The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) sided with President Rodrigo Duterte after he threatened to veto the proposed 2019 budget, saying its exercise is allowed under the 1987 Constitution.
On Thursday, Duterte threatened to veto the P3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019 amid allegations of illegal insertions and realignments made in the spending plan.
Sought for comment, DBM officer-in-charge Secretary Janet Abuel said, "The exercise of the veto power of the President is authorized under the 1987 Constitution.
Section 27 (1), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution states that:
"Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President. If he approves the same he shall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the House where it originated, which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it….'"
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) earlier warned that a full-year reenacted budget can bring down growth to as low as 4.2% to 4.9%.
Duterte's signing of the long awaited 2019 national budget has again become uncertain after the Palace removed it from the chief executive's calendar on Monday, April 15.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III had urged Duterte to veto the P75-billion allocation for programs and projects under the Local Infrastructure Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways which was made through internal realignments after the bicameral conference report was ratified.
The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January. — RSJ, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/691051/dbm-on-duterte-threat-to-veto-2019-budget-it-s-authorized-under-1987-constitution/story/
Friday, April 12, 2019
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Hotel opens in Manila’s Chinatown
MEGAWORLD Corp. launched its eighth hotel property, Hotel Lucky Chinatown, located in Binondo, Manila.
“It has always been the dream of our founder to have a hotel in Chinatown,” Jeremy Russell S. Go, resident manager of the hotel, told the media during the opening on Wednesday.
The 93-room hotel took two years to build and cost P750 million, according to a press release.
Mr. Go said the new hotel primarily targets Chinese businessmen and tourists who want to explore what is said to be the world’s oldest Chinatown.
“I believe we’ll have more business [customers] more than leisure,” he said.
Located beside the Lucky Chinatown mall which opened in 2012, Mr. Go said the hotel stands on a lot that was previously occupied by a warehouse.
“We wanted something modern and contemporary because the idea was not to make the hotel too Chinese,” he said, noting the idea was to “blend modernity with Binondo’s heritage.”
The hotel’s interiors will have Chinese accent pieces, while the all-day dining restaurant, Cafe de Chinatown, serves Chinese cuisine. Cafe de Chinatown is operated by the Raintree group of companies which owns and operates restaurants like Chelsea Kitchen.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown also features three ballrooms which can fit up to 350 people, three meeting rooms and a boardroom which can fit up to 20 people each.
The hotel also has a fitness center, sauna and spa and a Zabana bar which is also found in Savoy Hotel Manila. It is also connected directly to the Lucky Chinatown mall via footbridge.
Rooms range from standard queen or twin (24 square meters) to junior and executive suites (up to 79 sq.m.). Introductory prices for the standard rooms are at P3,118 nett (room only) while suites are at P5,888 nett (room only).
https://www.bworldonline.com/hotel-opens-in-manilas-chinatown/
“It has always been the dream of our founder to have a hotel in Chinatown,” Jeremy Russell S. Go, resident manager of the hotel, told the media during the opening on Wednesday.
The 93-room hotel took two years to build and cost P750 million, according to a press release.
Mr. Go said the new hotel primarily targets Chinese businessmen and tourists who want to explore what is said to be the world’s oldest Chinatown.
“I believe we’ll have more business [customers] more than leisure,” he said.
Located beside the Lucky Chinatown mall which opened in 2012, Mr. Go said the hotel stands on a lot that was previously occupied by a warehouse.
“We wanted something modern and contemporary because the idea was not to make the hotel too Chinese,” he said, noting the idea was to “blend modernity with Binondo’s heritage.”
The hotel’s interiors will have Chinese accent pieces, while the all-day dining restaurant, Cafe de Chinatown, serves Chinese cuisine. Cafe de Chinatown is operated by the Raintree group of companies which owns and operates restaurants like Chelsea Kitchen.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown also features three ballrooms which can fit up to 350 people, three meeting rooms and a boardroom which can fit up to 20 people each.
The hotel also has a fitness center, sauna and spa and a Zabana bar which is also found in Savoy Hotel Manila. It is also connected directly to the Lucky Chinatown mall via footbridge.
Rooms range from standard queen or twin (24 square meters) to junior and executive suites (up to 79 sq.m.). Introductory prices for the standard rooms are at P3,118 nett (room only) while suites are at P5,888 nett (room only).
https://www.bworldonline.com/hotel-opens-in-manilas-chinatown/
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Albayalde orders police to exchange notes with NBI on teen's slay
CEBU CITY – Philippine National Police chief, General Oscar Albayalde, on Wednesday ordered authorities to dig deeper in investigating the brutal killing of a 16-year-old girl in Lapu-Lapu City last month.
Albayalde, who is in Bohol for a command conference, said in a radio interview that he has ordered police probers to exchange notes with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in solving the case.
He noted that he is closely monitoring every development of the case.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the regional police, said a 42-year-old man who reportedly confessed to the brutal killing of Christine Lee Silawan because of “obsession”, is now considered a person of interest.
He, however, refused to identify the person, saying that he is not yet considered as suspect while the police is still conducting validation of his testimonies.
“Yes, we have a person of interest. He’s different than the primary suspect earlier pinpointed,” Sinas was quoted by a radio report as saying.
Sinas said the person of interest came to know the teenage girl through exchanges of chat and text messages.
“He is known for duping girls,” he said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza earlier broke the news about the man who is said to have owned up to the crime because of “obsession” for the 16-year-old.
She also refused to divulge the name of the person, saying that she is leaving disclosure of his identity to the police.
The mayor said Lapu-Lapu City Police chief, Col. Limuel Obon, confirmed to her that his office held a man who claimed to have knowledge about the cruel death of Silawan.
According to media report here, the man, a resident of Lapu-Lapu City, is included in the city’s drug watchlist. He was reportedly arrested for carrying an unlicensed firearm, but later confessed to the police probers that he killed the teenager.
The police is still determining the relationship between the second person of interest and the victim’s 17-year old boyfriend, who is now in the custody of the local social welfare and development office.
Lourdes, the mother of Christine, said she wanted to talk to the second suspect to know why he killed her daughter.
Silawan was found dead in an uninhabited lot in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City on March 11. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066992
Albayalde, who is in Bohol for a command conference, said in a radio interview that he has ordered police probers to exchange notes with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in solving the case.
He noted that he is closely monitoring every development of the case.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the regional police, said a 42-year-old man who reportedly confessed to the brutal killing of Christine Lee Silawan because of “obsession”, is now considered a person of interest.
He, however, refused to identify the person, saying that he is not yet considered as suspect while the police is still conducting validation of his testimonies.
“Yes, we have a person of interest. He’s different than the primary suspect earlier pinpointed,” Sinas was quoted by a radio report as saying.
Sinas said the person of interest came to know the teenage girl through exchanges of chat and text messages.
“He is known for duping girls,” he said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza earlier broke the news about the man who is said to have owned up to the crime because of “obsession” for the 16-year-old.
She also refused to divulge the name of the person, saying that she is leaving disclosure of his identity to the police.
The mayor said Lapu-Lapu City Police chief, Col. Limuel Obon, confirmed to her that his office held a man who claimed to have knowledge about the cruel death of Silawan.
According to media report here, the man, a resident of Lapu-Lapu City, is included in the city’s drug watchlist. He was reportedly arrested for carrying an unlicensed firearm, but later confessed to the police probers that he killed the teenager.
The police is still determining the relationship between the second person of interest and the victim’s 17-year old boyfriend, who is now in the custody of the local social welfare and development office.
Lourdes, the mother of Christine, said she wanted to talk to the second suspect to know why he killed her daughter.
Silawan was found dead in an uninhabited lot in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City on March 11. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066992
Piñol shrugs off resignation rumors
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Wednesday dismissed rumors that he has resigned from his post.
Piñol, in a press briefing, also shrugged off the supposed "joke" of President Rodrigo Duterte during an event in Palawan last week that he (Duterte) wants him out of his Cabinet.
"I don't own this position. If the President feels that he is not happy with my performance, I go and I will not feel bad, he said.
"I've done my best, but if the basis for my resignation is the joke of the President, I've heard that 20 times, whether in my presence, or in my absence. I've known this guy for the last 25 years, if you don't know him well, you will be offended. Well of course it's not comfortable to hear... but unless he calls me and tell me that he no longer needs my services, I will go," he said.
For the past 25 years, Piñol said: "Hindi ako nangurakot sa posisyon ko (I have never been corrupt) in my position. I would feel that if he (Duterte) feels that he doesn't need me anymore, patatawag niya ako (he will summon me)."
The DA chief has been placed under the microscope over the agriculture sector’s 0.1 percent contribution to the country’s overall gross domestic product growth in 2018.
"I can humbly say that while I may not have done so much as expected by some sectors, I have maintained a frugal life and resisted temptations. I am working and I will continue to serve the President and the Filipino farmers and fishermen. I'm just doing my job," he said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066993
Piñol, in a press briefing, also shrugged off the supposed "joke" of President Rodrigo Duterte during an event in Palawan last week that he (Duterte) wants him out of his Cabinet.
"I don't own this position. If the President feels that he is not happy with my performance, I go and I will not feel bad, he said.
"I've done my best, but if the basis for my resignation is the joke of the President, I've heard that 20 times, whether in my presence, or in my absence. I've known this guy for the last 25 years, if you don't know him well, you will be offended. Well of course it's not comfortable to hear... but unless he calls me and tell me that he no longer needs my services, I will go," he said.
For the past 25 years, Piñol said: "Hindi ako nangurakot sa posisyon ko (I have never been corrupt) in my position. I would feel that if he (Duterte) feels that he doesn't need me anymore, patatawag niya ako (he will summon me)."
The DA chief has been placed under the microscope over the agriculture sector’s 0.1 percent contribution to the country’s overall gross domestic product growth in 2018.
"I can humbly say that while I may not have done so much as expected by some sectors, I have maintained a frugal life and resisted temptations. I am working and I will continue to serve the President and the Filipino farmers and fishermen. I'm just doing my job," he said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066993
Megaworld opens P750-M hotel in Binondo
Property developer Megaworld Corp. on Wednesday introduced a new homegrown hotel brand in Binondo, Manila with an investment of PHP750 million, to meet the rising demand mainly from business visitors.
Jeremy Russell Go, resident manager at Hotel Lucky Chinatown, told reporters that target markets of the hotel are Chinese business travelers and tourists who are keen on exploring Chinatown.
“Actually, it’s in our pipeline of encouraging the DOT (Department of Tourism) to encourage especially tourists like the Korean market (to come here) because they are very much interested in Chinese culture,” he said.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown is the company’s eighth hotel property in its portfolio offering 93 rooms and suites.
Megaworld has already opened seven local homegrown hotels around the country under four brands that include Richmonde, Belmont, Savoy and Twin Lakes. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066996
Jeremy Russell Go, resident manager at Hotel Lucky Chinatown, told reporters that target markets of the hotel are Chinese business travelers and tourists who are keen on exploring Chinatown.
“Actually, it’s in our pipeline of encouraging the DOT (Department of Tourism) to encourage especially tourists like the Korean market (to come here) because they are very much interested in Chinese culture,” he said.
Hotel Lucky Chinatown is the company’s eighth hotel property in its portfolio offering 93 rooms and suites.
Megaworld has already opened seven local homegrown hotels around the country under four brands that include Richmonde, Belmont, Savoy and Twin Lakes. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066996
PRRD to sign 2019 national budget on April 15
President Rodrigo R. Duterte will sign the long-delayed PHP3.7-trillion national budget for 2019 on April 15, Malacañang confirmed on Wednesday.
"The Palace confirms that the ceremonial signing of the General Appropriations Act 2019 has already been calendared in the President’s schedule on April 15, Monday," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.
Panelo said the 2019 budget is a continuation of Duterte's promise of bringing genuine change in the country.
"This year’s National Budget – our third under the Duterte Administration – is a continuation of our narrative of genuine change and meaningful progress through, among others, our intensified infrastructure development programs, expanded policies on human development and poverty reduction, as well as strategies in advancing the peace and order situation of the country," Panelo said.
Panelo thanked the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing a budget supportive of the President's vision.
"We thank the men and women of the Senate and the House of Representatives for supporting this Administration’s endeavors in pursuing a path towards the President’s vision of a prosperous and high-income economy under a secure and peaceful nation where all Filipinos can experience a dignified and comfortable life," he said.
The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January 1 after lawmakers failed to pass the bill last year due to allegations of pork "insertions".
The passage of the 2019 budget was further stalled due to allegations of last-minute amendments made by the House after both chambers of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report.
Panelo earlier said Duterte has the right to veto certain realignments and would not sign anything ‘unconstitutional’.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier announced that he has signed the proposed PHP3.7-trillion national budget “with strong reservations”.
Sotto appealed to Duterte to veto “unconstitutional” provisions amid allegations that some PHP75 billion had been realigned by the House of Representatives to benefit various lawmakers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066997
"The Palace confirms that the ceremonial signing of the General Appropriations Act 2019 has already been calendared in the President’s schedule on April 15, Monday," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.
Panelo said the 2019 budget is a continuation of Duterte's promise of bringing genuine change in the country.
"This year’s National Budget – our third under the Duterte Administration – is a continuation of our narrative of genuine change and meaningful progress through, among others, our intensified infrastructure development programs, expanded policies on human development and poverty reduction, as well as strategies in advancing the peace and order situation of the country," Panelo said.
Panelo thanked the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing a budget supportive of the President's vision.
"We thank the men and women of the Senate and the House of Representatives for supporting this Administration’s endeavors in pursuing a path towards the President’s vision of a prosperous and high-income economy under a secure and peaceful nation where all Filipinos can experience a dignified and comfortable life," he said.
The government has been operating on a reenacted budget since January 1 after lawmakers failed to pass the bill last year due to allegations of pork "insertions".
The passage of the 2019 budget was further stalled due to allegations of last-minute amendments made by the House after both chambers of Congress ratified the bicameral conference committee report.
Panelo earlier said Duterte has the right to veto certain realignments and would not sign anything ‘unconstitutional’.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier announced that he has signed the proposed PHP3.7-trillion national budget “with strong reservations”.
Sotto appealed to Duterte to veto “unconstitutional” provisions amid allegations that some PHP75 billion had been realigned by the House of Representatives to benefit various lawmakers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066997
DOLE orders total deployment ban of OFWs to Libya
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday ordered a total deployment ban of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Libya.
DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued the order upon the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) amid the escalating violence in the North African country.
“Upon the advice of the DFA, we are imposing a deployment ban of workers to Libya to ensure their safety and security and to avoid getting caught in the escalating violence in Libya,” he said in a statement.
Bello noted that they are in coordination with DFA to closely monitor the situation and assess the possible repatriation of OFWs, to ensure the workers' safety and security.
“DOLE is ready to provide repatriation assistance to our Filipino workers who will signify interest to come home,” he said.
“An augmentation team will be dispatched this week to ensure the welfare of our workers, and assist their possible repatriation. Also, we are prepared for any exigency of forced repatriation if the situation deteriorates,” Bello added.
On Monday, DFA raised Alert Level 3 in Tripoli and some areas within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital, which is considered as voluntary repatriation phase.
The implementation of the deployment ban will take effect until the situation normalizes, or until further advice by the DFA.
The DOLE is in constantly assessing the situation and will issue appropriate advisories from time to time.
The reintegration assistance from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) awaits OFWs who may be repatriated from Libya.
There are around 2,600 documented OFWs in Libya, mostly professionals, composed of medical workers and skilled workers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066994
DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued the order upon the advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) amid the escalating violence in the North African country.
“Upon the advice of the DFA, we are imposing a deployment ban of workers to Libya to ensure their safety and security and to avoid getting caught in the escalating violence in Libya,” he said in a statement.
Bello noted that they are in coordination with DFA to closely monitor the situation and assess the possible repatriation of OFWs, to ensure the workers' safety and security.
“DOLE is ready to provide repatriation assistance to our Filipino workers who will signify interest to come home,” he said.
“An augmentation team will be dispatched this week to ensure the welfare of our workers, and assist their possible repatriation. Also, we are prepared for any exigency of forced repatriation if the situation deteriorates,” Bello added.
On Monday, DFA raised Alert Level 3 in Tripoli and some areas within a 100-kilometer radius of the capital, which is considered as voluntary repatriation phase.
The implementation of the deployment ban will take effect until the situation normalizes, or until further advice by the DFA.
The DOLE is in constantly assessing the situation and will issue appropriate advisories from time to time.
The reintegration assistance from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) awaits OFWs who may be repatriated from Libya.
There are around 2,600 documented OFWs in Libya, mostly professionals, composed of medical workers and skilled workers. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066994
21 cops to secure journos, assist PTFoMS probe on media killings
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has provided 21 police officers to the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) as part of efforts to protect media practitioners, especially during the election season.
PTFoMS Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, expressed gratitude to Police Security and Protection Group director, Police Brig. General Filmore Escobal, for this gesture.
“Basically we are here to personally express our gratitude to (Brigadier) General Escobal. Alam niyo kasi (You know) today, this is election season, and we observed in the PTFoMS that every election season is the most risky for media workers or journalists nationwide,” Egco told reporters in a press briefing after the simple turnover ceremony of the 21 cops.
Citing the Maguindanao massacre, which happened ahead of the 2010 presidential elections, Egco said the police officers will help secure media workers against election-related violence and assist the task force in investigating media killings.
Egco said the 21 PSPG personnel detailed to PTFoMS will conduct investigation of 170 cases from 1986 up to present.
The PSPG is the PNP unit mandated to provide security to anybody who needs it, including media workers facing threats.
“In terms of media killings, the PTFoMS has all the data. We have agreed long before that there should only be singular data. If you want updates on the case, you will be referred to the PTFoMS. This is the start of something good. We have to be vigilant now. There is indeed a spike in violence against the media. This is a sign we're actually prepared for anything. Not just the PNP, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are also there," Egco stressed.
Egco, a former journalist, said dirty politics, crime and corruption and economic vulnerability are the three main factors contributing to violence against media workers, especially those based in the provinces.
“We have to be very vigilant, we recognize the problem on media violence. I spent more than two decades (in) media. Always stick to the highest ethical standards of the profession,” he said.
Egco said they will assign the police personnel to media practitioners, who have imminent threats against their lives in line of their jobs as well as those who will be assigned to cover critical areas.
He said media personnel may send requests to their office for the provision of security personnel.
“What we usually do is we contact the local police to provide immediate security. We must be pro-active unlike the former task forces which were reactive. They only act when the journalist is already killed. Here, once the journalist calls, within 10 minutes, we have what we call quick reaction system and I instructed my men, you need to act within 10 minutes or you're fired,” said Egco.
Escobal, meanwhile, said the PSPG will fully support the PTFoMS when it comes to securing high-risk individuals.
“Since they (21 cops) are detailed to PTFoMS, they will perform duties on investigation and we will utilize, create regional and security protection unit personnel based on what the PTFoMS needs,” Escobal told reporters.
“We can provide security as long as it's not permanent. The permanent provision of security will depend on Comelec (Commission on Elections) provision,” Escobal said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066936
PTFoMS Executive Director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, expressed gratitude to Police Security and Protection Group director, Police Brig. General Filmore Escobal, for this gesture.
“Basically we are here to personally express our gratitude to (Brigadier) General Escobal. Alam niyo kasi (You know) today, this is election season, and we observed in the PTFoMS that every election season is the most risky for media workers or journalists nationwide,” Egco told reporters in a press briefing after the simple turnover ceremony of the 21 cops.
Citing the Maguindanao massacre, which happened ahead of the 2010 presidential elections, Egco said the police officers will help secure media workers against election-related violence and assist the task force in investigating media killings.
Egco said the 21 PSPG personnel detailed to PTFoMS will conduct investigation of 170 cases from 1986 up to present.
The PSPG is the PNP unit mandated to provide security to anybody who needs it, including media workers facing threats.
“In terms of media killings, the PTFoMS has all the data. We have agreed long before that there should only be singular data. If you want updates on the case, you will be referred to the PTFoMS. This is the start of something good. We have to be vigilant now. There is indeed a spike in violence against the media. This is a sign we're actually prepared for anything. Not just the PNP, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are also there," Egco stressed.
Egco, a former journalist, said dirty politics, crime and corruption and economic vulnerability are the three main factors contributing to violence against media workers, especially those based in the provinces.
“We have to be very vigilant, we recognize the problem on media violence. I spent more than two decades (in) media. Always stick to the highest ethical standards of the profession,” he said.
Egco said they will assign the police personnel to media practitioners, who have imminent threats against their lives in line of their jobs as well as those who will be assigned to cover critical areas.
He said media personnel may send requests to their office for the provision of security personnel.
“What we usually do is we contact the local police to provide immediate security. We must be pro-active unlike the former task forces which were reactive. They only act when the journalist is already killed. Here, once the journalist calls, within 10 minutes, we have what we call quick reaction system and I instructed my men, you need to act within 10 minutes or you're fired,” said Egco.
Escobal, meanwhile, said the PSPG will fully support the PTFoMS when it comes to securing high-risk individuals.
“Since they (21 cops) are detailed to PTFoMS, they will perform duties on investigation and we will utilize, create regional and security protection unit personnel based on what the PTFoMS needs,” Escobal told reporters.
“We can provide security as long as it's not permanent. The permanent provision of security will depend on Comelec (Commission on Elections) provision,” Escobal said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066936
Signing of 2019 budget to force senators to identify realignments
The signing of the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA) by President Rodrigo Duterte will force senators to identify their respective individual realignments in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB) submitted to Malacañang, a House leader said Wednesday.
Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who chairs the House committee on appropriations, said this is due to the fourth budget book that was included in the 2019 GAB, the first time that the expenditure bill will be made up of four volumes of budget books.
“Congress has included the fourth book for this year’s GAB in the interest of transparency and accountability. The new book, which is part of the budget reforms initiated by the current House leadership, contains the list of itemized allocation for programs and projects under the 2019 GAB,” Andaya said.
The House leader said records of the bicameral deliberations on the national budget would show that the fourth book was a condition put forward by the House of Representatives during the initial stage of the bicam and accepted by the Senate contingent.
He said the House leadership moved for the itemization of the budget for specific programs and projects, in compliance with the latest Supreme Court's decision on the pork barrel issue.
The lawmaker noted that the 2013 SC decision specifically instructed lawmakers to adopt a detailed line-item budgeting for the full appreciation of the President.
“Line-item budgeting is our response to the people’s demand for transparency and accountability in the national budget. Lump-sum funds are more prone to corruption and violate many tenets of transparent expenditure of public funds. It is for this reason that the Supreme Court had declared discretionary lump sum funds unconstitutional,” Andaya said.
He said the line-item budgeting approach enables President Duterte to exercise his veto power.
Andaya cited SC Justice Antonio Carpio who, in his concurring opinion on the 2013 decision, said: “Congress has the constitutional duty to present to the President a General Appropriations Act (GAA) containing items, instead of lump-sums, stating in detail the specific purpose for each amount of appropriation, precisely to enable the President to exercise his line-item veto power. Otherwise, the President’s line-item veto power is negated by Congress in violation of the Constitution.”
In spite of this, Andaya said senators have opposed the itemization of the realignments done by the House after the ratification of the proposed 2019 budget, insisting that post-ratification itemization is “unconstitutional.”
“The line-item budgeting approach is adopted in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill. It is printed in the budget books for every taxpayer to see. The senators may oppose such approach, but it is in full compliance with the laws of the land and in light of the Supreme Court decision,” he said.
But while the House moved to itemize its realignments, he said senators unilaterally decided on certain budget cuts and realigned them to other items based on request of individual proponents.
“Up to now, the Senate has yet to make public a detailed report on the proponents who recommended the individual realignments,” Andaya said.
But this would not be for long, he said, since the fourth budget book with the itemized allocation for programs and projects will be out in the open once President Duterte signs the 2019 GAA.
“The public release of the new budget law will leave our esteemed senators no choice but to identify their individual realignments which found print in the 2019 GAA. Only by doing so can the public be made fully aware what are the pet programs and projects of the senators they voted into office,” Andaya said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066937
Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who chairs the House committee on appropriations, said this is due to the fourth budget book that was included in the 2019 GAB, the first time that the expenditure bill will be made up of four volumes of budget books.
“Congress has included the fourth book for this year’s GAB in the interest of transparency and accountability. The new book, which is part of the budget reforms initiated by the current House leadership, contains the list of itemized allocation for programs and projects under the 2019 GAB,” Andaya said.
The House leader said records of the bicameral deliberations on the national budget would show that the fourth book was a condition put forward by the House of Representatives during the initial stage of the bicam and accepted by the Senate contingent.
He said the House leadership moved for the itemization of the budget for specific programs and projects, in compliance with the latest Supreme Court's decision on the pork barrel issue.
The lawmaker noted that the 2013 SC decision specifically instructed lawmakers to adopt a detailed line-item budgeting for the full appreciation of the President.
“Line-item budgeting is our response to the people’s demand for transparency and accountability in the national budget. Lump-sum funds are more prone to corruption and violate many tenets of transparent expenditure of public funds. It is for this reason that the Supreme Court had declared discretionary lump sum funds unconstitutional,” Andaya said.
He said the line-item budgeting approach enables President Duterte to exercise his veto power.
Andaya cited SC Justice Antonio Carpio who, in his concurring opinion on the 2013 decision, said: “Congress has the constitutional duty to present to the President a General Appropriations Act (GAA) containing items, instead of lump-sums, stating in detail the specific purpose for each amount of appropriation, precisely to enable the President to exercise his line-item veto power. Otherwise, the President’s line-item veto power is negated by Congress in violation of the Constitution.”
In spite of this, Andaya said senators have opposed the itemization of the realignments done by the House after the ratification of the proposed 2019 budget, insisting that post-ratification itemization is “unconstitutional.”
“The line-item budgeting approach is adopted in the 2019 General Appropriations Bill. It is printed in the budget books for every taxpayer to see. The senators may oppose such approach, but it is in full compliance with the laws of the land and in light of the Supreme Court decision,” he said.
But while the House moved to itemize its realignments, he said senators unilaterally decided on certain budget cuts and realigned them to other items based on request of individual proponents.
“Up to now, the Senate has yet to make public a detailed report on the proponents who recommended the individual realignments,” Andaya said.
But this would not be for long, he said, since the fourth budget book with the itemized allocation for programs and projects will be out in the open once President Duterte signs the 2019 GAA.
“The public release of the new budget law will leave our esteemed senators no choice but to identify their individual realignments which found print in the 2019 GAA. Only by doing so can the public be made fully aware what are the pet programs and projects of the senators they voted into office,” Andaya said. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066937
Benitez considered to head new housing department
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental third district Rep. Albee Benitez is being considered to head the newly formed Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
Benitez told reporters here on April 7,2019 that he was informed by former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that he is being eyed for the position.
Benitez is on his last term as congressman and declined to run for governor in the 2019 elections to pave the way for a united ticket in the province.
Benitez was the main author of the bill that created the DHSUD in the House while Senator JV Ejercito sponsored the Senate version.
The DHSUD will combine the administrative functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the planning and regulatory functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).
The National Human Settlements Board will exercise the powers and functions of the attached agencies regarding policy and program development.
“The Department will act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing and urban development. There will be a formulation and implementation of a more coherent and holistic plan for the housing sector,” Ejercito said.
He said the Philippines’ housing backlog in 2018 is more than two million and it is projected to balloon to 6,571,387 by the end of 2022.
The Department will be tasked to assist the local government units (LGUs) in the utilization of the socialized housing tax and other sources of funds for housing which shall be exclusively used for new settlement projects.
https://thedailyguardian.net/negros/benitez-considered-to-head-new-housing-department/
Benitez told reporters here on April 7,2019 that he was informed by former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that he is being eyed for the position.
Benitez is on his last term as congressman and declined to run for governor in the 2019 elections to pave the way for a united ticket in the province.
Benitez was the main author of the bill that created the DHSUD in the House while Senator JV Ejercito sponsored the Senate version.
The DHSUD will combine the administrative functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the planning and regulatory functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).
The National Human Settlements Board will exercise the powers and functions of the attached agencies regarding policy and program development.
“The Department will act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing and urban development. There will be a formulation and implementation of a more coherent and holistic plan for the housing sector,” Ejercito said.
He said the Philippines’ housing backlog in 2018 is more than two million and it is projected to balloon to 6,571,387 by the end of 2022.
The Department will be tasked to assist the local government units (LGUs) in the utilization of the socialized housing tax and other sources of funds for housing which shall be exclusively used for new settlement projects.
https://thedailyguardian.net/negros/benitez-considered-to-head-new-housing-department/
Saturday, April 6, 2019
WHAT NATIONALISM?
HERE'S THE SCORE By Teodoro C. Benigno - Suddenly, this word is being nudged into our consciousness and we’ve forgotten what it’s all about. What, honestly and truly, is nationalism?. Okay, the easy answer. It’s love of country. It’s a return to the values of yesteryear when the notion of nation drew us close together, particularly the war years. Fear and loathing of the Japanese invader and occupant. The tramp of his hobnailed boot, the terrors of Fort Santiago. Bataan and Corregidor. The Death March. Filipinos dying by the multitudes. The sword of Dai Nippon plunged ruthlessly into their entrails.
That is the only time I personally remember, outside of the Philippine revolution against Spain and the insurgency against the United States, that many Filipinos were ready and willing to die for this entity called Bayan kong Pilipinas. The Filipino nation. Pilipinas kong mahal. Hundreds of thousands did perish if not a couple of millions. Then and only then did love of country surge into the Filipino soul like molten lava. La patria was the revered fatherland. And a brace of Filipino heroes at the end of the 19th century gave their lives – willingly, courageously, indomitably.
Then the patriotic songs – Bayang Magiliw, Bayan Ko, Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
'Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng Puso
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.
Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka ng magiting
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.
Sa dagat at bundok
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo.
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa'yo.'
Bayan Ko
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa.
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha ko’t dalita
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya!
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw
Pilipinas kong mahal
Ang puso ko at buhay man
Sa iyo'y ibibigay
Tungkulin ko'y gagampanan
Na laging kang paglingkuran
Ang laya mo'y babantayan
Pilipinas kong hirang
Ako ay Pilipino
Ako ay Pilipino
Ang dugo'y maharlika
Likas sa aking puso
Adhikaing kay ganda
Sa Pilipinas na aking bayan
Lantay na Perlas ng Silanganan
Wari'y natipon ang kayamanan
ng Maykapal
Bigay sa 'king talino
Sa mabuti lang laan
Sa aki'y katutubo
Ang maging mapagmahal
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Isang bansa, 'sang diwa
ang minimithi ko
Sa bayan ko't bandila
Laan buhay ko't diwa
Ako ay Pilipino
Pilipinong totoo
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
“Lupang Hinirang” hindi “Bayang Magiliw” ang pamagat ang ating pambansang awit.
Sinulat ito noong nais ng mga Pilipinong maging malaya sa pananakop ng ibang bansa.
Kinatha ni Julian Felipe ang tugtugin ng "Lupang Hinirang." Isinulat naman ni Jose Palma ang mga titik nito. Una itong tinugtog nang itinaas ang ating watawat. Nanngyari ito noong Hunyo 12, 1898. Ginanap ito sa Kawit, Cavite.
Ang ating pambansang awit ay nagpapahayag ng pagmamahal sa bansa. Inilalahad din nito ang pagtatanggol sa bansa. Ito rin ba ang ibig mo sa inyong bansa?
Tignan ang mga bata sa larawan. Tignan kung paano ipinakikita ang kanilang paggalang habang umaawit ng “Lupang Hinirang.”
Matapos umawit, ito ang mga binibigkas. Ito ay “Panatang Makabayan” at “Panunumpa sa Watawat.” Binibigkas mo rin ba ang mga ito?
Panatang Makabayan
Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan,
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi,
Ako'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan.
Upang maging malakas,
Maligaya at kapaki-pakinabang.
Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko
Ang payo ng aking mga magulang;
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan,
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng
Isang mamamayang makabayan
At masunurin sa batas.
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan
Nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino
Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.
Panunumpa sa Watawat
Ako’y nanunumpa sa watatwat ng Pilipinas
At sa republikang kanyang kinakatawan.
Isang bansang pinapatnubayan ng Diyos,
Buo at di mahahati,
Na may katarungan
At kalayaan para sa lahat.
The national anthem was sung; “Bayan Ko” was sung; an artist got up on the small stage and proceeded to lead the crowd in hurling good natured and quite scandalous abuse at Estrada and the 11 senators of by now, more-than-ill repute. It was as if every time the fuse was lit, the protesters made a deliberate effort to snuff it out. They even called for cheers for the policemen. The policemen looked embarrassed.
That is the only time I personally remember, outside of the Philippine revolution against Spain and the insurgency against the United States, that many Filipinos were ready and willing to die for this entity called Bayan kong Pilipinas. The Filipino nation. Pilipinas kong mahal. Hundreds of thousands did perish if not a couple of millions. Then and only then did love of country surge into the Filipino soul like molten lava. La patria was the revered fatherland. And a brace of Filipino heroes at the end of the 19th century gave their lives – willingly, courageously, indomitably.
Then the patriotic songs – Bayang Magiliw, Bayan Ko, Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
'Bayang Magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng Puso
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.
Lupang Hinirang
Duyan ka ng magiting
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.
Sa dagat at bundok
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo.
Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa'yo.'
Bayan Ko
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag.
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa.
Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha ko’t dalita
Aking adhika,
Makita kang sakdal laya!
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw
Pilipinas kong mahal
Ang puso ko at buhay man
Sa iyo'y ibibigay
Tungkulin ko'y gagampanan
Na laging kang paglingkuran
Ang laya mo'y babantayan
Pilipinas kong hirang
Ako ay Pilipino
Ako ay Pilipino
Ang dugo'y maharlika
Likas sa aking puso
Adhikaing kay ganda
Sa Pilipinas na aking bayan
Lantay na Perlas ng Silanganan
Wari'y natipon ang kayamanan
ng Maykapal
Bigay sa 'king talino
Sa mabuti lang laan
Sa aki'y katutubo
Ang maging mapagmahal
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Isang bansa, 'sang diwa
ang minimithi ko
Sa bayan ko't bandila
Laan buhay ko't diwa
Ako ay Pilipino
Pilipinong totoo
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
Ako ay Pilipino, ako ay Pilipino
Taas noo kahit kanino
Ang Pilipino ay ako.
“Lupang Hinirang” hindi “Bayang Magiliw” ang pamagat ang ating pambansang awit.
Sinulat ito noong nais ng mga Pilipinong maging malaya sa pananakop ng ibang bansa.
Kinatha ni Julian Felipe ang tugtugin ng "Lupang Hinirang." Isinulat naman ni Jose Palma ang mga titik nito. Una itong tinugtog nang itinaas ang ating watawat. Nanngyari ito noong Hunyo 12, 1898. Ginanap ito sa Kawit, Cavite.
Ang ating pambansang awit ay nagpapahayag ng pagmamahal sa bansa. Inilalahad din nito ang pagtatanggol sa bansa. Ito rin ba ang ibig mo sa inyong bansa?
Tignan ang mga bata sa larawan. Tignan kung paano ipinakikita ang kanilang paggalang habang umaawit ng “Lupang Hinirang.”
Matapos umawit, ito ang mga binibigkas. Ito ay “Panatang Makabayan” at “Panunumpa sa Watawat.” Binibigkas mo rin ba ang mga ito?
Panatang Makabayan
Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas,
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan,
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi,
Ako'y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan.
Upang maging malakas,
Maligaya at kapaki-pakinabang.
Bilang ganti ay diringgin ko
Ang payo ng aking mga magulang;
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan,
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng
Isang mamamayang makabayan
At masunurin sa batas.
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan
Nang walang pag-iimbot at nang buong katapatan.
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino
Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa.
Panunumpa sa Watawat
Ako’y nanunumpa sa watatwat ng Pilipinas
At sa republikang kanyang kinakatawan.
Isang bansang pinapatnubayan ng Diyos,
Buo at di mahahati,
Na may katarungan
At kalayaan para sa lahat.
The national anthem was sung; “Bayan Ko” was sung; an artist got up on the small stage and proceeded to lead the crowd in hurling good natured and quite scandalous abuse at Estrada and the 11 senators of by now, more-than-ill repute. It was as if every time the fuse was lit, the protesters made a deliberate effort to snuff it out. They even called for cheers for the policemen. The policemen looked embarrassed.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
ABS-CBN claims winning TV ratings battle in March
COMPETITORS ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. claimed on Wednesday they led the ratings game last month, citing data from two different sources.
Lopez-led entertainment and multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN, citing data from Kantar Media, claimed to have posted a higher national-average audience share in March, after recording a solid 47-percent audience share, beating GMA by 17 points.
ABS-CBN also claimed leadership in Metro Manila and Mega Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 44 percent and 38 percent, respectively, against GMA’s 24-percent and 30-percent share.
The Lopez-led broadcaster also attracted more viewers than GMA in other areas. It won the ratings game in Total Luzon with an average total-day audience share of 41 percent, versus GMA’s 33 percent; in Total Visayas with 57 percent versus GMA’s 23 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 56 percent, versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN also claimed it fared better against GMA in the prime-time block, after it registered a 50-percent audience share, significantly higher than its rival’s 30 percent.
The prime-time block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.
Aside from prime time, ABS-CBN won in other time blocks nationwide that include the morning block with 38 percent, versus GMA’s 28 percent; noontime block with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and afternoon block with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent, while the variety show “It’s Showtime” continued to be the country’s number one noontime show with 33.6 percent on weekdays and 31.7 percent on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 32.8 percent on weekdays and 30.2 percent on Saturdays.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; “TV Patrol,” with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
The Gozon-led network claimed to have dominated in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with a 36.4-percent average household audience share in March, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 35.5 percent by just a few percentage points, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
It also claimed to have led Nutam’s morning block with 32 percent audience share versus its rival’s 29.2 percent. GMA also took the lead in the evening block with 38.4 percent audience share against the 37.1 percent average that its competitor netted.
GMA also furthered its leadership position in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which account for 72 percent and 60 percent of all urban households in the country.
In Urban Luzon GMA won across all day parts and registered an average household share of 39.8 percent, while ABS-CBN posted only 30 percent; in Mega Manila, it posted an audience share of 41.6 percent, while its rival booked 27.1 percent.
“KMJS” was followed by “Onanay,” “Magpakailanman,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “Sahaya,” “Kara Mia,” “24 Oras,” “Pepito Manaloto” and “Studio 7.”
Completing the list were “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “TODA One I Love,” “Amazing Earth,” “Asawa Ko Karibal Ko,” “Dragon Lady,” “Tadhana,” “Inagaw na Bituin,” “My Special Tatay,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Kapuso Movie Night,” “Hiram na Anak,” “Eat Bulaga,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Wowowin.”
GMA bases its claims to leadership from Nielsen data, which has a nationwide sample size of 3,500 urban and rural homes.
The Lopez-led network sources its data from Kantar Media, which uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/04/04/abs-cbn-claims-winning-tv-ratings-battle-in-march/
Lopez-led entertainment and multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN, citing data from Kantar Media, claimed to have posted a higher national-average audience share in March, after recording a solid 47-percent audience share, beating GMA by 17 points.
ABS-CBN also claimed leadership in Metro Manila and Mega Manila, where it scored an average audience share of 44 percent and 38 percent, respectively, against GMA’s 24-percent and 30-percent share.
The Lopez-led broadcaster also attracted more viewers than GMA in other areas. It won the ratings game in Total Luzon with an average total-day audience share of 41 percent, versus GMA’s 33 percent; in Total Visayas with 57 percent versus GMA’s 23 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 56 percent, versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN also claimed it fared better against GMA in the prime-time block, after it registered a 50-percent audience share, significantly higher than its rival’s 30 percent.
The prime-time block is the most important part of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.
Aside from prime time, ABS-CBN won in other time blocks nationwide that include the morning block with 38 percent, versus GMA’s 28 percent; noontime block with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and afternoon block with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent, while the variety show “It’s Showtime” continued to be the country’s number one noontime show with 33.6 percent on weekdays and 31.7 percent on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 32.8 percent on weekdays and 30.2 percent on Saturdays.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; “TV Patrol,” with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
The Gozon-led network claimed to have dominated in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with a 36.4-percent average household audience share in March, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 35.5 percent by just a few percentage points, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
It also claimed to have led Nutam’s morning block with 32 percent audience share versus its rival’s 29.2 percent. GMA also took the lead in the evening block with 38.4 percent audience share against the 37.1 percent average that its competitor netted.
GMA also furthered its leadership position in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which account for 72 percent and 60 percent of all urban households in the country.
In Urban Luzon GMA won across all day parts and registered an average household share of 39.8 percent, while ABS-CBN posted only 30 percent; in Mega Manila, it posted an audience share of 41.6 percent, while its rival booked 27.1 percent.
“KMJS” was followed by “Onanay,” “Magpakailanman,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “Sahaya,” “Kara Mia,” “24 Oras,” “Pepito Manaloto” and “Studio 7.”
Completing the list were “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “TODA One I Love,” “Amazing Earth,” “Asawa Ko Karibal Ko,” “Dragon Lady,” “Tadhana,” “Inagaw na Bituin,” “My Special Tatay,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Kapuso Movie Night,” “Hiram na Anak,” “Eat Bulaga,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Wowowin.”
GMA bases its claims to leadership from Nielsen data, which has a nationwide sample size of 3,500 urban and rural homes.
The Lopez-led network sources its data from Kantar Media, which uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/04/04/abs-cbn-claims-winning-tv-ratings-battle-in-march/
TV networks both claim ratings lead in March
MEDIA giants ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network, Inc. both continued to claim dominance in television ratings in March, citing different measurement providers.
ABS-CBN said on Wednesday it gained 47% average audience share last month to beat GMA’s 30%, based on data from Kantar Media.
Kanta Media, according to ABS-CBN, gathers its data from a survey of 2,610 urban and rural households across the Philippines.
GMA, on the other hand, said it had 36.4% average total day people audience share in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) from March 1 to 27, with findings from March 24 to 27 based on overnight data. This is higher than its rival’s 35.5%, based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.
By location, ABS-CBN said its rating in March reached 44% in Metro Manila, almost double GMA’s 24%. In Mega Manila, it likewise outscored its rival with 38% against 30%.
The Lopez-led company said it dominated the country’s three main islands, with an average audience share of 41% in Luzon versus GMA’s 33%; 57% in Visayas compared to GMA’s 23%; and 56% in Mindanao against GMA’s 25%.
But in its own statement, GMA said it trumped the Urban Luzon market with an average audience share of 39.8% to beat ABS-CBN’s 30%. In Mega Manila, the network also claimed the lead with a rating of 41.6% against its rival’s 27.1%.
In terms of time slots, ABS-CBN again said it led the ratings across- the-board with an average audience share of 50% for prime time (6 p.m. to 12 a.m.) against GMA’s 30%. In the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.), it said it had 38% share versus GMA’s 28%. In the noon time block (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.), ABS-CBN scored 48% to beat GMA’s 29%. And in the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.), it had 49% against GMA’s 30%.
On the other hand, GMA said Nielsen data found it leading two time slots: the morning block with 32% rating versus ABS-CBN’s 29.2%, and the evening block with 38.4% against ABS-CBN’s 37.1%.
They also both said their shows were among the top programs in the month of March. ABS-CBN said its “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” was the number one show with a prime time rating of 42.2% and the variety show “It’s Showtime” is still the most watched noontime show with a rating of 36.8% on weekdays and 32 percent on Saturdays, whereas GMA said its “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS)” was the number one show, without giving the details.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; TV Patrol, with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; “Gandang Gabi Vice” with 19.8 percent; the just-concluded drama series “Playhouse” with 19.2 percent; new late-morning series “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit” with 18.4 percent; “Kadenang Ginto” with 17.6 percent; “Los Bastardos” with 18.8 percent; “Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing” with 18.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
“KMJS” was followed by “Onanay,” “Magpakailanman,” “Daddy’s Gurl,” “Sahaya,” “Kara Mia,” “24 Oras,” “Pepito Manaloto” and “Studio 7.”
Completing the list were “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “TODA One I Love,” “Amazing Earth,” “The Boobay and Tekla Show,” “Asawa Ko Karibal Ko,” “Dragon Lady,” “Inagaw na Bituin,” “My Special Tatay,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Kapuso Movie Night,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Tadhana,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Wowowin.”
GMA Network dominated both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila lists as well, taking 8 and 9 spots out of the top 10 programs, respectively. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/tv-networks-both-claim-ratings-lead-in-march/
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
ABS-CBN keeps ratings lead in March
ABS-CBN, the country's largest media and entertainment company, said Wednesday it topped television ratings in March, once again beating rival GMA Network, based on Kantar Media research.
The Lopez-led network had an average audience share of 47 percent in March, 17 points higher than GMA, according to Kantar's poll of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the country's total TV viewing population.
ABS-CBN secured larger audiences in the urban and rural areas compared to GMA, keeping an average audience share of 44 percent versus GMA’s 24 percent in Metro Manila; and 38 percent in Mega Manila compared to GMA’s 30 percent.
In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN was the choice of more viewers with 41 percent over GMA’s 33 percent. It dominated Total Visayas, with 57 percent, sustaining a margin more than twice GMA’s share of 23 percent; as well as in Total Mindanao, where it got 56 percent of audiences versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN won primetime, earning 50 percent audience share, versus GMA’s 30 percent. It also led the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.) with an average audience share of 38 percent, compared to GMA’s 28 percent; the noontime block (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; TV Patrol, with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; “Gandang Gabi Vice” with 19.8 percent; the just-concluded drama series “Playhouse” with 19.2 percent; new late-morning series “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit” with 18.4 percent; “Kadenang Ginto” with 17.6 percent; “Los Bastardos” with 18.8 percent; “Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing” with 18.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
News.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/03/19/abs-cbn-keeps-ratings-lead-in-march
The Lopez-led network had an average audience share of 47 percent in March, 17 points higher than GMA, according to Kantar's poll of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the country's total TV viewing population.
ABS-CBN secured larger audiences in the urban and rural areas compared to GMA, keeping an average audience share of 44 percent versus GMA’s 24 percent in Metro Manila; and 38 percent in Mega Manila compared to GMA’s 30 percent.
In Total Luzon, ABS-CBN was the choice of more viewers with 41 percent over GMA’s 33 percent. It dominated Total Visayas, with 57 percent, sustaining a margin more than twice GMA’s share of 23 percent; as well as in Total Mindanao, where it got 56 percent of audiences versus GMA’s 25 percent.
ABS-CBN won primetime, earning 50 percent audience share, versus GMA’s 30 percent. It also led the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 p.m.) with an average audience share of 38 percent, compared to GMA’s 28 percent; the noontime block (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) with 48 percent, versus GMA’s 29 percent; and the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with 49 percent, versus GMA’s 30 percent.
Since January, ABS-CBN took 9 of the 10 highest rated TV programs. In March, "FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano" continued to be the country’s number one show, ruling primetime with 42.4 percent.
Following its lead are "The General’s Daughter," with 32.3 percent; "World of Dance Philippines" with 31.5 percent; TV Patrol, with 30.9 percent; "Maalaala Mo Kaya," with 28.7 percent; "Halik," with 24.5 percent; "Pinoy Big Brother: Otso" with 23.8 percent, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" with 22.9 percent, "Bandila" with 22.4 percent, "Rated K," with 22.2 percent; “Gandang Gabi Vice” with 19.8 percent; the just-concluded drama series “Playhouse” with 19.2 percent; new late-morning series “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit” with 18.4 percent; “Kadenang Ginto” with 17.6 percent; “Los Bastardos” with 18.8 percent; “Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing” with 18.2 percent; "Wansapanataym," with 21.9 percent; and "Home Sweetie Home," with 21.6 percent.
As of February, ABS-CBN TVplus sold 7 million boxes since its launch in 2015. It recently added 5 new channels to its current line-up, namely the Asianovela Channel, Movie Central, MYX, Jeepney TV, and O Shopping in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Cebu.
ABS-CBN also leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos' viewing habits. It launched its new streaming service, iWant, which became the most in-demand app for Filipino iOS and Android with more than 1 million app downloads on the first day of its official release in November last year.
News.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/04/03/19/abs-cbn-keeps-ratings-lead-in-march
Cebu Pacific launches flight to Marinduque
Cebu Pacific said it launched a direct flight to its newest domestic destination, Marinduque province.
The airline is the only one operating flights in and out of the Marinduque Airport through subsidiary Cebgo.
“Being the only carrier flying to and from Marinduque, we are very happy to enable the opening of more resorts, other businesses and other opportunities―prospering growth of the province. Now, more tourists will be able to fly direct to Marinduque to see and experience the island for themselves,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring.
“At the same time, it will also be easier for residents to fly to Manila and travel to any onward destination, be it domestic or international, through CEB’s seamlessly connected network,” Mantaring said.
Marinduque is the 37th domestic destination of Cebu Pacific. Aside from Marinduque, CEB also operates flights to other up-and-coming tourist destinations such as Tablas, Masbate, Siargao and Camiguin.
Along with subsidiary Cebgo, Cebu Pacific flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations with more than 107 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the United States.
The Cebu Pacific fleet is comprised of an Airbus A321neo, 36 Airbus A320, seven Airbus A321ceo, eight Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500 and 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft.
The ATR aircraft are used by Cebgo for inter-island flights where jet operations are not possible.
Cebu Pacific boasts of one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average fleet age of five years.
Cebu Pacific’s net income fell 51 percent last year amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The airline company controlled by industrialist John Gokongwei posted a profit of P3.9 billion in 2018, down from P7.9 billion in 2017.
The airline’s revenue reached P74.1 billion, up 9 percent from the previous year, on the back of continued demand for air travel and robust growth of its cargo business.
The growth in CEB’s 2018 business came amid a challenging environment with high fuel prices, a volatile Philippine peso, rising interest rates, increased competition, the six-month closure of Boracay and operational limitations in the country’s key airports.
CEB flew 20.3 million passengers in 2018, up 2.7 percent from 2017.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291606
The airline is the only one operating flights in and out of the Marinduque Airport through subsidiary Cebgo.
“Being the only carrier flying to and from Marinduque, we are very happy to enable the opening of more resorts, other businesses and other opportunities―prospering growth of the province. Now, more tourists will be able to fly direct to Marinduque to see and experience the island for themselves,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring.
“At the same time, it will also be easier for residents to fly to Manila and travel to any onward destination, be it domestic or international, through CEB’s seamlessly connected network,” Mantaring said.
Marinduque is the 37th domestic destination of Cebu Pacific. Aside from Marinduque, CEB also operates flights to other up-and-coming tourist destinations such as Tablas, Masbate, Siargao and Camiguin.
Along with subsidiary Cebgo, Cebu Pacific flies to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations with more than 107 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the United States.
The Cebu Pacific fleet is comprised of an Airbus A321neo, 36 Airbus A320, seven Airbus A321ceo, eight Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500 and 12 ATR 72-600 aircraft.
The ATR aircraft are used by Cebgo for inter-island flights where jet operations are not possible.
Cebu Pacific boasts of one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average fleet age of five years.
Cebu Pacific’s net income fell 51 percent last year amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The airline company controlled by industrialist John Gokongwei posted a profit of P3.9 billion in 2018, down from P7.9 billion in 2017.
The airline’s revenue reached P74.1 billion, up 9 percent from the previous year, on the back of continued demand for air travel and robust growth of its cargo business.
The growth in CEB’s 2018 business came amid a challenging environment with high fuel prices, a volatile Philippine peso, rising interest rates, increased competition, the six-month closure of Boracay and operational limitations in the country’s key airports.
CEB flew 20.3 million passengers in 2018, up 2.7 percent from 2017.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291606
Shakey’s acquiring Peri-Peri stores
Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., one of the country’s leading restaurant operators owned by the Po family, is acquiring Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, an emerging fast casual and full-service restaurant brand in the Philippines.
Shakey’s said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement to purchase the assets and intellectual property relating to the Peri business, including its brand, trade name and the various proprietary recipes used by the chain to make its trademark peri-peri chicken.
The company did not disclose the acquisition cost.
The deal is expected to close by mid-year upon fulfillment of certain conditions.
The acquisition will also involve owning and operating all company-owned stores and serving as brand-owner and franchisor of stores being operated by franchisees.
“We look forward to growing this business through our tried and tested formula of investing in the brand, investing in the people and investing in the stores. We will maintain the taste and look that made Peri famous, but hope to further elevate the customer experience with Shakey’s trademark ‘wow-ing’ service and improve the stores’ accessibility via proper site selection and expansion of the network,” Shakey’s president and chief executive Vicente Gregorio said.
Peri has a store network of 23 units in several parts of Metro Manila, about 60 percent of which are franchised and 40 percent company-owned.
“We are excited by the potential of Peri to scale. We expect it to be an important future growth driver for our fast-casual chain restaurant business. Our deep insights into how to best serve the typical fast-casual restaurant guest should allow us to further grow the Peri brand. This is in addition to leveraging our team’s execution capabilities, which remain best-in-class and our restaurant operating systems, which have also continued to improve over the last few years,” said Shakey’s chairman Christopher Po.
Shakey’s had a nationwide store count of 228 as of end-2018. It expects to open 20 stores this year. Shakey’s also has three outlets abroad.
Shakey’s said with two international area development agreements signed up, its total international pipeline would be at least 20 outlets over the next few years.
Shakey’s owns the perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand for the Middle East, Asia (excluding Japan and Malaysia), China, Australia and Oceania.
“This Peri acquisition is another vote of confidence in the growing middle class in the Philippines. We will continue to invest in the restaurant space and diversify the business portfolio in the hope of achieving our vision of establishing wow brands―a handful of industry leading, full-service restaurant chains appealing to the Filipinos’ increasing need for affordable yet premium dining out options,” Po said.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291607
Shakey’s said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement to purchase the assets and intellectual property relating to the Peri business, including its brand, trade name and the various proprietary recipes used by the chain to make its trademark peri-peri chicken.
The company did not disclose the acquisition cost.
The deal is expected to close by mid-year upon fulfillment of certain conditions.
The acquisition will also involve owning and operating all company-owned stores and serving as brand-owner and franchisor of stores being operated by franchisees.
“We look forward to growing this business through our tried and tested formula of investing in the brand, investing in the people and investing in the stores. We will maintain the taste and look that made Peri famous, but hope to further elevate the customer experience with Shakey’s trademark ‘wow-ing’ service and improve the stores’ accessibility via proper site selection and expansion of the network,” Shakey’s president and chief executive Vicente Gregorio said.
Peri has a store network of 23 units in several parts of Metro Manila, about 60 percent of which are franchised and 40 percent company-owned.
“We are excited by the potential of Peri to scale. We expect it to be an important future growth driver for our fast-casual chain restaurant business. Our deep insights into how to best serve the typical fast-casual restaurant guest should allow us to further grow the Peri brand. This is in addition to leveraging our team’s execution capabilities, which remain best-in-class and our restaurant operating systems, which have also continued to improve over the last few years,” said Shakey’s chairman Christopher Po.
Shakey’s had a nationwide store count of 228 as of end-2018. It expects to open 20 stores this year. Shakey’s also has three outlets abroad.
Shakey’s said with two international area development agreements signed up, its total international pipeline would be at least 20 outlets over the next few years.
Shakey’s owns the perpetual rights to the Shakey’s brand for the Middle East, Asia (excluding Japan and Malaysia), China, Australia and Oceania.
“This Peri acquisition is another vote of confidence in the growing middle class in the Philippines. We will continue to invest in the restaurant space and diversify the business portfolio in the hope of achieving our vision of establishing wow brands―a handful of industry leading, full-service restaurant chains appealing to the Filipinos’ increasing need for affordable yet premium dining out options,” Po said.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291607
SM subsidiary opens Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Iloilo
Iloilo City―SM Hotels and Convention Corp., the hotel unit of the SM Group, opened its third Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in this city Tuesday amid the booming demand of the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) market.
SMHCC executive vice president Peggy Angeles said at least four more Park Inn hotels are in the pipeline as part of the group’s P8.2-billion, five-year expansion plan until 2022.
“We are confident that this new landmark in Iloilo will add to the city’s vibrant tourism landscape and set a new benchmark in hospitality in Panay Island,” Angeles said.
There is also a plan to construct an SMX Convention Center near the hotel which is strategically located six minutes from the Iloilo Business Park and less than half an hour from the Iloilo International Airport.
“All these will strengthen the position of Iloilo as a MICE destination,” she said.
The Department of Tourism earlier launched its MICE Roadmap 2030 to secure the country’s foothold as the leading MICE destination in Asia Pacific.
Under the roadmap, the industry is eyeing a revenue growth of more than 400 percent from only P4.6 billion posted in 2016 to P24.4 billion by 2030.
The 199-room hotel Iloilo, Angeles said, provides choice venues for meetings and social events, with a main function room that can accommodate up to 100 guests for mid-sized events and an al fresco area by the poolside for early evening functions.
“Park Inn by Radisson is a friendly, fresh, vibrant and uncomplicated brand that focuses on delivering the modern essentials of a great business hotel experience,” she said.
SMHCC earlier opened Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Davao and Clark, but the branch in Iloilo is the first under the corporation’s licensing agreement with Radisson Hotel Group.
Angeles said another Park Inn by Radisson hotel would be opened within the first half of the year beside SM North Edsa while the extension of the Clark facility would be completed by the first quarter of next year.
Park Inn Bacolod is scheduled for opening in the third quarter of 2020, while another in Baguio will likely be finished by 2022.
Angeles said that aside from the Radisson brand, SMHCC would also bring another international brand to the country. It is set to break ground for a 400-room hotel with serviced apartments near the SM Mall of Asia in June.
The group is also set to construct a hotel and an SMX Convention Center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
SMHCC earlier announced the expansion of its portfolio, doubling its current hotel room inventory and growing leasable convention space by 2020.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/291605
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Bayan Umawit Songbook (2019 edition)
- Schedule of Liturgical Services
- Ang Orasyon, Lord’s Prayer at Salmo 91
- Ang Daan ng Krus
- Ang Santo Rosaryo
- Ang Koronilyang Bulaklák ng Dakilang Awa
- Nobena sa Ina ng Laging Saklolo
- Misa sa Pilipino (Ang Misa ng Sambayanan)
- The Angelus, Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 91
- The Holy Rosary
- The Way of the Cross
- The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy
- Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Mass in English (Order of the Mass)
- Binding Prayers (Ang Angelus, Regina Caeli, Lord's Prayer, Psalm 91)
- Rosary in Sinugboanon (Ang Santo Rosaryo)
- Rosaryo sa Diosnong Kalooy (The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy)
- Misa sa Sinugboanon (Ang Santos nga Misa)
- Mga Awiting Pilipino
- English Songs
Monday, April 1, 2019
Congress transmits for PRRD signature free wi-fi measure
A measure mandating transport terminals to provide free internet services and clean comfort rooms for commuters is now a signature away to becoming a law.
Congress recently transmitted to Malacañang Senate Bill 1749, or "An Act to Improve Land Transportation Terminals, Stations, Stops, Rest Areas and Roll-On/Roll-Off Terminals," for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature.
The enrolled bill, which was adopted by the House of Representatives, was transmitted by the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office to the Office of the President last March 21.
The meaure will lapse into law if the President does not sign it after 30 days from receipt in his office.
Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services and principal author of the measure, expressed hope the President will sign the measure as many students are expected to return to their provinces this school break.
This summer, families are also expected to spend their vacation in several local tourist destinations.
Under the measure, transportation and roll-on/roll-off terminals nationwide should have clean restroom facilities and free internet access.
The terminals must also have separate lactating stations for breastfeeding mothers.
"An efficient and functional inter-province transport system is essential to ensuring that Filipinos travel safely. In particular, rest stops are indispensable for those travelling by land, as they provide a brief 'pit stop' for travellers and bus drivers," Poe said.
"This is especially important for Filipinos who travel for more than eight hours," she added.
She said terminal toilet experience "is one aspect that travellers remember, whether the experience is impressive or horrible. Terminals and toilets are crucial to tourism," she said.
"Toilet issues are not petty matters, but important in satisfying the public's need for healthy living," she added.
The measure prohibits terminal operators from collecting fees from passengers for the use of restrooms. "The concerned passenger must show paid bus ticket in order to avail of the free use of sanitary facilities," the measure stated.
Aside from the free use of the clean toilets, the bill also mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and other concerned agencies, to provide free internet access in the terminals.
While waiting for their trip, Poe said that passengers while away the time checking their social media accounts or attending to their work remotely, which requires the use of free internet, Wi-Fi or broadband.
The owner, operator, or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops, rest areas and RORO terminals who does not comply with the standards for sanitary facilities will be fined in the amount of P5,000 each day of violation and another P5,000 each day who collect fees from the passengers for the use of sanitary facilities.
Another P5,000 each day of violation will also be imposed on operators or owners as penalty for their failure to provide breastfeeding stations.
Also transmitted to Malacañang on the same day was Senate Bill 1597 institutionalizing and expanding the 20-percent student fare discount to include air and sea transport.
Re-electionist Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, principal author and sponsor of the measure, expressed hope the President will sign the final copy of the bill before students return to their home provinces for the school summer vacation.
Angara said the proposed discount would make the summer break more enjoyable and economical for students and their families, especially those who work hard and regard travel as a necessity rather than a luxury.
Congress recently transmitted to Malacañang Senate Bill 1749, or "An Act to Improve Land Transportation Terminals, Stations, Stops, Rest Areas and Roll-On/Roll-Off Terminals," for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature.
The enrolled bill, which was adopted by the House of Representatives, was transmitted by the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office to the Office of the President last March 21.
The meaure will lapse into law if the President does not sign it after 30 days from receipt in his office.
Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services and principal author of the measure, expressed hope the President will sign the measure as many students are expected to return to their provinces this school break.
This summer, families are also expected to spend their vacation in several local tourist destinations.
Under the measure, transportation and roll-on/roll-off terminals nationwide should have clean restroom facilities and free internet access.
The terminals must also have separate lactating stations for breastfeeding mothers.
"An efficient and functional inter-province transport system is essential to ensuring that Filipinos travel safely. In particular, rest stops are indispensable for those travelling by land, as they provide a brief 'pit stop' for travellers and bus drivers," Poe said.
"This is especially important for Filipinos who travel for more than eight hours," she added.
She said terminal toilet experience "is one aspect that travellers remember, whether the experience is impressive or horrible. Terminals and toilets are crucial to tourism," she said.
"Toilet issues are not petty matters, but important in satisfying the public's need for healthy living," she added.
The measure prohibits terminal operators from collecting fees from passengers for the use of restrooms. "The concerned passenger must show paid bus ticket in order to avail of the free use of sanitary facilities," the measure stated.
Aside from the free use of the clean toilets, the bill also mandates the Department of Information and Communications Technology, in coordination with the Department of Transportation and other concerned agencies, to provide free internet access in the terminals.
While waiting for their trip, Poe said that passengers while away the time checking their social media accounts or attending to their work remotely, which requires the use of free internet, Wi-Fi or broadband.
The owner, operator, or administrator of land transport terminals, stations, stops, rest areas and RORO terminals who does not comply with the standards for sanitary facilities will be fined in the amount of P5,000 each day of violation and another P5,000 each day who collect fees from the passengers for the use of sanitary facilities.
Another P5,000 each day of violation will also be imposed on operators or owners as penalty for their failure to provide breastfeeding stations.
Also transmitted to Malacañang on the same day was Senate Bill 1597 institutionalizing and expanding the 20-percent student fare discount to include air and sea transport.
Re-electionist Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, principal author and sponsor of the measure, expressed hope the President will sign the final copy of the bill before students return to their home provinces for the school summer vacation.
Angara said the proposed discount would make the summer break more enjoyable and economical for students and their families, especially those who work hard and regard travel as a necessity rather than a luxury.
Duterte seen enacting budget into law this week
Zambales Rep. Cherry Deloso-Montalla on Sunday said President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign into law the proposed 2019 P3.757-trillion national budget anytime this week.
Montalla said the House leadership has informed lawmakers that the President would sign this year’s budget in the coming week.
