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Diamond Sports Group reaches NBA, NHL broadcast deals

DIAMOND Sports Group will continue to carry local game broadcasts for 20 National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL) teams in the 2024-25 season.

Diamond reached agreements with the NBA and NHL that were disclosed Friday in filings with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

The subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group had been operating the Bally-branded regional sports networks that carried NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball games in many markets around the country. Diamond filed for Chapter 1 bankruptcy in March 2023 and were ordered that spring to pay four MLB teams 50 percent of unpaid media rights fees that were owed to them.

The behind-the-scenes business troubles at Diamond led to uncertainty about where teams would be able to broadcast their games when not on national television.

In the NBA, Diamond will continue to carry local broadcasts for the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

In the NHL, the group will keep broadcasting the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Diamond will no longer go forward with the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans, the latter of whom recently reached a deal with New Orleans’ local Fox affiliate to air games. The Mavericks were long considered likely to part with Bally, and Dallas’ NHL team, the Stars, previously split from Diamond in favor of starting their own streaming platform.

“We are appreciative of the ongoing collaboration and long-term partnerships with the NBA and NHL,” Diamond Sports Chief Executive Officer David Preschlack said in a statement. “Having completed negotiations with key partners that provide certainty around our content and distribution, Diamond is well positioned for the future. With the support of our creditors, we are focused on finalizing our reorganization plan to support our emergence and presenting that plan to the court in due course.”

Diamond’s next bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for Sept. 3. — Reuters

Inter Miami blanks FC Cincinnati, clinches playoff spot

LUIS SUAREZ collected a brace in the first six minutes of Saturday night’s match as CF Inter Miami clinched a spot in the MLS playoffs, blanking Cincinnati FC 2-0 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Miami (17-4-5, 56 points) opened an eight-point lead on Cincinnati (15-8-3, 48 points) in the East and avenged a 6-1 loss on July 6 at Cincinnati, where it played without six starters and had a seventh starter red-carded in the second half.

Mr. Suarez was one of the missing six that night. So was fellow star Lionel Messi, who sat out this one as well with a right ankle injury suffered last month during the Copa America championship match. But Mr. Messi’s presence wasn’t needed in the rematch.

With legendary former NFL quarterback Tom Brady looking on, Mr. Suarez put Miami ahead to stay only 30 seconds into the fixture. Marcelo Weigandt crossed from right to left and Mr. Suarez settled the ball in the middle of the box, then beat goalie Roman Celentano with a clinical finish inside the right post.

After scoring the fastest goal in franchise history, Mr. Suarez made it 2-0 in the sixth minute. Sent in on a pretty through ball by Matias Rojas, Mr. Suarez sailed down the right side and made no mistake in scoring his team-leading 14th goal of the year.

Chasing the game nearly the entire night, Cincinnati enjoyed a 17-4 advantage in shots. But Miami goalie Drake Callender helped lock the result down with four second-half saves. — Reuters

Exception to the rule

Longtime tennis habitues were taken aback when news about Jannik Sinner hogged headlines last week, and with reason. He didn’t simply test positive for a banned substance, even though the development was a shocker in and of itself. He did so twice last March, and had already been cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. In other words, the gravity of the turn of events, the timing of it being made public, and the speed with which it was resolved all contributed to the notable reaction of all and sundry.

Needless to say, reactions were all over the place. Former players, peers on tour, and even casual observers felt compelled to share their two cents’ worth on the matter. Question after question hit the grapevine. Why was Sinner let off easily? What made officials of the sport decide to keep the story to themselves? How could the case have been handled with haste? All these queries, and more, became fodder for speculation. And, certainly, the relative absence of information didn’t help.

That Sinner was in the midst of a surge to the top when his positive test results came back served to add fuel to the fire. Not a few quarters saw fit to compare his position with those of other players who faced the axe and were immediately given lengthy suspensions even prior to the launch of internal probes. To be sure, none of them were World Number Ones who brought much-needed eyeballs to competitions. If anything, the lack of a public reckoning of the facts from the powers-that-be have enabled critics to assume the worst.

Which is too bad, really, because tennis needs all the good news it can get. With Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray having all but bowed out of the scene, and with Novak Djokovic likewise slated to exit (albeit in a blaze of glory), the spotlight should be on the new blood — Sinner included. Unfortunately, it’s getting the wrong kind of attention, and all because, for grounds only its honchos know behind the scenes, it did not act with consistency. He became the exception to the rule, and in more ways than one. It deserves better at any instance, and especially now that the United States Open is just around the corner.

 

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.

DoTr could ditch plan to ‘bundle’ MRT-3, LRT-2

PHILSTAR

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said its original plan to bundle the operations and maintenance contracts for Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) could be difficult to pull off, due to the different markets served by the two commuter lines.

“We are seeing that maybe bundling is not appropriate at this time because these are two different markets,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Jeremy S. Regino told reporters.

No decision has been made pending the conclusion of the feasibility study, which is expected this year at the earliest, he said.

“The International Finance Corp. is studying Line 2 while the ADB (Asian Development Bank) on the other hand is studying MRT-3.”

In 2023, the DoTr said it was studying the viability of bundling the MRT-3 and LRT-2 contracts once the two lines are privatized.

The Transportation department is hoping to auction the operations and maintenance contract for MRT-3 by the first quarter of 2025.

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

“The best approach in MRT-3 might not be the same approach in Line 2. We are looking into all options and we are looking into the figures,” Mr. Regino said.

The DoTr is looking to rehabilitate and expand LRT-2.

“We need to expand it to the West going to the South harbor. We need to expand it to Cogeo (Antipolo) to cater to more passengers. In short, Line 2 has its own orientation,” Mr. Regino said.

The Light Rail Transit Authority has said that about three more stations will be added to the LRT-2 eastward expansion to Antipolo City. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Revenue to be raised from plastics excise questioned

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THE REVENUE to be earned from a single-use plastics tax may not be as strong as the Department of Finance assumes, the former head of the plastics industry association said.

“The government’s assumption that these taxes will generate significant revenue, mirroring the experience with sugar-sweetened beverages, is flawed,” according to Danny Ngo, former president of the Philippine Plastics Industry Association, speaking to BusinessWorld via Viber.

“The Philippines, currently facing economic challenges, may not be in a position to bear the additional burden of excise taxes on essential items like plastic bags,” he added.

The Department of Finance has identified the excise tax on single-use plastics as a priority tax reform measure. It is projected to yield P21.644 billion in revenue between 2025 and 2027.

In May, the National Economic and Development Authority asked legislators to pass a measure that seeks to impose a P100 excise tax for every kilogram of single-use plastics exiting the factory or released by the Bureau of Customs.

The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill in November 2022, while a similar measure is pending with a Senate committee.

Mr. Ngo also warned that taxing plastics could “undermine” the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act, also known as Republic Act 11898.

“The reality is that consumers, already facing rising costs of living, may resort to alternative, potentially less sustainable, packaging options. This could lead to increased waste generation and undermine the Extended Producer Responsibility  framework’s effectiveness,” he added.

He said that the EPR law already places the responsibility for managing the entire life cycle of a product on the producers, which promotes a circular economy.

“The law’s stringent requirements, exceeding those of developed nations, demonstrate the Philippines’ commitment to achieving a high standard of environmental responsibility,” he added.

He said the government should do more to make policy more coherent, weighing the economic realities, viable alternatives, and potential consequences of the tax.

He added that such a tax could embolden the underground economy, incentivizing tax evasion, smuggling, the manufacture of substandard products, and environmental degradation. He added that the monitoring of single-use plastics so they can be properly taxed will be challenging.

“In light of these considerations, it is imperative to reassess the potential implications of imposing an excise tax on single-use plastic bags in the Philippines and explore alternative strategies that prioritize both economic growth and environmental sustainability,” he said.

Visayas, Mindanao KADIWA store network could launch next month

DA.GOV.PH

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it hopes to expand its KADIWA network of direct-to-consumer food stores to the Visayas and Mindanao by September.

“We expect to have at least 60 KADIWA stores across the country next month to provide greater access to affordably priced agricultural products,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said in a statement on Sunday.

Mr. Laurel added that the government-subsidized stores in the new locations will feature the P29 per kilogram rice program, targeted at vulnerable segments of society.

He added that the agency had identified about 650 potential locations in the Visayas and Mindanao to set up KADIWA stores.

The ultimate goal is a store network of 1,500 outlets.

“For us to reach the 1,500 target we need to open at least one store a day, which is almost impossible. That’s why we need the private sector’s collaboration in this project,” he said.

KADIWA provides farm cooperatives and associations an opportunity to sell directly to consumers, maximizing their returns by cutting out middlemen.

It added that the DA is planning to invite food manufacturers to offer canned sardines, cooking oil, and condiments in KADIWA stores.

“We’re also talking to manufacturers of other basic goods like condiments, sugar and canned goods to help ease the financial challenges faced by consumers,” Mr. Laurel said. — Adrian H. Halili

PHL dairy imports up 12.9% in first half, but value falls 9.2%

REUTERS

DAIRY IMPORTS rose 12.9% year on year to 1.65 million metric tons (MT) during the first half, according to the National Dairy Authority (NDA).

The NDA said by value, milk and dairy shipments declined 9.2% to $37.11 million.

The report said skim milk powder accounted for 40% of all such imports followed by other milk powders and ready-to-drink milk at 17% and 4%, respectively.

“New Zealand was the largest source of these imports with 31% (by) value, followed by the US (23%) and Indonesia (5%),” it added.

Domestic milk production rose 15% year on year to 16,020 MT in the first half, the NDA said.

It added that domestic production accounted for 21% of the liquid milk supply in the Philippines.

“The domestic milk industry is supported by a dairy animal inventory of 151,059 head, which includes 34,754 dairy cattle, 80,805 carabao, and 35,500 goats,” it added.

The NDA said dairy exports for the six-month period rose 27.5% year on year to 21,030 MT.

Export products included cream (17%), cheese (16%), whole milk powder (7%), and skim milk powder (6%).

The NDA said that key export markets were Singapore and the United Arab Emirates with 19% and 13% of the total by value, followed by Canada (12%) and the US (11%). — Adrian H. Halili

Family firms seen pouring into construction ventures

A WORKER cuts metal in a construction area in Binondo, Manila, March 24, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

FAMILY BUSINESSES have been venturing into the construction and real estate industries in the past two years, according to a family business consultancy.

Premier Family Business Consulting, Inc. Chief Partnership and Relationship Officer Jefferson Al Tio said the perceived trend is based on the number of the firm’s clients entering those businesses.

“We do manage many clients in many industries, including retail, construction, real estate, education, banking, shipping, and agribusiness, but I think for the past two years, our biggest clients have actually been the construction and real estate businesses,” Mr. Tio told BusinessWorld. 

“These sectors are growing, and I believe that they are already starting to feel the need to really work on succession as they leverage their success,” he added.

He said that since the pandemic, many construction and real estate businesses continue to move forward.

“Family businesses in such industries felt the need to professionalize,” he added.

Based in Cebu, some 40% of the consulting firm’s clients are from there, but Premier also manages clients from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Jonathan A. Ramos, Premier’s chief executive officer and chief consultant, described the bulk of the client base as being micro and small, but with “great potential to become publicly listed someday.”

He noted that about 70%-80% of publicly listed companies are family owned.

Mr. Ramos said he supports legislation that helps family members preserve their share of the business.

“It is important for the law to recognize a clear definition of a family business primarily so that they can come up with laws to keep the wealth, shares, and ownership protected and to be owned exclusively within the bloodlines of the family,” he said.

He said such a law would bring out a family-run business’ strengths, such as loyalty and shared values, while minimizing instances of fragmented ownership by different families. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

SMC backs more domestic production of raw materials

SANMIGUEL.COM.PH

THE PHILIPPINES needs to improve the availability of raw materials to give large manufacturers an option to support domestic suppliers, a San Miguel Corp. (SMC) official said.

“Part of what we do is import raw materials that are not available here,” said Raoul Eduardo C. Romulo, SMC chief finance officer, at a panel discussion at the Metro Manila Business Conference on Thursday.

“But if our contractors and our suppliers can produce their goods, we will contract with them, agree to the terms, and buy completely from them,” Mr. Romulo said.

He said San Miguel is looking to expand domestic purchases of food, yeast, and steel if possible.

“The country is food deficient, and San Miguel has various product lines in food …  and we will appreciate it if you can (provide the) quantities we need,” he said.

“We also have beer products, and we have very little yeast here, so the bulk of the (raw materials for) San Miguel beer has to come from another country, although we try to use as much as the locals can supply,” he added.

San Miguel is also involved in tollways, railways, seaports, and airports.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a steel industry in the country, so we have to depend on foreign components,” Mr. Romulo said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has directed the Department of Trade and Industry to update the Iron and Steel Roadmap in order to improve the balance of trade in steel.

Within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Philippines remains the only country without an integrated steel mill.

At a budget hearing on Aug. 14, Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo identified processed food and beverages and iron and steel as the primary contributors to the trade deficit.

He said the trading relationships that were the source of the largest deficits were China, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Keeping up with advances in employment fraud

IN BRIEF:

• Advanced background checks are being integrated into hiring protocols to address the rise of employment fraud in the digital age, with a focus on enhancing fraud detection rather than guaranteeing complete prevention.

• Future technological developments, such as machine learning and blockchain, hold promise for further improving the integrity of hiring, but caution is advised to avoid overreliance on tech solutions.

As the global economy shifts towards recovery, organizations are ramping up their defenses against the threat of employment fraud. The hiring landscape, ever-evolving and increasingly digital, presents various opportunities for deceitful practices. Impersonation, falsification of qualifications, and sophisticated phishing attacks are just a few of the tactics employed by fraudsters to infiltrate companies.

Employers who place their bets on seemingly promising candidates without conducting thorough background checks are especially vulnerable to fraud. Impersonation, hiding information, falsifying facts, sending proxy attendees during work evaluations, multiple affiliations, and phishing attacks on job portals have been increasing given the advent of technology.

The Report to the Nations 2022 by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) reports that nearly half of the organizations that fell victim to employment fraud (43%) had bypassed comprehensive background checks in their hiring processes. The data highlight the need for a more diligent and nuanced approach to candidate verification, one that balances thoroughness with the realities of the modern job market.

THE SHORTCOMINGS OF TRADITIONAL BACKGROUND SCREENING METHODS
Currently, the hiring industry relies almost entirely on multiple third-party verification vendors who physically visit addresses to check the claims made by prospective employees. In one of the surveys conducted by EY, as many as 59% of the LinkedIn poll respondents revealed that their organizations employ third-party intermediaries for pre-employment background checks, while 18% conduct manual checks, and 9% onboard employees without any employment verification at all. However, the manual process is not only time consuming but also prone to human error as well as allowing room for misinterpretation. 

As many as 14% of the LinkedIn poll respondents confided that their current manual verification process is prone to error while 66% consider their current method to be time consuming. The costs involved and the exposure of employees’ Personal Identifiable Information (PII) data and the challenges it entails additionally weigh heavily on employers.

Physical verification methods alone are almost redundant given that fraudsters are devising more technically advanced scams. On the other hand, making the process non-virtual makes the process transparent, reduces the chances of employees submitting doctored documents, and ticks all the boxes of data privacy compliance.

NAVIGATING THE EVOLVING TECHNOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE
The rise of the gig economy and the shift to remote work have compounded the difficulty of tracking a candidate’s employment history. Traditional verification methods, which often involve third-party vendors personally verifying claims, are becoming increasingly outdated. These methods are not only slow and prone to human error but also raise privacy concerns as they involve the handling of sensitive personal information.

While the fraud menace threatens to arrest the application of technological advances in the hiring space, the answer to the dilemma lies in tech itself. The development of employee background check tools has led to a complete overhaul of pre-hiring formalities. Technology-supported checks have helped simplify the methods for companies to identify anomalies in the overall assessment of the candidate’s past employment experience. Scaled and customized to fit the hiring prerequisites of diverse industries, these models also have a shorter turnaround time as compared to traditional methods, making for a swifter hiring experience.

