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Gov’t to resume federalism campaign in next Congress

THE GOVERNMENT is readying to resume its nationwide advocacy campaign on federalism by July when the 18th Congress opens its first regular session, according to Interior Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya. In a phone message to BusinessWorld last Thursday, Mr. Malaya said when asked for an update regarding the campaign: “The IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force on Federalism) plans to resume the advocacy campaign as soon as the new Congress opens its regular session. We are currently meeting on how to scale up the campaign.” President Rodrigo R. Duterte created the IATF in October last year through Memorandum Circular No. 52 to integrate and coordinate efforts for the government’s campaign on federalism and constitutional reform. Malacañang said last Tuesday that a shift to a federal form of government is among its priorities for the 18th Congress that opens its first regular session on July 22. Mr. Malaya said at a forum last month that the IATF has 10 clusters or committees that undertake a series of consultations with members of the consultative committee (ConCom), members of the federalism study group, other federalism experts and advocates, and other stakeholders. The ConCom was formed by the President to review the 1987 Constitution and draft a federal constitution. The clusters are expected to present their reports, including their draft provisions, to the IATF in June for consideration. The interagency body will then submit its consolidated reports to the Office of the President by the third week of June. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Only 731 occupied out of 5,272 houses built for typhoon Yolanda victims in Cebu

MORE THAN five years after super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) struck the country, with the Visayas islands the most affected, only 731 out of 5,272 housing units built in Cebu are occupied, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo B. Nograles. The completed houses are in the northern municipalities of Daan Bantayan, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, Medellin, San Remegio, Tabogon, and Madridejos. “Our challenge therefore is to find out why this is so and come up with viable solutions in completing the housing construction and addressing the low occupancy issue,” said Mr. Nograles who was in Cebu last week for a Cabinet Assistance System meeting with mayors of Yolanda-affected areas in Cebu. Under the rehabilitation program, a total of 22,423 houses are supposed to be built for the typhoon victims in the province. Mr. Nograles called on local government units to reactivate and strengthen the Local Inter-Agency Committee (LIAC) to address the low completion rate of construction and the occupancy issues. “The LIACs play a crucial role in addressing the gaps in the Yolanda housing program so we can fully bring Yolanda rehabilitation and recovery to a successful conclusion,” he said. — The Freeman

Expanding BIMP-EAGA tourism ties with Islamic tours

TOUR OPERATOR Aneka Kartika Travel and Tours has started offering combined Brunei-Surabaya, Indonesia tours to the Mindanao market with focus on Islamic and cultural attractions. “We are hoping to get some interest from the Muslim community in Mindanao. We’ve been already approached by some Muslim travel agents who are interested. This offering to open to everybody who is open to the Muslim and Javanese cultures,” said Vernon Prieto of the Surabaya-based Aneka Kartika Travel and Tours in an interview. The company participated in the recent 4th Annual Philippine Halal Trade and Tourism Expo 2019 following an invitation from the Consulate of Indonesia in Davao. “It’s not only Indonesia because you get to spend the whole day in Brunei for Islamic culture. So you will be able to see the mosques, floating village, and Regalia,” Mr. Prieto said. “We have three different packages with different variations. The complete package will allow you to visit the tombs of the nine walis, from Surabaya all the way to Jakarta and that’s about eight days,” he added. Tourism linkages and promotion has been one of the main pursuits of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). — Maya M. Padillo

A Mangudadatu elected 1st woman governor of Maguindanao

BESTING FIVE other candidates, Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu has won as the first woman governor of Maguindanao with 256,338 votes. Her closest rival was Freddie Mangudadatu, who received 201,565 votes. Freddie is the first cousin of Bai Mariam’s husband, Suharto Mangudadatu, who also won as the governor of Sultan Kudarat province in the neighboring SOCCSKSARGEN Region. Ms. Sangki-Mangudadatu said that she will focus on providing medical services, livelihood, and scholarship programs. Meanwhile, former Maguindanao governor, Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, brother of Freddie, won as congressional representative for the province’s 2nd District. Esmael told the media that despite his brother’s defeat, he is still ready to help the governor-elect “in serving Maguindanao.” He said, “I am willing to support whatever the plans of the new administration because we share the same endeavor of serving the province of Maguindanao.” The congressman-elect also said that he will ask President Rodrigo R. Duterte for a temporary halt on military operations in Maguindanao. “I am hoping that the war stops. Allow the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) government to talk to the lawless elements.” He added that he is willing to take part in the negotiations. “Civilian lives are always at risk, it will only make a cycle of violence,” he said.

BASILAN
In Basilan, former ARMM regional governor Mujiv S. Hataman won as congressman for the island province’s lone district. His wife, former ANAK Mindanao representative Djalia Hataman won as mayor of Isabela City, which is geographically part of Basilan but is under the administrative jurisdiction of Zamboanga Peninsula Region. The couple ran against candidates of the Akbar political clan of Basilan.

SULU
In Sulu, members of the Tan family running under the ruling PDP-Laban party won several seats. Among them are former governor Abdusakur M. Tan, who is returning to his old post while his son, incumbent Governor Abdusakur A. Tan II, was elected vice-governor. — Tajallih S. Basman

NYC chair deemed resigned amid pending party-list bid

MALACAÑANG on Sunday ordered Chairman Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema of the National Youth Commission (NYC) to vacate his post as he has filed a petition to replace his wife, Ducielle Marie Suarez-Cardema, as the first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list.

“The petition for substitution of National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairperson Ronald Cardema as first nominee of the Duterte Youth party-list, as well as the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec’s) confirmation that it was timely filed (May 12), connotes that he is considered ipso facto resigned from his present post,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a statement.

Mr. Panelo also pointed out that Mr. Cardema’s petition has yet to be approved by the Comelec “as the body is still currently tackling the procedural and substantive legalities of the same.”

“Regardless of the outcome, we deem that Mr. Cardema has already abandoned his present position because his act of filing the petition absolutely reflects his intention to relinquish his office and exposes his desire to serve the government in a different capacity,” he added.

“The Palace therefore requires Mr. Cardema to vacate his office forthwith and turn over all official papers, documents, and properties in his possession to the Office of the President.”

Mr. Panelo said Mr. Duterte will soon appoint a person “who can advance the genuine interests and welfare of our country’s youth as the new chairperson of the NYC.”

Mr. Cardema, who is more known as head of the Duterte Youth Movement, was appointed to the NYC last year.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Mr. Cardema said: “Time to crush all NPA-allied Congressmen and stop them from supporting/aiding/funding their armed comrades in bringing down our government, in killing our government troops, in burning cell sites/equipment being used by millions of Filipinos, in taking over government housing units, and in extorting money from our helpless countrymen.”

“We will spread a strong sense of nationalism, sense of discipline, enlightenment & development in our nation and we will inspire the millions of Filipino Youth in strengthening the Philippine Republic, during this generation of ours.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Alternative candidates seen to make a dent on dynasties

By Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

ANALYSTS cited different factors which led to the fall of some dynasties in parts of the National Capital Region during the recent election.

Ateneo Policy Center research fellow Michael Henry LI. Yusingco said the victories of the so-called “dynasty-slayers” in three cities in Metro Manila- San Juan City, Pasig City, and City of Manila – were rooted from different circumstances.

“Vico Sotto was able to differentiate himself from the dynasty….Number one, he really goes down to the street level during his campaign. Tapos nakikihalubilo siya sa mga tao (Then he also mingles with the people there). Yung slogan niya really worked, ‘Iba Naman’ (His slogan really worked, S’omeone Differerent’)” said Mr. Yusingco.

Pasig City had its new presumptive mayor in city councilor Vico Sotto, nephew of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, who won by 206,226 votes against the 119,726 votes of incumbent Mayor Robert Eusebio, whose family ruled the city for 27 years.

For, Mr. Yusingco the victories of Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso in Manila and Francis Zamora in San Juan can be attributed to the weakening of the Estrada-Ejercito “name” in politics.

“Isko Moreno’s story is different. Because Isko Moreno is already well-known, even though he is not a dynastic politician, he is a veteran politician, for a while artista pa (even a celebrity). What made him successful, without belittling him, a big factor of his victory is the weakness of the Estrada dynasty. Humina kasi yung pangalan na Estrada (The name Estrada began to fade in appeal). For many reasons, particularly yung nangyari kay Jinggoy (with what happened to Jinggoy), he is still accused in a plunder case….So therefore, ang consequence nun ay si Isko Moreno umangat (Isko Moreno stood out)….Manila voters saw something positive,” Mr. Yusingco said.

He added: “In San Juan, yung Estrada brand dun medyo humina na rin (The Estrada brand also weakened a bit in San Juan). We also have to consider na yung nakatalo sa kanila (the opponents who beat them are) also a string dynasty in San Juan….San Juan is also a unique story because it’s a battle of long-established dynasties. Nagkataon lang (It just happened) na one of the dynasties there has grown weak, has lost its luster. Therefore ang consequence dun is the other dynasty will take advantage of that.”

A former vice-mayor and basketball player, Mr. Zamora’s mayoral candidacy served to end the Estrada family’s decades-long dominance in San Juan City with 35,060 votes as against the 24,813 votes of Janella Estrada, the daughter of former senator Jinggoy E. Estrada, who was seeking a fresh term in the Senate.

Three members of the Ejercito-Estrada family have led the city in the past. Former president Joseph E. Estrada ruled San Juan mayor from 1969 to 1986, while his son and reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito held the position for three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2010. He was succeeded by his mother Guia G. Gomez.

Mr. Zamora ran under the ruling PDP-Laban. His father Ronaldo won the congressional seat of the lone district of San Juan.

Just like his granddaughter, the elder Mr. Estrada failed in his reelection bid in Manila to that city’s vice-mayor, Mr. Domagoso, who took the lead in the mayoral race with 354,327 votes over Mr. Estrada’s 210,407 votes.

Also sought for comment, University of Santo Tomas political science professor Marlon M. Villarin said, “Most of the Filipino voters nowadays are not only dependent on name recall but they are now more critical on what a family can do to them… It’s more on how your name is actually capable of providing practical solution to their very complex problem. So maganda dito yung tinatawag natin na political awakening moment ng mga electorate especially (in) those areas na may democratic access to information.(What’s good here is we have what we call a political awakening moment among the electorate especially in areas with democratic access to information).”

“Yes, they (the electorate) want change. They were given opportunity for change to happen, “ said University of the Philippines-Diliman law professor Antonio M. La Viña said when sought for comment.

Mr. La Viña said the new local leaders should know how to work together with the people in city hall: “They have to govern smart. They need to have a good team. Their team ay hindi dapat makipagaway sa mga nandun (They should not fight with anyone there). Their team should not be against everyone else, they should integrate and put the teams together.”

Mr. Yusingco said, “When we talk about long entrenched dynasties, that means city hall itself is full of allies and relatives sometimes of these dynasties. So when a new leader comes in, his first challenge is to reorganize the city hall o yung munisipyo (or the municipality)….The new leader must identify yung mga (all) non-performing employees and get rid of them…..(I)dentifying…who to retain and who to dismiss…is the first practical challenge.”

Asked abut expectations by the public regarding the new leaders, Mr. Villarin said,

“It’s challenging because, (how will) new blood, young blood… be able to test the challenge of the traditional political environment when they assume power….(A)nd when you speak of public expectation, you are referring to what kind of political leadership will you be employing?”

Sought for a comment regarding the continued hold of other political families in their bailiwicks, Mr. Yusingco said: “The Binays in Makati, naging swerte sila kasi (they were lucky) when they got into power. Makati was seen as the center of business. So they inherited something good. In fairness to them, they did not diminish the luster of Makati. So (the) issues against them do…not necessarily involve Makati. The residents of Makati are understandable why they will be satisfied with the Binay dynasty.”

He added, “On the other hand, the Cayetanos inherited a city like Taguig which is becoming like Makati….The Cayetanos, what they are trying to do is to overwhelm the politics in Taguig.”

Mr. Villarin said in part, “Number one factor is the uncompetitive candidacy. (It’s as if) it boils down to the quality of alternative candidates….”

Mr. La Viña said political dynasties cannot last long. “They have consolidated resources. But it is a warning to them that there is always an end to a dynasty. So you do not make politics your family business. You will get bankrupt whether you like it or not.”

Lady Eagles highlight journey in latest crown

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Ateneo Lady Eagles are back on top of women’s volleyball in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines after claiming the Season 81 title over the weekend with a straight-sets win over the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in their rubber match Game Three.

It was a culmination, the Lady Eagles said, of what was a season journey that tested their person in more ways than one and to come up on top in the end made it all the more special and satisfying.

Fell early in their best-of-three UAAP finals after being swept by the Tigresses in the series opener, the Lady Eagles recalibrated and won the next two, capped by their own shutout victory in Game Three on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena, 25-17, 25-22 and 25-22.

Much like the way they went about all season long, Ateneo used a balanced attack to outsteady and outlast a gallant UST crew to earn its third UAAP women’s volleyball title and first in four years.

Kat Tolentino, the team’s leading scorer for the season, was in familiar territory in Game Three, top-scoring with 15 points.

Maddie Madayag had 10 points of her own with Bea De Leon and Jules Samonte adding six apiece and Ponggay Gaston chipping in five.

The win gave multi-titled men’s division coach Oliver Almadro his first title in the women’s side, and on his first year.

It also afforded graduating players De Leon, Madayag and Kim Gequillana a champion exit.

The championship also turned out to be the swan song for Tolentino, who later on Saturday said she was already foregoing her final year of eligibility in the UAAP.

While they are happy to be back on top, the Lady Eagles underscored that it was only one part of the season and the in-between from training camp all the way to the finals was equally deserving to be celebrated.

“It’s not all about today but all of the hard work that we put in and the ups and downs that we experienced. Coach O (Almadro) believed in us, had confidence in us and we put in the work,” said Gequillana, a converted libero and now holds the distinction as the Lady Eagle with the most UAAP title of three.

“It was really team work that put us here,” she added.

For Mr. Almadro, their road to the championship was not easy, marked with many people doubting them and internally dealing with many adjustments.

“It’s not how you start but how you end it. We lost our first match of the season [against rivals De La Salle] and many counted us out. They said we lack this, we lack that, but we made it. It’s faith [in God] and the courage that we showed. We worked as a team. I’m really thankful to the players for trusting the system. It’s not yet perfect but they trusted it and worked hard to make it work,” said Mr. Almadro, who led Ateneo’s men’s team to three straight titles before taking on the women’s team job in the offseason.

The Ateneo coach went on to say that the UST series was in a way representative of how it went for them in Season 81.

“UST pushed us forward. We also lost the first game and they exposed us. But in turn the players understood what they needed to do and saw what we as team wanted to happen,” said Mr. Almadro, who heaped praises to super rookie Eya Laure, graduating captain Sisi Rondina and the rest of the Tigresses for putting up a good up fight and making it hard for them.

Now back as champions, the Lady Eagles said work continues for them, especially with the key departures they will be having.

“We have to continue bettering ourselves and believe in God’s plan. Our main weapons are faith, courage and taking on the challenge. Of course we have to develop our skills, it will not go away. We are now the champion and we have targets on our back,” said Mr. Almadro, who shared that they will bank on the rookies who are coming in for next season and the holdovers moving forward.

Koepka has record 7-stroke lead after 3rd round at PGA

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Brooks Koepka said his “tunnel-vision focus” was key to his success in major tournaments as he held onto his record seven-stroke lead going into Sunday’s final round of the PGA Championship.

Koepka ended the third round on Saturday with the same lead as he started it, combining the strength of tungsten with the precision of a calligrapher in a near-clinical even-par 70 in brilliant sunshine at the demanding Bethpage Black.

“I’m definitely not going to let up, I promise you that,” he said after posting a 12-under 198 total. “I feel confident going into tomorrow. If I can get off to a good start, these first six holes are very scorable.”

Long-hitting fellow Americans Dustin Johnson (69), Harold Varner III (67) and Luke List (69), and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond (67) were locked in second place on five under.

The largest 54-hole lead in championship history left Koepka needing only to avoid a disastrous Sunday to retain the title. He has also won the past two US Opens.

“I’m more focused than anybody out there,” Koepka said, when asked why he performs better in majors than regular PGA Tour events.

“I think I’m tunnel-visioned. My focus probably goes up, I don’t know, tenfold of what it does in a tour event.”

COMEBACK POSSIBLE?
The engraver is not quite ready to etch Koepka’s name into the Wanamaker Trophy just yet with the largest PGA Championship comeback after 54 holes was American John Mahaffey coming from seven behind to beat Tom Watson in a playoff in 1978.

Johnson has not given up hope of a similar fightback.

“It’s going to take something special to catch Brooks but it’s definitely doable on this course because it’s so difficult,” said Johnson.

List, who has yet to win PGA Tour title, was less optimistic.

“I think we’re all pretty much playing for second,” he said. “It seems like that hasn’t been said since Tiger (Woods) back in his heyday.”

Koepka was relentless on Saturday, smashing his drives more than 300 yards and hitting soaring iron shots that honed in on the pins.

He limited his damage to three bogeys, using his power to muscle his ball out of the lush rough on the odd occasion when he strayed from the fairway.

His rivals did not play badly, but the damage had been done in the first 36 holes.

They simply had too much ground to make up with their cause made all the more difficult by the rough that gobbled up errant shots, while the wind whipped up over the final hour of play.

Johnson had six birdies, but littered his card with five bogeys, while List bogeyed the final two holes.

Koepka, however, gave his rivals a tip on how to deal with their final day chase.

“It’s grind it out, suck it up, and move on,” he said.

“You’re going to make a lot of mistakes; it’s a major championship. You know that’s going to happen and guys have a hard time letting that go.” — Reuters

Chasing pack not ready to concede yet with wind a factor

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Brooks Koepka’s seven-stroke lead has placed one of his hands on the PGA Championship’s Wanamaker Trophy but the group of players chasing him are not ready to concede just yet, especially if the wind continues to blow.

Koepka’s even par round on Saturday left him at 12-under, seven ahead of Dustin Johnson, Harold Varner III, Luke List, and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.

List, who had earlier said the pack may be fighting for a second place finish on Sunday, however changed tack a little and said he was still not ready to concede just yet.

“I feel like if we don’t get up trying to win a championship tomorrow, then all of us have no chance,” List said. “So it’s out there. I mean, there’s been some low rounds this week.

“I don’t know what the wind is supposed to do tomorrow, but if you go out there and shoot five or six-under, you never know what (might) happen.

“That’s in my head. I can’t control what Brooks is doing. He’s been playing tremendous golf and I just hope that I have a good day and that he doesn’t have his best day.”

The wind was a factor in Saturday’s round in New York with several players commenting on the blustery conditions.

“It blew from every direction you can think of throughout the round,” said the world number one Johnson.

“It wasn’t like it was just a little breeze. It was blowing pretty hard and it definitely picked up in the last (hour) we were playing.”

List added that the back nine could be tough to negotiate on the already challenging course, if they end up playing into a head wind.

“I thought it was challenging, the whole back nine to have the wind, on 12, 13 — 11, 12, 13, and 14,” he said.

“When the wind is in your face on those holes, you have to be in the fairway and if you don’t, you scramble to make par. It was challenging to say the least.”

Varner III, who is 174th in the rankings and yet to win a PGA event, however, was not too worried about what conditions might be thrown at them on Sunday.

“According to my scorecard, they were awesome,” Varner III laughed when asked about the wind. “It’s a great opportunity. It’s going to be a great day no matter what happens.” — Reuters

Elite begin Commissioner’s Cup bid with win

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Blackwater Elite kickstarted their Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup campaign on a high, winning over the Meralco Bolts, 94-91, in overtime in the tournament opener on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Found themselves in a tight contest throughout, the Elite dug deep and found ways to extricate themselves from the Bolts in the end to book their first win in the midseason tournament of the premier local pro league.

The Bolts would get early traction to start the contest only for the Elite to catch up with them.

It was a knotted match at 11-all by the 5:38 mark of the opening quarter after which a back-and-forth ensued between the two teams.

When the first-quarter smoke cleared though it was Meralco on top by two points, 19-17.

The nip-and-tuck affair continued in the second frame as the two teams did not allow one another to create match distance.

The count was at 37-all with a minute and 18 seconds to go at the half before Meralco import Gani Lawal Jr. and rookie Trevis Jackson conspired for a five-point finishing kick to give their team a 42-37 lead by halftime.

Meralco picked up from where it left off to start the third period, going on an 8-2 blast to extend their advantage to 11 points, 50-39, with just two minutes lapsing.

After suing for time, Blackwater made an 8-0 blast, on the lead of import Alex Stepheson and debuting rookie Ray Parks Jr., to narrow the gap anew, 50-47, at the 7:48 mark.

The Elite kept charging back, eventually tying things at 52-all with five minutes to go.

Blackwater used it as leverage on its way to go on top, 64-63, heading into the fourth quarter.

Like in the previous quarter the Bolts would gallop to start the final canto as guard Mike Tolomia racked up seven quick points to build a 70-64 lead a minute into the period.

Mr. Parks pulled the Elite to within two points, 70-68, after three minutes with back-to-back baskets.

But the Bolts managed to distance themselves once again, 76-70, with six minutes remaining in the match.

The Elite, however, were undeterred by it, pulling even at 76-all a minute after.

They outsprinted the Bolts, 84-80, entering the last two minutes before Mr. Lawal pushed Meralco to even things, 85-all, with 47 seconds left.

Blackwater had a chance to go up anew but Mr. Stepheson muffed his free throws with 22 ticks go to give Meralco a chance to go up.

Off a timeout, Mr. Jackson found himself in the position to win the game for Meralco but his pull-up jumper failed to connect as time wound up, sending the game into extra time.

The two teams fought to an 87-87 count entering the last two minutes in overtime before Mr. Stepheson hand the lead to Blackwater, 89-87, with a dunk with 1:36 to play.

Mr. Lawal tied the game, 89-all, with a jumper with 51 ticks left only to be answered by Mac Belo 18 seconds later to make it 91-89.

Meralco tried to claw its way back from it and had a shot at tying the game being down by only three points, 94-91, with nine seconds remaining.

No luck would come to the Bolts though as Mr. Lawal’s potential game-tying triple did not go through as time expired.

Mr. Stepheson led Blackwater with 21 points and 31 rebounds.

Mike DiGregorio also had 21 points for the Elite while Mr. Parks had 20 points and eight boards.

Mr. Lawal paced Meralco with 34 points and 21 rebounds.

“Happy that the players stuck together against a Meralco team which is strong in import-laden tournaments. They stuck to our game plan and worked hard till the end,” said debuting Blackwater coach Aries Dimaunahan postgame.

Blackwater returns on Friday, May 24, versus defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings while Meralco plays on the same date against the Columbian Dyip.

Geje ‘Gravity’ Eustaquio back on the winning track

FORMER ONE Championship world flyweight champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio marked his fight return with a victory, dominating South Korean Kim Sung Kyu in their matchup on May 17 at “ONE: Enter the Dragon” in Singapore.

Coming off a split decision loss in January that saw him loss his title to Brazilian Adriano Moraes, Mr. Eustaquio (12-7) of Team Lakay fought with drive and determination right from the opening bell and took the fight to the taller and younger Kim on his way to the unanimous decision victory.

Mr. Eustaquio, 30, used his superior striking and impeccable head movement to outpoint his Korean opponent in the first two rounds. Mr. Kim tried to rally back in the final round, but his comeback came a little too late, as the Filipino was awarded the decision win after three rounds.

The victory put Mr. Eustaquio in position as an alternate in the ongoing ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix and a step forward to his goal of claiming the division title anew.

After the win, Mr. Eustaquio said it is the beginning of his journey back and thank God and his supporters and team for serving as a driving force in his fight return.

Also emerging victorious at Enter the Dragon was hometown bet Christian Lee who beat lightweight champion Shinya Aoki of Japan by way of technical knockout in the second round to become the new king of the division.

The 20-year-old Lee joined sister Angela, the reigning women’s atomweight champ, as ONE champion.

Not so lucky, meanwhile, was Filipino Richard Corminal who lost by submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round to lightweight Rahul Raju of India. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Cariño dons national colors in 10th Le Tour de Filipinas

EL JOSHUA CARIÑO returns to defend his title as stalwart of the Philippine National Team in the 10th running of the Le Tour de Filipinas set from June 14 to 18.

Cariño won last year’s race that finished at Burnham Park in Baguio City as a rider for Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance (PNSI) to become the third Filipino champion of the International Cycling Union race after Baler Ravina (2012) and Mark John Lexer Galedo (2014).

For this year’s Le Tour, PNSI team owner Ernesto “Judes” Echauz, one of PhilCycling’s major stakeholders, agreed to have the team race for flag and country as part of the national riders’ preparations for the 30th Southeast Asian Games in December.

Joining Cariño in the Le Tour that has been elevated by organizer Ube Media, Inc. to a five-stage Category 2.2 event are fellow veterans Jan Paul Morales, Ronald Oranza, Junrey Navarra and Jhon Mark Camingao.

The other national team members, meanwhile, will be racing for their mother clubs, including Felipe Marcelo of 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines-Air21 (continental) and last year’s Le Tour Best Young Rider and Cariño’s younger brother, Daniel Ven Cariño, of Go For Gold (continental).

Bike X Philippines is the fourth local squad that will be facing a tough challenge from 11 foreign teams, almost all of which are UCI continental teams. Five riders are racing for each of the teams.

The Le Tour kicks off on June 14 with a short yet demanding 129.50-km Stage 1 on an out-and-back course marked with several climbs in Tagaytay City. The tour entourage transfers to Lucena City in Quezon Province where the cyclists will spend the night before Stage Two on June 15 that will be a long 194.90 kms from Pagbilao to Daet in Camarines, Norte.

Stage Three on June 16 will be 183.70 kms from Daet to Legazpi City and Stage Four will cover 176.00 kms from Legaspi City via Sorsogon and Gubat and back to the Albay capital.

Stage Five will also be out-and-back in Legazpi City but this time it will be via Donsol in Sorsogon for a total of 145.80 kms.

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