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Duterte declares May 13 a holiday

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday issued Proclamation 719 declaring Election Day, May 13, as a special non-working holiday nationwide.

“There is a need to declare Monday, 13 May 2019, a special (non-working) holiday to enable the people to properly exercise their right to vote,” the proclamation reads.

Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea signed the proclamation for the President on Thursday, four days ahead of the May 13 midterm elections.

In his speech at a campaign rally in Bohol on Wednesday night, Mr. Duterte said he will ensure the orderly and peaceful conduct of elections during his term.

“I promised the people that kaning (this) election and every other election that will take place during my time, my watch na — you just follow rules. It’s when you start to break rules…that…it starts to magka-leche-leche (things get complicated). Eh, sundin mo lang ‘yung batas at walang problema (Just follow the law and there will be no problem),” he said.

The President also reminded the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to remain neutral.

“I made a commitment that ‘yung (the) mga sa Armed Forces at ang mga pulis (and the Police) must be neutral, pati ako (including me),” he said.

“Cabinet members are in the gray area [on] whether or not they can campaign for any particular candidate. But a popular notion is that…they can. But pinagbawalan ko sila kasi (But I prohibited them because) every time that you go out…, you use gasoline of the government….” Mr. Duterte said.

Also on Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced a liquor ban starting 12:00 midnight of May 12 until midnight of May 13. — Arjay L. Balinbin and Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Travel ban on suspect in Jee killing amended

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter

A COURT in Angeles City has amended its hold-departure order on the alleged mastermind in the October 2016 kidnapping and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo, to now cover all airports and seaports in the country.

The two-page amended order of Judge Irin Zenaida S. Buan, of Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 56, came following a motion by the Department of Justice (DoJ) early Thursday which noted that the May 8 travel ban on Police Lieutenant Colonel Rafael P. Dumlao III only stated the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“The Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration is directed to prevent accused…from utilizing all airports and seaports of the Philippine islands to escape and flee to another country during the pendency of his cases,” the amended order read.

The prosecution said in its motion that “it is imperative that an Amended Hold Departure Order” be issued against Mr. Dumlao, now covering all Philippine international airports and seaports to prevent him from fleeing to another country while his cases are still pending.

“The nature and the urgency of the relief prayed for necessitate an urgent and ex parte amendment of the HDO precisely so as not to defeat the purpose of the said court processes lest a hearing set thereon present the accused with the opportunity to flee the Honorable Court’s jurisdiction through other ports of egress,” the motion read.

“This motion is not intended to infringe upon the right to travel of these accused but merely for the reasons stated above,” it added.

Mr. Dumlao, Police Chief Master Sergeant Ricky M. Sta. Isabel and Jerry A. Omlang are facing charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide, kidnapping and serious illegal detention, and carjacking in connection with the kidnapping-murder of Mr. Jee.

On Oct. 18, 2016, Mr. Jee and his housekeeper Marisa Morquicho were abducted from his residence in Angeles City during an alleged anti-drug operation. Ms. Morquicho was released afterwards, but Mr. Jee was killed in the headquarters of the Philippine National Police and his cremated remains were reportedly flushed in a toilet.

The court on April 24 allowed Mr. Dumlao to post bail of P300,000 for each of the charges but denied the same to the other accused.

Stocks plunge as economic growth disappoints

By Arra B. Francia, Senior Reporter

SHARES plunged on Thursday after disappointing economic growth figures in the first quarter.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 2.15% or 171.07 points to close at 7,755.65 yesterday, retreating sharply from its 7,900 finish in the previous session. The broader all-shares index slumped 1.41% or 69.13 points to 4,807.85.

“Market was down by more than 100 points today as 5.6% GDP (gross domestic product) was lower than estimate of 6% and impending tariff application on China which may further slowdown the global economy,” Diversified Securities Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a text message on Thursday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported Thursday that the economy grew by 5.6% in the January to March period, much lower than the previous quarter’s 6.3% and the 6.5% seen in the first quarter of 2018. This is also lower than the 6.1% median estimate based on a BusinessWorld poll of 20 economists last week.

The result is also well below the government’s downward-revised target of 6-7% from 7-8% before, due to the delayed approval of the P3.7-trillion 2019 national budget.

The disappointing GDP result was further worsened by US President Donald J. Trump’s looming implementation of a tariff hike on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods this Friday.

Papa Securities Corp. Sales Associate Gabriel Jose F. Perez also attributed the PSEi’s decline to the lower-than-expected GDP results, adding that this may have pushed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut key interest rates during its policy meeting yesterday afternoon.

“In the afternoon, the BSP did indeed cut policy rates by 25 bps (basis points), possibly to spur growth following the disappointing GDP figure,” Mr. Perez said in an e-mail.

The BSP reduced benchmark interest rates by 25 bps in a policy meeting after the market’s close, placing the key rate at 4.5%. The move came after five consecutive rate hikes totaling 175 bps in 2018 as inflation surged. Inflation has since slowed down for six straight months, bringing the year-to-date average at 3.6%.

Sectoral indices bled, with financials leading the decline at 2.81% or 49.74 points to 1,718.56. Holding firms plummeted 2.7% or 205.95 points to 7,414.27; mining and oil slumped 1.37% or 104 points to 7,466.08; property went down 1.34% or 56.01 points to 4,118.74; industrials gave up 1.29% or 150.61 points to 11,504.40, while services dipped 0.45% or 7.41 points to 1,606.32.

Turnover climbed to P9.15 billion after some 663.77 million issues switched hands, higher than the previous session’s P7.12 billion.

Net foreign selling swelled to P1.63 billion, more than four times the P360.93-million net outflow recorded on Wednesday.

Decliners outpaced advancers, 109 to 88, while 43 names were unchanged.

Peso weakens on GDP

THE PESO continued to decline as economic growth in the first quarter was slower than expected. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO declined further against the dollar on Thursday due to slower-than-expected economic growth data and amid the market’s anticipation of the central bank’s policy decision.

The local unit closed yesterday’s session at P52.30 versus the greenback, down 19 centavos from the P52.11-per-dollar finish on Wednesday.

The peso opened the session weaker at P52.20 versus the dollar, slipping to as low as P52.35 intraday. Meanwhile, its best showing was at P52.145 per greenback.

Trading volume edged up to $1.038 billion from the $1.012 billion that switched hands the previous day.

Foreign exchange traders attributed the weaker peso to the release of data on first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth, which came in slower than expected.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Thursday the Philippine economy only grew 5.6% in the first quarter, slower than the revised 6.3% tallied in the fourth quarter and 6.5% in the same quarter last year.

“The peso was very volatile. It dropped to a low of P52.145 in the morning session. But when the GDP data came out weaker than expected, we saw the dollar-peso fly to P52.35,” a trader said in a phone interview.

The trader added that market participants “tried to take long positions” ahead of an expected rate cut from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

After markets closed, the BSP announced that its policy-setting Monetary Board trimmed interest rates by 25 basis points, taking into consideration the decelerating inflation environment. However, the BSP didn’t decide on the adjustments on banks’ reserve requirement ratio.

For today, the first trader expects the peso to move between P52.15 and P52.45, while another trader gave a P52.10-P52.40 range.

“The US-China trade talks (will be the main driver), since market players already priced in the rate cuts. Now, we will have to wait and see regarding the progress of the US-China trade talks. All eyes on them,” the first trader noted. — KANV

‘Bikoy’ ripe for contempt in Senate inquiry — Lacson

THE MAN who claimed to be the netizen Bikoy, in the videos alleging drug links in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s family, would have been cited for contempt if the Senate had proceeded with its inquiry into this controversy, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said on Thursday.

“Hinog na hinog sana talaga si Bikoy for contempt kasi hindi na naman papalitan ‘yun eh,” Mr. Lacson said at a forum. (Bikoy would have been ripe for a contempt charge because he has not changed).

The senator added: “Kung halimbawang natuloy bukas ‘yung hearing at nandiyan siya, meron siyang sworn statement, meron siyang mga dokumento at nakapag-testify na siya under oath, and then papasok si Hutch and refute with his own document na nanggaling din kay Bikoy, hindi ba napaka-appropriate for contempt and marami pa tayong malalaman.” (Had we pushed through with the hearing, we would have heard his sworn statement, have his documents, and have him testify under oath, which Hutch will then refute with documents Bikoy himself gave, then we’d have an appropriate case for contempt. We might even learn new things).

Mr. Lacson, who heads the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said it is up to the Executive to pursue charges against Peter Joemel A. Advincula, who claimed to be “Bikoy” in a news conference early this week.

“‘Yung effort dapat manggaling sa executive branch dahil ang binabanatan du’n ay members of the First Family and some other personality (members of the First Family were being attacked). We should leave it to the DoJ (Department of Justice), the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), the PNP (Philippine National Police) to find out kung sino nasa likod ni Bikoy (who’s behind Bikoy),” Mr. Lacson said.

But Mr. Duterte, speaking at a campaign rally in Bohol on Wednesday night, said, “They released black propaganda that included my daughter. I’m not interested to file cases.” — C.A. Tadalan, A.L. Balinbin

DENR orders closure of Limay dumpsite

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has issued a cease and desist order (CDO) against the municipal government of Limay, Bataan for the operation of an open dumpsite in Barangay San Francisco de Asis I. In a statement on Thursday, the DENR said the dumpsite is located on a seven-hectare property owned by the local municipal government, which has an existing memorandum of agreement with Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWMC) for the dumpsite’s closure and rehabilitation, signed in 2015 and due to expire on December this year. Mayor Lilvir B. Roque and members of the municipal council were also summoned to the DENR headquarters in Quezon City to present their plan of action for the rehabilitation of the area. Under Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, open dumpsites are prohibited and local officials who violate this face a fine of P500,000, and an amount equivalent to 10% of his or her annual net income during the previous year as well as administrative charges. Mr. Antiporda also said that the operation of the dumpsite must be stopped because it is among the threats to Manila Bay, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation. The dumpsite is located beside a creek that flows to Mamala River, which drains into the Manila Bay. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

QC prosecutor recommends libel charge vs Alvarez

THE QUEZON City Prosecutor’s Office has recommended the filing of a libel charge against Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon D. Alvarez for his “defamatory” comments against Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Antonio R. Floirendo Jr. In a six-page resolution dated April 26, Assistant Prosecutor Marizen Grutas rejected Mr. Alvarez’s plea for the dismissal of the libel complaint filed against him by Mr. Floirendo for allegedly calling him a “land-grabber.” The resolution states, “Given the acrimonious relationship of the parties, the motives of the respondent in making such statements and that he has no actual malice when he made the defamatory statement is highly suspect.” The two congressmen, who are both running for reelection on May 13, used to be political allies. In 2017, however, Mr. Alvarez filed a graft complaint against Mr. Floirendo for alleged conflict of interest over the 2003 contract between the Floirendo family’s Tagum Agricultural Development Corp. and the Bureau of Corrections. Sought for comment, Mr. Alvarez said that he has yet to receive the resolution. “I have not received the resolution but my lawyer will attend to it as soon as we receive it. Nothing to worry,” he said in a phone message to BusinessWorld. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

There’s more to Oriental Mindoro than just Puerto Galera

ORIENTAL MINDORO is best known to outsiders for Puerto Galera, a popular beach and diving destination. But there is more to the province that covers the eastern side of Mindoro island. For one, it lays claim to the origins of the Philippine’s traditional pandango sa ilaw dance, which it celebrates through the Pandang-Gitab or Festival of Lights every end-April. Department of Tourism (DoT) IV-B Regional Director Danilo B. Intong, in a statement, said they are stepping up assistance this year for the province’s promotional campaigns, focusing on cultural sites, farm tourism, and island-hopping. “In the previous years, the Department of Tourism supported financially festival undertakings through prizes for street dance competitions and other tourism related events and activities. This year, to entice more tourists to visit our destinations and tourism sites, we invest on promotion and marketing,” Mr. Intong said. The attractions include Bulalacao, a jump-off point for island tours; the churches of Kuta and Simbahang Bato; and the Mangyan Heritage Center. For farm tourism, the first accredited site is Gabunatero Organic Farm in Bongabong, where visitors can experience planting and harvesting as well as go fishing.

Ormoc Airport runway widening set as post-2017 earthquake rehabilitation work almost done

ORMOC AIRPORT’S 2,042×36 meter runway is up for widening to accommodate bigger aircraft, with P55 million allocated and target completion by 2020, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced on Thursday following an inspection of the facility. CAAP and local government officials, with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, visited the airport to check on the rehabilitation works started in Feb. 2018. The airport had suffered damage and underwent repairs following several natural calamities, including typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013 and the magnitude 6.5 earthquake in July 2017. Under the rehabilitation program, P34-million was spent for the renovation of the passenger terminal building, which can now accommodate more passengers, as well as the construction of the CAAP administration building. Another P82 million has been budgeted for the ongoing asphalt overlay and strip grade correction project, now at 61% completion rate. CAAP said the development of Ormoc Airport is seen to boost trade and tourism in Leyte province.

Modernized jeepneys to start plying Iloilo City next week

THE FIRST 12 modernized jeepneys of the Iloilo City Alliance Operators and Drivers Transport Cooperative (ICAODTC) will start operating next week, with an initial four routes to be served. “More than the convenience, we offer safety, a hassle-free ride, and they can arrive on their offices fresh and on time,” Rizal M. Alido, board secretary of ICAODTC and president of the City Loop Integrated Alliance of Jeepney Owners and Drivers’ Association, said. The air-conditioned jeepneys, with a seating capacity of up to 25 passengers, will have a minimum rate of P10.50 to P12, higher than the region’s P8 rate for old jeepneys. The new units will use an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), which require a beep card. “We will be using AFCS and the commuters will be using loadable beep cards. They can actually use this even in Manila,” Mr. Alido said. The transport group, in compliance with the government’s transport modernization program, is expected to have 110 new units by next year. “By 2020 hopefully there should be no visible old jeeps plying on the streets,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Cebu bus terminal management asks LGUs to deploy gov’t buses to accommodate commuters for May 13 election

THE CEBU South Bus Terminal (CSBT) management, which is under the Cebu provincial government, is expecting up to 40,000 passengers this weekend who will travel to vote for the May 13 midterm elections. CSBT Chief Jonathan F. Tumulak, in a statement, said they have sought the help of local government units (LGUs) in southern Cebu through the deployment of government-issued vehicles. He said the 300 public utility buses operating at the terminal could not possibly accommodate all commuters, similar to other major occasions like the recent Holy Week holiday, wherein LGU vehicles were also used as supplementary service. Mr. Tumulak said his office will help the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in monitoring and ensuring that the government vehicles will not be used to boost a politician’s interests. During the Holy Week, buses deployed by the LGUs were first inspected by CSBT personnel to make sure these were free of campaign materials.

More exhibitors in this year’s PHILBEX, TLEX Davao

A HUNDRED exhibitors are participating in this year’s 5th Philippine Building and Construction Expo (PHILBEX) Davao and 3rd Travel and Leisure Expo (TLEX), up from 80 in 2018. “We’ve been returning here in Davao for five years already because it is a booming city in Mindanao… For the construction, we want to showcase the Build Build Build program of President (Rodrigo R.) Duterte,” Carmen Grace P. Paragas, marketing assistant of event organizer Worldbex Services International, said in a press conference. The event gathers leading players in the industry, including construction companies, product manufacturers, and professionals. For TLEX Davao, Ms. Paragas said they have around 60 exhibitors, up from 40 last year, consisting of local and foreign hotels, travel agencies, airlines, cruise lines, resorts, shipping companies, and recreational destinations. Both events will also have conferences, talks, and business-to-business meetings. PHILBEX and TLEX Davao opened on May 9 at the SMX Convention Center and will run until May 12. — Maya M. Padillo

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