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When the schedule for the United States Open men’s singles draw was released, not a few quarters saw fit to look ahead to a potential Round of Four match between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. There was reason for the heightened anticipation, to be sure; they contended for the Wimbledon championship when they last met, and their encounter had to be decided via an unprecedented fifth-set tiebreaker. And with fellow Big Three stalwart Rafael Nadal expected to emerge from the other half of the bracket, a humdinger of a final appeared to be in store.

Significantly, little ink was devoted to the prospect of an upset or two prior to the aforesaid meetings. Not that a development contrary to expectations was rare. Rather, it was that the marquee names hitherto proved all but immune to unforeseen outcomes. Unless and until they went up against each other, their progress was the closest tennis had to a sure thing. As always, though, Stan Wawrinka didn’t care for conventional wisdom and steeled himself for the task at hand; for all his inconsistent play since undergoing a couple of knee surgeries two years ago, he’s a three-time major winner who knows how to produce the biggest shots in the grandest of stages.

And so Wawrinka didn’t just anticipate doing well against Djokovic in their fourth-round encounter. He looked forward to victory, and not simply because he wound up with the hardware the last time they faced each other at Flushing Meadows. Even three years removed from his four-set triumph, he exuded confidence that belied his aggregate 5-19 slate against his longtime rival. Also in his favor was an apparent left shoulder injury that seemed to bother the World Number One on occasion.

Lo and behold, Wawrinka did wind up advancing to the quarterfinals when the battlesmoke cleared. He certainly hit the ground running, putting his opponent on the defensive from the get-go with booming serves and precise groundstrokes. Meanwhile, Djokovic was less than primed to withstand the pressure; clearly ailing, he displayed none of the point-construction skills that hitherto enabled him to dominate the sport. Typically accurate with placements, he committed a whopping 38 unforced errors through two sets and change.

Djokovic tried, and for a while in the second set, he appeared ready to take the measure of Wawrinka. Unfortunately, the latter was too good yesterday, and he needed nothing less than his level best to keep pace. Instead, he had a handicap that not even a visit from the trainer prior to the start of the third set could help overcome, compelling his retirement and sealing his earliest exit in a Grand Slam tournament since 2006. Disappointed with the turn of events, the crowd rained boos on him as he left the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The reaction was decidedly unfair, but Djokovic chose to consider it with grace. Parenthetically, Wawrinka was right to treat his accomplishment without an asterisk; he played so well that he would have conceivably beaten anybody at full strength. In any case, the US Open is readying for another titleholder. Its defending champion has fallen by the wayside. A new one is ready to be crowned.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Duterte told to divulge details of China deals

AN OPPOSITION senator yesterday asked the presidential palace to disclose details of the agreements signed between the Philippines and China during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s recent visit to Beijing.

“It’s our territory and it’s our natural resources,” Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said in a statement. “The Filipino people have all the right to be informed and know the details.”

Mr. Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China last week, where six bilateral agreements on education and science and technology among other things, were signed.

These include a $219-million loan agreement to fund the construction of the Philippine National Railways south long-haul project. The project was among the 75 flagship infrastructure projects under the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program linking Metro Manila to provinces in the Bicol region.

Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo also said other agreements signed by the Philippines and China included “cooperative measures and assistance in the key areas of education, science and technology, and economic growth.”

The meeting also resulted in the creation of a steering committee for joint exploration in the South China Sea, despite China’s rejection of a United Nations arbitral ruling in 2016 voiding China’s claim to more than 80% of the main waterway.

“Remember we have the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on our side and the permanent court of arbitration ruling that recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights to fish and explore for resources in the West Philippine Sea,” Mr. Pangilinan said, referring to areas of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“The Filipino people should know the contents of the agreement,” Mr. Pangilinan said. “They will say whether this is good for us or disadvantageous to us.”

He also said Malacañang should avoid agreements that will “diminish” the Philippines’ exclusive rights to explore and develop its natural resources.

