical technologists, and doctors.

He also said that more teachers could be hired, which is essential to meet the ideal ratio for a growing population.

Mr. Recto also said the country needs more “engineers, technical and science people” to boost science-driven modernization projects.

“That is why I support this kind of rightsizing,” he said. — Matthew Carl L. Montecillo

Galvez gives reassurance after Marcos SONA leaves out peace issues

July 26, 2022 | 6:55 pm

Galvez-DuterteLegacySummit-PEACE.GOV.PH — PEACE.GOV.PH

SECRETARY Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., who is on holdover capacity as presidential peace adviser, on Tuesday gave reassurance on the government’s commitment to peace efforts after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s first address to the nation did not mention the Bangsamoro, a region in southern Philippines that is undergoing a delicate transition.

In a statement, Mr. Galvez said he held several dialogues last week “with our peace partners from the Bangsamoro” who pledged continued support to the peace process “and fully supporting all initiatives” by the Marcos administration.

“We are at a critical juncture on the implementation of the signed peace agreements on the Bangsamoro and the transformation and normalization of former combatants, their families, and communities,” he said.

“Political support for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is most crucial now than at any time previously.”

The President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday came on the heels of a political controversy in the Bangsamoro leadership and a high-profile crime connected to the region.

There were recent reports of a rift within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the group that signed a peace deal with the government and is at the forefront of the region’s transition.

Bangsamoro Minister of Parliament Abdullah B. Hashim, son of the late MILF founder Salamat Hashim, issued a statement on Sunday condemning those using his father’s name “in sowing intrigue to divide the ranks” within the former rebel group.

“You should not let personal grievances and political sentiments create political chaos in the guise of ‘following’ my father’s way. You should not let the maneuverings of some politicians use you for their personal dreams of power,” Mr. Hashim said.

“If you wish to exercise your democratic rights, then exercise them at the proper time. When the time comes for elections, the BARMM will be open as mandated by law,” he said.

Meanwhile, the suspect at a shooting incident at the Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday left dead former mayor Rosita U. Furigay of Lamitan City, capital of the BARMM province of Basilan, along with her assistant and a university security officer.

Police said the suspect’s motive was a personal grudge against the mayor.

The Furigay family’s lawyer had said that the rift stemmed from the city government’s implementation of a closure order against the suspect’s medical clinic, which was operating without a license. The closure order was issued by the Bangsamoro Ministry of Health.

Mr. Galvez called on all stakeholders to make a collective effort and put “national interest and the welfare of the Bangsamoro people before any and all political ambition, self-interest, and personal or pecuniary gain.” — MSJ

Criminal charges filed against Ateneo shooter

July 26, 2022 | 6:55 pm

Yumol-shootingADMU-PHILSTAR-MICHAEL-VARCAS — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE POLICE on Tuesday said criminal complaints had been filed against the suspect in Sunday’s shooting in one of the Philippines’ most prominent universities that left three people dead and two others injured.

The Quezon City Police District, in a statement on Tuesday, said the charges were filed before the city prosecutor on July 25, including three counts of murder, frustrated murder, firearms law violation, car theft, and malicious mischief.

Those who died include former Lamitan City mayor Rosita U. Furigay, her assistant, and a university guard. Injured were Ms. Furigay’s daughter and a nurse who was attending as a parent in the graduation ceremony.

The suspect, a licensed doctor from the same city in southern Philippines, had accused the late mayor of being a drug lord.

Quirino G. Esguerra, lawyer for the late mayor’s family, called the illegal drug allegations against her “a big lie.” He said the suspect was holding a grudge against the family after his medical clinic in Lamitan City was shuttered by the local government for operating without a permit.

Police recovered two handguns and a silencer allegedly used by the suspect, one licensed to him and another registered to another individual.

In the aftermath of the deadly incident, Quezon City Rep. Marvin C. Rillo called on the Philippine National Police to be more rigorous in screening gun license applicants.

Mr. Rillo, in a statement on Tuesday, said authorities must reinforce the vetting of individuals seeking a license to own and possess guns, and at the same time intensify the crackdown on unregistered or loose firearms.

“We also want Camp Crame (the police headquarters) to avoid giving multiple gun licenses, especially to first-time applicants, unless they are clearly in imminent danger due to the nature of their profession,” Mr. Rillo said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Matthew Carl L. Montecillo

Presidential son and newbie solon gets senior deputy majority leader post

July 26, 2022 | 6:49 pm

ILOCOS Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos III stands behind his father, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., during the latter’s oath-taking ceremony on June 30 in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ KRIZJOHN ROSALES

ILOCOS Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos III, son of the President and on his first term in the House of Representatives, has been given the post of senior deputy majority leader during Tuesday’s session.

With the post, Mr. Marcos will also be a member of the House Committee on Rules, which determines procedures on inquiries, impeachment, and scheduling of proposed bills, among others.

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” S. Salceda retained his post as chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means while AKO BICOL Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co was appointed as chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.

For the minority, 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino C. Libanan will stand as leader while Northern Samar Rep. Paul R. Daza was named senior deputy minority leader. — Matthew Carl L. Montecillo

Fate of K-12 education program out by next year

July 26, 2022 | 6:49 pm

enrollment-2022-PHILSTAR-EDD-GUMBAN — STUDENTS of Lakan Dula High School in Manila register on July 26 for the new school year that will start on Aug. 22. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

VICE PRESIDENT and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio said her team was given until next year to decide on the fate of the Kinder to Grade 12 (K-12) program, which has been criticized for failing to achieve its goals while adding financial burden to families.

“We were given by President [Ferdinand R.] Marcos one year, this School Year 2022-2023, to give a final answer about our K-12 program,” she told an economic briefing on Tuesday held after Mr. Marcos’ first address to Congress.

Ms. Duterte said the Department of Education under her predecessor already “initiated the review of K-12 and they are about to finish and wrap up and make their report on the review of Kinder to Grade 10.”

“My administration will start the review on Grades 11 to 12,” she said.

Mr. Marcos said in his State of the Nation Address that a careful review of the education curriculum’s viability is being done. “All necessary inputs and points of view are being considered.”

The 10-year-old education curriculum extended the basic education cycle to include two additional years in the secondary level with the goal of giving learners opportunities to acquire the necessary skills demanded by the labor market.

At the same briefing, Ms. Duterte said she and Labor chief Bienvenido E. Laguesma are in talks to “strengthen and intensify our coordination particularly in the Philippine Skills Framework between the Department of Labor and DepEd.”

Mr. Laguesma was present during the briefing. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza