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How sweep it is!

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

FOR the 10th time in 12 years the San Beda Red Lions are kings of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball after they completed a sweep of the Lyceum Pirates in their best-of-three finals series with a 92-82 victory in Game Two yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Showing tremendous resolve to stay the course despite their struggles early and parading their championship experience down the stretch, the Lions closed out the Pirates and made sure no more rubber match was to be played.

The game was delayed for several minutes as the scoreboard at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was not functioning properly.

When the match finally began, Lyceum did not waste much time jump-starting things to eventually race to a 22-17 advantage at the end of the opening frame.

In the second quarter, San Beda started finding its groove, slicing its deficit to just two points, 27-25, early on led by Javee Mocon and Donald Tankoua.

Instead of folding amid the pressure though, Lyceum fought back, towed by CJ Perez and Mike Nzeusseu.

The Pirates would maintain a lead, 47-41, at the halftime break.

Lyceum continued to hum to start the third canto with Perez at the forefront.

The Pirates established a 55-47 lead in the opening minutes of the frame.

But San Beda would charge back, levelling the count at 55-all with 4:20 remaining in the quarter.

Lyceum created more breathing space, 63-57, but the Lions kept coming back, seizing the lead, 65-63, behind a triple from Robert Bolick as the quarter wound up.

The Pirates though would respond as skipper Jasper Ayaay countered with a triple to give the lead anew to Lyceum, 66-65, at the end of the third period.

The two jostled hard to start the fourth canto, fighting to a 73-all affair with six and a half minutes left in the contest.

San Beda then waxed hot, outscoring Lyceum, 7-3, in the next three minutes to build an 80-76 lead.

Lyceum managed to cut down the Lions’ lead to just one point, 83-82, with 1:40 to go off an and-one from Nzeusseu but back-to-back triples by AC Soberano and Bolick after pushed the Pirates to a very tough bind, 89-82, with less than a minute to play.

The Pirates tried to rally back but no comeback was to be consummated as San Beda surged on to the championship.

Bolick led the Lions with 18 points, five rebounds and six assists while Tankoua, named finals MVP, had a double-double of 17 points and 17 rebounds.

Graduating player Davon Potts finished with 15 points, Mocon 14 and Soberano 11.

NCAA most valuable player Perez paced Lyceum with 22 points, four rebounds and five assists before fouling out.

Nzeusseu had 15 points and 15 rebounds while Jaycee Marcelino had 12.

“We played tense in the first half as the boys wanted to finish it outright. But at halftime we told them to settle down and step up their defense. Good thing they responded and we were able to control the Pirates in the second half. That was the key for us in winning the championship,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez after their title-clinching win.

Its latest conquest is the 21st in school history for San Beda.

The loss, meanwhile, was a difficult ending for Lyceum which swept its way to the finals by going 18-0 in the elimination round.

Boston Celtics finding ways to thrive in face of adversity

LOS ANGELES — The Boston Celtics’ hopes of making a run at an NBA title were considered to be over when one of their top players went down in the season opener, but the resilient group have not let adversity change their intentions.

Instead, the Celtics are riding an impressive 13-game win streak heading into today’s clash with the reigning champion Golden State Warriors, one of the more highly anticipated matchups of the first month of a season.

Even Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose team have two NBA titles to show from three consecutive Finals matchups with the Eastern Conference’s Cleveland Cavaliers, knows the Celtics are the real deal.

“It sure looks like Boston is the team of the future in the East, with the assets that they still have and their young talent and their coaching, and Kyrie (Irving) is amazing,” said Kerr.

“That looks like a team that is going to be at the top of the East for a long time to come. Whether their time is now or the future, that’s to be determined, but they sure look like they want it to be right now.”

Gordon Hayward, acquired in July, was expected to lead the Celtics along with Irving to contend for a title but was promptly lost for the campaign after he gruesomely dislocated his left ankle five minutes into his Boston debut.

The injury was one that many pundits felt would change the trajectory of the Celtics, who last season reached the Eastern Conference final, and assure the LeBron James-led Cavs a fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

But the Celtics, who boast the NBA’s best record at 13-2, had other ideas and have shown no signs of slowing down.

Irving, who requested a trade from the Cavaliers during the offseason, is playing some of the best basketball of his career and the Celtics have used both a stifling defense and impressive rebounding to overpower opponents.

In doing so, Boston have proven themselves as legitimate contenders for the championship in June. Should they get that far they may get an early look at their potential opponent when they host Golden State on Thursday for their first true test of the season.

“They’re really sound, and they’re motivated,” said Kerr. “It’s a team that’s been on the rise the last couple of years. They lost in the conference finals. They want to win a championship, and it looks like it.

“Even without Gordon Hayward and that awful injury, Boston is just crushing people. So, it’s going to be really fun to go against them on Thursday. We know how tough it’s going to be.” — Reuters

DoTr eyes ‘sabotage’ in latest MRT mishap

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has raised the possibility of sabotage behind the latest mishap affecting the Metro Rail Transit or MRT-3 on Thursday, Nov. 16.

A third car of a northbound train that had left Ayala Station was detached at around 9:00 a.m., prompting the unloading of an estimated 200 passengers who walked along the tracks toward Buendia Station.

Another unloading incident was also reported on Quezon Avenue Station around that time, in what was the first regular working day this week following a three-day holiday declared to give way to the ASEAN Summit.

The detached car incident was the second MRT mishap this week, after a woman collapsed and fell between two cars of a running train at Ayala Station on Tuesday. It was reported since that her severed arm has been surgically restored.

‘HUMAN INTERVENTION’
As for Thursday morning’s incident, DoTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar B. Chavez in a text message to reporters that afternoon suggested that a missing component in the detached Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) #68 could be “part of an effort to sabotage the entire operation.”

Earlier that afternoon, MRT-3 officials held a news conference as aired on ANC to disclose their initial findings that the detached car was caused by “human intervention” and not a “mechanical fault” or “electrical fault.”

Ric Inotorio, transport chief of MRT-3, explained that a detached car would have stopped the entire train and sent a “communication error” between the cars to the driver’s diagnostic panel.

For his part, Manuel Mendoza, head of the MRT-3’s light maintenance section, explained that each car had two couplers, one at the front and one behind. “So ito ay parang kutsara-tinidor, o tinatawag natin male and female, na kinakailangan siya ay mag-couple. Pag siya ay nag couple na, automatically, hindi mo ito basta-basta mapaghiwalay. At sa ngayon, yun pa rin ang aming iniisip, kung bakit ito humiwalay.”

(These couplers are like a spoon and fork, or what we call male and female, who have to couple. Once they are coupled, automatically, they cannot just be separated. And that’s what we’re wondering about now, why they were decoupled.)

Rolling stock specialist Ruel Jose, affirming his colleagues, said they were looking into the possibility of “human intervention.”

“So yun lang ang tinitingnan namin na ano ngayon, yung side ng human intervention, kung paano nangyari yun. Kasi nga baffled talaga kami,” Mr. Jose said. (So this is what we’re looking at now, the human intervention side, how it happened. Because we’re really baffled.)

He added: “Hindi yan maghihiwalay ng sarili niya yun eh.” (These cars can’t detach on their own.)

‘WHO HAS THE MOTIVE?’
Mr. Chavez, for his part, said in his text message later that afternoon:

“The Messma Card (Black Box) of the decoupled Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) #68 is missing. This was the report to the MRT management by the technical team lead by Safety Chief Technician Ruel Jose who conducted the initial investigation of this morning’s incident near Ayala station.”

“The Messma Card functions like a black box recording all applied interventions.”

“LRV #68 was the 3rd car in the Index (train) no. 5 which also included LRVs #62 & 60.”

“Who has the motive? Who has the opportunity? Who has the capability of removing the Black Box?” Mr. Chavez also asked.

He added: “Is the motive to simply cover up the mistake of the train operation of Index no. 5 or part of an effort to sabotage the entire operation? These are some questions that the team is looking into.”

TEMPORARY SHUTDOWN
Mr. Chavez also responded to Senator Grace Poe’s suggestion of the MRT’s temporary shutdown in line with commuters’ safety.

“Since the first quarter of this year, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade has already considered stopping the operation of MRT because of its poor condition,” Mr. Chavez said in his message.

“This option is still being seriously considered by the Secretary even up to this date.” Mr. Chavez also said. “He is however aware of the 500,000 daily commuters that rely on the MRT System.”

“Basta sa pagsisikap at kasiguruhan ng technical team na ligtas pa rin ang pagsakay sa MRT, tuloy pa rin ang byahe habang nandyan pa rin ang option na itigil pansamantala ang operation kung ito na talaga ang nararapat na gawin,” Mr. Chavez quoted Mr. Tugade as saying. (So long as we have the diligence and assurance of the technical team that it is still safe to ride the MRT, the trips will continue as well as the option to stop the operation for the time being if this is really needed.)

Meanwhile, Mike Capati, MRT-3’s director for operations, announced on Thursday’s news conferences that changes in the train system’s operations will begin today, Friday.

He said, for one thing, there will be a maximum of 15 trains in operation at any given time. A “rail marshal” will also be posted at every train, he added.

And to give more time to maintenance, 30 minutes will be cut each from the MRT’s 5:00 a.m. opening time and the 11:00 p.m. closing time, leaving the “revenue line” — the period when the MRT has passengers on board its trains — 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

From the perspective of the work force, Mr. Capati said the MRT employees are now “highly motivated,…considering na derecho na ang MRT-3 managing them and kung nakaraan nagkakaproblema sila sa kanilang pa sweldo (considering that the MRT-3 now directly manages them and if in the past there were problems about salary), I would like to mention to you na their initial salaries will be released this Friday.”

“Ganun lang po kabilis ang kanilang ano, so that way ang mga tao po natin ay concentrated sa kanilang pagtatrabaho,” Mr. Capati also said. (That’s how fast [they are now], so that way, our people are concentrated on their work.) — with Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

PHL reallows contraceptives after certifying them safe

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC-majority Philippines will reallow the use of contraceptive implants after certifying 51 drugs and devices safe and not the cause of abortions, the Health department announced on Thursday, Nov. 16.

Congress passed a law allowing contraceptive devices in 2012 but the Supreme Court imposed a restraining order in 2015 after bishops said some drugs and devices caused abortions.

Abortion, divorce and same-sex union are not allowed in the Philippines and some lawmakers oppose artificial methods of family planning. Pills and condoms are sold freely.

“With the Food and Drug Administration’s issuance of an advisory declaring all of the 51 contraceptive products … cannot cause abortion, it is now all systems go for the Department of Health to fully implement the law,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque told reporters. — Reuters

UAAP Season 80 Final Four takes flight this weekend

COMPETITION in Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball further heats up with the start this weekend of the Final Four.

From a full complement of eight competing teams, the field is now narrowed to half with the surviving teams jockeying for position to get a clearer shot at the UAAP crown.

Left standing after two competitive rounds of elimination play are the Ateneo Blue Eagles (13-1), defending champions De La Salle Green Archers (12-2), Adamson Soaring Falcons (9-5) and Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws (7-7).

Top seed Ateneo battles fourth-seeded FEU in one semifinal bracket while number two team La Salle takes on third-seed Adamson in the other.

The Eagles and Archers carry twice-to-beat advantages over their opponents as incentive for finishing as the top two teams.

While it narrowly missed sweeping the eliminations and booking a direct seat to the finals, Ateneo is now focusing on regrouping and getting back to the finals the conventional way.

Lost to rival La Salle, 79-76, on the final day of elimination play last Sunday which effectively derailed its sweep bid, Ateneo, while rued the lost opportunity, remains undeterred, looking “at the bigger picture” with the end game of emerging as champion.

Out to stop the Eagles are the Tamarraws, who booked the last semifinal spot among the Final Four cast.

Needing to win its final elimination assignment to avoid any complications in entering the playoffs, FEU delivered accordingly, defeating Adamson, 71-54.

Able to book a spot in the semifinals, the Tamaraws know much work still lies ahead for them.

“The semifinals will be a tough one for us. We really have to take care of our own business and just do what we can to achieve our goals,” said FEU coach Olsen Racela after his team barged into the Final Four.

In their two elimination games, Ateneo dominated FEU each time with an average winning margin of 11.5 points.

ARCHERS VS. FALCONS
Meanwhile, La Salle begins its assault on another UAAP title against much-improved Adamson.

The hottest team entering the semifinals, having won seven straight, the Archers try to sustain the momentum and book a spot in the Big Dance.

To do so, La Salle said it needs to keep its defense steady and take it from there.

“Defense will be key for us. Coach [Aldin Ayo] always reminds us to play our best on defense and every thing else will follow,” said La Salle big man Ben Mbala, who was recently announced to get his second straight UAAP most valuable player award.

Out to stop La Salle are the Falcons, who have been playing solid of late despite losing in their last game.

Foreign player Papi Sarr as well as guards Jerrick Ahanmisi and Jerie Pingoy have been steady for Adamson, making it hardly a pushover especially in a high-stakes game.

The Archers have had the number of the Falcons this season, beating them twice already, 85-73, and 80-74.

The Final Four of UAAP Season 80 starts tomorrow with La Salle versus Adamson at 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ateneo against FEU, meanwhile, is on Sunday at 4 p.m. also at the Big Dome. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Jo Koy specializes in relatable comedy

By Zsarlene B. Chua, Reporter

AFTER the announcement that Filipino-American stand-up comic, Jo Koy (real name: Joseph Glenn Herbert), would be coming to the Philippines to do a series of shows in the capital and in Cebu, tickets were snapped up so quickly that promoter MMI Live was prompted to announce an additional show — a 5 p.m. matinee before the 9 p.m. Nov. 30 performance at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City.

Mr. Herbert said he is excited to be coming “home to the Motherland” in a Facebook video posted when the original dates were announced.

Those who first knew of Mr. Herbert through viral videos of his act on YouTube and Facebook and, most recently, his Netflix special, should know that they won’t be hearing the same jokes as he has created entirely new material for the Philippine shows.

“The people in the Philippines will get to see a new [show]. They’ll be able to see it before we actually shoot it,” Mr. Herbert told BusinessWorld during a phone interview in late October. (He is scheduled to shoot another Netflix special after the success of his first, Jo Koy: Live in Seattle.)

“Making a whole new hour doesn’t take me long. A whole new hour [of material] I can do in less than a year. It’s all about working them out,” he said of his process, noting that much of his material comes from personal experiences and family situations — and since his son is older now (“an older teenager now”), there will be quite a few jokes about that as he “recreates some of the situations that’s happening in my life right now.”

Mr. Herbert said he lived in the Philippines for “about five years until I was 10,” noting some of his “favorite moments were when I was growing up in the Philippines.”

Known for his jokes about having a Filipino mother (who thinks everything is curable with Vicks Vaporub), he said the stories about his mother is something “everyone gets,” not just the Filipinos.

“It’s making it relatable. I want everyone to get it, not just the Filipinos. That’s what I like about comedy. The stories about my mom is something everyone can get,” he explained.

And because his material is known for being relatable, he thinks the predominantly Filipino audiences he’ll have in Cebu (Dec. 1) and Manila (Nov. 30 and Dec. 3) will find the shows funny.

“Judging by the popularity of the jokes online and the videos they saw on Netflix, I think Filipinos get humor, they understand exactly what I was getting at… that’s what I love the most,” he said.

Jo Koy will have performances in Manila on Nov. 30, 9 p.m., and Dec. 3 at 5 and 9 p.m. at the Solaire Resort and Casino. Note that the Nov. 30, 5 p.m. show is the only one left with seats still available according to an MMI Live’s Facebook post. He will also be performing at the Atlantic Hall of the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino on Dec. 1 for a sold-out 9 p.m. performance.

Tickets are available at jokoy.com and at TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Senate budget debates begin with funds for drug war

SENATORS ON Thursday, Nov. 16, debated over the realignment of P900 million for the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) anti-illegal drug campaign “Oplan Double Barrel” during the Senate interpellation on the proposed budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In an interview with reporters, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson said “the PNP does not need P900 million anymore since the war against illegal drugs campaign is no longer with them, inalis ni Presidente (the President removed it),” noting that the campaign is now with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

For his part, Senator Franklin M. Drilon proposed to realign the P900 million for the policemen’s housing.

“Isn’t it embarrassing that the 2018 budget for the housing program of PNP is only P1.6 billion for only 450 units out of 10,300 units needed?” Mr. Drilon said, adding that the anti-illegal drug war budget should be realigned to the housing program of the agency.

Meanwhile, with regards to the proposed P150.9-million budget for the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Mr. Lacson, upon interpellation by Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel, expressed support for the mega-rehab facility in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, saying DDB is committed to work hand in hand with the Department of Health (DoH).

Ms. Hontiveros suggested that the agency should also coordinate with the Department of Justice (DoJ) because “drug addiction is not only a health problem but also a justice problem.”

Mr. Lacson also pointed out that the agency spent P8 million for its commissioned survey on the national drug abuse situation in the country, as conducted by Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies, Inc. (REECS) from 2015 to 2016, which revealed there were 1.8 million drug users in the Philippines or 1.8% of the total population of 100.98 million last year. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Harvey Weinstein, studios face class action suit over alleged sexual misconduct

LOS ANGELES — An actress filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday against Harvey Weinstein, claiming she and other women had been subjected to a variety of brutal sex attacks by the disgraced Hollywood producer.

The suit, filed by “Jane Doe 1 and on behalf of all others similarly situated,” says the movie mogul assaulted the California actress as she auditioned for a role with Miramax, the studio cofounded by Weinstein and his brother Bob.

Damages being sought exceed $5 million, which could be tripled under federal racketeering accusations made in the lawsuit. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) targets ongoing patterns of criminal conduct. The 1970 law has been used to target Mafia bosses, professional sports leagues, anti-abortion activists, and Catholic dioceses accused of covering up sexual abuse by priests, among many others.

Weinstein and the companies are accused in the suit of violating federal racketeering laws, assault, civil battery, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, according to the lawsuit. The companies are also accused of negligent supervision. “During her audition, Jane Doe 1 was assaulted by Weinstein, threatened, falsely imprisoned, and suffered emotional and physical distress, and was injured in her property or livelihood as a result of Weinstein’s actions,” the suit alleges, without giving a date for the incident.

“Weinstein told Jane Doe 1 that if she refused his advances and his requests, he would ruin her, and he ultimately withdrew the offer he had given her for a part because she would not accede to his advances.”

The complainant’s lawyers appealed to other victims to join the action against the producer, The Weinstein Company, and Miramax, now owned by the Qatari beIN Media Group, arguing that “hundreds of other female actors like her” have found themselves on his casting couch.

“Under the guise of meetings ostensibly to help further class members’ careers or hire them for roles, Weinstein isolated (the) plaintiff and the class members in an attempt to engage in unwanted sexual conduct that took many forms: flashing, groping, fondling, battering, sexual assault, attempted rape and/or completed rape,” the lawsuit states.

A lawyer and a spokeswoman for Weinstein did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nor did two representatives of the Weinstein Co.

A spokeswoman for Miramax referred comment to the Walt Disney Co, which owned Miramax when Weinstein was the head of the studio. Disney, which bought Miramax in 1993, did not respond to a request for comment.

Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations. Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault or rape by Weinstein. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

‘MASSIVE STRENGTH’
It adds that victims who wanted careers in film or television “understood that Weinstein was a powerful force in the production world” and acted under duress and the threat of being blacklisted if they rejected him or complained.

The actress is the latest of more than 100 women who have come forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct, ranging from harassment to rape, with high-profile accusers including stars Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow.

The action follows a lawsuit filed against Weinstein and The Weinstein Company in Los Angeles on Tuesday by a single unidentified actress represented by celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred.

The woman says she met the now infamous mogul at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills in late 2015 to discuss being cast in the Netflix series Marco Polo.

Once there, however, Weinstein told the woman he wanted to masturbate in front of her and when she said “no” he proceeded to grasp her wrist with one hand and masturbate with the other, the suit alleges.

In the spring of the following year, Weinstein is alleged to have contacted her again as if nothing had happened, giving her the impression she had been cast in Marco Polo.

He invited her to meet him again at the Montage Hotel to celebrate and she agreed, according to the woman’s account.

During the meeting, he excused himself and returned in a bathrobe, but when she said she didn’t want to do anything sexual, he dragged her into the bedroom where he used his “massive strength and weight to force himself on her,” the suit alleges.

BATTERY
The woman said she fled the room as soon as she could break free.

The actress is seeking compensation and damages, claiming sexual battery, assault and negligence.

Weinstein’s representatives denied the latest allegations, as with all the other accusations of non-consensual sexual contact he has faced in recent weeks.

Meanwhile US actor Terry Crews publicly named high-powered agent Adam Venit as the man he claims groped him at a party last year and said he would “not be shamed” by the alleged assault.

“Back in February 2016, I was assaulted by Adam Venit, who is head of the motion picture department at William Morris Endeavor, one of the biggest agencies in the world, period,” Crews, 49, told ABC’s Good Morning America.

“He’s connected to probably everyone I know in the business… I did not know this man. I have never had a conversation with him, ever.”

Venit has represented a host of stars, from Sylvester Stallone and Eddie Murphy to Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.

WME said in a statement to ABC News it had suspended Venit to look into the claims by Crews, a star of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. — AFP/Reuters

Peru beats New Zealand 2-0 to capture last World Cup berth

LIMA — Jefferson Farfan and Christian Ramos scored as Peru defeated New Zealand to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1982 on Wednesday, sealing the last ticket to Russia with a 2-0 win.

Farfan struck in the 27th minute and Ramos scored in the 65th to give “Los Incas” their fifth overall World Cup finals appearance and the first in 35 years.

The second-leg match at Lima’s Estadio Nacional was the decider after New Zealand and Peru played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Oceania-South America playoff on Saturday at Wellington.

New Zealand, ranked 122nd in the world, was seeking a third World Cup finals berth after appearances in 1982 and 2010.

Peru attacked the “All-Whites” from the start, Incas defender Luis Advincula slamming a left-footed shot off the crossbar in the third minute to delight a full-throated crowd in the packed stadium.

The opening goal came after Christian Cueva raced down the left wing and flicked a pinpoint center pass with the outside of his right foot to Farfan.

The 33-year-old forward for Lokomotiv Moscow blasted a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area past New Zealand goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic and into the back of the net.

In celebrating the goal, Farfan covered his head with the jersey of suspended Peru teammate Paolo Guerrero, unavailable after failing a doping test last month.

Farfan had another chance in the 42nd minute when Marinovic surrendered a rebound chance, but the sprawled Kiwi made a left-hand save from point blank range and finally clutched the ball to end the threat.

New Zealand’s Kip Colvey gave the Kiwis a dangerous chance in the 50th minute with a centering pass from the right wing to second-half substitute Chris Wood, but the English Premier League striker for Burnley saw his header from six meters denied by Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Still vulnerable to a New Zealand away goal, Peru’s insurance policy came off the foot of Ramos after a corner kick glanced off Farfan’s head.

The ball struck Kiwi defender Winston Reid to land in front of Ramos, who fired it into the goal. — AFP

Ancajas out to gain more prominence in third title defense

ONE of the more “low-key” Filipino world boxing champions today, Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas looks to gain more worldwide prominence as he makes his third defense of his International Boxing Federation world junior bantamweight title this weekend in Belfast, Ireland.

To take on hometown bet Jamie “Irish Gatti” Conlan on Nov. 18 at the SSE Arena, the 25-year-old Ancajas is out to make it three straight successful defenses of the title he won last year while showcasing his abilities as a champion fighter to more people and areas.

“This is an important fight for me like my previous ones. But this time I want to showcase more what I can do as a fighter as far as my skills and mind-set,” said the Panabo City native in an interview with local sportswriters in the run-up to his fight this weekend.

“I’m going for an impressive win,” added Mr. Ancajas.

Entering the contest, Mr. Ancajas, who has not lost since 2012, is fresh from his conquest of Japanese challenger Teiru Kinoshita in their title fight in July in Brisbane, Australia.

In said fight, Mr. Ancajas (27-1-1) stopped his opponent in the seventh round by way of technical knockout from a solid body blow.

It is something that the Filipino champion hopes to take cue from as he battles unbeaten Conlan (19-0) at the latter’s home turf at that.

“I know against Conlan I’m going to have a tough fight, more so because the crowd will be behind him,” said Mr. Ancajas.

“But fighting in enemy territory is no different to me. I just have to stick with my game plan and follow my coaches’ instructions. I need to stay focused and be aggressive,” he said.

Mr. Ancajas became world champion on Sept. 3, 2016 after beating Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo for the IBF World Junior Bantamweight crown.

He made first title defense on Jan. 29, defeating Jose Alfredo Rodriguez of Mexico before salvaging Filipino pride in July as part of the Manny Pacquiao versus Jeff Horn clash. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

VACC lawyers file sedition complaint vs Trillanes

LAWYERS OF the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) yesterday filed a complaint against Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV for allegedly committing the crimes of inciting to sedition, conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat, and graft.

“It is respectfully prayed of the honorable investigating office/s to conduct a preliminary investigation and after proper proceedings, find probable cause to indict Antonio F. Trillanes IV and other personalities (John Does,/Jane Does) who may have conspired with him, in the commission of the crimes of inciting to sedition (several counts), conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat and violation of Sec. 3 (e ), R.A. No. 3019,” reads part of the 15-page complaint filed on Nov. 16 before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s office.

The anti-crime and corruption lawyers pointed out that Mr. Trillanes uttered seditious words in his privilege speech before the Senate last Oct. 3, making it appear that President Rodrigo R. Duterte had bank transactions from 2006 to 2015 totaling to P2 billion.

Mr. Trillanes emphasized in his speech that the President had deposited P50 million at least 13 times in one bank account, saying: “Pag tinotal mo, ‘yon pa lang P700 million, aabot na.”

Mr. Trillanes, a staunch critic of the President, added that in another bank account of Mr. Duterte, he discovered at least 20 deposits of P40 million to P50 million each.

The senator also claimed that Mr. Duterte bought in one day P80 million worth of insurance for his four children.”

VACC also argued that Mr. Trillanes committed conspiracy or proposal to commit coup d’ etat when he stated in his privilege speech: “So ito ngayon sagot. Kung makikita ’to ng mga sundalo, M60 machine gun ang gagamatin sa ’yo. Marami-rami ito, maubos magazine kung P40 million hinahanap mo, Mr. Duterte (So here’s the answer now. If the soldiers could see this, they will use an M60 machine gun on you. These are many. The magazines will be emptied if you’re looking for P40 million, Mr. Duterte).”

“Moreover, he caused undue injury to President Duterte, including the Government in violation of Sec. 3( e), R.A. No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, through evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence, when he irresponsibly and recklessly and continuously accused sans evidence, the President of keeping over P2 billion in his bank accounts an/or has amassed ill-gotten wealth.”

Section 3e of RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, states: “Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”

Sought for comment, Mr. Trillanes said in a text message to reporters: “These Duterte minions are doing all sorts of harassment against me in the hope that they would be able to divert my attention. Sorry, but I remain focused on finding ways to continue to expose Duterte’s murders, corruption and secret bank accounts; as well as Polong’s BoC (Bureau of Customs) smuggling and involvement in the 6.4b peso shabu shipment.”

Polong is one of Mr. Duterte’s sons, Davao City Vice-Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte. — Andrea Louise E. San Juan

Singapore suspends trade relations with North Korea

SINGAPORE — Singapore has suspended trade relations with North Korea, the latest of Pyongyang’s major trade partners to cut commercial ties under toughening UN sanctions over its weapons program, a customs notice obtained on Thursday showed.

The move comes about two months after the United States imposed North Korea-related sanctions on a number of firms and individuals, including two entities based in Singapore.

“Singapore will prohibit all commercially traded goods from, or to, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” the city-state’s customs said in the notice sent to traders and declaring agents last Tuesday, referring to the country by its official name.

The suspension would take effect from Nov. 8, Fauziah A. Sani, head of trade strategy and security for the director-general of customs, said in the notice.

Repeated breach of the new prohibitions is punishable by a fine of up to S$200,000 ($147,340.50) or four times the value of the goods traded, imprisonment of up to three years, or both, it added.

Singapore is North Korea’s seventh largest trading partner. The Philippines, Pyongyang’s fifth biggest trading partner, suspended trade with North Korea in September to comply with a UN resolution.

Tension on the Korean peninsula has escalated as North Korea’s young leader, Kim Jong Un, has stepped up the development of weapons in defiance of UN sanctions.

North Korea has tested a series of missiles this year, including one that flew over Japan, and conducted its sixth and biggest nuclear test in September.

Pyongyang maintains a diplomatic presence in Singapore, with an embassy in its financial district.

In September, Singapore issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to North Korea, where it does not have diplomatic representation.

In an interview with National Public Radio in May, Singapore’s minister of foreign affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan, had said the country was not ready to cut all diplomatic ties with North Korea.

In January last year, Singapore-based Chinpo Shipping Company (Private) Ltd was fined S$180,000 for facilitating a shipment of arms to North Korea in violation of UN sanctions. — Reuters

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