July 20 a regular holiday for Muslim Feast of Sacrifice

July 15, 2021 | 8:09 pm

Muslims-pray-end-ramadan — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has declared July 20 as a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha or the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice.

The declaration was based on the recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, the President said in Proclamation 1189.

The observance of Eid’l Adha will be “subject to existing community quarantine and social distancing measures,” according to a copy of the order.

Muslims make up about 6.01% of the Philippines’ total population, according to a 2017 report by the local statistics agency. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Beeinfotech PH opens largest telco-neutral data center

July 15, 2021 | 8:09 pm

DATA CENTER services provider Bee Information Technology PH, Inc. (Beeinfotech PH) announced Thursday that it recently opened a telco-neutral data center in Pasig City to power up businesses.

“Beeinfotech PH’s multi-million-peso data center is the Philippines’ largest telco-neutral data center yet, tackling the market’s need for a telco-grade and tailored data center services provider,” the company said in an e-mailed statement.

The company said its objective is to propel the digital transformation of businesses.

The facility, located in Pasig City, a 19,000-square meter space spread across three floors of more than 6,000 square meters each.

“This gives Beeinfotech PH enough room to reach up to a 45U rack height and hold more than 3,000 racks, which is currently the largest number of racks within a single data center in the country,” it said.

“With such space to host servers and other mission-critical resources, businesses can offload their entire IT infrastructure management responsibilities to Beeinfotech PH and focus on achieving their goals.”

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) said on July 1 that Beeinfotech PH has leased out a building in its estate.

“Beeinfotech PH occupies our Campus One development… It will also build a power center on a 1,500 square meter land, which is adjacent to their leased premises,” RLC Senior Vice-President and Office Buildings Division General Manager Jericho P. Go said in a statement. — Arjay L. Balinbin

10 Japanese involved in 2-B yen telco fraud deported

July 15, 2021 | 8:08 pm

THE BUREAU of Immigration has deported 10 Japanese fugitives who were wanted by authorities in Tokyo for their involvement in a 2 billion yen or about P1-billion telecommunications fraud.

“All of them are now banned from re-entering the Philippines as a result of their inclusion in our immigration blacklist of undesirable (foreigners),” Immigration chief Jaime H. Morente said in a news release on Thursday.

The 10 were arrested on Nov. 13, 2019 in a hotel in Makati City where they were caught in the act of engaging in “voice phishing and telephone fraud activities.”

Voice phishing is the use of fake phone calls wherein the caller pretends to be a someone from a trusted institution, company, or government agency to trick people into giving the callers money and revealing personal information for further crimes.

According to Japanese authorities, the 10 fugitives are alleged members of a crime syndicate in Japan that victimized Japanese citizens and caused “significant damage to Japanese society.” — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Online applications for bar exams now open

July 15, 2021 | 8:07 pm

THE SUPREME Court has opened the online application period for the 2020 and 2021 bar examinations through its online application platform, Bar Personalized Login Unified System (Bar PLUS).

Through Bar PLUS, applicants may digitally submit their verified petition and other required documents and information, including proof of payment of the bar application fee.

“Bar PLUS was created to facilitate a safe, equitable, and inclusive Bar Examinations,” Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the Bar Examinations chairperson, said in a news release on Thursday.

“A potential examinee will be required to personally appear only when there are difficult issues in their applications which cannot be addressed in any other manner,” Mr. Leonen said.

Application for the bar examinations is open for two months, from July 15 to Sept. 15.

Mr. Leonen earlier said the court targets to have 25 localized testing sites across the country. Negotiations are ongoing with schools with large campuses to accommodate more bar examinees, he said. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Supreme Court overturns CA decision on 10 PHL navy officers’ dismissal

July 15, 2021 | 8:07 pm

THE COUNTRY’S Highest Court has reversed a Court of Appeals (CA) decision dismissing 10 Philippine Navy officers who were allegedly behind the death of a fellow officer in 1995.

The CA’s decision in 2013 affirmed the order of the Office of the Ombudsman in 2011 to dismiss the navy officers from service as they were found guilty of grave misconduct for the alleged murder of navy officer Ensign Philip A. Pestaño.

In the Supreme Court’s resolution dated May 14 and published on July 12, it said the Ombudsman “failed to support its conclusion of administrative liability with sufficient factual and legal basis.”

The high court said “a finding of guilt in an administrative case may be sustained for as long as it is supported by substantial evidence that the respondent has committed the acts charged.”

In 1995, Mr. Pestaño was found dead in his cabin with a gunshot wound on his right temple and a suicide letter to his family.

However, investigations in the Senate and by the Armed Forces of the Philippines ruled out suicide.

The probes also discovered that Mr. Pestaño had knowledge of alleged corruption in BRP Bacolod City (LS-550), the lead ship of two Bacolod City class logistics support vessels, which could have been the motive behind his murder.

Mr. Pestaño’s parents then filed criminal and administrative cases against the 10 navy officers before the Ombudsman.

The Supreme Court ruled that the Ombudsman only found probable cause, which “is insufficient to hold petitioners administratively liable.” — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Pangasinan to appeal for lifting of mandatory use of NLET to bring provincial bus services back

July 15, 2021 | 8:06 pm

THE PANGASINAN government will again appeal to the national task force handling the coronavirus response to allow bus companies to use their private terminals in Metro Manila to encourage the resumption of public transport services to the province.

Under Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution 101-2021 issued Feb. 26, “all buses bound for provinces shall be required to use the Integrated Terminal Exchange as the central hub for transportation. No bus company or public transport shall be allowed use of their private terminals.”

An official of bus firm Victory Liner, Inc., in a session of the provincial board earlier this week, said using the North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) instead of their own will cost an additional P100,000 to P150,000 for the terminal slot.

Aleksander Briones, operations manager of Victory Liner in Dagupan City, said with the lower passenger capacity due to health safety protocols and added NLET cost, it would mean operating at a loss for their Pangasinan destinations.

The Pangasinan provincial government, in a statement, said the use of NLET located in Bocaue, Bulacan also means added cost and inconvenience to commuters.

“Further, the use of the NLET will necessarily cause immense inconvenience and would likewise cost a fortune for commuters, as they will be forced to use 2-3 lines of transportation, instead of the direct trip to and from Metro Manila,” it said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already issued an order allowing 716 buses to cover the routes from Metro Manila to the following points in Pangasinan: Asingan, Manaoag, Pozorrubio, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Umingan, Alaminos City, Agno, Anda, Bolinao, Dagupan City, Lingayen, and San Carlos City.

Provincial Legal Officer Geraldine U. Baniqued said it will again push for the lifting of the national task force’s resolution.

“The provincial government has been consistent in endorsing requests of all bus operators to LTFRB after securing consent from concerned local chief executives, where the terminals are located,” she said.

HNP says Davao-Zamboanga sisterhood agreement not related to 2022 polls

July 15, 2021 | 8:04 pm

Zambo-Davao-mayors-@ZAMBOCITYGOVT — @ZAMBOCITYGOVT

THE CITIES of Davao and Zamboanga forged a sisterhood agreement Thursday, a partnership that is not tied to next year’s elections, according to the political party of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The sister city agreement, signed by Ms. Carpio and her counterpart Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar in Zamboanga City, was first initiated in 2015 when President Rodrigo R. Duterte was still Davao mayor.

“The agreement has been pending since 2015… I don’t think this has something to do with 2022 elections,” Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Secretary General and Spokesperson Anthony G. del Rosario said during a Zoom conference on Thursday.

The sister city ties, valid for five years, “intend to create and fortify an open communicative atmosphere to induce a heightened exchange of ideas, particularly in the fields of tourism and culture, agriculture and trade and commerce,” the Zamboanga City government said in a statement.

Mr. Del Rosario said any other upcoming sister city agreements cannot be viewed as a form of coalition with HNP, a regional party led by Ms. Carpio.

The HNP spokesperson has previously announced that five national political parties have signified interest for a coalition with HNP. These are the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), Nacionalista Party, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), People’s Reform Party (PRP), and National Unity Party (NUP).

Ms. Climaco is a member of the current opposition, Liberal Party. — Maya M. Padillo

Metro Manila mayors approve common guidelines on child-Friendly zones

July 15, 2021 | 8:04 pm

Children-playground-PHILSTAR-BOYSANTOS — PHILIPPINE STAR/ BOY SANTOS

MAYORS IN Metro Manila have agreed to a common set of guidelines that will serve as basis for their respective local laws on allowing children at least five years old out of their homes.

The Metro Manila Council, composed of the 17 mayors in the capital region, approved a resolution on July 14 containing the general rules for the implementation of the new policy allowing kids to go outdoors in areas under relaxed quarantine levels.

In a statement on Thursday, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the guidelines include: identification of parks and other outdoor areas that will be considered as child-friendly amid the pandemic; 50% limit on the area’s capacity; deployment of marshals in privately-owned outdoor areas or parks to ensure compliance with health protocols; and children must be accompanied by adults.

“These are the conditions that Metro Manila mayors could adopt in issuing executive orders or crafting their respective ordinances in their localities,” said MMDA Chairman Benhur D. Abalos.

Irong-Irong Bay in Western Samar now free from red tide

July 15, 2021 | 8:03 pm

THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) declared the area of Irong-Irong Bay in Western Samar officially free from red tide contamination. In its 21^st shellfish bulletin for the year, BFAR said red tide warnings are still in effect in the areas of Milagros, Masbate; Sorsogon Bay, Sorsogon; Dauis and Tagbilaran City, Bohol; Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar; and Dumanquillas Bay, Zamboanga del Sur. In Mindanao, areas with active red tide warnings include Murcielagos Bay, Zamboanga del Norte; Murcielagos Bay (Sapang Dalaga and Baliangao), Misamis Occidental; Balite Bay, Davao Oriental; and Lianga Bay, Surigao del Sur. All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang harvested in areas with red tide warnings are unsafe for human consumption. Other marine species coming from the same areas can still be eaten with proper handling. Red tide is a result of high concentrations of algae in the water. Human consumption of contaminated shellfish may result in paralytic shellfish poisoning, which affects the nervous system. Usual symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning are headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Severe cases may cause muscular paralysis and respiratory problems. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Bucks defeat Suns to even Finals

July 15, 2021 | 7:34 pm

Khris Middleton’s 40 lift Bucks over Devin Booker, Suns

MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton earned his nickname in Game 4 of the NBA Finals as “Cash Money” came up clutch in the biggest game of his life.

Following back-to-back 40-point efforts by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton emerged as the Bucks’ savior with a playoff-career high 40 to overshadow 42 points from Suns guard Devin Booker.

“Late in the fourth quarter, we just ran sets that enabled me to get to my spots,” Middleton said. “After that, I’ve just got to make reads. Thankfully, I hit some shots.”

Middleton scored 10 consecutive points and the Milwaukee Bucks rallied from a nine-point deficit to claim Game 4, 109-103, and tie the Phoenix Suns at 2-2 in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

Middleton made the money plays in the final two minutes with a freakish nod to Antetokounmpo, whose block of Deandre Ayton kept the Bucks’ lead at four points with 1:15 to play.

For most of the night, only fouls stopped Booker. The Suns’ top scorer scored 42 points despite being dogged most of the second half by foul trouble. Booker’s effort was his ninth game in these playoffs over 30 points. He had 10 points on 3 of 14 shooting in Game 3.

“It’s a mind-set more than anything,” Booker said.

Phoenix shot 51.3 percent from the field and held the Bucks to 40.2 percent shooting.

It was Booker who lobbed the ball to Ayton on Antetokounmpo’s amazing defensive play. The pass carried well wide of the rim and Ayton didn’t collect it cleanly.

“Just a hustle play,” Antetokounmpo said. “Going down the stretch — do whatever it takes to win the game. I saw the play coming. I was there in time, was able to get a good block and go down and get two points.”

Suns head coach Monty Williams believes Booker would have hit for 50 points if Phoenix eliminated “even five” of its 17 turnovers.

Antetokounmpo deferred more than usual and had 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and two blocks.

With Antetokounmpo largely in check beyond second-chance points, Middleton attempted 33 shots.

It was all Middleton down the stretch for Milwaukee. He made four free throws after banging in a challenged lefty layup, which followed two contested jumpers in a clutch effort that left Booker to play runner-up.

Cam Johnson had 10 points off the bench for the Suns, who got only 38 total points from their other four starters.

Booker reached 40 points to tie the game at 97, answering Pat Connaughton’s corner 3 at the other end.

Paul had 10 points, seven assists and five turnovers. Ayton had six points and 17 rebounds for Phoenix.

Paul is averaging 4.3 turnovers per game in the Finals.

A trailing Antetokounmpo secured Jrue Holiday’s miss — a play crew chief James Capers said postgame should have been Booker’s sixth foul — and dropped in an easy two that made it 95-94 with 3:30 remaining.

Booker went to the bench when he was whistled for his fifth foul on an aggressive boxout of P.J. Tucker with 10:47 left in the game and returned at the 5:55 mark.

As the Bucks tried three different defenders in front of him, Booker scored 18 in the third quarter and made all seven of his shot attempts.

Ragged execution and stagnant offense — one field goal in their first 10 second-half attempts — threatened to erase Milwaukee from the picture in the third. But Phoenix turnovers kept the game within reach for the Bucks, even as the Suns’ surged on a 9-3 run to end the period.

Booker had a game-high 20 points in the first half on eight-of-15 shooting, and Middleton led Milwaukee with 16. — Reuters

Special group of boxers for PHL in Olympics, says analyst

July 15, 2021 | 7:34 pm

OlyBox-(2) — THE Philippine boxing team for the Tokyo Olympics are composed of (clockwise from top left) Eumir Felix Marcial (men’s middleweight), Irish Magno (women’s flyweight), Nesthy Petecio (women’s featherweight), and Carlo Paalam (men’s flyweight). — ALVIN S. GO/IRISH MAGNO, NESTHY PETECIO AND CARLO PAALAM FB PAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE four-man boxing team representing the Philippines in the sport in the Tokyo Olympics is a special group which could figure in the mix for medals, said a local fight analyst.

Eumir Felix Marcial (men’s middleweight), Irish Magno (women’s flyweight), Nesthy Petecio (women’s featherweight) and Carlo Paalam (men’s flyweight) are the boxers who will be competing for the country in the rescheduled Olympic Games, happening from July 23 to Aug. 8.

The four are among the 19 Filipino athletes who are looking to give the Philippines its first-ever gold medal in the Games.

For local fight analyst Nissi Icasiano, the country’s boxing contingent for the Tokyo Olympics is a solid bunch.

“This is a special group. I believe this is one of the best ensembles of Filipino boxers ever assembled,” said Mr. Icasiano in an online interview.

“Initially, we were expecting two representatives for boxing this Olympics. However, the pandemic turned out to be a blessing as it opened spots for Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam. With that being said, it’s the first time since 2004 that we have four bets in a boxing event,” he added.

The analyst went on to say that among the members of the Philippine boxing team, the now-professional Marcial is a favorite to go deep in the competition although he is not counting out the others.

“Out of the four boxers, Marcial is the favorite to land a podium finish in Tokyo. His credentials speak for themselves, a runner-up in world championships, topped the qualifiers, and won his pro debut — which is an added dose in his confidence heading to Tokyo,” he said.

Adding, “The good thing about being in Eumir’s position is that he already knows the level of competition and the type of opponents he is about to face in the Olympics. He already made 50 or 60 percent of his scouting report through the world championships and the qualifiers.”

Mr. Paalam, for his part, may be under the radar but has proven himself to flourish under such situations, and, therefore, can be dangerous.

“Carlo has been a dark horse for the most part of his career and has been successful in that which is why pundits should never sleep on him,” Mr. Icasiano said.

“Paalam is a type of boxer who relies on combinations to inflict the damage. When he pierces a solid jab, the follow-up is either a two-punch combo or a three-punch combo. People sometimes overlook this aspect of his game. He is a well-rounded boxer. He is comfortable fighting while backpedaling. His footwork is a sight to behold because he knows how to create angles and it’s limited to four directions,” the analyst added.

Mr. Icasiano said Mses. Petecio and Magno will have a tough road ahead of them in the Olympics but he believes the boxers have it in them to rise up to the challenge.

“This is the debut of the women’s featherweight division in the Olympics. Like in the case of Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio is in a gauntlet. It’s a bracket that takes the knockout stage literally. It’s a stacked division that consists of good boxers. The good thing about it is that Nesthy is one of them. It’s a battle royale from the get-go,” the analyst said.

“Irish Magno, for his part, is such an exciting boxer. She has a fan-friendly style in the ring. However, Irish Magno has a tall order in her campaign. Though the podium finishers of the 2016 Games in Rio won’t be back in Tokyo, the bracket still holds a crop of top-notch talent, and one of them is Magno’s SEA Games rival Jutamas Jitpong.”

In Tokyo, Ms. Petecio will be the first to begin her campaign on July 24 in the round of 32, followed by Ms. Magno (July 25), Mr. Paalam and Mr. Marcial (July 26).

PBA Season 46 finally begins; triple-header on opening day

July 15, 2021 | 7:34 pm

PBA-Images6 — THE PBA opens its Season 46 on Friday with the Philippine Cup. The Alaska Aces play the Blackwater Bossing in the opener of a triple-header at 12:30 p.m. at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City. — PBA IMAGES

AFTER an extended wait, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) finally opens its Season 46 on Friday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.

The league will kick off the season with a Philippine Cup triple-header beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by matches at 3 p.m. and then 6 p.m.

The start has been long time coming for the league, which initially was angling to begin its new season in the second quarter of the year, but the approval it was hoping for from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) did not come, leaving it with no choice but to be patient and wait.

It got the nod to start last week, after presenting anew its proposal to the IATF, which in turn, finally agreed under the understanding that the PBA will adhere to existing health and safety protocols.

Unlike last year where the PBA held a full “bubble” in Clark, Pampanga, this time around the league will employ a “closed circuit” setup where participants’ movements are limited to home-gym-home and closely monitored.

Protocol violators will be given fines and suspensions while regular testing will be in effect. No fans will be allowed in the game venue.

“We don’t want the league to be a problem. We are in full support of the resumption of professional sports. We are of course guided by the joint administrative order, which the IATF asked us to follow,” said PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial of their opening while reiterating their commitment to the guidelines set.

The Philippine Cup features a single-round-robin elimination format, with the top eight advancing to the playoffs.

The league will hold triple-headers every Wednesday, Fridays, and Sundays until the opening of the league’s inaugural 3×3 tournament in August. Double-headers, meanwhile, are set for Saturdays.

Kicking off the proceedings on Friday is the match between the Alaska Aces and Blackwater Bossing at 12:30 p.m.

The Aces, who finished sixth in last year’s tournament, will be parading a relatively intact core, boosted by rookies Taylor Browne, RK Ilagan and Ben Adamos and free-agent Gab Banal.

Blackwater, meanwhile, has added Baser Amer from Meralco, Simon Enciso from TNT and Kelly Nabong from Northport to bolster its young crew.

Playing in the 3 p.m. contest are the NLEX Road Warriors and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Both teams ended in the middle of the pack of the Philippine Cup last year and are looking to do better.

Kiefer Ravena is expected to play for NLEX despite talks of him suiting up for the Japan league while number three rookie pick in this year’s draft Calvin Oftana is set to make his debut for the team.

Rain or Shine, for its part, will now play under new coach Chris Gavina and has added rookies Leonard Santillan, Anton Asistio and Andrei Caracut to its fold.

Capping off the opening-day offering is the joust between the Meralco Bolts and Northport Batang Pier at 6 p.m.

The Bolts had a semifinal finish in last year’s tournament, coming within a win away from making it to its first-ever Philippine Cup finals appearance.

Part of the team now are Mac Belo from Blackwater as well as rookie Alvin Pasaol.

Northport, tied for last place in the 2020 Philippine Cup, meanwhile, will welcome back star guard Robert Bolick from injury and have new players in rookie Jamie Malonzo and young cogs Sidney Onwubere, Jerrick Balanza and Jeepy Faundo.

Seven-footer Greg Slaughter, who the team acquired in the offseason in a trade with Barangay Ginebra, has yet to rejoin the team after leaving for the United States last month to be vaccinated for the coronavirus. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo