Issuu

300k jobless OFWs returning Shell-shocked from losing work, migrant labor faces host of issues at home

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE government expects some 300,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to return to the country this year as their host countries—under lockdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic—send migrant workers home, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Monday.

“For the whole year, we are expecting that 300,000 OFWs will come home,” Año said in Filipino. “The whole world is under lockdown. They are sending home migrant workers, not just from the Philippines, but other countries, too. This is our chance to show the importance of OFWs, when they get home.” But repatriated workers so far have not fared well, Next page

Lockdown takes emotional toll on overseas workers MENTAL and emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression, are beginning to affect Filipino workers in quarantine both here and abroad owing to coronavirus lockdowns― with some opting for a grim end. In Beirut, a Filipina domestic worker committed suicide in Lebanon at a shelter run by her embassy, consular officials said Sunday (Monday in Manila), days after a rights group complained about accommodation at the shelter. Next page

VOL. XXXIV • NO. 92 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace claims PH meets goal of 30,000 daily testing capacity

IN DROVES. Overseas Filipino

workers fill the check-in counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 and the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to board planes or inter-island buses to take them home to their respective provinces after spending more than a month in quarantine in Metro Manila. Norman Cruz

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas

COVID-19 PH AT A GLANCE

THE Philippines has met its goal of increasing its testing capacity to 30,000 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests per day, ahead of the May 30 target, the Palace said Monday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the country was able to increase its capacity to 32,100 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests per day on May 20, six times more than it was on April 15. He also said the country is aiming to have 66 COVID-19 testing laboratories in the country by the end of the month. The government plans to test up to 2 percent of the country’s population to determine the extent of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines. More than 272,000 individuals have been tested for COVID-19 as of May 23, according to the Department of Health's online tracker. Still, a World Health Organization

(AS OF 4 PM MAY 25)

14,319 873 (5 new) 3,323 (74 new) 10,123 284 NUMBER OF CASES DEATHS

RECOVERIES

ACTIVE CASES NEW CASES

OIL PRICE HIKE (Effective 6 a.m. May 26) Kerosene: Up P2.65/liter Diesel: Up P2.10/liter Gasoline: Up P1.75/liter Participating oil firms: Shell, PTT, Phoenix, Seaoil, Cleanfuel, Flying V, PetroGazz (Other oil companies to follow suit)

RAMPED-UP TESTING. A young woman takes a swab test for the coronavirus at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, while employees of Pasay City Hall fill chairs in front of health workers as they undergo rapid testing at the Pasay Sports Complex on Monday. PIA/PNA

Rody’s extra power extension, virus bills okay up By Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas CAGAYAN de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said he will file a bill Tuesday authorizing Congress to extend President Duterte’s emergency powers under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Law for three

months up to September. Rodriguez said the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the Bayanihan law on March 24 to give the President emergency powers “to respond to the crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.” Meanwhile, the House Defeat COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee (DCC)

is set to approve Tuesday morning for plenary deliberations three anticoronavirus disease-19 bills, including the P568 billion economic stimulus package, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said. “Such powers are good for three months. Unfortunately, two months after Next page

NCR mayors push for GCQ after May 31 By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta FOURTEEN of the 17 mayors in Metro Manila are supporting the plan to downgrade the modified enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine in the National Capital Region after May 31. Metro Manila Council chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez made the announcement Monday, saying the mayors favored placing their cities under GCQ starting June 1 provided health and safety protocols were strictly implemented. Senator Panfilo Lacson said it would be Next page

COVID rampage across Latin America Maguindanao blast

FAKE PASSES. An officer of the Manila Police District Station 4 shows off fake InterAgency Task Force passes being printed at shops along Recto Avenue in Manila—a district notorious for counterfeiting official documents—following a raid on Monday. Each fake IATF card costs a buyer 350 pesos each, police said. Norman Cruz

WASHINGTON—The United States suspended travel from Brazil over an explosion of coronavirus infections in the South American nation, but across the Atlantic, many parts of Europe were set to further ease lockdowns on Monday after slowing their COVID-19 outbreaks. The pandemic's rampage across Latin America has pushed the worldwide caseload to nearly 5.4 million, with deaths approaching 350,000, but with the global economy battered, governments are scrambling to provide relief however they can to businesses and citizens wearying of mass confinement. Brazil—the world's sixth-largest country—has been declared the latest hotspot with more than 360,000 reported

cases, second only to the United States, even as its leader, the far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, plays down the threat from the virus. In Tokyo, Japan lifted a nationwide state of emergency over the coronavirus on Monday, gradually reopening the world's third-largest economy as government officials warned caution was still necessary to prevent another wave. "We had very stringent criteria for lifting the state of emergency. We have judged that we have met this," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a nationally televised news conference. In a sign of global concern about the outbreak in Brazil, where more than Next page

kills 2, injures dozen COTABATO CITY—The military here launched an investigation following Sunday’s alleged mortar blast that killed two children and wounded over a dozen others in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Lt. Col. Edgardo Vilchez Jr., the spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID), said the probe came about to clear issues implicating the 6ID to the incident. “We have no troops operating in the area, specifically on the village where the incident happened,” Vilchez said over Next page radio DXMY here Monday.

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Fair hearing on ’ABS’ assured S Bulacan Rep. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado, the chairman of the House committee on good government, said his panel and the House committee on legislative franchises led by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez will give all stakeholders an equal opportunity to present their arguments.

“Tomorrow [Tuesday], we look forward to the second hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise,” Say-Alvarado said. “As Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has repeatedly said, Congress is committed to upholding due process by conducting a fair, impartial and comprehensive hearing before approving or denying the

franchise application.” Sy-Alvarado made his statement even as the Justice department said ABSCBN could be allowed to continue operations despite the expiration of its franchise on May 4. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the National Telecommunications Commission may issue a provisional authority allowing the network to remain on air while Congress was deliberating on its application for the renewal of 25year franchise. The joint hearing in the House will be held at the Session Hall at 1 p.m. Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, a former journalist of ABS-CBN, welcomed the House decision to finally thresh out the issues on ABS-CBN’s franchise.

300k...

(OWWA) and the Deaprtment of Transportation, to arrange the daily trips for 8,000 OFWs through the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and the NAIA Terminal. “This is part of President Duterte's commitment to the safe return of OFWs to their families, as arranged by the Philippine government,” Bello said in a statement. The workers will need to present their quarantine passes from the Bureau of Quarantine or from the Coast Guard’s negative list to qualify for the return program. From May 5, bus trips to Bicol, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, CAR, and Central Luzon will be made available while flights to Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Bacolod, Davao, Cebu, Ilo-ilo and Zamboanga will be arranged for flights until Wednesday, Bello said More bus rides and flights will be made available, he added. Recruitment and migration consultant Emmanuel Geslani, however, expressed concern that the government may not be able to provide jobs to returning OFWs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, since the fund allotted for displaced workers is only P1.5 billion. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assured displaced OFWs that the government would provide livelihood assistance to those affected by the global pandemic by giving them cash assistance to help them set up small businesses. Bello said the focus of the government is to help OFWs who are already in the

country and those who were stranded because of the pandemic. “Our immediate program is to provide livelihood to them and we will focus on OFWs who are back in the country and those who were not able to leave,” he said. OFW-beneficiaries have a choice to put up their own business or they can also plant crops. “We will provide them livelihood projects. They can choose any business they can put up their own carinderia, sarisari store, or to plant. We will give them livelihood assistance of P20,,000. If they need a bigger amount, we can lend them money, interest-free,” he added. Geslani said the continuous lockdown of the Middle East countries, Japan and some countries in Europe will greatly contribute to massive losses in OFW deployment for this year and until 2021. “With the continuing lockdown of our main markets in the Middle East and the huge number of displaced workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait UAE and Qatar our main labor markets, around 100,000 OFWs have been affected the pandemic with many of their jobs lost through closure of establishments,” he said. He said that seafarers who have returned to the country now number 30,000 and more 40,000 are expected in the month of June with charter flights and cruise liners sailing to the country. “Expected losses in the sea-based sector is at 100,000 [jobs], which includes cruise ship crews, general cargo, containers ships and oil-rigs support vessels,” Geslani said. He said cruise lines are not expected to sail until September or October in 2020,

thus Filipino seafarers will wait until that time if they are recalled. Operations will start slowly with only a few of the estimated 200 cruise ships sailing all over the world. A community leader in Hong Kong, meanwhile, said 5,000 Filipinos there have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Some expatriates who employ Filipinos had difficulty returning to Hong Kong due to pandemic travel bans, said Dolores Balladares-Pelaez, chairperson of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's entertainment centers, which provide work to many Filipinos, also remained shut to prevent the spread of COVID-19, she told radio dzMM. “Many of our compatriots lost their jobs. I know around 5,000 Filipinos; not just domestic workers, but residents, too,” she said in Filipino. Senator Christopher Go, meanwhile, urged the DOLE to immediately carry out its plan to take repatriated workers who tested negative for COVID-19 back to their home provinces. Go said the effort dovetailed with the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program that seeks to decongest Metro Manila by encouraging development in the provinces. The immediate phase of the program, Go said, was to help Filipinos stranded in Metro Manila and other urban centers to return to their home provinces. Go reiterated his call for the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers, saying that its establishment would cater to the pressing needs of overseas and repatriated Filipinos, especially in times of crisis.

to flee quarantine facilities despite stern government warnings not to leave their lodgings, with threats of criminal cases for violating the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act for ignoring health protocols if they do. Even Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. urged on his Twitter account to arrest OFWs who escaped quarantine, a move the group Migrante International criticized. “Without the financial aid, psychosocial support, medical and transportation services that OFWs deserve to get, the Duterte regime’s temporary quarantine shelter are nothing but detention facilities,” Migrante International chairperson Joanna Concepcion said in a statement on May 21. “It is such a shame that OFWs traumatized by their experiences abroad and in local quarantine facilities are now being treated like criminals by their own government,” she added. Under the protocol set by the InterAgency Task Force, repatriated OFWs have to wait for the results of their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests before they can return home, but most have exceeded the recommended 14-day quarantine. The Department of the Health (DOH) and other agencies have admitted delays in the issuance of the tests results caused by encoding issues and slow pace of testing. In a GMA News report, about 160 OFWs quarantined in Pasay like Cadungog expressed growing fears their isolation was causing them to fall into a deep depression. Jimbo Gulle with AFP

Palace...

the government and the private sector for the increase in the testing capacity. He said the government is working to improve the efficiency of the testing laboratories to maximize their capacity. The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reported 284 new cases, bringing the total number of infections to 14,319. Of the new cases, 171 or 60 percent came from Metro Manila and 70 cases or 24 percent came from Central Visayas. Five new deaths were reported, bringing total fatalities to 873, while 74 new recoveries were posted, bringing to 3,323 the number of patients who survived the disease. Senator Panfilo Lacson urged Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to resign in view of the high number of deaths and the department’s inefficiency in dealing with the pandemic. Senator Risa Hontiveros said the public was losing its confidence in the government’s COVID-19 response because of Duque’s inadequate leadership. She added, however, that the problem goes beyond one individual and represents an institutional and systems failure. "Our health systems need a drastic and urgent overhaul and improvement for us to more effectively respond to COVID-19,” she said. A government adviser, on the other hand, said the Philippines is flattening the COVID-19 pandemic curve, since the health care system is now able to cope with new cases.

Wednesday to decide whether or not to downgrade the community quarantine in the metropolis. During their last meeting on May 9, Mayors Joy Belmonte of Quezon City, Abigail Binay of Makati, Isko Moreno of Manila, Antolin Oreta III of Malabon and Imelda Aguilar of Las Piñas endorsed placing their cities under GCQ after May 16. Pasay City Mayor Imelda Rubiano endorsed only a one-week extension of the ECQ. The GCQ is a more relaxed form of community quarantine. Under GCQ, public transportation resumes at a reduced capacity, people can go back to work in certain sectors, and "non-leisure" establishments may open apart from essential ones. Olivarez said the government’s efforts against the COVID-19 had already slowed the rate of infection. Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian and Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco said they were now preparing for Metro Manila’s possible transition to GCQ.

COVID...

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo

PEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday assured the people of fairness and due process when the House holds a joint hearing today on the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation.

From A1

spending up to two months in isolation centers rather than the required 14 days because of delays in their COVID-19 testing (see sidebar story—Editors). Since April 13, returning OFWs have been required to undergo mandatory quarantine inside government facilities, meaning hotels and other accommodations accredited by the Department of Tourism. Since April 27, returning OFWs were required to undergo reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for the coronavirus. Since May 6, the government has identified the need to prioritize testing for some 20,000 quarantined OFWs. Nearly three weeks later, thousands remain in quarantine. If unresolved, the problem figures to worsen through June, when some 40,000 more OFWs are expected to return. Secretary Carlito Galvez, who heads the national task force on COVID-19 response, has said this could overwhelm the country's current quarantine facilities. But Año said such problems have been solved, and the government will escort some 24,000 repatriated workers who tested negative to their home provinces between Monday and Wednesday. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III made the same assurance, one week after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered all concerned agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

Lockdown... From A1

The embassy, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said the unnamed "household service worker" arrived on Friday at the shelter and the next day "reportedly jumped from a room she was sharing" with two others. She died of her injuries on Sunday, it said, adding that "details of the incident are currently being investigated." An estimated 250,000 domestic workers—mostly from Ethiopia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka—live in Lebanon, many in conditions condemned by rights groups. Those conditions have worsened in recent months as Lebanon is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, as well as a coronavirus lockdown. This comes a month after Algen Cadungog, a native of Cotabato City who worked in Kuwait, hanged herself while under quarantine in Pasay City. Cadungog was found lifeless while hanging underneath the stairway of a room in a lodge in Pasay that was converted into a quarantine facility for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), police investigators said on April 26. Witnesses said Cadungog was part of a group repatriated from Kuwait who arrived in the Philippines on April 4, then were transported to the quarantine lodge. She took her live over growing financial problems, her fellow OFWs said in several news reports. Similar problems have forced OFWs

NCR... From A1

wise to ease up on the restrictions, adding the quarantine had directly affected individual and family incomes and the country's revenue collections. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto agreed. “We will have to open the economy little by little, step by step,” he said. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said it was up to the IATF to decide on the possible transition to GCQ, “but we would like to see a science-based decision.” Olivares said several mayors agreed with him that the COVID-19 pandemic was creating a “devastating effect” on the livelihood of workers and employers. “A prolonged community quarantine will have severe economic effects and will impact the lives of people so negatively,” Olivarez said. He said the council will meet on

From A1

(WHO) official on Monday urged the government to speed up tracing people who came in close contact with COVID-19 patients, with less than a week left before it’s expected to ease lockdowns across the country. “I would say we are slow... we need to push harder and we really need to work harder,” Dr. Socorro Escalante, WHO acting representative, told an online forum by the Philippine College of Physicians. Contact tracing is usually initiated after test results are confirmed and sent to local epidemiology offices, a process that takes 13 days from the time the patient goes to a hospital. “By that time, we have already spread the infection to many people and that’s really very, very late,” said Escalante, who urged the government start looking for close contacts once a suspect case visits a hospital and not wait until lab results were confirmed. The government has been ramping up its COVID-19 testing capacity by accrediting more laboratories that are capable of detecting SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19. “We were able to meet 30,000 PCR tests per day. The original target is 30,000 by May 30 but on May 20, we reached 32,100 tests per day, surpassing our target,” Roque said. Roque credited the government’s Test, Trace, Treat or T3 program linking

Aragones, one of the authors of the bills seeking to grant ABS-CBN another 25-year franchise, said the resumption of the hearings would allow all sides to be heard. "The important thing is that all sides of the issue will be heard," Aragones said. Last week, Cayetano said President Rodrigo Duterte respected the independence of Congress on various issues, including the controversial franchise of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. “I can tell you and look you in the eyes that the President’s request to me is just be fair. He’s leaving the matter to us. The President has never told me to grant or not grant the franchise,” Cayetano said.

Hospital group wants Duque dismissed HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III will only be replaced once President Rodrigo Duterte loses his confidence in him, Malacañang said Monday. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after a report quoted some sources as claiming that Duterte was looking for Duque’s replacement amid the calls for his resignation. “I know nothing about that article. We all serve at the pleasure of the President,” Roque said. “Any Cabinet member can be removed if the President loses his trust.” Roque made his statement even as the association of private hospitals in the Philippines urged Duterte to replace Duque, who is also chairman of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. “Respectfully, our members feel that they have had enough of the promises of PhilHealth and the Department of Health headed by Secretary Francisco T. Duque III,” Rustico Jimenez, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc., said in a letter to Duterte dated May 25, 2020. He said his group’s members were being given the run-around by PhilHealth each time they asked for compensation from the Interim Reimbursement Mechanism. He said most of his group’s members were now financially drained but still waiting for the promised IRM. Willie Casas

Separate, clear bills needed, Meralco told SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is urging Manila Electric Co., the largest distribution utility, to explain to consumers the sudden surge in their electricity bills for May. Gatchallian, chairman of the Senate committee on energy, said Meralco was not able to provide consumers with a clear picture of their bills in the enhanced community quarantine period during a Senate hearing. “We need a separate bill to explain it properly,” Gatchalian said, adding that the separate bill should be applied to all utilities to prevent a bill shock. He criticized Meralco for failing to provide consumers with clear and sufficient information on their bills, leaving them confused and appalled. Senator Grace Poe said the public was relying on Meralco to issue detailed electricity billings reflecting actual consumption, which was the only credible basis for the charges consumers must pay. “The public should not be made to shell out lump-sum payments for unjust estimates or conjectures. The electricity bill should be accurate, fair and clear,” Poe said. Alena Mae S. Flores, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Willie Casas

Rody’s... From A1

expanding it to cover the entire nation. Businesses and schools were urged to shut and people were asked to remain home, but Japan's lockdown was far softer than in other parts of the world and there was no punishment for those flouting the rules. Citizens largely heeded the orders, however, with most of Tokyo's famously packed streets falling quiet. The number of new infections has fallen from a peak of around 700 per day to just a few dozen nationally. Despite the crisis engulfing Brazil, Bolsonaro—an ally of US President Donald Trump—has repeatedly argued that lockdown measures are unnecessary and harmful to the economy. AFP

the effectively of the law, the end to the pandemic is not yet in sight. There are still new COVID-19 positive cases being reported every day and the country is not yet fully operating,” he said. “Since there is a similar proposal in the Senate, I am urging the leaders of the two chambers of Congress to consider approving the proposed extension before we go on our annual mandatory adjournment next weekend,” he said. He added that if the legislature fails to pass the bill before Saturday next week, the President will have to call lawmakers to a special session during the recess if he wants his emergency powers under the Bayanihan law extended. The President’s special authority under the law includes providing financial assistance of P5,000 to P8,000 to 18 million low-income households for April and May, realigning the national budget to fund COVID-19 response measures, and procuring personal protective equipment and other supplies for frontline health workers. Rodriguez noted that the financial aid for this month amounting to P100 billion has yet to be distributed, while the Department of Health and its hospitals are still awaiting a large portion of procured medical supplies. Meanwhile, the House Defeat COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee (DCC) is set to approve Tuesday morning for plenary deliebrations three anticoronavirus disease-19 bills, including the P568 billion economic stimulus package, House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said.

on Sunday, especially since the province and the rest of the Islam faithful in the country silently celebrated Eid’l Fitr— the From A1 end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan amid the health crisis. He added that the 6ID has not launched “An initial report we have received is that any offensive on any part of Maguindanao it was an improvised explosive device that

exploded, but we are still looking into it,” Vilchez said. On Sunday, two kids, aged 10 and seven, were killed while 14 others were injured as an alleged 81-mm mortar projectile hit several houses in Barangay Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan around 4 p.m. Sunday.

From A1

22,000 have died of COVID-19, the White House said Sunday it would bar entry into the US of non-Americans who have been in the South American nation in the 14 days before. Compared with hard-hit areas in Europe, the United States, Russia and Brazil, Japan has been spared the worst of the pandemic, with 16,581 infections and 830 deaths. But on April 7, with cases beginning to spike and fears for the country's health system, Abe declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and six other regions—later

Maguindanao...

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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020

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MUTED CELEBRATION.

IN BRIEF

Muslim women wearing burqas walk inside a mosque compound in Dasmariñas, Cavite on Monday, when Muslims worldwide celebrated Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. All venues of mass gathering are prohibited by the government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. JR Josue

Ospital ng Tondo back in operation THE Ospital ng Tondo resumed its regular operation on Monday, the Manila City's Public Information Office said. The hospital was closed from May 11 to 24 to give way to terminal cleaning, disinfection, pest control, and rearrangement of the facility for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related operations. The Manila PIO said, citing data from the hospital's management, said the number of healthcare workers who were infected with COVID-19 in the hospital has reached 13. Of the number, three have already recovered. All the infected personnel are on quarantine. Earlier, Manila Mayor “Isko” Domagoso said the closure would allow frontliners who might have contracted the disease to undergo quarantine and medication. Willie Casas

PAL cautions public vs. bogus website THE Philippine Airlines on Monday cautioned the public against a website spreading bogus PAL promotion. "Please be advised that there are fake sites online, the latest of which uses an old PAL ad offering 'as low as PHP80 domestic one-way economy fares and 80% off on economy base fare of international flights," said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna. The website lure and mislead the public into thinking that the site is legitimate. The site asks for personal information, including bank details. "We warn the public against logging on and engaging with these sites as doing so will compromise or breach the privacy of your personal data," Villaluna said. Joel E. Zurbano

QC gov’t re-opens ‘protection’ center AMID reports of an increased incidence of domestic violence during lockdown brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Quezon City government has reopened its protection center. Mayor Joy Belmonte said the protection facility would begin to accept walkin clients this week, particularly women, children, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community who have experienced violence and harassment. The center located within the Quezon City General Hospital compound in Barangay Bahay Toro was temporarily shut down by the city government due to the pandemic. It continued to perform its mandate by accepting inquiries and complaints through its e-mail—quezoncityprotectioncenter@ gmail.com, social media account and through hotline 122 for immediate action. Rio N. Araja

DENR’s Antiporda named as Lions’ Club gov WITH the election of Undersecretary Benny Antiporda as Lions Club International district governor, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is looking forward to building stronger partnership with the group. Antiporda was elected unopposed as governor of District 301-A2 of the Lions Club International, "the world’s largest civilian service organization," through an online election last May 24, during which canvassing and proclamation of winners were live-streamed on Facebook. Antiporda is expected to leverage the organization’s social mobilization work to help the DENR in promoting the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources. “My dual role as DENR undersecretary and official of a civilian service organization allows me to expand my reach, help even more people and champion the cause of environmental protection,” he said. Rio N. Araja

Sexual exploitation of PH kids rise by 260%—study T HE National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which operates the CyberTipline Report, a hotline for cases of online exploitation of children, reported that online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines increased by over 260 percent during the coronavirus lockdown, which shut down Luzon, the country’s most populated island.

Citing reports from the Department of Justice report, the NCMEC said there were reported 279,166 cases from March 1 to May 24, 2020. This is higher by 264.63 percent or 202,605 incidents compared to the same period last year, which had 76,561.

The DOJ said the rise in the number case maybe traed to the increase on the use of the the internet As about half of the country’s 100 million people were locked down to contain the pandemic beginning March 17. The reports include cases where either the offender or offended party is

in the Philippines, and could cover the following: possession, manufacture, and distribution of child pornography; online enticement of children for sexual acts; child sex trafficking; sex tourism involving children; extra-familial child sexual molestation; unsolicited obscene material sent to a child; and misleading words or digital images on the internet. The DOJ, however, explained that not all of these reports are "actual cases" of online sexual exploitation of children as they may include identical materials that went viral, misleading digital images not involving any sexual activity, or inaccurate reports.

DISTANCING IN PUVs. This

public utility vehicle (PUV) traveling along the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in Imus, Cavite on Friday, May 22, has adapted to the government’s physical distancing requirement. Buses, jeepneys, and other modes of transportation are required to halve their passengers so that physical distancing could be maintained to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among passengers. PNA Photo

SENATOR Imee Marcos has urged both Houses of Congress to pass a stand-alone bill reducing corporate income tax by 5% to provide economic relief to businesses, minimize lay-offs, and attract foreign in-

TWO-WHEELED TRANSPORT.

Men take away bicycles from bike shops at Quiapo in Manila on Monday. Bicycles and electric scooters have became necessary modes of transportation due to the continued suspension of public utility vehicles under the Modified Enhance Community Quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Norman Cruz

vestment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, said that such a bill has to be passed separately from the all-inclusive Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) before the June 5 recess.

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives' Committee on Basic Education and Culture consolidated and approved during an online meeting, three measures seeking to address schools in all parts of the country. Among the bills approved was House Bill 821, authored by Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. which mandates the establishment of a permanent clinic for every public and private school. Also approved by the committee headed by Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo is HB 3228 filed by Manila Rep. John Marvin Nieto and HB 4232 by Bohol Rep. Kristine Alexei Tutor that provide for the setting up of a health and safety office in every public school. Undersecretary for Basic Education Alain Pascua supported the bills, citing the need for clinics and school health and safety offices especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, not only to store equipment and emergency response kits but also to house the medical and nursing officers. Pascua said that out of the 47,013 public schools nationwide, only about 28 percent of them or 13,081 public schools have clinics.

Fontana probed on illegal hospital By Jess Malabanan

Imee seeks reduction of corporate income tax by 5 percent By Macon Ramos-Araneta

House okays 3 bills to address health in schools

“Export companies continue to protest against the removal of business incentives that have worked for them until now but are seen as revenue losses by the Department of Finance and the National Economicn Development Authority,” Marcos explained.

“The problematic incentives can be worked out later in another law. We are all ready to work overtime to pass CREATE, but besides the reduction in corporate income tax and the extension of so-called sunset provisions for business incentives, where is the bill?” Marcos asked.

‘Sitting justices qualify for SC post’ By Rey E. Requejo THE Judicial and Bar Council on Monday clarified that all incumbent associate justice of the Supreme Court are automatically qualified to the most coveted Chief Justice post regardless of the number of remaining years they have once appointed as top magistrate. Retired SC Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, a member of the 7-member JBC representing the retired SC justices, said that a sitting associate justice of the high court is not covered by the JBC’s revised rules adopted last May 21. According to Mendoza, Section 1, Rule 8 of the JBC rules “covers only an associate

justice or presiding justice of an appellate court—Court of Appeals (CA), Court of Tax Appeals and Sandiganbayan.” Mendoza made the clarification after the council, as mandated by the new JBC rules, will consider the age of its nominees to the SC posts “to discourage the appointment of those who would not be able to serve for a reasonably sufficient time.” Under Rule 8, the JBC will consider for nomination only applicants who have “at least two and one and a half years remaining to serve as SC associate justice or Chief Justice if they have served as associate justice or presiding justice of an appellate court, court administrator, chairperson of a constitutional commission, solicitor general, or department secretary.”

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—The 3rd Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, stationed in this regional police headquarters, is filing separate criminal case against the Fontana Development Corporation for allowing its tenant to operate illegally a medical facility exclusive for Chinese occupants. "Once we got the complete report from Food and Drugs Administration and Department of Health, filing of the case will be done including the two Chinese who were arrested inside the makeshift hospital," said 3CIDU regional chief Police Colonel Amante Daro. He said the two Chinese hospital staff identified as Hu Ling and Lee Sheong Hyun were released but placed under the custody of Shidaijeki Technology Corporation but they were restricted inside Fontana. They will report to 3CIDU once the case against them is filed. The raid at Fontana, Daro said, as conducted based on the post-marketing and inspection conducted by the FDA and DOH following a complaint that a medical facility is operating and accepting patient afflicted with novel corona virus COVID 19. Daro said a Chinese believed to be a COVID 19 patient was found confined inside the medical facility during the raid. A huge volume of Chinese-made medical supplies and medicines were also discovered at a pharmacy inside the hospital. Meanwhile, Fontana explained that it has no involvement or any participation in the alleged illegal health facility that was discovered recently by authorities in one of the villas at the Montana Leisure Park.

Business

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

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020

By Othel V. Campos

By Jenniffer B. Austria LOTTE Chilsung Beverage Co. Ltd. of South Korea resumed its tender offer to acquire additional shares in soft drink manufacturer Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. after filing an updated valuation and fairness opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission. PCPPI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received a letter from Lotte Chilsung regarding the new timetable for the tender offer period. Under the new schedule, the tender offer will be from May 20 to June 2. The tender shares will be crossed and settled on June 17. Lotte Chilsung, which already owns 38.8 percent stake in PCPPI, started the tender offer in December to purchase shares in the soft drink manufacturer. Under the plan, Lotte Chilsung offered to acquire up to 2.134 billion common shares, representing 57.78 percent of the company’s total issued outstanding capital stock at a price of P1.95 per share. The price represents a 12.27-percent premium over the six-month volume weighted average price and a 6.14-percent premium over the three-month VWAP of PCPPI’s common shares. The SEC stopped the tender offer because P&A Grant Thorton which issued the fairness valuation on the tender offer is also providing bookkeeping services to two entities related to PCCPI. “The MSRD finds that the business relationship of P&A Grant Thorton with the two entities, where PCPPI holds substantial shareholdings, could reasonably be perceived to undermine its independence to conduct and issue the fairness opinion,” the SEC said.

HE Department of Trade and Industry on Monday disclosed a plan to increase the tariffs on all imports by 5 percent to raise additional revenues of P245 billion and help fund the government’s efforts to contain the pandemic. Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said that under the proposal, that increase will affect all imported tariff lines from all trading partners. “This will be across-the-board so that it will not be misinterpreted as a protectionist move. The proposed tariff

Manila

TODAY 16th to 19th Floors, Fort Legend Towers 31st Street corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2020

AMOUNTS CURRENT QUARTER

Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Other Assets-Net

Php

TOTAL ASSETS

will add to existing tariff, which means above or on top of actual tariffs,” Rodolfo said. He said that for ASEAN trade partners where most tariff rates are zero, the tariff will increase to 5 percent. For other markets such the US, the tariff level will rise to 35 percent from 30 percent. Some agencies, however, expressed concern over the proposal, saying this might not be prudent in the time of pandemic. Among the concerns involved the country’s commitment to some international agreements and the impact on inflation. “We included all products, all tariff lines, to dispel doubts of protectionism. We do not select or give special consideration for any product. It’s really across-the-board because we need to raise money for our Covid-related activities. Tariff increase was limited to just 5 percent so the move won’t be inflationary,” Rodolfo said.

The interagency Committee on Tariff and Related Matters said in a meeting on May 22 that there was a need to assess the viability of the proposal. “The technical committee said it needs to study the cost-benefit—the impact of cost for manufacturers and inflation for consumers against revenue to be generates for the COVID fight,” Rodolfo said. Rodolfo said while the proposal was not yet approved, the Finance Department expressed willingness to roll-out the plan within a month. “So far, the feedback that we had is that the DOF is not yet in dire straits. They can still cope, they said. So we are still holding back the planned tariff hike. We are ready when they are ready,” Rodolfo said. Rodolfo said the government already issued Executive Order No. 133 which set to motion the tariff increase of 10 percent on petroleum products.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.5820

Japan

Yen

0.009289

0.4699

Pound

1.222500

61.8365

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128962

6.5232

Switzerland

Franc

1.030291

52.1142

Canada

Dollar

0.716640

36.2491

Singapore

Dollar

0.705866

35.7041

Australia

Dollar

0.655800

33.1717

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651113

134.098

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266361

13.4731

Brunei

Dollar

0.703383

35.5785

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000068

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.031417

1.5891

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.7721

Euro

1.094900

55.3822

Korea

Won

0.000811

0.0410

China

Yuan

0.140517

7.1076

India

Rupee

0.013226

0.6690

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.230203

11.6441

New Zealand

Dollar

0.611700

30.9410

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033398

1.6893 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF BSP has room to reduce interest BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said Monday the manageable inflation environment is giving monetary authorities the “elbow room” to further cut the benchmark interest rates if needed to counter the impact of the pandemic. Diokno said in an interview over ANC that the Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the BSP, was closely monitoring the situation, especially the impact of the pandemic on the economy. “We might want to cut again…. Right now we’re at 2.75 [percent] coming from 4 percent [percent]. We still have a lot of elbow room. I can tell you that,” Diokno said. Inflation rate in April slowed to a fivemonth 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 amid the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in several parts of the country to contain the spread of the disease. The April print was slower than 3 percent in the same month last year. This brought the average in the first four months to 2.6 percent. Julito G. Rada

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it strongly supports the immediate passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act which was formerly known as the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act. PCCI president Benedicto Yujuico said CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW the enhancements madeBLACK to the CITIRA under CREATE would boost the recovery HYUNDAI’S DONATION. HARI Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of of companies reeling from the economic Hyundai Asia Resources Inc., turns over 2,200 brand-new personal protective equipment from Hyundai slowdown. Motor Company to the Lung Center of the Philippines as part of HFI’s ongoing Biyahe ng Bayani COVID Yujuico pushed for the immediate reresponse campaign. duction of the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent, saying the savings would help companies fund their continued operations. “Moreover, bringing the country closer to the ASEAN average of 23 percent will help draw in multinational firms seeking cial amelioration programs, emergency health By Julito G. Rada alternative sourcing markets and manumeasures and the economic stimulus packages facturing base,” he said. FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III amid the global health crisis. Othel V. Campos

BDO, Robinsons Land top taxpayers’ list

Statement of Condition (Head Office and Branches) As of March 31, 2020 PREVIOUS QUARTER

559,453,425.88 2,909,657,265.83 3,437,159,709.84 103,120,510.16 4,115,316,918.71 3,406,467,230.34 39,401,085,692.32 5,953,755,218.16 33,897,992,761.71 0.00 450,662,287.55 253,682,883.54 461,053,297.85 101,169,905.96 942,096,989.30

726,329,100.87 4,288,408,320.36 2,561,641,720.17 81,140,674.37 6,420,520,679.60 2,864,324,531.30 37,913,222,811.33 3,746,533,930.56 34,654,057,740.43 0.00 487,368,859.66 252,727,562.78 489,618,136.99 104,278,823.46 882,116,723.38

Php

55,690,263,829.73

56,584,329,084.61

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable a) Interbank Loans Payable Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

Php

61,418,903.98 38,171,974,523.66 4,781,665,696.80 4,781,665,696.80 301,954,003.98 1,810,460,327.32

99,175,115.61 37,666,140,960.82 4,774,481,380.34 4,774,481,380.34 270,664,618.45 4,573,239,654.66

TOTAL LIABILITIES

Php

45,127,473,455.74

47,383,701,729.88

Php

5,505,833,769.57 (38,518,229.12) 5,095,474,833.54

4,073,283,696.06 374,142,760.74 4,753,200,897.93

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Php

10,562,790,373.99

9,200,627,354.73

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Php

55,690,263,829.73

56,584,329,084.61

Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts Derivatives Others

Php

2,172,578,642.42 92,005,543.30 325,158,649.64 10,986,207.68 506,800,000.00 421,475,073.66 1,753,654,112.41 559,326,119.99 1,194,327,992.42 12,014,921,433.54 248,987,109.22

2,204,014,427.46 90,068,500.21 249,445,566.16 0.00 1,246,886,875.00 2,785,623,073.92 1,711,935,867.32 572,920,218.15 1,139,015,649.17 5,017,335,893.64 194,003,036.47

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

Php

17,546,566,771.87

13,499,313,240.18

Gross Total Loan Portfolio (TLP) Php 40,353,276,722.57 Specific Allowance for credit losses on the TLP Php 501,528,742.70 Non-performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs Php 915,068,720.96 b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) 2.27% c. Net NPLs Php 458,579,628.71 d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) 1.14% e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPL (%) 104.06% f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPL (%) 54.81% Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses Php 1,884,528,749.97 DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses Php 16,245,435.65 Ratio of DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to TLP (%) 0.04% Gross Non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Php 0.00 Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivable to TLP (%) 0.00% Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises 3.30% b. 2% for Medium Enterprises 2.01% Return on Equity (ROE) (%) 5.68% Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis 22.13% a. Total CAR (%) b. TIER 1 Ratio (%) 21.26% c. CET 1 (%) 21.26% Deferred Charges not yet Written Down 0.00 Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received 0.00 Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) in Single Currency on Solo Basis (%) 174.10% Basel III Leverage Ratio (BLR) on Solo Basis (%) 17.42%

38,859,902,693.31 459,311,022.32

LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

891,103,833.66 2.29% 491,477,429.89 1.26% 106.24% 51.54% 1,258,830,172.47 18,018,322.30 0.05% 0.00 0.00% 3.67% 3.39% 4.31% 19.97% 19.07% 19.07% 0.00 0.00 128.01% 14.73%

I/ We hereby certify that all matters set forth in this Published Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my knowledge and belief. (Sgd.) ANDREW A. FALCON Chief Finance Officer (Signature Over Printed Name)

5,539.19

TOTAL VOLUME 501,944,558 TOTAL TRADES 81,834 TOTAL VALUE 4,029,420,503.96 ADVANCES 49 DECLINES 125 UNCHANGED 44

PCCI supports cut in corporate taxes

Standard

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings

Friday, May 22, 2020

65.30 points

DTI bares plan to increase tariffs on all imports by 5%

Lotte resumes tender offer to buy more PCPPI shares

ASSETS

PSE INDEX CLOSING

(Sgd.) OLIVER D. JIMENO President and CEO (Signature Over Printed Name)

on Monday recognized the country’s top 500 taxpayers as of May 19 for heeding the government’s call to file their income tax returns ahead of the deferred payment deadlines amid the extended lockdown. The top 10 corporate taxpayers are BDO Unibank Inc., Robinsons Land Corp., Manila Electric Co., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Unilab Inc., Mercury Drug Corp., Maynilad Water Services Inc., Metrobank Card Corp., Globe Telecom Inc. and Innove Communications Inc. Next on the list are Philippine Ports Authority, Manila International Airport Authority, Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp., Taganito Mining Corp., Security Bank Corp., Monde Nissin Corp., Eagle Cement Corp., Huawei Technologies Phil. Inc., Phil Gold Processing & Refining Corp. and First Gas Power Corp. Dominguez said the “bayanihan” spirit shown by the corporate taxpayers—in keeping with the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act—deserved recognition as their early ITR payments provided the government the much-needed additional funds to sustain the government’s so-

“We hope that the commendable act of these taxpayers would inspire other taxpayers to do the same and contribute to our nation-building as we work together to get the economy back on its feet in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dominguez said. Taxpayers who have filed their ITRs within the original deadline or prior to the extended deadlines can amend their tax returns at any time on or before the final extended due dates set by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The Finance Department said that in case the taxpayers need to pay additional taxes, they can do so without having to pay penalties, provided such payments are made not later than the final extended deadlines fixed by the BIR. If the amended returns will result in overpayment of taxes paid, the taxpayers can opt to carry over the overpaid taxes as credit against their taxes due for the same tax type in the succeeding periods or file claims for a refund. The BIR extended the tax payment deadlines thrice in April and May during the community quarantine period in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

GCash registrations increase by 250%

GLOBE Telecom Inc. saw an increase in mobile wallet users amid the enhanced community quarantine in the country. Globe said the number of installations of GCash App rose 200 percent from March 15 to April 15 while the app registrations jumped 250 percent in the same period, making it one of the five most downloaded apps on Android. “This surge was driven primarily by the people’s need for contactless alternatives to sending money and paying bills,” Globe said. GCash teamed up with government agencies and local government units for money distribution such as the Social Amelioration Program for Angkas, Joyride and Grab riders of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB); and Makati’s Makatulong 5K for 500,000 residents. It also serves as a donation platform for various private and non-government organizations. Darwin G. Amojelar

121 electric co-ops comply with order to help consumers By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. said Monday the 121 electric cooperatives in the country complied with all the directives of regulators to protect the interests of consumers during the enhanced community quarantine period. “PHILRECA, together with the 121 electric cooperatives operating nationwide, would like to express its unwavering support to government regulators as well as compliance with its directives in ensuring the welfare and interest of electricity consumers,” PHILRECA executive director and general manager Janeene Depay-Colingan said. The Energy Regulatory Commission earlier warned distribution utilities including PHILRECA members that the non-compliance with the directives of the commission would be subject to sanctions.

PHILRECA said ECs were complying with all the advisories and issuances of government regulatory agencies, including the Department of Energy and the ERC. These include the directive to provide a grace period for all electricity consumers to pay their bills falling due within the ECQ period, without interests, penalties, fees and charges. It said consumers were given discretion whether to pay in full or in staggered method without interests, penalties or the possibility of disconnection of service. PHILRECA said that with respect to meter reading, a number of ECs resorted to estimated billing (average of previous months’ billing) due to mobility restrictions during the quarantine period. “ERC has given instructions to use estimated billing to avoid the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 in compliance with

the Inter-Agency Task Force issuances,” the group said. “As of this billing period, ECs have returned to using actual/physical meter reading and have started using such readings to their billing statements,” it said. PHILRECA confirmed in certain occasions, some consumers raised their concerns on higher electricity bills during the quarantine period. The group said the ECs conducted an information dissemination campaign to explain the factors contributing to high electricity consumption. Some power coops also reached out to their respective local government units to explain such circumstances. “All ECs have consumer welfare desks where MCOs can reach out to in the event that they would be needing any clarification in their billing statements,” PHILRECA said.