PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo R. Duterte has transferred Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Karlo S. Bello to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Mr. Bello was appointed SEC commissioner on Aug. 13, according to a list of new appointees released by the palace on Tuesday.
Mr. Bello, a lawyer, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of the Philippines in 2000, according to the website of his former law firm. He is also an alumnus of the Ateneo Law School and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2007.
Mr. Bello comes from a family of politicians and specializes in administrative law, according to his profile. He has had extensive experience in government affairs and public policy, it said.
Mr. Duterte also appointed Ernesto S. Gonzales as Agriculture undersecretary, Erickson H. Balmes as a deputy commissioner of the Insurance Commission and Lloyd Christopher A. Lao as Budget undersecretary. — ALB
FORMER Calauan, Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez, who was convicted of rape and murder, may be released earlier for good conduct, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said yesterday.
The former politician may get an early release along with thousands of other inmates for good conduct, he told reporters.
Mr. Guevarra said the early release cannot be appealed.
The Supreme Court in June allowed the retroactive application of time allowance for good conduct of inmates.
Mr. Sanchez was convicted in 1995 of rape and murder of two University of the Philippines students in 1993. He was sentenced to seven life terms.
The Office of the Ombudsman in 2018 recovered alleged ill-gotten assets of Mr. Sanchez and his wife, getting 19 transfer certificates of title for 19 properties that were forwarded to the Treasury bureau. — VMMV
A REHABILITATED 3.7-kilometer farm-to-market road in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija has recently been completed and is seen to improve market access for upland farmers as well as support reforestation activities in the Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve. The project was funded as part of the 9.2-billion yen (about P4.5 billion) loan agreement between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the Forestland Management Project (FMP). “The road is vital in helping the communities and people’s organizations in reforestation activities of the denuded portions of the watershed, including reducing costs and travel time in hauling the seedlings to the planting site,” JICA Senior Representative Yo Ebisawa said in a statement. FMP is a community-based reforestation and forestland management initiative in three of the country’s river basins, namely: Upper Magat and Cagayan in Pampanga, and Jalaur in Iloilo Province. The program covers infrastructure development, and conservation and development activities such as capacity building of communities for the rehabilitation of watershed.
I was in my mid-20s, at the peak of my virility, when I came upon this verse. I found it extremely funny. I also thought it referred to people who had reached 40, which, at the time, I considered old or, least, “middle age.”
This week, 55 years later and turning 80, I no longer think it’s funny. I particularly feel the pain of those who have to bear with, not just a water spout, but an involuntarily dripping faucet due to incontinence, on top of the usual ailments of an overused body.
These are among the vexing pains of old age. But compared to these, aging also brings joys a-plenty.
Among the biggest sources of joy, of course, are grandchildren. As they shriek and dash around the house, causing chairs to tumble and breaking collectibles, your urge to unsheathe your belt and apply it on their butts is doused by a kiss on the cheek and the beautiful words, “I love you grandpa.”
Next on the list is retirement — no longer having to jump out of bed in the morning to struggle with the traffic in a futile effort to get to your business appointment on time. No longer having to worry about meeting a deadline and pleasing the boss — or, if you are the boss, no longer having to wonder if your people are calling you a grumpy old man behind your back.
And then there are the opportunities to travel — the chance to finally visit those faraway places with strange-sounding names — that is, if you have the funds. Otherwise, you can at least settle back on your easy chair — no stress, no pressures — and flip the TV to the travel channel for a vicarious tour of the great cities of the world.
In the Philippines, being a senior citizen offers many advantages, not the least of which is younger folks treating you with respect. This is more than you can say about some Western societies that treat old people like discards.
At banks and other service establishments in the Philippines, there are special counters for senior citizens. The only downside is that the pretty young thing at the counter tends to call you Lolo or Tatang, thus spoiling your flirtatious fantasies.
I find it totally amusing that in the Philippines, where ladies still balk at revealing their age and old men dye their hair to look young, everyone readily flashes a senior citizen’s card when the restaurant bill comes. The 20% discount can add up to hefty savings.
Indeed, there seem to be more discounts offered to old folks in the Philippines than in America, where my family and I have resided for over 33 years. Of course, in the US, seniors get special treatment in a number of ways — in terms of health care, for instance.
My wife and I used to spend a small fortune each month for our health insurance in California, but from the time we became 65, Medicare reduced the monthly assessments to an affordable amount while still retaining the quality of health maintenance and preventive care.
In fact, this is one of the problems with retiring in the Philippines. While there are many advantages (our measly social security pension can go a long way here) there does not seem to be a regimen of preventive care and health maintenance — unless, perhaps, you pay extra for the service. One is usually already in extremis or terminal when brought to the hospital.
DARREN BAKER
In the US, your primary health care doctor constantly monitors your bodily functions, the better to spot potential problems, such as a prostate condition, at their early stage and, thus, still curable or controllable.
At US airports, where security checks are very strict, folks over 75 are allowed to keep their shoes on and you don’t have to pass through an X-ray scanner (you can’t say the same thing about NAIA — the security people insist on your taking off your shoes even if you look as ancient as Methuselah).
In America, among Pinoys, one of the fears of old people is the prospect of being consigned to a home for the elderly. The impression is that it is a virtual banishment to a place where they are supposed to just await their date with the Grim Reaper.
For this reason, many Filipino families that are caring for their aging parents feel guilty about even discussing the subject of an old folks’ home for them.
The truth is that a well-run home for the elderly is a better option for aging parents than being left alone in the house while everyone else is at work or in school — having only the TV for company. A home for the elderly, with social activities, nursing care and the company of fellow seniors, is most certainly a better option for inay and itay than being used as unpaid babysitters.
Finally, whether one is in the Philippines or in America, the inevitability of passing away has to be addressed. Among superstitious and ultra-religious Pinoys, this is a topic that is considered almost irreverent to take up. This, at least, may be the attitude of younger family members — as if by avoiding the subject, Death can also be avoided.
But, frankly, when you reach the ripe old age of 80, you become resigned to the inevitable.
According to statistics, the average life-span of people in America is 76. That means that a person like me who makes it to 80 years is already enjoying a four-year bonus.
Those who live to be 90 or older may not necessarily be more fortunate — not if they have failing health and, most certainly, not if they have not yet made peace with God, with their families, their friends, their enemies, and with their creditors.
I believe I have — or, at least, I have tried my best to do so.
I have also just launched my second book, Confusions of a Communications Man, which tells about the joys and pains of being in the profession of communications. I end the book with a beautiful ballad by Tony Bennett, which I would like to share. It tells of the joys of aging:
“As I approach the prime of my life, I find I have the time of my life
Learning to enjoy at my leisure all the simple pleasures;
And so I happily concede that this is all I ask, this is all I need:
Beautiful girl, walk a little slower as you walk by me;
Lingering sunset, stay a little longer with the lonely sea;
Children everywhere, when you shoot at bad men,
Shoot at me, take me to that strange enchanted land,
Grown-ups seldom understand;
Wandering rainbow, leave a bit of color for my heart to own;
Stars in the sky, make my wish come true before the night has flown;
And let the music play — as long as there’s a song to sing,
Then I will stay younger than spring.”
Greg B. Macabenta is an advertising and communications man shuttling between San Francisco and Manila and providing unique insights on issues from both perspectives.
