3 Dutertes to run for senator

June 25, 2024 | 8:17 pm

THREE members of the Duterte clan will run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections, Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Tuesday.

Her father ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte, and her brothers Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte would run for the post, she told reporters in Cagayan de Oro, based on a video posted by News 5.

“They are all raring to run,” Ms. Duterte-Carpio said in mixed English and Cebuano.

She also said Sebastian would run for President in 2028.

“My mother said my younger brother will run for president in 2028, while I will go back to being mayor of Davao City,” she added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

P6-B GSIS loans earmarked

June 25, 2024 | 8:14 pm

THE GOVERNMENT Service Insurance System (GSIS) has earmarked P6 billion in emergency loans for members and pensioners affected by Mount Kanlaon’s eruption, El Niño and Typhoon Aghon, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

A total of 231,250 calamity victims will benefit from the program, the state pension fund said.

Members in Bohol, Capiz and Kalibo may apply for the loan until July 4; until July 6 for those in Cabanatuan City, Aborlan, El Nido in Palawan and Quezon Province’s first and second districts; until July 9 for San Andres in Romblon; and until July 19 for San Lorenzo, Sibunag in Guimaras, San Carlos City, San Enrique and La Castellana in Negros Occidental.

Under the loan program, members with existing loans may borrow as much as P40,000, while those with no existing loans may borrow up to P20,000.

The loan is payable in three years through 36 equal monthly installments. It carries a 6% yearly interest rate. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Lookout order vs mayor out

June 25, 2024 | 8:12 pm

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) will enforce an immigration lookout bulletin order issued by the Department of Justice (DoJ) against Bamban Mayor Alice L. Guo and her associates.

Immigration Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco said they received the three-page order on June 21 from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla.

A precautionary hold departure order will also be filed against Ms. Guo and 17 others. The mayor has been linked to illegal offshore gaming operators in her town, an allegation that she has denied. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Catanduanes power lines start

June 25, 2024 | 8:11 pm

electricy tower-pylons — EVENING_TAO-FREEPIK

STATE-OWNED National Power Corp. (Napocor) has inaugurated three energy projects to improve the reliability and power delivery in Catanduanes province and increase its renewable energy resources.

In a statement on Tuesday, Napocor said the San Miguel to Viga 69-kilovolt transmission line and five megavolt-amperes Viga substation would enhance the power delivery in the northern part of the province.

“Equipped with the latest technology, the Viga substation will significantly boost the grid’s capacity and pave the way for new power resources,” Napocor Vice-President Rene B. Barruela said.

Meanwhile, the 30-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic-diesel hybrid system on Palumbanes Island offers a “sustainable energy solution for over 200 households in the off-grid area,” it said.

It is also seeks to lower the island’s dependence on diesel and gradually decrease fuel costs. — SJT

Philippine delegation to Paris Olympics rises to 20 from 15

June 25, 2024 | 6:17 pm

TWENTY and counting.

The Philippine delegation to the Paris Olympics jumped from 15 to 20 after golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina made the top 60 cutoff, swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch claim spots via universality places and judoka Kiyomi Watanabe earning a continental quota.

A few more may also just end up making the Paris cut in track and field, among them hurdlers John Cabang Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman.

The five new addition joined a team composed of pole-vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, Elreen Ando and John Ceniza, rower Joanie Delgaco and fencer Sam Catantan.

The count surpassed the 19 Filipino athletes that competed in the 2021 Tokyo Games where the country struck its breakthrough Olympic gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz atop the two silvers and a bronze by Ms. Petecio, Messrs. Paalam and Marcial, respectively.

Ms. Pagdanganan was 35^th while Ms. Ardina 55^th in the International Golf Federation ranking, enough to be part of the 60 golfers seeing action in the French capital.

Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Hatch were both nominated by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. as recipients of the universality places from World Athletics (WA) and would compete in the women’s 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly.

If the country’s request for additional events gets the nod from WA, Ms. Sanchez will have extra action in the 100m backstroke and Mr. Hatch in the 100m freestyle.

Ms. Watanabe, for her part, will be in her second consecutive Olympics in the women’s -63-kilogram section. — Joey Villar

Gilas Pilipinas to send 11-man team to FIBA

June 25, 2024 | 6:12 pm

FIBA-basketball — PHILIPPINE STAR/JUN MENDOZA

UP ahead is an Everest-sized mountain to climb but that doesn’t stop Gilas Pilipinas from believing as it pursues its Olympic dream.

“It’s going to be really tough for us but that’s why we’re here,” Gilas naturalized player Justin Brownlee said ahead of the Nationals’ stint in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia.

“We’re going to play against the best in the world and of course, if you want to be Olympians and qualify you got to play with the best in the world.”

Mr. Brownlee and the Gilas team assembled by coach Tim Cone need to top the July 2 to 7 OQT in Riga to secure the country’s first Olympic stint since 1972.

First, the 37^th-ranked Philippine quintet must finish in the Top 2 of Group A against world No. 6 and host Latvia and No. 23 Georgia and then take care of business in the crossover semis against counterparts from Group B composed of Brazil, Cameroon and Montenegro and eventually, the one-game finale to gain entry.

“If you want to be Olympians and qualify you got to play with the best in the world. I think it’s going to be a great experience for us and we’re definitely going in there to win,” said Mr. Brownlee.

“No matter they’re ranked higher than us, you know they put on their shoes like we put on our shoes and we come in to represent the country in the right way, in the best way we can,” he added.

Gilas is fielding an 11-man team to the qualifiers as getting a late replacement for injured playmaker Scottie Thompson (out on back injury) in time for their departure for Europe yesterday was no longer possible.

“We’re going 11-strong,” said Mr. Cone, who will rely on the versatility of Mr. Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Calvin Oftana, Japeth Aguilar, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao and Mason Amos.

“We miss Scottie but we don’t feel shorthanded. We talked it out with the 11 guys, they’re 11-strong and they feel we’re okay.”

Mr. Cone, whose crew scored a 74-64 win over visiting Taiwan Mustangs in a sendoff friendly game Monday night at the PhilSports Arena, admitted it’s still a long way to go to reach fighting shape.

“Obviously for this game, we weren’t pretty. We got to be better, we got to defend better and play better. But that’s why we have these games so we get a feel of where we are. We’re not where we want to be yet but we have time to get better,” he said.

Before wading into battle in the OQT, the Nationals will play tuneup matches on the road against Poland and Turkey in the coming days. — Olmin Leyba

Philippine Aquatics wants extra event for Sanchez, Hatch

June 25, 2024 | 6:10 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) is asking World Athletics (WA) for an extra event for tankers Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch, who will represent the country in next month’s Paris Olympics as universality places recipients.

“We nominated them to WA as our two swimmers under universality places. This was done June 24, the last day to submit nominations,” said PAI secretary-general Eric Buhain.

Mr. Buhain said the WA confirmation would come by early July but he stressed Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Hatch were good as in the Paris-bound national squad.

What is uncertain though is if the PAI’s request for an additional event would be granted.

“Confirmation will be for their entry in the Games and also if our request for their second event will be approved,” said the former Philippine Sports Commission and Games and Amusements Board chair.

Mr. Buhain added that universality places are only given one event each but a country or a swimmer can request another one.

In the case of Ms. Sanchez, she will compete in the women’s 100-meter freestyle, while Mr. Hatch is plunging into action in the men’s 100m butterfly.

In the appeal, the PAI is asking the 100m backstroke and the 100m freestyle as the second event of Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Hatch, respectively.

“We will know on or before July 3 if the second event is confirmed,” said Mr. Buhain. — Joey Villar

Pagdanganan, Ardina book Paris slot

June 25, 2024 | 6:10 pm

2Pagdanganan — BIANCA Pagdanganan — REUTERS

PENDING formal confirmation from the International Golf Federation (IGF), the Philippines’ Bianca Pagdanganan is booked for a second trip to the Olympics while Dottie Ardina is set for her debut after skipping the Rio Games.

This was sealed as Mmess. Pagdanganan and Ardina stayed inside the “Magic 60” of the Women’s Olympic Golf Rankings last Monday at the end of the qualifying period for the Aug, 7-10 competition at the Le Golf National.

Ms. Pagdanganan, who finished tied for 43^rd in the Tokyo Olympiad, was the 37^th qualifier for Paris as Ms. Ardina, who made the grade in 2016 but pulled out due to threat of the Zika virus, got in at 57^th.

Filipina-Japanese Yuka Saso secured her place with her 10^th ranking. But the two-time US Women’s Open champion will represent Japan this time after competing under the Philippine flag in the previous edition in Tokyo and tying for ninth.

Defending Olympic titlist and world No. 1 Nelly Korda of the US leads the 60-player field, which the International Golf Federation will make official on July 9. — Olmin Leyba

Quezon province joins MPVA with core of College of St. Benilde

June 25, 2024 | 6:09 pm

QUEZON province is ready to soar to new heights as it takes its act to the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA)

Bannered by the core of the three-time NCAA champion College of St. Benilde, the Quezon Tangerines will be the newest squad in the the upcoming second season of the upstart volleyball league as the province elevates its sports program after the Quezon Huskers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

The Quezon Huskers are currently unbeaten at 12-0 in the MPBL and the vision is the same for the Tangerines with an ultimate dream of winning it all against rival cities and provinces.

College of St. Benilde head coach Jerry Yee will mentor the Tangerines with his trusted aces Mycah Go, Zamantha Nolasco, Wielyn Estoque, Corrine Apostol and team captain Jessa Dorog leading the way.

Chenae Basarte, Clydel Mae Catarig, Fiona Naomi Getigan, Cristy Ondangan, Aya Densing, Kim Alison Estenzo, Zen Basilio, Fiona Inocentes, Marygrace Borromeo, Sofia Badion, Shekaina and Shana Lleses are the other Lady Blazers for the Tangerines.

Eight homegrown players in Lucena’s own Lenie Sapallo, Jasmine Dapol, Christine Joy Lubiano, Jilian Nicole Quiambao and Louann Latigay, Lucban’s Paola Alban, Pagbilao’s Geraldine Rae Palacio and Kamille Josephine Amaka Tan of Tayabas will complete the Quezon squad following a tryout conducted by Mr. Yee himself.

Mr. Yee and the Lady Blazers just came off a successful three-peat title in the NCAA marked by 40 straight wins. In the MPVA representing the Tangerines with also a backing from Strong Group Athletics led by Frank and Jacob Lao, count on them to flash the same brilliance and winning ways.

“We will be competitive. I think we”ll make a difference,” vowed Mr. Yee, joined by team manager Atty. Donn Kapunan.

Bacoor reigned supreme in the inaugural MPVA season last year participated by a total of eight teams in runner-up Negros, third-placer Marikina, Rizal, Nasipit from Agusan del Norte, Caloocan, Biñan and San Juan City. — John Bryan Ulanday

Brazil held to scoreless draw by Costa Rica at Copa America

June 25, 2024 | 6:09 pm

LOS ANGELES — Brazil missed a string of chances and were left to rue a lack of quality in the final third after they were held 0-0 by Costa Rica in their Copa America Group D opener in Los Angeles on Monday.

Brazil, who came into the Copa America on the back of a run of poor results in recent months, dominated possession but lacked precision in front of goal with just three of their 19 shots on target.

“Now it’s about being honest with ourselves, creating alternatives to create chances, scoring, results are important in this competition, points left at the beginning can complicate things at the end,” Brazil defender Marquinhos said.

They were frustrated by a resolute five-man Costa Rican defense, who looked to contain their opponents and deprive them of space. The strategy paid dividends even if Gustavo Alfaro’s side rode their luck at times.

Raphinha had an excellent early opportunity to score after latching onto a long ball over the top from Rodrygo, but Costa Rica keeper Patrick Sequeira came quickly off his line to snuff out the danger.

Brazil thought they had got the breakthrough in the 30^th minute when a free kick was flicked on by Rodrygo into the path of Marquinhos, who poked it in at the far post but the goal was disallowed for offside after a lengthy VAR delay. — Reuters

No takers

June 25, 2024 | 6:08 pm

No matter the perspective, Klay Thompson’s continued inability to secure a contract that he wants is a reflection on the Warriors’ commitment to keep tight rein on their finances. Even as they have publicly professed a desire to bring him back to the fold, owner Joe Lacob’s directive for them to exercise fiscal prudence gives them little wiggle room for negotiation. Restrictive provisions under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement all but prevent them from presenting to him a deal bigger than that which they already offered as an extension last year.

Considering that Thompson immediately rejected the Warriors’ two-year, $48-million tender, it’s fair to note that he’s angling for bigger bucks, and for a longer term. Whether or not he deserves to do so depends on how much value is placed on past contributions. On one hand, he was critical to their four championships. On the other, he’s clearly on the downside as a 13-year veteran with a history of injuries. And, no, it doesn’t help his cause any that he laid an egg in the play-in tournament last April; he made zero of 10 shots from the field in 32 minutes of a rout that subsequently had them missing the playoffs for the third time in five seasons.

Make no mistake. Thompson has a right to test the waters in free agency. The fact that he unfollowed the Warriors and scrubbed references to them on social media underscores just how determined he is to seek the numbers he believes approximates his worth. Unfortunately, the flipside does not paint a rosy picture. Owing to a confluence of factors, the market does not seem to have a taker for him. Even the Magic, who have a definite need for a veteran presence to guide cornerstone Paolo Banchero, don’t appear willing to meet his demands.

At this point, Thompson and the Warriors are headed for Splitsville. Not including the hold on him and the $30 million option they have on Chris Paul, they’re already $2 million over the salary cap with 10 players signed. This means that they have a little less than $30 million to apportion for him and the remainder of the roster. And even though the terms he aims for also aren’t available elsewhere, the less-than-ideal manner in which talks have unfolded may well spur him to leave in any case.

Time heals wounds, to be sure, and Thompson will inevitably get his flowers from the Warriors. In the meantime, they have a business to run and a title to go after. And if he isn’t prepared to accept their way, then there’s nothing else he can do but head for the highway.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange to be freed after pleading guilty to US espionage charge

June 25, 2024 | 5:14 pm

WASHINGTON/SYDNEY – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is due to plead guilty on Wednesday to violating US espionage law, in a deal that will end his imprisonment in Britain and allow him to return home to Australia, ending a 14-year legal odyssey.

Mr. Assange, 52, has agreed to plead guilty to a single criminal count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defense documents, according to filings in the US District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.

He is due to be sentenced to 62 months of time already served at a hearing in Saipan at 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday (2300 GMT Tuesday). The island in the Pacific was chosen due to Assange’s opposition to traveling to the mainland US and for its proximity to Australia, prosecutors said.

Mr. Assange left Belmarsh prison in the UK on Monday before being bailed by the UK High Court and boarding a flight that afternoon, Wikileaks said in a statement posted on social media platform X.

“This is the result of a global campaign that spanned grass-roots organizers, press freedom campaigners, legislators and leaders from across the political spectrum, all the way to the United Nations,” the statement said.

A video posted on X by Wikileaks showed Assange dressed in a blue shirt and jeans signing a document before boarding a private jet with the markings of charter firm VistaJet.

He will return to Australia after the hearing, the Wikileaks statement added, referring to the hearing in Saipan.

“Julian is free!!!!” his wife, Stella Assange, said in a post on X.

“Words cannot express our immense gratitude to YOU – yes YOU, who have all mobilized for years and years to make this come true.”

The only VistaJet plane that departed Stansted on Monday afternoon was headed to Bangkok, FlightRadar24 data shows. A spokesperson for Assange in Australia declined to comment on his flight plans. VistaJet did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has been pressing for Assange’s release but declined to comment on the legal proceedings as they were ongoing.

“Prime Minister Albanese has been clear – Mr Assange’s case has dragged on for too long and there is nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration,” a government spokesperson said.

A lawyer for Mr. Assange did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

HISTORIC CHARGES

WikiLeaks in 2010 released hundreds of thousands of classified US military documents on Washington’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – the largest security breaches of their kind in US military history – along with swaths of diplomatic cables.

Mr. Assange was indicted during former President Donald Trump’s administration over WikiLeaks’ mass release of secret US documents, which were leaked by Chelsea Manning, a former US military intelligence analyst who was also prosecuted under the Espionage Act.

The trove of more than 700,000 documents included diplomatic cables and battlefield accounts such as a 2007 video of a U.S. Apache helicopter firing at suspected insurgents in Iraq, killing a dozen people including two Reuters news staff. That video was released in 2010.

The charges against Assange sparked outrage among his many global supporters who have long argued that Assange as the publisher of Wikileaks should not face charges typically used against federal government employees who steal or leak information.

Many press freedom advocates have argued that criminally charging Assange represents a threat to free speech.

“A plea deal would avert the worst-case scenario for press freedom, but this deal contemplates that Assange will have served five years in prison for activities that journalists engage in every day,” said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of free speech organization Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.

“It will cast a long shadow over the most important kinds of journalism, not just in this country but around the world.”

LONG ODYSSEY

Assange was first arrested in Britain in 2010 on a European arrest warrant after Swedish authorities said they wanted to question him over sex-crime allegations that were later dropped. He fled to Ecuador’s embassy, where he remained for seven years, to avoid extradition to Sweden.

He was dragged out of the embassy in 2019 and jailed for skipping bail. He has been in London’s Belmarsh top security jail ever since, from where he has for almost five years been fighting extradition to the United States.

Those five years of confinement are similar to the sentence imposed on Reality Winner, an Air Force veteran and former intelligence contractor, who was sentenced to 63 months after she removed classified materials and mailed them to a news outlet.

While in Belmarsh Assange married his partner Stella with whom he had two children while he was holed up in the Ecuadorean embassy. – Reuters