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Senate OKs bill extending term for village, youth council officials

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE SENATE on Tuesday approved on third reading a bill that sets the term of office for village and youth council officials to four years and bars elected officials from serving more than three consecutive terms in the same post.

“With the longer fixed term, the barangay officials and members of the SK will deepen their understanding of both national and local issues, as well as implement their own medium- and long-term initiative at the barangay level,” Senator Maria Imelda R. Marcos earlier said in her sponsorship speech of Senate bill No. 2816.

Twenty-two senators unanimously voted in favor of the bill with no negative votes nor abstentions.

If enacted into law, the measure would mandate that all incumbent village and youth council officials stay in office unless “sooner removed or suspended” until successors have been elected.

Current officials serving a third consecutive term will be barred from running for the same position in the October 2027 village and youth council elections.

The bill also mandates that these elections will be held every first Monday of October starting in 2027 and every four years after.

Senators also approved bills amending the Safe Spaces Act to punish spreading explicit deepfakes of individuals, modernizing the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and another seeking additional monthly pension differential for retired ambassadors and other foreign service officers. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

P72.8-M illegal drugs seized in NAIA

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS (BoC) seized P72.8 million worth of illegal drugs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement, Customs said the 10,706 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as “shabu,” was intercepted in the airport hidden in abandoned inbound luggage.

“The items were traced back to a passenger who had traveled from South Africa, with a stopover in Doha, Qatar, before reaching Manila,” the BoC said.

It added that concealed within the luggage were improvised pouches of packaging tape wrapped in black carbon paper, hidden in five handbags, four file organizer bags, and one portfolio bag.

The operation conducted on Jan. 6, was conducted in coordination with the NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

SC issues TRO vs disqualifying Erice, 4 others in 2025 polls

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday directed the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reinstate the name of a former congressman, who had been initially excluded from the ballots for the May 2025 national and local elections.

Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting, in a press briefing in Manila City, said the top court en banc ordered the polling body to include former Caloocan Second District Representative Edgar R. Erice’s name in the ballots for the next election as it issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) prohibiting it from disqualifying the former lawmaker.

“The SC also ordered the Comelec to comment on Erice’s petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of notice,” she added.

Apart from Mr. Erice, the top court also issued TROs against the Comelec in the cases of Subair Guinthum Mustapha, Charles Savellano, Chito Bulatao Balintay, and Florendo De Ramos Ritualo, Jr.

Ms. Ting said the order is immediately executory.

The tribunal ordered Comelec to include all their names in the ballots despite the commencement of printing starting early last Jan. 6.

“Part of the process. We will have to find a way to comply with the SC directive,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia told reporters in a Viber chat.

“That is part of the implications, but we are now going to meet if indeed we are to suspend the printing in the meantime. The [Election Management System] will be changed, including the database, and we have to start again the serialization of each and every candidate’s name nationwide.”

The Comelec last December disqualified Mr. Erice due to his statements questioning the credibility of Miru Systems, the automated election system provider of the next polls.

Mr. Mustapha and Mr. Savellano were earlier declared by the poll body as nuisance candidates, while it rejected Mr. Balintay’s certificate of candidacy (CoC) as Zambales Governor. Comelec also canceled Mr. Ritualo’s CoC for a Sangguniang Panlungsod Member position. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Use of EDSA bus lane for food trucks pushed

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

A RESOLUTION seeking to expedite the transportation of food and perishable products by allowing delivery trucks to ply the EDSA busway lane at night was filed at the House of Representatives on Monday.

Allowing trucks carrying food products to use the EDSA bus lane from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. would provide an “efficient route” for the transportation of food items and improve supply chain productivity between producers and consumers, said Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee, who filed House Resolution (HR) No. 2162.

“Through this, we can ensure the timely transport of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and other essential food items to Metro Manila and neighboring areas, which will help lower food prices and achieve food security,” he said in a statement.

The EDSA busway is a dedicated lane for the bus rapid transit system of the Philippine capital region. It runs along several Metro Manila cities, serving as a major transportation artery.

“The use of the EDSA busway at night would be able to avoid the peak traffic hours and allow for the efficient movement of goods without disrupting the regular operations of public transportation… during daytime hours,” HR No. 2162 stated. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Court denies Quiboloy’s request to join TV interview

APOLLO QUIBOLOY at the Senate hearing regarding the accusations against him. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

A PASIG CITY court denied an embattled pastor’s motion to participate in a live television interview as a senatorial candidate.

In an order dated Jan. 13, the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 denied Apollo C. Quiboloy’s request to conduct a live television interview, citing concerns that his public statements could potentially influence public perception of the judiciary and the ongoing legal proceedings.

“Considering that this Court will not be able to oversee or monitor the live broadcast, there is a risk that any such statements will prejudice the ongoing criminal case,” the order read.

The tribunal also pointed out the detained preacher’s camp failed to produce an invitation from the network he mentioned to have a live interview.

“Perusal of the Urgent Motion will show that the same was not accompanied by the supposed formal invitation from the ABS-CBN News Channel, thereby impeding this Court from setting up appropriate parameters for the supposed live interview,” the court’s order read.

He submitted a motion requesting the court’s permission to attend a television interview on Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. on the ABS-CBN News Channel to discuss his Senate run.

The self-appointed son of God, who is currently detained due to trafficking and abuse charges, filed his certificate of candidacy for the position on Oct. 8, 2024, through his lawyer.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc did not disqualify him from the May 2025 race due to “lack of merit.”

He is facing numerous charges linked to his alleged actions and those of his organization, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Among these is a non-bailable case of trafficking in persons filed in a Pasig City RTC, where he entered a plea of not guilty. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Use of local languages in guidebooks could help bolster disaster preparedness

BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION FACEBOOK PAGE

LOCALIZED languages must be used in disaster awareness mediums like guidebooks to help lessen the impacts of natural calamities, according to the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DoST-PHIVOLCS).

PHIVOLCS on Tuesday launched a guidebook to earthquakes in the Ilocano language.

“By emphasizing the Ilocano language, the project ensures that communities receive disaster information and preparedness tools that resonate with their unique cultural context and language,” PHIVOLCS said.

According to the agency, local languages are critical in effectively conveying geohazard information in “culturally relevant” ways. This would help strengthen the country’s readiness against disasters.

The guidebook was based on personal narratives and experiences shared by locals in northern and central Luzon on earthquakes and tsunamis, PHIVOLCS said.

This forms part of the agency’s Disaster Narratives for Experiential Knowledge-based Science Communication (DANAS) Project, which aims to make scientific knowledge more accessible and actionable for different communities, it added.

Under the DANAS Project, PHIVOLCS last year released earthquake, tsunami, and volcano sourcebooks with video packages in Cebuano (both Mindanao and Visayas), Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and Kapampangan.

“The project will help improve disaster resilience by utilizing community-driven narratives and everyday language to shape public communication and capacity-building efforts,” it added.

The Philippines has remained the most disaster-prone country for the 16th straight year, according to the World Risk Index. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

P8.7-M cannabis leaves confiscated in La Union

ELSA OLOFSSON-UNSPLASH

BAGUIO CITY — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 1 (PDEA-1) and La Union policemen seized 73 kilograms of dried cannabis (marijuana) leaves valued at P8.7 million from an abandoned vehicle by the roadside in Barangay Sasaba, Santol town in La Union on Monday morning.

PDEA Region 1 Regional Director Joel B. Plaza named the suspects as Felmen Day-os Aliles, Jr. and Amado Paycao, who were able to avoid arrest at a checkpoint and fled upon noticing the authorities’ checkpoint on Friday.

PDEA operatives watched over the abandoned vehicle for several days until a search warrant was obtained to open the vehicle on Monday.

At least 73 pieces of elongated rolls of marijuana leaves wrapped with transparent plastic bags and packaging tape with a total weight of 73 kilograms were found from the Mitsubishi Delica van of the duo.

The standard price of a kilo of dried marijuana leaves is set by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) at P120,000. Mr. Plaza said they will sue the duo for violation of RA 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

On Monday evening, 14 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing shabu valued at P95,200 were seized from Hilario T. Constantino, 52, during a sting operation in Rosario town also in La Union.

Mr. Constantino will also be facing drug charges, added Mr. Plaza. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Strong Group taps Williams for Dubai Int’l tournament

MIKEY WILLIAMS — PBA

FORMER TNT Tropang Giga ace guard Mikey Williams is making a Philippine comeback with Strong Group Athletics (SGA) for the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Jan. 24-Feb. 2.

Mr. Williams arrived on Tuesday, geared up for his much-awaited basketball return more than a year since last playing in the PBA with the Tropang Giga.

A two-time Finals MVP, Mr. Williams and TNT had a contract renewal standoff prior to the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup that led to an eventual split.

Mr. Williams’ SGA entry reunited him with head coach Charles Tiu after their championship run with Mighty Sports in the 2019 William Jones Cup and 2020 Dubai International Basketball championship.

“I’m excited to be working with him again. I was quite close to him before. We won two championships together, and hopefully, we can win another one,” said Mr. Tiu.

The 33-year-old Filipino-American will join Jason Brickman, Rhenz Abando and Dave Ildefonso, in spearheading SGA’s local crew around a St. Benilde core led by NCAA MVP Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez.

Former NBA All-Star Demarcus Cousins headlines the frontcourt with Gilas Pilipinas naturalized players Ange Kouame and Andray Blatche alongside added reinforcements in wingmen Malachi Richardson and Terry Larrier.

Dwight Howard on Monday, albeit not part of the team, opted not to play for SGA’s opponents in Dubai.

Mr. Howard, the three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and 2020 NBA champion with the LA Lakers, led SGA last year in Dubai to a runner-up finish following a buzzer-beater defeat to Lebanon’s Al Riyadi. — John Bryan Ulanday

Borromeo takes fifth place in Asian Winter Games warm-up

PAOLO BORROMEO — FACEBOOK.COM/PHILIPPINESKATING

FIGURE SKATER Paolo Borromeo showed his readiness to compete in next month’s Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China after he came through with a solid effort in the Sofia Trophy in Bulgaria recently.

The 27-year-old Boca Raton, Florida-born El Dorado Hills, California-based Mr. Borromeo was fifth with a score of 178.14 in the Bulgarian capital that earned him a berth at the ISU Four Continents Championships scheduled for Feb. 19-23 in Seoul.

Mr. Borromeo ended up seventh in the short program with 50.13 points and fourth in free skating with 128.01.

The Seoul meet will come right after his participation in the Asian Winter Games, where he will be a member of the 20-strong Philippine delegation.

There, Mr. Borromeo will be joined by another figure skater, newly naturalized Aleksandr Korovin. — Joey Villar

Rams, behind nine sacks and defensive TD, shut down Vikings

MATTHEW STAFFORD threw two first-half touchdown (TD) passes and the Los Angeles Rams’ defense had nine sacks to tie the NFL playoff record in a 27-9 wild-card-round victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Monday in a game relocated to Glendale, Arizona.

The Rams’ home game originally was scheduled for Inglewood, California, before the venue was changed for public safety purposes because of deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area over the past week.

Linebacker Jared Verse returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown and Kobie Turner had two sacks as the Rams came out on top in a playoff game for the first time since winning Super Bowl LVI at the end of the 2021 season.

Stafford completed 19 of 27 passes for 209 yards, and Kyren Williams and Davis Allen each caught a touchdown toss as Los Angeles defeated Minnesota for the second time this season. Williams ran for 76 yards on 16 carries.

The fourth-seeded Rams will be on the road to face the second-seeded Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC divisional-round game on Sunday.

Sam Darnold finished 25 of 40 for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception for the fifth-seeded Vikings, who were the first wild-card team to win 14 games in the regular season. T.J. Hockenson caught five passes for 64 yards and a score for Minnesota, while Justin Jefferson had five receptions for 58 yards.

The Rams started quickly, taking the opening drive of the game 70 yards in seven plays as Williams scored on a 5-yard pass from Stafford. After a three-and-out by Minnesota, Los Angeles added a 34-yard field goal from Joshua Karty on their second possession for a 10-0 lead.

The Vikings answered with a 34-yard field goal from Will Reichard to pull within 10-3 early in the second quarter.

Verse’s fumble return for a score came after a sack and forced fumble from Ahkello Witherspoon to give the Rams a 17-3 lead with 4:35 remaining in the first half.

After the Vikings turned the ball over on downs with 1:27 remaining in the first half on a sack from Turner, the Rams took a 24-3 lead with 15 seconds left in the half on a 13-yard TD connection from Stafford to Allen.

The Vikings finally found the end zone with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter on a 26-yard TD pass from Darnold to Hockenson to pull within 27-9. The two-point conversion attempt failed. — Reuters

Surging Pistons hold off Knicks to win again

MALIK BEASLEY drained two 3-pointers in the final minute on Monday night to put the game away for the visiting Detroit Pistons, who held off a fourth-quarter rally by the New York Knicks to earn a 124-119 win.

The Pistons led by as many as 11 in the first quarter and led 101-92 early in the fourth before the Knicks began inching back. New York got within two points five times before Mikal Bridges sank a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 118-117 with 1:26 left.

Cade Cunningham, who scored 29 of his game-high 36 points in the second half, missed a fallaway jumper on the Pistons’ next possession but the Knicks turned the ball over when Karl-Anthony Towns was whistled for a foul while setting a pick against Ausar Thompson.

Then, with the shot clock running down, Tim Hardaway, Jr. passed up a shot at the top of the key and dished to Beasley, who drained a corner 3-pointer with 39 seconds remaining. Jalen Brunson hit a driving layup to cut the Pistons’ lead to 121-119, but the Knicks didn’t foul on the next possession and Hardaway — again with the shot clock nearing zero — fed Beasley for another 3-pointer from the left wing with six seconds left.

Beasley finished with 22 points off the bench while going 6-for-8 from 3-point land in less than 18 minutes. It was the ninth time this season Beasley has drained at least six 3-pointers in a game.

Thompson and Tobias Harris had 11 points each while Hardaway and Jalen Duren finished with 10 points apiece as the Pistons (21-19) moved two games over .500 for the first time since March 30, 2019. Detroit has won 12 of its last 16.

Brunson (31 points, 11 assists), Towns (26 points, 12 rebounds) and Josh Hart (12 points, 14 rebounds) all posted double-doubles for the Knicks, who led 63-59 at the half before losing for the fifth time in the last seven games. Bridges finished with 27 points. — Reuters

Warriors hit new low

For a while there, it looked like the Warriors would again be turning back the clock. They certainly hit the ground running, going 12-3 in the first month of the season. And then they folded for one reason or another, their sighting of another Larry O’Brien Trophy — always the ultimate objective in the Stephen Curry era — exposed as a mirage. Since then, they’ve gone 7-17 to fall below .500 midway through the new year. Not even a trade that they figured would elicit change managed to arrest the slide.

On Tuesday, the Warriors hit a new low, bowing to the hapless Raptors in abhorrent fashion. Once again, they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory; in what has now become a familiar refrain, they put in a poor performance in the clutch. And if their latest swoon feels more pronounced, it’s because they experienced it against opponents holding the worst record in the National Basketball Association. There was no cause for them to absorb a setback, their travails notwithstanding, not with Curry on tap and still capable of weaving his unique brand of magic. But they did, anyway, leading to the familiar sight of long faces in the locker room.

Needless to say, Steve Kerr was not happy in his post-mortem. He continued to exude confidence, although, of course, it was both a necessity and a manifestation of hope. There remains some, after all; the Warriors have more than half the 2024-25 campaign to navigate. Then again, they’re evidently swimming against the current. And if their pronouncements are to be a gauge, they’re not keen on mortgaging their future for a better present. They’re open to getting help through the trade route, but how much help? And at what cost?

The Warriors are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Prudence presupposes a lack of belief that Curry and company can turn things around even with an influx of talent. The flip side is that going all in carries with it a not insignificant risk. Their transcendent star is on the wane, and an argument can be made to maximize any prime time he has left. There’s just one problem; there is an equally compelling defense of staying put if the alternative does not definitely bring the hardware closer.

It’s unfortunate, really, because the fans deserve better than seeing the Warriors wallow in mediocrity while Curry plays out the rest of his days in the league.

 

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.

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