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VP remains Pinoy pick for President in 2028

VICE-PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO — PHILIPINE STAR/ RYAN BALDEMOR

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporters

VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio continues to be the top pick of Filipinos in the 2028 presidential election, according to the latest poll by public opinion research firm WR Numero Research.

In a statement on Monday, the pollster said 29% of Filipinos would vote for Ms. Duterte, whom the House of Representatives impeached on Feb. 5, if the elections were held in February 2025.

Trailing Duterte is Senator Raffy Tulfo with 19%, followed by former Vice-President Leni Robredo at 12%. WR Numero conducted the survey on Feb. 10 to 18.

Senator Grace Poe and senatorial candidate and boxing legend Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao got 4% and 3%, respectively. Other notable names were Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos (3%), Senator Robinhood Ferdinand “Robin” C. Padilla (2%) and Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Risa Hontiveros each getting 1%.

“We must wait and see how the impeachment trial will unfold so that we know to what extent her numbers can go up or down,” Jean S. Encinas-Franco, a University of the Philippines political science professor, said in a Viber message.

Ms. Duterte’s domination of news headlines helped elevate her poll numbers, Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “There’s also the persistence of a disinformation network propping her up.”

Mr. Tulfo dropped by almost 5 points from 23.7% in the pollster’s September survey.

“Mr. Tulfo’s novelty might be wearing off, and he might end up being dubbed as a ‘raw candidate,’” Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, an associate political science professor at De La Salle University, said via Messenger.

Meanwhile, the February 2025 noncommissioned survey found that more than one in five Filipinos (23%) were undecided about their presidential pick, while 3% said their preferred candidates were not on the list of potential contenders.

Meanwhile, Ms. Poe emerged as the top bet for Vice-President, with 15.6% of Filipinos saying they would vote for her. Behind her were Ms. Robredo (13.5%), Mr. Pacquiao (9.7%), Mr. Padilla (8.3%), and Ms. Marcos (7%).

About a third of Filipinos were undecided, while 6% said their preferred vice-presidential candidate was not on the list provided by the pollster.

Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri (3.3%), Defense Secretary Gilberto Eduardo C. Teodoro (2.8%) and Mr. Romualdez (1.1%) completed WR Numero Research’s vice-presidential survey.

Mr. Romualdez’s poor showing makes him not a viable successor of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for 2028, Mr. Borja said.

“Mr. Romualdez is suffering the same positional and image issues that Manuel A. Roxas II had under the Aquino administration,” Mr. Juliano said. “The fact that he’s seen as the ‘invisible hand’ of the government continues to hamper his credibility.”

WR Numero interviewed 1,814 Filipinos aged 18 and older for the survey, which had an error margin of ±2 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

‘MOST ENGAGING’
Also on Monday, public relations firm Publicus Asia, Inc. said Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo was the “most engaging” candidate among the administration senatorial bets, with 1.47 million social media engagements. Despite this, he was only fifth in having positive sentiment at 20.5%.

He surpassed Senator Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr. and presidential sister Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos, who got 1.32 million and 1.21 million engagements, respectively.

They were followed by boxer-turned-lawmaker Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, Sr. and Senator Francis N. Tolentino, with 902,000 and 724,000 social media engagements, respectively.

Mr. Revilla, a former actor, had the highest positive engagement at 46.1%, followed by Mr. Tolentino with 39.4%, the PR firm said in a statement, citing its social media report covering several platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, news websites, forums, and Reddit from Jan. 16 to Feb. 15.

Meanwhile, other candidates got neutral sentiment, suggesting limited audience interest in their recent activities, Publicus Asia said.

According to various polls, the top contenders for the 2025 midterm elections included Mr. Tulfo, Mr. Pacquiao, Las Piñas Rep. Camille A. Villar, Senator Manuel M. Lapid, Senator Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano, Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail S. Binay and former Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.

Meanwhile, the Duterte-backed Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) campaign was led by Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa with 1.62 million social media engagements. He was followed by Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go with 1.37 million.

Mr. Go had the highest number of positive sentiment at 26.6%, while Mr. Dela Rosa had 12.5%.

Self-appointed son of God Apollo C. Quiboloy was third with 921,000 social media engagements; he also got 12.5% positive sentiment.

For independent bets, former Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV led the pack with 2.84 million social media engagements and the second-highest positive sentiment at 17.4%.

He was followed by former Senator Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan with 2.25 million engagements and the highest positive sentiment at 18.5%.

Broadcast journalist Bienvenido T. Tulfo trailed at third with 410,000 social media engagements but had one of the lowest positive sentiment at 4.4%.

The campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates started on Feb. 11, while local bets will start their campaign on March 28.

Up for grabs in the May 12 elections are 317 congressional seats and thousands of local posts. The biggest battle will be for 12 spots in the 24-member Senate, a chamber packed with political heavyweights and wielding outsized influence.

PHL-US defense arrangements to stay intact, says ambassador to Washington

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

EXISTING defense agreements between security allies the Philippines and the US would remain intact under US President Donald J. Trump, Manila’s ambassador to the US said on Monday.

For his part, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is ready to travel when Mr. Trump has time for a meeting and that could be in the northern spring, Jose Manuel Romualdez told reporters on the sidelines of a forum with foreign media in Manila.

Asked about US security support for the Philippines, including military financing, patrols in the South China Sea and Philippine defense facilities used by US forces under their alliance, Mr. Romualdez said: “All of that will remain.”

The US and former colony the Philippines are staunch defense allies, with US troops rotating in and out of the Southeast Asian nation regularly and dozens of joint military exercises held each year.

The US has also deployed to the Philippines a Typhon multipurpose missile system for training purposes, angering China, which has repeatedly said the move poses a threat to regional stability.

The Philippines was seeking to import liquefied natural gas from the US as part of a “give and take” on trade, Mr. Romualdez said.

His remarks come as some countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Thailand, scramble to reduce trade surpluses with the US after Mr. Trump’s order to his government to complete a review of all his country’s trade relationships by April 1.

“Trump’s idea of what the United States wants to do is helping other countries become a real partner,” said Mr. Romualdez, who is a cousin of the Philippine president and was posted in Washington under the previous government.

Political analysts at the weekend said the Philippines should boost its military modernization push and pursue defense ties with other allies to hedge against Mr. Trump’s so-called transactional diplomacy amid increasing tensions with China.

It should cut its dependence on the US to insulate itself from foreign policy shifts of Mr. Trump, whose meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington imploded on Friday after a heated argument, they added.

“Manila should augment its own contingent plan and readiness for self-reliance even if the US still commits to their ironclad promise to the Philippines,” Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Multiple defense partnerships with like-minded countries and continuous military modernization efforts are the best steps that Manila could take now,” he added.

During their meeting, Mr. Trump and the Ukrainian leader clashed in a heated engagement that led to the Ukrainian leader leaving the White House without signing a mineral deal seen by the US as crucial in ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Reuters reported.

Mr. Trump threatened to withdraw support for Ukraine, three years after Russia invaded its smaller neighbor, alarming Europeans who fear a rushed cease-fire could embolden an expansionist Russia.

Mr. Trump has shifted Washington’s policy on the Russia-Ukraine conflict since he took over, unravelling three years of US support to Kyiv and leading to the shock of its European allies.

The US, the Philippines’ oldest treaty ally, has been Ukraine’s most important bulwark against attacks by Russia, which invaded the Eastern European nation in February 2022.

“We do not like to hear from the US that one day, just like what Mr. Trump has said to Mr. Zelensky, that without their support, Ukraine can be easily defeated,” Mr. Cabalza said. — Reuters

Government to ensure reasonable price increases after NLEX toll hike

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE PHILIPPINE government will ensure that any potential increase in the price of goods, resulting from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) recent toll fee hikes, would be “reasonable” to cushion its impact on Filipino consumers, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

PCO Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro said it is “inevitable” that the toll fee hike will have an effect on products as it is a factor in the delivery or manufacture of goods.

“We will study this to ensure it does not burden the public too much if there will be an increase” Ms. Castro said in Filipino during a news briefing on Monday.

“As we do, including the Department of Trade and Industry, we will check the prices, and if there is an increase, it should be reasonable.”

NLEX senior manager for events, special projects communication, and the stakeholder management division Mary Ann B. Tolentino did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

The new toll fees took effect on March 2, with Filipinos now having to pay P5 more for class 1 vehicles such as cars, motorcycles and other personal vehicles, and additional P13 and P15 for class 2 vehicles or buses and trucks and class 3 vehicles or large trucks, respectively.

Those coming from Balintawak Quezon City and ending up on the expressway in Santa Ines in Mabalacat, Pampanga will have to pay an additional fee of P57 for class 1, P142 for class 2, and P171 for class 3 vehicles.

The Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations in Central Luzon earlier raised that the increase was “untimely” and would burden motorists.

Ms. Castro said the PCO would relay the group’s concerns to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and relevant agencies for proper action.

“We need to hear the grievances of the people to provide better solutions to these kinds of sentiments,” she said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Fake news regulatory body backed

STOCK PHOTO | Image by memyselfaneye from Pixabay

THE Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Monday pushed for the creation of a state regulatory body tasked to monitor fake news and to weed out troll armies that operate via dummy accounts.

“From our point of view, there needs to be a separate regulatory body for social media and this is timely to avoid abuses, but we won’t stop legitimate opinions or criticism,” PCO Undersecretary Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in mixed English and Filipino.

“When people are paid to speak baseless defamation, that’s not freedom of expression because they are just being whispered to by the person who pays them.”

Newly appointed acting PCO Secretary Jaybee C. Ruiz earlier said his agency will study setting up the fake news body to hold vloggers and other online personalities accountable for the information they put out online. 

At the House of Representatives, House Bill No. 1177 filed on Dec. 5 seeks to impose a jail term of as long as 12 years and a fine of as much as P2 million for those operating online troll farms.

The bill seeks to create a task force dedicated to investigating and monitoring troll farms and prosecuting those behind them.

Social media companies that fail to remove deceptive content from verified complaints on their platforms within a day could get fined P1 million to P5 million per violation, according to the bill.

People who report on troll farm activities and their operations will be protected under the 2021 Whistleblower Protection Law, based on the measure.

The World Economic Forum in a 2024 report cited disinformation as the “most severe global risk” in the next two years because it could undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments and lead to a highly politically polarized citizenry.

“This is timely because the actions of troll armies are no longer a joke,” Ms. Castro said.

“Hopefully, it will push through, and we can have a regulatory body so that we can know if someone is a content creator, vlogger, blogger, and we can know their identities, so they won’t hide behind dummy accounts.”

Meanwhile, a House committee is considering proposing a measure that would require the registration of social media accounts to curb online disinformation, a congressman said on Monday.

But the proposal requiring registration, similar to the 2022 SIM Registration Act, would likely be taken up in the next Congress, Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V. said in a media briefing.

“During the caucus of the Tri-Comm members, it was mentioned that it would be the same as the SIM Registration Act. Perhaps we should also have social media registration,” he said in mixed English and Filipino, referring to a joint House panel investigating the spread of false information on social media platforms.

“There are no details yet, but we saw a similar possibility with the SIM registration app. So, perhaps it will be addressed in the 20th Congress,” he added.

About 62% of Filipinos get their news from social media, particularly on Facebook, according to a 2024 survey by political consultancy firm Publicus Asia, putting them at risk of consuming false information from parties spreading disinformation.

Bataan Rep. Geraldine B. Roman proposed the creation of a “Digital Council of the Philippines” that would be composed of representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, social media companies, and public relations firms.

“This group will come up with their own code of ethics and standards… This would also be where complaints of ‘fake news’ victims could be lodged,” she said in the same media briefing in mixed English and Filipino.

Her proposed body should also handle a “registry” containing the owners of social media accounts.

“Behind these different social media accounts, there should be a name, a person who can be held responsible and accountable,” she said. “If you have nothing to fear, why would you be afraid to register there?” — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Pimentel may help write trial rules

SENATE PRIB

SENATE PRESIDENT Francis G. Escudero on Monday said that he was open to assigning Senate Minority Leader Aquilino L. Pimentel III to help draft the impeachment rules for the trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“I welcome and thank Sen. Pimentel’s offer to help draft the proposed rules. I will instruct the legal team to coordinate with him on this matter,” Mr. Escudero said in a message to reporters.

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene for a two-week session on June 2, following a four-month break for the mid-term elections.

In a proposed calendar issued by Mr. Escudero, last week, it said that the Senate would present the articles of impeachment and approve the revised Rules on the Procedure on Impeachment Trials on June 2.

“Again, all of these (rules, calendar, etc.) are simply proposals that will have to be approved in plenary and/or by the Impeachment Court once we resume and/or convene,” he added.

Over the weekend, Mr. Pimentel said that he was willing to support the Senate’s drafting of the impeachment rules for the trial of Ms. Duterte. 

The Senate President had also created an administrative support group that will assist the Senate when it convenes as an impeachment court, through Senate Special Order No. 2025-015.

The House of Representatives transmitted the articles of impeachment against Ms. Duterte to the Senate on Feb. 5, the last day of the Congressional calendar.

Among the articles of impeachment were, allegations of plotting the assassination of the President, misusing secret funds, amassing unexplained wealth and committing acts of destabilization. — Adrian H. Halili

Task force for motorcycles formed

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has ordered the creation of a task force to review all policies and regulations covering all motorcycles.

“Part of our decision is to establish a task force to be headed by [Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Dioscoro T. Reyes]. This task force will be conducting a sweeping review of all policies and regulations covering the use of motorcycles,” Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said in a media briefing on Monday.

This decision came after the DoTr announced the dismissal of five Land Transportation Office (LTO) officers involved in a viral incident after manhandling a rider in Panglao, Bohol.

Mr. Dizon said this newly formed task force will be assessing the policies of LTO and The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on motorcycles.

“I would like to announce that we are dismissing the law enforcers involved in the incident in Panglao, Bohol. They are dismissed immediately. We cannot justify this kind of behavior and violence,” he said.

Mr. Dizon said the DoTr will be reviewing current regulations to address the loophole and to avoid abusive behavior from law enforcers. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

DoJ, DSWD set up action center

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday to provide legal and financial assistance to crime victims and those in need of legal aid.

Under the agreement, individuals seeking legal support can visit the DoJ Action Center (DoJAC) for free legal advice.

Those requiring further assistance, including financial aid for legal proceedings, medical support, and therapy, will be referred to DSWD, Assistant State Prosecutor Joan Carla V. Guevarra, DoJAC program director, told reporters during the signing of the MoU.

Ms. Guevarra said the program allows eligible individuals to receive P10,000 every three months, subject to social worker assessment and approval.

The assistance covers transportation for court appearances, medical and psychological support, and funeral expenses for victims of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

The initiative primarily targets indigents, but non-indigent individuals facing financial hardship may also qualify.

“For example, a driver involved in a reckless imprudence case may not be indigent but could still be referred for support,” Ms. Guevarra said in Filipino.

The program aims to address financial barriers that often lead to legal cases being abandoned, Ms. Guevarra said.

“Even transportation costs to attend court hearings can be a burden,” she added, noting that some public attorneys and prosecutors personally assist victims.

The DoJAC offices, including those in regions 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 11, are open for referrals under the program. Region 12 is set to launch in March, she said.

She said the initiative will be implemented within existing DSWD programs to ensure sustainability.

Victims of crimes, including rape and illegal recruitment, are encouraged to seek assistance at DoJAC offices nationwide. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Double aid for agri workers, DA told

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

DOUBLING the Agriculture department’s financial assistance program for disaster-stricken farmers should be considered as the current amount remains lacking in helping them recover, a congressman said on Monday.

“Every year, our farmers and fishermen face the hardships brought by typhoons, floods, and droughts,” Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee said in a statement in Filipino. “After the disaster, they are often burdened with debt. The current amount is simply not enough to help them recover.”

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in 2017 implemented the Survival and Recovery (SURE) program, a P25,000 zero-interest loan scheme for farmers and fisherfolk affected by natural disasters.

“The prices of seeds, fertilizers, farming and fishing equipment have significantly increased… Doubling the loanable amount to P50,000 under the SURE program will give them a chance to rebuild their livelihoods,” said Mr. Lee in mixed English and Filipino.

The Philippines is the world’s most disaster-prone country, according to the 2024 World Risk Index, as it is highly susceptible to storms as it lies directly on the path of storms coming from the northwestern Pacific Ocean’s typhoon belt. It is also located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, putting it at increased risk of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

The Southeast Asian nation was battered by a series of strong typhoons in the latter part of 2024, with seven typhoons barreling from October to November. It affected more than 13 million people nationwide, with economic losses amounting to P28.9 billion, according to an Imperial College study.

AGRI Party-list, who is represented by Mr. Lee, also urged Congress to immediately pass House Bill No. 1298, which seeks to reorganize the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., making it more responsive to livelihood losses. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Tons of misdeclared frozen fish found in container van inspection

PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

AUTHORITIES on Monday found tons of frozen fish in a spot check of container vans declared by importers as processed plant-based commodities.

A spot check conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Bureau of Customs (BoC) on two of the 19 40-foot container vans — declared in the shipping manifest as having frozen fried taro sticks, sweet potato balls, and assorted food products from China —  revealed boxes of frozen mackerel (tamban) and frozen round scad (galunggong).

In a press release, BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban said his agency had previously alerted the BoC about the shipments, which were declared to contain 550 metric tons of frozen fried taro sticks, sweet potato balls, and various frozen food items.

The consignee of the two container vans inspected by authorities violated importation regulations, the DA said. The shipment arrived in Manila’s South Harbor on Jan. 21.

“While processed plant-based foods fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within the Department of Health, imported fish and marine products are regulated by the DA’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),” the DA said.

Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the vigilance of BPI staff stationed at Manila’s ports led to the inspection.

He cited potential violation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which imposes stricter penalties for smugglers and other offenders. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Probe on car smuggling sought

THE SENATE Ways and Means Committee chairman has filed a resolution seeking to probe the increased smuggling cases of luxury cars arriving in the country, citing revenue loss for the government.

“It bears stressing that smuggling causes a significant impact on the economy. Aside from revenue loss, the continued smuggling of luxury vehicles greatly affects the automotive industry, particularly legitimate businesses,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement on Monday.

Mr. Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No. 1318, dated Feb. 26, directing the legislative body to probe the revenue losses incurred by the smuggling of luxury vehicles.

“Despite the penalties imposed on smuggling and the efforts of various government agencies to curb its incidence, the smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles remains prevalent,” the resolution stated.

The Bureau of Customs (BoC), on Feb. 13, seized P1.4 billion worth of luxury vehicles from separate car dealers in Pasay City and Parañaque City.

The agency had also raided a warehouse in Makati City on Feb. 14 and a Taguig City warehouse on Feb. 19, holding P366 million and P900 million worth of luxury cars, respectively.

“Amid rampant smuggling of luxury vehicles, the government needs to review its approach in combating smuggling in the country,” he added.

The government imposes a tax on vehicles based on their manufacturer or importer’s selling price, net of excise, and value-added tax, under Section 149 of the National Internal Revenue Code.

“An automobile with a net manufacturer’s price or importers selling price of over P4 million shall be levied a 50% excise tax,” it added. — Adrian H. Halili

Gunfights disrupt first day of Ramadan in Moro town

COTABATO CITY — Gunfights between two heavily armed Moro groups marred the supposedly solemn observance of the first day of Ramadan, a holy month in Islam, in a barangay in Tugunan, Cotabato.

The hostilities on Sunday in Barangay Macabual between two rival factions in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) forced hundreds of villagers to relocate to safe areas.

Tugunan is one of the eight newly created Bangsamoro towns in Cotabato province, which is inside the core territory of Region 12.

Citing reports by displaced villagers, officials of police and Army units in Cotabato province said on Monday that the encounters first erupted late Saturday when one of the two groups opened fire at residents who had just emerged from a mosque after a nighttime prayer.

The attack killed two, Peli M. Abdulkarim and Nhords L. Samama, and left a villager, Jaime S. Abdulkarim, wounded.

Subsequent exchanges of gunfire in Barangay Macabual ensued on Sunday, forcing innocent Moro villagers to abandon their homes for fear of getting trapped in the crossfire. The hostilities disrupted their supposed first daylong fasting on Sunday, the start of the Islamic Ramadan season.

Ranking officials of different ministries in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had told reporters that their chief minister, Ahod B. Ebrahim, who is chairman of the MILF’s central committee, has dispatched emissaries to reposition the feuding groups away from each other and settle the conflict amicably.

Local executives in Cotabato’s adjoining Aleosan, Pikit, and Kabacan towns, and in the nearby Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur had told reporters that the enemy MILF groups are squabbling for control of villages in Tugunan.

The tension between the two groups reportedly worsened after each supported rival candidates during the 2024 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. — John Felix M. Unson

Top seed NorthPort Batang Pier down 0-3 in do-or-die Game 4

NORTHPORT BATANG PIER — PBA.PH

Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. – NorthPort vs Ginebra*
7:30 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs TNT**
* Ginebra leads series, 3-0
** TNT leads series, 2-1

THEY’RE in a dire situation but the NorthPort Batang Pier isn’t about to abandon ship just yet.

“One more chance,” said NorthPort star Arvin Tolentino, relaying the beleaguered top seeds’ stance as rampaging Barangay Ginebra threatens to give their dream start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup a nightmarish ending via a clean 4-0 sweep of their semifinal duel.

“Let’s see what happens in Game 4. It’s a literal do-or-die (game). We’ll see. See you on Wednesday,” he added.

After topping the eliminations at 9-3 and making short work of perennial contender Magnolia in the quarterfinals, it has become a rough sailing for Mr. Tolentino and Company against the experienced Gin Kings.

With Mr. Tolentino himself shackled, the Batang Pier yielded blowout losses in the first three encounters, 115-93, 119-106 and 127-100.

But as long as there’s hope — no matter how slim — Mr. Tolentino said they will hold on to it.

“We’re just staying really positive and sticking with each other,” he said.

“It’s really a hard thing to do right now, being down 0-3. I can’t say we’re good right now (because) we’re down. But morale-wise, I can say the team is still okay. We’re still okay.”

The Batang Pier was “more than okay” before the race-to-four semis clash with the Gin Kings started. Coming in, they enjoyed one of their best campaigns in franchise history, beating heavy hitters like San Miguel, Hong Kong Eastern, TNT and Ginebra itself in the eliminations.

They also had a full two weeks of buildup during the PBA break while key mainstays of Ginebra led by Justin Brownlee, went on a grueling campaign overseas with Gilas Pilipinas.

“Actually, our confidence was high coming to the series. We won against them in the elims so we have the mental advantage,” he said, referring to their 119-116 verdict in their pre-semis encounter. “But we’re practically new in the semis compared to Ginebra which is a very experienced team.”

Notes: TNT’s Glen Khobuntin shrugged off his verbal spat with teammate Poy Erram in the second quarter of the Tropang Giga’s 103-98 loss to Rain or Shine on Sunday. “Friendly fire,” said Mr. Khobuntin of the incident, which he tagged to “high emotion” in the heat of the battle. Mr. Khobuntin was trying to pacify Mr. Erram as the latter was complaining angrily to the referees but the latter didn’t take what the former told him too well and shoved him twice. Not long after, the two, who are part of TNT’s “Visayan” group, patched things up and were seen hugging on the bench. — Olmin Leyba

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