Manila Standard - 2020 May 6 - Wednesday

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 5)

9,684

NUMBER OF CASES

637 (14 new) DEATHS

1,408 (93 new)

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 75 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

RECOVERIES

199

UNPLUGGED

NEW CASES

NIGHT FALLS.

The ABS-CBN building and broadcast tower is seen at dusk in this file photo, as the network was ordered to stop its operations on Tuesday by the National Telecommunications Commission.

Palace hails its service to nation, solons hit move

NTC orders network off air, says it lacks valid franchise

Media, militants decry 'assault on press freedom'

By Darwin G Amojelar and Rey E. Requejo

MALACAÑANG acknowledged on Tuesday the services of broadcast giant ABS-CBN to the Philippines as the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered the company to stop its broadcast operations for lack of a valid franchise. Next page

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HE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Tuesday ordered ABS-CBN Corp. to stop operations due to the expiration of its congressional franchise.

THE National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Tuesday called the closure order on broadcast network ABS-CBN “an underhanded assault on freedom of the press and of expression.”

Militant and labor groups also joined

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Rody mulls migration ban for health workers abroad

By Vito Barcelo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is considering to stop the migration of Filipino health workers to other countries during the COVID 19 pandemic, saying he would consult the Department of Justice on the legality of preventing them from leaving the country.

In a late night public address, Duterte said he would meet Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra whether it was legal to stop the migration of health workers simply because they were being taken in a place wherein there was so much danger.

“We’ll have to meet again in two days or so and consult with Secretary Guevarra whether or not it would be legal for us to just stop the migration of health workers,” Duterte said.

“Please do not misunderstand me. I am making it clear now. I do not want you to go there and come back in a coffin. That’s my only argument, if you may, because you are Filipinos and I love the lives of my countrymen,” he said..

The President said the reason he wanted to stop them from leaving the country was that he did not want the workers to return to the country as among

the Covid-19 fatalities.

He said he was concerned over their health, and their safety was a “more valid reason” to stop them from migrating compared to what he initially said was his fear that the country would be deprived of health workers.

“The Covid is here to stay...that is how dangerous it is for our health workers,” he said.

Duterte said he could not blame Filipino medical professionals who wanted to work abroad following an increased global demand for them due to the prevailing pandemic.

“I don’t blame them, I’m not angry, I don’t have emotions about this. But if you Filipino nurses wanted to serve the country or other people, it’s okay with me,” he added.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) temporarily banned the deployment of nurses, and other health workers from leaving to work abroad as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The controversial deployment ban was later lifted, allowing healthcare professionals with existing overseas employment contracts as of March 8 to leave the country to work abroad.

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Gov't to ramp up testing to 30,000 daily by end-May THE government will increase its coronavirus testing to 30,000 a day by the end of this month, Malacañang said Tuesday.

The Palace said this was to prepare for the transition to general community quarantine from enhanced community quarantine in some areas in Luzon after May 15.

National Policy Against COVID-19 Deputy Chief Implementer Vivencio Dizon said the government was targeting to have 78 laboratory testing centers to fight the pandemic.

He said the government opened its first mega-swabbing facility at the Palacio de Maynila along Roxas Boulevard, which now housed 65 sample-collection booths.

“We aim to have 78 laboratories for COVID-19 testing in the whole country

by May 30,” Dizon said.

Curve flattened The Philippines has started flattening the curve for COVID-19 cases, according Next page

BACK TO BARRACKS. The Philippine

National Police Special Action Forces start pulling out of Tondo in Manila after a two days of implementing the 48-hour 'hard lockdown' at the capital's District 1 on Tuesday. Norman Cruz

It’s official: School opening starts August

By Macon Ramos-Araneta EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones said Tuesday the opening of classes in public and private schools for school year 2020-2021 would be moved from June to August.

In a virtual public briefing, Briones said the change in the date of class opening, usually in the first week of June, was legal as the law states that classes may open any time between June and August.

But Senate President Vicente Sotto III wants classes in both public and private

MEGA-SWABBING CENTER. The Palacio de

Maynila Tent along Roxas Boulevard, a popular wedding venue and events place in Manila, has been turned into a mega-swabbing center complete with booths donated by Ayala Corp. Government officials led by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III inspected the facility on Tuesday.

Norman Cruz

WHO expert: They may never be vaccine for pandemic AN EFFECTIVE vaccine to protect against coronavirus may never be developed, a special envoy to the World Health Organization (WHO) on COVID-19 has said.

An effective vaccine is regarded as

crucial to stopping the spread of the virus – but it is unknown how long it could take to produce one, Yahoo News UK reported Tuesday.

Human trials of a vaccine developed by Oxford University began last month, with

scientists aiming to have a million doses ready by September if tests go well.

US health experts have repeatedly said a vaccine is probably a year to 18 months away, though the White House said late Next page

schools to adjust their academic year opening to September instead due to the continued threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) to the country.

Noting that the June opening is just a month away, Sotto said there was a need Next page

Billions pledged for COVID cure as deaths surge WASHINGTON—The global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic topped a quarter of a million on Tuesday, with the US government predicting a further surge in fatalities as an international vaccine drive garnered $8 billion in pledges.

The dire forecast from the United States came as much of the Western world emerged from weeks of lockdown, with hopes that the disease may have peaked in Europe, where deaths in the worst affected countries have dropped after nearly two months of confinement.

But the global progress did little to cool a war of words between the US and China over responsibility for the pandemic—a feud that has been fueled

by US claims the virus originated in a Chinese laboratory—a theory the World Health Organization (WHO) labelled "speculative."

An AFP tally of official figures showed Europe is the hardest-hit continent with Next page

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News

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020

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’Focus stimulus on farm goods’

By Willie Casas, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

In a letter to Congress, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) said focusing on productivity in livestock, fishery, export-oriented fruits and vegetables would bring in higher income.

“While the P 32 billion proposed supplemental budget will be of tremendous help to enable the agriculture stakeholders to recover from the

COVID-19 pandemic that brought havoc to the industry, we feel it is inadequate and might leave the exclusions of concerns not properly addressed,” PCAFI President Danilo V. Fausto, said.

It is important to allocate a budget for logistics to move fish and agriculture goods, not only in Luzon, but in Mindanao, he said.

“A lot of these products are wasted due to the suspension of airline operations, difficulty in the land transport of perishable fruits, vegetables, fish, meat (specifically pork) and including fingerlings. Since these products are highly perishable, they need enhancement for cold chain support (refrigerated trucks),” Fausto said.

A budget for artificial insemination in reproducing livestock and for controlling African swine fever is also important, the PCAFI said.

“There is an obvious slant towards rice and corn. Aside from rice, livestock, fishery and aqua need help. The ASF task force are running out of kits and lack veterinarians to monitor the livestock industry. There is a need to provide support in a consistent manner not only when disease outbreaks occur,” Fausto said.

The group said equal attention should be provided for the improvement of irrigation systems and fertilizers to sustain and

NTC...

"ANC is content. Content is not included," said NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios in an interview with DZMM on Tuesday.

ABS-CBN's online assets like its news, entertainment and sports websites can continue to deliver content. ABS-CBN's video streaming service and app, iWant, can also continue to deliver content to internet users, it added.

Star Cinema, the company's movie production arm, will also be unaffected by the NTC's order.

Earlier, Channel 2 News presenters Noli de Castro—a former Vice President —with Ted Failon and Bernadette Sembrano issued moving farewells, following on-air speeches by ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak and Chairman Mark Lopez.

The regulator’s decision came after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned the NTC against the issuance of provisional authorities to allow ABS-CBN and its affiliate, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc., to continue operating despite the expiration of their franchises.

Calida had opposed a proposal for the NTC to grant provisional authorities to the broadcasting company, saying that under the 1987 Constitution, only Congress has the exclusive power to grant franchises to public utilities, such as broadcasting companies.

ABS-CBN was also given 10 days

from receipt of the order to respond as to why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled.

Republic Act No. 7966, which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations, expired on May 4, 2020.

The Radio Control Law bars the operation of a radio broadcasting station without a franchise from Congress.

The NTC regional offices will implement the closure order in their respective areas of jurisdiction. The NTC said it will schedule the case for hearing at the earliest time after the Enhanced Community Quarantine is lifted by the government.

ABS-CBN and subsidiaries had 6,730 regular employees, 900 nonregular employees and 3,325 talents and project-based employees as of 2018.

A statement issued by ABS-CBN said millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news at a time when people need crucial and timely information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“ABS-CBN has been providing comprehensive news coverage on the public health crisis and working with local governments and the private sector in providing food and basic goods for those in need through its Pantawid ng Pag-ibig campaign. To date, it has delivered over P300 million

worth of goods for the benefit of over 600,000 families affected by the enhanced community quarantine,” the company said.

“We trust that the government will decide on our franchise with the best interest of the Filipino people in mind, recognizing ABSCBN’s role and efforts in providing the latest news and information during these challenging times.”

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NTC order takes effect immediately, but can be reviewed by courts.

"A CDO (cease and desist order) is immediately executory but still appealable to the courts," Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

However, Guevarra said that compliance of the NTC order will be up to ABS-CBN. Guevarra’s position on the matter was essentially similar to that of Congress, which had urged the NTC to grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority.

"The NTC issued a cease-and-desist order instead. It must have a very good reason for doing so. Let's wait for its explanation," Guevarra said.

When asked what the legal implications are if ABS-CBN disregards the NTC order and airs tonight, Guevarra said: "The NTC will have to enforce it if ABS-CBN will not voluntarily comply."

earlier agree to consider an extension of the franchise, should assert its mandate and authority over matters like this.

The Filipino people should reject this despotic move to harass and silence a media organization known not only for its reach but also for its competence and dedication to deliver the news,” he added.

The labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno also called on the NTC to withdraw its order, and asked Congress to immediately renew the giant network’s franchise.

“We have long called for the continued operations of ABS-CBN Network” said KMU Secretary-General Jerome Adonis said.

“There is no reason for Congress not to renew its franchise, as much as there is no need for NTC to force the network into a shutdown. We are talking about a huge platform of press freedom, a valuable source of information especially now that the whole world is confronting a pandemic,” he added.

The NUJP said the move “stems from President Rodrigo Duterte’s personal vendetta against the network, whose franchise renewal he pledged to block.”

“No matter that this is a slap on Congress, which has the sovereign power to decide on matters of franchise and which explicitly asked the NTC to allow ABS-CBN to continue operating while it deliberates the bills to renew the network’s franchise,” the journalists' group noted.

It also doesn't matter, the group added, that the closure of a major media network “would deprive our people of a major source of information at a time when information could spell life and death as we battle the pandemic.”

“It sends a clear message: What Duterte wants, Duterte gets. And it is clear, with this brazen move to shut down ABS-CBN, that he intends to silence the critical media and intimidate everyone else into submission,” it added.

But just as the independent press “survived and triumphed with the people over the Marcos dictatorship,” NUJP said they are certain “that we shall do so again, that this regime that has run roughshod over our laws and disregarded our basic rights and liberties will not succeed.”

Willie Casas, Joel Zurbano and Benjamin Chavez

Palace...

Leader Franklin Drilon said the Supreme Court had said a provisional authority can be issued where an application for renewal of is pending.

He also said the Secretary of Justice himself said that with the concurrence of the two chambers of Congress, and with the matter pending, the NTC can issue a provisional authority.

“The Court never barred the NTC from issuing temporary permits to operate. It merely said that the broadcaster cannot completely do away with the requirement to apply for a franchise, as provided under the law,” Drilon said.

Meanwhile, NTC officials will be summoned to the House of Representatives as it "negated" the constitutional power of Congress in ordering ABS-CBN to stop its broadcast operations, a lawmaker said Tuesday.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises will issue a "show-cause order" to the NTC to explain the order, Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio Albano, vice-chair of the committee, told radio DZMM. Earlier, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said there is enough basis to allow ABS-CBN to continue operating while waiting for the renewal of its franchise.

Senator Francis Pangilinan echoed Drilon’s assertion about grave abuse of discretion. He also cited Guevarra’s pronouncement that the NTC could have issued a provisional authority. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE private sector has asked the government to focus its P32 billion stimulus package on value-added farm goods such as livestock and fishery, and not just on rice and corn, and said the amount might not be enough to cover the logistics needed to move fish and agricultural goods.

From A1

In an order dated May 5, 2020, the NTC directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its various television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid congressional franchise as required by law.”

ABS-CBN Convergence’s franchise expired on March 17, 2020, while ABSCBN Corporation’s franchise ended on May 4, 2020 (Monday).

The network, which airs on Channel 2 on free television and through AM radio dzMM and FM radio MOR, signed off on both platforms after its evening newscast that ended at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Their regional channels and affiliates were expected to follow suit.

At 8:30 p.m. on its pay television channel TeleRadyo, anchor Alvin Elchico announced that ABS-CBN management also decided to put them off the air until further notice.

Despite the order, the company's other units and subsidiaries can continue operating because they don't need a congressional franchise, ABS-CBN said in an article on its news website.

ANC, or the ABS-CBN News Channel, can also continue broadcasting as the NTC order does not cover cable news channels.

Media...

From A1

in condemning the government for the cease and desist order (CDO) issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The Duterte administration carried out the “dastardly move” even as Filipinos battled the deadly coronavirus pandemic, “and two days after we observed World Press Freedom Day,” the NUJP said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

It also noted that the CDO came a day after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned the NTC of graft charges should it allow the network to operate beyond the expiration of its franchise on May 4.

House Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, speaking for militant groups, condemned “in the strongest terms” the order.

“It already has all the legal and historical grounds to issue a provisional permit yet it chooses to shut it down,” Castro said.

Labor group Defend Jobs Philippines (DJP) slammed the CDO, saying the order “will never be acceptable, especially in this time of the health crisis.”

“NTC’s cease and desist order against the Kapamilya network is a clear betrayal to the station’s more than 11,000 workers and their families. The NTC and the national government are moving like thieves in the night while the station, its workers and the public are busy in facing the pandemic,” DJP spokesperson Thadeus Ifurung said.

Human Rights Watch called on the NTC to rescind its order, as it viewed the turn of events “with deep concern, coming as it did on the heels of efforts by the Duterte administration to intimidate and muzzle the Philippine press.”

“This also comes at the worst possible time, when the Covid19 pandemic is ravaging countries like the Philippines and when accurate and truthful information is needed crucially,” said Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

Robertson also said the Solicitor General “should stop acting like Duterte’s attack dog.”

“The Philippine Congress, which

Billions...

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around 145,000 fatalities. The US has recorded close to 68,700. Together they account for more than 85 percent of global deaths.

Since the disease first surfaced in China late last year the number of confirmed cases has reached almost 3.6 million.

The grim figures were compounded Monday by an internal government

From A1

The NTC on Tuesday ordered the media giant to “cease and desist” from broadcasting on television and radio, a day after the company’s 25-year operating franchise expired. NTC said the order is immediately executory.

"We thank the network for its services to the Filipino nation and people especially in this time of COVID-19," Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

"But in the absence of a legislative franchise, as we have earlier said, ABSCBN’s continued operation is entirely with the NTC’s decision," he said.

The Palace also said the media giant is free to exhaust all legal remedies available to it.

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte has already accepted the network’s apology so he was leaving the matter to the Congress.

The NTC is tasked with regulating and supervising radio and television broadcast stations.

The "cease and desist" order comes even as Congress leaders favor the continuing operation of ABS-CBN, as lawmakers maintained they have the sole power to act on broadcast franchises.

Senators condemned the NTC order for ABS-CBN to stop its radio and TV broadcast operations. Senate Minority

It's...

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to delay this year's school opening to ensure the welfare of students nationwide.

Republic Act 7977, or the Act to lengthen the school calendar from 200 days to not more than 220 days, mandates the opening of school classes every year on the first Monday of June and not later than the last day of August.

In an online news conference, Sotto said his proposed measure on the school calendar bill would be a priority in the Senate, adding the September opening was safe.

“What is important on that bill is the power of the President to adjust the school opening. August, we don’t need estimate in Washington that forecast the the bill, but what if there’s a second daily COVID-19 infection rate in the US could surge more than eight-fold to 200,000 per day by June 1, and the death toll could rise to 3,000.

From A1 'Evolved in nature' As the country struggles to contain last month that a vaccine could conceivably the disease the White House has be in wide distribution as early as January. stepped up its offensive against China, "There are some viruses that we still do with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not have vaccines against," said Dr. David on Sunday saying there is "enormous Nabarro, a professor of global health at evidence" the virus emerged in a lab in Imperial College London, who is also the Chinese city of Wuhan. AFP serving as a special envoy to the WHO

WHO...

increase crop and vegetable production In his latest report to Congress, President Rodrigo Duterte said 207 out of 1,634 local government units (LGUs) have accomplished 100 percent payout of emergency assistance in their respective localities.

The report said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has maintained stockpiles of the 409, 520 familiy food packs worth P168 million, other foot items amounting to P315 million and non-food items worth P481 million.

The report also noted that the DSWD was able to address concerns raised many sectors, including "query of some senators" in the implementation of special amelioration programs by creating monitoring teams to work closely with LGUs, and several concerned agencies of government, including Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

wave.” he said.

Briones, speaking in Filipino, said: “August 24 will be the first day of classes but it doesn't mean physical classes because other areas are under lockdown.

“It could be virtual, or physical in areas where physical school opening is allowed but officially August 24, then end of) school year by April 30."

The safety and well-being of the learners are the primary factors considered by the Department of Education in moving to a later date the opening of classes.

Earlier, the DepEd had an online survey asking parents, education partners and other stakeholders about their preferred date for the opening of classes.

Over 700,000 respondents recommended August as the best month for the opening of classes. during the coronavirus pandemic.

"We can't make an absolute assumption that a vaccine will appear at all, or if it does appear, whether it will pass all the tests of efficacy and safety.

"It's absolutely essential that all societies everywhere get themselves into a position where they are able to defend against the coronavirus as a constant threat, and to be able to go about social life and economic activity with the virus in our midst.”

Virus 'humbling'; Tycoons accept Rody apology PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday thanked business tycoons Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Manuel V. Pangilinan for helping the government respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

He described the pandemic as a "humbling experience," and then apologized to the businessmen and said he was grateful and no longer the snob like before when he refused to speak to them.

“I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping us provide the necessities of the moment. I can promise you that I’ll be nice and if you want to see me, we can talk,” Duterte said in a taped public address aired late Monday night.

“I have gone past being a snob because the [pandemic] humbled me. To the Ayalas and to Pangilinan, I apologize for the hurting words.”

Water concessionaire Manila Water is a subsidiary of Ayala Corp., while Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp. owns a controlling stake in Maynilad.

In December last year, Duterte threatened to file charges against the two water firms for allegedly signing onerous agreements with the government.

Jennifer Austria and Macon Araneta

Rpdy...

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The number of healthcare workers infected with the coronavirus disease is now at 1,772. This constitutes 18.68 percent of the total number of infections in the country, which is at 9,485.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the temporary suspension of all international flights to and from the Philippines until 11:59 of May 8.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this announcement during a virtual presser on Tuesday, a day after saying that the government was lacking quarantine rooms for returning overseas Filipino workers.

Flights which will continue to be allowed include official, emergency, cargo ambulance and medical supply, weather mitigation, maintenance flights, and international flights for stranded foreign nationals, Roque said.

On Sunday, Presidential Peace Adviser and National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the National Task Force Against Covid-19 decided to temporarily restrict flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila and all other international airports in the country.

Galvez said the decision was meant to decongest quarantine facilities and to ensure that OFWs were well taken care of when they arrive from abroad.

All OFWs are all required to undergo a 14-day mandatory, facility-based quarantine and undergo Covid-19 tests.

National Task Force Against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer and Trace, Treat and Test program chief Vivencio Dizon said the goal was to test 25,000 OFWs in Metro Manila and Greater Manila by end of May. As of Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported 68 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 among Filipinos abroad, bringing the total number of positive cases to 1,819.

The total number of recovered cases among overseas Filipinos worldwide rose to 475 while the death toll climbed to 214.

Gov't...

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to an expert working with the Health department who said 1,408 COVID-19 patients were getting well with 93 new recoveries as of May 5.

The department also logged 9,684 cases with an additional 199 new confirmed cases. It also reported 14 new deaths, which brought to 637 the total number of Filipinos who succumbed to the pandemic.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said no new COVID-19 cases were reported in the country’s 43 provinces in the past two weeks.

Workers a priority National policy against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon said Tuesday the four megaswabbing centers the government is building will give priority to the 25,000 migrant Filipino workers staying in quarantine facilities in Metro Manila.

He said the 25,000 will be the target of the four mega-swabbing centers in the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Enderun Colleges in Taguig City, and the Palacio de Maynila Tent along Roxas Boulevard.

“We have to test them as soon as possible to decongest the quarantine facilities in Metro Manila to start accepting overseas Filipinos again,” Dizon said.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020

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PH not going back to VFA, Locsin asserts FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday shut the door on the revival of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States, saying there are other ways “to give muscle” to the existing Mutual Defense Treaty between the Manila and Washington.

Under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippines and the US commit to come to each other’s aid in case of an armed attack by a foreign aggressor.

“We are never going back to the Visiting Forces Agreement but there are other enduring-predictable not just ad hoc- ways of cooperation to give muscle memory to the Mutual Defense Treaty without which we would be an Oriental slave state,” Locsin said in his Twitter account.

According to Locsin, one of the ways is for Washington to provide more armaments to Manila to equip the country’s armed forces.

“Arming us to hold up to our end of the Mutual Defense Treaty is one,” he said.

Last year, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated the pledge to come to the aid of the Philippines amid growing concern over the aggressive activities of China in the West Philippine Sea which includes the construction of military facilities in seven artificial islands, including three inside the country's 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The Philippines considers the VFA as a treaty, similar to the MDT, but Washington considers it and subsidiary agreements like the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement of 2014, as executive agreements.

On the other hand, EDCA allows the US to send troops to the country for extended stays and allows Washington to build and operate facilities on Philippine bases, for both US and Filipino forces, but not permanently.

Despite the recommendation of the Cabinet cluster on peace, justice and security to just re-negotiate the VFA, President Duterte has remained adamant on his decision to terminate the agreement. Rey E. Requejo

Don’t trust NPA rebels, Du30 tells soldiers

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte cautioned government forces not to trust the New People’s Army as it continues to attack soldiers escorting government personnel distributing relief goods, as he rejected anew the idea of a possible resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP’s) political wing, the National Democratic Front.

“No more peace talk, let’s fight,” Duterte said Monday night as he called the CPP-NPA enemies of the State.

“There is no hope for peace talks with the CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison, Duterte said.

The President slammed the communist rebels for reneging on their commitment to observe a unilateral ceasefire amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“Be careful because again the NPAs are around. Now, there is no longer hope for further talks with Sison,” Duterte said.

He said the communist rebels will not think twice about killing government soldiers since they are determined to steal their firearms.

The President adviced military and police to stay vigilant against the rebels who are out to steal their firearms, urging the government soldiers to kill communist rebels to protect themselves.

“Do not be too confident about it.

Even the station that they raid. They will kill you. And I am telling you, kill them also," he said.

IN BRIEF Decision to scrap Philhealth premiums lauded

FROM A DISTANCE. Senate President Vicente Sotto III (inset) presides on the second session day on Tuesday with just Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Francis Tolentino physically present at the plenary hall. At the House of Representatives, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones (left on screen) delivers her privilege speech during the second day of special session led by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep Martin Romualdez. Ver Noveno/Senate PRIB

‘Declaring martial law due to COVID-19 Duterte’s call’

By Joel E. Zurbano, Rey E. Requejo and Willie Casas

T

HE decision to declare martial law in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak lies solely with President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.

Lorenzana made the remark when sought for a comment on Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo's pronouncements that the Chief Executive can impose martial law due to the Covid-19 "invasion."

"Secretary Panelo is technically correct that this is an invasion. The virus came from abroad and in fact, it has invaded the whole world. But this is primarily a health issue, a war against a deadly and highly contagious virus," he said in a message to reporters.

But Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra opposed Panelo’s opinion that viruses could be a form of “invasion” that could

justify the declaration of martial law.

“In the context of martial law, 'invasion' refers to invasion of a country by foreign armed forces. This is analogous to the other ground for declaring martial law, i.e., rebellion, which is an armed uprising against the government by its own citizens,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.

“Both terms refer to armed actions by human beings, not by non-living things like viruses,” he added.

Under the 1987 Constitution, a president can only declare martial law in case of invasion or rebellion when the public safety requires it.

Panelo earlier declared that invasion “ can mean the entry of a disease and the transfer from one area to another.

There is an actual invasion of the coronavirus disease, which is (a) pandemic.

It threatens, in fact, the entire country.”

Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Domingo Egon Cayosa, on the other hand, described Panelo’s view as “a creative interpretation of the Constitution.”

“A more careful reading of the records of the Constitutional Commission and a number of Supreme Court rulings would show that the mere spread of a deadly virus is not the ‘invasion’ envisioned by Section 18, Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution,” the IBP president said.

“The contemporary meaning of ‘invasion’ at the time of the crafting and the ratification of the 1987 Constitution should not be stretched to cover just any excuse to declare martial law,” Cayosa added.

Tondo District 1 ‘hard lockdown’ a success—MPD

By Willie Casas THE 48-hour hard lockdown imposed on Tondo 1 District was a success, with only 281 violators arrested, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported on Tuesday.

The MPD said the number represents only a small portion of the 800,000-strong population of the district. \Vendors and shoppers headed to Prit-

il Market as soon as the hard lockdown was lifted at 5:01 a.m. Tuesday. A queue of shoppers formed outside the market.

Barangay officials limited the entry of shoppers in the market to ensure social distancing.

At the market, each shopper's body temperature was checked at the lone entrance. Their quarantine passes and valid IDs were also checked.

MPD officers, members of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB)

and the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) patrolled around the market.

Vendors said they were happy the market is open again so they can resume their livelihood.

Before the hard lockdown was lifted, Tondo 1 District's streets were closely guarded by the MPD, the MTPB, and the PNP-SAF. There were no vehicles and residents on the road. Rio N. Araja

JAMPACKED.

Hundreds of vehicles congest the northbound portion of EDSA near the Ortigas intersection in Pasig City on Tuesday afternoon despite the extended Enhanced Community Quarantine until May 15. Ey Acasio

the entrapment operation in Barangay Ususan.

Oliveros was in the police narcotics watchlist.

Seized from the suspect's possession were nine kilos of shabu worth P61.2 million, a mobile phone, the money used in the entrapment, and drug paraphernalia.

Southern Police District director Em-

LAWMAKERS on Tuesday lauded the the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for scrapping the requirement for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to pay PhilHealth premiums before they can be issued overseas employment certificate (OEC).

The POEA and OWWA decision came after OFWs expressed dismay and anger over a PhilHealth circular it issued last month regarding the mandatory 3 percent contribution of OFWs and making it a pre-requisite to receive OEC. Even President Rodrigo Duterte, in response to growing public clamor against the circular, ordered PhilHealth to suspend the rate increase and make the payment of premiums voluntary for OFWs. House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said: “The President’s action demonstrates his compassion for the millions of overseas Filipino workers whom we hail as 'bagong bayani' for keeping the economy afloat with their regular remittances.

Instead, we have to continue working on providing assistance to them to survive the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

They have been enduring many hardships, including extended separation from their families and loved ones." Maricel V. Cruz

Gov’t agents intercept smuggled Chinese meds GOVERNMENT agents intercepted smuggled shipments of Chinese medicines at a warehouse near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Customs NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said her men seized some 2.2 kilos of Chinese drugs that landed at the DHL warehouse without necessary documents or clearance from the Food and Drug Administration late last month.

The shipments, concealed in three separate packages to three different consignees with same shipper address, were misdeclared by the importer as “Resin Handicraft”, a clear case of technical smuggling.

Talusan refused to identify the names of the three consignees, saying the bureau's law division is currently conducting case build up against them.

She, however, described the latest smuggling attempt as "a new modus in evading the required License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration from the Food and Drugs Administration on the importation of medicines." Joel E. Zurbano

CEB ready to resume flights after May 15 THE Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) announced on Tuesday it is now preparing for the resumption of commercial flight operations with new health protocols and intensified preventive measures following the air travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus disease outbreak.

All pilots and cabin crew will undergo rapid antibody tests before they are assigned to operate flights while.

All operating crew and ground staff are also required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while on duty.

Cleaning and disinfection procedures have been ramped-up for all CEB facilities and equipment such as self check-in kiosks, check-in and bag drop counters and shuttle buses. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be provided for all passengers and staff at the airport and inside the aircraft. Joel E. Zurbano

LTO gives drivers 60 days to renew licenses THE Land Transportation Office is giving drivers and vehicle owners 60 days upon the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine to renew their driver's license and motor vehicle registration, respectively, without any penalties.

In an radio interview, LTO chairman and Transportation Assistant Secretary Edgardo Galvante said the agency has waived all penalties for driver's licenses and vehicle registration that have expired within the quarantine period.

"However, I am appealing to them not to file their renewal on the last day so we could avoid mass gathering," he said.

"Many have asked me about those that have expired that are not within the lockdown, there would be (corresponding) penalties," he added. Rio N. Araja

SC magistrate Reyes retires on May 11

Big-time drug dealer arrested in Taguig; P61-m shabu seized LAWMEN busted a big-time drug trafficker who was caught in possession of illegal drugs worth more than P61 million in a buy-bust operation Monday night in Taguig City.

The suspect, Gezel Wesley Oliveros, also known as Boy, 26, was arrested by elements of the Taguig City Police - Station Drug Enforcement Unit led by P/Capt. Salvador Camacho in

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manuel Peralta commended Taguig police commander Col. Celso Rodriguez and his men of operatives for the arrest of Oliveros.

"We praise these men for a job well done and for making sure that no crisis can stop them in securing their area of responsibility against lawless elements," he said.

Oliveros is now detained at the Tagu-

ig Police Station and will be charged with violation of the Dangerous Drug Act before the city prosecutors office.

The seized drugs were turned over to SPD Crime Laboratory office for chemical analysis and the confiscated mobile phone of the suspect is now the subject for digital forensic examination.

Joel E. Zurbano, Willie Casas and Rio N. Araja

SUPREME Court magistrates led by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta will hold a virtual en banc session on Friday for the retirement ceremony of Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Reyes, who reaches his mandatory retirement age of 70 on May 11, as magistrate to the 15-member bench on July 13, 2017.

This coming Friday’s en banc session would be the third time that Court’s justices would be meeting through video conferencing.

The first time was when it acted on the petition of several persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who sought their release for fear of coronavirus disease infection in jails. The second time was when the SC authorized the release of the results of the 2019 bar examinations.

The high court was compelled to hold Reyes’ retirement ceremony online due to prevailing national health emergency and the subsequent imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to control the spread of the coronavirus diseases. Rey E. Requejo

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020

Business

Shell to close refinery for 1 month

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

ILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. will temporarily shut down its oil refinery in Batangas for one month starting mid-May as part of “cash conservation measures” due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Shell, the country’s second largest oil company, disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange Tuesday the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon and selected provinces nationwide slowed down economic activities and mobility, resulting in lower fuel demand. Shell’s refinery in Tabangao, Batangas province has a capacity of 110,000 barrels per day.

“In response to the drastic decline in local product demand and the significant deterioration of regional refining margins brought about the COVID-19 pandemic, the company will temporarily shut down its refinery operations for approximately one month starting midMay 2020,” Pilipinas Shell said.

The Tabangao refinery started commercial operations in 1962 with an ini-

tial nameplate capacity of 30,000 bpd and completed an upgrade in 2015. The refinery currently supplies about 30 percent of local demand.

The Energy Department summoned Pilipinas Shell to a meeting today to provide “details and their supply situation” due to the impending one-month refinery shutdown.

“The temporary shutdown will help insulate the company from further potential drops in refining margins and will also aid in its cash conservation initiatives.

Nonetheless, the Refinery will retain the flexibility to do a start-up immediately should market and demand conditions improve and stabilize,” it said.

Pilipinas Shell said it would reinforce financial resilience “through cash conservation measures to position the company

for the subsequent economic recovery of the Philippines from the crisis.”

“The company has prepared itself by building the flexibility to switch from refinery production to full import of petroleum products, and therefore safeguard the continuous and cost-effective supply of high-quality fuels to the country,” it said.

Pilipinas Shell said the North Mindanao Import Facility in Cagayan de Oro City completed in 2016 could pursue product importation if needed.

“The joint operations of the NMIF and the refinery as import terminals, coupled with the Company’s resilient and efficient supply chain will help ensure that the supply of Shell fuels remains uninterrupted to serve the needs of the Filipinos,” it said.

Inflation rate in April sank to five-month low of 2.2%

THE stock market jumped Tuesday as investors welcomed the move of President Rodrigo Duterte to make peace with country’s top tycoons.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index advanced 99.58 points, or 1.8 percent, to 5,671.67 on a value turnover of P6.4 billion.

Gainers beat losers, 118 to 74, with 38 issues unchanged.

Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. led gainers after President Duterte on Monday evening apologized to Metro Pacific chairman Manuel Pangilinan and the Ayala Group.

Share price of Ayala Corp. surged 14.7 percent to close at P560 Metro Pacific soared13.6 percent to P2.85.

“The de-escalation of tension between the government and the water concessionaires sent the local stock market higher by 99.58 points at 5,671.67,” Philstocks Financial Inc. Jenniffer B. Austria

Solar firms urge govt to speed up approvals THE Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance, formerly Philippine Solar Power Alliance, on Tuesday urged the Energy Department and the Energy Regulatory Commission to speed up the approval of permits even in the wake of the enhanced community quarantine.

Tetchi Capellan, PSSEA spokesperson, said the solar industry was heeding the call of government in fighting the epidemic but the solar companies asked the DOE and ERC to accelerate their respective virtual permitting and approval platform so transactions can run smoothly even with most companies working from home.

Capellan in a letter sent to the DOE and ERC echoed the industry’s need to sustain productivity amid the anticipated economic slowdown.

“This may be the perfect time to put up the online system and process applications without the need for face-to-face interaction,” Capellan said in a statement. Alena Mae S. Flores

FACTORY output declined both in volume and value in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

Based on the preliminary results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI), the Volume of Production Index dropped at an annual rate of 6.3 percent in March 2020 from a growth of 4.0 percent in the previous month.

The March decline, however, was slower compared with the faster rate of decrease of 8.8 percent in March 2019.

“Fifteen major industry groups pulled-down the VoPI with the following major industry groups exhibiting at least 25 percent decreases: petroleum products [-34.3 percent], tobacco products [-33.9 percent] and miscellaneous manufactures [-29.0 percent],” the PSA said.

Julito G. Rada

D&L says Q1 earnings slipped 32% to P515m SANITATION PROTOCOLS. Leading Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific will implement new sanitation protocols and intensified preventive measures, as it prepares for the resumption of commercial passenger operations, following quarantine restrictions caused by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19). All pilots and cabin crew will undergo rapid antibody tests before they are assigned to operate flights and all operating crew will don personal protective equipment while on duty. All CEB aircraft will undergo extensive daily disinfection (as shown in top photo). Bottom photo shows passengers on a sweeper flight from Caticlan, Aklan maintain physical distancing during boarding.

Palay prices increase to an average of nearly P20 a kilo

By Othel V. Campos THE dry season bodes well for Filipino rice farmers as prices of palay continue to increase to an average of nearly P20 per kilogram starting late April.

“To date, the national average price of dry palay is at P19.91 per kilogram (/kg), while fresh palay sells at P17.22/ kg, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar. “These farmgate prices, duly verified by (Agriculture) regional field offices, are fairly competitive and give farmers a good return for their investments and hard work,” he added.

The highest farm gate price of dry palay in the last week of April, with a 14-percent moisture content, was recorded in Northern Mindanao (Region 10), at P25.35/kg.

The lowest price of P17.58/kg, meanwhile, was observed in Western Visayas

(Region 6).

Aside from Region 10, rice farmers from Regions 1, 2, 5, 7, 11 and 12 enjoyed a high average farm gate price of over P20/kg.

“Compared to the prices last season, the figures we are seeing now could be a manifestation of the normalization of the rice industry, after our transition from quantitative restriction to a tariffed trade regime,” Dar said.

Palay prices in 2019 were affected by the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law that lifted restrictions on rice imports, allowing anybody to import with prescribed tariffs.

“We consider this birth pains of the law implementation. That is exactly the reason why we set up and rolled out immediate support mechanisms to help small rice farmers adjust and eventually make them competitive. At this time, we are seeing the initial good results,” Dar said.

The department noted that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, rice farmers remain hopeful of government support, assisting them in increasing their yields and reducing cost of production through programs like the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, National Rice Program and the new Rice Resiliency Project.

The department started distributing free seeds and fertilizers to rice farmers under the P8.5-billion RRP. “With our experience on COVID-19, we can no longer downplay the importance of producing our own food,” Dar said.

“Indeed, the current high prices of palay are favorable to our farmers and their families, and we have instructed the NFA to continue buying palay at P19/kg, and at the same time urge the local government units, particularly in major rice-producing provinces, to buy directly from their farmer-constituents,” he added.

State-owned corporations remitted P129.45b to Treasury as of April 27 A TOTAL of P129.45 billion has been remitted by government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to the Bureau of the Treasury as of April 27 to augment funds for state-led efforts to contain the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, the Department of Finance said Tuesday.

The Corporate Affairs Group of the DoF led by Undersecretary Antonette Tionko said of the total, P91.62 billion was remitted after the effectivity of Republic Act 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, on March 24 and up to April 29, the largest sum ever collected from GOCCs in span of only five weeks.

Before the effectivity of the Bayanihan law, GOCCs were able to remit a total of P37.83 billion to the BTr from January 1 to March 23.

On top of the cash dividends remitted by the GOCCs as mandated under

Stock market soars; Ayala, MPIC advance

Factory production down in March—PSE

By Julito G. Rada

THE inflation rate April further slowed to a five-month low of 2.2 percent from 2.5 percent in March, pulled down by the decrease in the indices of transport, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

The April rate was the slowest since 1.3 percent in November 2019. It was slower than 3 percent in April a year ago and brought the average inflation rate in the first four months to 2.6 percent, or below the midpoint of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the April inflation was within the forecast range of 1.9 percent to 2.7 percent for the month. He said the number was consistent with the BSP’s prevailing assessment that inflation was expected to be benign over the policy horizon due to the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the domestic and global economy.

“The latest baseline forecasts indicate that inflation could settle at the low end of the government’s target range of 3 percent plus or minus 1.0 percentage point, at 2 percent for 2020 and 2.5 percent for 2021,” Diokno said.

“Meanwhile, the domestic economy will likely follow a U-shaped recovery path. Growth is expected to bounce back to its potential output growth in 2021 supported by the measures under the government recovery plans,” Diokno said.

He said in addition to the monetary policy actions that have been announced earlier, the BSP remained ready to deploy any available measures in its toolkit as the regulator continues to assess the impact of the pandemic on the domestic economy.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said in a report the deflation in transport costs (-6.1 percent) and subdued utility expenses (0.3 percent) likely weighed on the overall headline number while upside pressure was likely driven by food items (3.4 percent) despite government price caps on select items during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

IN BRIEF

RA 7656, the remittances include the unused subsidies and payment of guarantee fees and national government advances. Cash dividends amounted to P121.75 billion.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which remitted P37.48 billion, topped the list of GOCCS with the highest dividend contributions, followed by Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. with P17.9 billion, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) with P12 billion each.

The GOCCs under the Department of Transportation—Manila International Airport Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Philippine Ports Authority—followed with their respective remittances of P6 billion each from MIAA and CAAP and P5.05 billion from PPA. Julito G. Rada

CLARK’S RELIEF GOODS. Officials of Clark Development Corp., Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Widus Foundation Inc. and Clark CSR Association Inc. donate packs and boxes of relief goods to various communities near the Freeport. CDC president and chief executive Noel Manankil (second from left) is shown with Mayors Crisostomo Garbo of Mabalacat City (extreme right), Jaime Capil of Porac (second from right) and Jose Antonio Feliciano of Bamban, Tarlac (center) during the turnover ceremony at the Clark Skills and Training Center. With them is CDC director Nestor Villaroman Jr. (extreme left).

FOOD ingredients and plastics producer D&L Industries Inc. reported a 31-percent decline in the first quarter earnings but expects overall conditions to slowly improve as businesses start to reopen and adapt to the new normal.

DNL president Alvin Lao in an online press briefing said recurring income reached P515 million in the first quarter of 2020, down from P748 million recoin the same period last year.

First quarter revenues for the period declined by three percent to P5.7 billion from P5.88 billion in the same period last year.

“I think the worst is over. I don’t think things will get worst but things will not be back to normal for a while,” Lao said.

Sales volume for food ingredients during the period actually rose 22 percent, mostly for commodities such as edible oils, as consumers cooked more at home instead of buying from restaurants. Jenniffer B. Austria

Fitch reduces growth target this year to 4% A UNIT of Fitch Group on Tuesday trimmed its growth forecast for the Philippines this year to 4 percent from a previous estimate of 6.3 percent, taking into account the huge impact of coronavirus disease 2019 to consumer spending, one of the drivers of economic growth annually.

Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research said in a report it cut the growth forecast for consumer spending in the Philippines this year to 3.4 percent from its previous estimate of 5.8 percent.

“Our 2020 revision, taking into account the projected impact of COVID-19 on the Philippines, leads us to project that real household spending will grow by just 3.4 percent year-onyear. This is a downward revision on our pre-COVID-19 2020 consumer spending growth outlook of 5.8 percent year on year,” Fitch Solutions said. Real household spending in the country in 2019 grew 5.4 percent.

“In line with our consumer outlook revision, our country risk team has revised down the Philippines’s economic growth outlook. Real GDP is now projected to grow by 4 percent y-o-y, down from our pre-coronavirus forecast for 2020, of a growth of 6.3 percent,” it said.

In 2019, the Philippine economy managed to grow 6 percent despite the delay in the approval of the P3.7trillion national budget.

The government in the latter part of 2019 set a 6.5-percent to 7.5-percent target range for GDP expansion for 2020. But the onslaught of the pandemic compelled both public and private economists to say that the target will likely be missed, with some even projecting a nearly flat growth this year.

Fitch Solutions said consumer behavior and government measures to stem the flow of the COVID-19 infection were leading to dramatically shifting purchasing patterns.

Julito G. Rada