“Our budget? We have long been waiting for it. There was an advice that anytime soon, the President will really sign it,” she added.
On March 26, the Senate and House of Representatives transmitted to Malacañang the budget plan after they both signed the ratified bicameral conference committee.
“We at the lower house, we will [always] support the decision of our leaders,” she said.
The Zambales legislator gave her constituents the assurance that funds for their districts have already been set in place regardless of when the 2019 national budget would be enacted.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro described as fake news Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte’s allegations that the House leadership took away P92.3 billion from the 2019 national budget and distributed them to favored members of the House of Representatives.
“I can say with authority that Representative Villafuerte is peddling fake news. I pity my good friend LRay, but I understand where he is coming from. He is one of the former House leaders who stood to gain billions in projects had we not corrected the inequities in the National Expenditure Program,” Castro said.
Villafuerte, for his part, said “the funds that were originally allocated to my district represented funds for programs under the National Expenditure Program, which is the annual budget plan approved and submitted by President Duterte to the Congress.”
“Such projects supposed to be funded by the General Appropriations Act are backed by feasibility studies and have gone through the rigorous review or vetting process by Malacañang. Representative Castro has implied that my district had unduly obtained funds for my district under the previous House leadership,” he said.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/291451/duterte-seen-enacting-budget-into-law-this-week.html
Montalla said the House leadership has informed lawmakers that the President would sign this year’s budget in the coming week.
“Our budget? We have long been waiting for it. There was an advice that anytime soon, the President will really sign it,” she added.
On March 26, the Senate and House of Representatives transmitted to Malacañang the budget plan after they both signed the ratified bicameral conference committee.
“We at the lower house, we will [always] support the decision of our leaders,” she said.
The Zambales legislator gave her constituents the assurance that funds for their districts have already been set in place regardless of when the 2019 national budget would be enacted.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro described as fake news Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte’s allegations that the House leadership took away P92.3 billion from the 2019 national budget and distributed them to favored members of the House of Representatives.
“I can say with authority that Representative Villafuerte is peddling fake news. I pity my good friend LRay, but I understand where he is coming from. He is one of the former House leaders who stood to gain billions in projects had we not corrected the inequities in the National Expenditure Program,” Castro said.
Villafuerte, for his part, said “the funds that were originally allocated to my district represented funds for programs under the National Expenditure Program, which is the annual budget plan approved and submitted by President Duterte to the Congress.”
“Such projects supposed to be funded by the General Appropriations Act are backed by feasibility studies and have gone through the rigorous review or vetting process by Malacañang. Representative Castro has implied that my district had unduly obtained funds for my district under the previous House leadership,” he said.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/291451/duterte-seen-enacting-budget-into-law-this-week.html
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Sotto hopes Duterte will veto P75 billion ‘pork’ in budget
Senate President Vicente Sotto III is hopeful President Duterte will use his veto power against questionable items, particularly the P75-billion pork barrel insertions, in the 2019 national budget.
Sotto said the Senate provided Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea a copy of the portions of the budget which were allegedly altered in the House of Representatives even after both chambers had approved and ratified the bicameral conference committee report.
“I signed the budget but with annotation and explanation,” Sotto said in Filipino and English during an interview over dwIZ.
He added that Duterte is still studying the General Appropriations Bill for 2019.
“Medialdea had requested a list of altered items so they can refer to it quickly. It’s a good sign for me since it could be vetoed,” Sotto noted.
But the P75 billion will not be removed from the national budget, Sotto said. The amount will be included in the supplemental budget to be discussed in July during the 18th Congress, he added.
Sotto maintained that the Senate stood firm not to allow any alteration on the spending program, which has been approved and ratified during the bicameral conference committee.
He said any alteration is tantamount to violating the Constitution.
‘Pork not hijacked’
Meanwhile, the majority leader of the House denied yesterday the accusation of disgruntled lawmakers that billions in infrastructure and health funds have been “hijacked” from their districts and given to favored members.
“There is no truth to the allegations hurled by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte that the House leadership has taken away P92.3 billion from the 2019 national budget and distributed it to favored members,” Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro said.
“I can say with authority that Rep. Villafuerte is peddling fake news. I pity my good friend L-Ray, but I understand where he is coming from. He is one of the former House leaders who stand to gain billions in projects had we not corrected the inequities in the National Expenditure Program (NEP),” Castro maintained.
The NEP was submitted to Congress in July last year by President Duterte.
Castro noted that Villafuerte was allocated P2.7 billion by the previous House leadership.
“Of this amount, P1.2 billion was included in the P75-billion insertion by former (budget secretary Benjamin Diokno), which (lawmakers) questioned and opposed during the budget deliberation,” he said.
Castro also said more than 24 House members received allocations ranging from P3 billion to P8.4 billion each.
“The current House leadership considers the wide discrepancy in the distribution of programs and projects as unconscionable… Based on the current guidelines, we made sure allocations were equitably distributed,” he added.
A list earlier released by appropriations committee chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. showed that former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had the biggest allotment amounting to P8.4 billion.
Castro said if the House had not redistributed the funds, “the mind-boggling allocations for previous House leaders and their pet districts, plus (budget) insertions the (Department of Public Works and Highways) was clueless about, would have remained intact.”
“We made sure that the 2019 budget is not only constitutional and legal. It is also transparent, with the list of projects itemized per district. This way, our taxpayers will know who are accountable for these projects,” he said.
Castro said if Villafuerte “and other allies of the previous House leadership are not happy with their share of the national budget, there are more than 200 (lawmakers) who think otherwise.”
“Unlike before, programs and projects are now equitably funded for all legislative districts, regardless of their (political affiliation),” he said.
According to anti-pork Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the funds taken away from at least 62 districts were added to the allocations of House leaders and their allies.
Lacson and Sotto said scores of House members who lost funds complained to them.
Sotto named Rep. Raul Daza of Northern Samar and Rep. Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur as among the complainants.
While it released the list of previous allocations topped by Alvarez, the House has not disclosed how it redistributed funds. – With Jess Diaz
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/31/1905989/sotto-hopes-duterte-will-veto-p75-billion-pork-budget
Sotto said the Senate provided Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea a copy of the portions of the budget which were allegedly altered in the House of Representatives even after both chambers had approved and ratified the bicameral conference committee report.
“I signed the budget but with annotation and explanation,” Sotto said in Filipino and English during an interview over dwIZ.
He added that Duterte is still studying the General Appropriations Bill for 2019.
“Medialdea had requested a list of altered items so they can refer to it quickly. It’s a good sign for me since it could be vetoed,” Sotto noted.
But the P75 billion will not be removed from the national budget, Sotto said. The amount will be included in the supplemental budget to be discussed in July during the 18th Congress, he added.
Sotto maintained that the Senate stood firm not to allow any alteration on the spending program, which has been approved and ratified during the bicameral conference committee.
He said any alteration is tantamount to violating the Constitution.
‘Pork not hijacked’
Meanwhile, the majority leader of the House denied yesterday the accusation of disgruntled lawmakers that billions in infrastructure and health funds have been “hijacked” from their districts and given to favored members.
“There is no truth to the allegations hurled by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte that the House leadership has taken away P92.3 billion from the 2019 national budget and distributed it to favored members,” Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro said.
“I can say with authority that Rep. Villafuerte is peddling fake news. I pity my good friend L-Ray, but I understand where he is coming from. He is one of the former House leaders who stand to gain billions in projects had we not corrected the inequities in the National Expenditure Program (NEP),” Castro maintained.
The NEP was submitted to Congress in July last year by President Duterte.
Castro noted that Villafuerte was allocated P2.7 billion by the previous House leadership.
“Of this amount, P1.2 billion was included in the P75-billion insertion by former (budget secretary Benjamin Diokno), which (lawmakers) questioned and opposed during the budget deliberation,” he said.
Castro also said more than 24 House members received allocations ranging from P3 billion to P8.4 billion each.
“The current House leadership considers the wide discrepancy in the distribution of programs and projects as unconscionable… Based on the current guidelines, we made sure allocations were equitably distributed,” he added.
A list earlier released by appropriations committee chairman Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. showed that former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez had the biggest allotment amounting to P8.4 billion.
Castro said if the House had not redistributed the funds, “the mind-boggling allocations for previous House leaders and their pet districts, plus (budget) insertions the (Department of Public Works and Highways) was clueless about, would have remained intact.”
“We made sure that the 2019 budget is not only constitutional and legal. It is also transparent, with the list of projects itemized per district. This way, our taxpayers will know who are accountable for these projects,” he said.
Castro said if Villafuerte “and other allies of the previous House leadership are not happy with their share of the national budget, there are more than 200 (lawmakers) who think otherwise.”
“Unlike before, programs and projects are now equitably funded for all legislative districts, regardless of their (political affiliation),” he said.
According to anti-pork Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the funds taken away from at least 62 districts were added to the allocations of House leaders and their allies.
Lacson and Sotto said scores of House members who lost funds complained to them.
Sotto named Rep. Raul Daza of Northern Samar and Rep. Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur as among the complainants.
While it released the list of previous allocations topped by Alvarez, the House has not disclosed how it redistributed funds. – With Jess Diaz
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/03/31/1905989/sotto-hopes-duterte-will-veto-p75-billion-pork-budget
Saturday, March 30, 2019
ABS-CBN diversifies into food, cosmetics, e-market
Media and entertainment giant ABS-CBN Corp. is diversifying in new businesses outside the media space in a move seen as a possible preparation in case its franchise will not be renewed next year.
ABS-CBN announced through separate disclosures to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday three major investments that would see the company venture into the food and beverage, customer and merchant e-wallet services, and cosmetics production sectors.
The company said it is investing in a wholly owned subsidiary, The Chosen Bun Inc., to raise, process, manufacture and package all kinds of food products, as well as establish, operate, manage and maintain restaurants, coffee shops, and refreshments parlors, and serve, arrange and cater refreshments and other food or commodities.
The Chosen Bun will initially have an authorized capital stock of P1 million, of which P250,000 will be subscribed by ABS-CBN.
“ABS-CBN Corp. aims to provide consumers with new food products that are healthy and affordable,” the company said.
Aside from its food and beverage venture, ABS-CBN is also making an investment in the customer and merchant e-wallet/e-market services business through a joint venture with information technology services company iBayad Online Ventures Inc.
The media giant and IBayad Online Ventures will organize, invest in, and operate a joint venture corporation for purposes of engaging in the business of customer and merchant e-wallet/e-money services and other related services, as well as advertising, producing, distributing, and marketing products and services that are connected to the operations of said business.
The joint venture company will initially have an authorized capital stock of P100 million, of which P51 million will be subscribed by ABS-CBN.
“The joint venture will enable the provision to customers and merchants of e-wallet and e-money services and other related services,” the listed firm said.
ABS-CBN is also teaming up with Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. to invest in a joint venture firm that will engage in the business of manufacturing, production, trading and sale, on wholesale or retail cosmetics, including purchase and importation of raw materials, finished goods, packaging materials and machinery and equipment necessary for said business.
The joint venture corporation will initially have an authorized capital stock of P10 million, of which P1.25 million will be subscribed by ABS-CBN.
The joint venture corporation will have its own management, with Ever Bilena providing support in product development, logistics and retail distribution.
From conceptualization to commercial launch, the parties have agreed to complete and execute all agreed milestones from a period of 54 to 76 weeks.
“The two industry leaders aim to provide consumers with cosmetic products that are affordable and with good quality. Leveraging the strengths and resources of both companies where expertise of Ever Bilena on production development, logistics and distribution and expertise of ABS-CBN on marketing promotions and talent development are utilized to launch a cosmetics brand,” ABS-CBN said.
ABS-CBN, home to the Philippines’ top-rating TV programs, box-office films, and best-selling books and music, is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with a growing list of digital properties.
The company, however, is in danger of not having its franchise renewed when it expires next year following repeated threats from President Duterte himself.
Duterte has said several times that he is personally against the renewal of franchise of the media and entertainment giant.
Eagle Equities Inc. head of research Chris Mangun said it is possible that these new investments being undertaken by ABS-CBN are in preparation should it fail to have its franchise renewed.
“It is quite surprising that they are starting to venture into other business outside of the media space. Food, beverage and cosmetics are highly profitable sectors and the e-market services sector is starting to take off,” Mangun told The STAR.
“So yes they may be covering their bases in case their franchise is not renewed,” he said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/03/30/1905644/abs-cbn-diversifies-food-cosmetics-e-market
Deficit posted despite ‘forced underspending’
The government’s budget balance reverted to a deficit in February despite continued delays in the passage of this year’s outlay.
The month’s P76.4-billion gap was a reversal of the P44.5-billion surplus posted in January, Treasury bureau data released on Friday showed. It was also wider than the P51.7-billion deficit recorded a year earlier.
Government revenues rose by 13 percent to P202.1 billion, from P178.5 billion last year, while expenditures grew by 21 percent to P278.5 billion from P230.2 billion. A month earlier, revenues rose by 7 percent while expenditures fell by 7 percent.
The latest deficit resulted in a year-to-date shortfall of P31.8 billion, 23 percent lower compared to the P41.5 billion posted in the comparable 2018 period.
Revenues up
For February alone, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) accounted for the bulk of revenues with P135.7 billion, 16 percent higher compared to the year-earlier P116.6 billion. The growth was faster compared to January’s 5 percent.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) netted P44.2 billion — a 1-percent gain from last year’s P43.7 billion — while other offices contributed P2.7 billion, bringing total tax revenues for the month to P182.6 billion. Tax revenue growth was faster at 12 percent from the 8 percent a month earlier.
Non-tax earnings, meanwhile, totaled P19.5 billion with the Treasury contributing P9.2 billion — up 56 percent — “mainly due to the P4.0 billion dividend from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and P2.9 billion national government share in Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) income.”
Other offices contributed P10.3 billion, 6 percent higher from last year.
Spending
The bulk of government spending or P253.2 billion was for primary expenditures, which rose by 24 percent from P204.1 billion a year ago.
The Treasury bureau said this was “due to payments of accounts payable by National Government Agencies and the release of January internal revenue allotment for local government units that slid to February.”
Interest payments of P25.3 billion, meanwhile, accounted for the rest of state spending. It dropped by 3 percent year-on-year “due to the coupon on bonds which matured in 2018.”
Netting out interest payments, the government recorded a P51.1-billion primary deficit in February, wider than the P25.6-billion shortfall posted last year.
Year to date, the primary balance hit a surplus of P39.4 billion, wider than last year’s P28.1 billion.
YTD tally
Reckoned from the start of 2019, revenues were up 10 percent year on year to P458.8 billion as of end-February.
The BIR’s two-month tally of P320.8 billion was 10 percent higher compared to a year earlier while the BoC’s year-to-date take of P92.6 billion was 9 percent better.
Primary expenditures rose 8 percent to P419.4 billion during the period while interest payments recorded 2 percent growth to P71.2 billion.
This resulted in lower-than-programmed state spending in the first two months of the year, the Finance department said in a statement.
January-February expenditures totalled P490.7 billion, 7 percent higher than a year ago but P43.7 billion less than estimated programmed funds of P534.4 billion.
In a statement, the Finance department said this was equivalent to P740.7 million in available funds that the government was not able to utilize per day because of the delay in the implementation of the 2019 national budget.
‘Forced underspending’
The government has been operating on last year’s P3.767-trillion budget since the start of the year. This means agencies can only spend for items detailed in the 2018 outlay and cannot embark on programs and projects supposed to be implemented this year.
“The No. 1 casualty of this forced under-spending is President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s signature ‘Build Build Build’ program,” Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino 2nd said.
“[I]t has barred the government from frontloading investments in big-ticket infrastructure projects during the best time of the year to do construction, and for projects that have the highest multiplier effect on the domestic economy,” he added.
Earlier this week, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd ended the budget impasse by signing the 2019 General Appropriations Act. However, he signed the document with “strong reservations” given the Senate’s claims that the House of Representatives made post-bicameral conference committee changes.
The National Economic and Development Authority has warned that Philippine economic growth could decelerate sharply to 4.2-4.9 percent under a full-year reenacted budget.
Economic managers have also cut their growth targets for 2019 and 2020, citing the reenacted budget, an ongoing El Niño and the US-China trade war.
The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee is now aiming for 6.0-7.0 percent growth this year and 6.7-7.5 percent next year, down from 7.0-8.0 percent previously.
Apprehensions validated
“Given that it would take weeks for Malacañang to review the Congress-submitted GAB (General Appropriations Bill), for the President to sign it, and for the concerned agencies to implement their respective projects, we can expect the 2019 GAA to be fully on stream on or before the middle of this year yet,” Lambino said.
ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa stressed that the latest budget balance data “validates government officials’ initial apprehensions about the budget delay.”
“Budget delayed is growth denied. Hopefully the GAB can be signed to get government spending back on track but it may be difficult to ‘catch up’ given they’ll be attempting to spend funds allotted for 12 months in only seven months time,” he added.
https://www.manilatimes.net/deficit-posted-despite-forced-underspending/532779/
The month’s P76.4-billion gap was a reversal of the P44.5-billion surplus posted in January, Treasury bureau data released on Friday showed. It was also wider than the P51.7-billion deficit recorded a year earlier.
Government revenues rose by 13 percent to P202.1 billion, from P178.5 billion last year, while expenditures grew by 21 percent to P278.5 billion from P230.2 billion. A month earlier, revenues rose by 7 percent while expenditures fell by 7 percent.
The latest deficit resulted in a year-to-date shortfall of P31.8 billion, 23 percent lower compared to the P41.5 billion posted in the comparable 2018 period.
Revenues up
For February alone, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) accounted for the bulk of revenues with P135.7 billion, 16 percent higher compared to the year-earlier P116.6 billion. The growth was faster compared to January’s 5 percent.
The Bureau of Customs (BoC) netted P44.2 billion — a 1-percent gain from last year’s P43.7 billion — while other offices contributed P2.7 billion, bringing total tax revenues for the month to P182.6 billion. Tax revenue growth was faster at 12 percent from the 8 percent a month earlier.
Non-tax earnings, meanwhile, totaled P19.5 billion with the Treasury contributing P9.2 billion — up 56 percent — “mainly due to the P4.0 billion dividend from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and P2.9 billion national government share in Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) income.”
Other offices contributed P10.3 billion, 6 percent higher from last year.
Spending
The bulk of government spending or P253.2 billion was for primary expenditures, which rose by 24 percent from P204.1 billion a year ago.
The Treasury bureau said this was “due to payments of accounts payable by National Government Agencies and the release of January internal revenue allotment for local government units that slid to February.”
Interest payments of P25.3 billion, meanwhile, accounted for the rest of state spending. It dropped by 3 percent year-on-year “due to the coupon on bonds which matured in 2018.”
Netting out interest payments, the government recorded a P51.1-billion primary deficit in February, wider than the P25.6-billion shortfall posted last year.
Year to date, the primary balance hit a surplus of P39.4 billion, wider than last year’s P28.1 billion.
YTD tally
Reckoned from the start of 2019, revenues were up 10 percent year on year to P458.8 billion as of end-February.
The BIR’s two-month tally of P320.8 billion was 10 percent higher compared to a year earlier while the BoC’s year-to-date take of P92.6 billion was 9 percent better.
Primary expenditures rose 8 percent to P419.4 billion during the period while interest payments recorded 2 percent growth to P71.2 billion.
This resulted in lower-than-programmed state spending in the first two months of the year, the Finance department said in a statement.
January-February expenditures totalled P490.7 billion, 7 percent higher than a year ago but P43.7 billion less than estimated programmed funds of P534.4 billion.
In a statement, the Finance department said this was equivalent to P740.7 million in available funds that the government was not able to utilize per day because of the delay in the implementation of the 2019 national budget.
‘Forced underspending’
The government has been operating on last year’s P3.767-trillion budget since the start of the year. This means agencies can only spend for items detailed in the 2018 outlay and cannot embark on programs and projects supposed to be implemented this year.
“The No. 1 casualty of this forced under-spending is President [Rodrigo] Duterte’s signature ‘Build Build Build’ program,” Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Lambino 2nd said.
“[I]t has barred the government from frontloading investments in big-ticket infrastructure projects during the best time of the year to do construction, and for projects that have the highest multiplier effect on the domestic economy,” he added.
Earlier this week, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd ended the budget impasse by signing the 2019 General Appropriations Act. However, he signed the document with “strong reservations” given the Senate’s claims that the House of Representatives made post-bicameral conference committee changes.
The National Economic and Development Authority has warned that Philippine economic growth could decelerate sharply to 4.2-4.9 percent under a full-year reenacted budget.
Economic managers have also cut their growth targets for 2019 and 2020, citing the reenacted budget, an ongoing El Niño and the US-China trade war.
The interagency Development Budget Coordination Committee is now aiming for 6.0-7.0 percent growth this year and 6.7-7.5 percent next year, down from 7.0-8.0 percent previously.
Apprehensions validated
“Given that it would take weeks for Malacañang to review the Congress-submitted GAB (General Appropriations Bill), for the President to sign it, and for the concerned agencies to implement their respective projects, we can expect the 2019 GAA to be fully on stream on or before the middle of this year yet,” Lambino said.
ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa stressed that the latest budget balance data “validates government officials’ initial apprehensions about the budget delay.”
“Budget delayed is growth denied. Hopefully the GAB can be signed to get government spending back on track but it may be difficult to ‘catch up’ given they’ll be attempting to spend funds allotted for 12 months in only seven months time,” he added.
https://www.manilatimes.net/deficit-posted-despite-forced-underspending/532779/
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