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VP unlikely to be given Cabinet rank

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte is unlikely to give Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo a Cabinet rank because she’s intent on revealing confidential information about the Philippines’ deadly war on drugs, the presidential palace said yesterday.

The vice president’s plan to seek advice from foreign institutions and allowing media to document her duties are “registered red signs that could not be ignored,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement.

“Ms. Robredo’s insistence on getting access to classified information, a revelation of which could imperil the welfare of the Filipino people and the security of the state, added to Mr. Duterte’s reconsideration of his earlier desire to appoint her in the Cabinet,” he said.

Philippine police have said they have killed about 6,000 people in illegal drug raids, many of them resisting arrest. Some local nongovernmental organizations and the national Commission on Human Rights have placed the death toll at more than 27,000.

Giving Ms. Robredo, the opposition leader whom Mr. Duterte had put in charge of his deadly war on drugs, unlimited access to sensitive state information that she could share with outsiders could result in “adverse consequences,” Mr. Panelo said. He cited her “tendency to be generous with acquired information and knowledge to others whose predilection may not be in the best interest of the country.”

Mr. Panelo earlier said Ms. Robredo risked losing her position as Mr. Duterte’s drug czar if she reveals confidential information to foreign entities.

Since accepting the post, Ms. Robredo has met with the US Embassy and United Nations officials to discuss the anti-illegal drug campaign, which majority of Filipinos support even if it has drawn international criticism.

The opposition leader this month said she had agreed to head the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign, if only to stop the killings. She accepted the post against the advice of many of her party mates, who said the appointment might be a trap.

Ms. Robredo has vowed to enforce the state’s anti-illegal drug campaign within the bounds of the law. She said she would treat the drug problem not only as a crime, but also as a health issue.

The vice president has repeatedly cited the need to re-assess the government strategy against illegal drugs given the rising number of drug dependents. — Gillian M. Cortez

Prosecutors asked to junk drug complaint

A POLICE officer asked government prosecutors to dismiss a complaint for graft and drug trafficking against him, former police chief Oscar D. Albayalde and 12 other cops accused of recycling illegal drugs seized from a 2013 operation.

In a pleading, Major Superintendent Rodney Raymund Louie J. Baloyo IV said the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Detection Group had failed to point out the elements of the crime he allegedly committed.

He also said police had relied exclusively on the report and proceedings of the Senate blue ribbon committee and a decision by a Pampanga court in connection with the operation.

“Complainant PNP-CIDG does not even point to any finding by any of the RTC Branch 43 and/or the Senate blue ribbon committee to establish probable cause against me for any of the above mentioned supposed crimes,” he said.

He accused police of stirring up “a criminal complaint based on suppositions, assumptions and baseless conclusions, without the supporting and necessary facts.”

Mr. Baloyo also said the complaint had been “thoroughly and exhaustively resolved” in 2014 and affirmed with finality in 2017.

Government prosecutors have submitted the case for resolution and will issue a ruling soon.

The Justice department earlier reopened the case and included Mr. Albayalde in an amended complaint after senators investigating corruption in the country’s jails found that he had allegedly intervened in the firing of the cops before he became police chief.

Former CIDG chief Benjamin B. Magalong, now Baguio City mayor, disclosed at a Senate hearing last month the involvement of the 13 cops in the questionable buy-bust operation on Nov. 29, 2013.

Mr. Albayalde earlier challenged the authority of the Justice department to reopen the complaint, noting that a preliminary probe may only be re-opened when it has been submitted for resolution but before its promulgation.

A Senate committee earlier recommended the filing of criminal charges against the police officers.

The cops claimed to have seized 38 kilos of drugs but an investigation showed that they seized about 200 kilos of illegal drugs worth P648 million and about P10 million in cash. The suspected drug trafficker also paid them P50 million to present a different person, Mr. Magalong had said.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron N. Aquino told senators that during a probe when he was still Central Luzon regional director, Mr. Albayalde, then acting regional director for Metro Manila, had sought to stop the dismissal of the 13 cops in 2016.

Mr. Albayalde, who resigned before his retirement, earlier asked prosecutors to dismiss the complaint for lack of merit. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

CA junks activist’s habeas corpus suit

THE Court of Appeals has dismissed the plea of an activist’s father to release his daughter whom the military had allegedly arrested without criminal charges.

In a 16-page decision, the court’s Third Division junked the petition for writ of habeas corpus filed by Arnulfo R. Pacalda for the release of her daughter Alexandrea. The subsequent filing of criminal charges against the detainee has made the petition moot, according to the court.

“The petition praying for the release of Alexandrea from detention loses legal mooring, and is rendered moot and academic by the subsequent informations filed against her,” the court said.

Mr. Pacalda said in his petition her daughter had been arrested by the military without a warrant on Sept. 14 and they were forced to sign a certification that Alexandrea had voluntarily surrendered.

But the Office of the Solicitor General said Alexandrea was charged with illegal possession of firearms. She was also transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the province.

The petitioner earlier argued the indictment of his daughter was an afterthought, but the court said she could no longer be discharged after she was charged with two criminal offenses. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Philippines, Korea to sign cooperation deals

THE Philippines and South Korea are expected to sign cooperation deals on education, social security, fisheries and tourism during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s visit there next week.

The president will attend an Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea commemorative summit in Busan.

“After the summit, we are envisioning to have a memorandum of understanding signing,” South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man said at a briefing yesterday.

Mr. Duterte will meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-In to discuss how to improve trade between the two countries, Mr. Han said.

“They will discuss many issues affecting our relationship,” he said, including how to increase trade volumes “as we are approaching to conclude a free trade agreement between Korea and the Philippines.” — Gillian M. Cortez

No-fly zones set for 30th SEA Games opening, closing events

AREAS AROUND the Philippine Arena in Bulacan and New Clark City in Tarlac will be no-fly zones on Nov. 30 and Dec. 11 for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 30th South East Asian (SEA) Games, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced on Tuesday. CAAP said the restriction, covering all aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, is within three nautical miles and 40 nautical miles for general aviation flights. The no-fly order will be in effect from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. CAAP said flights at the Clark International Airport — located about 73 kilometers (km) northeast of the Philippine Arena and 30 km south of the New Clark City — will not be affected.

Testimony of slain Korean businessman’s wife moved to Dec. 3

THE TESTIMONY of the wife of slain Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo has been moved to Dec. 3 as Angeles City court Judge Eda P. Dizon-Era required the translator to first get an accreditation from the Korean Embassy. “The court required the prosecution to present first the accreditation of Mrs. (Kyung Jin) Choi’s Korean language translator from the Korean Embassy,” Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said in a mobile phone message. Mr. Jee and his housekeeper, Marisa Morquicho, were abducted from his residence in Angeles City on Oct. 18, 2016 during an alleged illegal drug-operation. Ms. Morquicho was released but the Korean businessman was killed at the headquarters of the Philippine National Police and his cremated remains were reportedly flushed in a toilet. Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael P. Dumlao III, the alleged mastermind of the killing, Police Master Sergeant Ricky M. Sta. Isabel, and Jerry A. Omlang are facing charges for kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and carnapping. The court in April allowed Mr. Dumlao to post a P300,000 bail but denied the similar petitions of the others accused. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Continued rains over northern Luzon as tropical depression Sarah trails typhoon Ramon

TROPICAL CYCLONE Ramon (international name: Kalmaegi) has maintained its strength as it hovers off the northeastern side of Luzon, weather bureau PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. update yesterday. Landfall was predicted in the evening or Wednesday morning in the northern part of Cagayan or the Babuyan Islands. PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said typhoon Ramon is expected to weaken after it hits land. Meanwhile, tropical depression Sarah, which started as a low pressure area, was already 710 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. It is moving faster than Ramon at a north-westward direction and is forecasted to affect the same areas. Mr. Estareja said Sarah is likely to strengthen as it nears land. Ramon is expected to be out of the Philippine area by Thursday afternoon.

Regent Foods mulls moving factory out of Pasig

FOOD MANUFACTURER Regent Foods Corp. (RFC) is considering moving its operations out of Pasig after the city’s mayor, Victor “Vico” N. Sotto, publicly supported a strike staged by some of its workers.

In a post on its social media page, RFC criticized Mr. Sotto, who helped the 23 workers post bail after they were arrested on Nov. 9 following a violent dispersal at the picket line.

The mayor also asked the company to drop the charges against the 23 workers and work out the dispute. The company, on the other hand, questioned the legitimacy and peacefulness of the strike.

“Unfortunately, for the information of the general public, a minority group at RFC was able to conduct a strike recently, although the same was done outside the confines of the law,” RFC said.

“It had no legitimacy from the beginning since there is an existing sole and exclusive bargaining agent within the company. On top of this, the strikers also committed criminal activities during the conduct of their unlawful strike,” it said. RFC, which has been located in Pasig for three decades, said it “will not be cowed by the mayor’s threats.” “Moving forward, RFC may simply accept its fate that the Pasig City Administration will unjustly make life hard for it and its 400-strong workforce, and contemplate simply bringing its business elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, labor groups criticized the RFC comments and warned that countercharges will be filed against the company for unfair labor practices, abusive acts, and violent dispersal at the protest.

Defend Job Philippines, Regent Food Workers Union, and Unyon ng Manggagawa sa RFC called the company’s comments as false claims.

The labor groups said RFC workers, who went on strike starting Oct. 16, are protesting low wages, unpaid benefits, and union busting, among other issues. “No amount of defensive statements and baseless attacks against Mayor Vico can justify the long-drawn hardships of Regent workers for almost three decades of existence of this company,” Defend Job Philippines spokesperson Christian Lloyd Magsoy said.

In a separate statement, Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines spokesperson Alan Tanjusay slammed RFC’s plan to relocate their business.

“It is regrettable that RFC management decided to relocate their business just because the city mayor decided and did the right thing by supporting the oppressed workers and condemning injustice,” he said.

“The decision to relocate for these reasons is a sign of immaturity. We dissuade them from doing so because it’s not the right thing to do. I hope they think otherwise and rethink. There are positive ways forward than relocating their business.” — Jenina P. Ibañez

Peso weakens vs dollar

THE PESO succumbed to the dollar on Tuesday amid the lack of clarity on a final trade deal between the world’s top two economies.

The local unit closed at P50.90 against the greenback on Tuesday, depreciating from the P50.66-a-dollar close on Monday, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

The peso opened the session at P50.79 against the dollar. Its weakest point for the day was at P50.89, while its best showing was at P50.74 versus the greenback.

Dollars traded climbed to $959.75 million from $884.8 million seen on Monday.

Analysts attributed the peso’s weakness to jitters arising from uncertainties in the US-China trade talks.

“The peso exchange rate weakened…the weakest in three weeks amid higher US dollar versus major Asian currencies amid some doubts particularly on China’s skepticism on a broad trade deal with the US anytime soon,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a text message.

“The weakness may probably have been due to the closely watched trade negotiations between the US and China. It’s like waiting to exhale, where both sides unanimously agree for the initial phase of the trade agreement,” UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. chief economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said in a text message.

CNBC reported that Beijing looked pessimistic on prospects of a finality of their trade agreement with the world’s biggest economy.

Meanwhile, bright spots are on the other side as Washington approved for a new extension of allowing US companies to continue business proceedings with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.

The next deadline for the trade deal is on Dec. 15 which will be the start of another round of US tariffs on Chinese goods.

For today, Mr. Ricafort sees the peso trading at P50.70 to P51 versus the dollar, while Mr. Asuncion expects the local unit to move within P50.70-51.10 against the dollar. — LWTN with Reuters

Cebu provincial gov’t awards more road projects

THE CEBU provincial government has awarded more road concreting projects to different contractors amounting to P178.2 million. This is in addition to the P530 million worth of similar projects that were earlier awarded. The funds are sourced from the P1.38 billion additional budget proposed by Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia and approved by the provincial board in August, of which P800 million has been allocated for the road network construction and rehabilitation. The projects include the P6-million concreting of Liki-Cabagdalan Road Section and P24-million Poblacion-Lamesa Road Section in Balamban, awarded to WTG Construction and Development Corp. The others are: P11.8 million for the Mangga-Sto. Niño Road Section in Tuburan won by April Rose Enterprises and Builders; P36-million Zaragosa-Rosario Road Section in Aloguisan under Quirante Construction; P24 million for the concreting of select road sections in 24 barangays in Pinamungajan, under B.L. Pangan Construction. The provincial board has also passed corresponding resolutions giving authority to the governor to sign the contracts with the winning bidders. — The Freeman

Bourse climb as Wall Street rises on trade talks

PHILIPPINE SHARES rebounded on Tuesday following Wall Street’s positive performance overnight amid developments in the Sino-US trade negotiations.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose 31.2 points or 0.39% to close at 7,912.14 on Tuesday, putting an end to four consecutive days of decline. The broader all shares index also improved 9.46 points or 0.2% to 4,729.72.

“With US market up last night on continued positive development on US-China trade negotiation, market went on bargain hunting today after several days of correction,” Diversified Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a text message on Tuesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 31.26 points or 0.11% to close at 28,036.15; the S&P 500 gained 1.55 points or 0.05% to 3,122.01; and the Nasdaq Composite added 9.11 points or 0.11% to 8,549.94.

Aside from Wall Street’s climb, Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said the PSEi rose simply because investors “digested mixed headlines on US-China trade relations.”

CNBC reported on Monday that Chinese officials were pessimistic about the trade deal with US, following comments of US President Donald Trump that he has not agreed to roll back tariffs on Chinese goods.

On the other hand, several foreign news outlets reported the US Commerce Department has extended its reprieve on Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. to engage in exporting with American companies.

Mr. Limlingan said amid these developments, investors decided to buy into the Philippine market.

All sectoral indices at the PSE advanced on Tuesday’s close. Mining and oil added 50.92 points or 0.59% to close at 8,601.01; financials climbed 9.07 points or 0.47% to 1,919.01; holding firms gained 34.71 points or 0.44% to 7,806.99; services inched up 5.72 points or 0.37% to 1,549.57; industrials improved 21.09 points or 0.21% to 10,037.24; and property added 2.09 points or 0.05% to 4,075.63.

Some 1.32 billion shares worth P6.22 billion changed hands on Tuesday, up from Monday’s 430.55 million shares worth P4.32 billion.

Declining stocks outnumbered those that gained, 100 against 88, while 50 names ended unchanged. Foreign investors sold their shares anew, with net outflow on Tuesday amounting to P1.03 billion, a reversal of Monday’s net foreign buying worth P100.23 million.

AAA Southeast Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun said in an e-mail that the PSE is “not out of the woods yet” despite the main index’s gain.

“The general investor sentiment remains extremely cautious and no one is willing to get in until we see either a decrease in selling pressure or a pick-up in buying. In the meantime, the market will remain in limbo until investors start to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. — Denise A. Valdez

Education gets biggest share at P19B in BARMM 2020 proposed budget

EDUCATION IS getting P19 billion in the proposed 2020 budget of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the biggest share among all sectors. “(T)he Ministry of Education will work to ensure that no Bangsamoro child is left behind in terms of education,” Chief Minister Ahod Murad Ebrahim said in a statement on Tuesday. He presented the 2020 budget before the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on Monday. Under the proposed national budget for next year, BARMM is getting an allocation of P70.6 billion, including the P63.6 billion block grant that is provided under the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The rest covers P5 billion

for the special development fund, and P2 billion as the region’s share in national taxes. The BARMM, which replaced the ARMM, was established this year and will receive its first block grant in 2020. The BARMM will undergo a three-year transition period. Around P9 billion in next year’s regional budget will be spent for the creation of offices such as the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority, Youth Commission, Sports Commission, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Bangsamoro Economic and Development Council, which will serve as a policy-making body.

MARAWI REHAB
Mr. Ebrahim said about P500 million in the regional budget has been allocated for Marawi City. “We have also allotted around P500 million to help in the rehabilitation and recovery of Marawi City,” he said, adding that they are hoping for a “sense of healing” for “our brothers and sisters there.” The Marawi rehabilitation program is being undertaken by the inter-agency Task Force Bangon Marawi, led by Eduardo D. del Rosario, chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, with the secretaries of Defence and Public Works and Highways. “We have crafted a Bangsamoro Expenditure Program (BEP) consistent with our twelve-point priority agenda and our goal for moral governance,” Mr. Ebrahim said.

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