Kaya opens Copa campaign with Azkals Development Team win

November 8, 2021 | 8:27 pm

KAYA FC-Iloilo kicked off its Copa Paulino Alcantara campaign on a winning note on Sunday, defeating the Azkals Development Team (ADT), 2-0, in Group B play at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Second-half goals from Daizo Horikoshi (54’) and Simone Rota (70’) towed Kaya to the win that pushed it closer to booking a spot in the next round of the competition and propel its push to the title it won in 2018.

The contest was tightly fought in the opening half, with the teams fighting to a goalless draw.

ADT continued to stand toe-to-toe with its more experienced opponent early in the second fold until Mr. Horikoshi broke through for Kaya.

The young nationals tried to get back the goal after, only to be frustrated by Kaya, with Mr. Rota giving his team further cushion.

Kaya would stay the course the rest of the way, even when things got physical late in the contest, en route to the victory.

The club now tries to sweep its group assignments in its scheduled match with Mendiola FC 1991 on Wednesday set for 4 p.m.

ADT, for its part, takes on Mendiola on Nov. 13.

Playing in Group A, meanwhile, are Stallion Laguna FC and newcomer Dynamic Herb Cebu FC.

Reigning Philippines Football League (PFL) champion United City Football Club was supposed to play in Group A but last week decided to pull out.

The development leaves Stallion and Cebu as the remaining clubs that will contest the top seeding in the group for the crossover semifinals.

The Copa Paulino Alcantara marks the return of football competition in the country after a year since the PFL staged its “bubble” tournament in 2020.

Copa matches are shown over One Sports and One Sports+ as well as on the PFL’s Facebook and YouTube accounts.

Para-chessers on PSC’s online edition of Pilipinas Para Games

November 8, 2021 | 8:27 pm

OVER 150 para-athletes across the country will compete in the 2021 Philippine Sport Commission – Pilipinas Para Games (PPG) Online Chess Competition which starts on Nov. 19.

“We are launching this project in our effort to continue efforts to address our need for a truly comprehensive grassroots sports development program for our para-athletes, and continuously harness their full potential,” said PSC Oversight Commissioner for para-athletes Arnold Agustin.

Originally staged in three regional legs, the online chess competition will now be held in one nation-wide event, on six categories namely: Visually Impaired B1 Completely Blind Men, Visually Impaired B1 Completely Blind Women, Visually Impaired B2 Partially Blind Men, Visually Impaired B2 Partially Blind Women, and Physically Impaired Men and Physically Impaired Women.

The PPG is also held in partnership with the Philippine Paralympic Committee and the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists on the classification of registered para-athletes.

Competition starts on Nov. 19 via Zoom, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will conclude on Nov. 21. Winners will receive medals, certificates of excellence and cash incentives.

To prepare the national para coaches and technical officials for this competition, a Para-Chess Online Technical Workshop started Nov. 7. Six of our chess legends in GM Eugene Torre, GM Thomas Luther, GM Jayson Gonzales, IA/IO Casto Abundo, and IA/NM James Infiesto served as resource speakers.

“In a pandemic, we are focusing on chess as it appears to be one of the best solutions for our para-athletes to get themselves going again in sports,” expressed Mr. Agustin.

Registered para-athletes can complete and send their requirements to pilipinasparagames@gmail.com and its official Facebook page. Official list of participants will be announced on Nov. 12.

Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards send Milwaukee Bucks to fifth loss in six games

November 8, 2021 | 8:27 pm

BRADLEY Beal scored 30 points and the Washington Wizards defeated the visiting Milwaukee Bucks (101-94) on Sunday night.

Beal made 14-of-22 shots and added eight assists as Washington won its second straight game. Kyle Kuzma had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Montrezl Harrell also scored 15 points.

The Wizards shot 50.6 percent from the field, including 11-of-27 (40.7 percent) from 3-point range.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 29 points and 18 rebounds. Grayson Allen added 19 points for the Bucks, who opened a five-game road trip with their fifth loss in their past six games. Bobby Portis had 13 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bucks shot 39.4 percent from the field and 10-of-36 (27.8 percent) from 3-point range.

Washington won despite being outrebounded 49-42 and committing 19 turnovers to just 13 for the Bucks.

Beal’s driving layup, his 29^th and 30^th points of the night, gave the Wizards an eight-point lead, 96-88 with 3:57 left in the fourth quarter.

After Allen missed, Beal and Harrell connected for an alley-oop to push the lead to 10.

Antetokounmpo answered with a dunk and then added two free throws to pull the Bucks within 98-92 with 2:26 to play. Beal turned the ball over and Jrue Holiday’s basket on a goaltending call appeared to make it 98-94, but the call was overturned after a video review.

Antetokounmpo’s dunk did make it 98-94. The teams exchanged misses and then turnovers before Spencer Dinwiddie’s three-pointer off a pass from Beal iced it with 20.3 seconds remaining.

Allen hit two free throws to give the Bucks a 63-60 lead with 7:45 left in the third quarter, but Beal’s layup sparked a 17-4 Wizards run capped by Corey Kispert’s pull-up jumper and Washington led 82-71 after three quarters.

Antetokounmpo scored four straight points to pull the Bucks within 90-83 with 6:20 remaining, and Pat Connaughton’s 3-pointer made it 92-86 with 4:51 left. — Reuters

Jaguars stun Bills in low scoring game

November 8, 2021 | 8:26 pm

MATTHEW Wright kicked three field goals on Sunday, and the host Jacksonville Jaguars stifled the Buffalo Bills’ top-ranked scoring offense to produce a 9-6 upset.

Wright’s 21-yarder with 12:10 left in the game snapped a 6-6 tie, and the Jacksonville defense did the rest. The Jaguars sacked Josh Allen four times, including Dawuane Smoot’s 9-yard sack with 1:11 left that took Buffalo out of field-goal range.

Allen’s 4^th-and-16 pass for Stefon Diggs with 1:02 remaining fell short, and Jacksonville (2-6) ran out the clock for the biggest win of Urban Meyer’s first season as the Jags’ head coach.

Allen completed 31 of 47 passes for 264 yards and tossed two interceptions. He wasn’t even the best player on the field with his name. Jaguars defensive end Josh Allen was a force all day with eight tackles, a sack, an interception and a pass defensed.

The Bills (5-3) outgained Jacksonville 301-218 but hurt themselves all day. They were flagged 12 times for 118 yards, drawing five 15-yard penalties.

Rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed part of the second quarter with an ankle injury but still hit 15 of 26 passes for 118 yards for the Jaguars.

Tyler Bass tied it for the Bills with a 24-yard field goal at the 3:54 mark, then gave them a 6-3 edge with a 41-yard field goal less than four minutes into the second quarter. Buffalo reached the 24 on that drive before an unnecessary-roughness flag quashed it.

Another Bills penalty — an illegal use of hands infraction — gave the Jaguars a first down on their next possession that pushed them to the edge of Wright’s range. — Reuters

West Ham ends Liverpool’s unbeaten run with memorable win

November 8, 2021 | 8:26 pm

LONDON — West Ham United showed that their place in the Premier League’s top four was fully warranted as they outmuscled Liverpool for a memorable 3-2 victory at a rocking London Stadium on Sunday.

Victory for high-flying West Ham ended Liverpool’s club record 25-match unbeaten run in all competitions and lifted them above Jürgen Klopp’s side into third place in the table.

What always looked like a tough fixture for Liverpool began badly when keeper Alisson, who endured a difficult afternoon, flapped a cross into his own goal after four minutes.

Liverpool were rarely allowed to find their usual fluency but they were level by half time thanks to a moment of magic from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Those expecting the visitors to find another gear after the break were left disappointed as it was West Ham who took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Craig Dawson hit the bar for West Ham early in the second half as Liverpool wobbled at the back, before Pablo Fornals restored West Ham’s lead in the 66^th minute before Kurt Zouma rose to head in West Ham’s third in the 74^th minute.

Substitute Divock Origi gave Liverpool a lifeline with a shot on the turn in the 82^nd minute and Sadio Mane should have leveled in stoppage time but the hosts clung on for a victory that would be celebrated into the night by the home fans.

West Ham’s fourth consecutive league win moves them to 23 points from 11 games with Juergen Klopp’s side one point behind them and the Hammers head into the international break just three points behind leaders Chelsea.

It was a doubly joyous day for Hammers boss David Moyes who had not tasted a league win over Liverpool for 11 years, losing 10 and drawing four in the interim period as manager of Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham.

“I want us to challenge the teams in the top four, I do not know who they will be but I want us to challenge,” Moyes said.

“This result shows that we’re really in with a good chance of challenging.”

It was a day to forget for Liverpool, who have dropped five points in their last two league games, and especially Alisson.

The game was only four minutes old when he flapped at a Fornals corner under pressure from Angelo Ogbonna and the ball ended up in the net. He hoped for a reprieve via a VAR check but the goal was rightly allowed to stand.

Klopp was perplexed by the decision.

“The first they score is a foul on the goalkeeper, the arm goes into Alisson’s arm so how can he catch it? That makes no sense,” he said.

Liverpool were a little lucky not to be down to 10 men after Diogo Jota caught Ogbonna with his elbow, forcing the West Ham player off, although Klopp suggested West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell got away with a reckless challenge on Jordan Henderson.

But they got back into the game when Alexander-Arnold played a short free kick to Mohamed Salah who then stopped it for the English defender to curl past Lukasz Fabianski and temporarily silence the home fans.

Fabianski made a crucial save from Mane’s volley after the break and minutes later West Ham went back ahead as Fornals went clean through and beat Alisson with a low shot that the Brazilian stopper might have saved.

When Zouma headed in shortly after for his first West Ham goal, again with Alisson found wanting, it felt like the roof was coming off the former Olympic Stadium. — Reuters

Severino and Rom keep clean slate after third round of online World Chess Championship

November 8, 2021 | 8:25 pm

white-chess-pieces-chess-board-king — FREEPIK

THE Philippines’ Sander Severino and Jasper Rom overpowered their respective rivals to remain unbeaten and at the helm after three rounds of the online World Chess Championship for People with Disabilities Sunday.

Severino and Rom won both their games with the black pieces with the former smashing Moroccan Jamal Messala in 45 moves and the latter blasting American Griffin McConnell in 60 moves both via a French Defense.

The pair of triumphs kept the multiple ASEAN and Asian Para Games gold medalists in an 18-player lead group with pristine three points in this nine-round tournament that drew 249 participants from 40 countries.

Another Filipino Rodolfo Sarmiento, in contrast, lost his place on top after succumbing to Argentinian Leonel Amato in 41 moves of a Queen’s Pawn London System and fell to a big group at 39^th place with two points.

It included two other Philippine bets Henry Lopez and Darry Bernardo.

Lopez split the point with Polish Szymon Kasperczyk in 36 moves of a Slav Defense while Bernardo bounced back from a second-round defeat by dismantling Malaysian Ardian Syah Muming’s Caro-kann Defense in 27 moves. — JV

Djokovic focuses on positives after winning sixth Paris Masters crown

November 8, 2021 | 8:24 pm

PARIS — Novak Djokovic put the disappointment of missing out on a rare calendar Grand Slam behind him as he won a record sixth Paris Masters title on Sunday.

The Serbian’s bid to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four majors in the same year was ended by Daniil Medvedev in September’s US Open final, and on Sunday he avenged that defeat by beating the Russian (4-6, 6-3, 6-3) in Paris.

Sunday’s triumph secured Djokovic a record 37^th Masters title, capping a successful week in which the 34-year-old had also made sure he would finish the year as world number one for a record seventh time.

“I already closed that (New York) chapter, to be honest. I’m not regretting it, really. I’m not spending days suffering because I didn’t take the calendar slam this year,” Djokovic told a news conference.

“I’m very relieved that the calendar, that the Grand Slam season was done, because I felt a tremendous pressure unlike anything I felt in my life.

“So it was an interesting experience, and I’m very satisfied with the way I played in Grand Slams, three wins and a final. I mean, there is much more positive things to be grateful for and to look at than negative.”

On Sunday, Djokovic remained unflappable despite losing the opening set as he set another record.

“I have always been honest enough to say that the history of our sport is too big a motivation,” he said.

Djokovic will now set his sights to the Nov. 14-21 ATP Finals in Turin, where he will be looking to match Roger Federer’s record haul of six titles at the season-ending event. — Reuters

P1-B aid to be shared by 136,230 jeepney drivers

November 8, 2021 | 8:07 pm

THE TRANSPORTATION department said Monday that it identified 136,230 jeepney drivers who will be eligible for P1 billion worth of cash assistance to help them deal with rising fuel prices.

The eligible jeepney drivers form the majority of the 178,000 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers as estimated by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).

“The P1-billion budget for fuel subsidy shall be divided (among) the 136,230 qualified and bona fide jeepney drivers nationwide, based on the TRAIN (tax reform for acceleration and inclusion) law,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said in a statement.

“In anticipation of the downloading of funds for the P1-billion fuel subsidy, I signed the tripartite memorandum of agreement between the Department of Transportation (DoTr), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Landbank of the Philippines earlier today, Nov. 8, 2021,” he added.

The agreement lays down the framework and documentation rules for the immediate implementation of the program upon receipt of the budget from the Department of Budget and Management.

“Ibig sabihin operators ’yan o ’yung bilang ng sasakyan na registered sa kanila (LTFRB) (The list was based on operators and vehicles registered with the LTFRB),” Manibela National President Mar S. Valbuena told BusinessWorld in a phone interview.

“Ang tantya ko lang, kung mga jeepney lang, nasa halos kalahating milyon ang meron sa buong Pilipinas. Sa National Capital Region lang nasa 70,000 na, jeepney drivers lang ’yan (My own estimate is that there are about half a million in the entire country. Just in the NCR, there are 70,000, just jeepney drivers)” he added.

LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III had yet to respond to request for comment at deadline time regarding the eligibility criteria for subsidy recipients.

On Oct. 25, the DBCC announced that the government would release P1 billion to the LTFRB to provide cash grants to PUV workers for the remainder of the year.

“This will be distributed using the system established under the Pantawid Pasada Program of the LTFRB,” the DBCC said.

The funds are to be charged against 2021 unprogrammed appropriations under the Support for Infrastructure Projects and Social Programs, it noted.

The LTFRB clarified on Oct. 26 that only the drivers of public utility jeepneys or PUJs would benefit from the P1-billion cash aid. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Petron’s Ang bats for alternatives to fuel excise suspension

November 8, 2021 | 8:06 pm

THE PRESIDENT and chief executive officer of Petron Corp., Ramon S. Ang, said he does not support calls to suspend fuel excise taxes, citing other options that are available to transport workers.

Mr. Ang said at a House Ways and Means hearing that drivers of public utility vehicles can instead buy fuel from other fuel brands, which he suggested are able to offer lower prices because Petron pays more in overhead and is constrained in price-setting by regulation.

“Gasoline excise tax and VAT is about P16.70, diesel is about P11.41. But the new players on an average, they give P10 per liter cheaper all over the country,” he said.

He did not identify the “new players,” who mainly import finished products and have fewer plants, but added that such efficiencies allow them to compete with Petron on costs.

“We are subject to microscop(ic) monitoring by government agencies… Every shipment is monitored and computerized. We are not able to do anything else, so whatever cost of the world market that is computed by the DoE, that’s what we pay,” Mr. Ang said.

He added that he is open to the National Government buying back Petron after legislators from the Makabayan bloc called for the renationalization of the oil company.

“If the government wants to buy, be prepared and let us know now, I will sell it to you immediately. Make a valuation as soon as possible without any drama,” Mr. Ang said.

The Department of Energy (DoE) has reiterated its position that fuel excise taxes must be suspended in light of rising global crude prices.

“For purposes of going into the details, our proposal that the cost (of oil) reaches $80 per barrel (should trigger) an automatic suspension under the law,” Energy Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza, Jr. said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Finance (DoF) reiterated its opposition to various proposals by the House to suspend or lower fuel excise taxes, saying at such a measure will hamper the economic recovery.

“The overall economic growth from 2022 onwards will be lower with the decrease in government spending without the fuel excise tax revenue,” Finance Strategy, Economics, and Results Group Director Euvimil Nina R. Asuncion said, estimating that growth will decline “by as much as 0.15 percentage points” if suspensions are resorted to.

Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo countered that the DoF’s proposed solution — the release of P1 billion worth of cash assistance to PUV drivers is “too small” to help them deal with rising fuel prices.

“That’s why we are just resorting to suspending the collection of tax because… we are already traumatized by the slow distribution of assistance.

Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, who heads the committee, said a technical working group will be made to consolidate bills proposing to reduce or suspend the excise tax on petroleum products.

He added that the group will draft a substitute bill and committee report for discussion at another hearing Thursday.

The technical working group will be led by AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon S. Garin.

Oil companies announced Monday that prices on gasoline, diesel, and kerosene will be cut by P1.00, P0.60, and P0.65 per liter respectively.

As of Nov. 2, pump prices in the year to date for gasoline and diesel have increased by P21.95 per liter and P18.10 per liter respectively, according to the Energy department. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Subdued growth seen in manufactured goods prices ahead of yearend

November 8, 2021 | 8:05 pm

PRICE GROWTH in manufactured products has been “minimal” ahead of the holiday season, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Monday.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said in a virtual briefing that prices of some groceries have increased by only 3% or so.

“In terms of manufactured products, thankfully the price movements have been minimal. The products that recorded price increases are around 3% only,” Mr. Lopez said.

“Consumers do not need to worry about the price increases,” he added.

Mr. Lopez said the DTI will promote products whose prices have been stable, including food consumed during the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, known as the Noche Buena.

“Manufacturers who will not have price increases are lucky since they will be promoted by the government,” Mr. Lopez said.

“Some manufacturers of ham, queso de bola (a variety of Edam cheese), fruit cocktail, pasta, and sauces have already announced that they will not have price increases. The DTI will promote them, specifically what product, brand, and size did not raise prices,” he added.

Recently, Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association President Steven T. Cua advised consumers to plan their shopping around items that will help them stick to their budgets.

Mr. Cua estimated that Noche Buena items may experience price hikes of between 4% to 8%, equivalent to between 25 centavos and P2, depending on the size of the product.

“We have to plan what we need to buy so that we can meet our budget. Always have a list of things to buy,” Mr. Cua said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Senate bill sets $80 Dubai crude as trigger for suspending excise

November 8, 2021 | 8:04 pm

A SENATE bill seeks to set the $80-per-barrel price level for the Dubai crude benchmark as the trigger for suspending fuel excise taxes, formalizing in law a similar proposal put forward by the Department of Energy.

Senator Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe-Llamanzares, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, filed Senate Bill 2445 Monday, which seeks to amend Section 148 of the National Internal Revenue Code and specifying taxes on regular gasoline, unleaded premium gasoline, and diesel fuel oil. The transitory provision is also up for amendment.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported last week that fuel inflation accelerated to 32.9% from September’s 21.3%, among the highest reported this year. Rising global fuel price benchmarks have led to increasing calls to suspend the collection of excise taxes.

The law currently in force, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, has a similar trigger mechanism which only covers excise tax for the 2018-2020 period.

“The suspension of the excise tax will immediately bring down the cost by P10 per liter for gasoline and P6 per liter for diesel,” Ms. Poe said in a statement Monday.

At present, the Singapore Mean of Platts — the reference used for fuel prices in the Philippines — has risen to $80 from $73 at the start of the month.

According to the Energy department, the price of gasoline in Metro Manila averages between P58.55 and P70.52.

The Finance department has said that the government stands to lose P131 billion from the suspension, P24.7 billion of which represents foregone revenue from the tax and P106.7 billion in incremental revenue.

In response, Ms. Poe said the administration has pushed for the lowering of income taxes for companies under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises law, under which foregone revenue was estimated at P251 billion in the first two years.

“If the government can afford P251 billion for big companies, why can’t it do the same for jeepney drivers, delivery riders, and everybody else who have to go to work and are forced to bring their own vehicles because there’s not enough public transportation?” she said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

SC upholds dismissal of claims over BCDA land

November 8, 2021 | 8:04 pm

SupremeCourt-PHILSTARFILE — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the dismissal of claims put forward by individuals over land in Makati currently controlled by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), ruling that the latter is the registered owner of 13.9 hectares.

The site was formerly occupied by the US military aid mission to the Philippines, the Joint US Military Group.

In a statement, the Supreme Court affirmed an earlier decision by the Court of Appeals (CA), which in turn had sustained the rulings of lower courts. The latter had dismissed claims over the Makati property, which is part of a larger, 35.5-hectare site.

“All told, the CA properly affirmed the ruling of the (Regional Trial Court), which sustained the (Metropolitan Trial Court) decision dismissing the case for lack of merit,” the SC said.

The trigger for litigation had been allegations that the BCDA had committed forced entry to access the site.

According to the SC, petitioners Severino P. Balmaceda, Carmen M. Batoon, and Jacobina T. Alcantara claimed to be legitimate occupants of the property, which they had occupied for more or less 30 years with the consent of its registered owner Agustina Huerva Alfabeto, grandmother of Ms. Alcantara.

They claimed that the BCDA in 2012 entered the site and instructed them to vacate the property.

The petitioners, who were told to demolish the structures on the site, said the BCDA started destroying roads within the property.

The BCDA, however, contended that the claim of ownership was fraudulent because the property has been a military reservation since the 1950s, covered by a proclamation issued by President Carlos P. Garcia, the high court said.

“Being its owner, the BCDA is entitled to possess and can evict petitioners from the subject property,” the SC said.

“The Court further held that pursuant to Section 28(b) or RA 7279, the BCDA is permitted to extrajudicially cause the eviction of petitioners and the demolition of the structures they built on the property,” it said. “Such is the case since eviction and demolition are necessary for the implementation of government infrastructure projects.”

“The Court also quotes with approval the observation of the CA that the BCDA still gave prior notice and assistance to petitioners despite not being required to do so,” it added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza