Solons say time to increase election duty allowance for public school teachers

September 1, 2021 | 8:05 pm

Teachers-election-duty-PHILSTAR-FILE-MVARCAS — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

HOUSE LAWMAKERS filed a resolution on Aug. 27 urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to increase the honoraria granted to public school teachers for election duties.

Filed by representatives belonging to the Makabayan bloc, House Resolution 2181 asks the poll body to consider the rates recommended by the group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT-Teachers).

ACT-Teachers recommended that benefits mandated by Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act be increased to P10,000 for chairpersons of electoral boards, P9,000 for electoral board members, P7,000 for support staff, P3,000 to P5,000 for travel allowance, and P2,500 for food allowance, among others.

Rates under the law are currently set at P6,000 for electoral board chair, P5,000 for members, P2,000 for support staff, and P1,000 for additional travel allowance.

The solons noted that the law requires a review of the honoraria by Comelec in coordination with the Department of Education every three years from effectivity, which was in April 2016.

“While it is true that poll workers are volunteers who undertake election duties and accept the attendant risks by choice, it is also true that they render an extraordinary service… to ensure the sanctity of a democratic exercise. Indeed, it would be unjust if the government pays election frontliners pre-pandemic compensation during these pandemic times,” according to the proposal. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Bill providing free legal aid to uniformed personnel gets nod of 3 House committees

September 1, 2021 | 8:05 pm

police-OFFICIALGAZETTE.GOV.PH — OFFICIALGAZETTE.GOV.PH

THE HOUSE of Representatives Committees on Justice, National Defense and Security, and Public Order and Safety have approved a substitute bill that would provide free legal assistance to uniformed personnel facing job-related cases.

The measure would allow any enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) facing charges arising from an incident to be entitled to free legal assistance.

The unnumbered substitute bill, approved in a joint hearing on Wednesday, would consolidate House Bills 2499, 3141, 3929, 4312, 5972, 9898, 9902, 9961, and 9969.

The committees also agreed to add an amendment to extend the same benefit to uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

The measure is one of the priority measures that President Rodrigo R. Duterte asked Congress to pass in his final State of the Nation Address in July.

Ana Lisa M. Soriano, deputy chief public attorney for Luzon, said during the hearing that while the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) supports the measure, she warned that it would lead to a clear conflict of interest with the office’s mandate since most of their clients undergo criminal cases filed by the police and the military.

Several versions of the bill would require PAO to provide free legal assistance to the PNP and AFP within 24 hours from the official receipt of charges filed against any enlisted personnel.

Ms. Soriano suggested that lawyers of the PNP and AFP should instead be authorized to provide the free legal assistance.

“The strengthening of the AFP and PNP legal offices… such as by expansion of its work force, upgrading of the legal offices’ positions and salaries, and increase in employee’s benefits will truly address the intention of the bills,” she said.

Gabriela’s Women Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas said that she will oppose the approval of the bill, citing that it extends “special privilege” to uniformed personnel compared to other government workers such as public school teachers. — Russell Louis C. Ku

Soldier dead, another wounded in Basilan blast

September 1, 2021 | 8:05 pm

ONE OF the two soldiers wounded in a bombing in Basilan Tuesday morning has died, the military reported late Tuesday.

The two were posted at a temporary checkpoint in Campo Uno in Lamitan City when an improvised explosive device went off at around 8:50 a.m., according to the head of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).

“They were immediately evacuated to Lamitan City Hospital for medical attention,” WestMinCom acting commander Generoso M. Ponio said in a statement.

They were airlifted at 12:30 p.m. to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City, where one of the soldiers was declared dead on arrival. The other was brought to the Zamboanga City Medical Center for further medical attention.

The military has yet to release the names of the two pending notifications of their next of kin.

Three suspects behind the bombing are now being tracked by the military and police, which is also leading the investigation. One of the suspects fired at one of the soldiers. — MSJ

Oman lifts ban on Filipino workers, travelers

September 1, 2021 | 8:04 pm

THE SULTANATE of Oman has lifted its ban on Filipino workers and travelers effective Sept. 1, in line with its agreement with the Philippine government made on June 21.

“The Secretary wishes to announce that effective today, traveling Filipinos, OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), and tourists likewise are now allowed to enter the Sultanate of Oman,” Raul M. Francia, information director of the Labor department, said in an online briefing on Wednesday.

In response, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III has also ordered the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to lift the Philippines’ ban on the deployment of OFWs to Oman by Sept. 5.

The Philippines currently has a travel ban on Oman, which will expire Sept. 5.

On Tuesday, Malacañang announced the extension of the travel ban for passengers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia from September 1 to 5. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Gilas Pilipinas to chart plans for World Cup Qualifier push

September 1, 2021 | 7:24 pm

NOW that it knows where it will be competing in the Asia/Oceania region of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup (WC) 2023 Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas is now set to chart its plans on how to go about its campaign.

While the country is already assured of a spot in the World Cup, being one of the three host countries along with Japan and Indonesia, the national team has made it known that it will go in the qualifiers seeking to do well as part of its preparation for the 2023 basketball event.

“It actually doesn’t change anything. We’re still going to prepare as if there’s a slot that we’re fighting for,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Special Assistant to the President Ryan C. Gregorio following the official World Cup Qualifiers draw on Tuesday.

Gilas is bracketed with New Zealand, Korea and India in Group A in the first round of the qualifying phase, with games set to begin in November this year.

As World Cup hosts, the Philippines and Japan are automatically qualified, but will play in the Asian Qualifiers first round and second round, advancing to the next phase as automatically qualified.

Indonesia, for its part, needs to be ranked among the top eight teams at the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 in order to receive automatic qualification as per the decision of FIBA’s Executive Committee.

New Zealand is the highest FIBA-ranked team in Group A at number 25, followed by Korea (29^th), the Philippines (31^st) and India (78^th).

Gilas program director and coach Tab Baldwin said that among the things they have to tackle is the composition of the team as they proceed with their push, needing for them to sit down with various stakeholders, including the local collegiate leagues and the professional league from which the players will come from.

“Everything has to be on the table. We expect the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) and the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to begin again next year so there’s a need for discussions with all of the stakeholders for all of those players involved,” said Mr. Baldwin, incidentally the head coach of defending UAAP men’s basketball champion Ateneo de Manila University.

“The PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) has to come back to the mix. We have to talk again about the potential of having PBA players,” he added.

Mr. Baldwin also said local players currently playing abroad as well as Filipino-foreign players will be considered.

Further foreign exposure is also being readied for the national team, seeing how beneficial it has been for the development of the squad.

“What we need to do right now is to identify the possible tournaments we can join. There might be out-of-the-country gigs, too. This is to strengthen our team and continuously improve heading into 2023,” said Mr. Gregorio.

The Gilas officials said they expect to get the ball rolling for the team by October and that they are bracing for a busy stretch from there.

“September will be very quiet for us, but October will be the restart of our practices. November, we will be preparing for the window,” Mr. Baldwin said.

For Asia/Oceania, six spots are up for grabs in the 32-team field that will see action in the World Cup.

The rest of the groupings have Australia, China, Japan and Chinese Taipei in Group B; Jordan, Lebanon, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in Group C; and Iran, Kazakhstan, Syria and Bahrain in Group D.

As per FIBA schedule, the two-round qualification windows will run until February 2023. The national sides play home and away games across each of these event windows.

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup is scheduled to take place from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 with the Group Phase taking place in all three host countries, and the Final Phase of the tournament happening in the Philippines.

For the official draw results, check out http://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

TnT remains unscathed after 96-76 win over Blackwater

September 1, 2021 | 7:23 pm

PBA-Images — THE TnT Tropang Giga kept their unblemished record intact after defeating the Blackwater Bossing, 96-76, in PBA Philippine Cup action on Wednesday. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE TnT Tropang Giga kept their unblemished record intact after defeating the Blackwater Bossing, 96-76, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup’s return on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The Tropang Giga used a big chargeback in the third canto to create considerable distance from the Bossing and never looked back from there to stretch their record in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament to 4-0.

Rookie Mikey Williams top-scored for TnT in the win, finishing with 16 points, six coming in the pivotal run they made in the third quarter.

Blackwater had early control of the contest on the lead of guards Simon Enciso and Baser Amer, taking a six-point cushion, 43-37, by the half time break.

In the third quarter, TnT came out firing, outscoring Blackwater, 10-3, in the first four minutes to seize the lead, 47-46.

The Tropang Giga went on to outgun the Bossing the rest of the quarter, 27-14, to take a 74-60 advantage heading into the final frame.

