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Visitor arrivals hit 5.65 million at mid-December

IMAGE BY GIULIANO GABELLA VIA UNSPLASH

INTERNATIONAL visitors to the Philippines totaled 5.65 million as of Dec. 15, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT), well behind the pace needed to achieve the 7.7 million target for the year.

“South Korea remains our top source market, followed by the US and Japan,” Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco said at a briefing on Tuesday.

“To further expand our reach, we have intensified efforts to engage emerging opportunity markets, sharing the unique story of the Filipino and showcasing the rich array of experiences our country has to offer,” Ms. Frasco added.

The mid-December total is equivalent to 73.4% of the target for the year.

The DoT said that South Korea accounted for 1.15 million or 20.3% of the total arrivals, followed by the US with 889,489 or 15.7%, and Japan 367,747 or 6.5%.

Rounding out the top five were China, which sent 306,549 visitors or 5.4%, and Australia with 249,140 or 4.4%.

The other leading sources of visitors were Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, the UK, and Malaysia.

“We have graduated from measuring tourism merely by the number of people arriving, but rather on the more important numbers” like spending, length of stay, and return visits, she added.

Ms. Frasco said tourism receipts as of Dec. 15 amounted to P712 billion, exceeding the P697 billion booked in 2023.

“Tourists are now spending an average of over 11 nights in the country, and over 70% are repeat visitors,” she added.

“We are focusing on the numbers that drive the economy. Therefore, we are looking to surpass our visitor receipts in 2025,” Ms. Frasco said. — Adrian H. Halili

27 ecozones proclaimed during Marcos gov’t

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said 27 economic zones (ecozones) have been proclaimed during the Marcos administration.

“11 ecozones were proclaimed in 2023 (involving investment of) P3.538 billion. In 2024, 16 more ecozones at P5.637 billion. The zones are a mix of (information technology) and manufacturing,” PEZA Director-General Tereso O. Panga said at a briefing.

The investment promotion agency (IPA) said that the top nine local government units outside of Metro Manila, except Batanes, host PEZA ecozones.

“We see a direct correlation between LGUs hosting ecozones and higher levels of progress. This means a lot to us,” Mr. Panga said.

PEZA projects investment approvals this year at P215 billion, exceeding its target of P200 billion.

Mr. Panga said PEZA dividends remitted to the National Government for 2024 amounted to P1.36 billion, up from P900.14 million a year earlier, and the highest since 2021. — Adrian H. Halili

Power market operator sees reduced likelihood of red, yellow alerts in 2025

BW FILE PHOTO

RED AND YELLOW alerts will be less likely next year during the dry season, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

“If you look at the weather now, according to (government weather service) PAGASA, La Niña has started,” Isidro E. Cacho, Jr., IEMOP’s head of trading operations, told reporters on Tuesday.

“Of course, its impact is different from last year’s El Niño. So, going into summer next year. Based on our latest projections, we don’t see any red and yellow alerts,” he added.

However, he does not rule out the possibility of unplanned or forced outages, leading to power interruptions.

PAGASA estimates a 74% probability of La Niña setting in by January, likely to persist through the rest of the first quarter.

“Next year, in terms of supply, we’re really seeing it to be quite stable,” Mr. Cacho said.

He cited the possibility of yellow alerts in the third quarter of 2025, particularly in the Visayas, due to the maintenance programs of some power plants.

“Compared to Luzon, the supply (in the Visayas) needs a bit of reinforcement,” he said.

Earlier this year, the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection began full operations, enabling power sharing across all three main island grids.

The project allows excess power of up to 450 megawatts (MW) to be exported from the Mindanao grid to the Visayas.

This month, the market operator said power prices are low due to cooler weather and stable power supply.

IEMOP operates the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), where energy companies can buy power when their long-term contracted power supply is insufficient for customer needs.

“Although there are outages — planned and unplanned — our demand has not been affected by the unplanned outages,” Mr. Cacho said.

According to the preliminary data from the IEMOP, spot prices system-wide fell 9.7% to P3.99 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of mid-December.

Between Nov. 26 and Dec. 15, the available supply increased 2.9% to 20,064 MW.

Demand, on the other hand, rose 0.2% to 13,692 MW.

On Luzon, the average price declined 10.6% to P3.79 per kWh.

Supply rose 4% to 14,191 MW, while demand rose 0.1% to 9,667 MW.

The WESM price in the Visayas dropped 8.9% month-on-month to P4.39 per kWh.

The grid’s supply during the period rose 2.3% to 2,449 MW. Demand grew 1.4% to 1,998 MW.

The average power price in Mindanao dropped 6.2% to P4.55 per kWh.

Available supply decreased 0.8% to 3,424 MW. Demand fell 0.2% to 2,026 MW. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

China food expo yields P1.6B for PHL delegation

BW FILE PHOTO

THE PHILIPPINES obtained about P1.6 billion worth of food sales and firm purchase agreements during the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) said.

“The amount was a combination of reported sales, purchase agreements or memoranda of understanding, and business matching results following the six-day import-oriented trade show,” CITEM said in a statement on Tuesday.

It added that the Philippine delegation included 16 food exhibitors during the China based expo, this was also in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.

It said that small and medium enterprises in the delegation highlighted products featuring the Philippine durian variety known as Puyat.

“Together with our valued partners from various government agencies and the private sector, CITEM is thrilled with the success of our seventh participation in CIIE. The country’s participation is expected to create jobs, providing bigger opportunities for local agricultural communities across the Philippines,” CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said.

CITEM said that a memorandum of understanding was signed by Lionheart Farms Corp. and a Jiangsu-based company valued at $415,000, while Treelife Coco Sugar obtained more than $400,000 from a Shanghai e-commerce firm.

Dole Philippines, Inc. and Good Farmer acquired purchase agreements for fresh fruit, while SQ Fresh Fruits signed an agreement with Shishi Songhe International Trade Co. Ltd. to export durian.

“Durian is our next high-potential export revenue fruit. It was very evident from the expo goers’ overwhelming reception of our Puyat durian during our taste testing sessions that generated a lot of interest and inquiries,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Philip C. Young said.

A coconut oil trading agreement was also reached by New Asia Oil, Inc. and Namchow Food Group during the event, though no details were provided.

CITEM said Liwayway International Co. Ltd. is also set to explore potential collaboration with Chinese firms on supply wchain optimization and channel expansion. — Adrian H. Halili

Digital economy growth challenging for revenue collection, legislator says

FREEPIK

THE GROWTH of digital marketplaces is posing challenges for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in collecting taxes, a legislator said on Tuesday.

The Philippine digital economy was estimated at P2.05 trillion in 2023, accounting for 8.4% of gross domestic product, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. The equivalent totals for 2022 were 7.7% and P1.9 trillion.

“The shift to the digital economy is making it difficult for the BIR to collect taxes on the domestic economy,” Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, said at a committee hearing.

The BIR is in the process of digitizing its internal processes, with a focus on training employees to be digitally savvy, upgrading technology infrastructure, and improving the taxpayer experience.

It has been transitioning to digital operations after adopting a 10-year digitalization roadmap in 2019.

“This isn’t a quick fix. This digital transformation is a long process. There’s a lot that needs to be done,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. told BusinessWorld.

“As of now, we are on track in developing our digital (infrastructure)… with full implementation by 2028,” he added.

At the hearing, Mr. Salceda urged the government to collect digital value-added tax on goods sold through electronic platforms.

“I don’t know who is doing the IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations), but goods over digital markets are not being included in the definition of the digital VAT,” he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Halal trade office established

FREEPIK

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it established the National Halal Industry and Development Office (NHIDO) to oversee the industry’s development.

“The NHIDO will act as the central coordinating body for all Halal development efforts to streamline initiatives and foster collaboration,” the DTI said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The establishment of NHIDO marks a turning point for the Philippine Halal industry. It will serve as a unifying force to transform our goals into reality, unlocking opportunities for businesses, creating jobs, and elevating the Philippines as a Halal-friendly destination globally,” Halal Industry and Trade Office Program Manager Dimnatang M. Radia said.

The Trade department said that among the office’s key priorities is to simplify Halal certification and standards, ensuring easier access for medium, small, and micro enterprises (MSMEs).

“This initiative will be supported by expanded capacity-building programs that offer specialized training, equipping MSMEs and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the Halal sector,” it added.

The agency said the NHIDO will collaborate with local government units and other agencies to put up Halal-compliant infrastructure, including slaughterhouses and cold storage facilities.

“This initiative will also involve regional integration efforts to enhance supply chains across Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, creating the foundation for efficient Halal trade hubs,” it added. — Adrian H. Halili

PhilHealth has ‘adequate’ resources even without subsidy, Recto says

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has enough reserves and a surplus to improve benefits next year even without the government’s subsidies, Finance Secretary Ralph. G. Recto said.

“PhilHealth has adequate resources to meet their obligations and even improve benefit packages for 2025,” Mr. Recto, who is also a PhilHealth board member, told reporters on Tuesday.

“They have adequate reserves, and they have a huge surplus which they can use for 2025.”

Lawmakers decided to cut PhilHealth’s supposed P74-billion state subsidy under the proposed 2025 national budget, citing its billions of unused funds.

According to PhilHealth’s financial statement, the state insurer’s reserve fund as of end-June was at P280.57 billion. However, this was down by 16.54% from P336.16 billion in the first half of last year.

Mr. Recto noted the reserve fund was enough to cover the benefits of its members.

“My understanding is, there was a board meeting about a few days ago and they increased the benefit package by 50%. So, the operating budget of PhilHealth next year is roughly P280 billion,” he said.

However, the Finance Secretary said he would like to “improve the benefit packages and reduce out of pocket expenses.”

PhilHealth Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma said PhilHealth is “financially robust” to support its operations and finance the healthcare costs of Filipinos despite the move by Congress to deny it state subsidy for next year.

Mr. Ledesma told lawmakers on Tuesday the state health insurer has a surplus fund amounting to P150 billion, fund reserves totaling P280 billion, and investment resources of P490 billion.

“PhilHealth is still a very healthy corporation at the moment,” he told lawmakers during a House of Representatives hearing.

“These figures clearly demonstrate that PhilHealth is financially robust, well-positioned to sustain operations and fully capable of addressing the healthcare needs of our 115 million members,” he added.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, the state insurer also said benefits will improve and continue to be paid. It would do better to give the government reason to give it subsidies to use for long-term improvements, it added.

‘DIRECT ASSAULT’
A coalition of labor groups, however, decried the proposed zero-budget subsidy, calling it a “direct assault on social justice and the Constitution.”

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition, the country’s largest alliance of labor groups, urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to veto the budget, restore the PhilHealth subsidy, and realign government spending to prioritize public welfare over what it described as excessive allocations for political and infrastructure projects.

“The zero subsidy is not just bad policy — it’s negative social justice,” said NAGKAISA Chair Jose Sonny G. Matula in a statement.

PhilHealth’s delayed payments have already forced hospitals to scale back services and left healthcare workers without compensation, NAGKAISA said. Without a subsidy, these issues could worsen, leaving patients and institutions struggling to stay afloat.

Mr. Matula argued that Mr. Marcos had been misled by advisers and questioned the accuracy of the cited figures.

“PhilHealth’s share of hospital expenses is already insufficient. Without a subsidy, families will have no choice but to pawn their land, homes, and even basic household items just to afford treatment,” Mr. Matula added in mixed English and Filipino.

Should the President sign the 2025 budget, the group said it is preparing to seek redress before the Supreme Court for violating the constitutional mandate to prioritize health and education.

The group urged Mr. Marcos to veto the 2025 national budget and reinstate the PhilHealth subsidy, but the President on Monday defended the decision to remove government subsidy for the state health insurer citing its reserves.

PhilHealth “has a P500-billion reserve and the cost to provide their services in 1 year is less than P100 billion…They have sufficient funds to carry on,” Mr. Marcos told reporters at the presidential palace.

Critics argue that PhilHealth is already balance sheet insolvent, with assets lower than liabilities, and that removing government subsidies could exacerbate its financial instability.

Despite these concerns, Mr. Marcos maintained that PhilHealth has sufficient funds to continue its services and has been efficient in providing coverage, including expanded services for cancer patients.

The bicam has also faced criticism over moves to cut the Department of Education’s (DepEd) budget by P10 billion, which Senate President Jose Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero said could be addressed through DepEd’s unspent funds.

“The President can augment any item in the budget from savings or unspent items in the budget,” he said in a text message to reporters.   

“There are lots of resources to augment. DepEd and its secretary should know because the submissions for the budget deliberations on their own dismal fund utilization came from them,” he added.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara earlier hit the budget cut, saying in an X post on Monday, “It seems the congressman wants us to sink even lower.”

In particular, DepEd can utilize the unspent P10.034 billion from its P13.068-billion in the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for its computerization program, Mr. Escudero said.

That fund would revert to the National Treasury by the end of the year, he noted.

DepEd can also tap the P10.2 billion that it has not obligated nor spent from the P20.4 billion that Congress allocated in the 2023 GAA for the similar program, he added.

The agency also has unspent P15.9 billion under the 2024 budget for its computerization program.

In a statement shared to reporters via Viber, Finance Undersecretary Annalyn M. Sevilla said of the P32 billion budget for the DepEd Computerization Program from 2022 to 2024, P28.5 billion has been obligated, as of Nov. 30, 2024.

Meanwhile, a private sector group advocating learning reforms has called on lawmakers to fix the cuts faced by the education sector under the proposed 2025 national budget, citing the Marcos administration’s push for human capital development.

In a statement, the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) flagged that Manila has been allocating only 3.6% of its gross domestic product to the learning sector since 2022, a trajectory that is far below the global standard for education.

This is “far short of UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recommendation of 4-6%,” PBEd said.

It said the Congress-approved budget for 2025 will provide the DepEd and its attached agencies a nominal increase of just P19.42 billion compared to the agency’s P758.6-billion funding under the 2024 national budget.

“A closer look shows that this increase only translates to an approximate of P1,600 spent for every student,” PBEd noted.

“We still have a long way to go in ramping up our efforts and ensuring that our students and our teachers are provided with the essential resources needed to succeed,” it said. “Investment in education must be a priority.”

PBEd cited the President’s “direction on improving our human capital.”

The Marcos administration’s eight-point socio-economic agenda under the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 includes the target to “equip Filipinos with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy.”

Amid issues hounding the proposed 2025 national budget, Mr. Marcos on Monday said he would push for the restoration of DepEd’s budget cuts, particularly the P10-billion proposed funding for its national computerization program for 2025.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential palace, the Philippine leader said the cut does not align with his government’s thrust in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) development.

“With this pronouncement on restoring the education sector’s budget, we remain hopeful that his leadership will inspire the necessary prioritization of education within the government,” PBEd said. — Aaron Michael C. Sy, Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Chloe Mari A. Hufana, and Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

PSEi plunges to 6,500 level before policy meetings

BW FILE PHOTO

THE MAIN INDEX on Tuesday ended at the 6,500 level for the first time since August as the market succumbed to selling pressure before the policy meetings of the US Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell by 1.71% or 113.45 points to close at 6,501.71 on Tuesday, while the broader all shares index declined by 1.12% or 42.30 points to end at 3,710.21.

This was the PSEi’s lowest close in over four months or since it finished at 6,433.24 on Aug. 6.

“The PSEi fell amidst strong selling pressure as foreigners sold nearly net P1.4 billion worth of shares and investors hedged risks ahead of the monetary policy meetings of the Federal Reserve and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas this week,” Chinabank Capital Corp. Managing Director Juan Paolo E. Colet said in a Viber message.

Net foreign selling increased to P1.36 billion on Tuesday from P495.9 million on Monday.

“The local market plunged as investors kept a cautious stance while waiting for the policy meetings of the Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. More than the interest rate decision, investors are looking forward to the policy outlook of both central banks, especially that of the Federal Reserve given the upside risks to the US’ inflation caused by President-elect Donald J. Trump’s planned protectionist policies,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

The Fed will hold its last policy meeting for the year on Dec. 17-18, while the BSP’s Monetary Board is scheduled to have its own review on Dec. 19. Both central banks are widely expected to cut benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points but signal a hawkish path ahead amid lingering uncertainties.

“The peso’s weakness against the US dollar also weighed on the market in today’s trading,” Mr. Tantiangco added.

The peso sank to a three-week low of P58.871 per dollar on Tuesday, down by 20 centavos from its P58.671 finish on Monday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

All sectoral indices closed lower on Tuesday. Financials declined by 2.51% or 57.42 points to 2,223.47; services dropped by 1.78% or 37.40 points to 2,054.09; property shed 1.29% or 31.41 points to end at 2,392.81; industrials went down by 1.25% or 113.06 points to 8,901.92; mining and oil retreated by 0.8% or 60.70 points to 7,465.64; and holding firms fell by 0.65% or 36.76 points to close the session at  5,588.43.

“JG Summit Holdings, Inc. was the top index gainer, climbing 2.55% to P20.10. Monde Nissin Corp. was the main index laggard, plummeting 7.5% to P7.40,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover went up to P6.6 billion on Tuesday with 1.13 billion shares changing hands from the P4.64 billion with 533.34 million issues traded on Monday.

Decliners overwhelmed advancers, 124 to 65, while 51 names closed unchanged. — S.J. Talavera

Peso slides further ahead of central bank meetings

THE PESO sank to a fresh three-week low against the dollar on Tuesday as players await the policy decisions of the US Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The local unit closed at P58.871 per dollar on Tuesday, sliding by 20 centavos from its P58.671 finish on Monday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

This was the peso’s weakest finish since its record-low P59-per-dollar close on Nov. 26.

The peso opened Tuesday’s session weaker at P58.74 against the dollar. Its intraday high was at P58.71, while its worst showing was at P58.885 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged inched down to $1.43 billion on Tuesday from $1.48 billion on Monday.

The peso continued to weaken against the dollar as the market traded cautiously ahead of the policy meetings of the Fed and the BSP, a trader said by phone.

The Fed was set to start its two-day policy meeting overnight. Markets widely expect another 25-basis-point (bp) cut at the meeting and are also awaiting the central bank’s updated economic and rate projections.

The US central bank began its easing cycle in September with a 50-bp cut and followed it up with a 25-bp reduction in November, bringing the fed funds rate to the 4.5%-4.75% range.

Meanwhile, the BSP will meet to discuss policy on Dec. 19 (Thursday). A BusinessWorld poll conducted last week showed that 13 out of 16 analysts expect the Monetary Board to reduce benchmark borrowing costs by 25 bps for a third straight meeting.

The BSP kicked off its rate-cut cycle in August with a 25-bp reduction. It slashed borrowing costs by another 25 bps in October to bring the target reverse repurchase rate to 6%.

The dollar was generally stronger on Tuesday following higher US Treasury yields due to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s proposed tax policies, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

For Wednesday, the trader sees the peso moving between P58.50 and P59 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort expects the local unit to range from P58.75 to P58.95.

The trader said the peso-dollar pair will likely consolidate before the policy announcements of the Fed and the BSP.

The dollar held firm and near recent peaks on Tuesday, on the eve of an expected interest rate cut in the United States, as traders have ratcheted long-term rate assumptions higher, Reuters reported.

The friendless euro, which is heading for a calendar-year drop of nearly 5% on the dollar, was not far from recent troughs and traded at $1.0509 in the Asia session with markets in a holding pattern ahead of the Fed decision.

The yen was steady at 154.06 per dollar, after six straight days of selling as markets have pared chances of a Japanese rate hike this week in favor of a move in January. — AMCS with Reuters

Japan set to approve military pact with the Philippines, DND says

JAPAN MARITIME SELF-DEFENSE FORCE, FROM FACEBOOK/ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES/PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

JAPAN’S National Diet is set to approve the Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), following the Philippine Senate’s concurrence on its ratification, marking a major step in strengthening defense and security cooperation between the two nations.

“The RAA is set to be approved by the Japanese government’s National Diet, in accordance with Japan’s domestic legal process, to render it valid and binding upon both our countries,” the Department of National Defense (DND) said in a statement on Tuesday.

The DND welcomed the Senate’s approval, emphasizing the agreement’s role in addressing shared security challenges and fostering regional stability.

“We look forward to the implementation of the RAA, which will enable our militaries to expand our defense cooperation and build trust and confidence amongst each other amid shared security challenges,” the DND said.

Once approved by Japan’s National Diet, the agreement will take effect, enabling both countries to expand military cooperation, build trust, and address shared security challenges.

“Collaborative partnerships with like-minded nations are essential as we continue to fortify our own defense capabilities,” the Defense department said.

With 19 affirmative votes, the Senate on Monday concurred with the ratification of the RAA, which will ease military cooperation between the two countries, allowing for the entry of equipment and troops for military drills and disaster response.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the Senate’s concurrence on the ratification of the RAA, which is expected to “significantly enhance” the Philippines’ security cooperations with Japan amid the “increasingly complex regional security environment.”

“The RAA is a strategic framework for the Philippines to enhance its defense capabilities, promote regional stability, and bolster its position in the ongoing maritime disputes,” it said in a statement.

Josue Raphael J. Cortez, lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance said the ratification reflects the commitment of the two archipelagos to continue its ties and ascertain regional stability.

“This move is strategic given that among the shared experiences we have with Japan is encountering maritime tensions with [China] — ours in light of the West Philippine Sea and with Japan over the Senkaku Islands,” he told BusinessWorld in a Facebook Messenger chat.

He added the initiative shows Japan as a prime mover in ensuring freedom of navigation and regional stability under its Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy.

“This explicates Japan’s commitment not just to our country but also to our neighbors in Southeast Asia given that even Vietnam right now is head-to-head with China,” he added.

Both countries signed the deal in July to ease the entry of military equipment and troops for combat training from Japan.

The agreement is the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia and coincides with increased Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive claims conflict with those of several Southeast Asian nations.

The ratification of the RAA also followed Japan’s move to provide P611 million worth of security assistance to the Philippines, which includes radar systems, inflatable boats, and other maritime equipment.

The Philippines has a visiting forces agreement with the US and Australia. Tokyo, which hosts the biggest concentration of US forces abroad, has a similar deal with Australia and Britain, and is negotiating another with France.

Marcos yet to decide on Mary Jane Veloso’s pardon — Palace

MARY JANE F. VELOSO — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has yet to decide on granting pardon to Mary Jane F. Veloso, a Filipina convicted of drug charges in Indonesia, the Presidential Palace said on Tuesday, noting her repatriation comes first.

“Nothing to say yet on what may happen,” Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin told reporters in a Viber message when asked about Ms. Veloso’s potential pardon.

“The priority of PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) is to have Veloso repatriated without delay.”

Ms. Veloso is expected to return to the Philippines in the morning of Dec. 18, after spending over a decade in an Indonesian prison.

Jakarta agreed last month to repatriate Ms. Veloso, a former domestic helper and mother of two, who was arrested in Yogyakarta 14 years ago after being found with 2.6 kilograms of heroin concealed in a suitcase.

She received a last-minute reprieve from execution in 2015 after the late former President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III appealed to the Indonesian government, arguing she could be a vital witness in prosecuting drug syndicates.

Ms. Veloso will serve the remainder of her sentence in the Philippines.

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Tuesday said Ms. Veloso will undergo a mandatory five-day quarantine at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. said in a statement that Ms. Veloso will be held in the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) for a maximum of 60 days, as per standard protocols for newly committed prisoners.

This process also includes a five-day quarantine followed by a 55-day orientation, diagnostic evaluation and initial security classification.

Once completed, she will be transferred to her designated corrections facility on the recommendations from the RDC Initial Classification Board.

During the quarantine, Ms. Veloso will be held in a regular quarantine cell for medical observation and undergo medical and physical examinations to assess her condition.

CIW personnel will also interview her to gather information for her registration and list authorized visitors.

The five-day quarantine is expected to end on December 24, allowing Ms. Veloso’s immediate family to visit her for Christmas, Mr. Catapang noted.

FAMILY’S APPEAL
Meanwhile, Ms. Veloso’s lawyer, Edre U. Olalia, chair of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), appealed to the Department of Justice (DoJ) to allow her family to greet her at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) before she is taken to CIW.

“We will continue to appeal to their good hearts — consistent with Filipino culture, tradition & sensitivity and in the spirit of the season — to allow the family to meet her at the airport even privately for a short immediate reunion & quick hug at least,” he told reporters in a Viber chat.

“The Indonesians have treated her very well (and) compassionately. We can do no less,” he added.

Migrante International also issued an appeal to the Philippine government, urging Philippine authorities to allow Mary Jane Veloso’s family and legal counsel to welcome her upon her arrival.

“After her grueling years in jail, it is but humane that she sees her mother, father, and children when she arrives on Philippine soil. It has been a long ordeal for her, and the least we can do is allow her to embrace her family in her homeland,” Migrante International Chairperson Joanna Concepcion said in a statement.

Ms. Veloso’s parents, through Mr. Olalia, and Migrante International, had earlier appealed to Mr. Marcos to grant their daughter clemency, in a letter coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Congress told to act on impeachment complaints, ‘mangled’ national budget

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A POLITICAL group on Tuesday urged the Philippine Congress to act on impeachment complaints filed against Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, while also reconvening its joint panel on the budget bill to return slashed funding to the education and social services sector before it goes on break.

The Senate and the House of Representatives will adjourn for 22 days, starting Dec. 21 until Jan. 13 for its Christmas break.

“There are two things Congress should do before adjourning for the Christmas break: Undo its mangling of the proposed 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA); [and] impeach Ms. Duterte,” Teodoro A. Casiño, chairman of political group Bayan Muna, said in a statement.

The Congress-approved proposed national budget slashed a total of P352.9 billion from the Education, Health, and Social Welfare departments, together with the National Irrigation Administration, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PHilHealth), and special purpose funds and personnel benefit fund, according to Mr. Casiño.

Meanwhile, two impeachment complaints have been lodged against Ms. Duterte in early December, with critics saying her failure to account for her public fund spending paved the way for her removal from office. The complaints alleged graft and corruption, bribery, and betrayal of public trust, among other crimes.

In a separate statement, Zambales Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun said that allocations provided to the education sector are higher than funds allotted for the Public Works department, amid concerns on the budget bill’s constitutionality.

“Based on our data and figures in the 2025 national budget, it is clear that education still has the highest funding compared to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It is not true that the DPWH budget is larger than that of education,” he said in a statement.

He claimed that funding for the education sector totaled P1.05 trillion, P22 billion higher than DPWH’s P1.03-trillion allocations. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

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