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Back at channel 2: TV Patrol, TV Patrol Weekend to air on ALLTV | Jairo Bolledo | 13/04/2024 20:43 | TV PATROL. Anchors Noli de Castro, Karen Davila, Bernadette Sembrano, and Henry Omaga Diaz during TV Patrol airing on April 10, 2024.
ABS-CBN
MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast TV Patrol and its weekend iteration, TV Patrol Weekend, will be back on channel 2 starting Monday night, April 15.
ABS-CBN announced on Saturday, April 13, that its flagship newscast will air on ALLTV, owned by tycoon Manny Villar.
TV Patrol airs from Monday to Friday, 6:30 pm, with anchors Noli de Castro, Karen Davila, Bernadette Sembrano, and Henry Omaga Diaz. Meanwhile, anchors Alvin Elchico and Zen Hernandez host the weekend edition that airs Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 pm.
ABS-CBN said their viewers can still watch the newscasts on A2Z, on cable through Kapamilya Channel, ANC, and Teleradyo Serbisyo, and on radio via DWPM.
After the National Telecommunications Commission ordered ABS-CBN to stop its television and radio operations, the channel went off-air on May 5, 2020, right after TV Patrol’s airing.
The media giant was shut down in the first few years of the administration of then-president Rodrigo Duterte who admitted that he used his “presidential powers” against ABS-CBN.
Only two days later, on May 7, 2020, TV Patrol aired online through ABS-CBN’s website, its official Facebook page, and YouTube channel, and through its content platform iWant, and on ANC.
In October of the same year, ABS-CBN pulled off its return to free television via Brother Eddie Villanueva’s A2Z. This paved the way for TV Patrol’s comeback later on.
The flagship newscast only returned to free television via A2Z in January 2022. – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/tv-patrol-tv-patrol-weekend-air-alltv-channel-2/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2B46twvR7nW_JcH6eeSvdAvj0csMGIpz2UZRP8wGXfb7AhnCqb_YO9TF4_aem_ENGuGplKXf1HrvGRPeq6Mw | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Integrity police arrest BARMM highway patrol cop over robbery, extortion | Mia Gonzalez | 13/04/2024 16:59 | BARMM RHPU. The Bangsamoro Regional Highway Patrol Unit headquarters.
PNP BARMM
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines – Gunfire rang out during an entrapment operation set to arrest alleged “dirty cops” at the headquarters of the Bangsamoro Regional Highway Patrol Unit (RHPU) on Friday night, April 12.
No one was seriously hurt in the fracas but a highway patrol cop, who allegedly fired the shots, got injured when he fell from the stairs of the police headquarters.
After the scuffle, members of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) were able to arrest Master Sergeant Nassrollah Gani at the RHPU headquarters located inside a police camp in PC Hill, Cotabato City.
Gani is one of five RHPU policemen who were named in a robbery-extortion complaint filed by a car owner, said Lieutenant Colonel Aldrin Abila, IMEG Mindanao acting chief.
During the entrapment, policemen recovered from Gani P18,000 cash, two cellular phones, keys to a Toyota car, a Zigana PX-9 caliber 9mm pistol, a Galil assault rifle, and assorted bullets.
When asked about the accusations against him, Gani declined to comment, telling media that he would still have to get a lawyer.
Four of Gani’s companions are now the subject of a manhunt, Abila told local broadcaster DXMS Radyo Bida on Saturday, April 13.
Gani and his companion cops allegedly demanded P50,000 from a car owner in exchange for the release of a Honda sedan that they earlier impounded for alleged illegal license plate transfer, Abila said.
An entrapment was set up for the purported payoff at the RHPU headquarters, the police official said.
The police official declined to name the car owner for security reasons.
Abila said they also arrested RHPU cop Executive Master Sergeant Benigno Mercado and booked him for direct assault for firing his gun at the arresting police officers.
Mercado is not included in the list of five robbery-extortion suspects, Abila said.
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/barmm-highway-patrol-cops-arrested-robbery-extortion/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1ohoEa2yB8MnNgQDulqXXMSqJQ57UauVNNSOIspFr0_vcVbQCwCTahTR4_aem_m4x9pxTyvyCDy9WL5Cje-g | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Results, team standings: 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Spikers’ Turf Open Conference | jisaga0269 | 02/05/2024 19:25 | CHAMPS. The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a winning play.
PVL IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Hard-hitting volleyball rolls off at the professional and semi-pro levels as the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference and the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference hit the homestretch!
Here are the results and team standings of both leagues:
FINALS
MAY 12
MAY 9
BATTLE FOR BRONZE
MAY 12
MAY 9
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
Results
MAY 5
MAY 1
APRIL 30
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points | Set Ratio)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
FINALS
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
* – Finals
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
– Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/premier-league-all-filipino-conference-spikers-turf-open-team-standings-2024/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3qt30alO2gc6gnEUTrhuSZyKUu-HIa6jr5VQ4_USoQ_nyyxo3zkkYtcIM_aem_rj6dwHRkn_vpGiZJ24i0bQ | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball | Jasmine Payo | 05/05/2024 21:02 | ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/volleyball-game-results-team-standings-men-women-season-86-2024/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR14J-ci-nM8P9xJBsn6NlEE2n6OB4hbTiaBF5dRrpt5FgTNmtClvAFYRCA_aem_wGuhoIfuW1vsyH3CVwiKLg | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Results, team standings: 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Spikers’ Turf Open Conference | jisaga0269 | 02/05/2024 19:25 | CHAMPS. The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a winning play.
PVL IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Hard-hitting volleyball rolls off at the professional and semi-pro levels as the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference and the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference hit the homestretch!
Here are the results and team standings of both leagues:
FINALS
MAY 12
MAY 9
BATTLE FOR BRONZE
MAY 12
MAY 9
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
Results
MAY 5
MAY 1
APRIL 30
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points | Set Ratio)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
FINALS
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
* – Finals
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
– Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/premier-league-all-filipino-conference-spikers-turf-open-team-standings-2024/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0i_2fg0Bp89ZVEBUOD7RowMwNbPuM8YwvVVhII3mSdYyS7KS_TTty4gyw_aem_RqmonoXw68QE3tMk3YeVhQ | null | null | null | null | null | null |
‘Gutom factor’ fuels Negros kids to snatch Spain football crown | Jasmine Payo | 13/04/2024 16:52 | LITTLE CHAMPIONS. The players of the Filipinas San Carlos U-12 Team celebrate their title win in Spain.
