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Megaworld upgrades Yulo reward

LISTED property developer Megaworld Corp. has upgraded the reward for Carlos Edriel P. Yulo to a P32-million condominium unit and a P3 million cash bonus after securing two gold medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The three-bedroom condo unit will be designed and fully-furnished with appliances, furniture, and fixtures, Megaworld said in an emailed statement on Monday.

The unit also has two balconies, a separate maid’s room, and a parking slot.

For the P3-million cash bonus, Megaworld said it is a special reward for “being the first Filipino athlete to get two gold Olympic medals.”

Team Philippines raring for more in Paris Games

PARIS, France — With still a full week of sporting battles ahead, Team Philippines has achieved its target and is raring to go for more in the 2024 Olympics.

“Answered prayers. We already broke the record in the Olympics, that’s it,” said Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

“This is destined for the Philippines, a destiny shaped by everyone’s efforts. Thanks to everyone’s support, the nation celebrates the milestones we’ve achieved,” said Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachmann.

Carlos Yulo’s milestone two-gold blitzkrieg in artistic gymnastics sealed the deal, surpassing the Tokyo 2021 breakthrough from a 19-strong contingent that claimed one gold, two silvers and one bronze.

Tokyo 2021 carved a niche in history. Now the 22-strong Paris 2024 is making a bigger noise, churning out more special achievements and bound for a greater breakthrough.

“In just two days, Carlos Yulo brought home two gold medals, but we’re not stopping there,” said Mr. Bachmann.

Boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are in the thick of the fight for ultimate Olympic glory while EJ Obiena was to set out for battle in men’s pole vault final at the Stade de France Monday night (early Tuesday morning in Manila).

“Our weightlifters and golfers are equally eager to contribute. We commend everyone’s involvement in bringing the country back to glory. I am confident that all Filipinos are celebrating this special achievement like never before,” said Mr. Bachmann.

The newly minted double-gold winner Mr. Yulo will be cheering for his teammates. — Nelson Beltran

Bounty Fresh rewards Yulo with P3M

BOUNTY Fresh, Chooks-to-Go reward Carlos Yulo with P3 million for historic double gold at Paris 2024

Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, Inc. and Chooks-to-Go are thrilled to announce a reward of P3 million to Carlos Yulo for his outstanding achievement in winning two gold medals at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, making him the most decorated Filipino Olympian of all time.

Mr. Yulo brought pride to the Philippines by securing two gold medals in France, triumphing in the men’s gymnastics floor exercise with a remarkable score of 15.0 and the vault event with an impressive 15.166.

His performance on the world stage has captured the hearts of millions, demonstrating the resilience and competitive spirit of Filipino athletes.

“We at Bounty Fresh are immensely proud of Carlos Yulo’s extraordinary achievement,” said Patricia Cheng-Lim, executive vice president of Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, Inc.

“As a Filipino brand, we believe in celebrating and supporting our homegrown talent, and this reward is a testament to our admiration for Carlos (Yulo). We hope his success will inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams with the same passion and determination.”

Since 2016, Bounty Fresh Group Holdings, Inc. has been committed to supporting numerous athletes, recognizing the importance of nurturing sports talent in the Philippines. Among these athletes is Tokyo 2021 bronze medalist boxer Eumir Marcial, who has benefited from Bounty’s unwavering support.

The company’s dedication to Philippine sports was further exemplified in 2021 when they honored previous Olympic heroes, including Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco and Roel Velasco, by awarding them their very own Chooks-to-Go stores. This act earned Bounty recognition from the Philippine Olympian Association. — Joey Villar

Cignal and Akari clash for Pool B lead of PVL tilt

CIGNAL HD SPIKERS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Games Tuesday
(PhilSports Arena)
1 p.m. — Akari vs Cignal
3 p.m. — Capital1 vs ZUS
5 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs Petro Gazz

CIGNAL and Akari aim to stay unbeaten and atop Pool B as they face off even as Capital1 Solar hopes to keep its fairy tale run going versus ZUS Coffee in Tuesday’s Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

Unscathed in four outings, the HD Spikers and the Chargers get to finally test each other’s mettle at 1 p.m. with the winner claiming solo No. 1 in their bracket and enter the second round in high spirits.

Cignal has been tipped as the prohibitive favorite after slaying two-time Reinforced Conference titlist Petroo Gazz, 25-22, 25-19, 25-19, Thursday while Akari was not bad itself after having hurdled ZUS, 25-23, 25-15, 25-18, the same day.

But after their much-anticipated encounter, there will only be one staying unbeaten.

The Solar Spikers, for their part, seek to sustain their giant-slaying ways after improving to 2-2 following a stunning 13-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-20, 15-13 triumph over this year’s All-Filipino Conference runners up in the Choco Mucho Flying Titans Thursday.

Meanwhile, Choco Mucho (1-3) tackles Petro Gazz (1-3) at 5 p.m. — Joey Villar

LA hopeful boxing can be added to 2028 Olympics

PARIS — Boxing still has the chance of a spot in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 but will need to resolve a bitter conflict over its governance first, LA28 Chief Executive Officer Casey Wasserman told Reuters on Sunday.

The ‘sweet science’ has been an almost ever-present fixture at the Olympics but is not on the program for Los Angeles after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the International Boxing Association (IBA) of recognition last June.

History of boxing in America and the Olympics is really powerful and important,” Mr. Wasserman said in Paris.

“The popularity of boxing in America is important and its ability to have kids from all socioeconomic walks of life be able to participate in it is powerful and important.

“We’ve always said that we’ve got to figure out a way to get boxing in the Games in 2028 but as we sit here today… it is not on our schedule and we don’t have a venue for it.”

The IOC stopped the IBA from running the boxing tournaments at the Tokyo and Paris Games amid transparency concerns, leading to a war of words between the bodies.

The IOC has told federations to work together to appoint a credible international federation, with World Boxing currently looking best poised to fill that role.

“The IOC want to make sure that boxing finds its way to stability as a federation so it can have a permanent place on the Games without all this back and forth,” Mr. Wasserman said.

The IBA’s decision to award prize money to boxers at the Paris Games has driven another wedge into relations between the bodies.

In another disagreement between the two, gender tests conducted by the IBA on two female boxers during last year’s world championships, which had repercussions in Paris when a social media storm exploded around the pair, were condemned by the IOC on Sunday as illegitimate and lacking credibility.

While the sport was up against the ropes, it was not down for the count, Mr. Wasserman said.

“The agreement we have with boxing is that if they create a situation where they have solved the federation issues, then they will come to our programme,” he said.

“It’s the only sport that has unique treatment because of the unique circumstances. — Reuters

Brownlee, Pelita Jaya rule Indonesian league

JUSTIN BROWNLEE weaved his magic anew following a championship run with the Pelita Jaya in the Indonesia Basketball League over the weekend at the Indomilk Arena.

A six-time champion and three-time Best Import awardee with mother team Barangay Ginebra in the PBA, Mr. Brownlee added the IBL title to his resume by anchoring Pelita Jaya to a 73-65 win against Satria Muda in the winner-take-all Game 3.

Pelita Jaya bowed in Game 1, 84-71, before forcing a decider with an 82-70 win in Game 2.

Mr. Brownlee scored only nine points but his presence on both offensive and defensive ends proved more than enough for Pelita Jaya’s redemption after last winning the IBL in 2017.

The evergreen import previously won titles in ASEAN Basketball League, Lebanon and United Arab Emirates.

He also engineered Gilas Pilipinas’ redemption in the Southeast Asian Games and a historic gold medal triumph in the Asian Games after 61 years before bringing that winning tradition over to Indonesia.

Mr. Brownlee, 36, is expected to rejoin Ginebra’s training camp this week for the PBA Season 49 opener starting with the Governor’s Cup on Aug. 18 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

It’s a reunion of sorts for Mr. Brownlee and Ginebra after their previous stint last year as the former missed the PBA’s recent season due to a FIBA suspension.

Under the watch of also his Gilas mentor Tim Cone, the national team naturalized player is out for redemption with the Gin Kings in the PBA, where they last won back in the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup.

He will meet a mixture of returning and new imports this time around, led by his fierce rival Allen Durham of the Meralco Bolts. — John Bryan Ulanday

Manila and Hanoi to hold first-ever joint exercise between coast guards

VIETNAM’S 90-meter ship CSB 8002 arrived at the port of Manila on Monday for a five-day port call. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RYAN BALDEMOR

THE PHILIPPINES and Vietnam will kick off their first-ever joint coast guard exercise in Manila Bay this week after committing to boost maritime cooperation.

The Aug. 9 drill is the first between the two Southeast Asian nations, which have competing claims over some parts of the South China Sea. Both have had run-ins with China’s coast guard in the disputed waterway.

During a state visit to Hanoi by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in January, Manila and Vietnam signed two agreements to boost cooperation between their coast guards and to prevent untoward incidents in the South China Sea.

Vietnam’s 90-meter ship CSB 8002 arrived at the port of Manila on Monday for a five-day port call.

It will carry out training exercises with the Philippines’ 83-meter offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang, on Friday. The exercises will focus on search and rescue and fire and explosion prevention, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) officials said.

“In spite of the rivalry — (the Philippines and Vietnam) are also claimants on the West Philippine Sea — it shows we can work together,” PCG spokesman Armando Balilo said, referring to areas of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

“Hopefully, this will start a template that can be used even with China to de-escalate the situation.”

The Philippines and Vietnam have filed separate claims with the United Nations to an extended continental shelf to recognize their entitlements beyond their 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions of the waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes yearly, are believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, as well as fish stocks.

Also on Monday, the German government said it seeks to conclude a defense cooperation deal with the Philippines by yearend, as the two countries vowed to support a rules-based order within and beyond the Indo-Pacific region.

“We want to sign it by the end of the year,” Mr. Pistorius said a day after meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Eduardo C. Teodoro, Jr.

He said supporting the rules-based international order is more urgent now amid threats to the Indo-Pacific region. “We experience every day that the security of one region is always at the same time the security and stability of the other region,” he said.

He said his visit to the Philippines and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region is “key to show China, or maybe others in the future, that we stand together.” “It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Philippines, Europe, India, or whoever it is.”

The stability of Central and Eastern Europe depends on “a very solid front,” Mr. Marcos said, citing the need to uphold international law.

The European Union has had to deal with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since 2022. Meanwhile, European nations have boosted their presence in Asian flashpoints including the South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.

The Philippines and Germany on Sunday vowed to boost their defense ties, citing security challenges including attempts to advance expansive claims through force.

The two nations recognize “the wide array of opportunities” to enhance bilateral defense relations amid common security challenges, German Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said in a joint statement after a meeting in Manila.

They “committed to conclude a broader arrangement on defense cooperation, which will expand the scope of mutually beneficial cooperation between the Philippines and Germany into new areas.”

The proposed defense cooperation deal is expected to cover joint training for their armed forces as well as a possible sale of German weapons.

The participation of Philippine military chief Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. in the meeting between Mr. Pistorius and Mr. Teodoro at the weekend highlights Manila’s ongoing shift to external defense, military spokesman Xerxes A. Trinidad said in a statement.

“General Brawner’s participation in the high-level meeting signifies the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ dedication to advancing external defense capabilities through international relationships,” he said.

“The discussions focused on enhancing defense cooperation, mutual security interests, and strategies to promote peace and stability,” he added.

The meeting was held just as Manila was monitoring a Chinese research vessel roaming around features west of the Philippine island of Palawan.

In their joint statement, the Defense chiefs reaffirmed that a 2016 arbitral ruling that voided China’s claims “final and legally binding.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza with Reuters

Senators reject toll hike until regulator fixes RFID problems

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

PHILIPPINE senators on Monday urged the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to halt further toll fee increases at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) until it resolves issues about faulty radio-frequency identification systems (RFID).

“Before you approve petitions to increase toll fees, it has to be justified and you have to fix these problems,” Senator Rafael T. Tulfo told a Senate committee on public services hearing. “These services need to be improved before increases are made.”

TRB Executive Director Alvin A. Carullo told senators they consult Board members including the Department of Transportation, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and Public Works department before approving any toll increases.

The TRB earlier approved higher toll for the North Luzon Expressway that took effect on June 4.

Under the new toll matrix, motorists passing through the open system will pay an additional P5 for class 1 vehicles, P14 for class 2 and P17 for class 3 vehicles.

The open system covers Balintawak, Caloocan City to Marilao, Bulacan. The closed system is from Bocaue, Bulacan to Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, Pampanga including Subic-Tipo.

For the closed system, motorists who pass through NLEX end to end between Metro Manila and Mabalacat City will pay P27 more for class 1 vehicles, P68 for class 2 and P81 for class 3 vehicles.

“The regulator should protect us all, but if they allow the rate to increase without looking at the service, what is the use of the regulator?” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said at the hearing.

“We should also look at the performance of the regulator other than the performance of the operator,” he added.

In April, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), which operates NLEX, said it would spend about P10 billion to implement a barrierless toll system and cashless transactions.

MPTC is the tollway unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

Supreme Court asked to rule on how ‘Cha-cha’ vote should be counted

SENATOR Robin Padilla on Monday asked the Supreme Court to rule on how the Senate and House of Representatives should vote on proposed constitutional changes. The senator, who heads the committee on constitutional amendments, thinks they should vote separately. — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

A SENATOR on Monday sought the Supreme Court’s (SC) “authoritative declaration” on whether the two chambers of Congress should vote jointly or separately in proposing changes to the 1987 Constitution.

Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla, who heads the committee on constitutional amendments, asked the tribunal to clarify whether the Senate and House of Representatives should jointly convene as a constituent assembly.

The constitutional question has been debated for years and the Senate earlier issued a manifesto saying the votes of its members on Charter change (“Cha-cha”) would get diluted if these are jointly counted with the House.

The former action star said the High Court should explain whether the three-fourths vote requirement of the Constitution for changes to go through refers to the Senate and House voting separately or as one chamber.

“For a long time — 37 years — there has been a debate on how to amend or revise our Constitution,” he separately told reporters in Filipino after filing the petition.

Mr. Padilla said the framers of the Constitution have said the intent had always been separate votes by the Senate and House.

He also asked the court to rule on whether the Senate and House should convene together when calling for a constitutional convention to amend the Charter.

Mr. Padilla in a separate statement said he was “unable to carry out [his] functions as committee chairman” because of the ambiguous Charter clause.

He gave copies of his petition to Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra, Senate President Francis Joseph G. Escudero and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, among other parties.

In February, Mr. Padilla filed a resolution seeking separate voting by both Houses to amend the Constitution.

Mr. Escudero last month said the Senate would put Charter change on the back burner. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

CREATE MORE bill reaches Senate plenary

BW FILE PHOTO

A PHILIPPINE senator on Monday sponsored in plenary the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) bill, which seeks to lower taxes on domestic and foreign companies to 20% from 25%.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the ways and means committee, said Senate Bill No. 2762 would remove the value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services to essential services such as janitorial, security, financial consultancy, marketing and human resources.

He added that high-value domestic market enterprises with a capital of more than P20 billion would be eligible for VAT zero rating on local purchases, VAT exemption on imports and duty exemptions on imports of capital equipment, raw materials, spare parts and accessories.

Under the priority bill, registered business enterprises would also be entitled to a 100% additional deduction on power expenses incurred in a taxable year, up from 50% under the Tax Code, to address high power costs.

The responsibility of processing VAT refund claims will be transferred to the Department of Finance from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to cut delays.

It will also allow local companies to implement a work-from-home setup for up to 50% of their workforce to cut costs.

The House of Representatives passed the CREATE MORE bill on final reading in March.

“While the CREATE law lays the foundation for tax and incentive reforms, the CREATE MORE bill aims to build on this foundation by offering enhanced and more targeted incentives to further drive investment and economic recovery in the Philippines,” Mr. Gatchalian said.

“It is not merely an update of policies; it is about creating a more dynamic future that is more responsive, more supportive and more capable of fostering growth and innovation in the Filipino people.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Bill for athletes pushed

The House of Representatives is seen at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A HOUSE of Representatives committee on Monday approved a bill that seeks to exempt from tax donations to athletes representing the country in international sports events.

Under the consolidated bill endorsed by the ways and means committee to the plenary, also covered by the exemption are prizes given by brands and companies.

“Its most important provision is that it exempts donations toward their training one year before the competition,” Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda said in a statement.

The committee approved the measure after gymnast Carlos Edriel P. Yulo won two gold medals in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

His historic double gold medal win has been celebrated across the Philippines, with businesses showering the athlete with gifts, including cash and a new house.

Mr. Yulo is only the second Filipino athlete to win an Olympic gold, after weightlifter Hidilyn F. Diaz-Naranjo in Tokyo in 2021.

The House is looking at doubling its cash prize for the gymnast to P6 million, Speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez told reporters. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Infra damage hits P4B

A VEHICLE is seen on top of a jeepney in Barangay Del Monte in Quezon City on Thursday, a day after torrential rains caused flooding in Metro Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

INFRASTRUCTURE damage from Super Typhoon Carina has hit more than P4 billion, according to the Philippines’ disaster agency.

In an 8 a.m. report on Monday, the agency said 54 structures worth P4.18 billion were damaged. It earlier said at least 48 people died.

Farm damage has reached more than P2 billion, while damage to the fishery sector hit P413 million. The number of affected farmers and fisherfolk climbed to 57,388.

More than 52,000 hectares of crops were damaged, with rice accounting for almost 48,000 hectares.

Eleven irrigation systems were damaged.

Affected people have reached 6.22 million, about one million of whom were still staying in evacuation centers, it added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

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