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BSP to conduct maiden consumer payments survey

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will conduct its maiden consumer payments survey (CPS) to gauge online transactions among Filipinos in line with its target to turn the country into a cash-lite economy.

“The CPS is a national survey which seeks to measure the actual use of digital payments nationwide by individual consumers aged 15 years old and above,” the BSP said in a statement on Tuesday.

The survey will be conducted this quarter, the central bank said.

The BSP said Kantar Philippines, Inc. will conduct the survey operations.

“All necessary precautions will be taken by the BSP to continuously safeguard the privacy of the survey data. All information collected will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and used exclusively for policy formulation purposes,” the central bank said.

“Equally important, the CPS survey will be conducted with utmost adherence to established health protocols. Visits by Kantar researchers to selected households around the country will also be coordinated with local government authorities to ensure safety.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority had cleared the conduct of the BSP survey in February.

Among the objectives of the survey is to gauge influences on consumers’ payment preference and to set a baseline for tracking the National Retail Payment System in terms of volume and value.

Payment schemes covered by the study will include hard cash, check, ATM/debit cards, credit cards, prepaid cards and electronic money.

The survey will also look into the socio-demographic characteristics of household consumers; preferences and ownership of payment instruments; volume and value of transactions recorded in various payment schemes; and consumers’ awareness, usage, and future use cases for institution facilities. The study will also cover consumer views and preferences on virtual currencies.

The central bank wants 50% of transactions in terms of volume and value done digitally by 2023. Due to the increase in online payments amid the coronavirus pandemic, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said this goal could be reached as early as 2022.

E-payments in the country have been gaining traction as 10% of the total transaction volume in 2018 was done digitally, climbing from a mere 1% in 2013, a study by Better than Cash Alliance showed. By value, online transactions increased to 10% of the total in 2018 from 8% in 2013.

The BSP also aims to have 70% of Filipino adults already owning a formal financial account by 2023. Only 29% of adult Filipinos owned an account with a financial institution at end-2019, leaving some 51.2 million unbanked. — LWTN

Philippine Infradev swings to loss as revenues drop in third quarter

PHILIPPINE Infradev Holdings, Inc. on Tuesday reported a net loss attributable to parent equity holders of P779,527 for the third quarter, reversing net earnings of P2.27 billion a year ago.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange, the company said its revenues for the third quarter totaled P17.29 million, down 99.5% from the P3.26 billion it generated in the same period last year.

The company’s total expenses for the period declined 10.8% to P18.54 million from P20.78 million.

Philippine Infradev’s non-operating income dropped 49.2% to P234,338. Its non-operating expenses likewise declined 32.3% to P24,531.

These brought the company’s total revenues for the nine-month period to P32.44 million, 99% lower than last year’s P3.32 billion. It swung to a net loss of P27.26 million for the same period, a reversal from last year’s attributable net income of P2.27 billion.

The company’s total expenses for the nine months through September reached P59.70 million, 23.6% lower than last year’s figure.

It posted a nine-month, non-operating income of P1.16 million, a 28.3% decline from last year’s P1.62 million. Non-operating expenses for the period dropped 42.7% to P82,613.

Philippine Infradev is building a $3.5-billion subway that will traverse the central business district of Makati City. The project will have 10 stations across a 10-kilometer line.

It had signed a $1.21-billion engineering, procurement and construction contract with China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Co. Ltd. for the subway project.

Philippine Infradev shares closed 1.26% lower at P1.57 apiece on Tuesday. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Arts & Culture (11/18/20)

Ballet Philippines presents Sarong Banggi

AS PART of Philippine Classics Reimagined, Ballet Philippines (BP) presents the ballet Sarong Banggi on its BP OnStream platform. Sarong Bangi is a Ballet Philippines 46th season production featuring music by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.

