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The lesser known facet of quo warranto

The extraordinary writ of quo warranto has been raised to public consciousness again recently that it begs to be understood further. It will be recalled that an action for quo warranto was filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) a couple of years ago to challenge Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s right to her to public position. This Petition was eventually granted by the Supreme Court and caused her removal as a public officer. This is the same type of Petition filed by the OSG again, but this time not against a public officer, but against a private entity, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. and ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc.

There is therefore some confusion as to the nature of the remedy, which is often associated with challenges to individuals holding public office.

The special civil action of quo warranto is actually a writ of inquiry that determines whether or not there is legal right to a public office, position, or franchise and may be instituted against an individual or entity, as the case may be.

Under the Rules of Court, quo warranto must be commenced by the Solicitor General when directed by the President of the Philippines, or when upon complaint or otherwise, he has good reason to believe that any of the following can be established by proof: (1.) A person usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position or franchise; (2.) A public officer does or suffers an act which, by the provision of law, constitutes a ground for the forfeiture of his office; or, (3.) An association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act.

It can be gathered from the foregoing that as applied to entities, an action for quo warranto is proper in assailing either the existence of a de facto corporation or the unlawful exercise of a franchise by a de jure or legally incorporated entity.

While the Rules of Court do not distinguish between the kinds of franchise that may be subject of quo warranto against a de jure corporation (i.e., whether it is the “primary franchise” which is the certificate of registration of corporations or the “secondary franchise” which is the legislative franchise), Republic Act No. 8799 is clear that the revocation of a corporation’s certificate of registration is within the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This means that the “franchise” referred to in the rules on quo warranto proceedings that may be instituted in courts of competent jurisdiction must refer to legislative franchises.

The use of quo warranto to challenge a corporation’s legislative franchise is not novel in Philippine jurisprudence, but neither is it prevalent. Thus, there is more to be explored and tested in this legal remedy.

With particular regard to the revocation of a franchise of a broadcasting corporation, the case of Divinagracia vs. Consolidated Broadcasting System, Inc. and People’s Broadcasting Service discussed the propriety of quo warranto proceedings. Here, the issue involved is the regulatory jurisdiction of the NTC (i.e., whether or not it has the power to cancel a license issued to a broadcasting company that is also a grantee of legislative franchise on the ground of violation of its franchise). The Supreme Court in this case said that the regulatory agency cannot extend its power to revoke the mother franchise, and if there is a need to do so, it should be by an action for quo warranto.

Be that as it may, the action for quo warranto against ABS-CBN may present an actual controversy for the Supreme Court to finally make a pronouncement on the issue. It must be noted that under the Constitution, Congress has the power to grant (and hence also revoke) franchises, and an argument can be made that resort to courts may interfere with this process. Indeed, this may give rise to the situation where one branch of government decides, for instance that the franchise is warranted, while the other rules in an opposite manner. If only to reconcile the apparent clash of powers, the Supreme Court may need to eventually decide on the matter of the limitations of branches of government in this regard.

 

Atty. Maritoni B. Molina is an Associate at the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).

mbmolina@accralaw.com

Power Trip

They called him The Punisher when he was mayor of Davao City. I guess he can now be called The Terminator (step aside Schwarzenegger).

President Rodrigo Duterte appears to be in a terminating mood of late. He just ordered the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States and is set to allow the termination of the existence of the ABS-CBN network, the media bulwark of the Lopez business empire, operating television and radio stations across the Philippines and overseas.

Duterte does not have to actually cut off the network’s operations, as in unplugging a dying person’s life support system or discontinuing an international agreement like the VFA. He will simply order his rubber-stamp Congress not renew or extend the network’s franchise.

Power. That’s what Duterte wants to show to anyone who dares to displease him. Of course, his lieutenants (like Solicitor General Jose Caleda) will apply legal goobledygook to justify Duterte’s display of power. That’s like sheathing a brass knuckled fist with kid gloves.

The Lopez family and their business empire, aside from the media network, are among the most powerful in the Philippines. Duterte wants to prove that he is more powerful than they are. In fact, Duterte wants to prove that he is more powerful than all the business empires in the country. Only recently, he practically castrated the Ayalas and Manny Pangilinan, names that make the Philippine economy ring. The Ayalas and Pangilinan knew better than to talk back.

There’s a wise saying: “He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.”

One doesn’t have to be a monster for Duterte to decide to make you kneel in obeisance. The VFA was terminated because of the cancellation of the 10-year visitor’s visa to the US of Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, Duterte’s former chief of the Philippine National Police and principal enforcer of Duterte’s war against drugs.

Duterte actually gave the US one month to reinstate the visa… or else. Expectedly the US was not impressed with the threat. The Americans ignored it. In fact, President Donald Trump’s reaction was that this would save money for the US. And so, the VFA was terminated.

And speaking of Trump, Duterte is not the only head of state who has demonstrated a willingness to give more importance to the interests of cohorts than the greater good of the country. If Duterte has Bato, Trump has Roger Stone — which has caused pundits to comment that both Duterte and Trump have left their respective countries caught between a rock and a hard place.

Note that the VFA is linked to many other military and economic ties between the United States and the Philippines. It’s like a string that is tied to a rope that is tied to a bigger rope that is tied to a package of benefits that could be lost. This loss will have a profound impact on the Filipino people and is infinitely more important than a vacation by Bato in the US (he has been seen in Las Vegas lifting Manny Pacquiao on his shoulders after a fight). But that hasn’t dissuaded Duterte from his power trip.

And why should that dissuade him? ABS-CBN, the business moguls, and the United States are chicken feed compared to what Duterte has also decided to take on. God Himself.

Some time last year, following profundities hurled at His Holiness Pope Francis, Duterte got pissed over the imperfections God has allowed in man (including Duterte’s imperfections, one may assume). As a result he called God stupid (that should give the Ayalas, Pangilinan and the Lopezes some comfort, knowing that they are in Divine company).

Not satisfied with insulting God, Duterte has predicted that the Catholic church will be kaput in 25 years.

Why 25 years and not sooner? I guess Duterte acknowledges the difficulty of bringing an institution of over 2,000 years to its knees, so he set a less abrupt timeline of a quarter century (Duterte is only giving ABS-CBN only up to the end of March plus a grace period to continue its existence).

This has led some social media trolls to wonder if the Catholic church also depends on a government franchise to continue to operate in the Philippines. If that were the case, you can be sure that the Almighty and All-Powerful Duterte would also threaten to allow the franchise to lapse and refuse to renew it.

Note that Duterte has a sense of history. He never had much love for America, because, according to him, US troops had massacred Mindanao natives way back during its colonization of the Philippines. That, on top of being denied a tourist visa when he wanted to visit a girlfriend in the US (this may simply be gossip, of course).

Thus, when then US President Obama expressed concern over the reported bloodbath that characterized Duterte’s war on drugs, Duterte reminded Obama of the spillage of Filipino blood caused by America.

The Catholic church has also been critical of Duterte’s anti-drug war, condemning the reported extrajudicial killings. Pissed at this “interference,” Duterte has called the princes of the church hypocrites for having looked the other way while priests abused young parishioners. Duterte has even threatened to “kill” the abusive priests.

Not surprisingly, Duterte does not have much love for the Catholic church. That, on top of being allegedly molested by a priest himself (this may also be gossip, of course, although Duterte himself has claimed that it actually happened).

In a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines, Duterte’s threats have gone in one ear and out the other of millions of “devout” Catholics, thus encouraging Duterte to continue his insults against the church and even against the Lord. Of course God doesn’t need anyone to defend Him, but shouldn’t there be at least an uproar from the Catholic faithful over Duterte’s foul language?

One is constrained to observe that Duterte wouldn’t dare use the same foul language against Islam. If he does, he would immediately be the object of a fatwa or a death sentence. This says something about the alleged tapang or bravery of Duterte.

At any rate, it should also be noted that Catholics have been taught to turn the other cheek and to suffer insults in silence. Thus, blusterers like Duterte have felt free to throw their weight around.

You can be sure that Duterte has also not forgotten the centuries of Spanish domination of the archipelago and the sword and the cross that were used in the introduction of Christianity and the establishment of the Catholic church in the Philippines.

Indeed, Duterte has such contempt for the Catholic church that one should not be surprised if he rakes up the conquest of the Philippines by the Spaniards and how Ferdinand Magellan was slain in Mactan by a Cebuano chieftain named Lapu-Lapu.

If it took someone named Lapu-Lapu to fight the Spaniards, Duterte would have no compunction about giving the bishops and the priests his dirty finger, along with the greeting, “Fish be with you.”

 

Greg B. Macabenta is an advertising and communications man shuttling between San Francisco and Manila and providing unique insights on issues from both perspectives.

gregmacabenta@hotmail.com

Mobilizing Public-Private stewardship of the environment

Government, industries, and civil society organizations are finding different ways to approach plastic waste pollution. Legislative measures, such as a nationwide ban on single-use plastics, adoption of waste-to-energy plants, extended producers’ responsibility, and private sectors’ proactive engagement with communities and local government units are at the core of this discussion.

It is sobering that stakeholders are beginning to recognize the role they have to play as part of the solution. Whilst a tough process, something needs to be done, and it is never without asking, where do we start?

The broad-based multi-stakeholder approach is essential to effectively integrate a circular economy in rethinking production processes and in modernizing our waste management processes. The economic and technological realities show that a nationwide ban does not make the most sense in plastic waste management. A holistic approach wherein all regulatory schemes will mobilize the cooperation of public and private sectors is the more sensible and viable direction rather than extreme policies that will only burden consumers with higher prices.

Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 itself encourages greater private sector participation in solid waste management. Even as Metro Manila coagulates further, urban and environmental challenges are too daunting and complex to be taken on separately. Shared responsibilities in caring for the environment through proper waste management efforts should be encouraged and mandated.

Simply put, government cannot do everything on its own.

Big industry leaders and environmental advocacy groups were on the same page in the recent Stratbase Pilipinas Conference and aligned their commitments to help solve what the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sees as a “garbage crisis” that must be solved to clean up Manila Bay.

In fact, collaborative programs with the private sector and communities, even in waste management, are not unheard of. Big companies are now partnering with government agencies to rehabilitate the most polluted rivers in Metro Manila. There are ongoing partnerships with communities and local government units to incentivize recovery of wastes and augment leakage that glaringly start off from the collection system.

A showcase of decor made from recycled plastic. — BW FILE PHOTO

Among the notable private sector initiatives is Coca-Cola Philippines’ P1-billion RPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) facility investment, the first in the Asia Pacific region, and slated to break ground this year. The technology will give PET bottles extended and multiple lives as RPET bottles, fabrics, chairs, and other useful items, thereby catching thousands of tons a day in PET bottles that would have ended up in landfills, illegal dumpsites, and esteros (canals) flowing to Manila Bay.

This is under the company’s World Without Waste global program which already has various ongoing sustainability and waste management programs in Iloilo, Bacolod, Boracay, Davao, Siargao, Palawan, Cavite, Bataan, Marinduque, Albay, Davao, Metro Manila, La Union, Baler, Negros Occidental and Saranggani, among others.

Innovations in packaging will take some time but the multinational manufacturing countries are investing in what can be done now to help stop the dumping of thousands of tons of trash ending up in our waterways. Manufacturers using sachet packaging such as Unilever for one have post-consumer waste collection programs in over 300 communities in Metro-Manila through a product exchange incentive. Its “Zero Waste” programs are engaged in multi-sectoral partnerships to implement micro-level collection projects. More and more enterprises see the value of responsive corporate citizenship and the role they must play as an enabling stakeholder of the environment which should be rigorously encouraged and even incentivized by government.

Building the best waste management systems takes resources, right planning and execution, but addressing public apathy, the lack of motivation and discipline to individually participate in reducing waste may be the more challenging dimension of our garbage problem. A strong communications campaign that aims to transform the “throw away” habit into a “dispose your trash properly” culture is a key component that the private sector’s pool of creative communicators will be most valuable.

Public or private-led programs on environmental stewardship and community empowerment are all invaluable in plastic waste management. It sets a new wave of strategies on how community-based projects can be more inclusive and impactful as they are connected to institutionalized funding schemes.

That said, empowering communities and enforcing environmental regulations work best when shared responsibility is upheld and encouraged. It works best when private partners are engaged and included as much as local governments and communities are held accountable.

It may be ambitious by a long shot, but it is possible and most of all, it works.

 

Vanessa Pepino is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Stratbase ADR Institute.

Stories over speeches

By Raju Mandhyan

EVERYTHING that we are, everything that we believe in and most everything that we are drawn to is influenced by good stories. Stories that we heard on the laps of our grandparents, stories our parents shared, and stories of and by people we loved and looked up to.

The really smart businesses across the world know this to be true. Notice how global corporations, community leaders, and people promoting their own faiths use them. They use them lavishly and, sometimes, lethally.

What happens to us when we listen to a story instead of a bullet point-riddled business speech?

Take into account the Triune Brain theory of physician and neuroscientist Paul D. MacLean and simplify it a bit like I have done in my book, the HeART of the CLOSE. The human brain has taken eons to evolve into what it is today. The brain has evolved in three major stages. Let’s call them the old Reactive Brain which mostly runs many of our unconscious bodily functions and is also the seat of fright, flight or fight. It is always overcautious, easily gets addicted, and, of course, has very little ability in delaying gratification. Then comes the mid or the Romantic Brain, the seat of our emotions, hopes, ethics, and the like. Lastly we have the new Reasoning Brain which is the seat of analysis, rationality, and short-term memory.

When we hear a story, a story that sinks in and settles deeper than most speeches, at least five things happen:

One, the Reasoning Brain takes a back seat and lets the words, the pictures, pass easily through the objective and analytical police work that it usually does. It goes — people go — “it is nothing but a story and what harm can it do? It looks nicely packaged in roses, rainbows, and rhythm. It is just fun, light stuff, open the gates of head!”

Two, the Romantic Brain sits up and says, “Wow, are we talking people, places, pictures, poetry here? I have here within me so many experiences to share, feelings to feel and dreams to dream. I wanna dance, I like what I am hearing, seeing and sensing. This is good. Let’s party!” It then begins to conjure up its own stories and begins pump out dopamine, oxytocin, and feels engaged and happy.

Three, the deeper, Reactive Brain finds no cause to be afraid, to run away, or pull out its fangs to defend itself or the human that houses it. He thinks if those two juvenile idiots think it is okay to let these sensations come in then it must be okay. Anyway, they seem to having fun. So it puts its head down and returns to its daily grind and holds back the cortisol from running amuck.

Four, when these three brains are in alignment and in harmony, there is peace among the millions of neurons that live in our heads, hearts, and our guts. When these neurons are calm and quiet they take in all the new data eagerly and store them in our long-term memories. Thus any and all important interpretations and messages that stories bring in with them get stored in us as our belief systems and values.

Thus, stories really are roses, rainbows, and rhythms which gently package our personal and societal values. Try asking yourself why you believe in honesty and chances are your response will be, “because a long time ago when I went shopping with Dad…” You will recall a story.

Five, when you as a leader tell a story to a group of people, not only are they leaning deep into your story, their mirror neurons rise to the occasion and recall incidents and experiences and compare the beliefs and the values held within them with yours. It is synergy and inclusion in action. No, in fact it is dynamic interaction.

Ergo, whenever you have to make a speech, deliver a status report, hold a town hall meeting, build a team, or influence your world authentically for a longer time, then tell a story over a speech. We will all then be living a happily ever after life.

 

Raju Mandhyan author, coach and learning facilitator.

www.mandhyan.com

NBA’s Kobe Bryant mourned at emotional Los Angeles tribute

LOS ANGELES — A gallery of basketball legends joined thousands of Kobe Bryant fans in Los Angeles on Monday to pay tribute to the transcendent National Basketball Association (NBA) star, his daughter and seven others who died in a helicopter crash last month that shocked the world of sports and beyond.

The “Celebration of Life” memorial at the Staples Center, Bryant’s home arena during most of his storied 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers, featured an emotional address by Bryant’s widow Vanessa, who started dating Kobe when she was 17.

She told a rapt audience that included NBA luminaries and show-business celebrities about the pain of losing her 13-year-old daughter Gianna, “an amazingly sweet and gentle soul,” and the husband she called her “soulmate.”

“He was my everything,” she said of Bryant, who joined the NBA at age 18 straight out of high school, was a five-time champion and fourth-highest scorer in league history with 33,643 points.

“God knew they couldn’t be on this earth without each other,” Vanessa Bryant said, referring to her husband and daughter. “He had to bring them home to heaven together.”

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and former Bryant teammate Shaquille O’Neal were among the Basketball Hall of Famers who attended the memorial, which opened with a performance by singer Beyoncé and a montage of Bryant’s on-court highlights.

“When Kobe Bryant died, a piece of me died,” said Jordan with tears streaming down his face. “Please rest in peace, little brother.”

Bryant, 41, and the others were killed on Jan. 26 in a crash in Calabasas, California, while en route to a youth basketball tournament at which Kobe was planning to coach his daughter and her teammates.

Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the operator of the helicopter. The pilot was one of those killed in the accident.

An avid basketball player herself, Gianna hoped one day to play for the powerhouse collegiate program at the University of Connecticut, and she bonded with her father over their shared love of the game.

SOMBER MOOD
Fans gathered outside the arena hours before the ceremony started, many of them clad in Lakers purple and gold.

“I have been a Kobe fan for a long, long time. It is so sad, especially with the children. But it has really brought the city together,” said Bubacar Drammeh, who stood outside the venue and planned to watch the memorial on TV.

Inside the Staples Center, the mood was somber. Concession stands were closed and cell phone use discouraged. Attendees were not allowed in if they arrived late.

The proceedings attracted A-list Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah and Spike Lee. Grammy award-winning musician Alicia Keys performed the “Moonlight Sonata.”

Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel cried as he read out the names of the deceased and expressed the shock felt by loyal fans of the self-proclaimed “Black Mamba,” who dazzled the Los Angeles community well beyond his time on the court, even winning an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018.

“This is a sad day, but it is also a celebration of life, of their lives,” said Kimmel, who had Bryant on his show many times.

After his 20-year playing career, the Lakers retired both jersey numbers Bryant wore for the team — 8 and 24 — which hang from the arena’s rafters along with the numbers of other Lakers’ greats, including Johnson and O’Neal.

During the annual NBA All-Star weekend three weeks after the crash, the league said it would name its All-Star Game Most Valuable Player honor for Bryant.

Since his death, tributes to Bryant have appeared across the Los Angeles area, with his numbers displayed on the Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel, city buses bearing “RIP Kobe” signs and purple and gold lights added to the pylons at LAX airport.

“In the game of basketball, in life, as a parent, Kobe left nothing in the tank,” said Jordan, articulating one of the reasons Bryant’s stardom transcended sports. “He left it all on the floor.” — Reuters

PHL faces Greece as Davis Cup tweaks format

THE Philippines will get the chance to play against world tennis’ best and brightest as they clash with Greece in the Davis Cup, which is implementing a brand-new format starting this year.

Under the new format, the Filipinos will battle the Greeks that could be spearheaded by World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas in a World Group II playoff round slated March 6 to 7 at the Philippine Columbian Association’s Plaza Dilao clay courts in Paco, Manila.

It will mark the first time that the country will play against a non-Asian country since the team, then led by Felix Barrientos, tackled Sweden in the World Cup qualifier in 1991.

Jeson Patrombon, Francis Casey Alcantara, AJ Lim and possibly Fil-Ams Ruben Gonzales and Treat Huey are expected to represent the country.

They will have a chance to face Tsitsipas, who made the semifinals of the Australian Open last year, assuming the Greeks will enlist him before the deadline on Tuesday.

“We’re excited of the new format because our team will have an opportunity to play not just Asians but also other strong players in the world,” said Philippine non-playing captain Chris Cuarto.

In this new system, a total of 12 home-and-away ties will be played in the World Group II simultaneous with the World Qualifiers and World Group I playoffs.

The top 12 in the World Group II playoffs will then advance to the World Group II ties in September along with losing countries from the World Group I.

The losers here will be demoted to the Regional Group III scheduled in June and July or September.

Luisita starts defense of PAL Interclub seniors title

BACOLOD CITY — Luisita starts defense of its title when the 34th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Seniors Interclub golf team championships kick off today at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (NOGCC) and the Bacolod Golf Club.

Luisita is hoping for a good start, according to Luisita captain Jeric Hechanova.

“It is important for us to play well on the first day and hopefully lead or just a few strokes behind the leaders,” said Mr. Hechanova who is fielding virtually the same team that scored a three-point victory over Canlubang last year in Cebu City.

Only Edmund Yee is not around for Luisita, his spot taken by returnee Jingy Tuason.

The other Luisita players are Eddie Bagtas, Benjamin Sumulong, Chino Raymundo, Chito Laureta, Rafael Garcia, Rodel Mangulabnan and Demetrio Saclot.

Mr. Hechanova said they are counting on their veterans to deliver, “but nevertheless try their best and display good sportsmanship to the highest level.”

Standing in Luisita’s way are Canlubang, NOGCC and Cebu Country Club (CCC) which complete the championship division.

“The courses’ conditions are the best that I have ever seen,” said Canlubang star Tommy Manotoc who squeezed in 24 holes in both courses last Monday. “Light rains made the fairways softer.”

Mr. Manotoc, who at 70 remains Canlubang’s leader, will be backstopped by Abe Rosal, Zaldy Villa, Rolly Viray, Damasus Wong, Abe Avena, Mari Hechanova and Rene Unson.

NOGCC, led by veteran Francis Gaston, looms as tournament dark horse while CCC hopes to duplicate its success in the regular PAL Interclub last year.

Ninety-five teams are seeing action in the four-day tournament divided into four other divisions aside from the championship: Founders, Aviator, Sportswriters and Friendship.

NOGCC, formerly Marapara, will host the championship and Founders divisions on the first and fourth day of competition with the rest of the rounds to be played at Bacolod GC (Binitin).

The Molave scoring system will be used in the four-day event. Par is worth 3 points while a birdie and bogey are worth 4 and 2, respectively. An even par round is worth 54 points.

The field is divided into five brackets: Championship, Founders, Aviator, Sportswriter and Friendship.

Each team is allowed to field four players for each round, but only the top three scores are counted. Each player can only play a maximum of two rounds.

The seniors tournament precedes the 73rd men’s regular event slated March 4-7 with Cebu Country Club defending its title.

National flag carrier Philippine Airlines is the host of this prestigious international sporting event. The platinum sponsors are Asian Air Safari, Vanguard Radio Network, Fox Networks Group, and Radio Mindanao Network, Inc.

Major sponsors include The Boeing Company, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, Avolon Aerospace Singapore Pte Ltd, Rolls Royce, Manila Broadcasting Co., Primax Broadcasting, Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte Ltd, and CIGNAL TV, Inc.

Other supporters are Uniglobe Travelware Co., Inc. (The Travel Club), Philippine Manila Standard Publishing, Inc. (Manila Standard), Officine Corp., GE Aviation, SEDA Hotels, BDO Unibank, Smart Communications, Inc., People Asia Magazine, A+E Networks Asia (History), and Allianz PNB Life.

Former champion Honorio ‘The Rock’ Banario plans return to ONE featherweight dominance

Honorio “The Rock” Banario — ONE

WHEN Team Lakay’s Honorio “The Rock” Banario started his career in ONE Championship, he was one of the organization’s top featherweight talents. Not many may recall, but the 30-year-old is the first ONE featherweight world champion in history.

Now, the Baguio City native is set to make his return to the division to make another run at the world title.

This Friday, Mr. Banario takes on Thailand’s Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai at ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE in Singapore. The veteran’s return to his original weight class may just give him the competitive edge he needs to allow him to resuscitate his career.

“This is my first match going back down to the featherweight division,” Mr. Banario said.

“Here, I am faster, more explosive, and the fans will surely enjoy an exciting match between two hungry veterans looking to make a statement to start the year.”

Mr. Banario initially moved to lightweight following a heartbreaking five-bout losing skid. He turned things around, winning his first five contests at lightweight, featuring a renewed fervor and newfound power. However, time has taken a toll on his physicality, and the stress on his body at lightweight proved too much to handle.

“When I first competed at lightweight, I felt good because I was able to bring my power and speed up there and still felt light,” Mr. Banario said.

“However, after two years I dealt with injuries and I felt heavier even if I was in peak condition, so I decided to move back down to a more natural weight. Even before my last bout, I wanted to move to featherweight. However, I couldn’t pass on the chance to compete against a legend like Shinya (Aoki).”

Banario also realized during his run at lightweight that he was not at his 100%. He feels moving back down to featherweight will do good for his body and for his mental strength.

“My reaction time is a bit later than I want. It’s a huge factor in my decision to move down,” Mr. Banario said.

“I believe that moving to featherweight will help bring the best out of me. It also motivates me to work even harder especially after competing in lightweight for quite a while. I can’t relax in my training.”

Team Lakay is off to a great start for the year 2020. For Mr. Banario, hard work, determination, and the decision to compete in the featherweight division he hopes will help him get out of his slump and back to his winning ways.

“I just hope to win this one and keep on winning this year. I’m returning to my original weight division, and I want to continue to work my way back up the top,” Mr. Banario concluded.

Rredworks rapid chess tourney set in Makati City

THE Rredworks 2100 Average Team Rating Open 4×4 Rapid Chess Team Tournament gets under way on March 15, 2020 at the Southgate Mall, Magallanes, Makati City.

“Each team composed of four players must only have an average rating of 2100,” said tournament organizer Genghis Katipunan Imperial.

It is a seven round Swiss system format, 20 minutes plus five seconds delay.

“Allowed one or more Master Title Players in a team as long 2100.25 will not exceed, 2100.25 is computed by Swiss system as 2100. December rating shall be used,” said Mr. Imperial.

The team champion will earn P30,000 plus a trophy, second placer will get P20,000, third P10,000, fourth P8,000, fifth P6,000, sixth P4,000, and seventh to tenth placers will each earn P3,000.

Special award worth P3,000 each for the top government, college, women teams and 14 years old and below kiddies team while P500 each for best performer in board 1, 2, 3 and 4.

“Teams expected to see action are coming from Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Rizal province, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro as well Metro Manila,” he added. All top teams have special individual medal awards.

Milwaukee Bucks top Washington Wizards in OT despite Beal’s 55 points

WASHINGTON — Khris Middleton scored 40 points as the visiting Milwaukee Bucks overcame Bradley Beal’s career-high 55-point performance to earn a 137-134 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards on Monday.

Middleton shot 15 of 28 from the floor to excel in his second contest this season against the Wizards. He erupted for a career-high 51 points in Milwaukee’s 151-131 win over Washington on Jan. 28.

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out for the NBA-best Bucks, who have won 17 of their past 19 games.

Beal followed a 53-point performance in the Wizards’ 126-117 setback at Chicago on Sunday by making 19 of 33 shots — including 8 of 13 from 3-point range — against Milwaukee. Beal scored 47 points in the previous meeting with the Bucks.

Shabazz Napier scored 27 points off the bench for Washington, which has dropped three in a row after entering the All-Star break with five wins in its previous seven games.

After Beal sank a short jumper to stake the Wizards a 132-128 lead in overtime, Middleton countered with a pair of free throws, a jumper and a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31.2 seconds remaining.

Beal made a pair of free throws to bring Washington within one, but Middleton answered with two of his own with 7.8 seconds left. Troy Brown, Jr.’s 3-point attempt rimmed out as time expired.

Antetokounmpo was whistled for his fifth foul with 11:23 remaining in the fourth quarter and Milwaukee holding a 97-82 lead. Washington chipped away as Beal scored 17 straight Wizards points at one stretch before Antetokounmpo fouled out with 1:36 left in regulation.

Beal sank a 3-pointer and a layup to give the Wizards a 123-121 lead with 1:01 left before Eric Bledsoe made a pair of free throws with 54.6 seconds to go, forging a tie.

Washington’s bid to end the game in regulation was thwarted by Robin Lopez, who blocked Rui Hachimura’s reverse layup.

The Bucks overcame Antetokounmpo’s three fouls in the first half by shooting 57.1% (20 of 35) from the floor and 52.9% (9 of 17) from 3-point range to take a 57-47 lead into halftime. Middleton capped the scoring with an ankle-breaking drive for a layup just before the buzzer.

EMBIID POURS IN CAREER-BEST 49 AS 76ERS DOWN HAWKS
Joel Embiid scored a career-high 49 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Atlanta Hawks 129-112 on Monday.

Embiid produced 22 points in the fourth quarter and shot 14 of 15 overall from the free-throw line as the Sixers improved to a league-best 27-2 at home. It was also their 13th consecutive home victory.

Tobias Harris added 25 for the Sixers, who won again without injured All-Star guard Ben Simmons. Multiple media outlets reported that Simmons could be out for an extended period of time with more tests to be run on his ailing lower back.

Philadelphia’s Furkan Korkmaz also contributed 15 points, and Josh Richardson had 13.

Trae Young paced the Hawks with 28 points and 10 assists while De’Andre Hunter added 22 points. John Collins had 21 points and nine rebounds while Bruno Fernando and Cam Reddish each came off the bench to score 10 points.

The Hawks had their two-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 6-25 on the road.

The Sixers dominated the first half, bolting to a 21-point lead in the first quarter and holding a 41-24 edge at the end of the opening 12 minutes.

Korkmaz converted a four-point play with 1:20 left in the second for a 67-48 advantage. The Sixers led 69-52 at halftime thanks to Embiid’s 21 points and Harris’ 14.

Young was the only Hawks player in double figures by halftime with 10, as Atlanta committed 11 costly turnovers that led to 17 points.

When Young dropped in a 30-foot trey with 6:10 left in the third, the Hawks closed within 78-70. Hunter hit a shot in the paint and followed with a 3-pointer to cap a 10-0 run and cut the deficit to 78-75.

Young knocked down a 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left in the third, and the Hawks led 92-91 after the quarter.

Embiid made two free throws with 9:32 remaining to put the Sixers ahead 100-98. Embiid stayed aggressive and hit another pair of free throws for a four-point Sixers advantage one minute later.

After an empty Hawks possession, Harris hit a trey for a 105-98 lead, enough of a cushion to propel the Sixers to another home win.

Embiid’s previous career high was 46 points, set on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 15, 2017. — Reuters

Lenovo expands northward, opens Legion Store in SM City Clark

LENOVO recently inaugurated its first exclusive Legion store in the Northern and Central Luzon region and third overall in the Philippines. Aside from showcasing Legion’s top-of-the-line devices, Legion Store SM City Clark will also host exclusive events to engage and develop the local gaming community.

Continuing in its mission to develop the gaming communities located across the Philippines, Lenovo’s gaming brand Legion recently reached out to gamers based in North of Manila as it inaugurated the first Legion Store in the Northern and Central Luzon region.

Named Legion Store SM City Clark, the store is located at the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.

EXPANSION
“As one of the Philippines’ major business centers, Clark presents a huge opportunity for both the Lenovo and Legion brands’ expansion efforts and continuous support of the flourishing gaming community. In the past few years, the area has significantly developed into the economic powerhouse that we see today. With our exclusive Legion Store, we aim to add to that growth by helping develop the Northern and Central Luzon gaming scene as we bring gamers closer with our top-of-the-line products and special gaming events,” said Michael Ngan, President and General Manager, Lenovo Philippines.

The Clark Freeport area has evolved into a central hub for business, aviation, education, and tourism. Recently, it took front and center as the venue of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies. The event marked a pivotal moment in video game history as it was the first international sports event authorized to include eSports in its official medal events.

GAMING BRAND
Legion, which was launched in 2017, is Lenovo’s dedicated gaming brand that offers a wide range of products designed to provide a complete and immersive experience. Through its devices, the Legion line has become one of the fastest-growing PC gaming brands.

Located on the 2nd floor, Legion Store SM City Clark showcases Lenovo’s top-of-the-line gaming devices such as monitors, towers, laptops, and peripherals and accessories, as well as offers actual experience by allowing visitors to test products firsthand. In addition, Legion Store SM City Clark will host regular events catering to the local gaming community.

Legion Store SM City Clark is the third overall Legion Store in the Philippines after SM City Cebu and SM City North EDSA. Legion Store SM City Clark is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM.

To learn more about the store and its current offers and promos, visit fb.com/lenovophilippines and fb.com/lenovolegionPH.

Wizards’ Beal

Heading into the Bucks’ first of two visits to the Capital One Arena yesterday, the focus of pundits was on how they just managed to clinch a playoff berth with still 55 days to go before the start of the postseason. Not without irony, observers noted that they earned the distinction of being the earliest qualifiers in one and a half decades without lifting a finger; due to the vagaries of mathematics, they did so as an offshoot of the otherwise-lowly Bulls’ victory against the Wizards. The latter so happened to be their hosts, giving the impression that another cakewalk was in the offing.

The expected outcome did seem to be in store for much of the set-to; the Bucks wound up winning the first three quarters and carrying a double-digit advantage through the first six minutes and change of the fourth. Buoyed by the 16,580-strong crowd, however, the Wizards refused to fold. With the public callout of head coach Scott Brooks still on their minds, they went about competing with purpose for the first time in a while, and they found their efforts rewarded. Indeed, they were the opposite of “soft,” the bench tactician’s ego-pricking label for their hitherto-disjointed play; yesterday, they proved every bit the equals of their league-leading opponents.

Considering how the contest unfolded, the Wizards appeared to be primed for a morale-boosting triumph. Reigning Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo was plagued by fouls, managing to play only 25 minutes — and three minutes after the third period — all told. Meanwhile, resident top dog and biggest All-Star Weekend snub Bradley Beal exploded on offense, crossing the half-century mark on 33 attempts to lead the charge; he was especially dominant in the crunch, scoring 17 straight points, and 22 on aggregate, in the last 7:50 of the fourth to force overtime.

Ultimately, though, the Wizards didn’t have enough in the tank to carve the upset. While Beal did score seven of their 11 points in the extra period, he also had three turnovers and two misses, turns of events that allowed the Bucks to escape with the win. For the second straight outing, he breached 50. For the second straight outing, all he got was a loss. Little wonder, then, that he was frustrated in the aftermath. He’s doing his part, but he’s just one. And if there’s anything their tormentors yesterday showed, it’s that help goes a long way. For instance, Antetokounmpo’s relative travails were offset by Khris Middleton’s 40, Eric Bledsoe’s 23, and Donte DiVincenzo’s 23.

The Wizards are nowhere close to being adequate, and Beal will, at some point, feel his exertions going for naught. Will he then ask to be dealt to a contender? Or will he stay the course and continue to believe better times are ahead? In assessing the future of the red, white, and blue, his answer will make all the difference.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

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