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Inclusion goals within reach as virus pushes e-payments shift

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas said more people are shifting to online transactions amid the coronavirus pandemic. — ANASTASIIA OSTAPOVYCH /UNSPLASH.COM

THE CENTRAL BANK’S financial inclusion and digitalization goals are likely to be met within the term of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno as more Filipinos shift to online transactions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our goal is that at least 70% of Filipino adults should have a bank account by 2023. But with the pandemic, we’re optimistic that we can meet this goal as early as December 2022,” Mr. Diokno said in a speech at a virtual meeting of the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines on Tuesday.

The country’s banked population of adults stood at 29% or five million Filipinos as of 2019, improving from the 23% seen in 2017, data from the BSP showed. This means 51.2 million of about 72 million adult Filipinos were still unbanked as of 2019.

Mr. Diokno said the national ID system will help boost financial inclusion as it will take the place of the minimum of two government IDs required by most financial institutions of people opening an account.

The government has started the process of registration for the national ID system, prioritizing the enlistment of heads of low-income households.

“The BSP will print the first nine million [IDs] this year and the rest up to 2022,” Mr. Diokno said.

A joint study by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and consumer credit reporting agency TransUnion said the country’s digital ID program would be beneficial for the digitalization of the financial system.

“[E]xecutives also agree to a greater extent than average that it is difficult to reconcile multiple versions of consumer identity without a national digital ID,” it said.

Apart from having more Filipinos having accounts in formal financial institutions, Mr. Diokno said their target to have the country transition into a cash-lite economy could also be fast-tracked.

“My personal goal is that half of financial transactions in the country should be digital by 2023, the end of my term. But with the enabling regulations and the pandemic, this goal may be achieved sooner, perhaps by the end of 2022,” he said.

E-payments comprised 10% of the total transaction volume as of 2018 from a mere 1% in 2013, based on a study by United Nations-based Better than Cash Alliance report, By value, online transactions made up 20% of the total from 8% in 2013.

More than a third (37%) of senior executives in consumer-facing firms in the Philippines said “super apps” will become the dominant portal for digital commerce, based on the study by EIU and TransUnion.

“Looking ahead, companies in the Philippines must understand the long-term trends and innovations affecting security, privacy and fraud in order to balance optimal customer experience with rigorous security and fraud prevention and be best positioned to succeed,” it said.

Mr. Diokno said the exponential growth in the use of electronic fund transfer schemes InstaPay and PESONet as well as the increase in the usage of QR codes for payments will support the BSP’s financial inclusion goals.

InstaPay allows retail fund transfers below P50,000 to be credited real-time.

Meanwhile, PESONet processes batch fund transfers which are credited at the end of a banking day. The PESONet Steering Committee is eyeing to allow two settlements per day, even on holidays and weekends, by the first or second quarter of 2021. — L.W.T. Noble

Shang Properties’ income nearly halved in third quarter

THE net income of Shang Properties went down by 49.4% to P417.69 million in the third quarter, despite the firm’s higher condominium sales.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, the listed firm said that revenues from condominium sales from July to September increased by 20.9% to 1.46 billion.

Meanwhile, the property developer’s revenues from rental and cinemas decreased by 42.2% to P468.4 million. Hotel operations brought in P72.86 million, down 91.8% during the quarter. 

For the nine months to September, the company’s income dropped by 44.1% to P1.12 billion. Revenues from condominium sales, rental and cinemas, and hotel operations all fell during the period.

Shang Properties is a listed operator of office, retail leasing and residential development projects. The firm’s completed projects include Shangri-La Plaza Corp., Shang Properties Realty Corp., and Shang Property Developers, Inc., among others.

Shares in Shang Properties closed higher by 0.37% at P2.70 each. — Angelica Y. Yang

Arts & Culture (10/28/20)

Tricks and Musical Treats: a PPO Family Concert

Tricks and Musical Treats: a PPO Family Concert, an orchestra appreciation concert for children and families moves online on Saturday, Oct. 31, 4:20 p.m., on the CCP Batang Sining Facebook page, Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Facebook page, and Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) Facebook page. Subtitled “A Virtual Adventure in Camp Melodia,” Tricks and Musical Treats will be hosted by Liesl Batucan, and will see the PPO performing favorite pieces from previous Tricks and Musical Treats concerts. The concert will also include a special segment where individual PPO musicians and ensembles introduce their musical instruments to the children. An online Zoom party will also be held during the concert, which includes a Best in Costume competition. Participants can come in their favorite costumes, and get a chance to win prizes. Five Best in Costume awardees from the online party will be selected. Participants are required to register early since the Zoom party slots are limited. Facebook Live viewers are also entitled to join the Best in Costume competition by following the mechanics. This includes sending a photo wearing the costume while watching the FB Live; uploading it using the hashtag #TricksandMusicalTreats2020. Viewers are advised to change the privacy setting to public so that their entries can be included. Five winners from the FB Live viewers will be chosen. The concert is one of the events to take place before the opening of ArtsXpress: CCP’s Children’s Biennale slated on the same date.

Mona Santos exhibits at Mo_Space

TWO exhibits are ongoing at MO_Space. One view at the Main Gallery is Mona Santos’ solo exhibit, The Grass Withers and the Flowers Fade, while at Gallery 2 is Isabel Santos’ exhibit, Where are We? Both are ongoing until Nov. 29. The Grass Withers and the Flowers Fade is Mona Santos’ exploration of finding solitude and stillness in the wreckage of best-laid plans. In this new body of work, Santos offers five square paintings, the largest two spanning four feet in both directions. They are closeups of floral arrangements, rendered in oil. In her latest solo exhibit, Where Are We?, Isabel Santos paints her pandemic projections using post-war capitalist imagery in found advertisements from the 1950s. For Santos, there was a dip in motivation and the looming questions of purpose were harder to escape: Will anyone see this? Why would anyone buy this? MO_Space is open daily except for Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For inquiries, call 8403-6620 or 0917-572-7970. The gallery is at the 3rd level, MOs Design, B2 Bonifacio High Street, 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Ibong Adarna to open Sining Sigla’s new puppet series for kids

THE FAMED Filipino literary classic Ibong Adarna will be showcased in a puppetry film series slated on Oct. 31, 5:45 p.m., on the Cultural Center of the Philippines — Office of the President Facebook page. Using muppets, visual effects and live action, MALA: Ibong Adarna is part of the puppet series for children under the Movies Adapted from Literary Arts (MALA), which is part of Sining Sigla. MALA is directed by actor Xian Lim and is written by ventriloquist Ony Carcamo. Ibong Adarna is one of the events to take place before the opening of ArtsXpress: CCP’s Children’s Biennale slated on the same date.

West Gallery opens 4 exhibits

West Gallery is opening four exhibits tomorrow, all of which will be on view until Nov. 28. The first is a group show called Drawing With Water featuring the works of Elmer Borlongan, Lena Cobangbang, Jigger Cruz, Epjey Pacheco, Julius Redillas, Julio San Jose, Carina Santos, Isabel Santos, Yasmin Sison, Manuel K. Tan, Jemima Yabes,  and Ev Yu. Also opening are three solo shows: Renz Baluyot’s Empire, Jel Suarez’s Small Bones, Holding a Mountain, and Katherine Nunez’s Natutulog nang mahimbing, ngunit hindi nananaginip. Visitors are welcome by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 3411-0336. The gallery is located at 48 West Ave., Quezon City.

CCP to hold first Children’s Biennale

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) launches a month-long online creative expression biennale for children this November. Dubbed Arts eXpress: CCP Children’s Biennale, the series of events aims to encourage and develop creativity and artistic expression in children, create new works/activities to focus on children’s appreciation and value for the arts, and engage the participation of the guardians and parents in sustaining the appreciation for the arts. The biennale will kick off on Oct. 31, 4 p.m., via the CCP Facebook Page, with a short program led by CCP chairperson Margie Moran-Floirendo, VP-artistic director Chris Millado and board member Nikki Junia. It will be followed by the pre-opening events, starting with Tricks and Musical Treats: A PPO Family Concert at 4:20 p.m., and the puppet show MALA: Ibong Adarna at 5:45 p.m. The CCP also launches the CCP Batang Sining Facebook page. For the whole month of November, children can join the different activities — Curtains Up!, Arts eXpress, ARTs Playground, Pelikulit, and Arts Connect. In Curtains Up!, the kids are treated to performances in theater, dance and music every Sunday, at 4 p.m. On Nov. 1, Tanghalang Pilipino collaborates with Anino Shadow Play for a series of performances based on children’s books, which will be collectively known as Pamanang Pahina. Soprano Alexa Kaufman and opera performer Gerphil Flores will serenade the young audience in Small Voice on Nov. 8. Philippine Ballet Theater’s Cinderella will be performed on Nov. 15. The storytelling event Mga Kuwentong Karapat-Dapat, which features three CANVAS published stories, will be on Nov. 22.  After every Curtains Up! event, there will be a screening of short animated films for kids through the Pelikulit. Arts eXpress, meanwhile, are arts workshops for children age eight to 12 years old, and include shadowplay (Nov. 6), the basics of rondalla playing (Nov. 13, with follow up classes on Zoom will be on Saturdays), storybook writing (Nov. 20),  how to make your own book (Nov. 21), painting (Nov. 13), book illustration (Nov. 14), a basic puppetry workshop (Nov. 27), and an Art for Parents workshop on Nov. 21. Meanwhile, Arts Playground, held on Saturdays at 9 a.m., is meant for pre-school kids. For more information and the full schedule of events, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) or follow the CCP and Art Education Facebook Pages and social media accounts.

Proposals sought for CCP’s Innovation Grants Project

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) Board of Trustees is now accepting proposals for its Innovation Grants Project 2020. As part of the CCP’s calibrated response to the pandemic, the grants aim to help the artistic community to devise new ways to create and produce new works in various art disciplines, as well as implement the distribution of new content on the arts using online technology, blended or hybrid technologies. These may include non-traditional collaborations within art genres or between arts and other fields or professions, and deliver community-wide, multi-platform events and festivities using novel ways of distribution and dissemination. The project is open to duly registered Filipino organizations implementing arts and culture programs, with a good track record for the last three years, which have proven their organizational capability to implement their proposed activities. The interested organizations must not be a current CCP resident company. Priority will be given to those who have not received previous grants from the CCP. Interested applicants must submit a fully accomplished form, along with the required supporting documents to the CCP Office of the VP-Artistic Director or via e-mail ccpinnovationgrant@gmail.com on or before Nov. 10. The official Grantees will be announced on Nov. 27. Selected proposals can receive a maximum of P500,000 per project, based on the evaluation of the gap being addressed by the proposal and the overall impact of the project. Proposed projects and activities should be implemented and completed within the period November to December 2020, and January to March 2021. For more information and details, visit the CCP website www.culturalcenter.gov.ph or e-mail ccpinnovationgrant@gmail.com.

Free contemporary pointework ballet class

A FREE online workshop on contemporary ballet pointework, spearheaded by Christine Crame, and hosted by the Arts and Culture Cluster of the School of Design and Arts of Benilde, will be conducted via Zoom on Oct. 30, 2 to 4 p.m. Interested participants may register until Oct. 29 via this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5PH2myEUNuZZBuDs1pqHUsOANVkxvNCkeU3TkMP4JILbIEA/viewform?gxids=7628 . For inquiries, visit the official Facebook page of the Benilde Arts and Culture Cluster at https://www.facebook.com/benildearts .

Walkthrough of Pacita Abad show

SEVEN of the late Pacita Abad’s Masks and Spirits works currently hang in the 11th edition of the Berlin Biennale. After decades of travel, Silverlens is privileged to host these trapunto paintings within its own gallery space. Silverlens will present Masks and Spirits by Pacita Abad in the upcoming Art Basel Online Viewing Room, which runs from Oct. 28 to 31. In conjunction with this event, the gallery will be conducting a live walkthrough of its presentation on Oct. 30 at 8 p.m., Manila Time. Register for this event at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYodeCuqD8jG9QaZuVP2IHP_ksUMmJbzLvi%20.

BSP outlines offsite process for verifying rediscount loans

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) will require banks to submit collateral documents online for the verification of rediscount loans availed by lenders as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Memorandum No. M-2020-081 signed by BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. on Oct. 22 said the usual on-site credit verification activities will be done remotely by allowing banks to present collateral documents through e-mail or BSP-organized virtual meetings.

The verification process will be conducted by the BSP’s Department of Loans and Credit (DLC).

Banks that will tap the rediscount facility are now required to send documents for post-credit and pre-credit verification, which include end-user borrower’s promissory notes, release of proceeds, certified true copy and duplicate copy of titles, duly registered real estate mortgage, and tax declarations, among others.

The central bank’s rediscount window lets lenders get hold of additional money supply by posting their collectibles from clients as collateral.

The cash — denominated in peso, dollar or yen — may be used by banks to disburse more loans for corporate or retail clients and to service unexpected withdrawals.

Based on the guidelines, collaterals that are agricultural lands larger than five hectares need to have clearance from the Department of Agrarian Reform. Proof of insurance policies, credit report memoranda, and applicable credit guarantees are also required to be submitted online.

For post-credit verification, additional requirements such as proof from banks that they have no pending legal cases and no past due obligations with other financial institutions. The schedule of bills payable for the rediscounting loan is also required.

The DLC will be responsible for evaluating the documents and is authorized to request for additional documents and to post queries in relation to the verification. Banks will be notified about the results of the verification through a letter.

BSP data showed peso rediscount loans hit P6.7 billion in September, more than triple the P2.1 billion logged a year ago. However, peso rediscount loans in the January to September period plummeted by 341.17% to P26.9 billion from the P118.674 billion in the first nine months of 2019.

The BSP has reduced the term spread on peso rediscount loans to zero regardless of maturity as part of its regulatory relief measures for banks amid the ongoing pandemic. — L.W.T. Noble

Apex Mining unit put in localized lockdown after COVID-19 cases

A SUBSIDIARY of Apex Mining Co. Inc. has been included in a localized lockdown in a barangay in Itogon, Benguet after cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were reported in the area.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI) said that as of Oct. 26, it reported around 80 COVID-19 positive cases in its Sangilo mine, and was awaiting all the results of swab tests conducted by the rural health unit.

According to ISRI, it has increased its disease mitigation efforts and has disinfected the areas where the COVID-19 patients were monitored.

The mining firm also assured that its containment facility is equipped to accommodate patients.

“The management is also seeking assistance from the local government unit (LGU) to conduct mass testing among its employees in the mine site,” the disclosure said.

The company said its mining operations would resume once contact tracing and swab testing are completed.

“Only those with negative results will be allowed to return to work,” the disclosure said.

Apex Mining has yet to determine the potential impact of the COVID-19-related issues on ISRI’s operations and financial results.

Meanwhile, the company said its Maco mining site in Davao de Oro remains operational and has not posted any COVID-19 infections, adding that health and safety procedures continue to be firmly enforced.

On Tuesday, shares in Apex Mining at the stock exchange rose 4.42% or P0.08 to close at P1.89 per piece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

How PSEi member stocks performed — October 27, 2020

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

Peso climbs on BoP surplus, vaccine news

THE PESO strengthened against the dollar on Tuesday as the country logged a balance of payments (BoP) surplus last month and on news that patients in the clinical trials of drug company AstraZeneca Plc showed a positive response to its coronavirus vaccines.

The local unit closed at P48.375 versus the dollar on Tuesday, rising by two centavos from its P48.395 finish on Monday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso opened Tuesday’s session at P48.40 against the greenback. It reached a peak of P48.37 while its weakest showing was at P48.48 per dollar.

Dollars traded rose to $838.87 million on Tuesday from $671.25 million on Monday.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the peso rose after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported a BoP surplus in September.

“The peso was stronger after stronger BoP surplus data as the highest in four months in 2020 and the third highest since 2019,” Mr. Ricafort said in a text message.

The country’s BoP position remained at a surplus for the eighth consecutive month in September, supported by the central bank’s foreign exchange operation and profits from investments abroad.

The BSP on Monday said the balance of payments surplus stood at $2.104 billion in September, ballooning from the $38-million surfeit in the same month in 2019. This was also 220% higher than the $657-million surplus posted in August and the highest since May’s $2.431 billion.

Meanwhile, a trader said the peso appreciated after results of the clinical trials of coronavirus vaccines from drug company AstraZeneca Plc and University of Oxford yielded positive results.

One of the world’s leading COVID-19 experimental vaccines produces an immune response in both old and young adults, raising hopes of a path out of the gloom and economic destruction wrought by the novel coronavirus, Reuters reported.

The vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford, also triggers lower adverse responses among the elderly, British drugmaker AstraZeneca, which is helping manufacture the vaccine, said on Monday.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is expected to be one of the first from big pharma to secure regulatory approval, along with Pfizer and BioNTech’s candidate.

For today, Mr. Ricafort expects the peso to range from P48.32 to P48.42 against the dollar, while the trader sees it moving from P48.30 to P48.50. — KKTJ with Reuters

PSE index snaps six-day rally as optimism wanes

By Denise A. Valdez, Senior Reporter

PHILIPPINE SHARES closed lower on Tuesday as more investors secured profits following the double-digit rally of the market since last week.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped 76.11 points or 1.17% to end at 6,415.08, while the broader all shares index declined 41.25 points or 1.06% to close at 3,818.11.

The PSEi opened at 6,467.45, which was also its highest level for the day, and continued to slide lower to hit a bottom of 6,381.19 before moving higher in the second half of the session.

“The local bourse dropped 1.17% due to profit-taking after six consecutive days of the rally as it is near the resistance level of 6,570.00,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Claire T. Alviar said in a text message.

Local shares were climbing since the beginning of last week, initially on the back of onshore investors but eventually with support from foreign money.

The PSEi gained 592.72 points or 10.05% from Oct. 16 to Oct. 26, when it closed at 5,898.47 and 6,491.19, respectively.

Foreign investors have been net buyers since Oct. 21 as well, posting net inflows of P103.54 million on Tuesday, lower than the previous session’s P4.44 billion.

“The US market’s sell-off overnight has spilled over in the bourse amid the negative sentiment from the recent surge of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases in the US coupled with the uncertainties over the stimulus package,” Ms. Alviar added.

Wall Street closed lower on Monday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indices posting 2.29%, 1.86% and 1.64% declines, respectively.

“The market closed on red territory as investors chose to stay on the sidelines amid the release of third quarter corporate earnings results. Internationally, traders may be gauging the overall sentiment as we move closer to the US elections,” Timson Securities, Inc. Trader Darren T. Pangan said in a text message.

Meanwhile, the announcement on Tuesday morning of an extended Metro Manila lockdown until the end of November failed to give investors a cause for optimism, which dragged the market lower until the end of trading.

All sectoral indices recorded losses upon market close: holding firms by 93.99 points or 1.39% to 6,636.72; financials by 17.18 points or 1.35% to 1,252.35; property by 39.37 points or 1.25% to 3,103.69; industrials by 80.26 points or 0.93% to 8,529.77; mining and oil by 46.37 points or 0.60% to 7,646.90; and services by 1.16 points or 0.07% to 1,471.52.

Some 6.49 billion issues valued at P8.02 billion switched hands on Tuesday, climbing from the previous session’s 2.72 billion issues valued at P31.09 billion.

Decliners bested advancers, 117 against 79, while 64 names ended unchanged.

Duterte orders probe of agencies for corruption

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday ordered the Justice department to probe all agencies for corruption, in line with his campaign against anomalies in the government.

In a televised speech, Mr. Duterte read a memo for Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra asking him to investigate “the entire government” until 2022.

“In pursuit of this directive, the Department of Justice (DoJ) shall have the authority to decide which allegation to investigate, taking into consideration the gravity thereof and their impact on the delivery of government service,” he said.

He added that the Justice department could create separate task forces for the probe.

“Apart from my usual responsibilities as secretary of Justice, this new assignment is the toughest I have ever received from the President,” Mr. Guevarra told reporters in a Viber group message.

“Considering the breadth of this anti-corruption campaign, I will immediately focus on the organizational setup and mechanism that will carry out the President’s directive till the end of his term, as well as the order of priorities,” he said.

In his speech, Mr. Duterte flagged former officials from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), adding that their resignation does not absolve them of the charges.

Mr. Duterte, whom critics have faulted for failing to disclose his net worth despite his vow of transparency, earlier ordered the DoJ to form a task force that investigated corruption at PhilHealth.

The panel headed by Mr. Guevarra later sought criminal and administrative charges against some officials.

The President also ordered the DoJ to investigate the Agriculture and Public Works departments.

His spokesman Harry L. Roque on Tuesday said Mr. Duterte has the power to order the probes even if the law already mandates the Office of the Ombudsman and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to investigate state anomalies.

The separate probe of PhilHealth showed how effective this was, he added. “The more government people are focused on the issue, the better.”

KICKBACKS
Corrupt lawmakers allegedly involved in corruption at the Public Works department get as much as a 15% cut for every infrastructure project, PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica told the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Legislators will get 10-15% per project,” he said, citing reports received by the agency. “Normally it’s advanced. It varies per project but that’s the basic minimum.”

District contractors and engineers also get kickbacks, he added.

“The choice contractor will be accommodated and the contractors themselves will have their own little syndicates among themselves,” he said.

Mr. Belgica said only half of the fund goes to the infrastructure project, resulting in substandard work.

“We’re investigating the entire DPWH,” he said. “We spoke to all district engineers so we’re building up the report right now. As to exactly how many, as of now, the numbers have been growing by the day.”

Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said he has formed a task force that will probe the allegations.

The investigation will cover all engineers regardless of their ranks, he told GMA News, adding that they won’t favor anybody.

“This is definitely not for show,” he said in Filipino. “I am results-oriented. When I have tasks, I’ll make sure there are results.”

Speaker Lord Allan Q. Velasco said a large-scale investigation of alleged corruption in the entire government was needed since a House probe would be “self-serving.”

“While we are saddened that some congressmen and the institution have been dragged into this controversy, we welcome such a probe by any government agency, as an investigation by the House would be self-serving and would only create a cloud of doubt,” he said in a statement.

He assured Mr. Duterte that the House of Representatives leadership agrees with his desire “to rid the bureaucracy of corrupt officials and employees in the remainder of his term.”

Meanwhile, Party-list Rep. Romeo S. Momo, Sr. said the House should wait for the results of the Public Works department’s own probe before conducting its own inquiry.

“Similar to what several congressmen had already stated, Mr. Belgica should name names if he truly has the smoking gun on alleged corrupt practices undertaken by legislators and DPWH officials,” InfraWatch PH Convenor Terry L. Ridon said in a Messenger chat.

He noted that not a single legislator had been identified up to now since the allegation was flagged by the PACC.

“Without evidence, this is an affront to Congress itself, as the PACC has prejudged its own pending investigation by making still unfounded, still unevidenced statements,” he added.

InfraWatch PH earlier urged the government to create an independent task force to probe the anomalies at the agency.

Mr. Guevarra said he might form several “strike forces” that will simultaneously “attack” various corruption-laden agencies. 

The Justice chief urged tipsters to come forward and provide information on corrupt state activities.

“The new and expanded anti-corruption task force will take it from there,” he said.

Mr. Duterte in a speech aired Tuesday ordered the Justice department to probe corruption allegations “in the entire government.”

The President has previously tasked Mr. Guevarra to form a panel to probe the anomalies in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) early this month filed graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against former PhilHealth chief Ricardo C. Morales and eight other officials. — Gillian M. Cortez, Vann Marlo M. Villegas and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Philippine Red Cross likely to miss testing orders on gov’t debt

THE PHILIPPINE Red Cross (PRC) might miss a chance to buy coronavirus testing kits from China on Tuesday after the state health insurer failed to pay its debt, according to Senator Richard J. Gordon.

The lawmaker, who heads the local Red Cross, said he had received reports that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) had prepared a check as payment for the P1.1 billion debt that remained unsigned.

The government had committed to pay by Oct. 26.

“I talked with somebody who said the check was ready yesterday, it just wasn’t signed,” he told an online news briefing in mixed English and Filipino. “I don’t know what that means.”

The Red Cross had obtained a permit for a chartered flight to China for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) test kits, but it could not proceed without the payment, Mr. Gordon said. “I can still fly it this afternoon, but I cannot fly unless I have the money to pay for the test kits,” he said. “It will just be a waste of time.”

The Red Cross was expected to bring home about 450,000 coronavirus test kits that will be distributed to 21 laboratories.

Mr. Gordon said he expects higher testing demand in case of a fresh surge in infections. “That way, we won’t get blindsided, we won’t rush,” he added.

The PRC has conducted the most number of tests as of Oct. 27, with 1.1 million COVID-19 tests since April, out of all hospitals and other health facilities in the country.

The humanitarian organization on Oct. 14 stopped conducting PhilHealth-funded tests for returning migrant Filipino workers, frontliners and government health workers due to the mounting debt.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 1,524 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 373,144.

The death toll rose by 14 to 7,053, while recoveries increased by 353 to 328,602, it said in a bulletin.

There were 37,489 active cases, 82.8% of which were mild, 11% did not show symptoms, 4% were critical and 2.2% were severe.

Negros Occidental reported the highest number of new cases at 115, followed by Cavite at 76, Benguet at 72, Quezon City at 67 and Laguna at 65, the agency said. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Gov’t orders 3,000 overstaying Chinese nationals to leave

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) ordered almost 3,000 Chinese to leave the country after their 30-day visas given to tourists upon arrival lapsed.

In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said 2,736 Chinese were granted visas upon arrival but failed to leave the country on their scheduled departure. More than half of them had been blacklisted, he added.

Some had valid reasons for failing to leave the Philippines on time, including canceled flights amid a coronavirus pandemic, he said “Those who stayed without sufficient basis were included in our blacklist.”

The Tourism and Justice departments agreed to allow Chinese nationals to get their Philippine visas upon arrival at the airport three years ago to attract tourists and tour groups.

Tourists with this type of visa may not extend their stay beyond 30 days, Mr. Morente said. Only 5% of Chinese arrivals in the country fall under this category, he added.

The Philippines suspended visas upon arrival in January after a Senate investigation found that tens of thousands of Chinese nationals had been given the privileges. It remains suspended amid the pandemic.

The government started scrutinizing special visas given to Chinese nationals due to concerns about national security and illegal employment in online casinos. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nationwide round-up (10/27/20)

House panel approves recommendation to file charges vs Duque, other PhilHealth execs

A JOINT panel in the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a 65-page report recommending the filing of charges against Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and other officials involved in the alleged anomalies in Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). Members of the House committees on public accounts, and good government and public accountability maintained in their report that Mr. Duque and other members of the PhilHealth Board should face administrative and criminal charges even as Bulacan Rep. Jose Alvarado-Sy filed an omnibus motion to exclude the state insurance firm’s board members from several charges. The joint panel recommended that the Office of the Ombudsman file criminal charges against the following: Mr. Duque, who sits as ex-officio chairperson of the board; former PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Ricardo C. Morales; Executive Vice President  Arnel F. De Jesus; Senior Vice Presidents Israel Francis Pargas, Renato Limsiaco, and Rodolfo del Rosario Jr.; and Senior Manager Rogelio Pocallan for violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. They are linked to the alleged illegal fund releases under the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism, a system of cash advances meant to assist medical providers during “fortuitous events” such as the coronavirus pandemic. The joint panel also gives the President authority to re-organize PhilHealth, and abolish some of its offices if necessary. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DoT backs COVID-19 testing price cap to encourage more domestic tourists

THE TOURISM department is supporting the proposed price cap on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests to reduce costs for potential travelers. Tourism sites that have reopened, such as Boracay and Baguio, require visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test result before being allowed entry. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in a press release on Tuesday, said the imposition of price caps on both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid antigen tests would benefit the industry that is among the hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis. “The Department likewise finds it imperative to address the urgent need to impose a price cap on these accepted COVID-19 testing methods to promote domestic tourism, which in turn can generate employment and stimulate economic recovery,” she said. The Department of Health last month recommended that President Rodrigo R. Duterte issue an executive order on the price ceiling. A PCR test could go as high as P12,000 in private laboratories. Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III has said that the industry’s recovery depends on health safety, as well as cost and ease of travel. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Gov’t stands pat on eased distancing rules

THE GOVERNMENT on Tuesday dismissed the recommendations of an independent research group that warns against relaxing distancing protocols in mass transport. In a briefing on Tuesday, Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said the government “disagrees” with the OCTA research group, adding that the eased measures were made by a team of medical experts and doctors. “I’m sorry, itong mga doktor pong ito ay respetado. Hindi ko po alam kung sino iyong doktor ng OCTA Group (these doctors  are respected. I don’t know who is the doctor of the OCTA Group),” he said. OCTA said on Monday that there will be a spike in coronavirus cases within the next two weeks following the decreased distancing requirements in public transportation. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) head said on Tuesday that preparations are underway for setting up cold chain storage facilities for vaccines. FDA Director General Rolando Enrique C. Domingo said the Health department already rents such facilities if there is a need during routine immunization programs, but it plans to have its own for the coronavirus vaccine distribution. Mr. Roque said the government has enough funds to purchase and build the needed facilities. — Gillian M. Cortez 

Duterte asks lawmakers to fast-track bill on OFW department

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte called on lawmakers to fast-track the passage of the bill that will create a new department for overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs), citing the urgent need to have an agency that will focus on their needs, especially amid displacements prompted by the global coronavirus pandemic. “I’d like to hurry up Congress in this. One of my proposals during the campaign period was the creation of Overseas Filipino (Workers department),” he said during a televised address on Tuesday. Mr. Duterte said the Department of Labor and Employment cannot solely handle the needs of OFWs given its responsibilities on in-country policies and programs. Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said on Tuesday the President might certify the measure as urgent. The President also called for the creation of special agency for maritime workers. The House of Representatives in March approved on final reading its version of the bill creating the department, while Senate versions are pending. — Gillian M. Cortez 

Voters want automated elections — La Salle study

FILIPINO VOTERS prefer an automated election system (AES) after finding the last four polls credible, transparent and accurate among others, a study found. “The latest available data on the 2019 mid-term elections to the data compared with the 2016, 2013, and 2010 elections shows improving Comelec (Commission on Elections) performance over time,” said Professors Ador R. Torneo and Topin S. Ruiz of the De La Salle University Department of Political Science. The study, titled 2019 Mid-term Elections in Review: An Assessment of the ‘Credibility’ of the 2019 Mid-term elections, was presented during the Stratbase ADR Institute virtual town hall discussion on Democracy Goes On: Elections & Electoral Continuity Post-COVID-19. “Automation of elections has improved the transparency of certain aspects of the electoral process. Having transparent elections means that the electorate has access to processes and information,” the authors said. Further, the study noted the increased public trust as well as the low number of electoral protests as among the indicators that showed improvement in the system. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Senators commend quick recall of envoy in abuse case, call for action

SENATORS on Tuesday commended the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) immediate recall of the Philippine ambassador to Brazil who was filmed on a security camera maltreating her Filipino household staff, and at the same time called for immediate action on the case. “I call on our Department of Foreign Affairs to conduct a thorough investigation on the matter and prosecute the official if found violating our labor laws and the Kasambahay (household helper) Law,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said in a statement on Tuesday. Senator Aquilino L. Pimentel III, chair of the foreign relations committee, said the DFA should provide assistance to the victim. “The recall of the diplomat involved back home to the Philippines is the correct move to make. Let us give her a chance to explain,” he told reporters over phone message. “In the meantime, we have to assist the person/staff at the receiving end of the physical violence,” Mr. Pimentel said. The footage was aired in the Brazilian news channel GloboNews last Sunday and later by international news organizations. DFA said the household staff left Brazil on Oct. 21 to return to the Philippines. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Crime rate drops by 46% during quarantine period

CRIME INCIDENTS dropped by 46% in the last seven months since lockdowns and quarantine measures were imposed in mid-March, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). In a briefing on Tuesday, PNP Chief  Guillermo T. Eleazar reported a 46% drop in index crimes during the period March 16 to October 25. “The average used to be 176 crimes per day. During this quarantine, it was 96,” he said in mixed Filipino and English. He added that the eight “focus crimes” have significantly decreased due to interventions by the PNP and the Joint Task Force COVID Shield. These crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft and carnapping. — Gillian M. Cortez

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