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

February 18, 2022 | 7:04 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The status of the complaint is not clear.

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

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

February 18, 2022 | 7:01 pm

vaccination — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comelec says had permission to enter private properties for poster removal

February 18, 2022 | 6:59 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DENR Secretary Cimatu resigns

February 18, 2022 | 6:56 pm

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

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

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

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

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

PH Chief Justice seeks US assistance for office for Judicial Marshals

February 18, 2022 | 6:55 pm

supreme-court-philstar — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Makabayan bloc calls for probe into agri importation, suspension of excise fuel tax

February 18, 2022 | 6:53 pm

gas-station-worker — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

Members of the Makabayan bloc have called for a probe into the importation of agricultural products and the suspension of the excise fuel tax.

House Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos T. Zarate said in a virtual press briefing Friday that they are calling on government agencies to investigate the importation of agricultural products.

“Even if our producers are complaining, they still continue the importation. The ones who are affected are the local producers,” he said in Filipino. “That’s why we are urging the Office of the Ombudsman, and even through the Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation, to look into this. We see this as economic sabotage.”

Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene D. Brosas said that the excise fuel tax should be suspended and that big oil companies should not overprice their products.

“The oil excise tax under the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) law should be suspended and fuel subsidies should be distributed to provide relief to the people who are already badly affected by the pandemic,” she was quoted as saying in Filipino in statement.

“Big oil companies should moderate their greed. They are earning billions and billions in the midst of the pandemic because of the overpricing of P4-5 billion in the price of oil.”

Isko promises lower oil taxes

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor and presidential candidate Francisco “Isko Moreno” M. Domagoso said Friday that he will reduce the taxes on oil products if he wins the coming May elections.

“I’ve been telling you this about a month ago. That’s why I made a commitment to cut taxes on oil by 50% because when I said that, there’s a projection that we saw in the coming months that these things will happen,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino at a livestreamed press conference held in Pangasinan. “And I do believe these things will continue to happen. The increase of the price of oil.”

“Especially, I hope it won’t happen, with the situation in Russia and Ukraine… Let’s hope that the possible war between them won’t happen, because I am sure that the price of oil will continue to rise because we will have a problem in supply.

“And everyone will go to the Middle East. We’re one of the smaller customers of the Middle East. We will be the least priority, most likely.”

Mr. Domagoso said that his plan to reduce oil taxes by 50% was based on the forecast that the prices of crude oil, electricity, and basic needs will continue to rise. He added that because of the rising prices, the country needs to stop depending on imports and invest in farmers.

The standard-bearer of the Aksyon Demokratiko party noted that if the government does not relax its restrictions during the pandemic, businesses will shut down leading to unemployment.

“If we don’t recover from the pandemic and still don’t loosen the restrictions, businesses will continue to shut down and people will keep losing jobs. If there are still jobs available, the workers will not be paid enough,” he said. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Robredo against rushed modernization of Metro Manila public transport system

February 18, 2022 | 6:50 pm

VICE-PRESIDENT Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo on Friday said she was against the rushed modernization of the Metro Manila public transport system as this will harm both commuters and transport workers.

“We want the modernization of our public transport, but we do not want to give an additional burden to our passengers and drivers,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino in a statement. “We must not insist on policies that are crude and inappropriate in the context of a pandemic.”

She was referring to the implementation of the public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program which disallows buses from surrounding provinces to enter Metro Manila during the pandemic.

Ms. Robredo – who is running for president in the upcoming elections on May 9 – said that the consolidation of public utility vehicle operators, the use of common terminals, and the mandatory upgrading of fleets of jeepneys should be put on hold.

“Our main focus now is to alleviate poverty, revive the economy, and control the spread of COVID (coronavirus 2019). Policies that are inappropriate and consistent with these objectives must be set aside first,” she added.

If integrated terminals are forcibly used during the pandemic, Ms. Robredo said the cost paid by passengers will increase because they have to switch to another transport vehicle when entering Metro Manila.

“Passengers are forced to take a ‘colorum’ van because it is more convenient and cheaper,” she added, but these vans are not regulated, so safety cannot be guaranteed. This may also lead to the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Passengers heading towards destinations in North Luzon would have to pay more to get to San Fernando, Pampanga, or Baguio, with additional fares increasing up to 96%, cited the vice-president.

With commuters’ preference for colorum – Filipino slang for illegal public utility vehicles – vans, the income of workers in the legal transport sector will also be reduced, Ms. Robredo said. “During a pandemic, the solution is to first let provincial buses enter Metro Manila and use their respective terminals.”

The vice-president also appealed for the government to provide support to the transport sector by providing subsidies and extending credit lines, given the limitations in the carrying capacity of PUVs.

BILATERAL LABOR AGREEMENTS

Meanwhile, during an online meeting with Filipinos overseas, Ms. Robredo said she plans to enter into more bilateral labor agreements with countries hosting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to ensure their protection.

Speaking to the OFWs about her plans should she be elected president, she added that, “We will also ensure that the existing bilateral agreements are properly implemented,” noting countries in the Middle East where most contract violations occur.

She also plans to form an inter-agency task force that will handle the reintegration of OFWs who seek to return to the country. There will also be a coordinated stepladder program based on best practices, she added, saying that skills training will help returning OFWs find better jobs.

A one-stop migration resource center or a hub to ensure families left behind by OFWs stay connected and are provided for by the government, will also be made under a Robredo leadership she said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Retired SC Justice Minita Chico-Nazario, 82

February 18, 2022 | 6:45 pm

Retired-Justice-Minita-V.-Chico-Nazario-Passes-Away2 — Supreme Court Website https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/24564/

Former Supreme Court (SC) Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario, the first Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan to be promoted to the High Court, passed away on Wednesday night at the age of 82.

“The Supreme Court and the entire Judiciary join the loved ones of the late Hon. Justice Minita V. Chico-Nazario in mourning her death,” SC Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said in a statement posted on the SC website on Friday.

“Justice Nazario will always be remembered as one of those who broke barriers in the history of the Philippine Judiciary,” Mr. Gesmundo added.

Ms. Nazario was the first female magistrate and presiding justice of the anti-graft court to have been appointed to the High Court.

She worked in government for 47 years, and served as an associate justice of the SC from 2004-to 2009.

She was appointed to the Sandiganbayan in 1993, and a decade later became its presiding justice.

Ms. Nazario brought judicial reforms to both the High Court and the anti-graft court where she improved the hospitalization and health benefits of its employees.

Ms. Nazario was a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, graduating in the same class as retired SC Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno in 1962. In 1988, she was admitted to the New York State Bar.

Born in San Miguel, Bulacan, on Dec. 5, 1939, she was married to the late Rod Nazario and is survived by her three children. — John Victor D. Ordonez

Balai Ni Fruitas files for P309-million IPO

February 18, 2022 | 6:38 pm

https://www.balainifruitas.com/

By Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte, Reporter

Balai Ni Fruitas, Inc., which operates a chain of bakeries and juice shops, is planning a P309.38-million initial public offering (IPO) next month to fund its expansion plans and for potential acquisitions.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the subsidiary of Fruitas Holdings, Inc. filed its registration statement on Feb. 17.

Balai will be offering as much as 325 million primary common shares. Meanwhile, its parent firm, Fruitas Holdings, will be selling 50 million secondary common shares, along with an overallotment option of up to 37.5 million common shares.

IPO shares will be priced up to 75 centavos apiece. According to its prospectus dated Dec. 27, 2021, the final price will be set on March 7.

“The Company will not receive any proceeds from the offer of the secondary shares and option shares,” Balai said.

Balai may raise up to P243.8 million in gross proceeds from the sale of 325 million primary common shares. The company may net up to P220.4 million from its IPO.

“The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offer for the store network expansion, commissary set-up and potential acquisition opportunities of the Company,” Balai said.

Majority or 81.8% of its proceeds worth P180.4 million will be used for its store network expansion. The company aims to open 120 new owned stores in Metro Manila and “selected urban areas” across the country until the end of next year.

The company owns bakery chain Balai Pandesal, Buko ni Fruitas, and Fruitas House of Desserts. Buko ni Fruitas offers fresh coconut drinks, while Fruitas House of Dessert serves fruit shakes and desserts.

“Vast majority of the stores to be opened from 2022-2023 are anticipated to carry the Balai Pandesal brand. Moreover, the Company also expects to expand the footprint of its other existing brands and future acquisitions which will depend on, among others, market opportunities and commercial considerations,” Balai said.

Balai plans to allocate P20 million for its plans to set up commissaries in 2022, while another P20 million will be used to acquire other baked goods brands.

“The Company’s potential target acquisitions will be geared towards broadening its baked goods product offering and/or adding sales channels. The Company is still in the early stages of evaluating these options and there are no definitive agreements signed,” Balai said.

In a statement in December, Fruitas Holdings President and Chief Executive Officer Lester C. Yu said it decided to take Balai public due to the “significant growth prospects of the bakery sector.”

Balai plans to conduct its offer period from March 16 to 22, while its tentative listing date at the small, medium, and emerging board of the Philippine Stock Exchange is set on March 30. The company has yet to decide on its stock symbol.

The company tapped First Metro Investment Corp. as the transaction’s issue manager, bookrunner, and underwriter.

CREIT moves listing date to Feb. 22

February 18, 2022 | 6:33 pm

By Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte, Reporter

Citicore Energy REIT Corp. (CREIT) has finalized its listing date to Feb. 22, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) published in a listing notice on Friday.

The company was supposed to make its market debut on Feb. 17.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, CREIT and its joint global coordinators said they had to delay the company’s listing at the PSE because the volume of transactions “affected the timely completion of the lodgment of the IPO (initial public offering) shares with the Philippine Depositary and Trust Corp.”

CREIT said almost 20,000 investors participated in its P6.4-billion IPO.

The company and its sponsor Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) sold a total 2.509 billion shares for P2.55 per share.

CREIT said all shares allocated for its institutional tranche, trading participants, and for local small investors (LSIs) were oversubscribed.

The demand for CREIT’s 218.182 million-shares LSI tranche alone reached 270.745 million shares, an oversubscription of 124.09%.

CREIT will be the first real estate investment trust (REIT) to list on the PSE with an energy-focused portfolio.

CREIT sold 1.047 billion primary shares, while CREC sold 1.135 billion secondary shares and the 327.273 million common shares allotted for overallotment. The company plans to use proceeds from the sale of primary shares to acquire properties from the Citicore Group.

AllDay reports 28% increase in Q4 customer traffic

February 18, 2022 | 6:31 pm

AllDay Marts, Inc. said it saw a 28% annual increase in customer traffic in the fourth quarter last year, as more consumers became more comfortable shopping in stores as lockdown restrictions eased.

The Villar-led company said its AllDay stores usually see the peak of customer foot traffic in the fourth quarter, logging 40-50% more in profits during the period.

“AllDay’s fourth quarter store performance, particularly store footfall, is an indication of the quickening pace of the country’s return to normal, as well as continued validation of our unique supermarket concept and experience,” AllDay Chairman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

“We are seeing consumers regain their confidence to again frequent our stores and the unique experiences they offer—a distinct and key advantage of AllDay Supermarket,” he added.

The government placed Metro Manila and other areas under a more relaxed Alert Level 2 from November to December, as the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) declined. While Alert Level 3 was raised in January amid a Omicron-driven surge in new infections, the Philippine capital region is back to Alert Level 2 until end of February.

AllDay currently has 35 stores in areas such as Alabang, Bacolod, Bataan, Sto Tomas in Batangas, C5 Extension, Cabanatuan, Cauayan, Dasmarinas, Evia Lifestyle Center, General Trias, Imus, Isabela, Iloilo, Kawit, Las Piñas, Libis, Molino, Eastlake in Muntinlupa, Malolos, Naga, Nomo, Pampanga, Shaw, Silang, Sta. Maria, Salawag, Santiago, Sta. Rosa, Taguig, Talisay, and Tanza,

AllDay aims to have a store network with 45 branches by the end of the year.

The company also has its own e-commerce platform, which can be accessed through www.allday.com.ph.

“The uptick in AllDay Supermarket store footfall is a validation of our strategy that brings an innovative and elevated supermarket experience closer and closer to Filipino communities that are simply hungry for better experiences,” AllDay Vice Chairman Camille A. Villar said.

“Combined with consumers’ confidence in the governments’ sustained efforts to stem the pandemic through safety protocols and vaccination, we are confident in our optimistic outlook for the coming year,” she added.

The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker showed the country has inoculated 57% of its population, with nearly 61.63 million already fully vaccinated.

AllDay shares on Friday declined 1.82% or one centavo to close at 54 centavos each. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

PAL to add more seats on its Airbus planes

February 18, 2022 | 6:29 pm

Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) on Friday said it is working with Airbus to modify 15 of its aircraft to accommodate more passengers.

“Philippine Airlines believes that, as we exit the pandemic, our fleet restructuring strategy helps us to better adapt to changing market situations and ensure that we are well-positioned for recovery,” PAL Chief Financial Officer Nilo Thaddeus P. Rodriguez said in a statement on Friday.

Under the cabin modification agreement, Airbus will add more seats to PAL’s 11 A320 aircraft, two A330-300s, and two A350-900s.

This means the A320 planes will have 24 extra seats, bringing the total seat count to 180. PAL said this configuration “suits the airline’s requirements for short-haul inter-island domestic routes.”

There will be 50 added seats for the A330s, which will bring the total seat count to 359.

The A350s will have 18 more seats for a total of 313 seats, “which still preserves the roomy cabin layout and passenger-friendly experience that PAL Business Class and Economy Class travellers enjoy on the A350’s long-haul routes.”

“Our aircraft deployment decisions and related technical support arrangements are tailored for a restructured network that suits a vastly different global environment,” Mr. Rodriguez said.

PAL is also extending its ‘Flight Hour Services’ material program with Airbus to cover more of its fleet.

“Airbus has its customers’ interests at heart and works closely with them to propose flexible material solutions that meet their needs. We are pleased that PAL recognizes the significant savings and operational performance which Airbus can bring with FHS, extending the current arrangement to their A330 and A321 Family fleets,” Anand Stanley, president of Airbus Asia-Pacific, said in a statement.