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Probe on alleged wasted meds, supplies eyed

STOCK PHOTO | Image by aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik

A CONGRESSMAN on Thursday urged the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged P18.7 billion worth of wasted medical supplies and medicines by the Health department.

In a statement, Party-list Rep. Eduardo J. Villanueva, Jr. said he filed House Resolution (HR) No. 2127 in December last year to look into the P85 million, P7.43 billion, and P11.18 billion worth of “expired, nearly-expired, damaged, overstocked, or undistributed” medicines and medical supplies under the Health department, according to audit reports in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.

“The increasing trend of unutilized medical supplies in recent years is very alarming and still haunts us. While millions of Filipinos struggle to access affordable medicines and healthcare, billions in public funds are being wasted due to inefficiencies,” he said.

“With limited fiscal space, we cannot afford to waste even a single peso,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

P9.8-M smuggled cigarettes confiscated in Davao

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Thursday said it intercepted smuggled cigarettes worth P9.86-million smuggled cigarettes in the Port of Davao.

In a statement, the BoC has uncovered the 251 master cases, each containing 50 reams of illicit cigarettes concealed inside a fake courier truck and discovered during a checkpoint operation along a major road leading to Davao City.

“The smuggled goods were hidden among blue crates and personal effects in an attempt to avoid detection,” it said.

BoC said this is part of BoC’s commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s orders to intensify anti-smuggling efforts, promote regional economic stability, and safeguard government revenues from illicit trade. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

2 NPAs killed in Butuan clash

COTABATO CITY — Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Los Angeles in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte on Tuesday.

Officials of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and Brig. Gen. Christopher N. Abrahano, director of the Police Regional Office-13, separately confirmed on Thursday the incident, which left two guerillas dead, both under the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Leaders of the NPA’s NEMRC are wanted for high-profile criminal cases, including extortion and large-scale trafficking of narcotics, that are pending in different courts in provinces and cities in Mindanao’s adjoining Regions 10 and 13.

Local officials, among them members of the multi-sector Butuan City Peace and Order Council, said the gunfight erupted when the two NPAs and more than ten companions opened fire on personnel of the 29th Infantry Battalion approaching their location in Sitio Dinakpan in Barangay Los Angeles from two directions.

Two teams of soldiers were dispatched to Sitio Dinakpan, a secluded area in Barangay Los Angeles, after hapless villagers complained about the presence of armed men in the area, collecting from them money and food at gunpoint. — John Felix M. Unson

SGA beats Amman Utd to sweep Group A of Dubai basketball tilt

MALACHI RICHARDSON — SGA

STRONG Group Athletics (SGA) drubbed Amman United of Jordan, 84-75, to complete a group sweep in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Thursday at the Al Nasr Club.

American import Malachi Richardson led the way this time around as the Philippine contingent wiped out Group A with a 4-0 slate en route to the quarterfinals.

SGA, eyeing to avenge its runner-up finish last year, takes on Sharjah SC of the host United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a knockout set-to at 1 a.m. (Manila time) on Friday for a seat in the Final Four against either Tunisia or Amman United anew.

Mr. Richardson, after taking a backseat in the first three games, broke out with 24 points on six triples in only 29 minutes of play to banner SGA’s gritty victory.

Chris McCullough scattered 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals while local ace Rhenz Abando had 12 points.

Head coach Charles Tiu hardly needed the services of former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, who played only five minutes for two points, three rebounds and a block in preparation for the knockout rounds.

SGA traded haymakers with Amman in the first half before breaking away in the third quarter bridging the payoff period, where it built a 70-53 gap capped by Mr. Abando’s thunderous slam on its way to the win.

Prior to Amman, SGA beat the UAE national team, 99-91, host Al Nasr, 99-87 and Lebanon’s Beirut First, 85-78.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga Valientes (0-4) bowed to Tunisia, 95-59, to finish winless in Group B en route to elimination.

Sam Deguara (16), Nic Cabañero (14) and Prince Caperal (13) were the only bright spots for the Valientes, who previously folded to Sharjah SC, 97-82, Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli, 107-84, and Lebanon’s Sagesse, 90-65. — John Bryan Ulanday

Magnolia needs to win vs Meralco to earn KO playoffs for last berth of PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals

Games on Friday
(PhilSports Arena)
5 p.m. – Meralco vs Magnolia
7:30 p.m. – TNT vs Rain or Shine

NEEDING to win its assignment on the final day of the eliminations just to earn the right to play in a KO for the eighth and last berth to the playoffs, this is unfamiliar territory for perennial contender Magnolia.

But the Hotshots (5-6) are in no mood to brood.

Instead, the runners-up in last season’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup are glad to still have the opportunity to catch NLEX (6-6) at No. 8 on Friday when they face quarters-assured Meralco (7-4) at the PhilSports Arena.

The moment of truth happens at 5 p.m. before the tussle between TNT (8-3) and Rain or Shine (ROS) (6-5).

Carry out this mission successfully and the Hotshots will dispute the No. 8 seat against either NLEX or ROS, depending on how the Elasto Painters fare against the Tropang Giga in their 7:30 p.m. tiff.

If the E-Painters take care of business against TNT, they claim the No. 6 seed at 7-5 while leaving NLEX and Magnolia in a you-or-me for eighth and the right to face No. 1 and twice-to-beat NorthPort (9-3) in the quarters.

But if ROS falls to the Tropang Giga, it’s the Road Warriors who advance as seventh seed due to superior quotient in a three-way tie at 6-6, pulling down Magnolia and the E-Painters to a sudden death for the last quarters spot.

However, either of these scenarios won’t materialize if the Hotshots yield to the Bolts, which at 5-7 sends them into the exits alongside deposed champion San Miguel (5-7), Blackwater (3-9), Phoenix (3-9) and Terrafirma (1-11).

Though the Bolts are through to the quarters as the fifth seed regardless of what happens versus Magnolia, the reigning Philippine Cup titlists want to go the next round against No. 4 Ginebra (8-4) with a winning feeling.

“We’re using this game to be playoff-ready,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. “It would be good if we can get a win entering the playoffs but it’s going to be hard. Magnolia plays very physical. They’re coming off a good, hard-earned win over Eastern (107-78 last Sunday) when they left no stone unturned.”

The Bolts are out for a bounceback after sustaining an 87-91 loss to the Gin Kings last Wednesday with Akil Mitchell sidelined by back spasms. — Olmin Leyba

Obiena captures silver medal in German indoor event

EJ OBIENA — OLYMPICS.COM

OLYMPIAN pole-vaulter EJ Obiena vowed to bounce back strong after being pushed back by a recurring back injury most of the year.

He wasn’t about to renege on it.

Back in full strength, the Asian champion and record-holder captured a silver medal in the International Jump Meeting Cottbus 2025 in Germany that jumpstarted his indoor campaign.

The Southeast Asian Games champion needed a 5.65-meter (m) clearance to book the silver and finish behind eventual winner, American Sam Kendricks, who copped the gold following a 5.75 m.

After breezing through 5.4 m, 5.55 m and 5.65 m with an attempt at each, Mr. Obiena passed 5.7 m and went straight for 5.75 m for a shot at the gold.

He failed in three tries though.

Mr. Obiena actually had the same 5.65 m clearances as German Bo Kanda Lita Baehre and Belgian Ben Broeders but took the silver via countback.

Mr. Baehre snared the bronze.

It was a solid start for Mr. Obiena, who is hoping to regain his place back at No. 2 in the world after sputtering to No. 4 late last year. — Joey Villar

UPHSD mourns the passing of men’s volleyball team coach Sinfronio ‘Sammy’ Acaylar, 66

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) mourns the passing of multi-titled volleyball coach Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar at the age of 66.

Coach Sammy (Acaylar) was the architect of the dominance of the UPHSD Men’s Volleyball Team in the NCAA. Under his tutelage, the UPHSD Men’s Volleyball Team ruled the NCAA as champions for 14 seasons, including the 2024 season. During these years, Coach Sammy was named Coach of the Year.

He was also coach of the Cignal HD Spikers from 2013 to 2016 and the Philippine Men’s Volleyball Team in 1991, 2009, 2017, and 2019.

Coach Sammy was not just coach of the UPHSD Men’s Volleyball Team, he was the heart and soul of the program. He was a beloved mentor and friend to some of the best men’s volleyball players in the country. With unwavering dedication and passion, Coach Sammy shaped and inspired countless lives.

The Perpetualite family honors the life and contributions of Coach Sammy to our institution and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of Coach Sammy’s family for their loss. We pray for the eternal rest of his soul.

Sans ACL-hit Kai Sotto, Gilas Pilipinas players are all accounted for final window of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers

AS CRUSHING the absence of ACL-hit Kai Sotto is, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone sees a lot to look forward to when the Nationals reconvene next month.

For one, Mr. Cone is thrilled to finally have big man AJ Edu on board for the Feb. 14 to 16 pocket tournament in Qatar and the succeeding final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers on the road against Chinese Taipei (Feb. 20) and New Zealand (Feb. 23) after missing the entire 2024 campaign due to knee issues.

Then there’s athletic wing Jamie Malonzo, who’s returning to the fold after being sidelined by calf injury last April.

And there’s young forward Carl Tamayo, whom Mr. Cone expects to carry his hot form in the Korean league over to the Gilas program, as well as Kevin Quiambao, who assured his presence after recovering quickly from ankle injury.

“We’re not going to have a lot of prep time for the FIFA Asia (tournament proper) in August so we’re going to use this trip and this window as a chance to prepare the group,” said Mr. Cone, whose crew has already booked their ticket to the Continental meet with a 4-0 sweep of the first two windows of the Qualifiers.

Except for the 7-foot-3 Mr. Sotto, it’s all hands on deck for Mr. Cone’s 14-man team, including Mr. Sotto’s replacement Japeth Aguilar and newly named alternate Troy Rosario.

“We’ll be missing Kai (Sotto) but the good news is we’re going to have AJ (Edu), we’re going to have Jamie (Malonso) back and we’re hoping he continues to round into form in terms of his game. We’ll see how KQ (Quiambao) is and Carl (Tamayo) is killing in Korea at this point so we’re excited about seeing all of his improvement when he gets here. He’s one of the guys who is going to help us replace Kai (Sotto) and he should probably be one of the guys getting major minutes if he continues to play at the level he’s playing in Korea.”

As for Mr. Sotto, Mr. Cone expects the 22-year-old slotman to bet out for nine months to a full year, ruling him out for the Aug. 5 to 17 Asia Cup in Jeddah altogether.

“He’s the key to this program, no doubt about it. What hurts most is the fact that it’s held back his ‘NBA Dream.’” It looked like he was getting real, solid feelers from the NBA right up until he got injured so that’s too bad,” he said.

“I feel really bad about that but again nothing you can do about it, you can’t bring it back can’t do it again and so you move forward. Hopefully, he’ll start to play sometime in the World Cup Qualifiers (slated November 2025 to March 2027),” he added. — Olmin Leyba

Super Bowl security enhanced after New Orleans attack, league says

NEW YORK — The NFL modified their security plans for next month’s Super Bowl after the New Year’s Day attack in the New Orleans host city, a league official said on Wednesday, including adding more law enforcement support.

A US Army veteran killed 14 people and injured dozens by ramming a truck into a crowd of revelers in the early hours of January 1 in the crowded French Quarter area that is popular with tourists.

The NFL is set to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles facing off at New Orleans’ Superdome. Thousands of football fans are expected to travel to the area.

“It’s natural to ask if we’ve changed things since the attacks on January 1 and of course the short answer is yes,” NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier told reporters.

“I want to remind people to be clear that our planning and security is continually reviewed. We review, enhance and modify our security plans based on the latest information that we have.”

Lanier declined to comment on specific security measures but said that law enforcement would number in the “thousands” between state, local and federal agencies.

Lanier said there have not been any credible threats made on the event since Jan. 1. — Reuters

Lakers on the road

Prior to the start of the Sixers’ homestand against the Lakers the other day, Paris Olympics teammates Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis shared some laughs in the sidelines. Perhaps they were exchanging pleasantries about the current state of their fitness; the former was about to miss his 12th straight game and 33rd overall in the 2024-25 season, while the latter, seemingly healthier of late, was a mere night removed from posting a dominant 42-23 performance.

As things developed, Davis was out of the match for good after burning rubber for just 10 seconds short of 10 minutes due to an abdominal strain. By that time, the Lakers had already seen their double-digit advantage whittled down to three points. And without him, they had little to no chance of clinging to it. Forget that the Sixers were missing six warm bodies, Embiid and fellow starter Paul George included. From their vantage point, they were simply giving up too much sans their leading scorer and defensive anchor.

True enough, the Sixers made the most of the grand opportunity Davis’ absence provided them. With reigning Most Improved Player awardee Tyrese Maxey putting on a clinic, they posted a whopping 48 markers in the second quarter to claim a lead that would subsequently balloon to as much as 25. So dominant were they in the middle periods that the final canto was reduced to an afterthought. The Lakers had no chance, not with a flawed roster even at full strength, and not with 40-year-old LeBron James able to summon the required energy only in spurts.

The Sixers would go on to claim victory by 14, extending a modest winning run to three games and staying within striking distance of a play-in slot. For the snakebitten red, white, and blue, there was more good news; Embiid’s convalescence appeared to be progressing well, with a return to action coming sooner rather than later. Then again, projecting when the former Michael Jordan Trophy holder would suit up has become a crapshoot. Not for nothing has he missed 400 out of 846 outings since being taken third overall in the 2014 draft. In the meantime, they will have to keep relying on Maxey to keep them afloat.

As for the Lakers, some trepidation is in store; they’re keeping their fingers crossed Davis’ reevaluation in a week will provide positive results. In the interim, they’ll be facing the Wizards, Knicks, and Clippers. How they’ll fare is anybody’s guess, especially since they’re decidedly below par on the road. In other words, it’ll be the same old, same old for them as they head into the trade deadline — believing they’re contenders when they’re actually not, or not yet.

 

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.

White House revokes spending freeze in the face of legal challenges

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Rawpixel

WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump’s administration appeared to abandon its proposed freeze on hundreds of billions of dollars in aid on Wednesday in the face of legal setbacks and widespread opposition, though officials said they still planned to cut funds for activities opposed by Mr. Trump.

In a whip-saw reversal to a policy unveiled with little explanation late on Monday, the White House budget office told federal agencies it was rescinding a memo that had ordered the pause in grant and loan payments.

The new order came shortly before a federal court hearing on a lawsuit filed by Democratic state attorneys general trying to stop the freeze. A White House official said the reversal was an attempt to short-circuit legal challenges.

US District Judge John McConnell nonetheless went ahead with the hearing, where he said he was inclined to temporarily block the administration’s aid freeze, though he did not immediately do so.

At the virtual hearing from Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. McConnell, an appointee of Democratic President Barack Obama, said the states have convinced him that the “inappropriate effects” of the now-rescinded funding freeze directive “are going to continue and that hasn’t changed based on comments by the president’s press secretary.”

The administration had said the freeze was intended to provide time to review and halt funds to programs that Mr. Trump has sought to quash since returning to office, such as efforts to promote diversity and green energy and much foreign aid.

“We are merely looking at big parts of the bureaucracy where there has been waste and abuse,” Mr. Trump said at the White House.

The freeze had already been blocked temporarily by another federal judge in Washington, who is handling a different legal challenge filed by several advocacy groups.

The reversal is the latest head-spinning move for a president who has pushed boundaries since taking office on Jan. 20. He has halted wide swaths of foreign aid, pardoned supporters who attacked US Capitol police and offered buyouts to thin the ranks of civil-service workers.

GUANTANAMO PLAN
At the White House, Mr. Trump said he would order 30,000 beds prepared at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba military prison to handle migrants being deported as part of his immigration crackdown.

The White House said Mr. Trump would target pro-Palestinian student protesters for deportation as well by revoking their student visas, in a sign that people who are in the country legally could be targeted for their political views. Mr. Trump has been a vocal supporter of Israel during its war with Hamas.

Democrats in Congress say Mr. Trump has repeatedly broken the law since returning to power, but his Republican allies have shown little interest so far in defying him.

The Republican-controlled Senate has confirmed all of his appointees so far, even Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who squeaked by in a 51-50 vote after facing accusations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse. Mr. Hegseth has moved aggressively to implement Mr. Trump’s agenda by banning transgender troops and diversity programs.

On Wednesday, he revoked security protections for Mark Milley, who served as the top US military official during Mr. Trump’s first 2017-2021 term in office before emerging as a prominent critic.

In a confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Mr. Trump’s pick for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., came under attack for his anti-vaccine views. But most Republicans at the hearing appeared to support him.

Mr. Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, faced a largely friendly reception from lawmakers as he echoed the president’s support for tariffs and his complaints about Canada’s trade practices.

REPUBLICANS DEFEND SPENDING FREEZE
Republican lawmakers said they were unfazed by Mr. Trump’s attempt to freeze federal aid, even though that would undercut Congress’ control over the $6.75-trillion federal budget.

“I, for one, am glad to have a president in the White House who is delivering on his promise to get our fiscal house in order,” said Tom Emmer, the No. 3 Republican in the House of Representatives, at a retreat in Miami.

Medical payments that had been disrupted by Mr. Trump’s freeze had resumed on Wednesday, according to an association of state agencies.

However, the payment system for housing authorities was still not functioning, said Democratic Senator Patty Murray.

High-ranking Republicans and Democrats in Congress who oversee federal budgets and spending on Wednesday applauded the Trump administration’s reversal.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, a Republican, said in a statement that “while it is not unusual for incoming administrations to review federal programs and policies, this memo was overreaching and created unnecessary confusion and consternation.”

Ms. Murray said the Trump administration, “through a combination of sheer incompetence, cruel intentions and a willful disregard of the law, caused real harm and chaos for millions over the span of the last 48 hours.” — Reuters

American Airlines jet and helicopter collide, crash into Washington’s Potomac River

Image by Andy Choinski from Pixabay

WASHINGTON — An American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Potomac River after a midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.

The Washington Post, citing sources, said multiple bodies had been pulled from the water. No survivors had so far been found, the newspaper reported. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said on social media that “we know there are fatalities,” though he did not say how many.

American Airlines confirmed that 64 people were aboard the jet — including 60 passengers and four crew members. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter, a US official said.

Some friends, family and relatives of passengers gathered at Reagan Washington National seeking more information.

One woman told an airport official, “I don’t know if she got on there or not,” in apparent reference to a passenger on the crashed jet. She then collapsed in tears.

The US Army said in a statement that it could “confirm that the aircraft involved in tonight’s incident was an Army UH-60 helicopter out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. We are working with local officials and will provide additional information once it becomes available.”

There has not been a fatal US passenger airplane accident since February 2009, but a series of near-miss incidents in recent years have raised serious safety concerns.

A web camera shot from the Kennedy Center in Washington showed an explosion mid-air across the Potomac about 9:47 p.m. (0247 GMT) with an aircraft in flames falling rapidly.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said a PSA Airlines CRJ700 regional jet collided midair with the helicopter while on approach to Reagan.

PSA was operating Flight 5342 for American Airlines, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, according to the FAA.

Police said multiple agencies were involved in a search and rescue operation in the Potomac River, which borders the airport.

Dozens of police, ambulance and rescue units, some ferrying boats, staged along the river and raced to positions along the tarmac of Reagan airport. Live TV images showed several boats in the water, flashing blue and red lights.

The airport said late on Wednesday that all takeoffs and landings had been halted as emergency personnel responded to an aircraft incident.

US President Donald J. Trump said in a statement that he had been “fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport.”

“May God bless their souls,” he added. “Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

The National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering more information on the incident.

American Airlines said on social media that it was “aware of reports that American Eagle flight 5342, operated by PSA, with service from Wichita, Kansas (ICT) to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) has been involved in an incident.”

American Airlines said it would provide more information as it became available to the company.

Over the last two years, a series of near-miss incidents have raised concerns about US aviation safety and the strain on understaffed air-traffic-control operations.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stepped down on Jan. 20 and the Trump administration has not named a replacement — or even disclosed who is running the agency on an interim basis.

The last deadly major crash involving a commercial airliner in the US was in 2009, when all 49 people aboard a Colgan Air flight died when the plane crashed in New York state. One person also died on the ground. — Reuters

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