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De Lima seeks inclusion of witnesses in drug case

SENATOR LEILA M. de Lima is seeking the inclusion among the accused in her drug-related case the 13 witnesses of the prosecution against her.
In a motion dated March 1 filed before Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC) Branch 256, Ms. de Lima, through her legal counsel, said the convicts who were turned witnesses are “not mere witnesses” of the alleged drug transactions in the New Bilibid Prison “but rather major players and perpetrators of illegal drug trading.”
The 13 convicts are Herbert Colanggo, Engelberto Durano, Noel Martinez, Reynante Diaz, Jaime Patcho, German Agojo, Hans Antonio Tan, Peter Co, Joel Capones, Vicente Sy, Rodolfo Magleo, Jojo Baligad, and Froilan Trestiza.
They are serving sentences for murder, kidnapping, homicide, robbery, and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, among others.
Citing the Department of Justice (DoJ) Joint Resolution dated Feb. 14, 2017 which indicted Ms. de Lima over alleged conspiracy to commit drug trading in the Bilibid, the motion stated that the 13 convicts turned-witnesses are “principal characters” in the illegal drug trading inside the prison.
“In this instant case, it is submitted that the prosecution in excluding the aforesaid witness in the Information, committed a manifest disregard our rules and laws; Such action was made with grave abuse of discretion and should be set aside,” it read.
Among the grounds cited for grave abuse of discretion committed by the prosecution are that persons convicted of crimes involving “moral turpitude” are disqualified as state witness and their exclusion among the accused violates the equal protections clause “as it provides manifests partiality towards said witnesses.”
The motion also asserted Ms. de Lima’s “absolute innocence” of the accusation against her, noting that she had no participation in the illegal drug trade at the national penitentiary and she has not dealt or conspired with the convicts-witnesses.
“It would be a complete travesty of justice should the Honorable Court sanction the arbitrary and wrongful exclusion from the Information of those who had actual participation in the illegal drug trade, based on their own admissions and on the very findings in the DOJ Joint Resolution,” the motion read.
Ms. de Lima has been detained for more than two years for allegedly conspiring to commit illegal drug trading inside the prison when she was still the Justice secretary.
In November 2018, she also asked the Court of Appeals to bar the 13 convicts from standing witness against her, following a lower court’s denial of her motion to disqualify them as state witnesses, claiming that “criminals convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude cannot become State Witnesses.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

7 Las Piñas police arrested for extortion now face kidnapping charges

FOLLOWING THE recent arrest of two police officers for extortion, another seven policemen in Las Piñas City were arrested on Thursday, March 7, for demanding cash from the family of a drug suspect in exchange for his freedom.
The suspects were identified as Police Staff Sgt. Joel Lupig, Police Corporal Vener Gunalao, Police Corporal Jayson Arellano, Patrolman Jeffrey De Leon, Patrolman Mark Jefferson Fulgencio, Patrolman Raymart Gomez and Patrolman Erickson Rivera.
The suspects were assigned at the Las Piñas City Police Station Drug Enforcement Unit and allegedly tried to extort money from a certain Shelane Lugutan, sister of suspect Cyrus Wency Lugutan, who was arrested in an anti-illegal drugs operation in November last year.
The accused police officers eluded the arresting team, but subsequently surrendered themselves to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Guillermo T. Eleazar on November 29 last year.
Mr. Eleazar personally served an arrest warrant for a case of kidnap-for-ransom on Wednesday afternoon against the suspects inside the Custodial Detention Facility of the Regional Headquarters Support Unit in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Criminal cases of kidnapping with serious illegal detention along with an administrative case of grave misconduct were filed against the suspects.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the outburst of Mr. Eleazar to an erring police officer was understandable.
“His outburst was understandable given the circumstances. It was a classic case of a ‘father losing his cool over his son’s misbehavior’ with the goal of correcting it and sending a message to his other children that bad behavior will not be tolerated in his household,” said Mr. Año in a statement on Thursday.
Mr. Eleazar scolded Police Corporal Marlo S. Quibete, chief of the Eastern Police District’s drug enforcement unit, after he was arrested for extortion on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Año added, “I personally support Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Chief, in his drive to rid the NCRPO of ‘kotong cops.’ His action yesterday was simply a manifestation of his frustration over police scalawags in his unit who continue to tarnish the image of the entire Philippine National Police.”
For his part, Philippine National Police chief General Oscar D. Albayalde said he supports the call of Mr. Eleazar to cleanse ranks.
“When a recruit takes his oath as a professional police officer, he automatically loses or waives some of his rights in favor of organizational discipline, duties and responsibilities. So, being scolded, reprimanded, bawled out, or dressed down for misdemeanor, misconduct or commission of crime is just part and parcel of his life being in the uniformed service,” said Mr. Albayalde in a statement on Thursday. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Iloilo City to undertake coastal rehabilitation program

THE ILOILO City government, inspired by the rehabilitation initiatives in Boracay and Manila Bay, is launching its own coastal cleanup in 26 villages stretching from Barangays Bitoon, Jaro to Santo Niño Sur, Arevalo. Mayor Jose S. Espinosa III said earlier this week that he already gave initial directives to environment specialists, private stakeholders, international agencies, and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) during a meeting with the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council. “During the meeting with the Iloilo-Batiano River Development Council, we also issued a directive and we have gathered aerial photos showing the sorry state of the coastal areas,” he said. “I can remember the times before that we can still swim in our coastal waters but now it is not safe. If Boracay and Manila Bay can be cleaned, why can’t we clean our coastal treasures here in the city. We have witnessed how they did it , so we now, we are doing it here,” the mayor said. A task force will be created to take charge and monitor the clean-up implementation after he issues an executive order. CENRO head Noel Z. Hechanova said the program would only target solid wastes, which contributes to about 10%-15% of the pollution load in the coastal waters. “This is the tip of the iceberg because the solid waste only contributes around 10 to 15 (percent) in the pollution load, the rest is generated by waste waters from the comfort rooms,” he said. Mr. Hechanova emphasized the need to have proper and well-maintained septic tanks. “Once you have septic tanks, any bodies of water will be really affected. Since 2006, we have been campaigning to clean septic tanks regularly. It should also be constructed correctly,” he said. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Cebu water supply dwindles due to weak El Niño

THE METROPOLITAN Cebu Water District (MCWD) has appealed to consumers to conserve water as supply continues to dwindle with the onslaught of the weak el niño phenomenon. MCWD spokesperson Charmaine Rodriguez-Kara said water supply started decreasing in the last week of Feb. by at least 9,000 cubic meters per day (cu.m./d). This has affected 9,000 water connections in Talisay City and elevated areas in Cebu City like Banawa, Sambag, 1, and the uptown area. Ms. Karat said these areas are experiencing reduced service hours or water rationing. As of Wednesday, the Jaclupan well was down to 27,000 cu.m./d from 33,000, while the Buhisan dam in Cebu City was down to 2,500 cu.m./d from 6,000. MCWD’s biggest supply comes from the Luyang River in Carmen at 35,000 cu.m/d, which is covered by a bulk water supply contract between the MCWD, the Cebu Manila Water Development Inc., and the Cebu provincial government. Ms. Kara said that in Metro Cebu, more than 69% of the water supply comes from groundwater sources, which is not affected directly by the shortage of rainfall. However, surface water sources that supply both the northern and southern portion of MCWD’s service area are affected by the El Niño phenomenon. MCWD is currently developing four wells in separate locations in its service area this year to augment water supply, she added. Talks are also ongoing between the provincial and Cebu City governments to drill ground water in government-owned lots to augment daily water production. In total, MCWD is exploring over 30 wells in the entire service area — some privately owned and others owned by government. — The Freeman

Holcim coordinating with contractor over 100 protesting terminated workers

HOLCIM PHILIPPINES, Inc. said on Wednesday that it is coordinating with its contractor, Fort Steel Cargo Integrators Inc., whose employees have been protesting over their alleged mass termination. In a statement, the company said it is respecting the rights of all workers to express themselves and that it is looking at all aspects of the protests. “We regret this incident but rest assured that we are closely coordinating with our contractor for the immediate resolution of this matter,” it said. The workers are assigned at the Davao City plant of Holcim, which also has operations in La Union, Bulacan, Batangas, and Misamis Oriental. On Tuesday, about 100 workers of Fort Steel Cargo held their protest in front of the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment as they accused the company of terminating them without notice. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

4,000 police deployed for 82nd Araw ng Davao celebration

THE 82ND founding anniversary of Davao City kicked off on March 1 amid tight security, with up to 4,000 personnel from the city, regional, and other auxiliary forces deployed throughout the city on shifting schedules from March 1 to 19. The opening program of the Araw ng Davao featured a 3D mapping light show that showed the different icons of the city at the facade of the City Hall. “We are showing the history of Davao and this is important so we know where we came from and where we are headed,” City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) Chief Regina D. Tecson said. The more or less 15-minute light show will be up until March 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. This year’s Araw ng Davao celebration seeks to highlight not only the city’s history but its diversity. Ms. Tecson said that for the first time, the Mutya ng Davao Search held on March 2 included a member of the lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) community. “For the first time also, we will be conducting the Ginoong Davao pageant for male Dabawenyos who embody the Dabawenyo spirit and the Reyna Dabawenya for transgenders,” she said. — Carmencita A. Carillo

Better CDO City library coming soon

THE Cagayan de Oro City Engineering Office has released the perspective of the proposed rehabilitation of the City Library, which already has an initial allocation of P100 million this year from the local government. The planned 5-storey building will also house the office of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and 52 classroom projects at the City Central School.

Nation at a Glance — (03/08/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.
Nation at a Glance — (03/08/19)

Streaking San Miguel faces off with NLEX

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE now-rolling San Miguel Beermen get back to PBA Philippine Cup action today, facing off with the NLEX Road Warriors in the 7 p.m. main game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Winners of their last two matches in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association tournament, the defending champions Beermen (4-3) are out to extend their streak as they try to make a strong assault for a spot in the playoffs.
The latest of the wins of San Miguel was against the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok, 113-92, on Feb. 10, days before the PBA took a two-week break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ bid in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Prior to that, San Miguel defeated the Blackwater Elite, 93-79, on Feb. 6.
Against Magnolia, the Beermen were in their element as they fended off every challenge that the Hotshots threw at them as they booked their second victory in a row.
Veteran Arwind Santos led three San Miguel players who scored 20 points or more in their win over the Hotshots, finishing with 29 points.
Terrence Romeo had 23 points while five-time league most valuable player June Mar Fajardo had 22 points to go along with eight rebounds.
Alex Cabagnot was the other Beerman in double digits with 11.
The big win over Magnolia had San Miguel coach Leo Austria full hope that his team could finally turning things around after a slow start to the tournament.
“The chemistry is there. That’s our problem before because we couldn’t practice with all the players hit by injuries. Slowly, we gained a good rhythm,” said Mr. Austria after their win over Magnolia.
NLEX (2-4), for its part, eyes a return to winning following a heartbreaking 83-82 loss to the league-leading Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters on Feb. 8.
The Road Warriors had a good chance of winning the contest but fell prey to the tight defense that Phoenix put up in the end.
Big man JP Erram is leading the way for NLEX with solid numbers of 15.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game.
Veteran JR Quiñahan has been good for 14 points and 5.2 rebounds while Bong Galanza is chipping in 10.8 points a match.
NLEX is playing sans marquee guards Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas. Mr. Ravena is still serving his suspension meted by FIBA while Mr. Alas fell to another ACL injury early in the tournament.
Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao, also Gilas Pilipinas tactician, said their backcourt has to step up in the absence of their key guys if they are to go deep in the tournament.
“We’re just going to have to draw the best out of the guards we have right now. They have their good games but I think we still need more consistency from them,” the coach said.
Meanwhile, playing in the curtain-raiser at 4:30 p.m. are the Northport Batang Pier (2-3) and Meralco Bolts (2-5).
Both teams are currently on a major slide, each having lost their last three assignments, and hoping to wiggle out of the skein and give their playoff bids a boost.

Ateneo girding for UP in their battle of top teams

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Ateneo Lady Eagles battle Katipunan neighbors University of the Philippines Lady Fighting Maroons this weekend in a marquee match between two top teams in the ongoing University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament.
A team it currently shares the top spot with a 3-1 record, Ateneo said it is looking forward to its match on Sunday, March 10, with UP, which is coming in on a high following a huge five-sets win over defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers in its last game.
“We saw their game against La Salle and I give them credit for the win. They played well and prepared well. They really stood up to La Salle to get the momentum and win. Ever since they play like that. They are always fighting. I congratulated [UP] coach (Godfrey) Okumu right away,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro, whose wards are set to face the Lady Maroons in the scheduled 4 p.m. match at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
Ateneo is also on an upswing, having won its last three assignments to make its way to the top.
The Lady Eagles’ last victory was a clinical disposal of the University of the East Lady Warriors in three sets, 25-15, 25-21 and 25-16, on March 3.
But despite on a roll themselves, Mr. Almadro said their work is cut out for them against UP and that they have to play at their best to get the better of the Lady Maroons in the UAAP’s “Battle of Katipunan.”
“UP is next for us. We will work hard. We will work harder. We know they are riding a big momentum but we just have to believe in ourselves. We will give UP a good fight,” said the Ateneo coach, who is in his first year of handling the Lady Eagles in the UAAP.
Team leading scorer Kat Tolentino has the same view of UP but said they are treating the match as another game that they have to prepare hard for.
“UP is a strong team and I’m just looking forward to our match on Sunday and see what happens. We don’t want to get too hyped or too nervous about it. We are looking at them as just another team we have to take on and prepare hard for,” said the opposite hitter who is averaging a team-high 17.5 points for Ateneo.
Backstopping Tolentino in the scoring department are Maddie Madayag (11.3 points) and Jules Samonte (6.8 points).
Playing in the first game at 2 p.m. on Sunday are the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws (3-2) against the Adamson Lady Falcons (1-3).
Meanwhile, scheduled to play on Saturday, March 9, also at the FilOil Flying V Arena, are La Salle (3-2) versus UE (1-4) at 2 p.m. and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses (3-2) against the National University Lady Bulldogs (1-3) at 4 p.m.

Filipinos Catalan, Torres seek wins at ONE Yangon

ONE Championship is to play Myanmar today with two Filipino mixed martial arts fighters part of the card.
Dubbed “ONE: Reign of Valor” and happening at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, the event will feature strawweight Rene “D’Challenger” Catalan (5-2) and women’s atomweight Jomary Torres (4-2) as they try to book key wins.
Mr. Catalan is riding a five-fight winning streak and eyeing to add Japanese opponent and former ONE champion Yoshitaka Naito to his list of conquered.
“Definitely, this is the toughest and biggest match of my career. Naito is a former world champion, well-experienced and we all know how dangerous he is on the mat, but I’m confident with my skills and I will do whatever it takes to win and get my title shot,” said Mr. Catalan, 40, in the lead-up to Reign of Valor.
Ms. Torres, for her part, has lost her last two fights after opening her ONE career with four victories in a row.
She is facing Lin Heqin of China in a preliminary contest where she hopes to stop her slide.
Headlining ONE: Reign of Valor is the welterweight world title fight between champion Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam and challenger Georgiy Kichigin of Kazakhstan.
Headlining the blockbuster event is knockout artist Zebaztian Kadestam as he defends his ONE Welterweight World Title against surging submission wizard Georgiy Kichigin. With World Title gold on the line, the stakes could not be higher in this classic clash of styles.
Kadestam put everyone on notice when he knocked out erstwhile-unbeaten American Tyler McGuire last November to be crowned as the ONE Welterweight World Champion.
His win over McGuire was Kadestam’s ninth knockout victory, making him one of the most fearsome competitors in the whole organization.
Kichigin, on the other hand, is a grappling wizard who is coming into ONE Championship on 14-match winning streak, with his last victory coming against another submission artist in Rousimar Palhares.
With two world-class talents bannering the card, there is no reason for Filipino martial arts fans to miss this event. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

LaVine scores 39, carries Bulls over Sixers

LOS ANGELES — Zach LaVine’s driving layup with 1.6 seconds left in the game lifted the Chicago Bulls to a 108-107 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Philadelphia had a chance to win after LaVine missed a free throw, but a lob into the paint intended for Jimmy Butler was way off the mark as the buzzer sounded.
Players walked off the floor, but the officials convened and determined that Robin Lopez did not tip the ball and the clock erroneously started, giving Philadelphia a second chance.
Ben Simmons’ inbound pass to Butler was fumbled, and the Bulls finally earned the win to snap a two-game losing skid.
Butler made two free throws with 4.8 seconds left to give the 76ers a 107-106 lead. Chicago called timeout, and LaVine drove the lane practically uncontested to score the winning basket after a defensive switch gone wrong. He was fouled by Mike Scott but missed the free throw.
LaVine finished with 39 points on 14-of-26 shooting from the field. He scored 24 of his points in the second half.
Lopez recorded 19 points and nine rebounds. Otto Porter Jr. finished with 15 points and nine boards.
Butler scored 22 points to lead five Philadelphia players in double figures. Simmons, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, compiled 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
The Sixers were playing without Joel Embiid, who missed his seventh straight game because of knee soreness. He could return on Friday when Philadelphia faces the Rockets in Houston.
The Sixers led 86-82 heading into the fourth quarter and opened a 10-point lead on two free throws by Simmons with 6:01 remaining.
The Bulls fought back and tied the game on a 24-foot 3-pointer by Porter with 2:44 left. The Sixers maintained the lead until Lopez’s free throw with 17.1 seconds left gave the Bulls a 106-105 lead.
CELTICS HOLD OFF KINGS TO WIN BACK-TO-BACK OUT WEST
Gordon Hayward avenged a critical foul 5.6 seconds earlier with a tie-breaking jumper with two seconds remaining Wednesday night, giving the Boston Celtics a 111-109 victory over the host Sacramento Kings.
Al Horford recorded a double-double with 21 points and a game-high 11 rebounds while also finding time for a team-high seven assists as the Celtics completed a back-to-back sweep in Northern California after shellacking the Golden State Warriors 128-95 on Tuesday night.
Harrison Barnes had a game-high 24 points for the Kings, who wrapped up a 1-3 homestand.
Hayward’s hoop occurred after the Kings had rallied from a late six-point deficit to gain a 109-all tie on three free throws by Buddy Hield with 7.6 seconds left.
The foul shots were the result of a foul called on Hayward while attempting to defend the potential game-tying shot.
Without calling a timeout, the Celtics rushed the ball up the court, and Hayward nailed a nine-footer for the winner.
After a timeout that allowed them to advance the ball, the Kings took a shot at a win, but Barnes’ 30-footer with two-tenths of a second remaining was off the mark.
Both teams were without a key player.
Celtics All-Star Kyrie Irving sat out with a bruised left thigh one night after having 19 points and 11 assists in Boston’s romp at Golden State.
Meanwhile, Kings standout rookie Marvin Bagley III missed his third consecutive game with a sprained left knee.
After a 3-pointer by Jayson Tatum had put the Celtics ahead 91-88, the visitors went on to lead by as many as six on a 3-pointer by Marcus Morris with 3:14 to go.
The Kings rallied, getting two hoops from De’Aaron Fox and a 3-pointer from Hield with 1:10 remaining to close within 105-104.
Tatum and Willie Cauley-Stein then exchanged hoops before Tatum’s two free throws with 15.5 seconds left put the Celtics up 109-106.
Hield’s three game-tying free throws came on Sacramento’s next possession.
Tatum scored 24 points to lead the Celtics, who had lost five of six before heading west this week.
Morris had 19 points, Terry Rozier 16, Hayward 12 and Jaylen Brown 10 for Boston, which swept a road/road back-to-back for the first time in four tries this season.
Hield finished with 23 points for the Kings, who have lost four of five as they pursue a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Fox complemented 16 points with seven assists for Sacramento, while Cauley-Stein had 19 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic 14.
The Celtics outshot the Kings 50.6 percent to 50.0. Both teams made 13 3-pointers.
Sacramento led by as many as nine points and Boston by as many as 10 in the first three quarters, which ended with the Celtics holding an 82-77 lead. — Reuters

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