Having gained control of the match, TnT did not show letup in the fourth quarter, staying out of reach of its opponent en route to the victory.

Roger Pogoy finished with 13 points for the Tropang Giga, with Jayson Castro adding 11.

The win was the first-ever 4-0 start for TNT under come-backing PBA coach Chot Reyes, who was at the helm of the team from 2008 to 2012 prior to his return this season.

For Blackwater, which dropped to 0-5 with the loss, it was Mr. Enciso who showed the way with 14 points, followed by Kelly Nabong and Carl Bryan Cruz with 11 apiece.

The defeat extended the Bossing’s losing streak to 13, dating back to last year, one shy of the franchise record in futility established back in 2015.

The TnT-Blackwater game marked the return of the PBA after a one-month stoppage to action because of the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly the Delta variant.

The PBA Philippine Cup opened on July 16 with games held at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Action was stopped after matches on Aug. 1 as Metro Manila was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

The league spent the next weeks looking for areas which could hold its games, eventually finding a willing host in Pampanga, which is under a less strict Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) setup.

Games on Thursday will see the NLEX Road Warriors play the Alaska Aces at 2 p.m. and Rain or Shine Elastopainters take on the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 4:35 p.m.

Mangliwan, Bejino return to action in Tokyo Paralympic Games

September 1, 2021 | 7:22 pm

FILIPINO wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and para-swimmer Gary Bejino resume their respective campaigns at the Tokyo Paralympic Games on Thursday.

Mr. Mangliwan will see action in the preliminaries of the men’s 100m T52 event at the Olympic Stadium with an eye on the finals the next day while Mr. Bejino competes in the heats of the 400m freestyle in the morning and is hoping to qualify for the medal race in the afternoon at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre.

Forty-one-year-old Mr. Mangliwan, who has paraplegia acquired from polio, has competed in two events in the ongoing sporting meet for the differently abled, making it to the finals of both the men’s 400m and 1500m T52 events.

Unfortunately, he was disqualified in the 400m finals on Aug. 27 because of lane infringement, but redeemed himself in the 1500m two days later with a sixth-place finish, but with a new personal-best time of 3:58.24, eclipsing his previous best of 4:09.95.

He is now looking to do well in his last shot at snatching a medal in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

“Jerrold’s training the last two days has been focused on his starts. That is his weakness. The start is important in the sprint event. His one-hour training has been devoted mostly to this,” said para-athletic coach Joel Deriada.

Mr. Bejino, 25, for his part, struggled in his first events in Tokyo, failing to swim past the preliminaries of the men’s 200m individual medley SM6 event on Aug. 26 and 50m butterfly on Aug. 30.

The para-swimmer, who had his arm and leg amputated when he was seven years old after being electrocuted, finished last in the 200m IM with a time of 3:17.19 while he ended up 14^thout of 16 swimmers in the 50m butterfly.

“I think Gary is more relaxed now after getting his personal best time in the 50-meter butterfly event last Monday. Hopefully, he will also make a good time in the 400-meter freestyle,” said para-swimming coach Tony Ong.

Apart from the 400m freestyle, Mr. Bejino will also see action in the 100m backstroke on Friday.

Messrs. Mangliwan and Bejino, along with para-taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin, are the only remaining competing members of the Philippine Sports Commission-supported Team Philippines in the Tokyo Paralympics after para-swimmer Ernie Gawilan ended his campaign on Monday and blind discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda and para-powerlifter Achelle Guion unable to compete because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Mbappé stays with PSG as Ronaldo completes Man United transfer

September 1, 2021 | 7:22 pm

MANCHESTER, England — Real Madrid failed in their attempt to sign France striker Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on the final day of the transfer window as Cristiano Ronaldo completed his move from Juventus to Manchester United.

After a window which saw Lionel Messi’s shock move from Barcelona to PSG, Real had hoped to create another upset by luring the most exciting young talent in the game to Madrid.

Multiple media reports in Spain said Real offered transfer fees ranging from €150 million ($177.14 million) to €200 million ($236.18 million) for the World Cup-winning forward who is out of contract in June.

A source close to PSG said the club had no intention of selling one of their key players in a year in which they are targeting Champions League success and said there was skepticism about whether Real was in a position to pay such a fee.

“It’s been bemusing to see some take Real Madrid’s supposedly credible bids at face value,” said the source.

United announced last week that they had reached agreement with Juve to sign their former player, 36-year-old Mr. Ronaldo, a five-times Ballon d’Or winner.

Having passed a medical, secured a visa and agreed personal terms, Mr. Ronaldo said he was ready to recreate the glory years he enjoyed under former United boss Alex Ferguson. “I’m back where I belong. Let’s make it happen once again… Sir Alex, this one is for you,” he said in an Instagram post.

Real did manage to bring in one Frenchman — teenage midfielder Eduardo Camavinga joining on a six-year contract from French side Stade Rennes.

Local media reported that the fee for the 18-year-old France international was about €30 million ($35.41 million).

GRIEZMANN DEAL
Despite the absence of another blockbuster deal there was plenty of movement elsewhere.

The most eye-catching deal saw Mbappé’s France team mate Antoine Griezmann leave Barcelona to rejoin Atletico Madrid — initially on loan.

Griezmann left Atleti for the Nou Camp two years ago and his new club said there was an option to extend the loan by a further year, while Barça said there was an obligation to make the move a permanent one.

Spain midfielder Saul Niguez departed Atletico to join Thomas Tuchel’s European champions Chelsea — also on an initial loan basis.

Premier League club West Ham United signed Croatia attacking midfielder Nikola Vlašić from Russian side CSKA Moscow on a five-year contract and Czech midfielder Alex Král on loan from Spartak Moscow.

Tottenham Hotspur, who held on to England forward Harry Kane in the window despite interest from Manchester City, signed right back Emerson Royal from Barcelona on a five-year deal for €25 million ($29.51 million).

Ronaldo’s arrival had the knock-on effect of seeing United’s Wales winger Dan James leave for Leeds United for a reported fee of £25 million.

Juventus filled the gap in their attack left by Mr. Ronaldo by bringing Italy striker Moise Kean, 21, back to the club on a two-year loan worth seven million euros from Everton.

Arsenal signed Japanese full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu from Serie A club Bologna to replace Spanish right-back Hector Bellerin who has moved to Real Betis on a season-long loan. — Reuters

Seoul Olympic bronze medalist Leopoldo Serantes dies at age 59

September 1, 2021 | 7:21 pm

SEOUL Olympic Games bronze medalist Leopoldo Serantes has died. He was 59.

Mr. Serantes, who fought in the light flyweight division, passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Apart from winning an Olympic bronze medal in 1988, he also won gold medals in the 1985 and 1987 Southeast Asian Games. He was the first boxer to give the Philippines a medal in the Olympics after Anthony Villanueva (silver) in 1964.

After his medal conquest, the country brought home boxing medals in the next two Olympiads courtesy of Roel Velasco (bronze, 1992) and Mansueto Velasco (silver, 1996).

Prior to his death, he was inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame, albeit was not able to attend the virtual online ceremony.

Recently, to help him in his medical expenses, rotisserie company Chooks-to-Go pledged to give Mr. Serantes a monthly allowance of P100,000 to honor his service to the country.

Mr. Serantes is survived by seven children and 24 grandchildren. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

World number one Novak Djokovic takes first unsteady step toward completing the calendar-year Grand Slam

September 1, 2021 | 7:21 pm

NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic took a first unsteady step toward completing the calendar-year Grand Slam on Tuesday as the Serb labored into the second round of the US Open with a (6-1, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-1) win over dashing Danish teenager Holger Rune.

On paper, the contest was a total mismatch — an 18-year-old qualifier making his Grand Slam debut against a player chasing a 21^st major title.

While the outcome was exactly what was expected, the effort needed by Mr. Djokovic to see off the fearless Dane, who battled to the end despite suffering cramp, was not.

“I started great. Played a really, really good first set,” said Mr. Djokovic. “After that, I don’t know, I was 4-3 serving in the second set, everything was working well, but then I just lost the first serve.

“I had until tonight tons of experience playing on this court, for him it was the first one.

“Still, you get nerves. You still are feeling a little bit rusty at the beginning.”

The match got underway amid a somewhat flat atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, but the crowd were chanting the little-known Dane’s name after he stunned Mr. Djokovic to win the second set.

Aside from that, it was a controlled effort from the 34-year-old Mr. Djokovic, far different from the Serb’s last match on Arthur Ashe Stadium court which ended with him being disqualified after swatting a ball in frustration that struck a line judge.

The stone-faced world number one was all business from the start, breaking his opponent at the first opportunity and rolling through the set in just 26 minutes.

Playing his first event since a disappointing Tokyo Olympics, there were signs of rust and a lack of intensity, particularly in a sloppy second set when Mr. Rune broke him twice and forced the set to tie-break that he easily won.

But there was never any panic from Mr. Djokovic, who turned up the pressure in the third with an early break to regain control as Mr. Rune began to suffer cramp.

As Mr. Rune grimaced with every step, Mr. Djokovic showed his ruthless side, moving the youngster from line-to-line and taking the set 6-2.

Mr. Rune was determined to battle his way to the end, but a Djokovic victory was now certain and the Serb wrapped up the match by taking the fourth set 6-1.

“It was a crazy experience, playing against Novak on Arthur Ashe is probably one of the dream come true,” said Mr. Rune.

“To be able to win one set as well was great.”

The Dane said his fitness struggles made winning “impossible.”

“I had high belief in myself throughout the whole match,” he added.

“Unfortunately, my fitness let me down. — Reuters

Phillies stay hot in 12-6 win over Nationals

September 1, 2021 | 7:20 pm

ANDREW McCutchen drove in three runs with a homer and a double as the visiting Philadelphia Phillies rallied past the Washington Nationals (12-6) on Tuesday night for their fifth straight win.

Rafael Marchan and Brad Miller homered, and rookie Matt Vierling went 4-for-5 for Philadelphia, which collected 18 hits and seven walks. Bryce Harper had three hits, including a two-run single, extending his hitting streak to eight games during which he is batting .484 (15-for-31).

The Phillies have scored 40 runs during their winning streak, plating at least seven in each game.

Trailing 5-3 entering the sixth, the Phillies sent 11 men to plate and scored six runs.

Carter Kieboom homered for the second straight game for Washington, which has lost four straight and eight of its past 10.

Bailey Falter (2-0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief for the win after starter Matt Moore allowed five runs on six hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings. Phillies relievers combined for 5 2/3 innings while allowing just one run on four hits.

Patrick Corbin (7-14) continued to struggle for Washington, giving up six runs on nine hits and four walks in five-plus innings as his ERA rose to 6.26. He was staked to a 5-2 lead, but couldn’t hold it.

Vierling led off the Philadelphia sixth with a single and Marchan followed by homering to left-center off a 2-0 Corbin sinker to tie the game at 5-5. After pinch hitter Nick Maton walked, Andres Machado replaced Corbin.

Freddy Galvis greeted Machado with a single and Jean Segura was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Harper singled to right, scoring two runs to make it 7-5. Harper was out at second, but McCutchen doubled home Segura and scored on Odubel Herrera’s single to give the Phillies a 9-5 lead.

Miller provided some cushion with a two-run homer in the ninth.

Lane Thomas’s RBI double gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead in the second and RBI doubles by Ryan Zimmerman and Luis Garcia made it 3-0 in the third.

Harper singled and McCutchen hit his 22^nd homer in the fourth to pull the Phillies within 3-2, but after Thomas walked leading off the bottom half, Kieboom smacked his sixth home run and the lead was 5-2.

Jorge Bonifacio’s bases-loaded infield single in the fifth cut the deficit to 5-3. — Reuters

Ben Simmons tells 76ers he wants out

September 1, 2021 | 7:20 pm

ALL-STAR point guard Ben Simmons informed the Philadelphia 76ers that he wants out of town and will not report to the team’s training camp, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Tuesday.

The Sixers and Mr. Simmons appeared headed for a sour parting after Philadelphia bowed out in the Eastern Conference semifinals in June and Simmons received blame from coach Doc Rivers and teammate Joel Embiid.

Though the 2016 No. 1 overall pick is considered a talented playmaker and defender, his inability — or unwillingness — to take shots reared its head during the series loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Rivers said he didn’t “know the answer to that right now” when asked if Simmons could be the starting point guard of a championship team.

NBA journalist Marc Stein reported that the Sixers have known of Simmons’ desire to be traded “for some time.” The 76ers have not commented on the reports.

A three-time All-Star, Mr. Simmons has started all 275 games he has played in four NBA seasons, all with the 76ers. He owns career averages of 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.

The 76ers are scheduled to open camp on Sept. 28. — Reuters