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BARMM must not be treated like a regular LGU

By Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco

THE Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM has been described as a “radical transformation” from its predecessor, the ARMM. The former is a creation of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (hereafter referred to as BOL), while the latter came to be via the now superseded Republic Act No. 6734 as amended.

But while there are truly innovative features in the BOL, the promise of a revolutionary change depends heavily on whether the polity can adopt a different view of the new regional government of the BARMM. From its traditional classification as a regular local government unit (LGU) to an updated designation as a unique political subdivision of the state. Crucially, a plain reading of Article X of the 1987 Constitution justifies such a paradigm adjustment.

Article X is essentially divided into two parts. Sections 1 to 14 are the first part covering regular LGUs such as provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays. On the other hand, Sections 15 to 21 cover Autonomous Regions only and refer specifically to Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras. Therefore, the regional government apparatus for these two autonomous regions is a totally distinct constitutional prescription.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court in the case of Disomangcop vs. Datumanong [G.R. No. 149848, November 25, 2004] ruled that:

“The idea behind the Constitutional provisions for autonomous regions is to allow the separate development of peoples with distinctive cultures and traditions. These cultures, as a matter of right, must be allowed to flourish.”

More to the point, the Court also ruled that:

“The objective of the autonomy system is to permit determined groups, with a common tradition and shared social-cultural characteristics, to develop freely their ways of life and heritage, exercise their rights, and be in charge of their own business. This is achieved through the establishment of a special governance regime for certain member communities who choose their own authorities from within the community and exercise the jurisdictional authority legally accorded to them to decide internal community affairs.”

It is worth recalling that the purpose of the BOL is to fulfill the mandate of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) to strengthen regional autonomy for the Bangsamoro.

The CAB specifically provides that the relationship between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro Government shall be asymmetric. This prescription aims to distinguish the Bangsamoro regional government from other local government units. Meaning, its relationship with the national government should be fundamentally different from the relationship of other local governments to the central bureaucracy.

Whilst the word “asymmetric” to describe the relationship of the national government and the Bangsamoro government is not found in the BOL, the statute itself is proof that the Bangsamoro regional governance infrastructure vastly differs from the current local government structure under the Local Government Code of 1991.

First of all, the BOL establishes a ministerial regional government structure with a strong mandate for a disciplined political party system. This framework is unique to the Bangsamoro. Critically however, when employed for the purpose it was designed for, the parliamentary structure makes maintaining good governance over region more probable.

Moreover, the BOL also institutes a robust fiscal autonomy regime, the centerpiece of which is the block grant. This fiscal framework is also unique to the Bangsamoro and when utilized properly and strategically, can indeed lead the Bangsamoro to genuine self-governance.

Therefore, the word “asymmetric” may be absent in the BOL, but the regional governance structure established by this law is certainly distinct from the regular local government apparatus. The political and fiscal autonomy of the Bangsamoro government is clearly more substantial than other local governments.

More critically, the creation of various intergovernmental relations (IGR) bodies such as the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body, the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum, Fiscal Policy Board, Joint Body for Zones of Joint Cooperation, Infrastructure Development Board, Energy Board and Sustainable Development Board are the features of the BOL which clearly demonstrate that the Bangsamoro government has an elevated status over other local governments in terms of its relationship with the central government.

Through these IGR mechanisms the Bangsamoro government can be at par with the national government when it comes to the decision-making process involving particular development and governance mandates. This is so contrary to the status of other local governments where most often than not, decisions have been made for them by the national government.

Furthermore, the BOL specifically commands that the Bangsamoro government shall be represented in the departments, offices, commissions, agencies and bureaus of the national government that implement and enforce policies, programs, and projects of the national government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Such a statutory command essentially characterizes the Bangsamoro government as a partner of the central bureaucracy within the Bangsamoro region. Contrary to the treatment of local governments as mere agents of the national government.

Crucially, given its access to the block grant, it is paramount for the Bangsamoro government to have a firmer claim on its autonomy than the regional government it is set to replace. Otherwise, this vastly increased fund transfer may also fail to deliver the development outcomes many of the people in the Bangsamoro region are hoping for.

In sum, the innovations in the BOL cited here require both the national government and the Bangsamoro community to view the new BARMM regional government not as a regular LGU. And only when both sides make this adjustment will genuine and meaningful regional autonomy be truly achieved.

By design, the fiscal autonomy provisions and the IGR mechanisms in the BOL are venues for the Bangsamoro government to assert true autonomy against the traditional domination of the central government. But if the new generation of Moro leaders will not see themselves as equals with the national politicians and bureaucrats, then the pathologies of the past regional regime will persist.

Correspondingly, the national government must now fully internalize this judicial admonition in the Disomangcop case:

“Regional autonomy refers to the granting of basic internal government powers to the people of a particular area or region with least control and supervision from the central government.”

Without a doubt, a business-as-usual frame of mind will really not make the BARMM any better than ARMM.

 

Michael Henry Yusingco, LL.M is a non-resident research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center of the Ateneo School of Government.

Ateneo Lady Eagles claim last finals spot

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE ATENEO Lady Eagles are heading back to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament finals after defeating the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in four sets, 25-20, 21-25, 25-23 and 25-14, in their Final Four do-or-die on Wednesday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Pushed to the limit by FEU in their semifinal pairing, top seed Ateneo made sure no upset would be fashioned out as it had the better of the Lady Tamaraws, riding on its collective experience especially down the stretch.

Ateneo was the steadier team to begin the contest, led by veterans Maddie Madayag and Bea De Leon.

The Lady Eagles edged the Lady Tamaraws, 8-7, by the first technical break and then created further separation midway, 16-11.

FEU tried to claw its way back after but had little success as it slumped to the set defeat.

The Lady Tamaraws started the second set with more swing on the lead of graduating player Heather Guino-o. They raced to an 8-3 lead early on.

But the Lady Eagles would not stay down for long as Kat Tolentino started to make her presence felt and spearheaded an Ateneo rally.

They tied the count at 14-all and then seized a 16-14 advantage at the halfway juncture.

FEU though would counter in a big way with setter Kyle Negrito and Jerrilli Malabanan providing the needed jolt.

The Morayta-based Lady Tamaraws pulled even at 18-all and then built a 21-18 advantage.

They would not look back after as they moved on and send the contest to a stalemate with a set apiece.

In the third set, the two teams fought tooth and nail, going on runs and counter-runs.

Ateneo had control of the set in the early goings, holding a 16-12 advantage halfway into the frame but not without serious challenge from FEU.

The Lady Eagles sped to a 24-20 lead in the close out but the Lady Tamaraws did not go down sans a fight, inching their way to within a point, 24-23.

But Ponggay Gaston would save the set for Ateneo with a hit that found an angle near the net to push her team to a 2-1 lead for the match.

Got some momentum heading into the fourth set, Ateneo started like house on fire, soaring to an 8-1 lead by the first technical timeout.

The Lady Tamaraws showed some fight to narrow the gap at 16-10 by the halfway point.

Ateneo, however, had its eyes fixed on the finish line from there, taking every scoring opportunity it could get and connecting to race to a 24-11 lead.

Tolentino put the finishing touches when she punctured in a kill for the winning point.

Tolentino led all scorers with 19 points, 17 of which off kills.

FEU was paced by Malabanan with 18 points. Malabanan, Negrito and Guino-o all played their last game in the UAAP after exhausting their eligibility.

“I’m speechless with the win. FEU put up a good fight and we are just thankful for this win and to be back in the finals,” said Tolentino after their win over FEU.

Ateneo is making it seventh finals appearance in eight years in the UAAP and will face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in the best-of-three finals which begin on May 11.

Liverpool stuns Barca with 4-0 comeback win

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history to beat Barcelona 4-0 on Tuesday, overturning a three-goal first-leg deficit and advancing to their second successive final with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Two goals each from stand-in forward Divock Origi and halftime substitute Georginio Wijnaldum left Lionel Messi and Barcelona utterly shell-shocked after a Liverpool performance full of passion, belief and determination.

Juergen Klopp’s side will play the winner of Wednesday’s other semi-final between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur, with the Dutch side leading 1-0 from the first leg in London.

“It was overwhelming. I would say it’s impossible,” said Klopp, amid wild celebrations at the final whistle when his team stood in front of their famous Kop stand to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ with fans.

“Playing against the best team in the world. Winning with a clean sheet, I don’t know how the boys did it. It’s unbelievable,” added the German.

“I saw James Milner crying after the game on the pitch. It means so much to all of us. There are more important things in the world but creating this emotional atmosphere together is so special.”

Liverpool became only the third team in the history of the European Cup or Champions League to come from three goals down after the first leg of a semi-final and progress after Panathinaikos in 1970-71 and Barcelona themselves in 1985-86.

It was a night that will be remembered by Liverpool fans alongside their fifth European Cup win in Istanbul in 2005, when they came back from 3-0 down at halftime to win on penalties.

For Barca, who went out on away goals to AS Roma in the quarter-finals last year, after winning the first-leg 4-1, it was a bitter occasion that will raise many questions for coach Ernesto Valverde.

MESSI SUBDUED
Messi, whose two goals in the first leg had given his team a seemingly comfortable advantage, was unable to influence the game with an away goal that would have been decisive.

The scoreline was remarkable enough in itself, but the fact that Liverpool overcame five-times European champions Barcelona without two thirds of their usual strike force made it extraordinary.

With inspirational Egyptian Mohamed Salah and key Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino injured, Juergen Klopp had to play Belgian reserve Origi alongside Sadio Mane, with Swiss attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri also given a rare start.

Klopp had said before the game that he wanted his side to “fail in the most beautiful way” if they were to go out of the Champions League

Yet the Anfield crowd wanted glory — they roared their team on to the field and greeted Barcelona, especially their former Liverpool players Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, with boos.

The Liverpool players responded, taking the game to Barca and then grabbing a seventh-minute lead when a poor headed clearance from Jordi Alba fell at the feet of Jordan Henderson, who burst goalwards.

His low shot was parried out by Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen but straight to Origi who slotted home.

QUICKLY-TAKEN CORNER
Barca had openings in the first half but when Messi twice got space around the box he fired wide of the target and when Jordi Alba burst through just before halftime, Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker was out quickly to nullify the danger.

Yet the game took a remarkable turn following the introduction at the break of Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for injured left back Andy Robertson.

The Dutchman drove home a low cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold, which Barca keeper Ter Stegen should have saved, to make it 2-0 in the 54th minute.

Two minutes later Wijnaldum rose to meet a Shaqiri cross with a powerful header to make it 3-3 on aggregate.

Liverpool then grabbed an extraordinary fourth goal with a quickly-taken corner from Alexander-Arnold, catching the Barca defense asleep with a low ball that was turned in at the near post by Origi.

That sent Anfield wild and meant Klopp’s side suddenly needed to switch mindset and defend a lead as Barca slipped, belatedly, into their trademark possession game.

Yet with Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip outstanding in the centre of defense and Brazilian Fabinho making some crucial interventions in midfield, Liverpool held on for one of their most famous wins.

Klopp’s side, who lost to Real Madrid in last year’s final in Kiev, remain in with a chance of a double triumph as they head into Sunday’s final round of Premier League games trailing leaders Manchester City by just a point.

After their defeat in Barcelona, Sunday was expected to be the conclusion of a Liverpool season that promised so much but would ultimately conclude with Klopp’s side finishing empty-handed.

Now their campaign has been extended until the June 1 final in Madrid where they will have a chance of a sixth European Cup — which would move them above Barca on the all-time winners list. — Reuters

Beermen tie series with Hotshots; SBP makes changes in structure

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE defending champions San Miguel Beermen levelled their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series with the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok at 2-2 after winning Game Four, 114-98, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Using a strong effort in the middle quarters, the Beermen created cushion and built momentum to hold off the Hotshots and pull abreast in the championship series of the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino conference.

June Mar Fajardo led San Miguel in the win with 31 points and 14 rebounds, followed by Terrence Romeo with 18 points.

Chris Ross had 15 points with Christian Standhardinger adding 13 points and 14 boards.

Arwind Santos had 12 markers and Alex Cabagnot 11.

For Magnolia it was Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon who showed the way with 22 points apiece. Ian Sangalang had 19 points

Game Five of the PBA Philippine Cup finals is on Friday.

Meanwhile, Mr. Fajardo earned his eighth best player of the conference award for the ongoing tournament in ceremonies held before the start of Game Four.

The San Miguel big man, the reigning five-time league most valuable player, won the plum over NorthPort’s Sean Anthony and TNT’s Roger Pogoy.

Mr. Fajardo garnered 1,165 total points to Mr. Anthony’s 641 and Mr. Pogoy’s 522.

It was the sixth BPC award for Mr. Fajardo in the Philippine Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas logo
The new Gilas Pilipinas logo

SBP RESTRUCTURES
Also prior to the start of Game Four, the country’s basketball federation bared changes in its structure and shared it plans moving forward.

Led by president Al Panlilio, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), in a press conference at the media room of the Big Dome, unveiled the changes the basketball body had made, including a new logo for Gilas Pilipinas, which is no longer confined to the men’s basketball team but also to be used to refer to other national basketball teams of the country.

The new logo has the Philippine Eagle incorporated with a basketball, underscoring the Filipino’slove for the game. The words Gilas Pilipinas in italicized font is meant to show the forward-looking mindset the body is taking from here on as well as the hope for a brighter future for the sport.

SBP also unveiled the program heads under its stewardship.

National coach Yeng Guiao is still tasked to spearhead the thrust for the Gilas Men’s Team with multititled University Athletic Association of the Philippines coach Patrick Aquino heading the Gilas Pilipinas women’s team.

Former Gilas men’s coach Tab Baldwin is the program director of Gilas Pilipinas youth, PBA legend Ronnie Magsanoc for Gilas 3×3 basketball, PBA champion coach Jong Uichicois as head of the Gilas Academy for coaches and tournaments, and UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag as head of Gilas Academy for referees and table officials.

Partnerships with SMART, Cignal, TV5, Excite, Unilab, San Miguel Corp. and Mighty Sports were also announced by SBP during the press conference, which was graced as well by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

Mr. Panlilio said the changes were made to help the SBP function more fluidly across various levels.

“The restructuring is to ensure that we are headed towards the right direction,” the SBP president said.

Good old resiliency, determination power Filipina Joyette Jopson to conquer 42-km Arctic marathon

AS AN ELITE triathlete and cyclist overcoming adversities is nothing new to Joyette Jopson.

So when put in another situation that required such, she delivered, banking on good old resiliency and determination to power her.

Took part in the 42-kilometer FWD ‘78° North” Marathon held near the North Pole on April 16, Ms. Jopson and the rest of the field faced a lot of obstacles but those did not stop them from forging ahead, with the Filipina finishing as one of the best performing by topping the women’s category and ending third best overall with a time of four hours, 10 minutes and 59 seconds.

Backed by FWD Philippines, Ms. Jopson, 39, was part of FWD Team Asia, joined by other representative FWD runners from Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand.

In a homecoming media conference hosted for her by the insurance group on Tuesday at The Grill in Manila House at the Bonifacio Global City, Ms. Jopson, who is also an FWD financial wealth officer, shared her experience in the lead-up and during the marathon, describing it as both challenging and fulfilling.

Apart from the elements, the runners faced the possibility of not being able to run as geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine barred any activity to be held on the North Pole itself.

Determined not to let their preparations go to waste, organizers of the North Pole Marathon, where FWD was the title sponsor for a third straight year, decided to push ahead but tweaking the event as the ‘78° North” marathon and holding it near the supposed area where the original run was to be held.

Ms. Jopson admitted to have panicked when she heard of the cancellation of the North Pole Marathon but eventually settled down and kept her focus on her way to conquering the rejjiged Arctic marathon.

“I’m extremely happy and grateful for the whole journey. Winning is just a bonus. Though the North Pole Marathon was cancelled, the 78° North Marathon was just as rewarding because it reminded me of the determination and resiliency within me all leading to overcoming adversities. It was an honor and privilege to represent FWD and the Philippines in this,” said Ms. Jopson.

She went on to thank the people who were part of her journey from FWD and outside of it, including fellow accomplished athletes Romi Garduce, Margielyn Didal and Carmela Pearson, who served as guides and inspiration for her as she prepared for the marathon in the Arctic.

“For the whole journey FWD wanted me to have a squad that would act as a support group and it was important to me because I’m going there by myself,” said Ms. Jopson.

“So Romi is an accomplished athlete who conquered the Seven Summits and I was going to somewhere where the conditions I had never gone to but he has. So he was very helpful in recommending the proper gear to bring and what to do in certain situations. Margielyn I was inspired by her. I saw parallelism between us as far as not having a place to train. It never stopped her from going for her goal which was truly inspiring. Carmela, meanwhile, is a good friend and was truly a big help in so many ways,” she added.

For her efforts and accomplishment, FWD Philippines hailed Ms. Jopson as an inspiration.

“We’re very proud of what Joyette has accomplished. Her experience as a triathlete and her sheer determination to succeed despite the challenges along the way indeed makes her the perfect representative for the Philippines,” said FWD Philippines President and Chief Executive Peter Grimes at the media conference.

“How she pushed on and performed excellently despite the uncertainties and sudden changes was truly admirable. At FWD, we’re all about celebrating life and doing your best no matter what life throws at you,” the FWD official added. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Raptors rout Sixers for 3-2 lead

TORONTO — Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 125-89 Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The Raptors can clinch the best-of-seven set by winning Game 6 (on Friday, Manila time) in Philadelphia. Game 7, if necessary, would be played Monday in Toronto.

Pascal Siakam had 25 points and eight rebounds for the Raptors. Kyle Lowry added 19 points, Danny Green had 17 points, Marc Gasol contributed 11 and Serge Ibaka scored 10.

Ibaka needed stitches after getting elbowed in the forehead by Leonard in the first quarter, but the center returned to start the second quarter.

Jimmy Butler scored 22 points and added seven assists for the 76ers. Tobias Harris contributed 15 points, Joel Embiid had 13 and Mike Scott chipped in with 10. Embiid committed a game-high eight turnovers.

The Raptors took command of the game by outscoring the Sixers 37-17 in the second quarter, and Toronto led by 22 points entering the fourth quarter.

The margin increased to 31 points when Gasol hit a 3-pointer two minutes into the fourth period.

Ibaka’s layup and free throw bumped the lead to 33 with 6:32 to play. Norman Powell’s running dunk got the advantage to 40 with 2:24 to go. The Raptors used a 7-0 surge to establish a 27-26 edge after one quarter.

Toronto had an eight-point lead early in the second quarter on Gasol’s 3-pointer.

The Raptors continued to pull away, and when Green made a 3-pointer with 40.5 seconds to play in the first half, they led by 19 points. Leonard made two free throws with 29 seconds left to increase the gap to 21. Toronto led 64-43 at halftime. — Reuters

Nuggets a win away of West finals

NIKOLA Jokic had 25 points, 19 rebounds and six assists, Paul Millsap scored 24 points, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 124-98 in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night.

Denver, which took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, also got 18 points and nine assists from Jamal Murray. Gary Harris finished with 16 points, and Malik Beasley and Will Barton scored 10 points apiece.

Game 6 is Friday in Portland, where the Nuggets won Sunday in Game 4 to take back home-court advantage. Game 7, if necessary would be played Sunday in Denver. One more win by the Nuggets would put them in their fourth Western Conference finals and first in 10 years.

Damian Lillard scored 22 points for Portland, who face an elimination game for the first time in this year’s playoffs. Rodney Hood and Zach Collins scored 14 points each, and CJ McCollum added 12 points.

The Nuggets never trailed, led by as many as 31 and outscored Portland 62-40 in the second and third quarters.

Millsap hit a floater in the lane and Will Barton made two 3-pointers an 8-0 run to start the second quarter, extending Denver’s lead to 14. Lillard hit a 3-pointer to get the Blazers back within 43-36 midway through the period.

Murray hit two reverse layups and a 3-pointer to push the lead to 61-43. After two free throws by Lillard, Millsap was fouled on a 3-pointer and hit the free throw to convert the four-point play with 15.1 seconds before halftime. — Reuters

UAAP college wars

UAAP Season 81
2018-2019 UAAP Chess Team Tournament (Men)
1st Floor, QPAV Building, UST, España St., Manila
Sept. 19-Oct. 28, 2018

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU), 40 points, 24 match points

bd01 IM John Marvin Miciano 8/10, bd02 Jeth Romy Morado 11/14, bd093 John Jaspoer Laxamana 8.5/14, bd04 Romy T. Fagon 10.5/13, bd05 Kristian Glen Abuton 1/4, bd06 Albert Kenth Cabiles 1/1. Team Captain: John Jasper Laxamana, Head Coach: GM Jayson Gonzales, Asst. Coach: Luffe Magdalaga, Team Manager: Atty. Ruel Canobas.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY (NU), 34.5 points, 19 match points

bd01 IM Paulo Bersamina 12/14, bd02 Rafael Caneda 0/1, bd03 Ahmad Ali Azote 0/1, bd04 Robin Ignacio 6/14, bd05 Ryan Christian Magtabog 9/14, bd06 Arnel June Iligan 7.5/12. Team Captain: Ryan Christian Magtabog, Team Coaches: Jose Aquino Jr, Mark Anthony Bernales, Team Managers: Samson Go, Manny Go.

ADAMSON UNIVERSITY (AdU), 32 points, 16 match points

bd01 Jayson Levin Tapia 10/14, bd02 Khristian Clyde Arellano 8/13, bd03 Godfrey Villamor 7.5/13, bd04 Alji Cantonjos 2/8, bd05 Remark Bartolome 4.5/10. Team Captain: Godfrey Villamor, Team Coach: Christopher Rodriguez.

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST (UE), 30.5 points, 17 match points

bd01 Michael Suacillo 2/14, bd02 Eliseo Budoso 10/14, bd03 Keneth Flores 8.5/14, bd04 Sean Andrew Olan 10/14. Team Captain: Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, Head Coach: John Perzeus Orozco.

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST), 25 points, 14 match points

bd01 Jerlyn Villanueva 2.5/9, bd02 Brylle Gever Vinluan 8/14, bd03 Lance Cave 0.5/1, bd04 Antonio Almodal III 8.5/14, bd05 Jeffu Dorog 3/10, bd06 Ven Dwight Kwan 2.5/8. Team Captain: Lance Cave, Team Coach: IM Ronald Dableo, Team Manager: Michaela Concio.

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES (UP), 24.5 points, 11 match points

bd01 John Edward Vito Cruz 3/9, bd02 Brent Lenard Alanan 4/10, bd03 MacQuay Labasano 2/10, bd04 Joshov Alekhine Rosarda 7.5/14, bd05 Fernando Mendoza 8/10, bd06 Gabriel Angelo Galpo 0/3. Team Captain: MacQuay Labasano, Head Coach: FM Leonardo Carlos, Asst. Coach: WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito, Team Manager: Sol Marfori

ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY (ADMU), 19.5 points, 8 match points

bd01 Joshua Glenn Dy 0/2, bd02 Gavin Lloyd Ong 6/11, bd03 Vince Oliver Edralin 4/13, bd04 Tristan Jared Cervero 6/14, bd05 Alexander Santos 3.5/12, bd06 Keefe Elbert Tan 0/4. Team Captain: Gavin Lloyd Ong, Team Coach: GM Darwin Laylo, Team Managers: Paco Rivera, Andrea Borbe, Bernice Ty, Janice Manto, Christian Deuna, Tiffanee Tan.

DELA SALLE UNIVERSITY (DLSU), 18 points, 3 match points

bd01 Justine Robert Co 0/5, NM Giovanni Mejia 9.5/14, bd03 Richmond Lloyd Young 1/9, bd04 Raymond Albert Ng 1/14, bd05 Tristan Frech Ibaoc 6.5/13, bd06 Davenson Co 0/1. Team Captain: NM Giovanni Mejia, Team Coaches: FM Randy Segarra, Susan Grace Neri, Team Managers: Family Aurelio, George Barcelon, Gerardo Achacoso.

Individual Medal Awardees

Most Valuable Player: IM Paulo Bersamina NU

Rookie of the Year: Jeth Romy Morado FEU

Board 1
gold IM Paulo Bersamina NU 12/14
silver IM John Marvin Miciano FEU 8/10
bronze John Edward Vito Cruz UP 3/9

Board 2
gold Jeth Romy Morado FEU 11/14
silver Jayson Levin Tapia AdU 10/14
bronze Eliseo Budoso UE 10/14

Board 3
gold Khristian Clyde Arellano AdU 8/13
silver John Jasper Laxamana FEU 8.5/14
bronze Keneth Flores UE 8.5/14

Board 4
gold Romy Fagon FEU 10.5/13
silver Sean Andrew Olan UE 10/14
bronze Godfrey Villamor AdU 7.5/11

Board 5
gold Fernando Mendoza UP 8/10
silver Ryan Christian Magtabog NU 9/14
bronze Tristan Frech Ibaoc DLSU 6.5/13

Board 6
gold Arnel June Iligan NU 7.5/12
silver Remark Bartolome AdU 4.5/10
bronze Veen Dwight Kwan UST 2.5/8

First of all I’d like to apologize to our readers for the lateness of our reporting. Usually the UAAP chess team tournament is held around towards the end of the school year, around February-March. This year they decided to advance the tournament to the first semester and it happened Sept.-Oct. of 2018. Somehow it never entered my consciousness that the competition had been rescheduled. Anyway, better late than never.

Remember what I said last year that FEU’s high school team was strong enough to be playing in the collegiate ranks? Well, I have just been proven right. FEU lost some of their top players to graduation but International Master John Miciano and Jeth Romy Morado graduated from their high school ranks to the men’s team and they both scored very well, enough for the FEU Tamaraws to win the Men’s Team Championship for the 14th time.

[UP] ALANAN, Brent Lenard B. — [FEU] IM MICIANO, John Marvin S. [E81]
2018 — 19 UAAP Chess (MEN) 1st Flr., QPAV Bldg., UST, Es (2.3), 22.09.2018

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0 — 0 6.Be3 Nbd7 7.Nge2 c5 8.Qd2 a6 9.Ng3 cxd4 10.Bxd4 b6

Historical footnote: 10…Ne5 11.Be2 Be6 12.Nd5 b5 13.cxb5 axb5 14.Bxb5 Nxd5 15.exd5 Bxd5 16.a4 e6 17.0 — 0 Qh4 18.Ne2 Rfc8 19.Be3 Nc4 20.Bxc4 Qxc4 21.Rfc1 Qa6 22.Rxc8+ Rxc8 23.Nc3 Bc4 24.f4 d5 25.Bd4 Bxd4+ 26.Qxd4 Qb7 27.Qf2 Ba6 28.Rd1 Rc4 29.Rd2 Rxc3 0 — 1 (29) Aaron, M-Fischer, R Stockholm 1962.

11.Be2 Bb7 12.0 — 0 Rc8 13.Rac1 Re8 14.Rfd1 Qc7 15.Nf1 Qb8 16.Nd5 e6 17.Nxf6+ Nxf6

In hedgehog formations (you know, both bishops fianchettoed with pawns on the 6th rank like Black’s set-up here) White always has to be on the look-out for …b6 — b6 and …d6 — d5 pawn breaks. White fails to do this and Miciano gives a good demonstration of Black’s dynamic potential.

18.Qc3? <D>

POSITION AFTER 18.QC3

Putting the queen on the same file as the enemy rook is like waving the red flag for Black’s …b5 or …d5.

18…e5 19.Be3

Well, he could have taken the b6-pawn with 19.Bxb6 Bxe4 20.Bf2 (20.Be3 Nd5; 20.fxe4? Qxb6+ 21.Qe3 Qxb2 22.Rxd6 Bf8! followed by …Bc5) 20…Bb7 followed by …e5 — e4. Black is doing very well.

19…d5! 20.exd5 Nxd5 21.Qb3 Nxe3 22.Nxe3 Qc7 23.c5 Bh6

And Black could have simply taken the c5 — pawn, but he had a diabolical plan in place.

24.cxb6 Qxc1!

Who can resist a queen sacrifice? Well, this is not really a sacrifice for he gets two rooks, but it still looks good!

25.Rxc1 Rxc1+ 26.Kf2 e4 27.Ng4 Bg7 28.f4 e3+ 29.Kg3

[29.Nxe3 Bd4]

29…Rg1 30.Kh4

[30.Bf3 e2!]

30…Rxg2 31.Qd3 h5 32.Nxe3 Bf6+ 33.Kh3 Rxe2 34.Qxe2 Bd4 0 — 1

The defending champion National University Bulldogs lost last year’s gold medalist FM Austin Literatus and that blow proved to be too much to bear. International Master Paulo Bersamina still scored 12/14 to win the individual gold medal on top board, but that was not enough to carry the team and they had to settle for the silver medals this season.

[FEU] IM MICIANO, John Marvin S. [NU] IM BERSAMINA, Paulo S. [A46]
2018 — 19 UAAP Chess (MEN) 1st Flr., QPAV Bldg., UST, Es (3.2), 23.09.2018

1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.g3 b5 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.0 — 0 e6 6.a4 b4 7.Nbd2 c5 8.c4 bxc3 9.bxc3 Nc6 10.Ba3 Rc8 11.Re1 Be7 12.dxc5 Na5 13.Ne5 Bxc5 14.Bxc5 Rxc5 15.Qb1

Inviting Black to take his c3 — pawn.

15…0 — 0!

Taking the pawn is bad: 15…Rxc3? 16.Qb5+ Bc6 17.Qb4 wins a piece. Let us explore further: 17…Rc2 (17…d4 18.Ndc4! (idea of Nd6+) 18…Rxc4 (of course not 18…Nxc4 19.Bxc6+) 19.Nxc4 Bxg2 20.Nxa5 White is clearly winning) 18.Rec1 Rxc1+ 19.Rxc1! Bd7 20.Rc5 Nc4 21.Ndxc4 dxc4 22.Nc6 this is not going to end well for Black.

But now that Black’s king has castled into safety White is left with a chronically weak c-pawn, and IM Bersamina pounds on it.

16.Qb4 Qc7 17.Rab1 Rc8

With his rook on c5 secured Black is now threatening …Qxe5

18.Qd4 Ba6 19.g4 Ne4 20.Nb3 20.Nxb3 21.Rxb3 Rxc3 22.Rxc3 Qxc3 23.Qxc3 Nxc3 24.Bf3 Nxa4 25.Ra1 Bb5 26.e3 f6 27.Nd3 Bxd3 28.Rxa4 a6

Black is two pawns up and wins easily.

29.Kg2 Kf7 30.Rb4 Bb5 31.e4 Rc4 32.Rb2 dxe4 33.Be2 Rc5 34.Bxb5 axb5 35.Rb4 f5 36.h4 Kf6 37.Rd4 Rd5 38.Rb4 Ke5 39.g5 Kf4 40.Rb3 Kg4 41.g6 hxg6 42.Rg3+ Kh5 43.Kf1 f4 44.Rb3 Kxh4 45.Rb4 Re5 46.f3 exf3 47.Rxf4+ Kg3 48.Rf7 g5 49.Rxg7 g4 50.Rd7 b4 51.Rd1 b3 52.Rb1 Re3 53.Rb2 e5 54.Kg1 Re1# 0 — 1

Last year’s runner-up Dela Salle University did even worse — they lost Christian Nanola, Denzel Amar and Jeazzir Surposa and even though National Master Giovanni Mejia still remained on top board the team crashed to last place, its worse finish ever.

I have a great deal of respect though for the La Salle coaching staff and am sure that they would bounce back, perhaps as early as next year, to contend once more for the title.

 

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

Stifling defense

Kawhi Leonard was decidedly mortal yesterday. Compared to the insane numbers he had been putting up throughout the playoffs, his stats in Game Five of the Raptors’ semifinal-round series were far more modest: He had 21 (on seven-of-16 shooting from the field), 13, and four in 36 minutes of play. In part, it was due to a conscious decision by head coach Nick Nurse to add more variation to an offense that had hitherto been focused on him. In larger measure, it was simply because he missed shots he had been making even in the face of tight coverage.

Still, Leonard looked none the worse for wear in the aftermath of his mediocre effort. If anything, he’ll arguably take depressed personal lines for as long as the Raptors end up as they did yesterday: with a blowout victory. For all his containment, he still wound up with a plus-20 rating in the time he burned rubber. And so complete was the collective effort that every single one of his teammates save for Malcolm Miller (who went in for two minutes with the outcome already well decided) finished on the positive side of the ledger.

For the record, Leonard didn’t even need to be on the floor for the last seven minutes and 22 seconds of the match; the Raptors were then ahead by 30 and certain of prevailing, prompting Nurse to call in the scrubs. In fact, so dominant were they yesterday that they won every single quarter, and especially the second; up by 21 at the half, they went on Cruise Control from there. On aggregate, they shot much better, made more field goals and free throws, had more rebounds, assists, and steals, and had less fouls and turnovers.

Not that the Raptors shot the lights out of the Scotiabank Arena. On any other night, their 48.8% clip might well have led to a closer score. Not yesterday, though, and for the most part due to a stifling defense that made the Sixers — with the exception of Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and Mike Scott — look like junior-varsity reserves. All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons had eight and five turnovers, respectively. JJ Redick canned just one of six attempts. James Ennis III went zero of four. And for a supposed powerhouse banking on an inside-out plan of attack, hitting just a fourth of 24 three-point shots won’t go anywhere near to cutting it.

Tomorrow, the Raptors will be going for a third straight win and, accordingly, a second conference finals berth in four years. They may have the momentum, but the task won’t be a cakewalk. Not if the Sixers, who seem to play best when desperate, prove true to form. In front of hometown fans, Embiid, for instance, could be extra motivated to overcome conditioning issues and put up monster numbers anew. Nonetheless, the visitors will be prepped and primed. They have Leonard. Better yet, they have themselves.

 

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

Senate cancels investigation on Bikoy ‘nonsense’

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
and Arjay L. Balinbin Reporters

THE Senate on Wednesday canceled a planned hearing on the controversy over the netizen “Bikoy” which the head of a Senate panel described as “nonsense.”

This followed Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III’s remarks on Wednesday that Peter Joemel A. Advincula, who claimed to be the “Bikoy” in a series of anti-Duterte videos was the same person who contacted the his office in 2016, bearing a similar narco-list.

Mr. Sotto presented to the media a copy of Mr. Advincula’s affidavit in December that year, in which he accused businessman Elizalde Co, former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III, and former senator and interior secretary Manuel A. Roxas II as “patrons,” or those deemed to be on the top of a “Quadrangle Syndicate” involved in illegal drugs.

Mr. Advincula now identifies as patrons Presidential son Paolo Z. Duterte, Veronica Salvador who is said to represent President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s common-law wife Cielito S. Avanceña and daughter Veronica, former special assistant to the president Christopher Lawrence T. Go, and the older Mr. Duterte’s son-in-law, Manases R. Carpio.

Senator Sotto added that Mr. Advincula had also provided him in 2016 a list of bank accounts where drug money was allegedly deposited, which Mr. Sotto, as Majority Leader then, vetted with the bank concerned.

“Isang account lang ang binigay ko… (at) ang sagot lang (nila) noon, ni hindi ganyan ang numbering at lettering ng bank account nila, kaya imposible daw ‘yun,” the Senate leader said. (I just gave one account, and I was informed that even the numbering and lettering in the bank account was different from theirs, so it’s impossible).

‘NONSENSE’
“The problem with asking Bikoy who are the people behind him is if we will believe him,” Mr. Lacson said in a separate post.

Top Palace officials on Wednesday presented at least four more matrices implicating the Magdalo group and Liberal Party-allied personalities and organizations in an alleged plot to “discredit” Mr. Duterte’s administration and “boost” the candidacy of the opposition Otso Diretso senatorial bets.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo was joined by Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar in presenting the said diagrams to the Palace media on Wednesday, two days after Mr. Advincula, identifying himself as the “Bikoy” in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” (The Real Narcolist) videos, surfaced at the office of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the country’s mandatory bar organization.

“The Office of the President, the President himself has received information, intelligence information that has been validated and appears to show that there is a deliberate attempt to discredit this administration, as well as to boost the candidacies of the opposition’s senatorial candidates and it appears that there are certain groups (that) are working together to achieve this goal,” Mr. Panelo said in his opening statement.

He added: “This group appears to be the Liberal Party — some personalities identified as advocates or very active in social media dishing out anti-Duterte statements and sentiments, and validated to be allied with the Liberal Party; also working together with groups indicated in the matrix presented to you the other week. That’s it.”

He further said that “the Liberal Party (LP), the Magdalo and the other the groups indicated in the matrix are working hand-in-hand.”

“Why do we say this? The intelligence information shows that some of them, if not all of them, are using the same office — a four square meter office. What do you call this? Linear-something, Makati. And personalities like Bong Banal, Kokoy Dayao and Rodel Jayme — they are all known to be advocates of the Liberal Party. And then, even their e-mail addresses appear to be — that their e-mail [addresses] are the ones sharing this video of Bikoy.”

In a statement, Senator Francis N. Pangilinan, LP president and Otso Diretso campaign manager, said: “This is the nth time that the Administration, when confronted with controversy, falsely accuses the LP of being involved in ouster plots. Gawa-gawa lang ‘yan. Ang hindi gawa-gawa na dapat nilang ipaliwanag ay bakit walang nahuhuli na mga drug lord o pinaparushana na opisyal ng Customs sa paulit-ulit na pagpuslit ng toneladang shabu sa BoC. ‘Yan ang dapat nilang aksyunan.” (That’s fiction. What is not and which they should explain is why no drug lord has been caught or Customs official after all the shabu passing through the [Bureau of Customs]. That is what they should act on).

For its part, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Mr. Advincula has been selling false information about drug links.

“Before he gives information, ilang beses na siyang nakahingi ng medyo large amount of money (he would often ask for quite a large amount of money) and it turned out lahat ng sinabi niya (that his claims) are all false,” PNP chief General Oscar D. Albayalde told reporters at Camp Crame.

Mr. Albayalde said Mr. Advincula would offer information in exchange for P40,000 to P70,000. “Based on our monitoring and profiling…way back 2016, nung nandun pa siya sa Bilibid (when he was still in Bilibid prison), he made it believe through one inmate also na siya ay involved sa isang sindikato at meron siyang alam na malaking laboratory sa Bicol (that he is involved in a syndicate and he knows a big laboratory in Bicol),” said the PNP chief, adding that the police would later that the laboratory referred to was actually a resort.

IBP
The IBP, for its part, has declined request by Mr. Advincula for legal assistance.

In a statement, IBP president Abdiel Dan Elijah S. Fajardo said the decision was made following the National Center for Legal Aid’s (NCLA) evaluation of Mr. Advincula’s application.

“Mr. Advincula came to the IBP NCLA to request free legal assistance and representation in the filing of charges against certain individuals, including candidates for elective positions, because of their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. His application was duly processed just like any other request received by the NCLA,” Mr. Fajardo said.

“In the pursuit of its mandate to provide access to justice to the poor and the marginalized, the IBP cannot be seen to be siding with or going against any candidate or political party,” he added.

Mr. Advincula went to the IBP main office last Monday to seek legal assistance in filing charges against members of Mr. Duterte’s family and his associates in connection with illegal drugs.

The National Bureau of Investigation on April 30 arrested a sharer of his videos, Rodel H. Jayme, and on Tuesday charged him in a Parañaque City court with inciting to sedition. — with reports by Vince Angelo C. Ferreras and Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Number coding scheme for provincial buses lifted May 10, 14

THE number coding scheme for provincial buses will be lifted on Friday, May 10, and Tuesday, May 14, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

The suspension of the number coding scheme was suspended in consideration for travelers returning to their home provinces to vote in the May 13 midterm elections on Monday next week.

The number coding scheme for public utility vehicles and private vehicles is automatically lifted this weekend, May 11 and 12, as well as on Election Day itself. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Karina David, 73

FORMER Civil Service Commission chair Karina Constantino-David passed away on Tuesday evening, CSC Commissioner Aileen A. Lizada confirmed on Wednesday. Mrs. David was 73.

She is survived by her husband, journalist and sociologist Randolf S. David, and their family, including children Carlos Primo, Kara, Nadya, and Brice.

“Much of her life was spent on serving the Filipino people in her work as professor, activist, community organizer, and public servant,” the family said in a statement.

“She was a patriot in the true sense of the word.”

Mrs. David was a leading figure in the struggle against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos like her father, historian Renato Constantino. She also carried on her activism in the music scene, as half of the folk duo Inang Laya, together with singer Becky Demetillo-Abraham.

Senator Francis N. Pangilinan,in a statement, remembered Mrs. David for her contribution in rebuilding democracy after the ouster of Mr. Marcos.

“Even as a student in UP, I already looked up to her as a brave, brilliant, and creative singer of the group Inang Laya. She fought to depose Marcos the dictator. She fought to rebuild democracy and good governance after this,” the senator’s statement read in part. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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