DOLE defends P40 wage hike, cites biz needs

By Vito Barcelo

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday defended the P40 daily minimum wage increase for workers in Metro Manila, saying it took into account the ability of employers, especially small businesses, to afford the increase.

National Wages and Productivity

Commission Executive Director Criselda Sy said that while it respects the

PBBM:...

sentiments of labor groups that the P40 increase is insufficient, other factors must be considered before the government grants their request.

“One of the criteria for minimum wage determination is the needs of workers and their families. We are also looking at their demand for a living wage. However, we need to exercise this relative to the ability of employers to provide additional wages and the overall condition of our economic development,” Sy said in an interview over GMA’s Unang Balita.

Sy admitted that DOLE wants a higher income for all Filipinos, but this is not an easy decision for Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

“It is very difficult for our regional boards to weigh all of this and balance whatever they think is appropriate so that we can meet the wage increase demands of our citizens, especially our minimum wage earners,” she added.

THE Philippines and the European Union have forged an agreement to establish a subcommittee on maritime cooperation as the two sides expressed concern about unilateral actions endangering peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

The maritime cooperation between Manila and the 27-member regional bloc came after the representatives from both sides recently convened in Brussels, Belgium for the third Joint Committee Meeting, where they reviewed ongoing bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation.

Amid China’s aggression in the South China Sea and its incursions into waters it unilaterally claims it owns, the Philippines and the EU were wary of activities threatening peace, security, and stability, and the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. Rey E. Requejo

Be wary of fake endorsers—DOH

of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry revealed only a modest shortage of approximately 7.56 percent in 2022, which would not justify the significant inflation rates reaching 87 percent in December of that year.

Frasco, the daughter of Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, was the mayor of their hometown of Liloan in Cebu and was the spokesman of eventual Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio during the 2022 elections.

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Of the total debt stock, 32 percent was sourced externally while 68 percent came from domestic borrowings.

Domestic debt amounted to P9.59 trillion, P130.67 billion or 1.4 percent higher compared to the endApril 2023 level.

“For the month, the increment to domestic debt was primarily accounted for by the net issuance of government securities amounting to P129.11 billion. Moreover, the impact of peso depreciation against the US dollar ficient grounds to initiate an investigation, citing the need to address what amounts to economic sabotage.

“And that is why we are going to be very, very strict about finding these people and making sure that they are brought to justice,” Mr. Marcos said.

In a memorandum to the President, Quimbo, who led the Committee on Agriculture and Food hearings at the House of Representatives, said substantial evidence has been uncovered pointing to the existence of an onion cartel as she shed light on the causes behind the surge in onion prices in 2022.

Quimbo said the cartel, operating primarily through the Philippine VIEVA Group of Companies Inc. (PVGCI), has engaged in various activities including farming, importation, local trading, warehousing, and logistics.

The hearings highlighted the sharp increase in onion prices starting in July 2022, attributed to a perceived shortage of supply.

However, data from the Department

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Metro Manila households may be affected by water service interruptions arising from low allocation and lack of rain over the watersheds.

Quimbo also presented an “Onion Matrix” which involves several companies engaged in the trading and importation of onions and other vegetables, acting in connivance with owners of cold storage facilities.

“Together with these agencies, the Department will create an Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Task Force along with a Special Team of Prosecutors primarily focused on protecting the entire agricultural sector, not only the Onion Industry,” it said.

THE Department of Health on Tuesday told the public to be wary of scammers selling various unregistered food and drug products with photos of local celebrities and personalities used as fake endorsers. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa asked the public to make sure to look for “FDA Approved” in the bottles and boxes of procured drugs. Dr. Willie Ong and Dr. Anthony Leachon were among the personalities used in the counterfeit products, have filed cases with the Cybercrime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation according to Herbosa. He cited that these fake drugs are possibly smuggled from abroad as they are not registered under the Food and Drug Administration.

Apart from onion smuggling, the DOJ task force will investigate violations of Republic Act No. 10845, the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, among other laws.

“This law specifically targets the illegal importation of agricultural products, including onions, and imposes severe penalties on offenders,” the DOJ said.

It also said it will be “pursuing cases related to crimes of profiteering, hoarding, and smuggling, which are recognized as acts of economic sabotage.”

With the Presidential directive, the DOJ said it will “collaborate closely with other government agencies, including the Bureau of Customs and the Department of Agriculture, among others.” lished in March 2023.

“It has further developed into a weak El Niño, which shows signs of strengthening in the coming months,” the agency said.

The El Niño Alert issued last May was upgraded to El Niño Advisory.

It also said the task force will include as members the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) headed by Chief State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headed by Director Medardo De Lemos.

“Our team of investigators will be working to collect evidence, conduct interviews, and analyze data to uncover the intricate web of onion smuggling networks,” it said.

“The shared objective is clear: to dismantle these smuggling networks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” the DOJ added.

The department said it is “diligently conducting its case build up against individuals and organizations involved in onion smuggling.”

“Once these cases are ready, the DOJ will file charges, ensuring that those responsible face the full force of the law.”

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An enhanced southwest monsoon season or “hanging habagat” may still be expected which may result in abovenormal rainfall conditions over the western part of the country.

Charles Dantes

PBBM seen to lift COVID emergency

HEALTH Secretary Ted Herbosa said on Tuesday that the COVID-19 public health emergency has been “de facto” lifted and only waiting for the formal order from the Palace. Herbosa told reporters that the lifting of the public health emergency will come soon.

According to Herbosa, the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) for COVID-19 has already recommended the lifting but believed that the Office of the President is still pondering on the possible consequences.

Charles Dantes

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President said.

He said that the two countries should continue “to stand together” toward a prosperous future.

Based on recent climate monitoring and analyses, PAGASA has observed the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures along the equatorial Pacific that was estab -

“El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts, such as dry spells and droughts, in some areas of the country which may adversely impact the different climate-sensitive

Speaker...

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“The proposed sovereign wealth fund will help President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. keep the country on the high-growth path. We want to assure the public that the management of the fund will follow best practices and the principles of transpar- padded the value of onshore foreign currency-denominated securities by P1.56 billion,” it said. ency and accountability,” he said.

Year-to-date, domestic debt has increased by P380.13 billion or 4.1 percent. On the other hand, external debt amounted to P4.51 trillion, P54.73 billion or 1.2 percent higher than the previous month.

“External debt was mainly driven by the net availment of external loans amounting to P10.05 billion and the impact of local-currency depreciation against the US dollar amounting to P59.70 billion,” it said.

It said third-currency adjustments against the US dollar tempered the value of foreign currency debt by P15.02 billion. External debt has increased by P297.56 billion or 7.1 percent from the end-December 2022 level.

He said the bill, as finalized, would insulate the MIF from political influence. As revised, the proposed law lists the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. (Pagcor), and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as MIF contributors. Their initial contributions are P50

‘Barbie’...

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“At the minimum, she said our cinemas should include an explicit disclaimer that the nine-dash line is a figment of China’s imagination,” she said.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said there have been precedents in the past where movies such as “Uncharted” and “Abominable” have been pulled out from local cinemas because of the presence of China’s nine-dash line claim.

“This is not a first as there had been similar cases in the past...It may be a work of fiction but still, this is a very sensitive issue. It is contrary to our national interest and China has no historic rights in the waters within the nine- billion for Land Bank, P25 billion for DBP, and 100 percent of dividends the BSP will give the national government. dash line,” he said.

Pagcor’s share will be 10 percent of gross gaming revenues.

Congress has removed the Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System, which are pension funds for the private sector and government workers, from the list of contributors.

Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Lala Sotto said Monday the movie “Barbie” will be reviewed for rating and classification.

“Barbie” is set to open in Philippine cinemas on July 19.

The climate outlook further suggests that the aggregate impacts of El Niño is expected toward the last quarter of the year and the first half of 2024 bringing dry season in most areas of the country. during the pandemic because the tax reform measures implemented during the previous administration could help boost government revenues.

Vietnam has banned the upcoming “Barbie” movie from cinemas over scenes with a map showing China’s nine-dash line claim.

The fantasy comedy film about the famous doll, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, had been set for nationwide release in Vietnam on July 21.

“The film review board watched the film and made the decision to ban the screening of this movie in Vietnam due to a violation regarding the ‘nine-dash

“As allies, let us continue to stand together, embracing the values of democracy, freedom, and equality, forging a path towards a more prosperous and inclusive future for all,” Mr. Marcos said.

The United States marks its Independence Day from Great Britain every fourth of July, which is a major holiday for Americans.

Also known as Philippine Republic Day, Philippine-American Friendship Day is a working holiday in the country.

For a while, the Philippines also celebrated July 4 as its Independence Day from the US, which granted its former colony its complete freedom on that day in 1946 after 48 years of rule through the Treaty of Manila. Charles Dantes line,’” Vietnam’s Department of Cinema director, Vi Kien Thanh, told the Dan Tri news site.

As this developed, Sen. Hontiveros said it is crucial for the Philippine government to raise the West Philippine Sea issue before the UN General Assembly.

“I hope that the Senate can tackle my resolution regarding this as soon as session resumes, as we need the support of the wider international community to stop China’s unbridled aggression,” Hontiveros said.

She earlier filed Senate Resolution 659 urging the Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, “to sponsor a resolution before the UNGA calling on China to stop its harassment of Philippine vessels within the WPS.