Kong-rey strengthens into super typhoon

October 30, 2024 | 8:15 pm

Super Typhoon #LeonPH (KONG-REY) — PAGASA.DOST.GOV.PH

THE STATE weather bureau on Wednesday said Kong-rey, locally named Leon, has strengthened into a super typhoon as it moved closer to Batanes province in northern Philippines.

In a bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Kong-rey would reach its peak intensity as it nears the northern province. It raised tropical wind signal No. 4 over the area.

“Leon will be closest to Batanes from late evening (Oct. 30) to tomorrow morning (Oct. 31). A landfall in Batanes is also not ruled out,” the agency added. Winds greater than 118 kilometers per hour (kph) to 184 kph was expected in areas under signal No. 4.

PAGASA also warned of a possible storm surge of more than three meters along the low-lying coastal communities of Batanes and Babuyan Islands. The agency placed the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan under signal No. 3.

Areas under signal No. 2 included the rest of Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, the northern and eastern portions of Abra, the eastern portion of Mountain Province and Ilocos Norte.

The rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, and the northeastern portion of Tarlac were placed under signal No. 1.

As of 5 p.m., Kong-rey was last seen 215 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes, moving in a northwestward direction at 20 kph. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

A gale warning was also issued over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. — Adrian H. Halili

8 in 10 millennials, Gen Zs worry about climate

October 30, 2024 | 8:15 pm

flood-quezon-city — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

EIGHT in 10 Filipino millennials, or people aged 28-43, Gen Z, or people aged 27 and younger, are heavily concerned over the changing climate, according to a recent WR Numero poll.

In a March 2024 survey, WR Numero found that 79% of millennials and 78% of Gen Zs said they were concerned over the effects of climate change, compared to 69% of Gen X and 64% of the Baby Boomers and Silent Generation.

“These figures exceed the national average, with 74% of all Filipinos expressing anxiety about climate change and its effects on their lives,” the polling firm said in a press release.

Gen X are individuals born from 1965 to 1980, while baby boomers are those born from 1946 to 1964. The silent generation are those born from 1928 to 1945.

WR Numero said 22% of baby boomers and the silent generation, and 18% of Gen X, were unsure about the negative impacts of climate change.

The findings form part of WR Numero’s Philippine Public Opinion Monitor which conducted a nationwide face-to-face survey among 1,765 Filipino adults between March 12 and 24. The firm noted no individual or entity, partisan or nonpartisan, singularly commissioned the independent survey.

Moreover, the report found that among regions, Metro Manila posted the highest level of climate anxiety, “with more than 80% expressing concern about climate change,” it said.

It was closely followed by the northern and central parts of Luzon, and the Visayas, with 74% of Filipinos in each region stating they are worried about the effects of climate change.

“South Luzon and Mindanao also show significant concern, with 72% in each region expressing anxiety about climate change,” it added.

The report noted 15% of Filipinos in South Luzon were not concerned about the effects of climate change, followed by Visayas and Mindanao at 13% and 12%, respectively.

The Philippines is still reeling from the impacts of Severe Tropical Storm Trami, locally known as Kristine, which submerged parts of Bicol region in floodwaters. Greenpeace Philippines described Trami as the third “highly devastating” weather event to hit the country this year.

Trami placed at least 206 cities and municipalities in the country under a state of calamity, according to an 8 a.m. report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday.

There were 145 reported deaths, 14 of which were already validated, it said. Thirty-seven people were reportedly missing, it added. It said 115 reported injuries, 10 of which were confirmed.

Damaged houses hit 111,117, over 6,000 of which were totally destroyed, NDRRMC said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Drug war may have increased crimes

October 30, 2024 | 8:15 pm

Rodrigo Duterte — FORMER President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Monday told a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing his anti-illegal drug campaign was meant to “protect the country and the Filipino people.” — PHILIPPINE STAR/JESSE BUSTOS

EX-PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte’s hardline anti-drug campaign led to a rise in crimes during his administration, a congressman said on Wednesday, attributing the increase to revenge killings.

“An action has a corresponding reaction. When you kill a drug suspect, and if an innocent family member or civilian gets caught in it, then more often than not, someone from the bereaved family will seek revenge,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers, who heads the House of Representatives dangerous drugs committee, said in a statement in Filipino.

Mr. Duterte’s campaign against the illegal drug trade left thousands dead, prompting an investigation by the International Criminal Court.

The Philippine government estimated that 6,252 died under the campaign, according to a Facebook infographic report published on June 21, 2022, by RealNumbersPH, which is operated by the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs. Human rights groups say the death toll could be as high as 30,000.

In the same statement, Sta. Rosa City Rep. Danilo Ramon “Dan” S. Fernandez said the Marcos administration’s efforts to curb illegal drugs will likely not elicit “a desire for revenge.”

“It focuses on apprehending suspects and rehabilitating them, instead of ‘neutralizing’ them,” Mr. Fernandez, who heads the House public order and safety panel, said.

Index crimes in the Philippines from July 1, 2022 to July 28, 2024 dropped to 83,059 from 217,830 in the same period during the first two years of Mr. Duterte’s term, he added, citing a report from the Philippine National Police. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Meralco prepares for Nov. 1

October 30, 2024 | 8:14 pm

Meralco-linemen — Linemen of Manila Electric Co. fix electric posts in Tondo, Manila in this file photo. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

POWER DISTRIBUTOR Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said on Wednesday that it is ready to respond to any possible electricity service concern all throughout the observance of “Undas.”

Meralco’s business centers will be closed from Nov. 1 to 2, according to Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco’s vice-president and head of corporate communications.

However, Meralco assured that its crews and personnel will be on standby 24/7 for any troubles and concerns related to its facilities.

The power distributor reminded the public to practice electrical safety measures as many are expected to go to cemeteries.

Meanwhile, Meralco, which serves Metro Manila and nearby provinces, said it continues to monitor Super Typhoon Kong-rey (Local name: Leon) following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Trami (Local name: Kristine).

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

P178-M smuggled mackerel seized

October 30, 2024 | 8:13 pm

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Wednesday said that around P178.5 million worth frozen mackerel without import clearance has been intercepted recently.

Last Oct. 30, the BoC and the Agriculture department intercepted at the Manila port a total of 21 forty-foot containers of undeclared frozen mackerel shipped from China.

The containers were not covered by the required Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the BoC said in a statement.

“BFAR’s fisheries certification section confirmed no records of an application for mackerel from the consignee covering the period Aug. 30 and Sept. 16.”

“Furthermore, any such applications would have been rejected pursuant to DA (Department of Agriculture) Memorandum Order No. 14, series of 2024, which suspends the issuance of SPSIC for the importation of round scad, mackerel, and bonito.”

Agricultural goods without an import clearance pose a serious risk to the domestic agriculture and fisheries sector as well as consumers, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio said.

“The absence of the necessary SPSIC poses a serious risk to our local agriculture and fisheries, as well as the health and safety of consumers,” he said. “It is imperative that all imported agricultural products adhere to established safety and quality standards.”

The Manila International Container Port, the port where the goods were confiscated, will issue Warrants of Seizure and Detention against the subject shipments for violating Customs laws.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury revenues from the BoC fell by 3.31% to P76.3 billion year on year in September due to a double-digit decline in import duties and the increase in smuggling activities. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Davao City inks 3^rd sister city MoU

October 30, 2024 | 8:13 pm

DavaoCity-landscape-BW-FILE-LSDAVAOJR — BW FILE PHOTO

DAVAO CITY — Davao City and Hamamatsu City strengthened their bond through a sister city agreement on Tuesday in Davao City.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Z. Duterte and Hamamatsu City Mayor Yusuke Nakano signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a sister city partnership, which will focus on education, academia, investments, and manufacturing.

“In this era of globalization, forging strong bonds and economic ties across international borders have become essential for a locality to harness opportunities for exponential growth and progress. As such we are truly honored to have been offered the opportunity to forge a collaborative relationship and establish a mutually beneficial cooperation with Hamamatsu,”Mr. Duterte said in his message.

Mr. Duterte said with its intent to foster an exchange of information in key focus areas, the city government of Davao expects the MoU to open opportunities for both governmental collaboration and people-to-people linkages.

The proposal for the Sister City Agreement was approved during the 2^nd Davao City Council on International Relations Board (DCIRB) Meeting on July 3. This agreement marked a significant step in strengthening the bond between Davao and Hamamatsu cities.

In the same event, the Yamaha Music Philippines, Inc. (YMPH), a sales subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation and a Japanese musical instruments and audio equipment manufacturer, also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) during the event. This is in line with its aim to improve the quality of music education in the field of Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health subjects among elementary schools in Davao City.

YMPH is introducing its “School Project,” which aims to popularize activities using music and musical instruments in public education to provide more children with opportunities to play such instruments.

“With this partnership, we hope for both Dabawenyos and the residents of Hamamatsu to learn from one another, pursue both business and academic engagements, and boost the already strong relations between Dabawenyos and the Japanese. You can be assured of the commitment and support of the city government of Davao to this partnership for the mutual benefit of our two cities,” Mr. Duterte said.

Hamamatsu City is Davao City’s third sister city in Japan. Kitakyushu City was the first sister city and has worked together with Davao City especially in the field of environment after introducing to the country the first waste-to-energy plant in Davao City. Sennan City is the second Japanese sister city and has been very active in people-to-people exchanges including online cultural interaction between students and promoting economic relations. — Maya M. Padillo

Ombudsman dismisses raps vs ex-Abra town mayor, officials

October 30, 2024 | 8:12 pm

Ombusdman — OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN PHILIPPINES FACEBOOK PAGE

BAGUIO CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed raps against former Bucloc town Mayor Glybel B. Cardenas and two other town executives.

The anti-graft body found the evidence to indict the former mayor and then Municipal Engineer and Treasurer-designate Aris B. Balsita and then Municipal Accountant Mariano de Guzman Bragas III for Failure of Accountable Officer to Render Accounts and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service, Grave Misconduct, and Gross Neglect of Duty to be insufficient.

The complaint was filed by the Commission on Audit (CoA) based on the agency’s Sworn Narrative Report in April 2022, that pertained to financial statements, monthly check disbursement journals and general journals among others covering years 2019-2020.

The CoA claimed that the respondents did not comply with the obligations of submitting necessary justifications on the municipality’s operational expenditures. It also sued the former mayor liable for failure of ensuring that her subordinates comply with the rules, laws, and regulations.

In appreciating former Mayor Cardenas and the two former town executives, the Ombudsman found no probable cause to indict the trio.

The anti-graft body also found no substantial evidence that Ms. Cardenas and the two other town executives committed Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service, Grave Misconduct and Gross Neglect of Duty. — Artemio A. Dumlao

BARMM execs pledge support for Japan, UN women health program

October 30, 2024 | 8:12 pm

COTABATO CITY — Regional officials were elated with the new program of two foreign benefactors, the Japanese government and the United Nations Population Fund, on health services for victims of gender-based violence in the Bangsamoro region.

The Japanese government and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will be providing about $5 million, or 742 million Japanese yen, for the three-year Babaeng Bangsamoro Program.

Two senior Bangsamoro officials, Health Minister Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr. and Social Welfare Minister Raissa H. Jajurie attended the conference, both of whom assured support for the program.

Mr. Sinolinding, who is also a member of the 80-seat parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Regional Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim separately told reporters on Wednesday that they are grateful to the Japanese government and the UNFPA for embarking on the program.

“We are grateful to the Japanese government and agencies of the United Nations that have humanitarian projects in the Bangsamoro region,” Mr. Sinolinding said. — John Felix M. Unson

Yankees aren’t done yet

October 30, 2024 | 7:22 pm

Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees force Game 5

NEW YORK — Anthony Volpe hit a go ahead grand slam in the third inning and the New York Yankees avoided a World Series sweep by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11-4, in Game 4 on Tuesday.

Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 but was unable to complete the 22^nd sweep in World Series history. The Dodgers will attempt to secure their second title in five years and eighth in franchise history on Wednesday when Jack Flaherty opposes Gerrit Cole in a rematch of Game 1.

The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the third against Daniel Hudson (0-1) when Aaron Judge was hit by a pitch, Jazz Chisholm, Jr. singled and Giancarlo Stanton walked. After Hudson retired Anthony Rizzo on a popup, Volpe drove a first-pitch slider a few rows back in the left-center-field seats for a 5-2 lead.

As Volpe rounded the bases, teammates pounded on the dugout rail and FOX cameras showed Juan Soto hugging Jose Trevino. After crossing the plate, Volpe was greeted with high-fives.

Volpe entered the at-bat 1-for-12 in the series, though he had scored New York’s first run on Alex Verdugo’s groundout in the second after drawing a walk. Volpe also swiped second as part of a double steal in the eighth and scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Verdugo.

Before Volpe’s slam, Los Angeles’ Freddie Freeman set a pair of records by hitting a two-run homer off rookie Luis Gil in the first inning.

After a double by Mookie Betts, Freeman lined a 2-1 slider into the right field seats, becoming the first player to hit home runs in the first four games of a World Series and the first to homer in six straight World Series games overall.

Freeman wound up driving in three runs, as he beat out a double-play grounder in the fifth to get the Dodgers within 5-4. Will Smith homered earlier in the inning off Gil.

Austin Wells homered in the sixth for the Yankees, who haven’t been swept in the Fall Classic since 1976 against the Cincinnati Reds. Gleyber Torres hit a three-run drive in the eighth.

Judge added an RBI single two batters after Torres homered.

Gil allowed four runs on five hits in four-plus innings. He was lifted after walking Tommy Edman, and Tim Hill gave up Freeman’s third RBI. New York’s Clay Holmes (3-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Mark Leiter, Jr. got the first two outs of the seventh.

After Leiter fanned Shohei Ohtani on a splitter, Luke Weaver got the next four outs before Tim Mayza finished up with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Los Angeles used a bullpen game for the fourth time in the postseason and fell to 2-2 when doing so. Ben Casparius allowed a run in two innings before Hudson served up Volpe’s grand slam. — Reuters

GM Gomez rules National Open Chess Championship

October 30, 2024 | 7:21 pm

FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez never really lost hope that he will once again ascend to the summit as the Philippines best of the best.

On Tuesday, the 38-year-old Olympiad veteran completed his climb back to dominance after he ruled the Philippine National Open Chess Championship in Alicia, Isabela.

Mr. Gomez split the point with International Master (IM) Joel Banawa, a local bet, in 21 moves of a Caro-kann encounter and finished with 8.5 points that sealed him a Southeast Asian Games berth next year in Thailand.

It was made sweeter by the champion’s purse he pocketed worth P120,000 courtesy of host Alicia Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro.

It also ended what had been a long and winding trek back to the top after last winning this same event 11 years ago.

Overall, Mr. Gomez has now three crowns including that breakthrough victory in 2008 that started what had been an illustrious career that saw him make the Olympiad squad seven times.

Paulo Bersamina, who flattened Alexis Emil Maribao in 42 moves of a Sicilian, and Daniel Quizon, who edged IM Jem Garcia in a marathon 74-move win of a King’s Indian, ended up tied for No. 2 with eight points each.

But Mr. Bersamina claimed second via the win-over-the-other rule since he pulled the rug from under Mr. Quizon in the opening round.

They bagged P75,000 each.

FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo decimated Vince Angelo Medina in 30 moves of a Queen’s Pawn duel to settle for solo No. 4 with 7.5 points and the prize worth P40,000.

Mr. Garcia slid down to fifth with seven points and consoled himself with a P20,000 prize. — Joey Villar

Abraham Tolentino and Chito Loyzaga bare PHL Olympic Committee chief bid

October 30, 2024 | 7:20 pm

IT WILL BE cycling’s Abraham Tolentino and baseball’s Chito Loyzaga for the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presidency in elections set late next month.

The showdown was arranged after Mr. Loyzaga, a former Philippine Basketball Association star and board member of the Philippine Sports Commission announced his candidacy as well as his slate.

“As the sports community continues to grow and evolve, the need for a cohesive and forward-thinking POC has never been more crucial,” said Philippine Amateur Baseball Association president in a statement.

“Our goal is to build an organization that empowers our athletes, supports our coaches, and collaborates openly with stakeholders to achieve excellence.”

It came a day after Mr. Tolentino, the PhilCycling chief, bared his own bid for a fresh four-year mandate.

Mr. Tolentino, for his part, stated “it’s about teamwork, it’s about setting and achieving goals, it’s about cooperation.”

Intriguingly, both election combatants have basketball’s Al Panlilio and surfing’s Dr. Raul Canlas in their rosters as candidates for first vice-president and treasurer, respectively.

The rest of Mr. Loyzaga’s line up will have squash’s Robert Bachmann as second VP, weightlifting’s Rod Roque as auditor and archery’s Peter Miguel, netball’s Charlie Ho, Kurash’s Rommel Miranda, gymnastics’ Derek Ramsay and equestrian’s Steven Virata as board members.

Running under Mr. Tolentino’s party are modern pentathlon’s Richard Gomez as second VP, volleyball’s Don Caringal as auditor and judo’s Ali Sulit, jiu-jitsu’s Ferdi Agustin, canoe-kayak’s Len Escollante, wrestling’s Alvin Aguilar and fencing’s Leah Jalandoni Gonzales as board members.

Mr. Loyzaga will have a campaign slogan of “Together for Excellence: A Peaceful, Inclusive, and Transparent POC for All” that reflects his dedication to building a POC that values every perspective and upholds the highest standards of leadership and governance.

“I am committed to fostering an atmosphere where inclusivity and unity guide our path forward,” he said. “I believe that a united and transparent POC will best serve our athletes, coaches, sports officials, and the entire Philippine sports community.”

Under Mr. Tolentino’s tenure, the country won a historic three gold medals — the first by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the 2021 Tokyo Games and the other two by gymnast Carlos Yulo in the Paris Games last August.

Curiously, the Samahang Weighlifting ng Pilipinas and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines will have officials running under Mr. Loyzaga’s banner. — Joey Villar

EAC defeats Letran to gain solo fourth in NCAA 100

October 30, 2024 | 7:20 pm

EMILIO Aguinaldo College (EAC) continued to close in on a dream Final Four appearance as it pulled the rug from under Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 68-58, on Wednesday in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Harvey Pagsanjan and their shackling defense proved to be decisive factors for the Generals, who jumped to solo fourth from fifth by nailing their seventh victory against the same number of defeats.

Mr. Pagsanjan paced his team with 13 points and five assists while the Generals limiting Jimboy Estrada to just 10 points after he normed 18 entering the game while holding the Knights eight points below their per-game average.

If EAC could sustain its impressive run, it will have a clean shot at claiming its breakthrough Final Four stint since joining the league a decade and a half ago.

It would have to sweep or win most of their last four games versus San Beda University, Arellano University, Lyceum of the Philippines University and Jose Rizal University for the school to have a legitimate shot of making the semis.

The Generals made their move in the third quarter as Mr. Pagsanjan sparked their run with six points in transforming a slim 33-29 halftime lead to a 54-45 advantage at the end of the third period.

Then EAC unleashed the knockout punch and built its biggest lead of the game at 62-57 and never looked back from there. — Joey Villar