Filipinos in quake-hit parts of Syria confirmed safe

February 7, 2023 | 8:25 pm

DFA-FB- — DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FACEBOOK PAGE

THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that none of the 60 Filipinos in Syria were killed nor hurt in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck neighboring Turkey.

“The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported on Feb. 6 that leaders of the Filipino community have been contacted and they confirmed that no Filipino was injured as a result of the earthquake in regions including those that were greatly affected such as Aleppo, Hama and Latakia,” Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita C. Daza said in a WhatsApp message to reporters on Tuesday.

Ms. Daza said there are 27 Filipinos in the Syrian city of Aleppo, 19 in Latakia, 11 in Tartous, and three in Hama.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake with epicenter in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, which has been followed by hundreds of aftershocks, has killed over 4,300 people in Turkey and Syria.

“I offer my condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria for the tragic loss of lives and catastrophic damage caused by yesterday’s quake,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said via Twitter on Tuesday.

“Philippine Embassies in the affected countries are monitoring situation and we are coordinating with them on the condition of Filipinos in their jurisdictions,” he added.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said on Tuesday evening that the Philippine government will send rescue teams and emergency supplies such as winter clothing to help in the response efforts. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Senate to review reproductive health education policy amid rise in teen pregnancies, HIV infections

February 7, 2023 | 8:24 pm

students — PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

A LAWMAKER has filed a resolution that calls for a Senate panel assessment of the Philippine’s reproductive health education policy in view of the rising number of teenage pregnancies and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections among the youth.

Senate Resolution 13 will review the scope and effectiveness of the existing sexuality education policy, which mandates that age and development-appropriate reproductive health lessons be taught in basic education institutions.

“Children who become mothers are deprived of the opportunity to study and have a good future,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chair of the basic education committee, said in Filipino in a statement on Tuesday.

“In the midst of the alarming number of children 10 to 14 years old becoming mothers, it is timely that we carefully examine whether the policy of our schools is effective in implementing comprehensive sexuality education,” he added.

Citing information from the Commission on Population and Development, Mr. Gatchalian said that 2,113 births were recorded from minors aged 10 to 14 in 2020.

Data from the Department of Health, on the other hand, showed that 2,354 girls in the same age group gave birth in 2020, while 2,299 gave birth in 2021.

The United Nations Population Fund has flagged the long delay in the integration and implementation of sex education in the Philippine’s K to 12 curriculum. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

DA-Cagayan Valley to lead yellow corn breeding program

February 7, 2023 | 8:24 pm

yellow-corn-MIMAROPA-DA.GOV.PH — DA.GOV.PH

THE AGRICULTURE department’s research center in Cagayan Valley region in northern Philippines will lead a yellow corn breeding program aimed at providing affordable and sustainable supply for animal feeds.

“The program will strengthen the development of yellow corn varieties with improved yield potential of 5-6 tons per hectare, and improved drought and disease tolerance,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a statement on Tuesday.

It aims to meet the requirements of the livestock, poultry, and dairy sectors in line with the government’s food security thrust, according to DA.

The program also aims to ensure sufficient supply of quality breeder seeds.

The department will also develop “open-pollinated white corn varieties for food staple and food processing.”

DA noted that the Cagayan Valley region is a key yellow corn growing area, accounting for 31% of total national production in 2021.

The DA’s Cagayan Valley Research Center has developed 18 open-pollinated varieties (OPV) of corn as of 2020.

“Through the implementation of this sustainable corn breeding program, at least two varieties are expected to be commercialized in two years,” DA said.

The program will be undertaken with the Bureau of Agricultural Research, and the Agricultural Training Institute.

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, meanwhile, said increasing local corn production will be crucial to taming inflation, particularly for the prices of egg and fish.

“Corn accounts for 60-70% of costs in aquaculture. Every 1% increase in corn prices leads to a P2-5 price increase in tilapia prices,” Mr. Salceda said in a statement on Tuesday.

Mr. Salceda said corn prices have recorded a 16% year-on-year inflation rate and continues to increase monthly by 1%.

The solon also called on government to review corn tariffs.

“Inflation is not due to accelerated demand. It’s supply,” he said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera and Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Consumer group asks ERC to probe alleged Nordeco meter reading irregularities

February 7, 2023 | 8:23 pm

A CONSUMER group in Davao has appealed to the government regulator to investigate complaints against Northern Davao Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nordeco) for alleged incorrect meter readings that are intended to jack up the power distributor’s income.

Davao Consumer Movement co-convenor Ryan Amper said there has been a number of cases wherein customers cited Nordeco’s meter readers recording higher kilowatt-hour (kWh) levels than actual.

“It is high time for ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) and other regulating agencies to investigate Nordeco. They must stop Nordeco from mulcting from its unsuspecting customers,” he said in a statement.

The consumer group also noted that Nordeco’s rates are higher than two other electric cooperatives operating in the Davao Region.

Mr. Amper said that based on the November 2022 billing cycle, Nordeco’s residential rate was P16.9425 per kWh while that of Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative was P13.9326 and Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative only P13.4256.

The group revived its call on the government to transfer the franchise area of Nordeco to Aboitiz-led Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC).

An approved bill expanding Davao Light’s franchise area to include most of Nordeco’s was vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Nordeco covers the provinces of Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro including Tagum City and the Island Garden City of Samal.

“We hope President Marcos Jr. will reconsider his position and will not allow politics to ruin our aspiration of having a better and more efficient electricity provider in Davao Light. We hope our President will consider our miserable plight as customers,” Mr. Amper said, noting that DLPC’s rates are also lower than Nordeco’s.

Nordeco has yet to reply to a request for comment. — Maya M. Padillo

Online transactions that raise red flags

February 7, 2023 | 6:54 pm

Anyone can be a cybercrime target, so always be on guard. Here are some warning signs from an expert that an online transaction might be a scam.

“If they want you to install unfamiliar software, or a known software but in an unfamiliar download site,” that should give you pause, according to Alexis A. Lingad, a white hat hacker and creator of the mobile app Hackuna Anti-Hack.

Other suspicious signs include being prompted to visit unfamiliar or shortened links (e.g., bitly and tinyurl), as well as being asked to provide personal information, such as birth dates, banking details, and identification card numbers, immediately.

Mr. Lingad shared the following tips for consumers wishing to protect themselves from cyberattacks:

1. For software, visit the download site using any.run, input the link, and use the provided test computer to download the software. “They can see if the software is running malicious processes or connecting to malicious servers,” he said.

2. For links, input the uniform resource locator or URL in VirusTotal.com to see if it was used maliciously in the past. The malware hunting service any.run can likewise be used to check links for malicious behavior.

3. For info, be careful not to directly and indirectly give information, especially “if you really do not know the person personally.”

“We all have something that cyber attackers want,” said Angel T. Redoble, referring to personal data.

Mr. Redoble, the founder and chairman of the Philippine Institute of Cybersecurity Professionals, also said in a Facebook video posted on Jan. 31 that increasing cybersecurity awareness can aid in the fight against cybercrime.

CYBER HYGIENE AWARENESS
“Though Filipinos are slowly becoming aware of how to set up and make use of digital banking and e-wallet accounts, not many give value to cyber protection,” said Sharon S. Navarro, chief underwriting officer of FPG Insurance, a non-life insurer.

Most people do not know how to protect themselves from online scams, she added.

FPG, which launched a cyber insurance protection product in October last year, said Filipino users are receptive to personal cyber insurance.

“Parents nowadays prioritize protecting their children against scams, frauds, hackers, and even bullying. They see the new Cyber Protection Product as a solution not only to prevent but also to keep themselves and their family members protected from these risks,” Ms. Navarro told BusinessWorld.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kicked off 2023 with a “Check-Protect-Report” information drive to educate and protect financial consumers. Laws like Republic Act 10173 (the Data Privacy Act) and Republic Act 11934 (the SIM Card Registration Act) have also been implemented to deter cybercrime in the Philippines.

The country is listed by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation as one of the top 20 countries with the most cybercrime victims, or individual complaints, submitted to its Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2021. — Patricia B. Mirasol

Kai Sotto to play for Hiroshima Dragonflies in Japan B. League

February 7, 2023 | 6:10 pm

kai-sotto_adelaide-36ers-fb — ADELAIDE 36ERS FACEBOOK PAGE

KAI Sotto has taken his talents from Australia to Japan to play for the Hiroshima Dragonflies.

The Dragonflies yesterday announced the signing of the 7-foot-3 Filipino sensation, who they consider as one of the best players in Asia at only 20 years old.

“Same as Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe, Kai Sotto who is drawing so much attention from all around the globe, is also a highly talented player and will be one of the best Asian Players,” said Hiroshima general manager Shuji Okazaki.

“I am looking forward to playing for the Hiroshima Dragonflies. I want to do everything I can so that the Dragonflies, who are aiming to advance to the B. League Championship, have a great season,” added Mr. Sotto.

Mr. Sotto’s transfer to the Japan B. League from the Australia National Basketball League (NBL) came just two days following the early exit of his previous team, the Adelaide 36ers, for the second straight season of his tenure.

The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay right after the 36ers’ 116-107 defeat against Melbourne United said that it’s already his last game in the NBL, accepting an offer to a different overseas league he did not disclose yet until yesterday.

He played for a total of 56 games in two seasons for Adelaide, registering 6.98 points and 4.48 rebounds on 51-percent clip in over 13 minutes of play. He served as the team’s starting center for the majority of this year.

In Japan with an expected longer playing time and more active role, Mr. Sotto is bound to unleash his full potential especially with a Hiroshima side needing a formidable anchor inside the paint to take care of the defensive and rebounding duties.

“Kai (Sotto) is going to fit our basketball style. We believe that the addition of Kai will make up for our weaknesses. We also will have a huge advantage for simply inside of the paint with his height and talent,” added Mr. Okazaki.

Hiroshima, which is among the B. League contenders at fourth place so far with a 27-9 card, was the former team of another local ace in Justine Baltazar before they parted ways late last year.

Mr. Baltazar rarely played as the Dragonflies’ Asian import, seeing action in a grand total of 13 minutes in eight games with two points, a rebound, an assist and a steal to show. — John Bryan Ulanday

GM Darwin Laylo back as Philippine top chess player

February 7, 2023 | 6:09 pm

AFTER a 17-year wait, Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo is back on top as the country’s top chess player.

The 42-year-old Mr. Laylo recalled the old form that pushed him to the pedestal in 2004 and 2006 in ruling the National Chess Championships at the Malolos City Auditorium in Bulacan Monday night.

The Army man from Dasmariñas, Cavite split the point with International Master Daniel Quizon, the last winner of this meet two years ago in Lapu Lapu, Cebu, and finished with 6.5 points on four triumphs and five draws.

Mr. Laylo’s four victories, which came at the expense of Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna, WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego, IM Paulo Bersamina and GM Joey Antonio, happened in the early rounds that allowed him the luxury of drawing his last three assignments to seal the deal.

He took home P100,000 courtesy of Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad for his feat.

“Big thanks to my family and the people who helped me to get back to the top,” said Mr. Laylo, who also cited the support of Army Special Service Center Col. John Oliver Gabun.

IMs Jan Emmanuel Garcia and Michael Concio, Jr. fought Frayna and Bersamina to draws to end up second and third and prizes worth P80,000 and P50,000, respectively.

Rounding out the top 10 were IM Paulo Bersamina, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna Frayna, Mark Jay Bacojo, IM Daniel Quizon, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Joey Antonio and WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego. — Joey Villar

Denden Santos edges Phoy Andal, 7-6, in the 5^th Leg of Amit Cup

February 7, 2023 | 6:09 pm

PHILIPPINE pool queen Rubilen Amit is far from calling it a career.

But when the time comes, she hopes to leave a legacy not just by winning tournaments, but by paving the path she took when she emerged as one of the best female players in the world to take up the sport.

Enter a tournament named after her — the Amit Cup.

Now on its fifth leg after staging editions in Zamboanga, Bicol, Bacolod and Pangasinan starting in May last year, the event has drawn hundreds of lady players all aspiring to become like Ms. Amit, a two-time world 10-ball champion and many-time Southeast Asian Games gold winner.

The most recent one, organized by the Metro East Bilyar Club with Ren De Vera as co-founder and tournament director and done in Cainta, Rizal over the weekend, was topped by Denden Santos, who edged Phoy Andal, 7-6, that assured the former a spot in the grand finals where the 16 highest ranked qualifiers will battle it out one last time.

And the 41-year-old Ms. Amit, who gives the token prizes from her own pockets and some from her friends, is hoping one of them could emerge as a potential national team mainstay like herself.

“Since I started, there are only two representatives of the Philippines in the international women’s events, others countries have five,” Ms. Amit told The STAR. “I am hoping through this advocacy of giving opportunities to women players through tournaments will emerge players who will represent and bring honor to the country.” — Joey Villar

Remulla replaces Panlilio as chef-de-mission to Paris Olympics

February 7, 2023 | 6:08 pm

CAVITE Governor Jonvic Remulla will take the place of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio as the country’s chef-de-mission (CDM) to next year’s Paris Olympics.

Mr. Remulla got the important task yesterday from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham Tolentino and the former will immediately fill the vacuum left by Mr. Panlilio, who begged off due to his busy schedule at SBP and PLDT and Smart where he is the chief executive officer.

The 55-year-old Mr. Remulla is a sports man himself, being the honorary chairman of the national rowing association and team manager of the University of the Philippines men’s basketball squad.

“We understand Al’s [Panlilio] situation so we decided to appoint a new CDM for the Paris Olympics, somebody who has a great passion for sports, a true sportsman, somebody who has leadership, a workhorse and that’s Governor Jonvic [Remulla],” said Mr. Tolentino.

“The POC wanted a dedicated sportsman or personality who could live up to the responsibilities and obligations as CDM to Paris,” he added.

Mr. Tolentino also named wrestling’s Alvin Aguilar and rugby’s Ada Milby as CDMs to the World Combat Games set in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Oct. 21 to 30 this year and the Winter Olympic Youth Games slated in Gangwon Province, South Korea from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1 next year, respectively.

Mr. Remulla will have in his hands the unenviable task of steering the country to eclipsing, if not replicating, its magnificent effort in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics where it hauled a historic gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo.

The country also copped a couple of silver and a bronze from boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial in Tokyo.

“He [Mr. Remulla] accepted the position without hesitation and he’s really happy and excited about his role as Paris Olympics CDM. We at the POC are confident that he can get the job done. He’s a true sportsman and very dedicated to helping athletes,” said Mr. Tolentino. — Joey Villar

PL charges Man City over alleged financial rule breaches

February 7, 2023 | 6:08 pm

THE PREMIER League (PL) has referred Manchester City to an independent commission over more than 100 alleged breaches of finance rules since the club were acquired by the Abu Dhabi-based City Football Group.

The referral came weeks before the expected publication of a government white paper set to recommend the establishment of an independent regulator in English soccer to deal with the game’s finances, club ownership and corporate governance.

City, the world’s highest revenue-generating club last season according to Deloitte, are alleged to have committed multiple financial breaches between 2009 and 2018, the league said on Monday.

League rules state that charges such as those faced by City could, if proved, result in a club being expelled from the Premier League in the worst-case scenario.

Offending clubs may alternatively be deducted points, fined or reprimanded.

While it remains to be seen what sanctions the commission imposes on City, a stricter stance by the Premier League on club finances could deter potential investors in clubs like Manchester United, according to a sports finance lawyer.

Both Manchester United and Liverpool are seeking new investors, in large part due to Middle Eastern investment in clubs such as City and Newcastle United and the collapse of a planned Super League, industry experts have told Reuters.

City, who were acquired by City Football Group in 2008, are also charged with failing to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation, which was launched in December 2018.

City are alleged to have breached rules relating to the provision of accurate financial information, “in particular with respect to its revenue (including sponsorship revenue), its related parties and its operating costs”, the league said.

The club, who have won the Premier League title six times since the Abu Dhabi takeover, said they were surprised by the league’s “issuing of these alleged breaches”.

“The club welcomes the review of this matter by an independent commission, to impartially consider the comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence that exists in support of its position,” City added.

The charges stem from a Premier League investigation into City’s financial dealings launched four years ago, after the release of a tranche of “Football Leaks” documents obtained by the German publication Der Spiegel.

SUBSEQUENT BAN
Man City were subsequently banned from the Champions League by European governing body UEFA for two years, but successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which overturned the ban in 2020.

The club were fined €30 million ($32.28 million) by UEFA, which CAS reduced to €10 million.

In addition to the charges relating to the club’s revenue and operating costs, City are also alleged to have not fully disclosed managerial remuneration from 2009 to 2013, when Roberto Mancini was manager.

The club are also charged with failing to comply with Premier League’s rules requiring clubs to follow UEFA’s financial fair play (FFP) regulations from 2013 to 2018 and failing to follow the Premier League’s rules on profit and sustainability from 2015 to 2018.

FFP regulations are designed to stop clubs running up big losses through spending on players. They also ensure sponsorship deals are based on their real market value and are genuine commercial agreements — and not ways for owners to pump cash into a club to get around the rules.

“The proceedings before the Commission will… be confidential and heard in private,” the Premier League said in a statement.

“The Premier League will be making no further comment in respect of this matter until further notice.” — Reuters

NBA approves Phoenix Suns sale

February 7, 2023 | 6:07 pm

PHOENIX Suns President and CEO Jason Rowley resigned Monday, hours before the team’s sale was officially approved by the National Basketball Association (NBA) Board of Governors.

Mr. Rowley’s exit was announced to the organization in an email sent by Suns interim governor Sam Garvin and obtained by ESPN.

“I wanted to let you know that Jason Rowley made the decision to leave the organization,” Mr. Garvin wrote. “After almost 15 years of hard work and dedicated service, Jason felt that the transition in ownership created ideal timing to close this chapter of his professional journey and pursue new opportunities.”

Mat Ishbia, the billionaire president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, is set to complete his purchase of the team — and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury — for $4 billion from disgraced majority owner Robert Sarver. According to a statement from the league, the transaction is expected to be finalized sometime this week. Mr. Ishbia could be introduced as the new majority owner as early as Wednesday.

Mr. Rowley was linked to allegations of retaliation, intimidation and verbal abuse by more than two dozen former and current Suns employees, according to an ESPN report.

An independent investigation into allegations he created a toxic work environment in Phoenix was conducted. A summary report said he used a racial slur at least five times, sexually harassed female employees and yelled and cursed at workers during nearly two decades of ownership. — Reuters

Irving in Dallas

February 7, 2023 | 6:07 pm

No doubt about it. The Mavericks have become much, much more competitive after they landed eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving in a trade with the embattled Nets. In winning the sweepstakes for the mercurial guard, they latched on to the type of marquee name franchise foundation Luka Doncic had been seeking. They bid goodbye to a bevy of assets in the process, but there was no question that they had to go all in; even with their once-in-a-generation talent posting humongous numbers off an ultimately untenable usage rate, they were merely treading water.

It’s fair to wonder if the Mavericks will be getting the significant short-term gain they’re hoping for from Irving’s arrival. After all, not even the best of talents get to jell from the get-go; Doncic and the others in blue and white need to get acquainted with him on and off the court, and vice versa. That said, they needed change — perhaps any change. It made no sense for them to continue doing what they did given the results; they would have been proving the definition of insanity as doing the same time over and over again, and expecting a different outcome.

How far the Mavericks’ new high-wattage pairing will take them through their 2022-23 campaign remains to be seen. The quick turnaround will not be to their favor. On the other hand, they now have cause to cast moist eyes on a deep postseason run; Irving’s a magician with the ball in his hands, and, with the burden on Doncic to produce at an unsustainable rate eased, they’ll be better equipped to fend off contenders in any long playoff series.

Whether the Mavericks will come close to the hardware is, of course, another matter altogether. Just like Doncic, Irving’s a minus on the other end of the floor. And with dogged on-ball defender Dorian Finney-Smith gone, they’ll be even more hard-pressed to keep their coverages halfway decent. If there’s any good news, it’s that they still have draft picks and ample bait to stay involved in discussions leading up to the trade deadline.

In any case, the honeymoon period figures to be crucial in determining the future. Irving wanted out of the Nets after the latter failed to give him the long-term deal he sought. Will the Mavericks give him what he wants? They’ll be looking at the next two months to determine the answer.

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.