P1.4-M crystal meth seized

July 1, 2024 | 8:13 pm

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) port of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said it had intercepted an outbound shipment of P1.41 million worth of crystal meth concealed and misdeclared as kitchen wall stickers on June 27.

“Due to suspicious images detected by Customs X-ray officers, a physical examination was conducted by Customs examiners which revealed 217.9 grams of suspected ‘shabu,’” it said in a statement on Monday.

The shipper and consignee are being investigated for drug trafficking, it added. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

CHR online platform launched

July 1, 2024 | 8:11 pm

THE COMMISSION on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday launched an online platform where the public can file human rights complaints.

Its Management Information System Monitoring Outlet is a step forward in modernizing and digitizing its services, the agency said in a statement.

“This platform is designed to streamline processes and make our services more accessible to everyone, particularly to the disadvantaged and marginalized,” CHR Chairman Richard P. Palpal-latoc said.

CHR only has 16 offices nationwide.

Victims can file complaints online. The complaints will then be forwarded to the appropriate CHR office for review and action. Complainants can also track the status of their cases in real time. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Speaker vows to boost AFP budget

July 1, 2024 | 8:11 pm

SPEAKER and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday said the chamber is committed to funding the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) modernization efforts and social programs at the budget hearings in July.

The government is focused on equipping the AFP with the “latest technology and resources” such as improved radar systems and modern military aircraft to meet the country’s defense needs, he said in a statement.

“Our security apparatus must be dynamic, robust and forward-looking,” he said. “The administration has thus embarked on a comprehensive modernization program aimed at upgrading our defense systems and ensuring that our armed forces are equipped with the latest technology and resources necessary to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield.”

The House will discuss the budgets of state agencies from July to October. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PHL, Malaysian envoys meet

July 1, 2024 | 8:11 pm

DFA-building-OFFICIALGAZETTE.GOV.PH — OFFICIALGAZETTE.GOV.PH

TOP envoys from the Philippines and Malaysia on Monday vowed to fast-track negotiations in higher education, tourism and the development of the halal industry, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a statement, the agency said Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Hasan in Makati City to discuss international and regional issues.

“Foreign Minister Hasan’s visit builds upon the momentum created by the two leaders and is very timely as the two countries enter 60 years of bilateral relations and as both countries continue to expand and deepen their partnership and collaboration,” Manila’s top diplomat said in the statement.

It added that the two diplomats had also agreed to speed up negotiations in sports and cultural cooperation.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. also met with Mr. Hasan at the presidential palace. He said the Philippines looks forward to keeping itself in constant communication with Malaysia on current developments. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

PHL school mapping starts

July 1, 2024 | 8:10 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Education and Second Congressional Commission on Education on Monday said they would start collecting data on 12,212 private schools this month to update the government’s database and aid efforts to decongest overcrowded schools.

“This initiative is meant to inform government policies and programs related to the complementarity of public and private education institutions,” the commission said in a statement.

DepEd and the commission would also work with public and private school stakeholders to determine whether congestion in public schools could be eased through vouchers and state subsidies.

“We need to make sure that resources allocated to government assistance to students and teachers in private education are allocated and spent optimally with the goal of decongesting public schools and helping the poorest learners,” commission co-chairman Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in the same statement.

“Mapping where our private schools, congested public schools and poorest learners should help us to be more efficient in the use of resources,” he added.

The government has a program that allows the state to shoulder the private school education of students from overcrowded public schools.

The commission said there are 149 municipalities with very congested public junior high schools, with few schools implementing the state’s school voucher program. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Senate to focus on priority bills

July 1, 2024 | 8:10 pm

PHILIPPINE Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero on Monday said they would seek to pass priority measures in the final stages of approval since many of them are still pending at several committees.

“We will not be in a hurry,” he said in a statement. “Neither will we be relaxing and waste time before these bills are passed. We will just prioritize those that are close to being finished.”

In its meeting last week, the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) added five bills to its list of priority measures expected to be approved by June next year, including proposals to allow foreign investors to lease land for up to 99 years and amend a 2019 law that liberalized the rice sector.

Priority bills pending before Senate committees include a measure seeking to bring back the National Food Authority’s (NFA) power to buy locally milled rice and import the staple, another seeking a P20 excise tax on single-use plastics, and one seeking to establish a Department of Water Resources.

“A lot of them are still at the bicameral level, while others are at the committee level and others haven’t been filed,” Mr. Escudero said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Nationals gun for the lone Paris Olympics ticket at qualifying tilt

July 1, 2024 | 7:34 pm

GILAS PILIPINAS has set camp in Riga, Latvia for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), laser-focused and well aware of the heavy workload this mission demands.

The Pinoy cagers will only get one shot at the lone ticket to the Paris Olympics at stake in the July 2 to 7 OQT. And standing in their way are world No. 6 and host Latvia and No. 23 Georgia in Group A and if they make it past pool play, Group B bets No. 12 Brazil, No. 68 Cameroon and No. 17 Montenegro.

Coach Tim Cone’s Gilas 11 embarks on the OQT armed with learning from prior friendlies on the road against Euro squads Turkey and Poland. They lost both games, 73-84 to the Turkish, and 80-82 to the Polish.

“We were good against Turkey, we were better against Poland. But we have to be at our best from here on out,” said Gilas team manager Richard del Rosario.

“We need to limit our turnovers and get locked in defensively. It’s not just about competing — it’s all about winning. And all our focus will be on Latvia and Georgia. We will put them under the microscope and look for ways to win.”

The road to Paris starts on Wednesday night (12 midnight Thursday in Manila) when Gilas faces a Latvian side that may be missing injured star Kristaps Porzingis of NBA champion Boston but still boasts a potent crew bannered by Davis Bertans of the Charlotte Hornets and former NBA players Rodions Kurucs and Dairis Bertans.

The Latvian top guns are surrounded by the core of the squad that made history and copped fifth place at the FIBA World Cup in Manila in 2023, not to mention that hordes of home supporters expected at the 12,000-seater Arena Riga.

Over eight hours later on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. in Manila), Mr. Cone’s troops return to the hardcourt to battle the Georgians, another tough opponent from the former Soviet Union that’s bannered by Alexander Mamukalashvili of the San Antonio Spurs and Goga Bitadze of the Orlando Magic.

The Nationals have three days to finetune things and strategize before dealing with Latvia’s efficient three-point shooting and later Georgia’s powerful inside plays.

Initial objective is to finish Top 2 in Group A to move on to the crossover semis against the 1 and 2 finishers of Group B. Should they go on to hurdle the semis and eventually the finals, then the Pinoy dribblers are off to the French capital for the country’s first Olympic stint since way back 1972 in Munich. — Olmin Leyba

Staging of Men’s Volleyball Nations League at MOA Arena draws praise from sport governing body FIVB

July 1, 2024 | 7:33 pm

THE PHILIPPINES was no stranger to successfully hosting big sporting events in the past.

Count the third and final week of Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena as one of its never-ending stories of successes.

The country drew nothing but praise from the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) or the sport’s governing body after selling 45,886 tickets representing 86.80% available seats including a remarkable final day attendance of 93.82 percent or an event best 12,497 tickets sold that day alone.

In all, the event had an average attendance of 85.50 percent overall that was amplified by, according to FIVB, excellent organization and warm hospitality that allowed real, exciting volleyball action to take center stage.

And people including those from FIVB were impressed.

“The VNL Men’s pool in the Philippines exceeded my expectations,” said Zdeslav Barac, a member of the powerful FIVB board of administration.

The organization was excellent and there were many highly enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers and staff who were always smiling, friendly and attentive. In my opinion and experience, this is one of the best ever organized FIVB events,” he added.

It was actually the third time the country has hosted the VNL.

And the biggest one is yet to come as volleyball-mad Filipinos will be treated anew to world-class action with the nation’s staging of the FIVB Men’s World Championships next year at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the MOA Arena. — Joey Villar

PFF assures continuation of women’s, men’s football program as manager quits

July 1, 2024 | 7:32 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Football Federation (PFF) assured the continuation and further improvement of the Filipinas’ program on the heels of the departure of team manager Jeff Cheng.

PFF President John Gutierrez and Director for National Teams Fred Gonzalez said the objective is two-fold — to “keep the women’s program going and get the men’s program to be on par with the women’s.”

Mr. Gonzalez has assumed the role vacated by Mr. Cheng, filling the void just like he did for the men’s squad when team manager Dan Palami left.

“The way we set up the men’s team the last few months has been great and organized and we’re just going to be applying the same thing to the women’s moving forward,” Mr. Gonzalez said in a press briefing.

He said the Filipinas’ coaching staff led by Marc Torcaso will be under review but stressed the player pool and the activities will see little change.

“Right now, the women’s program is still going to continue as is, as Jeff (Cheng) mapped it out. We’re not going to change anything with regards to the player base, the player pool; In fact, we’re looking to even add more players,” said Mr. Gonzalez.

“We’re going to take a look at the process and everything that these guys have done over the years, see if changes need to be made, if anything needs to get better. But we don’t want to break up something that has been working.

“If it is indeed the best way to do things, we’re going to continue doing it. If we find areas where we can make improvements, we’ll make improvements.”

Messrs. Gutierrez and Gonzalez also shared plans to stage two friendlies for the Filipinas in the country in October plus two more matches in-between the men’s team’s home assignments in the Asean Football Federation Mitsubishi Electric Cup in November and December. — Olmin Leyba

Gilas women U18 promoted to Division A of Asia Cup

July 1, 2024 | 7:32 pm

NEWLY-CROWNED Division B champion Gilas Pilipinas women will replace Indonesia in the elite Division A following its cellar finish in the 2024 FIBA Under 18 (U18) Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen, China.

Indonesia absorbed a 67-66 overtime defeat against Malaysia in the relegation match of the Division A to make way for Gilas.

Mentored by Julie Amos, Gilas gained the promotion ticket after wiping out the Division B highlighted by a 95-64 win over Lebanon in the finals. Gilas U18 went unbeaten in five games by wide margins to join the senior and U16 teams of the national women’s program led by director Patrick “Pat” Aquino to the Asia’s cream of the crop division.

Starting in the next edition, Gilas will share the court with the continent’s women’s basketball titans led by back-to-back Division A champion Australia.

Australia drubbed China, 96-79, to retain the title as Japan took home the bronze after a 69-54 win over South Korea. Completing the Division A are New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and former Division B winner Malaysia, which finished in order, as they welcome the addition of the Philippines.

Meanwhile despite the defeat to Australia, 7-foot-3 sensation Zhang Ziyu of China marked her Asia Cup stint by winning the Most Valuable Player plum.

Ms. Ziyu, who averaged tournament-best 35.0 points and 12.8 rebounds, was joined by teammate Xu Peilin, Lara Somfai and Saffron Shiels of Australia as well as Kokoro Tanaka of Japan. — John Bryan Ulanday

Gilas men’s Under-17 suffers a 62-point beating from Spain

July 1, 2024 | 7:31 pm

GILAS PILIPINAS men folded to powerhouse Spain, 96-34, to stay winless in the 2024 FIBA Under 17 (U17) World Cup yesterday at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey.

Ranged against the world No. 2 Spaniards, the crippled Gilas crew fell to an unforgettable 2-30 hole in the first quarter and never got back to absorb a 62-point beating.

It’s the second straight blowout loss in Group A for the Gilas youth squad following a 107-48 bowing to world No. 7 Lithuania.

Up next for Gilas is fellow winless but world No. 15 Puerto Rico which will be an equally daunting task for a breakthrough bid especially without ace guard Kieffer Alas following his knee injury a day before the team’s debut. Puerto Rico also succumbed to Lithuania, 95-80, and Spain, 89-63.

Bonn Ervin Daja fired 12 points to serve as the only bright spot while Joaquin Gabriel Ludovice had seven for Gilas. No other player finished with more than five points.

For Spain, all but one cager scored led by Maximo Garcia-Plata with a near triple-double of 15 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in only 21 minutes of play.

Guillermo del Pino had 13 while Ignacio Campoy and Eric del Castillo added 13 each for Spain, which tied Lithuania for the Group A leadership with 2-0 slates.

No team will be eliminated in the 16-team World Cup as all squads are to play in the knockout crossover rounds among the four groups. — John Bryan Ulanday

Blu Girls to face 12 tough teams at Canada Cup

July 1, 2024 | 7:31 pm

Philippines Blu Girls — INSTAGRAM.COM/SOFTBALLPHILIPPINES

THE PHILIPPINES sets out for another journey to glory as it sees action in the Canada Cup International Softball Championships that unfolded yesterday and ends Sunday in Surrey in British Columbia, Canada.

Mentored by Ana Santiago, the Cebuana Lhuillier-backstopped Blu Girls were headed to battle against the 12 toughest teams in the world including the Kiwis, whom the former were tackling at press time.

ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed his excitement for the upcoming tournament, highlighting the team’s journey and growth.

“I am incredibly excited to see the girls in action. I’ve watched them grow their skills and talents to the best of their ability, and I have no doubt they will make us proud again,” said Mr. Lhuillier.

The country tangles with Hong Kong and hosts Canada in a double-header today, Israel tomorrow and Mexico Thursday.

Other teams seeing action are Colorado, Saskatchewan 222, Australia, Greece, the Czech Republic and Chinese Taipei.

The playoff phase is set Friday to Sunday. — Joey Villar