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Ombudsman bid of SC’s Martires challenged

A GROUP OF clergymen and religious academics has challenged Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Samuel R. Martires’ candidacy for the post of Ombudsman, citing his “bias and partiality” in the quo warranto case that ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno on May 11.
In their six-page letter of opposition submitted on Monday to the Judicial and Bar Council’s (JBC) Ex-Officio Chairman and Acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio, members of the St. Vincent School of Theology, Faith Bible College, Inc., and Asian Theological Seminary said Mr. Martires “has failed to meet (the) standard” for the post due to his lack of probity.
The group defined probity as the “adherence to the highest principles and ideals” and “having strong moral principles, honesty, and decency.”
“Justice Martires’ refusal to inhibit himself from the Quo Warranto case despite the clear directive in the New Code of Judicial Conduct that requires a judge to disqualify himself mandatorily when there is bias and partiality as shown by having more personal knowledge on facts being disputed during a trial shows his lack of probity,” the letter read.
Ms. Sereno had accused Mr. Martires of “faith-shaming” her during the oral arguments in the complaint against her filed by Solicitor-General Jose C. Calida for not completely submitting her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth to the JBC as a requirement to the post of chief justice. He was also one of the eight justices who granted Mr. Calida’s petition.
The group also said Mr. Martires’ “patently biased line of questioning during the oral arguments on the connection between (Ms. Sereno’s mental health) and (God as a source of strength) betrays a blatant lack of respect for faith-based communities despite the clear Constitutional guarantee mandating respect for religious freedom which as a Justice of the Supreme Court he is bound to observe.”
“The interrogatories raised by the Hon. Justice Martires cause offense because one cannot make generalizations of the overall mental health of a person based on one’s religious belief and practice. To imply that Chief Justice Sereno’s religiosity is an indication of mental illness is not based on reasoned rhetoric nor judicial examination because an expert on the matter has to look at other indicators such as how the subject person carries herself and how she behaves under stress — facts which are not at issue in the quo warranto proceeding,” the letter added.
The group also cited against his favor Mr. Martires’ rulings with the SC and the Sandiganbayan, which he previously served. The group cited a case involving the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Mr. Martires and nine other candidates vying to replace retiring Ombudsman Conchita Caprio-Morales are set to be interviewed by the JBC on Wednesday. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Fuel prices up this week

Oil prices drop this weekAFTER TWO straight weeks of decline, prices of petroleum products are set to increase this week to reflect the movement in the international market, oil companies said. Gasoline prices will rise by P0.20 per liter (/L), while diesel and kerosene prices will both increase by P0.45/L. All of the companies that sent their price adjustment advisories as of late Monday afternoon will be raising pump prices at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19. — Victor V. Saulon

Consumer group leader asks PCC, DoJ to probe fuel price movements

A MEMBER of an international consumer advocacy group has requested the Philippine Competition Commission and the Department of Justice to investigate whether the movement of fuel prices are “in compliance with the law.” The complaint was submitted by Victorio Mario A. Dimagiba, president of consumer advocacy group Laban Konsyumer, Inc. and a former Department of Trade and Industry undersecretary. In his June 12 letter addressed to the agencies, Mr. Dimagiba said he believes “consumers need to be informed whether the market behavior and the retail prices of fuel products are in order and in compliance with law.” He noted that based on his observation, retail prices across several oil stations are adjusted upward or downward weekly “in similar or identical amounts,” while some also offer discounts of up to P3 per liter for all products. “I wonder whether the retail prices of fuel products are higher [than] what it should be, so much so that despite big time price hikes or big time price roll backs, there are also big time price discounts,” Mr. Dimagiba said in his complaint. — Janina C. Lim

Malacañang gets Congress assurance of BBL passage before SONA

MALACAÑANG ON Monday confirmed that leaders of Congress have given assurance that they will work overtime for the passage of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in July. “Well, ang bibigyan ko ng kumpirmasyon ay iyong pangako ng liderato ng Senado at ng Kamara na bago mag-SONA ay puwede nang pirmahan ni Presidente iyong BBL (what I can give confirmation on is the promise of the Senate and House of Representatives’ leaders that the President would be able to sign the BBL before the SONA),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a press briefing at the Palace. “Whether or not it will happen,” he added, is something the Palace cannot guarantee. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Gotad Ad Ifugao

A cultural parade and presentation at the Lagawi Plaza opens the Gotad Ad Ifugao, an annual thanksgiving celebration participated in by the 11 towns of Ifugao. The event coincides with the 52nd founding anniversary of the province.

Wetland encroachers

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has ordered the demolition of illegal structures built on Wetland No. 6 as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of resort island Boracay. The proliferation of illegal settlers at the wetland has turned its waters filthy, with the Environmental Management Bureau’s sampling indicating “very high concentration of fecal coliform, a bacteria from human waste.”

DoT pushes for more globally-accredited hospitals to boost Medtourism

CEBU NEEDS to have more internationally-accredited hospitals and wellness-oriented hotels and resorts to cash in on the $22-billion medical and wellness industry, a tourism official said. Roberto P. Alabado III, director for medical and wellness tourism, said the Department of Tourism (DoT) is now looking at relaunching the Philippines as a wellness destination, with Cebu as one of the major destinations. “We are looking Cebu as one of the potential destinations for wellness tourism,” he said during the Tourism Innovation Forum last week. “The more internationally accredited facilities (in Cebu), the better,” Mr. Alabado said. Cebu’s resorts and hotels should also invest in wellness products and services, he added. “Your hotels and resorts must offer healthy food options, especially that vegan or vegetarian people are increasing,” he said, adding they must also expand from offering plain massage service to treatment packages. Mr. Alabado believes Cebu already has the skilled human resources needed for medical and wellness tourism. — The Freeman

More than 1,500 families affected as troops clash with Maute remnants

THE ONGOING fire fight between the military and remnants of the Maute group in Tubaran, Lanao del Sur has displaced more than 1,500 families within the town and surrounding areas, based on initial reports from the ground.
The Lanao del Sur provincial government, in updates posted on its official Facebook page, reported that the Philippine army’s pursuit of Maute members escalated on Sunday, June 17.
The Maute is a local group of extremists that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) and led the Marawi City siege last year.
“As part of the military’s pursuit operation against local terrorists, they initiated air strikes and artillery fires three days ago before their ground troops assaulted the ISIS-Maute position in the boundary of the municipalities of Tubaran and Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur. There are no official reports yet as to the number of wounded people and casualties,” the provincial government said.
Affected families from Tubaran were estimated at 500; Pagayawan, 255; and Binidayan, 810.
Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong has ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to closely coordinate with all its municipal counterparts for humanitarian response and assistance.
TARGET
Colonel Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., deputy commander of Joint Task Force Marawi, said security forces conducted air and ground assaults in a bid to flush out Maute rebels and the group’s new leader.
Mr. Brawner said he could not confirm if there had been any casualties in military operations in two towns near Marawi City, which is now undergoing rehabilitation with some residents returning to their homes.
The military was targeting Abu Dar, who the government believes is the new “emir” of Islamic State in Southeast Asia, Mr. Brawner said.
It could not be independently verified if the Islamic State has chosen Dar as its new leader in the region.
Islamic State-inspired militants seized parts of the southern city of Marawi in May 2017, raising concerns about the influence of the extremist group in Southeast Asia.
The army ended combat operations after wresting control in southern Marawi in October, and has shifted its focus to the island’s marshes where other pro-IS militants operate.
The siege of Marawi, the country’s biggest battle since World War 2, displaced some 350,000 residents and more than 1,100 people were killed, mostly militants.
Military and security experts have said militants who escaped from Marawi are recruiting fighters using looted cash, gold and jewelry worth tens of millions of dollars.
MARTIAL LAW
Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr., meanwhile, said this latest clash is “proof” that there are still enemies in Mindanao and that martial law should remain.
At the same time, he said these extremists groups are now a spent force.
“But it is no cause for worry because their forces are now few,” Mr. Roque said in Filipino during a briefing in Malacañang Monday, June 18.
He admitted, however, that it is bothersome that the Maute group has seemingly found a “successor” who stands as their leader, and they have managed to fight back against members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Nonetheless, Mr. Roque assured the public, particularly those in Lanao del Sur, that the “AFP is ready to protect civilians against the Maute group.” —Mindanao Bureau with reports from Reuters and Arjay L. Balinbin

Nation at a Glance — (06/19/18)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Mexico stuns Germany

MOSCOW — Mexico stunned World Cup holders Germany on Sunday, inflicting a 1-0 defeat that throws the Germans’ title defense into disarray as Neymar’s Brazil stuttered to a draw against Switzerland.
The outstanding Hirving Lozano smashed home the Mexican winner in the 35th minute at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, leaving Manuel Neuer clutching at thin air on his return to the German goal after a nine-month injury absence.
Toni Kroos crashed a shot against the crossbar for Germany but they were never able to get back into the match as they slid to their first defeat in their opening game of a World Cup since 1982.
“I don’t know if it’s the biggest win in Mexico’s history but doubtless it is one of the biggest for sure,” said 22-year-old Lozano.
Lozano’s winner made the earth move in Mexico City, where seismologists detected a minor tremor possibly caused by “widespread jumping during the goal.”
Germany coach Joachim Loew did not mince his words about his side’s performance, saying his team had played “very badly” in the first half of the Group F tie.
“We weren’t able to impose our usual way of playing, our attacking and passing was not effective,” he said.
“It goes without saying that the next match will be decisive for us, we have to win it,” Loew added ahead of his team’s next game against Sweden next Saturday.
If Germany finish as group runners-up, they could face Brazil in a clash of World Cup titans in the next round — a perfect chance for the Brazilians to avenge the humiliating 7-1 defeat to the Germans on home soil in 2014.
Brazil, and their star Neymar, made their bow in Russia in Rostov-on-Don but gutsy Switzerland battled back to cancel out a Philippe Coutinho strike midway through the first half of the Group E tie.
The Barcelona man found the top corner with a stunning curled effort in the 20th minute but Steven Zuber headed an equalizer from a corner shortly after half time and the five-time champions could not make their superior quality count.
Coach Tite blamed first night nerves.
“I’m not happy with this result. Our finishing wasn’t good. We had 20 chances, but too many shots were off target. We should have made their keeper work harder than that.
“I put it down to stress, first match nerves, that’s true for me too,” the Brazil boss said.
Four years after injury cut short his World Cup — Brazil suffered that defeat to Germany without him — Neymar is once again spearheading his country’s hopes.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker’s participation at the finals in Russia had been cast into doubt after he suffered a broken bone in his right foot in late February.
However, the 26-year-old forward has shown few signs of rustiness since returning for Brazil, scoring in consecutive friendlies in the buildup to the finals and started on Sunday.
GERMAN DISARRAY
Germany had breezed through qualifying, scoring 43 goals and conceding just four.
Loew has, like the Brazilians, transformed the team from 2014 to the extent that the man who scored the World Cup winning goal in Rio, Mario Goetze, is not in the squad.
But his plans to become only the third side in the World Cup’s 88-year history to successfully defend their title were in disarray on Sunday after the Mexicans tore into his defence from the start.
Mexico only lost one game in qualifying and have reached at least the second round of every World Cup they have played.
In the first game of the day, Serbia beat Costa Rica 1-0 thanks to a brilliant Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick in Samara.
The victory puts Serbia in a strong early position in Group E ahead of games against Brazil and Switzerland as they look to reach the last 16 for the first time since becoming an independent country.
Away from the football, Russian authorities said a taxi driver who ploughed into pedestrians on a crowded pavement near Red Square in Moscow on Saturday, injuring at least seven people, had been suffering from exhaustion.
The taxi driver, a 28-year-old man from the central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan, told police during questioning that he had been working for 20 hours solid before the incident and had mixed up the brake pedal and the accelerator. — AFP

Back-to-back champion

SOUTHAMPTON — Brooks Koepka became the first player in three decades to repeat as US Open Champion here Sunday, firing a gritty final round 68 at Shinnecock Hills to beat Tommy Fleetwood by one stroke.
A year after he marched to victory with a 16-under total at Erin Hills, Koepka kept his nerve on the back nine to emerge with a one-over-par total of 281.
“I’m at a loss for words right now,” Koepka said. “We grinded our tail off this week to come back from seven-over (on Friday) and do what we did. It was pretty special.”
The world number nine is the first player since Curtis Strange in 1988-1989 to win back-to-back US Open titles.
After overpowering the wide-open Erin Hills, he kept his nerve through four brutal days at Shinnecock.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Koepka, who had battled a partially torn wrist tendon that sidelined him nearly four months since his major breakthrough last year. “I don’t think I could have dreamed of this, going back to back.”
A day after scores soared on the dried out greens, the US Golf Association admitted the course got out of hand, adding plenty of moisture and some slightly more forgiving pin positions.
England’s 12th-ranked Fleetwood seized the opportunity to match the lowest round ever in the US Open with a brilliant seven-under 63 for a two-over total of 282.
Fleetwood had stormed into the clubhouse with a round that included eight birdies, putting the pressure on overnight leaders Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Daniel Berger and Tony Finau.
Only Koepka met the challenge. He had broken out of the pack with three birdies in the first four holes.
Playing in freshening wind and knowing that Fleetwood was in the clubhouse on two-over Koepka produced a string of clutch putts on the back nine.
A six-foot birdie at the 10th gave him a two-stroke lead. A tough 12-footer limited the damage at 11 to a bogey after he hit into the greenside rough and from there into a bunker.
He got up and down for par at the 12th, and escaped with a par from deep rough at 14 before giving himself some breathing room with a birdie at the par-five 16th — where he stuck his third shot less than four feet from the pin.
His approach at 18 hit a grandstand and bounced off, but a closing bogey was all he needed.
GREAT DAY’ FOR FLEETWOOD
Fleetwood could only watch it all unfold. But after nearly equaling the best ever round in a major of 62 he was pleased with his day’s work.
“At the end of the day, I got within one of winning, when I was so far back at the start of the day,” said Fleetwood, who was nine adrift through 54 holes. “So it’s been a great day.
“It’s easy to look at it and think I was one shy, but there’s so many positives to look at and so much that you can take and learn from it.”
It was the first time since 2013 at Merion that no one broke par in the US Open, and of the four overnight leaders, Koepka was the only player to shoot an under par final round.
World number one Johnson, playing alongside Koepka in the penultimate group, saw the sure putting touch that had propelled him to a four-shot halfway lead, carded an even-par 70 to finish alone in third on 283.
Finau, playing in the final group with Berger, closed with a double bogey at the 72nd hole for a 72 that left him fifth on 285 — one stroke behind Masters champion Patrick Reed.
Reed fired five birdies in his first seven holes but cooled off coming in for a two-under 68.
Berger faded early, his 73 leaving him tied for sixth at six-over with England’s Tyrrell Hatton, American Xander Schauffele and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. — AFP

FIBA extends Patrick Baumann’s contract as secretary-general until 2031

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
RECOGNIZING the key role he has played in the growth of world basketball governing body FIBA and the sport in general since coming on board, FIBA’s Central Board unanimously agreed at the weekend to extend the contract of Secretary-General Patrick Baumann until 2031.
While his current contract as an official of the basketball body does not expire until 2022, FIBA saw it fit to extend it some more to ensure continuity of the programs and advancements made under Mr. Baumann’s watch.
“We are really pleased with the work of Patrick Baumann. He has helped FIBA become a solid organization thanks to the implementation of concrete measures such as the introduction of a new, efficient modern structure and governance system, which unites the whole FIBA family, integrates its key stakeholders and protects our values; the construction of the House of Basketball, our first and very own purpose-built headquarters; and the signing of long-term commercial partnerships, providing for a stable and strong financial foundation which supports all of the FIBA family for the next decade,” said FIBA President Horacio Muratore in a statement shared to members of media.
“From a sporting perspective, he has been instrumental in the development of our new competition system that came into effect last year as well as the successful launch of 3×3, which has now become an Olympic discipline. These accomplishments, among others, have contributed greatly to FIBA’s vision of making basketball the most popular sports community. The Board felt it therefore essential to ensure stability in our work on the agreed road map towards this vision with Mr. Baumann at the helm of FIBA,” he added.
Swiss Baumann was first became part of FIBA in 1994 as a lawyer before being appointed deputy secretary-general a year later.
In 2002, he was unanimously appointed secretary-general by the Central Board and five years later became a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Incidentally, under the term of Mr. Baumann the Philippines has seen its stock rise as a FIBA stakeholder, having been chosen to host a number of high-profile FIBA tournaments, including FIBA Asia and the recently concluded FIBA 3×3 World Cup.
The Philippines, along with Japan and Indonesia, is also hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023.
Prior to joining FIBA, Mr. Baumann was involved in basketball as a player, coach and referee in Switzerland and Italy.

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