THE Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings shoot for direct entry into the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup finals when they collide with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters today in Game Four of their best-of-five semifinal series.
Set for 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Kings try to close out the Elasto Painters and make their fourth finals appearance in the last six PBA conferences.
Barangay Ginebra put itself on the cusp of the Big Dance after surviving a ferocious fight back by Rain or Shine in the fourth period of Game Three on Saturday.
Dominated the game in the first half, the Kings struggled big time in the second half that saw them nearly lose a lead of as much as 25 points.
Import Justin Brownlee though played another solid all-around game to help his team escape with the 75-72 victory, and, more importantly, the 2-1 series lead.
Rain or Shine was able to come within two points, 74-72, with nine seconds remaining after trailing throughout the contest.
It still had a chance to tie the count after Kings guard LA Tenorio split his free throws with six seconds to go and the score at 75-72.
Unfortunately for the Elasto Painters though, two three-point attempts by James Yap as time expired failed to hit their mark, sending them to the defeat.
The victory preserved the brilliant play of Mr. Brownlee, who finished with 44 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals, apart from getting the Kings to a great start and making big plays down the stretch.
LA Tenorio was the other Barangay Ginebra player in double digits with 13 points.
Rain or Shine import Reggie Johnson, meanwhile, struggled to 13 points on five-of-19 shooting but had 22 rebounds.
“Rain or Shine made a brilliant comeback in the second half. Coach Caloy [Garcia] did a good job in making his team bounce back after a tough first half. We had a lot of mental mistakes in the second half and we’re just lucky to have hung on for the win,” said a relieved Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone in the postgame press conference following Game Three.
But Mr. Cone said the way they handled the challenge of Rain or Shine left much to be desired and that they have to do something about it so as not to have a repeat of it.
“That’s something we have to talk about, prepare for because we didn’t respond well,” Mr. Cone said.
The winner of the Barangay Ginebra-Rain or Shine series takes on the victor of the semifinals between the San Miguel Beermen and Alaska Aces.
San Miguel and Alaska were to play Game Four of their series later yesterday with the Beermen holding a 2-1 series lead. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
By Michael Angelo S. Murillo Senior Reporter
THE much-awaited decision by world basketball governing body FIBA on the melee that happened between the Philippines and Australia on July 2 during the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers final came out last Thursday (Manila time), that had the organization meting out heavy fines and suspensions to the parties involved.
In the decision, the FIBA Disciplinary Panel, after thorough evaluation of the incident, decided to impose fines and other sanctions on the national federations of the Philippines and Australia over the brawl that erupted in the third quarter of their qualifier game that led to the abrupt ending of said match, apart from handing down suspensions to 13 players and two coaches.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country’s basketball federation, was asked to pay a disciplinary fine of 250,000 Swiss francs (roughly P13.4 million) over “the unsportsmanlike behavior of its delegation members and of its public, as well as for insufficient organization of the game.”
In a press conference held at the PLDT headquarters in Makati following the release of the FIBA decision, SBP officials lamented the sanctions and fines given to it, believing that the group did its best in organizing the game until the unfortunate incident happened, but nonetheless manning up to it and vowing to do better in its next hosting duties.
“We’re definitely saddened by it [decision] that they are looking at it that way. But we fully support FIBA with its decision. We’re not wavering in our support to it. We accept whatever decision they have come up with on the particular case,” said SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios when asked by BusinessWorld on how the SBP was viewing the decision of FIBA to sanction them.
“It is something, I personally, am not happy about. In SBP we always try to give our best. In fact, just a few weeks before [the incident] FIBA commended us for the excellent hosting of the FIBA 3X3 World Cup. They even came out with a release about it. So for them to say that on this one we fell short it is something we don’t like to hear. That’s how the ball bounces so to speak. We’ll have to do better next time around,” he added.
The next home game of the Philippines in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers will be against Qatar on Sept. 17 which will be played behind closed doors as directed by FIBA and part of the sanctions given to the national team and federation.
Also part of the FIBA decision was the suspension of Gilas players Japeth Aguilar and Matthew Wright (one game each); Terence Romeo, Jayson Castro William, Andray Blatche and Troy Rosario (three games each); Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz and Jio Jalalon (five games each); and Calvin Abueva (six games) for their involvement in the melee.
Gilas assistant coach Joseph Uichico was suspended for three games for unsportsmanlike behavior while head coach Vincent ‘Chot’ Reyes was suspended for one game and asked to pa a disciplinary fine of 10,000 Swiss francs (P534,900) for “inciting unsportsmanlike behavior.”
On the part of Australia, players Chris Goulding (one game), Thon Maker (three games) and Daniel Kickert (five games) were suspended for unsportsmanlike behavior.
Basketball Australia was asked to pay a disciplinary fine of 100,000 Swiss francs (roughly P5.3 million) for the unsportsmanlike behavior of its players and for abusing and/or tampering of equipment, after having removed floor stickers from the court on the eve of the game.
FIBA said money from the fines will be used to support the “Basketball for Good” social program launched by the International Basketball Foundation (IBF).
VALENZUELA found a perfect time to finally beat inaugural season champions Batangas City.
A more focused Valenzuela Classic squad came out to play a disoriented Batangas City Athletics on Saturday night at the Caloocan Sports Complex as the CDO Idol Cheesedog-backed team hammered out a 78-66 triumph.
San Juan Knights coasted to their fourth straight win, but not after surviving a late charge by home team Caloocan Supremos, 81-77, in the second game. The Knights remained undefeated after four games to keep solo lead in the 26-team cast.
But Valenzuela’s win was a breakthrough. It was the first win in four tries for the Classic over the Tanduay-sponsored Athletics since last season. Batangas City defeated Valenzuela in last season’s semifinal round.
But the Chris Gavina-mentored Classic came out prepared this time.
“We only had two days break, but for eight days, we’ve been preparing hard for our game against Batangas City. We’ve watched the films. We’ve devised plans on how we can become quicker. It feels great to finally get that win against this tough Batangas team,” Mr. Gavina told BusinessWorld.
Chris de Chavez led the way for the Classic with 22 points, but defense proved to be the biggest factor in the team’s win against one of the most explosive teams in the tournament.
Valenzuela held Batangas City to a paltry 32% shooting from the field (22-of-68) with ex-pro Bong Galanza pacing the inaugural champions with 12 points.
Jhaymo Eguilos, Batangas City’s main man in the middle, was limited to eight points.
Even the Athletics’ usually dependable guards struggled big time as Lester Alvarez made only one-of-seven shots from the field while Teytey Teodoro only had five on two-of-nine shooting. — Rey Joble
HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY — Sebastian Vettel said it was “a shame” that Lewis Hamilton was unable to fight him for pole position in Saturday’s qualifying for the German Grand Prix.
And, he added, “I mean it.”
Two weeks after the acrimonious aftermath to his victory for Ferrari at the British Grand Prix, the championship leading German was careful not to gloat over his title rival’s misfortune.
A distraught Hamilton, like Vettel seeking a fifth world championship, limped out in the first qualifying session when his Mercedes car broke down with a hydraulics failure.
“Obviously, we saw, but I don’t know what exactly happened,” Vettel told reporters after the session. — AFP
THE last time Filipino mixed martial arts fans saw Eduard “Landslide” Folayang fight on home turf it was a devastating one as he was the recipient of a thunderous knockout loss that saw him lose the ONE Championship lightweight title in the process.
It is something the Baguio native hopes to cast out as he fights anew in Manila on July 27 at “ONE: Reign of Kings” happening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Mr. Folayang (19-6) will take on Russian newcomer Aziz Pahrudinov in the undercard for Reign of Kings.
It will mark the first time that the Filipino fighter will take the ONE cage here in Manila after being knocked out in the second round by Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen in November last year in their crossover fight.
The loss saw Mr. Folayang lose his lightweight gold and Mr. Nguyen win his second world title, in addition to the featherweight belt he already holds.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Mr. Folayang said it was tough to talk about the loss but something he eventually learned to accept and is now using as motivation as he tries to get back in the mix of things.
“It was hard to talk about it for a time. Finding the right words to describe what I was feeling was a challenge. I think that is just how it goes for me after a tough loss. Losing is not new to me, but it is also an opportunity for me to take a step back and try to pick up the pieces,” he said.
“I needed the time off to realize where I went wrong — whether that was in my preparation or in the fight itself. I wanted to know where I had miscalculated. I reviewed every angle, and I really took the time to look at my mistakes,” he added.
Mr. Folayang began his journey back last May in Singapore, defeating previously unbeaten Russian stalwart Kharun Atlangeriev by way of unanimous decision.
It was a victory that he hopes to ride on heading into his next fight later this week and moving forward.
“The last time that I was in Manila, I let everyone down with my performance. It has haunted me ever since. Come this fight, I am coming back for redemption. I am going to war and win it,” said 34-year-old Folayang.
“Lightweight is one of the deepest divisions in ONE Championship, and there are so many great guys all wanting to get to the top. I have to keep winning so I can stay in the mix,” he added.
ONE: Reign of Kings is headlined by the clash for the interim world bantamweight title between two-division champion Nguyen and Filipino Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.
Co-main event is the lightweight battle between Shinya Aoki of Japan and Shannon Wiratchai of Thailand.
Other Filipinos seeing action are strawweights Joshua Pacio and Rene Catalan against separate opponents. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
STALLION Laguna FC padded its push to the top three of the ongoing Philippines Football League season with a 2-0 victory over Kaya FC-Iloilo on Saturday at the Biñan Football Stadium.
Goals from Ruben Doctora, Jr. and Carlos Polli did it for the hosts as they won their second consecutive match to improve to nine wins and nine losses for 24 points, just a point behind third-running Davao Aguilas FC (7-4-8).
Mr. Doctora broke through for Stallion in the 27th minute when he was able to slip past and slot the ball past the Kaya defense for an easy finish.
The visitors tried to get back the point lost as the game progressed but only saw themselves buried some more after Mr. Polli double their lead at the 77th minute.
The goal was initially stopped by Kaya keeper Ace Villanueva but the ball fell into the path of the Stallion’s Fitch Arboleda, who calmly cut the ball back for Mr. Polli to slot in.
Kaya could not recover from the hole it was in thereafter and saw Stallion run away with the victory.
Despite the loss, its second in as many games, Kaya (10-3-6) is still in second spot with 33 points.
Defending champion Ceres-Negros FC (16-3-2) continues to lord on the standings with 51 points.
Ceres dominated hapless Global Cebu FC, 7-1, in their game held last Saturday as well. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
JHAYMO EGUILOS just played two games for the Blackwater Elite when the squad decided to give him an opportunity to play in the big league as an unrestricted free agent.
Since then, the 6-foot-5 big man from Far Eastern University decided to hone his craft more, playing in minor leagues like the D-League and lately, the Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay where he was spotted by Phoenix Fuel Masters head coach Louie Alas.
“I saw some of his games, particularly during the championship series and I was impressed,” Phoenix coach Louie Alas told BusinessWorld.
With the Fuel Masters needing a big man in the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup, will Mr. Alas give Mr. Eguilos an opportunity to crack the lineup?
“I cannot tell yet if I’m interested. I have to ask his former coaches if he has high motor. Physically he’s OK. About his IQ, I need to assess him, kailangan personal. But no guarantees if he could make the lineup. He could try out for a spot, though,” added Mr. Alas.
“But I need with a high basketball IQ because three weeks na lang opening na. Kapag medyo slow at hindi makakasabay agad sa gusto naming ipagawa, medyo mahihirapan.”
Mr. Eguilos is probably the best big man playing in the fastest growing regional amateur basketball league in the country — the MPBL. He was a key figure in the Athletics’ championship run last season.
But whether Mr. Eguilos will pursue PBA plans by attending Phoenix’s practices or staying with the Athletics camp remains to be seen.
The Athletics are still playing without ace gunner Val Acuña due to an injury and await the return of Bong Quinto, who is still playing in the NCAA for Letran. On Saturday, Batangas City picked up its second loss in four games, dropping a 78-66 decision to Valenzuela.
Mr. Eguilos was hardly a factor in that game, making only eight points on one-of-seven shooting from the field. — Rey Joble
It’s easy to understand why National Basketball Association circles have divided sentiments on the deal the Spurs and Raptors agreed to over the weekend. Considering it’s essentially a swap of two All-Stars who had hitherto played only for them, it elicited mixed emotions about such sensitive topics as loyalty and freedom of choice. Kawhi Leonard had been in silver and black since turning pro in 2011. DeMar DeRozan wore no other colors save for red and black through the last nine years. One forced a departure. The other was forced to leave.
To be sure, the Raptors couldn’t have missed out on the opportunity to nab Leonard on the cheap. They had just gone through a campaign in which their regular-season excellence amounted to zilch in the playoffs. They couldn’t have but seen their ceiling with DeRozan as their foundation, and they rightly weren’t satisfied, not with the Celtics back in full strength and LeBron James hightailing it out of the East. The development already led to a head coaching change, and there was no better time to retool a roster so that it would not just compete in the conference, but actually take the measure of the league’s best.
Where the Raptors erred, though, is in the way they boxed themselves in publicly prior to pulling the trigger on Leonard’s acquisition. During the summer league, they discussed the future with DeRozan as if he were an integral part of it. To then ship him out exposed their standing as duplicitous at best. Had they simply told him they were open to any possibility, they would have been more forthright about their position. No doubt, they didn’t want their resident top dog to be insecure, hence the assurances. The flipside is that they wound up throwing him under the bus.
For the Raptors, it doesn’t help that their move comes with significant risk. No one, perhaps not even Leonard himself, knows how much he has recovered from the right quadriceps injury that compelled him to miss a whopping 73 games through the 2017-2018 season. And then there is his stated preference to play for the Lakers. He’s in the last year of his contract, which is to say he needs to see — and be convinced of — the benefits of staying put before he gets to test free agency a la Paul George with the Thunder.
So, yes, the Raptors did well by upgrading to Leonard. It’s just unfortunate that DeRozan had to bear the brunt of the fallout. Needless to say, they’re hoping their gamble will pay off. In the short-term, this means legitimately jockeying for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. In the medium- to long-terms, this means not losing their new headliner this time next year for nothing. Theirs will be a whirlwind courtship. Whether it will lead to success is anybody’s guess.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.
By Camille A. AguinaldoReporter andCharmaine A. Tadalan
CONGRESS BEGINS its Third Regular Session on Monday, with the Senate set to coordinate its priority bills with the House of Representatives, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said on Sunday.
House leaders for their part said they expect to tackle the draft federal charter to be transmitted to the chamber on Monday, as well as the 2019 national budget and the draft Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is expected to sign before his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments said the next step for charter change will be planned around Mr. Duterte’s SONA. “Let us hear the SONA first,” committee chair Roger G. Mercado said in a text message Saturday.
Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn F. Garcia said last week the House leadership will have to revisit its timetable to accommodate hearings on the General Appropriations Act of 2019 and on the planned shift toward federalism.
Ms. Garcia said the draft Federal Constitution submitted by the Consultative Committee (ConCom) on charter change will be “harmonized” with the constitution the House panel has been drafting.
“We need to deliberate on the draft constitution presented by ConCom vis-a-vis (the) draft constitution that has already been prepared by the House. In the second regular session, the Committee on Constitutional Amendment has also been very busy with the draft constitution,” Ms. Garcia told BusinessWorld in a phone interview, Sunday.
The Senate and the House have been at odds over charter change, with the senators rejecting a proposal by House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez to postpone the 2019 midterm elections to allow time for charter change. Earlier this year, the two chambers disagreed as well on whether to vote jointly or separately in proposing amendments to the Constitution as a constituent assembly.
Mr. Sotto, when sought for comment, said in a text message, “We have yet to finalize the priority list after we meet and after we meet House counterparts.”
Also sought for comment, University of the Philippines (UP) law professor Antonio G.M. La Viña said in a text message: “This should be a concern for the administration. There is no appetite in the senate for Charter change and there is no popular pressure on them to convert into a constituent assembly.”
“The two Houses of Congress, to paraphrase Rudyard Kipling, are East and West and ‘never the twain shall meet.’ I suspect that one will have to give in or will be deceived or forced to give in,” he added.
Mr. Sotto said his colleagues will discuss this week the proposed Federal Constitution, which was formally submitted by the ConCom to the Senate on July 12.
The Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, headed by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, will also hold a meeting on Wednesday, July 25, to tackle updates on its public hearings. The committee will then tackle the matter of whether to proceed or not with charter change, and also whether to recommend a constitutional convention or a constituent assembly.
Mr. Sotto said his colleagues will hold a caucus on Tuesday to identify the Senate’s legislative agenda.
He added that the senators have been also asked to submit priority bills for consideration by the whole body. This would be compared with the priority measures of the House and of the Executive branch, which Mr. Duterte is expected to submit to Congress on Monday.
Also sought for comment, Representative Dakila Carlo E. Cua, who heads the House ways and means committee, said “fiscal incentives (and) corporate income tax” are among his committee’s priorities, along with the “(tax) amnesty.”
The House committee on energy, together with the committee on government reorganization, will discuss bills proposing to abolish the Energy Regulatory Commission and creating in its place the Board of Energy, which shall be an attached agency of the Department of Energy.
On expectations regarding the Mr. Duterte’s third report to the nation, advocacy group Social Watch Philippines (SWP) said it hopes Mr. Duterte will cite the Universal Health Care bill and the Budget Reform Bill.
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement: “I hope President Duterte will outline in detail the government’s concrete plan-of-action to shield poor Filipino families from the rising prices of basic commodities, especially food.”
Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara said he expects Mr. Duterte to push for the passage of proposed measures on universal healthcare, salary increases of teachers, and job generation.
In a radio interview, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said he wanted to hear solutions on how to address poverty and also the peace and order situation in the country.
Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV said the President should suspend the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and withdraw excise taxes on petroleum products.
In her statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, disputing Malacañang’s portrayal of Mr. Duterte as the “father of the nation,” said, “What kind of father directed the killing of thousands of his children and likened it to the Holocaust with pride?… What kind of a ‘father of the nation’ is President Duterte, when he failed to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of China’s unmasked bullying and militarization in the West Philippine Sea? Given his subservience, is it more apt to call him the ‘foster son of China?’”
“On the contrary, President Duterte is an abusive father,” the senator said.
By Gillian M. Cortez
A LABOR GROUP urged lawmakers and their spouses to dress simply and modestly when they turn up at President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) said, “The SONA is not an ostentatious fashion show or a dress rehearsal. This day is more of people wanting to know the situation of our country and what the President plans to do about it, please don’t steal the show from them.”
SONA attendees in the past arrived in stylish attire, usually showcasing local designers. Mr. Tanjusay, in his statement, said the SONA is “an event designed for the general public.”
“We are in…, economically difficult times and any flamboyant display of designer clothes and expensive necklaces, bracelets, earrings and bracelets is offending to the general public who are poor, hungry and suffering,” he also said.
Section 4(h) of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees states that lawmakers and government employees “shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.”
The late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, in 2013, had planned to file a resolution stipulating a dress code for SONA.
Mr. Tanjusay said his group considers President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s third report to the nation as “very crucial to the people in the light of (the) economic crisis being experienced by high inflation and (the) eroding value of wages.”
He added: “Given our political and economic situation, the President as a leader and father of this nation must set out concrete courses of actions on what he plans to do amid the financial crisis that workers and their families are facing. These will serve as hope and guide for them in (this) time of current despair.”
In his statement on Sunday, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa) spokesperson Renato B. Magtubo said the presidential report his group expects “would squarely address economic woes and political issues besetting the country today.”
Nagkaisa also cited the need for “(a)ddressing the proliferation of illegal and abusive contracting arrangements that DO (Department Order) 174 (of the Labor Department) and (Mr. Duterte’s) EO 51 failed to do, by way of certifying as urgent the Security of Tenure Bill pending in the Senate.”
ALU-TUCP on Saturday also cited the Security of Tenure bill as urgent, adding that the government should approve the group’s proposed P500 subsidy for workers. The bill, however, is not among the priority measures identified by the government.
Nagkaisa said further that Mr. Duterte needs to address the “gap (of) workers wages and the cost of living brought about by the TRAIN law, rising inflation, peso devaluation, profiteering and the spike in global prices of petroleum products by way of certifying as urgent wage bills pending in the House of Representatives.”
MASSCOMM.UPD.EDU.PH/
TWELVE ALUMNI from the University of the Philippines-College of Mass Communication (UPCMC) will receive the 2018 Glory Award in honor of the excellence and impact of their work in broadcasting, film, journalism, research and allied disciplines such as social advocacy.
Launched just last year, the “Glory” is UP Masscom’s annual alumni recognition inspired by the legacy of its first dean, Gloria Feliciano. “Our beloved ‘GF’ championed meritocracy and thought leadership. She would have wanted to recognize the outstanding and exemplary communicators produced by our college,” said UPCMC Alumni Association president Malou Choa-Fagar.
The 12 Glory awardees will be presented with sculpted trophies during the UPCMC annual homecoming on October 6. This year’s seven-member board of jurors included film & television director Joel Lamangan, former CNN Philippines and ANC news director Jing Magsaysay, Public Relations Society of the Philippines president Ritzi Ronquillo, Manila Standard associate editor and journalism professor Chin Wong, Oxfam director for Asia and 2017 Glory awardee Lan Mercado, UPCMC dean Dr. Elena Pernia, and UP assistant vice-president of public affairs and alumni office director Dr. Wendell Capili.
The Glory awardees for 2018 are:
• Dolores Cheng, who started the Center for Possibilities Foundation, her creative advocacy to gain awareness and acceptance for children with special needs—so that they can “join the mainstream of society and be treated with compassion, respect, and dignity like everybody else.”
• Jose Ramon “Monchet” Olives, who laid the groundwork for The Filipino Channel, a premium cable service available through five satellites around the globe. Under his direction, TFC established its footprint across North America, Europe, Middle East, Japan and Australia, helping realize ABS-CBN’s goal to be of service to Filipinos all over the world.
• Lilybeth Rasonable, GMA Network’s senior vice president and entertainment group head, who was a key figure in the creation of phenomenal primetime TV hits such as Encantadia, Amaya, and the groundbreaking telenovela My Husband’s Lover.
• Florida “Linggit” Tan-Marasigan, a 30-year TV veteran who led the production teams behind successful ABS-CBN sitcoms, such as Home Sweetie Home, Home Along Da Riles, the long-running gag shows Going Bulilit and Banana Split and New York Festivals bronze medalist Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata.
• Beth Uyenco, a media expert who developed and deployed digital research tools and analytics as a senior executive for industry giants Microsoft, comScore, OMD and DDB Needham Worldwide. She has chaired the research committees of several national industry associations in the US.
• Chito Roño, a veteran filmmaker known for his wide genre and pioneering local use of special effects, who directed memorable films including Private Show, Yamashita: The Tiger’s Treasure, Caregiver, Bata, Bata…Paano Ka Ginawa?, Dekada ‘70, Feng Shui 1 and 2, Sukob, and The Healing.
• Pedro “Boo” Chanco III, a well-rounded alumnus who was formerly a network news director, newspaper editor-in-chief, advertising manager and senior vice president of corporate communications. His long-running business column in the Philippine Star gained a faithful readership for fiercely independent but balanced views written in his distinctly relaxed and informative style.
• Mary Grace Dela Peña-Reyes, who oversees all editorial and production aspects of GMA newscasts—including 24 Oras, Saksi, State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, and Balitanghali. The network won many awards while she was in charge of news gathering, including the international Peabody Award, considered as the Pulitzer prize of broadcasting, for GMA’s coverage of super typhoon Yolanda.
• Cecilia “Ces” Oreña-Drilon, the head of content acquisition for ABS-CBN’s lifestyle ecosystem group, who was a host, co-anchor, senior correspondent and senior business reporter of the network’s news and public affairs programs for nearly three decades. She did not quit even after being kidnapped in Sulu province while pursuing a story in 2008.
• Luz Rimban, a versatile journalist who is the executive director of Asian Center for Journalism based in Ateneo de Manila University and co-founder of the online journalism portal Vera Files. She was former supervising producer of the Philippines’ longest-running English newscast The World Tonight, a TV reporter, and a fellow of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, where she wrote or co-wrote three first prize-winning stories in the annual Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Awards.
• Michelle “Maxxy” Santiago, ABS-CBN correspondent in the Middle East and Arabia Times senior reporter, who broke through the region’s limited press freedom by uncovering labor abuse and maltreatment of Filipino workers, resulting in the prosecution of some of the offenders and abusive employers. She was a non-embedded war journalist in Iraq in 2003 and covered the evacuation of Filipinos from the conflicts in Libya and Syria in 2011-2012.
• Photojournalist Fernando Sepe Jr., who directs the multimedia team of ABS-CBN’s news website and previously worked for the Associated Press, shooting video and photos for events worldwide such as Hurricane Katrina in the US, civil unrest in the Middle East and Myanmar, the Indian Ocean tsunami, and the World Cup of football in Germany. In 2018, he topped the excellence in feature writing category of the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards for his photo essay on the Philippine government’s war on drugs.
By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. on Sunday said Malacañang is “”one with our people in seeking to assert our sovereign rights and territorial claims in the (West Philippine Sea).”
Mr. Roque made the statement Sunday following the release Friday of the Second Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), showing that 87% of adult Filipinos believe it is important the country regains control of the islands occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea.
His statement also said: “Having seen how the confrontational approach of the previous administration only spurred greater militarization, we have shifted to a conciliatory tack and friendly dialogue with China by employing a bilateral consultation mechanism (BCM) to resolve issues while we build up our capability to monitor and defend our maritime interests.”
The BCM, according to the Palace, was established based on the joint statement issued after President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s landmark visit to China in 2016. Its primary objective is to discuss issues of concern from either side, promote cooperation in the disputed waters, and identify mutually acceptable approaches toward addressing the territorial issue.
Labor coalition Nagkaisa, for its part, said there should be a “clear government policy of defending the country’s sovereignty and patrimony on its rightful claims” in the West Philippine Sea.
Before the survey was conducted, SWS also said, “64% already knew that the Philippines is unable to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the West Philippine Sea, 51% already knew that China broke its promise not to militarize the area, and 50% already knew that China created artificial islands that they use as military airbases.”
“The proportion of those who said it is important to regain control of the islands occupied by China in the West Philippine Sea was highest among those with extensive knowledge at 98%, followed by those with adequate knowledge at 95%, those with only a little knowledge at 91%, and those with very little knowledge about the conflict at 83%,” SWS said further.
