9 Japanese fraud suspects deported

February 24, 2020 | 7:52 pm

NINE Japanese nationals wanted for telecommunication fraud in their country were deported on Monday, the Bureau of Immigration said.

The bureau said the suspects made up the first batch of 36 Japanese arrested in Makati City on Nov. 13.

They were allegedly part of a group involved in voice phishing and telecommunication fraud that targets their fellow Japanese citizens.

Authorities in Japan also alleged that the combined losses of their victims had reached more than 2 million yen or more than $18 million.

The suspects were identified as Irie Dai, Ishii Kyogo, Hamaoka Kantaro, Maeyama Takuto, Tanaka Kazuya, Yoshida Takeshi, Murata Seiichi, Kouki Shouji, and Imizumi Ryo.

The bureau said the foreigners might be barred from coming here again.

In its deportation order, the bureau said the Japanese fugitives should be expelled because “their continued presence here poses a risk to public interest.”

Immigration Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said they had yet to finalize the deportation of the rest of the Japanese suspects. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Mt. Province ramps up local road construction, boosts coffee sector

February 24, 2020 | 7:52 pm

FOUR PROVINCIAL road projects with a combined P93.7 million budget were simultaneously launched Friday in Mt. Province under the Department of Interior and Local Government — Conditional Matching Grants to Provinces (DILG-CMGP). The road upgrading projects are in the following segments: Abatan-Bagnen, P24 million; Ampawilen-Sadanga, P24 million; Talubin- Can-eo, P24 million; and Guinzadan-Banao- Andanum P21.7 million, the provincial government said in a statement. Provincial Engineer Edward B. Likigan, in his message during the groundbreaking ceremony, said the projects are expected to be completed within a year. “2020 is a promising year because just as one road project is completed and turned-over to the beneficiaries, another four new road projects are again to be started.

The future completion of these DILG-funded projects will ensure development as it will allow improved commerce and tourism along affected areas,” he said.

COFFEE STATIONS
Also on Friday, the Bagnen Coffee Satellite Buying Station in Bauko was formally opened. This is one of the four satellite stations, along with the Mountain Province Arabian Coffee Enterprise (MPACE) Consolidation and Trading Center, constructed through funding from the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). The main trading center, opened last February 12, will be managed by the Besao Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the project’s main proponent. The P14.3-million MPACE is the province’s first sub-project under the PRDP’s Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP ) component. PRDP is a World Bank-funded program with the Department of Agriculture (DA) as lead implementing agency. DA-Cordillera Administrative Region head Cameron P. Odsey called on the PRDP beneficiary cooperatives to encourage their members to expand their coffee production, especially with the new support facilities available. “Presently, there is short supply of arabica coffee; thus the need for increased production,” Mr. Odsey said. There are also ongoing road projects in the province under the PRDP’s Intensified Build Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) component to improve access in far-flung areas. “It is expected that this enterprise will encourage our farmers to plant more coffee trees and to produce quality green beans that will demand a good or higher price thereby increasing our farmers’ income,” Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. said. — MSJ

Retailers monitored on SRP set for agri, fishery goods

February 24, 2020 | 7:50 pm

MICHELLE D.G. Musico, a dressed chicken retailer at a public market in the nation’s capital, has been ordered by authorities to explain in writing why she was selling her goods at P160 per kilogram (/kg), P30 more than the government’s suggested retail price (SRP) of P130/kg. The letter of inquiry (LOI) was issued to her store on Monday as three Cabinet secretaries led an inspection at the Mega Q-Mart in Quezon City as part of the monitoring for compliance to SRPs set in an Administrative Circular issued by the Department of Agriculture on Feb. 20. Ms. Musico, who is required to reply to the LOI within two days, said her higher retail price is based on the rate charged by the supplier. “Masyadong mataas ang benta ng manok sa supplier kaya talagang hindi namin masusunod ‘yung SRP (The supplier’s price is very high, so we really cannot meet the SRP),” she said. The DA’s SRP order, which covers selected agriculture and fishery products, is intended to protect consumers from price irregularities in local markets. The inspection team was led by Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año. “The monitoring, surveillance and enforcement of the SRP is a multi-department approach which include LGUs (local government units),” Mr. Dar said.

SRPs

The DA circular sets the following SRPs:

• Pork (pigue/kasim) — P190

• Chicken (whole, dressed) — P130

• Sugar (raw, brown) — P45

• Sugar (refined) — P50

• Bangus (cage-cultured) — P162

• Tilapia (pond-cultured) — P120

• Galunggong (imported) — P130

• Garlic (fresh, imported) — P70

• Garlic (fresh, local) — P120 local

• Red onion (fresh) — P95.

The order took effect Feb. 24 and applies

within the National Capital Region.

— Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

DoTr to deploy interim buses by March while Metro Cebu integrated transport system being finalized

February 24, 2020 | 7:50 pm

BUSES WILL be deployed in parts of Metro Cebu by March 15 to help ease traffic and commuting woes while the integrated transport plan is still being worked out, Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade announced on Saturday. Mr. Tugade said the bus augmentation system will start March 15 in routes covering Fuente Osmeña going to the southern part of Cebu, which is part of the area to be covered by the pending Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. “The buses will have to be equated with the density of passengers that will come in. A lot will depend on the study… by the Technical Working Group,” said Mr. Tugade during the induction ceremony of of JCI Metro Cebu Uptown officers in Cebu City. “This is the interim bus transport system, meaning to say, we will follow the routes of the partial operability of the BRT,” he explained. The DOTr has expanded the routes of the BRT system from only within Cebu City to neighboring areas such as Talisay City. DOTr Undersecretary Mark M. de Leon earlier said Phase 1 of the BRT system will be partially operational before December 2021.

CABLE CAR
Mr. Tugade also said that they are accelerating the implementation of the cable cars program, which will span between the international airport in Mactan to downtown Cebu, among other areas. “We would like to accelerate this as it affords tourism value. It improves and accelerates the mobility of people,” he said. Another priority project is the monorail system, which will be the backbone of the Integrated and Intermodal Transport System (IITS) in Cebu. The IITS also includes the BRT, point-to-point buses, cable car system, modern jeepneys, bikeways, and walkways. “It has to be IITS for a simple reason that there are just certain areas which are not tugma sa (a fit for the) BRT, meron din hindi tugma sa (some are not suitable for) cable. Kaya dapat kinu-combine natin (That’s why we should be combining),” Mr. Tugade said. — The Freeman

PhilHealth regional offices investigating hospitals for fraudulent claims: 80 in Eastern Visayas, 4 in Davao

February 24, 2020 | 7:49 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is cracking down on hospitals for fraudulent claims involving such schemes as “upcasing” and “patient seeking.” In the Eastern Visayas, Acting Regional Vice-President Michael Jibson C. Hernandez announced on Monday that they have deployed “11 special investigators” to look into 80 hospitals “for fraud/ghost claims,” according to the Tacloban City local government. In Davao, the agency is investigating four hospitals for making about 2,000 fraudulent claims. PhilHealth Davao Regional Vice President Hector Z. Malate said the hospitals, which he did not name, are tertiary level facilities that offer specialized medical care. Mr. Malate, in a forum last Friday, said the claims involve “upcasing,” wherein a simple illness is reported as more complicated to jack up the amount. There are also cases of “patient seeking,” he added, wherein hospitals seek PhilHealth members who can pose as patients for the filing of claims. He cited that last year, the state-run health care provider did not accredit a hospital in Davao del Sur found to be engaged in such practice. Filbert Bryan L. Sollesta, Philhealth Field Operations division chief, also warned members that engaging in these malpractices are punishable under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. “Under Section 38.10, the penalty that members face is specified,” said Mr. Sollesta. That provision states that a member who is involved in the filing of fraudulent claim faces “a fine of P50,000 for each count or suspension from availment of benefit of the program for three months but not more than six months or both, at the discretion of Philhealth.” With the UHC law, all Filipino citizens become automatic members of PhilHealth, with varying categories for direct, and indirect contributors, and those subsidized by government. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

CDO disposes uncertified pork

February 24, 2020 | 7:48 pm

Cagayan de Oro City’s Anti-African Swine Fever (ASF) Task Force confiscated and disposed more than 600 kilos of pork intercepted at a quarantine checkpoint on Feb. 20, the city information office reported on Monday. The meat, which was transported on a van that came from Davao City, had no shipping permit and certificate from the National Meat Inspection Services. Local governments in Mindanao have stepped up measures against the entry of uncertified pork and pork products following confirmed ASF cases in parts of Davao City and the provinces of Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur.

ABS-CBN seeks dismissal of gov’t lawsuit

February 24, 2020 | 7:48 pm

ABS-CBN Corp. and its unit have asked the Supreme Court to dismiss a government lawsuit seeking to revoke their franchises.

In a pleading, the media giant said the solicitor general’s suit sends a “chilling effect,” adding that a potential shutdown would compromise freedom of speech and of the press, which is guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution.

The network also argued the quo warranto petition could not be used to counter an alleged misuse of a legislative franchise and violates the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.

ABS-CBN said its pay-per-view channel does not violate its legislative franchise, adding that its unit had complied with the law.

The network also said the Philippine depository receipts it had issued did not violate foreign ownership restrictions of the Constitution. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Nation at a Glance — (02/25/20)

February 24, 2020 | 7:44 pm

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Fury says ‘Let’s go A.J.’ though Wilder first has rematch option

February 24, 2020 | 7:42 pm

LAS VEGAS — Tyson Fury says he expects Deontay Wilder to take up the option of a rematch of their heavyweight championship bout but is ready for fellow Briton Anthony Joshua if the American declines.

Speaking after his seventh-round TKO victory over Wilder in Las Vegas on Saturday, Fury sounded happy to take on either man.

“I had a great and worthy dance partner in Deontay Wilder and I’m sure we’re going to do it again,” Fury told Behind The Gloves at the MGM Grand Arena.

“If Deontay don’t want the rematch then let’s go A.J.,” Fury added, referring to Joshua.

Mr. Fury (30-0-1) retained his lineal crown and took the WBC crown from Wilder (42-1-1), though Joshua holds the rest of the belts in the division.

A fight between the pair would unify the belts but the mouth-watering, all-British match-up might have to wait for a Fury-Wilder trilogy to be completed instead.

The first fight between Fury and Wilder in December 2018 was called a draw.

Wilder now has 30 days to decide whether to exercise his option of a third fight with the Gypsy King.

Impressive as Fury’s performance was on Saturday, he said it did not compare to his 2015 takedown of Wladimir Klitschko.

“Nothing will ever be bigger than my Wladimir Klitschko win because that was my first championship ring,” Fury said.

“I was 7/1 underdog when I beat Klitschko in Germany. Tonight people expected me to win. It was a 50-50 fight going in.” — Reuters

Raptors steamroll Pacers for 17th win in 18 games

February 24, 2020 | 7:42 pm

TORONTO — Pascal Siakam scored 21 points and the Toronto Raptors led all the way to defeat the visiting Indiana Pacers 127-81 on Sunday night.

Kyle Lowry had 16 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and five steals for the Raptors, who have defeated the Pacers three times this month. The Pacers won the first game of the season between the teams at home on Dec. 23.

Serge Ibaka added 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Raptors, who have won 17 of their past 18 games. The Raptors’ 46-point margin of victory marks the largest in franchise history.

Matt Thomas had 17 points off the bench for Toronto, Terrence Davis II added 13 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 12. Chris Boucher had nine points and 11 rebounds.

Toronto’s lead reached 49 points when Thomas made a 3-pointer with 43.7 seconds remaining.

The Pacers were without guard Victor Oladipo, who had a sore back.

The Pacers lost guard Jeremy Lamb, who left the game with a sore left knee in the second quarter after taking a hard fall at the baseline. He stayed in to take his free throws before going to the locker room. He did not return.

Domantas Sabonis scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Pacers, who have lost seven of their past nine games. Aaron Holiday added 14 points and brother Justin Holiday had 12 points.

Toronto shot 51.1 percent from the field and Indiana shot 32.6 percent.

The Raptors had a 15-1 start, opened up by as many as 26 points, and led 34-12 after the first quarter.

Siakam’s 18-footer gave Toronto a 30-point lead with 1:22 left in the second quarter. VanVleet closed the first-half scoring with a 3-pointer as Toronto led 63-32.

Siakam and Lowry each had 14 first-half points as the Raptors shot 50 percent from the field. Ibaka had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first half.

Justin Holiday had nine first-half points off the bench for the Pacers, who shot 23.9 percent.

The Pacers scored the first six points of the second half. But Ibaka’s jump shot with 7:54 left in the third quarter stretched Toronto’s lead to 33 points. The Raptors led 85-55 after three quarters.

JAMES’ LATE JUMPER HELPS LAKERS EDGE CELTICS
Anthony Davis tallied 32 points and 13 rebounds and LeBron James recorded 29 points, nine assists and eight boards, and the Los Angeles Lakers weathered a career-high-tying 41-point effort by Jayson Tatum to beat the Boston Celtics, 114-112, on Sunday at Staples Center. — Reuters

Hovland sinks long putt for first PGA Tour victory

February 24, 2020 | 7:41 pm

LOS ANGELES — Viktor Hovland became the first Norwegian to win on the PGA Tour when he rammed home a 25-foot birdie at the final hole for a one-shot triumph at the Puerto Rico Open on Sunday.

Hovland, who won the 2018 US Amateur Championship and was making just his 17^th start on the Tour, reacted with glee when his putt crashed into the back of the cup at considerable speed and dropped in at Coco Beach in Rio Grande.

“To win the first tournament from Norway is really special. It’s a lot more than I could have asked for,” he said after overcoming a triple-bogey at the 11^th hole to shoot two-under-par 70 in at-times driving rain.

“It’s hard to deal with expectations because they’re usually higher than what’s realistic. If you’d told me a year ago I would have won a PGA Tour event in my 17th start I would have said that’s nuts.”

Hovland, who turned pro last June, finished at 20-under-par 268, edging Josh Teater after the American missed a 15-foot birdie at the last.

Though an official PGA Tour event, the Puerto Rico Open was missing the game’s biggest names, who were at the WGC-Mexico Championship.

Hovland’s rewards include a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a spot in next month’s $15 million Players Championship.

“I was thinking about all the other putts during the round. I’d pretty much left every other putt short,” said Hovland, who like Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama captured his first Tour win at the age of 22.

“I was (thinking) I’m not going to hit this putt short. I gave it a good rip and thankfully it hit the middle of the cup.

“I couldn’t quite believe it. There was some relief and a lot of excitement.” — Reuters

Cerebral palsy football team to compete in Para Games

February 24, 2020 | 7:41 pm

THE Philippines is to field its first cerebral palsy football team in the ASEAN Para Games. Known as the CP Rascals, the team was formed last year by the Henry V. Moran Foundation, the non-profit organization that has long focused on developing football programs for public school youth in the country.

“Our search for players started in March last year after we were appointed by the PHILSPADA (Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled) to form a team to represent the country in the 10^th ASEAN Para Games. Our special football arm, CP Football Philippines, toured 12 cities, coordinating clinics and tryouts with the heads and officers of local government units. By July, we had discovered some players and training for the team began,” said Danny Moran, head of the Henry V. Moran Foundation.

The CP Rascals currently has 12 members, with plans to add two more before the ASEAN Para Games begins.

Moran said that they are grateful for the support that private organizations have given for the new team players and coaching staff. He cited insurer Allianz PNB Life, in particular, for providing the CP Rascals’ life, medical, and travel insurance.

“Our main concern was life and accident insurance as bringing football to persons with disability has its risks, especially since training would be from three to six months,” Moran said.

Aside from the insurance coverage, Allianz gave cash support for the CP Rascals’ football camp and housing.

“It is our honor to support a team that embodies Allianz’ ideal of overcoming life’s challenges in fulfilling one’s dreams. We are giving our para athletes the support to help them achieve their goals in their chosen sport, and we are looking forward to cheering them on in the 2020 ASEAN Para Games,” Allianz PNB Life Chief Marketing Officer Gae Martinez said.

This is not the first time that Allianz and the Henry V. Moran Foundation have worked together in promoting football in the country. For the past three years, they have staged the Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational (ANYFI), a grassroots football program held nationwide. Some of the kids who have participated in the program have gone on to train at the Allianz Explorer Camp in Germany under FC Bayern.

Moran added that it is their dream to continue strengthening the CP Rascals so that they can also participate in the 11^th ASEAN Para Games in Vietnam in 2021.