Nation risks image, trade if death penalty returns

July 28, 2019 | 11:44 pm

By Arjay L. Balinbin
Reporter

A PLAN to restore the death penalty could tarnish the Philippines’ global image and affect foreign trade, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said, citing the country’s commitment to an international covenant against capital punishment.

“It sends a bad message that we are reneging on our contractual or treaty obligation,” CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia said by telephone on Friday. “It has a lot of implications for our other commitments, whether economic or security.”

Ms. de Guia noted that International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, does not allow a signatory to withdraw.

The treaty, which took effect in 1976 and which the Philippines signed under former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life.

“Therefore, the commitment of the Philippine government is absolute in terms of not reimposing the death penalty,” she said.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte asked Congress in his yearly state of the nation address to reinstate the death penalty for drug trafficking, plunder and other heinous crimes. His spokesman has said the bill would be certified as urgent.

The strongest argument against restoring capital punishment is the country’s “immature” justice system, Ms. de Guia said.

“As long as there is corruption in law enforcement and other agencies, drugs will continue to proliferate,” she said. “The tendency to be influenced and to be bribed is still there.”

The country’s slow justice system is also a major factor especially with the dearth of policemen and prosecutors. “If we don’t have a mature judicial system, there is a risk that there will be some innocent people who might actually end up dead,” she added.

The Supreme Court in a 2004 decision admitted that out of 907 capital punishment appeals elevated to it for automatic review, 72% or 651 people in death row were saved from lethal injection after their wrongful conviction. The cases were from an 11-year period since the death penalty was restored in 1993 through 2004.

Presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo did not immediately reply when sought for comment.

The Philippines became the first Asian country to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, but it was reintroduced in late 1993 for 46 different offenses, according to Amnesty International.

Executions resumed in 1999 after 23 years, according to the London-based group focused on human rights. Former President Joseph E. Estrada in 2000 announced a halt on executions, which Ms. Arroyo his successor continued.

The Philippines under Ms. Arroyo again suspended capital punishment in 2006 through a law. Before that, she commuted the death sentences of 1,230 inmates to life imprisonment, which Amnesty International said was the “largest ever commutation of death sentences.”

Duterte visits earthquake-hit town in Batanes

July 28, 2019 | 11:44 pm

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Sunday visited Batanes province, where a series of earthquakes early Saturday killed at least eight people and hurt about 60 more, according to the state-run People’s Television Network.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said the government had started mobilizing resources to help the victims in Itbayat town.

“The government’s priority now is to ensure that those injured in the earthquake, as well as the families displaced by it, are given adequate medical care,” he said.

A total of 180 aftershocks ranging from a magnitude of 2.2 to 5.9 have been recorded after a series of earthquakes struck the town, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In an 8 a.m. report on Sunday, the agency said 26 of the aftershocks had been plotted, while 11 were felt after the temblors. NDRRMC said 911 families or 2,963 persons were affected by the quake incident in five villages in Itbayat.

The quakes damaged 15 houses, two schools, and two health facilities, according to the report.

“Given the state of structures on the island and the possible damage that can be caused by aftershocks, hundreds of families have been advised not to return to their homes in the meantime,” Mr. Nograles said.

“The Palace offers its deep condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones during the earthquakes that hit Batanes,” presidential spokesman Salvador S. Panelo said in a separate statement.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has P1.97 billion of standby and stockpile funds, it said in a separate statement. The DSWD said it had prepared 3,600 food packs in Basco, Batanes and 200 at the Cagayan Valley Region Field Office for immediate distribution, and the field office has P700,000 in additional funds.

The town was first rocked by a tremor with a magnitude of 5.4 at 4:16 am on Saturday, followed by a stronger quake measuring 5.9 at 7:37 am. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

SSS releases rise by P4.8B in 5 months

July 28, 2019 | 11:44 pm

PENSIONS released by Social Security System (SSS) rose by P4.84 billion from a year earlier to P62.19 billion as of May, it said in a statement.

The state pension fund traced the increase to more pensioners, which rose by 100,000 to 2.5 million.

SSS pension releases accounted for 78.6% of total benefit disbursements in the five months to May. The agency had more than 1.5 million retiree-pensioners, about 940,000 survivorship pensioners and 85,000 pensioners receiving disability benefits. SSS has three types of pensions — retirement, death and disability.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of SSS pensioners relying now on our pension loan program for their short-term and emergency needs instead of going to loan sharks,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said in the statement.