INNOLAND DEVELOPMENT Corp. (IDC) turned over on Monday its rented property to the Cebu government after the provincial administration questioned the validity of the lease contract. In a ceremony, Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia and IDC Senior Property Manager Janez Zozobrado signed the memorandum of agreement for the return of the 849-square meter (sq.m.) property, which the company leased starting April 2014 for P50 per sq.m. The contract, which was supposed to end in April 2020, was signed under former governor and now Vice-Governor Hilario P. Davide III. “By turning it over and accepting the termination of the lease contract which did not carry an SP (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) authorization, we take that gesture as an act of good faith from Innoland,” Ms. Garcia said. IDC turned over the lot along with the showroom, which it built for P25 million. It is located along Salinas Drive in Lahug, neighboring the Cebu IT Park. Cebu Provincial Legal Management consultant Marino Martinquilla said the province will no longer file a civil case against IDC. “We will no longer push through with the case. There is no more case to think of,” he said. The governor, however, said they may still pursue a case against the previous administration. The provincial government plans to bid out the prime property for a lease contract. Ms. Garcia said they will look into the legality of giving IDC priority status in the bidding process considering that the existing structure on the lot was built by the company. — The Freeman
A FISHING vessel, with four Vietnamese crew members on board, was apprehended and been impounded by Philippine authorities for operating illegally in waters around the Turtle Islands in Tawi-Tawi. In a statement released Tuesday, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said the boat, marked SSEN but with no flag, was caught last Aug. 15 by a joint team of the Philippine Coast Guard’s Sub-Station Great Bakkungan and the Turtle Islands Municipal Police Station. The maritime patrol team pursued the vessel following reports from civilians. The four crew members did not have legal documents, according to WestMinCom. The vessel, which was loaded with sea cucumber catch, is currently impounded in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi while authorities prepare the filing of charges. “We encourage each and every Filipino citizen to immediately report to the proper authorities any illegal fishing activity in their area… Let us be more vigilant and contribute in the conservation and protection of our natural resources,” said Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, WestMinCom commander. The Turtle Islands is a cluster of six islets — Boan, Lihiman, Langaan, Great Bakkungan, Taganak, and Baguan — comprising one municipality with about 5,000 residents as of 2015. It is home to the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, a declared protected area and been submitted in the tentative list for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For two straight quarters, the Philippine economy has not grown as projected by its economic managers. The 5.5% gross domestic product growth in the second quarter of the year is considered the lowest in the past 17 quarters. This should be a wake-up call for lawmakers and economic managers; we are in “challenging times,” as economic planning secretary Ernesto Pernia put it.
The combined effect of El Niño, the increasing protectionism in advanced economies, and the election ban on construction activities have been among the major factors that pulled growth rates down.
The last three years of this administration are crucial to set “clear rules of the game.” The business sector, including foreign investors, is looking for concrete actions from the government to swiftly implement economic reforms. Clarity, consistency, and transparency of policies are needed to encourage more local and foreign investors to infuse more capital into the economy.
The latest figures from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show foreign direct investments net inflows declined by 85.1% from $1.6 billion posted in May 2018 to only $242 million in May 2019.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 2018 Foreign Direct Investment Regulatory Restrictiveness Index listed the Philippines as one of the most restrictive countries when it comes to FDI rules.
The start of the 18th Congress offers a fresh start and vast opportunities for this administration to push forward a reform agenda to ensure the growth momentum would not be derailed or reversed.
We urge our legislators to give priority to the passage of economic reform measures to reduce constraints affecting the country’s entrepreneurs and potential foreign investors, improve market competition, and simplify regulation for trade and investments.
However, we also hope policy makers would re-examine the implications of the removal of fiscal incentives for foreign and local businesses, including those registered under investment promotion agencies like the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. We cannot ignore the concerns of different foreign chambers that such a measure may have negative impacts on investments and job creation.
In President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address, he mentioned a number of measures he wants the Senate and House of Representatives to focus on. He asked Congress to pass the remaining tax reform packages to help the government maintain its fiscal stability.
He reiterated some of his old proposals, including the reinstitution of the death penalty for drug offenders and plunderers, and the creation of a Department of Overseas Filipinos and a Department of Disaster Resilience.
Yet, the president did not include in his priorities economic measures certified urgent in the 17th Congress. These include amendments to the Public Services Act, the Foreign Investment Act of 1991, and the Trade Retail Liberalization Act.
