N. Korean missile launch condemned

May 14, 2025 | 8:22 pm

THE PHILIPPINES on Wednesday condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launches, which continues to be a threat to economic progress, peace, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Philippines expresses serious concern and strongly denounces the recent ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The agency added that North Korea’s actions undermine economic progress, peace, and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.

Pyongyang, on May 8, launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, the South Korean military said last week.

“We renew our call on the DPRK to promptly cease these activities and abide by all international obligations, including relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and to commit to peaceful and constructive dialogue,” the DFA said. — Adrian H. Halili

Proclamation of new senators set

May 14, 2025 | 8:21 pm

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it aims to proclaim the twelve new senators by Sunday, which it said is the fastest in the history of all Philippine elections.

Speaking in a post-election briefing, Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the proclamation for winning senators “won’t go on further than this week,” specifically on Sunday.

For party-lists, he said there may be a one-day gap.

“Because [if we can proclaim them by] Sunday, that’s the earliest proclamation in the history of our election,” he added.

He also rejected the idea of an early proclamation for Senate frontrunners.

The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), processed 58 out of 175 certificates of canvass (COCs) when it convened on Tuesday and aimed to canvass 100 on Wednesday.

“The ones that will pour out on the fourth or fifth day… Yesterday was 58. First time. Even if you research history, on the first day of canvassing, 58. In the past, if I remember, nothing was canvassed on the first day,” he said in Filipino.

The polls chief said that while the canvassing might be completed by Thursday, the Comelec would need an additional day or two to prepare the venue and address other logistical concerns for the proclamation ceremony.

In the May 9, 2022 national elections, the Comelec was able to proclaim the 12 winning senators by May 18, 2022. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

No decision yet on new SEC chief

May 14, 2025 | 8:21 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has not yet decided whether he would replace or extend the term of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman as his term ends on June 6, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Wednesday.

Palace Press officer Clarissa A. Castro, in a news briefing at the Palace, also belied a shortlist of five legal luminaries who may replace SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino.

“At this moment, we have not received any information about that. We will give you any updates if there are any,” she said.

She also did not provide a timeline for when Mr. Marcos would name the new chief of the country’s top corporate regulator.

The five people, earlier reported by the Philippine Star, who are in the running towards the SEC leadership are government corporate counsel Solomon M. Hermosura, SEC commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo, former Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporation (GOCC) chairman Cesar L. Villanueva, Romulo Mabanta counsel Susana C. Fong, and Philippine Stock Exchange Chief Operations Officer Roel A. Refran.

The Securities Regulation Code provides that a lawyer should serve as the SEC chairperson.

Mr. Aquino was appointed a commissioner by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2016 and was elevated to chairman in 2018. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

‘Very high’ turnout seen in polls

May 14, 2025 | 8:20 pm

bagong-silang-caloocan-voting-02 — Voters line up at a voting precinct in Barangay Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE 2025 May midterm elections saw a “very high” voter turnout, with particularly strong participation in Mindanao, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said on Wednesday.

In a press conference, PPCRV spokesperson Ana D. Singson said the parish-based watchdog recorded an estimated 80.27% turnout, led by a strong showing in Mindanao — an unlikely figure for a midterm election.

The figure is significantly higher than the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) target of at least 70% voter turnout, out of 68 million registered voters.

“Very high turnout, especially in the southern regions. Usually, voter turnout is not as high, nalalayo siya (it differs) from the presidential election,” Ms. Singson said.

“But this time, we had 80.27% of voters turning up… So, I think that means people are really excited.”

She added that the PPCRV will soon release its full report, allowing the public to see the regional voter turnout data.

In the 2022 presidential elections, the Comelec recorded a voter turnout of 82.6%, or 55.5 million out of 67.4 million registered voters, while a turnout of 75.95% was recorded in 2019.

Political scientist and retired University of the Philippines professor Clarita A. Carlos linked this to the increased youth participation in this election, with many hoping to change the current political landscape.

“The young are sick and tired of the kind of politics we have, and the noise they’re hearing,” Ms. Carlos said in an interview.

“And I guess some part of it may have come from the realization of many that it is their responsibility to really participate. Otherwise, they have no reason, you know, to comment or even critique any of the actions of the government,” she added.

According to COMELEC data, millennials and Gen Z voters account for 60.5% or 41,412,361 of the total 68,431,965 registered voters in the 2025 midterm elections.

Meanwhile, Ms. Singson called for more volunteers to join the PPCRV as more physical copies of election returns (ERs) arrive for the unofficial parallel count.

During this process, the PPCRV compares the physical ERs it receives with the digital ERs transmitted from the precincts.

The PPCRV currently holds 11,860 physical ERs, or 12.71% of the total, and the watchdog expects more to come, Ms. Singson said. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

PSALM remits P377.5M in 2024

May 14, 2025 | 8:20 pm

STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) said it remitted a total of P377.51 million last year in a program intended to compensate communities and local government units (LGUs) hosting energy projects.

PSALM released P46.08 million in Energy Regulation (ER) 1-94 program and P241.72 million in Share in the National Wealth (SNW), the firm said in a statement on Tuesday.

ER No. 1-94 is a program intended to make sure that host communities get a reasonable share of the profit from power plants operating in their area.

Meanwhile, under the Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, an LGU is entitled to receive an equitable share in the proceeds from the utilization and development of national wealth within their jurisdictions.

For PSALM, these proceeds come from 1% of the gross sales or receipts from the preceding calendar year. These funds, known as SNW, are intended to directly benefit the inhabitants of host communities.

Financial benefits from the ER 1-94 program were sourced from the Agus and Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plants (HEPPs), as well as the Sual, Pagbilao, and Bakun power plants under independent power producer administrator (IPPA) arrangements.

On the other hand, SNW proceeds came from the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power Plants, Agus and Pulangi HEPPs, and the Bakun and San Roque power plants under IPPA deals. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Japan, Manila eye deeper ICT ties

May 14, 2025 | 8:19 pm

DICT_ Aguda -Kazuya — EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN THE PHILIPPINES FB PAGE

TOKYO and Manila said that they are seeking to deepen collaboration in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), following a meeting between the Japanese envoy and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda.

“Both Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Secretary Aguda expressed readiness to collaborate more closely in advancing the strong economic relations between Japan and the Philippines through more comprehensive cooperation in ICT,” the Japanese Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr. Endo said that the Japanese government has introduced various public and private initiatives in ICT advancement, including the Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), cybersecurity, undersea cables, and digital terrestrial broadcasting systems.

“He also expressed Japan’s continued cooperation for the advancement of ICT in the Philippines,” the embassy said.

Mr. Aguda said that the Philippines is seeking to find “more avenues for cooperation” from Japan to support the Philippines’ digitalization goals. — Adrian H. Halili

Poll body stalls winning Benguet lawmaker’s proclamation

May 14, 2025 | 8:19 pm

BAGUIO CITY — Re-elected Benguet lawmaker Eric Go Yap’s proclamation was suspended by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following a reportedly “rehashed” disqualification case regarding his citizenship.

Mr. Yap won the Benguet lone congressional district’s race by a landslide, garnering 144,093 votes over vice-governor Ericson Felipe, who got 62,371 votes, Jerome Wakat with 765 votes, and Bok Mistah Siddayo with 312.

“In view of the foregoing, the Commision second division orders the suspension of the proclamation of respondent Eric Go Yap as Representative of Lone District of Benguet. The suspension of the proclamation shall be effective until further of the commission,” the order stated, as read by Comelec-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Vanessa Roncal.

Mr. Yap said he remains unfazed by the “recycled citizenship issue.” “What’s important is that we won. There’s nothing to be worried about because the committee has yet to decide on the petition, considering the number of disqualification cases filed,” Mr. Yap confidently said in mixed English and Filipino.

The lawmaker added that the citizenship issue has long been resolved when he ran as Benguet congressman after he was appointed as legislative caretaker, following the death of the Rep. Nestor Fongwan Sr. in 2020.

“The issue of my citizenship has been dealt with in 2021,” added Mr. Yap. “Temporarily, they suspended my proclamation pending decision, but then we filed our response and submitted my birth certificate… Nothing will change. We’ll just have to wait for Comelec’s decision,” Mr. Yap assured.

Mr. Yap’s closest rival, Mr. Felipe, is also facing a disqualification case for abuse of government resources when he allegedly used a government-issued vehicle for his campaign sorties. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Wanted NPA leader killed in Surigao del Sur clash

May 14, 2025 | 8:19 pm

COTABATO CITY — The Army’s 10_th Infantry Division lauded on Tuesday local executives and leaders of indigenous tribes for helping locate a New People’s Army (NPA) official wanted for 23 criminal cases, who was killed in an encounter last weekend in Lingig town in Surigao del Sur.

The chief of the NPA’s self-styled Sentro de Grabidad-Southern Mindanao Regional Committee died from multiple bullet wounds he sustained when he and his companions traded shots with personnel of the Army’s 67^th Infantry Battalion in Sitio Mendezona in Barangay Rajah Cabungsuan in Lingig.

Local executives and police officials had confirmed that he was wanted for multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, arson, armed robbery, extortion and narcotics trafficking cases that are pending in different courts in regions 10, 11, and 13.

Army Major Gen. Allan D. Hambala, commander of the 10^th Infantry Division, told reporters on Tuesday that it was from local executives in Surigao del Sur province that officials of the 67^th IB had learned of the presence of the NPA leader and his followers.

Local officials were quoted in Tuesday’s radio reports in Central Mindanao as saying that his followers scampered away when they ran out of ammunition, leaving him behind. — John Felix M. Unson

Bulldogs force winner-take-all Game 3 in UAAP men’s volleyball

May 14, 2025 | 8:12 pm

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS — UAAP/JOAQUI FLORES & JULIUS DOMONDON

VENGEFUL National University (NU) turned back Far Eastern University (FEU) with a stellar comeback in the clutch, 25-22, 20-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, to force a winner-take-all Game 3 in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball finals on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

On the brink of being dethroned from their long-time kingdom, the NU Bulldogs unleashed a staggering 10-3 finishing bite capped by Jade Disquitado’s thunderous block on the FEU Tamaraws’ top gun Dryx Saavedra to complete the Game 2 comeback and tie things up at 1-1.

NU, with a new lease on life and now smelling blood, shoots for its fifth straight title on Saturday at the same venue.

Coach Dante Alinsunurin, leaning on the composure of his battle-scarred wards that has lorded over the league since 2018.

Veteran spiker Buds Buddin, who just came back from an ankle injury in the playoffs, rediscovered his fiery form with 20 points on 20 hits, including three in the decider, to lead NU’s retaliation after a 25-22, 22-25, 25-13, 22-25, 13-15 loss in Game 1.

That defeat was the Bulldogs’ first since 2017, boasting an unbeaten reign in eight straight finals games for a lasting dynasty.

Not this time around as NU drew ample support from Congolese middle blocker Obed Mukaba, who also came big with three points in the fifth set for a total output of 20 as well as Leo Ordiales and Leo Aringo with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Mr. Buddin did, anchoring NU’s ship in the rocky rubber after nearly blowing a 2-1 set lead like in Game 1 that proved as a stark contrast to FEU.

As the Bulldogs flashed steely resolve from a huge deficit, the Tamaraws folded under pressure by committing five errors in the decider alone -— with four coming in the most crucial stretch after building a comfortable 8-5 lead.

Game 1 heroes Mr. Saavedra (24) and Amet Bituin (10) had their usual numbers but the Tamaraws still fell short of winning their first title since Season 74 (2012) — at least for now.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University’s Ken Batas captured the Season MVP plum while JJ Macam of University of Santo Tomas (UST) was the Rookie of the Year. The two also won Best Outside Spikers alongside other season awardees Popoy Colinares (UST) and Leo Coguimbal (Adamson University) as Best Middle Blockers, Amil Pacinio (Ateneo) as Best Opposite Spiker, Dux Yambao (UST) as Best Setter and Menard Guerrero (De La Salle University) as Best Libero. — John Bryan Ulanday

WGM Frayna keeps her World Cup bid alive by beating WGM Khalilova

May 14, 2025 | 8:11 pm

THE Philippines’ Janelle Mae Frayna resuscitated her World Cup bid by blasting Uzbekistan’s Madinabonu Khalilova in the seventh round of the Asian Individual Chess Championships in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old many-time national women’s champion showed pin precision in mangling Kalilova’s Sicilian Defense and tore down brick by brick the latter’s kingside defense with a decisive mating attack.

When it was over, the enlisted Army personnel from Albay were set to checkmate her befuddled Uzbek foe or win material before the latter resigned in 39 moves.

The propelled Frayna, whose trip is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, back into the top 10 as she shared sixth spot with six others with five points, or just a point off pace setters Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Seshadri Srija of India and Bat-Erdene Mangunzul of Mongolia.

But for her to have a legitimate shot at snaring one of the two tickets to the Women’s World Cup set July 5 to 29 in Batumi, Georgia, she must sweep her last two foes, including against fourth-seeded Chinese International Master Song Yuxin in the eighth and penultimate round.

Frayna is the country’s last hope at having a representative to Batumi as teammates Marie Antoinette San Diego, Bernadette Galas and Jan Jodilyn Fronda in her division and Pau Bersamina, Jem Garcia and Grandmaster Daniel Quizon have fallen by the wayside and virtually out of contention. — Joey Villar

Pacers escape 19-pt hole; KO Cavaliers in Game 5

May 14, 2025 | 8:09 pm

TYRESE HALIBURTON scored 31 points and dished out eight assists as the Indiana Pacers eliminated the host Cleveland Cavaliers with a 114-105 decision in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday.

Pascal Siakam put up 21 points for fourth-seeded Indiana, which overcame a 19-point point deficit while closing out the best-of-seven series.

“We’re talking about eight more wins for an NBA championship,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “The league is wide open this year. We’ve just got to keep believing.”

Indiana has qualified for back-to-back trips to the Eastern finals for the first time since 2013-2014, when it lost to the Miami Heat twice. The Pacers were beaten by the eventual champion Boston Celtics last season.

“We’re happy to go to the conference finals, but we want the whole thing this year,” Indiana’s Myles Turner said.

Donovan Mitchell posted 35 points and nine rebounds while playing with a sprained left ankle and sore calf for top-seeded Cleveland, which lost all three home games in the series. Evan Mobley added 24 points and 11 rebounds but a team that went 64-18 in the regular season was sent home.

“They were the better team. They deserved it and played great,” Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. “They wore us down. I thought we were built for it, but we weren’t ready for that.”

“The season was not a success in terms of where our goal was. Success would be going to the conference finals, but we didn’t do that. Quite honestly, I expected more coming off the Miami series (a four-game sweep). Now, we’ve got to figure out the next piece.”

After the Cavaliers went up 44-25 early in the second quarter, Haliburton scored 22 points and drained six 3-pointers during an epic 55-24 burst that put the Pacers up 80-68 with 1:50 remaining in the third.

Cleveland got as close as 98-97 with 5:03 left in the fourth on a Mitchell 3-pointer, but Andrew Nembhard answered with a 3-pointer and Haliburton made a three-point play. Haliburton wound up 10 of 15 from the field, including 6 of 10 on 3-point attempts.

Nembhard finished with 18 points and six assists, Aaron Nesmith collected 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Turner had 10 points and four blocked shots for Indiana. The Pacers held the Cavaliers to a 9-of-35 shooting (25.7%) from beyond the arc.

“We had a lot of confidence in what we did last year, even though a lot of people didn’t,” Haliburton said of again reaching the conference finals.

Cleveland All-Star guard Darius Garland had 11 points on 4-of-16 shooting and Max Strus missed all nine of his field-goal attempts. They combined to miss all 12 of their 3-point tries while committing eight fouls.

Mitchell was aggressive from the tip, scoring 13 points and making 7 of 8 free throws as the Cavaliers went up 31-19 after the first.

Haliburton sank five 3-pointers in a 27-12 run to end the first half, bringing the Pacers within 56-52. Haliburton had 17 points at the break, while Mitchell topped Cleveland with 16.

“If we got one when we were up 20 (in Game 2), the series looks a lot different,” Mobley said, referencing a 120-119 home loss. “You have to win the ones you can, and when you’re up 20, these are the ones you have to win.”

“We didn’t start out the best in Game 1, then we got hurt and everything went downhill. We’ve got to be mentally stronger from the jump.”

Mitchell added, “We just didn’t get the job done. Nothing else needs to be said.”

“We let the city down. We let each other down. I believe in this team. That’s what just sucks. We’re a good team, but ultimately for three (home) games, we don’t seem it.” — Reuters

Mavericks unlikely to trade away ‘gift’ of No. 1 pick

May 14, 2025 | 8:09 pm

Having beaten long odds to win the top pick in next month’s NBA draft — and blessed with an obvious candidate to become the No. 1 selection — the Dallas Mavericks reportedly aren’t planning to use it as a trade chip.

The Mavericks have their sights set on 18-year-old forward Cooper Flagg, who led Duke to the Final Four in his only season with the Blue Devils, as ESPN on Tuesday cited sources that indicated Dallas isn’t interested in trading the pick.

Patrick Dumont, the Mavericks’ representative on the NBA’s Board of Governors, appears to have the final say on personnel matters, sources said, and he looks upon the 6-foot-8 Flagg, who piled up numerous awards at Duke, as a “gift.”

If Flagg’s prowess and promise weren’t enough of a lure for the franchise — especially general manager Nico Harrison — that traded away superstar Luke Doncic, Dallas no longer controls its first-round draft selections from 2027-30. That draft capital went toward building the roster that advanced to the 2024 NBA Finals.

Flagg, a first-team All-American, also won the Wooden Award as the nation’s top collegiate player and the Associated Press’ national player of the year. At Duke, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He shot 48.1% from the floor, including 38.5% on 3-pointers.

Said Mavericks Chief Executive Officer Rick Welts of Flagg: “I don’t know who we’re going to take, but should we take him, I think his résumé is pretty strong. Every time he’s put in a situation that everyone wondered if he could succeed, he’s succeeded and then some.”

Dallas had just a 1.8% chance to win the top pick during the NBA’s draft lottery, which was conducted on Monday. The draft will be held June 25-26 in New York. — Reuters