Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 6045

New product certification standards issued for manufacturers

REUTERS

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said its Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) adopted in June a new set of product certification norms, for which compliance is expected within 24 months.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DTI said the BPS issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 22-02 that prescribed the use of the new Philippine National Standards (PNS), with effect from June 12.

“DAO 22-01:2022 prescribes the adoption of the latest versions of the reference standards used or entirely new standards to be used in the BPS Mandatory Product Certification Schemes such as but not limited to PNS ISO 9001, all accreditation standards, and all relevant and specific standards of the products covered under the BPS mandatory certification,” the DTI said.

BPS Director Neil P. Catajay said: “The continual updating of reference standards used for the BPS certification process and its regulated products guarantees enhanced industry competitiveness and better consumer protection as latest developments in product technologies, materials, and/or test methods are incorporated in the measures to ensure relevance and suitability.”

According to the DTI, manufacturers have been granted a 24-month adjustment period in meeting the new requirements.

“For products under the BPS mandatory product certification schemes with an existing latest PNS version promulgated prior to the effectivity of this DAO, the same shall be implemented as the new reference standard under the same timeline,” the DTI said.  

The DTI added that it will issue a DAO or memorandum circular outlining marking requirements and the procedure for product sampling and product testing.

“As to Philippine Standard (PS) Licensing, a new PS applicant or an existing PS license holder may voluntarily apply using the latest version or new reference standard earlier than the 24 months’ mandatory implementation, subject to the existing certification procedures,” the DTI said.

Meanwhile, the BPS intends to inspect its testing laboratories based on the updated reference standards within 24 months in preparation for the implementation of the new technical regulations.

“In the absence of a BPS-recognized testing laboratory in the country, the PS License or import commodity clearance applicants shall nominate a third-party testing laboratory at the country of origin or other locations accredited by an accreditation body signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation or Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation – Mutual Recognition Arrangements,” the DTI said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

House bill filed proposing online tracking system for revenue agencies

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

A BILL has been filed in the House of Representatives proposing the establishment of an online tracking system to monitor the performance of the two main revenue-generating agencies, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BoC).

Albay Representative Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, said House Bill No. 3261 creating the National Tax Transparency Portal “will allow stakeholders to audit government collections, compute the trade and tax gaps, and conduct research that can guide the decisions of economic managers, legislators, investors, researchers, and the public.

Mr. Salceda, who filed the bill on Monday, said he hopes the resulting transparency in the two agencies’ operations will curb corruption.

The BIR and BoC beat their collection targets last year by 0.5% and 4.70% respectively.

“The Department of Finance is in a perpetual race against the budget deficit, which has become doubly difficult on the heels of a 60.4% debt-to-GDP ratio in 2021,” Mr. Salceda said.

“With the National Tax Transparency Portal, the efforts of the revenue-collecting agencies will be recognized, and trust will be incrementally gained.”

The national government’s outstanding debt in June hit a record P12.79 trillion, equivalent to 62.1% of gross domestic product.

The Philippines was among the countries considered to have been the most transparent in pandemic spending last year, according to a survey by International Budget Partnership (IBP), a nonprofit.

The study cited the government best practices like weekly reporting to an oversight committee composed of legislators and other officials. It added that the government showed a willingness to continue public consultation during the public health crisis.

Sonny A. Africa, executive director of think tank IBON Foundation, has said that civil society organizations and the public should be included in discussing debt and government finance matters.

“The public should be involved… for the simple reason that it’s the public that pays for the national debt through their taxes and whatever the government earns using public assets and resources,” he said in a Messenger chat. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

SEC issues new cease and desist order vs. AlphanetWorld over investment offerings

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it issued a second cease and desist order against AlphanetWorld Corp., which was found to have solicited investments from the public without the needed license.

AlphanetWorld, also operating under the name NWorld, received an initial cease and desist order from the SEC on Feb. 23.

The company moved to lift the February order, which was rejected for lack of merit by the commission on July 19, acording to an SEC statement released Tuesday.

The company had argued that “the purchase of its products and packages are plain sales transactions,” contrary to the SEC’s contention that the transactions constitute the sale of securities.

“The evidence presented by NWorld in support of its allegations and arguments therein simply failed to trounce the finding of this Commission that NWorld is engaged in the sale of securities in the form of investment contracts, and is in continuous violation of Section 8 of the (Securities Regulation Code,” the SEC said.

Section 8 bars the sale, offer or distribution  of securities without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the SEC.

The SEC has found that AlphanetWorld and its officials, including President Juluis Allan C. Nolasco, sold and offered investment packages through its website worth between P4,750 and P19,000 in exchange for products, promising a guaranteed monthly return of up to P127,000.

“Member-investors could also earn discounts of up to 30% for every purchase of NWorld products, referral bonuses, and an additional P25,000 when they (refer) 25 pairs of recruits,” the commission added.

“While AlphanetWorld is a duly registered corporation, it has never secured a secondary license from the commission as issuer of securities or broker dealer nor registered any securities for public offering pursuant to the SRC,” the SEC said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Philippines routs Vietnam, 3-1, on Frayna and Mordido heroics

WGM Janelle Mae Frayna — FIDE OLYMPIAD

WOMAN GRANDMASTER (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna and Kylen Joy Mordido continued their stellar play as they powered the Philippines to a 3-1 bashing of bitter rival Vietnam and on the brink of claiming its best finish in the World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Ms. Frayna dumped fellow WGM Vo Thi Kim Phung on board one while Ms. Mordido, who is seeking to become the country’s second WGM next to the former, turned the table on Woman International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master Nguyen Thien Ngan on board four to seal the Filipinas’ first Olympiad win over the Vietnamese in recent memory.

Woman International Master (WIM) Marie Antoinette San Diego provided the other win at the expense of WIM Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong on board three while WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda succumbed to WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung on board two.

The country will seek to complete its dream feat with a victory over 14th seed Cuba in the 11th and final round at press time.

A win will eclipse the country’s two previous best performances — 22nd in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1988 when powerhouse countries Soviet Union and Yugoslavia were still one countries and 26th in Turin, Italy in 2006 when the two nations dissolved into multiple republics.

As it is, the Filipinas had already beaten their effort from the last over-the-board staging of the biennial meet in Batumi, Georgia four years ago — a forgettable 67th place.

“Apart from beating Vietnam, a team that always beat us previous Olympiad encounters, we’ve already surpassed our performance last time in 2018 in Batumi,” said national women’s squad coach GM Jayson Gonzales.

“But of course, we’re dreaming of posting our best finish here,” he added.

And it was because of the prolific duo of Mses. Frayna and Mordido, who both have six points apiece and in the top 20 overall in their respective boards.

MEN’S TEAM
Meanwhile, the Filipinos routed the Guatemalans, 4-0, to move up to an 18-nation tie at 41st spot with 12 points.

If the country could beat a highly favored Norway, a nation led by reigning world classical champion Magnus Carlsen, in the final round, it would improve on a 39th-place performance the last time. — Joey Villar

Diaz-Naranjo will see action at National Open Championships

TOKYO Games gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

TOKYO Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn F. Diaz-Naranjo will see action to the Smart-Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP) National Open Championships set to start on Wednesday until Friday in Tagbilaran, Bohol where she will officially claim her spot to the national team.

The three-day Tagbilaran tilt, bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Smart and Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, will be Ms. Diaz-Naranjo’s first event since announcing she had set aside her family goals to focus at one final shot at Olympic glory in the 2024 Paris Games.

“Hidilyn will be performing on an exhibition basis,” said SWP President Monico Puentevella.

Ms. Diaz-Naranjo’s presence should also inspire over a hundred young kids and aspirants coming from all over the country trying out for a spot to the national team seeing action in several international meets including 2023 Phnom Penh Southeast Asian and Games, 2023 Hangzou Asian Games.

The SWP is also hoping to discover fresh talents that may be included when the country competes in the Asian Senior Championships in Manama, Bahrain next month and World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in December this year.

Also competing are Tokyo Olympian Elreen Ando, Asian senior and junior champion Vanessa Sarno, Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kristel Macrohon and talented sisters Rosegie and Rose Jean Ramos, both Asian junior gold winners.

Tagbilaran Mayor Jane Yap and Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado have been invited to grace the opening ceremony at 2 p.m.

There will also be a doping seminar sponsored by PSC under Dr. Alex Pineda before the start of competition. — Joey Villar

Clarkson can only play as ‘naturalized player’ — FIBA

FIL-AM NBA player Jordan Clarkson — PHILIPPINE STAR FILE PHOTO

THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has accepted the sad fact that Fil-Am National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jordan Clarkson can only play as a “naturalized player” for Gilas Pilipinas and will utilize him as such in the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup and whenever possible.

FIBA, according to SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, has told the federation with finality that it’s not classifying the Utah Jazz guard as a “local” in spite of his Filipino lineage.

With this development, Gilas’ hopes of tapping Mr. Clarkson side by side with Ivorian-born big man Ange Kouame or other prospects for naturalization in a FIBA meet that had been effectively dashed.

Mr. Clarkson, the NBA 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year awardee, will take this spot initially in the coming FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers fourth window against Lebanon on Aug. 25 in Beirut and Saudi Arabia four days later at the MOA Arena.

The 30-year-old Mr. Clarkson, who previously suited up for Gilas in the more eligibility-relaxed Asian Games in 2018, will join forces with Japan B.League campaigners Dwight Ramos, Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena and Ray Parks and young guns Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao and Francis Lopez in the pool.

PBA stalwarts from the non-finalists in the Philippine Cup, such as Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra, will also be on board but will only be named as soon as the pro league’s ongoing semis is concluded.

The most immediate plan is to give Mr. Clarkson “ a feel” of the current Gilas pool prior to his eventual stint in next year’s World Cup.

The Gilas pool opens training camp on Monday with Mr. Clarkson expected to join in the next few days.

Although Mr. Clarkson is in the mix, Mr. Barrios said there’s room in Gilas for Mr. Kouame, who was granted Philippine citizenship last year.

“Ange’s (Kouame) naturalization won’t go to waste. Mr. Clarkson will not be available for window 5 and window 6 and the Southeast Asian Games so marami pa tayong puwedeng pag-gamitan kay Ange,” he said.

Mr. Clarkson’s commitment augurs well in Gilas’ bid to form its best possible team in the 2023 World Cup. — Olmin Leyba

Adalem Construction, Builders Warehouse in win-or-go-home collision

ADALEM Construction-St. Clare — PBA MEDIA

Game Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
11 a.m. – Adalem Construction-St. Clare vs. Builders Warehouse-UST

ADALEM Construction-St. Clare and Builders Warehouse-Santo Tomas go at it one last time in a win-or-go-home duel to dispute the last semifinal ticket in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Action kicks off at 11 a.m. with the survivor earning a right to face No. 2 and automatic semifinalist EcoOil-La Salle in the next round.

The other Final Four pairing is already set between No. 1 Apex Fuel-San Sebastian and No. 4 Marinerong Pilipino, which maximized its win-once bonus in the quarterfinals against Centro Escolar University.

St. Clare, as the third-seeded team, failed to make the most out of its simile twice-to-beat incentive following a 98-93 loss against sixth-ranked but rampaging Santo Tomas.

The Saints, five-time champions of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU), aim to get the job done this time with Joshua Fontanilla, John Rojas and NAASCU most valuable player Johnsherick Estrada spearheading the way.

The Growling Tigers are readily waiting for that fightback brimming with confidence and momentum from a scorching four-game run after a flat 0-4 start to make the playoff cut.

Tasked to lead Santo Tomas in completing the upset of St. Clare on the way to the semis is Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week Kean Baclaan with leader Sherwin Concepcion. — John Bryan Ulanday

Tropang Giga, Beermen eye pivotal series win no. 3

Jun Mar Fajardo-led San Miguel Beer — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSEL PALMA

Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. – San Miguel vs. Meralco*
6 p.m. – Magnolia vs. TnT*
*TnT, SMB lead series, 2-1

Jun Mar Fajardo-led San Miguel Beer — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSEL PALMA

AT THE halfway mark on the road to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup finals, titlist TnT and San Miguel Beer (SMB) rev up for a spirited drive for win No. 3 on Wednesday’s Game 4 to move even closer to their intended destination.

The Tropang Giga, fresh from stealing a thrilling 93-92 series go-ahead last Sunday, aim to go two-in-a-row against Magnolia at 6 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and get on the hill in the tough race-to-four semifinals contest.

The Beermen, who regained control after posting a 96-91 verdict last time, carry out a similar mission against Meralco in their 3 p.m. tussle.

The first three matches have been a slugfest and TnT coach Chot Reyes expects the fourth gig to be no different, especially with the Hotshots pushing for the equalizer.

“It’s going to be much harder,” said Mr. Reyes, who hopes the two-day break between Games 3 and 4 is enough to recharge his troops for the next grind.

The Tropang Giga’s resolve was tested to the hilt in the third outing. Mikey Williams was held down to 15 and missed a gimme layup, but Jayson Castro took over in the stretch and scored the winning triple as Poy Erram banged in a game-high 22.

“Mikey’s a big part of our offense, but we win games as a team, with everyone’s contribution,” said Mr. Reyes.

“It’s not only Mikey they’re defending but also Jayson, Roger (Pogoy) and our other bigs. So it’s really going to take a total team effort to get two more wins.”

Like TnT, the Beermen brace for a retaliatory strike from the Bolts.

“Meralco is really a tough team to beat. You can’t blink against them; they’re always well-prepared,” said SMB mentor Leo Austria.

Although June Mar Fajardo, Mo Tautuaa and Vic Manuel have been having their way inside, Mr. Austria still emphasized the need to do a better job in preventing Meralco from getting offensive rebounds and easy shots on the other end. Last game, the Bolts got 19 offensive boards against SMB’s 12 and made 22 second-chance points, six more than the Beermen’s.

Meralco counterpart Norman Black, meanwhile, listed two major points to enhance their chances of tying the series.

“We just don’t have the size to really match up with them so we have to shoot the ball well and we have to be scrappy,” he said.

“We’ll probably end up committing more fouls as the series goes on, but at the same time, that’s how we’re going to beat them. We have to be physical and be out there scrapping, try to control the boards and try to control June Mar because he’s really the axis that the San Miguel team rotates around.” — Olmin Leyba

World no. 3 Obiena places fourth in Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix

WORLD Championships bronze medalist Ernest John “EJ” Obiena missed a podium finish following a disappointing performance in the Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Székesfehérvár on Monday night.

The 26-year-old Asian record-holder managed just a measly 5.45 meters, which was good only for fourth place in the event topped by Olympic and world champion and world record-holder Armand Duplantis of Sweden with a new meet mark of 5.80m.

Grizzled French veteran Renaud Lavillenie snared the silver with a 5.70m while another France’s bet Thibaut Collet the bronze with a 5.60m.

The forgettable effort was in stark contrast to his record-setting 5.94m in the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon last month that also clinched the country’s breakthrough podium finish in the meet.

The World No. 3 also copped a bronze in the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Chorzow, Poland a few days ago with a clearance of 5.73m.

Mr. Obiena though is expected to bounce back from this disappointment the same way he did in the past.

The Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is determined to breach the six-meter plateau as well as snaring an Olympic medal in the 2024 Paris Games and become the first Filipino to claim a medal in the sport in the quadrennial event since Miguel White captured a 400m hurdles bronze in the 1936 Berlin Games. — Joey Villar

After Kevin Durant’s ultimatum, Brooklyn Nets owner backs coach, GM

MEGASTAR Kevin Durant issued an ultimatum to the Brooklyn Nets — choose between Durant or coach Steve Nash and general manager (GM) Sean Marks — multiple media outlets reported on Monday.

Nets owner Joe Tsai subsequently appeared to back his staff over the player, tweeting on Monday evening, “Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.”

It was well-documented that Durant requested a trade at the end of June. The reasons were unknown until now — Durant doesn’t believe in the direction of the club in the hands of Marks and Nash, per the reports. Durant and Tsai spoke on Saturday in London, a conversation that was “transparent and professional,” per The Athletic.

On Saturday was the one-year anniversary of Durant signing a four-year, $198-million extension with the Nets. He is slated to make $42.97 million for the 2022-2023 season, per Spotrac, to kick off that extension.

The Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are widely reported to be the most serious players in the Durant sweepstakes.

A two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) and four-time scoring champion, Durant joined Brooklyn as a free agent in 2019 alongside Kyrie Irving. Durant averaged 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 55 games this past season with the Nets, who traded fellow All-Star James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster deal involving Ben Simmons.

Durant, the 2013-2014 league MVP, has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 939 games with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-16), Warriors (2016-19) and Nets. — Reuters

Sue Bird

The largest crowd in the history of the Storm was on hand the other day, but it wasn’t because of the action slated to take place on the court. True, the match against the rival Aces figured to be a humdinger; the fact that the green and white were battling for home court advantage in the playoffs served only to underscore the significance of the set-to. On the other hand, there could be no discounting the real reason 18,100 fans showed up at the Climate Pledge Arena, more than at any time since the franchise set up shop as the millennium turned. Not even contests during their four Women’s National Basketball Association championship runs could approximate the outpouring of support.

The reason was clear. Living legend Sue Bird was about to play her last home game — or, rather, potentially her last home game, what with changes to the postseason structure no longer guaranteeing that the Storm would open the doors to their arena anew in 2022. And, yes, the Thank Yous came early and often; a couple of ceremonies and a video tribute that included messages from such notables as LeBron James, Geno Auriemma, Russell Wilson, Lauren Jackson, and partner Megan Rapinoe rocked the proceedings even before the opening tip.

Needless to say, Bird was moved by the development. Last year, a similar situation unfolded, and the love she received got her to lace up her sneakers for one more year. This time around, she simply basked in the adulation, at peace with her decision to exit stage left; she looked forward to pursuing interests other than basketball. And, to their credit, hoops habitués did not pressure her to keep strutting her stuff; instead, they showed their gratitude for an unmatched resume.

Indeed, Bird will be missed. She was a singular force, and if there was any letdown to the occasion, it was that the Storm absorbed a setback when the battlesmoke cleared. Then again, it was probably fitting; as she noted in her valedictory, she did lose in her first home outing as well. And so she has gone full circle, with nothing but good — and lasting — memories to carry her through the next phase of the career all and sundry call life.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

DFA keeps Alert Level 1 for Israel after cease-fire

A Palestinian man walks past the remains of a tower building which was destroyed by Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City May 13, 2021. — REUTERS FILE PHOTO

THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has kept its first Alert Level 1 for Israel, as it welcomed a cease-fire between Israeli and Palestinian fighters in the Gaza strip.

In a statement on Monday evening, the agency said there had been no report of Filipinos harmed during the conflict.

“We call on parties to exercise restraint and to respect the terms of the cease-fire,” the agency said. The agreement was reached between Israel and Palestinian Islamic Jihad after the death of at least 44 civilians and militants.

“The DFA, through its embassies in Tel Aviv and Amman, is monitoring the situation,” it said. “The safety and security of every Filipino overseas remain the priority of the Philippine government.”

It asked Filipinos in the Gaza Strip and surrounding areas to stay home as much as possible and continue monitoring the security situation through the embassies’ official communication channels. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

1...6,0446,0456,046...14,238Page 6,045 of 14,238
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube