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Long absence may void marriage

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) ruled that decades-long unjustified absence from home may be deemed as a psychological incapacity.

In a Decision, penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the SC Second Division granted to void the marriage of the petitioner on the ground of psychological incapacity after finding the long absence from home of the respondent made him unable to fulfill his marital duties.

The respondent’s “infidelity, failure to give support to his wife and children, and unjustified absence from his family are all indicative that he is not cognizant of the duties and responsibilities of a husband and father,” the Decision read.

The ruling stemmed from a husband and wife who married in 1984 and separated 10 years later due to the husband’s changed behavior. The man then married two other women after their separation.

The respondent’s absence goes against Article 68 of the Family Code, which provided that spouses are obliged to live together, observe mutual love, respect, and fidelity, and render mutual help and support. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Smuggled oranges seized

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) on Wednesday seized 3,200 cartons of smuggled oranges valued at P8.42 million at the Manila port, it said on Thursday.

The shipments were confiscated after the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI), an agency attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA), reported that these did not have the required import clearance, the BoC said in a statement.

“The unlawful importation of shipment from Thailand, consisting of 3,200 cartons of fresh oranges valued at P8.422 million, was prevented in Manila International Container Port after finding that the same is not covered by the required import sanitary clearance from the BPI,” it said.

The smuggled fruits were deemed unsafe for human consumption and a threat to local ecology, the bureau said.

Drug enforcement personnel also reported that no dangerous drugs were found in the shipment.

The Customs bureau seized P3.46 billion worth of smuggled agricultural goods last year. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Senate to push EPIRA review

THE SENATE aims to review the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) to allow for the faster approval of power supply deals, a Philippine senator said on Thursday.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said there is a need to give the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) authority to speed up the approval of power supply deals amid constant blackouts in the country.

“We are also thinking of carving out a charter for the ERC, making it more efficient and giving it more powers in terms of regulating it,” Mr. Gatchalian told a forum at the Senate.

“One of the things we want to fine-tune, is the speed in which the ERC approves power supply contracts.”

He cited constant delays in these deals that often lead to a lack of power generation in the country.

In his third address to Congress, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called for a review of the law to address issues hounding the energy sector, particularly on high prices.

Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra told senators in May that 4,000 megawatts of power may be added to the country’s power generation capacity by the end of the year.

She said some power plants that eye setting up shop this year are falling behind in the application process but are ready to start operations. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Senator bats for tourism security

Tourists enjoy the sight of Taal volcano while walking around Picnic Grove in Tagaytay City, Feb.17, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A PHILIPPINE senator on Thursday cited the need for more medical facilities and police forces in the country’s tourist spots to develop the sector, complementing efforts to pass a tax refund system for tourists.

“In attracting tourists, there’s no single formula,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian told a forum at the Senate.

“Tourist police in tourist areas, especially in our dive sites, putting up medical facilities, are needed so that the tourists would have confidence going to our beaches.”

Senators have started floor debates on Senate Bill No. 2415, which aims to provide non-resident tourists value-added tax refunds for purchases worth at least P3,000 to encourage more visitor spending.

Under the bill, the Secretary of Finance upon the recommendation of the Internal Revenue commissioner and the Tourism secretary, is authorized to adjust the P3,000 threshold based on inflation, administrative costs, and other market conditions.

The House of Representatives approved its version of the measure on third and final reading on March 6, 2023.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is targeting 7.7 million international tourist arrivals this year. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

DILG installs Abra Acting Vice Governor

BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) installed on Tuesday Abra Sangguniang Panlalawigan member, lawyer Russel Bragas, as the acting vice governor of the province amid the 18-month suspension of Vice-Governor Joy Valera-Bernos.

Citing the rule of succession, Mr. Bragas was tasked to “discharge the powers and perform the duties and functions of a Vice-Governor as mandated by law,” the DILG said in a statement.

Mr. Bragas said his assumption as such is thus by operation of law which anyone in his position cannot evade without being charged with dereliction of duty.” — Artemio A. Dumlao

Cotabateños get cash aid

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Five thousand Cotabateños received P10,000 each during the distribution of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families (PAFFF).

The assistance comes in time for the opening of the Kalivungan Festival held at The Basket, Capitol Compound, Amas, Kidapawan City with the distribution led by Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. and Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza.

The beneficiaries were farmers, fisherfolks, and families from Kidapawan City and from the municipalities of Pigcawayan, Libungan, Alamada, Aleosan, Kabacan, M’lang, Tulunan, Carmen, Banisilan, Matalam, Magpet, President Roxas, Antipas, Arakan, and Makilala.

The financial assistance came from the P50 million funding, which is a part of the P210-million aid allocated to local government units (LGUs) and provinces in region 12, aiming to address the impact of the El Niño phenomenon particularly on the agriculture and fisheries sectors. — Maya M. Padillo

Shabu confiscated in Marawi

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY — Policemen in Marawi City foiled on Tuesday morning an attempt by a courier, reportedly connected with the Dawlah Islamiya, to deliver P408,000 worth of crystal meth (shabu) to a buyer in Molundo town in Lanao del Sur.

Brig. Gen. Prexy D. Tanggawohn, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters on Thursday that the motorcycle-riding suspect was arrested by policemen guarding a security roadblock in Barangay Patani in Marawi City.

The suspect, supposedly on his way to Molundo, first turned around and tried to escape when he saw a police team inspecting vehicles passing through a stretch of a barangay road in Patani. — John Felix M. Unson

Fegidero named Filipinas coach amid Saintfiet’s sudden departure

NORMAN FEGIDERO — PFF

PHILIPPINE football legend Norman Fegidero was appointed interim coach of the men’s team following the sudden departure of his boss Tom Saintfiet.

Belgian Mr. Saintfiet, who came on board last February and called the shots in four losing matches in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, asked for his release to move over to Mali.

Despite his long-term contract and the proximity to the side’s campaign in the Sept. 2 to 10 Merdeka bootfest in Malaysia, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) granted his wish.

The PFF handed the reins to Mr. Fegidero, one of Mr. Saintfiet’s assistants, yesterday. Filipinas coach Mark Torcaso and his staff will help Mr. Fegidero, who is best remembered for scoring the winning goal in the country’s 1-0 upset of Malaysia in the 1991 Southeast Asian Game in Manila, in the campaign in Kuala Lumpur.

“Given the circumstances, we needed to act quickly. Norman was the assistant coach in the last four games and was the obvious choice to take charge in the interim,” said Freddy Gonzalez, director of national teams.

Mr. Saintfiet will bring along his deputies to Mali and to fill the gap, at least for the Merdeka stint, the PFF asked Mr. Torcaso and his group for help.

“It’s unusual to see a crossover of staff from separate teams but it’s a situation that requires a novel solution. This temporary fix will give much-needed time to pin down a permanent head coach,” said Mr. Gonzalez.

Mr. Saintfiet left days before the Pinoy booters embark on the Merdeka competition and with the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup set to kick off Dec. 8 on the horizon.

“We had a long-term contract with Tom and had every intention of seeing it through. That he came to me about the Mali job just as we’re about to depart for the Merdeka Cup is obviously disappointing,” said  Mr. Gonzalez.

“But it made clear to me that his heart was already set elsewhere. I have no interest in holding on to anyone who’s not fully committed to the Philippines and our goals. We need people who are all in. It’s the only way we will succeed. That goes for the players, the staff, and most definitely our head coach.” — Olmin Leyba

Gilas Boys brace for FIBA U18 Asia Cup campaign

GILAS PILIPINAS BOYS — SBP.PH

IT’S all systems go for Gilas Pilipinas boys in the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Under 18 (U18) Asia Cup starting Monday in Amman, Jordan after qualifying with a sweep of the SEABA Qualifiers last month.

Led by star guard Andy Gemao, the world No. 25 Gilas has been bracketed in Group D with No. 27 New Zealand, No. 73 Indonesia and host Jordan, world No. 51, for the Asian youth conclave set until Sept. 9.

Gilas starts its campaign against Southeast Asian rival Indonesia followed by an expected tough duel against the hosts on Tuesday. It then wraps up the elimination campaign versus New Zealand Wednesday.

The Philippines needs to finish atop of its group to gain an automatic ticket to the quarterfinals as the second and third-ranked squads still have to go through qualification for the remaining four slots in the Top 8. Gilas U18 is out to replicate the feat of the U16 team, which finished in the semifinals of the Asian championship last year to qualify in the FIBA U17 World Cup held in Turkey last month. With the same Final Four finish, Gilas could make it to the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.

Gilas moved closer to that bid by barging to the FIBA Asia after wiping out SEABA in Malaysia marked by a whopping winning margin average of 27.3 points.

Gilas Pilipinas boys demolished Indonesia, 87-64, host Malaysia, 97-71, and Thailand, 87-54.

Joining Mr. Gemao this time around in the bigger stage are Marc Daniel Burgos, Nicolash Drei Lorenzo, John Earl Medina, Wilhelm Lawrence Cabonilas, Charles Francis Esteban, Johnkurl Ruiz Figueroa and Joaquin Gabriel Ludovice.

Louis Allen Perez, Carl Vincent Manding, Jericho Riley Santos and Mark Airick Esperanza complete the squad to be mentored by Josh Reyes. — John Bryan Ulanday

Gilas Jack Animam to play in Europe after signing with Romania’s BC ICIM Arad

JACK ANIMAM (left) of Gilas Pilipinas Women’s team. — FIBA

FILIPINA trailblazer Jack Animam is off to Europe once again, this time in Romania after signing with BC ICIM Arad.

A nine-time champion, the Romanian club plays in the top-tier league Liga Nationala with hopes of snapping a long title drought since its last championship in 2013.

For the Gilas Pilipinas standout Ms. Animam, this is another stop to her historic international career as the first Filipina player ever to play in Europe with a Serbian club in 2021.

The 25-year-old ace also had stints in France, China and Australia before focusing on the Nationals’ campaign this year and a European return right after.

Ms. Animam, a five-time UAAP champion and Most Valuable Player who has long been the anchor of Gilas women, led the Philippines to a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Jones Cup and the championship in the first-ever Pinoyliga women’s tourney.

The Bulacan native also impressed in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers last week in Rwanda despite the early exit of Gilas women with averages of 13.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.0 blocks.

A two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, Ms. Animam is tipped to stamp the same class in Romania to fly the flag higher for Filipina ballers. — John Bryan Ulanday

PVL reschedules semis games

Games Saturday
(MOA Arena)
2:30 p.m. — PLDT vs Akari
4:30 p.m. — Creamline vs Cignal

THE PREMIER VOLLEYBALL League (PVL) rescheduled its Reinforced Conference semifinal games pitting PLDT with Akari and Creamline with Cignal initially set Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena to Saturday at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena due to power outages in Pasig caused by the recent continuous downpour.

Because of this, the knockout championship round has been subsequently reset from Saturday to Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

According to the league, the adverse weather conditions have led to significant damage to several Meralco power posts supplying electricity to the PhilSports Arena, rendering the facility inoperable for the scheduled event. — JV

Djokovic advances to 3rd round as Djere retires due to injury

NEW YORK — Defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic kept his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title on track on Wednesday after fellow Serb Laslo Djere retired injured while trailing 6-4 6-4 2-0 in their second-round match.

Mr. Djokovic had needed five sets to get past Mr. Djere in the third round a year ago and it looked as though Arthur Ashe Stadium would see another epic clash between the two as Mr. Djere went up a break in the second set.

But the unseeded Serb appeared to pick up an injury midway through the set and Mr. Djokovic went on to book a third-round meeting with Australian Alexei Popyrin.

“It’s not what we want. It’s not what the crowd wants,” Mr. Djokovic said. “It should have been his second set, honestly.”

Four-time winner Mr. Djokovic, who had looked rusty in his opening round match, appeared to struggle in the sweltering conditions that tested competitors all day at Flushing Meadows, wrapping himself in ice towels on the changeovers.

Mr. Djokovic broke Mr. Djere to love in the 10th game of a tightly fought first set, benefiting from a series of unforced errors by his opponent.

The second seed had to work harder to hold serve in the opening game of the next set, fending off two break points, and then shouted in frustration as he let a break point opportunity slip through his fingers in the next game.

Mr. Djere looked to have the momentum as he broke his opponent in the third game of the second set and held serve in the next with a mighty ace.

But the evening fell apart for Mr. Djere when he winced after a serve in the eighth game and Mr. Djokovic converted a break point. Mr. Djere, who missed part of the season after undergoing elbow surgery in April,appeared to struggle with his mobility from there and took a medical timeout after the ninth game, lying on the court as a physio massaged his abdomen and lower back.

Mr. Djokovic broke again in the 10th and Mr. Djere tried to fight on before retiring just seven minutes into the third set.

“He obviously had an injury that took him out of the tour for some time and he’s struggling to come back physically to his level,” said Mr. Djokovic. — Reuters

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