ID, please

February 5, 2025 | 8:26 pm

Strolling through the mall one afternoon, I came across a cafe with a poster outside bearing signage that the cafe was “deaf-friendly” in large text. It felt good to be reminded that there are still some things right in this world. The incident also highlighted the strides we are making in creating an inclusive society. Like many other things, this is a product of efforts to lobby for awareness and support the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

A key aspect of this progress is the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of PWDs. Republic Acts 9442 and 10754, known as The Magna Carta for Persons with Disability and An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability, respectively, provide substantial tax benefits. These laws grant PWDs a 20% discount and exemption from 12% value-added tax on certain goods and services from various establishments, including hotels, restaurants, theaters, drugstores, medical services, domestic travel, and funeral services.

To avail of the benefits, PWDs must present any of these IDs as proof of entitlement to PWD discounts and privileges: 1) ID issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) or the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO or MSWDO) of the place where the person with disability resides; 2) passport of the person with apparent disability; or 3) ID issued by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA). The same benefits and privileges are available to Filipinos who hold foreign passports but are registered as dual citizens and Filipinos who have re-acquired their Filipino citizenship through Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.

According to the NCDA, there are 1.9 million registered PWDs as of Jan. 8, 2025. That’s approximately 1.6% of the population. Just a few, if you think about it. Unfortunately, some individuals have taken advantage of the system by distributing counterfeit PWD IDs to those looking to illegitimately access the above-mentioned benefits. In 2024, both the Bacolod City and Cebu City governments discovered and confiscated numerous fake PWD IDs. The National Government has lost significant revenue due to VAT exemptions and discounts given to unqualified individuals, estimated at P88.2 billion in 2023 according to a recent BIR statement.

The misuse of fake PWD IDs contributes to the challenges faced by businesses and requires vigilant efforts to maintain the integrity of the system. Business owners, who are legally obligated to provide discounts, are heavily affected as these affect their top line, and consequently, their profit margins. Other consumers may also eventually be affected, as businesses may increase their overall prices to improve their profits, ensure that their businesses stay afloat, and help sustain their employees’ livelihoods. In its official statement, the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines emphasized that “Every fraudulent discount comes directly out of a restaurant’s pocket, cutting into already thin margins… it’s a financial hit that can mean the difference between survival and closure.”

Most importantly, it undermines the benefits intended for legitimate PWDs, disrespecting and financial harming those who genuinely need the support.

From a tax standpoint, PWD discounts are treated by businesses as a deduction from their gross income. These discounts should also be properly reflected in the invoices issued by the establishments. It is crucial that businesses keep a record of the discounts granted, including the relevant details of customers who are PWDs, including their identification numbers. Failure to do so exposes the businesses to potential disallowance of deductions for income tax, and deficiency VAT. In such cases, the businesses are effectively taxed on the discounts which they are required to give under the law.

At worst, the current tax rules also provide that, upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of the law and regulations.

Clearly, there is a lot at stake, and the use of fraudulent IDs has significant consequences.

On a positive note, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the NCDA announced that they have begun pilot-testing the unified identification system in January and it is expected to be rolled out nationwide by July 2025. The system aims to curb the misuse of PWD IDs through a centralized database. The DSWD and NCDA, in partnership with local government units (LGUs), will manage the unified ID system for PWDs. Bona fide PWDs will be issued a physical ID (a PVC card) with RFID technology and a digital ID (accessible through a mobile app or web portal) with QR codes for easy verification. This is a welcome development which I hope will be swiftly and appropriately implemented, to prevent further victims of fake PWD IDs.

Looking at our neighboring countries, similar models are being implemented. For instance, Singapore’s Singpass system is a comprehensive digital ID system that includes PWD IDs, and appears to be stricter as it uses biometric data and cryptographic keys to ensure secure identification and prevent fraud. India’s Aadhaar system assigns a unique identification number to each citizen, including PWDs, and uses biometric data such as fingerprints and iris scans to verify identity and prevent duplication. Estonia’s e-Residency program provides digital IDs with advanced encryption and secure authentication methods, integrated with various public and private services to ensure that PWD IDs are secure and easily verifiable. Adopting these advanced security measures can help the Philippines enhance the reliability and security of its PWD ID system, ensuring that benefits reach those who truly deserve them. The creation of the unified ID system is a significant step closer to achieving a more reliable and secure system for PWDs.

As we continue to strive for an inclusive society, it is crucial that we protect these benefits from abuse. By doing so, we honor the spirit of the laws designed to uplift PWDs and reinforce our collective commitment to a fair and just society.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

Frenz Angelie B. Hechanova is a manager at the Tax Services department of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

frenz.angelie.hechanova@pwc.com

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Hamas official says Trump’s remarks about taking over Gaza could ignite the region

February 5, 2025 | 7:50 pm

Israel-Palestine Hamas-war-Gaza — PHOTO SHOWS a Palestinian looking at the site of an Israeli strike on a mosque, amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Feb. 12, 2024. — REUTERS

CAIRO — Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump’s remarks about taking over the Gaza Strip are “ridiculous” and “absurd” and could destabilize the Middle East.

“Trump’s remarks about his desire to control Gaza are ridiculous and absurd, and any ideas of this kind are capable of igniting the region,” Mr. Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

Mr. Trump said the US would take control of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere, actions that would shatter decades of US policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and infuriate Arab states.

Trump unveiled his surprise plan, without providing specifics, at a joint press conference in Washington on Tuesday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to displace the Palestinians from their land, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The announcement on Gaza followed Mr. Trump’s shock proposal earlier on Tuesday for the permanent resettlement of the more than two million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, calling the enclave — where the first phase of a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal is in effect — a “demolition site.”

Trump urged for Jordan, Egypt and other Arab states to take in Gazans, saying Palestinians there had no alternative but to abandon the coastal strip, which must be rebuilt after nearly 16 months of a devastating war between Israel and Hamas militants.

A UN damage assessment released in January showed that clearing over 50 million tons of rubble left in Gaza in the aftermath of Israel’s bombardment could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion. — Reuters

Trump administration puts on leave USAID staff globally in dramatic aid overhaul

February 5, 2025 | 7:50 pm

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Tuesday announced that it was going to put on leave all directly hired employees of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) globally and recall thousands of personnel working overseas.

“On Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm (EST) all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally,” said an announcement on the USAID web site, which has been down since the weekend.

Some personnel “responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs” were excepted from the move, it said.

USAID’s workforce totals more than 10,000, with about two-thirds of that staff serving overseas, according to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). The agency has more than 60 country and regional missions.

For USAID staff overseas, Washington was preparing a plan in coordination with the State Department and would pay for the return travel of personnel to the United States within 30 days, the announcement said. It added that the USAID leadership was going to consider case-by-case exceptions based on personal hardship or concerns over mobility and safety.

“Thank you for your service,” the announcement finished.

The shocking overhaul, which risks upending the lives of thousands of staff and their families, comes as President Donald Trump moves merge USAID, Washington’s primary humanitarian agency that distributes billions of dollars worth of aid abroad, with the State Department and effectively dismantle the agency as an independent entity.

On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters he was now the acting head of USAID, calling the agency “completely unresponsive” and accusing staff there of being “unwilling to answer simple questions” about programs.

He informed Congress in a letter of the looming reorganization of the agency, saying some parts of USAID might be absorbed by the State Department and the remainder may be abolished.

But because Congress established USAID as an independent establishment within the executive branch, the President does not have the authority to abolish it without congressional authorization, according to a CRS report this week.

TURMOIL
Hundreds of USAID programs covering lifesaving aid across the globe came to a halt after Mr. Trump on Jan. 20 ordered a freeze of most … foreign aid, saying he wanted to ensure it is aligned with his “America First” policy. He tasked billionaire Elon Musk, who has falsely accused USAID of being a “criminal” organization, with scaling down the agency.

The announcement on the USAID website went online hours after State Department officials were told by Peter Marocco, a Trump appointee who was on Monday tasked with overseeing the agency’s operations, that all USAID staff and their families should be recalled, sources said.

Tuesday night’s announcement caps nearly two weeks of mayhem at the agency, where dozens of staff at the headquarters in DC were put on leave and hundreds of internal contractors were laid off. Implementing partners of USAID are facing financial trouble on the back of stop-work orders from the State Department.

Waivers have been issued for some emergency life-saving assistance.

In fiscal year 2023, the United States disbursed $72 billion of aid worldwide on everything from women’s health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security and anti-corruption work. It provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.

The funding, less than 1% of the United States’ total budget, is instrumental in Washington’s effort to build alliances around the world, reinforce its diplomacy and counter the influence of adversaries such as China and Russia in the developing world. — Reuters

India’s Finance ministry asks employees to avoid AI tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek

February 5, 2025 | 7:49 pm

Microsoft-OpenAI-ChatGPT 4 — The logos of Microsoft Corp. and OpenAI, as well as the ChatGPT 4 name, are seen in this photo illustration. — PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JONATHAN RAA/NURPHOTO VIA REUTERS CONNECT

NEW DELHI — India’s Finance ministry has asked its employees to avoid using artificial intelligence (AI) tools including ChatGPT and DeepSeek for official purposes, citing risks posed to confidentiality of government documents and data, an internal department advisory showed.

Countries like Australia and Italy have placed similar restrictions on the use of DeepSeek, citing data security risks. Reports of the advisory surfaced on social media on Tuesday, ahead of a scheduled visit to India by OpenAI chief Sam Altman on Wednesday, when he is also due to meet the IT minister.

“It has been determined that AI tools and AI apps (such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, etc.) in the office computers and devices pose risks for confidentiality of (government) data and documents,” said the advisory by the Indian Finance ministry dated Jan. 29.

Representatives for India’s Finance ministry, ChatGPT-parent OpenAI and DeepSeek did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Three finance ministry officials said the note was genuine and the note was issued internally this week.

Reuters could not immediately confirm whether similar directives have been issued for other Indian ministries.

OpenAI is facing heat in India due to a high-profile copyright infringement battle with the country’s top media houses, and has said in court filings that it does not have its servers in the country and Indian courts should not hear the matter. — Reuters

Singapore says visitor arrivals rise 21% in 2024

February 5, 2025 | 7:49 pm

Singapore-Rain Vortex indoor waterfall — PEOPLE view the Rain Vortex indoor waterfall from a glass-bottomed bridge at Changi Jewel Airport in Singapore on March 7, 2020. — REUTERS

SINGAPORE — Singapore recorded a 21% increase in international visitor arrivals to 16.5 million last year, the highest number since the COVID pandemic, and the tourism board said it expected further growth this year.

Arrivals in 2025 were expected at between 17 million and 18.5 million, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said in a statement on Tuesday, continuing the recovery towards 2019’s pre-pandemic peak of 19.1 million visitors.

The STB said it expected tourist spending in 2024 to be at the upper end of its forecast of S$27.5 billion to S$29.0 billion ($20.3 billion to $21.4 billion), after spending of $$22.4 billion over the first nine months of last year.

If the forecast is realized, tourism receipts would reach a record, surpassing spending of $27.7 billion in 2019.

Mainland China, Indonesia and India were the top markets for arrivals in 2024, while visitors from mainland China, Indonesia, and Australia were the top sources of spending, the STB said.

Changi Airport had a total international seat capacity of over 41 million, which was a 98% recovery to pre-pandemic 2019, the board said. — Reuters

Indonesia economy expands 5% in 2024, headwinds expected this year

February 5, 2025 | 7:48 pm

INDONESIA-Jakarta-Flag — INDONESIAN national flags fly at a business district in Jakarta, Indonesia, Feb. 5, 2021. — REUTERS

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s economy grew 5.03% in 2024, roughly similar to the previous year’s rate and in line with expectations, but the pace was the slowest in three years, official data showed on Wednesday.

Growth in Southeast Asia’s largest economy has hovered around 5% since the COVID-19 pandemic, a solid pace but far behind new President Prabowo Subianto’s 8% target. In 2023, growth was 5.05%.

Last year, economic growth was propped up by spending for political campaigns and elections as well as rising investment, which offset shrinking net exports. Investment growth in 2024, at 4.61% year on year, was the highest in six years.

The outgoing government’s decision to accelerate infrastructure projects also contributed to growth, finishing construction of toll roads and dams before Mr. Prabowo took office in October, Statistics Indonesia data showed.

The growth outlook this year is clouded by the prospect of US tariffs disrupting trade and weakening global demand, the central bank said last month when it downgraded its 2025 growth forecast to a range of 4.7%-5.5% from 4.8%-5.6%.

Bank Indonesia has cut interest rates twice since September, by a total of 50 basis points, to try to stimulate the economy.

Mr. Prabowo’s administration has also launched programs the government believes would boost growth, including providing electricity tariff discounts to bolster purchasing power, free meals for school children, and building affordable housing.

In the fourth quarter, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 5.02% annually, close to the 4.98% median forecast of analysts polled by Reuters and little changed from the 4.95% pace in the third quarter.

Household consumption, which makes up over half of GDP, grew 4.98% on year amid holiday spending, up a touch from a 4.91% growth in the previous quarter.

Investment expanded 5.03% on year in the October-December quarter, compared with 5.15% growth in the previous three months.

On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, GDP rose 0.53% in the fourth quarter from July-September. — Reuters

Musk effect? Tesla sales slump in five European markets in January

February 5, 2025 | 7:47 pm

TESLA posted lower sales across five European countries in January, including the United Kingdom and France, as competitors with newer models gained on the electric vehicle (EV) maker and polls show public opinion souring on Chief Executive Offficer (CEO) Elon Musk.

Mr. Musk has made a high-profile foray into politics, with much of his 2024 dominated by his financial support of Donald Trump, on whom the billionaire CEO spent $250 million in what proved a successful campaign to return to the White House. He has also stirred controversy with his vocal support for far-right parties in Britain and Germany on his social media platform X.

Tesla’s UK sales fell nearly 12% in January, even as monthly Electric Vehicle registrations in Europe’s biggest battery-electric market surged to a record, according to data published by New AutoMotive on Tuesday.

That follows a 63% decline in January sales for Tesla in France, drops of 44% and 38% in Sweden and Norway, and a 42% fall in the Netherlands. In California, the largest US car market with more than 1.7 million vehicle registrations in 2024, Tesla sales fell by 12%.

In 2024, Tesla posted its first-ever annual decline in deliveries, though it is still the leading EV seller in the United States. Mr. Musk said he would soon launch long-awaited cheaper EVs in 2025, and the company has increased its focus on autonomous driving technologies.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on its sales.

The company fell from the No. 2 spot for EV sales in Britain in January 2024 to the No. 7 spot behind Volkswagen, Mercedes and Stellantis’ Peugeot, which all posted higher sales.

Several polls show consumers have mixed views of Musk. A late January survey conducted by EV review website Electrifying.com showed that 59% of British owners of EVs, and those intending to buy such a vehicle, said Musk’s influence would deter them from buying a Tesla.

“Musk’s influence on the brand is becoming increasingly polarizing, pushing many buyers to look elsewhere,” said Electrifying.com CEO Ginny Buckley. “With over 130 mainstream EV models now available in the UK — compared to just 25 in 2020 — competition has never been fiercer and Tesla is already feeling the pressure.”

European politicians have pushed back lately against Mr. Musk’s recent comments, which include the amplification of far-right commentators on X. Some accounts have quit the platform, citing the spread of misinformation. Mr. Musk has dismissed criticism against him as an affront to democracy and free speech.

The Tesla CEO has become a vocal supporter of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of February elections. He recently told an AfD audience just before the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp that Germans should not feel guilt for the sins of their great-grandparents.

The share of Swedes with a positive view of Tesla fell to 11% in a Novus survey conducted after Trump’s inauguration, down from 19% in a similar poll conducted Jan. 15-17, according to Swedish news agency TT. Those with a negative view jumped to 63% from 47%, TT reported.

The chief executive of research group New AutoMotive, Ben Nelmes, told Reuters that Tesla’s problems stem less from Mr. Musk’s actions and more from its failure to launch a new mainstream model since the Model Y in 2020, while rivals, including Chinese EV makers, have fresher products on the market.

“It’s not due to Musk’s views or British motorists’ views about Musk — they stopped innovating after the Model Y,” he said of Tesla.

Despite these factors, the company’s stock has continued to outperform the market, with shares more than doubling over the past year. The stock currently trades with a forward price-to-earnings ratio exceeding 131, ahead of not just legacy carmakers but also high-flying tech stocks with P/E ratios in the 20s, according to LSEG data. — Reuters

Pfister-Dubberstein eyes semis

February 5, 2025 | 7:17 pm

In curling mixed doubles of Asian Winter Games

THE PHILIPPINES’ Marc Pfister and Kathleen Dubberstein smashed Qatar’s Mabarka Al-Abdulla and Nasser Abdulrahman Alyafei, 11-3, on Wednesday to remain unscathed in the curling mixed doubles event of the 9^th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.

The pair of Mr. Pfister, a Fil-Swede, and Ms. Dubberstein, a Fil-Am, bucked a slow start and climbed back from an early 3-0 deficit to claim their third win in a row and closer to snaring the two semis slots.

The unranked tandem was coming off a shock 12-6 triumph over heavily favored Kim Kyeongae and Jihoon Seong of South Korea and a 10-2 win over Keremet Asanbaeva and Ishkhak Abykeev of Kyrgyzstan the day before.

The Filipinos were facing China’s Wang Zhiyu and Han Yu, who were also unbeaten in two starts following victories over Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, last night and are scheduled to battle the Kazakhs in their final group stage match on Thursday.

Pfister and Dubberstein are eyeing to book one of the two slots from the group to the semis slated for Friday.

The No. 1 nation in each bracket will automatically advance to the semis while the other slot will be contested by the second and third-placed teams from each group battling for the last semis slot via crossover format.

If the stars align, the country could end up earning a crack a breakthrough medal in the quadrennial event.

Apart from curling, the country has also fielded entries in short track speed skating, figure skating, alpine and freestyle skiing and snowboarding. — Joey Villar

Unbeaten Creamline faces unpredictable Chery Tiggo

February 5, 2025 | 7:17 pm

CREAMLINE COOL SMASHERS — FACEBOOK.COM/PREMIERVOLLEYBALLLEAGUE

Games on Thursday
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m. – Creamline vs Chery Tiggo
6:30 p.m. – Cignal vs Capital1

CREAMLINE aims to keep its record immaculate as it shoots for win No. 8 against an unpredictable Chery Tiggo on Thursday in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

The Cool Smashers own the lone unbeaten mark after upending the Cignal HD Spikers in a gripping 25-19, 26-24, 23-25, 23-25, 15-9 result Saturday and the former are expected to eye for another win against the Crossovers (5-4) at 4 p.m.

Bernadeth Pons is expected to carry the brunt of the scoring anew after dropping a masterful 27-point effort last game, including clutch hits after clutch hits in the deciding fifth set.

“I just want to be consistent and improve, even if it’s just by one percent,” said the 2024 Reinforced Conference MVP.

Creamline skipper Alyssa Valdez could be a doubtful starter after encountering knee issues that limited her in their last outing.

But knowing the Cool Smashers, winners of a league record 10 championships, they are expected to dig deep from its loaded roster that is headed by Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, Kyle Negrito and Bea de Leon.

The Crossovers, for their part, hope to bounce back from a painful four-set defeat to the ZUS Thunderbelles and reclaim their old spot in the upper half of the standings.

Facing off in the other match of the day at 6:30 p.m. are Cignal (5-3) and Capital1 (1-7). — Joey Villar

Celtics handle Cavaliers in battle of East’s best

February 5, 2025 | 7:14 pm

DERRICK WHITE scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to help the visiting Boston Celtics extend their winning streak to four games with a 112-105 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

White made six of 12 3-point attempts. Four of his 3-pointers came in the fourth.

The Cavaliers trailed 109-104 and had the ball, but Jayson Tatum stole an Evan Mobley pass with 22.4 seconds to play. Tatum scored a team-high 22 points and had seven assists for Boston.

Donovan Mitchell had 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the loss, which dropped Cleveland’s home record to 24-4. Darius Garland added 25 points for the Cavaliers, who received 17 points and 18 rebounds from Jarrett Allen.

Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis had 19 points and seven rebounds. The Celtics also received a 16-point performance from Jaylen Brown.

The game featured the two teams at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The loss ended Cleveland’s four-game winning streak and left the Cavaliers 4 1/2 games ahead of the Celtics.

Neither team shot the ball well. Boston was 40 of 98 from the field (40.8%). Cleveland made 36 of its 91 field-goal attempts (39.6%).

The Celtics led 28-15 after one quarter, 54-44 at halftime and 87-75 entering the final 12 minutes of action.

Boston led by 20 early in the second quarter, but Cleveland was within eight after an Allen dunk sliced Boston’s advantage to 52-44 with 40.1 seconds left in the period. Brown hit a jumper that just beat the first-half buzzer and extended Boston’s lead to 10 points at halftime.

The Cavaliers trailed 73-67 with 3:38 remaining in the third, but the Celtics used a 7-0 spurt to take a 13-point lead with 2:23 left in the quarter.

Cleveland trailed by at least four points for the entirety of the fourth.

Boston has won two of its three games against the Cavaliers this season. The teams will meet again on Feb. 28 in Boston. — Reuters

Kansas City Chiefs preach solidarity in pursuit of first Super Bowl three-peat against Philadelphia

February 5, 2025 | 7:14 pm

NEW ORLEANS — The Kansas City Chiefs are chasing history in their pursuit of a third straight championship when they face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday (Monday, Manila time), but they are neither fixated on the challenge nor intimidated by it.

After defeating the Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII and the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII, the Chiefs could become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.

At Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday, no player or coach shied away from the moment, while also sticking to the company line about focusing on the matter at hand.

“I don’t think I understand truly the weight that this has, what this moment means,” Kansas City cornerback Trent McDuffie said. “I’m trying to live in the moment, take each day as I can, and making sure I’m thankful for having this opportunity.”

How rare is that opportunity? No major US/Canada professional sports franchise (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, WNBA, MLS) has managed three straight league championships in two decades. The last team to achieve it was the Los Angeles Lakers juggernaut spearheaded by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant and coached by Phil Jackson, which won three straight from 2000-02.

Before that, the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000 as the Houston Comets were also winning four in a row (1997-2000) in the WNBA.

Jackson coached Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to a pair of three-peats (1991-93, 1996-98) earlier in the 1990s. The most recent NHL three-peaters were the New York Islanders, who won four in a row from 1980-83.

If you’re counting along, that’s just six teams to do it since 1980, a span of 45 years.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who have been doing this a long time,” Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton said. “We know we’ve got the opportunity. If you get to this point of the year… just put your faith where it belongs and put your best foot forward.”

The Chiefs are already further along in that pursuit than any NFL team has been in the Super Bowl era. No other back-to-back Super Bowl winner has advanced to a third straight Super Bowl since the inception of the game in 1966.

The Green Bay Packers were technically the NFL’s first three winners of straight, from 1929-31 (predating a championship game of any sort), and they repeated the feat from 1965-67, with the first of those championships coming before the advent of the Super Bowl (with no AFL representation). Those legendary Packers, helmed by Vince Lombardi, won the first two Super Bowls against AFL foes to cement the NFL’s second-ever three-peat.

The Canton Bulldogs won two straight championships from 1922-23, but the organization had merged with another franchise to become the Cleveland Bulldogs when it won a third in 1924.

Even in the pre-Super Bowl era, only two other teams made it to the same position as these Chiefs: the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. The Bears won NFL championships in 1940-41 before getting knocked off by Washington in 1942. The Lions earned titles in 1952-53 before losing in the championship game to the Cleveland Browns in ‘54.

The Chiefs may soon be mentioned alongside Lombardi’s Packers, but they know it would take a collective effort, just as it has to get to this point.

“It’s been everybody,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “Blocking field goals, defensive guys getting big stops, scoring touchdowns: That’s what makes a football team special, when everybody has an impact on the final result of the game.” — Reuters

Trump to attend Super Bowl

February 5, 2025 | 7:13 pm

DONALD J. TRUMP will become the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, according to a statement from the US Secret Service on Tuesday.

Mr. Trump will travel to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX and watch the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Extensive planning and coordination have been in place to ensure the safety of all attendees, players and staff,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. “Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting President of the United States will attend the event.”

The city’s safety and security have been a critical topic this week after a man drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street in an act of terror early on the morning of Jan. 1. The Department of Homeland Security said it is working with the NFL to make the Caesars Superdome the “safest place to be” on Sunday, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has 450 personnel in New Orleans to investigate threats and crimes this week.

Trump, whose second presidential term began Jan. 20, also agreed to tape a sit-down interview with Fox, which has the broadcast rights to the game this year. Fox News anchor Brett Baier will interview Trump in Florida sometime before he departs for New Orleans, and it will air during the pregame run-up.

Trump also attended the College Football Playoff national championship game last month in Atlanta. — Reuters