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Recruiters of convicted Filipina drug mule found guilty in local court

A LOCAL court has convicted the recruiters of Mary Jane Veloso, who has been on death row in Indonesia since October 2010 after being found guilty for drug trafficking, on a separate illegal recruitment case involving three other victims.

Judge Anarica J. Castillo-Reyes of the Sto. Domingo Regional Trial Court Branch 88 sentenced recruiters Maria Cristina P. Sergio and Julius L. Lacanilao to life imprisonment and ordered them to pay a P2 million fine.

The judge ruled that the prosecution established elements for large scale illegal recruitment against the two, who had no license to draft for overseas employment.

The accused denied having a recruitment business and that they never made proposals of employment to the complainants.

“However, established in jurisprudence is the rule that denial is inherently weak defense and that the same cannot prevail over the positive testimonies of Prosecution witness,” the judge said in her decision.

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), legal counsel of the three, cheered the decision saying justice has been served partially through the fellow victims of Ms. Veloso.

“Even if their case is distinct from Mary Jane’s, we believe that Sergio and Lacanilao’s conviction stands as a testament to Mary Jane’s story — that she was not a drug courier but an unwitting victim of the same illegal recruiters,” NUPL said in a statement.

“We look forward to the full achievement of justice when the other separate cases of Mary Jane against the same recruiters for human trafficking, simple illegal recruitment and estafa in the same court are resolved and she herself is ultimately and finally sent home free in time,” it added.

Ms. Veloso is set to take her testimony through deposition by written interrogatories against them.

The lawyers’ group also noted that the three other victims “were lucky enough not to have been transported abroad.”

Ms. Veloso was arrested upon her arrival in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for carrying 2.5 kilograms of heroin in her luggage.

She was sentenced to death and was scheduled for execution on April 29, 2015. A stay of execution was issued after her recruiters surrendered. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

DoT wants to make Isabela a ‘top-of-mind’ eco-tourist destination

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DoT) aims to make Isabela, the largest province in Luzon and considered the north’s rice granary, a primary eco-tourism destination with its natural attractions. In a statement, DoT Secretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo-Puyat, who will be attending the Bambanti Festival’s highlight activities yesterday (Jan. 30), said she wants to transform the province “from just an ‘emerging’ to a ‘top-of-mind’ tourist haven.” She cited such attractions as the rainforests in Sierra Madre and Palanan, the Sta. Rita Victoria Caves, and beaches and coves. Ms. Puyat will talk about the DoT’s plans for the province during the festival, which opened Jan. 27. Among the festival attractions are a display of giant decorated bambantis, the local word for scarecrow, and a wide array of agricultural products and crafts from the province’s 32 municipalities and two cities.

Apollo Petroleum Jelly Triathlon 2020 set for Feb. 23 at Subic Bay

APOLLO Petroleum Jelly is co-presenting the first leg of the highly anticipated Bike Run 2020 events, aptly named the Apollo Petroleum Jelly TRI 2020.

Happening this Feb. 23 at Subic Bay, this event will unite triathlon athletes from throughout the country for an exciting day of swimming, biking, and running.

The Apollo Petroleum Jelly TRI 2020 is a great venue for athletes put test their limits, to eventually break their boundaries and ultimately better themselves.

Apollo Petroleum Jelly TRI 2020 is the most sought-after opening race for the season as triathletes are eager to get out of off-season mode.

There will be two distances and five categories at the Apollo Petroleum Jelly TRI 2020.

The Sprint distance involves a 1.5Km swim, a 40Km bike ride, and a 10Km run, while the Standard distance will see triathletes taking on a 750m swim, a 20Km bike ride, and a 5Km run.

The categories include individual (Standard and Sprint) and relay (Standard Distance only), which have sub-categories, namely all-men, all-women, and mixed team.

P3B set for road infra, building projects in Cebu City’s northern part

AROUND P3 billion worth of road infrastructure projects for Cebu City’s northern part are set to be implemented this year, according to 1st District Representative Raul V. Del Mar. The biggest allocation at P1.3 billion will be spent for skyways and tunnels in the three most congested areas, which include Gorordo Avenue, Salinas Drive, Gov. Cuenco Avenue, and H. Cortes Street. Three other skyways — at the different junctions of Sergio Osmeña Boulevard, General Maxilom Avenue, and on P. del Rosario Street — have a budget of P635,971,000. Another P1 billion is set for the Barangay Lahug — Barangay Guadalupe diversion road; construction of the Cebu Technological University in Barangay Guba; the NextGen Hub, which will be used as a center for youth activities; and a second building for the D.V. Sotto Medical Center. The remaining fund covers road widening and improvement, and flood mitigation projects, among others. Mr. Del Mar said all the projects lined up are expected to be completed by 2022. — The Freeman

Philippine sports greatness focus of newly launched book

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE rich history of Philippine sports as represented by the many great Filipino athletes who brought pride and honor to the country throughout the years is the focus of a newly launched book.

50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All-Time, the latest edition of the Philippines Yearbook, marks the first time that the publication has come out with an entire book solely dedicated to sports in the country.

Veteran sports journalists Quinito Henson and Bill Velasco, and photographer Joel Garcia, were part of the team tasked with the unenviable task of going through a rich list of names of Filipino sports heroes to come up with a narrow list of 50 athletes.

But they said they are comfortable with the list they have come up with in the book, something the publisher, Vernon Go, and his mother, Grace Glory Go, the yearbook’s chairman and CEO, agreed to and fully supports.

They also expressed pride in being able to produce a tome that takes cue from the standards set by the Philippines Yearbook, called early on as the Fookien Times Yearbook, which started publishing in 1936.

“It was really a big challenge for us to put up a list of the 50 greatest athletes. We had to go through so many names. This is not a definitive list because there are still many superheroes of Philippine sports not included in the book but we are comfortable with this list of 50. I think it’s super justifiable,” said Mr. Henson in an interview on the sidelines of the book’s launch on Jan. 21 at the Sheraton Manila Hotel Ballroom.

The veteran sportswriter went on to say that in selecting the athletes they considered not only their achievements in the field of competition but also the intangibles — that they are role models and an inspiration to the youth.

It is hoped that through the book more people, especially the younger generation, will get to know the exploits of the athletes included and learn from their stories.

“I think this book is amazing. I think every library in the Philippines should have this book. We want to tell the kids the story of these people. Hopefully this book will educate them,” Mr. Henson said.

Included in the 50 greatest list are athletes from 23 sports disciplines, namely, June Mar Fajardo, Robert Jaworski, Caloy Loyzaga, Alvin Patrimonio, Ramon Fernandez, Ambrosio Padilla, Tony Genato and Allan Caidic for basketball; Manny Pacquiao, Donnie Nietes, Nonito Donaire Jr., Gerry Peñalosa, Flash Elorde and Onyok Velasco for boxing; Paeng Nepomuceno, Bong Coo, Lita dela Rosa, C. J. Suarez, Biboy Rivera and Krizziah Tabora for bowling; Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante and Rubilen Amit for billiards; Gertrudes Lozada, Haydee Coloso Espino and Akiko Thomson for swimming; Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros and Mona Sulaiman for athletics.

Also part of the list are Paulino Alcantara and Phil Younghusband for football; Cheryl Nakanishi and Roman Cortuna for bodybuilding; Roland Dantes and Ciriaco Canete for arnis; Ben Arda and Jennifer Rosales for golf, Felix Barrientos and Treat Huey for tennis; Bea Lucero-Lhuillier for gymnastics/taekwondo; Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski for equestrian; Eduard Folayang for mixed martial arts; Meggie Ochoa for jiu-jitsu; Adeline Dumapong for powerlifting; Josephine Medina for table tennis, Eugene Torre for chess; Jethro Dionisio for shooting; Pocholo Ramirez for motoring; Boy Codiñera for baseball and Hidilyn Diaz for weightlifting.

For Misses Amit and Ochoa, to be included in the list is a huge honor for them.

“I’m very honored to be chosen for this. When I was informed that I was part of this project of the 50 greatest, I was surprised because it’s All-Time we are talking here. I’m just thankful just to be mentioned with the other greats here. It’s really humbling,” said Ms. Amit in a separate interview.

“To be honest, I don’t think I deserve to be on the list considering who are included. I don’t think I have reached that level yet but it is still an honor to be chosen,” Ms. Ochoa, for her part, said.

Both athletes underscored that the honor given them is also an affirmation of the sport they are in, making it all the more special.

50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All-Time is available at select National Book Store and Fully Booked branches. It can also be ordered at philippinesyearbook@gmail.com.

Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, breaks silence on NBA superstar’s death — ‘completely devastated’

LOS ANGELES — Three days after Los Angeles basketball great Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others perished in a helicopter crash, his wife, Vanessa, broke her silence with an Instagram message saying she was “completely devastated” by their loss.

The social media text was posted alongside a recent family photo of Kobe and Vanessa Bryant with all four of their daughters — Gianna, who died with her father, along with the couple’s eldest, Natalia, 17, 3-year-old Bianka, and the youngest, Capri, born in June 2019.

Kobe Bryant and the couple’s second daughter, nicknamed Gigi, died on Sunday when the helicopter they were flying in en route to the Mamba Sports Academy for a girl’s basketball tournament crashed in foggy weather on a hillside northwest of Los Angeles.

Gianna Bryant was a member of the Mamba team due to compete that day. Her father, who retired from the National Basketball Association in 2016 after 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, was the coach of his daughter’s team.

The pilot and six more passengers were also killed — two other 13-year-old girls involved in the tournament, three of their parents and another coach. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The death of Bryant, 41, an 18-time NBA All-Star, five-time Lakers champion and one of the world’s most admired sports figures, unleashed an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, fellow athletes and politicians around the globe.

“My girls and I want to thank the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time,” Vanessa Bryant, 37, a former model, wrote on her Instagram account.

“We are completely devastated by the sudden loss of my adoring husband, Kobe — the amazing father of our children; and my beautiful, sweet Gianna — a loving, thoughtful, and wonderful daughter, and amazing sister to Natalia, Bianka, and Capri,” she added.

The message goes on to say: “We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately. There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now.

“I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved. We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon.”

She directed anyone wishing to “further Kobe and Gianna’s legacy in youth sports” to visit the site MambaSportsFoundation.org.

There has been no word yet on funeral arrangements. — Reuters

Too hard for Nadal

For whatever reason, Rafael Nadal hasn’t fared as well in the Australian Open as in the sport’s other major championships. True, he boasts of a career Grand Slam, as definitive an indication as any of his outstanding brand of tennis. On the other hand, there’s a reason he has gone all the way only once at Melbourne Park, with his 1-4 slate in the final including a straight-sets shellacking at the hands of reigning king Novak Djokovic last year. The hard courts have invariably seemed too fast and too conducive to short points that don’t play to his strengths.

This year, however, looked to be different for Nadal — at least at the outset. Among other things, the Plexicushion surface appeared to make for slower balls, enabling relentless strikers like him to keep rallies going. More importantly, he was motivated and in fine form; he made short work of Hugo Dellien, Federico Delbonis, and Pablo Carreno Abistado before outlasting crowd favorite Nick Kyrgios in the fourth round. Which was why few pegged him for an early vacation despite a tough Round of 16 draw in Dominic Thiem.

Creditably, Nadal did prove ready and able in his quarterfinal-round set-to the other day. Considering how he competed, there was little to complain about; three of the four sets in the match had to be decided by tiebreaks. As things turned out, though, not a single one of them went his way. If only for a day, if only for a contest, Thiem got the better of him. In fact, his opponent got to be a superior him — refusing to lose, relentlessly defending, and, at the precise moment, striking, and hard. There was simply nothing he could do better. To be more precise, there was simply nothing he could do.

Nadal was gracious in the aftermath. Even as he failed to hide his disappointment, he conceded Thiem’s well-deserved time in the spotlight. To be sure, the figures bear him out; he wound up on the wrong end of the score 24 out of the 36 times a point lasted nine shots or more. Through four hours and 10 minutes of exquisite ballstriking, he gave his best; it simply wasn’t good enough. Which is why he can’t complain, and why he’s already looking forward to next year.

 

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.

Kennon Road to be opened to 2-way traffic as Panagbenga season starts

KENNON ROAD, the oldest highway to and from Baguio City, will be opened on a two-way traffic scheme this weekend starting January 31 in anticipation of the influx of visitors as the Panagbenga Festival kicks off on February 1. The scheme will be in effect from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Monday until March 9. The decision to open the road to more vehicles was made by the inter-agency Task Group Kennon. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Cordillera office said heavy traffic is expected along the newer and wider Marcos Highway “during the height of Panagbenga Festival, PMA Alumni Homecoming, and other activities.” It added that it is anticipating local tourists to possibly “double” compared to previous years “due to limited access” in Tagaytay, another popular mountain destination, which has been affected by the recent Taal Volcano eruption.

LIMITATIONS
During weekdays, Kennon Road will be open only for Baguio-bound vehicles, with the right lane to be in use. “Private vehicles that will traverse the road are also advised to observe the speed limit of thirty kilometers per hour (30 kph), traffic and parking rules, especially when going for stopover at the Lion’s Head,” the OCD said. The road is also limited to vehicles weighing a maximum five tons. “In case of inclement weather and/or sudden occurrence of localized thunderstorm where landslide is imminent in the area, Kennon Road will be immediately closed” upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Works and Highways regional office, local government of Tuba, and the Tuba municipal police. The Panagbenga, Baguio’s annual flower festival, will have its opening day parade on Saturday. The main events, the street dance parade and float parade, are set on February 29 and March 1, respectively. Other activities such as exhibitions will be on until March 8.

2 Mindanao cities tap universities for transportation masterplan

THE CITY governments of Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro have partnered with academic institutions for the development of their respective transport system plans to address road congestion and improve public transport services in these urban areas. Zamboanga has commissioned the University of the Philippines-National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS) to draw the city’s Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Management Plan (2019–2033). The UP-NCTS recently led a transport summit in preparation for the plan, participated in by representatives from various sectors. Vice Mayor Rommel S. Agan, speaking during the gathering, said input from all sectors is “vital to ensure an all-encompassing” plan. In Cagayan de Oro, the city government signed last week a memorandum of understanding with the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan for the sharing of the Transport Study Software through the school’s Engineering Resource Center (ERC). Under the partnership, ERC’s experts and the local government’s transport officials will jointly prepare the masterplan. The city government will provide the data and funding.

8 with nCov symptoms under home quarantine in Davao City

THE DAVAO City Health Office (CHO) is monitoring eight people with recent travel to China and Thailand after exhibiting symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The individuals are under home quarantine after undergoing voluntary medical check-up at a local hospital, according to CHO officer-in-charge Gene L. Gulanes. Of the eight, two are Filipinos and the rest Chinese. Department of Health (DoH) Regional Director Annabelle P. Yumang has also confirmed that one person in the region is under investigation for the virus. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Quarantine-Davao regional office said the crew and 79 passengers of the Xiamen Air flight that came from Jinjiang in Fujian, China and arrived at the Davao International Airport (DIA) on Wednesday afternoon all passed the body temperature test using the installed thermal scanner and clinical thermometers upon arrival. Davao City-based Chinese Consul General Li Lin, for his part, said none of the 37 Chinese passengers carry a passport issued by Hubei Province, the center of the nCov virus, and none have recent travel in the area. “All inbound passengers and crew from Jinjiang were tested by the quarantine department… and all passengers had body temperature below 37.3 degrees Celsius,” Mr. Lin said in a text message to BusinessWorld. — Maya M. Padillo

Nation at a Glance — (01/31/20)

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

Nation at a Glance — (01/31/20)

HR startup Workbean is making hiring smarter, more dynamic

Working closely with HR professionals across multinationals in Singapore and Malaysia, Kassandra Monzon saw firsthand just how difficult hiring new workers has become. Traditional processes don’t work with Gen Z applicants. These young entrants to the workforce come complete with an entirely unique set of needs and priorities.

The problem, she theorized, wasn’t that Gen Zers weren’t fit for the workforce. It’s that company practices and methods needed an update. And Monzon believed she knew just how to help.

Monzon returned to the Philippines and, after several consultations, validation tests, and a full pivot, founded Workbean, an HR-cum-mediatech platform for navigating the complicated web of hiring and showcasing what makes your company a great place to work.

If you got it, flaunt it

By keeping up-to-date on what perks and benefits are in demand, Workbean assesses companies to help them put their best foot forward when engaging with potential hires. Their hope is to be the first place applicants go to for information on a company’s employee experience.

On Workbean, a company can show off photos of their office, share testimonials from their employees on work life, and display a rundown of their benefits and amenities. It’s a great way for companies to flaunt what they have. Monzon cites a client whose company has an in-house chef, and another one with fast promotion opportunities even for fresh graduates.

“These stories are what we unearth, and that’s what we want to share,” she said. “So that’s what we really want to address: Awareness that these opportunities exist.”

This is just the tip of the iceberg for opportunities in the HR industry. If a company’s “culture page” helps with recruitment, Monzon also wants to address retention. Soon, they’ll be launching a product to measure employee happiness, not only for employee satisfaction but also to help employers cut down on re-hiring costs.

Ultimately, Workbean aims to make employment a more exciting and educated process by utilizing new tools and showcasing the possibilities for the workforce.

“In the advent of information everywhere, we lack information on companies that will make us dream bigger and ask bigger questions,” said Monzon. “That’s the problem that I want to solve.”

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