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Need for ‘Cha-cha’ questioned

A LAWMAKER from the House minority urged Wednesday a reconsideration of Congress’ push to amend the 1987 Constitution, arguing that Charter change (“Cha-cha”) is not the sole solution to the country’s pressing concerns.

“The issue is not whether people’s initiative (PI) should be junked and let the constituent assembly continue or that both modes of charter change be pursued, but why push for charter change at all when it will not solve the basic problems of Philippine society, not even if it is limited to the economy,” Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. France L. Castro said in a statement.

Both the House of Representatives and Senate are seeking constitutional amendments to alleviate economic challenges, with some congressmen supporting charter change through a people’s initiative.

The Senate, responding to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s request, will conduct a review focused on the Constitution’s economic provisions, particularly in public services, education, and advertising.

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) endorsed constitutional amendments, stating it would benefit the education sector. GPCCI President Stefan Schmitz noted that the proposal would “enable Filipinos to access top-quality institutions and prepare them for global competitiveness.”

Constitutionalist Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco urged the House and the Senate to “stay true to their word that they will only work on amending those specific economic provisions and nothing more.” Mr. Yusingco emphasized that introducing amendment proposals beyond the specified economic provisions could jeopardize the entire effort.

Mr. Yusingco also stressed the importance of ensuring that charter change deliberations won’t be railroaded by Congress. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Baguio urges cables upgrading

SESSION ROAD, Baguio City — JOHN LORENZ TAJONERA-UNSPLASH

BAGUIO CITY — City officials have urged the City Engineering Office (CEO), Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO), Inc., and telecom companies to install underground cables, eliminating the unsightly and unsafe wires scattered throughout the city.

In Resolution No. 735, series of 2023, Baguio City legislators emphasized the need for an underground cabling system to align with tourism promotion and the smart city goal. This system aims to provide residents and tourists with a clear view of the city’s natural beauty and architectural structures, which have long been obstructed by dangling wires.

The Baguio City council assigned relevant city government offices to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of installing underground cables or electricity networks for development and safety.

Previously, the City Council considered Proposed Resolution No. 02-23 (Senior Citizen Official for a Day) and Proposed Resolution No. 13-23 (Scout Official for a Day), both advocating for the installation of underground cables. These initiatives aim to address the vulnerability of the open cabling network to calamities like earthquakes, typhoons, and landslides, which can damage surroundings and electrical poles.

City officials emphasized that the current overhead cables and wires, crisscrossing streets, not only create an unsightly mess and eyesores but also pose environmental hazards, impacting public health and safety. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Marcos renews commitment to uniformed personnel 

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to improving the welfare of uniformed personnel and their families, amid loose talk of a destabilization plot against his administration. 

“With an increased 2024 budget for the Department of National Defense, we’re dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our uniformed personnel and their families,” he said. 

The President said his administration has supported the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Modernization Program and the Pension and Gratuity Fund, which he said ensures “financial stability for military and civilian personnel.” 

Mr. Marcos said he had approved a specific budget for rice subsidies and advanced medical services for them at the AFP Medical Center. 

The Philippine leader issued the statement after high-ranking police and military officials paid a courtesy call on him at the presidential palace, including Philippine National Police chief Benjamin Acorda Jr. and AFP Chief of Staff Romeo Brawner Jr. – Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza 

End of Basilan’s bloodiest ‘rido’ good for business 

LEADERS of the two feuding clans in Hadji Muhammad Ajul, Basilan hug each other after signing a peace agreement on Tuesday. — PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — Two rival factions within the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, engaged in what could be Basilan’s bloodiest “rido,” reconciled on Tuesday, marking a crucial development for the island province’s residents essential to its socio-economic growth. 

The rido, a generic term for clan wars in most Moro languages, was ended through a resolution of the conflict between the groups led by Geon K. Arasad and Tanad S. Nasalon. 

Presidential Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. emphasized the significance of settling the Nasalon-Arasad rido, considering that Basilan is being groomed as the new investment hub in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). 

The senior commanders in the MILF’s 114th Base Command formalized a peace covenant in a symbolic ceremony in Barangay Buton, Hadji Muhammad Ajul town, as disclosed by Brig. Gen. Allan C. Nobleza, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, to reporters on Wednesday. 

Governor Hadjiman H. Salliman, Brig. Gen. Alvin V. Luzon of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, and provincial police director Col. Carlos T. Madronio played key roles in mediating the resolution between the feuding factions. The longstanding rido, involving control over agricultural lands in Muhammad Ajul, Basilan, began in early 2020, resulting in at least 20 fatalities on both sides. 

Victor Moore I. Ututalum, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Isabela City, welcomed the resolution, expressing optimism about attracting investments to Basilan. 

The peace deal between the warring MILF groups was forged in the presence of key figures, including Mr. Salliman, representatives from Mr. Galvez’s office, Major Gen. Ignatius N. Patrimonio of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Orion, and Mr. Luzon, who leads all Army units in Basilan’s Lamitan and Isabela cities and 11 municipalities. 

Rima H. Hassan, a senior member of the Lamitan City Business Chamber, highlighted the positive impact of the Nasalon-Arasad rido settlement on Basilan’s investment climate, crediting the Basilan Provincial Police Office, the provincial governor, and the 101st Infantry Brigade for their efforts. – John Felix M. Unson  

Fighting Maroons secure 2 best volleyball prospects from Visayas

PALARONG PAMBANSA Most Valuable Player Jothea Mae Ramos (left) and CESAFI champion Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez (right) with UP volleyball program director Oliver Almadro. — FACEBOOK.COM/UP.OASD

THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) may have missed out on securing the top-ranked high school basketball player but it scooped up two of the country’s best volleyball prospects from the Visayas.

Under the watch of program director Oliver Almadro, the Fighting Maroons landed a Palarong Pambansa Most Valuable Player (MVP)P in Jothea Mae Ramos and CESAFI champion Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez to shore up their young squad for the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 next month.

From Bacolod Tay Tung, Ms. Ramos steered Western Visayas to the 2023 Palarong Pambansa crown and bagged the Tournament MVP plum at the expense of powerhouse National Capital Region represented by National University.

Ms. Perez, for her part, anchored Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu to the CESAFI title in 2022 and a runner-up finish last year. “The UP volleyball program and the UP community are really happy for the commitment of these two high school standouts. Aside from their talents, they will bring their aggressiveness and leadership to our UP WVT,” said Mr. Almadro, the former Ateneo de Manila University mentor.

With two prized recruits now on deck to join a promising unit led by UAAP’s Second Best Middle Blocker and national team member Niña Ytang, UP is out to snap a long Final Four drought since last making it in Season 79 led by now Philippine Volleyball League stars Tots Carlos and Isa Molde.

The Fighting Maroons, now enjoying massive support from businessman Frank Lao including the men’s team, finished with a dismal 1-13 record last season. But they left no stone unturned in preparing for this season with a runner-up finish behind NCAA champion College of St. Benilde in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Challenge Cup, which they hope to ride on with new additions.

The UP men’s basketball team earlier this month nursed the commitment withdrawal of No. 1 high school prospect Jared Bahay, who just finished his junior play with a CESAFI three-peat for Ateneo de Cebu University. — John Bryan Ulanday

Saudi Arabia leaves it late to beat Oman, 2-1, in Asian Cup

DOHA — Saudi Arabia came from behind to beat Oman 2-1 in their Asian Cup Group F opener on Tuesday at a packed Khalifa International Stadium with Ali Al-Bulayhi’s winner arriving in the sixth minute of stoppage time after a VAR intervention.

With the score tied at 1-1, Al-Bulayhi scored with a close-range header from a set piece and although the linesman’s flag immediately went up for offside, VAR awarded Roberto Mancini’s side the goal.

“The goal is a gift to the Saudi people. This is what great players do,” said Mr. Al-Bulayhi, who celebrated the dramatic winner in trademark fashion by inflating a green balloon near the corner flag.

The victory takes Saudi Arabia level on three points with Thailand, who beat Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in the other Group F encounter earlier in the day when Supachai Chaided scored either side of halftime.

Oman’s opener in the 14th minute came against the run of play when the Saudis took a poor corner and as their opponents countered at speed, defender Hassan Al-Tambakti clipped Muhsen Al-Ghassani just as he entered the box.

The penalty was awarded after a VAR review and Salaah Al-Yahyaei stepped up to score with a confident finish down the middle to draw a massive roar that echoed inside the cavernous arena.

Oman were disciplined in defense and Saudi Arabia found it difficult to break through the wall of red shirts while on the odd occasion they did get through, they wasted their opportunities with shots that did not find the target.

RENEWED VIGOR
Mr. Mancini cut a frustrated figure near his dugout but his halftime team talk must have struck a chord as his players came out with renewed vigor in search of an equalizer.

“The second half was better than the first half, we created a lot of chances, we had more possession. If you have more possession, you have chances to score,” Mr. Mancini told reporters.

“Oman defended very well. We didn’t find good solutions at first but we had chances and we scored the second goal in the end, but we should have scored before.”

Oman were restricted to counter-attacks with Mr. Al-Yahyaei leading the charge and creating chances but he did not have support in the final third as they spurned golden opportunities to score a second.

Mr. Al-Yahyaei was toying with the Saudi defense in the second half but the 25-year-old had nothing left in the tank by the 75th minute, signaling to the bench to take him off and he left the pitch to rapturous applause from the Oman fans.

But Saudi Arabia were the better side in the second half and after missing a couple of chances, Abdulrahman Ghareeb took it upon himself to dribble past four Oman defenders before finishing calmly to get the Saudis singing again.

And once Mr. Al-Bulayhi completed the comeback, following a period of confusion, the green corner of the stadium erupted when their players celebrated while Oman were left to wonder what could have been.

“The first goal came from midfield although we had more players (defending), but Mr. Ghareeb showed great quality. He has good capabilities,” Oman coach Branko Ivankovic said.

“Saudi Arabia deserved the victory… We wanted to score a second goal for the players to feel comfortable. But towards the end, we didn’t have options.” — Reuters

PVL keeps the 12-team cast despite losing F2 Logistics, but reduces 2024 conferences to 2

CREAMLINE COOL SMASHERS — PVL.PH

THE SEASON-USHERING Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference (AFC) will continue to parade a 12-team cast despite losing F2 Logistics as it moved it’s opening from Feb. 17 to Feb. 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We’ll have 12 teams,” said PVL President Ricky Palou yesterday.

The Creamline Cool Smashers have remained the team to beat after topping two AFC editions last year while ending up as runners up in the Reinforced Conferences in between the two diadems.

Also seeing action are Choco Mucho, PLDT, Cignal, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, Akari, Nxled, Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh, Strong Group Athletics and a still unidentified 12th squad, which will fill up the slot vacated the defunct Cargo Movers.

Apart from the AFC, the league will also stage a Reinforced Conference, which will be combined with the Invitational Conference, in the middle of the year.

That will be the second and last conference the PVL will stage as it has leaned towards holding two conferences a season starting this year and do away with its traditional three conferences.

And starting next season, the AFC will be a longer one as it will conduct it starting October this year up to May next year in a stretch wherein each team will get to play at least 16 or 22 games depending on the format the league will implement.

“We will now have two conferences, instead of three,” said Mr. Palou. — Joey Villar

Embiid helps 76ers pull away from Nuggets

JOEL EMBIID had 41 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds and the host Philadelphia 76ers used an 18-2 run in the fourth quarter to defeat the Denver Nuggets 126-121 on Tuesday.

It was the 18th straight game that Mr. Embiid scored at least 30 points. Mr. Embiid’s streak of 16 in a row with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds came to an end.

Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and nine assists and Tobias Harris scored 24 points as the Sixers won their third consecutive game. Kelly Oubre, Jr. contributed 11 points.

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 25 points and 19 rebounds, 11 off the offensive glass. Michael Porter, Jr. scored 20 points and Jamal Murray had 17 points and 10 assists.

The Nuggets closed within 125-121 with 26.6 seconds remaining when Mr. Porter was fouled on a 3-pointer and hit all three free throws.

Aaron Gordon contributed 16 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 13 for the Nuggets, who had won two straight.

After an offensive rebound, Reggie Jackson capitalized and made a 3-pointer with 8:41 left in the fourth quarter for a 111-105 lead.

Marcus Morris, Sr. soon converted a rare four-point play to tie the score at 111 with 7:28 remaining. 

Embiid stayed aggressive and completed a three-point play with 5:30 left for a 118-113 lead. After a 3-pointer by Embiid, the Sixers extended to a 121-113 advantage with 4:55 to go.

Porter knocked down a 3-pointer with 4:43 left in the second quarter for a 63-59 lead.

Embiid made 1 of 2 free throws and then added a difficult layup to trim the 76ers’ deficit to 63-62 with 4:03 remaining.

Jokic countered with a jumper with 2:03 left for a 71-69 advantage.

Maxey followed with a trey, Oubre scored and Harris threw down a dunk for a 76-71 lead with 1:09 remaining.

Murray drained a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer to tie the score at 78.

Embiid paced the Sixers with 23 points in the first half. Philadelphia shot a sizzling 28-of-42 from the field — 66.7 percent.

The Sixers pulled ahead 97-89 with 5:44 left in the third after Harris’ 3-pointer.

Caldwell-Pope hit a trey with 1:57 remaining and the Nuggets cut the deficit to 99-98. Jokic hit two jumpers, and the Nuggets went on to lead 104-99 at the end of the third. — Reuters

Vlahovic double fires Juventus to 3-0 win over Sassuolo

TURIN — A stunning first-half brace by striker Dusan Vlahovic helped Juventus to a 3-0 win over Sassuolo in Serie A on Tuesday as Massimiliano Allegri’s side extended their unbeaten league run to 15 games in front of a sold-out home crowd.

Juve remain second in the standings on 49 points, two points behind leaders Inter Milan and seven above third-placed AC Milan.

Juve allowed the visitors more possession but stayed in control of a lively clash at the Juventus Stadium and Vlahovic broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with a rasping shot from just outside the box.

The Serbia striker made it 2-0 before the break with a free kick from long range for his ninth goal of the season.

“Vlahovic played a good game, he was much more calm,” Allegri told a press conference.

“This morning I spoke to him and told him that he wanted to overdo it (in the Coppa Italia quarter-final) against Frosinone, he got into an argument with the referee. Tonight he was much more lucid.”

The 23-year-old has been involved in a goal in four consecutive Serie A appearances, with three goals and two assists, for the first time in more than three years.

“Dusan went through a complicated moment because he wasn’t well. Now he’s working hard to improve and is finding the right calm to manage the match,” Allegri added.

Sassuolo, who inflicted Juve’s only loss of the season in all competitions in a 4-2 defeat in the reverse fixture, went close in the 53rd minute through forward Domenico Berardi, who struck just wide from the edge of the box.

Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny pulled off a brilliant save to deny yet another powerful shot from Berardi 10 minutes later before substitute Federico Chiesa sealed the win for the hosts in the 89th minute with a low strike into the middle of the goal.

Juve next travel to 13th-placed Lecce on Sunday where they can leapfrog Inter into top spot as Simone Inzaghi’s men only return to Serie A action on Jan. 28 following the Italian Super Cup played in Saudi Arabia.

Sassuolo — who are 14th, with two points separating them from the relegation zone — next visit mid-table Monza. — Reuters

Celtics, the NBA’s best, host worst-in-West Spurs

BOSTON Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) in the half quarter at TD Garden. — REUTERS

THE Boston Celtics are hoping to have Jaylen Brown in the lineup when they face the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Brown sat out Boston’s 105-96 victory over the Raptors on Monday because of a hyperextended right knee. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said before Monday’s game that Brown was dealing with soreness in the knee, but the injury was not considered serious.

Brown is averaging 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season.

“I think this year we’ve shown that regardless of who’s out there’s an affirmation that everyone is going to step up,” Mazzulla said.

Jayson Tatum had 19 points and 14 rebounds in Monday’s win, which improved Boston’s home record to 19-0. Jrue Holiday tossed in a season-high 22 points, eight of which came in the fourth quarter. Derrick White also scored 22 points, including a key 3-pointer with just over a minute to play.

“I just took the opportunities that were given to me and really just tried to be aggressive at both ends of the floor,” Holiday said. “(White is) an All-Star. I think the things that he does a lot of times go unnoticed.

“The way that he plays, the way that he carries this team – especially with JB out (against Toronto) he hit a big shot there in the corner – that’s what D. White does.”

The Spurs, who have the worst record in the Western Conference, are coming off Monday’s 109-99 loss at Atlanta. The Hawks led 46-16 in the second quarter and 69-34 at halftime.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich sent a message to his team by sending out three reserves with Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie to start the second half.

“I thought the starting team in the third quarter made their point, and the first team came back in and competed the way they’re getting paid to compete, so in that sense it made it a good night,” Popovich said.

San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 rookie, was scoreless at halftime, but had 26 points (nine dunks) in the second half. He also finished the game with 13 rebounds.

Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in last year’s NBA draft, is averaging 19.6 points and 10.3 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game.

“I’ve gotten better at adapting my game more to the league, and it shows,” Wembanyama said. “My efficiency, especially since being on restricted minutes, is up, so there’s real progress.

“(Against Atlanta) a majority of bench players showed us how to do it. It worked.”

Wednesday’s matchup will be the second game between the teams this season. Tatum scored 25 points and Brown finished with 24 when Boston prevailed 134-101 at San Antonio on Dec. 31. The Celtics built a 37-point lead in that game and rested their starters for most of the fourth quarter.

Devin Vassell led San Antonio with 22 points in the loss. Wembanyama had 21 points and seven rebounds.

The Celtics, who have the best record in the NBA, will be trying to extend their two-game winning streak. The Spurs have lost two in a row and seven of their past nine. — Reuters

Kings coach Mike Brown fined $50K for criticizing officials

THE NBA fined Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown $50,000 on Tuesday for criticism of referees during and after the team’s most recent game.

Specifically, Brown entered the court of play while yelling at referee Intae Hwang, leading to the coach’s ejection Sunday in a 143-142 overtime loss at the Milwaukee Bucks.

Brown then used a laptop during his postgame press conference to point out multiple calls he disagreed with.

“The referees are human, and they’re going to make mistakes, but you just hope that there’s some sort of consistency and there’s some sort of communication between the refs,” Brown said. “The refs (Sunday), they were great, they communicated with me all night. But in terms of consistency, you guys saw it right here. In my opinion, the consistency wasn’t here (Sunday).”

The NBA’s news release described Brown’s actions as “aggressively pursuing a game official during live play, and … publicly criticizing the officiating.”

In 2012, when he coached the Los Angeles Lakers, Brown was suspended one game without pay and fined $25,000 for making contact with an official. — Reuters

Smart maintains fastest download speed — Ookla

FREEPIK

By Miguel Hanz L. Antivola, Reporter

Smart Communications, Inc., the wireless unit of PLDT Inc., posted the fastest median download speed of 37.64 megabits per second (Mbps) in the fourth quarter of 2023, maintaining its lead among mobile operators, according to global network testing firm Ookla.

In its fourth quarter mobile performance report for the Philippines released on Wednesday, Ookla said Ayala-led Globe Telecom, Inc. had a median download speed of 26.44 Mbps, followed by DITO Telecommunity Corp. with 19.74 Mbps.

Out of the three operators, Smart delivered a steady rise in median download speed throughout last year, up from 35.56 Mbps in the third quarter, 35.39 Mbps in the second quarter, and 33.39 Mbps in the first quarter.

For major cell phone manufacturers in the fourth quarter, devices from Apple recorded the fastest median download speed with 51.19 Mbps.

It was followed by Samsung (37.76 Mbps), Xiaomi (30.66 Mbps), Huawei (19.98 Mbps), and Infinix (18.90 Mbps).

However, in terms of median upload speed, Infinix topped the list with 7.49 Mbps, followed by Samsung (7.40 Mbps), Xiaomi (7.34 Mbps), Apple (7.13 Mbps), and Huawei (6.05 Mbps).

In December last year, the Philippines posted a median download speed of 28.12 Mbps and upload speed of 6.89 Mbps.

Ookla released 52 new market analyses for the fourth quarter, with insights from its Speedtest Intelligence platform.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls.

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