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PHL men’s team stuns Sweden with Paragua heroics on Board 1

Grandmasters Mark Paragua — MARK PARAGUA FB PAGE

Women’s team suffer setback against Swedes, 2.5-1.5

Grandmasters Mark Paragua — MARK PARAGUA FB PAGE

GRANDMASTER (GM) Mark Paragua dug deep into his endgame bag of tricks as he carved out the nerve-wracking victory on top board in lifting the Philippines to a stunning 2.5-1.5 win over a fancied Sweden in the fifth round on Tuesday night and into the top 10 of the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Left with the responsibility of carrying the fight after GMs John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo and International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina drew their respective games in the lower boards, the 38-year-old Mr. Paragua willfully went for a win when he could have easily sent his duel with GM Erik Blomqvist into a draw.

The New York-based many-time World Cup veteran built on a slim lead brick by brick, layer by layer until he got the much needed break against an unnerved Mr. Blomqvist and turned it into lasting advantage.

When it was over, his unnerved higher-rated foe was facing the specter of losing his rook to Mr. Paragua and resigned on the 69th move.

The emphatic win sent the Filipinos, who are being sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, into an 18-nation logjam at eighth spot with eight match points apiece and a highly anticipated duel with 21st ranked Israel in the sixth round at press time for a chance at climbing up into the top five along with the big guns.

The country was just two points behind co-leaders India 2 and Armenia, which own perfect scores of 10 points, and a point closer to third to seventh placers Uzbekistan, India 1, Cuba, Iran and a Wesley So-paced United States of America with nine points each.

National men’s coach Eugene Torre said they would rest Mr. Gomez in favor of GM Banjo Barcenilla.

WOMEN’S TEAM
It was, in contrast, heartbreaking for the Filipinas as Janelle Mae Frayna lost to Eline Roebers on top board that sealed their 2.5-1.5 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked Swedes.

WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego prevailed over FIDE Master Machteld Van Foreest on board three while WGM candidate Kylen Joy Mordido halved the point with WIM Rosa Ratsma on board four.

WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda fell to grizzled veteran GM Peng Zhaoqin on second board.

The GM Jayson Gonzales-mentored Filipinas slipped to a 35-nation tie at 39th with six points and they were facing the Ecuadorians in the sixth round. — Joey Villar

Thrower Asusano captures lone gold for PHL bets in 11th ASEAN Para Games

CENDY Asusano shows winning form in ruling the women’s shot put F54 in athletic action at the Manahan Stadium in the 11th ASEAN Para Games on Wednesday in Surakarta, Indonesia. — TEAMPHI ASEANPARAGAMES
Golden throw
CENDY Asusano shows winning form in ruling the women’s shot put F54 in athletic action at the Manahan Stadium in the 11th ASEAN Para Games on Wednesday in Surakarta, Indonesia. — TEAMPHI ASEANPARAGAMES

THROWER Cendy Asusano emerged the lone bright spot to what had been a slow and uneventful day for the Philippines, snaring the women’s shot put F54 gold medal in the 11th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games in Solo, Indonesia.

Ms. Asusano heaved a 5.65 meters on her fourth attempt to not only capture her second gold after ruling javelin on Monday, but also eclipse her old mark of 5.50m she registered in copping one of the three mints she took home in the 2017 edition of the biennial meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

But she will no longer match her triple-gold haul last time as she was disqualified in the discus throw the day before that was caused by an accidental loose strap on her throwing chair, which was prohibited, that denied her that important mint.

“I just did not think of it (disqualification) anymore so that I won’t be stressed. And I’m thankful to God that I won,” said the proud Pasig native.

It was the lone gold the country produced in the day after an eight-gold deluge that was highlighted by the magnificent chess team’s four-gold rampage in the standard event the day before.

It somehow slowed down the country’s bid in surpassing, if not replicating, its 20-gold, 20-silver and 29-bronze harvest in Kuala Lumpur.

At press time, the country had amassed 14 mints in all.

It was not as if the Filipinos, whose trip here is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, didn’t try.

Over at the Jatadiri Sports Complex in Semarang, swimmers Roland Sabido and Arnel Aba added silver and bronze medals, respectively, to the country’s collection in the stint backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Mr. Sabido was second in the men’s 100-meter backstroke S9 event in one minute, 15.820 seconds while Mr. Aba bagged the bronze medal in the men’s 100-meter butterfly stroke S9 event in 1:23.40.

Contributing bronze medals in athletics were King James Reyes and Andy Avellana in the men’s 1,500-meter T46 race and men’s high jump F11-13 event, respectively.

Table tennis likewise delivered a bronze through the Class 10 mixed doubles tandem of Pablo Catalan, Jr. and Minnie Cagdag, who took a 6-11, 8-11, 4-11 loss to Indonesia’s Komet Akbar and Aminah in the semifinals.

Overnight, judo also gave the country its first medal in the sport courtesy of Peterson Onas in the men’s J1-60kg class.

But the swimmers hope to recover from their anemic showing on Thursday with 2017 Malaysian Para Games gold medalist Gary Bejino, veteran Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom expected to vie for gold on Thursday. — Joey Villar

HD Spikers seek revenge vs sister team Power Hitters

CIGNAL HD Spikers expected to show no mercy this time vs PLDT Power Hitters. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSEL PALMA

CIGNAL seeks to get back at sister team PLDT as the former shoots for a first win in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational, which goes to the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday.

The HD Spikers were shorthanded the last time they faced the Power Hitters in a 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22 defeat in an elimination-round showdown last Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Cignal played minus Ces Molina (sore ankle) and skipper Rachel Anne Daquis, Jerillie Malabanan, Roselyn Doria, Ayel Estranero and Chai Troncoso (various health reasons).

Their absence helped PLDT get the win that catapulted them in the six-team semis where it jumpstarted its campaign with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-21 triumph over Army Black Mamba on Tuesday.

But with its title bid on the line, Cignal is expected to show no mercy this time as it is expected to send back the cavalry headed by Mses. Molina and Daquis and show PLDT that the Open Conference third place is the better team.

Game time is at 5:30 p.m.

Creamline, for its part, aims to ride on their strong showing in the elims where they ended up No. 1 with a 5-1 record, as it tangles with Army Black Mamba (0-1) at 2:30 p.m.

A win for the Cool Smashers would relaunch their bid to claim one of the two berths to the one-game finale where they would have a chance to snare their second crown following their Open Conference conquest last April.

Creamline is expected to draw strength from what everybody calls “The Fantastic Four” of skipper Alyssa Valdez, setter Jia de Guzman, reigning Open Conference MVP Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza. — Joey Villar

Eala beats lowly Svatíková in Poland tourney, 6-4, 6-4

ALEX EALA — RAFAEL NADAL ACADEMY FB PAGE

ALEX M. Eala debuted in her first $100,000 tourney in style after a 6-4, 6-4 win over Slovakia’s Laura Svatíková in the opener of the W100 Grodzisk Mazowiecki in Poland.

Ms. Eala scored the win in one hour and 23 minutes despite having seven faults against a lower-ranked opponent in Svatíková, who is outside the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) Top 1000.

The 17-year-old ace is currently No. 280 in the WTA, a new career best for her after moving from No. 282 last week.

Ms. Eala was to face Germany’s Kartharina Hobgarski, who gained a first-round bye as the No. 14 seed in the prestigious tourney, in the next phase.

The Filipina pride is hoping for another deep playoff run this time in Poland after a pair of Final Four campaigns in Spain.

Bidding for her third professional title, Ms. Eala made the semifinals of the W25 El Espinar/Segovia and W60 Vitoria-Gasteiz last month plus a finals appearance in the W60 Madrid in June.

Ms. Eala won her first two titles in her promising career in the 2021 W15 Manacor in Spain and the 2022 W25 Chiang Rai in Thailand. — John Bryan Ulanday

Lyceum remains unbeaten; UE scores first win in three years

UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) ended its three-year drought while Lyceum of the Philippines University extended its unbeaten run in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Red Warriors bested Arellano University in the battle of listless squads, 58-50, to barge into Group A’s winning circle while the Pirates sank Santo Tomas, 83-73, and improved to 3-0 for a solo lead in Group B.

More than its Filoil breakthrough, UE posted its maiden victory in three years since taming National University, 79-76, in the UAAP Season 82 in 2019 prior to the pandemic.

Nikko Paranada made sure to rescue UE from that long futility with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Harvey Pagsanjan and Calvin Payawal chipped in nine each.

UE’s agony included a 0-14 campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) return from a long hiatus last summer.

Vincent Cunanan (17) and Renzo Navarro (12), meanwhile, bannered the Pirates in their takeover of Group B leadership from idle La Salle (2-0).

In the other game,  Far Eastern University (FEU) rolled past San Beda in Group B, 82-73, as Yuri Escueta fell short in his hunt for a debut win as the Red Lions’ new head coach.

Bryan Sajonia (16) and Royce Alforque (15) starred for the Tamaraws, who have slowly but surely found their groove at 2-2 after a winless start.

Arellano (0-4) and San Beda (0-2) stayed winless in their respective pools while Santo Tomas slid to 1-1. — John Bryan Ulanday

Djokovic likely to miss US Open over COVID-19 vaccine status

THERE is a petition circulating to allow Novak Djokovic to play at the US Open but the Serbian appears likely to miss the entire North American hardcourt swing barring a sudden change in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) protocols in the United States and Canada.

Djokovic has refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine, yet the 21-time Grand Slam winner remains on the entry lists for the ATP 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati that serve as tune-ups for the Aug. 29-Sept. 11 US Open in New York.

In the case of the US Open, which does not have a vaccine mandate, organizers previously said that per the Grand Slam Rule Book, all eligible players are entered into the main draw based on their ranking 42 days prior to the first Monday of the event.

US Open organizers also said that while they do not have a vaccination mandate in place for players, they will respect the US government’s position regarding travel into the country for unvaccinated non-US citizens.

Former world number one Djokovic, whose website shows no upcoming events, said last week he was preparing for the US Open as if he will be allowed to compete in the year’s final Grand Slam despite not being vaccinated.

Djokovic’s camp and organizers of the three North American hardcourt events did not immediately respond when asked by Reuters on Tuesday for comment.

The hashtag #LetNovakPlay was circulating on social media as a slew of Djokovic supporters voiced their support for a player who moved to within one of Spaniard Rafa Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles after his Wimbledon triumph last month.

An online petition that launched a month ago calling for the United States Tennis Association to work with the US government to allow Djokovic to compete in the US Open was edging closer to its target of 50,000 signatures on Tuesday. — Reuters

6 of 52 drug war cases dismissed for lack of witnesses — DoJ 

BW FILE PHOTO

By John Victor D. Ordonez, Reporter 

GOVERNMENT prosecutors have dismissed for lack of witnesses six out of 52 cases against police officers accused of involvement in the previous administration’s war on drugs, the Justice department said on Wednesday.  

In a live-streamed press briefing, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres said other factors for the dismissal were no sign of foul play and families choosing not to pursue the cases.  

He added that case buildup is ongoing for seven more cases. 

“We are confident with the evidence in these seven cases. It’s the certainty of punishment that deters crimes,” Mr. Andres said.  

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla told the same briefing that the Department of Justice (DoJ) intends to pursue the cases filed by the government and appealed to witnesses to cooperate.   

“Please come forward. We will welcome these people who wish to put forward their testimonies,” he said.  

Mr. Remulla said the DoJ intends to share all its information on the drug war with the Commission on Human Rights.  

The Justice department had only brought five of the 52 cases involving 150 police officers to court since it started its own probe last year.  

An inter-agency committee formed 15 teams last year that probed alleged extralegal killings and human rights violations involving the government’s anti-illegal drug operations.  

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday said the Philippines would not rejoin the International Criminal Court (ICC) as it may resume its probe into his predecessor’s deadly anti-illegal drug campaign.  

Mr. Duterte had canceled Philippine membership in the international tribunal in 2018.  

Mr. Remulla said the Philippines’ non-membership to the ICC does not deprive Filipinos of an avenue for justice as the country has a functioning justice system. 

In a 53-page request to the international court’s pre-trial chamber in June, ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad A. Khan said the Philippines had failed to show it investigated crimes related to the campaign. 

He said the chamber should issue an order on an “expedited basis.” It should “receive any further observations it considers appropriate from victims and the government of the Philippines,” he added.  

The ICC, which tries people charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and aggression, suspended its probe of Mr. Duterte’s deadly war on drugs last year upon the Philippine government’s request.  

Data from the Philippine government released in June 2021 showed that at least 6,117 suspected drug dealers had been killed in police operations as of April 2021. Human rights groups estimate that as many as 30,000 suspects died. 

Marcos appoints FDA head, others in various agencies 

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has appointed his personal physician, Samuel A. Zacate, as chief of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to Malacañang.  

Mr. Zacate is “eminently qualified” to head the agency that regulates food and drugs before they enter the market, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles told a televised news briefing.  

He is “a known public health advocate with years of expertise in medicine and medical consultancy in other government units and offices, including the Public Attorney’s Office and Presidential Security Group Hospital,” Ms. Cruz-Angeles added.   

Mr. Zacate was a diplomate for the Philippine Society of Venereology and a fellow at the International College of Surgeons, the Palace official said.   

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos picked Carlo Dimayuga as acting chief of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.  

The President also chose Roman A. Felix, a retired police general, as secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs.   

Ms. Cruz-Angles said Ariel R. Caculitan, a retired military general who served in different units of the Philippine Marine Corps and Philippine Navy, was appointed undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs (OPAMA).  

Isagani R. Nerez, a lawyer and retired police officer, will serve at OPAMA as undersecretary for police affairs.   

For the Justice department, the President has named five new undersecretaries and two assistant secretaries.  

Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, Geronimo L. Sy, and Jose Ragus Cadiz, Jr., Deo L. Marco, and Nicholas Felix L. Ty were appointed as undersecretaries, according to the appointment letter dated July 29.  

Also appointed were Jose Arturo R. Malvar and Majken Anika S. Gran-Ong as assistant secretaries. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and John Victor D. Ordoñez 

US looking to assist the Philippines in clean energy transition 

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE AMERICAN government is looking to provide assistance to the Philippines’ clean energy transition through the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the US Embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.   

USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong is coming to the Philippines later this week to explore collaborations on sustainable infrastructure with public and private entities, the embassy said.   

“USTDA works in close partnership with the public and private sectors in the Philippines and South Africa to advance the development of sustainable infrastructure projects that each country has established as its priorities,” Ms. Ebong said in a statement on Tuesday.  

“Our model of assistance focuses on access and inclusivity and is based on the core principles of mutual benefit and trust,” she added.   

She will be joining US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken during his visit to the Philippines and South Africa.  

The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier announced that Mr. Blinken is scheduled to visit the Philippines from August 5 to 6. It will be his first visit to the country since assuming office in January last year.  

While in Manila, he will meet Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, climate crisis, and other regional and global challenges. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

DoT to hold trainings as Bohol LGU works on regulation after overpriced food incident 

SUNSET in Panglao, Bohol. — PANGLAO MUNICIPAL TOURISM OFFICE

THE TOURISM department will hold trainings anew in Bohol as the provincial government drafts local laws that will tighten regulation of goods and services after a visitor posted an incident of an absurdly overpriced meal that went viral on social media.    

“The alleged overpricing of seafood by vendors in Virgin Island, Panglao, Bohol is a matter that the Department of Tourism (DoT) takes seriously especially as it concerns the welfare of tourists whose continued support for our destinations is critical to the recovery of the tourism industry,” Secretary Christina G. Frasco said in a statement released late Tuesday evening.   

Ms. Frasco said their regional office is working with the local government units (LGUs) of Bohol and Panglao “to provide guidance on standards for the provision of tourist goods and services, and we will extend trainings to the frontline tourism workers and stakeholders involved to safeguard the overall tourist experience in the Island.”  

The DoT is also coordinating with the Department of Trade and Industry on policies relating to “reasonable pricing standards” to protect consumers.   

Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado has ordered a temporary halt on boat trips to Virgin Island while a probe is ongoing.   

Ms. Aumentado has also directed the provincial council to begin working on resolutions or ordinances that will provide protection to tourists.   

The governor, who is on his first term in office, acknowledged that there had long been reports of exploitative practices in the tourism sector.   

“We will fix this!” he said in a statement on Tuesday.  

Ms. Frasco underscored that tourism, which provides livelihoods and could become a major contributor to the economy, is “a shared responsibility.” 

Bohol, located in central Philippines, is known for its beaches and dive spots, the Chocolate Hills, tarsier, and historical and heritage sites. — MSJ

Senate bill seeks deferment of student loans in public, private schools during emergencies

PHILSTAR

A BILL filed at the Senate seeks to defer the payment of student loans in both public and private schools during disasters and similar emergencies, including the coronavirus pandemic.   

Senate Bill 975 proposes to provide a moratorium on the collection of all fees, charges, and costs relating to student loan programs in colleges, universities, and technical-vocational education institutions. 

“Many of our compatriots have lost their jobs and sources of income due to calamities such as earthquakes, typhoons, and most recently, due to the pandemic. That is why I am promoting this bill to reduce the burden of parents who send their children to school in times when they are hit by a disaster or pandemic,” Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid said in a statement on Wednesday.   

“Let’s aim to temporarily ease the burden of families affected by the disaster in any student loan liability, so that they can focus on more basic and important daily expenses,” he added.  

The moratorium would cover the period from the declaration of a national and local state of calamity or emergency, to 30 days after its termination. If this period exceeds 60 days, the payment of the student loan and related fees will be further deferred until the next semester or term.  

The bill also protects the enrollment or graduation eligibility of students availing of the moratorium.  

Under the bill, no government subsidy will be provided to private schools to cover potential cash flow problems, according to the head of Mr. Lapid’s legislative office, Abelardo P. Maglanque.  

“For short term situations, the schools will be expected to absorb the financial hit to be caused by the deferment,” Mr. Maglangue told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.  

“But for longer terms, we are open to looking into government financial institutions to come in and take over,” he added.   

Mr. Lapid said they aim to have the bill approved “as soon as possible.” If passed into law, it will be applied retroactively for those affected by the coronavirus health emergency. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Garcia eyes own building for Comelec

FIREFIGHTERS respond on July 31 to a fire at the 7th floor of the Palacio del Gobernador building in Manila, which is occupied by the Commission on Elections’ IT department. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

THE NEWLY-appointed chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said initial discussions have been undertaken for the construction of the agency’s own building, and the more immediate need to transfer its information technology (IT) department after a fire broke out at its office on Sunday evening.  

“I think it is high time that Comelec gets its own building,” Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia told a virtual press briefing.  

“I also recommended to the en banc that we should study how to transfer the IT department to a more safe, secure, and protected office.”  

Comelec earlier gave assurance that election servers and data were not affected by the fire.  

He noted that Comelec also rents several warehouses nationwide for storage.  

Mr. Garcia added that he recently had a phone call with Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman on the preparatory work required for the proposed building.   

“Yesterday, I received a call from her (Ms. Pangandaman) inquiring about the extent of the preparations for a new building and it looks like our request is being granted,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.  

The election agency’s office is currently located at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.  

Mr. Garcia said the Comelec will have to include an allocation for a new office in its annual budget proposal.   

“I know that our budget is tight because of the pandemic, but a gradual increase in budget for the new building would be enough,” he said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

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