Baguio shutters 544 businesses

June 2, 2024 | 7:55 pm

Baguio-view-2018-PHILSTAR-FILE-A — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY — The city government of Baguio has shut down 544 businesses since January for operating without a permit.

Records from the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office showed that most of the illegal companies were discovered during routine inspections and complaints from the public.

The office said it issued 20,375 business permits in the first four months of the year and continues to receive applications. It expects to exceed last year’s count of 24,426 permits.

Of the 20,375 businesses with permits, 19,522 were renewals, while 853 were new registrants.

Most of the registered businesses in the city are in wholesale and retail trade, followed by accommodation and food services. Most of them or 17,825 are microenterprises. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Subpoenas out in Trillanes case

June 2, 2024 | 7:54 pm

SUBPOENAS are out for former presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr., and a vlogger in the cyber-libel cases filed by ex-Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV.

The former lawmaker made the announcement in an X post, where he also posted a photo of the summonses.

“We will file our counter-affidavits and countercharge for Trillianes’ disloyalty to the republic in due course,” Mr. Roque told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.

On May 14, Mr. Trillanes filed cyber-libel and libel cases against Mr. Roque, Swara Sug Media Corp.’s Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) anchors and other personalities.

In his complaint, Mr. Trillanes said Mr. Roque posted “defamatory” Facebook videos against him regarding the so-called gentleman’s agreement between the Philippines and China on resupply missions to the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Djokovic wins marathon match in cold Paris

June 2, 2024 | 7:18 pm

PARIS — Novak Djokovic’s bid for a 25^th Grand Slam briefly hung by a thread on a cold and damp Saturday night at Roland Garros but the Serbian battled back for a 7-5, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 win over Lorenzo Musetti in the latest ever French Open finish.

The reigning champion showcased the iron will that has made him one of the game’s greatest players to avoid defeat in a thrilling third-round contest that got underway at 10.37 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Some 4 1/2 hours later at 3.06 a.m. on Sunday morning, the fans who had huddled up under rugs as the 37-year-old orchestrated his superb fightback rose to their feet to lift the roof of the main showcourt.

“He played a fantastic match and came very close to victory,” Mr. Djokovic said on court.

“I was in great difficulties but thanks to your support in the fourth set, I became a different player. It was perhaps the best match I have played here.”

Mr. Djokovic recovered from an early loss of serve and went toe to toe with the Italian in the draining first set before edging in front with a crucial break in the 12^th game thanks to some incredible defending.

The world number one lowered his head and gasped for air following that lengthy rally, but was soon in cruise control in the second set with a spectacular drop that gave him a 3-1 lead.

Mr. Musetti, though, broke back and drew level at 4-4 before saving a set point in a high-quality tie break to level the match and the 30^th seed took his game up a few notches to break and surge ahead in the third set, before sealing it comfortably as alarm bells began to ring for a fading Mr. Djokovic.

Mr. Djokovic, who ranted about the state of the surface to the umpire, suddenly rediscovered his rhythm to wrap up the fourth before pulling away from his exhausted opponent in the decider. “Who’s going to sleep now?” Mr. Djokovic added. “It’s impossible to sleep, so much adrenaline. If you’re having a party, I’m coming.”

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev also survived a scare in an evening marathon to move into the fourth round with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10-3) victory over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

In the women’s draw, second seed Aryna Sabalenka beat best friend Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-1 in a testing clash, while Russian-born Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva won plenty of new admirers after she kept the flag flying for her adopted country.

After Corentin Moutet had given French supporters a Friday night to savor with victory over Sebastian Ofner, new crowd favorite Ms. Gracheva lit up another soggy day with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Irina-Camelia Begu.

The last Frenchwoman left in the women’s draw was treated to a rousing rendition of the national anthem “La Marseillaise” and she joined the fans in celebration. “I’ll remember this moment until the end of my life,” said a beaming Ms. Gracheva.

“It means that everyone accepts me, that I’m home here.”

While Gracheva was center of attention in the afternoon, fellow Moscow-born player Elena Rybakina continued to fly under the radar as the fourth seed cruised past Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-2.

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 21st seed, closed out a 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 victory over American Ben Shelton under the Suzanne Lenglen roof, as rain delayed action on the outer courts.

When play resumed, Alex De Minaur completed a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Jan-Lennard Struff to become the first Australian man into the Paris fourth round since Lleyton Hewitt in 2007, and launched a search for a superfan who spurred him on. — Reuters

Paalam, Bacyadan punch way to Olympics

June 2, 2024 | 7:17 pm

THE PHILIPPINES will parade and unleash five boxers in the Paris Olympics next month.

It includes a returnee, Carlo Paalam, and a debutant, Hergie Bacyadan, after the two delivered a pair of tour de force performances in consecutive days in the second World Qualifying Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ms. Bacyadan, 29, was at her spectacular best as she overpowered a listless Maryelis Yriza of Venezuela via unanimous decision in their women’s 75-kilogram division duel yesterday that booked her a ticket to the French capital.

It came less than a day after Mr. Paalam, a silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, overwhelmed Indian Sachin Siwach also via unanimous decision in the men’s 57kg.

Mr. Paalam and Ms. Bacyadan will join fellow pugs Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.

In all, they’re the 14^th and 15^th Philippine athletes to secure a place in Paris along with pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, rower Joanie Delgaco, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando, and fencer Sam Catantan.

It was an exceptional showing for Philippine boxing as it matched the country’s number of representatives in the Olympics in the 1996 Atlanta Games where it fielded in five including eventual silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco.

Interestingly, it will be a reunion of sorts for Mr. Paalam, Ms. Petecio and Mr. Marcial, who delivered three of the four medals won by the Filipinos in the Tokyo Games three years ago with a pair of silvers and a bronze.

The other one was a gold from Hidilyn Diaz, who unfortunately did not make the Paris cut.

After sizing up Yriza in the opening round, Bacyadan, a world vovinam champion and a wushu practitioner on the side, went to work and made her move in the second round when she dizzied her befuddled foe with a rocking uppercut that elicited a standing eight-count.

Leading in three of the five judges’ count, Bacyadan unloaded her full might with magnificent flurries that sealed the deal as she swayed all five judges to give her scores of three 30-26s and two 29-27s.

After her hand was raised in victory, Bacyadan, barely controlling her tears, did the Kalinga Apayao dance as tribute to her roots, hugged her coaches and then went down and was welcomed by her proud team that included Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines chairman Ricky Vargas.

For Paalam, he used his speed, experience and savvy to negate whatever size advantage Siwach had and drew the nod of all five judges, who scored three 29-28s and a couple of 30-27s.

That propelled Paalam, who brought along his 11-month old baby Carlshay Celeste, back to the Olympics where he gets a chance to claim the medal that got away in Tokyo—a gold. — Joey Villar

Bolts get baptism of fire in Philippine Cup finals

June 2, 2024 | 7:14 pm

IT’S GOING to be a trial by fire for sure against powerhouse San Miguel Beer (SMB).

And much like in the semifinal series against Barangay Ginebra, The Meralco Bolts need all hands on deck to bolster its chance of success in the PBA Philippine Cup finals versus holder SMB.

The Bolts edged the Gin Kings, 4-3, in a marathon series that entailed a brave, concerted effort from veterans like Chris Newsome, Chris Banchero, Allein Maliksi, Raymond Almazan and Bong Quinto and rookie Brandon Bates.

“Everybody’s picking up each other,” Meralco mentor Luigi Trillo said about the team’s strength that served them well against Ginebra on their way to a maiden All-Filipino Last Dance for the franchise.

“Heroes all over and we’re going to need everybody again when we face San Miguel because San Miguel, we know they’re a deep team.”

The burden of further leveling up is heavier on the shoulders of Mr. Almazan and Mr. Bates, who will be up against SMB behemoth June Mar Fajardo, the Alpha Beerman himself.

Mr. Trillo expects a lot from Mr. Bates, who more than held his own against Christian Standhardinger in the previous series. The 6-foot-8 Fil-Australian even had six blocks — the most since Fajardo also had blocked six shots in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup playoffs — in the clincher versus the Gin Kings.

“I said it before the (semis) series, Brandon would be big for us because Raymond (Almazan is) doing his share, Kyle (Pascual is) doing his share, (also) Norbert (Torres). I’m sure these guys appreciate the things that Brandon does,” Mr. Trillo said.

“He’s (Bates) going to be huge in the next series,” he added.

Mr. Bates, Meralco’s eighth overall pick in this year’s rookie draft, is ready for the gargantuan task. “I know my role. I know my role isn’t going to be to score 10 to 12 points. It’s going to be getting those defensive rebounds, you have blocks, challenge shots,” he said.

So, I’ve just accepted my role. It’s why I was drafted,” said the center from La Salle.

Bates shared watching a lot of videos of Standhardinger to “semi-know his moves” last time. He’d do so again in the matchup with the seven-time MVP Fajardo.

If they can somehow contain “the Kraken,” there’s still the problem of dealing with SMB’s vast arsenal that includes CJ Perez, Chris Ross, Jericho Cruz, Mo Tautuaa and Don Trollano.

“We believe in our guys. We have a deep team as well, character guys over here and it’s going to be a good series,” said Trillo. — Olmin Leyba

Sabalenka signs trainer’s bald head

June 2, 2024 | 7:14 pm

PARIS — Aryna Sabalenka said she would continue to sign the bald head of her fitness trainer with a marker pen before matches as the bizarre ritual she began on a whim before her successful Australian Open defense continued to bring luck at the French Open on Saturday.

Ms. Sabalenka marched into the fourth of Roland Garros with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Paula Badosa and is now unbeaten in 10 matches at the majors, with television cameras invariably focusing on the shiny head of Jason Stacy each time, looking for her signature.

“It started from the beginning of the Australian Open. We all stand around. Me and Jason in the middle and I sign his head with, I don’t know, classical music playing in the back. Oh no, no,” Ms. Sabalenka said, struggling to hold back laughter.

“I don’t know. It somehow started as — I don’t want to swear right now because I’m trying to be better with my words — but we like to do weird stuff. And then I won the tournament and I was like, ‘Jason we got to keep tradition going.’”

“I wanted to do it in every tournament, every match, but he was just like ‘okay, let’s just at least pick this tradition for the Grand Slams’ and so far we are doing it.” — Reuters

Saso in hunt with 18 holes to play

June 2, 2024 | 7:14 pm

FILIPINA-JAPANESE Yuka Saso fired a one-under 69 on moving day to stay in the hunt for the 2024 US Women’s Open crown in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Saso, who reigned supreme while representing the Philippines in 2021, submitted nines of 33 and 36 to bring her tally to 208, just three strokes off the pace going to the final 18 holes at the Lancaster Golf Club.

The 22-year-old Saso birdied Nos. 1 and 9 in a hot start but somehow slowed down at the back, where she mixed two birdies with three bogeys.

With her two-under card after 54 holes, Saso is in solo fifth and within striking distance of the trio of Australian Minjee Lee (66), American Andrea Lee (67) and Thai Wichanee Meechai (69), who share the top spot at five-under 205.

The pacesetters are two up on Japanese Hinako Shibuno, who totes a 207 after a 66 ahead of the ICTSI bet.

Ms. Saso, who held pole position in the first 18 holes with a hot 68 but slipped with a 71 in the second, will make the final push Sunday in an afternoon flight with sixth-running Japanese Sakurai Kowai at No. 1.

Ms. Saso is out for redemption after missing the cut in her last start at the Mizuho Americas Open and finishing 29^th and 30^th at the Cognizant Founders Cup and The Chevron Championships in the week prior.

Saso’s best finish in 2024 so far was ninth at the T-Mobile Match Play last April. — Olmin Leyba

De Minaur wants superfan around

June 2, 2024 | 7:13 pm

PARIS — After a week in which the French Open crowd grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons, Australian Alex De Minaur launched a social media hunt for a young superfan on Saturday.

Following his 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 win over Jan-Lennard Struff, 11^th seed Mr. De Minaur hugged the boy and gave him a towel before posting on Instagram that he would need him again when he faces Daniil Medvedev in the Last 16.

“That young lad was there from the very first point till the last, with five hours of rain delay,” Mr. De Minaur told reporters.

French Open organizers posted a picture of the boy on social media site X.

“I would have given him everything in my bag,” Mr. De Minaur added. “I just wasn’t thinking straight with the emotions. But he deserved everything. Rackets, shoes, whatever he wanted.”

“I’m looking at him and thinking… if I was a fan, I would probably be back home, because it was bloody cold out there. I don’t understand what this kid is doing, but he gave me life.”

French Open organizers posted a picture of the boy on social media site X.

“I would have given him everything in my bag,” De Minaur added. “I just wasn’t thinking straight with the emotions. But he deserved everything. Rackets, shoes, whatever he wanted.” — Reuters

Chair umpire rescues ailing bird

June 2, 2024 | 7:11 pm

PARIS — Daniil Medvedev beat Tomas Machac in a marathon French Open third-round match on Saturday but chair umpire Damien Dumusois also received plaudits on Court Suzanne-Lenglen when he rescued an ailing pigeon.

During a changeover in the fourth set, the bird landed on the clay surface in front of Mr. Medvedev’s seat, flapping its wings but seemingly unable to fly. “I hope the bird was okay. It was not looking good,” Mr. Medvedev said.

The umpire climbed down from his chair to remove the bird with a towel. The pigeon attempted to escape by hopping away, but he managed to catch the bird and hand it on to another tournament official as the spectators applauded him warmly.

“But I was like, oh my God, if it gives me an extra minute to breathe, it would be perfect and it did.

“The referee did a good job. He was very gentle… I hope the bird is fine.”

The umpire climbed down from his chair to remove the bird with a towel.

The pigeon attempted to escape his clutches by hopping away, but he managed to catch the bird and hand it on to another tournament official as the spectators applauded him warmly. — Reuters

Challenge accepted

June 2, 2024 | 7:10 pm

The Mavericks are in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals for the first time in the Luka Doncic era, and it’s fair to argue that their run of success in the 2024 Playoffs stems from their willingness to take big risks. In the last one and a half years, they have underscored their capacity to go all in at every turn precisely to get to where they are now. The job’s not done, of course; in the way of their claim to the Larry O’Brien Trophy are the heavily favored Celtics, perhaps only fitting given the strength of the competition they have faced en route. That said, there can be no discounting the significant strides they have made in order to emerge at the top of the stacked West.

Back when the Mavericks acquired All-Star Kyrie Irving in February 2023, the hope was that he would be the perfect complement to Doncic. No doubt, he was a proven crunchtime scorer with a championship pedigree, capable of taking a chunk of the load carried by the engine of their heliocentric system. At the same time, “hope” remained the operative word, since his brilliance on the court was accompanied by glaring missteps off it. It was likewise important that note that he carried with him an expiring contract — which meant that he could very well be a short rental. Given his mercurial nature, there was cause to be wary of his plans.

The Mavericks would go on to miss the 2023 Playoffs, with their 9-18 record after Irving’s arrival putting them once again at a crossroads. Any number of things could have happened then, but they saw fit to double down on their belief that his pairing with Doncic would work out. They contended that the fit between the two marquee names would improve to a healthy degree if the right pieces were gathered. And so they became active in the offseason and, more importantly, at the trade deadline, subsequently coming up with a roster that both maximized the strengths and minimized the weaknesses of their most vital cogs.

In retrospect, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford were just what the Mavericks needed to backstop Doncic and Irving. The front office couldn’t have been completely certain of the outcome; the two may well have been a net negative, just as Grant Williams turned out to be. Still, there was no stopping head honchos from taking high-reward gambles — and to argue that these have paid off in spades would be to understate the extent of their accomplishments.

The Mavericks have four days to prepare for their biggest challenge yet. Their competition emerged from the regular season with the best record by far for a reason, and they know they have their work cut out for them if they want to celebrate in downtown Dallas when the battlesmoke clears. Make no mistake, however; they’re not in the least bit fazed by the task at hand. For all the supposed superiority of the Celtics, they know their fate is theirs to craft, and they aim to make the most of the opportunity.

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.

MRT-3 O&M deal auction targeted for first quarter

June 2, 2024 | 6:59 pm

MRT-3-PHILSTAR-MICHAELVARCAS — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it is hoping to auction the operations and maintenance (O&M) contract for Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), and two other big-ticket railway projects by the first quarter of 2025.

“We are working on the terms of reference (for MRT-3). The bidding will be maybe next year,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing last week.

The DoTr is still determining the scope of the O&M contract that will be bid out.

“The railway system is very difficult to make profitable by itself. For the LRMC (Light Rail Manila Corp.) O&M, it was defined in terms of how much is their share,” Mr. Bautista said.

The DoTr is now working with the Asian Development Bank to develop a public–private partnership (PPP) MRT-3 project, Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan said.

“From DoTr, we continue to develop our solicited PPP MRT-3 project. We are being assisted by the Asian Development Bank (like we did) for NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport),” Mr. Batan told reporters at the same briefing.

He said the DoTr may auction the contract by the first quarter of 2025.

The DoTr aims to privatize MRT-3 before the contract expires next year under the build, lease, and transfer agreement with MRT-3 operator Metro Rail Transit Corp.

The government has received two proposals for the MRT-3 project but the DoTr has expressed its intent to offer the project via the solicited route.

Mr. Batan said the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC)-Sumitomo consortium recently submitted an unsolicited proposal for the MRT-3.

“There was a recent resubmission of the unsolicited proposal under the new PPP code. The Metro Pacific Sumitomo consortium (are) the proponents of the recent resubmission,” Mr. Batan said.

Under the new PPP code, submissions of unsolicited proposals are sent to the PPP center for an initial completeness evaluation.

However, the unsolicited proposal of the MPIC consortium was returned by the PPP Center for not being complete, Mr. Batan said.

In 2022, San Miguel Corp. was declared the original proponent for the MRT-3 O&M contract.

In January, MPIC Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said the company is working on a potential partnership with SMC and even considering submitting a joint proposal for the O&M of MRT-3.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bautista said the DoTr may also conduct auctions for the O&M contracts of two major railway projects next year.

“That will be next year, simultaneously with the (planned bidding) of MRT-3,” he said when asked on the government’s timeline for auctioning the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) contracts.

Last week, Philippine National Railways (PNR) said the northern part of the NSCR is now 60% complete, with the Clark to Valenzuela leg expected to be finished within the next two years.

In March, the PNR suspended the operations of PNR’s Tutuban-Alabang commuter operations to fast-track NSCR construction.

The P873-billion project is being co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Asian Development Bank. It will have 35 stations and three depots.

Once fully operational the entire NSCR system is projected to reduce travel time between Clark and Calamba to two hours, against the current four to 4.5 hours.

MPIC is one of the 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 share in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

13 projects added to PPP pipeline

June 2, 2024 | 6:58 pm

THE Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said 13 additional PPP projects are now awaiting, most of which are local government projects.

“These are in various stages of the project development process. Some are in the more advanced stages, while others are still undergoing investment studies,” PPP Center Deputy Executive Director Jeffrey I. Manalo told reporters last week.

Among the additional 13 new projects are the Pampanga Bulk Water Supply Project worth P18.7 billion, the Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services project (P16.9 billion), and the Department of Health’s Digital Infrastructure for the Philippine National Cancer Registry and Next-Gen Clinical Research (P2.21 billion).

The PPP Center had also delisted four proposals, — the Cavite Tagaytay Batangas Expressway Project, an unsolicited proposal for the EDSA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), an unsolicited proposal for the Development, Operations, and Management of the Davao International Airport, and an Advance Passenger Processing and Passenger Name Record project for the Bureau of Immigration.

The delisted projects were either rejected by the implementing agencies or not included in the list of approved projects.

This would bring the total number of projects in the government’s pipeline to 136, valued at P3.03 trillion. Of these, 103 are national projects, while 33 are local.

Some 68 are transportation projects, 25 property development, and 16 information and communications technology.

These were followed by health (7), agriculture and food security (4), power and energy (3), water and sanitation (6). One project involves tourism, and one is yet to be determined.

The PPP Center said that most of the additional projects were unsolicited proposals endorsed to implementing agencies for their decision to proceed with detailed evaluation or rejection.

Mr. Manalo said about five projects are in the advanced stages of the PPP process, and are expected to be awarded by the end of 2024.

Among the projects are the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway expansion project, the expansion and upgrade of Laguindingan Airport in northern Mindanao, the New Bohol Airport, the UP-PGH Cancer Center, and the Dialysis Center for the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

“Those are the five projects that we expect to be awarded by end 2024. And then for possible award by end of this year or next year, (another) three,” he added.

The PPP Center has said that it is seeking to submit 15 PPP projects to the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee for approval this year. — Adrian H. Halili