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SC issues order on village poll suit

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered several government agencies to comment on a lawsuit questioning the legality of a law that moved the December 2025 village and youth council elections to 2026.

In a resolution, the high court ordered the Senate, House of Representatives, Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin to submit their comments within 10 days.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia told BusinessWorld via Viber they would immediately comply with the court order.

The petition was filed on Aug. 15 by election lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal, who challenged Republic Act No. 12232. The law, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Aug. 13, rescheduled the village and youth council elections from Dec. 1, to the first Monday of November 2026, effectively extending the term of incumbent officials to four years.

Mr. Macalintal also urged the tribunal to stop the law’s implementation and direct the Comelec to continue preparations for the elections as originally scheduled.

He argued that Congress has no authority to defer the elections or lengthen the tenure of elected officials, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling that struck down such moves as attempts to prolong officials’ stay in office without a fresh mandate.

The case marks the latest legal challenge to repeated postponements of village and youth council elections, which are supposed to be held every three years under the law. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

VP opposes impeachment appeal

VICE-PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO FACEBOOK PAGE

VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to deny a House of Representatives motion for reconsideration seeking to revive the impeachment complaint against her.

In a 27-page comment dated Aug. 18 and made public on Aug. 19, Ms. Duterte insists the High Court’s dismissal of the case last month was correct and required no factual correction.

“According due process even at the House level during impeachment is in consonance with its nature as not just political, but also legal,” she said. “This precludes the members from acting solely on their whims and caprices, but in accordance with at least the evidence and defenses which he or she is able to examine.”

Ms. Duterte is facing accusations of committing constitutional violations and betraying public trust, allegations that her camp has denied. The SC earlier ruled her impeachment was illegal. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PHL finalizing ASEAN preparations

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday said preparations are under way for the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit next year.

“Let us just finish the chairmanship of Malaysia with due respect to them and the Philippines is already prepared to present our priorities, the theme and everything else,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Taguig City.

The Philippines is set to assume the regional bloc’s chairmanship in 2026, a year earlier than scheduled, after Myanmar skipped its turn due to political unrest.

Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelin expressed confidence in Manila’s leadership. “I’m very confident that the Philippines will do an excellent job next year.”

Among the key priorities of the summit will be progress on a draft Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea. ASEAN members are expected to finalize the text of the legally binding agreement, even as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the disputed waters.

The DFA earlier said it aims to accelerate discussions on the CoC once the Philippines takes over the ASEAN chairmanship.

Ms. Lazaro also noted that the next bilateral consultation mechanism with China on the South China Sea dispute is being arranged. “It’s forthcoming,” she added. — Adrian H. Halili.

Makati City grants tax relief

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

MAKATI CITY Mayor Nancy Binay has signed into law an ordinance that gives tax relief to residents and businesses affected by severe flooding that struck the city in July.

“We recognize the tremendous hardships our constituents have endured,” she said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday. “This comprehensive measure demonstrates our resolve to deliver swift, tangible relief that will help our community rebuild and recover.”

Enacted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Aug. 11, the emergency legislation waives penalties, surcharges and interest on business taxes that fell due on July 21, while extending a 5% discount on real property taxes for the third quarter.

The relief measures seek to help the community recover from the devastating floods that displaced families and disrupted local commerce throughout the city.

Qualified taxpayers may avail themselves of these benefits by settling their obligations from Aug. 26-29 and Sept. 1.

Taxpayers who have paid penalties, surcharges or interest on business taxes due on July 21 may apply these amounts as credits against future local tax liabilities. The same applies to those who paid third-quarter real property taxes but missed the 5% discount. — NPA

P27.2-M shabu seized in Zamboanga

PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday seized four kilos of crystal meth worth P27.2 million from a drug suspect during an entrapment operation in the village of Canelar in Zamboanga City.

Agents arrested the suspect, a 52-year-old man, after a trade-off along Mayor Jaldon Street.

Bryan B. Babang, director of PDEA Region IX, said the operation was carried out by PDEA agents from Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga City, with support from the Police Regional Office-9.

City officials and village leaders who witnessed the operation said the suspect surrendered upon realizing that he had sold the illegal drugs to undercover PDEA agents and police operatives.

Meanwhile, authorities also confiscated P3.1 million worth of crystal meth from a suspected drug dealer in an entrapment operation in the village of Bontungan, Wao, Lanao del Sur on Aug. 18.

The suspect, 52, was arrested and detained at a facility of the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. He will face charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. — John Felix M. Unson

Banking law enforcement pushed

REUTERS

THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has teamed up with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to strengthen the enforcement of banking laws and streamline the prosecution of erring bank officials.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed on Aug. 7, the two agencies established a framework for coordinated action in criminal cases brought before the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.

The OSG will provide other legal services as needed by the PDIC and will form a dedicated task force to ensure better coordination and more efficient handling of cases referred by the state deposit insurer.

In a statement, PDIC President Roberto B. Tan described the agreement as a milestone in protecting depositors and upholding trust in the banking sector.

Solicitor General Darlene Marie B. Berberabe said the OSG is “committed to providing help and assistance” not only in prosecuting cases but also in preventing unnecessary litigation. — AMCS

DBM to fund P1.5-B relief hub

Workers prepare relief packs in Pasig City, Aug. 13, 2021. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday said it would finance the construction of a P1.5-billion Disaster Resource Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Mindanao.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the project is expected to begin within the year after discussions with Social Welfare Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian.

“We talked with Secretary Rex, and we asked how much would be needed to build something like this,” she told reporters during a visit to the National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City, according to a Facebook livestream video. “Hopefully, we want the construction to start within the year.”

Family food packs are prepared and stored at the center before being distributed during calamities.

Mr. Gatchalian said the facility would be located beside the Butuan Airport for faster logistical response. “The local government unit gave us a parcel of land next to the airport. For logistical purposes, it’s literally next to Butuan Airport,” he told reporters.

The DSWD operates about 1,000 warehouses nationwide, though many are borrowed or rented, limiting long-term disaster preparedness. The planned center in Mindanao is envisioned to serve as a major hub for relief operations, ensuring more efficient storage and distribution of goods in disaster-prone areas. — ARAI

110 patients in Sulu get free surgery

COTABATO CITY — A medical team from the Bangsamoro regional government provided free surgical services to 110 patients, including women with breast masses and children with cleft lips, during a five-day mission in Sulu.

The beneficiaries of the Aug. 11-15 medical mission were mostly poor residents from different towns in the province, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-Sulu said on Tuesday.

The initiative was carried out by 11 physicians and 13 nurses from the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), in partnership with IPHO-Sulu. The team was led by BARMM Health Minister Kadil M. Sinolinding, Jr.

Mr. Sinolinding said the regional government remains committed to expanding access to healthcare in remote areas, especially for indigent patients who often can’t afford surgery. — John Felix M. Unson

Ilocos Norte launches data center

BW FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY — The Ilocos Norte provincial government, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)–Region I, has inaugurated the region’s first DICT Data Center at the Provincial Capitol Extension Building.

The facility positions Ilocos Norte as the first province in the region to host such an infrastructure, highlighting its growing role as a hub for digital innovation, e-governance, and connectivity in Northern Luzon.

The data center will function as a secure site for data storage, management and processing. It is expected to support national and local government agencies, academic institutions and the business sector.

Officials said the center would strengthen e-governance, improve cybersecurity and expand access to digital resources, ensuring that communities across the region benefit from faster and more efficient public services.

Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos said the data center signifies the province’s “firm commitment to embracing technological advancement as a foundation of development.” — Artemio A. Dumlao

Paalam headlines world championships squad

CARLO PAALAM — OLYMPICS.COM/BUDA MENDES

OLYMPIC SILVER medalist Carlo Paalam will lead a lean but mean seven-strong Philippine team wading into battle in the World Boxing Championships set Sept. 4 to 14 in Liverpool, England.

Mr. Paalam, who won the silver in Tokyo four years ago but couldn’t snare a medal in Paris last year, left the country Sunday for a mini-training camp in Sheffield, England as part of their preparation for the Liverpool event.

Accompanying Mr. Paalam were Southeast Asian Games medalist Riza Pasuit, Australian consultant Don Abnett, and national team coach Reynaldo Galido.

Mr. Paalam will see action in the men’s 55kg division while Ms. Pasuit competes in the women’s 60kg category.

Ronald Chavez, Jr., who is scheduled to see action in the men’s 70kg category, should join the team as soon as his visa is approved.

Also following suit are Jay Bryan Baricuatro (men’s 50kg), Junmilardo Ogayre (men’s 60kg), Mark Ashley Fajardo (men’s 65kg) and Ofelia Magno (women’s 48kg).

Messrs. Baricuatro and Ogayre will be coming from a training camp in Xinjiang, China while Mr. Fajardo and Ms. Magno join from Bangkok.

Paris bronze winner Aira Villegas was supposed to join the team but is staying behind due to a shoulder injury.

Association of Boxing Alliance in the Philippines secretary-general Marcus Manalo stressed the importance of the Worlds.

“It’s the World Championships, the highest level of competition outside the Olympics, so you want to do well here,” Mr. Manalo on Tuesday told The STAR. “Also, this is the inaugural world championships of World Boxing, the new IF (International Federation) for Olympic-style boxing.” — Joey Villar

Phoenix coach Wilson debuts at Davao invitational

PHOENIX, under new coach Willy Wilson, is joining three other PBA ball clubs in a showdown in Davao to jumpstart the buildup for the pro league’s 50th season.

It will be Mr. Wilson’s baptism of fire for the Fuel Masters, who will face NLEX, Converge and Blackwater in the 40th Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament between Aug. 21 and 24.

The Fuel Masters finished third in last year’s edition behind champion Rain or Shine and runner-up La Salle and improving on that should set the tone right for the Wilson era.

The 45-year-old former La Salle standout, given the mantle after previous stints as a Phoenix player, big man skills coach and assistant coach, believes the Jason Perkins-led Fuel Masters can compete as the current roster stands.

“We have a lot of talent on the roster,” Mr. Wilson said on One Sports’ Play by Play program.

“I think we have the best power forward in the PBA today, the most complete, in Jason Perkins. And we have rising stars Tyler Tio, Ken Tuffin and Kai Ballungay. And then we got a whole bunch of good 3-and-D guys, Sean Manganti, Raffy Verano and guys like that and then some vets like RR Garcia and Jayjay Alejandro.

“So we have a good mix and a good combination of guys and it’s just them being able to work together, find out what it feels like to win together consistently. I think that’s the key,” he added.

Mr. Wilson admitted the need to fill in the center position to make his crew even more competitive.

“If you look at our lineup top to bottom, we’re really lacking that true center. Obviously we’re not going to get a June Mar Fajardo, but if we can get somebody that can at least give him a little bit of problems defensively then that would be very, very welcome to us,” he said.

The Fuel Masters will kick off action in the Kadayawan hoopfest on Thursday against the Bossing at 5 p.m. to be followed by the duel between the Road Warriors and the FiberXers at 7 p.m.

The four clubs will play in a single round-robin with the Top 2 fighting for the championship and the two others disputing third place on Aug. 24. — Olmin Leyba

New 3×3 tournament gives Gilas U23 women top billing

GILAS PILIPINAS WOMEN — FIBA

THE GILAS PILIPINAS women U23 squad leads the roster for the inaugural Pilipinas United 3×3 League (PUL) this weekend at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Back-to-back UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa of Ateneo will lead the fight for the Nationals against top local clubs like the Uratex Dream and Pilipinas Aguilas.

Maurice Lacroix of Japan, Harimau Black and Yellow of Malaysia, Hanoi 3×3 By Amigos and Singapore’s Jumpshot are also in the fray.

The tournament is part of Gilas’ preparations for the 2025 FIBA U23 3×3 World Cup in September in China after winning the Asia Pacific 1 Division in June.

Joining Ms. Dela Rosa are Kristine Cayabyab, Cheska Apag and Elaine Etang for also a shot at the $3,000 cash prize in the tourney, backed by Smart and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Meanwhile, 12 teams slug it out in the men’s division led by Celebrity David Licauco’s Taho Story A, powerhouse Half Court Group (Hoopjeep), Sidney Onwubere’s YouGuard and dunker David Carlos’ Activate Sports.

AMG Physical Therapy Clinic, Smile 360 Dental Clinic, Solaris and Taho Story B are the other local teams duking it out against international teams Ninja Airs and SBB from Japan, Dame Dolla of Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia.

At stake is a $5,000 cash prize plus a ticket to the FIBA 3×3 Kaohsiung Challenger in October for the champion squad, with the top local team earning a spot in the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger spot in September.

“Passion fuels every drive, every shot, every hustle, while purpose brings us together to create new avenues for athletes to unite communities and to push Philippine basketball to even greater heights,” PUL commissioner Eric Altamirano said in the league announcement. — John Bryan Ulanday

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