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Go For Gold support key to PH Navy Sea Lions triumph

ALL the Philippine Navy Sea Lions wanted was a training ground designed to toughen them in preparation for a big tournament.

But the determination and hardwork rewarded the Go For Gold Philippines-backed Sea Lions with so much more after they ruled the King of Kings Basketball Challenge recently at the Taft Food by the Court.

The Sea Lions pulled off a huge surprise upset over the highly favored Singson’s Demigods in a championship five-on-five streetball style of competition where the first team that reached 21 points in a pair of 15-minute games was declared winner.

With the victory, the Sea Lions, whose stint was supported by Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go, will don the national colors and represent the country in the King of Kings Basketball Challenge in Shanghai, China on Aug. 8-11.

“Hindi namin in-expect na mananalo kami. From the start, our plan was to use the tournament to gain experience and as tuneup for the AFP-PNP-PCG Olympics,” said Philippine Navy Sea Lions headcoach Sn2 Valiant Pera PN.

“Bukod sa malalaki sila, most of them played in the big leagues. We just stuck sa game plan namin and tried our best,” added Pera.

After using their speed against the taller Demigods to the hilt, they are now bound to compete with bigger opposition in Shanghai where powerhouse squads from China, United States, Russia and Europe will see action.

“We are happy to support our men and women in the armed forces. Their sacrifice inspires us and we want to help them in our small way,” said Go, vice president for marketing of Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corp., the prime mover behind Go For Gold Philippines.

Team captain Lt. Juan Tarroza, Sn2 Robert Faundo, Sn2 Kenneth Aljard, Sn2 Vincent Dalaten, Sn2 Rejeloed Cartel, Cpl Marvin Porquillo played superb ball in the five-team Globalhoops tourney with Asn Jeson Rey Cantos, Asn Chrismon Aquino and Asn Keneth De Vega.

Other members of the team are Asn Vinny Begaso, Asn Johnny Galabin, Asn Julius Fabian, Asn Rocky Antonares, Asn James Mangahas and Asn Dhon Reverente with PO3 Edmar Aronce as assistant coach.

Apprentice seaman Noy Bermudes poured most of the points in the second match of the finals that sealed the outcome against the Demigods featuring imports Prince Orizu, Chibueze Ikeh, former PBA guard Paolo Hubalde and several dribblers from the MPBL.

Football for Humanity continues to spread its wings

FOOTBALL for Humanity Foundation (FFH), a nonprofit, nongovernment organization which aims to use sport and the power of play to inspire, empower and transform the lives of children affected by extreme poverty, natural disasters, and armed conflict, has gone a long way in its mission since being registered in 2017, and has continued to spread its wings to achieve its mission and vision.

Initially made its presence felt through the building of football infrastructure such as the unique small-sided, five-a-side enclosed spaces, establishing football development programs, conducting one-off football trainings and events, donating old and new football equipment, assisting talented but underprivileged youth to seek scholarships, and other charitable initiatives, FFH has dipped its hands in helping address educational, health, and well-being needs of different communities as well as promote peace and development.

One of the recent initiatives of FFH is Play for Goals which includes providing a library and a clean water facility to different communities in the country, beginning with Zonta Village in Barangay Tibungco, Davao City.

For this program, FFH has partnered with Library Renewal Partners and Waves for Water.

Late last year the foundation was awarded a donation of “unpoppable” soccer balls by One World Play, the creator of the unpoppable balls which were a solution for kids living in harsh conditions where standard soccer balls don’t last long.

This initial donation is currently being distributed via individuals and organizations who lead football development programs for Filipino youth.

After receiving the initial donation, the FFH was informed by One World Play that the foundation would receive 2,020 durable balls from Expo 2020 Dubai.

The donated balls represent Expo 2020’s aim to facilitate collaboration and the strengthening of ties within communities, while spreading happiness.

Aside from the Philippines, also receiving 2,020 balls from Expo 2020 Dubai, which has global football icon Lionel Messi as ambassador, are Jordan and Kenya.

For FFH founder Chris Thomas, the latest development in their push is something they are proud and excited about as it is truly in line with what they want to accomplish from the start.

“These are the very same values we promote in Football for Humanity, where our credo is ‘bringing nations together.’ It’s very inspiring and motivating to be part of a movement that cuts across countries, regardless of race or creed, to promote that dream of unity,” Mr. Thomas said.

Belle Tiongco, FFH co-founder, for her part, said this only serves to inspire them in continuing their efforts and chart the path they are currently on. “Football for Humanity is very fortunate, and thankful to be able to be the channel which will be able to bring the joy, and the power of football, to thousands of Filipino youth. These donations, these projects are a testament to the goodness of the human spirit, and that we are very proud to be associated with individuals and organizations, here and abroad, who build, who uplift, who reach out to inspire and motivate in the midst of difficulty and suffering. Football does bring hope,” she said. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Attacking the Berlin

1st Prague International Chess Festival
Prague, Czech Republic
March 5-16, 2019

Final Standings (all GMs)

1. Nikita Vitiugov RUS 2726, 5.5/9

2-5. Vidit Santosh Gujrathi IND 2711, Radoslaw Wojtaszek POL 2722, Boris Gelfand ISR 2655, Jan-Krzystof Duda POL 2731, 5.0/9

6. Samuel Shankland USA 2731, 4.5/9

7-9. Penteala Harikrishna IND 2730, David Navara CZE 2739, Richard Rapport HUN 2738, 4.0/9

10. Viktor Laznicka CZE 2670, 3.0/9

Average ELO 2715 Category 19

Time Control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves then an additional 30 minutes play-to-finish with 30 seconds added after every move starting move 1

This is one event which I missed because of my medical leave last March, and it was a crime to leave it out of our coverage, for a large international Chess Festival was started in Prague consisting of two closed invitational tournaments — Masters and Challengers — with a strong open tournament going alongside as well as multiple round-robin rating tournaments for players rated 1500-2000. It was a huge success with thousands of visitors.

The GM (Grandmaster) from St. Petersburg, Nikita Viiugov won with 5.5/9. Vitiugov is not one of the more well-known names but his credentials are solid: born Feb. 4, 1987, Nikita was a member of the gold-medal winning Russian team to the World Team Chess Championships in 2009 and 2013. Most people know him for (1) being a great expert in the French Defense — he has authored two popular books on it, and (2) seconding GM Peter Svidler (another GM from St. Petersburg) in his attempts at the world championship candidates’ tournaments.

Vitiugov only won two games in Prague, but one of these wins had a striking combination.

First, a bit of history. In the 1889 USA Chess Congress (a Congress is the same as a Festival), one of the greatest chess tournaments of all time, Amos Burn pulled a surprise on Isidor Gunsberg.

Burn, Amos — Gunsberg, Isidor [C67]
USA–06 Congress Grand Tournament New York (20), 1889

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0–0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.dxe5

The World Champion at that time, Wilhelm Steinitz, wrote the tournament book and noted that this move was first played by Mr. J.W. Baird. Steinitz himself did not approve of it and preferred 6.Bxc6. His words were wise, for nowadays 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nc3 is what comes up on the board 90% of the time.

6…Nxb5 7.a4

The point — Black has to give back the piece. This was the first time the move came up in an international tournament and Gunsberg did not respond correctly.

7…Nd6?

IM Richard Forster: Already at that time von Bardeleben had shown that 7…d6 and 7…Nbd4 8.Nxd4 9.Qxd4 d5 should be sufficient for equality.

8.Bg5 f6

Not an improvement is 8…Be7 9.exd6 Bxg5 10.Re1+ Kf8 11.dxc7 Qf6 12.Nxg5 Qxg5 13.Qd6+ Ne7 14.Nc3 Qf6 15.Qa3 d6 16.Ne4 Qh6 17.Nxd6 g6 (17…Be6 18.c8Q+ Rxc8 19.Nxc8) 18.Rxe7! 1–0 (18) Janowsky-Ruff Prague 1902. Black was not interested in getting his king mated after 18…Kxe7 19.Ne4+ Ke6 20.Qd6+ Kf5 21.Qd5+ Kf4 22.g3+ Kf3 23.Nf6+ Ke2 24.Qd3#

9.exd6

Even better is 9.Re1 Nxe5 10.Nxe5 Be7 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Qh5+ Kf8 13.Ng6+ hxg6 14.Qxh8+ Kf7 15.Qh7+ Kf8 16.Ra3 Nf7 17.Rae3 Bb4 18.c3 Bd6 19.Rh3 Be5 20.Qxg6 d5 21.Rh7 Be6 22.f4 1–0 (22) Guseinov, G (2646)-Deac, B (2572) Batumi European Championship 2018.

9…Bxd6

The bishop is taboo: 9…fxg5 10.Re1+ Kf7 11.Qd5+ Kg6 12.Re5! Nxe5 13.Nxe5+ Kf6 14.Nc3 Black’s King is not going to survive very long out in the open. For example 14…Bxd6 15.Qf7+ Kxe5 16.Re1+ Kd4 17.Qd5#

10.Bh4 0–0 11.Nc3 Ne5 12.Re1 Nf7 13.Qd4 Re8

The alternative 13…c6 was much better.

14.Rxe8+ Qxe8 15.Re1 Ne5 16.Nd2! a6 17.f4 Qf8

Gunsberg’s trap. If 18.fxe5 then 18…Bc5.

18.Nde4! Nf7 19.Nd5 Kh8 20.Nxd6 Nxd6 21.Nxc7 Nf5 22.Qf2 1–0

White was threatening both Nxa8 and Re8. Black has had enough.

That was a hundred and thirty years ago. We continue that story now, for Vitiugov also prepared something juicy for his opponent in the same line.

Vitiugov, Nikita (2726) Harikrishna, Pentala (2730) [C67]
Prague Festival Masters 2019 Prague (2.3), 07.03.2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0–0 Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.dxe5

I hate repeating myself but 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 is the line that Kramnik made famous when he successfully used the Berlin in his 2000 World Championship match against Kasparov. In the 2013 Russian SuperFinals GM Dmitry Andreikin allows the Berlin against the same Kramnik but chooses this sideline against the world’s greatest Berlin expert. We all know that he would not have gotten into it without a lot of preparation, and I will show you later what happened.

6…Nxb5 7.a4

The point — Black has to give the piece back.

7…Nbd4

Continuing our story on the 1889 USA Congress where Burn introduced the line against Gunsberg and won, The former operator of chess automaton “Mephisto” studied the line and when it came up again in the 38th (!) round, he was ready: 7…d6 8.axb5 Nxe5 9.Re1 Bg4 10.Ra4 Be7 11.Nc3 0–0 12.Nd5 Re8 13.Bf4 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Bg5 15.Bxe5 dxe5 16.Rg4 Re6 17.Nxc7 Rd6 18.Qe2 h5 19.Rc4 Rc8 Black was clearly better. Delmar, E-Gunsberg, I New York 1889 0–1 (40).

We know now that the best response to 7…d6 is 8.e6! Bxe6 9.axb5 Ne5 10.Nd4 Getting ready for the White f-pawn push. Simon, O (2384)-Veron, C (2092) Issy les Moulineaux 2007 1–0 (29).

8.Nxd4 Nxd4 9.Qxd4 d5 10.Qd3

In the Andreikin-Kramnik game White continued 10.exd6 Qxd6 11.Qe3+ Be6 12.Nc3 a6 13.Rd1 Qc6 14.Rd3!? First played by Gawain Jones against Laurent Fressinet, this move contains the dangerous threat of Nb5 (Black cannot play …axb5 because of axb5 and Black’s rook and queen are attacked) followed by Rc3 or Nd4. The game continued 14…Rc8 (14…Bc5 15.Qg3 f6!? looks like a good continuation for Black. Take note that 16.Qxg7?? Rg8 wins immediately for Black) 15.Ne2! Bc5 16.Qg3 f6 17.Be3 Bd6 18.Bf4 Bxf4 19.Nxf4 0–0 20.Rc3 Qd6 21.Nxe6 Qxe6 22.Rxc7 Rxc7 23.Qxc7 Rc8 24.Qxb7 Rxc2 White is just a pawn up and Andreikin converted it to a win after several hours of play. Andreikin,D (2706)-Kramnik, V (2796) Nizhnij Novgorod 2013 1–0 (84).

10…c6 11.a5 Be6 12.Nc3 Qd7 13.Ne2 Bf5 14.Qc3 Be7 <D>

POSITION AFTER 14…BE7

Get ready for the haymaker.

15.Bh6!

Quite similar to the famous sacrifice played by Walter Shawn Browne against Arthur Bisguier in the 1974 USA Championship (game given below).

15…d4?

An interesting continuation is 15…Rg8 16.Bxg7 Rxg7 17.e6 Rxg2+ 18.Kxg2 fxe6 position is unclear; Not 15…gxh6 16.e6! and the rook on h8 falls.

16.Nxd4 gxh6 17.e6 Bxe6 18.Nxe6 Rg8 19.Nf4 Qf5 20.Ra4!

Preparing to meet …0–0–0 with a5–a6.

20…Qf6 21.Qd3 Rd8 22.Qxh7

In his notes to the game Vitiugov confesses that he took this pawn “just in case” his attack did not succeed. At least he would remain a pawn up.

22…Rg7 23.Qe4 Qxb2

Perhaps motivated by the same thought that Vitiugov shared in the last note — now they are equal in material again, but the game is over.

24.Re1 Rd7 25.a6! Rg5

[25…b5 26.Qxc6 bxa4 27.Nd5 and wins]

26.h4 Rb5 27.axb7 Rbxb7 28.Qxc6 Kf8 29.Qxh6+ Qg7 30.Ne6+ 1–0

Harikrishna resigns because of 30.Ne6+ fxe6 31.Rf4+ Bf6 (31…Kg8 32.Qxe6+ Kh8 33.Re5 Qh7 34.Ref5 etc) 32.Rxf6+ Rf7 33.Rxf7+ Rxf7 34.Qxe6 with an easy win.

We have run out of space so I only give the bare notes of the Browne-Bisguier game. Suffice it to say that Browne considered it one of his best games ever.

Browne, Walter Shawn — Bisguier, Arthur Bernard [C42]
USA-ch Chicago (9), 1974

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Be7 7.0–0 Nc6 8.c4 Nb4 9.cxd5 Nxd3 10.Qxd3 Qxd5 11.Re1 Bf5 12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.Qxc3 c6 14.Bh6 Rg8 15.Re5 Qd7 16.Rae1 Be6 17.Ng5 0–0–0 18.Nxf7 Bxf7 19.Rxe7 Qxd4 20.Rxf7 Qxc3 21.bxc3 gxh6 22.Rb1 Rg5 23.h4 Rb5 24.Rxb5 cxb5 25.Rxh7 Rd1+ 26.Kh2 Rd2 27.Rxh6 Rxa2 28.h5 Rxf2 29.Rh8+ Kc7 30.h6 Kb6 31.Kh3 a5 32.g4 b4 33.cxb4 axb4 34.Re8 Rf1 35.Kg2 Rf7 36.g5 Rf5 37.h7 Rxg5+ 38.Kf3 Rh5 39.h8Q Rxh8 40.Rxh8 1–0

 

Bobby Ang is a founding member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and its first Executive Director. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), he taught accounting in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for 25 years and is currently Chief Audit Executive of the Equicom Group of Companies.

bobby@cpamd.net

Set for US Open

Tiger Woods knew he had no chance of claiming victory at the Memorial Tournament even before he walked to the first tee for his final 18 yesterday. He looked to be in position to contend early on in the third round, making the turn at 32 following birdies on the odd-numbered holes, but found his aim for a provisional spot close to the leaders stunted by a double bogey on the 10th. He limped with an even-par showing from then on, leaving himself in the mid-20s and 11 strokes off the pace. As he noted in his post-mortem, “I’m so far back … I’m not going to win.”

Still, Woods wasn’t about to let his fourth round go to waste. He aimed to “get some positive momentum” going into the (United States) Open next week, and figured a solid performance at Muirfield would, at the very least, prove he had the game for Pebble Beach. And, true enough, he did, combining accurate driving with solid iron play and outstanding putting to go a remarkable seven strokes under par through 12 holes. The traditional Sunday-red charge was on, and he found himself in fourth with the final third of his round still to be negotiated.

Unfortunately, Woods didn’t get much from then on. In fact, he dropped shots on the 14th and 18th to finish five under for the day and nine under all told, good for ninth. Considering how much ground he had to make up, it was still a fine finish. “Overall, it was a great day. I hit the ball really well and made some nice putts,” he said. Indeed, he found the fairway and the greens 12 and 14 times out of 14 and 18, respectively — as clear a sign as any that he’s sharp and ready for the rigors ahead. And, what’s more, he feels he can still do better.

Whether or not Woods is capable or stringing together outstanding golf through four days at Pebble Beach remains to be seen. The good news is that the US Golf Association’s promise to do better than recent memory in setting up the course — traditionally favoring shotmaking over length — should cater to his strengths. Meanwhile, he’s in high spirits, filled with happy thoughts as he preps for the sport’s most stringent test of the year.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.

Peso strengthens to P51:$1 level

THE PESO strengthened against the dollar on Monday, returning to the P51-per-dollar level, as market players await May inflation data.

The local unit closed yesterday’s session at P51.91 versus the greenback, 25 centavos stronger than the P52.16-per-dollar finish on Friday.

The peso opened the session at its worst showing of P52.15 versus the dollar. Still, it traded stronger the whole day, closing at its intraday high.

Trading volume thinned to $782.85 million from $988.32 million that switched hands the previous session.

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. chief economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said the peso strengthened as market players expect slower inflation in May.

“Investors are probably anticipating the positive impact of a slower May inflation signalling more support for more monetary easing in the next coming months,” said Mr. Asuncion in a text message.

A BusinessWorld poll of 11 economists conducted last week yielded a three percent median estimate, lower than the 4.6% print in the same month last year and flat from April’s pace. This median sits near the lower end of the 2.8-3.6% estimate range of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release May inflation data on June 5.

Meanwhile, in an interview last week in Tokyo, BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said the central bank has “more room for monetary easing” and vowed more cuts.

“This particular driver may have resonated more to investors than the protracted trade issues between US and China, and more recently, the US and its neighbor Mexico,” Mr. Asuncion added.

Meanwhile, a trader said the peso strengthened “as global markets start to price in a possible policy rate cut from the US Federal Reserve from the probable impact of heightening trade conflicts.”

For today, Mr. Asuncion expects the peso to trade between P51.70 and P52.10, while the trader gave a P51.80-P52 range. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

PSEi soars to 8,000 level on net foreign buying

By Arra B. Francia, Senior Reporter

THE MAIN INDEX soared past the 8,000 mark on Monday, outperforming international markets as it was supported by heavy foreign buying.

The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) jumped 1.44% or 114.86 points to close at 8,084.88 yesterday, marking its fifth day of gains. The broader all-shares index likewise racked up 0.99% or 48.64 points to 4,939.01.

“The market became an outlier today as foreign buying led the index above 8,000. The PSE got a total of P2-billion foreign buying for the past three trading days,” Unicapital Securities, Inc. Technical Analyst Jeff Radley C. See said in a text message on Monday.

Net foreign buying ballooned to P1.43 billion on Monday, about double Friday’s P734.41 million. This marks the third straight session of net inflows from foreign investors after 18 days of outflows.

The PSEi defied the negative performance of its international and regional peers as investors were concerned of geopolitical concerns.

“Investors continue to flock into the Philippine market, with today’s concentration in the property sector today as many are still wary of investing outside the country,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a separate message on Monday.

Last Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.41% or 354.84 points to 24,815.04. The S&P 500 index retreated 1.32% or 36.80 points to 2,752.06, while the Nasdaq Composite index fell 1.51% or 114.57 points to 7,453.15.

US President Donald J. Trump had warned of a 5% tariff increase on Mexican imports last week, on top of its already worsening relations with China.

Asian markets were mostly down on Monday on the back of lingering trade war concerns. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.92% or 190.31 points to 20,410.88; China’s Shanghai Composite was down 0.3% or 8.61 points to 2,890.08; while the Hang Seng index slumped 0.03% or 7.23 points to 26,893.86.

Back home, all sectoral indices were in positive territory, led by property which firmed up 3.28% or 142.23 points to 4,468.05. Holding firms advanced 1.15% or 87.49 points to 7,664.80; industrials rose 0.89% or 104.53 points to 11,738.97; mining and oil climbed 0.78% or 58.22 points to 7,446.62; financials went up 0.47% or 8.12 points to 1,736.71, while services added 0.24% or 4.18 points to 1,687.30.

Some 1.33 billion issues switched hands valued at P10.02 billion, higher than the previous session’s P8.49 billion.

Advancers outpaced decliners, 120 to 72, while 48 names were unchanged.

“The PSE index is trading near the top of the range at 8,150. We remain bullish as long as it holds 7,900 and 8,000 as support. A break of 8,150-8,200 can send the index to 8,600 in the short term,” Unicapital’s Mr. See said.

13 senators sign resolution supporting Sotto

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter

THIRTEEN senators have signed a draft resolution expressing support for Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III to continue his leadership in the 18th Congress.

“Under his leadership, the Senate has been lauded for its productivity which resulted in the passage of significant measures impressed with national interest,” read the resolution, which credited no author but was circulated among senators during Monday’s session.

Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, who was among those who signed the resolution, said other signatories are Senators Panfilo M. Lacson, Grace S. Poe-Llamanzares, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Aquilino L. Pimentel III, Nancy S. Binay, Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, and Senate leaders Ralph G. Recto (Pro-Tempore) and Juan Miguel F. Zubiri (Majority Leader).

The three others are outgoing Senators Gregorio B. Honasan II, Loren B. Legarda, and Francis G. Escudero.

Mr. Pacquiao added that Senator Richard J. Gordon, who was not present during the session, relayed in a phone call his support for Mr. Sotto. “Senator Gordon called me expressing his support (for) your leadership,” Mr. Pacquiao told the Senate session.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar did not sign the resolution, which Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon questioned, saying, “Isn’t it unusual that a member of the majority will not sign the resolution?”

But Ms. Villar explained that she did not want to sign the resolution without coordinating with her allies in the Nacionalista Party, Taguig-2nd district Rep. Pia S. Cayetano and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos.

“They were asking me to sign, I told them na ikaw Manny, ayusin mo muna ‘yung partido mo bago ka pumirma d’yan,” she said in an interview, Monday. (They were asking me to sign, but I told them — Manny, discuss it first with your party allies, before signing anything).

“In my behalf, I cannot sign because we have two newcomers from NP. I wanted to talk to them about the issues bago ako pumirma (before I sign),” Ms. Villar also said, referring to Ms. Cayetano, a former senator who has won a fresh term, and Ms. Marcos, who also won in the midterm senatorial race.

Outgoing Senator and majority bloc member Joseph Victor G. Ejercito also has not signed the resolution. Mr. Ejercito and Ms. Villar were both endorsed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago partylist.

Grab may deactivate 8,000 drivers

By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

GRAB Philippines (MyTaxi.PH, Inc.) said Monday it may have to deactivate “at least” 8,000 vehicle providers from its platform next week, as they failed to comply with regulations set by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

In a statement, the ride-hailing firm said it is ready to remove at least 8,000 transport network vehicle services (TNVS) provider by June 10, as they have yet to show the LTFRB proof of provisional authority to operate.

“This will reduce the number of vehicles servicing our commuting public, thus inconveniencing many Filipinos,” Grab Philippines President Brian P. Cu said in the statement, noting the removal of drivers will “worsen the current lack of drivers.”

Grab noted the 8,000 drivers it expects to be pulled out of its pool equates to at least 100,000 rides per day.

To recall, the LTFRB opened 20,000 slots for TNVS on Dec. 17 last year, with a June 7 deadline to complete application requirements.

The regulator also said in a May 31 advisory that it will open another 10,000 slots for TNVS units on June 10, as a means to address the 8,000 providers it anticipates to deactivate.

“We hope that this inconvenience will be temporary, as we anticipate new drivers — even those from the 8,000 — to take advantage of the 10,000 new slots for application starting June 10,” Mr. Cu said.

Grab currently has a pool of 45,000 active drivers on its platform, and a “very low 60s” fulfillment rate-or the rate of booking requests that it is able to attend to.

Palace: Marcoses can join auction of jewelry

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter

MALACAÑANG on Monday said the family of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos is allowed to participate in the auction of “ill-gotten” jewelry seized from former first lady and now Ilocos Norte-2nd district Rep. Imelda R. Marcos.

“Ay siyempre, dahil everybody, wala namang prohibition doon ‘di ba, auction eh (Of course, because [it is] for everybody. There is no prohibition because it is an auction),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a press briefing at the Palace when asked if the Marcos family can bid for the jewelry.

Asked if the Marcos family may be prohibited from participating in the auction, Mr. Panelo said: “I don’t think so, kung (if it is) auction. I do not know of any law prohibiting any person from bidding, if you are qualified. Unless there are requirements for a qualification na gagawin nung auctioneer (to be determined by the auctioneer). Kung meron eh (If there are,) you will have to pass through the qualification.”

Mr. Panelo said “only the courts can stop the sale” of the said jewelry.

He also said Malacañang will oppose any efforts from the Marcos family to stop the public auction, saying: “If they do, then we will oppose it.”

“Because that’s the right thing to do. We feel that as the President says, the proceeds have to go to the Filipino people who are in urgent need of government aid,” he added.

Mr. Panelo continued, “[A]s far as we are concerned, these properties have been declared to be ill-gotten, that’s why precisely it is to be solved. If that was the court decision, then we have to abide by it.”

Sought for comment, Law and Business professor Antonio A. Ligon of De La Salle University said in a phone interview: “The general rule is that in auction, anyone can participate. So, we will have to just review if the proceeding of the auction will exclude them. But it will really be ironic if you will see those who supposedly had taken [the jewelry] illegally, taking it back because they have the money to buy it…. That will be questionable.”

He added:“If you read the law on auctioning, it is available for the public. Normally, in ordinary cases, the owner themselves can buy. But in this case, it is declared to be an illegally gotten wealth….I’m sure, when they auction it, they will come up with guidelines. I think they will take that into consideration.”

OFWs’ dragon boat team makes splash in HK

HONG KONG — Filipino women are paddling for gold in this year’s dragon boat races in Hong Kong, with one thing separating them from the competition — they are all maids, often taken for granted in the rich Chinese-ruled city, who no longer want to feel left out.

To the beat of a drum, the 29 members of the Filipino Dynamos train or compete every Sunday — their only day off each week — in the paddling ritual that has roots dating back more than 2,000 years.

The tradition brings together people from all walks of life to compete each year in colorful, long, narrow boats across the Asian financial hub’s busy waterways.

“I want to integrate the Filipino helper community and represent the domestic helper as part of Hong Kong, part of the community, and we don’t want to feel excluded,” said Liza Avelino, who founded the team last year.

“When we’re racing, there’s no employer, there’s no helper. Everyone is equal.”

Hong Kong’s more than 300,000 domestic workers come mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia and many are the main breadwinners for their families back home.

Dynamos teammate Geraldine Inabiohan, who moved to Hong Kong in 2012 to pay for her siblings’ education in the Philippines, said the group wanted to encourage women to push the boundaries.

“The objective of our team is to empower women. We want to push women like us, helpers, that we do something more,” she said.

“I think, as the season goes, we see ourselves as champions.” — Reuters

Courts order consolidation of Dengvaxia cases

SIX Regional Trial Court (RTC) branches have ordered the consolidation of 11 cases against Sanofi Pasteur Inc. filed by families of children whose deaths were linked to the company’s Dengvaxia vaccine.

The March 31 court orders stated that they will act on a Motion to Consolidate the cases filed by Chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta of the Public Attorneys Office (PAO). The cases will be consolidated before Branch 226 of the Quezon City RTC.

“(T)he consolidation for trial of the instant case will avoid the possibility of having conflicting decisions on cases of similar nature arising from the same series of events and to be proven by substantially the same evidence; a situation that is inimical to the orderly administration of justice,” reads the order by Branch 84 of San Mateo, Rizal, which handled two of the eleven cases being consolidated.

Last month, Branch 226 dismissed a petition by Sanofi and distributor Zuellig Pharma Corp. to dismiss a case filed by parents of Abbie Hedia, who died due to complications linked to the anti-dengue vaccine.

The Dengvaxia vaccine was first rolled out as part of a national immunization program on the watch of then president Benigno S.C. Aquino III and health secretary Janette L. Garin. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permanently revoked the registration of Dengvaxia in December 2018 last year, citing Sanofi’s noncompliance in submitting needed documents. — Gillian M. Cortez

Duterte certifies ROTC bill as urgent

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter

Malacañang on Monday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte has certified as urgent the bill that seeks to revive the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) for senior high school students.

“Yes,” Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea said in phone message to BusinessWorld on Monday evening when asked if Mr. Duterte has certified the bill as urgent.

The 17th Congress will officially adjourn on Friday, June 7.

The House of Representatives approved the House Bill 8961 on third and final reading last month.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian sponsored the Senate version of the bill, Senate Bill No. 2232, on May 22.

The bill proposes to require students in grades 11 and 12 to undergo the said training. The ROTC program includes patriotism lessons, basic military training, and civic training.

“This bill requires that the ROTC program be run hand-in-hand with legal safeguards against hazing, abuse, exploitation, discrimination, bribery, and corruption — in recognition (of) these problems hav(ing) plagued the program in the past,” Mr. Gatchalian said in his sponsorship speech.

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