Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 11508

OFW vote predominant in Middle East

FILIPINOS in the Middle East and African Region lead the number of overseas voters registered for the midterm elections on May 13 this year, according to figures released Tuesday by the Office for Overseas Voting of the Commission on Elections.
According to the “Number of Registered Voters” provided by the said office, there are 885,216 land-based voters and 2,470 seafarer voters in the Middle East and Africa, for a total of 887,686 voters in that region.
In the Asia-Pacific, there are 393,728 land-based voters and 7,662 registered seafarers, totaling 401,390 voters.
In the Americas, there are 334,947 land-based voters and 10,471 registered seafarers, totaling 345,418 voters.
In Europe, there are 165,191 land-based voters and 22,430 registered seafarers, totaling 187,621 voters.
The OFW vote in the Middle East and African Region is predominant in the United Arab Emirates (109,366 in Abu Dhabi and 209,862 in Dubai), Saudi Arabia (103,349 in Jeddah, 169,401 in Riyadh and 53,801 in Al-Khobar), Kuwait (96,423), and Qatar (45,548).
In the Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong voters lead by 87,969; followed by Singapore (78,488), Japan (40,781 in Tokyo and 35,385 in Osaka), Taiwan (18,017 in Taipei, 14,088 in Kaohsiung, and 9,355 in Taichung), New Zealand (19,981), Malaysia (18,557), Brunei Darussalam (15,112), and Australia (5,575 in Canberra and 9,156 in Sydney).
In the Americas, US-based voters are mostly registered in San Francisco (59,315), Los Angeles (53,329), New York (42,758), Washington D.C. (39,666), and Chicago (20,501). Canada-based voters are mostly registered in Toronto (44,656), Vancouver (40,875), and the capital of Ottawa (8,481).
Voter concentration in Europe is highest in Rome (35,017) and Milan (27,903) in Italy; London, Great Britain (32,442); and Madrid, Spain (27,420).
There are a total of 1,822,115 overseas Filipino voters, 43,033 of them seafarers and the rest land-based.

Lorenzana: Ending NPA insurgency not doable this year, but within Duterte term

By Vince Angelo C. Ferreras
DEFENSE SECRETARY Delfin N. Lorenzana has admitted that the target of ending the 50-year old communist insurgency this year is not possible, but said the government is aiming to achieve this before President Rodrigo R. Duterte steps down in mid-2022.
“We cannot do it this year dahil napakalaking problema ‘yan (because it’s a very big problem)… Siguro ang (Maybe our) target natin ngayon (now) is the remaining three years of President Duterte’s presidency, kaya siguro nating gawin ‘yun (we can probably do that),” said Mr. Lorenzana in a chance interview with reporters on Tuesday.
The Defense secretary said he is optimistic of reaching the target given the government’s “localized peace talks and the E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program).”
Mr. Lorenzana also noted that the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed group of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been weakening with many of its members returning to the fold of the law.
He said the NPA membership is now “about less than 6,000,” but acknowledged that there are militias nationwide that support the group.
“Yun ang gusto nating kunin din (Those militias are also among those that we want to take in).”
Mr. Lorenzana also reiterated that the Duterte administration remains open to resuming the peace talks with the CPP and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
He stressed, however, that the President’s position is that CPP founding leader Jose Maria Sison should return to the Philippines and the talks be held in the country and not continued in Norway, which has been serving as a third party facilitator to the peace process.
Mr. Sison has been living in exile in The Netherlands since 1987.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., in a separate interview, said the establishment of a national task force would help in combatting communist insurgency.
“We need specially to give flesh dun sa (to the) national task force because (it) includes all agencies,” Mr. Madrigal said, adding that local governments have an important role as leaders at the “ground level.”

Part of road funds eyed for Manila Bay rehabilitation

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte wants a portion of the special road funds to be used for the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo, in a press briefing, said the President and the Cabinet approved during their 33rd meeting held last Monday the utilization of the special road funds to finance the improvement of hospitals in the country, address the needs of recent typhoon victims in the Bicol region, and rehabilitate the capital’s bay. “That’s one of them [the Manila Bay clean-up]. The other one is the victims of Usman in Bicol. He wants to use part of that fund also to fund the medical… hospitals, we need hospitals in many parts of the country,” he said. Mr. Panelo also said that Mr. Duterte will “most likely” issue an executive order for the coastal clean-up and has asked Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to complete the rehabilitation by the end of his term in 2022. The spokesperson said the abolition of the Road Board, which is currently in charge of the road fund, is seen as a done deal with both chambers of Congress agreeing to the plan. — Arjay L. Balinbin

MMDA reprimands construction firm EEI over lane closure

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued on Tuesday a notice of violation to EEI Corp. for occupying several lanes along the Elliptical Road corner North Avenue in Quezon City without prior notice. EEI is involved in the construction of the Metro Rail Transit 7. “We were surprised about the closure of two lanes without properly informing us of the exact date of the closure. The area became a chokepoint as lanes available for the motorists narrowed,” MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia, Jr. said in a statement. Mr. Garcia, who inspected the site Tuesday, also ordered EEI “to immediately install steel plates on the two affected lanes to make them passable to motorists as soon as possible.” He added that while major infrastructure projects under the administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program are a priority as these are intended to benefit the public in the future, “coordination is important to minimize inconvenience to motorists.” EEI officials could not be immediately reached for comment. — with a report from Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

QC forms committee to better manage local government-owned real estate, tax delinquent properties

THE QUEZON City government has set up a multi-department committee to oversee the management of its real estate properties, lead activities relating to the acquisition of sites for public projects, and the forfeiture of real properties that are tax delinquent. The Real Estate Management and Coordinating and Monitoring Committee (REMCMC), created through Mayor Herbert M. Bautista’s Executive Order (EO) 9-2018, is headed by the city administrator. “There is a need to clearly identify the necessary and primary activities and tasks for the effective and efficient control and management of the real properties owned by the City Government to ensure that the concerned departments and offices properly and timely undertake their mandated functions, duties, and responsibilities,” the EO reads. In a statement, the QC government said the REMCMC will also be in charge of “establishing possession and control of real properties owned by the city and exercising dominion over the same,” and utilization and disposition of properties for revenue generation and other public purposes.

Renovated Tubigon Port in Bohol opens

THE RENOVATED Tubigon Port in Bohol, the main stop for sea transport to and from Cebu, started operations last Jan. 5 and is seen to further boost tourism in the island province. The port, which suffered major damage from the Oct. 2013 earthquake that struck the island, is now bigger with a “capacity to accommodate up to 28 ships including larger vessels, nearly thrice its previous capacity of 10 ships,” according to the Department of Transportation (DoTr). It also now has three roll on-roll off wharfs for landing craft tanks and barges.

1 suspect in Cotabato City blast surrenders to police

ONE OF the two suspects in the Dec. 31 bombing at a mall in Cotabato City is now under police custody after turning himself in. Police Regional Office 12 Chief Supt. Eliseo T. Rasco said on Tuesday that suspect Salipudin Pasandalan was accompanied by his relatives when he surrendered to the Cotabato City Police Station on Sunday night. Mr. Rasco said the 56-year-old Pasandalan, who is being assisted by two lawyers, decided to surrender after he saw his face on television being reported as one of the suspects caught on CCTV. “Ongoing ‘yung ating (our) investigation,” he said at a press briefing in Camp Crame, adding that he has already directed the special investigation task group (SITG) on the incident to prepare the filing of charges. With his legal backing, the police are not expecting Mr. Pasandalan to give information. “He is assisted by two lawyers right now, so hindi na sya talaga magsasalita (he won’t be saying anything),” Mr. Rasco said. The SITG South Seas is still probing who or what group is behind the bombing that killed two and wounded more than 30 others. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Bangsamoro campaign trail


Mohagher Q. Iqbal (left photo), Moro Islamic Liberation Front implementing peace panel chair, speaks at forum in Isabela City on Jan. 7 to explain and push for the Bangsamoro Organic Law’s (BOL) ratification. The city is geographically part of the island province of Basilan but is not part of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. On the same day, Sulu Gov. Abdusakur A. Tan II leads an assembly that expresses support for federalism but not the BOL. Mr. Tan has a pending petition before the Supreme Court asking for a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction against the BOL’s implementation.

Nation at a Glance — (01/09/19)

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 — (01/09/19)

Azkals show they belong in Asian Cup

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Philippine men’s national football team made history on Monday night as it played in its first-ever AFC Asian Cup game. And it gallantly performed well, hanging on to just a 1-0 defeat against tournament favorite Korea Republic when many thought they would be beaten black and blue.
Coming out with much spirit and verve particularly on the defensive end, the Philippine Azkals made it difficult for the 2015 Asian Cup runners-up Taeguk Warriors throughout the match to make a good account of themselves in their opener in the prestigious continental football spectacle.
Philippine goalkeeper Michael Falkesgaard was solid in his goal-manning duties in the opening half, standing his ground against a ferocious attack from the Koreans.
Complementing the goalkeeper’s performance were forwards Javier Patino and Patrick Reichelt, who provided scoring opportunities for the Azkals with their counter-attacks.
The Koreans though would beat the Philippine side to the first goal as Hwang Ui-Jo found the bottom of the net in the 67th minute.
The goal came after Hwang Hee-Chan’s back pass found Mr. Ui-Jo from close range with the latter making sure to connect after.
The Azkals tried to get back the point the rest of the way even as the Koreans attempted to add on their lead.
But the count would stay as is as the match hit full time and into the three-minute added time, handing the victory to Korea Republic and the full three points that went with it.
Despite the defeat, the Azkals were still high on their maiden showing, underscoring the gallant stand they put up showed that they belong in the Asian Cup and that they are in the tournament not to be just willing preys.
“We have a good team. This is our first time in the tournament and we came here not just to be part of it but we want to go through,” said Azkals defender Luke Woodland following their tightly fought match against the Koreans.
“I think we showed in today’s game how good the team is. We were up against a strong team, one of the contenders in the tournament, and we did well against them. We are looking forward to our next two games and we are out to shock people,” he added.
The Philippines’ next match is on Friday, Jan. 11, against China, which defeated Krygyzstan, 2-1, in their opener also on Monday.
In the Asian Cup, tournament format calls for the top two teams in each of the six groupings at the end of group play advancing to the next round, to be joined by the four best third-place teams.
CHINA’S LIPPI UNHAPPY AS THEY SCRAPE OPENING ASIAN CUP WIN
China’s manager Marcello Lippi questioned the attitude of his team after they came from behind to scrape a 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan thanks to an own goal and Yu Dabao’s late strike in their Asian Cup opener on Monday.
Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Pavel Matiash pushed the ball into his own net five minutes into the second half to cancel out Akhlidin Israilov’s first-half opener before Yu secured the points for China with a calm finish 12 minutes from time.
With South Korea winning 1-0 against a defiant Philippines, who like Kyrgyzstan are tournament debutants, with a goal by Hwang Ui-jo, the east Asian nations are the Group C pacesetters but Lippi was not happy with China’s performance.
“I’ve been in China for two years now and it’s not the first time (we’ve been) in this situation,” Lippi said of his side’s disjointed display in the opening period.
“There were a few times when the team couldn’t play well in the first half and then, after I got angry and I pushed my players, I got the reaction I wanted from the first minute.
“Maybe it’s the characteristics of the players from China.”
Lippi’s side were outplayed in the first half by the Central Asian side and it came as little surprise when Israilov put Kyrgyzstan in front three minutes before the break with a volley from the edge of the area.
Matiash’s horrendous mistake, however, gifted the Chinese an equalizer when he palmed a seemingly harmless looping header from Zhang Linpeng into his own goal.
The goal lifted the Chinese and Beijing Guoan’s Yu slotted home late on to give Lippi’s team a winning start to the continental championship.
KOREA TESTED
South Korea are attempting to win the title for the first time since 1960, although they were made to work for the three points by Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Philippines.
The Azkals defended resolutely but could not stop Hwang’s 67th minute strike as the Gamba Osaka forward took one touch to control Hwang Hee-chan’s cut-back before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Later on Monday, Carlos Queiroz’s Iran thrashed Yemen, another tournament debutant, 5-0 in Group D.
Mehdi Taremi scored twice in the first half, either side of a free kick from Ashkan Dejagah, as the three-time champions justified their status among the favourites.
Taremi gave Iran the lead with 12 minutes on the clock when he stole in to convert from close range after goalkeeper Saoud Al Sowadi spilled Sardar Azmoun’s long-range attempt.
Dejagah added the second 11 minutes later when his free kick came back off the post and crossed the line via the back of Al Sowadi’s head and Taremi made it 3-0 in the 25th with a header.
Azmoun hit Iran’s fourth from close range nine minutes into the second half and Saman Ghoddos added the fifth from just outside the penalty area in the 78th. — with reports from Reuters

Columbian rookie Calvo raring to prove self with the big boys

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
WHILE much attention is being channelled to his rookie teammate and top pick CJ Perez in the run-up to Season 44 of the Philippine Basketball Association, incoming freshman JP Calvo is going about his business as he tries to find his place under the PBA sun and prove he belongs to play with the big boys.
Selected 11th overall in last year’s rookie draft by the Columbian Dyip, former Letran standout Calvo was one of the rookies signed by Columbian to a PBA contract, along with Mr. Perez and big man Jeepy Faundo, and set to embark on his league journey later week as the PBA opens its new season on Jan. 13 with the Philippine Cup.
Mr. Calvo said he is viewing the opportunity given to him with so much significance and that he cannot wait to get it started.
“Definitely this is a dream come true for me. Ever since I was a kid I always wanted to play in the PBA and now I’m here. I cannot describe how I fell. I’m just so excited to play in the professional league,” said Mr. Calvo in the vernacular as he gears up for the challenges that lie ahead for him in the PBA.
The 5’7” Calvo went on to say that he is determined to repay the confidence that Columbian has given him, vowing to give his all each time he takes the floor.
Being one of the smaller point guards in the league, the 21-year-old Calvo said he does not see it as too much of a disadvantage as he looks to compensate for it through hard work and a go-getting mindset.
“Even if I’m one of the smaller guards it does not define me as a player. I will work hard to achieve success in the PBA,” he said.
As to the physicality in the professional league, Mr. Calvo said he welcomes it and admitted it is something he is preparing for.
“I’m excited for it. I know entering the PBA that things will be tough, and rough. I’m preparing myself for it,” he said.
To accommodate Mr. Calvo as well as the team’s other rookies, Columbian has decided to unload some players, including the likes of Dylan Ababou, Carlo Lastimosa, and Dan Sara, which would allow the newbies greater chance to showcase what they can do, something Mr. Calvo expressed readiness for.
“I’m ready for whatever is asked of me. Of course, there is pressure but I’m not allowing it to get the better of me and how I play. I’m just going to try to play my game and help the team in every way I can,” Mr. Calvo said.
As Mr. Calvo begins his PBA journey, he will have a familiar face to turn to on the sidelines as his collegiate coach in Letran Jeff Napa is part of the Columbian coaching staff as one of the deputies of head coach John Cardel.
Last season in the PBA, the Dyip compiled a dismal record of 6-27 (.181).

NBA China Games will see Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets in two preseason games

THE Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets are booked for two preseason games in China later this year, the National Basketball Association had announced.
Part of the NBA China Games 2019 Presented by Vivo, the 13th staging of the event, the Lakers and Nets will face each other on Oct. 10 in Shanghai and on Oct. 12 in Shenzhen.
The games will mark the Lakers’ second trip to China following their visit in 2013, when they played two preseason games in Beijing and Shanghai. The Nets will be playing in China for the third time after playing in Beijing and Guangzhou in 2010, and in Beijing and Shanghai in 2014.
The NBA China Games 2019 will be the NBA’s 27th and 28th games in China, with 17 NBA teams having played games in Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei since 2004.
In the twin events, the NBA is expected to line up a series of activities, including the eighth annual NBA Fan Day Presented by Dongfeng Nissan in Shanghai, which will provide thousands of fans the opportunity to enjoy a performance by Chinese celebrities and watch the Lakers and the Nets participate in on-court drills.
“We would like to extend our warmest welcome to the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets as we celebrate the 27th and 28th NBA games in China. These games are the pillars of our efforts to bring authentic NBA action to our Chinese fans. I want to thank the cities of Shanghai and Shenzhen for their support and commitment to help us grow the game and promote an active and healthy lifestyle in China,” said NBA China Chief Executive Officer Derek Chang in a statement.
For players of the Lakers and the Nets, participating in the NBA China Games is something they are excited about.
“The entire Los Angeles Lakers organization is excited to return to China to play in front of the passionate Chinese fans. During my visit to China, I was absolutely amazed by the fans’ love and excitement for the game of basketball. We would like to thank you in advance for coming out to support us in Shanghai and Shenzhen and I know the atmosphere at the games will be great,” said Los Angeles forward Kyle Kuzma.
“It’s an honor to help celebrate basketball’s growth abroad, and represent Brooklyn and the League on an international stage. The Nets have a connection to fans all over the world, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to visit China and play for our passionate Chinese fans for the very first time,” Nets guard Caris LeVert, for his part, said.
In the ongoing season of the NBA, the Lakers, led by superstar LeBron James, are currently in eighth spot in the West with a 21-19 record while the Nets, featuring former Lakers pick D’Angelo Russell, are number seven in the East with a 20-21 card. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

1...11,50711,50811,509...14,239Page 11,508 of 14,239
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube