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Stephen Curry, Warriors put Celtics to rest in OT

STEPHEN CURRY drained a desperation 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock with 11.5 seconds left in overtime (OT) to help the Golden State Warriors rally past the Boston Celtics, 132-126, on Tuesday night in San Francisco.

Down by as many as 17 points and never in front after halftime until the second minute of overtime, the Warriors won a third straight game led by Curry’s game-high 33 points and Klay Thompson’s 24.

Derrick White had 30 points and Jaylen Brown added 28 to pace the Celtics, who saw a five-game winning streak come to an end but survived a scare when Jayson Tatum had to leave the contest in the first quarter because of a sprained left ankle.

The Boston star was able to return in the second quarter, but he struggled through a 5-for-17, 15-point night in which he still found time for a team-high-tying seven assists.

The teams combined for six missed shots to open the extra session before Jonathan Kuminga stole an Al Horford pass and dunked for a lead Golden State never relinquished.

Trayce Jackson-Davis added a dunk and prevented a Brown slam with a block, helping the Warriors retain a 127-126 lead into the final seconds.

That’s when Curry missed a driving layup without hitting the rim, and with the shot clock running, the Warriors retrieved the ball and got it back to Curry, whose rainbow 25-footer flew cleanly through the net for the Boston backbreaker.

A wild finish to regulation saw the teams combine to miss eight consecutive shots after Curry had produced a 121-all tie with a 3-pointer with 1:36 to go. The Celtics had six of the eight misses, including five on a single trip down the floor that included a pair of missed 3-pointers by White and one by Tatum.

Tatum later had a chance to be the hero but misfired on a buzzer-beating 23-footer.

Curry and Thompson each made six 3-pointers on a night when the Warriors went 20-for-50 from deep. The Celtics made 17 of 58 attempts from long range, with White draining seven treys.

Kuminga finished with 17 points, Jackson-Davis had 10 to complement a game-high 13 rebounds and Chris Paul finished with nine to go with a game-high 12 assists.

Horford and Jrue Holiday added 13 points apiece for the Celtics, who got 11 points from Payton Pritchard and 10 from Neemias Queta. Queta also hauled in 10 rebounds for Boston, which opened a four-game California swing.

Horford was Boston’s leading rebounder with 12 boards.

The Celtics led 65-62 at the break and opened up a 97-86 advantage after three quarters. — Reuters

Chelsea, Fulham into League Cup semis after shootout win

LONDON — Chelsea and Fulham booked their place in the semifinals of the League Cup on Tuesday when they followed up 1-1 draws with penalty-shootout wins over Newcastle United and Everton respectively, with Middlesbrough also making the last four.

Chelsea beat Newcastle 4-2 on penalties, at Stamford Bridge after substitute Mykhailo Mudryk kept the Blues alive with a 92nd minute equalizer, while Fulham defeated Everton 7-6 in their shootout. Middlesbrough beat League One side Port Vale 3-0 to cruise into the last four.

Liverpool face West Ham United to decide the last semifinal spot on Wednesday.

Newcastle had appeared set to snatch a 1-0 win in west London until Kieran Trippier, on as a substitute, failed to cut out a Malo Gusto cross and allowed Mudryk, also on as a sub, to slot home, levelling the tie at 1-1 and taking it to penalties.

England defender Trippier turned a bad night into a disastrous one when he fired Newcastle’s second penalty wide before Matt Ritchie saw his effort saved athletically by Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic, making only his second start in goal for the Blues.

“Trips is an incredibly strong character,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told reporters.

“When he’s given us so much, now’s our turn to support him and look after him the other way and that’s what we’ll do.”

Chelsea had gone behind in the 16th minute when Callum Wilson, surrounded by Chelsea defenders, pounced on an error by Benoit Badiashile who got the ball caught in his feet allowing Wilson to flick his finish past Petrovic.

The hosts dominated possession throughout the game but struggled to break down a well-drilled Newcastle defence.

They brought French forward Christopher Nkunku off the bench for his first competitive appearance for the Londoners having suffered a knee injury in pre-season shortly after his transfer from RB Leipzig.

‘BELIEVE UNTIL THE END’
But the expensively assembled Blues, who have struggled for a second straight season in the Premier League, had seemed destined to throw away a precious chance of silverware until Mudryk’s late strike.

“Obviously it means a lot. Sometimes things happen when you trust in each other and believe until the end,” the Ukrainian — who has struggled to find his feet since signing for Chelsea nearly a year ago — told Sky Sports.

