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AJ Edu excited over Batang Gilas program

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
WITH the national youth basketball program steadily improving in the last few years, Filipino-Nigerian AJ Edu said he is very excited over how things are panning out for Batang Gilas and happy to be finally suiting for the team in a 5-on-5 setting.
Making his five-a-side debut for the national youth team, Edu, 18, who represented the country in the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup last year in China, is part of the U18 Batang Gilas team currently competing in Thailand for the 2018 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.
It is a fulfilment of one of his goals as a player since committing to the Batang Gilas program three years ago and something in his mind for some time now.
“I represented the Philippines in the 3-on-3 World Cup last year and it had a different sort of feeling. This time there is a lot of people giving focus to it and there is a little pressure about it. But me I’m more excited and it’s something that I was looking forward to for a while now,” said 6’10” Edu in an interview with BusinessWorld in the send-off for the U18 team hosted by supporter Chooks-to-Go last Thursday.
“When I first joined Batang Gilas, when I first committed to them when I was 15 years old, they already mentioned this tournament so I have been waiting for it and to be here now in the process it’s really great. I’m excited how the program is growing in just short a period. I think it’s great. The players are improving year after year,” University of Toledo player Edu added.
In the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship, Edu is to tandem with seven-footer Kai Sotto to form a tall frontline for the national team.
Edu said he is enjoying playing alongside Ateneo’s Sotto and that he expects that the two of them get to feed off the play of each other to help Batang Gilas in its campaign.
“Obviously there is a lot of hype about the two of us playing together. There is much attention to it. Our relationship on and off the court is really good. I am really looking forward to it. I think we can help each other’s game. With him around I get to play more on the perimeter rather than at the five spot most of the time,” he said.
Edu went on to say that versatility is one facet of his game that he hopes to bring to the table in the biennial Under-18 tournament.
“My main strength is versatility so I’m just going to bring that both on offense and defense. On defense I can play all positions and on offense I can play on the perimeter and inside. So I’m just going to bring those and the energy and try to lead by example,” the Filipino-Nigerian said.
Batang Gilas was to begin its U18 Asian Championship bid later yesterday against Lebanon in Group B. It is to take on the United Arab Emirates today and China tomorrow.
Other groupings have 2016 winner Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan and Indonesia in Group A; Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain and Thailand in Group C; and South Korea, Chinese Taipei, India and Syria in Group D.
The top teams in the grouping advance outright to the quarterfinals while the second and third place teams go through a playoff to determine who get to advance to the quarters.
“We are just focusing on taking it one game at a time. Our immediate focus is Lebanon. They like to crash for offensive rebound and they get a lot of their points on second-chance opportunities. So we’re focusing on limiting their strengths and try to increase ours,” Edu said of the mind-set of the team, which is coached by Josh Reyes.
Apart from Edu and Sotto, part of the Batang Gilas U18 team are Miguel Oczon (Nazareth School of National University), Dalph Panopio (Italy-based), Gerry Abadiano (NU), Xyrus Torres (Far Eastern University-Diliman), Joshua Ramirez (Chiang Kai Shek), Rhayyan Amsali (San Beda High School), Sean Ildefonso (NU), Raven Cortez (De La Salle Zobel), Bismarck Lina (University of Santo Tomas High School) and Shaun Chiu (Ateneo).

Azkals focused on training despite Brit coach pullout

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Philippine national men’s football team remains focused in preparing for big tournaments later this year notwithstanding the recent surprising news of its coach deciding not to continue with his duties.
In a left field move late last week, British Terry Butcher rocked the local football community when he made known his decision to pull out as coach of the Philippine Azkals by way of the UK news agency Press Association.
Named as Azkals coach last June to take over from American Thomas Dooley, Mr. Butcher, in a statement, cited the difficulty in building a “robust plan to meet the football ambitions of the national team and do the country proud,” as the vital issue for his decision to discontinue.
He said it was a tough decision on his part but nonetheless believes the Philippine football program has what it takes to go places and wishes it nothing but the best moving forward.
While saddened by the surprising turn of events, local football officials accepted the decision of Mr. Butcher while expressed commitment to lead and help the Azkals in their preparations for tournaments scheduled for later this year and in early 2019.
“We understand and respect Mr. Terry Butcher’s decision not to continue with his role as National Team coach of the Philippines. As manager of the National Team, I was looking forward to working with Mr. Butcher as we build a strong team for the country’s first Asian Cup. It is unfortunate, however, that Mr. Butcher had expressed difficulty in executing his plans for the national team program. We wish Mr. Butcher well in his future endeavors,” said long-time Azkals manager Dan Palami in a statement following news of Mr. Butcher’s pullout as coach.
Mr. Palami added that they are forging ahead, preparing for the AFF Suzuki Cup which is scheduled for November and the AFC Asian Cup set for January next year, with senior football adviser Scott Cooper taking over the team for now.
The Philippine Football Federation also expressed understanding of Mr. Butcher’s decision and wished him good luck in his future endeavors.

UFC 227: Dillashaw doubles on Garbrandt; Cejudo new flyweight champ

ULTIMATE Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw showed no love to challenger Cody Garbrandt, making it 2-of-2 over the latter in their title reengagement with a technical knockout victory in the first round of their headlining fight at “UFC 227” in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday (Manila time).
Displaying aggressiveness and power that got him the bantamweight title back last time around, Mr. Dillashaw just took it to Mr. Garbrandt to bamboozle his way to the second straight victory over the former champion.
In the co-main event, meanwhile, Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo showed up better prepared in his own rematch title clash to seize the flyweight gold from long-time champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson by a close split decision.
Messrs. Dillashaw and Garbrandt got their title fight to an explosive start, with both fighters connecting with solid hits.
The champion though would connect with a solid right that instantaneously hurt Mr. Garbrant and signaled the end for him.
He followed it with a barrage of punches and a knee to the head, prompting the referee to stop the fight at the 4:17 mark of the first round.
“He caught me good early but it was not something to worry about. I just stuck with my game plan. I’m the best bantamweight of all time!” Mr. Dillashaw (16-3) said after the win.
It was the second defeat for Mr. Garbrantd (11-2) all in the hands of Mr. Dillashaw.
AND NEW CHAMPION
Earlier in the day, Olympic champion Cejudo added UFC champ to his impressive resume by topping Mr. Johnson by split decision, 48-47, 47-48 and 48-47.
Mr. Cejudo bucked a barrage of strikes, leg kicks and body shots throughout the fight with solid counters and takedowns of his own to edge out Mr. Johnson, the UFC champion for a solid six years since 2012.
With the outcome of the match very open entering the final round, the two fighters went back-and-forth with Mr. Johnson connecting early with strikes and leg kicks.
But Mr. Cejudo would gain some traction after he got hold of the former champion with a body lock and dished out strikes and knees. He continued to put pressure on Mr. Johnson all the way to the end where he eventually was proclaimed the new champion.
“I’ve shocked the world. I have come a long way since being knocked down in the first round,” said Mr. Cejudo (14-2), referring to the first encounter he had with Mr. Johnson in 2016 where he was stopped in the opening round by technical knockout (knees and punches).
He said composure did it for him in the victory.
“Composure won it for me. I knew I had the techniques to beat him and it boiled down to composure,” said Mr. Cejudo, who expressed his desire to take on the winner of the Dillashaw-Garbrandt fight.
In defeat, Mr. Johnson (27-3-1) was gracious, giving credit to the new champion.
“Henry Cejudo is the new champion. Credit to him. I go back home to my family and see what’s next for me,” Mr. Johnson said.
In other fights at UFC 227, featherweight Renato Moicano submitted Cub Swanson by rear-naked choke in the first round, women’s strawweight JJ Aldrich beat Polyana Viana via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28 and 29-27), and middleweight Thiago Santos got the better of Kevin Holland by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 and 30-26).
Next for the UFC is “UFC Fight Night 135” in Nebraska on Aug. 26 (Manila time) that will be headlined by the lightweight clash between Justin Gaethje and James Vick.
In the Philippines, Cignal TV, the country’s foremost direct-to-home (DTH) company, is the home of the UFC after the two groups agreed to an extensive deal that will see the UFC beamed on various platforms. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Rain or Shine-backed PHL team to participate in Asiad basketball — owner Raymond Yu

TALKING about change of heart, it looks like the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has decided to send a team in the coming Asian Games and Rain or Shine, which was tapped to represent the country in the biennial meet, will continue to carry the country’s colors in the quadrennial meet just as planned.
Rain or Shine team owner Raymond Yu confirmed this development to BusinessWorld in a telephone interview.
“Yes, we’re going to the Asian Games and we were just informed (Sunday) today. There’s a scheduled press conference (Sunday) and additional information as far as who are the players who will be loaned to us will be revealed,” Mr. Yu said.
According to Mr. Yu, he was informed on the possibility of his team going to the Asian Games a few days ago. Last week, the SBP, the country’s governing body in basketball, told mediamen that they are pulling out from participation in the Asian Games after Yeng Guiao, who was tasked by the Elasto Painters to handle the national team to the quadrennial meet, did not get the players he requested.
This time, the SBP is carrying a different tune and informed the Elasto Painters that they can form a team headed to the Asiad with the support of the PBA.
Rain or Shine has been an active supporter of the national team past and present.
In 2012, when Gilas Pilipinas started to form the team heading to the World Cup qualifier, the team had already loaned Gabe Norwood, Jeff Chan and Beau Belga. Other past and present players who also saw action for the national team include Paul Lee and Raymond Almazan.
Two other present members of the Elasto Painters also had experience playing in major international competitions – James Yap (2009 FIBA Asia Championship handled by Guiao) and Chris Tiu (2011 FIBA Asia Championship under Rajko Toroman). — Rey Joble

Pornanong holds nerve to remain in front at Women’s British Open

LYTHAM ST. ANNES — Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum showed no signs of nerves as she retained her overnight lead with a third-round 69 at the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes on Saturday.
On 13-under-par, she led by one from English home favorite Georgia Hall, with South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon a further shot back on 11-under.
Hall, who holed a string of great putts, had five birdies in a 69 to maintain high hopes of improving on last year’s tie for third and become the first British winner since Scotland’s Catriona Matthew triumphed at Lytham nine years ago.
Pornanong has missed six cuts from seven previous appearances in the championship and her best result in a major is a tie for seventh in the 2014 US Women’s Open.
But after two scores of 67 sent her one stroke ahead of the field at the halfway point, the 28-year-old had another exquisite round of four birdies. Her only error in 54 holes came with a bogey at the short 12th, where she failed to get up and down from a bunker.
Attired in a brightly patterned skirt and using a pink ball, Pornanong certainly brought some color to the championship. And her game shone.
RYU SHOOTS 67
Ryu, a two-time major winner, made a Saturday move with a joint-best-of-the-day 67. Two-over after four holes, she then hit a purple patch with birdies at five out of six holes from the fifth. More followed at the 12th and 15th.
Australia’s Minjee Lee and Japan’s Mamiko Higa were tied for second with Hall overnight and they both shot 71 to slip to joint-fourth on 10-under alongside South Korea’s Park Sung-hyun (69).
Kim In-kyung, the defending champion, fell back to one-under-par after a disappointing 74, while world number one Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2016 winner, had a fine 69 for six-under.
Atthaya Thitikul, the only amateur to make the cut, had a tough day. The 15-year-old Thai propped up the field after a 79 for seven-over-par. — AFP

Three Filipino teener cyclists complete Prudential RideLondon Surrey 46

PROVING they have what it takes to ride with some of the top racers in the world, three teenage professional Filipino cyclists completed the Prudential RideLondon Surrey 46 in London, United Kingdom, late last month.
Philippine National Road Race Under-23 Champion Ismael Grospe, Jr. (19 years old,) with Aidan James Mendoza (19 years old,) and Genesis Maraña (17 years old,) clocked in 03:05:44 as they cycled the route that started at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and finished at The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace in the annual race that took place on July 28 and 29.
An intermediate category open to cyclists not younger than 16 years old who are yet to conquer a 100-mile challenge, this year marked the third time that the category was featured in Prudential RideLondon, dubbed as the world’s greatest festival of cycling.
The Prudential RideLondon Surrey 46 saw participants take on 46 miles of traffic-free roads and has been hailed as “a wonderful way to ride one’s first sportive.”
“We are proud that aside from having our largest delegation from the Philippines to date — with eight strong and highly competitive cyclists ready to overcome the challenges of the long ride — they are the Filipinos’ champions in advocating cycling as a way of life,” said Pru Life UK’s Senior Vice- President and Chief Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga during the send-off for the Filipino cyclists last month where he shared their group’s thrust as well of promoting cycling as an alternative mode of transportation and as an avenue for healthy living.
Other cyclists who represented the Philippines in Prudential RideLondon Surrey 100 category are Philippine National Road Race Champion Jermyn Prado, John Kenneth Cruz, Ryan Lamayo, Tetsuya “Jun” Minagawa, and Bertrand Dominique Teplitxky. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

MPBL: Manila, Parañaque Patriots strike over rivals

ANGELES CITY, PAMPANGA — Bringing its swagger to silence the Kapampangan crowd, Manila asserted its mastery over host team Pampanga to win big in the MPBL Datu Cup while Parañaque got back to its winning ways by outlasting Pasay Saturday night here at the Angeles University Foundation Arena.
The Stars got a big game from the smallest man on the team — Chris Bitoon — who knocked in 22 points and dished out nine assists in powering Manila to a 100-75 demolition of Pampanga.
It was the fourth win in five games for the Stars, who had defeated their last three opponents by an average of 20.3 points. Prior to this game, the Robust Energy Capsule-backed Stars were coming off from a 107-76 whipping of the Cebu Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol, whom they had held scoreless the entire first period.
This time, they brought their vicious form in thwarting the Pampanga Lanterns, who had lost back-to-back games and fell to 2-3.
Earlier, the F2 Logistics-supported Parañaque Patriots held steadier down the stretch to nip the Pasay Voyagers, 73-69.
Harold Arboleda, the league’s double-double machine, came up with another solid showing to power the Patriots. He finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds while also dishing out five assists and a steal in another solid effort. His impressive numbers enabled the F2
Logistics-backed Patriots got back to the win column. Parañaque now improved its win-loss record to 3-2. Pasay absorbed its fourth loss in five games. The win didn’t come easy though for Parañaque, which needed to battle its way back from a 15-point deficit at half time.
But the Patriots came out with a more energetic showing in the second half led by Arboleda and Rysuei Koga, the only other double-digit producer for Parañaque with 16 markers.
By crunch time, the Patriots went to their best player, Arboleda, and the former NLEX Road Warrior knocked in his team’s last five points, including the go-ahead three-pointer that shoved his team up front, 71-69 heading to the final minute of the match. — Rey Joble

Aussie teen De Minaur’s epic fightback books final with Zverev

WASHINGTON — Australian 19-year-old Alex De Minaur saved four match points Saturday and advanced to Sunday’s ATP Washington Open final, where he will face third-ranked defending champion Alexander Zverev.
The Aussie teen outlasted 20-year-old Russian Andrey Rublev 5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 after two hours and 52 minutes while 21-year-old German Zverev ousted Greek teen Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-4.
De Minaur, ranked 72nd, won the last six points of the tie-breaker to force a third set, then broke 46th-ranked Rublev in the final game, winning on his fourth match-point chance when the Russian double faulted.
“I’m probably going to look back on that and not know how I did that,” De Minaur said. “I managed to string along some great points. It was one of my best matches.
“I had to play some really good points to get myself out of there. I took advantage of a lot of short balls and tried to dictate and that turned the match around.”
It will be the youngest combined age of any ATP final since 20-year-old Rafael Nadal beat 19-year-old Novak Djokovic in 2007 at Indian Wells after the ATP’s first all-21-or-under semifinals since 1995 in Buenos Aires.
Zverev seeks his ninth career ATP title and third of the year after Munich and Madrid. He could join a Washington back-to-back champions list that includes Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro (2008-09) and Americans Andre Agassi (1990-91 and 1998-99) and Michael Chang (1996-97).
“I’m playing great and hopefully I can win,” Zverev said. “I hope I get out there and play a good match and get to Toronto with another title.”
It’s only the second career ATP final for De Minaur, the son of a Spanish mother and Uruguayan father who lost to Russian Daniil Medvedev in January’s Sydney final.
De Minaur, aided by a walkover Friday when three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray withdrew before their quarterfinal, could become the first player to win his first career title at Washington since James Blake in 2002.
Rublev, who returned in July from a three-month layoff due to a lower back stress fracture, beat American Denis Kudla 6-1, 6-4 earlier Saturday in a rain-delayed quarterfinal.
Rublev broke DeMinaur at love to close out the first set and raced ahead 6-2 in the tiebreaker, but De Minaur hit an ace, service winner and forehand winner to pull level, then forced a third set on a Rublev mis-hit and wide backhand.
De Minaur lost his only meeting with Zverev in a Davis Cup fifth-set tie-breaker earlier this year.
“It was a very tight match,” De Minaur said. “I’m going to have to play some very high-quality tennis. The main thing is to recover and get back tomorrow and do the same thing.” — AFP

Still short of winning

Tiger Woods waxed optimistic heading into his Saturday start at the Bridgestone Invitational, and with reason. For one thing, he figured he could again lean on familiarity to go low; Firestone fits his eye, translating to a record eight victories that includes blowouts over strong fields. For another, he understood the value of closing in via an outstanding penultimate 18; not for nothing has he paced the PGA Tour in third-round scoring since he began his comeback in earnest this year.
As things turned out, Woods did make a big move yesterday. Unfortunately, it was in the wrong direction; following an up-and-down — but mostly down — stint that had him post a single birdie despite inviting conditions, he tumbled 18 spots to 28th. His 73 was the ninth-worst of the 71 scores turned in, prompting pundits to speculate if he wasn’t physically up to par, so to speak. Not so, he disclosed; he was just plain bad, having had to fight, in his words, “everything. I didn’t warm up very well. I didn’t hit the ball crisp or clean.”
Given the wasted opportunity, Woods couldn’t help but be disappointed. History beckoned, with a projected ninth triumph fittingly marking the end of the World Golf Championships event in Akron, Ohio; next year, it will be moving to Memphis, Tennessee as part of a deal with city-based FedEx. Instead of stepping up, though, he found himself battling his swing. And it certainly doesn’t help that, at 42, he faces a tougher bounce-back than he has been used to. “That’s one of the challenges as we age — trying to recover for the next day. It’s got[ten] a lot harder.”
Still, if there’s anything Woods understands, it’s that the product of hard work doesn’t always manifest itself immediately. Which is why he’ll keep plodding on; he’ll still be out to do as best he can even if he’s no longer in contention because, well, there’s the PGA Championship next week to consider — and, after that, three more tournaments in four weeks. And, after those, there’s a probable stint in the Ryder Cup as playing assistant captain.
All told, Woods has plenty to get up for, and the numbers don’t lie. He’s making strides, just not as fast as he’d like; among other stats, he’s third and fourth in strokes gained on approach and around the green, respectively. Where he needs improvement — make that a lot of improvement — is off the tee; unless and until he cleans up his effort with a driver in hand, he’ll be coming close, but still short of winning.
 
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

SWS: Satisfaction with Duterte gov’t ‘very good’

NET SATISFACTION with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration has remained at “very good” +58, as in the first quarter, according to the Second Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
The noncommissioned survey was conducted June 27-30, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide: 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages and ±6% each for the said areas.
Net satisfaction with the administration was lowest in the National Capital Region at “good” +47 and highest in Mindanao at “excellent” +76, followed by the Visayas at “very good” +56 and Balance Luzon at “very good” +54.

(The SWS terminology for net satisfaction ratings is as follows: +70 and above, “excellent”; +50 to +69, “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”, +9 to –9, “neutral”; –10 to –29, “poor”; –30 to –49, “bad”; –50 to –69, “very bad”; –70 and below, “execrable.”)
By economic class, net satisfaction was highest among the ABC at “excellent” +81, followed by Class E at “very good” +62, and Class D at “very good” +56.
Net satisfaction in urban areas was at “good” +49, dropping from “very good” +63 in March; and in rural areas, “very good” +67, rising from “very good” +53 in March.
REPORT CARD
The survey also has a “Governance Report Card” in which, out of 20 performance subjects rated, the administration’s net satisfaction rated “very good” on five subjects, “good” on 12 subjects, “moderate” on two subjects, and “neutral” on one subject.
“The net satisfaction rating of the National Administration was very good on: building and maintenance of public works (+62), reconstructing Marawi City (+55), promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) (+55), helping the poor (+54), and promoting women’s rights (+52),” SWS said.
“It was good on protecting human rights (+48), transparency in government activities (+43), having clear policies (+40), fighting terrorism (+39), ensuring that no family will ever be hungry (+39), foreign relations (+39), fighting crimes (+37), ensuring an efficient public transportation system (+36), fulfilling commitments in international treaties (+33), deciding quickly(+33), reconciling with Muslim rebels (+31), and eradicating graft and corruption (+30).”
“It was moderate on reconciling with communist rebels (+27) and defending Philippine sovereignty in West Philippine Sea (+20).”
“It was neutral on fighting inflation (+1).”
WOMEN’S RIGHTS, OTHER ISSUES
THE survey noted further that net satisfaction with the administration rose by two grades from moderate to very good on promoting women’s rights, up by 24 points from +28 in December 1995 to +52 in June 2018.
“It fell by one grade from very good to good on Protecting human rights, down by 6 points from +54 in March 2018 to +48 in June 2018,” the survey said.
“It also fell from good to moderate on Defending Philippine sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, down by 14 points from +34 in March 2018 to +20 in June 2018.”
“It stayed good on Fighting crimes, although down by 3 points from +40 in March 2018 to +37 in June 2018.”
“It stayed good on Ensuring an efficient public transportation system, although down by 5 points from +41 in March 2018 to +36 in June 2018.”
“It stayed good on Eradicating graft and corruption, although down by 16 points from +46 in March 2018 to +30 in June 2018.”
“It stayed neutral on Fighting inflation, although down by 7 points from +6 in March 2018 to -1 in June 2018.”

Duterte set to sign National ID law

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte is scheduled to sign on Monday, Aug. 6, the Philippine Identification (ID) System Act which institutionalizes a single official identification for all Filipino citizens and foreign residents in the country, Malacañang said in an advisory on Sunday.
The National ID system, identified as among the priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), is expected to be rolled out next year as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already allotted P2 billion for its implementation.
The proposed legislation hurdled the bicameral conference committee last May, where lawmakers decided to adopt the Senate version, Senate Bill (S.B.) No. 1738.
The Senate bill was prepared by that chamber’s committees on justice and human rights, finance, and public information and mass media. Its purpose is to “provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens as a means of simplifying public and private transactions.”
The measure aims to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and the private sector, subject to appropriate authentication measures based on a biometric identification system.
“Furthermore, the PhilSys (Philippine ID System) shall be a social and economic platform through which all transactions including public and private services can be availed of and shall serve as the link in the promotion of seamless service delivery, enhancing administrative governance, reducing corruption, strengthening financial inclusion, and promoting ease of doing business,” the Senate bill also read.
Also on Monday, there will be a ceremonial signing of the organic law (Republic Act No. 11054) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“We cannot underplay the significance of this signing as we take comfort in this momentous step towards building the foundation of a lasting peace in Mindanao. We therefore would like to express our gratitude to all those who worked hard to enable the passage of this landmark law,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement on Sunday.

House panel to file new resolution on separate voting in charter change

A COMMITTEE at the House of Representatives plans to file a new resolution, proposing that the two chambers of Congress vote separately when it convenes into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) in making amendments or revising the 1987 Constitution.
“(The) voting (will be done) separately as demanded by the Senate. It will be covered already by a resolution, concurrent resolution na ipapasa namin (that we will file),” Leyte Representative Vicente S.E. Veloso, newly installed Constitutional Amendments committee chairperson, said in a phone interview Sunday.
He said Concurrent Resolution no. 9 convening Congress into a constituent assembly, already passed by the chamber, will be withdrawn.
Speaker Gloria M. Arroyo said last week said she has agreed to a separate voting to push forward the administration’s federalism shift. This, however, was met with skepticism in the Senate.
Mr. Veloso said the Committee will tackle on Tuesday the draft Constitution submitted by the Consultative Committee, led by retired chief justice Reynato S. Puno, as well as the chamber’s own working draft.
“In fact, tatlo na ang tinitingnan kong matrix, ‘yung Puno committee na draft, congressional draft and then the 1987 Constitution,” Mr. Veloso said. (In fact, there are three matrix I’m considering — the Puno committee draft, the congressional draft and the 1987 Constitution.)
He added: “’yung Puno draft hindi naman masyadong komplikado. Maraming salient features do’n na magaganda, so kukunin namin ‘yun (The Puno draft is not too complicated. There are many salient features that are good, which we will adopt), but those that are medyo (slightly) controversial that I expect will encounter a stiff opposition from the House, iyon ang titingnan (that’s what we’ll look at).”
He cited among the possible contentious issues the provisions on term limits and the ban on political dynasties.
“Halimbawa, ‘yung anti-dynasty, simple lang naman, ang solusyon dapat walang term limit (For instance, the anti-dynasty, it’s simple, the solution is to omit term limit),” Mr. Veloso said. “You’re putting up term limits that (are) not in the 1935 Constitution, in fact, it is also not in (the) 1973 (Constitution).”
The ConCom draft proposes that elective officials, such as the president, vice-president and members of Congress, shall serve four years with re-election. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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