Mindanao general named new army chief by Duterte

May 16, 2021 | 7:39 pm

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed a general from Mindanao as his new Army chief, according to the presidential palace.

Major General Andres C. Centino, commander of the Fourth Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, will replace Lieutenant General Jose Faustino, Jr. presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement on Sunday.

“We are confident that Major General Centino will continue the initiatives to professionalize and modernize the principal branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while building the gains to serve our people and secure our land,” he said.

Mr. Centino had also served as deputy chief of staff for operations of the Armed Forces.

Senator Panfilo M. Lacson had questioned the appointment of Mr. Faustino in February, saying he had been in active service for less than a year.

Mr. Centino belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Maringal Class of 1988. He profiled more than 400 Maoist rebels since an anti-communist task force was formed in 2018, according to a report by state media. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Stimulus package, Charter change to be prioritized

May 16, 2021 | 7:38 pm

CONGRESSMEN will discuss priority measures with senators including a third stimulus package amid a coronavirus pandemic.

“We need to make sure that we have economic stimulus laws to help our country bounce back better from this pandemic,” House of Representatives Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco said in a statement on Sunday. “The House is ready to sit down with the Senate to make sure that these measures become laws before we adjourn.”

Congress only has three weeks to work on legislation before it adjourns sine die on June 5.

The House will also prioritize proposed changes to the Constitution, amnesty to rebels and the creation of a Virology Science and Technology Institute, it said in social media post. — Gillian M. Cortez

Cash aid proponent says community-led food banks a valuable part of pandemic response

May 16, 2021 | 7:38 pm

Community-pantry — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE LEGISLATOR who is pushing for an across-the-board cash aid for Filipinos supports the emergence of community pantries, saying these initiatives contribute to an “all hands-on deck” response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Let the private sector continue to do what they’re doing well — such as setting up and maintaining community pantries. The roles of the private sector and the national government in battling the effects of the pandemic should always be complementary,” Marikina City Representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo said in a Viber message to BusinessWorld.

Ms. Quimbo is the key proponent of the Bayanihan to Arise as One Act or House Bill 8628 alongside House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco. The measure — which would provide P420 billion to help families and businesses — is pending before the House Committee on Appropriations and will be a priority when Congress resumes sessions this week.

The proposed law will grant P2,000 cash aid to each Filipino regardless of income status as everyone has been affected by the pandemic, Ms. Quimbo said in a previous television interview.

Asian Institute of Management economist John Paolo R. Rivera agrees on the value of community pantries and how these can teach the government on strategizing aid disbursements efficiently during the crisis.

“Government can learn from this through the reminder community pantries convey — ensure that resources are immediately distributed to those most in need, to those in the fringes of society. Bureaucratic processes do not work in all situations,” Mr. Rivera said in a Viber message.

The country’s first community pantry was set up in Quezon City by Anna Patricia Non in mid-March, and has since been replicated in many other parts of the country. The give-and-take idea is simple: Allow people to get goods according to their needs while encouraging those who have the resources to contribute what they can.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said people should just wait for government aid instead of lining up at community pantries, which could pose health threats.

Ms. Quimbo, on the other hand, said while the government continues to carry out its role in addressing the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to Filipino lives and livelihood, officials should at the same time support community pantry initiatives as these provide for the needs of the vulnerable.

“Government can encourage more private sector participation by providing community pantry efforts with security, orderliness, and even supply sourcing. Government media oracles can also announce where donations can be made,” she said.

Mr. Rivera said support to these food banks does not mean relaxing on the delivery of social aid, which is primarily the government’s responsibility. “Government has all the machinery. It should not settle on community pantries that are driven by donations,” he said.

He added that cash is still the more effective means for helping the most vulnerable groups.

“Cash aid is more effective in assisting poor households because it gives them the liberty to buy their needs rather than a basket that may contain things they do not need, which are wasteful. Cash aid is also effective in stimulating the economy because it also feeds in through businesses,” Mr. Rivera said. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Bill filed on cash aid for pregnant informal sector workers

May 16, 2021 | 7:37 pm

A SENATOR filed a measure last week seeking to provide cash aid for pregnant workers in the informal sector.

Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel filed Senate Bill No. 2175 or the Maternity Benefit for Women in the Informal Economy Act of 2021, which will build on Republic Act No. 11210 or the Expanded Maternity Leave Law.

In a statement on Sunday, she said the measure is a “necessary upgrade” to the maternity leave law to benefit more mothers and infants.

The crisis prompted by the coronavirus, she said, has forced everyone in the household to contribute.

“Kaya tuloy napakaraming mga buntis ang patuloy sa pagkayod, kahit pa sa ilalim ng (That’s why so many pregnant women continue to work even under the) informal economy” where there are no maternity benefits, she said.

Under the bill, pregnant workers in the informal sector who are not members of the Social Security System will receive a one-time maternity cash aid through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The proposed amount would be equivalent to the minimum wage in the beneficiary’s region multiplied by 22 days.

The cash aid will be funded through revenues from excise taxes on sweetened beverages, alcohol, tobacco and vapor products and may be augmented by appropriations in the national budget.

Ms. Baraquel said this would also be an “economic booster” as it will provide additional cash to families as well as offset the cost of poor health among infants.

“A maternity benefit for women workers in the informal economy is not just a social justice measure and an important way to address the multiple burdens and increased vulnerabilities of women who are also mothers and informal workers, it also leads to demonstrable and quantifiable health outcomes at the population level,” the explanatory note of the bill read. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

House to tackle magistrate’s impeachment on Monday

May 16, 2021 | 7:35 pm

HOUSE Majority leader Martin G. Romualdez said his committee will immediately act on the proposal to impeach Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen upon orders of the House Speaker as session resumes today.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr. Romualdez said the House Committee on Rules will prioritize the discussion of the impeachment endorsement of House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco.

“Last March 25, Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco transmitted the impeachment complaint filed by Mr. Edwin M. Cordevilla and endorsed by Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba to our committee. We will act on it and include it in the order of business.”

He added that he “vowed to include in the order of business for referral to the House Committee on Justice.”

Mr. Leonen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The impeachment complaint was filed against the magistrate last December, citing delays in the disposal and resolution of cases and his failure to submit his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

The impeachment of a President-appointed official requires one third of the House of Representatives voting in favor of the removal, and two thirds of the Senate. — Gillian M. Cortez

Senator calls for extension of fund validity, citing low utilization of transport sector aid

May 16, 2021 | 7:32 pm

A SENATOR on Sunday sought the extension of the validity of Bayanihan II funds until yearend, citing a report on the low utilization of allocations for transport sector workers who lost their livelihood due to the pandemic.

In a statement, Senator Francis N. Pangilinan said only P40 million or 1% of the P5.58 billion budget for the Service Contracting Program has been used.

The contracting program aims to give income to displaced public utility vehicle drivers by hiring them, through the Department of Transportation, to provide free transport services to health care and other frontline workers.

“May perang nilaan ang Kongreso para sa ating mga jeepney drivers tapos nakikita natin silang namamalimos sa kalye. Mali yan. Gamitin na ang pondong nilaan para sa kanila (There is money allocated by Congress for our jeepney drivers then we see them begging in the streets. That’s wrong. The funds for them must be immediately used),” he said.

The Bayanihan II law, which provided P165.5 billion as government response to the pandemic, is set to expire on June 30.

Mr. Pangilinan said the proposed extension until Dec. 31 will allow the Transportation department and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board “to systematize and speed up the processes of rolling out the program.” — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Bill on bank account for every Filipino to be filed this week

May 16, 2021 | 7:32 pm

THE PROPOSED law that will require the government to provide a bank account to every citizen will be filed this week, its proponent Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said. “This is the fastest way to promote financial inclusion in our country,” he said in a phone interview.

Mr. Gatchalian cited that the pandemic has underscored the importance of universal access to financial services as it will ease the delivery of government aid.

“The fastest way really is to remit the assistance electronically and in order to do that, we have to make sure that everyone has a bank account. That’s the most basic,” he said.

Under the bill that he will file, state-run institutions Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines will provide the accounts to the public.

Mr. Gatchalian said he wants the application for a bank account to be tied with the rollout of the National ID, the details of which can be provided under the implementing rules and regulations if the measure is passed into law.

“We’re just tying up some loose ends. Hopefully our senators will see some benefits out of it especially nga ito ngang (such times as this) pandemic and hopefully before the end of the term of the President, we can approve it,” he said.

The Central Bank in July 2020 said about 51.2 million adults in the country do not have bank accounts. The Philippine Statistics Authority projects a population of about 142 million by 2045. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Samal gov’t tells resorts to invest in facilities after gender discrimination incident

May 16, 2021 | 7:30 pm

SAMAL Mayor Al David T. Uy called on tourism establishments to ensure that they have suitable and enough facilities that will cater to everyone following an alleged discrimination incident between a transgender woman and the management of a popular beach resort last week.

“Well, the world is changing and we need to adopt also. The respect should be there always,” he said in a phone interview.

The mayor said the island’s city council is now looking into drafting an ordinance against discrimination.

“As of now our city council is studying it and I think they have plans to craft a local ordinance since the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression) bill is still being debated in the Congress,” Mr. Uy said.

Isla Reta Beach Resort came under fire last week after Shannon Remotigue Gonzaga, a transgender woman, narrated on her Facebook account her disappointment over the resort for prohibiting her to use the bathroom for women.

In response, resort owner Mario Reta issued a statement announcing that they will no longer accommodate transgenders due to the lack of facilities for them. The statement prompted further criticisms over social media.

“The incident was very unfortunate, it could have been handled properly with cooler heads. It really created firestorm in social media,” the mayor said.

Department of Tourism-Davao Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan, meanwhile, said tourism establishments must abide by existing laws on gender and development.

She also said the Tourism department is an advocate of gender equality and mainstreaming, and does not tolerate any form of gender-based harassment nor discrimination. — Maya M. Padillo

New Balance PH spotlights perseverance in sports and beyond amid the pandemic

May 16, 2021 | 7:18 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

NOW more than ever, perseverance is needed.

This is at the center of sports and lifestyle products retailer MAP Active Philippines, Inc.’s latest advocacy, through its banner brand New Balance, #WeGotNow PH.

Officially announced on May 12, the advocacy seeks to focus on inspiring stories from the sporting community to foster that “moving forward” mind-set amid the tough challenges presented by the pandemic.

“This pandemic held sports to a standstill. However, our sports community has shown great resilience and grit to keep optimistic and productive despite the challenges and took action to progress it in its own creative ways,” shared Sugar Meneses, MAP Active marketing director at the online announcement of their campaign.

“The WeGotNow PH Advocacy is dedicated to our sports community which has been proactive and made positive contributions for sports and different causes. By sharing the stories of our #WeGotNow PH heroes, we hope that others will take on the challenge of trying to make the most of the moment to make a difference for good.”

To help in its advocacy, which also has New Balance donating over P2-million worth of new basketball shoes to underserved but deserving communities nationwide, the shoe brand partnered with like-minded sports leaders as its advocacy heroes.

They are Jose Rizal University men’s basketball coach Louie Gonzalez, former Universal Reality Combat Championship women’s champion Geli Bulaong, and Ateneo de Davao athletics director Noli Ayo.

All three shared that the pandemic initially slowed down effectively their thrusts for their respective causes but eventually they found their footing to push ahead and find ways to bring their message across.

“This pandemic did not stop me from imparting my knowledge to other trainers and coaches. By pushing basketball-related content out, I was able to encourage fellow coaches to be positive and see the situation as an opportunity to improve and plan,” said Mr. Gonzalez, who has been active on social media with the LGONZ Corner, a Facebook coaching group he created which now boasts of almost 1,500 active member coaches both local and foreign.

“I stepped up hoping that in my own little way, I could inspire these trainers and coaches and at the same time, encourage them to be there for their family and athletes who need them most. We need to engage and connect with each other; to fight anxiety by promoting an active lifestyle through home workouts and training.”

The same goes for Ms. Bulaong, who along with four-time World Jiujitsu Champion Meggie Ochoa is staying the course amid the pandemic on raising awareness on safeguarding children by way of sports like jiujitsu and muay thai through their advocacy Fight To Protect.

Mr. Ayo, meanwhile, found a way to keep sports going by creating spaces for athletes, coaches, sports leaders and experts to connect and learn from each other during the pandemic. His Moving Wonders Forward learning program has grown and spun similar initiatives made by the close to 200 regular attendees of the learning sessions. He has also gone on to lead dozens of online sports leadership projects down South.

Inspiring stories like these are what New Balance wants to put front and center to underscore one not to be swamped by the challenges and instead to dig deep in pursuing their passion be they in sports or life in general.

“We believe in the power of now to take action — to help the sports community and inspire our fellow Filipinos. And that’s why we are doing what we can in our own small way to provide a little hope in this trying time,” said Ms. Meneses.

For more information on New Balance’s #WeGotNow PH campaign visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NewBalancePhilippines/.

Some PBA teams girding for return to practices in NCR

May 16, 2021 | 7:18 pm

PBA-Images5-(2) — IF plans push through, Philippine Basketball Association teams could return to practices within the National Capital Region beginning this week. — PBA IMAGES

IF plans push through, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams could return to practices within the National Capital Region (NCR) beginning this week.

Following the government’s announcement last week that NCR and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna would revert under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) setup from May 15 to 31 from Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine, some teams began moves to have their practices held in Metro Manila.

Said teams have already applied for permission in various local government units (LGUs) their training venues are located to allow them to proceed.

Earlier, the PBA secured the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to resume practices in GCQ areas as it positions to start its delayed Season 46.

It made arrangements with the LGU of Batangas City for the area to serve as host for the practices of at least half a dozen teams while other squads eyed GCQ areas up North to train.

But with NCR and nearby areas going back to GCQ, some teams reportedly were eyeing to stay within Metro Manila.

“Everyone’s happy hearing the news of Metro Manila shifting to GCQ. They just need to get LGU permits and Metro Manila training is a go,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial was quoted as saying by the league’s official website.

Among the activities PBA ball clubs are allowed to do upon their return in an NCR training are 5-on-5 scrimmages, in line with the resolution issued by the IATF.

They are also expected to adhere to the guidelines under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) collectively issued by the Games and Amusements Board, Philippine Sports Commission, and Department of Health.

Teams are also required to have the necessary coronavirus tests for all participants.

But while teams have the option to train within Metro Manila, the league is still allowing them to have their training elsewhere in the country as long as it is under GCQ.

The Meralco Bolts, for instance, are already in Ilocos Norte for their 10-day training.

The PBA is banking on the successful holding of the practices as it pushes to get its new season going,

PBA Season 46 was supposed to start on April 18 until it was deferred to a still-to-be-determined date because of a spike in coronavirus cases and the heightened restrictions issued after.

The league got a breakthrough in its push to start when the IATF recently approved its proposal for a resumption of training.

It is now looking at a possible June opening of the season but is focusing first on having a successful holding of training of the teams to show that the staging of PBA games can be done in a safe manner amid prevailing conditions.

“We’ll try our very best first to keep everybody safe and protected while doing the scrimmages in the next few weeks. We’ll start from there,” said Mr. Marcial.

Last year, the PBA was only able to stage one conference amid the pandemic, holding the Philippine Cup in a “bubble” setting at Clark City in Angeles, Pampanga.

The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings were crowned as champions. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

LeBron James and Anthony Davis fuel Los Angeles Lakers win vs Indiana Pacers

May 16, 2021 | 7:17 pm

LEBRON James scored seven consecutive points over a one-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter to help the Los Angeles (LA) Lakers record a 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday in Indianapolis.

James, playing his first game since May 2 and just his third since March 20, finished with 24 points, a team-high eight assists and seven rebounds. Anthony Davis collected 28 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Lakers (41-30), who entered play a half-game behind the Portland Trail Blazers for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Western Conference. Los Angeles closes the regular season on Sunday in New Orleans.

The Lakers took care of business in the first half of the weekend back to back, leading Indiana (33-38) almost the entire way. But behind Caris LeVert’s 28 points and game-high 12 assists, the Pacers battled back from a deficit of as many as 14 points to pull within a single possession late in the fourth quarter.

LeVert hit a jumper with a little more than three minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to three points. James, who missed his first three 3-point attempts, responded with a successful shot from beyond the arc on a step-back off a ball screen.

That 3-pointer ignited James to seven consecutive points, pushing the Lakers’ lead back to eight points with 1:43 remaining. Indiana could not draw any closer than five points for the rest of the way.

Los Angeles’ Dennis Schröder scored 14 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13, Talen Horton-Tucker had 11 and Andre Drummond finished with 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. — Reuters

Arjan Bhullar dethrones Brandon Vera as ONE world heavyweight champion

May 16, 2021 | 7:16 pm

ONE-photo — INDIA’S Arjan Bhullar is the new ONE world heavyweight champion

ONE Championship has a new world heavyweight champion as Indian wrestling champ Arjan “Singh” Bhullar dethroned Filipino-American Brandon “The Truth” Vera in their title clash at “ONE: Dangal” in Singapore on Saturday.

Mr. Bhullar fashioned out an impressive second-round technical knockout (TKO) win to become his country’s first mixed martial arts (MMA) world champion.

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist was on top of things right from the opening bell.

He stifled Mr. Vera with feints and strikes, freezing the Filipino-American on his feet and making him hesitant to engage. He then took his opponent down toward the end of the opening frame and controlled him on the mat.

In the second round, Mr. Bhullar continued with his attack, eventually landing an overhand right that sent Mr. Vera reeling toward the Circle wall. Mr. Bhullar followed it up with more right hands and body shots that left Mr. Vera gasping for air.

Mr. Vera tried to survive the round but Mr. Bhullar would not allow him to, bringing the contest down the mat and pounding on Mr. Vera en route to the TKO victory.

The win took Mr. Bhullar’s record to 11-1 (2-0 in ONE) and, more importantly, became the top fighter in the promotion in his division.

He said that he hopes his fellow Indians will be inspired by his victory and look at MMA as something they can excel in and maybe pick it up.

For Mr. Vera (16-9), the defeat saw his five-year reign as ONE heavyweight champ come to an end.

He admitted that he was disappointed with his performance and could not explain why he struggled with his stamina despite the preparation that they had.

Mr. Vera though vowed to come back stronger and better and hopeful to be given a shot to reclaim the title.

In the co-main event, muay thai phenom Tawanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym made his promotional debut and dominated Sean “Clubber” Clancy of Ireland to win by knockout in round three.

Also, Vietnamese-American Bi “Killer Bee” Nguyen took home a hard-earned victory over Indian wrestling star Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat in their women’s atomweight contest, winning by razor-thin split decision after three rounds.

Next for ONE Championship is “ONE: Empower” on May 28, which will feature an all-women fight card. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo