Hotshots rout Picanto

January 11, 2018 | 12:08 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Magnolia Hotshots got back on the winning track after routing the Kia Picanto, 124-77, in their PBA Philippine Cup opening game encounter yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Using a major run in the third quarter that saw them outscoring their opponents, 34-11, the Hotshots turned what was a close game in first half to a wide-margin affair in the end to bounce back from a previous loss while keeping the Picanto winless in the season-opening tournament of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

The Picanto jump-started things, going on a 9-2 blast in the opening half of the first quarter.

Magnolia, however, would pick up its defensive intensity in the next two minutes to tie the count at 15-all.

The frame ended with both teams knotted at 22.

In the second quarter it was the Hotshots’ turn to make hay early with Ian Sangalang leading the charge.

The Hotshots raced to a 34-28 lead at the 6:34 mark of the canto.

Kia rallied back, even taking the upper hand, 37-34. It capped the turnaround by holding a two-point cushion, 49-47, at the halftime break.

The teams continued to grind it out to begin the third quarter before the Hotshots sprinted to create an 11-point separation, 62-51, with 4:46 to go in the quarter.

It was a leverage that Magnolia would use to take command, 81-60, at the end of the first 36 minutes of the match.

Despite pretty much having control of the contest, the Hotshots continued to take the fight to the Picanto and sustained the pressure defense that did it for them in the third canto.

The Magnolia lead stood at 36 points, 107-71, with five minutes remaining and it just built on it the rest of the way and parked the win.

Justin Melton finished with 23 points to lead the Hotshots.

Mr. Sangalang also had 21 to go along with nine rebounds while rookie Robbie Herndon and Paul Lee added 14 and 13 points, respectively.

PJ Simon and Jio Jalalon were the two other Magnolia players in double digits with 11 points apiece.

Jay-R Reyes paced Kia with 12 points with Rashawn McCarthy, Ronald Tubid and Reden Celdan chipping in 11 markers each.

“We just did the necessary adjustments in the second half, especially on the defensive end. We were outplayed in the first half so we really made an effort to limit those who made it hard for us like Celda, McCarthy and [Jackson] Corpuz and it worked to our advantage,” said winning coach Chito Victolero after their win.

Magnolia and Kia both return on Sunday, Jan. 14, with the Hotshots taking on the NLEX Road Warriors in the 6:45 p.m. main game and the Picanto facing off with the Alaska Aces at 4:30 p.m.

Contaminated water downs 56 in Benguet village

January 11, 2018 | 12:08 am

FIFTY-SIX residents of a village in Atok, Benguet were rushed to hospital during the first week of the year in what was initially suspected to be a case of mass food poisoning but which health officials later attributed to contaminated water used for cooking. — interaksyon.com

See full story on https://goo.gl/Zw7Km2

Mayor Abby Binay cites 2-digit increase in 2017 revenues

January 11, 2018 | 12:07 am

MAKATI CITY had a remarkable increase in its total revenue collections last year amounting to P16.97 billion, which is 12% more than in 2016 and 116% of revenue target, Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail Binay said in her State of the City Address before Rotarians on Tuesday. “We have reason to be jubilant about the two-digit increase because based on official records, the city has only posted one-digit year-on-year increases for the past 12 years,” said the mayor, who cited the business tax as the top revenue source at P8.22 billion, followed by real property tax at P6.22 billion. Ms. Binay also cited accomplishments for the city and its residents in the fields of public health, education, and public safety and order, among other areas of public service.

Budget underspending likely fell under 1% in 2017 — DBM

January 11, 2018 | 12:07 am

THE RATE of underspending on budgeted funds likely fell to less than 1% in 2017, due to a shift to cash-based appropriations, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

“I estimate that underspending will be down to less than 1% from about 10-15% in the past,” Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said during a briefing yesterday, referring to 2017 against the preceding two years.

He said that this was due to the shift to a cash-based budget where appropriations are only valid for one year.

“It has already shown results. In fact we have actually shifted to a cash-based budget. It was effective last year,” Mr. Diokno said.

“With a validity of two years, you give them the possibility of delay. No sense of urgency,” he added.

In 2016, underspending, or the proportion of unspent funds relative to target — was 3.6%. Actual spending was P2.549 trillion overall against the downward-adjusted P2.64 trillion target.

DBM data show that underspending in 2015 was 12.8%, narrowing from 13.3% in 2014.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III has said that total government disbursements in 2017 may have grown 13.8%.

With overall disbursements in 2016 at P2.494 trillion, a 13.8% rise suggests spending of P2.901 trillion the following year.

Mr. Diokno said the expanded spending was due to “many more projects” being firmed up and reaching the disbursement phase in 2017.

At the end of November, government spending totaled P2.494 trillion, up 10% from a year earlier.

This is equivalent to an 85.73% spending rate on planned disbursements for the year, suggesting that to meet the target, the government had to spend P415 billion in the final month of 2017.

Mr. Diokno said the government bureaucracy has likely adapted to the new spending system.

“There has been progress. We’ve had three semesters [since the new administration took over]. Somehow the bureaucracy will learn,” said Mr. Diokno.

In 2018, the government seeks to spend some P3.313 trillion. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Fil-Am champion Coryn Rivera touches base, shares passion

January 11, 2018 | 12:07 am

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

BACK in the country after 15 years, Filipino-American world tour cyclist Coryn Rivera is in the country to touch base with her roots and share her passion for the sport of cycling which she admits to have given her a lot.

Set to compete in Pru Life UK’s PRUride PH 2018 which is happening this weekend and the next, 25-year-old Rivera shared that she is surprised and at the same time excited to see how cycling has grown in the Philippines since she was last here.

“I’m surprised how it has grown big since I was last here. I rode here for the first time [at the weekend] and I think I saw around 300 cyclists in Tagaytay. I was really impressed with that and with people recognizing me on the road, wanting to take pictures with me. Currently the growth of cycling in the Philippines has been huge in the last 15 years and [as a cyclist] I am very happy with that,” Ms. Rivera, now riding with Team Sunweb of the Netherlands, said in an interview with a small group of media people early this week.

She went on to say that cycling is something that she would advise others to pick up as a hobby and form of physical fitness or even as a career like the road she has taken.

“Cycling is great for a lot of reasons. And, yes, for sure if they are happy doing it I will definitely suggest others to pick it up as an activity and even a career,” Ms. Rivera said.

A professional since the age of 16, Ms. Rivera has amassed a total of 71 US national championships in four different cycling disciplines — road, track, cyclocross, and mountain bike.

She has raced in the junior, collegiate, under-23, and professional categories over her career.

Ms. Rivera, who officially starts her season late next month in Belgium, is coming off a successful 2017 season where she emerged as a winner in a number of races in the pro circuit, including the Tour of Flanders for Women in Belgium and Prudential RideLondon Classique.

“I officially start my season at the end of February in Belgium, which is the first spring classic of the racing season. While I’m here, I’m going to ride and enjoy myself and get ready for the year,” she said.

Ms. Rivera underscored that while she has not been in the country that often, she is very much proud of her Filipino roots, thanks to her parents, father Wally and mother Lina, who have instilled in her a lot of values, particularly hard work, which she has benefitted from as a cyclist.

“It’s (being Filipino) very much part of who I am. My parents are my role models. They are very hardworking and that is one quality that Filipinos have that is really helping me in cycling,” she said.

Born and raised in the United States, Ms. Rivera said that unfortunately she can no longer race for the Philippines. But she was quick to say that she is encouraged with what is happening in the local cycling scene and wish nothing but the best for the national team.

“After seeing how many are taking up the sport and how invested they really are in it, it’s really exciting and hopefully I can come back more often and maybe share my experience with the riders here,” said Ms. Rivera, who is targeting to race in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Pru Life UK’s PRUride PH 2018 happens this weekend, Jan. 11-14, in Subic, Zambales and on Jan. 21 in McKinley West, Taguig.

DoT, DENR chiefs conduct aerial survey over Boracay

January 11, 2018 | 12:06 am

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DoT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have embarked on a joint effort to save Boracay island. DoT Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu took off on an aerial survey of the world-renowned island and later presided over a meeting, including the island’s tourism stakeholders, to address pressing concerns on offshore pollution brought about by waste disposal. She said a list of over 100 establishment violators will be disclosed soon while Mr. Cimatu vowed to conduct an individual inspection of their sewer facilities. Mr. Cimatu, for his part, said he has called the attention of Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling regarding the worsening garbage problem. Mr. Cawaling, along with Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, have urged the Duterte administration to provide more funds. “We appeal to both Secretaries to adopt Boracay,” Mr. Miraflores urged the visiting Cabinet officials. Ms. Teo and Mr. Cimatu disclosed that an executive order ill be submitted to President Rodrigo R. Duterte to address the problems besetting Boracay.

7’0” Kai Sotto believes he needs to work harder to crack 2023 World Cup team

January 11, 2018 | 12:06 am

IT’S still five years from now and Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes already crafted the future composition of the national team seeing action in the 2023 World Cup, which the Philippines will be hosting along with Indonesia and Japan.

Leading the squad are college standouts Kobe Paras, AJ Edu, Remy Martin, Robert Bolick, Thirdy Ravena, CJ Perez and Kai Sotto, the youngest selected at 15 years old.

Sotto is the seven-foot Batang Gilas standout currently playing for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets. He is the son of former PBA player Ervin Sotto.

For the young Sotto, being included in the 23-man roster is quite a surprise, but believes he will have to work hard to crack the lineup.

“That’s one of my goals. I need to work hard to get into that team. I’m not shocked, but I’m quite surprised to see my name on the pool,” Sotto said. “I felt no pressure at all. It’s five years from now.”

For now, Sotto is concentrating attending classes in Ateneo and even skipped Batang Gilas’ participation in the Marikina City Basketball League.

Other players who made it to the 23-man pool are University of the Philippines’ Paul Desiderio and Juan Gomez De Liano, Ateneo’s Matt Nieto and Isaac Go, National University’s Jayjay Alejandro and Joshua Sinclair, San Beda’s Kenmark Cariño and Javee Mocon, Far Eastern University’s Ken Tuffin and Arvin Tolentino.

Also part of the pool are Jeo Ambohot of Letran, Will Gozum of Mapua, Dwight Ramos from California State University and Wake Forest University’s Troy Rike.

But for former national team coach Yeng Guiao, a lot of things could happen in the future although he commended Mr. Reyes for coming up with a good foresight leading to the biggest basketball tournament in the world five years from now.

“That’s very far from the future. A lot of things could happen there. There are other new talents that can make or break into that list or there are people in that list that can still drop out. But what’s good is, we’re starting early. We have a foresight,” added Mr. Guiao. — Rey Joble

NFA warns against fake rice import permits

January 11, 2018 | 12:05 am

THE National Food Authority (NFA) said counterfeit rice import permits (IPs) may be circulating after the agency received reports of unauthorized parties offering them for sale.

NFA administrator Jason L. Y. Aquino said in a statement that the government will apply the full force of the law in prosecuting counterfeiters and those who use their products.

The Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) notified the NFA on Dec. 22 that it was seeking to verify three IPs allegedly issued to PITC, which aroused suspicions because “PITC has not applied for any rice import permits with NFA and neither authorized any party to apply for and in behalf of PITC for such permits for 2017.”

The IPs involve a 5,000 metric ton (MT) shipment for discharge in Davao, a 7,000-MT shipment for discharge in Cebu, and a 30,000 MT shipment with no specified port of discharge. The documents were dated Aug. 24 in the case of the Davao and Cebu shipments. The third shipment was dated Oct. 10.

The NFA confirmed it did not issue any of the above IPs under the 2017 MAV Rice Importation Program. The agency also clarified that the scheduled arrival of rice imports under Phase 1 of the 2017 MAV was set for between Dec. 20, 2017 and Feb. 28, 2018. Phase 2 imports are to arrive between June 1 and Aug. 31.

“Also… the Import Permit under the 2017 MAV Rice Importation Program has a validity period of only 15 calendar days from the date of issuance and not for one year as specified in the spurious IPs,” the NFA said.

The NFA invoked Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016, which holds violators liable for prosecution as economic saboteurs.

Section 3 covers large-scale agricultural smuggling, which includes “rice, with a minimum amount of ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00), as valued by the Bureau of Customs, committed through any of the following acts: (a) Importing or bringing into the Philippines without the required import permit from the regulatory agencies; (b) Using import permits of persons, natural or juridical, other than those specifically named in the permit; and (c) Using fake, fictitious or fraudulent import permits or shipping documents.”

RA 10845 specifies the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of twice the value of the smuggled agricultural product in addition to payment of taxes, duties and other charges against anyone found guilty of economic sabotage.

Myanmar police charge Reuters reporters under secrecy law

January 11, 2018 | 12:05 am

YANGON — Two Reuters journalists were formally charged by police in a Myanmar court Wednesday with breaching a colonial-era secrecy law that carries up to 14 years in jail, despite calls for their immediate release.

Myanmar nationals Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, were arrested a month ago under the Official Secrets Act after they were allegedly given classified documents by two policemen over dinner.

The pair had been reporting on the military campaign in the northern state of Rakhine that has forced some 655,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee over the border to Bangladesh since August.

The UN and US have condemned the violence as ethnic cleansing.

The issue is incendiary inside Myanmar, where authorities deny wrongdoing and say the army was cracking down on militants from the Muslim minority.

A district judge said police charged the pair under a section of the Official Secrets Act which punishes anyone who “obtains, collects, records or publishes… any official document or information” which could be “useful to an enemy.”

The pair will return to court on January 23 for legal arguments, when the bench will decide whether to accept the case under Myanmar’s arcane legal system.

There were emotional scenes in the Yangon courthouse, with family members in tears and the reporters making desperate pleas before being led back into detention.

“Please tell the people to protect our journalists!” Kyaw Soe Oo shouted to the court.

His colleague Wa Lone said his wife was pregnant adding: “I’m trying to be strong.”

Their families have suggested the pair were set up, saying the arrests took place immediately after leaving the restaurant where they dined with the two policemen. The officers are also under arrest but did not appear in court on Wednesday.

The case against the Reuters journalists has shocked Myanmar’s embattled press corps.

Reporters covering Wednesday’s proceedings wore black in protest against their arrest and carried banners proclaiming “Journalism is not a crime.”

Defense lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP that an application for bail had been rejected.

Reuters said they were “extremely disappointed” that the authorities were seeking to prosecute.

“We view this as a wholly unwarranted, blatant attack on press freedom,” said Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler.

“We believe time is of the essence and we continue to call for Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo’s prompt release.”

‘TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE’
Rights groups condemned their continued detention.

“These charges are a travesty of justice and should be dropped, and these two men should be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, echoing statements by Amnesty International and Fortify Rights.

The US and EU have led global calls for the journalists to be freed while former US president Bill Clinton also weighed in on the issue this week.

“A free press is critical to a free society — the detention of journalists anywhere is unacceptable,” he tweeted on Monday.

“The Reuters journalists being held in Myanmar should be released immediately.”

The case has cast a spotlight on Myanmar’s troubled transition to democracy after nearly five decades of military rule.

It touches both on shrinking press freedom and the Rohingya crisis, two issues that have raised questions about the country’s ability to shake off the legacy of junta rule.

Much of the Buddhist-majority population supports the army in what it calls a justified campaign against Rohingya militants, after their attacks on border guard police killed about a dozen people last August.

The military has severely restricted access to Rakhine to reporters, aid groups and observers.

Several legal cases against journalists have disappointed those hoping the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi would usher in a new era of freedom.

Her administration shares power with an army that still controls all security policy and other key levers of government.

Ms. Suu Kyi’s time in office has also been dominated by the Rohingya crisis, with criticism from around the globe of her refusal to denounce the army’s crackdown and allow in international investigators. — AFP

Halep, Wozniacki lead race to seize Serena’s Aussie crown

January 11, 2018 | 12:05 am

MELBOURNE — Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki spearhead the charge to succeed Serena Williams at an Australian Open left wide open by the withdrawal of the defending champion and new mum.

A pregnant Williams sealed her 23^rd Grand Slam singles title and seventh Melbourne Park crown a year ago, but last week announced she wouldn’t defend her title, saying she was “super close” but not quite ready to compete after giving birth in September.

With the 36-year-old having to wait to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the tournament is there for the taking by a host of players, led by world number one Halep, second-ranked Wozniacki and fourth-ranked Elina Svitolina.

Last year there were two first-time major-winners while Serena was on maternity leave — Jelena Ostapenko at the French Open and Sloane Stephens at the US Open.

But their chances in Melbourne look slim: Stephens hasn’t won a match on tour since her Flushing Meadows triumph, and Ostapenko was far from her attacking best in her first-round defeats in Shenzhen and Sydney in the past week.

HALEP’S CHANCE
Wimbledon champion and world number three Garbine Muguruza retired with severe cramps in Brisbane last week, in what could be a further boost to Halep’s hopes of a maiden Grand Slam.

The 26-year-old Romanian is full of confidence after lifting the title at Shenzhen in dominant fashion, but will need to overcome her sorry record at Melbourne Park where she has lost in the first round in both of the past two years when seeded in the top four.

Wozniacki is riding high after her resurgence in 2017 when she reached eight finals, with victories in Tokyo in September and at the season-ending Tour Championship.

The Danish former world number one lost in the Auckland Classic final on Sunday to Germany’s Julia Goerges, but said she felt great heading to Melbourne as she too looks to make her Slam breakthrough.

“I’ve got a lot of matches under my belt this week, it was the preparation I hoped for,” said Wozniacki, who is back up to second in the world and, if results go her way, can return to the top spot after a gap of six years.

In-form Svitolina last week won the Brisbane International after picking up five WTA Tour titles last year, more than any other woman.

The Ukrainian believes hard work in the off-season is paying dividends. “I’ve started to play more consistently,” she said. “I’m stronger physically. I have a different look to my game.”

World number six Karolina Pliskova lost to Svitolina in the Brisbane semifinal but also will be a contender for a maiden Slam behind one of the biggest serves on tour.

EVERGREEN VENUS
Britain’s world number nine Johanna Konta could figure despite a slow start to the season. She reached the last eight in both of her Australian Open appearances to date, but slumped out of the Sydney International in the first round this week.

But the most dangerous floater is 2008 champion Maria Sharapova, who on Monday moved back into the world’s top 50 for the first time since returning from a 15-month doping ban.

The controversial Russian, ranked 47, lost in the Shenzhen semifinal to Katerina Siniakova and admitted she had “a lot of things to improve on.”

If it is not to be a new name on the trophy, it could well be the oldest player in the field — evergreen 37-year-old Venus Williams.

Venus last won a Slam in 2008 but she enjoyed a renaissance last year, when she reached two Grand Slam finals and returned to the world top five.

Only sister Serena prevented Venus from winning an 11^th Grand Slam singles title in last year’s all-Williams Melbourne final. Victory would see her eclipse Ken Rosewall as the oldest player ever to win a major. — AFP

Reyes’s detention sought anew for graft

January 11, 2018 | 12:05 am

STATE PROSECUTORS on Wednesday filed an urgent omnibus motion before the Sandiganbayan to cancel the bail and rearrest former Palawan governor Mario Joel T. Reyes. “It is most respectfully prayed of the Honorable Court that this motion be granted and that: accused Reyes’s bail be canceled; and accused Reyes be immediately committed to prison in view of his conviction for violation of Section 3(e) of RA (Republic Act) 3019,” the petition, penned by Deputy Special Prosecutor Omar L. Sagdal, reads. On Aug. 29, 2017, Sandiganbayan found Mr. Reyes guilty of graft for “giving unwarranted benefits, preference and advantage” to Olympic Mines and Development Corp. On the other hand, the Court of Appeals (CA) on Jan. 4 ordered the release of Mr. Reyes, who was implicated in the 2011 murder of journalist and environmentalist Gerardo V. Ortega, after finding no probable cause to issue a warrant for his arrest. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

ADB signs loan deal for southern road and bridge construction

January 11, 2018 | 12:05 am

THE GOVERNMENT and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed on Wednesday a loan agreement for a series of road projects in the southern Philippines, and exchanged documents on capital market reform projects.

ADB President Takehiko Nakao and Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, this year’s chairman of the ADB Board of Governors, signed the $380-million loan agreement for the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project, and exchanged documents on the $300-million Encouraging Investment through Capital Market Reforms (EICMR) Program-Subprogram 2.

The first loan program involves the construction of about 280 kilometers of national primary, secondary and tertiary roads and bridges in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Tawi-Tawi.

The project is to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and expects road contracts to be bid out by this quarter. Bridge contracts are expected to be put up for bidding by the third quarter.

DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said that he expects “substantial completion of roads within this year.”

The project is intended to aid in developing Mindanao’s economy, paving the way for “achieving peace and prosperity for the region,” according to Mr. Dominguez.

“The projects funded by this loan cohere with the comprehensive logistics improvement pursued under the Duterte administration. This is part of our Build, Build, Build program,” Mr. Dominguez said.

For his part, Mr. Nakao said that the region is “an important component of ADB’s work in the Philippines.”

“This project, ADB’s first Mindanao-specific loan in 16 years, builds on our strong partnership with the government over the last five decades to develop the infrastructure and economy of the country’s second-largest island,” he said.

The capital market reform project meanwhile is intended to aid in accelerating investments in infrastructure by establishing a framework to diversify and broaden available funding sources from the private sector market.

This was the follow-up of the implementation of reforms committed under Subprogram 1, which included, among others, the launching of the modern National Registry of Scripless Securities (NRoSS), the Government Securities Repurchase Agreement (Repo) Program, and the enhanced Government Securities Eligible Dealers (GSED) Program; the implementation of the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA); and the issuance of a Code of Corporate Governance for publicly listed companies.

“Modernization of our capital markets and infrastructure backbone are the two main tasks the Duterte administration seeks to accomplish over the next five years. These two loan packages fall squarely into the national priorities we have identified,” Mr. Dominguez said.

He said the $300-million loan program to finance continuing capital market reforms is “vital to encouraging investments in the economy and broadening public participation in the capital market.”

He said implementing reforms will open new avenues for private investment in the government’s infrastructure drive.

He said that this will, in turn, ease the movement of people and goods, broaden access by producers to markets, boost the competitiveness of tourism and exports, reduce production costs, and create more job opportunities.

“Although we have improved fiscal capacity to fund the infrastructure program through tax reforms, private investments will carry a major part of the load,” Mr. Dominguez said.

“By making our financial markets more efficient and more accessible to all citizens, by encouraging long-term savings and increased capital aggregation, we will ensure continuous financial flows towards modernizing our infrastructure backbone and our national logistics system,” he added. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan