All Bayanihan II funds released, line agencies given until mid-July to report use — Palace

July 6, 2021 | 7:41 pm

sap-financial-aid — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

ALL FUNDS under the country’s second stimulus law, known as the Bayanihan II that expired on June 30, were released to line agencies, according to the presidential palace.

Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. on Tuesday said the agencies were given until mid-July to submit their utilization reports to the Budget department.

“First of all, all the funds under Bayanihan II, according to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, were released to line agencies,” he told a televised news briefing.

He said the Palace would only be able to confirm how much of the allocations from Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act Bayanihan (Bayahihan II) would be reverted back to the national treasury on July 15.

Signed in September last year, the Bayanihan II provided a P165.5-billion fund for the pandemic response, including support to priority sectors such as healthcare and small businesses, among others.

Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo earlier expressed disappointment over the unspent funds under the Bayanihan II law, saying the funds could have been used to boost the country’s response to the prolonged pandemic.

“I ask the vice president, who is an economist, to please, let’s wait for data before we make conclusions,” Mr. Roque said, reacting to Ms. Robredo’s statement.

Some lawmakers also flagged the slow utilization of funds under the second pandemic response law.

House Ways and Means Chair Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda cited that only about P1 billion of the P5.5-billion service contracting program of the Transport department under the Bayanihan II were distributed to service contractors more than nine months since the law was signed.

Mr. Roque last month said about P9 billion from the second stimulus law remained unused. President Rodrigo R. Duterte did not call for a special session to extend the law’s validity. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

BI warns foreigners vs immigration services scam

July 6, 2021 | 7:40 pm

BI-Davaoairport-BIDAVAODISTRICTOFFICE — BIR DAVAO DISTRICT OFFICE

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) has warned foreigners against a Philippine-based company allegedly offering services for assistance at airports and obtaining documentary requirements.

In a news release on Tuesday, BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said he obtained a copy of a document from the company which shows a breakdown of the fees for various services.

“This company is allegedly charging P5,000 as Airport Assistance Fee, another P5,000 for processing fee, and P20,000 for a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Invitation Letter,” Mr. Morente said.

“It seems that this company is using the name of government agencies to be able to charge such high rates,” he added.

Mr. Morente clarified that the bureau does not collect any immigration assistance fees.

“It is disheartening to see reports of syndicates who are taking advantage of other people by using the name of government offices,” he said.

Mr. Morente further reminded the public to be “wary of falling prey to these scammers” and to “(i)mmediately report to the authorities if you encounter such modus.”

He added that the BI is now reviewing the case and studying possible legal actions against the said company. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

House launches video project highlighting achievements

July 6, 2021 | 7:40 pm

House-congress-Philstar-e1591274780658 — PHILSTAR

MEMBERS of the House of Representatives allied with President Rodrigo R. Duterte are giving themselves a pat on the back through a video project that highlights achievements in the past five years.

“Most of our colleagues in Congress agree that we should give credit where it’s due, and the truth is that there were a lot of key legislative measures enacted during (Mr. Duterte’s) term,” House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco, who spearheaded the campaign, said in a post on the House’s social media account.

House lawmakers who belong to the supermajority coalition were tasked to produce 60- to 90-second videos showing the priority programs implemented in their respective districts since 2016.

“Members of Congress whole-heartedly embraced this project, as they are sincerely thankful to the President in his help with programs that greatly benefited their constituents in their respective districts,” Mr. Velasco said.

He cited that among the important legislations passed under the Duterte administration include the Universal Health Care Law, free tertiary education, expanded maternity leave, free public internet access, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and laws relating to the coronavirus response.

Mr. Duterte’s sixth and final SONA will be held on July 26. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Globe questions Mandaluyong village’s ban on cell sites

July 6, 2021 | 7:39 pm

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. has questioned a barangay in Mandaluyong City for a ban on building cell sites within its area, citing a national government order to fast-track permit approval.

The telecommunications firm sent a position paper to Mandaluyong City Councilor Roehl B. Bacar on the matter, noting that a resolution of the Plainview barangay council banning cell site construction is against the law.

“The company was granted by the Philippine Congress legislative authority in the form of a franchise to put up telecommunication stations, including cell sites,” Globe said in a statement on Tuesday.

Globe Senior Legal Counsel Alejandro M. Gozon said barangay resolutions in conflict with this legislative franchise are void.

“It is very unfortunate that there remain local government units that continue to deny their own communities fast and reliable connectivity at a time when people, businesses, and even government rely on the internet for work, school, day-to-day needs, and the delivery of public services,” he said.

Archibald Acuña, Barangay Plainview secretary, said the resolution in question was passed in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic prompted new rules and policy changes.

Following an order from President Rodrigo R. Duterte, government agencies signed an agreement in Aug. 2020 to streamline permits processing, including the construction of telecommunication towers to speed up the improvement of internet access.

The Bayanihan II law or Republic Act No. 11494 also suspended for three years almost all requirements needed to build, repair, and operate all telecommunications and internet infrastructure.

Mr. Acuña, in a telephone interview, said their village resolution is no longer in effect in recognition of national rules.

“It’s a bit surprising kasi (because) actually (Globe) subcontractors are operating within our barangay,” he said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Emong exits PHL; southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains in parts of Luzon, Palawan

July 6, 2021 | 7:39 pm

TROPICAL DEPRESSION Emong, the fifth typhoon to pass through the country this year, exited the Philippine area Tuesday morning and has weakened as it moves towards southeastern China, weather bureau PAGASA reported.

The wind signals raised over Batanes and Cagayan have been lifted. Emong “is no longer directly affecting the country,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. Tuesday advisory.

However, the southwest monsoon is expected to continue bringing scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in the island provinces of Palawan and Mindoro, and parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

The country will have “generally fair weather” for the rest of the week, PAGASA said, apart from isolated rains and thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Black box retrieved from crashed Philippines Air Force plane

July 6, 2021 | 7:38 pm

PHILIPPINE AUTHORITIES have retrieved a black box from an Air Force plane that crashed at the weekend, killing more than 50 people, Military Chief Cirilito Sobejana told Reuters on Tuesday.

The pilot in command, who had several years of experience flying a C-130 aircraft, was among those who died in the crash on Jolo island, Mr. Sobejana said by telephone.

The military chief said a black box was retrieved on Monday and should enable investigators to listen to the conversations of the pilots and crew before the plane crashed.

“I spoke to the survivors and they said the plane bounced two to three times and zig-zagged. The pilot tried to regain power because he wanted to lift the plane but it was too late. The right wing hit a tree,” he said.

Mr. Sobejana said no one jumped from the aircraft before it crashed. There had been earlier accounts from witnesses that some passengers had tried to leap to safety before the aircraft struck the ground.

He said the front of the aircraft was sliced open and some of the soldiers took advantage of the opening to escape. But those who were unconscious were unable to get out and the plane burst into flames.

The Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft was carrying troops bound for counter-insurgency operations in the southern Philippines crashed with 96 aboard.

The death toll rose on Monday to 52, including three civilians on the ground, after two of the 49 soldiers hurt in the crash succumbed to their injuries, the defense ministry said.

Military spokesman Edgard Arevalo said the plane was in “very good condition” and had 11,000 flying hours remaining before its next maintenance was due. — Reuters

6,585 people displaced by Taal as volcanic fluids seen surging Tuesday

July 6, 2021 | 7:38 pm

A TOTAL of 1,902 families composed of 6,585 individuals have been displaced by the continuing threat of Taal Volcano’s eruption, the national disaster management agency reported on Tuesday.

Alert level 3 for the volcano is still up, indicating that magma is being released from the main crater which could prompt an explosive eruption, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs also reported the release of “hot volcanic liquids” from the main crater between 5-6 a.m. Tuesday, generating plumes that rose to 3,000 meters above the crater.

The affected residents are from eight towns in Batangas, namely: Taal, Lemery, Agoncillo, Balete, Cuenca, Talisay, Tanauan, and Laurel. The highest number of affected families are from Laurel at 832, Agoncillo with 597, and Tanauan with 203.

Of the total displaced, 1,172 families are staying in 24 evacuation centers while the rest are staying with relatives or friends, based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s report.

Additional coronavirus vaccines were sent to Batangas Monday for the inoculation of senior citizens and persons with comorbidities in evacuation sites.

The Batangas information office has been reporting the arrival of relief goods from both the national government and the private sector.

Rustans founder Bienvenido Tantoco, Sr., 100

July 6, 2021 | 7:08 pm

Former Ambassador Bienvenido “Benny” Tantoco, Sr., patriarch of the Tantoco retail family, died on Tuesday, July 6. He had just turned 100 last April 7.

He and his late wife, Gliceria Rustia-Tantoco, founded the Rustans luxury retail empire in their San Marcelino, Manila home in 1952, beginning first as a showcase of souvenirs from trips abroad. Since then, the department store has risen to have five branches – Rustans Shangri-La, Ayala Alabang, Cubao, Cebu, and the flagship branch, the one at the Ayala Center in Makati. Meanwhile, the Rustan Group of Companies has under its portfolio today Rustan Marketing Corporation Inc., SSI Group Inc., Adora, Santa Elena Realty Inc., Royal Duty Free Stores, Rustan Coffee Corporation Inc., as well as the Tantoco-Rustia Foundation.

In 1983, during the Marcos years, Mr. Tantoco was appointed ambassador to the Vatican. His wife, Gliceria, a close associate of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, died in 1994.

The companies that had sprung from Mr. and Mrs. Tantoco’s efforts changed the retail landscape of the country, thanks to numerous licensing, franchising, and distribution deals with some of the world’s most coveted luxury brands. These have included Oleg Cassini, Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Givenchy, Prada, Burberry, Montblanc, Tiffany & Co., and Hermès.

The brand is still going strong, with many members of the family’s second and third generation at the company’s helm. Even at his advanced age, Mr. Tantoco never lost the energy to attend store openings and other milestones at the stores the family founded. At events, he would be wheeled in and would take the center position at celebratory family portraits. His eldest daughter, Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco, is chair and CEO of the Rustan Group, while grandsons Anton Huang and Bienvenido “Donnie” Tantoco III sit as presidents at SSI Group Inc., and Rustan Commercial Corp., respectively. His other children and grandchildren also occupy many positions within the companies.

Amb. Bienvenido Tantoco, Sr. is survived by his children Rico Tantoco and wife Nena; Nedy Tantoco and longtime partner Patrick Jacinto; Menchu T. Lopez and husband Jun; Marilou T. Pineda and husband Eddie; Marilen Tantoco; Maritess T. Enriquez and husband Renato.

A statement from the family reads: “A revered figure in the retail industry, business circles, and diplomatic community; as well as for his various church and philanthropic endeavors, he lived his life full of energy, warmth, and devotion. He lived his best life and reached the age of 100. Together with his wife, Gliceria “Glecy” Tantoco, they changed the landscape of luxury retail in the country. Throughout the years, Amb. Tantoco, Sr. received awards and accolades for his outstanding business achievements and societal contributions. Beyond his reputation, he is mostly admired for his love for God, family, friends, and his extended family of staff and employees.”

“Amb. Bienvenido ‘Benny’ Tantoco Sr. will be honored in celebration of his life and laid to rest with a memorial service to be announced soon,” the statement ended. — JLG

Bucks, Suns poised to tip off competitive Finals

July 6, 2021 | 6:42 pm

TOP seeds and super teams will be spectators on Tuesday when the Phoenix Suns play host to the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the smaller-market National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals.

The Suns, a No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, face the No. 3 seed from the East in the Bucks, with both franchises ending long Finals droughts. Neither has been this deep in the playoffs in 28 years.

Milwaukee, which has not been to the Finals since 1974, has just one title, while the Suns return to the championship round for the first time since 1993 having never won it all.

A second NBA title for Milwaukee likely will hinge on the health of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is listed as doubtful for the opener because of a left knee injury. Antetokounmpo hyperextended the knee in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals and has not played since.

The Bucks still won the final two games of the conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks.

“Just continue to play aggressive,” Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday said of the team’s mind-set amid the lingering uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo. “No letdowns because the way Giannis plays there are no letdowns… He brings so much to his team, he does so much for us, losing that will really be hard for us, so continue to be aggressive.”

The Suns have worked through their own availability issues with a superstar. Phoenix survived three playoff rounds, even as point guard Chris Paul was forced to work his way through a shoulder injury in the first round and a COVID-19 hiatus at the outset of the Western finals.

Paul is back into the flow, delivering a clutch 41-point performance in the conference final-clinching victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, even with a sore right hand. Devin Booker scored 22 points and averaged 25.5 points in the series.

“I think the guys feel really good about where we are,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said. “We have had a few days to heal and get back in the gym, and we have had some really good practices… Guys are ready to play. That’s been the sentiment for the last couple of days.”

Phoenix’s re-emergence was years in the making, drafting Booker and Deandre Ayton, but a championship run became realistic once Paul arrived. The Suns are the first team to make the NBA Finals after missing the playoffs in each of the previous 10 seasons.

The Bucks’ arrival came a few years earlier, earning the Eastern Conference’s best regular-season record in 2018-19. But a Finals appearance has escaped them, and it looked as if the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets had better NBA Finals prospects this year.

Like the Suns, the arrival of a point guard has helped the Bucks. Holiday runs the floor in Milwaukee now, helping Antetokounmpo (28.2 points, 12.7 rebounds in the playoffs) and Khris Middleton (23.4 points, 8.0 rebounds) draw within four victories of a title.

The Suns and Bucks have met twice this season, with Phoenix winning by a point each time. The Suns earned a 125-124 victory on Feb. 10 as Antetokounmpo missed a 19-footer at the buzzer. The Suns won again 128-127 in double overtime at Milwaukee on April 19 as four Phoenix starters scored at least 20 points.

The Suns’ Jae Crowder is the only player on either team with NBA Finals experience, playing six games in last season’s Finals with the Miami Heat.

“I think our team knows when to lock in and when we got to enjoy the moment and enjoy ourselves,” Paul said. — Reuters

Kaya falls to ACL champ Ulsan Hyundai in rematch

July 6, 2021 | 6:41 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

KAYA FC-Iloilo absorbed another defeat at the hands of defending Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) titleholder Ulsan Hyundai FC of Korea in their Group F rematch game on Monday in Thailand.

The Philippine club performed better than in their first game against the Korean team but still could not go over the hump, losing, 2-1.

Kaya bowed to Ulsan, 3-0, in their July 2 encounter.

Midfielder Yun Bit-Garam scored a brace for Ulsan to keep his team’s unblemished record intact at 4-0-0 with 12 points, to lead the grouping.

Kaya (0-0-4), meanwhile, lost its fourth match in as many games in the 2021 ACL and stayed in last place in Group F.

Mr. Yun opened the scoring in the match, finding the bottom of the net in the 27^th minute after deflecting a shot by teammate Lukas Hinterseer that surprised Kaya goalkeeper Zach Banzon.

Ulsan would keep the 1-0 lead all the way to the half time break.

Kaya broke through early in the second half, with veteran Jovin Bedic leveling the count at 1-1 in the 47^th minute.

Mr. Bedic volleyed his shot from a tight angle. It was the first goal in the tournament for Kaya, which is in its debut ACL campaign.

Ulsan regained the upper hand four minutes later, with Mr. Yun’s second goal off a pass from Oh Se-hun.

Kaya tried to recover after that and had its chances, including a curling cross from substitute Jhan-Jhan Melizza in the 85^th minute, but could not complete them as it eventually slumped to defeat.

The team now focuses on its reengagement with Thai champion squad BG Pathum United, which it will face on Thursday, July 8, at 6 p.m. at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Bangkok.

BG Pathum (3-0-1) is second in Group F with nine points.

Meanwhile, Philippines Football League champion United City Football Club (0-1-3) lost its third straight match in the 2021 ACL, bowing to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, 2-0, in Group I action also on Monday in Uzbekistan.

Forwards Kei Chinen (18’) and Tatsuya Hasegawa (78’) accounted for Kawasaki’s goals in the win, which left it still unscathed at 4-0-0 with 12 points.

Despite the loss, United City broke a string of drubbings it received from its last two games where it lost by an average margin of 7.5 points.

United City next plays Beijing FC at 10 p.m. on Thursday at the Lokomotiv Stadium in Tashkent.

The two teams fought to a 1-1 draw in their first encounter on June 26.

Alex Eala through to second round of Wimbledon girls’ singles event

July 6, 2021 | 6:41 pm

FILIPINO ALEX EALA’S maiden Wimbledon campaign got off to a good start as she barged into the second round of the girls’ singles event.

Rafa Nadal Academy scholar Eala breezed through the opening round of the tournament, defeating Argentina’s Solana Sierra in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, on Monday evening (Manila time).

The win set up the 16-year-old tennis wunderkind in a round of 32 showdown with local bet Ane Mintegi Del Olmo.

In her debut Wimbledon match, Ms. Eala was impressive.

She raced to an early 3-1 lead and never looked back from there to claim the opening set.

In the second frame, Ms. Eala got off fast as well, building a 3-0 cushion.

Seventeen-year-old Mintegi Del Olmo managed to narrow the gap after, 3-2, only to see the Filipino netter create some distance anew, 5-2.

The Spanish bet still tried to claw her way back, coming to within one point, 5-4.

That was the closest she would get though, as Ms. Eala in the 10^th game closed things out and booked the victory.

“Great first day at The Junior Championships!” wrote Ms. Eala, a long-time Globe ambassador, on his official Facebook page following her debut in Wimbledon.

In Wimbledon, Ms. Eala will try to win her first juniors singles title in a Grand Slam. She has two girls doubles titles under her belt, winning the Australian Open in 2020, with partner Priska Nugroho of Indonesia, and early this year the French Open, with Russian tandem Oksana Selekhmeteva.

Ms. Eala is the number three junior player in the world and currently ranked 629^th in the Women’s Tennis Association. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Transparent Tokyo hopes judging rejig can dial down boxing disputes

July 6, 2021 | 6:40 pm

BANGKOK — Boxing will start with a clean slate for the Tokyo Olympics following an acrimonious contest at the 2016 Games, with the sport’s troubled governing body and all 36 of the Rio officials barred from any involvement in the competition.

With a history dating back to the ancient Olympics and bouts at every Games in the past century, boxing’s passion, popularity and place at the Olympics is rarely in question, but persistent disputes over judging quality have blighted successive contests.

A special task force running the Tokyo competition in place of the suspended International Boxing Association (AIBA) is eager to win back trust of boxers and teams by ensuring fair fights and consistent scoring to keep allegations of foul play to a minimum.

New transparency measures have been introduced under boxing task force chief Morinari Watanabe, such as displaying each judge’s scores at the end of each round and independent third-party supervision, vetting and selection of judges and referees.

Watanabe, a boxing newcomer who also heads the International Gymnastics Federation, has said the sport needed to reorganize to earn the confidence of its competitors.

AIBA, under new leadership, has promised reforms to fix financial and governance issues to be recognized again by the International Olympic Committee before the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Boxing will take place from July 24 to Aug. 8 at Tokyo’s Kokugikan Arena, the spiritual home of sumo wrestling and in recent weeks a site for COVID-19 vaccinations.

The competition will feature more women fighters, with five weight divisions, up from three in Rio, and the men’s contest reduced from 10 to eight divisions, in an effort to address a gender imbalance.

Aside from the judges, much remains the same as in Rio, with a 10-must scoring system and three, three-minute rounds and professionals allowed to compete.

Despite the pandemic interrupting qualifying competitions, a strong field is expected with big teams from Russia, Britain and Uzbekistan — a winner of seven gold medals in this year’s Asian championship and joint top with Cuba with three Rio golds.

Uzbek flyweight Shakhobidin Zoirov has a title to defend from Rio, as does Cuba’s Julio Cesar La Cruz, a light-heavyweight or heavyweight.

Another contender is Filipino middleweight Eumir Marcial, a professional signed by the promotions company of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who has been giving Marcial advice and last week tipped him to take home the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold.

As reigning world and European champion, Britain’s Lauren Price is a contender for the women’s middleweight title, while 38-year-old Mary Kom, a parliamentarian and Asian, Commonwealth and six-time world champion from India, may have her last shot at an elusive Olympic gold in the flyweight. — Reuters