Farmers enjoying higher selling prices of tobacco — NTA

April 15, 2024 | 8:28 pm

BAGUIO CITY — Farmers, producing flue-cured Virginia tobacco and air-cured Burley and Native tobacco, are selling at high prices at buying stations, according to data gathered by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).

Freddie Lazaro, NTA public relations officer, said the buying price per kilogram of the prime class of tobacco or Class AA of the flue-cured Virginia tobacco has reached as high as P113, higher than the approved floor price of P97.00.

The buying price on the prime class of both air-cured Burley-type tobacco and Native–type tobacco is expected to reach up to P100 per kilogram, which is higher than the approved P81.00 floor price, Mr. Lazaro said.

Considering the increasing trend in the actual buying price of tobacco, NTA Administrator Belinda S. Sanchez said “tobacco farmers will earn a lucrative income this season.”

“The tobacco buying price increase reflects market demand and crop quality as well as the presence of good weather and the increase of floor prices,” she said. “The more income the farmers earn will boost their purchasing power to buy their foods and other basic needs in their household.”

The trading for flue-cured Virginia tobacco started last February and is expected to run until June this year.

Tobacco traders such as Universal Leaf Philippines, Inc (ULPI), Trans Manila Incorporated (TMI), and ConLeaf have opened buying stations in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Abra.

Aside from the tobacco traders, there are also NTA-accredited field canvassers, who are reaching out to farmers to buy their produce.

For the air-cured Burley and Native tobacco leaves, trading operations of NTA-accredited field canvassers started on the last week of March and will end on July in the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Pangasinan, Isabela, and Cagayan.

The NTA is committed “to supervising and managing the implementation of farming technologies and capability enhancement of the farmers for the production of high-quality tobacco leaves,” said Ms. Sanchez. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Laguna logs highest GVA of Industry among provinces

April 15, 2024 | 8:27 pm

LAGUNA logged the largest share in terms of gross value added (GVA) of Industry in 2022 among provinces and highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the Philippines, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA published on Monday the results of the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) of the 16 pilot regions outside Metro Manila which covered 82 provinces and 17 HUCs from November to December 2023.

Laguna had the largest share of GVA at 10.4%, followed by Cavite at 6%, and then Batangas at 5.8%.

Meanwhile, the PPA also showed that in 2022, the province of Nueva Vizcaya recorded the fastest annual growth in GVA of Industry at 27.3%, higher than the national growth rate of 6.5%.

This was followed by Sorsogon, 18.7%; Zambales, 17.3%; and Masbate, 16.6%, the PSA said. — Paolo D. Mendoza

SC to expand legal aid services for underprivileged

April 15, 2024 | 8:26 pm

Supreme_Court_of_the_Philippines — PHOTO BY MIKE GONZALEZ

THE PHILIPPINE Supreme Court’s (SC) Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) Regional Consultations goes Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, April 18, to firm up the rules on requiring covered lawyers to render 60 hours of pro bono work for indigent Filipinos.

The technical working group (TWG) headed by Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa kicked off the four-leg ULAS Regional Consultation last April 12 in Baguio City.

The event is “for stakeholders to discuss the proposed Rules, deliberate on its salient provisions, and provide feedback and insights that will be taken into consideration in drafting the final rules,” the SC said in a statement on Monday.

Participants consist of lawyers from small-sized firms, lawyers from medium/large-sized firms, solo practitioners, in-house counsels, lawyers employed by NGOs/NPOs (non-government organizations/non-profit organizations), and members of the academe, it said.

Following the Cagayan de Oro leg, the regional consultations will proceed to Makati City on May 17, and then Iloilo City at a still unspecified date.

The highlight of each ULAS Regional Consultation is the breakout session, where participants can “discuss the proposed Rules, review its provisions, and voice out their suggestions.”

Eventually, the aims is to implement how covered practitioners would provide at least 60 hours of pro bono legal aid services to underprivileged Filipinos and members of marginalized communities each for a compliance period of three years. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Terrorists kill 4 MILFs in Maguindanao del Sur ambush

April 15, 2024 | 8:25 pm

COTABATO CITY — Local terrorists have killed four members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in an ambush on Sunday in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur, authorities said.

Local leaders, members of different municipal peace and order councils in Maguindanao del Sur and officials of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division told reporters on Monday morning that Mhoni S. Kamid, Khar D. Anding, Tapurih M. Anding, and Ahmed B. Mansur died on the spot due to bullet wounds in different parts of the bodies.

The victims, all residents of Barangay Dapiawan in Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao del Sur, were riding motorcycles, maneuvering through a stretch of a highway in Shariff Aguak town, when gunmen positioned along the route opened fire with assault rifles.

These MILF members who died instantly had actively supported the police and military’s anti-terror campaign in the province.

Colonel Roel R. Sermese, Maguindanao del Sur police director, said the four were on their way to Barangay Limpongo in Datu Hoffer town when they were attacked.

The group of Kagui Katatang, who is identified with both the outlawed Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), is suspected to be behind the atrocity, according to some local leaders. — John Felix M. Unson

Hot PLDT clashes with dangerous Chery Tiggo in critical PVL match

April 15, 2024 | 7:36 pm

Games Tuesday
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m. — Petro Gazz vs Cignal
6 p.m. — Chery Tiggo vs PLDT

A LOT has been said about how far the PLDT High Speed Hitters could go and survive in a loaded Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference minus two of their big guns — injured former captain Mika Reyes and blue-chip free agency recruit Kianna Dy.

Their answer: The league’s second-best record and a chance to reclaim a spot at the helm.

“Team’s core maturity is doing good,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort, whose charges tackle an equally resurgent and dangerous Chery Tiggo in Tuesday’s critical elimination round duel at the PhilSports Arena.

The 6 p.m. showdown pits two clubs that own the league’s hottest streak thus far with the High Speed Hitters on a five-game streak that hiked its record to 7-1 and the Crossovers on a four-game rampage that improve its mark to 6-2.

A win for PLDT would catapult it back to the top alongside Choco Mucho (8-1) while a Chery Tiggo triumph would propel it at joint No. 2 with league powerhouse Creamline (7-2).

And it was because of players, the old guns and new ones like Kim Fajardo and Keisha Bedonia, have melded together to form a competitive team minus Mmess. Reyes and Dy.

Mr. Ricafort, however, stressed they packed enough win and confidence to enter that match in high spirits.

For Chery Tiggo mentor Kungfu Reyes, every win is a step towards their desired destination — the semifinals.

“Every game parang turning point is ours, whether it will turn out good or turn bad,” said Mr. Reyes. Also jostling for semifinal positions are Petro Gazz (6-2) and Cignal (5-3), who collide at 4 p.m. — Joey Villar

Lauren Hoffman resets nat’l records in athletics

April 15, 2024 | 7:35 pm

OLYMPIC aspirant Lauren Hoffman has made a habit of rearranging national records lately.

On a fair-weathered Sunday in Durham, North Carolina, Ms. Hoffman, seeking a ticket to this July’s Paris Games, shattered a Philippine mark anew, this time in the women’s 100-meter hurdles where she clocked 13.41 seconds in the Duke Invitational.

The reigning Asian 400m hurdles champion smashed the 17-year-old standard set by Sheena Atilano in Pune, India.

It came just a little over two weeks after she set a national record in the 400m hurdles in the Hurricane Collegiate Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida, US where she timed in 56.39 seconds.

She destroyed the old mark of 56.44 clocked by Robyn Brown two years before in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games.

Ms. Hoffman also reset the indoor 400m mark twice, the first in Clemson, South Carolina in January when she clocked 53.91 and shattered the six-year-old record of 59.94 owned by Kayla Richardson and the other in South Carolina when she clocked 53.71 the next month in the same event.

While Ms. Hoffman is still far from the Olympic standard in 100m hurdles (12.77), 400m hurdles (54.85) and 400m (50.95), she isn’t giving up on her hope of making the quadrennial event alongside pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas and weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza and Elreen Ando. — Joey Villar

Far Eastern University and New Zealand Creamery dominate Red Bull Half Court Manila Qualifiers

April 15, 2024 | 7:34 pm

THE CITY of Manila witnessed a showcase last April 13, 2024 with the Red Bull Half Court Manila Qualifiers. As the event took place in Gameville BallPark and Activate Hoop Arena in Mandaluyong, locals and basketball enthusiasts alike attended to see the excitement unfold.

In a highly-competitive showdown that kept watchers on the edge of their seats, the event showcased an array of electrifying plays, from buzzer-beaters that sent the crowd into a frenzy to shocking crossovers that left viewers in awe. The court became a stage for the finest streetballers in Manila to exhibit their skills, and they did not disappoint.

Emerging victorious in a fiercely contested match in the men’s category was the Far Eastern University (FEU) against Team Elite with a hard-fought 12-11 win in overtime, showcasing their exceptional skills and unwavering determination.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Creamery showcased their dominance in the women’s category with a commanding performance against Falcons Blue securing a resounding 13-6 victory.

New Zealand Creamery highlighted that teamwork is what helped them win the Finals. “Teamwork is the most important factor during the qualifiers especially during the Finals earlier, during the finals is where we showed our team’s chemistry. Teamwork is what brings a team together, that’s why we focused and constantly practiced our team work again.,” they stated.

After their big win at the Manila Qualifiers, FEU and New Zealand Creamery will now advance to the National Finals on April 27, alongside Team Elite, Coach J Hoops Academy (CJHA-B),

Kamacayan, and Falcons Blue. The eventual winners will secure their spot in the highly anticipated Red Bull Half Court World Finals in New York City, which will take place from October 16-21. This prestigious event brings together the best streetball teams from around the globe for a showdown of skill, athleticism, and sheer passion for the game.

To keep up with team FEU, Team Elite, CJHA-B, Kamacayan, New Zealand Creamery, and Falcons Blue and their journey to greatness, follow them along at the official Red Bull website and social media pages (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok).

Scottie Scheffler masters Augusta for second time

April 15, 2024 | 7:34 pm

IN PROFESSIONAL golf, there’s Scottie Scheffler, and then there’s everybody else.

The No. 1 player in the world won his second Masters in three years on Sunday in Augusta, Georgia, US by firing a final-round 68 to finish the week at 11-under 271.

Six of Mr. Scheffler’s seven birdies came over his final 11 holes at Augusta National as he pulled away for a four-stroke win over Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who posted a 69. Collin Morikawa struggled to a 74, tying Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (69) and Max Homa (73) for third at 4 under.

“I did my best to stay calm out there,” Mr. Scheffler said at the green jacket ceremony in Butler Cabin. “I tried to stay patient on the course and was able to make some key shots and key putts today to keep my round going. Mr. Ludvig played great today, he made a good move at me there on the back nine and I was fortunate to hold him off towards the end.”

Only Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Spaniard Seve Ballesteros were younger two-time Masters champions than Mr. Scheffler, 27.

It marks Mr. Scheffler’s second major victory and his 10^th win on the PGA Tour in the past 26 months. In his past four starts on tour, Mr. Scheffler has won three tournaments and tied for second in the other.

Though no one is close to Mr. Scheffler’s dominance, Mr. Aberg continued his meteoric rise through the world of golf with a solo second in his first major start. The 24-year-old had yet to turn pro this time last year, but he’s now won on the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, played for a victorious European Ryder Cup team and contended on Sunday at the Masters.

“This being my first major championship, you never really know what it’s going to be like until you’re there and experience it,” Mr. Aberg said. “I think this week has given me a lot of experiences and a lot of lessons learned in terms of those things. It makes me really hungry, and it makes me want to do it again and again.”

After a short birdie putt at No. 3, Mr. Scheffler suffered bogeys at Nos. 4 and 7 to drop to 6 under with Collin Morikawa, whom he led by one after 54 holes. Mr. Aberg and Mr. Homa soon joined them for a four-way share of the lead, but Mr. Scheffler and Mr. Morikawa each birdied the par-5 eighth to sneak ahead to 7 under.

But after Mr. Scheffler’s approach at No. 9 spun back and narrowly missed the cup, setting up a birdie, each of his three competitors carded a double bogey to drop down the board. First was Mr. Morikawa, who failed to get out of a greenside bunker on his third shot at No. 9 before two-putting.

Mr. Aberg’s misstep came at the par-4 11^th, where his approach landed well short of the green and hit the water hazard. And Mr. Homa went backward at the par-3 12^th after his tee shot over the green bounced into bushes and forced him to take an unplayable lie.

Mr. Morikawa added a second double bogey at the 11^th to tumble further out of the race. Like Aberg, his second shot found the water hazard.

“Greed got the best of me,” Mr. Morikawa said. “9, can’t miss it over there and can’t leave it in the bunker. 11, just tried to hit too perfect of a shot. It’s not like at that point I was trying to press. I knew where I stood.

“We put a lot of pieces of the puzzle together this week, but after watching Scottie this week, I know what to do if I really want to close this gap on what he’s doing and how impressive he’s playing.”

Mr. Scheffler made it three birdies in a row at No. 10, absorbed a missed par putt at No. 11 and rebounded with consecutive birdies at Nos. 13 and 14. The latter was the final nail in the coffin, as his approach shot landed on the green’s back ridge and slowly rolled to 2 feet of the cup.

Now Mr. Scheffler can return home to his wife, Meredith, who soon will deliver the couple’s first child.

“It’s a very special time for both of us,” Mr. Scheffler said. “I can’t put into words what it means to win this tournament again. I really can’t put into words what it’s going to be like to be a father for the first time. I’m looking forward to getting home and celebrating with Meredith. It’s been a long week here without her, but I’m just looking forward to getting home.” — Reuters

Milo vows to nurture champions of tomorrow

April 15, 2024 | 7:33 pm

MILO vowed to continue nurturing champions in the next six decades and beyond after helping blaze the trail for Filipino world champions — across all sports — in line with its 60^th anniversary.

Marking an unbelievable milestone since first venturing into Philippine sports sixty years ago, recognized the triumphant athletes of yesterday and today with hopes of paving the way for more achievers of tomorrow.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the country’s first and only Olympic gold medalist, headlined the event at the Ayala Malls TriNoma in Quezon City with volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez, rising karateka Jamie Lim, basketball great Chris Tiu and two-sport legend Bea Lucero-Lhuiller (taekwondo and gymnastics), who served as one of the first Milo ambassadors.

Hundreds of aspiring kids, accompanied by their ever-supportive parents, played a bevy of sports with their idols, symbolizing Milo’s belief in its famous line that goes: “great things start from small beginnings.”

“You need to have a dream. It’s all in the heart, mindset, discipline and grit in the things that they do everyday,” said Ms. Diaz-Naranjo, who has built a weightlifting academy for future Filipino lifters.

And that will start from the ground up as Milo, known for “bringing out the champion in every Filipino” has lined up a boatload of events for its 60^th anniversary celebration, headlined by marathon races nationwide.

After staging three simultaneous races in Lipa, Laoag and Cebu, Milo will have stops next in Manila, Puerto Princesa, Legaspi, Cavite, Roxas, Iloilo, Bacolod, General Santos, Davao, Tarlac and Cagayan De Oro for the National Finals.

In partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Department of Education, Milo has also launched 30 Summer Sports Clinics and 300 Barangay Leagues for basketball and the booming volleyball sport. — John Bryan Ulanday

Lakers set up play-in rematch with New Orleans Pelicans

April 15, 2024 | 7:33 pm

LEBRON JAMES had a triple-double, Anthony Davis had a double-double and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers dominated the New Orleans Pelicans 124-108 in the regular-season finale Sunday.

Mr. James finished with 28 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds and Mr. Davis had 30 points and 11 rebounds as the Lakers (47-35) clinched the No. 8 seed and set up a rematch with the seventh-seeded Pelicans (49-33) in a play-in game Tuesday night in New Orleans.

Austin Reaves added 20 points, D’Angelo Russell scored 19 and Rui Hachimura had 11 for L.A.

CJ McCollum scored 25 points to lead New Orleans. Herbert Jones added 18, while Larry Nance, Jr. and Brandon Ingram, returning from a 12-game absence due to a hyper-extended knee, scored 13 each.

Zion Williamson had 12, Trey Murphy III 11 and Jose Alvarado 10 for New Orleans, which saw its four-game winning streak end. The Pelicans fell from No. 6 in the West and into the play-in because Phoenix defeated Minnesota 125-106 and won the tie-breaker with the Pelicans for No. 6.

L.A. never trailed in the game, leading by as many as 23 points in the first half and outscoring New Orleans 68-42 in points in the paint for the game. The Lakers won the season series 3-1 as the visiting team prevailed for the first time.

Mr. Reaves made one 3-pointer and Mr. Russell added two to start L.A.’s third-quarter scoring and help the Lakers expand their lead to 85-57.

Mr. Davis scored eight of his 14 first-quarter points as the Lakers opened a 17-7 lead. Ingram scored the Pelicans’ final nine points as they trimmed the lead to 30-24 at the end of the period.

Taurean Prince and Mr. James each made a pair of layups and L.A. increased the lead to 15 points early in the second quarter. New Orleans got within 12 before Mr. Reeves scored five points, Mr. James had a three-point play and an assist and the Lakers matched their biggest lead of the half, 60-37.

Mr. Nance scored seven points, making one of four 3-pointers in the final 3:39 of the half that helped the Pelicans creep within 70-53 at halftime. — Reuters

Thunder earn West’s No. 1 seed in blowout win vs Mavericks

April 15, 2024 | 7:32 pm

SHAI Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 points in just 16 minutes as the Oklahoma City Thunder left no doubt, blowing out the visiting Dallas Mavericks 135-86 on Sunday.

The Thunder (57-25) finished the regular season with a five-game winning streak to claim the top spot in the Western Conference for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

With the Mavericks’ (50-32) playoff position set, they sat all of their starters other than Tim Hardaway, Jr.

That included Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who rested for the second consecutive game as Dallas prepares for its playoff opener against the Clippers.

Oklahoma City had no such certainty going into the day, as they were part of a three-way tie with Denver and Minnesota for the top spot in the West. The Oklahoma City Thunder held both the tiebreaker with the Nuggets and the three-way tiebreaker. Denver winning sealed the Thunder’s playoff position.

Oklahoma City quickly made it apparent they would take care of their part, scoring the game’s first 11 points to build a lead it would never relinquish.

That didn’t stop Oklahoma City from stretching its lead. The Thunder led by as many as 55 in the third quarter and led by as many as 58 in the fourth. — Reuters

When Facebook blocks news, studies show the political risks that follow

April 15, 2024 | 6:18 pm

REUTERS

SINCE Meta blocked links to news in Canada last August to avoid paying fees to media companies, right-wing meme producer Jeff Ballingall says he has seen a surge in clicks for his Canada Proud Facebook page.

“Our numbers are growing and we’re reaching more and more people every day,” said Mr. Ballingall, who publishes up to 10 posts a day and has some 540,000 followers.

“Media is just going to get more tribal and more niche,” he added. “This is just igniting it further.”

Canada has become ground zero for Facebook’s battle with governments that have enacted or are considering laws that force internet giants – primarily the social media platform’s owner Meta and Alphabet’s Google – to pay media companies for links to news published on their platforms.

Facebook has blocked news sharing in Canada rather than pay, saying news holds no economic value to its business.

It is seen as likely to take a similar step in Australia should Canberra try to enforce its 2021 content licensing law after Facebook said it would not extend the deals it has with news publishers there. Facebook briefly blocked news in Australia ahead of the law.

The blocking of news links has led to profound and disturbing changes in the way Canadian Facebook users engage with information about politics, two unpublished studies shared with Reuters found.

“The news being talked about in political groups is being replaced by memes,” said Taylor Owen, founding director of McGill University’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, who worked on one of the studies.

“The ambient presence of journalism and true information in our feeds, the signals of reliability that were there, that’s gone.”

The lack of news on the platform and increased user engagement with opinion and non-verified content has the potential to undermine political discourse, particularly in election years, the studies’ researchers say. Both Canada and Australia go to the polls in 2025.

Other jurisdictions including California and Britain are also considering legislation to force internet giants to pay for news content. Indonesia introduced a similar law this year.

BLOCKED
In practice, Meta’s decision means that when someone makes a post with a link to a news article, Canadians will see a box with the message: “In response to Canadian government legislation, news content can’t be shared.”

Where once news posts on Facebook garnered between 5 million and 8 million views from Canadians per day, that has disappeared, according to the Media Ecosystem Observatory, a McGill University and University of Toronto project.

Although engagement with political influencer accounts such as partisan commentators, academics and media professionals was unchanged, reactions to image-based posts in Canadian political Facebook groups tripled to match the previous engagement with news posts, the study also found.

The research analyzed some 40,000 posts and compared user activity before and after the blocking of news links on the pages of some 1,000 news publishers, 185 political influencers and 600 political groups.

A Meta spokesperson said the research confirmed the company’s view that people still come “to Facebook and Instagram even without news on the platform.”

Canadians can still access “authoritative information from a range of sources” on Facebook and the company’s fact-checking process was “committed to stopping the spread of misinformation on our services”, the spokesperson said.

A separate NewsGuard study conducted for Reuters found that likes, comments and shares of what it categorized as “unreliable” sources climbed to 6.9% in Canada in the 90 days after the ban, compared to 2.2% in the 90 days before.

“This is especially troubling,” said Gordon Crovitz, co-chief executive of New York-based NewsGuard, a fact-checking company which scores websites for accuracy. Mr. Crovitz noted the change has come at a time when “we see a sharp uptick in the number of AI-generated news sites publishing false claims and growing numbers of faked audio, images and videos, including from hostile governments … intended to influence elections.”

Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge in an emailed statement to Reuters called Meta’s blocking of news an “unfortunate and reckless choice” that had left “disinformation and misinformation to spread on their platform … during need-to-know situations like wildfires, emergencies, local elections and other critical times”.

Asked about the studies, Australian Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said via email: “Access to trusted, quality content is important for Australians, and it is in Meta’s own interest to support this content on its platforms.”

Mr. Jones, who will decide whether to hire an arbitrator to set Facebook’s media licencing arrangements, said the government had made clear its position to Meta that Australian news media businesses should be “fairly remunerated for news content used on digital platforms.”

Meta declined to comment on future business decisions in Australia but said it would continue engaging with the government.

Facebook remains the most popular social media platform for current affairs content, studies show, even though it has been declining as a news source for years amid an exodus of younger users to rivals and Meta’s strategy of de-prioritizing politics in user feeds.

In Canada, where four-fifths of the population is on Facebook, 51% obtained news on the platform in 2023, the Media Ecosystem Observatory said.

Two-thirds of Australians are on Facebook and 32% used the platform for news last year, the University of Canberra said.

Unlike Facebook, Google has not indicated any changes to its deals with news publishers in Australia and reached a deal with the Canadian government to make payments to a fund that will support media outlets. — Reuters