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Chinese involved in investment scam arrested at Manila airport 

PHILSTAR

THE BUREAU of Immigration has intercepted a Chinese fugitive allegedly involved in a big-time pyramid investment scheme in China at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. 

The 56-year-old Chinese identified as Yao Kunmin is wanted by authorities in Beijing for his alleged operation of an online foreign exchange investment platform from May 2019 to April 2020.  

Records from Chinese officials and the Philippine Immigration agency showed that Mr. Yao entered the Philippines on Jan. 23, 2020. His arrest was only ordered by the public security bureau in Pei County, Jiangsu province eight months later.  

He was intercepted by immigration officers at NAIA on July 21 when he boarded a flight to Wuxi, China.  

“Upon interception, the BI Interpol operatives immediately coordinated with our counterparts in China to alert them of the arrival of the fugitive,” Immigration Port Operations chief Carlos B. Capulong said.  

Mr. Yao was immediately arrested by Chinese policemen upon arrival at the Wuxi airport. 

Through the investment platform, Mr. Yao allegedly lured people to put money in a pyramid investment scheme wherein he promised large profits.   

He was said to have collected over 12 million Renminbi or around P93.5 million from the scheme.  

“This interception shows our strong coordination and cooperation with our foreign counterparts,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said in a news release on Thursday. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago  

SC rules in favor of SET, Comelec in case filed by Tolentino   

Senator Francis N. Tolentino — PHILSTAR

THE COUNTRY’S Highest Court has affirmed the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) and the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) denial of the petition of Senator Francis N. Tolentino to refund a P3.3-million payment relating to his 2016 poll protest against another senator.  

In its decision dated May 11 and made public on July 25, the Supreme Court (SC) held that the SET acted within its authority “when it desisted to rule on the issue concerning the alleged invalidity or unconstitutionality of Section 6.9 of the AES (Automated Election System) Contracts.”  

In 2016, the SET asked Mr. Tolentino to pay Comelec P3.3 million to cover the cost for the retention of custody and possession of 151 vote counting machines, six laptops, Secure Digital cards, and other materials beyond Dec. 2016 for Mr. Tolentino’s electoral protest against Senator Leila M. de Lima.  

Mr. Tolentino eventually withdrew the protest he filed to focus on his new senatorial campaign in 2019.  

The equipment were rented by the Comelec from Smartmatic through an AES contract which states under Section 6.9 that “(a)ll Goods still in the possession of Comelec as of 01 December 2016 because of any election contest or audit requirement shall be considered sold to Comelec.”  

The SC also explained that the poll body cannot use its own funds to pay for the cost in question because under the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines, “(g)overnment funds or property shall be spent or used solely for public purposes.” — Bianca Angelica D. Añago  

Senator slams Duterte admin for denying public transport problem 

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

OPPOSITION SENATOR Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel on Thursday criticized the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte for failing to recognize the continued difficulties faced by commuters and public transport drivers.  

“How will you make a solution if you keep on denying that there is something that needs to be fixed? In problem-solving, the first step is to acknowledge that there really is a problem, and that is what the Malacañang should be doing, not to sugar-coat and carry their own boat,” said Ms. Hontiveros in a press release.  

Mr. Duterte, in his final State of the Nation Address Monday, glossed over the transport problem by saying the government had “taken away the misery of public commuting.”  

Ms. Hontiveros also expressed disappointment that P4 billion under the Bayanihan II or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act was allowed to expire when it was intended to subsidize bus and jeepney operations.  

Bayanihan II was a stimulus package of P140 billion plus a P25.5-billion standby fund, which was supposed to benefit industries and sectors most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Yes, we opened roads to quicken travel time, but if no public vehicles will run to cater to commuters, what’s the point? If congestion is not on roads, you will see these on long lines instead,” she said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

Olympic gold medalist Diaz sparks off Congressional Medal idea 

WEIGHTLIFTER Hidilyn F. Diaz’s Olympic gold victory, the country’s first, has prompted leaders and members of the House of Representatives to set up a Congressional Medal of Excellence for athletes who will achieve the same feat.  

Ms. Diaz will be the first awardee.   

“There is a need for the House of Representatives to institutionalize the Congressional Medal of Excellence to particularly give honor and commendation to these exceptional modern-day national heroes in sports who win the gold medal in the Olympic Games,” said the authors of House Resolution 1981. 

The authors also said the award will cement the legacy of those who win the Olympic gold medal by “providing future generations with inspirational lessons that they can take to heart.” — Russell Louis C. Ku  

Marcial moves to quarterfinals in easy victory; Irish Magno falls

FILIPINO middleweight boxing bet Eumir Felix Marcial advanced to the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Thursday after making short work of Algerian opponent Younes Nemouchi in their Round of 16 clash. — REUTERS

FILIPINO middleweight boxing bet Eumir Felix D. Marcial advanced to the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Thursday after making short work of Algerian opponent Younes Nemouchi in their Round of 16 clash at the Kokugikan Arena.

The 25-year-old Mr. Marcial got the job done inside the opening round by way of Referee Stopped Contest due to Injury (RSC-I) after Mr. Nemouchi suffered a slight gash above his right eye and was ruled unable to continue.

But unfortunately for the Philippine boxing team, women’s flyweight Irish Magno fell to Thai Jutamas Jitpong by unanimous decision in their Round of 16 encounter.

Mr. Marcial came out aggressive and was in control from the opening bell, connecting on powerful punches to the body and head that had his opponent reeling.

A right cross to the kisser sent Mr. Nemouchi down, prompting Slovakian referee Radoslav Simon to make a standing-8 count.

The fight proceeded after until the two fighters clashed heads in the final 1:10, moving the ring official to check the condition of Mr. Nemouchi for the gash he absorbed.

Action continued before the referee deemed the Algerian can no longer continue with his injury with 19 seconds to go in the round.

Mr. Marcial was proclaimed winner after.

“The match was close. He (Nemouchi) kept going inside. I connected with a right hook and he dropped. But he showed a lot of fighting spirit and continued. Credit to him,” said Mr. Marcial in Filipino after his win.

Mr. Marcial tries to book a spot in the semifinals and assure himself of an Olympic bronze medal in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 11:36 a.m. against fellow professional fighter Arman Darchinyan of Armenia.

FIRST BOXING LOSS
Meanwhile, Team Philippines suffered its first boxing loss when Ms. Magno bowed to Ms. Jitpong.

Thirty-year-old Ms. Magno was outclassed by her Thai opponent throughout their three-round bout to fall, 0-5.

Judges scored the fight, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, 29-28, for Ms. Jitpong.

Interestingly, Ms. Magno defeated Ms. Jitpong in their last encounter at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

They, too, trained together in Bangkok in the lead-up to the Olympics.

“I have fought her (Jitpong) before and they did a good job in scouting us, making the fight more difficult for us,” Ms. Magno said after the fight.

Apart from Mr. Marcial, Filipino boxers still in contention are women’s featherweight Nesthy Petecio and flyweight Carlo Paalam.

Both are to see action on July 31, with Ms. Petecio facing Irma Testa of Italy in a semifinal fight set for 12:39 p.m., and Mr. Paalam taking on Mohammed Flissi of Algeria in a Round of 16 encounter set for 10:48 a.m. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

MVP Sports Foundation happy and proud to see efforts bearing results

THE MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) expressed happiness and pride in seeing its efforts to help the country win its first Olympic gold medal bear fruit through the breakthrough performance of weightlifter Hidilyn F. Diaz.

One of a number of athletes being supported by the sports foundation, Ms. Diaz, 30, made history by becoming the first Filipino athlete to win a gold medal in the quadrennial meet by bagging the top prize in the women’s 55-kg weightlifting division on Monday.

MVPSF, PLDT and Smart President and Philippine Olympic Committee First Vice-President Alfredo “Al” S. Panlilio hailed the achievement of Ms. Diaz just as he underscored the need to continue to pursue excellence, including through sports.

“The MVPSF was born 10 years ago with its vision of winning our first Olympic gold medal. You did it. We at PLDT and Smart have always believed in the importance of sports in shaping individuals and communities for the better. Hidilyn embodied what puso (fighting heart) really means,” Mr. Panlilio said in a statement.

The MVPSF has supported Ms. Diaz’s training both financially and logistically in the last two years, and has helped her form a core team of experts to build a solid strategy in her fourth shot at the Olympics.

For her golden performance, the Zamboanga City native will receive P10-million from MVPSF on top of other rewards from the government and other private companies.

It is a support that Ms. Diaz fully recognizes and appreciates.

“Thank you so much to MVPSF, Sir MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and Sir Al. Thank you so much for the trust you have given me and Team HD. I would not have won the gold without your support,” said Ms. Diaz in a separate statement.

While the mission to win the Olympic gold has been accomplished, MVPSF still hopes the rest of Team Philippines, some also supported by the foundation, seeing action at the Tokyo Olympics will achieve success in their respective sports and be inspired by what Ms. Diaz has achieved.

Other MVPSF-supported athletes in the Olympics are golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, boxers Eumir Felix D. Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno, and Carlo Paalam, rower Cris Nievarez, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando, gymnast Caloy Yulo, and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Greg Slaughter faces former team Ginebra; TNT back in action

NORTHPORT Batang Pier big man Greg Slaughter faces off for the first time with his former team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Friday. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

EYES will be on big man Greg F. Slaughter as his Northport Batang Pier takes on his former team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the nightcap PBA Philippine Cup offering on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Set for 6 p.m., the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) match will mark the first time that seven-footer Mr. Slaughter will face the Kings since being traded for Christian H. Standhardinger in the offseason early this year.

Also set to see action are the TNT Tropang Giga, who are making their return after entering the league’s health and safety protocols after four members of the team previously tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Barangay Ginebra drafted Mr. Slaughter, 33, in the 2013 PBA draft and won four league titles with him, including the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup where he was adjudged best player of the conference.

In February last year, he announced that he was taking a break from basketball after his contract with Barangay Ginebra expired. Some back-and-forth went between him and the team after. In February this year, he was re-signed by the Kings but later on traded to Northport for Mr. Standhardinger.

Mr. Slaughter made his debut for the Batang Pier (1-2) on July 25 after missing their first two matches. He played well, finishing with 25 points and 17 rebounds, but his team narrowly lost to the San Miguel Beermen, 88-86.

For its part, Barangay Ginebra (1-2) is coming into the game off an 89-79 loss to the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok also last Sunday.

The defending Phillippine Cup champions are struggling early in the tournament and are looking to pick things up.

Meanwhile, TNT resumes its campaign after its matches were temporarily shelved beginning last week over COVID-19 protocols.

The team got clearance to return on Tuesday following retests.

The Tropang Giga (1-0) plays the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-1) at 3 p.m.

In its lone game so far, TNT defeated the Terrafirma Dyip, 89-76, on July 17.

Four TNT players scored in double digits in the victory led by Jayson Castro’s 17.

Rain or Shine, meanwhile, absorbed its first defeat in four matches last time around, losing to the Alaska Aces, 74-48.

The other game slated for Friday is between Terrafirma (0-2) and Magnolia (3-0) at 12:30 p.m.

Diaz: Gold product of a long process

HIDILYN Diaz during the FOCAP online forum on Thursday.          

A GOLD medal that is a product of years of going through a tough process is how Hidilyn F. Diaz describes her breakthrough performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Speaking at an online forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) on Thursday, Ms. Diaz shared her golden conquest took a while to be completed and had its many ups and downs.

“I first competed in the Olympics in 2008 as a wild card in China and at the time, I really did not know what it was all about. In 2012 in London, I tried to perform better but did not do well. Then 2016, in Rio, I won silver. After that, I felt I could still go at it in Tokyo,” said Ms. Diaz.

But preparations for the 2020 Olympics, which was rescheduled this year, turned out to be tougher than what she expected with the coronavirus coming into play.

Ms. Diaz said that good thing that her supporters both in government and private sector provided her with the opportunity to surround herself with a group of people, collectively known as “Team HD,” who stuck by her and helped her stay the course to achieve her Olympic dreams.

The team is composed of Chinese head coach Gao Kaiwen, strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo, nutritionist Jeaneth Aro and psychologist Dr. Karen Trinidad.

“They (team) are the big difference this time around. I have them to guide me and prepare me. I could not have done it without them,” she said.

Ms. Diaz and her team spent much of the last two years training in Malaysia for the Olympics.

They stayed there far longer than what was scheduled as the pandemic prevented them from going back to the country with all the restrictions in effect both in Malaysia and in the Philippines.

Early on it was very tough, Ms. Diaz said, as they did not have the needed equipment for their training. But with collective resilience and go-getting mind-set, they were able to pull through.   

“We just never gave up. We moved forward and made do at first of what we had,” she said. “I really wanted to win, not only for myself and the country, but also for my team.”

As to her future plans, she said she will continue to compete in the World Championships later this year, and in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games in 2022.

The next Olympics in Paris in 2024 is still something she will evaluate first.

“For Paris, I will still have to see where my body is at. And if I can still do it, then I’ll go for it.”

Ms. Diaz expressed hope that following her gold medal win, more Filipinos will be inspired to pursue their passions and dreams, whether in sports or something else.

“Fate may have brought me to where I am right now, but I just went for what I wanted to accomplish. I encourage everyone to keep reaching for their goals. Work hard to achieve them. Anything is possible.” — Michael Angelo S. Murillo     

China pulls ahead on gold medals as Kendricks out for COVID-19

TOKYO — The rivalry of economic powerhouses China, Japan and the United States played out in an Olympic swimming pool on Thursday, where a world record in the women’s freestyle relay put the Chinese ahead by one gold medal at the Tokyo Games.

American joy at their own double gold in the pool was tempered as pole vaulter Sam Kendricks was ruled out of the Games due to a positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test, prompting members of the Australian athletics team to isolate in their rooms and highlighting the ever-present risk of infection at the Games.

China gained their first gold in the Tokyo pool with Zhang Yufei winning the women’s 200 meter butterfly, and then she returned to the pool to help her team beat the fancied Americans and Australians to win the 4×200 freestyle relay, setting a world record along the way.

The relay victory put China ahead of the United States and Japan on the gold medal rankings and triggered cheers from Chinese journalists in the media center.

China was leading the medal tally with 14 golds and 29 medals in total. The United States and Japan both have 13 golds with the Americans landing 36 medals in total compared to Japan’s 22.

The surprise world record by the Chinese women’s freestyle relay team provided a swift answer to the double gold for US swimmers Caeleb Dressel in the 100m freestyle and Bobby Finke in the 800m freestyle. — Reuters

Novak Djokovic dominant as heat concerns prompt schedule change

NOVAK Djokovic of Serbia plays against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain in the Tokyo Olympic men’s singles third round at Ariake Tennis Park in the capital on July 28. — REUTERS

TOKYO — Novak Djokovic eased into the Tokyo 2020 men’s singles quarterfinals on Wednesday, satisfied with his form and organizers’ decision to delay the start of matches amid complaints from players about the hot and humid conditions.

Tennis matches at the Ariake Tennis Park will begin from 3 p.m. local time (0600 GMT) from Thursday, governing body International Tennis Federation said after requests from players who had struggled in the stifling weather.

World number two Daniil Medvedev, who along with Djokovic had lobbied for the schedule change, said he had struggled to breathe during his (6-2, 3-6, 6-2) third round win over Italian Fabio Fognini.

“Even from the first set, I didn’t feel good enough with my breathing,” said the 25-year-old, who is competing for the Russian Olympic Committee. “That’s why I called the physio, I felt like my diaphragm was blocked.”

Medvedev next plays Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, whose compatriot Paula Badosa retired from her women’s singles quarterfinal match against Czech Markéta Vondroušová due to heatstroke. Badosa and Carreno Busta also withdrew from the mixed doubles event which began on Wednesday.

Djokovic, who took to the court later in the afternoon, said he was happy with the scheduling change after a comfortable (6-3, 6-1) win over Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

He followed up that match with a victory in the mixed doubles, partnering Nina Stojanovic to take out Brazilian pair Marcelo Melo and Luisa Stefani (6-3, 6-4).

“I’m very satisfied with my performance,” Djokovic said. — Reuters

Pagunsan tied for fifth after first round of Olympic golf tournament

Filipino golfer Juvic Pagunsan is tied for fifth after the opening round of men’s individual stroke play at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Thursday. (National Golf Association of the Philippines Facebook page)

Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines had it solid in the opening round of the men’s golf individual event at the Tokyo Olympic Games, finishing tied for fifth on Thursday at the Kasumigaseki Country Club.

Showing familiarity with the course and the conditions, being a staple in the Japan pro circuit, 43-year-old Pagunsan held steady throughout the bad weather-delayed first round to finish with a 5-under 66, joint fifth along with Joachim Hansen of Denmark and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela.

They are three strokes off current leader Sepp Straka of Austria, who finished with a bogey-free 8-under-par 63.

Second-running is Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand with a 64, followed by Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz, who each had a 6-under 65.

The second round of the men’s individual stroke is set for Friday. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Perlas beats Cignal in four sets for first win

The Perlas Spikers notched their first win in the PVL Open Conference on Thursday, defeating the Cignal HD Spikers in four sets. (PVL Media Bureau)

The Perlas Spikers finally barged into the win column of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference after defeating the Cignal HD Spikers in four sets, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21, in Thursday action at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

The trio of Cherry Nunag, Heather Guino-o and Nicole Tiamzon paced Perlas in the victory which saw them buck being a set down at the start. Each finished with 13 points.

It was the first victory for Perlas (1-2) in three tries in the ongoing PVL tournament.

Rookie setter Gel Cayuna also stepped for Perlas, finishing with 24 excellent sets.

For Cignal, it was Janine Marciano who led with 12 points, with Norielle Ipac and Roselyn Doria adding 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The defeat was the fourth straight for the HD Spikers, who now sport a 1-5 record and are now in danger of being eliminated from contention. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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