Digital address verification, face-match technology, and geotagging are other methods being employed to identify inconsistencies in photographs and validate the authenticity of the claims made by candidates. These solutions are more efficient and offer a higher degree of accuracy and compliance with data privacy standards.

THE ETHICAL USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN HIRING
As we integrate these advanced tools into our hiring processes, it is imperative to consider the ethical implications. It is crucial to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly and that they serve to enhance, rather than replace, human judgment. Technology strengthens our hiring defenses, yet it cannot guarantee absolute protection against fraud.

While these technological advancements significantly enhance our ability to detect inconsistencies and fraudulent claims, they are not foolproof. It is important to acknowledge that no system can guarantee a completely fraud-free hiring process. The goal is to reduce the risk of fraud and to build a more trustworthy workforce.

REVOLUTIONIZING HIRING
Looking ahead, the potential for further technological advancements in hiring is vast. Machine learning algorithms are becoming increasingly adept at analyzing vast amounts of data to identify patterns that may indicate fraudulent behavior. Blockchain technology holds the promise of creating secure, immutable records of candidates’ employment histories, education, and credentials.

HR departments play a critical role in navigating this new landscape. They must be adept at using these technological tools while also maintaining a human touch. It is their responsibility to ensure that the hiring process remains fair, equitable, and free from discrimination.

In an era where hiring practices are being redefined by digital innovation, it may be crucial to consider engaging the services of an experienced and technologically enabled third party who can do precise and regulatory-compliant models to expedite and secure pre-employment checks. This way, companies will be able to harness the power of data and technology to hire candidates with verified profiles, enabling a more secure and reliable recruitment process.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinion expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

 

Roderick M. Vega is the forensic and integrity services leader of SGV & Co.

Philippine competition body eyeing P2.4-B fine versus 12 onion traders

ENGIN AKYURT--UNSPLASH

THE PHILIPPINE Competition Commission (PCC) has recommended a P2.4-billion fine for anti-competitive behavior against 12 importers that allegedly controlled more than half of the country’s onion imports at the height of the onion crisis more than a year ago, the presidential palace said on Sunday.

The importers violated the Philippine Competition Act by sharing with each other sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances issued by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry, it said in a statement, citing a probe by the commission.

“By agreeing to allocate [import clearances] and divide among themselves the actual volume of imports, respondents effectively controlled more than 50% of the volume of onions imported into the Philippines,” it said. This is illegal because it lessened market competition, it added.

Onion prices hit as high as P700 a kilo between the latter part of 2022 and the early months of 2023. The farming sector had blamed the Agriculture department for failing to make accurate supply estimates and resisting imports. Agriculture officials also suspected internal price manipulations of skyrocketing onion prices.

The palace said the traders also colluded to lessen competition in the market. “Evidence showed that respondents, despite being competitors, shared, exchanged and discussed sensitive business information such as price, suppliers, customers, volume, shipping, distribution and storage.”

The importers and traders avoided competing with each other and failed to independently decide on their policies and “substituted the risk of competition with cooperation,” the palace said, citing the PCC findings.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his state of the nation address before Congress in July last year ordered the commission and other agencies to investigate the onion crisis and file charges against smugglers, hoarders and those engaged in anti-competitive practices.

The Department of Agriculture in January halted onion imports until May to prevent a free fall in retail prices due to a supply gut. It later extended the ban until July 31 amid stable supply.

The agency last month said it would further extend the ban.

Red onions cost P110.47 a kilo while the white variety costs P108.88 a kilo, according to the Agriculture department’s price monitoring bulletin from Aug. 12-17.

As of July 5, the country had 152,839 metric tons (MT) of red onions, 10,601.42 MT of yellow onions and 63 MT of shallots, according to the Agriculture department.

In the first quarter, onion production was about 201,000 MT, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, up 36.8% from a year earlier. The DA attributed the production gains to a 40% increase in the land planted with onion.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa last month said the agency was considering extending the freeze on onion imports to shield domestic producers from price declines just as they are achieving production gains.

The volume was sufficient to meet the demand for about eight months, or until February.

He also said they might opt to import only yellow onions due to the lower inventories of “about 2.5 to three months.”

A bill that seeks to amend the country’s  Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act/Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act is among the priorities of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. — KATA

VP cites abuse of power in raid of Quiboloy house

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio on Sunday condemned what she called “gross abuse of police power” after law enforcers served a warrant for the arrest of a church leader who is facing sex and human trafficking charges.

“I cannot help but ask whether the use of extraordinary force and unjust abuse to serve the warrant is because the accused is a Duterte supporter,” Ms. Duterte-Carpio said in a statement, after about 2,000 backed by riot squads surrounded the 30-hectare compound of Apollo C. Quiboloy in Davao City on Saturday morning.

They did not find him.

Ms. Duterte-Carpio said the police takeover of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ’s compound was “not only a blatant violation of constitutionally protected rights but a betrayal of trust” by an institution “sworn to protect and serve us.”

“I want to ask for forgiveness from all the members, devotees and constituents of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, for encouraging and begging you to vote for Bongbong Marcos, Jr. in 2022,” she said, using President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s nickname. “May you forgive me.”

Mr. Quiboloy and five other members of his church are facing charges of child abuse and human trafficking, with two courts from Davao City in southern Philippines and Pasig City in Metro Manila having ordered their arrest.

The Senate has separately ordered his arrest for snubbing its own investigation of the church.

United States federal prosecutors in 2021 indicted Mr. Quiboloy for having sex with women and underage girls who faced threats of abuse and “eternal damnation.”

Charges also included sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, marriage fraud, money laundering, cash smuggling and visa fraud.

The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) in Davao in a statement on Saturday confirmed the death of 51-year-old Edwin Cabatbat, who was pronounced dead on arrival at the Southern Philippines Medical Center after losing consciousness while guarding one of the church’s watchtowers.

“PRO 11 expresses deep condolences regarding Mr. Cabatbat’s passing and emphasizes that the police were simply fulfilling their duty in executing the warrant of arrest for Pastor Quiboloy, who has been evading law enforcement,” it said.

Videos circulating on social media showed Mr. Quiboloy’s followers yelling at the police while filming the raid with their mobile phones.

Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte had described earlier attempts to arrest his spiritual adviser as overkill, citing large numbers of cops deployed for the mission.

Police have justified the large number of cops deployed for the Saturday raid, saying the compound has 40 buildings and structures and citing heckling efforts by Mr. Quiboloy’s followers.

Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the elite Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police raided the same compound and four other properties in June, but Mr. Quiboloy was not found.

Mr. Marcos, Ms. Duterte-Carpio’s running-mate in the 2022 elections, in July defended the multimillion-peso bounty for Mr. Quiboloy and his associates.

In her statement, Ms. Duterte-Carpio expressed regret for endorsing Mr. Marcos during the 2022 presidential election.

“The Dutertes are pretty predictable and parochial when it comes to their actions now that they are out of national power,” said Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University.

“This is predictable, about how they think they’re entitled to determine what is moral and upright when it benefits them, but immoral and unacceptable when not,” he added.

Mr. Duterte had appeared in the news programs of Mr. Quiboloy to promote his anti-illegal drug crackdowns, which are now being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC probe covers crimes committed in Davao City from November 2011 to June 2016 when he was still its mayor, as well as cases during his presidency up until March 16, 2019, the day before the Philippines withdrew from the ICC.

“Sara Duterte brings nothing more than a cipher that represents her family’s interests, their barefaced hypocrisy and callousness with their family’s extrajudicial killing casualties, and why she should not be trusted with anything resembling high office,” Mr. Juliano said.

The Kabataan Party-list in a statement said Filipinos are the “biggest losers in the Marcos-Duterte rivalry.”

Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel said the two camps seek to “outmaneuver” each other to “maintain their hold on power towards the 2025 elections and beyond.”

“We are at a point of no return,” he said. “The tandem that promised unity is quarreling in front of the people,” he added in Filipino, citing the need for alternative politics. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

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