Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 6943

Palace lukewarm on Bayanihan III; funds limited

THE third Bayanihan stimulus law proposed by Congress is not necessary for now, the President’s spokesman said, noting the need to allow previous economic packages to run their course as well as the uncertainty of funding another multi-billion peso revival measure.

“Sa totoo lang po ang passage ng bills ay also dependent on the availability of funds. So titingnan po natin kung kailangan talaga ‘yan at may possible fund sources (The truth of it is that all bills are dependent on the availability of funds, so we will need to study whether a new round of stimulus is necessary and can be funded),” Spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr., said at a televised briefing Tuesday.

Speaker Lord Allan Q. Velasco and Marikina Representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo earlier filed House Bill No. 8031, which if passed will become the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act (Bayanihan III). It provides for a third round of stimulus measures worth P420 billion, significantly larger than the amounts eventually approved for Bayanihan I, signed in March, and Bayanihan II, which became law in September.

Mr. Roque called the current stimulus measures sufficient, including the P4.5-trillion national budget, which is focused on reviving the economy. 

He also noted that President Rodrigo R. Duterte extended the effectivity of Bayanihan II, more formally known as Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. The package, worth up to P165 billion to fund the response to the pandemic, had originally been due to expire on Dec. 19.

Separately, the head of the government’s vaccine procurement and distribution effort, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., said he welcomed measures that facilitate the procurement and import of vaccines.

“Iyong mga kailangan po natin na mga law na maipasa para matulungan po tayo na mapabilis po ‘yung pagpunta po dito ng vaccine (What we need right now are laws that expedite the arrival of vaccines),” he said at a televised meeting of Cabinet officials late Monday, in remarks quoted by a Palace statement, in which he thanked Congress for the effort to legislate Bayanihan III. 

He specifically cited provisions in the Bayanihan III bill to indemnify vaccine recipients that suffer from side effects after being administered their shots and to grant vaccine imports tax and duty exemptions. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Speaker says third stimulus enjoys broad support in House

A MAJORITY of the membership of the House of Representatives supports the proposed third Bayanihan economic stimulus package worth P420 billion, Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco said.

In a statement Tuesday, Mr. Velasco said House Bill No. 8628 or the proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act is backed by 162 members, including those belonging to the supermajority, minority and independent blocs.

The proposed P420-billion package is designed to help the economy recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It was filed last week by the Speaker and Marikina City 2nd District Representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo.

Among the bill’s supporters is Albay 2nd District Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, who cited the bill’s provisions aiding businesses and individuals.

“In the pursuit of an economic rebound, restoring public trust and confidence in social and economic institutions is essential… Thus, it is important that the government take the lead in promoting business confidence and social welfare through increased, well-targeted spending,” he said in a statement.

Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan said in a statement that the bill addresses the needs of sectors whose recovery is crucial.

“The sectors that will benefit from the interventions provided for in the bill are well-targeted, which provides an assurance that the proposed funds won’t go to waste and… will surely help the economy recover from COVID-19,” she said.

The third Bayanihan package includes P108 billion for social amelioration program assistance to families affected by the pandemic; P100 billion for capacity-building of establishments from critically impacted industries; P70 billion for capacity-building for workers in the agriculture; and P52 billion for subsidies to help small businesses retain their employees.

The fund also lists P30 billion for the labor department’s programs for the unemployed; P30 billion for internet expenses for educational institutions; and P5 billion for the rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas.

The first Bayanihan package, the Bayanihan to Health as One Act, was signed on March 2020. It gave President Rodrigo R. Duterte special powers to realign the 2020 budget for programs worth P275 billion to address the government’s immediate needs in response to the initial lockdown, including assistance to poor families. The second Bayanihan law, the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, was signed in September and was valued at P140 billion, supplemented by about P20.5 in additional funding subject to availability.

Separately, 30 legislators signed House Resolution No. 1558, which called for an investigation into the use of Bayanihan II funds. AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon L. Garin said only P76.2 billion from the second package was released as of November. She called further delays in utilizing the funds a “disservice” to the country.

“The pandemic is now only a month shy from reaching its first year and the country is still reeling from the impact of an economic nosedive. If we don’t act on this, the economic revival we all hope for will not materialize,” she said. — Gillian M. Cortez

China demand for PHL nickel strong if Indonesia ban stays

DEMAND FOR Philippine nickel ore will remain high in China if Indonesia maintains its nickel export ban, industry officials said Monday.

“As long as Indonesia keeps its nickel export ban, demand for Philippine nickel ore from China’s NPI (nickel pig iron) plants will remain strong,” Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) Vice-President for Communications Rocky G. Dimaculangan told BusinessWorld in a mobile message.

Indonesia banned nickel ore exports last year to help develop a domestic processing industry, which would allow it to capture more value-added from ore rather than exporting the ore to be processed in China.

As early as April 2020, S&P Global Market Intelligence noted that China had grown more dependent on the Philippines to supply nickel laterite ore for its NPI producers in the “absence of nickel ore from Indonesia.”

According to Mr. Dimaculangan, the main driver of nickel prices will be electric vehicles, with the global price benchmark set at the London Metal Exchange (LME). 

“Given the growing demand for nickel from the electric vehicle market, LME nickel prices (are) expected to remain strong,” he said. 

On Tuesday, COMP said it expects gold prices to “remain close to or even above 2020 levels” this year. 

“We anticipate central banks and governments to sustain their high monetary and deficit-spending stimulus programs even as economies slowly recover from the COVID pandemic following the worldwide vaccinations,” Mr. Dimaculangan said. — Angelica Y. Yang

Import quota panel backs plan to increase pork, hog imports 

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday that a council which helps determine quotas for imports entitled to tariff rates under the minimum access volume (MAV) system has backed its plan to import more pork.

It said the MAV Advisory Council “endorsed” the DA’s plan to raise import volumes entitled to MAV tariff rates, as the government scrambles to increase the pork supply and contain inflation following drastic reductions to the domestic hog population in Luzon due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said at a briefing that the council recently endorsed expanding the MAV allocation for pork to 388,790 metric tons (MT) from 54,000 MT, more than double than the DA’s original proposal of 162,000 MT.

Imports beyond MAV quotas must pay a 40% tariff, or 10 percentage points more than the imports within the quota.

The advisory council’s endorsement has yet to be discussed by the MAV management committee, which is chaired by the DA with representatives from the Departments of Trade and Industry, Finance, and Agrarian Reform, Mr. Dar said. 

Any increase in the import quota would authorize traders and hog raisers to import both live hogs and pork products, he said. 

Mr. Dar said a proposal to further lower tariffs on pork for one year is now pending at the Tariff Commission.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura Chairperson Rosendo O. So, who was invited to speak at the briefing, said: “There is no reason to lower the tariff on pork imports” because “importers can make money with the current tariffs.”

“Even with cold storage fees and delivery fees, importers can make money,” he said, noting that importers have no complaints about the current tariff.

Mr. Dar said the DA is currently extending zero-interest working-capital loans to vendors’ associations in public markets in the National Capital Region, to help them deal with the surge in pork prices.

The market vendors’ financing program allows vendors’ associations to borrow up to P5 million, payable in three to five years. 

The program, which will be administered by the DA’s Agricultural Credit and Policy Council, will enable vendors to buy hogs directly from hog raisers in the countryside “and sell these at reasonable prices to consumers in Metro Manila,” Mr. Dar said in a statement. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Hospitality industry seeking gov’t clearance to stage weddings, events

HOSPITALITY-INDUSTRY professionals are asking the government to loosen its restrictions on events like weddings, noting that hosting such events would help make up for the weak rates which the industry is currently charging.

The Organization of Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) said establishments like hotels need the additional revenue sources to survive the lockdown.

“Occupancy percentage levels may be high for some hotels but this should not be construed as a (positive) situation. Rates extended to this market segment (are) way below the usual rate — some almost just break even,” the group said in a letter to the Tourism department Saturday.

“Total revenue generated may just be enough to sustain operating costs of the hotels and pay the salaries of our employees,” the group said.

The government currently allows restaurants and other venues within hotel premises to host such events, subject to restrictions, though standalone event venues and hotels used as quarantine facilities may not do so. Venues that are allowed to hold events are limited to activities like workshops, seminars, and trade shows up to 30% capacity.

Hotels have been suffering from the loss of business due to the quarantine, with the most prominent casualty so far, the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, which announced a temporarily shutdown beginning this month.

HSMA proposed health and safety guidelines to facilitate the staging of more events, including the segregation of guests in quarantine accommodations from event guests via separate access to public areas, elevators, and entrances.

HSMA also said many venues have large spaces that would allow for physical distancing.

The World Health Organization last year said that organizers of small public gatherings should brief guests about precautionary measures, choose outdoor spaces when possible, minimize crowding by staggering arrivals, and provide hygiene supplies.

“Cancelling a planned event is an option that should always be considered, especially in case of non-essential events or when precautions cannot be implemented or adequately communicated,” it said.

HSMA members represent 150 hotels. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Accreditation proposed for auto repair shops, freight forwarder, DTI says

AUTO REPAIR shops and freight forwarders may be required to seek accreditation as a consumer protection measure, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

The DTI held an online hearing last week to consider the proposal, which contemplates the issuance of “seal of approval” signage on the premises of such businesses.

In a statement Tuesday, the DTI said the signage could feature a government logo and a quick response code.

The potential rule would apply to freight forwarding services and motor vehicle repair and services.

The rule could apply to businesses servicing heavy equipment, electrical, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, medical and dental equipment, other consumer mechanical and industrial equipment, and engines, as well as engineering services businesses.

One segment that could be required to seek accreditation is businesses servicing consumer products, as defined by the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau Director Ronnel O. Abrenica said that the signage, also known as a “plate of recognition,” can be taken by consumers as a sign that the service provider underwent government accreditation.

“This will also help business establishments in promoting fair and quality service to consumers while building consumer confidence in the area,” Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Remittances seen rising with simplified fund-transfer rules — ADB

COUNTRIES that depend on remittances such as the Philippines need to simplify their money transfer rules and embrace innovation to ease the burden on migrant workers trying to send money home during a crisis, experts at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said. 

In a blog post, economists Aiko Kikkawa Takenaka, Kijin Kim and Raymond Gaspar at the ADB’s Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department said the resiliency of remittance inflows in the last year demonstrated how key policy interventions and digital solutions helped ease the transfer of money during the pandemic.

Migrant workers still managed to send money back home when lockdowns made it difficult to carry money home when borders closed.

“The diversion of remittance money from informal channels may have led to the surge in recorded remittances, and could possibly be covering a fall in total remittances,” according to the blog, published under the title “Despite the pandemic, remittances have kept flowing home to Asia’s families.”

However, the analysts said systems need to be improved further.

“The pandemic has underscored the key role of policy and regulatory frameworks in the functioning of remittance markets in times of crisis. Rules and procedures for remittance transfer could be simplified and made less costly for low-risk accounts,” they said.

“New business models and partnerships could foster mobile money and other branchless banking, lowering capital and bond requirements as well as full banking licenses for money transfer operators,” they added.

They noted that the countercyclical nature of remittances also kept funds flows strong last year, particularly in host-country markets that reopened their economies.

In the Philippines, the analysts cited a survey by WorldRemit which found that 84% of a sample of over 3,000 overseas workers expressed their intent to send the usual amount or even more during the 2020 holiday season. The survey queried workers in the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

Cash remittances dropped 0.8% to $27.013 billion in the first 11 months of 2020, according to central bank data.

Remittances remained strong in other recipient countries as well last year, with the economists tracing the resilience to policies and social assistance enacted by both host and origin countries during the crisis. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Farmers call for irrigation upgrades tailored to growing areas

UPGRADES to irrigation systems must be preceded by studies that evaluate the suitability of the works to the growing area, farmers said.

Raul Q. Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers said the design of any given irrigation system must also include interventions like extension services, access to technology, and crop insurance.

“The proper approach is to inspect the area first to see what potential crops can be planted and what kind of water requirement is needed to know what irrigation system is suitable,” Mr. Montemayor said during the virtual launch of a book on irrigation by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies on Jan. 28.

Mr. Montemayor said crop diversification is crucial to improving farmer incomes. 

According to Mr. Montemayor, there is a tendency for irrigation projects to overestimate the system’s potential for obtaining financing, noting that the size of harvestable land area keeps dropping despite government planning for new irrigation systems.

Mr. Montemayor added that the government should explore improving water management and cost-effective irrigation technologies, and to involve farmers in the design process.

“It will be the farmers who will make the system effective; They can also damage it if they do not take care of it. So, we really have to involve them from the start,” Mr. Montemayor said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Peso closes flat vs dollar on stimulus, Wall Street

The peso closed flat versus the greenback on Tuesday on gains in US stocks and hopes of the passage of a bigger stimulus package under US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

The local unit closed at P48.049 per dollar on Tuesday, nearly unchanged from its P48.046 finish on Monday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso started Tuesday’s trading session at P48.06 versus the dollar, which was also its weakest showing for the day. Meanwhile, its strongest intraday level was at P48.04 against the greenback.

Dollars traded dropped to $357.6 million on Tuesday from the $513.05 million seen on Monday.

The peso barely moved versus the dollar on Wall Street’s gains, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a text message.

Wall Street reached all-time closing highs on Monday as investor optimism was stoked by prospects of a speedier economic recovery from the global health crisis, driven by increased stimulus and an accelerated vaccine rollout, Reuters reported.

All three major US stock indexes gained ground, with the S&P 500 and the Dow posting their sixth consecutive gains, their longest winning streak since August. Small-caps, set to benefit most from the economic rebound, outperformed their larger peers.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said if Congress approves the president’s $1.9-trillion fiscal aid package, the United States could return to full employment next year.

That package came closer to passage on Friday when lawmakers approved a budget outline that would enable Democrats to muscle it through Congress without Republican support.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 237.52 points or 0.76% to 31,385.76; the S&P 500 gained 28.76 points or 0.74% to 3,915.59; and the Nasdaq Composite added 131.35 points or 0.95% to 13,987.64.

Meanwhile, a trader said peso-dollar trading on Tuesday showed that investors are waiting on the sidelines for the legislation of a proposed $1.9-trillion stimulus package in the United States.

This Wednesday, Mr. Ricafort expects the peso to move within the P48.04 to P48.07 per dollar while the trader gave a forecast range of P48 to P48.10. — LWTN with Reuters

Shares improve on vaccine news, Wall St.’s rise

PHILIPPINE shares ended in positive territory on Tuesday as market sentiment improved on the expected arrival of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in the country and on the strong performance of US markets.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) improved 41.07 points or 0.58% to close at 7,065.55, while the broader all shares index rose 17.36 points or 0.41% to 4,249.93.

Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Claire T. Alviar said in a mobile phone message that the market improved on optimism about the government’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

“The market cheered the news about the arrival of the much-awaited COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility. In line with this is the rollout, which is expected to start next week. Given this, hopes for economic recovery are growing,” Ms. Alviar said.

The country is expecting the arrival of 117,000 doses of the vaccine created by Pfizer/BioNTech this month through the COVAX facility — a global initiative to safeguard equal access to vaccines among nations.

Timson Securities, Inc. Head of Online Trading Darren Blaine T. Pangan said the PSEi’s close on Tuesday came on the back of the positive performance of US markets.

“The market managed to push even higher today as investors took cues from the US markets’ strong performance last night, as hopes over coronavirus vaccines’ rollout and a possible stimulus from the US government continue to affect sentiment positively,” Mr. Pangan said in a text message on Tuesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite rose 0.76%, 0.74%, and 0.95%, respectively, overnight after US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the country can return to full employment in 2022 if the US Congress approves the proposed $1.9-trillion fiscal aid package.

Back home, sectoral indices at the PSE closed mixed. Holding firms increased 105.29 points or 1.47% to 7,232.51; services gained 6.47 points or 0.43% to 1,504.74; and financials went up 4.91 points or 0.33% to 1,493.26.

Meanwhile, property declined 15.41 points or 0.43% to 3,572.28; mining and oil retreated 25.27 points or 0.28% to 8,991.77; and industrials lost 25 points or 0.27% to 9,196.63.

Advancers beat decliners, 127 against 104, while 40 names ended unchanged.

Value turnover on Tuesday reached P12.27 billion with 30.44 billion issues switching hands, an increase from the P10.43 billion with 29.55 billion issues seen the previous day.

Net foreign buying amounted to P532.56 million, a turnaround from the net outflows worth P20.74 million seen on Monday.

“As we move away from its nearest support at 6,600, we may have to see if the 7,300 resistance area will be reached towards the end of the week,” Mr. Pangan said.

Military to keep order in vaccine drive — Duterte

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered the military and police to keep order as the government starts vaccinating Filipinos against the coronavirus next week.

The President during a televised meeting with officials leading the fight against the pandemic on Monday night also asked communist rebels not to hamper the transport of vaccines nationwide.

The rebels should allow the vaccines “to be transported freely and safely,” Mr. Duterte said. “It would be nice to see the military and police also helping out.”

He said police stations and military camps could be used as vaccination sites in the countryside. Public schools and gymnasiums will also be used as vaccination facilities, he added.

Vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said military hospitals would be used as vaccination centers for soldiers and their families.

The Communist Party of the Philippines in a statement said the New People’s Army, its armed wing, would ensure COVID-19 are given “a humanitarian corridor for safe and unimpeded passage in guerrilla bases and zones.”

But the Maoist group said the Philippine Red Cross and other civilian humanitarian agencies should be the ones to handle the transportation and distribution of vaccines, not the military.

“It’s better that COVID-19 vaccines are not transported in military vehicles, especially those which are not properly marked and carrying armed soldiers,” it said.

It also accused the military of carrying out combat and psywar operations behind the veil of implementing coronavirus restrictions.

Presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque, Jr. ignored the suggestion, saying the government does not listen to the advice of a terrorist group.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Cirilito E. Sobejana said the military is ready to deploy soldiers to help in the vaccination drive. All land, air, and water assets of the military would be used, he added.

“We will actively aid the Department of Health (DoH) in our vaccination rollout considering that we are strategically deployed,” he told a televised briefing in Filipino.

The first batch of vaccines developed by Pfizer, Inc. is expected to arrive this month.

DoH reported 1,235 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 540,227. The death toll rose by 65 to 11,296, while recoveries increased by 53 to 499,764, it said in a bulletin.

There were 29,167 active cases, 88.6% were mild, 5.5% did not show symptoms, 2.7% were critical, 2.6% were severe and 0.61% were moderate.

The DoH said three duplicates had been removed from the tally, while 59 recovered cases were reclassified as deaths. Eight laboratories failed to submit their data on Feb. 8.

More than 7.6 million Filipinos have been tested for the coronavirus as of Feb. 7, according to DoH’s tracker website.

The coronavirus has sickened about 107 million and killed about 2.3 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

About 78.9 million people have recovered, it said.

Meanwhile Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said the Pfizer vaccines would also be given other health institutions including facilities in Davao and Cebu.

The vaccines would also be sent to coronavirus referral hospitals, big hospitals in local governments and five private hospitals in Metro Manila, she told CNN Philippines.

DoH earlier said workers at referral hospitals Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, East Avenue Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium would be prioritized for vaccine shots.

The Philippines expects to take delivery of at least 5.6 million doses of vaccines from Pfizer, Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc this quarter under a global initiative for equal access.

At least 117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines are expected to arrive in the middle of the month.

Mr. Galvez on Sunday said the government could vaccinate as many as 70 million citizens by yearend.

The vaccination target might have to be delayed until the middle of next year in case of supply shortage.

Meanwhile, Speaker Lord Allan Q. Velasco has filed a resolution urging the government to boost health monitoring by creating a “unified national contact tracing protocol.”

The protocol should allow the state to transmit encrypted data and provide real-time data to accredited contact tracing apps.

He also called for a centralized data system. “There is poor interconnection and data sharing between solution providers and the central database maintained by the Department of Health, Mr. Velasco said. — with Gillian M. Cortez

Duterte vows to block ABS-CBN operations if it gets franchise

Duterte says he won’t allow ABS-CBN Corp. to operate even with franchise.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday night said he would bar ABS-CBN Corp. from using free TV and radio frequencies even if it gets a fresh franchise from Congress.

During a televised meeting on Monday night, the President said he would ensure that the media giant, which is critical of his government, does not get a permit to operate from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Mr. Duterte said he does not have a problem with lawmakers restoring ABS-CBN’s franchise. “But I will now allow them to operate.”

A House of Representatives body in July rejected ABS-CBN’s franchise application, in what critics see as a grievous assault on press freedom.

Voting 70 to 11, members of the committee on legislative franchises denied the 25-year extension plea, saying the media giant was “undeserving.”

Human Rights Watch said not since the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos shut down ABS-CBN and other media outlets in 1972 has a single government act caused so much damage to media freedom.

It said the House rejection solidified the tyranny of Mr. Duterte, who had accused ABS-CBN of being biased against him and politically targeted it for refusing to toe the government’s line and criticizing his war on drugs.

On Monday, Mr. Duterte said the network should first settle its unpaid obligations to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). He has said the network had P1.6 billion worth of loans in 2006 that the state lender supposedly condoned.

Unless and until the Lopez family, which controls the company, pays their taxes, “I will ignore your franchise and I will not give them the license to operate,” the President said.

Granting the Lopez family a franchise to operate is like “giving them a prize for committing criminal acts,” he added.

Lopez Holdings Corp., the network’s parent company, earlier said it does not owe any state financial institutions.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier said the broadcaster had been regularly paying its taxes.

Critics have said the issue of ABS-CBN’s franchise had become both personal and political. Mr. Duterte had openly harbored a grudge against the broadcaster.

In 2017, he accused ABS-CBN of swindling after it refused to run political ads he had paid for during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Mr. Duterte had also criticized the broadcaster for airing news stories about his alleged secret bank accounts. He said he would block the renewal of the company’s franchise if he had his way.

“I will not let it pass,” he said in 2018. “Your franchise will end. You know why? Because you are thieves.”

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility on Feb. 11 called the case against the network a “dangerous attempt to control and silence free press.”

The tough-talking Mr. Duterte had on numerous occasions unleashed a stream of profanity against dissenting journalists whom he accused of bias and unfair reporting.

Journalists have also been targeted by Mr. Duterte’s Facebook supporters — known bloggers with huge followings and who have fiercely defended him and his policies.

Mr. Duterte has slammed media outlets such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN and Rappler for criticizing his government, particularly his war on drugs that has killed thousands of suspected pushers. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

1...6,9426,9436,944...12,676Page 6,943 of 12,676
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube