Heart disease main cause of death

August 1, 2024 | 8:07 pm

stethoscope-rests-beside-symbolic-red-heart — MANIACVECTOR-FREEPIK

ISCHEMIC heart disease, tumor growth and cerebrovascular diseases including stroke remained the three leading causes of death in the Philippines last year, according to the local statistics agency.

In a report, it said deaths due to ischemic heart disease — heart weakening caused by reduced blood flow to the heart — reached 122,027, 18.8% of 647,893 deaths listed last year.

Neoplasms or tumors were the second-highest cause of death with 69,449 or 10.7% of the total, followed by cerebrovascular diseases with 65,224 or 10.1%.

Completing the top five causes of deaths were diabetes mellitus at 41,056 or 6.3% and pneumonia at 40,082 or 6.2%.

In a separate report, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the country’s birth, death, and marriage rates declined by 7.6%, 4.7% and 13.3%, respectively from 2022.

Philippine births in 2023 fell to 1.3 million from 1.5 million, while deaths went down to 647,893 from 679,766. Marriages fell to 389,673 from 449,428. — Abigail Marie P. Yraola

Probe of Miru contract sought

August 1, 2024 | 8:06 pm

A CONGRESSMAN has filed a resolution seeking to investigate the contract between the Commission on Elections and a South Korean technology provider Miru Systems Co, Ltd. to supply election equipment for the 2025 midterm elections.

Party-list Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta, who sought the probe, accused the parties of collusion.

“I welcome any probe on the matter,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia told BusinessWorld in a Viber message. Miru Systems Co., Ltd. did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment.

The congressman alleged that 49 offshore bank accounts registered in China, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Cayman Islands owned by a top election official received P120 million from Miru officials.

“I issued a sworn affidavit of denial and sworn waivers of all the accounts and properties mentioned,” Mr. Garcia said. “I even authorized the National Bureau of Investigation and Anti-Money Laundering Council to investigate the truthfulness of the allegations.”

He said he only has two visas and has never been to the countries named by Mr. Marcoleta “and I have no intention to go there.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

SC rules on co-op franchises

August 1, 2024 | 8:06 pm

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) on Thursday said electric cooperatives (co-op) have no constitutional right to an exclusive franchise within their coverage areas.

The full court in a July 30 decision junked the petition of the Iloilo Electric Cooperative, Inc. I, II and III (ILECO) that questioned the validity of Republic Act No. 11918.

The law expanded the franchise of another energy provider, MORE Electric and Power Cooperation to areas within ILECO’s franchise to promote competition.

The 1987 Constitution bars exclusive franchises, according to the decision written by Justice Rodil V. Zalameda.

It added that since a franchise is a privilege granted by the state and is not the exclusive property of the franchisee, it should always serve the common good.

The top court had yet to upload a copy of the ruling on its website. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Japan backs voter awareness

August 1, 2024 | 8:06 pm

THE JAPANESE government will provide about ¥234 million (P91 million) for a program that seeks to raise voter awareness in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) aims to improve voter education and promote election digitalization.

“The Philippines is very much a significant country for Japan,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya told reporters after the signing of the deal. “The Mindanao peace process shows that issues can be solved through consultations and dialogues.”

The partnership aims to enhance democratic participation and inclusion by improving voter education.

It also seeks to use data analytics to help Comelec deal with the needs of localities and vulnerable populations.

The project will run for 18 months from Aug. 1. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Manila affirms stance vs nukes

August 1, 2024 | 8:05 pm

PHILIPPINE Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta on Wednesday reaffirmed to foreign diplomats in Geneva Manila’s stance against the use of nuclear weapons.

“Ambassador Sorreta stated that the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons should be at the forefront of the efforts towards nuclear disarmament,” the Philippine Embassy in Geneva said in a statement.

He issued the remarks on the sidelines of the Second Preparatory Committee for the 2026 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Akbayan members eye Senate

August 1, 2024 | 8:05 pm

AKBAYAN Party on Thursday said it would field senatorial candidates for the 2025 midterm elections, citing the need to boost opposition in the Senate.

The party will ensure that its chairman emeritus, Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel, will have allies in the Senate as part of the democratic opposition, Akbayan President Rafaela David said at a party meeting.

Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel failed in her first two senatorial bids that started in 2010. She won a Senate seat in the 2016 and is now the highest elected official among opposition forces.

Ms. David said Akbayan thinks former Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV, Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan and Jose Manuel I. Diokno could all “add to the voice of the democratic opposition” in the Senate.

Liberal Party spokesperson Leila M. de Lima earlier said Mr. Aquino, Mr. Pangilinan and Mr. Diokno would run for senator next year. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DOTr-ADB agreements expedite PPP transport projects

August 1, 2024 | 7:35 pm

Jaime-Bautista-DOTr — Department of Transportation Sec. Jaime J. Bautista | source: DOTr

Agreements between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aim to accelerate the progress of transportation projects, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said on Thursday.

“These agreements for ADB transaction services will help us fast-track project structuring towards a better commuting experience,” he said in a press release.

In a separate statement last April 24, Mr. Bautista said that the ADB’s assistance is crucial in completing the transportation projects under the Marcos administration.

“We derive much confidence in being able to complete these projects with ADB by our side,” he said at the 4th DOTr-ADB coordination meeting.

Based on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center’s data, 205 PPP projects are under implementation, 164 are in the pipeline, and 56 were concluded and terminated.

Mr. Bautista added that the agreement concretized the collaborative relations between the department, ADB, and the PPP Center.

Further, the partnership with ADB extended the concession agreement for the Philippine Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) projects.

“Automatic fare collection projects are major strides in transforming public transport, even when they are still years from completion,” Mr. Bautista said.

Included under the signed agreement were transaction advisory services for the AFCS project and the operations and maintenance of MRT-3 and the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP). – Almira Louise S. Martinez

Carlo Paalam’s bid for Paris Games gold is off and running

August 1, 2024 | 7:28 pm

PARIS, France — Carlo Paalam promised he’s not to relax or lower down his guards even as he has got past the top favorite in their weight category in the Paris Olympics.

Mr. Paalam is keeping a mindset that there’s no easy bout in the Olympics and he’d rather focus on the task at hand.

Mr. Paalam reaching the 57kg quarterfinals with a unanimous win over Commonwealth Games titlist Jude Gallagher of Ireland Wednesday at the Paris North Arena.

Up next for Mr. Paalam is Australian Charlie Senior, 4-1 winner over Belgian Vasile Usturoi.

A win will assure Paalam of a bronze medal — if ever his second Olympic podium finish after winning silver in Tokyo in 2021.

But like against Mr. Gallagher, the Takalag, Bukidnon bet will be giving much in height and reach versus the 22-year-old 5-foot-10 Mr. Senior, gold medalist in the 2023 Pacific Games.

Nonetheless, Elmer Pamisa, Mr. Paalam’s discoverer in Cagayan de Oro and who has since been guiding the young fighter in his journey, is confident the Filipino bet can handle Mr. Senior.

And Mr. Paalam may use the same strategy he did in his first bout.

It was a strategy that worked, leading to Mr. Paalam drawing the nod of all five judges.

And his chase for Paris gold is off and running. — Nelson Beltran

Cignal HD Spikers remain unbeaten

August 1, 2024 | 7:28 pm

Games Saturday
(PhilSports Arena)
1 p.m. — Nxled vs Farm Fresh
3 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Creamline
5 p.m. — PLDT vs Chery Tiggo

CIGNAL overpowered an old, familiar rival in Petro Gazz, 25-19, 25-19, 25-22, Thursday and claimed its fourth straight victory in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

MJ Perez blasted away with a team-best 20 points as the HD Spikers stayed unscathed and atop Pool A in what was their best start in franchise history in the league.

It was also some sort of a payback for the HD Spikers, who were swept in two games by the Angels and denied their first PVL championship in their title duel this same conference two years ago.

While Cignal was on a high, Petro Gazz appeared to have operated on an empty tank as it fell to its third straight defeat after its straight-set triumph over ZUS Coffee last July 18.

Brooke Van Sickle was in the attack zone with a match-high 28 points while Cuban Wilma Salas scattered 14 hits but they weren’t enough to stem the devastating Cignal tide.

“I’m so proud of my team today (yesterday), we all worked together as a team and were very focused on training,” said Ms. Perez. — Joey Villar

Undermanned Gin Kings edge New Taipei Kings

August 1, 2024 | 7:27 pm

NEWLY-MINTED Gin Kings dazzled as the undermanned Barangay Ginebra pulled off a 91-87 escape act against the P. League+ champion New Taipei Kings in the Macao WUS International Basketball Club Challenge late Thursday night in Macau.

Incoming rookies RJ Abarrientos and Paul Garcia along with sophomore star Stephen Holt teamed up in the clutch while Japeth Aguilar top-scored with 23 points in the Gin Kings’ narrow win.

Mr. Holt, last season’s Rookie of the Year, drained the go-ahead bucket before hitting Mr. Abarrientos, the 3^rd overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft, for a timely triple in the last two minutes that pushed Ginebra to an 88-84 separation.

Paul Garcia, the 34^th pick, was also instrumental after converting an and-one play in the waning seconds to extend the Gin Kings’ lead to 90-87 en route to the gritty victory on the road.

Mr. Abarrientos fired 20 while Mr. Holt added 19 to backstop veteran big man Mr. Aguilar in the duel between two Gin Kings as part of Ginebra’s build-up for the coming PBA Governors’ Cup.

The win proved as a solid first test for Messrs. Abarrientos, Holt, Garcia and Isaac Go after their arrival as the newest members of the crowd darlings through the draft and a blockbuster trade.

Ginebra first got a hand on Messrs. Holt and Go from Terrafirma in exchange of Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle plus the pick swap that set the stage for their selection of Mr. Abarrientos at No. 3 in the draft.

The Gin Kings’ original 10^th pick went to the Dyip, who utilized it to tab Mark Nonoy from De La Salle.

Former PBA MVP Scottie Thompson, ace wingman Jamie Malonzo, seasoned guard Maverick Ahanmisi and resident import Justin Brownlee did not play for the Gin Kings but the crew of head coach Tim Cone still delivered with the new guys stepping up big time.

Taipei also missed the services of Lin brothers Jeremy and Joseph. — John Bryan Ulanday

Boxing was just a try, says Bacyadan

August 1, 2024 | 7:26 pm

PARIS, France — A good try.

For Hergie Bacyadan, boxing was just a try, and it was a good one with the wushu/vovinam/kickboxing artist making it all the way to the pinnacle of boxing competition with mere months of training.

But as she’s still very much committed to her other sports, Ms. Bacyadan is unsure whether she’s to pursue boxing and take another shot at the Olympics following her quick exit in the Paris Games.

She said she’s to consult with kickboxing chief and Philippine Olympic Committee Secretary General Wharton Chan.

Mr. Chan, for his part, is very much willing to let go of Ms. Bacyadan especially if it’s for the country’s Olympic dream.

Ms. Bacyadan isn’t closing the door on it.

Entered in the 75kg class, Ms. Bacyadan ran into the big, bemedaled Chinese in Li Quan and failed to make it past the opening round.

But she had no regrets.

She’s calm and flashing smiles in facing the media after her lone Paris bout. — Nelson Beltran

Djokovic and Alcaraz move closer to golden showdown

August 1, 2024 | 7:26 pm

PARIS — Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz stayed on collision course for a golden showdown at the Paris Olympics as they surged through to the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

But Rafa Nadal’s hopes of writing one last golden chapter in his Roland Garros love story ended in disappointment as he and Mr. Alcaraz lost in the quarterfinals of the doubles.

Mr. Djokovic, also in the last-chance saloon as far as his Olympic title hopes go, beat Germany’s Dominic Koepfer 7-5 6-3 to reach the last eight at the Games for a record fourth time where he meets Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The 21-year-old Mr. Alcaraz, seeded second, followed suit with a 6-4 6-2 victory over Russian Roman Safiullin to line up a quarterfinal with American Tommy Paul.

Women’s singles top seed Iga Swiatek became the first player from Poland to reach an Olympic semifinal as Danielle Collins retired trailing 4-1 in the third set of their scrap.

Anna Karolina Schmiedlova stunned Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic 6-4 6-2 to become the first Slovak since Miloslav Mecir in 1988 to reach the Olympic singles semifinals and China’s Zheng Qinwen ended the stellar career of Germany’s Angelique Kerber to emulate Li Na who reached the semifinals of singles at the Beijing Games in 2008.

Ms. Kerber, who will retire after the Games, clung on grimly in stifling heat but Zheng eventually won 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(6) to set up a semifinal with Ms. Swiatek.

Ms. Swiatek trounced Ms. Collins 6-1 in the first set, lost the second 6-2 and was hit painfully by a Collins shot in the decider before moving 4-1 ahead, at which point Collins pulled out.

Unseeded Croatian Donna Vekic concluded a marathon day as she served an ace on her fifth match point, having also saved one, to beat Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk at gone midnight.

Ms. Vekic, who lost the longest ever Wimbledon women’s semifinal to Jasmine Paolini this month, needed two hours 59 minutes to win 6-4 2-6 7-6(8) and will play Schmiedlova — meaning at least one unseeded player will win a women’s singles medal.

For all his 24 Grand Slam titles and countless accolades, the Olympics has never been especially kind to the 37-year-old Mr. Djokovic and a bronze medal remains his only souvenir. — Reuters