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How PSEi member stocks performed — June 23, 2020

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.


Arts & Culture (06/24/20)

Last week of VLF 2020 Kapit online

THE Virgin Labfest (VLF) is now on its last week in the virtual stage. Catch the featured plays with their free live online performances at Cultural Center of the Philippines’ official Facebook account and VLF official Facebook account until June 28. Virgin Labfest 2020: KAPIT is also available on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/vlf2020kapit) until July 1. Watch at your own leisure with the regular package (P100) or the premium package (P200). Limited performances come with English subtitles. One of the main components of VLF, the Playwright’s Fair keeps up with conversations with playwrights and authors on June 25 to 27, at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the VLF Fellowship Program concludes with an online staged reading of the fellows’ works, directed by Dennis Marasigan, on June 28 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. VLF 2020 Kapit: Lab in the Time of Covid (A Virtual Labfest Edition), the theater festival of untried, untested and unstaged plays features nine new works, three revisited plays, and six staged readings. For Festival Schedule and synopses, visit https://bit.ly/3bT6Y3y.

Casa de Memoria launches new online auction platform

FOLLOWING the success of its Primero and Segundo anniversary and inaugural online auctions, Casa de Memoria, the Lhuillier-managed auction house now introduces The Casa Online. Powered by Invaluable, The Casa Online is a series of auctions that aim to provide budding art enthusiasts and younger collectors with an accessible platform featuring smaller art pieces and interesting bric-a-brac that are priced within the reach of this growing audience. With this, The Casa Online will be featuring a series of at least four online auctions, starting with The Casa Online 01 on July 11, Saturday. It will feature European-Filipino art pieces but highlighting paintings and small vintage items with a ceiling price of P45,000. Proceeds from The Casa Online 01 will be donated to Sagip Kapamilya, the emergency humanitarian assistance program of the ABS-CBN Foundation. Among the items included are Cafetera by Victor Arrizabagala, Portrait of a girl by Henri Matisse, Bronze Lioness by Antoine-Louis Barye, and an album containing 62 Spanish advertisements.

West Gallery opens several exhibits

WEST GALLERY reopens to the public on June 25 with new solo exhibitions by Raffy Napay, Mark Andy Garcia, Neil Pasilan, and Ryan Rubio. The exhibits — Raffy Napay’s Dugtong, Mark Andy Garcia’s To Live, Neil Pasilan’s Beautiful Sunrise to Sunset, and Ryan Rubio’s The Beauty and the Truth — will run from June 25 to July 25. To ensure the health and safety of the staff, artists, and guests, there will be no opening reception but the gallery will be receiving visitors by appointment only. There are new gallery hours — it is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, call 3411-0336.

Komikera wins 2020 PBBY-Alcala prize

THE Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) will give the grand prize award of the 2020 PBBY-Alcala Prize to illustrator Victoria Melissa R. Tadiar during the 37th National Children’s Book Day (NCBD) celebration on July 21. Tadiar won for her illustrations for Boon Kristoffer Lauw’s chapter book, Team Abangers at ang Estilong Trumpo. Lauw won the grand prize at the 2020 PBBY-Salanga Prize, the first time the competition was opened to chapter books. A full-time IT professional who works on comics and illustrations in her free time, Tadiar won the Komiket Best Komiks Award in 2017 for her Filipiniana fantasy comic SAGALA, which was released as a self-published graphic novel in 2019. Her current project, Twinkle, Twinkle, is an Official Selection finalist at the First Philippine International Comics Festival. She is also a new member of Ang InK (Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan), the only professional organization of children’s illustrators. The Cultural Center of the Philippines and the PBBY celebrate NCBD every third Tuesday of July to commemorate the anniversary of the publication of Jose Rizal’s rendition of the folk tale “The Monkey and the Turtle” in the July 1889 issue of Trubner’s Oriental Record in London. For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY secretariat at secretariat@pbby.org.ph.

Peso weakens further on budget balance data

THE PESO weakened further on Tuesday due to a wider budget deficit and uncertainties over the US-China trade deal.

The local currency closed at P50.19 per dollar, depreciating by five centavos from Monday’s close of P50.14, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines’ website showed.

The local unit started the day stronger at P50.10 per dollar, weakening to as low as P50.25. Its strongest showing was at P50.09 versus the dollar.

Dollars traded on Tuesday rose to $891.8 million from the $456.96 million seen the day prior.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said via text that the peso dropped on data showed a wider budget deficit in May.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury released Tuesday showed the budget balance was at a P202.1-billion deficit last month from the P2.6-billion surplus in May 2019.

This put the January-May deficit at P562.176 billion, a sharp increase from the P800-million gap logged in the same five-month period last year.

Meanwhile, a trader attributed the weaker peso to conflicting statements on the status of the first phase of the US-China trade pact.

Mr. Ricafort also said rising coronavirus disease 2019 cases globally “partly weighed sentiment on the financial markets, including the peso.”

Mr. Ricafort and the trader both see the local currency settling within P50.10-50.30 per dollar level on Wednesday. — B.M. Laforga

Shares decline on rise in new coronavirus cases

By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

LOCAL SHARES ended lower on Tuesday as fear over rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients continued to affect investor sentiment.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 49.65 points or 0.78% to 6,297.78 on Tuesday. The broader all shares index shed 21.18 points or 0.57% to 3,685.72.

“The PSEi closed lower as investors weighed optimism over a quick recovery for the domestic economy, or V-shaped rebound, against evidence of an acceleration of COVID-19 infections in half of all US states and elsewhere in the world,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message.

COVID-19 cases continued to rise in different parts of the world, with South Korea officially declaring a second wave of infections on Monday, news wires reported.

Several US states and Beijing have also seen an increase in new COVID-19 cases over the weekend.

Data from Johns Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center showed there are over 9.1 million COVID-19 cases across the globe as of Tuesday, with US and Brazil leading the charts having 2.3 million and 1.1 million cases each, respectively.

Timson Securities, Inc. trader Darren T. Pangan said these developments led to a more cautious stance by investors, resulting in selling off on Tuesday. Uncertainty over the trade relations between the US and China also pushed investors to watch their risk exposures.

“Second and third liner issues joined the list of most active stocks today, as market participants continue to speculate on which businesses will be the least affected by the ongoing pandemic situation,” Mr. Pangan said in a text message.

Most active stocks on Tuesday in terms of value turnover were MerryMart Consumer Corp. (+3.06%), DITO CME Holdings Corp. (-0.54%) and Emperador, Inc. (+0.13%).

Despite the PSEi drop, Mr. Pangan said the market seems to have formed a base above the 6,150-6,200 level. He puts this area as support level and resistance at 6,600.

Four of six sectoral indices ended Tuesday’s session in red territory. Property lost 45.62 points or 1.43% to 3,140.28; holding firms slid 75.36 points or 1.14% to 6,497.40; industrials trimmed 65.67 points or 0.83% to 7,763.45; and services dipped 3.05 points or 0.21% to 1,398.63. Gainers were mining and oil, which rose 102.44 points or 2.03% to 5,134.31; and financials, which improved 13.99 points or 1.11% to 1,270.88.

Some 1.31 billion issues valued at P7.31 billion switched hands on Tuesday, slightly higher than Monday’s 1.21 billion issues valued at P7.33 billion.

Advancers bested decliners, 103 against 98, while 45 names ended unchanged.

Offshore investors remained sellers, with net outflows increasing to P1.15 billion from P1 billion the previous day.

Philippines may start trials for anti-flu drug Avigan in July

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES plans to start clinical trials next month of the Japanese anti-flu drug Avigan as a treatment for the novel coronavirus, according to the Department of Health (DoH).

The trials would start as soon as the agency’s ethics committee and the local Food and Drug Administration give their clearance, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said at an online news briefing on Tuesday.

Japan in April said it would send the drug manufactured by Fujifilm Toyama Chemical Co., Ltd. to 38 countries including the Philippines after clinical trials in other countries.

The Philippines is also participating in another clinical trial led by the World Health Organization.

Avigan has caught the world’s attention as a front-runner among treatment options for the illness it causes, COVID-19.

The drug has been given to more than 350 people in Japan, and as reports of its efficacy roll in, work has begun to ramp up production and carry out clinical trials aimed at obtaining government approval.

The drug had been effective in alleviating symptoms, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a news briefing on April 7, raising the prospect of offering Avigan to other countries.

The administration has included ¥13.9 billion ( $130 million) to boost the stockpile of Avigan in Japan’s 2020 supplementary budget proposal to an amount enough to treat two million people for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Fujifilm Toyama earlier announced a significant increase in production of the influenza antiviral drug. It said it would boost capacity from about 40,000 treatment courses a month to 300,000 a month by September.

DoH reported 1,150 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 31,825.

The death toll rose to 1,186 after nine more patients died, while recoveries rose by 299 to 8,442, it said in a bulletin.

Of the new cases, 789 were reported in the past three days, while 361 were reported late, the agency said.

Five duplicates and two negative cases had taken out of the count, DoH said.

Ms. Vergeire said the agency was studying pooled testing to maximize the capacity of licensed laboratories.

The plan is under review by an ethics committee before pilot testing can start at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City, Ms. Vergeire said at an online news briefing.

They were also checking the number of laboratories that could participate in the pooled testing based on their capacity and manpower.

Under the method, specimens from several people will be pooled in a single polymerase chain reaction or PCR test to cut costs.

Iloilo Rep. and former Health Secretary Jannette L. Garin on Sunday said pooled testing seeks to cut a test to as low as P300.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ms. Vergeire said DoH was cautious about declaring a flattening of the curve even if the infection rate has slowed. Some areas of the country such as Cebu City have also experienced a spike.

She said it now takes 7.26 days to double infections, longer than the two to three days before.

“There are indications of a flattening of the curve,” Ms. Vergeire said. “We we would like to be cautious in saying that because we are seeing spikes of cases in some areas of the country,” she added.

Ms. Vergeire said the country’s healthcare system had not been overwhelmed, with few coronavirus hotspots.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte last week ordered Cebu City in central Philippines to revert to a strict lockdown until June 30 because of rising cases.

The city had 3,471 active cases as of June 21, with 58 new infections reported that day.

Ms. Vergeire said there’s still a room for improvement in the government’s anti-COVID-19 response, including on data automation and analysis.

“We’ve learned a lot because of the pandemic and hopefully in the coming weeks and months, we can improve our process for a better response,” she said in Filipino.

Pessimistic Filipinos rose to record — SWS

THE RATIO of Filipinos who expect to be worse off in the next 12 months rose to a record 43% in May, as the world battles a novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll.

The ratio of pessimists was the highest in the 37-year history of the polling firm, breaking the previous record of 34% in March 2005, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, 24% of Filipinos expected their quality of life to stay the same, while another 24% expected it to improve, SWS said.

Net optimism (optimists minus pessimists) was lower among people with less education. By educational attainment, only college graduates received a low net optimism score while the rest received very low scores, it said.

Meanwhile, by job situation, net personal optimism was higher among those who had a job and were getting full pay, and those who never had a job.

It was lower among people who lost a job or were not getting income even if they had a job, SWS said.

The presidential palace said the poll results were to be expected because of the lockdown.

“That poll happened at the height of our quarantine,” presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque told a news briefing. “We know the whole nation and the entire world will suffer because the economy was shut.”

SWS said only 12 of 135 surveys since 1984 had a score of net zero or lower. Out of the 12, the score reached very low levels in October 2000 (–13), March 2005 (–13), May 2005 (–12) and May 2020 (–18).

“Negative ratings in 1984, 2000, and 2005 were associated with political unrest in the late Marcos-era, the impeachment crisis of Joseph Estrada and the controversial 2004 election of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” it said.

SWS interviewed 4,010 Filipinos on May 4 to 10 for the poll, which had an error margin of ±2 points.

It earlier said eight of 10 Filipinos said they became worse off in the past 12 months, also a record number.

It said 83% of Filipinos said their quality of life worsened, 6% said it improved, while 10% said it was unchanged.

This resulted in an “extremely low” net score of -78 from a “very high” +18 in December, the pollster said. It was the worst figure since the “low” -50 in June 2008, it added.

The number of Filipinos who said they were worse off was the highest in the Visayas, which had a net score of -82, followed by Mindanao at -80, Metro Manila at -77 and the rest of Luzon at -75.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte locked down the entire island of Luzon in mid-March, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain the pandemic. People should stay home except to buy food and other basic goods, he said.

At the time, areas under strict lockdown were Metro Manila, Central Luzon (except Aurora), Calabarzon region, Benguet, Pangasinan, Iloilo, Cebu and the cities of Bacolod and Davao. All other areas were under a more relaxed general quarantine. — Genshen L. Espedido

600 more OFWs come home amid pandemic

ABOUT 600 more overseas Filipino workers (OFW) recently came home amid a coronavirus pandemic that has sickened 9.1 million and killed more than 470,000 people worldwide, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This brings the number of repatriated workers to more than 55,000 since February, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

It said 53 Filipino seafarers in Amsterdam had returned after being stranded on June 19 when their flights were canceled.