Retiree-pensioners are members who are 60 years or older with at least 120 monthly contributions before their retirement. Survivorship-pensioners are primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who paid at least 36 monthly contributions.

“We cannot overemphasize the importance of consistently paying monthly contributions to SSs so that in contingencies where there is loss of income, the SSS can provide them with assistance in the form of pension, cash allowances or loans,” Mr. Ignacio said. “If they also wish to have higher pensions, they must also save more with SSS.” — Beatrice M. Laforga

DENR-Cordillera sets July 29 public consultation on Baguio environmental issues

July 28, 2019 | 11:43 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) is holding a public consultation on key environmental concerns in Baguio City on July 29 at its office conference room. The Baguio City government, in a press release on Sunday, said the discussions will include the draft executive order setting a moratorium on the construction of high rise buildings. Other matters lined up are: Requirements and procedures for the issuance of tree-cutting permits and Environmental Clearance Certificate; geo-hazard status of the different areas in the city; and solid waste management. Last week, Mayor Benjamin S. Magalong said he had initial talks with DER Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año on the possibility of having the President issue an executive order mandating the rehabilitation of Baguio City, a popular mountain tourist destination. The rehabilitation will involve a one-year moratorium on the construction of high rise buildings and a budget allocation for the expansion of the city’s sewerage treatment system.

Disaster response in action

July 28, 2019 | 11:43 pm

EMERGENCY RESPONSE teams — composed of representatives from local government, national agencies, police, military, and non-government organizations — immediately got to work in the aftermath of the two strong earthquakes that struck Itbayat, Batanes in the morning of July 27.

Manpower, power supply problems leave P47.5M of medical equipment idle in Camarines Norte hospital

July 28, 2019 | 11:42 pm

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT worth P47.53 million at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital (CNPH) are standing idle or not functioning, according to the Commission on Audit’s (CoA) annual report. “The Spiral CT Scan, five units of Dialysis Machine and Digital Mobile X-Ray Machine amounting P47.53 million were either idle or not functional,” said CoA in its audit report. The release of the medical equipment was covered by a memorandum of agreement approved by the Region 5 office of the Department of Health. In the report, the CNPH’s supply officer cited that the reasons for the delay in the use of the newly-acquired medical equipment were: the need for uninterruptible power supply, lack of space for installation, training of personnel, and shutdowns while in use due to power supply interruptions. The state auditors recommended that CNPH prioritize the following: training of personnel who will operate the equipment; funding for the installation of uninterruptible power supply; and immediately replace the defective X-Ray Machine Digital Mobile. In the same report, the CNPH said the CT scan machine is already functioning and a nephrologist has been hired for the dialysis center. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

DoH cautions against long-term school suspensions amid dengue outbreak

July 28, 2019 | 11:42 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) is not keen on proposals to declare long-term class suspensions in the Western Visayas amid the dengue outbreak in the region. “We don’t want to be disruptive,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque IIII said during a visit to Iloilo last week. “Unless we know the difference between the risks, it will be difficult to say that the schools are at higher risk and you send them into communities where there is stagnant water, so baka pinababalik mo lang sa mataas na (we might just be sending the children to areas with higher) risk,” he added. Mr. Duque suggested that school administrations and local governments conduct risk assessment together with Education and Health representatives to determine suspension recommendations on a “case-to-case basis.” Several schools in Iloilo province and Iloilo City have recently declared class suspensions to conduct clean-up and spraying activities. Mr. Duque said these mitigation activities in schools could be scheduled during the weekends. Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr. also said that class suspensions should be guided by an evaluation if the disease is indeed coming from the school environment. “It (suspension) is an option if (we are) sure na ang dengue is nangagaling sa eskwela (that the mosquito-borne disease is spreading in the school),” he said. Both Iloilo province and the city have already declared a state of calamity due to dengue to tap into funds for response measures. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Davao City tourism stakeholders push for long-term masterplan

July 28, 2019 | 11:41 pm

TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS in Davao City want the long-term masterplan — commissioned by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) in 2017 — completed immediately to give a clearer direction for the industry’s development. City Tourism Officer Generose D. Tecson said a Davao City Tourism Masterplan would serve as a “bible” that would benefit not just the city but surrounding towns as well. “The masterplan will say (the) state of the industry… our strong points and weak points that we can improve on,” Ms. Tecson said during the Habi at Kape media forum last week. “Perhaps from there also we can create a tourism branding for Davao City, which we can all rally around, although we know what we want, our branding is really MICE (meetings, incentives, conference, and exhibition),” she added. Tourism players also aim to develop promotional campaigns that would include neighboring towns. “Para naman lahat nakikinabang (We want everyone to benefit) with Davao City being the gateway. That is what we want to see. What is our vision, mission for Davao tourism,” the city official said. Ms. Tecson said the Tourism Council of Davao City has already asked the Department of Tourism to help them in pushing TIEZA to deliver on the masterplan soon. The council includes representatives from the transportation sectors, hotels, tour guides, and travel agents. Ms. Tecson said they also eyeing the establishment of a Davao MICE board to lead that tourism sector. — Maya M. Padillo

Red tide alert up in Puerto Princesa, 8 other areas

July 28, 2019 | 11:40 pm

THE RED tide alert is up at the Puerto Princesa Bay in Palawan, six areas in the Visayas and two in Mindanao, based on the latest Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) bulletin released last week. The Visayas areas are:

San Pedro Bay, Maqueda, Irong-irong, Silanga and Cambatutay Bays in Western Samar; and coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol. In Mindanao, the affected areas are: Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur, and Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental.

Based on the latest laboratory results of the BFAR and local government units, these areas are positive for paralytic shellfish poison, or red tide toxin, that is beyond the regulatory limit. This means that all types of shellfish and alamang (Acetes sp.) harvested from these waters are not safe for human. BFAR’s advisory says other sea products from these areas such as fish, crabs, squid and shrimps are safe to eat provided these are washed thoroughly and the internal organs removed before cooking.

PBA: San Miguel tries to bury ROS into 2-0 hole

July 28, 2019 | 11:36 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE San Miguel Beermen try to go up 2-0 in their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters when action resumes today for Game Two at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Went a game up after taking the series opener on Saturday, 111-105, the Beermen, the Philippine Cup champions, go for another victory that would push them on the brink of making it to the finals of the midseason PBA tournament and a shot at another title and keep their Grand Slam aspirations alive.

San Miguel struggled in the first 24 minutes of Game One as it trailed Rain or Shine, which was shooting at a solid 51% clip, throughout.

It, however, picked things up in the second half, led by import Chris McCullough and big man Christian Standhardinger, overtaking the Elasto Painters and eventually racing to the come-from-behind victory.

Mr. McCullough led the Beermen with 32 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in 45 minutes of play on the floor.

Mr. Standhardinger came off the bench to tally 20 points and eight boards to cushion for the subpar game of reigning league most valuable player June Mar Fajardo, who finished with just nine points, a rebound, two assists and two blocks.

Guard Chris Ross finished with 19 points while backcourt mate Alex Cabagnot had 12 points and seven assists.

Terrence Romeo was the other Beerman in double digits with 10 points to go along with six dimes.

After the win, Mr. Standhardinger highlighted the recovery they had as key to claiming the series opener.

“We’re usually a slow starter, but we did a good job fighting back then breaking through and getting the victory,” said the Filipino-German Standhardinger postgame in describing how it went for them in the contest.

“We’ve been playing catch-up basketball in the conference. It’s good that we finally take the lead this time. But we have to keep going and we have to keep playing hard,” he added as he alluded to how they had a rough elimination round, that saw them making an import change midway into the tournament en route to finishing barely making it to the playoffs with a 5-6 record.

REMAINS POSITIVE
Despite ruing the lost opportunity they had in the first game, Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said they remain positive that they would be able to bounce back from the setback they absorbed.

“I think we did a good job today. It’s just that we did not get the win. But we still remain positive that we could pull things off,” the Rain or Shine coach said following Game One.

“We just have to lessen our turnovers. If we are able to do that then we will have a good shot,” he added.

The Elasto Painters was led in the series opener by import Carl Montgomery who finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds and five assists.

Gabe Norwood had 16 points with Norbert Torres adding 13 and Javee Mocon and Rey Nambatac 12 points apiece.

James Yap returned from injury to play, finishing with five points, two rebounds and a block in seven limited minutes.

The winner of the San Miguel-Rain or Shine series moves on and battles the victor between the TNT KaTropa and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, which were to play Game Two of their own series later Sunday.

Cycling’s Tolentino is new POC chief

July 28, 2019 | 11:36 pm

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Philippine Olympic Committee has a new president in cycling’s Abraham Tolentino after he defeated athletics’ Philip Ella Juico in special elections held on Sunday at the Century Park Hotel in Pasay City.

Called to fill up the position left by boxing’s Ricky Vargas, Mr. Tolentino was elected president over Mr. Juico, 24-20.

A total of 45 eligible voters were present but only 44 voted with the Philippine Rugby Football Union deciding not to vote.

The voters also included two representatives from the Athletes Commission as well as International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski voted in the proceedings.

The election process was overseen by the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia.

Also winning were handball’s Steve Hontiveros as chairman over taekwondo’s Robert Aventajado, 26-18, with archery’s Clint Aranas (24) and gymnastics Cynthia Carrion (23) elected as members of the executive board over weightlifting’s Monico Puntevella (21) and swimming’s Lani Velasco (19).

The elections yesterday marked the second time that the local Olympic body held and elections in just two years.

Mr. Vargas, who assumed the presidency in February 2018 after Jose Cojuangco, Jr., stepped down from his post in June to give way, he said, to other sports leaders “who would have the time and inclination needed to lead the POC.”

Prior to stepping down, Vargas made known that he has grown tired of the politics inside the Olympic body and the constant “maneuvering” among the people under him, which he described made it hard for him to dispense his duties and goals.

By virtue of succession, first vice-president Joey Romasanta assumed the POC presidency upon the exit of Mr. Vargas.

But while everybody thought the POC was ready to move on, things continued to be murky within the organization.

Contentions and allegations, including ones pertaining to the country’s hosting of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games later this year, were flung left and right after.

Emergency meetings and press conferences and more resignations ensued, further exacerbating affairs in the POC.

Stepping in were the IOC and the OCA, seeking to have the POC leadership issue resolved at the soonest possible time lest the national sports body fall to further disarray, which would not be good for the standing of the country in the international sporting community in the long run.

The international Olympic bodies directed the POC to get a hold of itself and settle things among its members with a firmer resolution of the issue hounding it in mind.

They proposed a series of meetings by the POC, culminating in special elections of officers on July 28.

Now POC president, Mr. Tolentino, head of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) and congressman of the 7^th district of Cavite, said he would continue the reforms started by the “immediate past president,” Mr. Vargas.

“I will continue the reforms started by the immediate president and will start working with the hosting of the SEA Games,” said Mr. Tolentino.

Mr. Juico, president of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), meanwhile, extended his congratulations to Mr. Tolentino.

“I congratulate them for winning. At the same time I want to tell them that if they need our support we are just a text or call away. Now we can concentrate on our preparations for the SEA Games,” Mr. Juico said.

Members of the electoral board were Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV (chairman), Fr. Vic Calvo OP of Letran and Rep. Conrado Estrella III.

Airmen now in the win column of the PFL; Kaya routs Mendiola

July 28, 2019 | 11:36 pm

PHILIPPINE Air Force FC is no longer winless in the Philippines Football League after breaking through with a 3-2 victory over Global Cebu FC on Saturday at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.

The lone team sans a win heading into last weekend’s PFL fixtures, the Airmen changed the landscape with a gutsy victory over struggling Global.

Also victorious last Saturday was Kaya FC-Iloilo, which routed Mendiola FC 1991, 5-0, in their match held at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Air Force got first on the scoreboard care of Darl Pedroso in the 20^th minute and then went up, 2-0, 10 minutes later with Mark Anthony Ferrer on the scoring end.

It was a lead it would maintain all the way to the break.

Global though was able to narrow the gap to 2-1 in the 51^st minute when Jerry Barbaso found the bottom of the net.

The two teams went back and forth after, looking to advance their respective causes.

Rodolf Bebanco made it a 3-1 lead for the Airmen when he connected in the 90^th minute.

Global made one last-ditch effort to salvage a win or a tie in added time but could only come to within a point, 3-2, on a Marvin Bricenio goal, handing the win to Air Force.

With the victory, Air Force improved to 1-1-8 and four points for the PFL season, good for sixth place while Global (1-0-6) dropped to last place with three points.

Kaya, meanwhile, won back-to-back games when it beat Mendiola convincingly, 5-0, at the weekend.

Jordan Mintah scored a hat trick with Connor Tacagni and Jayson Panhay scoring a goal each in the big win.

The win jacked up Kaya’s record to 7-1-1 with 22 points, tied with league-leader Ceres-Negros FC (7-1-0).

Mendiola (2-1-6), for its part, stayed at fifth spot with seven points, behind third-running Stallion Laguna FC (5-2-2) with 17 points and Green Archers United FC (4-2-4) with 14 points.

Stallion and GAU were to meet later yesterday in Biñan. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo