EXPLAINER: Philippines' 5 Arguments VS China

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EXPLAINER: Philippines' 5 Arguments VS China

Source:
Rappler
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/98839-philippines-
china-hague-arguments-explanation
Paterno Esmaquel II
In a nutshell, Rappler explains the Philippines' 5
arguments in its historic case against China over the West
Philippine Sea
 TEAM PHILIPPINES. The Philippine team
poses in the Peace Palace at The Hague,
Netherlands, before the start of the oral
arguments in connection with the arbitration case
against China. Photo courtesy of DFA
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines' case against
China over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)
boils down to 5 basic arguments.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario outlined
these claims on Tuesday, July 7, the first day of
arguments at The Hague. (READ: Philippines vows to
smash China's strongest argument)
For the oral hearings that run until July 13, we've listed
these 5 arguments, quoted verbatim from Del Rosario.
Below each argument, we've added our own notes to
explain things in a nutshell. We've also included links to
other stories for further reading and reference.
The Philippines' arguments revolve around the right to
fish, as well as to exploit other resources, in the West
Philippine Sea. (READ: PH vs China at The Hague: '80%
of fish' at stake)
This right is based on the so-called Constitution for the
Oceans, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS).
Under UNCLOS, a coastal state has the exclusive right to
fish within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an area
200 nautical miles from the coastal state's baselines or
edges.
1. China's 'historical rights'
ARGUMENT: "First, that China is not entitled to exercise
what it refers to as 'historic rights' over the waters, seabed,
and subsoil beyond the limits of its entitlements under the
Convention."
EXPLANATION: China says the South China Sea has
belonged to it for centuries. This is why it claims
"historical rights" over the disputed sea.
Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio of the Philippine
Supreme Court, however, says that "even if true," these
historical rights have no bearing on sea disputes under
UNCLOS. Carpio explains that UNCLOS "extinguished
all historical rights of other states." This UN convention
instead gives each coastal state an EEZ. (READ: Top
Philippine judge uses Chinese maps vs China)
2. China's 9-dash line
ARGUMENT: "Second, that the so-called 9-dash line has
no basis whatsoever under international law insofar as it
purports to define the limits of China’s claim to 'historic
rights.'"
EXPLANATION: The 9-dash line is China's demarcation
to claim virtually the entire South China Sea. China says
this is based on its "historical rights."
The Philippines, however, asserts that the 9-dash line is
baseless under UNCLOS. This UN convention allows an
EEZ, not a 9-dash line. (READ: No such thing as 9-dash
line – US envoy)
3. Rocks vs islands
ARGUMENT: "Third, that the various maritime features
relied upon by China as a basis upon which to assert its
claims in the South China Sea are not islands that
generate entitlement to an exclusive economic zone or
continental shelf. Rather, some are 'rocks' within the
meaning of Article 121, paragraph 3; others are low-tide
elevations; and still others are permanently submerged.
As a result, none are capable of generating entitlements
beyond 12NM (nautical miles), and some generate no
entitlements at all. China’s recent massive reclamation
activities cannot lawfully change the original nature and
character of these features."
EXPLANATION: Under UNCLOS, habitable islands can
generate a 200-nautical-mile EEZ. Rocks cannot.
China describes some features in the South China Sea as
islands. One of these is Panatag Shoal (Scarborough
Shoal), a rocky sandbar. China claims these supposed
islands.
China also says these "islands" generate an EEZ, which
could overlap with the EEZ of the Philippines. The
problem for the Philippines is, China declared in 2006
that it "does not accept" arbitral jurisdiction when it
comes to overlapping EEZs. UNCLOS allows this
exception.
This is partly why China says the tribunal at The Hague
has no right to hear the Philippine case – because it
supposedly involves overlapping EEZs.
"The maritime dispute between the Philippines and China
boils down to whether there are overlapping EEZs
between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine
Sea," Senior Associate Justice Carpio says.
Carpio, however, explains that "China has no EEZ that
overlaps with the Philippines' EEZ in the Scarborough
area." Carpio also believes an international tribunal "will
deny Itu Aba," the largest island in the Spratlys, an EEZ.
(READ:Why China calls it Huangyan Island)
The Philippines adds that China's reclamation activities
cannot "lawfully change" rocks into islands.
4. Breach of the law of the sea
ARGUMENT: "Fourth, that China has breached the
Convention by interfering with the Philippines’ exercise
of its sovereign rights and jurisdiction."
EXPLANATION: China prevents Filipinos from fishing
in the West Philippine Sea. UNCLOS, on the other hand,
gives Filipinos the exclusive rights to fish within the
Philippines' EEZ in the disputed waters. (READ: PH
fisherfolk: Living with Chinese coast guard's hostility)
5. Damage to environment
ARGUMENT: "China has irreversibly damaged the
regional marine environment, in breach of UNCLOS, by
its destruction of coral reefs in the South China Sea,
including areas within the Philippines’ EEZ, by its
destructive and hazardous fishing practices, and by its
harvesting of endangered species."
EXPLANATION: China is building artificial islands in
the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines says China's
reclamation activities have buried 311 hectares of coral
reefs – around 7 times the size of Vatican City. This can
mean P4.8 billion ($106.29 million) in lost economic
benefits. At the same time, China is accused of poaching.
(READ: PH: China 'irreversibly damaged' environment)
China, for its part, refuses to answer the Philippines'
arguments in arbitration proceedings. It has
instead published a position paper debunking the
Philippines' claims.
In the end, the Philippines says, the case at The Hague is
set to provide a long-term solution to the sea dispute.
(READ: FULL TEXT: The Philippines' opening salvo at
The Hague)
For Del Rosario, UNCLOS provisions "allow the weak to
challenge the powerful on an equal footing, confident in
the conviction that principles trump power; that law
triumphs over force; and that right prevails over might." –
Rappler.com
Source:
Rappler
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/98839-
philippines-china-hague-arguments-explanation
Paterno Esmaquel II
On eve of Senate hearing, Faeldon hits 'grudge-
bearers'
The embattled BuCor chief will attend the Senate
hearing on the aborted Sanchez release. He insists
he did not order the release of Antonio Sanchez.
MANILA, Philippines – Bureau of Corrections
(BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon will attend the Senate
hearing on Monday, September 2, on the Good
Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) and the release of
convicted inmates but not before he could hit
"grudge-bearers."

Jose Diño, Faeldon's legal spokesperson, confirmed

the prisons chief' attendance to Rappler.

In a series of tweets posted Sunday night,

September 1, Diño said "exactly the same grudge-
bearers have come-out against Director General
(DG) Faeldon with wild insinuations of bribery and
corruption."

In the tweets, Diño described Faeldon's "grudge-

bearers," the same people, he said, who came after
the prisons chief over the smuggled shabu scandal
at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

"One is a protector of his smuggler-son, and who

invented accusations of tara but who miserably
failed to present even a single witness or document
during the 13 hearings of the blue ribbon
committee," Diño said.

Diño added: "Another is an influence peddler who

failed in his insistence for then BOC Comm. Faeldon
to promote his bata, a corrupt customs officer. The
other is a yellow remnant who tried but failed to arm-
twist then BOC Commissioner Faeldon to sign a
MOA which was disadvantageous to BOC."
"Malalim ang hugot at obvious grudges ng 3
maiingay na ito," said Diño.

Other Stories

Senate panel demands Faeldon appear at GCTA

law hearing
(UPDATED) Opposition senators call for Nicanor
Faeldon's removal as Bureau of Corrections chief
due to the controversies brought by the inclusion of
rape-slay convict Antonio Sanchez in the list of
inmates set for early release

Judge who sentenced Antonio Sanchez asks Panelo

to resign
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson
Salvador Panelo says he has nothing to do with the
possible early release of convicted rapist and
murderer Antonio Sanchez

Faeldon denies ordering Sanchez's release – DOJ

The family of Antonio Sanchez claims to be in
possession of a Bureau of Corrections release order
dated August 20
(The grudges of these 3 noisy people go deep and it
is obvious.)

The Senate Blue Ribbon and Justice Committees

will handle the investigation on Monday, including
loopholes of the Aquino-time law, and the
implementation of releases of inmates under
Faeldon.

Senate President Tito Sotto and Senator Panfilo

"Ping" Lacson have slammed Faeldon over the
entire issue.

Lacson has since revealed that convicted Chinese

drug lords, and convicted murderers in the high-
profile Chiong sisters slay n Cebu, have also been
released.

Sotto has called for a revamp of the BuCor.

Faeldon's last hearings in the Senate were over the

Customs issue and which landed him in jail for
contempt.
Xi refuses to recognize Hague ruling after
Duterte brings it up
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte tells Xi
Jinping that the arbitral ruling is 'final' and
'binding' but the Chinese leader says his
country is 'not budging' from its position
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President
Rodrigo Duterte made good on his promise to
raise the Hague ruling before Chinese
President Xi Jinping, but ended up with
the same results as before.
In response to Duterte, the Chinese leader
merely reiterated China's refusal to recognize
the arbitral ruling which struck down their claim
to the West Philippine Sea.
"He (President Duterte) said that the arbitral
award is final, binding and not subject to
appeal. In response, President Xi reiterated his
government’s position of not recognizing the
arbitral ruling as well as not budging from its
position," said Presidential Spokesman
Salvador Panelo on Friday, August 30, in a
statement.
Panelo was informing the public of what
transpired during the Duterte-Xi bilateral
meeting the night before, Thursday, August 29,
at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.
What's more, the two presidents "agreed that
while their variant positions will have to remain,"
they should not derail the "amity" between their
two countries, said the spokesman.
(READ: LIST: 6 agreements signed during
Duterte-Xi August 29 meeting)
The arbitral ruling, handed down by the
Permanent Court of Arbitration in July 2016,
invalidated the 9-dash line China uses to claim
virtually the entire South China Sea –
a major victory for the Philippines and other
smaller claimant states.
Yet China has refused to recognize the ruling,
dismissing it as “nothing more than a piece of
waste paper.”
The June Recto Bank boat sinking incident,
considered the most heated incident in the
West Philippine Sea since the 2012 Panatag
Shoal (Scarborough Shoal) standoff, also came
up.
Other Stories

Lorenzana: 'No reason to believe' China will not

honor agreements
'Let us trust, but we must also be cautious,'
says Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
Duterte has to do more than ‘raise’ Hague
ruling with Xi – Carpio
The Philippine President has to gather support
from the international community and take
action

Philippine Sea issues and call for the fast-

tracking of big-ticket Chinese projects

Duterte, said Panelo, "expressed appreciation

of China’s readiness to provide compensation
to our fishermen who almost lost their lives."
Right before Duterte took off for Beijing, the
Chinese government relayed the apology of the
owner of the boat that had hit Filipino vessel
F/B Gem-Ver and abandoned its crew to the
high seas. Malacañang promptly accepted the
apology.
"Both leaders agreed to work together, on the
basis of mutual trust and good faith, to manage
the South China Sea issue, and to continue to
dialogue peacefully in resolving the conflict,"
said Panelo.
As in previous meetings, the Duterte and Xi
committed to observe self-restraint and respect
for freedom of navigation and overflight in the
South China Sea. (READ: When Duterte meets
with Xi: What West PH Sea deals were reached
in past talks?)
Joint exploration, sea code
As expected, the two discussed joint
exploration for oil and gas in the West
Philippine Sea.
Xi instructed that groups created by the
memorandum of understanding signed during
his Manila visit in November 2018 begin their
work.
"President Xi for his part said that the steering
committee created for that purpose should
prepare a substantive program on the matter,"
said Panelo.
The joint steering committee, according to the
MOU, is composed of foreign ministry and
energy ministry officials from the Philippines
and China. They are to create a framework and
work with companies interested in undertaking
oil and gas exploration, who are to comprise
separate entrepreneurial working groups.
Duterte also emphasized the need for a South
China Sea code of conduct, currently being
finalized by the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations and China, to prevent confrontations
and flashpoints in the critical water body.
He and Xi agreed that the code should be
crafted "within the last remaining years" of
Duterte's term, which ends in 2022. Chinese
Foreign Minister Wang Yi had previously set
2021 as the deadline for the code.
Maritime law experts did not expect much from
Duterte's plan to raise the arbitral ruling with Xi.
Critics like Supreme Court Senior Associate
Justice Antonio Carpio had said Duterte must
do more than mention the ruling.
Carpio suggested that to change China's
behavior in the West Philippine Sea, the
Philippine leader must rally international
support for the ruling and implement security
measures by, for example, deploying more
Coast Guard ships to patrol the sea. –
Rappler.com
In these changing times, courage and clarity
become even more important.
Take discussions to the next level with Rappler
PLUS — your platform for deeper insights,
closer collaboration, and meaningful action.
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Sign
Butterfly effect: How rice tariffication bill
affects everyone
Conversations about rice are a national
conversation
Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
Published 10:01 AM, February 13, 2019
Updated 10:01 AM, February 13, 2019
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CHAIN REACTION. Other industries which

make use of byproducts from the rice industry
are also at risk of being affected by the Rice
Tariffication bill if passed into law without
changes. File photo by Jay Directo/AFP
MANILA, Philippines – It will be like domino tiles
falling one after the other. While the rice
tarrification bill will directly affect the rice
industry, other businesses which make use of
byproducts from rice will inevitably also feel its
consequences.
The rice tariffication bill, or Senate Bill 1998,
which will allow uninhibited rice importation, is
due to be signed into law by President Rodrigo
Duterte on Friday, February 15. Only a
presidential veto can stop the bill from
becoming law. (READ: Duterte open to
changes in rice tariffication bill)
By removing the quantitative restrictions,
imported rice coming from Southeast Asian
countries will be slapped with a 35% tariff, while
imported rice coming from other countries will
be imposed a higher tariff rate. (READ: Higher
inflation in 2019 if rice tariffication not passed –
Diokno)
While this will result in imported rice becoming
more expensive, the flood of imported grains
will still threaten local produce.
Orly Manuntag, spokesperson of the
Confederation of Grains Retailers Association
of the Philippines Incorporated (Grecon), told
Rappler that there will undoubtedly be a
spillover effect on other sectors if the rice
tariffication bill becomes law without
amendments.
Grecon, along with other representatives of
various sectors in the industry, got an audience
with Duterte and other economic managers last
week, and was able to air grievances about the
bill.
While it has its good points, the lack of
government regulation worries stakeholders.
Aside from the obvious displacement of rice
farmers, National Food Authority (NFA)
employees, and some 90,000 accredited NFA
rice retailers nationwide, Manuntag said the
deregulation of rice imports goes beyond the
industry.
Here are the businesses and industries that will
be affected by liberalized rice importation:
Millers
There are around 6,600 registered rice millers
all over the country, employing 55,000 workers.
Industry stakeholders, in a position paper, said
that a complete milling facility costs from P30
million to P50 million. This would place the
value of the whole industry itself at P200 billion
to P300 billion.
"This whopping amount is primarily sourced
from commercial bank borrowings with
corresponding interest charges," the position
paper read.
However, Manuntag noted that taking out these
loans will be meaningless if the mills will not be
used at all.
"Where will the millers bring their facilities if
they can't buy unhusked rice from the farmers
because these farmers refused to plant rice
anymore?" he said in Filipino.

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DA
Senator Cynthia Villar wants the Department of
Agriculture to account for how it used the funds
that the Department of Budget and
Management released in 2018

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Pangilinan: Release P20-billion cash aid to

farmers affected by rice tariffication law
'With the influx of rice imports, mas lumala ang
kalagayan nila. Hindi na lalo mabayaran ang
utang, lalong nababaon sa utang. Lalong
nagugutom,' says Senator Francis Pangilinan

Should there be no local unmilled rice left for

millers to process, the worst case scenario
would be the millers defaulting on their bank
loans.
Animal feeds and beer industry
A byproduct of the rice milling process, the rice
bran is used for making animal and aquaculture
feeds. A shortage in local unhusked rice
production would also mean there would be a
drop in byproduct.
Manuntag said that if feedmills produce less, it
would cause an increase in the prices of pork
and chicken.
The latest report from the Philippine Statistics
Authority showed that livestock production
during the months of October to December
2018 alone was worth P91.9 billion, while
poultry production during the same time period
amounted to P60.7 billion.
Another byproduct which comes from the
milling process is the brewer's rice or binlid,
which is used in manufacturing alcoholic drinks,
particularly beer.
Biomass, construction industry
A drop in local rice output will also mean a
decrease in rice hull, which is used as fuel for
biomass furnaces used in the provinces to
provide electricity. Rice hulls are also used as a
binder for cement and land fillers.
"[W]e have a lot of biomass energy facilities all
over the Philippines. There are some who
depend on biomass and if it fails to provide
energy, then the electricity rates will rise,"
Manuntag said.
What now?
In an ambush interview last Friday, February 8,
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol told
reporters that while the Department of
Agriculture (DA) cannot appeal in behalf of the
industry, they were ordered by Duterte to
collate the stakeholders' requests.
Other government agencies tasked to simplify
the rice industry's request were the Department
of Finance, the National Economic and
Development Authority, and the Department of
Trade and Industry.
But this does not give assurances that there will
be changes made in the bill even after all the
pleas from the private sector.
"[I]t will [still] be the President’s call. I don’t want
to second-guess what action he will take," Piñol
said.
"But having said that he’s willing to listen, I
would assume that he’s willing to consider
some changes as to how those changes will be
implemented, that’s up to him."
The position paper, which contains the
stakeholders' proposals, was submitted on
Monday, February 11.
Both the government and the stakeholders
know that the lifting of the quantitative
restrictions on rice imports has long been due,
but how the law will allow it – and protect the
interests of those affected by it – is being
contested.
"[Lifting the import restrictions] is our
commitment to the [World Trade Organization]
but we are just asking for a little more study on
the total deregulation…especially for the
stability of the buying price of the palay," Piñol
said on Tuesday, February 12, during a chance
interview after a meeting with sugar industry
stakeholders who are also facing possible
deregulation in sugar imports.
Piñol was referring to the NFA's possible
inability to sustain its function of buying from
farmers as it cannot make borrowings anymore
for its procurement program.
"Because right now, the buying price
for palay dropped at P14 to P15 [per kilo]. You
have to understand that if the buying price for
palay drops, it is also a headache for DA
because the farmers will get mad," he added.
With a few days left before the deadline, there
is nothing to do but wait for Duterte's decision.
"We did our best to convey to the President the
appeal of the Filipino people. [A]ng pag-uusap
sa bigas ang pag-uusap ng sambayanang
Pilipino," Manuntag said. (Conversations about
rice are a national conversation.)
"We are confident that we will be listened to, but
if nothing changes, hindi kami nagkulang (we
did not lack in anything). We tried our best." –
Rappler.com
In these changing times, courage and clarity
become even more important.
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Filed under:Confederation of Grains Retailers
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PHILIPPINES
NFA has 4.5 million bags of imported rice
left unsold
Senator Imee Marcos urges the National Food
Authority to sell its rice stock to earn revenues
that may be used to buy more palay from locals
Aika Rey
@reyaika
Published 6:31 PM, August 28, 2019
Updated 6:31 PM, August 28, 2019
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit

BUY LOCAL. Harvest season is expected to

start soon, from September to October, and
senators want NFA to buy from local farmers.
File photo by Mau Victa/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The National Food
Authority admitted on Wednesday, August 28,
that some 4.5 million bags of imported rice are
left unsold by the agency, as senators urged
the agency to buy more palay (unhusked rice)
from locals.
At the Senate hearing into the impact of
the Rice Tariffication Law, Senator Imee
Marcos pressed the NFA why it was not selling
the palay bought from Filipino farmers, despite
acquiring 290,642 metric tons.
The implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
of the rice trade liberalization law allows NFA to
maintain a “rolling” buffer stock. This means the
agency can stockpile an “optimal level” of 15 to
30 days’ worth of consumption. Any rice they
purchase beyond the optimal can be sold to
retailers or local governments.
The "first-in, first out" policy is being followed,
and the P27-per-kilo price is retained until
further notice. The NFA Council has yet to
convene and discuss the new pricing scheme,
with Secretary William Dar as the new
Department of Agriculture chief.
NFA Administrator Judy Dansal first said that
they were still about to mill the palay. Dansal
said the agency had to bid the project to millers.
However, it turns out, after grilling by Marcos,
Dansal admitted that the NFA still had 4.5
million bags or the equivalent to around 225
million kilos of imported rice in the agency's
warehouse.
"Kaya hindi kayo bumibili, kasi santambak pa
ang imported rice. Kaya pinupush na maubos.
Kaya yung local rice, hindi basta binebenta,"
Marcos said.
(The reason why you don't buy is because you
have sacks of imported rice. That's why you are
pushing for it to be sold. That's why you're not
selling the local rice
immediately.)
Marcos said that if the agency was able to sell
all the imported rice in stock at P27 per kilo, the
NFA stood to earn at least P6.75 billion.
"Ibig sabihin, ang dami 'nyo nang pera kung
ibebenta niyo ng paspasan," Marcos said. (That
means you have a lot of money if you sell it
right away.)
In response, Dansal said: "What we really are
trying to do is the sale of our imported rice para
maging pera. Ang aming procurement, talagang
nakabili kami ng malaking volume sa farmers."
(What we are really trying to do is to sell our
imported rice so that it becomes money. Our
procurement really was able to buy a big
volume from the farmers.)
Borrow money
At the hearing, Dansal said that they did not
have the funds to buy palay for the upcoming
harvest season from September to October, as
they have used up the P7-billion allocation for
buffer stocking in 2019.
Dansal said that the purchased 290,642 metric
tons of rice from local farmers was not yet
completely paid. She said that NFA was only
able to pay P3.5 billion, as they used the
remaining funds to pay its outstanding debts.
As rice farmgate price is expected to crash in
the harvest season with supply flooding
markets, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the NFA
should act while waiting for the slow
implementation of the P1-billion credit facility for
farmers, or the rice competitiveness
enhancement fund (RCEF).
"Hinihikayat ko ang NFA na bilhin ang palay ng
ating mga lokal na magsasaka sa darating na
anihan sa presyong hindi palugi, habang
hinihintay ang paparating na mga programa ng
RCEF at mabigyan ng sapat na tulong
pinansyal ang mga magsasaka," Hontiveros
said.
(I am urging the NFA to buy palay from our
local farmers in the upcoming harvest season in
a price that will not incur losses for them, while
waiting for the programs of the RCEF that will
give our farmers enough financial aid.)
Hontiveros appealed to the Department of
Agriculture to allow NFA to borrow money from
the Land Bank of the Philippines so that the
agency would be able to buy from local farmers.
The DA said they can do get the loan within 4
days so that come September, the NFA can
buy palay from locals.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed the
tariffication law earlier this year, lifting
the quantitative restrictions on rice imports.
Critics said the law goes against
the administration's early promise to be fully
rice self-sufficient.
This was the route taken after the NFA had
experienced a drop in buffer stocks, leading to
a rice crisis. – Rappler.com
In these changing times, courage and clarity
become even more important.
Take discussions to the next level with Rappler
PLUS — your platform for deeper insights,
closer collaboration, and meaningful action.
Sign up today and access exclusive content,
events, and workshops curated especially for
those who crave clarity and collaboration in an
intelligent, action-oriented community.
As a bonus, we’re also giving a free 1-year
Booky Prime membership for the next 200
subscribers.
Sign up here
You can also support Rappler without a PLUS
membership. Help us stay free and
independent by making a
donation: https://www.rappler.com/crowdfundin
g. Every contribution counts.
by Taboola
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BUSINESS
Where's P4 billion for farmers? Villar grills
DBM, DA
Senator Cynthia Villar wants the Department of
Agriculture to account for how it used the funds
that the Department of Budget and
Management released in 2018

Ralf Rivas
Published 10:15 PM, August 28, 2019
Updated 8:01 AM, August 29, 2019
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FARMERS' FUNDS. Senator Cynthia Villar

grills the Department of Budget and
Management and the Department of Agriculture
over how they implemented the rice tariffication
law. Photo by Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – A visibly irked Senator
Cynthia Villar grilled the Department of
Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) over how the agencies
handled the funds to support farmers negatively
affected by the rice tariffication law.
During a hearing on Wednesday, August 28,
Villar questioned why it is taking so long for the
DBM to release the remaining P4 billion for
farmer support.
She also questioned how the DA used up the
P4 billion the DBM released in 2018 and told
the agency to properly account for all expenses.
What does the law say? The rice tariffication
law's goal is to liberalize the rice industry to
lower domestic rice prices.
The law, which was signed by President
Rodrigo Duterte just last February, is clear that
P10 billion must be allocated each year by the
national government to the Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
The RCEF, which will be collected from higher
rice import tariffs and other sources, will be
used to support local farmers in a more
competitive market environment. The aid will
come in the form of loans, as well as farming
tools and seeds. (READ: [ANALYSIS] Will rice
tariffication live up to its promise?)
What happened to the funds? In December
2018, before the law was signed, the DBM
released P5 billion to the DA. The DBM said it
did so in anticipation of the signing of the law.
Of the P5 billion, the DA said P1 billion went to
the Land Bank of the Philippines and the
Development Bank of the Philippines for loans
to farmers. P4 billion went to the agency's rice
program, which is not part of the RCEF and has
its own budget.
Aside from that, another P1 billion went to the
DA's Agricultural Credit Policy Council, for a
total of P6 billion released.
Villar questioned how the DA used up the P4
billion for the rice program, and even asked the
agency to "return" the funds and reallocate it to
the RCEF.
"Dapat naghintay sila (DA) at hindi ginastos sa
ibang bagay (The DA should have waited and
not used up the funds for other things)," said
the senator.
RCEF or not? On top of the issue of how funds
were used, senators are also questioning
whether the released funds are even part of the
RCEF.
Senator Nancy Binay pointed out that the law
had not yet been signed at the time the funds
were released to the DA.
Budget Assistant Secretary Rolando Toledo
implied that the money could be considered
part of the RCEF.
Toledo promised Villar that the DBM will
release another P4 billion in 2019 to complete
the P10-billion allocation for the RCEF. –
Rappler.com
In these changing times, courage and clarity
become even more important.
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closer collaboration, and meaningful action.
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by Taboola
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Filed under:2020 national budgetDepartment
of AgricultureDepartment of Budget and
Managementfarmers in the PhilippinesCynthia
Villar
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hong Kong International Airport designer
builds landmark project in Makati
Foster + Partners designed The Estate Makati
with the discerning lifestyle of its future
homeowners in mind
Rappler.com
Published 1:32 PM, August 27, 2019
Updated 1:32 PM, August 27, 2019

Rappler in partnership with

[Editor's note: The Estate Makati will occupy the
last parcel of prime real estate in the famed
Apartment Ridge of Ayala Avenue. Below is a
press release by Federal Land.]
MANILA, Philippines – Foster + Partners is
known as the architectural firm behind many
iconic structures around the world. This group
led by renowned British architect Norman
Foster, well-known for his sustainable, modern,
and innovative designs, has engraved its
marque in major cities, such as London with the
Gherkin, New York with the Hearst Tower, and
Hong Kong with the busiest airport in the world,
the Hong Kong International Airport.

The Hong Kong International Airport is

considered one of the most ambitious
construction projects of modern times.
Characterized by a lightweight roof canopy,
naturally lit spaces, and seamless weather-
resilient design, this hectic airport forms a
spectacular gateway to Hong Kong, in a
location that can be unforgiving at times.
Foster + Partners was tapped by STRC, a joint
venture between Federal Land, Inc. and SMDC,
to design its first residential development in the
Philippines – The Estate Makati. The
collaboration with Foster + Partners to create
this iconic luxury residential project is quite
fitting, given that The Estate Makati will occupy
the last parcel of prime real estate in the famed
Apartment Ridge of Ayala Avenue.

Infusing the same approach with their previous

works, and keeping in mind the discerning
lifestyle of its future affluent homeowners,
Foster + Partners designed The Estate Makati
in a cruciform shape, thus allowing utmost
privacy and exclusivity. The living spaces are
arranged radially, which ensures every
apartment is a true corner unit with panoramic
180-degree views of the city.
Foster + Partners infused a unique combination
of function and form. Each unit truly stands the
test of time with its double-slab technology,
which provides a seamless space without
columns, and offers possibilities to completely
reconfigure the flat without having to disrupt the
neighbors above or below.

Furthermore, common areas of The Estate

Makati are meticulously designed using only the
finest materials. Residents will be transported to
their home in the sky from the lush driveway
and grand lobby, where guests can be
entertained in pocketed areas surrounded by
beautiful landscaping, to expansive private lifts.
Thoughtfully designed amenities, such as the
sky garden, pool, and fitness center, are made
available for residents to enjoy. A parking
facility is readily equipped with electric vehicle
charging needs.
With Foster + Partners’ fusion of technological
firsts and cutting-edge concepts in its overall
architecture and features, it is without a doubt
The Estate Makati will become an icon in fine
condo living. – Rappler.com
For more information on The Estate Makati,
visit www.theestatemakati.com, or email
contact@theestatemakati.com.
In these changing times, courage and clarity
become even more important.
Take discussions to the next level with Rappler
PLUS — your platform for deeper insights,
closer collaboration, and meaningful action.
Sign up today and access exclusive content,
events, and workshops curated especially for
those who crave clarity and collaboration in an
intelligent, action-oriented community.
As a bonus, we’re also giving a free 1-year
Booky Prime membership for the next 200
subscribers.
Sign up here
You can also support Rappler without a PLUS
membership. Help us stay free and
independent by making a
donation: https://www.rappler.com/crowdfundin
g. Every contribution counts.
SMDC and Federal Land, two of the biggest real
estate developers in the country, are
collaborating with world-renowned design firm,
Foster+Partners, to build its first project in the
Philippines located along Ayala Avenue called
The Estate Makati. The landmark structure,
which will boast new and pioneering
technologies seen in any high rise residential
development, is set to become the latest jewel
in the Makati skyline.
Visit Federal Land's website
Leave a comment
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Pangilinan: Farmers worse off after signing of

rice tariffication law
Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 13 2019 11:19 PM | Updated as
of Aug 13 2019 11:41 PM
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MANILA - The signing of the Rice Tariffication
Law has made things worse for the country’s
farmers, one of the poorest sectors, Sen. Francis
Pangilinan said Tuesday.
Pangilinan said the law, signed by President Rodrigo
Duterte in February this year to address rice supply
shortage and soaring inflation, is slowly killing the
local farming industry after imported rice flooded
the market.
“Pagkaraang ipatupad ang unrestricted rice
importation, maraming rice farmers ang
nagsusumbong sa atin sa bunga nitong pasakit,”
Pangilinan, who served as former President Benigno
Aquino III's Presidential Assistant for Food Security
and Agricultural Modernization, said in a privilege
speech.
(After the unrestricted rice importation started, many
farmers have lamented that they are suffering.)
Pangilinan said July farm-gate prices of palay
(unhusked rice) was at P17.78 per kilogram,
according to the Philippine Statistics Authority or
P14.1 in 11 provinces, according to the Department
of Agriculture.
These are between 17 percent and 34 percent lower
than 2018 prices, he noted.
He said since the country produces about 20 billion
kilograms of palay a year, farmers have lost as much
as P60 billion since last year.
“If we talk about one farmer who averages 4,000
kilos of palay per harvest, he loses 4,000 pesos for
every peso drop in palay prices in one season,”
Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said the P10 billion Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)
provided by the law is not enough.
“Rice farmers all over the country have made the
same conclusion: At this point, unrestricted rice
imports without the immediate support for the rice
farmers is killing them and the industry,” he said.
Rice millers have also opted to just buy lower-priced
imported rice instead of sourcing palay from local
farmers, he said.
This has resulted in a shortage of darak (rice bran)
which is used by poultry and hog raisers as feeds.
This threatens to push the prices of chicken and pork
products up, Pangilinan warned.
And since imported rice have flooded the market,
there is now little incentive for Filipino farmers to
continue with their work.
“Nababalewala ang pagod ng Pilipinong magsasaka.
Ang nangyayari, binubuhay natin ang mga
magsasaka ng ibang bansa na tumatanggap ng
malaking tulong sa gobyerno nila, habang
ginugutom at namamatay ang kabuhayan ng ating
mga magsasaka,” he said.
(The efforts of our farmers are put to waste. What
happens is we end up supporting farmers from other
countries while ours go hungry and without
livelihood.)
Citing PSA data, Pangilinan said retail rice prices
inched down by P1.83, lower than the envisioned
price cut of P7 to P10.
HELP FARMERS ‘NOW’
Pangilinan said time is of the essence for the
government since the wet harvest season is set to
begin next month.
“I have to press on the urgency of the situation. The
main harvest will start in September. If nothing is
done, we are told, the fear is palay prices will
plummet to 7 pesos per kilo,” he said.
“This can create social and political problems. We
are proposing solutions because criticisms are not
going to work and will not help our farmers.”
Pangilinan suggested the use of agriculture special
safeguards under Republic Act 8800 that can be
triggered by a volume or price threshold of imports.
He said an anti-dumping duty can also be imposed if
the export price of a commodity is less than its
normal value in the exporting country and is causing
or threatening to cause injury to a domestic industry.
“It is a little harder to avail of these remedies, but the
remedies are much larger and more effective that
what the special safeguard duty can offer. The
suggestion could be for the DA to start looking into
these options,” he said.
Pangilinan also recommended that farmers be given
direct cash assistance which can be sourced from the
tariff collections.
He said the provision in the rice tariffication law
allowing the sourcing of cash assistance from the
excess of the P10 billion tariff collection should be
revisited.
 He suggested that the P10 billion RCEF, which is
unprogrammed in the 2019 budget, be given directly
to rice farmers together with the other P10 billion
tariff already collected by the government, making
available a total of P20 billion for immediate cash
assistance to rice farmers.
He added the Department of Trade and Industry
must also go after price manipulators, while the
Philippine Competition Commission should
investigate rice importers for possible exploitative
acts.
The DA and the Agricultural Credit Policy Council
should also expedite the grant of interest-free loans
up to P25,000 to farmers under the Survival and
Recovery Loan (SURE) Assistance.
Lastly, he also called for the granting of emergency
employment for distressed farmers.
Pangilinan said the suffering of the country’s
farmers must end, as the Filipino people would
eventually reap the consequences of inaction over
their plight.
“We cannot have our food producers going hungry.
We cannot hope to be food secure as a nation if we
are not farmer secure as a people,” he said.
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Read More: Francis Pangilinan rice
tariffication farmers rice palay harvest