INFLATION QUICKENS TO 5.3 PCT IN AUGUST AS RICE, FUEL COSTS RISE

MANILA - After slowing down for six months, inflation again quickened in August amid increases in fuel and food prices, particularly rice, the state statistics bureau said on Tuesday.

Inflation hit 5.3 percent in August, which was higher than the 4.7 percent seen in July, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

Inflation quickens to 5.3 percent in August

National Statistician and PSA Undersecretary Dennis Mapa noted the higher prices of rice, which weigh heavily in the consumer price index.

“The acceleration of food inflation in August 2023 was mainly brought about by the higher year-on-year growth rate observed in rice at 8.7 percent from 4.2 percent in July 2023,” the PSA said.

Food inflation at the national level rose to 8.2 percent in August 2023 from 6.3 percent in July 2023, it said.

“In August 2022, food inflation was lower at 6.5 percent.”

Worries over rising food costs recently prompted the government to put a cap on rice prices, which some retailers criticized.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the expected reduction in rice production due to El Niño and the export ban recently imposed by major rice exporters such as India and Myanmar led to higher prices of the grain globally.

The agency also said that alleged hoarding incidents, an artificial shortage, and speculative business decisions of market players could have driven rice prices upward.

Transport costs also climbed 0.2 percent during the month, from an annual decline of -4.7 percent in July, the PSA said.

Over the past 9 weeks, fuel prices increased by the following amounts:

Gasoline: P9.65/L increase

Kerosene: P13.74/L increase

Diesel: P14.40/L increase

Meanwhile, core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy items, slowed further to 6.1 percent in August 2023 from 6.7 percent in July 2023, the PSA said.

“This brings the average core inflation from January to August 2023 to 7.4 percent. In August 2022, core inflation was observed at 4.6 percent.”

MARCOS JR. ARRIVES IN INDONESIA FOR ASEAN SUMMIT

JAKARTA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Indonesia on Monday to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit that comes about a month after China’s use water cannons and dangerous maneuvers reignited tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippine President will be “definitely pushing for” ASEAN to release a statement against Beijing’s growing incursions in the South China Sea, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu said.

Last week, Marcos Jr. told reporters that the government would “continue to defend our territorial sovereignty, our territorial rights,” and refuted China’s new 10-dash line map.

Marcos Jr. will join other leaders of the 10-member regional bloc in several meetings with other countries, including China, to “exchange views on key regional and international issues, build consensus on matters of mutual interest, and provide policy direction for the ASEAN community,” an official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said.

There will be at least three meetings with China, namely during the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, 26th ASEAN Plus 3 Summit, and the 18th ASEAN-East Asia Summit.

Aside from maritime issues, the President is also expected to raise concerns about food and energy security, post-pandemic transformation, digital economy, protection of migrant workers, and the promotion of the creative industry and micro, small and medium enterprises, the Department of Foreign Affairs had said.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, Marcos Jr. will also meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

This is Marcos Jr.’s third trip to Indonesia as Philippine President. He traveled to Southeast Asia’s largest country in 2022 for his first state visit, and returned to Indonesia in May 2023 to attend the previous ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo.

200MM OF RAIN FROM ‘HABAGAT’ SEEN

The southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by an incoming storm will bring as much as 200 millimeters of rain to most parts of Luzon until Wednesday, the state weather bureau said Monday.

In its weather advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the monsoon is expected to trigger the heaviest rainfall in Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan over the next three days.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Islands would also experience rainfall of up to 100 mm into the midweek, keeping most areas in Luzon under floods.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps,” the advisory said.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said after the exit of typhoons “Goring” and “Hanna,” a low-pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility is brewing to become a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.

The LPA, once it develops into a tropical depression, would be named “Ineng,” the bureau said.

The weather system was estimated at 870 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon as of Monday 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, a total of P584,759,593 worth of damage to agriculture was reported due to the impact of Goring and Hanna as well as the habagat, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Monday.

SENATORS GRILL VP DUTERTE ABOUT P500-M CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS

MANILA - The Office of the Vice President's (OVP) proposed budget for 2024 encountered differences between the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Finance Committee. Senator Risa Hontiveros grilled Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte for about 30 minutes regarding the OVP's P500 million confidential funds included in their budget.

Hontiveros questioned the OVP's mandate for surveillance on civilian agencies, to which Duterte explained that the confidential fund supports various programs, including tree planting, free bus rides, livelihood, and calamity assistance programs. The Senator inquired about specific activities financed by the confidential funds, and Duterte mentioned surveillance of complaints related to the selling of OVP assistance and TUPAD projects, leading to the successful prosecution of a case.

Hontiveros further pressed for details about the subjects of surveillance and their intentions and capabilities, expressing skepticism about the need for confidential funds. Duterte defended the use of such funds for monitoring the secure implementation of OVP projects and activities.

During the same hearing, it was revealed that the OVP received a P221 million fund from the Office of the President the previous year as their Confidential Fund. Duterte stated that they had submitted a report on its use to relevant authorities. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III raised questions about the absence of a line item budget for confidential funds in 2022, and Duterte explained the delayed granting of confidential funds by the Department of Budget and Management.

The hearing was temporarily suspended, and upon resumption, administration senators moved for the approval of the OVP's proposed budget. The Vice President then presented the Education department's budget for the next year, including a P150 million Confidential Fund.

Hontiveros questioned the scope of DepEd's surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts, to which DepEd officials outlined their focus on anti-insurgency, anti-terrorism, violent extremism, pornography, child pornography, drugs, criminality, gangsterism, and sexual exploitation complaints.

DepEd officials also emphasized the need for a budget of P420 billion to address a classroom backlog and accommodate the increasing student population, with half a million new enrollees each year.

'RICE RETAILERS COULD LOSE P40,000 WEEKLY OVER RICE PRICE CAP'

Local grain retailers could incur up to P40,000 in losses every week after President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr's order for a price cap on rice took effect Tuesday.

Frederic Dy, Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines Inc. Eastern Visayas president, said retailers in Tacloban feel bad over the order mandating a price ceiling for regular milled rice at P41 per kilo and well-milled rice at P45 per kilo.

"Bumili sila ng mahal na ibebenta nila ng palugi," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He said some retailers have closed up shop and opted not to sell their rice because of the size of the projected losses.

He said that at P2,450 per cavan of rice, retailers are spending P49 per kilo of rice.

Selling the rice for P45 per kilo would mean an automatic loss of P4 per kilo. "Paano na 'yung cellophane, 'yung upa ng pwesto, 'yung manpower?" he asked.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development earlier said it will give out up to P15,000 in financial aid to local grain retailers who may incur losses due to the price cap.

Dy, however, said retailers could incur P6,000 in losses daily at a minimum 20 sacks sold per day.

"Sa isang linggo, ang lugi mo P40,000 plus. Gaano tatagal ang isang retailer sa ganoong lugi?" he asked.

He also noted the executive order protects importers while targeting retailers.

DSWD SETS FINANCIAL AID FOR SMALL TRADERS AFFECTED BY RICE PRICE CAP

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is set to give out financial aid to local grain retailers who may incur losses due to President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr's order for a price cap on rice.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the trade and agriculture departments will be speaking to rice retailers associations to create a list of small traders affected by the price cap.

He said the financial aid will be capped at P15,000 per retailer.

"Hopefuly by next week we will issue livelihood grants," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He added the financial aid is coursed through the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier approved the recommendation to impose mandated price ceilings on rice in the entire country following an alarming increase in its retail prices in the market.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION INENG DEVELOPS IN EXTREME N. LUZON

MANILA — A low pressure area east of extreme Northern Luzon has developed into tropical depression Ineng, weather bureau PAGASA said on Tuesday.

As of 11 a.m., the center of tropical depression Ineng was estimated based on all available data at 925 km east of extreme Northern Luzon.

Packing 45 kilometers per hour (kph) winds and gusts of up to 55 kph, Ineng is forecast to remain far from the Philippine landmass.

Tracking generally northeastward or north northeastward while gradually intensifying throughout forecast period, it may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday night or Wednesday as a tropical storm.

There is no wind signal hoisted at this time.

The enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring gusty conditions over the following areas not under any wind signal, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds:

Batanes, Ilocos Provinces, the western portion of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Kalayaan Islands, Lubang Island, Romblon

With Haikui expected to degenerate into a remnant low over mainland China and Ineng forecast to move north northeastward away from the country, the southwest monsoon is forecast to weaken within the week.

CYCLIST IN ROAD RAGE INCIDENT APPEARS IN SENATE HEARING

Cyclist Allan Bandiola, involved in the viral road rage incident on August 8, testified at a Senate Committee hearing. He stated that the police did not arrest ex-cop Wilfredo Gonzales because the responding officer did not see Gonzales with a gun.

Bandiola explained that while he was riding his bike, Gonzales, driving a red sedan, attempted to enter the bike lane. Bandiola swerved to the side to avoid a collision and slapped the vehicle to prevent hitting bystanders. Gonzales then drove into the lane and abruptly stopped, causing Bandiola to graze the vehicle with his handlebar. A viral video showed Gonzales getting out of the car, slapping Bandiola, and threatening him with a gun.

Bandiola denied intentionally ramming the vehicle or causing damage when he slapped it, explaining that he could not have caused significant damage with his small hand.

During the investigation, Bandiola informed the police that Gonzales had a gun, but the officer did not see it and therefore did not arrest him. The absent police officer has been summoned to the Senate hearing.

Bandiola did not press charges against Gonzales as they had resolved the issue amicably. He emphasized that his only intention was to avoid a confrontation and that he preferred to avoid trouble. The Supreme Court had previously dismissed Gonzales as an employee following the incident.

IMMIGRATION EYEING MORE E-GATES TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY OF AIRPORTS

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will replace its manual counters with electronic gates to increase the efficiency of airports nationwide.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said it will take only at least   45 seconds of immigration processing time for travelers under the Guidelines on Advance Passenger Information published jointly by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

While the 45-second standard is intended for check-in counters for the manual keying of passenger data, the BI has committed and imposed upon itself to process passengers within the said period.

Tansingco said that the BI’s IT programs are lined up to further reduce the processing time without compromising national security.   The procurement of e-gates  has been included in the BI’s approved information systems strategic plan for 2024-2026.

The e-gates, similar to those used in advanced countries, can lessen processing time to as low as 8 seconds per passenger and would significantly reduce the processing time of travelers.

Currently, only 21 e-gates are distributed at the arrival area in major international airports nationwide, the majority of which are deployed at the NAIA.   The BI is gearing up to procure additional e-gates starting in 2024 and expects that by 2026, a total of 43 e-gates will be installed nationwide.

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DOH REPORTS 780 NEW COVID CASES, 5 MORE DEATHS

MANILA - The Department of Health on Monday said it logged 780 new COVID cases from August 28 to September 3.

The daily average COVID-19 cases is now 111, which is 3 percent lower than the previous week, the DOH said.

Of the new cases, the health department said 10 patients were in severe or critical condition.

The DOH data also showed that 5 deaths were verified the past week. None of the deaths occurred during the August 21 to 27 period.

As of Monday, the Philippines had 2,685 active coronavirus cases. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, some 4.110 million Filipinos have contracted the virus, while 66,667 cases led to deaths.

CHOPPER PILOT ACCUSED OF HELPING ALLEGED DEGAMO KILLERS ESCAPE INSISTS ON INNOCENCE

MANILA — The helicopter pilot accused of aiding suspects in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo is requesting prosecutors to reconsider his indictment. Captain Lloyd Garcia II challenges the allegations that he helped suspects escape, emphasizing that the helicopter was in Davao City during the supposed escape. He points out inconsistencies in the case, questions the helicopter's capacity, and asserts that his involvement came after the crimes. Witnesses have recanted their statements, and Garcia raises privacy concerns over document acquisition. Garcia, along with others, faces murder charges, with some suspects still at large.

MANILA COURT ACQUITS DRUG LORD KERWIN ESPINOSA OF FIREARMS CHARGE

A Manila Regional Trial Court on Monday acquitted self-confessed drug lord Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

In a decision dated Sept. 4, 2023, Manila City RTC Judge Janice Yulo-Antero absolved Espinosa of violations of Republic Act No. 9516 on illegal possession of explosives, and RA 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act.

“The prosecution miserably failed to prove the guilt of accused Rolan Espinosa y Eslabon alias ‘Kerwin Espinosa’ beyond reasonable doubt that he was in effective control and possession over the firearms/weapons and ammunition, neither was he in actual nor constructive possession of the same,” Antero ruled.

With the acquittal, the judge ordered the warden of the Manila City Jail “to release the body of the accused unless he is being detained for other lawful cause/s.”

However, Espinosa is left with one more drug-related case in Baybay, Leyte, where he was previously allowed to post bail, and two other cases for violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MISS PHILIPPINES PAGEANT OPENS DOORS TO MOMS, WIVES

MANILA -- Miss Philippines is allowing mothers and married women to join its inaugural pageant.

It follows in the footsteps of its sister pageant Miss Universe Philippines, which saw three moms compete this year.

In a Facebook post, Miss Philippines said that all women, whether single, married, or a mother, are queens.

"You don’t have to give up your dreams of joining a pageant yet because we believe that mothers and married women can be as effective as single women at being influencers and advocates of Philippine culture and heritage." it said.

The final screening date for Miss Philippines will be held on September 9 in Pasig City.

The winner of the inaugural pageant will be given the opportunity to represent the country in the Miss Supranational and Miss Charm pageants.

Pauline Amelinckx was proclaimed the first Miss Philippines titleholder after her first runner-up finish in Miss Supranational 2023. She placed first runner-up to Michelle Dee in this year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

MISS PHILIPPINES ACQUIRES MISS ASIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE

MANILA -- Miss Philippines has acquired the franchise for the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant.

This means it will send representatives to three global tilts, along with Miss Supranational and Miss Charm.

"The Miss Philippines is happy to announce its partnership with the Miss Asia Pacific International Organization," Miss Philippines said in a post on its social media pages on Monday.

"We are thrilled that one of our amazing queens will have the opportunity to participate in this long standing, prestigious pageant that celebrates our region," it added.

Formed only this year, Miss Philippines is the sister pageant of Miss Universe Philippines.

Pauline Amelinckx was proclaimed the first Miss Philippines titleholder after her first runner-up finish in Miss Supranational 2023. She placed second to Michelle Dee in this year's Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

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