Bayang Barrios in episode 5 of Muni-Muni

THE FILIPINAS Heritage Library and the OPM Archive present MUNI-MUNI STORIES: A Podcast on Filipino Music Episode 5: “Bayang Barrios | Malayo Man, Malapit Din.” The podcast will be released on Nov. 20, 6 p.m., on Spotify. In the episode, Bayang Barrios calls up memories that underpin two songs. Lodged in the featured song “Malayo Man, Malapit Din” is the longing for a friend overseas. The heart’s homeland doubles as she turns to “Katribo Ko,” dwelling on her Manobo roots in Agusan del Sur. As a songwriter, Barrios lends her thoughts on the legacy of the Metropop and PhilPop competitions, the former she won in 2003. More importantly, this episode highlights the space that indigenous people create through music, passing on their own anthems. For updates regarding the episode upload schedules, visit Filipinas Heritage Library and the OPM (Original Pilipino Music) Archive.

Webinar, workshop on home schooling, art

AS PART of the ongoing Art Express: CCP Children’s Biennale, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Arts Education Department will be hosting a webinar on Nov. 20, 4 p.m., with Prof. Katherine Claudette A. Tandoc, also known as Teacher Claude, who will share insights on how parents can overcome the challenges of the new educational set-up and how children can get most out of it. The webinar will be live streamed via the Batang Sining and CCP Facebook pages. Before the webinar, there will be an Arts and Parents workshop, facilitated by Nikki Junia, on the same day, at 3 p.m., streaming live at the Batang Sining and CCP Facebook pages. Ms. Junia will discuss parenting and the role of arts in the holistic development of children. Parents will get the chance to ask questions on how to develop art appreciation among children and how to engage them in artmaking. The workshop and the webinar are parts of the CCP Children’s Biennale, ongoing until Nov. 29. For more information, visit the CCP website www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and follow the CCP and Batang Sining Facebook pages.

Portfolio sale to support artists

Art enthusiasts Giorgio Guglielmino and Hugo Bunzl in partnership with The Drawing Room, launched an art project celebrating Filipino talent. They produced a portfolio titled “2020” containing 10 original photographs, each numbered and signed, by 10 of the most talented artists/photographers in the Philippines. The portfolio, in an edition of 33 copies, will be sold through the Drawing Room Gallery and with the sales, five Filipino artists will receive each one a grant of P300,000. The five awardees will be chosen by an independent panel among the names that each artist participating in the project will submit. With the collaboration of Angel Velasco Shaw and the facilities of Pioneer Studios for the production, the works in the portfolio tackle the struggles Filipinos are facing during the current health crisis and represent an insight on the works of the following participating artists: At Maculangan, Gina Osterloh, Kawayan de Guia, Kiri Dalena, Manny Montelibano, Neal Oshima, Paul Pfeiffer, Poklong Anading, Wawi Navarroza, and Yason Banal. For more information about the exhibition project, please e-mail ailene@a-listconsulting.com.

Shelter Fund launches a new print sale called Print Jam 2020.

SILVER, the printing arm of Shutterspace Studios will be holding one of the largest photographs and art sales this month. The Shelter Fund initiative that started during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period of May and June provided much-needed assistance to over 300 local artists and photographers through selling their works online. As the effects of the pandemic have extended beyond the ECQ, Shelter Fund is once again mobilizing by launching Print Jam 2020. Print Jam 2020 is featuring over 500 new, original, and signed artworks for sale from 200 local artists, illustrators, and photographers. All prints are produced using archival-grade materials and processes with options for framing as well. With an improved website, all print orders including framing can be conveniently made with secure payments via PayPal at www.shelterfund.ph. Print Jam 2020 is ongoing until Nov. 20. Follow them on Instagram: @shelterfundph.

Webinar on culture, art in the pandemic

INDUSTRY experts will answer the question “What becomes of the Filipino artists and the industry in a world without physical spaces of community?” in a webinar entitled Now What? Conversations on Arts and Culture. The talk is hosted by Benilde Arts Management (BeAM) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts (SDA). Speakers are Geraldine Araneta, the co-founder of Art Fair Philippines and Art in the Park, Head of the Visual Arts Committee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and academic adviser and former chairperson of Benilde Arts Management Program; Sandra Palomar-Quan, an arts management instructor at the SDA and fine arts teacher at the Foundation University in Negros Oriental; and marketing expert Bennet Dychangco, a resource person for marketing, branding and business pitching at the Philippine Trade Training Center, and contributing writer in the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. The webinar will be moderated by Arts Management Program Chairperson Alain Zedrick Camiling. They will discuss the impact of the pandemic in museums, theaters, performance venues and other cultural and creative hubs that have closed their doors since early this year. They will also tackle how the artists thrive despite the restrictions on public events and live theater productions through alternative and innovative creative platforms. They aim to equip the participants with the knowledge on marketing to boost their artistic careers in this time of crisis. Now What? Conversations on Arts and Culture will be conducted via Zoom on Nov. 21 and 22, 2 to 4:20 p.m. Admission is P50. Interested participants may register through this link: bit.ly/BeAMNWHT. For inquiries, visit the Program’s official Facebook account @BenildeArtsManagement or e-mail beam@benilde.edu.ph.

11th Kutitap for Indigenous Children goes online

IN CELEBRATION of the 2020 National Children’s Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) through its Cultural Exchange Department, in partnership with the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) and Sinukwan Kapampangan Training Center for the Arts, will hold the 11th Kutitap: Isang Piging ng Kabataang Makasining online from Nov. 23-28.  Kutitap aims to instill among Filipino children and youth a deep sense of understanding, appreciation and pride for Philippine arts, indigenous culture, as well as to promote creativity and positive social values. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the project has migrated online and will have for its theme “Mga Batang Makasining Para sa Isang Malusog at Malayang Kinabukasan” (Creative Children for a Healthy, Independent and Progressive Future).  In line with this theme, the program was specially designed to include sessions on indigenous food, games, folktales, music, dance, herbal medicine, film, and crafts. This year’s participants will be children ages 7-12 years old from the following 12 cultural communities:  Mindanao — Maguindanao, Tawi Tawi and Davao Oriental; Visayas — Ati of Iloilo, Antique & Aklan; Luzon — Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Laguna & National Capital Region — Quezon City, Manila and Marikina. For more information, check the CCP Cultural Exchange Department FB account and/or e-mail at ccp.ced2014@gmail.com

Cultural Thursdays returns

THE FRENCH Embassy and the Alliance Francaise de Manille bring back Les Jeudis Culturels, or Cultural Thursdays, with a virtual French classical music concert, Apres un reve (After a Dream) featuring cellist Kyongmin Nam and pianist Dingdong Fiel. They will perform works by French masters including Gabriel Faure, Claude Debussy, and Claude Bolling. The concert can be viewed for free on Nov. 26, 8 p.m., through the embassy’s Facebook page @frenchembassyph. A big part of French culture is its cuisine, so in connection with the concert, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry and The Tasting Club will be offering a “Dinner for a Cause,” a virtual degustation, prior to the concert at 7 p.m. A traditional French pairing menu has been developed by The Tasting Club, featuring beef burgundy, roast potatoes and carrots, chocolate mousse verrine, paired with red wine from Burgundy (AOC Santenay) which will be delivered to the participant’s doorstep for P1,200 (delivery fee not included). Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Life Project 4 Youth (LP4Y), a French-Filipino NGO dedicated to the professional and social integration of young adults living in extreme poverty.  Order the meal and sign up for the virtual degustation through this link: https://forms.gle/rRat2UrUnqPu9cB59.

Webinar tackles bayanihan and mutual support

THE CURATORS of the Philippine exhibition “Structures of Mutual Support” and experts in various disciplines will examine bayanihan and other iterations of mutual support practices in a webinar presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Office of Deputy Speaker and Congresswoman Loren Legarda through the Philippine Arts in Venice Biennale — PAVB (PAVB), and in partnership with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. “Structures of Mutual Support” is the Philippine Pavilion exhibition at the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale. The featured speakers are Sudarshan Khadka, Jr. and Alexander Eriksson Furunes, curators of the Philippine Pavilion of the 17th Venice Architecture Biennale; Nicole Curato, sociologist and associate professor for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance at the University of Canberra; Geog Bankoff, historical geographer, global and environmental historian, and disaster risk reduction specialist at the University of Hull; and, Leika Aruga, human rights law and gender equality specialist of the University of Utrecht. It will be moderated by architect Emmanuel Manny Miñana. It will be held live on Zoom and Facebook on Nov. 26, 4-6 p.m. Register at bit.ly/SOMSWebinar.

Sa Pagbabasa, Hindi ka Nag-iisa e-book launch   

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) through its Intertextual Division launches the e-book Sa Pababasa, Hindi Ka Nag-iisa on Nov. 27, 4 p.m., via the CCP and CCP Intertextual Division’s Facebook pages as part of the celebration of the CCP Children’s Biennale. The e-book contains a collection of children’s books, artworks for children, comics, and other artistic and literary works about health, COVID-19, and the value of cooperation created by Filipino writers, illustrators, and children from different regions of the country. In addition to the e-book launch, there will be a storytelling session of “Masama Bang Humiling Ng Isa Pang Araw?” a story written and illustrated by Oliver V. Arevalo of Olongapo City. His story is part of #KuwentongKalusugan, a project of the Department of Education’s Bureau of Learning Resources. Mr. Arevalo won the National Competition on Storybook Writing for his story “Di Biro.” The e-book will be offered to the general public for free. For more information, visit the CCP website www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.

Neo-Realist art, antiques at León Gallery’s auction

LEÓN Gallery’s yearend The Kingly Treasures Auction 2020 features masterpieces of Philippine fine art, antiques, and ephemera on Nov. 28, starting at 2 p.m. at Eurovilla 1, Legaspi corner Rufino Streets, Legazpi Village, Makati City. The e-catalogue and all the lots for auction can be viewed at https://en.calameo.com/read/00465630533a3ffe2e162. Top-billing the 155 lots are two works by National Artist H R Ocampo: Tempo Rubato (oil on canvas, 1949) and Homage to A Lady (oil on canvas, 1967). Other works from the 13 Moderns and the pioneers of Philippine Neo-Realism are Miners (oil on wood, 1979) by National Artist Cesar Legaspi; New York (oil on panel, 1951) by filmmaker-artist Ramon Estella; and, First Homage to Salvia (oil on canvas, 1954) by Victor Oteyza. The preview of The Kingly Treasures Auction 2020 runs from Nov. 21 to 27, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.leon-gallery.com, call 8856-2781 or e-mail info@leon-gallery.com.

Children’s book on saving whales to be launched

JANICE Lao-Noche, a dual environmental scientist and development economist, and her 10-year-old daughter, Esther, have written a book, Sparky & Benny’s Big Home Mystery, about climate change as seen through the eyes of two whale children who are finding out they are losing their homes. It is a personal story for children, parents and educators to understand what climate change is all about, and why it is personal to everyone. Their book is also about a story of hope — providing children a template on how they can help make a real difference with climate change. The book is published by US-based Wise Ink. The book will be launched on Nov. 29, 9 a.m. in the Philippines (Nov. 28 in the US,  8 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. PST), with the “Sparky and Benny Book Launch Party.” To join the book launch and #HelpSparkyAndBenny Save the Seas with Janice and Esther Lao Noche, RSVP at bit.ly/sparkybennyparty. To preview the book, visit its Amazon page at bit.ly/sparkybenny. For more information, visit www.janicelao.com.

How PSEi member stocks performed — November 17, 2020

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

Peso drops vs dollar on news of vaccine progress

THE PESO weakened versus the dollar on Tuesday despite news of progress in vaccine candidates against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and amid bargain hunting in the local stock market.

The local unit closed at P48.24 versus the dollar on Tuesday, declining by 1.5 centavos from its P48.225 finish on Monday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso opened Tuesday’s session at P48.20 against the dollar, which was also its intraday best. Meanwhile, it hit a low of P48.26 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded rose to $705.82 million on Tuesday from $565 million previously.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the peso weakened versus the dollar following the increase in global oil prices and improved sentiment on the back of vaccine hopes.

“The peso was slightly weaker after global oil prices recently went up amid better economic prospects on COVID-19 vaccines with Moderna,” Mr. Ricafort said in a text message.

Moderna, Inc.’s experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on interim data from a late-stage trial, the company said on Monday, becoming the second US drug maker to report results that far exceed expectations, Reuters reported.

Together with Pfizer, Inc.’s vaccine, which is also more than 90% effective, and pending more safety data and regulatory review, the United States could have two vaccines authorized for emergency use in December with as many as 60 million doses of vaccine available this year.

The vaccines, both developed with new technology known as messenger RNA, represent powerful tools to fight a pandemic that has infected 54 million people worldwide and killed 1.3 million.

Meanwhile, a trader said the peso declined after investors in the stock market took profits.

“The peso weakened amid bargain hunting following the recent strength of the local currency,” the trader said in an e-mail.

For today, Mr. Ricafort sees the peso moving from P48.18 to 48.28 versus the dollar, while the trader expects a range of P48.15 to P48.35. — KKTJ with Reuters

Fresh vaccine hopes end PHL stocks’ losing streak

By Denise A. Valdez, Senior Reporter

PHILIPPINE SHARES bounced back on Tuesday to snap a three-day losing skid following positive news on another coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) grew 41.09 points or 0.59% to close at 6,959.14. The broader all shares index also increased 30.37 points or 0.74% to end at 4,103.74.

The index stayed in green territory all throughout Tuesday’s trading. It opened at 6,950.52 and hit a low of 6,921.12—still higher than Monday’s close of 6,918.05. It peaked at 6,971.60 before settling a little lower in the last minutes of the session.

“The bourse, along with other Asian markets, followed the performances of the US indices after Moderna reported preliminary phase three trial data showed that its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing the coronavirus,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Claire T. Alviar said in a text message.

Moderna Inc.’s experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on interim data from a late-stage trial, the company said on Monday, becoming the second US drugmaker to report results that far exceed expectations, Reuters reported.

Together with Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine, which is also more than 90% effective, and pending more safety data and regulatory review, the United States could have two vaccines authorized for emergency use in December with as many as 60 million doses of vaccine available this year.

“The PSEi along with other regional markets jumped after preliminary coronavirus vaccine data from Moderna further lifted expectations of a strong economic recovery,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.

However, Ms. Alviar of Philstocks noted the PSEi’s rally is relatively weaker compared to how it reacted when Pfizer and BioNTech came out with its vaccine news.

“Also, some investors have priced in the COVID-19 vaccine news after Pfizer’s vaccine development,” she added.

All sectoral indices closed higher on Tuesday: financials by 15.46 points or 1.16% to 1,343.61; property by 33.94 points or 0.97% to 3,513.11; services by 9.92 points or 0.64% to 1,543.61; holding firms by 29.06 points or 0.4% to 7,181.43; industrials by 30.51 points or 0.33% to 9,139.74; and mining and oil by 11.67 points or 0.14% to close the session at 8,170.77.

Value turnover stood at P10.25 billion on Tuesday with 2.49 billion issues switching hands, improving from the previous day’s P8.77 billion with 2.36 billion issues.

Advancers outpaced decliners, 126 against 98. Some 41 names ended unchanged.

Foreign investors remained net sellers, but the net outflows were trimmed to P723.78 million on Tuesday against P1 billion in the last session.

Congress to probe dam operators after floods

LAWMAKERS on Tuesday sought an investigation of dam operations in Marikina and Cagayan Valley and logging activities in the Sierra Madre that supposedly caused heavy flooding when Typhoon Vamco hit Luzon last week, killing at least 73 people.

In separate resolutions, senators and congressmen said the probe would determine the accountability of dam and illegal logging operators for the deaths.

The typhoon, locally named Ulysses also hurt 24 people, while 19 were still missing, the local disaster agency said in a Nov. 17 bulletin.

“We need to study the gaps and fill them immediately,” Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in a statement. “This can’t keep on happening.”

She said climate disasters in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic have created unique problems never before seen in the country.

She added that logging and land-grabbing activities in the Upper Marikina Watershed and in Sierra Madre mountain range had contributed to the severe flooding.

Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy said opening seven dams in various parts of Luzon island — Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, Ambuklao, Binga, San Roque and Magat dams — caused heavy flooding in Isabela, Pangasinan, Benguet, Isabela, Cagayan and Metro Manila.

Typhoon Vamco, the 21st typhoon to hit the country this year, brought rainfall ranging from 271 millimeters to 356 millimeters, far below the 455 millimeters of rainfall brought by Tropical Storm Ketsana, locally named Ondoy, in 2009.

Ms. Dy cited reports that the dams had released water “not in a gradual manner, but rather in a hasty and rushed manner.”  Magat dam alone opened seven gates, on Nov. 12, discharging 6,244 cubic meters of water per second, she added.

‘IRRESPONSIBLE’
“This irresponsible release of millions of cubic meters of water resulted in further aggravating the flash floods, leading to loss of life and millions in property damage,” she said.

Two to three days before Typhoon Vamco struck, Magat failed to make sufficient water drawdown in violation of its own protocol, Ms. Herrera-Dy said, citing a report by Infrawatch PH.

These dam and catch basin operators function independently and did not coordinate with the local disaster agency, she said. “The management of these dams and catch basins must be called to account.”

Vamco was the fifth typhoon to hit the country in less than three weeks, submerging many parts of Luzon island and leaving half-a-million people without electricity.

The storm, locally named Ulysses, made landfall in Quezon province on Nov. 11 and crossed Central Luzon, according to the local weather bureau.

It weakened into a severe tropical storm over the South China Sea, but strengthened into a typhoon just as it left the Philippine area of responsibility, it added.

Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said there is a protocol on the Magat dam discharge and flood warning that should involve the local weather bureau and local government units.

“Inspections should also have been made or checkups on warning stations and equipment,” he said in a statement in Filipino. People should also have been warned through text, radio and local television, he added.

Mr. Pangilinan said Magat dam was supposed to have made sufficient water drawdown two to three days before the typhoon made landfall. The gates of the dam, however, remained close three to four days before the landfall, he pointed out, citing Infrawatch PH.

Mr. Pangilinan, a former chairman of the National Irrigation Administration, said the Senate probe would look into the compliance of dam operators with such protocols.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)on Tuesday said dams would have broken if they had not released water to prevent overtopping, spokesman Mark Timbal told ABS-CBN Teleradyo.

He said releasing water from dams is supposed to mitigate disasters, noting that unreleased water could break structures and flood nearby communities.

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba earlier blamed the heavily silted Cagayan River, Typhoon Vamco’s rainfall and water from Magat Dam for the floods that submerged the province.

Mr. Timbal said they are studying a proposal from mayors to be the authority in deciding dams’ water release. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Charmaine A. Tadalan

SolGen threatened with contempt after seeking to oust judge

THE SUPREME Court has threatened to hold Solicitor General Jose C. Calida in contempt for seeking to oust a magistrate he had accused of bias in the election protest of losing vice presidential candidate Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

The court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, ordered him why he should not be cited in contempt for seeking the inhibition of Associate Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen.

It rejected separate inhibition pleas by the top government lawyer and Mr. Marcos, the court’s Public Information Office said in a statement on Tuesday. Mr. Marcos and Mr. Calida in their motions had cited news articles alleging bias on the part of Mr. Leonen.

The court also ordered the news reporter to explain why he should not be held in contempt. A copy of the order had not been released.

Mr. Marcos last week accused Mr. Leonen, who presides over the case, of being biased against his family. He also accused the justice at an online briefing of trying to delay the case.

Mr. Calida, in a separate motion, said Mr. Leonen had failed to act on the electoral protest for 11 months.

The PET warned both parties last week not to discuss the case to the media and observe the so-called sub judice rule, which bars anyone from issuing comments that could interfere with the court’s handling of the suit. Mr. Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, filed the protest in June 2016 after narrowly losing to Ms. Robredo, alleging massive fraud.

A resolution released in October last year showed that Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo’s lead against Mr. Marcos in three provinces where fraud allegedly took place — had risen by about 15,000 votes after the initial recount. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Coronavirus deaths nearing 8,000 — DoH

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) reported 1,148 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 410,718.

The death toll rose to 7,862 after 23 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 186 to 374,543, it said in a bulletin. There were 28,313 active cases, 83.6% of which were mild, 8.2% did not show symptoms, 5.1% were critical, 2.9% were severe and 0.22% were moderate.

Cavite reported the highest number of new cases at 88, followed by Quezon City at 52, Rizal at 46, and Baguio City and Manila at 44 each.

Four duplicates were removed from the tally, while eight previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths, the agency said.

The coronavirus has sickened about 55.4 million and killed 1.3 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

About 38.6 million people have recovered, it said.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta this week said Russia could start producing coronavirus vaccines for the Philippines as early as January.

The Department of Health (DoH) and Department of Science and Technology (DoST) are in talks with the Russian government about vaccine development, he told an online news briefing.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in Russia were being used during emergencies, Mr. Sorreta said, adding that the vaccines were under third stage trials and have 40,000 participants. There have been no reports of any adverse effects in patients who got their first and second shots of the vaccine, he said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte last month said the government had funds to buy coronavirus vaccines, but it needs more so the entire population of more than 100 million could be inoculated.

Mr. Duterte said he had spoken with outgoing Russian Ambassador Igor A. Khovaev and was told that Russia intends to set up a pharmaceutical company in the Philippines that will make the vaccines available here. — VMMV

House body to push tax on off-site betting involving cockfights

A HOUSE of Representatives committee on Tuesday approved in principle a bill that seeks to tax off-site betting involving cockfights and other electronic gambling to fund the government’s pandemic response.

“The operations of online betting on cockfighting are authorized by local ordinances,” Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente Salceda, who authored the bill and heads the ways and means committee, said in a statement.

“Because of the digital shift, there are now electronic betting operations on such games. But the electronic aspect of it is a gray area, even though the airwaves are national property,” he added.

Mr. Salceda said national taxes had not been levied on the practice because of the ambiguity. His House Bill 7919 will change the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

Under the measure, gross revenue from off-site betting activities would be taxed 5%, in lieu of taxes required by local governments and regulatory fees imposed by government agencies.

The measure excludes games and activities allowed by law to be performed by government gaming authorities such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The Local Government Code allows local governments to regulate cockpit operations and commercial breeding of game fowls.

Mr. Salceda earlier said the code did not anticipate the limits of these powers in the case of electronic betting on such activities. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Nationwide round-up (11/17/20)

P200-M quick response fund for police, fire bureau eyed in 2021 budget

AN additional P200 million has been proposed for inclusion in the 2021 budgets of the police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to serve as quick response fund (QRF) during calamities. At Tuesday’s Senate plenary session, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson noted that these two agencies do not have a QRF allocation despite the police and firefighters serving as front-liners during emergency response such as in the Taal Volcano eruption early this year and the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Lacson said the 2016 National Budget provided for a QRF, but were removed in succeeding years. Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara pointed out that despite the allocation, the QRF was not released. “It was never released, according to the PNP (Philippine National Police)… The requirements were quite stringent,” said Mr. Angara, speaking as sponsor of the 2021 budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government where the two agencies are attached. Of the proposed QRF budget, P125 million will be allocated to the police and the remaining P75 million to the BFP. Mr. Lacson committed to augment the agencies’ budget during the period of amendments.

Lawyers seek online preliminary conference on anti-terrorism law

LAWYERS asked the Supreme Court to conduct online the preliminary conference on the petitions against the Anti-Terrorism Act in consideration of the coronavirus pandemic. The high court has set the preliminary conference for the more than 30 petitions against the law expanding terror crimes in the country on Nov. 26 at the Supreme Court premises. The Free Legal Assistance Group, legal counsel of one of the petitioners, asked the court in its motion to instead use videoconference. “As to the conduct of the preliminary conference by videoconference, the petitioners submit that the said mode will best balance the urgent need for the speedy resolution of the consolidated petitions with the current public health realities arising from the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic,” the filing read. The group noted that the Supreme Court has allowed the lower courts to conduct their proceedings through videoconference. The group also noted that an online conference would better accommodate the counsels of the 37 petitioners who will be coming from different parts of the country, given current local travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine period imposed by local government units. “Petitioners respectfully submit that there need not be any tradeoff between public health and the speedy and orderly resolution of the petitions against the ATA,” the motion read. On the simplification of the issues raised, the motion noted the most common points raised by all the petitioners “that may benefit from the live questioning of the bench.” These are the “overbreadth” of the law, void for vagueness, and the need for the issuance of status quo ante order or similar preliminary injunction. Procedural issues may be addressed through memoranda as they are specific to various petitioners, it added. The date for oral arguments has yet to be set. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

House resolution honoring calamity responders put forward

A RESOLUTION honoring first responders during calamities, particularly the recent typhoons that devastated large parts of Luzon, has been introduced in the House of Representatives. Las Piñas Lone District Rep. Camille A. Villar filed on Tuesday House Resolution No. 1354 calling on the chamber to express its “collective support and commendation to the men and women in uniform, local government units, nongovernment organizations and other private organizations and individuals for their valiant efforts in helping our countrymen in the rescue and relief operations during the recent typhoons that hit the Philippines.” Ms. Villar said these front-liners embody the Filipino tradition of bayanihan, which is the coming together of the community.

Regional Updates (11/17/20)

Duterte to decide soon on Luzon state of calamity

THE Palace on Tuesday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte has received the recommendation of the national disaster management council on declaring a state of calamity in the entire Luzon island and will announce a decision soon. At the same time, Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said they are also evaluating the recommendation made by environmental group Greenpeace Philippines for a declaration of a “national climate emergency” in the Philippines following the devastation in the aftermath of a series of typhoons since October. “Pag-aaralan iyan ng Palasyo…Talagang binibigyan po ng prayoridad ng Presidente para magkaroon ng permanenteng solusyon dito sa climate change (the Palace will study this…the President is really giving priority to have a permanent solution on climate change,” he said in mixed English and Filipino. — Gillian M. Cortez 

Power infra damage from Ulysses climbs to P122M

DAMAGE from Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) on power distribution facilities owned by electric cooperatives has reached P121.97 million, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported on Tuesday. Restoration is still ongoing, but about 257 cities and municipalities in parts of Luzon now have full access to electricity, the NEA said. There are 160 areas where supply has been partially restored, and 59 areas that still don’t have access to electricity. In a separate announcement on Monday evening, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said it has restored all transmission lines affected by Ulysses. Meanwhile, the government said it is already conducting coronavirus tests in evacuation centers where thousands of families displaced by the recent series of typhoons are staying. “We are already doing that. What we use in evacuation centers are antigen test kits,” Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said in mixed English and Filipino during a briefing on Tuesday. The OCTA Research Group earlier urged the government to conduct testing and contact tracing in evacuation facilities to avoid a potential outbreak, especially with the implementation of distancing and other health protocols a challenge in limited spaces. — Angelica Y. Yang and Gillian M. Cortez

Panglao inaugurates new seaport as Bohol reopens to tourists

PANGLAO MUNICIPALITY—ABAGCAT/MLAGNASON

A new boardwalk at the seaport terminal in Panglao has been formally inaugurated in time for Bohol’s reopening this week to tourists. “The blessing that transpired was very timely as commercial travels both by sea and air are scheduled to resume today (Nov. 16),” the Panglao municipal government said in a statement. The local government under Mayor Leonila P. Montero also launched two new speedboats for coastal monitoring and ensuring the safety of guests. Bohol hosted the first hybrid Philippine Travel Exchange held in October, during which travel operators generated at least P17 million in bookings. Tourists are required to pre-register through the province’s site, www.bohol.gov.ph.

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