Provincial Government of Negros Occidental
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines –They’re football scholars playing for the city’s elite team. But these 11-year-old Negros kids showed they’re also winners in the international stage.
Led by team stars Klent Paul Montilla and Felex Rey Caballero, the Filipinas San Carlos U-12 Team surprised their bigger and taller foes to rule the 2024 Real Madrid Foundation Clinics World Challenge at the Valdebebas Training Ground in Madrid, Spain on March 26-31.
Head coach Francis Roy Barcuma told Rappler that his 12 players – all coming from low-income families in various villages in San Carlos City – showed the “gutom factor” (hunger) that fueled them to “kick hard” and “aspire big” for a better future through football.
“It can be seen in their faces and movements that they’re determined to win…to be champions,” said Barcuma of his players, all public elementary school students in the city.
The young San Carlos booters fought seven games in the Spain football tourney – won six, lost one – prior to their championship match where they dominated with a 3-0 victory over USA-Blue on March 31.
Montilla scored the first goal before Caballero sealed it with a brace.
“Happy, happy gid ko nga naka-kadto na ko sa Spain (I am so happy that I went to Spain already),” said Montilla, whose mother Josefa works as a vendor, while father Arnel remains jobless.
Second in the broad of four, Montilla vowed to practice more to be the next “football star” in the country.
For Caballero, “football is life” even if life is tough for his family. His father Bryan Rey works at the city’s water district while his mother Arnie takes care of him and his four other siblings.
Like Montilla, Caballero also hopes to become a “football idol” when he grows up.
Rounding out the champion team are Charles Adam Dignos, Twirl Gelito, Christian Paul Limpio, Mark Ross Mabesa, Dhroy Miguel, Mathew Jacob Pamilar, Franz Mekael Jhay Salvador, John Jacob Sildura, Ivan Dio Silvar, and Frenchzuef Machryl Subrado.
The local government celebrated their feat with a morning victory caravan in the entire poblacion of San Carlos City, 398 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Bacolod City.
San Carlos Mayor Rene Gustilo, in a press conference on Thursday, April 8, said the city is “beyond proud” of their little champions.
Gustilo believes that with the San Carlos City Negros Football Club (SCCNFC) and Sining at Pag-asa (SIPA), the boys can continue to hone their skills and dream big.
SIPA is a joint football program of the local government of San Carlos and Fundacion Real Madrid since 2016 that aims to discover and train young boys in the city.
Jose Miguel Valmayor, vice president of SCCNFC, said it’s the first time in 20 years since founding the club that their team copped an international title.
Gustilo said the 12 talented young players will receive a cash incentive of P20,000 each from the city government.
The promising Caballero said the reward will be a big help to his family, especially to his siblings.
But like any kid, he also wants to celebrate, “Ma-bonding kami ka mga igso-on ko (I’ll spend some bonding time with my siblings).” – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/football/filipinas-san-carlos-under-12-team-negros-occidental-real-madrid-foundation-clinics-world-challenge-champion-2024/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0f0FJJLMJ27P-A-IGlh8J36UO-A4YLskWqE7zfh1cyn2onV1PklYu5_zI_aem_1WOM4gLtyGSBLevlfSo1ug | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Marcos to Duterte: What did you compromise in ‘secret agreement’ with China? | Mia Gonzalez | 13/04/2024 14:21 | HARASSMENT. A Philippine Coast Guard vessel is 'impeded and encircled' by Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea on March 23, 2024.
Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard video
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has several questions for former president Rodrigo Duterte on his “gentleman’s agreement” with China on Ayungin Shoal, among them, why he kept it a secret to the Filipino people and what the deal entailed.
“Para sa akin maliwanag na may tinago – may usapan sila na tinago nila sa taumbayan, number one (For me, it’s clear that they hid something – they had discussions that were kept from the people, number one),” Marcos said in response to questions in a Philippine media interview in Washington on Friday, April 12.
He was asked about the Chinese embassy in Manila’s confirmation of the existence of such an agreement, though Duterte denied it.
“So, now, with the confirmation of the Chinese embassy, we now know that there was a secret agreement. Now,…the second question that I have is what is contained in the secret agreement?” he said.
“We need to know, what did you agree to? What did you compromise? Ano ‘yung pinamigay ninyo? Bakit nagagalit sa atin ang mga kaibigan natin sa China dahil hindi kami sumusunod? Ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin? Ano’ng laman ng secret agreement na ‘yan?” he added.
(We need to know, what did you agree to? What did you compromise? What did you give away? Why are our friends from China angry at us because of we didn’t follow it? What is it that we should we do? What does that agreement entail?)
The Chinese embassy said in a statement posted on its website on Friday that under the deal with the Duterte administration, Philippine resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre would only be limited to the delivery of food and water and would not include construction and repair materials.
China has been harassing Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, calling such actions “provocative.”
The Philippines and its allies have slammed China’s actions, which were among the top agenda in the first trilateral summit of the leaders of the United States, the Philippines, and Japan in Washington. (READ: US, Japan, Philippines condemn Beijing’s South China Sea moves in summit)
Marcos reiterated that then-outgoing president Duterte and his officials did not mention any such deal during the transition period between administrations following his victory in the 2022 presidential elections.
Marcos said he also wants to hear from former Duterte officials who may shed light on what the agreement entailed, but did not identify them.
“Tanong natin sa kanila. Eh walang dokumento. Oh sige, ano ba talaga, ano ba talaga? I- kuwento naman ninyo kung ano ‘yung nangyari? What part did you play in all of these? Well, we need to clarify the situation because nalalagay ang Pilipinas sa alanganin,” he said.
(Let’s ask them. There’s no documentation. What is is about? Tell us what happened. What part did you play in all of these? Well, we need to clarify the situation because the Philippines is being placed in a compromising situation.)
“I’ll talk to the former officials, and see what they have to say. I can get a straight answer on any of them,” he added.
Marcos said he “disagrees” with the idea of entering into a secret agreement because it would allow those behind it to escape accountability.
“[If] you have any secret, any agreement with another sovereign state should really be known by the people, should be known by the elected officials, should be known by the Senate. Because the treaty is to be ratified by the Senate. It should be known by all the local officials. It should be known by everyone,” he said.
“If it’s a bad decision, you’re accountable,” he added.
Marcos also wondered aloud why a “very experienced lawyer” like Duterte would enter into such an important agreement without any written documentation.
“Walang dokumento. Hindi ko nga maintindihan, very experienced lawyer si president Duterte. Ang abogado lahat gusto nila nakasulat lahat ‘yan. Bakit walang nakasulat na kahit isang papel? Bakit walang video? Bakit walang announcement? Nothing,” he said.
(There are no documents. I can’t understand this – [former] president Duterte is a very experienced lawyer. All lawyers want everything in writing. Why was there not even one sheet of paper? Why is there no video? Why is there no announcement? Nothing.)
“So, papaano namin magagawa, kung gusto naming sundan, kung ayaw naming sundan, hindi pa rin, hindi namin alam (So what could we do, if we want to follow it or not follow, we have no idea). So, whatever foreign policy we undertook vis-à-vis South China Sea, West Philippine Sea was just continuing our foreign policy of maintaining the peace and promoting the national interest,” he added.
Marcos said in an April 10 interview that he was “horrified by the idea that we have compromised, through a secret agreement, the territory, the sovereignty, and the sovereign rights of the Filipinos.” – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-questions-duterte-secret-deal-china-ayungin-shoal/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0h_kte6j504HCVe8lPKZgfrSQUFZnl6IfnuvWpmBjgu4_foOdQ3sv07Sw_aem_sLXTkB7_IFCQY4b0qs-mLA | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Results, team standings: 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Spikers’ Turf Open Conference | jisaga0269 | 02/05/2024 19:25 | CHAMPS. The Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate a winning play.
PVL IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Hard-hitting volleyball rolls off at the professional and semi-pro levels as the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference and the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference hit the homestretch!
Here are the results and team standings of both leagues:
FINALS
MAY 12
MAY 9
BATTLE FOR BRONZE
MAY 12
MAY 9
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
Results
MAY 5
MAY 1
APRIL 30
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points | Set Ratio)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
FINALS
SEMIFINALS
Standings (win-loss-points)
* – Finals
ELIMINATIONS
Wins-Losses (Points)
* – Semifinalsx – Eliminated
– Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/premier-league-all-filipino-conference-spikers-turf-open-team-standings-2024/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1b0CC-Jx08-rZxCodWFTTC_5wuwclOXMOYpXcNmKXadT69rVvku4qATbE_aem_U_grfQDPF9DNEi4qDIMVuA | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Results, team standings: UAAP Season 86 volleyball | Jasmine Payo | 05/05/2024 21:02 | ROARING. NU's Bella Belen (left) and Alyssa Solomon react in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals
UAAP Season 86 Media Team
MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 86 volleyball tournaments reach a tipping point with the men’s and women’s finals!
LOOK: UAAP volleyball championship schedule
Here are the results in the men’s and women’s divisions:
MAY 15
May 11
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
MAY 8
MAY 5
MAY 4
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
** – Twice-to-beat* – Final Fourx – Eliminated
APRIL 27
APRIL 24
APRIL 21
APRIL 20
APRIL 17
APRIL 14
APRIL 13
APRIL 10
APRIL 9
APRIL 4
APRIL 3
MARCH 24
MARCH 23
MARCH 20
First round
MARCH 17
MARCH 16
MARCH 13
MARCH 10
MARCH 9
MARCH 6
MARCH 3
MARCH 2
FEBRUARY 28
FEBRUARY 25
FEBRUARY 24
FEBRUARY 21
FEBRUARY 18
FEBRUARY 17
– Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/volleyball-game-results-team-standings-men-women-season-86-2024/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3k-dTuXQ_QSepfuEa2rBbP5A4aAht9zQpd4h1zzmc7Pa9WXzVWf_gvOhA_aem_1FYapNjm2Lcot2Rsd_VcDg | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Marcos to Duterte: What did you compromise in ‘secret agreement’ with China? | Mia Gonzalez | 13/04/2024 14:21 | HARASSMENT. A Philippine Coast Guard vessel is 'impeded and encircled' by Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea on March 23, 2024.
Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard video
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has several questions for former president Rodrigo Duterte on his “gentleman’s agreement” with China on Ayungin Shoal, among them, why he kept it a secret to the Filipino people and what the deal entailed.
“Para sa akin maliwanag na may tinago – may usapan sila na tinago nila sa taumbayan, number one (For me, it’s clear that they hid something – they had discussions that were kept from the people, number one),” Marcos said in response to questions in a Philippine media interview in Washington on Friday, April 12.
He was asked about the Chinese embassy in Manila’s confirmation of the existence of such an agreement, though Duterte denied it.
“So, now, with the confirmation of the Chinese embassy, we now know that there was a secret agreement. Now,…the second question that I have is what is contained in the secret agreement?” he said.
“We need to know, what did you agree to? What did you compromise? Ano ‘yung pinamigay ninyo? Bakit nagagalit sa atin ang mga kaibigan natin sa China dahil hindi kami sumusunod? Ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin? Ano’ng laman ng secret agreement na ‘yan?” he added.
(We need to know, what did you agree to? What did you compromise? What did you give away? Why are our friends from China angry at us because of we didn’t follow it? What is it that we should we do? What does that agreement entail?)
The Chinese embassy said in a statement posted on its website on Friday that under the deal with the Duterte administration, Philippine resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre would only be limited to the delivery of food and water and would not include construction and repair materials.
China has been harassing Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, calling such actions “provocative.”
The Philippines and its allies have slammed China’s actions, which were among the top agenda in the first trilateral summit of the leaders of the United States, the Philippines, and Japan in Washington. (READ: US, Japan, Philippines condemn Beijing’s South China Sea moves in summit)
Marcos reiterated that then-outgoing president Duterte and his officials did not mention any such deal during the transition period between administrations following his victory in the 2022 presidential elections.
Marcos said he also wants to hear from former Duterte officials who may shed light on what the agreement entailed, but did not identify them.
“Tanong natin sa kanila. Eh walang dokumento. Oh sige, ano ba talaga, ano ba talaga? I- kuwento naman ninyo kung ano ‘yung nangyari? What part did you play in all of these? Well, we need to clarify the situation because nalalagay ang Pilipinas sa alanganin,” he said.
(Let’s ask them. There’s no documentation. What is is about? Tell us what happened. What part did you play in all of these? Well, we need to clarify the situation because the Philippines is being placed in a compromising situation.)
“I’ll talk to the former officials, and see what they have to say. I can get a straight answer on any of them,” he added.
Marcos said he “disagrees” with the idea of entering into a secret agreement because it would allow those behind it to escape accountability.
“[If] you have any secret, any agreement with another sovereign state should really be known by the people, should be known by the elected officials, should be known by the Senate. Because the treaty is to be ratified by the Senate. It should be known by all the local officials. It should be known by everyone,” he said.
“If it’s a bad decision, you’re accountable,” he added.
Marcos also wondered aloud why a “very experienced lawyer” like Duterte would enter into such an important agreement without any written documentation.
“Walang dokumento. Hindi ko nga maintindihan, very experienced lawyer si president Duterte. Ang abogado lahat gusto nila nakasulat lahat ‘yan. Bakit walang nakasulat na kahit isang papel? Bakit walang video? Bakit walang announcement? Nothing,” he said.
(There are no documents. I can’t understand this – [former] president Duterte is a very experienced lawyer. All lawyers want everything in writing. Why was there not even one sheet of paper? Why is there no video? Why is there no announcement? Nothing.)
“So, papaano namin magagawa, kung gusto naming sundan, kung ayaw naming sundan, hindi pa rin, hindi namin alam (So what could we do, if we want to follow it or not follow, we have no idea). So, whatever foreign policy we undertook vis-à-vis South China Sea, West Philippine Sea was just continuing our foreign policy of maintaining the peace and promoting the national interest,” he added.
Marcos said in an April 10 interview that he was “horrified by the idea that we have compromised, through a secret agreement, the territory, the sovereignty, and the sovereign rights of the Filipinos.” – Rappler.com
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Marcos to Duterte: What did you compromise in ‘secret agreement’ with China? | Mia Gonzalez | 13/04/2024 14:21 | HARASSMENT. A Philippine Coast Guard vessel is 'impeded and encircled' by Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea on March 23, 2024.
Screengrab from Philippine Coast Guard video
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has several questions for former president Rodrigo Duterte on his “gentleman’s agreement” with China on Ayungin Shoal, among them, why he kept it a secret to the Filipino people and what the deal entailed.
“Para sa akin maliwanag na may tinago – may usapan sila na tinago nila sa taumbayan, number one (For me, it’s clear that they hid something – they had discussions that were kept from the people, number one),” Marcos said in response to questions in a Philippine media interview in Washington on Friday, April 12.
He was asked about the Chinese embassy in Manila’s confirmation of the existence of such an agreement, though Duterte denied it.
“So, now, with the confirmation of the Chinese embassy, we now know that there was a secret agreement. Now,…the second question that I have is what is contained in the secret agreement?” he said.
“We need to know, what did you agree to? What did you compromise? Ano ‘yung pinamigay ninyo? Bakit nagagalit sa atin ang mga kaibigan natin sa China dahil hindi kami sumusunod? Ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin? Ano’ng laman ng secret agreement na ‘yan?” he added.
(We need to know, what did you agree to? What did you compromise? What did you give away? Why are our friends from China angry at us because of we didn’t follow it? What is it that we should we do? What does that agreement entail?)
The Chinese embassy said in a statement posted on its website on Friday that under the deal with the Duterte administration, Philippine resupply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre would only be limited to the delivery of food and water and would not include construction and repair materials.
China has been harassing Philippine resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, calling such actions “provocative.”
The Philippines and its allies have slammed China’s actions, which were among the top agenda in the first trilateral summit of the leaders of the United States, the Philippines, and Japan in Washington. (READ: US, Japan, Philippines condemn Beijing’s South China Sea moves in summit)
Marcos reiterated that then-outgoing president Duterte and his officials did not mention any such deal during the transition period between administrations following his victory in the 2022 presidential elections.
Marcos said he also wants to hear from former Duterte officials who may shed light on what the agreement entailed, but did not identify them.
“Tanong natin sa kanila. Eh walang dokumento. Oh sige, ano ba talaga, ano ba talaga? I- kuwento naman ninyo kung ano ‘yung nangyari? What part did you play in all of these? Well, we need to clarify the situation because nalalagay ang Pilipinas sa alanganin,” he said.
(Let’s ask them. There’s no documentation. What is is about? Tell us what happened. What part did you play in all of these? Well, we need to clarify the situation because the Philippines is being placed in a compromising situation.)
“I’ll talk to the former officials, and see what they have to say. I can get a straight answer on any of them,” he added.
Marcos said he “disagrees” with the idea of entering into a secret agreement because it would allow those behind it to escape accountability.
“[If] you have any secret, any agreement with another sovereign state should really be known by the people, should be known by the elected officials, should be known by the Senate. Because the treaty is to be ratified by the Senate. It should be known by all the local officials. It should be known by everyone,” he said.
“If it’s a bad decision, you’re accountable,” he added.
Marcos also wondered aloud why a “very experienced lawyer” like Duterte would enter into such an important agreement without any written documentation.
“Walang dokumento. Hindi ko nga maintindihan, very experienced lawyer si president Duterte. Ang abogado lahat gusto nila nakasulat lahat ‘yan. Bakit walang nakasulat na kahit isang papel? Bakit walang video? Bakit walang announcement? Nothing,” he said.
(There are no documents. I can’t understand this – [former] president Duterte is a very experienced lawyer. All lawyers want everything in writing. Why was there not even one sheet of paper? Why is there no video? Why is there no announcement? Nothing.)
“So, papaano namin magagawa, kung gusto naming sundan, kung ayaw naming sundan, hindi pa rin, hindi namin alam (So what could we do, if we want to follow it or not follow, we have no idea). So, whatever foreign policy we undertook vis-à-vis South China Sea, West Philippine Sea was just continuing our foreign policy of maintaining the peace and promoting the national interest,” he added.
Marcos said in an April 10 interview that he was “horrified by the idea that we have compromised, through a secret agreement, the territory, the sovereignty, and the sovereign rights of the Filipinos.” – Rappler.com
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Bad roads, Homonhon mining, killings are top issues in Eastern Visayas for student journalists | Waya Lao | 13/04/2024 13:00 | EASTERN VISAYAS ISSUES. Over 40 student journalists across Region 8 convene in the #factsfirstph chat room on Rappler Communities to raise local concerns on April 3.
Rappler Communities
LEYTE, Philippines — At the Regional Tertiary School Press Conference (RTSPC-8) held from April 3 to 6 at the Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay City, student journalists from 29 different colleges and universities were asked what key issues and concerns in Eastern Visayas require urgent government response and media attention.
The students went on the Rappler Communities app to weigh in, sending their responses to the #FactsFirstPH chat room. Some of the responses were read out during the program by Rappler head of community Pia Ranada who moderated a workshop on how Rappler uses AI to build communities and crowdsource insights from the public. The workshop was held on April 3, the first day of the summit.
What were the pressing issues of Eastern Visayas, according to the students? Here is a summary.
Traversing bumpy roads is just another run-of-the-mill occurrence for the residents of Samar.
From the municipality of Lope De Vega in the north, the capital of Catbalogan in the west, and the major road network of the Daang Maharlika Highway (or the Pan-Philippine Highway) linking Samar to Luzon and Mindanao, these freeways have become the subject of public clamor for years.
In the #FactsFirstPH chat room, student journalist Diosdado Ompad had this to say about the roads in Samar.
Lorraine C., on the other hand, said that the journey through the main roads of Samar feels like a “roller coaster ride,” acknowledging the possibility of vehicular accidents.
When Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the areas of Leyte and Eastern Samar in 2013, the ruined conditions of all routes made it difficult for people past its borders to access the calamity-stricken provinces. Since then, recovery goals have been slow in progress, with the onslaught of rainstorms in the following years only aggravating the delay. Reports of poor project handling had also led citizens to pin the mismanagement to the higher-ups.
In Catbalogan, the locals are left with no choice but to endure its rough roads, reported Franco Nube.
For Florentino Mainit, the roads in Samar only ever get a “temporary fix” by dumping sand on them. They added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) seem to not take notice of the road problem.
In this Inquirer.net article in 2022, House Minority Leader Marcelio Libanan slammed DPWH over its inaction for the Maharlika Highway.
The following year, DPWH’s Eastern Visayas Director Edgar Tabacon said in a Philippine News Agency report that their budget had a “big reduction of funds for road maintenance” since 2020, limiting its capacity to carry out necessary measures for the roads in Samar.
In April, a project for a damaged road in the 2nd congressional district of Samar only received a budget of P18.35 million—a far cry from the district’s P100 million maintenance fund it had before 2020.
According to another Inquirer.net article, the national government launched another rehabilitation project for the Maharlika Highway. With a budget of at least P8 billion, the plan included road repair and bridge widening among others. DPWH sees no starting date for it just yet, but hopes to finish it before the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term in 2028.
Among the environmental issues reported were the mining operations in Homonhon Island in Eastern Samar and the halted Cancabato Bay causeway project in Tacloban City, Leyte.
The island of Homonhon, on the east side of the Leyte Gulf, holds historical significance as the first landing site of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. For decades, its mountains have been mined for nickel and chromite, with operations currently led by four corporations: Techiron Resources Inc., Emir Mineral Resources Corp., Global Min-net Resources Inc., and King Resources Mining.
In a 2021 report by the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Techiron and Emir were issued a closure order in February 2017 by the late Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Gina Lopez, citing environmental violations in an extensive audit covering 26 other mining firms across the country.
But after staunch opposition by miners and the Commission on Appointments’ rejection of Lopez as Secretary in May 2017, several of the affected mining firms have resumed operations.
As per reports from PinoyWeekly and Rappler, environmental advocates and parish groups have been opposing the mining for years. For them, the operations have drastically lowered the quality of life in the area, affecting the residents’ drinking supply, health, and farming and fishing livelihoods.
Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan of the municipality of Guiuan, of which Homonhon is a part of, nevertheless supports the operations—in an Inquirer.net article, Gonzales-Kwan emphasized that the mining brought employment to 2,300 residents.
Meanwhile, in Tacloban City, locals and advocates remain wary amid the DPWH’s halted P3.46 billion-causeway project over Cancabato Bay.
In 2023, Tacloban’s city council had passed a resolution to put the project on hold, citing lack of environmental studies by the DPWH on the impacts of reclaiming a protected mariculture zone.
The proposed four-lane, 2.56-kilometer project alleges ease-of-access from the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport to the city center, as well as protection from storm surges.
But environmentalist Roque Regis of Barangay 83 (“Paraiso”) said that the mangroves surrounding their area already protect them from storm surges, including the 2013 supertyphoon Yolanda, which the causeway would threaten to destroy.
Student journalist Clarenze also emphasized that Cancabato Bay is a “breeding ground” for fish. Should the causeway be built, roughly half of the registered 3,649 fisherfolk would have their livelihoods affected.
Tying Homonhon and Cancabato together, student Mark Phel Trota said that these sites are “exploited for [the] self-interest of the people in power,” lamenting how profits are prioritized over environmental repercussions.
Behind the political climate in Eastern Visayas lies a trail of blood with no seeming end.
In the 3rd district of Leyte alone, locals have voiced out concern and apprehension over the violence that ensued in February this year.
The latest, as per a Philstar.com report, was the slaying of three barangay officials in Barangay Daja Diot: chairman Elizalde Tabon, watchman Rusty Salazar, and councilor Paulo Al Mindero, all found dead on the spot.
The Leyte Samar Daily Express reported that on top of four attacks against village officials that same month, alarmed mayors in the third district reinforced their police forces in their respective towns.
Student journalist Jerry Yubal, who cited Inquirer.net’s article on the December 2022 ambush killing of Juanita Veloso, sister of San Isidro’s municipal mayor Remedio Veloso, expressed fear over the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.
“Since we will have another election this 2025, I fear that the political conflict in the district might become more bloody,” he said on the Rappler app.
Some of the student journalists also touched upon the suicide cases among teenagers in Leyte.
Gem cited a suicide case from the town of Isabel. Username Yanxi_26, who had the same concern also highlighted the crucial role of journalists in shedding light on this issue.
Several other concerns were addressed in the open forum: inadequate funding and support for education and health services, incompetent and abusive public servants, election-related injustices, disinformation campaigns, animal cruelty, and LGBTIAQ+ discrimination.
With past local coverage efforts met with red-tagging and arrests, the student journalists of Eastern Visayas call for press freedom, protection, and coordinated action between government and community in addressing these long-sidelined issues. – Rappler.com
Be a part of the conversation of change in the Rappler Communities app, the first of its kind in the Philippines and around the world. Download the app on App Store or Google Play and join the chat rooms that matter to you.
Adelainne Balbin is a Rappler intern from the Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila. She is currently in her fourth year in college taking up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.
Mika Soria is a Rappler volunteer from the University of the Philippines Diliman. As a soon-to-be graduate from the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing program, they are interested in exploring writing in the field of journalism–most especially when it comes to stories centered on community and nation-building.
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Returning Ginebra star Scottie Thompson working way back to top form | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/04/2024 23:45 | STAR. Scottie Thompson in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Slowly but surely, Scottie Thompson is regaining his old form.
Although still not fully healthy, Thompson played his first game in the PBA Philippine Cup as he helped Barangay Ginebra return to the winning column by way of a 105-86 drubbing of struggling Blackwater on Friday, April 12.
The former league MVP performed like his usual self, producing all-around numbers of 4 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals in under 27 minutes of action.
“I’m really happy to be back and I’m praying that I’ll be healthy. I’m not really 100 percent. I just take it day by day – strengthening, conditioning, therapy,” said Thompson in Filipino.
Lingering back issues kept Thompson from suiting up for the Gin Kings earlier this conference.
And his absence took its toll on Ginebra, which got off to a rollercoaster start as it won three of its four games before it absorbed back-to-back losses, including a surprising defeat to Terrafirma.
But with Thompson back on board, the Gin Kings enjoyed a lead as big as 30 points against the Bossing and coasted to their most lopsided victory of the conference.
“Scottie is a former MVP so he is going to make an impact on the team. He has through the years,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
“He helps us move the ball and he brings a lot of energy to the defensive side.”
Thompson said he is motivated to stay in good shape and to play well especially after his wife, Jinky, gave birth to their second child, Schyler Austin.
“I’m inspired to work more,” Thompson said. “I’m inspired by my children.”
Ginebra counts on Thompson for another steady outing as it battles an invigorated NorthPort side toting a 4-2 record on Sunday, April 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. – Rappler.com
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US, Japan, Philippines trilateral deal to change dynamic in South China Sea, Marcos says | Michelle Abad | 13/04/2024 12:43 | PHILIPPINE DELEGATION. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr attends a trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House, in Washington, U.S., April 11, 2024.
Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
WASHINGTON/MANILA – A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The three leaders expressed “serious concerns” about China’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce with various maritime disputes among China and other countries.
Still, Marcos said the summit was “not against any country” but had focused on deepening economic and security relations among Manila, Washington, and Tokyo.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration found Beijing’s sweeping claims had no legal basis.
Philippine and Chinese ships have had a series of run-ins in the past month that included the use of water cannon and heated verbal exchanges.
Beijing on Thursday summoned Manila’s ambassador to the country and a Japanese embassy official to oppose what its foreign ministry described as “negative comments” against China.
The deepening China-Philippines row coincides with an increase in security engagements with the United States under Marcos, including expansion of US access to Philippine bases, as well as with Japan, which is expected to sign a reciprocal troop pact with Manila.
Biden has asked Congress for an additional $128 million for infrastructure projects at the Philippine bases.
Marcos also expressed confidence that around $100 billion in possible investment deals over the next five to 10 years from the summit will come into fruition.
While in Washington, Marcos also met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who assured him of continued US support.
“This whole cooperation is critical to our collective security and continued prosperity across the region,” Austin said, reiterating Biden’s strong defense commitment. – Rappler.com
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Olympic athletics champions to earn $50,000, end of 128-year tradition | Jasmine Payo | 10/04/2024 20:54 | VAULT. The Philippines' Ernest John Obiena in action during the men's pole vault final in the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.
Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
LONDON, UK – Athletics has become the first sport to offer prize money to Olympic champions, announcing on Wednesday, April 10, that the 48 gold medalists in Paris this year will earn $50,000 each to end a 128-year tradition.
Although the concept of purely amateur competition has long since disappeared from the modern Olympics with athletes often receiving payments from sponsors and professionals taking part for more than 30 years, the World Athletics decision is a major shift for the Games to deal with.
“This is an issue for our sport,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe told reporters.
“But I don’t believe this is remotely at variance with the concept that the IOC often talks about, which is recognizing the efforts that our competitors make for the overall success of the Games.”
Coe said there had been no discussion about the plan with the International Olympic Committee, only that his organization had give the IOC a heads-up shortly before announcing the $2.4 million prize pot.
“While it is impossible to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, or on the commitment and focus it takes to even represent your country at an Olympic Games, I think it is important we make sure some of the revenues generated by our athletes at the Olympics are directly returned to those who make the Games the global spectacle that it is,” Coe said.
The IOC, which has yet to comment on the development, distributes revenues from the Olympics to the international federations. A total of $540 million was allocated to the 28 sports at the Tokyo Games with World Athletics receiving the most at $40 million.
Norway’s Olympic 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm welcomed the news.
“I think it’s good so I want to salute them for it,” he told Reuters. “It doesn’t change my motivation to win because for the Olympics I’m not in it for the money. The gold medal is worth a lot more to me personally. But when it comes to building a professional sport, I think it’s going in the right direction.”
The amateur ethos of the Olympics, severely undermined by the success of state-sponsored competitors from the former Eastern Bloc, was swept away when the IOC agreed to allow professional athletes to compete in tennis, soccer and ice hockey at the 1988 Seoul Games
Basketball followed in 1992 and superstar professionals from the NBA gained huge attention when coming together in the United States “Dream Team.”
Despite the continuing lack of prize money, athletes in many sports receive hefty bonuses from their governments and sponsors for triumphing in the biggest shop window of all.
Although athletics is the Olympics’ biggest sport by number of participants and TV audiences, the vast majority of athletes, including many medalists, face a constant struggle for funding.
When Briton Coe won his 1,500 meters gold medals at the 1980 and 1984 Games, the Olympics and athletics were officially for amateurs, but he rejected the idea the new plan would undermine the amateur ethic.
“I’m probably the last generation to have been on the 75p meal voucher and a second class rail ticket when competing for my own country,” the 67-year-old said.
“So, I do understand the nature of the transition we’ve been in. It is a completely different planet from when I was competing, so it is very important that the sport recognizes that change in landscape and the added pressures on many competitors.”
In 1992, the concept of trust funds for athletes was introduced and gold medallists at the 1993 world championships in Stuttgart received Mercedes cars. Gold medallists at last year’s world championships earned $70,000, only $10,000 more than when prize money was introduced in 1997.
Olympic silver and bronze medallists in athletics will also receive prize money, but only from the 2028 Los Angeles Games, with details to be announced at a later date. – Rappler.com
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Marcos defends Sara Duterte’s silence on China aggression in West PH Sea | Mia Gonzalez | 13/04/2024 11:37 | TOP LEADERS. File photo shows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during Brigada Eskwela in August 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has defended Vice President Sara Duterte from criticism about her silence over China’s aggression against Philippine government vessels and fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos said in an interview with Philippine media in Washington, where he had attended a trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, that the China issue is not within the scope of Duterte’s job as vice president and education secretary.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” Marcos said on Friday, April 12 (US time).
Duterte’s silence over the issue amid the Marcos administration’s strong condemnation of a series of Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea has further fueled the observed split of the Uniteam, the 2022 election coalition that led the Marcos-Duterte tandem to victory.
Marcos said in the interview that if the Vice President had any serious concerns about the government’s approach to the West Philippine Sea issue, especially in relation to China, she would have told him directly since she is part of his administration.
“I’m very sure that if Inday Sara had some very serious misgivings about what we are doing in terms of foreign policies, she would bring that to me,” Marcos said.
“And, wala naman siyang [sinabi]. Ang pinag-uusapan nga namin, sabi niya, ‘Basta ako trabaho lang ako nang trabaho,’ sabi niyang ganoon (She hasn’t [said anything]. When we talk, she says, ‘As for me, I just continue to do my work.’) That’s a good policy. So, I don’t think it is something that we need to be concerned with,” he added.
On April 8, the Vice President was asked about the country’s sea dispute with China but only said, “No comment.” She said that the previous statement of her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, in relation to her silence over the issue was “comprehensive.”
On March 27, Paolo Duterte had said that it was not her sister’s job to “demonize China or any country for that matter.” This was in response to Akbayan’s statement questioning the Vice President’s continued silence on the issue.
Sara and Paolo’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, had pursued a pivot to China under what he called the “independent foreign policy” of his administration. It was during his term when he reportedly entered into a “gentleman’s agreement” with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue of Ayungin Shoal which China had cited to justify its actions in the West Philippine Sea.
China’s continued aggression in the South China Sea was one of the major agenda at the historic first trilateral summit of the leaders of the Philippines, the US, and Japan in Washington. At that meeting, the Philippines expressed its determination to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea. – Rappler.com
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Standhardinger bounces back from benching, Thompson returns in Ginebra rout | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/04/2024 22:59 | LAYUP. Christian Standhardinger in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Christian Standhardinger sat out the entire fourth quarter for the second straight game.
This time, though, Standhardinger hardly needed to play in the final period as Barangay Ginebra blew out Blackwater, 105-86, to regain its winning ways in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, April 12.
Standhardinger posted 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in just three quarters to help the Gin Kings halt a two-game losing streak and improve to 4-3.
It was a bounce-back performance for the two-time Best Player of the Conference after he got benched in the entire fourth period of their shock 91-85 loss to Terrafirma last April 7.
“Christian came with his normal energy and I thought he really sparked us,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
Standhardinger dropped 12 points in the opening frame as Ginebra mounted a 29-21 advantage – a lead that grew to as big as 30 points as the Gin Kings drubbed the struggling Bossing in a game that saw Scottie Thompson return.
Missing the first six games of the conference due to back issues, Thompson made his presence felt for Ginebra with 4 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
“I had great opportunities being setup by my teammates. They found me right where I needed, and obviously, it helped that Scottie is coming back,” said Standhardinger, who gave the Gin Kings their biggest lead at 87-57.
“Me and Scottie, we have a good two-man game that helps me to get going. I think Scottie and the whole team did a good job bouncing back.”
Ginebra rookie Ralph Cu fired a season-high 14 points built on four three-pointers, Maverick Ahanmisi put up 14 points, while Jamie Malonzo added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Japeth Aguilar contributed 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the win.
Rookie guard James Kwekuteye finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench for Blackwater, which has gone on a slump since its 3-0 start as it has lost its last four games.
Justin Chua had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in the losing effort.
Barangay Ginebra 105 – Standhardinger 33, Cu 14, Ahanmisi 14, Malonzo 11, J.Aguilar 9, Pinto 6, Pringle 6, Thompson 4, Onwubere 4, David 2, Gumaru 2, Pessumal 0, Tenorio 0.
Blackwater 86 – Kwekuteye 20, Chua 17, Rosario 12, Escoto 8, Suerte 6, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Tungcab 3, Hill 2, David 1, Casio 0, Jopia 0.
Quarters: 29-21, 59-40, 87-61, 105-86.
– Rappler.com
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Marcos defends Sara Duterte’s silence on China aggression in West PH Sea | Mia Gonzalez | 13/04/2024 11:37 | TOP LEADERS. File photo shows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during Brigada Eskwela in August 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has defended Vice President Sara Duterte from criticism about her silence over China’s aggression against Philippine government vessels and fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos said in an interview with Philippine media in Washington, where he had attended a trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, that the China issue is not within the scope of Duterte’s job as vice president and education secretary.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” Marcos said on Friday, April 12 (US time).
