Farm damage from typhoon Kiko increases to P19.21M

September 19, 2021 | 8:11 pm

TyphoonKiko-damage-NDRRMC.GOV.PH — NDRRMC.GOV.PH

AGRICULTURAL losses brought by typhoon Kiko (international name: Chanthu) went up to P19.21 million versus the P18.20 million previously estimated, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

The DA said in its latest bulletin dated Sept. 16 afternoon that the typhoon affected 954 farmers and fishers together with 1,060 hectares of farm areas across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

However, the DA noted that there is a reduction in the total affected farm area, which was previously estimated at 1,172 hectares, as a result of validation done in Central Luzon.

The onslaught of Kiko also resulted in 723 metric tons (MT) of lost production volume.

“Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, and fisheries. These values are still subject to validation,” the DA said in the bulletin.

Losses to rice were valued at P9.85 million. A total of 498 MT of production volume were lost while 901 hectares of agricultural areas were affected.

Damage to fisheries amounted to P4.02 million. Recorded losses were fisheries produce and fishing boats and gears.

For high-value crops, losses reached P3.63 million. Around eight hectares of agricultural areas were affected while 58 MT of production volume were lost.

Corn damage reached P1.71 million. A total of 167 MT of production volume were lost while 152 hectares of farm areas were affected.

“The DA, through its regional field offices, is conducting further validation of damage and losses brought by Typhoon Kiko in the agri-fisheries sector,” the bulletin said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Senator files resolution for Kaliwa Dam project suspension

September 19, 2021 | 8:11 pm

Kaliwa-Dam-site-EIA.EMB.GOV.PH — EIA.EMB.GOV.PH

OPPOSITION SENATOR Leila M. de Lima called for a suspension of all construction activities on the China-funded Kaliwa Dam project, citing the Commission on Audit (CoA) report and Senate investigations indicating irregularities in implementation.

Ms. De Lima filed Resolution No. 909 on Thursday saying all legal prerequisites and issues must first be settled before the project proceeds.

“Government remains hell-bent to push forward with the project, despite credible claims that the social, cultural, environmental, and economic costs of the Kaliwa Dam Project outweigh its purported benefits,” said Ms. De Lima in a statement on Sunday.

“There is a need to determine once and for all the viability of the Kaliwa Dam Project and the impacts it will have on its primary stakeholders, particularly the local indigenous population,” she added.

She cited a Senate Committee on Cultural Communities report saying that “laws protecting indigenous peoples’ rights were not complied within the course of implementing the project.”

CoA, in its 2020 audit report, said the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has been proceeding with the project without proper documentation such as a memorandum of agreement with local government units for the project’s social development program, a copy of the approved reforestation program, and the creation of an environmental unit upon receipt of the environmental compliance certificate.

In a statement on Sept. 16, MWSS said they are continuously working on the environmental requirements and actual construction has yet to begin for the P12.2-billion project that will serve as a water supply source to the capital Metro Manila.

“With the controversies surrounding the Kaliwa Dam project, there is also a need to explore alternatives to address water security, so that we may not only protect the rights of ICCs (indigenous cultural communities) or IPs (indigenous people) to their ancestral lands but also maintain the beauty and biodiversity of our forests and mountainous regions,” she said.

In June this year, MWSS said tunnel excavation work on the dam is expected to start by December with the arrival in July of a boring machine. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

SC orders Hagonoy Water District employees, directors to return rice allowance

September 19, 2021 | 8:11 pm

THE SUPREME Court (SC) has dismissed the petition of Hagonoy Water District (HWD), a government-owned and controlled corporation, to allow its disbursement of rice allowances to employees and directors in 2012 amounting to P558,000.

In the High Court’s decision dated March 2 and made public on Sept. 17, it held that the board members of HWD who approved the release of the bonuses “fell short of the standard of good faith and diligence required in the discharge of their duties” as they relied merely on the basis of a 1992 board resolution.

The water district’s board of directors released Resolution 16 in 1992 to give rice allowances to its employees, but the high court held that under Republic Act 6758 that took effect July 1, 1989, “all allowances of government officials and employees, including those in the GOCCs, are deemed included in the standardized salary rates.”

The Supreme Court invalidated the claim of HWD officers that the grant of rice allowances “had long been an established practice in HWD,” and asserted that a “practice, no matter how long continued, cannot give rise to any vested right if it is contrary to law.”

As such, the SC affirmed with modification the decision of the Commission on Audit (CoA) in 2014 to disallow the rice allowances totaling P408,000 to employees hired after July 1, 1989 and the additional allowances awarded to HWD’s board of directors totaling P150,000.

The SC explained that under Republic Act 9286, additional allowances to board directors must first be approved by the Local Water Utilities Administration before disbursement, which the HWD directors failed to do.

The CoA earlier held the HWD directors solely liable to refund the disallowed amounts, but the SC ruled that the employees must also return what they received.

The CoA’s 2014 ruling also disallowed the excess disbursement of anniversary bonuses to employees totaling P174,000. It held that Administrative Order 263 limits the amount of anniversary bonuses to only P3,000 per employee, but HWD disbursed P5,000. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Diokno needs stronger support to win his second try for the Senate

September 19, 2021 | 8:10 pm

STRONGER SUPPORT from various sectors would be needed for opposition candidates such as human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” I. Diokno to win a Senate seat in the 2022 national elections, according to a political scientist.

“In 2019, compared with other Otso Diretso candidates, he has made some headway with some millennials through social media. He needs to have a stronger civil society and youth voters’ support this time,” said Maria Ela L. Atienza, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines.

Mr. Diokno confirmed his 2022 senatorial run as an independent candidate in an interview with One News’ The Chiefs on Sept. 14, saying that the political landscape has changed since his first run in the 2019 midterm elections with other opposition candidates as part of the Otso Diretso team.

Mr. Diokno currently serves as chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group, an organization of human rights lawyers that represent activists, urban poor, and journalists, among others.

“If the genuine opposition can field a complete ticket… that balances principles and stronger presence with more resources and grassroots support, Mr. Diokno will have higher chances,” Ms. Atienza said in a Viber message.

She added that the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on national politics along with conflict between factions of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) party could open up an opportunity for Mr. Diokno.

However, Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, said that Mr. Diokno will have to differentiate himself from a “crowded” field of re-electionists and traditional politicians running next year.

He also said that voters can still “tune out candidates who offer nothing but criticism” despite Filipinos being more vocal about their opinions on the government. “I think he should run on a simple and coherent legislative agenda, one that can be easily understood by voters,” Mr. Yusingco said.

Mr. Diokno said that his platform will not only focus on strengthening the justice system but also addressing immediate matters on the government’s pandemic response such as delivery of health services, assisting badly-hit small to medium enterprises, and the right to accessible education. — Russell Louis C. Ku

House bill seeks to protect workers’ unions from harassment

September 19, 2021 | 8:10 pm

labor-rally-2020-PHILSTARFILE-MICHAELVARCAS — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

LAWMAKERS from the progressive Makabayan bloc have filed a bill seeking to protect workers’ unions from harassment and labeling as communists, among other threats to their right to organize.

“Despite the constitutionally-protected and internationally-recognized rights of workers and workers’ unions, they are subjected to all forms of harassment, intimidation, red-tagging, violent and illegal dispersal of strikes, union busting, arbitrary arrests due to false charges, and worse, killings,” the group said.

House Bill 10201 or the Union Independence Act of 2021 seeks to prohibit any person from forcing a worker to not join or renounce their affiliations with a workers’ organization.

It also prohibits discrimination against unionists and the obstruction of any lawful and peaceful activities of unions such as red-tagging or the practice of classifying them as supporters of the communist movement.

The measure also prohibits any law enforcement personnel, including those from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, to conduct information drives or seminars to discourage workers from participating in activities of workers’ organizations.

Those who violate the proposed law will be fined with at least P100,000, a jail sentence of one to two years, and disqualification from public office if the offender works in government.

According to Makabayan lawmakers, there have been 56 reported trade union organizers who were killed during the Duterte administration, including the Solidarity of Cavite Workers leader Emmanuel “Manny” Asuncion during the “Bloody Sunday” raids in the Calabarzon region on March 7. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Biado beats Singaporean Yapp to win US Open Pool Championship

September 19, 2021 | 8:01 pm

FILIPINO Carlo Biado ruled the 2021 US Open Pool Championship, coming from behind to defeat Singaporean Aloysius Yapp, 13-8, in the final early on Sunday morning (Manila time) in Atlantic City.

The 27-year-old Mr. Biado showed unflappable grit and determination to buck being down, 3-8, at point early in the championship match and turn things around en route to the huge victory.

Mr. Biado, a native of La Union, became the first pool player from the Philippines to win the prestigious tournament since Filipino legend Efren “Bata” Reyes in 1994.

With the win, he pocketed the top prize of $50,000, or around P2.5 million.

Mr. Biado started the final strong, racing to a 2-0 lead.

He, however, was not able to sustain it and saw his opponent turn the tables on him, building first a 5-3 cushion and then extending it to 8-3.

In the 12^th game, the Philippine bet was given an opening when Mr. Yapp missed the nine which could have extended the latter’s lead further.

From there, Mr. Biado steadily clawed his way back into the match, winning the 10 successive racks to claim the victory.

After sinking the winning shot in the 21^st game, Mr. Biado yelled and pumped his fist then stood on the table in celebration.

“This event is one of my dreams. I dedicate this win to my family, my baby. This is one of the best days in my life,” an emotional Mr. Biado said in the trophy presentation.

He went on to thank his supporters and sponsors as well as the organizers for staging the match despite the pandemic.

Mr. Biado’s victory was also a payback of sorts for compatriot Dennis Orcollo, who lost to Mr. Yapp in the semifinals, 11-6, preventing an all-Filipino final.

“Great and sweet victory for Carlo Biado and the Philippines despite the pandemic. Hardly had Biado the time to practice during the lockdown. In 2020 because of global lockdown, he practiced by himself in his pool table at home. His triumph, after Efren in 1994, would encourage Filipinos to bring out their cue sticks again. And it’s a boost to billiard sports in the country,” the Billiard and Snooker Congress of the Philippines said in a statement of Mr. Biado’s win.

On the road to winning the 2021 US Open Pool Championship title, Mr. Biado, also a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, edged out Spain’s David Alcaide Bermudez, 11-10, in the last 16, compatriot Johann Gonzales Chua, 11-10, in the quarterfinals and Japanese Naoyuki Oi, 11-9, in the semifinals.

The US Open Pool Championship is a nine-ball pool tournament, the longest running major pool title. The 2021 edition took place from Sept. 13 to 18 at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Malditas down Nepal to move a step closer to Asian Cup

September 19, 2021 | 8:01 pm

THE Philippine women’s national football team moved a step closer to making it to the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Women’s Cup after beating Nepal, 2-1, in their Group F qualifying match in Uzbekistan on Saturday night.

Late goals by Thanai Annis and Camille Wilson towed the Malditas to the come-from-behind victory in the match held at JAR Stadium in Tashkent to earn the full three points.

The nationals played catch-up throughout the contest after going down, 0-1, in the 10^thminute after Nepal’s Bimala Chaudary scored on a header.

While the 68^th-ranked Malditas were seemingly heading to an upset loss at the hands of 101^st-ranked Nepal going into stoppage time, the former extricated for an equalizer.

Ms. Annis found herself free in the box and converted a cross from teammate Chandler McDaniel to level the count in the 90^th minute.

Two minutes later, Ms. Wilson would score the go-ahead goal on another assist from Ms. McDaniel to complete the impressive charge-back win.

“The new players played well and initiated the first goal. Our adjustments in the second half resulted in us scoring in the last five minutes,” said Malditas coach Marlon Maro after the game.

The Malditas, whose campaign is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the MVP Sports Foundation, next face Hong Kong (78^th) on Sept. 24 where they hope to complete a sweep of its group assignments to book their spot in the Asian Cup in India next year.

Qualifying phase format has the top teams in each of the eight groupings advancing to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where they get to vie for spots in the 2023 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Women’s World Cup. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Northport outlasts ROS in overtime to fan playoff push

September 19, 2021 | 8:00 pm

PBA-Images13-(4) — GREG Slaughter (in photo) led the Northport Batang Pier to a hard-earned overtime victory over the Rain or Shine Elastopainters on Sunday. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE Northport Batang Pier outlasted the Rain or Shine (ROS) Elastopainters, 91-88, in overtime in a grind-it-out Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup match on Sunday to fan their quarterfinal push.

Dealt back-to-back losses entering the contest, the Batang Pier dug deep so as not to fall for a third straight time as they try to book a spot in the playoffs of the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association tournament.

Big man Greg Slaughter towered for Northport, finishing with a game-high 25 points, to go along with 11 rebounds and six blocks, the last of his swat coming in the dying seconds of OT to preserve the win for them.

Down by three points, 91-88, with five seconds to play in overtime, Rain or Shine had a chance to tie the count after veteran James Yap was fouled by Northport rookie Jamie Malonzo from the three-point line.

Unfortunately for the Elastopainters, Mr. Yap missed all of his free throws.

Off a rebound, Mr. Malonzo was fouled with three seconds left. He, however, missed both his freebies to keep the door open for Rain or Shine.

After a time out, Rain or Shine got the ball to Gabe Norwood, who soared for a potential game-tying triple but was blocked by Mr. Slaughter as time expired.

The win improved Northport to 5-5 with one game to play in the eliminations. The Batang Pier are currently at joint sixth place with the NLEX Road Warriors.

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, closed out its elimination assignments with a 6-5 record, already assured of a spot in the next round.

Robert Bolick also had a solid game for Northport in the victory, finishing with 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Sean Anthony had nine points and 10 rebounds while Mr. Malonzo had eight points and 14 boards.

“We’re a group that just wants to win,” said Mr. Slaughter after the game.

For Rain or Shine, it was Jewel Ponferada who led with 17 points, followed by Beau Belga, 11 and Mr. Yap and rookie Leonard Santillan with nine points apiece.

BLACKWATER INTERIM COACH
Meanwhile, already-eliminated Blackwater Bossing named Ariel Vanguardia as interim coach, replacing Nash Racela.

The team, which lost all of its 11 matches in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup, made the announcement on Sunday.

Including the eight straight defeats it had in last year’s bubble tournament, the Bossing set a new league record in successive losses at 19.

The Blackwater management is hoping that Mr. Vanguardia, who already had head coaching experience in the PBA in the past, would be able to turn things around for the team.

The Bossing are also set to reevaluate their roster and hope to come back more competitive in the next tournament.

Rosauro looking to continue ascent in ONE Championship

September 19, 2021 | 8:00 pm

FOLLOWING a breakthrough win in ONE Championship in his last fight, Cebu-based fighter Roel “Akiyama” Rosauro is looking to build on the momentum he has generated as he further positions himself in the featherweight division.

Mr. Rosauro (5-3) will take on ONE-debuting James Yang of the United States in the lead card for “ONE: Revolution” on Sept. 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

It will be his first fight after finally chalking a win in the promotion in January last year. He defeated Indonesia’s Yohan Mulia Legowo by unanimous decision. Prior to the win, he opened his ONE career with back-to-back losses.

The Filipino fighter said the win was huge especially for his confidence, believing he has what it takes to compete on a bigger stage.

“It did a lot for my confidence. It made me more determined to continue improving and focusing on what I want to achieve in my career,” said Mr. Rosauro in Filipino during a virtual media conference on Friday.

The Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu stalwart shared that just like all fighters, the ongoing pandemic has greatly disrupted training, but he made sure that he was able to put in the work in preparation for his upcoming fight.

“Training during the pandemic has been tough. Sometimes the gym is open, sometimes it’s not because of the restrictions. So I train in the house, doing weight training and working on my game, particularly grappling,” he said.

Mr. Yang is making his debut in ONE and has trained with mixed martial arts legend Demetrious Johnson.

Mr. Rosauro is one of three Filipinos seeing action at ONE: Revolution, the others being Team Lakay’s Lito Adiwang and Joshua Pacio, the reigning world strawweight champion.

Revolution will be shown live over One Sports. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Liverpool goes top with win over Palace as City held by Saints

September 19, 2021 | 7:59 pm

LIVERPOOL went top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, while champion Manchester City was held to a goalless draw at home to Southampton.

Arsenal picked up their second straight win with a 1-0 victory at Burnley, while promoted Brentford posted an impressive 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Everton’s unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

With Chelsea and Manchester United not in action until Sunday, Juergen Klopp’s side moved to 13 points from five matches after goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita at Anfield.

Liverpool had been well on top against Patrick Vieira’s Palace, but struggled to turn their dominance into goals until Mane turned the ball in from close range just before half time for his 100^th goal for the club.

His strike followed a shocking miss by Portugal international Diogo Jota, who blazed over the bar from two yards out.

Salah added a second to kill off the contest on 78 minutes as Virgil van Dijk flicked on a corner and the forward supplied a neat finish.

City were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.

After an uneventful first half where City was well below par, Southampton thought they had been handed a golden chance to go in front just after the interval when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Adam Armstrong. To make matters worse for City, Kyle Walker was sent off for the foul.

But referee Jon Moss, following a VAR intervention, overturned both the red card and the awarding of the spot kick.

Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were both summoned from the bench as City pressed for a winner, which they thought they had grabbed at the death through Raheem Sterling, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The result means City falls three points behind Liverpool, on 10 points.

Everton is fifth on 10 points although Rafa Benitez’s side was given a reality check as they conceded three times in 10 minutes after the break at Villa Park.

Matty Cash thumped in the opener in the 66^th minute — his first goal for the club — before Lucas Digne’s own goal from a corner and substitute Leon Bailey’s fierce drive.

Martin Odegaard’s 30^th-minute curling free kick earned Arsenal back-to-back wins although they also had some help from VAR as they hung on for the three points at Turf Moor.

The Norwegian midfielder curled the ball beautifully into the top corner of Nick Pope’s goal in the 30^th minute, helping take Mikel Arteta’s side on to six points.

Burnley thought they had a chance of an equalizer when Matej Vydra went down under a challenge from Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale and referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot. — Reuters

Teen Ostapenkov stuns Schwartzman in Davis Cup

September 19, 2021 | 7:59 pm

BELARUSIAN Daniil Ostapenkov, a teenager who had not played professional-level match before, stunned world number 15 Diego Schwartzman (6-4, 6-3) in their World Group I Davis Cup match against Argentina on Saturday.

The 18-year-old became the latest young gun to cause an upset following a US Open where teenagers seized the spotlight and 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title.

Ostapenkov fired down three aces and saved seven break points to defeat Schwartzman on his home turf at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, although Guido Pella leveled the tie at 1-1 with a convincing win over Erik Arutiunian.

Slovakia completed a 3-1 victory over Chile with Norbert Gombos thrashing world number 17 Cristian Garin (6-0, 6-1) for his second win of the tie in Bratislava. The Slovaks must now wait to see whether they are automatically into the February qualifiers to reach the 2022 Finals.

Norway were also triumphant with Casper Ruud’s (6-3, 6-1) victory over Sanjar Fayziev handing them a 3-1 lead and keeping alive their hopes of reaching the 2022 Finals.

The eight highest ranked winners from the World Group I ties will go into the Davis Cup qualifiers next February where they will attempt to qualify for the 2022 Finals.

The other four nations will contest an additional knockout round in November with the winners entering the qualifiers.

South Korea guaranteed a place in the qualifiers as they overcame New Zealand (3-1). Finland completed a victory over India although they must wait to find out whether they are automatically through to the qualifiers. — Reuters

Jim Knous, Maverick McNealy tied for lead in Napa

September 19, 2021 | 7:58 pm

JIM Knous fired a seven-under 65 on Saturday to vault up the leaderboard and into a first-place tie with Maverick McNealy after 56 holes of the Fortinet Championship in Napa, CA.

The pair are tied at 14-under 202, sitting two strokes ahead of five players tied for third at the Silverado Resort and Spa North Course.

McNealy birdied his final three holes to climb back into the lead after a rough front nine. McNealy, who owned the 18-hole lead, carded four bogeys for a 38 going out.

Knous, on the other hand, recorded six birdies on the front nine en route to eight overall, moving nine spots up the leaderboard. He had just one bogey for his round.

“It was a great day, putter got hot there late on the back nine, on the front nine, stayed hot pretty much most of the round,” Knous said. “Especially a nice putt on the last, that was a bonus. Just played solid, just stayed patient, kind of let the course come to me.”

Max Homa also shot 65 on moving day, shooting up into a five-way tie for third with Beau Hossler (70), Troy Merritt (69), Mito Pereira (70) and Scott Stallings (67).

“I played really well yesterday so it was cool to be able to go into today, even though the score wasn’t great yesterday, to go in with some momentum,” said Homa, who shot 72 on Friday. “Made a lot of good swings yesterday on the back nine and made some birdies coming in, so felt good. Played honestly better yesterday than I did on Thursday I felt like tee to green, just didn’t hole any putts.”

Talor Gooch shot 66 to sit alone in eighth place, three shots back.

Ten players are T9 at 10 under, four shots back. Webb Simpson also tallied a 65 on Saturday to be a part of that group, and Phil Mickelson jumped 15 spots after a 67.

“Yeah, it was a good way to finish,” Mickelson said. “I hit some good shots, I had a lot of chances early on and made a couple of putts that I haven’t been making throughout the week, or poor strokes. And then the back nine I made a lot.” — Reuters