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Eustaquio dealt tough loss at ONE event in Indonesia

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

FILIPINO mixed martial arts fighter Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio saw his title shot hopes in ONE Championship derailed on Saturday night after he absorbed a tough loss by way of a split decision to former flyweight champion Kairat Akhmetov of Kazakhstan in the “Total Victory” event in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Despite rocking and stunning Mr. Akhmetov with solid up-kicks in the opening round of the main event, that were ruled “illegal” and had the latter given time to recover, Mr. Eustaquio was not able to finish things and instead saw the former champ get his groove back and capitalize on his superior Greco Roman wrestling skills en route to the win.

The Team Lakay stalwart tried hard to keep in step with Mr. Akhmetov with his crisp, clean combinations as the fight wore on but it turned out to be not enough to convince the judges to go his way, with two of them going Mr. Akhmetov’s way for the split decision.

The loss was the second for 28-year-old Eustaquio in his last five fights while Mr. Akhmetov (20-1) bounced back after losing for the first time in his pro career and surrendering his ONE title last time around to Brazilian Adriano Moraes.

While the defeat meant he has to regroup and make his way up anew to get another title shot, Mr. Eustaquio said he accepts the decision and vowed to come back stronger and better.

“We never lose, either we win or we learn. Jakarta was a learning process for us and Kairat Akhmetov was the guy tonight,” Mr. Eustaquio said on a Facebook post on his account after his fight.

“The journey does not stop here, but it all starts here,” he added.

While Mr. Eustaquio lost, the two other Filipino fighters that saw action at ONE: Total Victory — Roy Doliguez and Ramon Gonzales — were victorious.

Strawweight bout Doliguez defeated Yago Bryan of Brazil by technical knockout (strikes) in the third round while flyweight Ramon Gonzales beat Mongolian Liu De Li Ge Ri Hu by submission (arm triangle choke) in the second round.

Next for ONE Championship is “Hero’s Dream” on Nov. 3 in Yangon, Myanmar.

Ex-champ Luke Rockhold beats David Branch for successful UFC return

IT WAS a successful return in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for former middleweight world champion Luke Rockhold as he submitted David Branch in the second round of their main event at “UFC Fight Night 116” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, yesterday.

Fighting for the first time since losing his title in June last year, Mr. Rockhold overcame a slow start to turn things around in the second round to finish Mr. Branch by submission through punches and mark his return in the win column.

Mr. Branch started out aggressively, landing combinations that seemingly hurt the former champion.

But Mr. Rockhold would shake off of things, finishing the round strong by taking down his opponent for some ground and pound.

Getting some momentum, Mr. Rockhold took the fight to Mr. Branch to start the second frame, connecting on some low kicks.

He eventually got Mr. Branch to a takedown which pretty signaled the end for the latter.

Mr. Branch tried to squeeze his way out from the clutches of Mr. Rockhold but only found himself in an even tougher position when he rolled over as the former took advantage of the situation to land heavy punches that moved referee Dan Miragliotta to eventually stop the fight at the 4:05 mark of the second round.

The win improved Mr. Rockhold to 16-3 while Mr. Branch dropped to 21-3 and saw his 11-fight winning streak come to an end.

After the victory, Mr. Rockhold made known of what he wanted next now that he is back in harness, even taking a shot at UFC welterweight legend Georges St. Pierre who is eyeing a shot at the middleweight gold against reigning champion Michael Bisping.

“I’m coming for that belt. GSP, you want me to beat some sense in to you? You don’t belong here. This is my fight,” Mr. Rockhold said in the post-fight interview.

In earlier fights, welterweight Mike Perry knocked out Alex Reyes in the first round, middleweight Anthony Smith beat Hector Lombard in the third round by technical knockout, lightweight Gregor Gillespie submitted Jason Gonzalez in the second round by arm triangle, welterweight Kamaru Usman knocked out Sergio Moraes in the opening round, and heavyweight Justin Ledet defeated Azunna Anyanwu by split decision (28-29, 29-28 and 29-28).

Next for the UFC is “UFC Fight Night 117” on Sept. 23 in Saitama, Japan, that will feature the light heavyweight collision between Ovince Saint Preux against Yushin Okami of Japan, who replaced Mauricio “Shogun” Rua because of injury.

Also in the card is Filipino featherweight Rolando Dy who will fight Teruto Ishihara.

In the Philippines, Cignal TV, the country’s foremost direct-to-home (DTH) company, is the home of the UFC after the two groups agreed to an extensive deal that will see the UFC beamed on various platforms. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Palace disputes think tank’s report on governance in PHL

MALACAÑANG ON Sunday, Sept. 17, disputed a think tank’s report last week on governance in Asia which ranked the Philippines as having the weakest system in the region.

Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, Ltd. (PERC), in its latest Asian Intelligence report released last Wednesday, Sept. 13, ranked the Philippines at the bottom end in four out of five variables (government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, control of corruption) and at the lowest in terms of risk of disruptive political change.

“The quality of political governance has deteriorated sharply under the presidency of Rodrigo (R.) Duterte,” the report said in part, adding that “Many Filipinos support his tactics and policies, but they have seriously undermined the rule of law and raised the risk of an extra-constitutional government change,” particularly in terms of Mr. Duterte’s threat to declare martial law nationwide.

In response, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella said in a statement: “The comments of the HK-based consultants, PERC on the state of Philippine political governance and PRRD’s (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) ‘direct approach’ misread both the positive political mood of the populace and the positive outlook that respected ratings agencies have given the economy.”

Noting the report’s “critical” position on the Philippines’ “rebalancing of foreign relations with China,” Mr. Abella said, “PRRD’s decisiveness in restoring good ties with China definitely resulted in many gains that were not enjoyed before, particularly in exports and investments that translate to more jobs and business opportunities for Filipinos.”

“More immediate impact may be seen on trade as the stronger relationship has led to the opening of more exports to China. Recent high total export growth of 14% for January-June 2017 was led by exports to China/HK that grew 34%….”

“Purchase Orders or POs (not only commitments) worth $1.8 million are being serviced now and many of these are agriculture products that benefit a lot of farmers and jobs in support industries,” Mr. Abella also said in his statement.

He also cited “preparations for the groundbreaking of the Binondo-Intramuros and Pantaleon-Estrella Bridges (Construction Project) in November have started.” The said ₱5.97-billion project, to be funded by grants from China, is among the new projects approved last week by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Also disputing the report’s conclusion about Mr. Duterte’s “inability to deal with the insurgency movement in southern Philippines,” Mr. Abella said, “The Philippines, with the support of local Muslim religious leaders and public officials, is decisively dealing with the global menace of terrorism….”

The PERC report had said in part, “After more than three months of fighting in the city of Marawi against Islamist militants, the military has failed to retake the city….Southern Philippines might not have been a haven for training and regrouping the Islamic State movement when Mr. Duterte came to office a little over one year ago, but it is today.”

“We suggest that comments be based on more solid basis,” Mr. Abella said in response. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

Filipino jiu-jitsu fighters see action at AIMAG 2017

THE Philippines’ campaign in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Ashgabat, Turkemistan, futher rolls today with the Filipino jiu-jitsu fighters set to see action.

Three-time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Championship winner Meggie Ochoa, two-time Asian Beach Games gold medalist Annie Ramirez, Hansel Terence Co, Gian Dee, Mark Lim, Golbert Ambao, Apryl Eppinger, Lou-Ann Jindani and Carolina Pajaron are to compete in various categories of the combat sports hoping to set the country’s bid in the nearly two-week tournament to a good start.

As of this writing, only wrestler Alvin Lobreguito has given the Philippines its first medal with a bronze in traditional wrestling played on Saturday.

Mr. Lobreguito lost to hometown bet Yakupnazar Yakubow, 4-0, in the 57-kilogram men’s freestyle event.

Later yesterday, Filipino tennis players Jason Patrombon, Anna Clarice Patrimonio and Khim Iglupas were to begin their preliminary round campaign in indoor tennis along with the five-man muay thai team.

The Philippines has sent a 116-man contingent in this year’s edition of the quadrennial continental sporting tournament, the opening ceremony of which was to be held last night.

The Filipinos are to compete in 17 sports disciplines.

Team Philippines hopes to better its showing at the AIMAG where it wound up with one gold medal and two bronzes, good for 18th place, in 2013 in Incheon, South Korea. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

BURI says glitch due to ‘design flaws’ in MRT-3

THE MAINTENANCE provider of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 attributes the periodic malfunctioning in the train system to “design flaws,” as it called on the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to start the rail replacement “as soon as possible to help minimize or eliminate these glitches.”

Busan Universal Railways, Inc. (BURI) said in a statement that they sent a letter to MRT-3 General Manager Rodolfo Garcia recommending a probe “to confirm that the MRT-3 design flaws are the primary reason for the recurring service interruptions of the system.”

Sought for comment, DoTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez disputed BURI’s claim.

He referred to his supplemental position paper submitted early this September to DoTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, the agency’s legal department, and MRT-3 General Manager Rodolfo J. Garcia — and which attributed the so-called glitch in the train system to Automatic Train Protection (ATP) Brake failure (165 incidents), ATP Failure (130 incidents), and start-up interlocking (129 incidents).

Mr. Chavez told reporters in a message on Saturday, Sept. 16, that there were six unloading incidents on Friday. Before that, on Wednesday, two passengers of the MRT-3 sustained minor injuries due to ATP braking at Shaw Boulevard Station.

The position paper also noted that spare parts procured by BURI were insufficient and that “urgent maintenance is required” in much of the equipment. These findings in a recent audit requested by Mr. Garcia were conducted by Bombardier Transportation Signal (Thailand) Ltd., the firm which provided the signaling system for the MRT-3 system.

With regards to rail replacement, Mr. Chavez said this is already in the pipeline.

BURI noted in its statement that DoTr had already conducted the bidding, but that “its actual implementation has been delayed for almost a year now.”

“That’s in the program. (Today) is the submission of bids for the rail replacement to the BAC (Bids and Awards Committee) of Procurement Service of the DBM (Department of Budget and Management),” Mr. Chavez, for his part, said in a text message. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Loss to SMB a wake up call for Ginebra, says Tim Cone

BEATEN SOUNDLY by reigning three-time Philippine Cup champions San Miguel Beermen, the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings got back on the winning mode by holding off Rain or Shine Saturday night to wrest solo lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The Gin Kings saw their seven-game winning streak snapped by the Beermen a few days ago and multi-titled coach Tim Cone believes the loss was a wake up call for his troops, who came out prepared against the Elasto Painters.

“After the beat down that SMB gave us, needless to say, this is an important bounce back win for us,” Mr. Cone told BusinessWorld. “It was a wake-up call for us. We really need to reestablish our discipline towards our defense and the tempo in which we play. We lost that against SMB and we recovered it in time against Rain or Shine.”

But despite the win, Mr. Cone wasn’t satisfied, saying his team has a lot more room to improve and it showed in their game against the Elasto Painters.

“It was a grind trying to get that win. Rain or Shine made us grind it out. We were happy about first half play, but every time we came up with a big lead they made big shots, made big stop. We just couldn’t break away,” said Mr. Cone.

For Mr. Cone, Ginebra’s level of game went down even before their much-awaited match against the Beermen.

“I think we were not playing the kind of game that we played. Even our game against Blackwater, I felt our level of play went down,” said Mr. Cone.

“We’re not getting the same ball movement, the same open looks. I think we’re not as good defensively like we were three games ago. But it’s hard to sustain your habits through a long winning streak. It’s a natural reaction that you’ll relax a little bit. It’s human nature. We’re battling our human nature right now. So, we’re not playing our best level now, but we have somewhere to go.”

Now on top of the standings with an 8-2 win-loss record, Cone and his wards cannot sit on comfortably. While they’re keeping the top spot, he reiterated that it’s not the team’s goal, but just to crack the top four.

“The no. 1 seed is not our goal. Top four is our goal. If we make it to no. 1, that’s great, but that’s not our goal. Our goal is really the top four and hopefully by the time, we will be in peak form,” added Mr. Cone. — Rey Joble

Duterte eyes Congress, SC in peace talks with Reds

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Saturday, Sept. 16, said he is willing to resume peace talks with communist rebels, upon consultation with the legislature and the judiciary.

Mr. Duterte had canceled the talks following rebel attacks on government forces.

In a speech in Davao City, Mr. Duterte said he is still open to have peace talks but this should be in consultation with Congress and the Supreme Court (SC).

“…There are things which I cannot concede alone because I am not the only one in control of this government,” he said.

“I share power with Congress and the Supreme Court. So do not ask for something in a hurry and for those which are not really acceptable to the other branches of government,” he added.

“Pag-usapan natin ‘yan ng masinsinan (Let’s talk about this thoroughly). Do not be in a hurry because we have been fighting for the last 50 years. And you just cannot ignore that period of violence and killing on both sides….There are things which (have) to be done. We have to clear it with the Speaker periodically and the Senate President.”

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella on Sunday affirmed Mr. Duterte’s remarks, “considering,” he added, “the many lives lost, civilian, and government property destroyed before (we return) to the negotiating table with the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front).”

“In spite of (Mr. Duterte)’s firm position to protect the nation from violence and terrorism, his fundamental goal is sustainable and lasting peace, which in this case begins with addressing the social injustice as the historical root of conflict,” he added. — Rosemarie A. Zamora

Golovkin-Alvarez match finishes in thrilling draw

LAS VEGAS — Gennady Golovkin retained his three world middleweight titles Sunday, fighting to a draw with Mexican star Canelo Alvarez in a showdown for middleweight supremacy that lived up the hype.

The 35-year-old Golovkin, making his Las Vegas debut, kept hold of the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts in front of a crowd of 22,358 at the T-Mobile Arena.

Judge Dave Moretti scored the tense battle 114-114. Dan Trella saw it 115-113 for Golovkin but Adalaide Byrd had it one-sided, 118-110, for Alvarez.

Byrd’s lopsided score didn’t reflect the explosive drama of a bout in which Golovkin moved forward aggressively while Alvarez was the counter-puncher with fast hands.

Golovkin won most of the early rounds but then got hammered a few times with Alvarez’s uppercuts and right hands and seemed to be the more tired of the two near the end.

Golovkin established himself early in the fight with his stinging jab, all the while effectively cutting off the ring. There was no feeling-out process in this one as both fighters came to fight from the opening bell and tried to land big punches early.

Golovkin said he expected Alvarez’s game plan to include a few surprises and the former two-time champion Alvarez didn’t disappoint.

In the fourth round Alvarez tried to press the attack, but he paid for it as Golovkin got the better of those exchanges.

The 27-year-old Alvarez’s best round was the 10th, when he stunned Golovkin with a vicious right hand to the head. Alvarez tried to finish him off but Golovkin survived and once he shook off the cobwebs the two continued their brawl on the ropes and in the center of the ring.

By the time it reached the 12th round, both boxers looked exhausted. Alvarez charged out of his corner looking for the knockout and Golovkin finished the round with a wild flurry of lefts and rights.

The fight was two years in the making, and left many wondering why it didn’t happen sooner.

Alvarez moved to 49-1-2 with 34 knockouts and Golovkin remained undefeated at 37-0-1 with 33 knockouts.

Boxing fans will be hoping the contest is the launching point of an extended rivalry like those of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera and Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti. — AFP

China lines up contractors for key water infra projects

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT has submitted a list of companies bidding for the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project and the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said that China’s Ministry of Commerce recommended on Sept. 6 three contractors each for the two China-funded infrastructure projects.

For the Kaliwa Dam, Chinese companies recommended were China Energy Engineering Co. Ltd., PowerChina Ltd., and a consortium of Guangdong Foreign Construction Co. Ltd. and Guangdong Yuantian Engineering Co. Ltd.

Contractors shortlisted for the Chico River irrigation project are China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd., China Geo-Engineering Corp., and Qingdao Municipal Construction Group Co., Ltd.

Mr. Dominguez said that the bidding for the projects will only be limited to the Chinese firms, but local companies are eligible to be sub-contractors.

“Only the Chinese companies, because that is part of the loan agreement with them. But most likely they will sub-contract some of the projects,” Mr. Dominguez told reporters on Friday at the DoF headquarters in Manila.

“Our labor rules and regulations limit the number of foreigners that can work in these projects to highly technical and managerial (positions), so jobs will be created locally,” he added.

The loans are part of the $9-billion tied loans pledged during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s visit to the China in October.

Mr. Dominguez said that implementing agencies, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA), will conduct due diligence for the Kaliwa Dam, and the Chico irrigation project, respectively.

“Once the Chinese companies or contractors have been found to be qualified, legitimate and in good standing, NIA and MWSS will immediately commence the procurement process and undertake the limited competitive bidding among said Chinese companies and contractors following the approvals, rules and documents, under RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Law,” Mr. Dominguez said.

He said that the implementing agencies are currently organizing project management teams to make sure that the financing arrangements are done “expeditiously,” and that, “there are no delays” in undertaking the projects.

Both infrastructure projects were approved by the President in June.

The Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, which is expected to break ground this month, costs about P2.7 billion, while the Kaliwa Dam will cost P10.86 billion. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Maute base captured; hostage priest rescued

THE MILITARY said Sunday, Sept. 17, it had captured the command center of Maute group supporters who have besieged a southern city for nearly four months.

Security forces have engaged in ferocious street-to-street combat and launched air strikes in their efforts to expel the fighters from the city of Marawi, in a conflict that has raised fears that the Islamic State (IS) is looking to establish a Southeast Asian base in the Philippines.

The military said it had captured the militants’ control center in a deadly battle that began Saturday in a mosque and another building.

“This enormous (military) gain further weakened the terrorist group by denying them their erstwhile command and control hub,” military chief General Eduardo M. Año said in a statement.

“As follow-up and clearing operations continue, we expect the enemy to yield more previously occupied positions, but not without a fight,” he said. “We are ready for that.”

Hundreds of armed extremists flying the black flag of the Islamic State movement in the Middle East occupied Marawi, the Islamic capital of the mainly Catholic Philippines, on May 23.

More than 800 militants, government troops and civilians have since been killed in the conflict, which has forced thousands to flee their homes and destroyed large parts of the once-bustling city.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has deployed thousands of troops and imposed martial law across the southern third of the country to deal with the crisis, while the military has launched a US-backed air campaign against the militants.

In a related development, Catholic priest Teresito “Chito Suganob,” the most high-profile hostage taken by Maute group terrorists when the Marawi Siege began May 23, is now in government hands, a Palace adviser said Sunday.

In his Facebook post, Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza said Father Suganob — Marawi Prelature vicar general — was found 11:00 p.m. Saturday near Bato Mosque, the strategic facility retaken over the weekend by government troops in the final push to liberate Marawi from the IS-inspired terrorists.

In his post, Mr. Dureza said: “Got this just now from Franklin M. Quijano: For info sir father Chito Suganob together with one other was rescued by troops near Bato mosque at ooa 162300hsept2017. This is the 2nd grand mosque in Marawi that has been taken over by our troops.”

The Armed Forces of the Phlippines, however, declined to confirm as of Sunday noon the safe recovery of Fr. Suganob and an unnamed civilian.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs chief, said operations are still ongoing and premature disclosure might jeopardize the lives of soldiers still at the front lines in the final push to liberate from Maute the Islamic city, and the other hostages they are trying to rescue. — reports by AFP, interaksyon.com

MRT-LRT common station to break ground on Sept. 29

THE GOVERNMENT and its private partners are set to break ground on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-Light Rail Transit (LRT) common station project on Sept. 29.

“We will break ground on Sept. 29,” Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of the signing of an agreement for integrating payment systems on Luzon tollways.

Mr. Tugade said that there are no more hurdles before construction can start.

“We have unified the stakeholders… If a groundbreaking is scheduled, it means the project has been studied, it will go through,” Mr. Tugade said.

The common station project aims to link three major commuter rail networks traversing Metro Manila and nearby areas — the LRT-1, MRT-3, and the MRT-7, which is currently undergoing construction and is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2019.

The common station project has been delayed by legal disputes.

In January, the government and private companies involved in the project signed a memorandum of agreement after years of deadlock on the issue of the location of the common station.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Tugade; Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar; Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan; SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Director Hans T. Sy; Ayala Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jaime Zobel de Ayala; and San Miguel Corp. President and CEO Ramon S. Ang. 

Under the agreement, the common station will be built at a compromise site near the original 2009 site in front of SM Annex (North EDSA) and the 2014 location near Ayala-owned TriNoMa Mall.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and SM Prime in 2009 entered into an agreement for the common station to be located at a junction near SM City North EDSA. In 2013, the then Department of Transportation and Communications, citing construction costs, decided to transfer the common station to a site in front of TriNoMa.

SM Prime then sued the government for breach of contract. In July 2014, SM Prime secured a Supreme Court (SC) stay order stopping the transfer of the common station’s site to TriNoma. The SC in May 2016 refused the government’s plea to lift the halt order.

The DoTr previously said that SM Prime, DoTr, and LRTA will file a joint manifestation with the SC advising the Court of the agreement to address the issue of the temporary restraining order. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

Negros Occidental’s reintegration into Western Visayas in full swing

MEMBERS OF the Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) met on Friday with Negros Occidental governor, Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., to discuss programs and projects as part of the province’s reintegration into the region. National Economic and Development Authority-Region 6 (NEDA-6) Director and RDC-6 Secretary Ro-Ann A. Bacal said they will be “undertaking a number of activities that will make Negros Occidental feel the presence of agencies in support of their projects.” Also at the meeting were Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia of Bacolod City, the center of Negros Occidental, and 15 regional directors of National Government agencies. “We expect the province and the city of Bacolod to set their priority programs and projects. And the representatives from the agencies are expected to give their feedback,” Ms. Bacal said. NEDA Undersecretary Adoracion M. Navarro, who was present during the RDC-6 meeting on Sept. 8, encouraged the business chambers of Metro Bacolod City and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental to pursue the Negros Island Development Agenda through an alliance to be spearheaded by the private sector. “So they are already talking about tourism circuits and then we also discussed about environmental concerns because they have natural resource which is Mt. Kanlaon. We also discussed about programs that will be put in place so that in times of emergency and disasters there will be an exchange of resources and manpower,” Ms. Bacal said. The Negros Island Region (NIR), composed of the two Negros provinces, was created through an executive order in 2015 by then President Benigno S.C. Aquino III. The NIR was dissolved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August this year. Negros Oriental is reverting to the Central Visayas Region. — Louine Hope U. Conserva