Dining In/Out (10/14/21)

October 14, 2021 | 12:01 am

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7-Eleven’s single-serve ready-to-heat HottaUlam! meals

7-ELEVEN’S HottaUlam! single-serve and for-sharing food options are now available in more stores. Officially launched late last year, the various HottaUlam! selections are now for sale in over 2,000 stores in Luzon. Customers can choose from any of the eight HottaUlam! single-serve variants to take home: Rico’s Lechon Binagoongan, Rico’s Lechon Sisig, Pork Laing, two sticks of Pork BBQ, Chicken BBQ, Fried Bangus, Pinakbet, and Ginataang Langka. The prices range from P55 to P79 per pack. Larger servings are available too for ready-to-heat viands such as Pork Steak, Chicken Curry, and Beef Caldereta which are priced at P159 each and are good for two to three people. Baliwag Liempo (P165) or Lechon Manok (P115) are also available.

Crimson goes passionately pink for October

OCTOBER is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the team at Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila stands with both survivors and healthcare practitioners to heighten awareness about this disease that affects 26 out of every 100 Filipino women. Proceeds from the various Passionately Pink promotions offered throughout the month will help fund the initiatives of Project Pink’s STAGEZERO initiative which aims to encourage and empower patients, families, and the communities. Every Saturday of the month, the Crimson Filinvest City’s social media accounts will present Crimson TV, a series of informative videos on how to prevent, detect, and manage breast cancer. The hotel also partnered with Jump Manila to hold weekly jump rope sessions every Friday, with jump rope basics and workout tips broadcast live via Crimson’s Facebook page. This year’s Passionately Pink promotions include Baker J’s four-piece Pink Viennoiserie Bliss box containing pink croissants filled with a raspberry-litchi jelly, pink croissant cubes with ruby chocolate crème Chantilly, rosy-hued pains au chocolat filled with ruby chocolate batonnets and praline roses, and pink pains au lait with butter and ruby chocolate. Baker J also offers a six-piece Pop of Pink Tea Cakes and a bag of five Rose Madeleines coated with ruby chocolate. There is also the Pretty in Pink Afternoon Tea on offer for dine-on or to-go and will feature a selection of both sweet and savory bites. Meanwhile, Firehouse Pizza, offers the limited edition Passionately Pink Firehouse Pizza Feast. This pink-inspired treat starts with assorted grissini and garlic bread paired with goat cheese, pink hummus, Smoked Salmon Pizza Firehouse Pizza with Burrata; and ends with raspberry panna cotta and a ruby chocolate lava cake. For more information, visit the official Crimson Hotel Filinvest City website at https://bit.ly/passionatelypink2021 or call (02) 863-2222.

Healthy food chain ZIG opens at Robinsons Magnolia

A HEALTHY food chain by Visum Ventures, Inc., ZIG aims to make fresh ingredients that deliver health benefits, satiety, and taste, accessible to most Filipinos. In the menu are items like It’s A Thai salad in bowl or in a wrap (roast beef, lollo rosa and romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, green bell pepper, cilantro, mint, and roast peanuts, covered with Thai sweet chili dressing); sushi bowl Keep It Shimple (prawn, tempura crumbs, asparagus, mango, red cabbage, nori sheet, and sriracha mayo) with a choice of brown, white sushi rice, or quinoa; Cheese Said Yes! pizza (mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, blue cheese, and kesong puti, alfalfa, arugula, olive oil and chili oil); and nutritious beverages made in collaboration with Pure Nectar and HappiLab Kombuchas. ZIG is initially available for walk-in and curbside pick-up at Robinsons Magnolia. They are also accessible for orders via GrabFood and FoodPanda.

Burger King’s Ghost Whopper

FAST-FOOD chain Burger King has announced that a special Ghost Whopper is set to make an appearance in its 13 Metro Manila stores from Oct. 15 to Nov. 2. The Ghost Whopper — a 100% flame-grilled beef patty, topped with tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, ketchup, pickles, and onions sandwiched between two ghostly white cheddar cheese buns — can be order ed via delivery, drive-thru, take-out, or dine-in at any of the 13 stores. Those looking for extra thrills can “chase the limited-edition Ghost Whopper while traversing their way in the haunted alley of Burger King Timog branch,” says a company release. The branch’s drive-through will be haunted from Oct. 29-31.

Maya introduces ThinkHeart Oatmeal Pancake Mix

MAYA is giving breakfasts and baked treats a healthier twist with the Maya ThinkHeart line, which features oats, whole wheat, and muscovado sugar. The line includes Maya ThinkHeart Oatmeal Pancake Mix, Maya ThinkHeart Whole Wheat Pancake Mix, and Maya ThinkHeart Whole Wheat Carrot Cake Mix. The easy-to-prepare and versatile mixes from the Maya ThinkHeart line are also cholesterol-free and contain zero-gram transfat.

Alliance Francaise celebrates good food

IN CELEBRATION of the 6^th edition of Good/Goût de France, which highlights the best of French cuisine to the world, Alliance Française de Manille (AFM) presents an online video contest for all adult French food lovers. The 1^st place winner will be treated to a special intimate French evening at the AFM — a candlelit four-course French dinner for two at the Le Coude Rouge restaurant and a private screening of a French film at AFM auditorium. This contest is open to all Filipinos currently residing in the Philippines ages 18 to 65 years old. Deadline of submission is on Oct. 20, at noon. The public announcement of the winner will be made on Oct. 21 during AFM’s special commemoration of Goût de France. Visit the Facebook page to know more. Also part of the Good/Goût de France celebration, and in partnership with the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, AFM will be holding the free event “Behind the Cuisines” which will be happening on Oct. 22 and 23, 2-4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 will have a series of high online conversations with key individuals from the public and private sectors discussing the current state of the F&B (Food and Beverage) industry in the Philippines, key insights and practices from leading companies, and prominent market trends. Oct. 23 will feature a cooking demonstration by Erwan Heussaff that involves both Filipino and French cuisines and cultures.

Red Ribbon launches delivery app

RED Ribbon bakeshop is taking its online delivery services a step further with the launch of its own mobile app. The New Red Ribbon App allows users to order their favorite Red Ribbon treats — like Black Forest Cake, Chocolate Dedication Cake, Triple Chocolate Roll, Chocolate Mousse, Cheesy Ensaimada, Butter Mamon, and Taisan, among many others — on the same day or in advance via delivery or pick-up. There are App-exclusive offers and deals (e.g. Free Delivery and Attractive Discounts) and soon incentives especially for registered app users. The New Red Ribbon App also houses the newly launched Red Ribbon ReGALO eGift Cards which can be sent to recipients so they can redeem cakes and pastries at any Red Ribbon branch nationwide. The New Red Ribbon App will be available for free download on the Google Play Store and App Store. Users can opt to Sign Up and register, or Order as Guest and start browsing Red Ribbon’s menu, place their order, choose from different cashless payment options.

Free apple pie for dine-in vaccinated customers at McDonald’s

AS PART of the private sector-led campaign Ingat Angat Bakuna Lahat program that aims to restart the Philippine economy by promoting the COVID-19 vaccine, McDonald’s will give fully vaccinated customers who are dining-in a free Apple Pie for every minimum purchase worth P150, valid until Nov. 30. McDonald’s M Safe protocols remain in place, with its crew, managers, and customers all required to follow the set of stringent health and safety guidelines. To know more about M Safe and the protocols, visit https://bit.ly/SarapPagMSafe.

Nestlé PHL relaunches iconic brands Carnation, Milkmaid

IN TIME for the celebration of its 110^th year presence in the country, Nestlé Philippines is re-launching two of its iconic brands, Nestlé Carnation and Nestlé Milkmaid. Carnation was the first brand to introduce Evaporada and Condensada to make creamy, milky, affordable dairy solutions accessible to a wider set of consumers. Nestlé Carnation Evap is now made with more milk (vs. previous formulation) and comes in an easy open resealable pack. Nestle Milkmaid has the distinction of being the first brand sold by Nestlé Philippines when it opened in 1911 as the Nestlé and Anglo Swiss Condensed Milk Co. It is considered as the gold standard in condensed milk as it is the only full cream sweetened condensed milk that’s made with 100% pure cow’s milk. By November, consumers can visit cookwithcarnation.ph where they can find easy-to-follow recipes made with the products.

EDC supplies clean power to steel manufacturer

October 14, 2021 | 12:01 am

LOPEZ-LED Energy Development Corp. (EDC) said it is now supplying clean power from its geothermal plants to Cebu-based steel manufacturer Chioson Development Corp.

In a statement on Wednesday, EDC said three of Chioson’s units are now powered by the former’s geothermal facilities.

“We want to have a sustainable and reliable renewable energy supplier to push our advocacy for producing rebar, nails, and pipes in a clean and sustainable way,” said Bernard B. Chioson, the firm’s chief operating officer.

He added that “by moving words into action,” Chioson has chosen to source its power supply from geothermal energy “to further reduce its own carbon footprint on the environment.”

The move allows the steel manufacturer to avoid 1.86 million tons of carbon dioxide which would have been otherwise emitted by running on coal power.

EDC, which is a subsidiary of First Gen Corp., said that local businesses with an average monthly electricity consumption of at least 100 kilowatts, like Chioson, now have the option to source power from renewable sources through the government’s green energy option program.

“Shifting to renewable energy through licensed green energy option program providers like First Gen and EDC’s geothermal facilities is crucial to helping our country decarbonize and be a part of the solution to climate change,” EDC said.

EDC owns Green Core Geothermal, Inc., which earlier received the go signal from the Energy department to participate in the green energy option program.

EDC’s portfolio is made up of clean power projects totaling around 1,477 megawatts, accounting for almost 20% of the Philippines’ total installed renewable energy capacity.

Majority of the firm’s power projects are geothermal facilities which contribute to 61% of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity. — Angelica Y. Yang

Philippines has narrowest gender gap among investors

October 14, 2021 | 12:00 am

Around 6% of Filipinos are considered ‘multidimensionally’ poor

October 14, 2021 | 12:00 am

How PSEi member stocks performed — October 13, 2021

October 14, 2021 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.

Shares drop further as IMF cuts growth outlook

October 13, 2021 | 9:00 pm

PHILIPPINE shares declined on Wednesday after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its economic growth outlook for the country and as investors remained cautious ahead of the announcement of new quarantine restrictions.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) lost 38.90 points or 0.54% to close at 7,068.92 on Wednesday, while the broader all shares index went down by 16.81 points or 0.38% to 4,403.26.

“The market inched lower as investors digested the reports that the IMF downgraded the country’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth projection for the year,” Timson Securities, Inc. Trader Darren Blaine T. Pangan said in a Viber message.

The IMF lowered its GDP growth outlook for the country to 3.2% from its 5.4% forecast in June due to the surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) seen in August. This is below the government’s 4-5% full-year target.

Philippine GDP contracted by a record 9.6% in 2020.

“Inflation concerns amid the elevated global oil prices and agricultural damage caused by the recent typhoons were seen to have caused the negative sentiment,” Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research and engagement supervisor at Philstocks Financial, Inc., said in a separate Viber message.

“Investors also took a cautious stance while waiting for the government’s decision on the social restriction measures of the country after Oct. 15,” he added.

Severe tropical storm Maring, internationally named Kompasu, exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday, Oct. 12. The Department of Agriculture said the total value loss as of Tuesday evening amounted to P447.8 million, subject to validation.

Meanwhile, the government is expected to announce a new quarantine classification for Metro Manila as its Alert Level 4 status will only be in effect until Oct. 15.

Sectoral indices were split on Wednesday. Mining and oil gained 260.46 points or 2.54% to 10,477.86; financials went up by 19.86 points or 1.29% to finish at 1,557.67; and property rose 18 points or 0.55% to 3,256.15.

Meanwhile, industrials dropped 191.20 points or 1.80% to 10,416.64; holding firms shaved off 65.67 points or 0.93% to 6,925.04; and services declined by 14.25 points or 0.75% to end at 1,871.40.

Value turnover increased to P11.93 billion with 1.33 billion issues traded on Wednesday from the P9.74 billion with 2.45 billion shares the previous trading day.

