Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 11478

Comelec to hold mock polls to test automated system

By Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Reporter
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold mock elections on Jan. 19 in 60 clustered precincts in 30 areas to test-run the automated system for the May 13 midterm polls.
The mock elections will be conducted in Quezon City (1st and 2nd Districts), Manila (5th District), Pasig (2nd District), Taguig, Pateros, Valenzuela City (1st District), Muntinlupa City, Alaminos City and Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Tuguegarao City and Aparri in Cagayan, Sorsogon City and Matnog in Sorsogon, and Iriga City and Buhi in Camarines Sur. Mock polls will also be conducted in Cebu City (1st District) and Santander in Cebu; Albuquerque and Cortes in Bohol; Dapitan City and Sergio Osmeña, Sr. in Zamboanga del Norte; Digos City and Bansalan in Davao del Sur; General Santos City and Surallah in South Cotabato, Jolo and Tongkil in Sulu; and Lamitan and Sumisip in Basilan.
Comelec spokesperson James B. Jimenez said the mock election is required under Republic Act No. 9369, the law which authorizes Comelec to conduct an automated system.
“The mock election will test and ensure the security features, accuracy, and functional capability of all these elements: the voter registration verification system (VRVS), the VCMs (vote counting machine), transmission devices and the consolidation and the canvassing system,” Mr. Jimenez said.
“Isang purpose ng mock elections is to ensure na magkaroon tayo ng opportunity na makita kung ‘yung mga proseso natin ay gumagana ba. Mapa-fine tune natin ‘yung mga procedure na nakabalot naman doon sa sistema (The purpose of mock elections is to ensure that we will have an opportunity to see the if the process works. We will fine-tune the procedures included in the system),” he added.
Mr. Jimenez also said the Comelec will test in three clustered precincts (one each from Pasig City, Quezon City, and Manila) the VRVS which uses biometrics data of voters to check if they are registered with the poll body.
He said that in the actual elections, only the precincts in Manila, Quezon City, unidentified municipalities in Pangasinan, Cavite, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao del Sur and all provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will use the new system.
Mr. Jimenez also said the new system would add an estimated five minutes in the voting procedure.
“(W)e expect that it’s only for the pilot test na makikita natin ito, kasi (that we can only see this, because) when we go into full implementation in the future, ‘yun na lang ang prosesong gagamatin mo (that will be the process used). So ni-replace mo lang ‘yung libro (you just replaced the book), and to that point it will be even quicker kasi ‘yung (because) search mo digital na, hindi ka na magli-lift through a book (the search will be digital, you don’t have to lift through a book).”

Sri Lankan leader hails Duterte’s drug war

SRI LANKAN President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s drug war is “an example to the whole world.” In his message delivered in Malacañang, Mr. Sirisena said, “Excellency, the war against crime and drugs carried out by you is an example to the whole world, and personally to me. Drug menace is rampant in my country and I feel that we should follow your footsteps to control this hazard.” The Sri Lankan leader arrived in Manila last Monday for a five-day state visit to the country. He also said of Mr. Duterte’s leadership: “We, in Sri Lanka, are impressed that despite challenging global and regional economic environment, you have led this nation on a road to prosperity, sustaining economic growth, launching and building critical infrastructure, generating employment and securing Philippines people-centric foreign policy effectively.” For his part, Mr. Duterte said, “It is significant that this State Visit happens this week as we mark the 58th anniversary of our diplomatic relations… As we look back on our shared past, we look forward to a future of significant broadening and deepening of our ties; in trade and investments; defense and security; agriculture; tourism; education; culture; and people-to-people exchanges.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Chinese navy ships in town

Chinese navy ships, the Wu Hu and Han Dan with replenishment ship Dong Ping Hu, arrived at the South Harbor in Manila on Thursday, Jan. 17, for a four-day goodwill visit. The China People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) contingent was welcomed by Philippine Navy officers and members of the Filipino-Chinese community. PLAN Rear Admiral Xu Haihua, said in his speech at the welcome ceremony, “We have elevated our relationship to one of comprehensive strategic cooperation, opening a new chapter for China-Philippine relationship. I believe that we come here with peace, friendship and a better vision of common development and shared prosperity…” This is the second visit of PLAN ships under President Rodrigo R. Duterte, with the first in April 2017 in Davao City, the President’s hometown.

PECO assures it will not leave ‘Iloilo in darkness’ as franchise expires on 19th

ILOILO CITY — The city’s sole power distributor, Panay Electric Company, Inc., (PECO), gave assurance on Thursday that it will continue to operate even after the expiration of its franchise on Jan. 19.
“PECO will continue its business as usual because we were given instructions by the president to continue our operations. Ilonggos should not fear black-out because we will remain true to our commitment that we will never leave Iloilo City in darkness,” PECO Assistant Vice President for Operations Randy S. Pastolero told reporters.
Mr. Pastolero said while PECO’s franchise will be expiring on Saturday, they still have a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity valid until May 2019 that allows them to operate in the city.
“The Department of Energy (DoE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) also called us and said that they will issue an order instructing us to continue our operations,” he said.
The 95-year old company’s application for franchise renewal under House Bill No. 6023, submitted in July 2017, remains pending before the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises.
A new franchise for Iloilo City has been granted to MORE Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The final bill is currently awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The Senate’s committee on power services organized a meeting of the technical working group that was formed to ensure a smooth transition of power distribution in Iloilo City last Nov. 8, 2018.
During the meeting, the ERC proposed a two-year transition period from PECO to MORE Power, during which time the former will be authorized to continue its operations while the latter sets up its own power distribution system.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pastolero said PECO remains determined to fight for its franchise.
“We are still open for any legal remedies and as we have stated before, this is gonna be a long legal battle.” — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

JICA, MCWD sign septage management project for Metro Cebu

THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) recently signed documents relating to the preparatory survey for the Septage Management Project for Metro Cebu, putting the plan a step closer to implementation. The project involves the construction of a septage treatment facility at the North Reclamation Area, which MCWD will operate. It will serve customers in the cities of Cebu, Talisay and Mandaue and the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan and Compostela. “We have concluded the conceptual plan of the project for septage management in Metro Cebu Water District. It is expected that the project will proceed successfully to contribute improvement for the sanitation and environment sector in Cebu province,” said JICA Senior Deputy Director General of the Global Environmental Department Hiromichi Murakami in a statement from the Cebu provincial government. The construction of the plant is expected to start in April this year target completion is Sept. 2020.

Holiday declared for BOL plebiscite

MALACAÑANG has issued Proclamation No. 646 declaring Monday, Jan. 21, a special non-working day in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Isabela City in Basilan, and Cotabato City for the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). “[I]n order to give the people of the ARMM, Isabela City, and Cotabato City the opportunity to actively and fully participate in the plebiscite and exercise their right to vote, it is but fitting and proper to declare 21 January 2019 a special (non-working) day,” reads part of the proclamation signed by Executive Secretary Salvador S. Medialdea on Jan. 10 and made public yesterday. Meanwhile, the areas in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Cotabato that will take part in the plebiscite will cast their ballots on Feb. 6. President Rodrigo R. Duterte is scheduled to lead a peace assembly for the ratification of the BOL in Cotabato City on Friday, Jan. 18. In a press briefing on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said that “it is just logical” for the President “who is in favor” of the BOL “to make a pitch for it.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Cebu governor backs mayor on legalizing motorcycle public transport

CEBU GOVERNOR Hilario P. Davide III has expressed support to legalizing motorcycles as public transport, locally referred to as habal-habals. “There is really a need for habal-habal. We see that even in our towns here in Cebu,” he said in support of Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña’s recent statement that the local economy and residents will not survive without these two-wheeled informal services. Among those who use habal-habals are workers in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. “The BPOs alone bring P7 billion a month to Cebu City’s economy,” Mr. Osmeña told members of the House of Representatives during the Metro Manila Development committee meeting in Manila on Monday. Mr. Davide, for his part, said the public, including students, are also dependent on the motorcycle-for-hire, especially in the mountain villages. “People are dependent on that (motorcycle-for-hire). There are so many interior roads and even barangay roads that are not accessible by four-wheel vehicles,” the governor said. —The Freeman

Military, police beef up security as BOL plebiscite nears

THE MILITARY and police have recently foiled bomb threats and seized firearms from terror groups as security operations are beefed up for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite on Jan. 21 and Feb. 6. “The focus of our operations is in connection with the upcoming Bangsamoro plebiscite. We want to preempt the threat groups who plan to interrupt the event,” Major Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division, said in a phone interview with BusinessWorld. Over the weekend and this week, the Western Mindanao Command reported a foiled bomb plot in Sultan Kudarat after seizing “anti-personnel mines” and triggering devices, and the seizure of various weapons in Maguindanao from alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Five members of the BIFF led by Commander Mayogantong Bansil also surrendered and turned over their firearms.
COTABATO CITY
Mr. Encinas said they have also augmented manpower in Cotabato City following the Dec. 31 bombing incidents. The city has also been placed under the control of the Commission on Elections. “Two division recon company were added for Cotabato City as a force multiplier. Aside from that, there are five battalions who are securing the area,” he said. A provisional battalion will also be deployed during the voting day on Jan. 21. Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, in an interview with BusinessWorld on Tuesday evening, said security forces captured a suspected member of the Islamic State group last Jan. 15. “Special Investigation Task Group captured a member of ISIS involved in the Davao City bombing earlier. If he was not captured, he may have started another bombing (here) since he was armed with a grenade at the time of the capture,” Ms. Sayadi said. — Tajallih S. Basman

Nation at a Glance — (01/18/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.
Nation at a Glance — (01/18/19)

Asian Cup campaign ends for PHL Azkals

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Philippine men’s national football team saw its AFC Asian Cup 2019 bid come to an end on Wednesday night in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, after losing to Kyrgyz Republic, 3-1; their third straight defeat in the quadrennial continental football spectacle.
Needing to win over Kyrgyzstan in their Group C match to at least have a shot at moving into the next round of the tournament, the Philippine Azkals instead saw themselves at the raw end of the match, in the process kissing their knockout round hopes goodbye.
Vitalij Lux proved to be the biggest thorn for the Azkals as the forward scored a hat-trick that propelled Kyrgyzstan to the victory.
The German-based forward first connected in the 24th minute and followed up on it in the 51st minute.
Mr. Lux further buried the Philippines when he completed his hat trick in the 77th minute.
The Azkals got some consolation when captain Stephan Shrock scored for the Philippines in the 80th minute.
The goal was the first for the Azkals in the tournament in three matches, giving their first-ever Asian Cup campaign another silver lining as it ended.
Despite failing to go through, the Azkals were still grateful for the chance to test themselves and compete in a tournament like the Asian Cup while vowing to work harder and come back stronger.
“Our #AsianCup2019 campaign may have ended, but the dream will always be alive … We’ll be back stronger than ever to #DoTheImpossible,” the team wrote on its Twitter account.
“Thy will be done Lord. Thank you for the privilege of representing the Philippines in this Asian Cup. It’s our first but certainly not going to be our last. Salamat sa suporta mga kababayan!” Azkals team manager Dan Palami, for his part, wrote on his Twitter post following their defeat.
Coached by World Cup campaigner Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Azkals were hoping to make waves in its debut Asian Cup campaign despite being lumped in Group C, hailed as the Group of Death, along with Korea Republic and China People’s Republic, apart from Kyrgyzstan.
The Philippine team showed spirited effort against Korea, losing, 1-0, and challenged China before bowing down, 3-0.
With the loss to Kyrgyzstan, the Azkals finished last in their grouping with a 0-0-3 record and no points to show for.
In the Asian Cup, tournament format calls for the top two teams from each grouping after group play advancing to the next round, to be joined by the four best third-placed teams among the six groups.

Pacquiao has much to fight for against Broner

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
ON Sunday Filipino boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao returns to the ring, staking his World Boxing Association welterweight title against American challenger Adrien “The Problem” Broner in a headlining fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
It is a fight that is being hailed a lot riding on, with one local combat sports analyst even looking at it as having a “much to lose” setup for eight-division world champion Pacquiao at this stage of his storied career.
Mr. Pacquiao (60-7-2, 39 KOs) enters the contest on Sunday (Manila time) off a convincing victory over Lucas Matthysse of Argentina in July, where he seized the WBA title in a convincing seventh-round technical knockout victory.
It was a successful bounce back for the Filipino boxing superstar after losing to Australian Jeff Horn by unanimous decision in July 2017 while also reasserting his claim of not being done in boxing even at the age of 40.
It is this precise scenario, as well as the kind of challenge that Mr. Broner is expected to present, that fight analyst Nissi Icasiano is viewing the about-to-unfold bout.
“Manny Pacquiao puts his WBA welterweight championship at stake against the man who was once the self-appointed heir to Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s throne. It’s a no-brainer that Broner will try to put an effort to shift a reputation of being a career underachiever,” said Mr. Icasiano in an online correspondence with BusinessWorld as he set up the significance of the title fight.
“After somehow breathing a new life into his career in July of last year, Manny has everything to lose in this bout against Broner if he will not get the favorable result that he wants. The momentum he built in Kuala Lumpur could go into waste. Everybody loves a winner, but it’s a different story if you’re on the losing end,” he added.
Mr. Icasiano went on to say that he welcomes the return of veteran trainer Freddie Roach to the Pacquiao camp for the Broner fight, believing that the expertise of Mr. Roach would go a long way in crafting a fitting game plan for the kind of opponent that Pacman will be facing.
“Buboy Fernandez managed to jolt what was left in Manny Pacquiao’s relentless style six months ago. Will Freddie Roach still play a good part? Absolutely! He knows Manny so well. They’ve been together since 2001. I think a great mind like Freddie Roach will be handy in devising a game plan coming into the fight and also making some adjustments during the bout or in crucial scenarios,” Mr. Icasiano said.
As to Mr. Broner (33-3-1, 24 KOs), the analyst said he is expecting the American to pose problems to Mr. Pacquiao but sees some openings in his arsenal that the Filipino could take advantage of in trying to pick up the win.
“It’s no secret that Manny Pacquiao had difficulties with counterpunchers in the past, and Adrien Broner is a counterpuncher. Age is also very palpable variable,” said Mr. Icasiano.
Adding, “If there is an upside, there is also a downside (though). Pressure fighters like Marcos Maidana easily opened the defenses of Broner like a can of tuna. Sometimes, Broner can get carried away and go for exchanges, which leaves him vulnerable. Second, the advantage of age is not absolute. It is at most times relative. It is not accurate simply to say that a much older fighter will lose against a younger one. There are many older fighters who have won matches through craftiness and well-implemented strategies. Broner is also known for using the Philly Shell, otherwise called as shoulder roll. But he can’t use that against a southpaw like Pacquiao because it will leave him open. I expect it to be a cat-and-mouse affair for 12 rounds. Pacquiao will be relentless in attacks, while Broner will try to frustrate the Filipino boxing champion with his passive-but-technical approach.”

Kelly shoots for a more convincing win over Lee

WITH their first encounter ending prematurely and in controversial fashion, Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly is aiming for a more convincing victory when he reengages with Singaporean Christian “The Warrior” Lee in their ONE Championship featherweight clash in Indonesia on Saturday, Jan. 19.
The two fighters met last September in China but it was prematurely stopped and the victory handed to the Benguet native after Mr. Lee executed a suplex that was deemed illegal by the referee.
The Singaporean was then disqualified for the move a little over two minutes into the fight, and Mr. Kelly proclaimed the winner.
Mr. Kelly (11-5) in the lead-up to the fight vowed to do better against Mr. Lee (10-3) in their second encounter, part of the main card for “ONE: Eternal Glory” at Istora Senayan in Jakarta.
“I learned that I should never give my back to him and that he will come to attack every second. I think this fight could go to the judges if I am unable to catch him with a big shot. I feel he is well prepared for my style. We both do not want to lose to each other,” Mr. Kelly, 34, said.
He said he is not expecting anything less from Mr. Lee and that he will give his all as he tries to set some consistency in winning moving forward.
“His (Lee) relentlessness is his strength, but can also be his weakness. I need to pick my shots, maximize my striking, and be careful with his takedowns. Should the opening present itself. I am definitely going for a knockout,” Team Lakay’s Kelly said.
ONE: Eternal Glory is being headlined by the world strawweight title fight between reigning champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines and Japanese challenger Yosuke Saruta.
Another Filipino competing in the event is strawweight Robin Catalan.
ONE: Eternal Glory can be seen over the ONE mobile app as well as live on S+A at 11 p.m. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

1...11,47711,47811,479...14,247Page 11,478 of 14,247
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube