Coal phaseout in APAC raises need for reskilling, new green jobs

April 7, 2025 | 8:34 pm

chimneys-2058_1280 — STOCK PHOTO | Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

THE Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is accelerating efforts to phase out coal as part of a broader Just Energy Transition, with regional stakeholders highlighting the need for skill development, social protection, and inclusive policy dialogue to ensure no one is left behind in the shift to clean energy, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Monday.

At a two-day regional workshop held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from March 18 to 19, representatives from governments, employers, labor groups, civil society, and academia gathered under the newly formed Community of Practice (CoP) on Just Energy Transition in Asia, the ILO added in a statement.

“We recognize that this transition must be just and equitable. It is essential to ensure that workers and communities affected by the transition are supported through reskilling programs, social safety nets, and the creation of new green jobs,” Bernard Paul M. Mangulabnan, Acting Chief Labor and Employment Officer at the Department of Labor and Employment of the Philippines.

Delegates from Indonesia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam exchanged progress updates and shared strategies for managing the social and labor impacts of transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The workshop, organized by the ILO and the United Nations Office for Project Services Energy Transition Partnership, emphasized the importance of workforce reskilling, income protection, and multilateral dialogue to prevent inequality from widening as fossil fuel jobs disappear.

Despite momentum, participants acknowledged significant hurdles. Workers in fossil fuel-dependent sectors face displacement, skill mismatches, and wage instability, while access to retraining remains limited.

Participants flagged economic diversification, carbon pricing, corporate social responsibility grants, and policy coherence as key pathways to a smooth and equitable transition. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

LEB orders closure of law program in Manila university

April 7, 2025 | 8:34 pm

THE Legal Education Board (LEB) on Monday ordered the closure of the University of Manila-College of Law, citing the school’s failure to meet the minimum standards set by the board.

In a Facebook post, the LEB ordered the closure order due to the University’s dismal performance in the Bar examinations, failure to meet the prescribed curriculum and academic standards for legal

Education, and deficiencies in institutional facilities and resources necessary for quality legal instruction.

“This decision was made after a thorough evaluation of the legal education institution’s compliance with legal education standards and regulatory requirements,” the LEB added.

It said the university’s College of Law has been notified of the closure order since June 5, 2024.

“However, the LEB has received reports indicating that the school continues to accept enrollees,” it added.

As a result, the board issued this notice to inform the public that the LEB does not recognize enrollment at the institution.

The university did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Maguindanao del Norte municipality placed under Comelec

April 7, 2025 | 8:33 pm

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday issued Resolution No. 11126, placing the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, under the immediate and direct control and supervision of the poll body.

This is authorized by Section 99 of Comelec Resolution No. 11067, which allowed the Commission En Banc to place any political division, subdivision, unit, or area under its control if it is affected by political instability or other factors that could impact elections.

The resolution said that the Comelec took this action due to Section 101 of Comelec Resolution No. 11067, which pertains to areas that pose “threats that tend to disrupt the holding of free, peaceful, honest, orderly, and credible elections.”

The resolution further mentioned the death of Election Officer Mohammad Nabil M. Mutia and his wife on March 26, in Makebo village, Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, as a contributing factor necessitating Comelec control in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

This is in line with GSC Resolution No. 2025NLE-001, recommending Comelec control to prevent further violence and lawlessness affecting election officers.

Under this control, the Comelec shall exercise immediate and direct supervision over national and local officials and employees in the area, ensuring they perform their duties and adhere to prohibitions concerning conduct in the political division.

The poll body will also have full control and supervision over all national and local law enforcement agencies, including the military, to ensure free, peaceful, orderly, honest, and credible elections.

The resolution outlined the roles of various government agencies in support of Comelec control.

Commissioner Noli R. Pipo has been designated as the Commissioner-in-Charge for the Comelec Control of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, and will exercise oversight functions as the direct representative of the Commission En Banc for this purpose.

This resolution takes effect immediately. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Cops seize P1.7-M drugs in Maguindanao del Norte sting

April 7, 2025 | 8:33 pm

COTABATO CITY — Policemen confiscated P1.7 million worth of crystal meth (shabu) from two dealers entrapped in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Sunday afternoon.

The suspects are now locked in a police detention facility, to be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 using the 250 grams of shabu seized from them as evidence.

Brig Gen. Romeo J. Macapaz, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters on Monday that the suspects were immediately detained by policemen, led by Lt. Col. Esmael A. Madin, chief of the Sultan Kudarat Municipal Police Station.

Mr. Madin told reporters on Monday that his team was supposed to entrap the duo in Barangay Simuay in Sultan Kudarat, but the sting was laid in the town proper of Datu Odin Sinsuat after the duo requested to meet there instead. — John Felix M. Unson

Creamline guns for record 5-peat PVL crown against Petro Gazz

April 7, 2025 | 7:39 pm

CREAMLINE COOL SMASHERS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Games on Tuesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – Akari vs Choco Mucho (Battle for Third)
6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Petro Gazz (Finals)

CREAMLINE eyes a record five-peat feat and an 11^th Premier Volleyball League (PVL) title overall while Petro Gazz shoots for its third crown and first All-Filipino Conference championship when they collide on Tuesday at the start of their best-of-three title showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Cool Smashers should be the prohibitive favorites after having made the finale for a seventh straight time and 15^th in the last 16 conferences overall, both league marks, when they face the Angels at 6:30 p.m.

“I think Creamline has the slight edge in terms of chemistry,” said Ria Meneses moments after the Cool Smashers made it this far following a 25-19, 25-15, 25-15 thrashing of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Tuesday at the Big Dome.

But the separation between the two shouldn’t be that wide considering that the Angels made it to the finals first after sweeping the single-round robin semis in three matches including that emphatic 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 25-16 win over the dynastic champions on March 29.

Hunger will also be a key role for Petro Gazz, winner of two Reinforced Conference titles but never one outside it, as it will aim for a breakthrough All-Filipino Conference after coming close to winning one before falling to the same foe in Creamline two years ago.

“It’s really different when it’s the All-Filipino,” said Petro Gazz star Myla Pablo, who was part of the last championship by the franchise three years ago. “In the Reinforced Conference, the focus is on the import, but here, everyone contributes and works together as a team.”

For battle-scarred setter Chie Saet, they would shoot for nothing but the crown.

“We’re extremely happy because every team dreams of becoming a champion,” said Ms. Saet, who was a vital cog to Petro Gazz’s sensational ascent this conference.

“We really worked hard for this. We sacrificed a lot. That’s why now, we’ll find a way — we’re going to finish what we started,” she added.

Meanwhile, Akari and Choco Mucho take on each other in the battle for third spot, which will also be in a best-of-three affair.

Game Two is set for Thursday also at the Big Dome while a decider, if necessary, is on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena. — Joey Villar

UPHSD Junior Altas eye NCAA high school cage championship

April 7, 2025 | 7:38 pm

UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP JUNIOR ALTAS — FACEBOOK.COM/NCAA.ORG.PH

UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) relied on a big second quarter run to overcome a slow start in downing San Beda University, 96-87, on Monday that completed its finals return in NCAA Season 100 junior basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

In the best-of-three finals unfurling on Friday at the San Juan venue, the Junior Altas will be shooting for something they have never won — a high school cage championship.

UPHSD came a victory closer to claiming it last year when it forced a deciding Game Three but was denied by eventual winner Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Dan Rosales paced the Junior Altas with 19 points including three booming triples while Lebron Jhames Daep did most of the heavy lifting with nine points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. — Joey Villar

The scores:

UPHSD 96 – Rosales 19, Roluna 15, Pagulayan 13, Tabbuan 10, Daep 9, Callangan 8, Baldoria 7, Cristino 4, Borja 4, Corpuz 3, Nitura 3, Zanoria 1, Dela Cruz 0, Velasquez 0

San Beda 87 – Dollente 15, Medroso 14, Batongbakan 13, Uggadan 12, Vailoces 11, Winters 7, Wagan 6, San Juan 4, Reroma 3, Tauber 2, Garcia 0, Mondigo 0

Quarterscores: 21-24; 51-40; 80-65; 96-87

Undermanned Meralco Bolts hurdled first two games in Philippine Cup title defense

April 7, 2025 | 7:38 pm

VETERAN Allein Maliksi has been ruled out of Meralco’s Philippine Cup title defense, leaving the Bolts without one of the stalwarts from their champion crew.

Mr. Maliksi is dealing with sciatica from a back injury he sustained in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup last January. Sciatica is pain going down the leg from the lower back.

“It will take time to heal, to ease the pain and numbness. It needs intensive rehab to recover. Just wait to ease sciatica,” the 37-year-old shooting guard said.

For now, the five-time PBA champion couldn’t give a timetable for his return.

Mr. Maliksi takes solace in the fact he can already jog and do strength workouts at this point.

Chris Banchero, another key player in the Meralco title defense, is also sitting out due to hamstring issues. But Mr. Banchero is expected to be back in harness in two weeks’ time.

The Bolts have hurdled their first two assignments minus the two, posting a come-from-behind 91-89 thriller over Converge before bamboozling Terrafirma, 118-80.

Meralco stakes its 2-0 record against payback-seeking San Miguel Beer (1-0) on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in the pro league’s 7:30 p.m. main offering on its 50^th anniversary.

Commissioner Willie Marcial announced that fans born in 1975, the PBA’s founding year, will get free admission to the April 9 double-header that also has Magnolia and Converge clashing at 5 p.m. They just need to show a valid ID showing their birthdays to gain entry.

Additionally, fans can buy seats at the lower box for only P50, and P30 for the general admission section on the said playdate as part of the PBA’s golden anniversary festivities. — Olmin Leyba

Kings keep postseason hopes alive with win over Cavaliers

April 7, 2025 | 7:37 pm

ZACH LAVINE made seven 3-pointers, including three in the fourth quarter, to finish with a game-high 37 points as the visiting Sacramento Kings pushed past the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-113 on Sunday night.

The win sends the Kings (38-40) to the ninth seed in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Mavericks, and also denied the Cavaliers (62-16) the opportunity to clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Sacramento won both games over the Cavs this season.

With the score 116-111, LaVine drove to the basket and scored with his left hand on a lay-in with 46.1 seconds left, but the replay seemed to indicate that the ball was still in his hand when the shot clock went off. The play was never reviewed.

DeMar DeRozan had 28 points and seven assists for the Kings, while Domantas Sabonis added 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Ty Jerome paced Cleveland with 20 points off the bench, Donovan Mitchell had 19 points, six boards and six assists, while Jarrett Allen finished with 17 points. Evan Mobley contributed 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals.

In the third quarter, Mitchell appeared to injure his left ankle coming up the court when he crossed paths with Keon Ellis. Mitchell went back to the locker room and did return after missing over six minutes of game action. Sacramento would close the third quarter on a 24-6 run to lead 91-79.

Neither team was able to get any breathing room in the first half, with the Cavs owning the largest lead at seven and the game tied eight times.

Sabonis, who had 19 points in the first half, made a long 3-pointer with 49.1 seconds left in the first quarter to push the Kings to a 31-27 lead at the end of one.

Cleveland was down four in the second when it got a huge boost from reserve Isaac Okoro. Okoro scored on a drive to the basket, a 3-pointer and then put back a miss to cap a 10-0 run as Cleveland took a 45-39 lead, the biggest for the Cavaliers to that point.

Okoro, who missed a big chunk of the season with a shoulder injury, beat his chest after his last basket.

Sacramento didn’t yield and closed the first half with a wild flourish in the final 50 seconds. DeRozan sank a jumper from the baseline, LaVine sliced to the basket for two and Ellis banked in a 3-pointer from just inside halfcourt at the buzzer to trim the Cleveland lead to 57-56 at the break. — Reuters

Lakers pour in 22 3-pointers to thrash Thunder

April 7, 2025 | 7:37 pm

LUKA DONCIC scored 30 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 126-99 road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

The Lakers finished with a season-high 22 3-pointers on 40 attempts (55%). Austin Reaves had 20 points and he and Doncic were two of four Los Angeles players with four or more 3-pointers. Dorian Finney-Smith (14 points) and Gabe Vincent (12) each made four triples, while LeBron James added 19 points and seven assists.

The Lakers (48-30) have won four of their last five.

The Thunder have dropped back-to-back games for the second time this season. Oklahoma City (64-14) had not lost a game by more than 15 points this season, other than the NBA Cup championship game that did not count toward the league standings.

The Lakers got going from deep early and didn’t cool off in the first half. Los Angeles hit 10 of its first 12 3-pointers to help it build a lead that stretched as large as 29 in the first half.

The Lakers finished the first half 15 of 22 from beyond the arc, tying a franchise record for 3-pointers in a half.

Los Angeles ripped off a 16-6 run late in the first quarter to grab control and lead by 11.

The Lakers hit three 3-pointers in that stretch, including two on consecutive possessions by Vincent. They were 7 of 9 from beyond the arc in the opening quarter to score 42 points against the team with the top defensive rating in the NBA.

Los Angeles quickly stretched its lead to 20 in the first three minutes of the second quarter and Oklahoma City never got closer than 13 the rest of the way.

The Lakers dominated despite not scoring off a Thunder turnover until more than three minutes into the fourth quarter when James stepped in front of an Aaron Wiggins pass near midcourt and ran uncontested for a raucous dunk.

It was just Oklahoma City’s third turnover of the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 26 points, extending his streak of scoring 20 or more points to 71 games.

Gilgeous-Alexander added nine assists and did not attempt a free throw for the first time this season. Jalen Williams had 16 points and Chet Holmgren scored 10.

The game was the first of back-to-back games between the teams in Oklahoma City. They’ll meet again on Tuesday. — Reuters

UConn crushes South Carolina for record-extending 12^th title

April 7, 2025 | 7:37 pm

THE University of Connecticut (UConn) thrashed South Carolina 82-59 to claim a record-extending 12^thnational championship in NCAA women’s basketball on Sunday, the first title for the team since 2016.

A dream showdown between two of the sport’s marquee teams quickly turned sour for defending champions South Carolina against a suffocating UConn defense, as the Huskies ended their longest title drought since their first title in 1995.

The Gamecocks were unable to slow down freshman Sarah Strong, who put up a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds, and guard Azzi Fudd, who added another 24 points and was later named the most outstanding player of the Final Four.

“You just never know if you’ll be back in this situation again,” said UConn coach Geno Auriemma, the winningest coach in collegiate basketball who became emotional in his post-game remarks. “We kept hanging in there and hanging in there.”

The Huskies had a 10-point lead through two quarters after a clutch three-point jumper from guard Ashlynn Shade to close out the first half, in which UConn sharpshooter Fudd led the way with 13 points.

They heaped on more pressure in the second half and South Carolina’s hope of a third title in four years evaporated as the Huskies were up by 32 points with four minutes left in the game.

The win gave famed guard Paige Bueckers, the presumed first pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, the accolade she craved most in her final collegiate game and she wept as she stepped off the court and embraced Auriemma.

“Unreal. Just so much gratitude for everything this program has meant to me,” said Bueckers, who put up 17 points on Sunday after overcoming injuries to become one of the collegiate game’s biggest names.

“I can’t even put into words what’s happening right now.” — Reuters

Malaysia braces for long-lasting impact of US tariffs on economy

April 7, 2025 | 5:45 pm

Malaysia-vehicles-road — VEHICLES travel along the Federal Highway in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. — BLOOMBERG

MALAYSIA is bracing for the possibility that US President Donald Trump’s tariffs will leave a lasting impact on its economy for years to come, given that nearly all of its trading and investment partners will be affected by the new regime.

The government is taking measures to address the tariffs’ impact, said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Aziz. These include setting up a task force to gather feedback from stakeholders, assessing the impact on industries and continuing its engagement with Washington, he said. Mr. Zafrul is seeking meetings with US officials by month-end.

“We are one of the US’s largest trading partners in Asean, and also one of the major recipients of US-based foreign investment,” the minister said at a briefing on Monday in Kuala Lumpur. “We must therefore acknowledge that there will be mid-to-long-term impact.”

The direct hit will include reduced demand and revenue, as well as conservative investment spending, Mr. Zafrul said. “In the long run, it may lead to decrease in Malaysia’s GDP and slowdown in global growth,” he added. The government is also vigilant of potential dumping of imported goods, he said.

Still, Malaysia’s “moderate” tariff rate could see some of its exports becoming more competitive in the global market, Mr. Zafrul said. The nation will also see some gains over palm oil exports as consumers opt for cheaper substitutes, he added.

After starting off the year on an optimistic note, Malaysia is now reviewing its gross domestic product growth target for 2025 should the tariffs come into effect on April 9. The Malaysian ringgit was one of the biggest losers in Asia on Monday, weakening 0.6% against the US dollar. The Kuala Lumpur benchmark stock index slumped as much as 5.7%, its biggest intraday drop since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The nation is also seeking to lead efforts to coordinate a regional response to the tariffs. Countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are among those hardest hit: Vietnam and Cambodia were slapped with rates of 46% and 49%, respectively, by the Trump administration, while Malaysia is subject to a 24% levy.

Like its regional peers, Malaysia has opted not to retaliate against the punishing trade overhaul and is seeking engagement, though it’s refuted the Trump administration’s claim that it imposes a 47% levy on US goods. — Bloomberg

BoJ warns of heightened uncertainty as Trump tariffs batter markets

April 7, 2025 | 5:44 pm

TOKYO — The Bank of Japan (BoJ) said uncertainty over Japan’s economy was growing as some firms worried about the hit to profits from higher US duties, a sign President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs risked upending a moderate economic recovery.

In a quarterly meeting of its regional branch managers on Monday, the BoJ maintained its assessment for all nine areas to say they were either recovering or picking up moderately.

But it said in a statement that “uncertainty over Japan’s economy was heightening,” underscoring the BoJ’s concern Mr. Trump’s tariffs may threaten to derail a cycle of rising wages and prices — a key prerequisite for further interest rate hikes.

While the statement did not make direct mention of higher US tariffs, it warned that “some firms voiced concern over the impact on output and profits” from US trade uncertainty.

The BoJ’s assessment of regional economies, which is based on surveys conducted by its nationwide branches on firms, did not fully incorporate the impact of Mr. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs announced last week, a central bank official told a briefing.

The BoJ painted an optimistic view on the economy, saying that brisk spending by overseas tourists and strong demand for luxury items have underpinned consumption. It also said firms maintained their robust capital expenditure plans.

Pay hikes were broadening for a wide range of sectors in regional areas, though some regions saw smaller firms voicing caution over further pay increases, the statement said.

“Companies continue to pass on rising import costs at a moderate pace,” with some also considering or implementing price hikes to raise funds to pay for rising labor costs, it said.

Asian share market tanked on Monday as investors feared that Mr. Trump’s tariffs could lead to higher prices, weaker demand and tip the global economy into recession.

Mr. Trump’s decision to slap a 25% levy on auto imports, and a reciprocal 24% tariff on other Japanese goods, will likely deal a huge blow to the export-heavy economy with analysts predicting the higher duties could knock up to 0.8 percentage point off economic growth.

The BoJ’s assessment of regional economies will be among factors that will be scrutinized at its next policy meeting on April 30-May 1, when the board is seen keeping interest rates steady at 0.5% and issuing fresh quarterly economic forecasts. — Reuters