Mr. Duterte earlier said he favors a 60-40 share in favor of the Philippines in the planned joint exploration.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of the Philippines criticized Mr. Duterte for bowing down to China and surrender the country’s sovereign rights in the South China Sea.

The president “merely went through the motions” of bringing up the decision of the UN court during his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Communist Party founder Jose Maria C. Sison said in a statement on the group’s website.

“In the end, it was a purposeless exercise,” Mr. Sison furthered. “There was no further discussion on the matter. Duterte merely acquiesced to Xi Jinping when the superpower president reiterated that China does not recognize the ruling.”

Mr. Sison said the proposed joint exploration of natural resources in the South China Sea favors China. “With control of capital and the technological and industrial means, China will surely be able to take full control of the oil drilling operations to the detriment of the Philippines.”

Mr. Panelo shrugged off Mr. Sison’s remarks. Mr. Duterte “has no time to waste in responding to the latest anti-Duterte statement of Jose Maria Sison, other than saying that it is another arrant raving and incorrigible ranting coming from an aging armchair passé rebel whose illusory vision has outsprinted the ticking hands of time,” he said in a statement. — Charmaine A. Tadalan and Arjay L. Balinbin

Prison chief confirms parole for 3 convicts in rape-slay case

THE HEAD of the country’s prison system yesterday confirmed that three of the seven convicts involved in a 1997 celebrated rape-slay case in Cebu had been granted parole.

The convicts in the rape and murder of the Chiong sisters were freed for good conduct, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Nicanor E. Faeldon yesterday told senators during a hearing. He denied having approved their release.

Mr. Faeldon also said he had approved the process that nearly freed former Calauan Mayor Antonio L. Sanchez, who was sentenced to seven life terms in 1995 for the rape and murder of two University of the Philippines students in 1993.

The prison chief told the Senate justice committee he had issued the approvals “after I continuously consulted with the lawyers.” He suspended Mr. Sanchez’s parole because he had to review his case, he said.

The Senate body is investigating the parole granted to about 1,900 inmates convicted of heinous crimes. BuCor suspended the ex-politician’s release after a public uproar.

Mr. Faeldon argued that the law disregards the type of crime committed in the grant of parole.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra disagreed with the prison chief’s interpretation. “The proper interpretation in so far as the exclusions are concerned, would be to exclude those convicted of heinous crimes from the benefit of the good conduct time allowance law,” he told senators at the same hearing.

Mr. Faeldon said inmates Ariel Balansag, Aberto Caño and Josman Aznar, who were convicted for the rape-slay of Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong, had been granted parole, but denied signing any release orders. “I cannot remember ordering the release.”

Senator Richard J. Gordon, who heads the justice committee, said 1,900 ineligible inmates should be put back in jail.

Mr. Guevarra earlier suspended the parole program amid an uproar against the planned release of Mr. Sanchez.

Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri has said he would file a bill amending the law that expands the application of early release for good conduct. The measure would specifically bar its application to heinous crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and kidnap for ransom, he said.

Mr. Guevarra said he got an order from the presidential palace to hold Mr. Sanchez’s release until legal issues were settled. It was the Justice chief who first announced the plan to release Mr. Sanchez along with thousands of convicts for good conduct, which he said could not be appealed. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Oil companies to cut petroleum prices

OIL COMPANIES are cutting the prices of petroleum products for the second straight week on Tuesday, according to separate advisories.

Gasoline and diesel will drop by 10 centavos a liter, while kerosene will slip by 15 centavos a liter.

The price cut will take effect at 6:00 a.m. today for most of the oil companies.

Last week, oil companies cut the prices of gasoline and diesel products by 10 centavos a liter, but raised kerosene prices by 10 centavos a liter.

This week, Seaoil Philippines, Inc. was among the first to enforce the price cut at 6:00 a.m. on Monday.

Last week, international crude prices fell, driven by concerns over the intensifying trade war between the US and China and its impact on the world economy.

Latest Department of Energy data showed year-to-date adjustments stand at a net increase of P4.75 a liter for gasoline, P3.35 a liter for diesel and P1.40 a liter for kerosene. — Victor V. Saulon

Storm Liwayway strengthens but not expected to make landfall

TROPICAL STORM Liwayway (international name: Lingling) has strengthened with maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h as of Monday morning, according to weather bureau PAGASA. Forecast indicates the storm will not make landfall in the country as it moves in a northwest direction. The trough of Liwayway is expected to bring scattered light to moderate rains with at times heavy rainshowers in the Bicol Region, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Batanes. Storm signal #1 has been raised over Batanes as of Monday afternoon. The southwest monsoon will also bring rains over Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Western Visayas. Liwayway is seen exiting the Philippine area by Wednesday or Thursday.

2 cops under probe in Balaoan vice-mayor’s murder

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) has started the preliminary investigation into the double murder and multiple counts of frustrated murder complaint against two police officers in connection with the killing of Balaoan, La Union vice-mayor Al-fred O. Concepcion and his bodyguard on Nov. 14, 2018. In a statement, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it filed the complaint against Senior Police Officer (SPO) 1 Dario Cahigas and SPO2 Arnold Calzado and two other unnamed personalities last July 30. Mr. Concepcion along with her daughter and Balaoan Mayor Aleli U. Concepcion were ambushed while on their way to the Municipal Hall. Mr. Concepcion and his bodyguard were killed while the mayor and her bodyguards were injured. The bureau said the investigation led by Angelito DLP Magno of NBI-Ilocos Regional Office was able to establish the participation of the two police officers in the ambush. “We have yet to establish the motive and also the possible mastermind. As of now, we’re still banking on these evidences and findings that we have submitted to the Office of the Prosecutor,” Mr. Magno said in a press conference. The municipal mayor said a P10 million reward will be given to anyone who can provide vital information to the whereabouts of the perpetrators and the masterminds. The next investigation is set on September 16. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Comelec junks Eusebio’s case vs Sotto

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) 2nd Division announced on Monday it dismissed former Pasig mayor Robert “Bobby” C. Eusebio’s case against incumbent Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” N. Sotto, citing no valid grounds in the election protest. In a message to reporters on Monday, Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said, “The 2nd Division’s unanimous decision, promulgated on the 30th of August 2019, cited the insufficiency in form and substance of the election protest filed by Eusebio.” In the decision, the Comelec said Mr. Eusebio’s protest “failed to reflect a detailed specification of the acts or omissions complained of showing the electoral frauds, anomalies or irregularities in the protested precincts.” Sworn statements used in the protest as proof were “self-serving” and “one-sided” in Mr. Eusebio’s advantage, Comelec said. Mr. Eusebio, who was mayor from 2007-2013 and 2016-2019, filed his protest after Mr. Sotto won by a landslide during last May’s elections. — Gillian M. Cortez

Pasig River rehab agency now chaired by DENR

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has issued an executive order transferring the chairmanship of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). The EO, signed on Aug. 28, cited Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 mandating the DENR to exercise jurisdiction over all aspects of water pollution, and to take measures, using available methods and technologies, to prevent and abate such pollution. The EO also noted that the DENR, through an administrative order, has been tasked to lead the Manila Bay Task Force in improving the water quality of the Manila Bay. There is a need for close coordination and oversight of all ongoing efforts relative to the clean-up and rehabilitation of major waterways in Metro Manila, the EO said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Cebu City gov’t allocates P300 million to open new roads, improve relocation sites

THE CEBU City Government will spend over P300 million for road openings, lot acquisition, and site developments before the year ends. Jose C. Daluz III, special assistant to the mayor, said the executive department has proposed P150 million for the opening of 10 kilometers of roads, P100 million for site development, and P57 million for lot acquisition — all under the city’s P2.5 billion Supplemental Budget-2. “It’s very important to open more roads… to create economic activity for Cebu City, we have to open up more roads. It will also decongest the traffic problem that we have,” he said. Most of the road openings will be in the mountain areas of the city connecting to the urban parts. The P100 million site development would cover improvements in relocation centers such as the 93-1 lot in Barangay Busay. Mr. Daluz said some of the relocation centers do not have proper access roads and water supply. The P57 million will be spent to complete the payment of the lot acquisition in Barangay Quiot, which was initiated by the previous administration, and for an area in Barangay Inayawan to various projects. — The Freeman

Permanent tele-hearing facilities to be set up in 3 Davao courts

THREE COURTS in Davao City will be equipped with videoconferencing facilities for the conduct of remote hearings involving persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as part of the Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice (GOJUST) program. “Right now we are still awaiting for the equipment and refurbishment of the rooms as it still a temporary set up,” Ingrid L. Gorre, key expert-case management specialist of GOJUST, said in an interview on Sept. 2 after the pilot run of the remote hearing implementation at the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16. GOJUST is a government project with support from the European Union. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will set up three counterpart rooms at prisons within Davao City for what it calls “tele-hearings.” The tele-hearing concept was proposed by the BJMP-Davao Region management in 2017 in consideration of “high-value” PDLs such as members of groups like the Maute, Abu Sayaff, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and New People’s Army (NPA). In January this year, the Supreme Court issued a resolution for the implementation and pilot-testing of the tele-hearing project between three Davao City jails and the Hall of Justice. “This is a very momentous day for the courts because this is an initial project with BJMP who found the need for this videoconferencing trial with end purpose of securing the concerns not only on the part of the accused but also on the part of the judges, prosecution, not to mention the savings on time and transportation in coming from the jail to the court back and forth,” Mr. Carpio said in an interview. Monday’s tele-hearing, involving two cases, lasted for 15 minutes. The tele-hearings aim to eliminate not just safety and security risks, but also for PDLs with serious or grave medical condition. — Maya M. Padillo

Nationwide round-up

1 New Zealander, 2 Chinese arrested

THE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) recently arrested three foreigners, one from New Zealand who is wanted in his country for sexually abusing children and two Chinese working without visas. In a statement, NBI said it arrested on Aug. 23 pedophile Alan James Linton at his residence in Valencia City, Bukidnon. BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente ordered the arrest of Linton following information from the New Zealand police that he resides in the country and has two convictions for charges of child exploitation. Meanwhile, the NBI in Catbalogan City, Samar arrested on Aug. 28 Wu Zhijie, 26, and Wu Jiajiang, 51, who were caught selling retail goods without proper working permit and visa. Mr. Morente issued a mission order for the arrest of the Chinese nationals following complaints from small Filipino traders alleging the foreigners “were robbing their business opportunities.” The three are currently detained pending deportation. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Malacañang says it has accepted Clavite’s resignation

THE JULY 17 resignation letter of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General Harold Clavite has been accepted by the President, Executive Secretary Salvador S. Medialdea said in a statement Monday. “Mr. Harold Clavite in his letter dated 17 July 2019 manifested his intention to submit his irrevocable resignation to the President citing personal reasons. He also said that he already gave 3 years to the country and it’s time for him to go back to his family. This was elevated to the President and thereafter accepted,” Mr. Medialdea said. “We recognize the service Mr. Clavite has rendered and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” he added. Mr. Clavite, however, said he did not submit a resignation letter to the President. “My July 17 letter was addressed to ES (executive secretary), not the President. While awaiting response, I did not send my resignation letter to the President,” he said, noting that Mr. Medialdea asked him not to resign after hearing his side on problems relating to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and PIA. “If they used that statement to make such decision, then I accept that. I just think it’s not fair that after hearing my side and asking me to write down all the details, they would do such without even talking to me. And now that I’m gone, what happens to those complaints I raised against PCOO and Mr. Benjamin Felipe? Is he gonna be rewarded now and become the new head of Agency?” Mr. Clavite said. Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar has designated Director Abner M. Caga as officer-in-charge of the PIA, according to a copy of his Department Order No. 008 obtained by BusinessWorld on Monday afternoon. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Nation at a Glance — (09/03/19)

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 — (09/03/19)

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