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MPBL trade, free agent

The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has come up with innovations at the halfway stage of the ongoing Datu Cup that includes a trade deadline and dispersal draft for free agents.
With the objective of keeping the balance among the 26 competing squads, the Commissioner’s Office decided to beef up the four bottom teams — two teams from the north and the south — by giving them the first crack of selecting players from those who were left unprotected by their respective teams.
From the 20-man roster, teams were required to unload players no. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 from their respective teams with the condition that they will still keep at least three home grown players and a maximum of five ex-pros.
Surprisingly released by their teams to free agency were ex-PBA players Jerwin Gaco of Imus, JR Cawaling of Caloocan, Jai Reyes of Laguna and Samboy de Leon and Jam Cortes of San Juan.
Even Jeff Tajonera of Imus and JV Orera and Arden Guiyab of Zamboanga were also released to the free agency.
Four teams were given the opportunity of selecting first from among the list of more than 100 free agent players — Pasig, Cebu, Caloocan, and Rizal.
Starting today until the 24th of this month, these teams will be making their move and should notify the Commissioner’s Office of their selected players (one each) before the other teams could get their turn picking players.
Even before the trade deadline, teams had already entered an agreement of trading players; players who were even part of the Protect 15.
The busiest team was Pampanga, which made transactions on separate deals.
Owned by Congressman Dong Gonzales, the Lanterns acquired the rights on ex-pro Levi Hernandez from Navotas and shipped burly frontliner Marlon Gomez to the Clutch.
Pampanga also got Pari Llagas from Muntinlupa following a trade with forward Daniel de Guzman.
The Lanterns were not done yet as they even tinkered their coaching staff by tapping Aldrin Morante as head coach and Bong dela Cruz as his assistant.
These mentors were an integral part of Muntinlupa’s perfect 7-0 start, but were shockingly replaced by the Angelis Resort-backed management.
There’s more than meets the eye these coming days in the MPBL Datu Cup and Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes expect things to get more exciting.
 
Rey Joble has been a sportswriter for more than a decade. He is a member of the PBA Press Corps and Philippine Sportswriters Association.
reyjoble09@gmail.com

T-Wolves woes

It’s a reflection on how toxic the atmosphere around the Timberwolves has become that noted provocateur Kevin Garnett appeared to be a voice of reason from the outside looking in over the weekend. No stranger to the type of trash talking that erstwhile top dog Jimmy Butler hitherto resorted to in practice, the future Hall of Famer argued in an interview with The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski that “both sides are a little delusional.”
Here’s the thing, though: Garnett is right. He’s on the mark in pointing out that Butler doesn’t have “the power to come out and force a trade like this … I think Jimmy thinks his worth is a little more than what it is.” He’s likewise correct in contending that the Timberwolves are in “a s — tstorm” that figures to be better addressed sooner rather than later. “I’m just hoping they can get through this rough patch and everybody can get on the same patch and figure it out.”
Significantly, ESPN.com’s Adrian Wojnarowski disclosed that Butler’s alpha-male bellicosity in practice lit a fire under the Timberwolves. The scribe said “many of the Minnesota players left practice energized by [his] performance, mesmerized with him taking several end-of-the-bench players and running the table in scrimmage games against the regulars.” The implicit message: He’s a leader who’s just bent on motivating those around him.
Which is all well and good, save for a couple of crucial facts. First, Butler wants a change of address, and he believes the problem he has with the Timberwolves won’t be solved by anything other than a divorce. Second, the future belongs to Karl-Anthony Towns, who’s all of 22, and who just inked a five-year, $190-million contract. Going off during a scrimmage with an eye out the door serves only to inflate self-worth and runs counter to promoting esprit de corps, especially when the heir apparent possesses a more subdued personality.
To be sure, the Timberwolves have become equally complicit. By refusing to deal Butler as fast as possible, they’re perpetuating a fractured status quo. They let him run practice supposedly to prop his teammates up, and then allow him to miss the next preseason game. Little wonder, then, that they wound up suffering a loss debilitating enough for Towns to publicly lament its implications.
Clearly, the Timberwolves need to take a stand, and pronto. Above all else, they have to ship Butler out before the regular season starts later this week. Sure, they’ll be getting pennies to the dollar. Considering how they’ve latched on to Towns, however, they have no choice but to take a step back now in order to move two steps ahead. Else, they’ll be taking a myopic view at the expense of long-term gains; they’ll be riding on the shoulders of a workhorse who can’t wait to leave at the expense of another All-Star, who needs to be given a chance to shine even by force of circumstance.
For the Timberwolves, yesterday should have been the time to act. Butler’s departure can’t come soon enough.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Boracay tourists advised: No booking in establishments without gov’t clearance

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warned tourists in Boracay against making reservations in establishments which have not yet received government clearance to operate.
DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said establishments found violating would be closed. An 11-day dry run opening of Boracay would be undertaken starting today, Oct. 15, to Oct. 25, before the island finally opens on Oct. 26.
“We will be monitoring a lot of things, from managing the entrance, exit, and stay of the tourists, to enforcing rule of law on establishments that have been found to be non-compliant to laws and regulations,” Mr. Cimatu said.
“We will not hesitate to close hotels and other establishments that would operate without clearance from the BIATF (Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force),” he added.
DENR will deploy 30 enforcers to check on the tourist island’s water quality, solid waste management, drainage and sewage systems, and occupation on forest areas and wetlands.
Among the requirements for these establishment are that they operate their own sewage systems, especially those along the beachfront, and a zero-waste policy which means all waste in the island should be carried and transported outside.
“We are trying to correct the mistakes of the past and we have succeeded in finding a solution to cleaning the environment. We do not want to backslide on what we have started,” Mr. Cimatu said. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio

Senate studying proposed Proof-of-Parking Space Act

THE SENATE is studying a bill that would require prospective car owners to present proof that they have a parking space for the newly purchased vehicle.
The Senate committee on trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship has formed a technical working group to further study Senate Bill No. 201 or the proposed Proof-of-Parking Space Act. Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, author of the bill, said this will help ease traffic congestion and also instill responsible vehicle ownership among Filipinos.
“The concept really here is responsibility when you buy vehicles. We are now putting the responsibility on the car owners. If you buy cars, you have to make sure that you have a parking space for your own vehicle,” Mr. Gatchalian said in a statement.
“I think this is quite relevant at this time because, if you try to pass the side streets to avoid traffic in major thoroughfares, there is a greater chance that you’ll get stuck in traffic due to the cars parked along the narrow streets,” he added.
Under the proposed measure, individuals and businesses based within Metro Manila must submit to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) an affidavit proving that each of their vehicle has a parking space, either purchased or leased. The affidavit would be one of the requirements for registration of the vehicles.
The proposed bill also requires the LTO, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and local government units to conduct periodic ocular inspections in Metro Manila to remove illegally parked vehicles and to penalize noncompliant vehicle owners.
Any concerned individual may also report to the three agencies any motor vehicles parked on the streets or pathways used for pedestrian and motor vehicle.
“It is better to have a national policy so that the local governments may impose that national law. The local government (is) also quite sensitive to the comments of their own constituency. In this proposal, we are giving them ample time to locate their own parking spaces,” Mr. Gatchalian said. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

New House bill on bereavement leave filed

By Charmaine A. Tadalan Reporter
A BILL GRANTING employees a bereavement leave of 12 days with full pay has been filed at the House of Representatives.
House Bill 8363, authored by Rep. John Marvin C. Nieto of the 3rd district of Manila, seeks to grant the benefit to employees both in the public and private sectors, which no law currently covers.
“The loss of an immediate family member bears a significant emotional and psychological burden upon family members left,” Mr. Nieto said in the explanatory note.
The Bereavement Law Act of 2018, as proposed, will apply the benefit in the death of an immediate family, which may be the worker’s spouse, parent, child, sibling and relatives within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity.
The proposed measure will also penalize offenders who do not allow this benefit with a fine of up to P30,000 or imprisonment of 15 days to 1 month.
Further, it provided that if the violation was committed by a corporation, trust, firm or partnership, the penalty will be imposed on the responsible officer, such as the president, vice president, and chief executive officer, among others.
Bulacan 1st district Rep. Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado has proposed to grant a 12-day bereavement leave in a separate bill, HB 8243.
There are five other Bereavement Leave bills pending in the chamber, three of which propose a 10-day leave while the others seek to grant five.
Its counterpart measure, Senate Bill 1026, meanwhile, proposes a 10-day bereavement leave with full pay, and imposes a P20,000 fine or imprisonment of 15 days to one month.
The bill, authored by Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares, also remains pending at the committee level.

Bahrain to issue ‘blue cards’ for undocumented OFWs — DFA

By Camille A. Aguinaldo Reporter
BAHRAIN’s recent Flexible Work Permit or “blue card” will help regularize the immigration status of undocumented Filipino workers in the Persian Gulf State, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.
In its report to outgoing Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver said Flexi Visa holders will be issued a renewable work permit with two years validity, health insurance coverage, and a return ticket at the end of the contract period or when the worker decides to return to his or her home country. It also allows the migrant worker to legally work in Bahrain without an employer sponsor.
The visa may only be issued to out of status migrant workers without criminal records or travel ban due to an outstanding criminal case and to workers who are not on domestic-worker, business, or tourist visa. About 30 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already filed their Flexi Visa applications, according to the DFA.
The DFA also said the selection criteria is sensitive to Bahrain’s security and anti-trafficking concerns. The cost of getting the visa includes an administrative fee of 449 Bahraini Dinar or around P64,000 and a monthly maintenance fee of 30 Bahraini Dinar or around P4,000.
Mr. Ver said the Philippine Embassy in Manama is coordinating with the Bahraini government to ensure that 1,295 out-of-status Filipino migrant workers can avail themselves of the program.
“We are providing financial assistance for them to secure the visa and take care of two months worth of maintenance fees, so they need not worry of the fees as they look (for) jobs to finally regularize their status,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Cayetano described Bahrain’s program as a “step in the right direction in promoting and protecting the rights of migrants.”
“We also express our hope that this will be replicated in other countries, particularly neighboring countries in the Middle East,” he said in a statement.

Guevarra disputes allegation of pressure on Makati judge in Trillanes case

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
JUSTICE Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra disputed the allegation of Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary C. Alejano that Makati Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 Judge Andres B. Soriano is being pressured to rule against Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV.
Mr. Guevarra told reporters in a text message that the Department of Justice (DOJ) “takes very strong exception” to Mr. Alejano’s allegation that the government is pressuring Mr. Soriano.
“The DOJ does not interact with the Judge except through the pleadings filed and arguments raised in open court,” he said.
“Rep. Alejano’s allegations tend to impede the orderly administration of justice, unfairly cast aspersion on the integrity and professionalism of the Department of Justice and its state prosecutors, and contumaciously influence Judge Soriano’s decision-making process,” he added.
Mr. Alejano in a forum on Oct. 13 said he has information that Mr. Soriano is being pressured.
A motion by the DOJ seeking the issuance of an arrest warrant and hold departure order against Mr. Trillanes over his coup d’etat case for his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny is now up for resolution at Branch 148.
Mr. Soriano has admitted most of the evidence submitted by Mr. Trillanes.
The motion against Mr. Trillanes was filed following President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 which declared the Senator’s amnesty void from the beginning, alleging that he did not comply with the requirements for amnesty such as the filing of an application form and admission of guilt.
Mr. Trillanes, along with Mr. Alejano and other mutineers, were granted amnesty by then president Benigno S.C. Aquino III for their involvement in the Oakwood Mutiny, the 2006 Marine Standoff, and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege.
Meanwhile, Makati RTC Branch 150 has granted the motion of the DOJ and issued a warrant of arrest and travel ban on Mr. Trillanes last Sept. 25 in connection with the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege. The senator posted bail worth P200,000 on the same day.