This followed the arrival of 580 Filipinos from Saudi Arabia who arrived in two separate flights on Monday, DFA said.

As of June 22, 8,300 Filipino workers have been infected with the COVID-19 virus, 2,740 of whom were being treated. About 5,000 have recovered, while more than 500 have died, it said.

Meanwhile, a senate committee will hear on Wednesday the plight of returning OFWs.

Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, who heads the labor committee, said a government program for OFWs has reached only 64% or 160,000 out of a 250,000 target.

Wednesday’s hearing would also tackle proposals to help reintegrate returning workers from abroad, he told an online news briefing. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Duterte to visit troops inside military camps

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte will visit military camps around the country to check on soldiers, he said in a speech on Monday night.

“In the coming days, I intend to go around the country. I will visit military camps,” he said.

His spokesman Harry L. Roque said the President wanted to check the condition of soldiers. There’s no final schedule yet, he added.

Mr. Duterte also said he planned to visit Cebu City, where there has been a spike in coronavirus infections.

He criticized Cebuanos for ignoring health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

Mr. Roque said the President’s visit to Cebu would happen once infections have eased.

Mr. Duterte locked down the entire Luzon island in mid-March, suspending work, classes and public transportation to contain the pandemic. People should stay home except to buy food and other basic goods, he said.

The lockdown was extended twice for the island and thrice for Manila and nearby cities, where cases were mostly concentrated.

Cebu City was ordered to revert to a strict lockdown after a spike in coronavirus cases. — Gillian M. Cortez

Court says suit vs ABS-CBN moot

THE Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit filed by the Office of the Solicitor General seeking to void the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp. for being moot.

The tribunal junked the suit against the network, which is critical of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, during a full court meeting, court spokesman Brain Keith F. Hosaka told reporters in a Viber message.

The case against the network’s unit, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. remained pending, he said.

Solicitor General Jose Calida filed the quo warranto petition in February against ABS-CBN and its unit, the same lawsuit that ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was also critical of the government.

Mr. Calida accused ABS-CBN of allowing foreign investors to take part in its ownership when it issued Philippine depositary receipts to foreigners.

The unit allegedly committed an “ingenious corporate layering scheme” to transfer its franchise without congressional approval.

ABS-CBN went off air on May 5 after the National Telecommunication Commission issued a cease and desist order after its legislative franchise expired on May 4. Its renewal application was still pending in Congress.

The network has asked the high court to nullify the regulatory order and allow it to reopen.

The court would tackle the petition on July 13, Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta said at an online briefing on June 11. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

#COVID-19 Regional Updates (06/23/20)

For Manila’s quarantine facilities

MANILA MAYOR Francisco M. Domagoso (left) receives plastic furnishings donated by Grand Taipan Land Development, Inc. President Joeben Tai for the city’s quarantine facilities. As of June 22, Manila has 1,270 active coronavirus patients and 715 suspect and probable cases under monitoring. Over 600 from the city have recovered from the disease.

Cimatu buckles down to work on COVID situation in Cebu City

ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY Roy A. Cimatu immediately flew to Cebu City on Tuesday after President Rodrigo R. Duterte appointed him to oversee the response measures in Cebu City, which now has the highest number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country. “To my brothers and sisters in Cebu, both in the city and the provinces, I will send over General Cimatu,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech late Monday night. Cebu City, with 4,852 COVID-19 cases as of June 22, has overtaken all other cities in Metro Manila, which was the epicenter of the outbreak in the country. Upon his arrival in Cebu, Mr. Cimatu, a retired military general, held meetings with local government and health officials, the police, and other members of the local COVID-19 inter-agency task force. — Gillian M. Cortez with a report from The Freeman

NTA gives P49.5M assistance to tobacco farmers

THE NATIONAL Tobacco Administration (NTA) has released P49.5 million in rice production assistance under a program that aims to increase the alternative income of tobacco contract growers. The beneficiaries are 3,537 tobacco-rice farmers in major tobacco producing areas in Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, and the four provinces of Ilocos Region. The rice production assistance worth P25,000 per hectare with 40% subsidy will cover costs such as the purchase of certified seeds, tractor or animal rental for land preparation, fuel for irrigation, and fertilizers. The NTA’s Integrated Farming and Other Income-Generating Activities program is in line with the Rice Resiliency Project of the Department of Agriculture. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Senate under semi-lockdown after 2 staff test positive for COVID