Amendments to the Public Services Act are expected to pave the way for the liberalization of investments in utilities, as the current law prohibits majority ownership by foreign entities in public utilities. Amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Law seek to do away with barriers to foreign investments by easing the equity and capitalization requirements to create a more favorable investment climate in the country; they should improve investments in the manufacturing sector, including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Meanwhile, the National Economic and Development Authority seeks to modify the Foreign Investment Act to reduce the threshold for businesses investing $100,000 in SMEs to 15 direct employees from the 50 employees currently mandated, and to exclude the “practice of professions” from the coverage of the law.
In addition, the legislative agenda will not be complete without the reinvigoration of the overall agriculture sector. Agricultural development has always been the foundation of sustainable and inclusive growth. The country cannot provide a safe and comfortable life to Filipinos if it cannot strengthen its agricultural sector and reduce its vulnerabilities especially in times of natural disasters and oil prices.
Economic reforms should be the center of the legislative agenda of the 18th Congress. Our thrust for the next three years should be to create a vibrant economic and investment climate that preserves business and consumer confidence, creates jobs, and promotes inclusive development.
Without a sound and clear legislative agenda anchored on strong economic reforms that aim to increase the country’s overall productivity, we cannot achieve our vision of becoming a prosperous society free of poverty by 2040.
Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit is the founder and Managing Director, Stratbase Groupe And President of Stratbase ADR Institute.
CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc., a unit of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development–Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD-MRI), opened on Monday its first branch in Mindanao, located in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental. In a press statement, Elma B. Valenzuela, bank president and chief executive officer, said expanding to the southern islands is part of their goal to reach “more underprivileged communities.” The microfinance-oriented rural bank now has 27 branches nationwide with a P2.5 billion savings portfolio and a P3.09 billion loan exposure. “We want our dear clients to realize the value of saving in a bank. With this, they can gradually gain financial freedom and become ready in times of financial distress,” Ms. Valenzuela said. “We want to ensure that they can receive equal opportunities in terms of financial and community development services,” she added. The seven-year old bank provides loans to micro, small and medium enterprises as well as savings and remittance products. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
The Revised Corporation Code (RCC), which took effect on Feb. 23 this year, introduced amendments to the otherwise outdated Corporation Code. One of the amendments can be found in Section 143 of the RCC which prescribed the amount of required securities deposit for branch offices of foreign corporations. Pursuant to such an amendment, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Memorandum Circular No. 17, Series of 2019 (SEC MC No. 17-2019) on the revised guidelines on securities deposit of branch offices of foreign corporations, which superseded the guidelines set in Memorandum Circular No. 2, Series of 2012 (SEC MC No. 2-2012).
SEC MC No. 17-2019 now requires foreign corporations to deposit securities satisfactory to the SEC in the actual market value of at least P500,000 (previously, under the Corporation Code, the SEC required a deposit of at least P100,000), within 60 days after the issuance of a license to transact business in the Philippines.
The securities deposit requirement is geared for the benefit of present and future creditors of the foreign corporation as a fund for the protection of their claims. Consequently, the law attempts to foster social and economic development of the country by requiring the investment in Philippine securities. It must be noted, however, that certain foreign corporations are exempted from the investment requirement, particularly, foreign banking corporations, including offshore banking units, foreign insurance corporations, foreign non-stock corporations, including foreign religious corporations, foreign corporations with representative offices in the Philippines, regional or area headquarters or operating regional headquarters of multinational companies.
The amount of investment varies throughout the years the branch conducts business. Within six months after the end of each fiscal year, the SEC will look into the gross income of the branch generated in the Philippines. If the gross income exceeds P10 million (previously, under the Corporation Code, P5 million), the branch shall be required to deposit additional securities equivalent to 2% of the increase in gross income. Additional securities will be required if the actual market value of the securities deposit or financial instrument has decreased by at least 10% from the time it was deposited to cover the decrease. Upon submission, the SEC will issue a certificate of deposit of additional securities.
SEC MC No. 17-2019 introduced changes to SEC MC No. 2-2012 only in so far as the amount of the securities deposit conform with the revisions under the RCC. In hindsight, the SEC could have considered including more elbow room for branch offices with respect to the allowable deductions in determining the gross income. “Gross income,” which is the basis of the additional securities, has been defined as synonymous to “gross revenue.” MC No. 17-2019 defines gross income as the “gross inflow of economic benefits during the period arising in the course of the ordinary activities of an entity when those inflows result in increases in equity, other than increases relating to contributions from equity participants.”
Similar to MC No. 2-2012, no deductions are allowed except for sales returns, allowances and discounts and direct costs and expenses incurred with foreign entities and related parties. Claiming such deductions is likewise subject to approval by the SEC after submission of the audited special or annual income statement showing separately the amounts of direct cost and expenses actually incurred.
On the other hand, the SEC may allow the partial release of securities upon application of the branch if there is more than a 10% decrease in gross income of the branch or if the actual market value of the total securities deposit has increased by more than 10% of the actual market value of the securities at the time they were deposited. The SEC likewise allows the branch to substitute other securities for those already on deposit as long as it is solvent, in which case, the SEC will issue a certificate of substitution of securities deposit. In case the foreign corporation decides to withdraw its business in the Philippines, the SEC shall return the securities deposit upon written application and issue a certificate of return of deposit.
Effectively, the securities deposit became a mandatory additional investment in the Philippines on top of the assigned capital required of a particular foreign branch office. While the increase in the amount of securities deposit may be a welcome change for creditors and suppliers of goods and services of a branch, the monitoring and reporting of the additional security can be burdensome for the branches. It is also worth noting that MC No. 17-2019 is unclear whether branch offices which have previously been issued a license are required to provide additional securities. Perhaps, the SEC could reconsider the composition of gross income and allowable deductions in the gross income to provide more leeway for compliance of branch offices.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. This article is for general informational and educational purposes, and not offered as, and does not constitute, legal advice or legal opinion.
Mara Kristina O. Recto is an Associate of the Corporate and Special Projects Department of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).
CHIEFS are averse to getting advice too willingly proffered by subordinates or peers, especially when these are neither solicited nor welcome. Routine pronouncements that the chief is always open to suggestions from the ranks, and that his door is always open for peasants to walk in unannounced are mere lip service to participative management. (Are you here to water the plants?)
Worse for an underling is giving unsolicited advice in a public forum. An observation on the common background of appointees to important government positions can invite a severe scolding and ad hominem attacks on waistlines and comparisons to jellylike aquatic lowlife not yet fully evolved into insect eaters.
Leaders put arrogant advice-givers (as opposed to advisers) off-balance by publicly castigating them so that everyone knows they’re out of favor, and fresh meat for the trolls.
It is important for any adviser to know his place. The semblance of an opinion being solicited must be established. Here’s the etiquette for giving advice to the chief.
When asked for an opinion on a crisis, take some time to reply. Quick answers are viewed as shallow and not well thought out. (Can’t you think of something more original?) It’s better to repeat the question, nod, and say something cryptic — a crisis should not be wasted. Let another eager beaver jump in and be treated with contempt.
On a one-on-one situation, it is best to dodge with anecdotes and try to see what the chief is really looking for, especially when it comes to the evaluation of another executive. (Don’t you think she’s too passive?) There is no urgency in giving a straightforward answer. (She may just be a bit too careful, Sir.) Watching a basketball game beside the revered one when this question is popped, it’s best to shift the focus on the half-time cheers and nod your head to the rhythm of the drums as if tuning in to his mental pendulum.
Refrain from giving actionable advice, like sacking somebody, even if the person is at the top of your hate list. It is always good to present an analysis of the situation and the implications of certain options — true, he seems to be indispensable to the ongoing project. He’s good at what he does. But is that what the company needs at this time?
If you need to bring up a controversial topic your leader is surely going to be upset about, like the high representation expense of a cousin, it is best to test the waters. Maybe the report is not yet complete, and some other explanation is being verified. Probing reactions to the offensive idea can lead you to the right path, which is to change the topic — yes sir, the weather has been beastly.
Should you volunteer advice without being asked? (Okay, it is a difficult topic that needs to be acted on.) You need to create the situation for bringing it up — I don’t really want to comment on those coffee mugs. This surfacing of a topic which is not on the chief’s radar screen can elicit a question from him — what coffee mugs are you talking about? (It’s the office renovation, Sir.)
Never post advice on e-mail or chat groups. This is sure to leak to the object of scorn with a little twist of the knife — what do you think? Leaving digital tracks will one day come back to haunt you — look, this fiasco was his idea.
Certain phases require one set of advisers which need to be changed when moving to a new one. Campaign advisers may not be selected for top positions in the winner’s administration. Thus, a position requiring the votes of peers may entail committee appointments promised to too many aspirants. The dissatisfaction of the losers is sure to again shift political alignments and groupings.
“Staying in your lane” is a phrase that over-eager advice-givers should heed. Like driving a car, it is best to move only in one’s designated space and not swerve to other drivers’ passages through life. Straying into another person’s lane, even with a signal light, invites the risk of collision… sometimes even with an unexpected third party on a motorcycle.
SHOULDN’T we have space colonies and a universal cure for cancer by now?
Instead there are signs that the pace of technological progress is slowing — even as researchers pump out papers at a prolific and increasing rate. With slowing progress in computing power, medicine and agriculture, my Bloomberg Opinion colleague Noah Smith warns that the stakes could not be higher.
Surely some of the fault lies with technology itself.
Our connected world has allowed researchers to become so tightly networked that they’re falling into the trap of groupthink. That might explain why some researchers seeking cures for Alzheimer’s disease, for example, have conceded that they’ve been throwing years of work and billions of dollars toward a single theory that has failed to lead to any treatment — while ignoring promising alternatives.
Sociologist James Evans of the University of Chicago has concluded that what’s being lost, at least in biomedical research, is scientific independence. Being able to work independently of other labs allows researchers to come up with fresher insights.
In a new study, Evans and colleagues found that weak studies are more likely to come from labs that share lots of researchers and methods with others, and strong studies come from labs that do things their own way.
Weak studies are not just those that come to the wrong conclusions but those whose conclusions are fragile. If a competitor tries to replicate them, the result will be different, unless conditions and methods are exactly the same. The conclusions of such studies are unlikely to represent broad biological facts, and probably won’t be of much use in medicine.
To sort the weak from the strong, Evans and colleagues were able to use a special case where thousands of studies on the interaction between drugs and genes can be re-tested quickly. A machine can now do what’s called a high throughput assay to rerun a whole slew of previous studies. And so Evans was able to evaluate more than 3,000 published claims against the results of this mechanical backup, which can not only replay the exact experiments but also test the robustness of the claims by varying the parameters a bit.
FREEPIK
There was a huge correlation between centralized, networked groups and weak studies. The most networked groups were more likely to replicate themselves and each other, but less likely to reach conclusions that checked out with the mechanical system.
Groupthink is well known in politics and media. Where once competing reporters would look into the same events independently and not know the others’ results until the next day’s papers, now there’s an unconscious temptation among journalists to believe the interpretation of the most prominent news outlets, or whoever posts online first.
Scientists are subject to the same human foibles, but groupthink shouldn’t be conflated with scientific consensus, which is often based on ideas that are backed up by multiple lines of inquiry. That would include things like the structure of DNA, Einstein’s theory of relativity, and the basic physics behind the greenhouse effect. Those are widely accepted now, in part because they were supported by independent, even isolated researchers.
What’s rewarded these days is the absolute opposite of those historic claims. While science works best when researchers prove one idea multiple ways, funding agents and journal editors today reward those with only a single line of evidence to support multiple claims. They want bigger claims and are content with lesser evidence.
The technology that’s allowed so much connection has of course also been positive, enabling people to collaborate and learn more efficiently. Researchers can sometimes even counteract extraneous noise by harnessing a wisdom-of-the-crowd phenomenon, where many individuals converge on a right answer. But like many technological changes, it’s come with unintended consequences. The fact that U.S. researchers are producing 1,000 papers a day shows there’s a lot of energy out there to be used more productively — if funding encouraged bold exploration.
Food-inspired flavors in liquids for vapes, e-cigarettes will be banned
FOOD-INSPIRED flavors used in e-liquid for vaporizers (vapes) and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) will be among those excluded from a list of allowed flavors that is planned to be released in September by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “We’re still preparing and probably (we will release it) by end of September,” FDA officer-in-charge Rolando Enrique D. Domingo said in an interview with reporters on Monday. Mr. Domingo, who also sits as undersecretary of the Department of Health (DoH), said the flavors that would be permitted are those already existing in actual tobacco-based cigarettes such as tobacco and mint. He pointed out that if e-cigarette and vape groups argue that using electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery Systems (ENDS/ENNDS) are intended for those trying to quit tobacco products, this should not have flavors that will attract even those who do not smoke. “Kasi (Because) if people use it only to quit smoking, dapat wala siyang pinagkaiba sa sigarilyo (it should be no different from cigarettes),” he said, adding that these devices should not have sweet or other appetizing flavors. The list of allowed flavors for e-liquids is in line with DoH’s Administrative Order (AO) 2019-0007 published last July. The guidelines state that all industries involved in the manufacture, distribution, importation, exportation, sale including online sale, offering for sale, and transfer of ENDS/ENNDS are required to get a license to operate from the FDA. E-cigarette and vape groups have slammed the provision in the AO banning flavors that appeal to the youth. The Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) said in a social media post on August 18 that the rule is “vague.” — Gillian M. Cortez
Patients’ group seeks lifting of ban on Dengvaxia
PHILSTAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES
THE PHILIPPINE Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (PAPO) called on the Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday to lift the ban on the Dengvaxia vaccine. In a statement, PAPO said the widespread cases of dengue in the country justifies the release in the market of Dengvaxia, the first and currently the only vaccine available for dengue.” A vaccine that would benefit a hyperendemic population like our own exists. With an internationally-approved vaccine, patients in the Philippines should be allowed the choice of getting immunized,” said PAPO President Girlie Lorenzo. The DoH, through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), revoked the product license of Sanofi Pasteur for the distribution and use of Dengvaxia last December 2018. Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III has previously said that using Dengvaxia for prevention is not advisable in an epidemic situation, noting that the vaccine is only meant for those who have had dengue in the past. The DoH announced earlier this month a national dengue epidemic with 10 out of 17 regions reaching the epidemic threshold. DoH data show more than 188,000 dengue cases from January 1 to August 3 this year. In PAPO’s Manifesto on Patient’s Right to Information and Access to Medicines, the group cautioned others “not to politicize the issue because majority of those who are dying (from dengue) are children.” PAPO also cited that the DoH has said that children aged five to nine years old are more prone to the disease. The World Health Organization said the Dengvaxia vaccine is advisable to use on patients aged nine to 45 years old. — Gillian M. Cortez
OSG wants to be legal counsel of police in sedition case
THE OFFICE of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Department of Justice to be allowed to serve as the legal counsel of the police in the preliminary investigation on the sedition complaint it filed last month against Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo and 35 others. The comment of the OSG comes after the motions of several respondents, including three former opposition senatorial bets — Jose Manuel I. Diokno, Lorenzo R. Tañada III, and former Magdalo Representative Gary C. Alejano — and former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore O. Te, among others. In its 23-page comment, the OSG maintained that it is within its mandate to represent the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under Executive Order No. 292, which states that it shall represent the government in any proceeding or investigation. “The gravity and seriousness of the offense/s, not to mention the personalities involved of plotting to topple the duly constituted government and overthrow its duly elected President will essentially and necessarily affects the general welfare,” the OSG said. It also asked that the prosecution panel formed by the Justice secretary be upheld. The PNP-CIDG in July filed a complaint of sedition, inciting to sedition, cyberlibel, libel, estafa, harboring a criminal and obstruction of justice against Ms. Robredo and 35 others allegedly involved in a plot to unseat President Rodrigo R. Duterte. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
