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House commits to SDGs by 2030

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE HOUSE of Representatives on Thursday committed to pursue programs on good governance and poverty reduction to achieve the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.

“The House leadership is fully committed to the aspirations of the 4th Asia-Pacific Evaluation Association (APEA) Conference to institutionalize evidence-based decision-making for national development and the SDGs,” Mr. Romualdez said during the 2023 APEA Conference at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.

The House leader also signed the Manila Declaration, which “signifies the commitment of the signatories to institutionalize program monitoring and evaluation towards the attainment of the SDGs meant to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.”

He said that the National Evaluation Policy (NEP), which seeks to assess governance improvement and bureaucratic efficiency, is a priority measure in Congress.

“The enactment of this policy will strengthen our legal and institutional framework for conducting regular evaluations of government interventions, fostering a culture of evaluation in the public sector,” he said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Ilocos Norte farms get P105-M upgrade

NEDA

BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) has turned over agricultural machinery worth over P105 million to Ilocos Norte province.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the handover of rice production machines, post-harvest facilities, and coconut processing equipment to farmers cooperatives and groups last Dec. 1 at the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center in Laoag City.

“We’re very grateful. We know the need for mechanization in Ilocos Norte,” said Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc as he cited the significance of using technology in improving agricultural yield and increasing the profits of farmers of garlic, native shallots, and mangoes, in the province.

Funded by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Mechanization Program and the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan Shared Processing Facility (CFIDP) of PhilMech, the farm mechanization project aims to enhance the efficiency of farm operations, reduce production costs, and minimize post-harvest losses. — Artemio A. Dumlao

2 Marawi blast suspects wanted for previous bombings — PNP

JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

THE TWO suspects in last Sunday’s deadly bombing at a Catholic mass in the southern Philippine city of Marawi were found to be involved in other serious crimes, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

Kadapi “Engineer” Mimbesa and Arsani “Lapitos” Membisa of Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute Group, which were both identified based on the description of the witnesses, were involved in previous bombing incidents in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, PNP spokesperson Jean S. Fajardo said in a televised briefing.

They are also facing warrants of arrest for murder, she added.

The PNP official said another unidentified suspect who could have served as a lookout during the Sunday bombing is also being pursued.

Earlier, Ms. Fajardo said Mr. Mimbesa was the man seen by witnesses carrying the bag which contained the bomb used in the attack.

The bombing that killed four people and hurt 50 others took place at the Mindanao State University (MSU) gymnasium in Marawi, a city that had been devastated by a five-month war in 2017 between state forces and an Islamic State (IS)-inspired group.

The Philippine military earlier said the Sunday bombing could be a retaliatory attack as it happened after the killing of 11 local extremists by soldiers of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in a clash in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur on Friday, and the killing in Basilan of a Tausug leader of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group, Mudzrimar Sawadjaan, on Saturday by soldiers and police. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Abando, Anyang extend Tropang Giga EASL woes in South Korea

THE ANYANG RED BOOSTERS pushed the undermanned Tropang Giga (0-4) to the brink. — PBA.PH

RHENZ Abando and his Korean club Anyang Jung Kwan Jang extended TNT’s woes in the East Asia Super League (EASL) via a 105-97 verdict Wednesday night in South Korea.

The high-flying Mr. Abando dropped 13 points, two rebounds and three assists to backstop Seonwon Choi (24) and Darryl Monroe (21 markers with 10 rebounds and nine assists) in Anyang’s second straight win in Group A.

The Red Boosters pushed the undermanned Tropang Giga (0-4) to the brink.

“We’re disappointed, we feel we could have come out better and played a better game,” said assistant coach Josh Reyes, who was tasked with the coaching chore in the road game.

Quincy Miller (35-9), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (29-8) and Calvin Oftana (25 spiked by five triples) carried the load for TNT, which played without veteran playmaker Jayson Castro in addition to injured or sick stalwarts like RR Pogoy and Poy Erram.

“It’s no secret that back home in the PBA we’ve been facing a lot of challenges as a squad but it’s no excuse how we came out and performed today, especially in the second half,” said Mr. Reyes.

The match was marred by a commotion near the end involving Mr. Monroe and TNT senior consultant Chot Reyes. It started when Mr. Monroe stood near the Tropang Giga’s huddle taking a peek at the play being drawn up.

“Both teams were competing hard, both players and everybody in our delegation. It was just a situation where we wanted to show everybody that we’re here for business,” said the younger Mr. Reyes.

“If we feel there’s some disrespect happening then we want to stand up against that. It’s not a diss to Mr. Monroe. He was just out there trying to do what’s within the rules. It’s just two teams and two individuals competing at the highest level.”

Mr. Monroe apologized for his action.

“First of all, I wanted to apologize for the small incident during the game. To coach, to the team, to any fans … if I disrespected you guys, I just want to apologize and say I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do anything malicious or anything like that,” he said. — Olmin Leyba

The Scores:

Anyang 105 — Choi 24, Moore 21, Abando 13, Ko 14, J.Park 12, Hyogeun 10, Spellman 7, Woo 2, Jonghyun 2.

TNT 97 — MIller 35, Hollis-Jefferson 29, Oftana 25, Heruela 4, Khobuntin 0, Tungcab 0, Ponferada 0, Aurin 0,

Quarterscores: 32-26, 58-44, 80-67, 105-97.

DSLU’s Quiambao going to Japan for vacation

DLSU’s Kevin Quiambao — PHILIPPINE STAR/ JUN MENDOZA

DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY’s Kevin Quiambao is going to Japan with no firm decisions yet on his future as he takes a much-needed vacation first after a stellar campaign in the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament.

The versatile forward captured the Season Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Finals MVP awards in a marvelous dual feat as De La Salle snapped a seven-year title drought with a 2-1 series win over the University of the Philippines.

Mr. Quiambao, only a sophomore, highlighted his campaign with 24 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks in the Green Archers’ 73-69 Game 3 win over the Fighting Maroons before a record crowd of 25,192 fans on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Asked if he’s coming back in Season 87 to defend his throne and the Green Archers’ though, Mr. Quiambao is still unsure.

With a banner season also marked by an MVP citation and a championship in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup last summer, Mr. Quiambao said it’s about time to spend some moments with his family first.

Given his credentials also being Rookie of the Year last season and a  Mythical Five member, Mr. Quiambao surely is luring massive international interests.

UAAP stalwarts in the past, like UP’s Carl Tamayo, FEU’s RJ Abarrientos and Ateneo’s SJ Belangel, opted to not finish their collegiate playing years by going professional overseas.

For Mr. Quiambao, entertaining such possibilities can wait as he looks to savor a sweet championship feat.

Mr. Quiambao has three years of eligibility left. — John Bryan Ulanday

Fajardo-less Beermen battle dangerous NorthPort

FOR IVAN ASKA, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Mo Tautuaa and the rest of SMB (3-1), the extra work minus the seven-time MVP Mr. Fajardo, starts in tonight’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup duel with tough NorthPort (4-2). — PBA.PH

Games Friday
PhilSports Arena
4 p.m. — NLEX vs Rain or Shine
8 p.m. — San Miguel vs NorthPort

WHILE June Mar Fajardo is out with a left hand injury, the task of holding down the fort for San Miguel Beer (SMB) falls squarely on the relatively healthier bunch.

The Beermen have big shoes to fill — 19.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists — for the next four to six weeks as they wait for Mr. Fajardo’s metacarpal fracture of the fourth digit to heal.

And for Ivan Aska, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Mo Tautuaa and the rest of SMB (3-1), the extra work minus the seven-time Most Valuable Player starts in tonight’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup duel with tough NorthPort (4-2).

On the line in the 8 p.m. tussle at the PhilSports Arena are the Beermen’s three-game streak and the Batang Pier’s back-to-back.

Without “The Kraken” on the other side, NorthPort import Venky Jois is expected to go beast mode like he did in his 39-21 game sparking the Batang Pier’s 111-95 win over Converge last Wednesday.

Mr. Jois, Arvin Tolentino and fast-maturing rookies Fran Yu, Cade Flores and Brent Paraiso have given NorthPort a good start in the race for the playoffs.

“At the start of the conference, my request is to reach the playoffs, at least. We’re targeting five wins. Beat the beatable teams and upset the big teams,” said coach Bonnie Tan.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine or ROS (1-5) hope to get something out of its breakthrough 115-110 victory over Blackwater last weekend it battles skidding NLEX (2-4) at 4 p.m.

“We look at it as a good start, a spark na kailangan namin (to chase a playoffs berth),” said ROS mentor Yeng Guiao.

The Road Warriors, themselves, are out to revive their quarters hopes as well and arrest their two-game skid.

Notes: With Su Braimoh sidelined by a torn Achilles, the Meralco Bolts designated Zach Lofton as their replacement import for the Commissioner’s Cup. Initially on board for the East Asia Super League campaign, explosive guard Lofton was officially measured 6-foot-3 and 7/16 by the PBA yesterday. — Olmin Leyba

R&A, USGA unveil universal golf-ball rollback rule starting in 2028

GOLF’S longest hitters will be reeled in under new rules announced on Wednesday by the R&A and United States Golf Association (USGA) that will limit the distance balls struck by the game’s elite players can travel starting in January 2028.

In a bid to reduce the impact increased hitting distances have on golf’s long-term sustainability, the governing bodies said in a joint statement that the longest hitters can expect to see a reduction of as much as 13-15 yards in drive distance.

“Governance is hard. And while thousands will claim that we did too much, there will be just as many who said we didn’t do enough to protect the game long-term,” USGA Chief Executive Mike Whan said. “But from the very beginning, we’ve been driven to do what is right for the game, without bias.

“As we’ve said, doing nothing is not an option — and we would be failing in our responsibility to protect the game’s future if we didn’t take appropriate action now.”

Starting in 2028, golf balls will be limited to travel 317 yards, with three yards of tolerance, via testing conditions that will increase from the current standard of 120 mph swing speed to 125 mph.

This marks the first time that test speeds have been updated since 2004, when the current standard was set based on the longest hitters at that time.

The average driving distances on the PGA Tour is around 300 yards — up from 286.5 yards in the 2004 season — but many players are well in excess of that, meaning some courses are in danger of becoming obsolete.

According to the R&A and USGA, average professional tour and elite male players are expected to see a reduction of 9-11 yards in driving distance while LPGA players can expect a reduction of 5-7 yards.

The rule will also impact recreational golfers — which was not expected to be the case when the R&A and USGA unveiled their proposals in March — beginning in 2030 when driving distance reductions will be five yards or less.

Longer golf courses require additional resources such as water, the cost of renovating or moving elements like tees and bunkers continues to rise and other long-term impacts have been identified as a result of increased distance.

The governing bodies believe that if the sport is to enjoy a sustainable long-term future then the aforementioned economic and environmental impacts have to be kept under control.

“We are convinced that this decision is one of the key ways of achieving a sustainable future for golf, protecting the integrity of the game and meeting our environmental responsibilities,” said R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers.

“The measure we are taking has been carefully considered and calibrated while maintaining the ‘one game’ ethos deemed to be so important to the golf industry.” — Reuters

McTominay nets brace to lead Man U to 2-1 win over Chelsea

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United’s (Man U) Scott McTominay continued his rich vein of goalscoring form when he netted either side of halftime to lift his team to a well-deserved 2-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

United dominated in a victory that relieved some pressure on beleaguered manager Erik ten Hag, whose team have been hounded by reports of unrest in the dressing room, and moved them into sixth in the table on 27 points — three shy of the top four — after 15 games. Chelsea are 10th on 19 points.

Manchester United peppered Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez with 28 shots including nine on target in a terrific fight-back after Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Newcastle that Mr. McTominay called “abysmal.” United’s victory was their fourth in their last five league games.

Mr. McTominay, who now has five goals in the league this season, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, taking one touch before firing in a left-footed volley after Harry Maguire’s shot was blocked.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who grew up a United fan and was playing his first game at Old Trafford, leveled just before halftime when he threaded a left-footed shot through defender Victor Lindelof’s legs and past keeper Andre Onana.

Mr. McTominay’s second of the night came in the 69th minute when he headed in a pinpoint cross from Alejandro Garnacho. — Reuters

In-season tourney

Austin Reaves could very well have ended up costing the Lakers victory over the Suns the other day. With 11.2 seconds left in the match and the lead cut down to two, he stopped on his tracks after receiving the inbounds pass in an attempt to draw a foul from Devin Booker. Unfortunately, the result was not at all what he desired. The ensuing contact made him lose his footing, and he scrambled to recover possession amid a double team. What saved him, and preserved the hosts’ two-point lead, was a timeout granted by referee Tom Washington on the other side of the court. Never mind that it seemed like the ball was loose at the moment. So instead of a possible tie, the score reflected a three-point advantage following a free throw by Anthony Davis. This then compelled Kevin Durant to take a hurried attempt from way beyond the arc at the buzzer.

Needless to say, not a few quarters wondered how the men in gray could have granted the Lakers their last timeout even when they didn’t appear to have control of the ball. And it remained a hot topic until — and even after — the National Basketball Association issued its Last Two Minute Report on the set-to. The review ruled it to be a correct call, noting that “LAL is granted a timeout when Reaves recovers the ball and pins it against his leg, before he loses it again.” Significantly, the explanation mimicked what crew chief Josh Tiven told pool reporter Jovan Buha immediately after the contest. “Through postgame video review in slow motion replay, we did see that Austin Reaves had his left hand on the ball while it’s pinned against his left leg, which does constitute control.”

To be sure, it’s fair to give the NBA the benefit of the doubt insofar as defining “control” of the ball is concerned. Nonetheless, all the clarification does is lay the predicate for the timeout to be requested at that exact instance. Which begs the question as to how James could have made what Reaves described as “a high-IQ play he’s made a million times” when he was nowhere near the play. In any case, Durant’s right. “That’s not the game. That’s one play. It was a 48-minute game.” And, in this context, it bears noting that the NBA’s LTM Report cited three wrong calls that should have been in favor of the Lakers.

Reaves does have James to thank for more than just the opportune timeout. Prior to his gutsy three-pointer with 15.1 seconds left in the encounter, he had missed five straight shots. What kept the Lakers ahead in the interim was the 21-year veteran’s sterling performance in the clutch; the 31-8-11-5 masterpiece ensured their trip to Las Vegas for the semifinal round of the In-Season Tournament (IST), where the inaugural title and $500,000 per winning player are at stake. And, yes, money continues to motivate even the ultra rich. Three weeks short of turning 39, the billionaire pointed out that “you’ve got the greatest competitors in the world fighting for something, so let’s fight.”

Up next for the Lakers are the Pelicans and, should things go according to plan, either the Bucks or the Pacers for the championship. And, according to Durant, the IST is “set up for them to win … I’m going to go with [them] because they beat us. They’ve got the size to compete with anybody. They’ve got the quickest flight out of anybody. The most fans out of anybody.“ They also happen to have James. Enough said.

 

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.

UN chief rings alarm bells on global security threat from Gaza war

UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General Antonio Guterres — UN PHOTO BY LOEY FELIPE

UNITED NATIONS — United Nations  (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a rare move on Wednesday to formally warn the Security Council of a global threat from the Gaza war as Arab states seek to use this alert to push the council to call for a ceasefire within days.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) gave the council a brief draft resolution, seen by Reuters, that would act on the letter from Mr. Guterres by demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.

Diplomats said the UAE aims to put the text to a vote on Friday when the council is due to be briefed by Mr. Guterres on Gaza. To be adopted, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the five permanent members – the United States, Russia, China, France or Britain.

Deputy US Ambassador to the United Nations, Robert Wood, said the United States does not support any further action by the Security Council at this time.

“However, we remain focused on the difficult and sensitive diplomacy geared to getting more hostages released, more aid flowing into Gaza, and better protection of civilians,” Mr. Wood told Reuters.

The United States and ally Israel oppose a ceasefire because they believe it would only benefit Hamas. Washington instead supports pauses to protect civilians and allow for the release of hostages taken by Hamas in a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

“The UAE draft resolution has the support of the Arab and OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) group. This is a moral and humanitarian imperative and we urge all countries to support the call of the Secretary-General,” the UAE mission to the U.N. posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour said Arab ministers would discuss the draft Security Council resolution with US officials during a visit to Washington this week.

“On top of the agenda is this war has to stop,” he told reporters as Arab U.N. ambassadors stood with him. “A ceasefire has to take place and it has to take place immediately.”

‘NEW MORAL LOW’
The United States abstained last month to allow the Security Council to adopt a resolution calling for pauses in fighting. A seven-day pause – that saw Hamas release some hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza – expired on Dec. 1.

Mr. Guterres told the council in his letter that the war “may aggravate existing threats to international peace and security.”

He invoked Article 99 of the founding U.N. Charter that allows him to “bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”

The article has not been used for decades, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

“We are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system,” Mr. Guterres wrote. The implications for Palestinians could be irreversible and for regional security, he said, again calling for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan accused Mr. Guterres of reaching a “new moral low” by sending the letter to the Security Council, adding: “The Secretary-General’s call for a ceasefire is actually a call to keep Hamas’ reign of terror in Gaza.”

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the conflict presented threats to regional and global security.

“We made quite clear that one of the things that we are trying to do is prevent this conflict from spreading,” he told reporters.

Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 240 people taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. Israel has focused its retaliation against Hamas in Gaza, bombarding it from the air, imposing a siege and launching a ground assault.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says that so far 16,015 people have been killed in the enclave of 2.3 million.

Mr. Guterres told the Security Council in his letter that there was no effective protection of civilians and that “nowhere is safe in Gaza.” — Reuters

Indonesia is Asia’s biggest climber in talent competitiveness index

INDONESIA climbed 14 spots in the Global Talent Competitiveness Index for 2019-2023. — BLOOMBERG

INDONESIA has made the greatest improvement among Asian countries in developing and harnessing talent over the past decade, according to a report by INSEAD.

Indonesia climbed 14 spots in the graduate business school’s Global Talent Competitiveness Index for 2019-2023 compared with the previous five-year period, making it the world’s second-biggest gainer after Albania’s 16-spot jump. Still, there’s more to be done for Southeast Asia’s largest economy that placed 75th out of 113 countries.

Rich nations dominate the global talent landscape — Switzerland has topped the table every year, followed by Singapore and the US — but developing countries like Indonesia have made the largest strides by improving quality of life and job sustainability.

Indonesia still lags in high-level skills required by knowledge workers in professional, managerial or leadership roles. Over 70% of its labor force are in low-paying sectors like farming and construction, according to a separate report by HSBC Holdings Plc. President Joko Widodo is betting on a downstreaming push to create jobs and upskill local workers.

“If Indonesia makes progress on increasing talent competitiveness, workers’ salaries and productivity, with such a large population, then it can reap that demographic dividend,” said Felipe Monteiro, academic director of the INSEAD index. “That creates this positive cycle of higher GDP, that attracts talent, which in turn drives even higher GDP.”

Its 270-million strong population, of which two-thirds are working age, holds the potential to unlock economic growth the way China’s did, he added.

Automation and artificial intelligence pose an opportunity for Indonesia to rapidly shift its workforce as there’s less legacy systems to hamper the reskilling. “When you have a major transformation like this, there’s always an opportunity for emerging markets to leapfrog,” Mr. Monteiro said. — Bloomberg

Governments spying on Apple, Google users through push notifications — senator

UNSPLASH

WASHINGTON — Unidentified governments are surveilling smartphone users via their apps’ push notifications, a US senator warned on Wednesday.

In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senator Ron Wyden said foreign officials were demanding the data from Alphabet’s Google and Apple. Although details were sparse, the letter lays out yet another path by which governments can track smartphones.

Apps of all kinds rely on push notifications to alert smartphone users to incoming messages, breaking news, and other updates. These are the audible “dings” or visual indicators users get when they receive an email or their sports team wins a game. What users often do not realize is that almost all such notifications travel over Google and Apple’s servers.

That gives the two companies unique insight into the traffic flowing from those apps to their users, and in turn puts them “in a unique position to facilitate government surveillance of how users are using particular apps,” Mr. Wyden said. He asked the Department of Justice to “repeal or modify any policies” that hindered public discussions of push notification spying.

In a statement, Apple said that Mr. Wyden’s letter gave them the opening they needed to share more details with the public about how governments monitored push notifications.

“In this case, the federal government prohibited us from sharing any information,” the company said in a statement. “Now that this method has become public we are updating our transparency reporting to detail these kinds of requests.”

Google said that it shared Mr. Wyden’s “commitment to keeping users informed about these requests.”

The Department of Justice declined to comment on the push notification surveillance or whether it had prevented Apple or Google from talking about it.

Mr. Wyden’s letter cited a “tip” as the source of the information about the surveillance. His staff did not elaborate on the tip, but a source familiar with the matter confirmed that both foreign and US government agencies have been asking Apple and Google for metadata related to push notifications to, for example, help tie anonymous users of messaging apps to specific Apple or Google accounts.

The source declined to identify the foreign governments involved in making the requests but described them as democracies allied to the United States.

The source said they did not know how long such information had been gathered in that way.

Most users give push notifications little thought, but they have occasionally attracted attention from technologists because of the difficulty of deploying them without sending data to Google or Apple.

Earlier this year French developer David Libeau said users and developers were often unaware of how their apps emitted data to the US tech giants via push notifications, calling them “a privacy nightmare.” — Reuters

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