Decliners outnumbered advancers, 111 against 89, while 48 names remained unchanged.

Foreigners logged P219.72 million in net selling on Wednesday, a reversal of the P2.77 million in net purchases seen on Tuesday.

“We’ll have to see in the remaining days of the week if the index continues to stay above the 7,000 level,” said Timson Securities’ Mr. Pangan. “Next resistance to watch lies at the 7,320 area.” — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

Peso strengthens vs dollar as US Congress passes bill hiking debt ceiling

October 13, 2021 | 9:00 pm

THE PESO appreciated versus the greenback on Wednesday after US legislators approved a measure that will temporarily increase the government’s borrowing limit.

The local unit ended trading at P50.655 per dollar on Wednesday, appreciating by 19.5 centavos from its close of P50.85 on Tuesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso opened Wednesday’s session at P50.82 against the dollar. Its weakest showing was at P50.83, while its intraday best was at P50.60 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded increased to $1.105 billion on Wednesday from $757.87 million on Tuesday.

A trader said the peso strengthened after legislators passed a measure that will raise the debt limit in the United States.

The Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives gave final approval on Tuesday to legislation temporarily raising the government’s borrowing limit to $28.9 trillion, pushing off the deadline for debt default only until December, Reuters reported.

US President Joseph R. Biden is expected to sign the measure into law before Oct. 18, when the Treasury department has estimated it would no longer be able to pay the nation’s debts without congressional action.

Meanwhile, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the peso appreciated along with Southeast Asian currencies, reflecting better market sentiment as coronavirus infections decreased in the past days.

Active cases in the country rose by 8,615 to 82,228 on Tuesday, based on data from the Department of Health. Wednesday data had not been released as of this story’s writing.

For Thursday, Mr. Ricafort gave a forecast range of P50.55 to P50.75, while the trader expects the local unit to trade within P50.55 to P50.80 per dollar. — LWTN with Reuters

Metro lockdown eased on decreasing infections

October 13, 2021 | 8:09 pm

face-mask-commuters — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

AN INTER-AGENCY task force wants to ease the lockdown in Manila, the capital and nearby cities to Alert Level 3 starting Oct. 16 amid decreasing coronavirus infections, according to the presidential palace.

The task force had also agreed to put Apayao, Kalinga, Batanes, Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Naga City, Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Norte under a modified enhanced community quarantine, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday.

The National Capital Region is now under Alert Level 4.

Abra, Baguio City, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, City of Santiago, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Quezon, Batangas, Ilocos Norte, Dagupan City, Ifugao, Benguet, Tarlac, Lucena City, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa, Marinduque, Albay, and Camariñes Norte will be under a general community quarantine.

Bacolod City, Capiz, Lapu-Lapu City, Negros Oriental, and Bohol, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, Cebu City, Cebu Province, Mandaue City, Siquijor and Tacloban City will also be under a general quarantine, Mr. Roque said.

Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Butuan City, and Surigao del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, Davao City, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Cotabato City and Lanao del Sur will likewise be under a general lockdown.

All other areas will be under a modified general community quarantine, Mr. Roque said.

Meanwhile, Delta-fueled coronavirus infections in the capital region continue to fall, the OCTA Research Group from the University of the Philippines said.

“The Delta variant wave of infections in Quezon City and the National Capital Region continued to decline,” it said in a report. Metro Manila was now under a moderate-risk classification for the coronavirus, OCTA said.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 7,181 coronavirus infections on Wednesday, bringing the total to 2.69 million.

The death toll rose to 40,069 after 173 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 6,889 to 2.57 million, it said in a bulletin.

There were 82,411 active cases, 75.3% of which were mild, 12.1% did not show symptoms, 3.7% were severe, 7.25% were moderate and 1.6% were critical.

The agency said 98 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 61 of which were reclassified as recoveries, while 101 recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Two laboratories failed to submit data on Oct. 11.

The coronavirus reproduction number in Quezon City, the country’s most populous city, fell to 0.64 from 0.84 a week earlier, OCTA said.

“Projections based on trends indicate that daily new cases in Quezon City could decrease to 200 by the end of October,” it added.

The seven-day average for cases in Quezon City fell by 36% to 506 from 793, OCTA said, adding that its positivity rate decreased to 12% from 17%.

Healthcare use in Quezon City continued to fall to 67%, though 70% of intensive care units were occupied, OCTA said.

Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, on Tuesday asked the government to increase business capacities in Metro Manila as coronavirus infections continued to drop.

He said companies should be allowed to increase their operational capacity to at least 50% from 30% to recover.

This would let them pay for debt and “hopefully carry them forward until 2022,” he told a televised news briefing.

The Philippines, which scored poorly in a global index that measured the recovery of more than 100 countries from the coronavirus pandemic, is boosting its vaccination drive to reach its target of inoculating at least 50% of its adult population by year-end.

Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday night took responsibility for the shortage of coronavirus vaccines in the country early this year.

A September poll by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed that nine of 10 Filipinos feared that their family members might catch the coronavirus.

The ratio of Filipinos worried about getting infected increased to 91% from 87% in June, SWS said in a statement.

“The latest percentage of those worried about catching COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is 4 points above the 87% in June 2021 and ties the record-high level reached in Nov. 2020,” it added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Duterte names new chiefs of MMDA and Public Works dep’t

October 13, 2021 | 8:08 pm

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed a congressman from the Visayas as acting secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways, according to the presidential palace.

The President signed Southern Leyte Rep. Roger G. Mercado’s appointment paper on Oct. 12, a copy of which was sent to the Viber group of palace journalists.

Mr. Mercado will replace Mark A. Villar, who is running for senator in the 2022 elections.

Meanwhile presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said the president had also appointed lawyer Romando Artes as general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

He will replace Jose Arturo Garcia, who resigned on Oct. 4.

“We are confident that Secretary Mercado and General Manager Artes will continue to oversee the completion of their department’s programs and projects in the remaining months of the current government,” Mr. Roque said in a statement.

Mr. Duterte has yet to name people who will assume Cabinet posts left by officials running in the elections next year.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo, Information and Communications Technology Sec. Gringo Honasan and Agrarian reform Sec. John R. Castriciones and MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” de Castro Abalos, Jr. are also vying for a Senate seat. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Philippine crime rate fell by 63% under Duterte, police say

October 13, 2021 | 8:08 pm

THE CRIME rate in the Philippines fell by 63% to 170,168 under the government of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, police said on Wednesday.

Police also solved 49% of murder, physical injury, rape, robbery and theft cases from July 2016 to June 2021, compared with 26% from July 2010 to June 2015 under the previous government, national police chief Guillermo T. Eleazar told a televised news briefing.

There were 458,367 crimes under the late President Benigno S.C. Aquino III from July 2010 to June 2015, he added.

“It is really a big improvement and that is because of our government’s continued support to our police,” Mr. Eleazar said.

Mr. Duterte started his anti-illegal drug campaign as soon as he took over in 2016. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in a 2020 report said more than 8,000 drug suspects got killed.

The International Criminal Court has ordered an investigation of Mr. Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs that has killed thousands, as it found “reasonable basis” that crimes against humanity might have been committed.

The court will also probe vigilante-style killings in Davao City when Mr. Duterte was still its vice mayor and mayor.

The Department of Justice, which has reviewed drug war-related cases, this month said 154 policemen involved in 52 drug raids could face criminal charges.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday said the agency would draft a deal between the national police and National Bureau of Investigation this week for a joint probe of the possible criminal liability of the cops involved. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Death toll up to 13, agri damage at P692M in storm Maring’s aftermath

October 13, 2021 | 8:07 pm

TyphoonMaring-relief-operations-PHILIPPINE-COAST-GUARD — TEAMS composed of the Philippine Coast Guard, police and local emergency responders deliver relief goods to residents in remote areas in Buguey, Cagayan who were affected by typhoon Maring. — PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

THE DEATH toll from severe tropical storm Maring, with international name Kompasu, climbed to 13 as of Wednesday with 11 others missing and three injured, the national disaster management council reported.

The disaster agency said it was still validating reports but local authorities have confirmed at least 11 deaths with four in Palawan, four in Benguet, two in Ilocos Sur, and one in Cagayan.

Search and rescue operations were continuing for those reported missing mostly after landslides.

A total of 107 areas across several regions were flooded while more than 10 landslide incidents were recorded, according to the disaster agency.

Relief operations were also underway with more than 11,500 people displaced and staying either in evacuation centers or with relatives.

Agricultural damage has reached P692 million, affecting 32,390 farmers and fisherfolk, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a bulletin released on Wednesday afternoon, the DA said the storm struck 36,537 hectares of farm land, resulting in 43,984 metric tons (MT) of lost produce such as rice, corn and other high-value crops.

Affected areas span across the regions of Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, and Western Visayas.

Losses in rice crops accounted for majority of the damage at P498.1 million, equivalent to 30,183 MT. Damage to corn reached P119.8 million, with 7,710 MT lost.

Damaged high value crops, including assorted vegetables, bananas and strawberries, was estimated at P56.1 million.

The DA said it is providing a quick response fund of P172 million to help restore the affected areas as well as seeds and drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry.

The department is also extending emergency loans of up to P20,000 for each farmer with zero interest and no collateral, payable in 10 years.

Road clearing operations were also ongoing but 15 road sections were still impassable as of Wednesday morning, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways, with 11 in Cordillera, two in Ilocos, and one each in Cagayan Valley and Central Visayas.

Maring, the 13^th typhoon in the country this year, entered on Oct. 7 as a tropical depression. It absorbed the remnants of a succeeding typhoon named Nando and intensified into a severe tropical storm, packing winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour (kms/h) and gustiness of up to 125 kms/h. It exited the Philippine area on Oct. 12. — with a report from Angelica Y. Yang

Candidate’s admission of being a placeholder not enough to be declared a nuisance — Comelec

October 13, 2021 | 8:07 pm

A CANDIDATE’S admission or inference of being a placeholder for an elective position is not enough grounds for being declared a nuisance, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James B. Jimenez.

“A mere declaration to the contrary wouldn’t, in my opinion, be sufficient to overcome the intention to run which is manifested in the verified CoC (certificate of candidacy),” Mr. Jimenez told reporters in a Viber group message on Wednesday.

Under the omnibus election code, nuisance candidates are those who filed their CoC “to put the election process in mockery or disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates,” and those who “have no bona fide intention to run for the office.”

Mr. Jimenez explained that the provision on “the lack of a bona fide intention to run needs to be proven.”

One supposed placeholder is Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa, who filed his candidacy for president at the last minute on Oct. 8 and has admitted that the leaders of his party, PDP-Laban, instructed him to do so about two hours before the deadline. He also admitted that he is ready to give way to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio should she decide to run for the post.

The Lakas ng Tao–Christian Muslim Democrats party also admitted on Tuesday that it is waiting for Ms. Duterte-Carpio to decide despite Anna C. Velasco, a member of the party, having filed her CoC for president.

Substitution of candidates is allowed until Nov. 15 for the May 2022 national and local elections.

Comelec data shows there are 97 aspirants for president, 29 for vice president, and 176 for senators, for which only the top 12 will be declared winners.

WITHDRAW
Meanwhile, former vice president and broadcast journalist Manuel Leuterio “Noli” de Castro, Jr. announced Wednesday that he will withdraw his candidacy for the Senate.

“I want to convey to all my friends and supporters who are already preparing to help me (in my campaign) that I have decided to not pursue my candidacy. But my goal and purpose for the country has not changed,” he said in a statement.

He said that he would serve Filipinos better through continuing his work in broadcasting but will remain a member of the Aksyon Demokratiko party.

Mr. De Castro left ABS-CBN on Oct. 7 and filed his certificate of candidacy the next day.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, standard bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, said that he respects Mr. De Castro’s decision.

Mr. De Castro won a Senate seat in 2001, where he topped the race with over 16.2 million votes.

He won as vice president in 2004 and served concurrently for six years as chair of the former housing council upon the appointment of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago and Russell Louis C. Ku