Poe wants probe on “harsh” penalties for driving violations

SENATOR GRACE S. Poe-Llamanzares has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into what she called “unjustly harsh” penalties for violating driving and transport rules as contained in a June 2014 order. The order is contained in Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2014-01 issued by the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Senate Resolution No. 910, filed on Oct. 1, was prompted by complaints made by public utility vehicle drivers and operators during the numerous hearings conducted by the Senate committee on public services in the provinces this year. “These testimonies are an indicator that JAO No. 2014-01 has transgressed the penalties laid out in R. A. (Republic Act) 4136, and may thus be an (sic) violation of the limitations for such administrative rules and regulations to be valid,” Ms. Llamanzares said in the resolution. “Even if the penalties in R. A. 4136 are out-dated, the proper remedy is to amend the law, and not to bypass it through the implementation of excessive rules and regulations,” she added. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Andanar says transition team ready for new press secretary

PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin M. Andanar said a transition team is ready anytime if Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesman Salvador S. Panelo takes over the Office of the Press Secretary. “What I know for now is that, as a concurrent legal adviser and Spokesman of the President, Sal (Mr. Panelo) will readily accept that post,” Mr. Andanar said, speaking in mixed English and Filipino, in a radio interview on Oct. 13. The position was earlier offered to Harry L. Roque, Jr. who has yet to resign as the President’s spokesman. Mr. Roque said he will announce his plans this week. Mr. Andanar said he is now focusing on finalizing the draft order that will revert the PCOO to the Office of the Press Secretary. As for the current employees of the PCOO, Mr. Andanar said everyone, particularly the President’s appointees, should be ready to go. “We all serve at the pleasure of the President,” he said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

PMA names new superintendent

MAJOR GENERAL Ronnie S. Evangelista has officially taken over as the new superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, the country’s top military academic institution following a turnover ceremony last Oct. 12. His predecessor, Major Gen. Donato B. San Juan II, the 79th PMA head, has retired from service after serving for more than 38 years. Mr. Evangelista was the commander of the newly-activated Armed Forces of the Philippines Special Operations Command and previously the commander of the Philippine Army Special Operations Command. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

QC cinemas to collect extra P1 for local gov’t projects

THE QUEZON City government has issued an ordinance imposing a P1.00 increase in movie tickets to fund the city’s programs and activities. City Ordinance 2740, S-2018, introduced by Councilors Godofredo T. Liban II, Alexis R. Herrera, and Eric Z. Medina, states that all cinemas in QC are to increase admission tickets by P1.00 from Nov. 1 to 30. Proceeds will fund the QC Council of Sectoral Representatives. There are around 17 movie houses in the city and ticket prices range from P150 to P500. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

New Freedom Grandstand will be ready for Dinagyang Festival 2019

LOUINE HOPE U. CONSERVA

THE NEW Freedom Grandstand in Muelle Loney, Iloilo City would be completed in time for the 2019 Dinagyang Festival in January, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) said. IDFI president Ramon Cua Locsin said the City Engineer’s Office informed him that the construction work is on schedule. “I have talked with Engr. Bobby Divinagracia and so far he told me that the accomplishment of the contractor is on time. So they are 100% sure that when the Dinagyang Festival comes, we will have a grandstand in Muelle Loney,” Locsin said. The main events for the 51st Dinagyang Festival will be on Jan 25-27. Mr. Locsin noted that it will be a problem if the new venue is not completed, as they need a bigger space next year because 400 Japanese tourists have already reserved their tickets at the main stage for the festivities. Department of Tourism-Western Visayas Regional Director Helen J. Catalbas earlier said MV Pacific Venus, a cruise ship from Japan, will be visiting Iloilo City in January. Meanwhile, IDFI also announced that the “Iloilo Dinagyang Festival” brand is now patented through its registration with the Intellectual Property Rights Office of the Philippines. IDFI member Joy de Leon said the proprietary rights over Dinagyang-related elements like its logo and name are now under IDFI. “Any use or advertisement of the word Dinagyang should have prior approval of IDFI. Iloilo is not a patented word. Festival is not a patented word. It is the word Dinagyang that is patented, like the font and logo,” she said. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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