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House OKs bill vs election swap

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE HOUSE of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to bar substitution for withdrawing election candidates.

In a 195-0-0 vote, congressmen agreed to remove the withdrawal of a candidate as grounds for substitution, while including a political candidate’s mental or physical incapacity as a valid reason for replacements.

A prominent case of substitution was then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte’s replacement of Martin Dino as Partido Demokratiko Pilipino’s (PDP) standard bearer for the 2016 presidential elections, which Mr. Duterte ended up winning.

Meanwhile, the House also approved on final reading a measure that will exempt from taxes rewards and incentives given to athletes competing in international events.

“We hope to further encourage various sectors to support our athletes by exempting donations, endowments, or contributions directly and exclusively for state youth and sports development programs and competitions from taxes,” Parañaque Rep. Gustavo S. Tambunting said in a statement.

The bill retroactively takes effect in January. Congressmen rushed the bill after Filipino gymnast Carlos Edriel P. Yulo won two gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Mayor’s group bucks graft suits

A GROUP of mayors in the Philippines on Wednesday said charges against the mayors of Pasig, Marikina and Iloilo are politically motivated, and meant to tarnish their reputation before the 2025 midterm elections.

The Mayors for Good Governance rallied behind Mayors Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” N. Sotto of Pasig City, Marcelino R. Teodoro of Marikina City and Jerry P. Treñas of Iloilo City, who are facing graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The complaints filed against them with the ombudsman are an opportunity for the truth to come out and for their names to be cleared,” the group said in a statement. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

DSWD says mapping aid targets

THE DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) uses several indicators to identify potential beneficiaries of state aid, Social Welfare Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian said on Wednesday.

The agency also uses nonmonetary indicators because data from the local statistics agency are not enough to map out Filipinos in need of assistance, he told a House of Representatives budget hearing.

“If we only use pure data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and National Economic and Development Authority, then the data would remain faceless,” he said in Filipino. “In the department, it’s not just numbers that give faces to them, which is why we include nonmonetary indicators.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

P50B allotted for senior pensions

FREEPIK

NEXT year’s proposed national budget includes P49.8 billion in funding for the allowances of poor senior citizens, according to the Budget department.

The allocation would help support more than 4,000 senior citizens, it said in a statement.

Under a state program, poor seniors will get a monthly allowance of P1,000.  The law increased their allowance from P500.

“It is apt that there is sufficient funding for this program so our grandpas and grandmas will get the benefits due them,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in mixed English and Filipino.

Meanwhile, the government also earmarked P3 billion to cover the cash gift to Filipinos who reach 100 hundred years old.

Under the expanded Centenarians Act, Filipinos who reach the age of 100 will get P100,000, while P10,000 is given to those who have reached 80, 85, 90 and 95. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

DoLE told to list plans vs violence

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE LABOR department should come up with programs against workplace harassment and violence in its 2025 budget, a lawmaker said on Wednesday.

Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas, during a House of Representatives budget hearing for DoLE’s 2025 budget, asked the agency to itemize every plan to integrate the International Labour Organization Convention on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work in its 2025 budget.

Labor Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez told BusinessWorld in a Viber message there is no specific budgetary item for the convention because that is not how the national expenditure plan is prepared. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Philippines, Brazil eye trade ties

MARIAH DALUSONG-UNSPLASH

TOP envoys from the Philippines and Brazil will meet on Friday to discuss boosting ties in agriculture, defense and trade, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a statement, the agency said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo would meet with Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira on Aug. 23 to sign agreements on education and cooperation on the use of outer space.

“Secretary Manalo and Minister Vieira are expected to exchange views on a range of issues including trade and investments, technical cooperation, as well as cooperation in agriculture, defense, education, and in the multilateral arena,” it said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

24/7 Philippine tourist court eyed

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DoT) has proposed to set up 24/7 tourist courts to swiftly resolve cases involving foreign tourists.

“We are now working with the Department of Justice (DoJ) and we will be collaborating with the Judiciary for the establishment of a 24-hour tourist court for the resolution of crimes related to our tourists,” Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco told congressmen at a budget hearing on Wednesday.

She made the proposal during a sectoral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who agreed that the police, DoJ and Interior and Local Government should work with the Tourism department in investigating and prosecuting tourist-related crimes. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Choco Mucho guns for last quarters slot against PLDT

CHOCO MUCHO FLYING TITANS — PVL

Games Thursday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
1 p.m. — Creamline vs ZUS Coffee
3 p.m. — PLDT vs Choco Mucho
5 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs Petro Gazz

CHOCO MUCHO eyes to catch the last bus to the quarterfinals as it clashes with PLDT Thursday in the final elimination round play date of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Flying Titans are currently ninth with a 2-5 record and knocking on the quarters’ door but a victory over the High Speed Hitters in their 3 p.m. showdown would send it barging into the knockout playoff phase.

There, they will face the overachieving Akari Chargers, who defied overwhelming odds by sweeping the elims in eight games to claim the top seeding.

If not, it will be Farm Fresh, currently grasping at straws at No. 8 with a 3-5 mark, which will seal the final slot.

Actually, a win by Choco Mucho would send it in a tie for eighth with Farm Fresh but the former owns the higher FIVB tiebreak score and will advance.

PLDT, which possesses a 5-2 card, will not be taking it easy as it is seeking to enter the next round coming off a victory and feeling good about itself.

Creamline too as it aims to go to the quarters with a win over ZUS Coffee (0-7), whom the former will tackle at 1 p.m., and a 6-2 slate instead of a 5-3 mark.

Capping the busy, three-day schedule is the duel between Chery Tiggo (5-2) versus Petro Gazz (4-3) at 5 p.m.

The quarters pit No. 1 versus No. 8, No. 2 against No. 7, No. 3 with No. 6 and No. 4 versus No. 5. — Joey Villar

SMB, Meralco kick off EASL bids vs Suwon KT Sonicboom, Macau Black Bears, respectively

SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN — FACEBOOK.COM/PBAOFFICIAL

PBA champions San Miguel Beer  (SMB) and Meralco will kick off their respective bids in the East Asia Super League’s (EASL) 2024-25 Season in front of home supporters on Oct. 2 in a double-header at the Mall of Asia Arena (MOA).

The Beermen, the reigning rulers of the Commissioner’s Cup will take on the Suwon KT Sonicboom, the runner-up of the Korean Basketball League, in the Group A opener at 6:10 p.m. while the Bolts, fresh from their breakthrough triumph in the Philippine Cup, will slug it out with the Macau Black Bears over in Group B at 8:10 p.m.

The twin bill in basketball-crazy Philippines will usher in the regional league’s 34-game hostilities for top honors in the new season.

SMB will also be pitted against Japan B.League champion Hiroshima Dragonflies, P. League+ second placer Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and HKSAR kingpin Hong Kong Eastern in the home-and-away group play.

For its part, Meralco will duke it out with B.League runner-up Ryukyu Golden Kings, KBL champion Busan KCC Egis and P.League+ holder New Taipei Kings in the double round-robin preliminaries.

After the MOA gig, the Philippine clubs will move to the PhilSports Arena for their next two home assignments in the initial skirmishes.

SMB and Meralco will feature in another double-bill on Nov. 13 against Taoyuan and Busan, respectively, then the Beermen will host HK Eastern on Jan. 15 and the Bolts will duel with the Golden Kings in the same Pasig venue a week later.

“The 34-game EASL season is the ultimate test in Asian club basketball,” EASL Chief Executive Officer Henry Kerins said in announcing the slate yesterday.

“After an incredible performance during our first season in 2023-24, this is now understood by teams, players and fans alike. EASL is ‘Where Champions Clash,’ the pinnacle of professional basketball in Asia.” — Olmin Leyba

Eala books first win in US Open qualifier

ALEX EALA — FACEBOOK.COM/ALEXEALA

ALEX EALA did not disappoint in her US Open women’s pro debut, carving out a 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 win against Australia’s Maddison Inglis in the first round of the qualifying draw yesterday in New York.

A former US Open junior champion, Ms. Eala proved that she belongs on the big stage by fending off the 26-year-old Aussie, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) No. 180, in two hours and three minutes.

Ms. Eala’s lethal counter attacks spelled the difference, forcing Ms. Inglis to 10 errors in the match to earn a three-setter triumph and move two wins away from a historic main draw ticket in any Grand Slam tourney after two straight foiled attempts.

The 19-year-old Filipina sensation previously barged into the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon.

But in each occasion, she fell prey in the finale — a 6-4, 6(3)-7, 4-6 loss against Argentina’s Julia Riera in the Roland Garros final and a 6(3)-7, 5-7 defeat against New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in Wimbledon — with hopes of flipping the script this time around.

Ms. Eala will try to zero in on that bid by going up Thursday against the 33-year-old Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain, the No. 15 seed in the qualifiers and the No. 99 in the WTA. Parrizas Diaz came off a 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-4 win against Julia Avdeeva of Russia in the opening round.

A win by Ms. Eala would arrange a final duel against either Romania’s Ruse Elena-Gabriela or China’s Ma Ye-Xin in the final round.

Ms. Eala in 2022 bagged the US Open girls’ singles crown to become the first ever Filipino champion in a junior Grand Slam event.

In the pros, she’ll be out to achieve the same. — John Bryan Ulanday

PHL paralympians parade in ethnic-themed uniforms

NOT to be outdone by their Olympic counterparts, the country’s standard-bearers will be parading in ethnic-inspired uniforms and dresses designed by no less than celebrated “Weave Artiste” and fashion designer Ditta Sandico during the 17th  Paralympic Games opening ceremony at the iconic Place de la Concorde and Champs Elysees on Aug. 29 in Paris, France.

The Philippine Paralympic Committee commissioned Ms. Sandico to conceive the one-of-a-kind costumes that campaigners Jerrold Mangliwan, Cendy Asusano, swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Angel Mae Otom, archer Agustina Bantiloc and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin will wear for the inaugural outdoor rites of the global sports showcase for physically-challenged athletes.

“We were given the challenge to come up with what would capture the dynamic spirit of our national para-athletes while celebrating our rich cultural heritage through traditional textiles,” she said. “Hence our theme for their costumes is ‘Heritage in Motion.’”

Made of “banaca,” a fine blend of banana and abaca fibers that she has been using for her creations for decades, the eye-catching attire — complete with headwear — was meant to be durable, comfortable and lightweight suitable for Parisian summer weather, according to her.

The outfits the female athletes come with a fetching and intricate panuelo or the traditional Filipina shawl or scarf  in the red-white-and-blue of the country’s colors adorned by a bright yellow flower-like “brooch” representing the sun, complete with nine rays, of the Philippine flag.

Ms. Sandico said that for practical convenience the women’s parade uniforms come with zippers as armholes that can close and open and adjusted according to particular needs of all six athletes, whose stint in Paris is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

For the male athletes, their parade suits are inspired by the traditional garb of Mangyans, the ethnic tribe living on the island of  Mindoro, featuring a colorful and intricate hand-embroidered “Habol” on the right breast while sporting the national colors on the left breast.

While the women will be wearing yellow  hats, the men’s attire is complemented by blue headwear.

Ms. Sandico explained that she and her staff were sensitive to the needs of the athletes so each parade uniform was custom-made for their body type, while using the “Habol” in strategic places such as side panels to highlight the intricate embroidery.

“We wanted a cohesive color scheme using the colors of the Philippine flag to express and maintain our national identity,” she said.

“We want to thank Ditta for the craftsmanship and care in designing the parade uniforms of our national para-athlete, who deserve only the very best. We pray that these attire will further inspire them to do better in Paris,” said Philippine Paralympic Committee director for Sports Development Milette Santiago-Bonoan.

Olympic lifters preparing for World Championship in Manama, Bahrain

THERE will be no rest for the weary as far as Olympic weightlifters Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno and John Ceniza are concerned.

The troika will report back to duty Sept. 1 after their Paris Olympic journey with Ms. Ando and Mr. Ceniza flying back to their training ground at the University of Cebu Gym while Ms. Sarno heading to the Bohol Weightlifting Gym in Tagbilaran.

Ms. Ando, who finished sixth of 12 participants in the Paris Games, is specifically preparing for the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships scheduled Dec. 6 to 15 in Manama, Bahrain.

The Cebuana lifter will be joined by other national team standouts including fast-rising Ian delos Santos and Rosegie Ramos.

Mr. Ceniza and Ms. Sarno, who both have DNFs (Did not Finish) in the French capital, will both sit out the Manama tilt due to undisclosed injuries.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella yesterday told The STAR. “They will skip Manama to rehabilitate and recover from their injuries.”

Ms. Ando and Mr. Ceniza will be under coaches Ramon Solis, Christopher Bueros and Kelley Kay Rojas while Nicolas Jaluag will handle Ms. Sarno.

Mr. Puentevella issued the directive to give way for the national youth and juniors’ team to use the new weightlifting gym and dorms at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The national junior lifters are preparing for the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Junior World Championships set Sept. 19 to 27 in Leon, Spain and the Asian Youth and Junior Championships the country is hosting from Nov. 4 to 14. — Joey Villar