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Esports: Brit teener Brendon Leigh retains Formula One title as Mercedes celebrate a virtual double

LONDON — British teenager Brendon Leigh won the Formula One Esports championship for the second year in a row on Saturday as Mercedes added a virtual double to the five successive constructors’ and drivers’ titles won on the real racetrack.
“The first year was special, this is sensational,” declared the 19-year-old former kitchen porter who secured the crown with a race to spare at London’s Gfinity arena.
Mercedes won eight of the 10 virtual races to clinch the inaugural team title in a championship involving all the sport’s actual outfits with the exception of Ferrari, who have stayed away.
Leigh won six races and his Hungarian team mate Daniel Bereznay two, including the final one on the virtual Abu Dhabi layout that offered double points and went double the distance.
The Briton ended up with 216 points, with Bereznay runner-up on 166, according to provisional results. Mercedes scored 382, with Toro Rosso second on 210 and Sauber third on 119.
Mercedes clinched a fifth successive Formula One title double in Brazil last weekend, adding the constructors’ crown to the drivers’ won by now five-times world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Leigh won the inaugural esports championship in Abu Dhabi last year, a success that led to him shedding more than 20kg as he transformed from a chubby teen to a lean, professional gamer.
He suggested that work in the gym, with a Formula One trainer, had made all the difference in a virtual world where, unlike the real one, the drivers start with a level playing field.
Leigh was also helped by Toro Rosso rival Frederik Rasmussen, an early race winner who sat out two races on Friday because he felt his team mates would have a better shot at the constructors’ title. — Reuters

Filipino stars look to defend home turf at ONE: Conquest of Champions

SET to banner ONE Championship’s “Conquest of Champions” later this week here in Manila, reigning world heavyweight champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera and former lightweight champ Eduard “Landslide” Folayang are looking to defend home turf and give hometown fans much to celebrate about.
The main and co-main features of ONE Championship’s latest offering in the Philippines set to happen at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Nov. 23, Mr. Vera tries to defend his title against Italian challenger Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli while Mr. Folayang attempts to reclaim the lightweight gold against Singaporean Amir Khan.
The two Filipino mixed martial arts stars said they are looking forward to returning to ONE action and are bent on emerging on top in front of local fans.
Mr. Vera (15-7) is making his ONE return after nearly two years of cage inactivity.
He last fought in December 2016 here where he successfully defended his belt against Japanese Hideki Sekine who he finished in the first round by way of technical knockout.
The Cerilli fight is the second title defense for the Filipino-American champion since he won the heavyweight title in December 2015 versus Paul Cheng of Chinese-Taipei.
While he has been out for an extensive period of time, Mr. Vera, who traces his Filipino roots to Quezon Province, underscores that it does not mean he is inactive in training.
“I’ve been away for a while, almost two years, but don’t think for a second that I haven’t been training and keeping sharp. I’m stronger, faster, smarter, and better now than ever before. My team has made sure that I will be at my best by the time I step back into the ONE Cage,” Mr. Vera said during the open workout for Conquest of Champions on Nov. 16 at Victoria Sports in Quezon City.
“This is home for me. I really missed this and I am excited to perform in front of you all … The belt is going to stay in the Philippines,” Mr. Vera added.
RETURN TO THE TOP
On the part of Mr. Folayang (20-6), a win over Mr. Khan will mark a successful comeback from his loss a little over a year ago at the hands of erstwhile two-division champion Martin Nguyen that saw him lose his lightweight title.
Since his loss to Mr. Nguyen, Team Lakay stalwart Folayang has won back-to-back fights in convincing fashion, defeating Russians Kharun Atlangeriev and Aziz Pahrudinov in that order.
He said he is very fortunate to be given another shot at making it back to the top and is looking to make full use of it.
“I am so happy for the opportunity to once again be fighting for the world title. As always, I feel motivated and encouraged to do my best. I want to prove to the world that I am not done yet in this sport, and that I can still be world champion,” Mr. Folayang said also at the open workout last week.
“Losing the title for the first time, it was a very painful feeling. But in defeat, I have discovered my weaknesses and made efforts to improve certain parts of my game. Now I am ready to showcase my championship form once again,” he added.
Seeing action as well at Conquest of Champions are lightweight Honorio Banario, strawweight Jeremy Miado and flyweight Rockie Bactol.
Meanwhile, Swede Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam is the new ONE world welterweight champion after defeating American Jeremy Tyler by knockout in the fifth round of their title clash at “ONE: Warrior’s Dream” in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Nov. 17. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Wilander criticizes Davis Cup revamp as ‘last’ final looms

LONDON — The Davis Cup must not try to compete with the soon-to-be-launched ATP Cup and revert to its traditional home and away format, according to Swedish great Mats Wilander.
In a controversial move the International Tennis Federation (ITF) this year voted to revamp the 118-year-old team event which is known for its partisan, soccer-like crowds.
Instead of a year-long draw in which ties are played on the home soil of one of the nations involved, including the final, a week-long 18-nation event, backed to the tune of $3 billion by investment group Kosmos, will kick off in Madrid next November.
This weekend’s Davis Cup final in Lille’s Stade Pierre Mauroy, where hosts and defending champions France take on Croatia, will be the last of its kind.
Wilander says the ITF should think again.
“I think the Davis Cup is in the middle of reorganizing but they are not really knowing exactly what they need to do to get it back on track,” Wilander, who won three finals with Sweden, told Reuters in an interview at the ATP Finals in London. — Reuters

Zverev stuns Federer to reach ATP Finals title match

LONDON — Roger Federer will end the year tantalisingly short of his 100th career title after the king of men’s tennis was forced to bow to young prince Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals on Saturday.
The 37-year-old Federer, whose 99 titles are second only to the 109 of Jimmy Connors, began the day’s first semi-final as favorite but it was German Zverev who revelled in the big match atmosphere at a packed O2 Arena to win 7-5 7-6(5).
On Sunday, the 21-year-old will chase the biggest title of his fledgling career when he takes on either world number one Novak Djokovic or South Africa’s Kevin Anderson.
Zverev is the first German to reach the final of the season-ender since Boris Becker lost to Pete Sampras in 1996.
Saturday’s clash between the Swiss winner of 20 Grand Slam titles and the tousle-haired youngster tipped to lead the sport into a brave new era once the holy trinity of Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal depart the stage, did not disappoint.
After 11 games without so much as a break point it was Federer who surprisingly blinked first. Zverev curled a superb running forehand pass down the line to get to 0-30 on the Federer serve and was then gifted two points and the set as the second seed’s forehand malfunctioned.
Federer was not about to be ushered off one of his favorite stages without a fight though and a rapier-like backhand pass gave him the early break in the second set, only for Zverev to hit back immediately to cancel out the advantage.
The German, winner of more matches than any other player on Tour this year, had his opponent in trouble when Federer served at 3-4 but the Swiss reeled off four points to stay on level terms in the set.
Chants of “Let’s Go Roger, Let’s Go” reverberated around the darkened arena as the second-set tiebreak began and there were boos as Zverev stopped a rally when trailing 3-4 because a ballboy had dropped a ball. — Reuters

NBA: Jimmy Butler’s buzzer-beating trey winner dwarfs Charlotte Kemba Walker’s 60 points

LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Butler hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in overtime Saturday night, allowing the Philadelphia 76ers to overcome a 60-point explosion by Kemba Walker for a 122-119 victory over the host Charlotte Hornets.
The point total was a career-high for Walker, a Hornets franchise record and the first of 60 or more in the NBA since James Harden dropped 60 on Orlando last January.
After rallying from a late 10-point deficit in regulation, the Hornets found themselves down 119-114 with 1:14 left in overtime before Walker hit a jump shot and Jeremy Lamb converted a three-point play for a tie with 34.7 seconds to go.
Willy Hernangomez then stole a Ben Simmons pass, but Butler blocked a Walker jumper, setting up his own offensive heroics.
MAVERICKS 112, WARRIORS 109
Rookie Luka Doncic hit the go-ahead hook shot with 70 seconds left, and host Dallas halted a 10-game losing streak to Golden State with a dramatic victory.
Doncic scored 24 points and helped the Mavericks win their fourth straight when he gave Dallas a 109-108 lead. Dallas then got stops as Kevin Durant missed a hook shot on the next possession and a fadeaway with 23.8 seconds left, and Klay Thompson missed a baseline jumper with 10.6 seconds left.
Durant led all scorers with 32 points on 11-of-22 shooting but faltered in the fourth quarter. He was one-of-seven in the final 12 minutes as the Warriors lost for the third time in four games and also dropped consecutive games for the 11th time under coach Steve Kerr.
PELICANS 125, NUGGETS 115
Anthony Davis had his second consecutive 40-point game as host New Orleans held off Denver.
Davis, who had 43 points one night earlier, led five Pelicans in double figures as the team won for the fifth time in its last six games. Julius Randle came off the bench to score 21 points and grab 10 rebounds, Nikola Mirotic had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Jrue Holiday overcame foul trouble to score 19 points and E’Twaun Moore added 13.
Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Nuggets, who lost for the fifth time in their last six games. Gary Harris scored 24, Juan Hernangomez had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Monte Morris came off the bench to add 13 and Jamal Murray scored 11.
MAGIC 130, LAKERS 117
A big second quarter helped host Orlando snap Los Angeles’ four-game win streak.
Orlando made six 3-0 pointers in the second quarter and outscored the Lakers 37-22 in the period. The Magic turned what was a six-point deficit into a 62-53 halftime lead.
Nikola Vucevic and D.J. Augustin both scored season-highs for the Magic. Vucevic had 36 points and 13 rebounds, and Augustin added 22 points. LeBron James did not play for the Lakers in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
JAZZ 98, CELTICS 86
Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points to power visiting Utah past Boston.
Mitchell also tallied six assists one night after he took some criticism for tallying zero assists against Philadelphia. The second-year guard had scored 31 points while taking 35 shots against the 76ers. Ricky Rubio added 20 points while Rudy Gobert chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds for the Jazz.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and collected eight rebounds to lead the Celtics. Boston shot just 38.5 percent from the field against the Jazz, including 5-of-33 from 3-point range.
ROCKETS 132, KINGS 112
James Harden and Chris Paul combined for 58 points and 17 assists while Clint Capela recorded a double-double as host Houston continued its torrid play with a rout of Sacramento.
Harden finished with 34 points and eight assists, while Paul made 6 of 8 from 3-point range and had 24 points and nine assists as the Rockets won their fourth straight and their seventh in their last nine games. Capela posted 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting, plus 16 rebounds.
Kings guard and Houston native De’Aaron Fox scored 19 points, while his backcourt mate Buddy Hield had 23 points and seven rebounds. Sacramento has dropped five of seven games following its surprising 6-3 start to the season.
RAPTORS 122, BULLS 83
Fred VanVleet scored 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting in his first career start in 126 NBA games, and Toronto posted its largest road win in franchise history with a rout of Chicago.
Danny Green finished with 17 points and made all seven of his shots. Serge Ibaka (16 points), Pascal Siakam (12) and Lorenzo Brown (10) also scored in double digits for the Raptors, whose 39-point margin of victory fell five points shy of their all-time high.
Antonio Blakeney led the Bulls with 13 points off the bench. Jabari Parker and Justin Holiday contributed 12 points apiece for Chicago, which dropped its fourth game in a row.
THUNDER 110, SUNS 100
Paul George and Steven Adams combined for 13 points in a 17-4 flurry to open the second half as Oklahoma City pulled away for a win at Phoenix.
George logged a 32-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Adams went for 26 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Thunder beat the Suns for the third time this season.
TJ Warren had a team-high 23 points for the Suns, who have lost five of their last six.
CLIPPERS 127, NETS 119
Danilo Gallinari scored a season-high 28 points, and Tobias Harris added 27 as Los Angeles overcame a 15-point deficit for a win at Brooklyn.
The Clippers did not get their first lead until Lou Williams hit three free throws with 8:21 left to make it 102-101. After five ties, Montrezl Harrell snapped a 110-110 deadlock by driving to the rim for an emphatic slam.
The Clippers won their fourth straight. Jarrett Allen scored a career-high 24 points, but the Nets lost for the fourth time in five games.
PACERS 97, HAWKS 89
Bojan Bogdanovic picked up the slack after an injury to Victor Oladipo, scoring 22 points to lead Indiana past visiting Atlanta.
The Pacers played most of the game without Oladipo, who left after only four minutes with a sore right knee. Oladipo, who had seen his streak of 20-point games end at 13 in his last start, scored only two points before departing.
It was the seventh straight loss for the Hawks. Atlanta was led by Jeremy Lin with 16 points and Kent Bazemore with 13. — Reuters

Bad timing

There’s only one reason Carmelo Anthony doesn’t have a team right now. It’s timing. He’s bad at it, and, sometimes, he has only himself to blame. After all, his talent isn’t a question; for all his deficiencies, he remains a gifted scorer who figures to be an asset in the midst of the National Basketball Association’s historic offensive explosion. Unfortunately, he has failed to read his options well, with his judgments clouded as much by competitiveness as by pride.
Take Anthony’s situation with the Thunder last season. Armed with experience backstopped by his status as a 10-time All-Star, he didn’t just refuse overtures for him to come off the bench. He laughed them off in a “Who? Me? No way!” stance that highlighted his stubborn streak, not to mention inability to grasp realities with requisite promptness. The result: a one-and-done playoff stint that thereafter compelled him to pack his bags. Certainly, it didn’t help his cause any that defensive stalwart Andre Robertson got injured midway through the 2017-18 campaign and shone the spotlight on his one-dimensional character.
To be fair, Anthony learned his lesson and looked for new digs with an open mind — or, rather, a half-open mind. With his blessing, the Thunder traded him to the Hawks, for whom he could have played meaningful minutes on the court and served as mentor off it. Instead, he asked for, and got, a buyout, intent on signing with a contender. He then latched on to the Rockets, on board with a sixth-man role and confident of his capacity to contribute to a cause that came within two quarters of making the Finals last season. Never mind that everybody not named Daryl Morey or Chris Paul knew it would be a monumentally bad fit.
That Anthony lasted just 10 games with the Rockets despite his complete surrender to any and all plans they had for him speaks volumes of the degree to which the partnership was doomed from the outset. The James Harden- and Paul-heavy system turned him into a glorified — and not necessarily best — catch-and-shoot option. Meanwhile, the opposition continually targeted him with switches and exposed his incapacity to provide a modicum of cover. And even as early losses were due more to injuries to vital cogs, the writing on the wall was clear for all and sundry to see. Championship aspirations are not fulfilled by employing extremely obvious sieves.
And so Anthony is now scrambling to get hired by a team — any team, really, at this point — in order to prove, if nothing else, that he still has the game to claim one of 450 available spots in the league. Again, though, the timing is off. Given practical and logistical hurdles, he’s not likely to be given a roster spot until after the trade deadline next year. And it’s telling that the Warriors, who have an opening and who can actually parlay his skills to advantage in light of their playing style, have already said no to him.
At this point, it’s anybody’s guess where Anthony ends up, and how. Not a few quarters have advised him to hang up his jersey, especially with everything going downhill from here on. With tempered expectations, though, who knows? He may yet carve a second career as a important veteran presence a la Vince Carter. The future is unwritten, and the way it ends up depends on whether what he wants dovetails with what he’s willing to accept.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

From the Front Page: FDI down, interest rates raised anew

Analysts opened the week split on whether or not the central bank would further raise interest rates to arrest the momentum of soaring inflation. While recent policy tightening has proved effective so far, a pause could “afford the economy some space to regain its breath and sustain above-6 percent growth into the medium term.”
The monetary board ultimately opted to raise policy rates by 25 basis points (a cumulative 175 basis points this year). The key policy rate is now at 4.75 percent, the highest since March 2009. BSP Deputy Governor Ma. Almasara Cyd N. Tuaño-Amador said this was a proactive move by the central bank to temper inflation risks amid tighter global financial conditions.
Net foreign direct investments (FDI) slipped to $752 million in August, the smallest inflow recorded since March’s $697 million. FDIs infuse capital into the economy, supporting business expansion, generating more jobs and buoying consumer spending. Analysts, however, believe this slide to be temporary, with the BSP asserting that data shows “continued favorable investor sentiment in the Philippine economy.”
Malacañang approved the proposed suspension of next January’s fuel excise tax hike in the wake of Dubai’s crude price levels hitting $80/bbl on Sept. 26. The Finance department has estimated that the tax hike suspension will cost the government P41 billion in forgone revenues, while the central bank expects it could shave 0.2 percentage point off full-year inflation.
The nation is one step closer to breaking up its telco duopoly, as the selection committee for the third major telecommunications service provider denied the motions for reconsideration of the two groups disqualified from last week’s auction. This leaves Mislatel, formed by China Telecommunications Corp., Dennis A. Uy’s Udenna Corp. and its subsidiary, the likely winner.

Environment dep’t affirms, eases miners’ sanctions

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has affirmed its decision to close two mining projects and reject the application for a permit of another that are among the 13 that appealed to DENR sanctions announced in February last year.
While most of the others had faced permit cancellation, they now face suspension.
“The cancellation of Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA) of Claver Mineral Development Corp. and Oriental Synergy Mining Corp. was affirmed,” according to the DENR statement, referring to a Nov. 12 resolution issued by Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, adding that “the denial of the MPSA of Ore Asia Mining and Development Corp. was also affirmed.”
Except for Berong Nickel Corp. whose suspension order was lifted but subject to corrective measures, the remaining nine miners were disallowed from transporting their ores until they fully rehabilitate their mines. These are: Zambales Diversified Metals Corp.; Krominco, Inc.; Mt. Sinai Exploration and Development Corp.; Libjo Mining Corp.; Wellex Mining Corp. mines 1 and 2; Carrascal Nickel Corp.; AAMPHIL Natural Resources Exploration and Development Corp.; Strong Built Mining Development Corp. and Emir Mineral Resources Corp.
“On top of the payment of fines and penalties, these companies were directed to undertake corrective measures within a timetable,” DENR said in its statement.
“Failure to implement these measures will result in reinstatement of the cancellation order previously issued to these companies,” it added.
“The resolutions directed immediate and complete payment of all fines and penalties for the violations committed by these companies. DENR also ordered that no transport of ore shall be allowed until full rehabilitation is undertaking undertaken by these mining companies.”
The miners concerned may still appeal to the Office of the President.
“The earlier they can have an action plan and implement it, the earlier we can monitor them to see if the suspension will be lifted,” DENR spokesman Jonas R. Leones said in a phone interview on Friday.
The review since last year of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) covered 19 nickel mines, three gold and copper mines, three chromite mines and two magnetite/iron mines. That review assessed their performance according to legal, technical, environmental, social and economic parameters. The MICC drew up a score card to determine the acceptability of these mines. Scores range from 0 to 3, with 1.5 as the passing threshold per parameter.
Four mines scored below 1.5 in the legal field, four in technical, eight in environmental, 12 in social and only two in the economic parameter.
“The report generally showed that, for the majority of mining companies, improvements in technical and environmental management practices need to continue and scale up,” according to DENR’s press release.
“It should be noted that the report also acknowledged that there had been efforts by at least half of the companies to rectify and correct inappropriate practices.” — Janina C. Lim

October sees smaller hot money net outflow

FOREIGN PORTFOLIO investments continued to leave the Philippines in October, although the net outflow that month was far less than a year ago and in September, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Friday.
In a statement, the central bank said that these investments — called hot money for the ease by which they enter and leave markets –resulted in $67.84-million net outflows in October, 87.96% less than the $563.42-million net outflows in the same month last year.
October marked the second consecutive month of net outflows.
October’s net outflow was also 84.59% less than September’s $440.3 million.
“The deficit may be attributed to investors’ reaction to the country’s September inflation data coupled with the continuing trade tensions between the US and China,” the BSP said.
Prices of widely used goods that month climbed by a nine-year-high 6.7% in September, a pace sustained in October.
Gross investment inflows declined 30.97% to $952.60 million in October from $1.38 billion in the same month in 2017. But they were up 28.16% from September’s $743.31 million.
Outflows totalled some $1.02 billion in October, 47.69% lower from $1.95 billion in October 2017 and 13.56% less than September’s $1.18 million.
“The US continued to be the main destination of outflows, receiving 77.7% of total remittances,” the BSP said.
Top hot money sources for the month were the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Norway, and Luxembourg, accounting for 82.4% of the total pie, the BSP said.
About 68.8% of investments that month went to securities listed on the stock exchange — particularly to holding firms, food, beverage and tobacco firms, banks, property companies, and telecommunication companies — logging net outflows of $301 million.
The remaining 31.2% went to government securities and peso time deposits, which posted net inflows of $233 million and less than $1 million, respectively.
There were also net outflows from other peso debt instruments of less than $1 million.
“Year-to-date transactions (1 Jan to 2 November 2018) yielded net inflows of $94 million compared to the $812-million net outflows for the same period last year (2 January to 3 November 2017), which is attributed to a large investment in a holding company registered this year,” the BSP said.
The central bank expects hot money to record a $900-million net outflow by yearend. — E. J. C. Tubayan

NEDA official downplays inflation impact of election spending

INFLATIONARY PRESSURES from election-related spending in 2019 will likely be muted, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
“It’s what we would call some sort of just a mid-term elections so we don’t see much by way of spending kasi hindi naman siya (because they are not) national elections,” NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said in an interview on the sidelines of a forum organized by the Center for Philippines Futuristics Studies and Management Inc. in Makati on Friday when asked how inflation would move amid election-related spending in 2019.
“Historically, not so much (inflationary impact). In fact, the uptick is also spread across three quarters,” she added.
Ms. Edillon said that campaigning spending does not have a broad-based impact on prices, explaining: “Kasi nakikita naman namin ‘yung uptick only in certain industries like paper, printing, and transport.”
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas now expects inflation to settle at 3.5% in 2019 from an initial 4.3% forecast. Inflation averaged 5.1% in the 10 months to October against the central bank’s 2-4% full-year target range for 2018.
The government is banking on the impending enactment of a law that will shift the rice trading system — from one with import restrictions to one that liberalizes private sector importation — in order to ease food inflation pressures. That law is expected to slash retail prices of the staple by P7 per kilogram and shave 0.7 percentage point off headline inflation.
In the same forum, Roberto F. De Ocampo, chairman of the Center for Philippine Futuristics Studies and Management, Inc. and a former Finance secretary in the administration of Fidel V. Ramos, had a different view.
“The 2019 inflation would likely increase in anticipation of the local and national elections and the continuing increase in the global prices,” said the former Finance chief, noting that the polls would hep fuel economic growth as well.
The mid-term polls is set on May 13, 2019. The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is scheduled from February 12 to May 11, next year, while the campaign period for district representatives, governors, councilors is scheduled on March 29 to May 11, 2019.
A 2010 NEDA study showed that election-related spending contributes an average 0.34 percentage points to gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
Moreover, Mr. De Ocampo forecasted a 6.6-6.8% economic growth for 2019, lower than the government’s 7-8% target, but still strong as it is boosted by public investment from the government’s infrastructure program, as well as robust domestic demand supported by overseas remittances.
“The Philippines will continue to be one of the strongest economies in Asia next year. The economy will gain from the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program with the rise of our infrastructure spending,” said Mr. De Ocampo.
“Remittances from overseas Filipinos will still be a major driver of the country’s domestic demand. This will be supported by the increase of investment inflows and our demographic sweet spot and dividend advantages in our labor sector.”
Mr. De Ocampo also flagged external uncertainties caused by the US-China trade war, global monetary policy tightening and uncertainty over the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.
“Right now the global situation is more confusing and unstable than the domestic one,” he said. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Sandiganbayan restores bail for Imelda Marcos

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter
THE Sandiganbayan’s fifth division on Friday allowed Ilocos Norte-2nd district Rep. Imelda R. Marcos to post bail anew pending resolution of her motion for leave.
“We will order her to post bonds in the same amount of the forfeited bonds,” Associate Justice Rafael R. Lagos said, noting Mrs. Marcos should remain within the premises until the bonds posted amounting to P150,000 have been approved.
The former First Lady was released from the custody of the Court around 11:30 a.m. upon approval of her bail.
The anti-graft Court was acting on the motion for leave of court to avail of post conviction remedies, which the camp of Mrs. Marcos filed on Nov. 12.
In the said motion, it was explained Mrs. Marcos failed to attend the promulgation on Nov. 9 “solely because she was indisposed.”
It was also noted that the accused suffers from the following medical condition: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2; Hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; Status mini strokes; Sensorial hearing loss; Chronic recurrent urinary tract infection; Chronic recurrent gastritis and multiple colon polyps and Recurrent respiratory tract infection.
Mrs. Marcos, however, also told the court the real reason for her absence was because she was unaware of the promulgation date.
“If I knew about it, I would have been here, even if I was sick, I would have been here,” Mrs. Marcos said, adding she learned about her conviction on the TV news.
On the matter of her attending the birthday party of her daughter Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos, she said she went there at her daughter’s pleading.
She explained further the notice of promulgation was sent to her residence, but was left in the office of her secretary who had been on leave for about a month.
“It turns out that an envelope from the Court was received by my cook and she placed the same in the room of my secretary, Shirley Torio. Unfortunately, Ms. Torio was not with me that week because she had to return to the province to attend the funeral of her aunt,” Mrs. Marcos said in her affidavit, submitted to the Court on Thursday afternoon.
Mrs. Marcos on Nov. 9 was convicted of seven counts of graft in connection with $200 million in public funds transferred to Swiss foundations during the rule of her husband, the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos
Opposition lawmakers slammed the Sandiganbayan order restoring bail for Mrs. Marcos.
“Very double standard! Very shameful of the high magistrates of the Sandiganbayan bowing down to the high and mighty Marcoses for the whole world to see. Very disappointing! As if the delay of more than two decades in deciding the case was not enough injustice,” Anakpawis Rep. Ariel B. Casilao said in a phone message to reporters.

Duterte in Papua New Guinea to attend APEC Summit

By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte arrived in Papua New Guinea early Friday to attend the two-day Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting there.
In a statement on Friday, presidential spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the APEC forum provides an opportunity for Mr. Duterte to express support for mechanisms that will benefit the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as bring their products and services overseas.
“The Palace expects President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to have a fruitful and productive visit to Papua New Guinea, the host of this year’s 19th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, as he joins 20 other leaders and representatives of member economies for the Economic Leaders’ Meeting,” he said.
According to Malacañang, the members of the President’s official delegation include Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo, and Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar.
Mr. Duterte is also expected to attend the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), APEC Leaders’ dialogue with Pacific Islands leaders on Saturday, and APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Gala Dinner.
On Sunday, President Duterte will join fellow leaders in an official APEC leaders’ photo. Then he will join the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Informal Dialogue with Leaders.
Mr. Panelo said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is coordinating with their its counterparts on possible bilateral meetings.
APEC member-economies include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam.

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