Comelec says bill on vote-buying as heinous crime must include digital platforms

August 10, 2022 | 7:25 pm

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday expressed support to a proposed law that will make vote-buying a heinous crime from just an election offense, but its chairman said new legislation must keep up with technological developments such as digital payment systems.

In a statement, Comelec said its chairman, George Erwin M. Garcia, considers the bill on vote-buying an important development since there are emerging modern methods of vote-buying using e-wallets and online banking.

Malasakit and Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Anthony T. Golez, Jr. on Monday filed House Bill 1709 or an “Act Defining and Declaring Vote-Buying as a Heinous Crime.”

The bill seeks to increase the penalty of vote-buying to up to 40 years of imprisonment from the current six years, a fine of at least P5 million, and perpetual disqualification from public office. Vote sellers can also be jailed up to six years and pay a fine of at least P100,000.

Comelec said the proposed measure must be complemented by a review and revision of the Omnibus Election Code to adopt to the digital age.

“Given the thrust of the bill and the laudable intent of the legislature, Chairman Garcia took the opportunity to equally recommend a further revisit of the law of the Omnibus Election Code,” Comelec said.

Mr. Garcia said it is important for lawmakers to review election laws to address online modes of payment.

Comelec established a task force against vote-buying for the May elections, which was led by Election Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino.

Mr. Garcia reported that the task force had received more than 1,000 complaints on vote-buying during this year’s election season.

Acting Comelec Spokesperson John Rex C. Laudiangco said in June that 17 vote-buying complaints were set to undergo preliminary investigation.

BARANGAY-SK ELECTIONS
Meanwhile, Basilan Rep. Mujiv S. Hataman filed a bill that seeks to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to 2024.

Barangay is the smallest political unit in the Philippine government structure, to which SK or youth officials are part of.

House Bill No. 3384 aims to amend Republic Act 9164, to move both elections from December 5 this year to the second Monday of May in 2024.

“With the passage of the bill, the government is expected to generate savings of approximately P8 billion — a significant amount for a cash-strapped government. This representation believes that the budget could be realigned for economic stimulus and COVID-19 response programs for the benefit of the entire nation,” Mr. Hataman said.

The barangay and SK elections had already been postponed twice, which means current officials have already been serving extended terms. Several groups want the December voting to push through.

Comelec has said that it is carrying on with preparations until a law is signed setting a new date. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Matthew Carl L. Montecillo

OWWA, POEA chiefs moved as undersecretaries of new department for migrant workers

August 10, 2022 | 7:23 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Leo J. Cacdac as one of the undersecretaries for the new department focusing on migrant Filipino workers.

OWWA is one of the agencies that will eventually be absorbed by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which is set to be fully operational in 2023.

Mr. Cacdac will be DMW undersecretary for Welfare and Foreign Employment.

In the meantime, Arnell A. Ignacio, a comedian who had previously served as an OWWA deputy administrator during the previous administrator, will be heading the agency, Press Secretary Rose Beatrix “Trixie” L. Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.

Ms. Cruz-Angeles also said Mr. Marcos picked Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) administrator Bernard P. Olalia as DMW undersecretary for Licensing and Adjudication.

“He will be the OIC (officer-in charge) of POEA until such time that the department is deemed fully constituted on the approval of the 2023 budget.”

POEA will also be incorporated into the new department.

Also on Wednesday, DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” V. Ople said former labor assistant secretary Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones will serve as DMW undersecretary for Finance and Internal Affairs.

Ms. Ople said Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan will be the undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation. Ms. Caunan headed a law firm specializing in labor, civil, administrative, and criminal cases.

The DMW chief said among the new officials of the agency is Venecio Legaspi, who worked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as an overseas worker for 29 years. Mr. Lopez will serve as assistant secretary for reintegration.

“Ka Vennie” rose from the ranks to become vice-president of a prominent Saudi bank Jeddah before retiring and joining DMW,” Ms. Ople said in a press release.

Other appointed assistant secretaries are Jerome Pampolina, Levinson Alcantara, Jerome Alcantara, Francis Ron De Guzman, Felicitas Bay, and Violeta Illescas.

“This team under my leadership will work hardest to create a DMW that will be the home and sanctuary of every OFW (overseas Filipino workers),” Ms. Ople said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DBM releases P1.58-B shelter fund for typhoon Odette victims

August 10, 2022 | 7:23 pm

Odette-fisherfolk-roof-NDRRMC-PRTV — FISHERFOLK in Eastern Visayas move a native roof as they secure their homes and boats amid the initial downpour from typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) on Dec. 16, 2021. — NDRRMC/PRTV

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) released P1.58 billion on Monday for the reconstruction of houses damaged by typhoon Rai, locally known as Odette, in four regions in cental and southern Philippines.

The fund was downloaded to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution in the regions of Western and Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga, DBM said in a statement on Wednesday.

It will cover 153,410 damaged houses at P10,000 per household.

“Each of us treat our homes as a safe haven… That is why the DBM is one in helping ensure that each home struck by Typhoon Odette is restored,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in Filipino.

“Even if the typhoon hit last year, the government did not forget the victims. We will continue to provide help to the needy for their recovery,” she added.

The DSWD requested for the release of the P1.58 billion on August 2, which was received by the DBM on August 3. The corresponding Special Allotment Release Order was released on August 8.

Typhoon Odette, which made nine landfalls on Dec. 16 and 17, was the 15^th and strongest storm to hit the country last year.

More than two million houses were affected, including 435,160 that were totally destroyed and almost 1.6 million that were partially damaged, based on the final report on the calamity from the national disaster management council.

There were more than 2.27 million families affected across 38 provinces in 11 regions.

Of those affected, almost 115,000 were displaced. There were 405 confirmed deaths, 52 missing, and 1,371 injured.

Infrastructure damage was calculated at P29.76 billion plus another P17.75 billion in the agriculture sector. — Diego Gabriel C. Robles

Multi-purpose food processing center launched for Samal MSMEs

August 10, 2022 | 7:23 pm

Samal-foodprocessing-SAMAL-PIO — SAMAL PIO

A FOOD processing facility equipped with various machinery has been opened in Samal to boost micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on the island, where the economy is driven by agriculture and tourism.

The Samal Island Mini Food Processing Center was built through the Department of Trade and Industry’s shared service facilities program in partnership with the local government, and Samal Island City College.

It has equipment for processing agricultural goods available on the island such as mango, coffee, cacao, and meat, among others, according to a statement from the city’s information office.

City Investment and Tourism Officer Jennifer D. Cariaga said the common facility will allow MSMEs to improve productivity and efficiency.

“They (MSMEs) are very important to our country. They really drive the economy and should be given full support to ensure sustainability,” Ms. Cariaga said in Filipino during the launching ceremony earlier this week.

The center will also be used for training students at the Samal Island City College.

Trade and Industry Davao Del Norte Provincial Director, Mr. Romeo L. Castañaga said the department will also be extending assistance to entrepreneurs in the development of their products in terms of quality and marketing.

Samal — formally called the Island Garden City of Samal or IGaCoS — is a component city of Davao del Norte, located in southern Philippines. — MSJ

Suggested prices for school supplies out “soon”

August 10, 2022 | 7:23 pm

school-supplies-PHILSTAR-EDD-GUMBAN — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry announced on Wednesday that it would soon release the suggested retail price (SRP) for school supplies to help consumers ahead of the resumption of classes on Aug. 22.

“Any time soon, we will release (the SRP list for school supplies). Maybe hopefully it will be finished until this week or early next week,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo said in mixed English and Filipino during a Laging Handa briefing.

“We will release the SRP so that consumers know how much they should buy the products,” she added.

According to Ms. Castelo, the new SRP for school supplies will include the price range of the products, varying on the quality, volume, and make.

Meanwhile, Ms. Castelo said the department would not approve all of the SRP price adjustment proposals submitted by manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPC)

She confirmed that some of the BNPCs awaiting the DTI’s decision include canned sardines, instant noodles, coffee, milk, corned beef, meat loaf, and bread products.

“As of now, we are still finishing our studies. There are those who will be denied and there are those who will be approved depending on the price of raw materials that they use, which are mostly imported,” Ms. Castelo said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Starpay partners with San Juan City for easier business permit payments

August 10, 2022 | 7:22 pm

STARPAY Corp. has recently partnered with the business permit and licensing office of San Juan City to enhance the local government’s services using financial technology.

In a statement, Starpay said the partnership allows residents and entrepreneurs to settle payments for their business permits without visiting the physical office of the city government.

“Those applying for business permits can log in to the LGU’s (local government unit’s) e-service portal, fill up the form and attach all required scanned documents. The business permit and licensing office will conduct the assessment, and once approved applicants will receive an email, which includes the online payment procedure,” Starpay said.

“Applicants will receive a Starpay QR code which can be scanned with the Starpay application. Users can also use a compatible QRPH-compliant application to settle payments. The app is equipped with an interoperable QRPH standard, even non-Starpay users can settle their payments by simply scanning the Starpay QR code,” it added.

Richard Rosettes, Starpay operations head, said the company is committed to continue supporting the national and local government units.

“We have been helping our fellow Filipinos during the pandemic through the efficient delivery of financial support. We intend to continue assisting the government and even private institutions in delivering reliable digital services,” Mr. Rosettes said.

Starpay is a licensed electronic money issuer regulated by the Philippine central bank. The Starpay application is available on the Google Play Store, Apple Store, and Huawei App Gallery. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

PHL upsets Carlsen-less Norway, finishes 32^nd place

August 10, 2022 | 7:04 pm

GM Paragua sets his sights at SEAG gold next year

AFTER spearheading the country’s solid effort in the 44^th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India, Grandmaster (GM) Mark Paragua has set his sights at capturing nothing less than a gold medal in next year’s Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

And he is not the only GM interested to see action in Cambodia as Julio Catalino Sadorra, Oliver Barbosa and Banjo Barcenilla may answer the call if given the chance.

“If Inno and Oli are in the team, we’ll have better chances to win the gold especially in the team event,” said Mr. Paragua referring to fellow United States-based GMs Messrs. Sadorra and Barbosa.

“Hopefully, if given a chance again, I will play in the SEA Games,” said Mr. Barcenilla.

Messrs. Paragua and Barcenilla were fresh from helping steer the team to a 32^nd-placed finish in Chennai that they capped with a shock 2.5-1.5 win over a third seed, Magnus Carlsen-less Norway in the final round.

Part of that GM Eugene Torre-squad were GMs John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo and International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina, who stunned GM Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal on fourth board to seal the Filipinos upset win over the fancied Norwegians, who shot themselves on the foot by resting Mr. Carlsen — the reigning world classical champions.

While all five members of the team earned FIDE rating points, it was Mr. Paragua who gained the most after earning 21.2 points by scoring 6.5 points out of 10 that he highlighted by his magnificent triumph over World Cup king and World No. 18 Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland.

The Filipinas, for their part, failed on their bid of registering their best effort in the Olympiad after faltering against the 14^th-seeded Cubans, 2.5-1.5.

The defeat was sealed by WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda’s defeat on board two that came after WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and WIMs Marie Antoinette San Diego and Kylen Joy Mordido all drew their games on boards one, three and four, respectively.

They finished at 37^th with 13 points, which surpassed their embarrassing 67^th-place finish in Batumi.

Another consolation was Mses. Frayna’s and Mordido’s individual feats as the two finished in the top 20 on boards one and five, respectively.

With a potential all-GM squad in the SEA Games, expect the Filipinos to finally strike gold after failing to snare one in last year’s Hanoi Games where they settled for a pair of silver and three bronzes. — Joey Villar

Adalem staves off Builders, 90-87, in KO quarter match to face EcoOil in semis

August 10, 2022 | 7:03 pm

Adalem_PBA-images — ADALEM CONSTRUCTION-ST. CLARE — PBA MEDIA

Games Tomorrow
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9 a.m. – Marinerong Pilipino vs. Apex Fuel-San Sebastian
11 a.m. – EcoOil-La Salle vs. Adalem Construction-St. Clare

ADALEM Construction-St. Clare marched on to the semifinals of the 2022 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Aspirants’ Cup, staving off a gritty Builders Warehouse-University of Santo Tomas (UST) challenge with a slim 90-87 win in the knockout (KO) quarterfinals duel on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

NAASCU MVP Johnsherick Estrada turned in 20 markers, five rebounds and three assists as the third-seeded and twice-to-beat Saints got the job done in the last try after a tough loss in Game 1.

Jolo Sumagaysay added 14 while Joshua Fontanilla, John Rojas, and Gab Gamboa chipped in 12 for St. Clare, which arranged best-of-three semis duel with No. 2 EcoOil-La Salle.

“Hats off to UST. I know they will play hard and they know how to win already. Kami naman, we just told our players that we have to perform this time,” said coach Jinino Manansala.

Motivated by a 98-93 loss in Game 1, the Saints took control of the match and erected what appeared to be a deciding 82-70 cushion in the last four minutes.

But as they’ve shown resiliency all-season long marked by a four-game winning spree until the quarters, the Growling Tigers fought back and struck within 90-87 in the last 17 seconds behind incoming rookie Kean Baclaan’s layup.

Santo Tomas then forced a five-second inbound violation for a chance to send it to extra time, but Mr. Baclaan muffed his long heave at the buzzer.

Mr. Baclaan, who dropped 35 points in Game 1 stunner, had 17 while Nic Cabañero unloaded 19 in a losing cause for Santo Tomas that exited in style after making the playoffs from a 0-4 start.

The Scores:

Adalem-St. Clare 90 — Estrada 20, Sumagaysay 14, Fontanilla 12, Gamboa 12, Rojas 12, Ndong 10, Lopez 6, Sablan 4, Estacio 0.

Builders Warehouse-UST 87 — Cabanero 19, Baclaan 17, Concepcion 15, M. Pangilinan 13, Santos 12, Mantua 5, Manalang 4, Manaytay 2, Crisostomo 0, Herrera 0.

Quarterscores: 24-14, 37-35, 59-57, 90-87. — John Bryan Ulanday

MPL Philippines Season 10 goes live on Aug. 12

August 10, 2022 | 7:03 pm

AFTER two years of hosting previous MPL-PH seasons online, the Regular Season for MPL Philippines officially returns live, for its tenth iteration. Starting Aug. 12, the much-anticipated tournaments of one of the strongest leagues in the world will be held in ICite Bldg. Auditorium, Mercury Avenue, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

Those who wish to watch the tournament and see their idols live can head to the venue, register, and submit a negative antigen test result taken within the day. If not available, they can purchase antigen test kits in the venue for P150. Vaccination cards or proof of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) certification is required. Attendees are encouraged to line up at the registration area at least 30 minutes before the start of the show. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Fridays and Sundays, a total of 90 lucky fans can watch the tournaments on-ground. On Saturdays, 70 persons per day can be accommodated. MPL-PH viewers are also encouraged to check out the league’s official Facebook Group and Twitter for live updates on venue and crowd management.

This season, McDonald’s Philippines joins the pool of sponsors to support the initiatives of MPL Philippines. Through their McDelivery PH app, McDonald’s Philippines will make tournament streaming more exciting as the community can order their favorite food items hassle-free. The fastfood chain giant will also launch some activities for MPL-PH audience.

“McDonald’s Philippines is proud to continue supporting Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines for Season 10. With this year’s LAKAS NA’10 TO theme, we’re excited to partner with MOONTON Games in unifying and immortalizing greatness within the esports community. Through our McDelivery PH App, we will continue to power up the community as they pursue their great passion for gaming through delicious food accessible anytime, anywhere. All they need to do is to tap to order and we’ll take care of the rest,” said Oliver Rabatan, McDonald’s Philippines AVP for Marketing and Channels.

Serena Williams to retire from playing after US Open

August 10, 2022 | 7:02 pm

NEW YORK — American great Serena Williams said on Tuesday she was “evolving away from tennis” and planned to retire from the sport she dominated with 23 Grand Slam titles following the US Open tournament, which begins later this month.

On Monday, Williams played only her second singles match since she returned to action at Wimbledon in June after a year-long absence from competition, beating Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz to reach the second round of the Toronto Open.

But the 40-year-old said after the match that she could see the light at the end of the tennis tunnel in her career.

“I have never liked the word retirement,” Williams wrote in a Vogue article.

“Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution. I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.

“A few years ago, I quietly started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. Soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family.”

Williams won her last Grand Slam in 2017 and has been chasing an elusive 24^th crown that would draw her level with Australian Margaret Court who holds the record.

The American came tantalizingly close to achieving that feat, featuring in four major finals since giving birth to daughter Olympia in 2017.

“There are people who say I’m not the GOAT (greatest of all time) because I didn’t pass Court’s record, which she achieved before the ‘Open era’ that began in 1968,” said former world number one Williams, who sought the advice of her friend Tiger Woods before picking up a racket again this spring.

Williams later said in an Instagram post that it was time to move in a “different direction.”

“The countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena.”

For nearly a decade she has backed early stage companies, including MasterClass, one of 16 unicorns — companies whose market value exceeds $1 billion — to receive funding from Serena Ventures. — Reuters

NLEX, Blackwater will play friendship game with French team ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne

August 10, 2022 | 7:02 pm

LOCAL ball clubs Blackwater and NLEX will have their mettle tested against decorated French team ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne in a series of goodwill games as part of the 75^th year anniversary of friendship and diplomatic ties between the Philippines and France.

The Road Warriors and the Bossing, fresh from a quarterfinals stint in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup, will have one game each against the French squad with Greater China’s Bay Area Dragons serving as the other guest team.

The friendship games set on Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum was an initiative of Michèle Boccoz, French Ambassador to the Philippines, in a bid to foster stronger bilateral relations with the Philippines through sports this time.

“There has been a long cooperation between the Philippines and France but there’s a lot more we can do. Having sports as part of the anniversary is something we look forward to for another 75 years,” she said in a presser hosted by Blackwater on Wednesday.

NLEX and Blackwater also shared the excitement when they host Asvel, owned by NBA legend Tony Parker and the 21-time champion of French League, on Sept. 2 and 4, respectively.

In fact, the Bossing and the Road Warriors are pulling out all the stops to bring their imports for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup early to give Asvel a stronger competition.

“It will solidify the friendship between the Philippines and France. We have the whole week of September to entertain our Filipino fans with world-class basketball. I hope it inspires our young Filipino players,” said Sy.

“We’re really excited. I’m a fan of European basketball and Tony Parker so it’s our honor to be playing them. It’s also a learning opportunity for us as we play a world-class team,” added NLEX general manager and head coach Yeng Guiao.

Bay Area, for its part, will play ASVEL on Aug. 31 as part of its own buildup as a guest team in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup next month and as one of pioneering clubs in East Asia Super League (EASL) in October. — John Bryan Ulanday

NFL owners OK sale of Broncos to Walmart heir Rob Walton

August 10, 2022 | 7:02 pm

NATIONAL Football League (NFL) owners unanimously approved the sale of the Denver Broncos to an ownership group led by Rob Walton, whose father founded Walmart, on Tuesday at league meetings in Bloomington, MN.

The Walton-Penner Ownership Group agreed to pay $4.65 billion — a record price for a sports franchise — to settle the purchase from the Bowlen family. The late Pat Bowlen, and his heirs, had owned the team for 38 years.

The two sides agreed to the deal in June.

“We are grateful for the support and trust of the National Football League and the 31 other teams with today’s vote. We couldn’t be more excited to join the Denver Broncos,” Walton said in a news release on Tuesday.

“It’s a responsibility and privilege to serve as stewards of such an iconic franchise. We have tremendous respect for what Pat Bowlen has meant to the Broncos and look forward to building on this organization’s championship legacy.”

Forbes pegs the net worth of the 77-year-old Walton at $65 billion, putting him in 19^th place on the publication’s list of billionaires. He is the richest owner in the NFL, with only Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers worth more — $91.4 billion — among North American sports teams.

The previous record sales price for an NFL franchise was the $2.275 billion David Tepper paid for the Carolina Panthers in 2018.

Walton’s ownership team also includes his daughter, Carrie, and her husband, Greg Penner, as well as notables such as Condoleezza Rice, former secretary of state, and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton. The Penners are expected to lead day-to-day operations.

“Looking ahead, I am confident the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group will add to the Broncos’ championship tradition on and off the field while putting their own stamp on this great organization,” said longtime Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis, who is stepping down as the franchise changes hands. “I was asked by them to serve as an advisor to ownership for this season, and I’ve accepted their request to help in the transition however possible.”

Forbes valued the Broncos at $3.75 billion in 2021, estimating it at No. 10 on the list of franchise valuation.

Rob Walton now becomes the second NFL owner from the extended Walton family. Ann Walton Kroenke, who is Rob Walton’s cousin, is married to Stan Kroenke, owner of the Los Angeles Rams.

And they can have a family reunion of sorts. The Kroenkes also own the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL and the Denver Nuggets of the NBA.

While the Waltons have roots in Arkansas, where Walmart was founded, the ownership group intends to make a difference in Colorado, Walton said.

“While we’re deeply committed to fielding a great team to win Super Bowls, our family and extraordinary partners are also dedicated to our off-the-field responsibilities to Broncos Country and the Rocky Mountain region,” he said. “Most importantly, we will strive to make the Denver Broncos the best team to cheer for, play for and work for in all of sports.” — Reuters