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Panelo blames Congress for traffic mess

AS COMPLAINTS about the difficulties of commuting in Metro Manila multiply, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo blamed Congress, saying emergency powers should have been given to President Rodrigo R. Duterte three years ago to avoid the transport issues faced today.

In a briefing on Friday, Mr. Panelo said that Congress should have given Mr. Duterte the authority to address the traffic issues in Metro Manila after Mr. Duterte asked for emergency powers to fix the traffic crisis in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2016. In the wake of worsening traffic conditions, Mr. Duterte recently asked for emergency power again, but noted he would not force lawmakers to do so.

“Kung binigay mo sila three years ago (If you had given that power three years ago), we would have six years to do it. Baka nagawan ng paraan kaagad (Maybe that would have been addressed sooner),” Mr. Panelo said.

Mr. Panelo, who is Mr. Duterte’s Spokesperson and Legal Counsel, added that the current administration is working on easing the traffic crisis through its aggressive infrastructure program, known as “Build Build Build.” He added that Mr. Duterte is taking all actions necessary “even if he was deprived of the requested emergency powers.”

“We’re 20 years behind. So, that’s why (Mr. Duterte’s) ‘Build, Build, Build,’ iyon ang solusyon doon (that will be the solution to that). Kailangan mong i-widen ang roads, kailangan may mga bago kang ruta, kailangan may mga skyways ka, kailangan iyong mga bridges mo na mga single lang ang lane, kailangan i-expand mo. Infrastructure talaga ang solusyon (You need to widen the roads, you need to change the routes, you needs skyways, you need to expand single lane bridges. Infrastructure is really the solution),” he said.

Mr. Panelo, who undertook his much publicized “Commute Challenge” on Friday, said he didn’t need to experience commuting to know the hardships Filipinos are going through on a daily basis. He said that the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Transportation are currently working on measures to improve traffic and mass transportation problems. — Gillian M. Cortez

JBC submits shortlist for SC Associate Justice

THE Judicial and Bar Coucil (JBC) on Friday submitted its list of qualified nominees to replace Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio who is retiring later this month.

The list of nine nominees has been submitted to President Rodrigo R. Duterte who has 90 days from Mr. Carpio’s retirement to choose from among them.

Mr. Carpio is set to retire on Oct. 26, his 70th birthday. Seventy is the mandatory retirement age for all magistrates in the High Court.

“Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 9 of the Constitution, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has the honor to submit the following nominees for one position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (vice Hon. Antonio T. Carpio),” said JBC Ex-Officio Chairperson and SC Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin.

Eight of the candidates are from the Court of Appeals (CA), namely Pablito A. Perez, Manuel M. Barrios, Edgardo L. Delos Santos, Japar B. Dimaampao, Ramon D. Garcia, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Ricardo D. Rosario, and Maria Filomena D. Singh. SC Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez is the 9th nominee.

On the other hand, the JBC has deferred submitting its nominations for the High Court’s Chief Justice position to Oct. 15. Mr. Bersamin will be retiring next week when he turns 70 on Oct. 18. — Gillian M. Cortez

Supreme Court allows Mary Jane Veloso to testify through deposition

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Friday has given convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso permission to testify against her recruiters by way of deposition in Indonesia. Veloso was arrested and convicted of smuggling drugs to Indonesia and is currently on death row there.

Ms. Veloso claimed that her recruiters, Maria Cristina P. Sergio and Julius L. Lacanilao, tricked her into smuggling heroin into Indonesia, which has strict laws against drugs.

The SC affirmed the decision of the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court (RTC) which stated that Ms. Velosa can make the deposition by written interrogation. The SC added, “(T)he Court reinstated and affirmed with modification the ruling of the RTC and ordered that the deposition of Mary Jane be taken before the Philippine Consular Office and officials in Indonesia pursuant to the Rules of Court and principles of jurisdiction.”

The SC reasoned that its decision to allow Ms. Veloso to testify against her recruiters is only just. SC said “The Court said that to disallow the written interrogatories will curtail Mary Jane’s right to due process.”

The SC said that because of Ms. Veloso’s “unusual circumstances,” requiring her to travel to the Philippines to testify in court is not possible. A written deposition is the only mode allowed by the Indonesian government for Ms. Veloso to testify in her case in the Philippines.

Apart from human trafficking, Mr. Lacanilao and Ms. Sergio are facing charges for illegal recruitment and estafa in relation to Ms. Veloso’s case. — Gillian M. Cortez

Road clearing a success says DILG

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday said that the road clearing operation was a success based on the validation reports from 1,246 local government units (LGUs).

Of the 1,246 LGUs, a total of 1,148 passed the validations conducted by the DILG validation teams with 328 LGUs obtaining high compliance ratings, 497 with medium compliance ratings, and 323 with low compliance ratings. A total of 6,899 roads nationwide have been cleared of obstructions.

Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that 97 LGUs nationwide are non-compliant while 388 LGUs are still undergoing validation.

LGUs that obtained a rating of 70% and below in road clearance will be considered as non-compliant while those that obtained 71% to 80% are considered low compliant. LGUs with 81% to 90% clearance are medium compliant, and those with 91% to 100% are high compliant.

“These [non-compliant] LGUs are given five days from the receipt of the Show Cause Orders to explain their non-compliance or under-performance otherwise… their names will be submitted to the President and [we will] file the necessary complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman. We hope their reasons are acceptable,” Mr. Año said.

Out of the 97 LGUs, 11 are from Region I, one each from Region II and III, seven from MIMAROPA, 10 from Region V, one from Region VI, 12 from Region VII, nine from Region VIII, 18 from Region IX, 13 from Region X, three each from Region XI and XII, and four each from XIII and CAR.

Meanwhile, LGUs in the National Capital Region passed the compliance criteria set by the DILG.

The cities of Marikina, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Caloocan, Malabon, Las Piñas, Pasay, Valenzuela, Makati, Pateros, Parañaque, and Navotas have high compliance ratings.

Medium compliance ratings were given to Quezon City, Manila, Pasig, and Muntinlupa, while a low compliance rating was given to Taguig.

Metro Manila mayors earlier said that they were sure to pass the validation with 100% compliance with the directive.

Mr. Año also said that 612 roads, or 75% of the total number of roads in Metro Manila, have been cleared of obstructions.

He also said that the DILG will continue the road clearing operations and conduct validations on a quarterly basis to make sure that the cleared roads and sidewalks remain from obstructions.

The road clearing operations were a 60-day project set by the DILG after the President’s directive to clear all the public roads and sidewalks. — Marc Wyxzel C. dela Paz

Sinas replaces Eleazar as NCR PNP director

POLICE Brigadier General Debold M. Sinas is the new director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) replacing Police Major General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.

“Ang bagong naitalaga na chief Directorial Staff ay si Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar at ang papalit sa kaniya sa NCRPO ay si Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas,” PNP spokesperson Bernard M. Banac said.

Mr. Sinas had been the chief of the Central Visayas Regional Police Office since June 2018 and also headed the PNP’s Crime Laboratory prior to his regional director post.

Mr. Eleazar is the new chief of the Directorial Staff, the 4th highest position in the PNP, replacing Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan who will be the new PNP deputy chief for operations.

Mr. Cascolan will be replacing Lieutenant General Archie Francisco F. Gamboa who is the next PNP deputy chief for administration.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that he will be submitting his recommendation for the next PNP chief to President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Oct. 18. — Marc Wyxzel C. dela Paz

4.9 earthquake hits North Cotabato

A MAGNITUDE 4.9 earthquake rattled North Cotabato at 9:55 a.m. on Friday, a report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The epicenter of the quake, which was tectonic in origin, was 16 kilometers southwest of Makilala, North Cotabato, at a depth of 4 kilometers below the ground.

It was felt at intensity 4 in Makilala, North Cotabato; Kidapawan City; Pikit, South Cotabato and Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur; at intensity 3 in Koronadal City, Davao City, and Pres. Roxas, Cotabato. — Marc Wyxzel C. dela Paz

Economic managers to discuss imposition of safeguard duties on rice imports

AGRICULTURE Secretary William D. Dar has terminated the process of studying the imposition of safeguard duties on imported rice.

“The decision by the department is to have this be discussed first with the economic developers of the government, so the first process is terminated,” Mr. Dar told reporters after a press briefing on Friday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will be discussing the safeguard duties with economic development managers on Oct. 24, Thursday.

The Philippines had initially informed the World Trade Organization of its investigation into safeguard duties on Sept. 12. A WTO member can impose safeguard actions if it can prove that imports are the cause of injury on the domestic industry.

The prices of palay or unmilled rice have been declining following the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law that liberalized rice imports.

Meanwhile, the DA asked the National Food Authority to release more than three million bags of rice imports to the market. The NFA is expected to give the DA a report by this weekend.

The DA also plans to implement sanitary and phytosanitary measures to inspect for sanitary issues of imported rice stocks at the port of origin.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the average farmgate price of palay fell by 1.4% to P15.96 per kilogram (/kg) on the third week of September.

The retail price of well-milled rice and regular-milled rice both fell by 0.3% to P42.11/kg and P37.66/kg, respectively. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Urban farming bill filed

A LAWMAKER has refiled a bill which seeks to convert idle lands in the metropolitan area into agricultural spots to grow crops to ensure food security.

1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Michael L. Romero has filed House Bill 2119 or the “Urban Farming Act of 2019” which seeks to implement and institutionalize urban agriculture.

“Inactive, unused and abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either national and local governments, and other available land resources in state colleges and universities shall be considered for growing crops, raising livestock and producing food using the said comprehensive methods,” the bill read.

The bill also mandates that urban farming be included in tertiary education curriculum.

“Urban farming that are used in agriculture production shall be integrated in the academic curriculum for tertiary level students of both public and private academic institutions.”

Mr. Romero said this bill will also help in addressing climate change.

“Urban agriculture and farming will not only clean our environment but it will also help minimize the effect of climate change,” he said.

In the 17th Congress, a similar bill was approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives but failed to get approval in the Senate. — V.A.C. Ferreras

Bill eyes health warning for products with high sodium content

TWO LAWMAKERS have filed a bill requiring a health warning for food products with high sodium content.

Ako Bicol Partylist Representatives Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr. and Elizaldy S. Co filed House Bill 1511, which mandates the Department of Health to require food producers and manufacturers to indicate whether their products contain high amounts of sodium or more than the recommended daily allowance set by the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

“The warning label shall indicate that the processed food or food product contains a high amount of sodium and shall be printed in a part of the packaging where it is likely to obscure or cover,” the bill read.

“High sodium intake has been a leading cause of deaths due to cardiovascular and kidney diseases… According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, 89 to 90 percent of adults aged 19 and older eat too much sodium from the previous year,” the bill’s explanatory note stated.

According to the World Health Organization, the recommended daily intake of sodium for adults is less than five grams or just under a teaspoon a day.

Violators of the measure could be denied registration of their products; ordered a recall of their products; and a fine of P300,000 up to P1 million, with the cancellation of the registration of their products for the third offense. — V.A.C. Ferreras

SEC asks Google’s help in crackdown vs illegal lending apps

By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seeking assistance from Google Philippines in its crackdown against illegal online lending applications.

SEC Commissioner Kelvin Lester K. Lee told reporters Thursday the corporate regulator has scheduled a meeting with Google on Monday to discuss possible courses of action to stop apps of these illegal lenders from sprouting up on Google Play.

Google Play is the official app store for the Android operating system.

“Ang bilis kasi pumasok sa Google Play [It’s so easy to get into Google Play]. That’s why I’m reaching out to Google, I need to talk to them about their app store,” he said on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City.

Mr. Lee said the government wants to better familiarize itself with the requirements of Google in launching mobile applications, and from there discuss how restrictions and standards could be shaped in relation to illegal online lending in the country.

“Marami kasi talaga [There really are plenty of illegal online lenders]. We are forced at the SEC to act proactively,” he said.

The regulator has so far issued cease and desist orders (CDO) against 30 illegal online lending applications, and is looking to issue the same to more operators in the coming days.

“We already issued a cease and desist order against 30 in total. There is another eight. Then after that I have a few more,” Mr. Lee said.

The CDOs cite violations of Republic Act No. 9474 or the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, which restricts the operation of a lending business without a permit from the SEC.

Under the law, violators that continue to operate as illegal lenders can be fined between P10,000 to P50,000, face imprisonment of six months to 10 years, or both.

“I’m hoping they’ll cooperate with us, they’ll help us in this,” Mr. Lee said, referring to Google. “Hanapan natin ng paraan sana [I hope we can find a solution] because it’s a battle right now eh. We have so many victims which we at the SEC are trying to help.”

As of last month, the SEC already issued CDOs to the following illegal online lending applications: Cash Whale, Cash 100, Cashafin, CashFlyer, CashMaya, Cashope, Cashwarm, Cashwow, Creditpeso, ET Easy Loan, Peso2Go, Pera, QuickPera, Lendmo Philippines, Binixo, CashBus, Cashcat, Cashuttle, Crazy Loan, Flash Cash, Happy2Peso, Hatulong, MeLoan, MoneyTree Quick Loan, Pera Express, Pera4u, Peramart, PesoLending, QuickPeso and Umbrella.

PLDT to conduct consent solicitation exercise

PLDT, Inc. is seeking to amend the terms of its seven-year and ten-year fixed-rate bonds to help it gain flexibility in raising its budget for capital spending.

The telecommunications firm told the stock exchange Friday it is asking bondholders to agree to the amendment of the maximum stand-alone total debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) ratio in its trust indenture for the bonds to 4.0:1 from 3.0:1.

The consent solicitation exercise is for the company’s 5.2250% seven-year fixed-rate bonds due Feb. 6, 2021 and 5.2813% 10-year fixed-rate bonds due Feb. 6, 2024.

“The Proposed Amendment seeks to provide the Issuer with greater flexibility to support, if necessary, higher levels of capital expenditures and general corporate requirements given the pipeline of network expansion programs that PLDT would like to undertake and in order to serve the increasing data requirements of its customers so as to strengthen PLDT’s market position,” the telco giant said.

PLDT allotted a record capital expenditure investment of P78.4 billion this year, 34% up from last year’s P58.5 billion.

“Moreover, it will align the covenant ratio of PLDT’s outstanding debt capital market issuances with that of the existing bilateral facilities of both PLDT and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Smart Communications, Inc.,” it added.

In a consent solicitation statement on its website, PLDT said the activity does not intend to change the interest rate, maturity dates and its obligation to make principal and interest payments on the bonds.

The consent solicitation exercise will begin on Oct. 16 and will last until Nov. 15.

The company said it will pay bondholders that are registered as of Oct. 8 P1 per P1,000 of the principal amount of the bonds if they are able to give a properly and validly executed consent form agreeing to the proposed amendment.

PLDT appointed BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp. as advisors for the consent solicitation exercise.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez

8990 pays P27-M fine imposed by PCC

8990 Holdings, Inc. has paid the P27.11 million fine imposed by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) after its subsidiary Urban Deca Homes Manila Condominium Corporation was charged with abuse of dominance.

Marking the country’s first abuse of dominance case, Urban Deca Homes was found to have imposed its in-house internet service provider (ISP) Fiber to Deca Homes on unit owners and tenants at its Tondo, Manila property.

“Considering that the provision of internet services is not a business line that the Company is [actively] engaged in and is not a significant source of revenue for the Company, the Company has decided to negotiate an amicable settlement with PCC, resulting in the filing of an Amended Joint Motion for Settlement (the Settlement) in July 2019,” 8990 Holdings told the stock exchange on Friday.

In a decision dated Sept. 30, the PCC found that the company’s proposed commitment, terms, and conditions in the settlement sufficiently addresses the anti-trust body’s concerns.

PCC ordered the company to terminate its imposition of a single ISP in its nine condominium projects nationwide, applying the terms of settlement to properties in Tondo, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Bulacan, Cavite, Iloilo, and Cebu.

Shares in 8990 Holdings were unchanged at P98 on Friday. — Jenina P. Ibañez

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