Good news

The good news reported by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is that the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product grew 7.2% in 2013. The bad news is, the economy fell to 6.5% in the 4th quarter. The 7.2 GDP growth is second only to China in Asia.    

NEDA Director-General Arsenio Balisacan said the 7.2% GDP is “remarkable,” considering the succession of calamities that hit the country. The NEDA had set a target of 6-7%. NEDA projects a target of 6.5-7.5% growth for 2014.

Balisacan attributed the high GDP growth to improvements in the services and industry sectors. The services sector recorded a 3.6% growth in the fourth quarter while the industry sector grew at 2.8%. The construction and government spending declined in the last quarter also.

Shortage of doctors

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) warned of a coming shortage of doctors, estimated to reach 930,000, based on a one doctor per 100 population. The Philippine population is expected to reach 100 million by the end of 2014.

PMA president Leo Olarte reported that there are only 70,000 practicing doctors. An estimated 60,000 have shifted to nursing, emigrated abroad or have retired over the last 10 years. Olarte said the brain drain in the health sector is real.

BIFF death toll at 54

The Philippine Army (PA) said they need another three days to finish their campaign against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao. According to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 6th Infantry Division Spokesman Col. Dickson Hermoso, there are 54 dead BIFF rebels out of a force of 300.

The BIFF is a breakaway force from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), headed by Commander Ameril Umbra Kato, with an estimated strength of 400-500.

BIFF Spokesman Abu Misry Mama disputed the Philippine Army’s report of casualties.

The clashes are centered at Pikit in North Cotabato and Datu Piang in Maguindanao. Ten thousand civilians have left their homes and have put up temporary houses at the highways.

It is expected, however, that more disgruntled MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) units will join the BIFF. 

In Basilan and Sulu, you have the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in active resistance to the government.

Estrada to negotiate

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada announced he will resume negotiations with the Hong Kong (HK) government on the Luneta bus hostage-taking incident. He said it will be a joint effort with the National government.

HK Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying had announced the cancellation of visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The Chinese government supported the Hong Kong government’s decision.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the new HK policy will not affect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). There is an estimated 150,000 OFWs working in Hong Kong, mostly domestic helpers who have working visas. There are no indications the HK government will clamp down on OFWs.

The Philippines had previously offered a compensation package for the victims, but the HK government demands an official apology from the President. Malacañang yesterday refused to issue an apology.

DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima has been tasked to continue negotiations with Hong Kong.

Lack of SEC personnel

The latest Blue Ribbon hearing has brought out an admission from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Teresita Herbosa that they have not been able to monitor and supervise the operations of 21,000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) because they only have eight evaluators to do the job. Herbosa said all they can do is a random spot checking.

Senator T.G. Guingona said they will investigate the use of the Malampaya Fund.

President Aquino announced the abolition of the National Agribusiness Corp. (NABCOR), Zamboanga Rubber Estate Corp. (ZREC), and the Philippine Forest Corp. (PFC).

President says no

President Aquino is certainly in a “disagreeing” mode. He is not in favor of the bill to revive the death penalty. He is not in favor of the anti-dynasty bill. He has not endorsed the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill. He does not support the Charter change (Cha-cha) proposal of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He has not ordered an investigation into the role of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Orlando Calayag in the PDAF scam and rice smuggling respectively. He does not want to apologize to the Hong Kong government.

He is for the status quo.

COA to audit NFA

Commission on Audit (COA) Chairman Grace Pulido-Tan announced the start of a fraud audit of the last 5 to 7 years of National Food Authority (NFA) operations.

Pulido Tan said, an initial review of NFA operations showed “badges of fraud,” prompting the COA to take a closer look at NFA activities.

Estimates of overpricing and smuggling activities by the NFA have reached above P100 billion over the past 10 years, with the NFA registering about P170 billion in losses.

In another statement, Pulido Tan reported billions of unliquidated cash advances that are outstanding. She said the COA will file malversation charges against officials with unliquidated cash advances in two months’ time.

 â€˜Basyang’ intensifies

Signal No. 2 has been raised over 13 areas in Mindanao and Visayas due to intensification of typhoon ‘Basyang,’ the second typhoon to hit the country this month. Signal No.1 has been raised in 19 provinces.

Pagasa predicts that ‘Basyang’ will affect the provinces hit by typhoon ‘Agaton,’ which killed 62 people.

Meanwhile, Yolanda survivors and international organizations are asking the government to speed up its rehabilitation program.

Tidbits

Nine Sarangani provincial board members, including two incumbent ones were sentenced to life imprisonment for graft, in a decision of the Sandiganbayan.

Despite BOC Commissioner John Sevilla’s ban on importation of used vehicles, 234 used vehicles have arrived at the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Ceza) in Cagayan.

SM is expanding its malls, starting with Megamall where a new building housing 125 stores have been added.

Two school supervisors have been abducted in Kumalarang, Zamboanga Del Sur.