“Sometimes when the game is tough you need to keep pushing and believe until the last second because it’s football and everything can happen.”

Mudryk was one of four Chelsea players to score in the shootout, along with Nkunku, Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher.

Chelsea, in their first season under Mauricio Pochettino, are pinning their hopes on the domestic cups as they currently sit 10th in the Premier League and did not qualify for European competition.

The defeat for Howe’s Newcastle — without a major trophy since the 1950s — represents a second blow in the space of a week after they were eliminated from the Champions League last Wednesday.

Everton’s recent good run of results came to an end as they came back from a goal down to equalise with eight minutes remaining, but Fulham got the better of them from the penalty spot to silence the home crowd.

Toffees defender Michael Keane turned the ball into his own net early on to give Fulham the lead at Goodison Park, but a goal from substitute Beto eight minutes form time threw the home side a lifeline.

Both keepers saved a spot kick before Everton’s Idrissa Gueye struck a post with his hasty effort, and Fulham centre back Tosin Adarabioyo stepped up score to put the Londoners into the last four of the competition for the first time in their history. — Reuters

China stays open to dialogue, but pins ‘provocation’ on Philippines

PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

CHINA moderated its tone towards the Philippines on Tuesday, expressing openness to dialogue over the two nations’ territorial disputes in the South China Sea after Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said he would explore alternatives to resolving maritime issues.

“We stand ready to properly handle disputes through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines and will not close our door of dialogue and contact with the Philippines,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a news briefing.

However, Beijing continued to stick with its narrative that traced the cause of tensions to Manila’s supposed provocative stance.

“The recent events between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea are caused by deliberate infringement of China’s sovereignty and the provocations of the Philippines,” Mr. Wang said.

Speaking in Japan last Saturday, Mr. Marcos said his government plans to explore a “paradigm shift” in the way it deals with China amid its repeated incursions and swarming of South China Sea features closest to the Philippines.

He underscored how Beijing has ignored traditional diplomatic means initiated by the Philippines, including 132 diplomatic protests over the aggressive actions of Chinese vessels within the country’s exclusive economic zone since he became president in mid-2022.

As a result, the Philippines is looking to work with its global partners to come up with a joint position on safeguarding the South China Sea, he said.

But Mr. Wang stressed that maritime disputes between the Philippines and China do not represent the entirety of diplomatic relations between the states.

“We hope that the Philippines will make the right choice, seriously honor its commitment of properly handling disputes through dialogue and consultation and work with China to pursue the healthy and steady growth of bilateral ties and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region,” he said.

The Philippine defense chief, however, rebuked China on Wednesday for accusing his country of provoking tension and stirring trouble in the South China Sea, saying only Beijing believed what it was saying.

“Truth and in fact, no country in the world, none, supports unequivocally their claim to the whole of South China Sea,” Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. said as both nations have exchanged accusations over recent collisions in the waterway.

China has been blocking Philippine resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre, the vintage warship grounded on Second Thomas Shoal, which is only 200 kilometers (km) west of Palawan Island and more than 1,000 km from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan Island.

Tensions between the Philippines and China have worsened after the Chinese Coast Guard fired water cannons to block Manila’s attempt to deliver food and other supplies to troops stationed at BRP Sierra Madre.

In 2016, a United Nations-backed arbitration court based in The Hague said China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea has no legal basis, but Beijing has largely ignored the ruling.

China insists on its claims of almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of commercial shipping annually, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. — with a report from Reuters

One China Policy hampers Manila-Taiwan trade, says health sector executive

BW FILE PHOTO

By Beatriz Marie D. Cruz, Reporter

TAIPEI — The Philippine government’s adherence to the One China Policy could be restricting potential trade and investment opportunities with Taiwan, according to a hospital industry executive who attended the recent Healthcare+ Expo, here.

“There are some problems between the trade between Taiwan and the Philippines probably because of the One China Policy,” Jose Rene D. de Grano, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc., told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of the expo last November.

He noted how particular imports from Taiwan may not be accepted by the Department of Health (DoH) because of the One China Policy, which states that Taiwan is part of China.

In April, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian asked the Philippines to oppose Taiwan’s independence if the country “cares genuinely” about the welfare of more than 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) there.

Anthony B. Rivera, director for commercial affairs at the Philippine Trade and Investments Center in Taipei (PTIC-Taipei), said the One China Policy is not discussed in investment and trade talks between Philippine and Taiwanese businesses.

“[The] One China Policy… is beyond what we do because what we do is really offer opportunities for both trade and investment. We focus on the business,” Mr. Rivera said also on the sidelines of the expo.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in February gave the United States access to four more military bases on top of five existing sites under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with Washington. But he ruled out the use of Philippine military bases to launch offensives.

Ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing were underscored by a recent incident where Filipino officials accused the Chinese Coast Guard of using a water cannon and ramming Philippine civilian boats on a resupply mission to troops stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal.

Mr. De Grano pointed out that products, especially healthcare technology, are cheaper if bought directly from Taiwan than in China or the United States, noting how the latter also procures manufacturing parts from Taiwan.

However, he cautioned Philippine hospitals to prioritize equipment with longer warranties over lower costs.

Jose P. Santiago, Jr., the incoming president of the Philippine Hospitals Association (PHA), stressed the need for the government to improve infrastructure and mobility across the country to facilitate the distribution of healthcare technologies to various regions, including isolated areas.

“We’re separated by islands, so the infrastructure is really very important,” he stated in a separate interview with BusinessWorld.

Mr. Santiago also noted potential cost savings through increased manufacturing collaboration with Taiwan, particularly in the healthcare technology sector. “It will probably be cheaper to manufacture that machine or that technology in the country (Philippines)… [and] you can get tax incentives,” he said.

During the PHA’s 74th National Convention, Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa outlined a plan to establish at least one hospital per province.

Mr. Santiago envisioned a substantial increase in the demand for technology and equipment under such a plan, saying: “Could you imagine how the big demand for technology and equipment [would be]? So if there’s a [Taiwanese] manufacturing plant, it could be more affordable [for us].”

SC petition filed vs jeepney modernization plan

TRANSPORT group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) — PHILIPPINE STAR/JESSE BUSTOS

By Jomel R. Paguian

A GROUP of jeepney drivers and operators filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday, seeking to declare null and void the department order and circulars implementing the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) filed a 57-page petition for a temporary restraining order against the Department of Transportation (DoTr) Omnibus Franchising Guidelines, which serves as the framework of PUVMP.

The petition also sought a preliminary injunction on the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issuances mandating franchise consolidation and its year-end deadline.

PISTON, in their petition, argued that the mandatory consolidation requirement infringes on the constitutional right to freedom of association, rendering it unconstitutional. “The constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association includes the freedom not to associate.”

The PUVMP mandates drivers and operators to merge their separate franchises into a cooperative or corporation by Dec. 31 to obtain franchises for modern public utility vehicle (PUV) units. The group argued that this would initiate the phaseout of jeepneys, benefiting only financially capable large corporations able to meet consolidation requirements.

“Revoking franchises due to non-participation in cooperatives is a violation of the rights of drivers and operators,” PISTON national president Mody T. Floranda said in a statement. “They will be deprived of their livelihood simply because they didn’t join cooperatives.”

The transport group said that an estimated 140,000 drivers and 60,000 operators could be displaced and lose their jobs if the year-end deadline for franchise consolidation pushes through. The group added that around 28.5 million commuters nationwide will be affected, potentially leading to a “transport disaster” in January 2024.

“We urge the Supreme Court to act swiftly to save not only the livelihoods of drivers and operators, but also the well-being of commuters,” added Mr. Floranda.

In their petition, the transport group argued that the PUVMP is an improper exercise of police power. They asserted that the authority to impose a ban on traditional jeepney units falls within the domain of legislative bodies, emphasizing that the DoTr and the LTFRB are executive offices. The petition stated that the modernization plan has been implemented through department orders and circulars alone without any law in effect.

The petition also argued that the LTFRB has no authority to regulate transport cooperatives, stating that it is within the jurisdiction of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC).

The transport group asserted in their petition that jeepney drivers and operators are under pressure to surrender their jeepney units, which violates their constitutional right to livelihood.

“The subject circulars require forming and joining of cooperatives before small jeepney drivers or operators could avail of the equity subsidy. Ultimately, they mandate the surrender of jeepneys and thus violative on the right to gainful employment.”

Echoing a High Court ruling, the petition stated: “The power to regulate does not include the power to prohibit. The power to regulate does not include the power to confiscate.”

Apart from PISTON, representatives from Bayan Muna, No To PUV Phaseout Coalition, public transport advocacy group PARA, and commuters group Komyut, joined the petition.

German law to benefit OFWs

THE EMBASSY of Germany in Manila said on Wednesday that Filipinos looking to work in Germany will find it easier to migrate after its new Skilled Migration Act took effect last November.

“Germany is welcoming skilled workers with open arms and full support,” German Embassy’s Economic Counsellor David Klebs said in a statement on the newly enacted law that lowers salary thresholds and expanded eligibility for foreign applicants like overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“This law creates even better incentives for Filipino skilled workers to consider working in Germany,” he added as he explained how the measure streamlines the employment process for migrant workers and allows information technology specialists to secure European Union Blue Cards on professional experience alone.

The embassy said it has been working closely with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Migrant Workers. 

“The Skilled Migration Act signifies a progressive step in the bilateral relationship (with the Philippines), promoting collaboration, fair immigration and mutual benefit for both countries,” embassy said.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. vowed that his administration would continue to craft programs and services catered to migrant workers.

“There are many projects lined up, and even our current programs will be improved,” he said in his speech in Filipino during the OFWs Family Day in Pasay City.

Mr. Marcos noted that the DMW is planning on launching the One Repatriation Command Center’s 24/7 hotline which will assist OFWs who need repatriation or reintegration services. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Davao Light ready for El Niño

JEROME CMG-UNSPLASH

DAVAO CITY — An official of the Davao Light and Power Co. said on Wednesday that they have contingency plans put in place, like balancing the use of renewable and non-renewable energy, as dry spells associated with El Niño loom until next year.

“We are hoping that we will never reach the time when we will have to do rotational brownouts,” said Fermin Edillon, head of the Davao Light Reputation Enhancement Department, at a yearend media briefing.

Mr. Edillon said they cannot totally rely on renewable energy alone because if there is an El Niño, their suppliers who are using hydropower will also be affected. The Department of Science and Technology forecasts potential dry spells and drought in April or May next year due to El Niño.

Meanwhile, Davao Light has lowered its power rate from P9.12 to P8.74 per kilowatt-hour in December, down from November.

Mr. Edillon attributed the decrease to reductions in power supply pricing from the Philippine Wholesale Energy Spot Market and the global market.

For households with an average monthly electricity consumption of 200 kWh, a reduction of P76.34 will be experienced. The lowered rate applies to bills received from Dec. 12, 2023 to Jan. 10, 2024.

Despite the decrease, customers are urged to monitor energy usage, emphasizing the fluctuating nature of rates. — Maya M. Padillo

House to probe DepEd dues

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE HOUSE of Representatives will probe the Department of Education (DepEd) after it failed to remit a total of P5.55 billion in premium contributions and loan amortizations deducted from salaries of teachers and non-teaching personnel, Roman T. Romulo, who heads the House basic education and culture panel, told BusinessWorld in a Viber Message.

Mr. Romulo said the House committee will invite to a hearing the involved agencies including DepEd, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), and Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF, commonly known as the Pag-IBIG Fund) to clarify the issues on unremitted amounts.

“We will target the 2nd work week of January 2024 to give time to send invitations to the concerned agencies,” he said when asked when hearings will start. 

Mr. Romulo said the committee will take action or propose solutions based on the explanations and clarifications to be obtained from its probe.

In its 2022 annual report, the Commission on Audit (CoA) flagged the education department for failing to remit taxes, insurance contributions, and loan payments totaling P5.55 billion, P4.47 billion of which were Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) contributions. Teachers and other DepEd staff might face penalties, reduced benefits, and unwarranted interests, said CoA.

In a statement last week, DepEd said it is “aggressively looking into various ways to address the subject of unremitted premium and contributions,” citing that the issue has been recurring due to “system incompatibility and timing differences”

The department said CoA is “well-aware of the steps being taken to resolve this matter, which is why in the same Consolidated Annual Audit Report, CoA rendered an Unqualified/Unmodified Opinion in favor of DepEd — a first in the Department’s history.”

In a video message sent on Viber, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition national chairperson Benjo Basas said his group is looking forward to the investigations of the House committee, emphasizing that teachers might not get the benefits that were deducted from their salaries.

“We are looking forward to the plan of the House to investigate and hold accountable those who should be accountable,” he said in Filipino. “This problem greatly affects our status as government employees because we are unable to obtain the benefits that should be rightfully allocated to us.”

Mr. Basas said the non-remittance issue worries teachers whose salaries are being deducted religiously and timely for premium contributions and amortization loans. “Unfortunately, those payments to agencies are not being remitted.” — Jomel R. Paguian

Farmers get P209-M support

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINE Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said it has distributed about P209 million worth of agricultural machineries to farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the provinces of Camarines Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao del Sur.

For Camarines Sur, the PhilMech distributed about P19 million worth of combine harvesters to farmers in an event marking the agency’s final turnover for the area in 2023.

Another 52 units of farm equipment worth a total of P47 million were handed out to Davao del Sur FCAs. There were 19 floating tillers, 10 hand tractors, seven combine harvesters, six four-wheel-drive tractors, four mobile rice mills, and two units each of walk-behind and riding-type transplanters, and rice threshers.

Meanwhile, PhilMech also distributed over 100 various agricultural equipment that cover the stages of production and postharvest, benefitting more than 70 FCAs and local government units. The estimated worth of the equipment is P149.5 million. — Adrian H. Halili

La Trinidad pushes receipt rules

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Seeking to protect farmers, local legislators of this capital town are set on mandating the issuance of receipts in all transactions between vegetable traders and farmers.

Already passed on third and final reading before the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council), the proposed ordinance would require all buyers and purchasers to issue delivery receipts and other documentary proof of their transaction with farmers.

Councilor Bartolome Baldas, Jr., the main proponent of the measure, wanted to address many incidents in which buyers and purchasers disappear without completely paying the farmers.

Under the measure, receipts will bear the names of the buyer and purchasers, their contact numbers and addresses, the produce they got and their corresponding prices to facilitate claims of payments, debts or even loans.

The La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and other markets support the move for the protection of farmers from scammers. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Security tightened vs terrorists

UNSPLASH

COTABATO CITY — As Christmas Day draws nearer, authorities are tightly securing Christian worship sites near Pagalungan, Maguindanao where the Dawlah Islamiya attacked and plundered a barangay more than a week ago apparently to avenge their losing 12 members in clashes with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Mayors in Cotabato and Gov. Emmylou T. Mendoza, units of the Police Regional Office 12, and the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade are coordinating their security deployments at Christian worship sites to ensure a peaceful holiday season.

To prevent potential incidents, security forces are also monitoring the surroundings of mosques, recognizing the terrorists’ tendency to create scenarios to sow discord between Muslims and Christians. Several towns in Cotabato are in close proximity to Pagalungan, where encounters between Dawlah Islamiya and pursuing MILF members displaced around 2,000 Moro families.

Dawlah Islamiya, known for venting anger on innocent people following clashes, faces coordinated efforts from the police, Army, MILF, and leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). Major Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, highlighted the importance of local government support in Cotabato province, emphasizing collaboration with the MNLF and MILF to guard against potential Dawlah Islamiya incursions during the Yuletide Holidays. — John Felix M. Unson

RTC orders transfer of convict-witnesses in De Lima case

PHILIPPINE STAR/ GEREMY PINTOLO

THE MUNTINLUPA Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered the transfer of custody of the seven convicts who recanted their testimonies against former Senator Leila M. de Lima in her drug trafficking cases, citing safety and security concerns.

In a four-page order dated Dec. 13, shared to the media on Wednesday by Ms. De Lima’s team, Muntinlupa Presiding Judge Gener M. Gito ordered the transfer of the seven convicts from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro to the National Bilibid Prisons.

“[T]he prosecution posited that this is congruent with the appeal of accused Leila M. de Lima to transfer some PDL (persons deprived of liberty) witnesses for their safety and security,” the order read.

The seven inmates were German L. Agojo, Tomas D. Doniña, Jaime V. Patcho, Wu Tuan Yuan (alias “Peter Co”), Engelberto Durano, Jerry R. Pepino, and Hans Anton Tan. Apart from them, four convicts who are in “similarly and in a comparable position” were also transferred from Sablayan Prison to NBP, naming Herbert R. Colangco, Noel G. Martinez, Nonilo A. Arile, and Joel D. Capones.

In a manifestation, Ms. De Lima asked the court to order their transfer to the city jail in Muntinlupa last month.

In a three-page handwritten letter to Mr. Gito dated Nov. 17, the seven convicts urged the court to void their statements because they were coerced.

“We no longer desire to live our lives with the knowledge that we allowed ourselves to become pawns of instruments of injustice,” according to a copy of the letter provided by Ms. De Lima’s camp. “It will be our way of expressing our sincerest apologies to Senator de Lima and her family.” — Jomel R. Paguian

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