SC penalizes anti-poverty czar

May 23, 2024 | 8:19 pm

Larry Gadon — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) has penalized Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation Lorenzo “Larry” G. Gadon, a lawyer already disbarred by the High Court, after being found guilty anew of gross misconduct for committing perjury and making accusations based on hearsay.

It adopted the decision of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines — Board of Governors (IBP-BOP) to disbar Mr. Gadon but modified the penalty to a fine of P150,000. He is now ineligible for judicial clemency and cannot restore his lawyer status.

The case stemmed from his having accused former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes A. Sereno of falsifying an order issued by the SC before a congressional impeachment complaint hearing without his personal knowledge or any authentic records to support it.

“The penalty of 150,000 pesos is exorbitant and has no basis in jurisprudence,” he told reporters in a chat group. “The IBP resolution and recommendation is tainted with vendetta.”

Mr. Gadon alleged that the wife of the IBP president at the time the complaint was filed had applied for the position of Justice of the Court of Tax Appeals, which he claimed, “I have successfully opposed.”

But the SC said its findings proved he was motivated by malicious intent to malign and defame Ms. Sereno.

“Gadon knew that he never had any personal knowledge nor any authentic document to support the accusation that Sereno falsified a TRO (temporary restraining order) of the Court. Yet, he still included this in his verified impeachment complaint,” the resolution read.

Mr. Gadon said the decision was “not a big thing” since he is a “retired lawyer for 10 years already” and has no intention to go back into law practice.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed Mr. Gadon as his anti-poverty czar last year.— Chloe Mari A. Hufana

SSS to add e-centers in Batangas

May 23, 2024 | 8:18 pm

SSS-office-SSS-FACEBOOK-PAGE — SSS FACEBOOK PAGE

THE SOCIAL Security System (SSS) will establish two localized e-centers in Batangas at the offices of the Lima Industrial Park and the Lipa City Hall for easier SSS transactions among members in the area.

The SSS signed two separate agreements with Lima Land, Inc. and the city government of Lipa on May 17 for the benefit of 67,000 members working in the areas, the SSS said in a statement on Thursday.

“Since full-time work schedules can be demanding for most of our employed members, we will bring e-Centers directly to their workplaces,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando L. Macasaet said.

“We strongly advise our employed members to check their contributions and loan records regularly to ensure that employers comply with their legal obligations and that their benefit and loan eligibilities will not be compromised,” he added.

The SSS also partnered with the Batangas State University (BatStateU) and the local governments of Tanauan City, Cuenca, and Malvar to register their over 1,000 job order (JO) and contract of service (CoS) workers as SSS self-employed members under the KaSSSangga Collect Program.

“Through this program, they will become eligible for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral benefits under the Social Security Program, as well as loan privileges for immediate financial needs,” said Mr. Macasaet. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

MILF leader killed in Cotabato

May 23, 2024 | 8:17 pm

COTABATO CITY — Gunmen shot and killed a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), who once served as a municipal councillor in Maguindanao del Sur province, inside a tightly guarded hotel compound in this city on Wednesday.

Abdurahman L. Kasid had just emerged from one of the function rooms of the Em Manor Hotel, where he attended an activity of the Bangsamoro human settlements ministry, when two gunmen approached him and opened fire. The assailants immediately fled the scene in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck.

The victim’s relatives told reporters on Thursday that Mr. Kasid is identified with one of two feuding MILF groups in Mamasapano, where armed clashes have erupted over control of strategic swaths of lands in the municipality. — John Felix M. Unson

Fil-Am wins citizenship case

May 23, 2024 | 8:17 pm

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) has overturned a Court of Appeals (CA) decision on the deportation of Filipino-American Walter Manuel F. Prescott, citing the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) error in detaining him since he is, in fact, a natural-born Filipino.

The SC en banc granted Mr. Prescott’s habeas corpus petition and affirmed he is a Filipino citizen not subject to deportation.

“He deserves to be set free since long ago. In fact, he should not have been deprived of his liberty and be treated as an overstaying alien in the first place. For he is, indeed, a natural born Filipino,” read a portion of the 36-page decision penned by Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier.

It ruled that the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Justice erred in having Mr. Prescott arrested and that the 2013 DoJ resolution upon which it was based violated his due process rights, because he was not allowed to defend himself against his ex-wife’s allegations that he had illegally reobtained his Philippine citizenship.

Mr. Prescott, son of a Filipino mother and an American father, was arrested in 2016 for overstaying and recommended for deportation — an order that could not be executed due to pending criminal cases.

Mr. Prescott became a naturalized American in 2006 after working for the World Bank since 1983. In 2013, ex-Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima revoked his citizenship, which Prescott discovered only when he was renewing his passport.

The SC noted that he belatedly elected his nationality in 2008 by reapplying for Filipino citizenship and pledging allegiance. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Mavericks tame Wolves

May 23, 2024 | 7:41 pm

LUCA DONCIC — JESSE JOHNSON/USA TODAY SPORTS/REUTERS

Strong headstart in Western finals

TO HEAR Luka Doncic describe it, the Dallas Mavericks’ victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals resembled a relay race.

Kyrie Irving burst out of the starting gate with 24 first-half points to keep Dallas in contention. Mr. Doncic took the baton at halftime and helped the Mavericks earn a 108-105 win with 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

“Amazing,” Mr. Doncic said. “(Kyrie) got us going. Without him, we’d probably be down 20 at halftime, so he got us going. So I had to help him in the second half a little bit.”

Mr. Irving finished with 30 points on 12-for-23 shooting for Dallas. Daniel Gafford (10 points, nine rebounds) and Dereck Lively II (nine points, 11 rebounds) narrowly missed double-doubles.

Jaden McDaniels scored 24 points and made 6 of 9 attempts from beyond the arc to lead the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 16.

The Mavericks, who shot 49.4 percent (43 for 87) from the field for the game, outscored Minnesota 26-22 in the fourth quarter to help secure the three-point win.

Mr. Edwards said he and his teammates struggled to maintain their energy level for the full 48 minutes. He acknowledged that the team’s comeback win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 in the conference semifinals on Sunday might have sapped some of their energy.

“Yeah, for sure,” Mr. Edwards said. “You all can see it. We were a step behind everybody, especially myself. Kyrie got a transition layup … and he just outran me. I was just exhausted. So yeah, for sure. But we’ll be alright.”

Dallas went on a 13-0 run to seize a 97-89 lead with 7:38 to go. Mr. Doncic started the run with seven straight points and finished it with a pair of free throws.

Minnesota, which shot just 42.7 percent (38 for 89) from the field, responded with a 10-1 run to grab a 99-98 edge with 4:39 left. Mr. Towns hit a 3-pointer from 28 feet to put the Timberwolves on top.

After a timeout, Mr. Edwards made a 3-pointer to increase Minnesota’s lead to 102-98 with 3:37 to play.

The Mavericks answered with back-to-back 3-pointers by Mr. Doncic and P.J. Washington to go ahead 104-102 with 1:56 left. Mr. Doncic followed with a step-back jump shot to make it 106-102 with 49.2 seconds to go.

Dallas maintained the lead the rest of the way.

The Timberwolves clung to an 83-82 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

Mr. Gafford threw down a pair of alley-oop dunks to start the second-half scoring for the Mavericks. Derrick Jones, Jr. followed a couple minutes later with a dunk that put Dallas on top 67-66 for its first lead since the opening quarter.

Minnesota led 62-59 at halftime. Mr. McDaniels had 19 points before the break, which marked a playoff career high for him in any half.

The Timberwolves led by eight in the final minute of the first half, but Irving scored five points in the last 22 seconds to pull Dallas within three.

He finished the scoring by converting a three-point play on a basket and a free throw with 0.7 seconds left.

The teams will reconvene on Friday night for Game 2.

“That’s only one,” Doncic said. “We’ve got three more to go.” — Reuters

Pacers’ game plan: Avoid 0-2 hole

May 23, 2024 | 7:40 pm

THE INDIANA Pacers know where improvement is needed on Thursday when they visit the Boston Celtics for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Pacers committed 22 turnovers in their 133-128 overtime loss in Game 1 on Tuesday, and those miscues led to 32 Boston points. The costliest turnover came with 8.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter while sixth-seeded Indiana was leading 117-114. Pascal Siakam couldn’t handle Andrew Nembhard’s inbounds pass, and he then allowed Jaylen Brown to make a game-tying 3-pointer that forced overtime.

“We had a lot of turnovers that would be hard to explain, but this is the conference finals in the NBA playoffs and these things happen,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “As many turnovers as we had, our guys continued to play, continued to fight and found a way to get a three-point cushion and the ball. So at that point we just gotta finish it off.”

Top-seeded Boston has won Game 1 in each of its three playoff series this year, but it failed to win Game 2 at home against Miami in the opening round and against Cleveland in the conference semifinals.

After Thursday’s game, the best-of-seven series will shift to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4.

Aaron Nesmith (five) and Myles Turner (four) accounted for nine of the 22 giveaways, but Tyrese Haliburton also turned the ball over three times – including twice in key moments. He dribbled the ball off his foot when Indiana led by three with 27.7 seconds left in regulation, then lost the ball out of bounds with 1:02 remaining in overtime.

“I think it’s more on us,” Haliburton said. “They’re a great defensive team. They got great, great defenders — individual and team defenders — but they’re not a team who forces a ton of turnovers. They’re a solid, solid team. I just felt like more of (the turnovers) were probably on us than them forcing them. We got to clean that up, and outside of (Game 1) and one game last series, we’ve really taken care of the ball. So, we’ll fix it in Game 2.”

Top-seeded Boston has won Game 1 in each of its three playoff series this year, but it failed to win Game 2 at home against Miami in the opening round and against Cleveland in the conference semifinals.

After Thursday’s game, the best-of-seven series will shift to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4.

“Come with the mindset of don’t relax,” Boston star Jayson Tatum said. “Different circumstances. The first two rounds we won our Game 1 by a wide margin, so maybe human nature played into that. But (Tuesday) being a close game, going into overtime, we certainly felt like we should have won and we could have played better.”

All of the Celtics’ starters scored at least 15 points in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Tatum led the way with 36, but Boston also received a season-high 28 points in 48 minutes from 33-year-old Jrue Holiday, who also had eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals.

Haliburton (25 points) and Siakam (24) were Indiana’s leading scorers. Turner also took advantage of Kristaps Porzingis’ absence by tossing in 23 points.

Porzingis, Boston’s starting center, has missed the past seven games with a calf strain. ESPN reported that he could return for Game 4 of the conference finals.

“He’s working hard every single day to make as fast of a recovery as he can,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Porzingis. “He’s there for everything and it can’t go underestimated how hard he works, trying to come back in a timely fashion.”

Paalam not saying goodbye just yet

May 23, 2024 | 7:39 pm

CARLO PAALAM knows he’s at a point of no return.

So when the 25-year-old Tokyo Games silver medalist from the Philippines plunges into action today (May 24) in the World Qualification Tournament to the Paris Olympics, expect him not to pull any punches.

The second and last Olympic qualifying tournament is taking place in Bangkok.

Mr. Paalam will spearhead a small but determined team consisting of Rogen Ladon, Hergie Bacyadan and Criztian Pitt Laurente, eyeing a place in the quadrennial event slated July 27 to Aug. 10 in the French capital.

Filipino boxers who have secured Paris berths are Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.

The four-man national contingent will just be a speck of the whopping 630 boxers who are desperately vying for 51 remaining Olympic quota places — 23 for women and 28 for men — that will be up for grabs for 13 weight divisions – six women and seven men.

All are aware that this will be the last doorway to the Olympics, which should make it a little tougher considering that practically everybody should be giving it their all for one last shot at glory.

Paalam will compete in the men’s 57-kilogram class despite a nagging shoulder injury that he sustained in the critical rounds of the first qualification tilt in Busto Arsizio, Italy last March.

He would need to make it to at least the top three in his weight class to make the Paris cut.

Otherwise, it will be goodbye for Paalam.

Ladon, a veteran of the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Bacyadan will vie in the men’s 51kg and the women’s 75kg where four berths each are at stake.

And so is Laurente, who could punch his ticket by just making the semis in the men’s 63.5kg.

It would be nice for the country that all four end up qualifying and completing Philippine boxing’s “Magnificent Seven” in Paris. — Joey Villar

Rain or Shine coach ain’t throwing white towel

May 23, 2024 | 7:38 pm

Games Today
(MOA Arena)
4:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Meralco (Meralco leads series, 2-1)
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Rain or Shine (SMB leads series, 3-0)

IF THE San Miguel Beermen (SMB) could have their way, it’s time to send Rain or Shine (ROS) to the gallows.

But knowing coach Yeng Guiao and his gritty crew, there’s no way the Elasto Painters are capitulating.

“At 0-3, all you can think about is trying to get one win and avoid a sweep,” Mr. Guiao said ahead of their life-or-death Game 4 assignment in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals tonight at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. “That’s the only thing you want to focus on at this point.”

The Beermen got on the cusp of a sweep of the best-of-seven series with a 117-107 road victory Wednesday in Dasmariñas City. “Nasasayangan lang kami rito with this opportunity. This could have been our best chance to win against San Miguel. We could’ve been back in the race,” rued Mr. Guiao.

History is on SMB’s side. Per PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, 16 of the previous 17 teams with a 3-0 edge in a race-to-four went on to win, including eight via sweep.

To become the latest to achieve this, the Beermen must be at their sharpest and most aggressive.

“We really have to bring the energy and we really have to step on the gas, especially doon sa Game 4, because I’m sure Rain or Shine will come out smoking,” said San Miguel mentor Jorge Gallent. “We just have to match that and do what we’ve been doing. Then I think we’re going to be okay.”

The protagonists enter the 7:30 p.m. match with the post-Game 3 rift between Mr. Guiao and SMB guard Terrence Romeo still fresh. Feeling disrespected, Mr. Guiao lashed out at Mr. Romeo after the latter fired a converted triple in the dying seconds.

“Basic respect,” said Guiao. “Wala naman tayong quotient sa semis, eh. Hindi naman bagong player si Terrence. Alam niya iyon.”

Meanwhile, Meralco seeks to make it three in a row against Ginebra at 4:30 p.m. and move a win away from the finals.

After dropping the opener, the Bolts got back at the Gin Kings, 103-91 and 87-80, to take the upperhand.

“We can’t have a letdown. We know that they’re capable but we’re capable too,” said Meralco tactician Luigi Trillo.

Ginebra’s Tim Cone blasted the squad’s “terrible” Game 3.

“We didn’t deserve it, they did. They outshot us, outplayed us, outcoached us very definitely. We got to change things up, we can’t play the same way.” — Olmin Leyba

Djokovic celebrates 37^th birthday with victory

May 23, 2024 | 7:38 pm

NOVAK DJOKOVIC celebrated his 37^th birthday with a 6-3 6-3 win over German Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday in the second round of the Geneva Open.

The world number one, who accepted a late wildcard to compete at the ATP 250 tournament this week after a less than ideal run-up to next week’s French Open, was stopped in his tracks by rain as he attempted to serve out the first set.

The Serb returned to court following the hour-long break to claim the first set with two aces in a row.

But showing that he was still unable to shake off his recent struggles, Mr. Djokovic, who saved seven break points during the opening set, dropped serve early in the second to trail 3-0.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion eventually recovered to reel off six games in a row to seal his 1,100^th tour-level match win.

The Serb is only the third man to achieve this milestone behind Jimmy Connors’ 1,274 wins and Roger Federer’s 1,251.

“The key to win was the birthday, it probably wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t win,” said Mr. Djokovic after organizers gave him a birthday cake.

“It’s nice to be here in this tournament for the first time, with my family,” he added.

here coming to support. I’m getting some quality time on and off the court.

“Grateful to all the people that came today and thank you for singing happy birthday that really touched me.”

Djokovic requested the Geneva wildcard after he was hammered in Rome in the last 32 by little-known journeyman Alejandro Tabilo two days after a freak accident in which he was hit on the head by a fan’s water bottle while signing autographs. — Reuters

Stage set for IRONMAN races at Subic

May 23, 2024 | 7:37 pm

THE IRONMAN Group is gearing up for an unprecedented turnout for the fourth Century Tuna IRONMAN (IM) Philippines and the 11^th IM 70.3 Subic Bay, which fires off on June 9 at Subic Bay Boardwalk with the premier endurance races expected to draw athletes from around the globe.

In addition to the main events, the 5km Century Tuna Super Bods Underpants Run will also take place on June 7, while Choco Hero IRONKIDS triathlon will be held on June 8.

Also on tap are the age-group categories, featuring individual and relay events, along with the novel team tents competition.

Greg Banzon, executive vice president and COO of Century Pacific, emphasized the pivotal role Century Tuna has played in the Philippine triathlon scene, saying the company has supported events from small sprint races to the prestigious IRONMAN Philippines for over a decade.

He also highlighted the rise of Filipino athletes, such as SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas, as a testament to the company’s commitment to youth development in triathlon.

Through their support, Century Tuna has fostered a generation of athletes excelling in the sport.

Forty-four countries will compete in the upcoming endurance race, with Japan, France and the United States leading the charge with 54, 18 and 16 entries, respectively. Meanwhile, Singapore and Vietnam will each field 10 participants and the host country has entered 147 competitors three weeks into the staging of the blue-ribbon event.

Carlo Endaya, vice president and general manager for the Domestic Tuna Business of Century Pacific, also underscored the broader impact of their support for triathlon events, stressing these promote health and fitness within the community, making triathlon accessible to a wider audience.

He added that the company’s involvement goes beyond the elite athletes, promoting a culture of health and fitness that reaches people of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging more individuals to embrace the sport and its benefits.

Registration for both events is ongoing. For details, visit www.ironman.com/im-philippines-register.

Participants in the IM 70.3 will face a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run (70.3) challenge, while the full IRONMAN will test the athletes’ limits with a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km marathon.

Princess Galura, regional director of the organizing IRONMAN Group Philippines, acknowledged Subic as the country’s triathlon capital, citing its long history of hosting various triathlon events, including 5150s, sprints and full-distance IM races.

The IM 70.3 and full IM are part of the IRONMAN Group’s 2023-24 Season Pass and Flex 90 programs.

LeBron offers advice to Caitlin

May 23, 2024 | 7:36 pm

LEBRON JAMES knows a thing or two about having great expectations thrust upon him before he even entered a professional basketball league.

With that in mind, the Los Angeles Lakers star offered some advice to Caitlin Clark as the latter navigates her way through the early stages of her WNBA career.

“My advice to Caitlin, and my advice to anyone that comes in with this level of notoriety, out-of-this-world expectation, whatever the case may be: Be a horse, man,” Mr. James said on the Mind the Game podcast. “… Put your blinders on, go to work, show up to work, punch your clock in, prepare yourself, work on your game, work on your craft.

“Kind of keep your mouth shut and just learn from the vets. When they ask, voice your opinion if they want your opinion early because everybody is looking for you to say anything and they’re gonna splice it and cut it and make it a negative thing.

“The one thing I love that she’s bringing to her sport: More people want to watch. More people want to tune in. … Don’t get it twisted, don’t get it (messed) up. Caitlin Clark is the reason why a lot of great things is gonna happen for the WNBA. … I’m rooting for Caitlin because I’ve been in that seat before. I’ve walked that road before. I hope she kills.”

Clark, 22, has experienced somewhat of a learning curve since guiding Iowa to back-to-back NCAA title game appearances and becoming NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader. From there, she was selected by Indiana with the top overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft.

She recorded team-leading averages in points per game (17.0), assists (5.5) as well as turnovers (6.5) for the Fever, who have limped out to an 0-4 start.

As for James, he entered the NBA with the top overall pick of the 2003 draft. The 39-year-old is a four-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, 20-time All-Star and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. — Reuters

Schumacher family compensated

May 23, 2024 | 7:36 pm

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’s family has secured 200,000 euros ($216,360) compensation from the publishers of a German magazine that printed an AI-generated ‘interview’ with the seven-time Formula One world champion.

A family spokeswoman on Wednesday confirmed a Munich Labour Court judgement and settlement by Funke media group, publishers of the magazine Die Aktuelle, without making any further comment.

The magazine’s editor was sacked last year, with Funke apologizing to Schumacher’s family.

Ferrari great Mr. Schumacher, now 55, has not been seen in public since he suffered a serious brain injury in a skiing accident on a family holiday in the French Alps in December 2013 as the family maintains strict privacy.

Die Aktuelle ran a front cover in April 2023 with a picture of a smiling Mr. Schumacher and the headline promising ‘Michael Schumacher, the first interview.’

The strapline added: “it sounded deceptively real” but inside the ‘quotes’ were revealed to have been generated by artificial intelligence. — Reuters