Marawi Siege victims get P1B

October 8, 2023 | 7:33 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P1 billion for Marawi Siege victims.

“The Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) determined that 362 victims will receive monetary compensation from the P1-billion allocation under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF),” the DBM said in a statement on Sunday.

The funding shall be used to compensate “any lawful owner of a residential, cultural, commercial structure, and other properties in Marawi’s main affected areas or other affected areas destroyed or damaged, either totally or partially, on the occasion of the Marawi siege.”

It will also compensate “owners of private properties demolished pursuant to the implementation of the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program, and the heirs of those who died and legally presumed dead, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11696 and guidelines to be promulgated by the Marawi Compensation Board.”

The DBM approved the issuance of a Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the Marawi Siege under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for fiscal year 2023.

Under the law, the MCB is mandated to facilitate the compensation or reparations to qualified individuals that were affected by the Marawi siege in 2017. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Secure gov’t databases — lawmaker

October 8, 2023 | 7:32 pm

THE GOVERNMENT must allocate funds to ensure that its databases — especially for national identification and subscriber identity modules (SIM) — are secured from hacking to protect citizens’ private information, a lawmaker said on Sunday.

“The DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) should build unhackable systems or at the very least the best cyberdefense available so that we would not be a favorite target of hackers,” Party-list Rep. France L. Castro said in a statement. “If it cannot be done, then the government should stop collecting sensitive data from Filipinos that can be exploited by unscrupulous groups and individuals.”

Hackers behind the Sept. 22 ransomware attack on state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) have already released packets of personal data after the government refused to comply with their demand for $300,000 (P17 million).

“The PhilHealth hacking should serve as a wake-up call for government agencies,” Ms. Castro said. “Imagine if these hackers target the database of the SIM registration as well as that of the national ID system.”

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) did an analysis of 650 gigabytes worth of compressed files from the data claimed in the Medusa ransomware attack. “Upon extraction, these files revealed a staggering 734 GB worth of data, including personal and sensitive personal information,” the NPC said.

Cyberattacks in the country increased by 57% in 2022, according to cybersecurity firm Palo Alto networks.

Ms. Castro said the government should better decide on budget allocations for cybersecurity than confidential funds of other agencies. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

BI to purchase body cameras

October 8, 2023 | 7:32 pm

BI-Bureau-of-Immigration — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BODY-WORN cameras capable of real-time streaming of videos will be procured by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for use of secondary inspectors at the airport, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said on Sunday.

In a statement, the BI chief said: “We have already initiated the procurement process and expect that by the end of the year we can start the deployment of the cameras.”

The BI said a budget of 16 million has been allocated for the procurement of body cameras. It said more funds will be allocated for the procurement of additional electronic gates with the aim of replacing 50% of the BI’s manual operations by 2026.

Mr. Tansingco said the wearing of body cameras “will ensure that our immigration officers are effective and remain accountable for their actions as law enforcers.” — NCB

11 extremists surrender

October 8, 2023 | 7:32 pm

COTABATO CITY — Eleven more members of the Dawlah Islamiya surrendered to the Philippine Army over the weekend and promised to help convince other armed fighters of the Islamic State-linked group to abandon violent extremism in Mindanao.

Major Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division, said Sunday that the 11 were convinced to surrender by local officials and peace advocates in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat through Brig. Gen. Andre B. Santos of the 1^st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and Lt. Col. Carlyleo P. Nagac of the 5^th Special Forces Battalion.

The group first turned in their assault rifles, fragmentation grenades and components for improvised explosive devices before pledging allegiance to the government in simple rites held at Camp Leono in Tacurong City.

The Dawlah Islamiya is one of the extremist groups tagged by the military for extortion and deadly bombings in central Mindanao since 2014. — John Felix M. Unson

LPA approaching Philippines

October 8, 2023 | 7:32 pm

A LOW pressure area (LPA) that could enter the country on Monday and two typhoons outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) are being monitored closely by state weather specialists.

Weather Specialist Daniel James Villamil said on Sunday that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is still observing typhoon “Koinu” (locally known as “Jenny”), which had exited the country last weekend, and tropical storm “Bolaven,” which was 3,045 kilometers east of Visayas on Sunday “and moving slowly westward.” Both are not expected to have any direct effect on the country’s weather yet.

On the other hand, the LPA which was 1,845 km east of Visayas as of Sunday is expected to enter the country either Monday or Tuesday.

For his part, PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said it is the trough of the LPA that could bring rains in Visayas and Mindanao.

“By the middle of this week, we expect areas in the eastern side of the country to be affected by the trough or outer portion of the low-pressure area. We expect rains in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, CARAGA,” Mr. Estareja added. — NCB

Cotabato passes energy audit

October 8, 2023 | 7:31 pm

KIDAPAWAN CITY — The provincial government of Cotabato posted a 98% efficiency rating in a recent electricity conservation survey by the Department of Energy (DoE).

Genevieve L. Almonares, DoE energy auditor, led the on-site survey team that gave the high rating for efficiency in use of electricity in all the offices and facilities within the Cotabato Provincial Capitol Complex in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City last Friday.

“We have very strict regulations meant to ensure wise utilization of electricity in our provincial capitol,” Cotabato Gov. Emmylou T. Mendoza, chairperson of the Regional Development Council-12, said upon receiving the report.

Ms. Almonares said the DoE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau and representatives from the WestCo Electrical and Equipment Corp. conducted the energy audit in compliance with Republic Act No. 11285, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. — John Felix M. Unson

Smiling countrymen greet Gilas Pilipinas homecoming

October 8, 2023 | 6:16 pm

Team Philippines — TEAM GILAS PILIPINAS HOMECOMING — PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION

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HAPPY faces were all over as Gilas Pilipinas, the golden boys of the Hangzhou Asian Games, arrived home to the warmest of welcomes from a very appreciative and proud countrymen.

From the moment they walked out of the airplane door in the wee hours of Sunday, endless cheers from smiling countrymen and requests for selfies showered the returning heroes.

The scenes were so moving that Gilas coach Tim Cone, a known talker, groped for words.

“It was amazing,” was all the multi-titled mentor could muster.

“I’m almost like, speechless. You know me, I could talk all day but I just don’t know what to say at this moment.”

Gathering his thoughts, Mr. Cone said it’s fulfilling to bring joy to the country that he’s called home and shared the passion for basketball with.

“I’m so happy that everybody is so happy, you know what I mean? I mean everybody is so happy about it. And that’s basically why you coach — to get those kinds of feelings,” he said.

Gilas overcame adversity after adversity in its entire Hangzhou Asian Games journey and in the end, delivered the gold medal that mattered most to Filipinos who eat, sleep and breathe basketball.

Thanks to Mr. Cone’s 12 brave souls, the Philippines sits at the Asian Games summit again — first time this proud hoops nation holds the bragging rights since 1962.

Naturalized player Justin Brownlee is as happy to savor and share with fellow Pinoys this triumph, which easily surpassed his highest of highs in the PBA.

“It’s gotta be up at the top despite everything (that happened throughout the campaign). With the history, 60-something years (Asian Games title drought), 30-plus years of not getting into the gold medal match, it’s definitely up there,” he said.

Not even the joy felt when he and Barangay Ginebra got out of the doldrums in the 2016 Governors’ Cup could equal Mr. Brownlee’s feelings now.

“It’s an eight-year drought for Ginebra but it’s 60 years here. Man, that’s special and I’m happy (to be part of it),” said Mr. Brownlee. — Olmin Leyba

Bachmann shows support to last competing athlete

October 8, 2023 | 6:15 pm

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ON the final day of the 19^th Asian Games, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann reiterated the agency’s unbridled support to karateka Junna Tsukii — the last Filipino athlete to compete for Team Philippines in Hangzhou, China.

“Medal or no medal, the Philippine Sports Commission will always do its best to show its unwavering support to all our athletes carrying the Philippine flag,” said Mr. Bachmann, as he cheered Ms. Tsukii on in the women’s kumite 50-kg event at Linping Sports Centre Gymnasium, Sunday morning.

“The presence of chairman in our last game means a lot, not just for us in karate, but to every athlete for sure. This just goes to show that there is sincerity and concern coming from the PSC from start to finish,” said Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. (KPSFI) President Richard Lim.

The sports agency chief, who arrived days before the opening ceremonies together with the PSC secretariat and medical workforce, immediately visited the athletes village and showed support for national teams in wushu, tennis, women’s football and basketball, to name a few.

“Even with the circumstances we faced in these Games, it’s fulfilling for us to be of service to our sports heroes, hear their story, and continue to build that good relationship with each of them,” Mr. Bachmann said.

PSC Commissioner Fritz Gaston and Commissioner Edward Hayco also joined Mr. Bachmann in China to extend the agency’s support to our national teams from softball, baseball and jujitsu, among others.

Prior to the games, the PSC confirmed that all competing athletes will be provided monetary allowance during the course of the Games, regardless of the Category A and Category B classifications originally set by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC).

“The 19^th Asian Games have been an incredible display of talent and determination from our Filipino athletes. Our 4 gold, 2 silver and 12 bronze medals, partnered with the tremendous commitment of each athlete in their respective sports, have made our nation proud,” concluded the chairman.

Mr. Bachmann, who is set to return to Manila tomorrow, will guest the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday to discuss the post-event matters on this year’s Asiad. — POC-PSC Medial Pool

Yulo places fourth in his pet floor exercise at World Championships

October 8, 2023 | 6:14 pm

THE PHILIPPINES’ Carlos Yulo finished fourth in his pet floor exercise at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium Saturday that ended his streak of medal rampage in the annual event.

Mr. Yulo amassed 14.500, which was only good enough for fourth in the event dominated by chief rival Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, the Olympic champion who scored a 14.866.

Japanese Kazuki Minami took the silver with a 14.666 while Kazakh Milad Karimi the bronze with a 14.600.

It was the first time Mr. Yulo did not take home a medal in the last four editions of the Worlds.

He had a floor exercise bronze in Doha in 2018, a floor exercise gold in Stuttgart, Germany the next year, a vault gold and parallel bars silver in Kitakyushu, Japan in 2021 and a vault silver and a parallel bars bronze in Liverpool, England a year ago.

But if there’s any consolation, Mr. Yulo had already booked a slot to next year’s Paris Olympics being the highest ranked eligible gymnast in the qualifying round of the same apparatus where he finished third less than a week ago.

Mr. Yulo joined pole-vaulter and Hangzhou Asian Games gold winner EJ Obiena, fellow gymnast Aleah Finnegan and boxer Eumir Felix Marcial. — Joey Villar

Nueva Ecija kicks off its MPBL title defense against Pasay

October 8, 2023 | 6:13 pm

ALL roads lead to Palayan City as defending champion Nueva Ecija begins its title defense against the visiting Pasay in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) today at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum.

Action kicks off at 8 p.m. with the Rice Vanguards, seeded as No. 2 after the elimination round, looking to hold the fort against the seventh-ranked Voyagers, with the help of their ever-passionate home crowd.

At 6 p.m., No. 3 Makati takes on No. 6 San Juan in the other quarterfinal pairing of the North Division.

But all eyes are on the Rice Vanguards, who are looking to make the most out of their home advantage in front of Novo Ecijanos after securing the second spot in the North Division with an impressive 23-5 record.

Last season, Nueva Ecija swept the regular season for the undisputed No. 1 seed and met little to no resistance in a magnificent playoff run to rise as MPBL national champion.

And though the Rice Vanguards will march into duel this time around as only the second-ranked squad against the rising powers of the North, they brim with motivation and confidence to still get the job done and retain the crown at no less than its majestic fields.

“…A lot of teams will build up. For me it’s good, for the competition at the MPBL but one thing is for sure, the boys will deliver for our province and for our people,” said team owner Bong Cuevas as Nueva Ecija looks to repeat on Pasay after a 88-79 win in the final regular season game.

“We’ll defend this crown and we’ll take it back to Nueva Ecija. It’s not going to be an easy road. It’s not going to be easy for us like last season but it’s the fight in us. I believe the boys will deliver.”

Head coach Jerson Cabiltes will carry Nueva Ecija’s fight along with the veteran core of Jonathan Uyloan, Michael Mabulac, Roi Sumang, Renz Palma, JR Taganas, Jay Collado, Pamboy Raymundo and Stephen Siruma.

No. 1 seed Bacoor fell short against No. 8 Iloilo, 89-86, as No. 4 Zamboanga drubbed No. 5 Quezon, 77-68, in the start of the South Division quarterfinals on Saturday night at the Strike Gymnasium in Cavite. — John Bryan Ulanday

Pagdanganan, Ardina gun for top 10 finish in Ascendant LPGA in Texas

October 8, 2023 | 6:13 pm

BIANCA Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina turned in under-par cards on windy conditions to get into position for a Top 10 finish in the Ascendant LPGA Benefitting Volunteers of America in Texas Saturday.

Ms. Pagdanganan, who is seeking a strong finish after placing third last week, fired a third straight one-under 70 while Ms. Ardina, gunning for back-to-back Top 10s, shot a 69 as the Pinay aces joined a group of 13 players who broke par amid strong winds that made play difficult at the Old American Golf Club.

The 25-year-old Ms. Pagdanganan moved to a share of eighth place at 210 going to the final 18 holes, eight shots behind Korean leader Hyo Joo Kim, who also posted a 70 for a 202 tally.

Ms. Pagdanganan had a mixed bag of five birdies and four bogeys in the penultimate round.

Making her big move was Ms. Ardina, who after a 72-70 opening, submitted her best round of 69 to leapfrog to a tie for 13^th from 40^th with her 211.

Ms. Ardina started Round 3 with birdies on the 15^th, 17^th and 3^rd before finishing with two bogeys and a birdie.

Meanwhile, Ms. Kim stretched her lead to six strokes against her closest pursuers, Sarah Kemp and Lexi Thompson.

Australian Ms. Kemp submitted an eagle-aided 69 while Ms. Thompson matched par to run second at 207s. A shot back was Swedish Fridah Kinhult (68) at 208 followed by Korean So Hyeon Ryoo (68), American Sarah Schmelzer (69) and Danish Nicole Estrup (70) at 209 then Ms. Pagdanganan and four others at 210 and Ms. Ardina and Co. at 211. — Olmin Leyba

Starter Paul

October 8, 2023 | 6:13 pm

Longtime habitues of the pro hoops scene know that preseason matches count for squat, but yesterday’s homestand by the Warriors nonetheless served as an eye opener for even their biggest critics. Erstwhile Public Enemy Number One Chris Paul played in blue and yellow for the first time, and, lo and behold, he actually did well. In fact, he scored the first points for the hosts and, in answer to repeated queries as to how he would be able to co-exist with fellow playmaker Stephen Curry, quarterbacked the offense from the get-go.

The final score gave the Warriors a blowout win over the Lakers, but arguably the most relevant development came at the start; when Paul greeted the opening tip, head coach Steve Kerr sent a clear message that he would be ceding the one spot to the point god. The move will effectively have Curry playing off the ball. Not that it was an earth-shaking decision; after all, the latter has had ample experience doing so, and with great success. Nonetheless, it signifies the degree to which the they’re invested in the partnership.

Indeed, the Warriors could opt to have Paul come in off the bench. It’s logical, after all, to preserve the body of the 37-year-old veteran, who hasn’t finished the regular season with more than 70 games in his belt since 2016, and who missed a whopping 40 over the last two seasons. If nothing else, however, yesterday’s set-to is a clear indication that they’re bent on squeezing the most out of him, and that he will be bookending their bids for victory. The remainder of the preseason schedule figures to be opportunities to tweak the plan and see how it will best work.

There’s a reason the Warriors continue to be counted among the finest in the National Basketball Association, and they’re bent on living up to their prognoses. They took a not insignificant risk bringing Paul in, and if nothing else, the small sample size provided by the 13 minutes he was in yesterday’s contest showed their grand experiment can work. Exactly how much it will is anybody’s guess at this point, but if it ultimately fails, it won’t be because they didn’t try.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.