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Balabac runway almost done

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday said a military runway project on Balabac Island, one of the four new sites under the Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is almost complete.

The project is 89% finished, he said in a speech in Palawan province, where he distributed aid.

The President said the project would boost Philippine security and tourism in Palawan, which is facing the South China Sea.

Construction of the three-kilometer Balabac Military Runway started as early as 2019, based on state media reports. It became a state priority after Balabac, Palawan’s southernmost municipality, was listed last year as among the four new sites under the 2014 EDCA.

Three other sites are in the northern provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, which is about 600 kilometers away from Taiwan.

The project, which is funded by a partnership between the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of National Defense, will serve both military and civilian aircraft. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Angara resigns as senator

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

SENATOR Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara has resigned from the Senate before he takes his oath as the country’s Education secretary on Friday.

His resignation took effect on July 18.

In a letter to Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero dated July 16 and sent to reporters by his office via Viber on Thursday, the lawmaker said his experience in passing educated-related bills would help him take on the challenges of his job.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed Mr. Angara Education chief on July 2 after Vice-President Sara Duterte-Caprio quit.

“The portfolio that I will be taking on as Education Secretary is riddled with very serious challenges,” Mr. Angara told Mr. Escudero.

“But I am confident that with your support and of the rest of my colleagues at the Senate, these challenges are surmountable.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Public attorney posts created

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the creation of 178 public attorney positions.

“These additional public attorney positions will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Attorney’s Office in delivering legal services to the public, ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of their economic status, has access to justice and representation they deserve,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in a statement.

Public attorneys represent poor clients in different legal cases, conduct research, prepare legal documents and appear in trials and hearings. They also engage in inquests, jail visitation and village-level programs. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Bill allows dual citizens to teach

TWO senators have filed a bill that seeks to allow Filipinos with dual citizenship to teach in state universities without having to give up their foreign passports.

Senate Bill No. 2733, which Senators Sherwin T. Gatchalian and Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva filed on Wednesday, will amend the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.

“To provide transformative education and increase the global competitiveness of our public higher education institutions, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought,” they said in the bill’s explanatory note.

Covered jobs include teaching, research and administrative positions. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Bill eyes more rural roads

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A BILL that seeks to establish a national program for rural roads to boost countryside development has been filed at the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 10508 by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez will provide funding for the construction of “local economic roads” in underdeveloped areas. It mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways to prioritize rural roads.

Under the bill, the DPWH will get at least P175 billion annually in the next four years to fund the construction of rural roads.

“The establishment and implementation of the program will ensure seamless connection of provincial, municipal and city roads with the national highways that support trade, tourism and agricultural activities,” Mr. Rodriguez said in the bill’s explanatory note. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Vape vending machine seized

PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

              

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Thursday said it had confiscated a vending machine that sells illicit vapor products.

In a statement, the bureau said the products were being sold for P500 each.

“Selling illicit vape is illegal, whether the same is through vending machines or online stores,” BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said in the statement. “The BIR will confiscate and raid any illicit vape products.”

The bureau said two informants reported the products through Mr. Lumagui’s Facebook page. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

PBEd pushes skill development

THE PHILIPPINE Business for Education (PBEd) on Thursday said local government units (LGUs) should prioritize skill development as artificial intelligence (AI) threatens job security.

“As technological advancements continue to reshape the workforce landscape, the need to invest in the skills development of our people is even more pronounced, especially for our young workforce entrants,” PBEd Deputy Executive Director for Programs Hanibal E. Camua said in a statement. “The job market today is very different — this evolution underscores the importance of adapting and equipping young individuals with the right skills to boost their potential.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Smuggled cigarettes seized

SVKLIMKIN -PIXABAY

COTABATO CITY — Police seized P12.4 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in two anti-smuggling operations in Zamboanga City on Wednesday.

Police and Customs agents confiscated P6.8 million worth of cigarettes with Indonesian brands in Sinunuc village and arrested two suspects, Brigadier General Bowenn Joey M. Masauding, director of the Police Regional Office-9, told reporters on Thursday.

He also said P5.6 million worth of Indonesian cigarettes were seized in another joint police-Customs operation in Maasin village late Wednesday. — John Felix M. Unson

CoA flags Zambales school

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE COMMISSION on Audit (CoA) has flagged the P36.6-million inventory balance of the President Ramon Magsaysay State University in Zambales province last year for gross misstatement.

The university included nonexistent properties in its books including textbooks, laboratory and building materials and office equipment, overstaying the balance by P34.9 million, state auditors said in a report.

The school did not immediately reply to a Facebook Messenger chat seeking comment.

“The University’s Inventory account balance reported at ₱36.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2023 was misstated by ₱34.9 million due to unrecorded issuances of inventories to end-users and inclusion of nonexistent inventories,” CoA said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PHL’s teener Cu shares Eastern Asia Chess Championship lead

IVAN TRAVIS CU

THE NATIONAL Chess Federation of the Philippines has invested in the youth with hopes of producing a new Wesley So.

There is hope that Ivan Travis Cu could be a strong candidate for it.

Just less than two months after a strong runner-up finish in a strong Hanoi, Vietnam tilt, the prodigious 15-year-old FIDE master (FM) is at it again as he bested Mongolian FM Battulga Tenuunbold to barge into the lead after six rounds of the Eastern Asia Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia yesterday.

Mr. Cu, whose FIDE rating is now an impressive 2300, has now five points and shared No. 1 with Vietnamese Dang Anh Miunh and Malaysian FM Poh Yu Tian, who split the point, with five points each in the premier Open Under-18 side.

If he beats Mr. Poh in the seventh of this nine-round event, he will have a strong chance of topping the tournament and possibly earn an International Master title or norm.

It will also underscore people’s belief that he could end up like Mr. So, a former World No. 2 who was former world Fischer-Random champion.

For now though, Mr. Cu, who is part of the team backed by the NCFP, PSC and POC, likes to take it a step at a time.

Meanwhile, Tyrhone James Tabernilla trounced countryman Io Aristotle Nikolai Calica to zoom to the solo lead in the open Under16 section with five points, or half a point ahead a three-player chase group of Li Dianqi of China, Hyunh Le Minh Hoang of Vietnam and Chan Wang Ip Boris of Hong Kong with 4.5 points apiece. — Joey Villar

Strong Group-Pilipinas scores its fifth win

STRONG GROUP-PILIPINAS — JONES CUP/SGA

STRONG Group-Pilipinas cruised to a 112-90 win over Future Sports USA to stay on track for a title mission in the 43rd William Jones Cup on Thursday in Taipei.

The Philippine bets launched a searing second-half barrage, including a 33-16 runaway in the third quarter to score yet another blowout win in an unrivaled run so far.

Strong Group climbed to 5-0 entering its last three assignments in the nine-team single-round robin tournament that will have the No. 1 team as the champion right away.

Six players hit twin digits led by Chris McCullough with a near triple-double of 24 points, 18 rebounds and seven assists in 31 minutes of play.

Mr. McCullough, who also bannered the squad in their first four games, added two steals and three blocks for a complete line as another reinforcement Tajuan Agee added 19 points.

Incoming PBA rookie RJ Abarrientos, who was picked third by Ginebra, chipped in 17 points while Jordan Heading (11), Ange Kouame (10) and Allen Liwag (10) also played instrumental.

Strong Group yielded to the hot-shooting Americans in the first half, 56-60, before slamming the door with a defensive stand in the second half by allowing only 30 points. In contrast, the wards of coach Charles Tiu shattered the floodgates with 56 points en route to a 22-point win.

Strong Group is out to deliver the country’s seventh title since last winning it in 2019 courtesy of Mighty Sports and it’s been on track so far with big wins also against UAE, 104-79, BSBL Guardians of Australia, 91-69, and Malaysia, 89-54.

The team’s closest victory came against Ukraine, 82-74, via comeback fashion after trailing by five points in the last three minutes.

Strong Group wants no let-up against Japan U22 Friday before wrapping up its campaign against host teams Chinese Taipei White and Blue.

Moss Hammer (18), Ryan Elliot (15), Demetrius Thomas (14), Malik Deshaun (13) and Scott Kavaughn (11) led Future Sports USA, which slid to 1-5. — John Bryan Ulanday

Malixi cruises to last 32 of US Girls’ Junior Championship

RIANNE MALIXI — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

SECOND seed Rianne Malixi of the Philippines walloped No. 63 Annie Jin, 6 and 5, to barge into the Round of 32 of the 75th US Girls’ Junior Championship Wednesday in Tarzana, California.

Ms. Malixi, the runner up last year, won five of the first seven holes to set the tone for the smashing victory against American Ms. Jin that propelled her to the next round against No. 31 Kennedy Swedick, also of the US.

Ms. Swedick defeated No. 34 Remi Bacardi with a birdie in the 22nd hole to earn a crack at the Filipina ace.

“I just hit a lot of good shots today and putts just dropped. I’ve just been very consistent, and I haven’t been feeling much pressure. I was just focusing on one shot at a time, playing the best way I know how,” said Ms. Malixi, who finished tied for second after the two-day stroke play.

The 17-year-old Ms. Malixi played the equivalent of six-under par golf over 13 holes at the El Caballero Country Club to hurdle the challenge of Ms. Jin, one of the three survivors from the eight-player playoff for Match Play spots.

Ms. Malixi started things off by taking the second hole with a birdie then racked up four straight victories from No. 4 to create separation. She then sealed the deal by outplaying her American opponent on Nos. 11 and 13. — Olmin Leyba

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