THE SENATE has been placed on partial lockdown upon confirmation that two of its employees tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said. “We are already in semi lockdown. I was just briefed by the Senate Secretary of the request of some employees,” Mr. Sotto told reporters over phone message Tuesday. He said the Senate cannot be placed on total lockdown as hearings and other legislative work are ongoing. “My suggestion to the Senate Secretary is to inform those (offices) who want a lockdown to do so if they prefer, but we cannot declare so for the entire Senate.” According to the Senate Medical and Dental Bureau, 16 positive cases have been recorded since March, of whom 14 have recovered and 2 are still active cases. Mr. Sotto also said the persons exposed to the two active cases have already concluded the mandatory 14-day self quarantine. Among those who tested positive and recovered were Senators Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Juan Edgardo M. Angara and Aquilino L. Pimentel III. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Public school students in Makati to get blended learning package, daily pre-paid internet access

PRESCHOOL TO senior high school students in Makati City’s public schools will get a blended learning package and free prepaid internet access daily during the coming academic year that is expected to start August. Mayor Abigail S. Binay, in a statement on Tuesday, said over 85,000 students will receive the learner’s pack, which includes a flash drive containing learning modules, printed modules, and two washable face masks. “The city government has been actively involved in current efforts of the Department of Education to ensure that quality education continues to be accessible to the youth amidst the crisis. We are committed to making the blended learning approach work to the advantage of our students, through equipping them with the right tools,” Ms. Binay said. She also appealed to parents to support the adjusted schooling system by taking a more active role in their children’s education at home. “We are counting on the parents to do their part by guiding their children in the daily learning activities.” Guidelines will also be distributed to parents on how they can better assist their children. Teachers, meanwhile, will also get free internet access for delivering online lessons and activities.

Nationwide round-up

Senate committee to call for audit of workers displaced by coronavirus crisis

THE SENATE committee on labor, employment and human resource development will push for a labor audit as 7.3 million Filipino workers have so far been displaced by the economic downturn due to the coronavirus crisis. “That’s what we’re shooting for, a labor audit. We wanted to find out how many workers are affected, how many will be affected, what are we doing, and what can we do,” Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva said in an online briefing Tuesday. He said the committee will also look into the job market under the “new normal” in order to assist government agencies in the retraining or upskilling of workers. “One of the strategy is to retool, reskill or upskill… How much additional fund will we be needing for this?” He noted that this will help workers become employable as the country transitions. Mr. Villanueva further said that the government must address the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) along with improving policies for workers to enable the country to recover from the crisis. “The path to economic recovery has two stumbling blocks, one the continuing increase of COVID-19 cases, and the lack of a clear set of policies for our workers,” he said.— Charmaine A. Tadalan

Senators push for suspension of online seller tax registration

Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel on Tuesday asked the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to suspend until the end of the year the implementation of the circular requiring online sellers to register. She filed Senate Resolution No. 453 seeking to suspend the mandatory registration until Dec. 2020, pending the results of an inquiry on the taxation of individuals engaged in online business during the coronavirus crisis. “It is best for everybody’s interests if the BIR suspends the implementation of the memo until December 31, 2020, while government agencies review and craft better policy guidelines on how online entrepreneurs should register or pay taxes,” she said in a statement. The issuance of Revenue Memorandum Circular 60-2020 that directed online sellers to register until July 31 was slammed by senators, who deemed it was “ill-timed and insensitive.” The Department of Finance had explained that taxes will not be imposed on individuals earning up to P250,000 annually, but senators have argued that the registration will still be costly for online sellers. “All of this will entail administrative cost… kapag nakita niya ito, mawawalan ng gana (once they see this, they’ll lose the motivation),” Mr. Villanueva said in an online briefing. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Team formed for policy on foreign nationals’ entry

A TECHNICAL working group has been formed to draft the country’s policy on the entry of foreign nationals amid the continued coronavirus threat. Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said this was prompted by one embassy’s request for the Philippine government to allow its nationals to fly in, particularly those who have work permits as well as consultants needed in flagship projects. He did not name the country. Under current guidelines, the only foreign nationals allowed to travel to the Philippines are spouses of Filipinos and diplomats. — Gillian M. Cortez

CHED launches resource-sharing app for higher education

THE COMMISSION on Higher Education (CHED) has launched an online application that allows access to higher education course materials in various formats. “Philippine CHED Connect… is very timely during the transition to the new normal as it contains higher education course materials in text, media and other digital assets. I have always asserted over the past months that learning must continue, quarantine or no quarantine,” CHED Chairman Prospero E. De Vera III said during the virtual launch and press conference on Tuesday. The materials are in text, audio, and video format, which can be used for teaching, learning and research purposes. The resources cover a wide range of fields. “We will develop the protocols on expanding it later in consultation with universities and our partners both internationally and locally,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr. De Vera also announced that CHED is already coordinating with the Department of Health for the guidelines on holding face-to-face classes. The rules will be presented to the national task force handling the coronavirus response for approval, then to be pilot-tested in July. In areas where there is limited or no connectivity, Mr. De Vera said universities can combine “limited face-to-face and off-classroom or off campus activities.” — Genshen L. Espedido

Almost 500 complaints filed on cash aid distribution

ALMOST 500 complaints, mostly against local officials, have been filed over alleged mishandling of funds under the coronavirus cash aid program for poor households. Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, in a Tuesday briefing, said there are 496 complaints involving 728 suspects based on data from the Department of Interior and Local Government. Of the total, 157 cases have been filed before the fiscal’s office. The cash aid is a national program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, but distribution was delegated to local governments. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he is vouching for the integrity of his appointed officials after the Ombudsman’s office launched a probe on Department of Health (DoH) officials, including Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, over their response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. In his talk to the nation Monday, Mr. Duterte said he will not interfere with the move of Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires, but trusts his officials. “With due respect to the Ombudsman, the Honorable Martires… I will say I believe in the honesty and integrity of my people,” he said. — Gillian M. Cortez

Hacking in a time of COVID-19

More than two months ago, the Philippines was placed under a nationwide lockdown. Overnight, everything became digital. The traditional classroom set-up became virtual classes, while boardroom meetings, as well as informal gatherings, shifted to video conferencing meetings. Online apps for buying and selling are also utilized, and going cashless has become the preferred mode of payment.

With the rise of these online platforms, the threat to our personal data is also increasing. Recent news reported several cyber-related breaches, including fraudulent credit card transactions, identity thefts, and software stealing. Cybercriminals have taken advantage of the current health crisis and are attacking individuals, corporations, and even government organizations when their cyber defenses are most vulnerable.

Hacking is one of the most common types of cybercrimes. These hackers, specifically the black hat hackers, are responsible for taking advantage of the weaknesses of computer systems and maliciously infiltrate the same to illegally obtain some gain or benefits.

In the Philippines, we have several laws that punish the act of hacking.

Foremost is Republic Act No. 8792, or the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, which defines hacking as the “unauthorized access into or interference in a computer system/server or information and communication system; or any access in order to corrupt, alter, steal, or destroy using a computer or other similar information and communication devices, without the knowledge and consent of the owner of the computer or information and communications system, including the introduction of computer viruses and the like, resulting in the corruption, destruction, alteration, theft or loss of electronic data messages or electronic document.”

A person who is found guilty of hacking is “punished by a minimum fine of P100,000 and a maximum commensurate to the damage incurred and a mandatory imprisonment of six months to three years.”

Republic Act No. 11449, which expanded the Access Devices Regulations Act of 1998, likewise punishes hacking. A person found guilty of this act is punished by an “imprisonment for not less than six years and not more than 10 years and a fine of P500,000 or twice the value obtained by the offender, whichever is higher, without prejudice to the civil liability of the offender.” Moreover, hacking of a bank’s system is considered an economic sabotage, which is met with the harshest penalty of life imprisonment.

Under Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, offenses against confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and systems, including, 1.) illegal access to a computer system without right; 2.) illegal interception; 3.) data interference; and, 4.) system interference, are penalized. Any person found guilty of any of the above acts shall be “punished with imprisonment of prision mayor or a fine of at least P200,000 up to a maximum amount commensurate to the damage incurred or both.”

Finally, Republic Act No. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, recognizes the role of information and communications technology in the modern world, and the need to protect and secure the rights of the data subject, particularly its right to privacy. The law punishes unauthorized processing of personal and sensitive personal information, as well as unauthorized access or intentional breach of security data systems where personal and sensitive information is stored. A person found violating the provisions of the Data Privacy Act will be subject to imprisonment and/or a fine.

With the government’s policy encouraging everyone to stay, learn, or work from home, focus on one’s cybersecurity is essential. Being online opens new doors for cybercriminals to exploit our vulnerabilities. Thus, it is timely and apt to know and understand the laws that protect our rights against hacking.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. The article is for general information and educational purposes, and not offered as, and does not constitute, legal advice or legal opinion.

 

Ann Catherine L. Co is an Associate of the Cebu Branch of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).

clco@accralaw.com