Duterte’s silence over the issue amid the Marcos administration’s strong condemnation of a series of Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea has further fueled the observed split of the Uniteam, the 2022 election coalition that led the Marcos-Duterte tandem to victory.
Marcos said in the interview that if the Vice President had any serious concerns about the government’s approach to the West Philippine Sea issue, especially in relation to China, she would have told him directly since she is part of his administration.
“I’m very sure that if Inday Sara had some very serious misgivings about what we are doing in terms of foreign policies, she would bring that to me,” Marcos said.
“And, wala naman siyang [sinabi]. Ang pinag-uusapan nga namin, sabi niya, ‘Basta ako trabaho lang ako nang trabaho,’ sabi niyang ganoon (She hasn’t [said anything]. When we talk, she says, ‘As for me, I just continue to do my work.’) That’s a good policy. So, I don’t think it is something that we need to be concerned with,” he added.
On April 8, the Vice President was asked about the country’s sea dispute with China but only said, “No comment.” She said that the previous statement of her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, in relation to her silence over the issue was “comprehensive.”
On March 27, Paolo Duterte had said that it was not her sister’s job to “demonize China or any country for that matter.” This was in response to Akbayan’s statement questioning the Vice President’s continued silence on the issue.
Sara and Paolo’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, had pursued a pivot to China under what he called the “independent foreign policy” of his administration. It was during his term when he reportedly entered into a “gentleman’s agreement” with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue of Ayungin Shoal which China had cited to justify its actions in the West Philippine Sea.
China’s continued aggression in the South China Sea was one of the major agenda at the historic first trilateral summit of the leaders of the Philippines, the US, and Japan in Washington. At that meeting, the Philippines expressed its determination to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea. – Rappler.com
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Marcos defends Sara Duterte’s silence on China aggression in West PH Sea | Mia Gonzalez | 13/04/2024 11:37 | TOP LEADERS. File photo shows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during Brigada Eskwela in August 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has defended Vice President Sara Duterte from criticism about her silence over China’s aggression against Philippine government vessels and fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea.
Marcos said in an interview with Philippine media in Washington, where he had attended a trilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, that the China issue is not within the scope of Duterte’s job as vice president and education secretary.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” Marcos said on Friday, April 12 (US time).
Duterte’s silence over the issue amid the Marcos administration’s strong condemnation of a series of Chinese actions in the West Philippine Sea has further fueled the observed split of the Uniteam, the 2022 election coalition that led the Marcos-Duterte tandem to victory.
Marcos said in the interview that if the Vice President had any serious concerns about the government’s approach to the West Philippine Sea issue, especially in relation to China, she would have told him directly since she is part of his administration.
“I’m very sure that if Inday Sara had some very serious misgivings about what we are doing in terms of foreign policies, she would bring that to me,” Marcos said.
“And, wala naman siyang [sinabi]. Ang pinag-uusapan nga namin, sabi niya, ‘Basta ako trabaho lang ako nang trabaho,’ sabi niyang ganoon (She hasn’t [said anything]. When we talk, she says, ‘As for me, I just continue to do my work.’) That’s a good policy. So, I don’t think it is something that we need to be concerned with,” he added.
On April 8, the Vice President was asked about the country’s sea dispute with China but only said, “No comment.” She said that the previous statement of her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, in relation to her silence over the issue was “comprehensive.”
On March 27, Paolo Duterte had said that it was not her sister’s job to “demonize China or any country for that matter.” This was in response to Akbayan’s statement questioning the Vice President’s continued silence on the issue.
Sara and Paolo’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, had pursued a pivot to China under what he called the “independent foreign policy” of his administration. It was during his term when he reportedly entered into a “gentleman’s agreement” with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue of Ayungin Shoal which China had cited to justify its actions in the West Philippine Sea.
China’s continued aggression in the South China Sea was one of the major agenda at the historic first trilateral summit of the leaders of the Philippines, the US, and Japan in Washington. At that meeting, the Philippines expressed its determination to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea. – Rappler.com
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In US meeting, Philippines says it will assert South China Sea rights | Ralf Rivas | 13/04/2024 7:00 | WATER CANNONS IN AYUNGIN. Two China Coast Guard ships train their water cannons onto the Unaizah May 4 (between the two Chinese ships), a wooden boat used to bring supplies to the BRP Sierra Madre. Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos was on board the Unaizah May during this mission.
Screenshot from PCG video
WASHINGTON, USA – The Philippines is determined to assert its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, its foreign secretary said on Friday, April 13 at a meeting with US allies to show support for Manila over an increasingly fraught standoff with China in the strategic waterway.
Speaking at the US State Department, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo accused China of “escalation of its harassment” of the Philippines, while US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Washington stood with Manila against what he described as “coercion.”
Recent maritime run-ins between China and the Philippines, a US treaty ally, have made the highly strategic South China Sea a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.
The officials spoke at a meeting between US and Philippines defense and foreign secretaries and their national security advisers, a day after leaders of the US, Japan and the Philippines met at the White House to push back against Beijing’s increased pressure on Manila.
“We are determined to assert our sovereign rights, especially within our exclusive economic zone,” Manalo said.
He said he hoped Friday’s meeting would allow Washington and the Philippines to better coordinate their responses on the diplomatic and defense and security fronts.
Austin said the US commitment to its Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines was “ironclad.”
“We’re working in lockstep…to strengthen interoperability between our forces, to expand our operational coordination and to stand up to coercion in the South China Sea,” he said.
Two prominent US senators this week introduced a bipartisan bill to provide Manila with $2.5 billion over five years, funding needed to modernize the US ally’s long-neglected armed forces.
A joint readout of Friday’s meeting said the officials “underscored their determination to increase US support for the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to improve interoperability and to achieve our shared security objectives.”
At the Pentagon later on Friday, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said that the developing US-Philippines alliance was not a response to any particular threat, but rather an evolution of the relationship to continue to defend international rules and law in the region.
China uses a so-called nine-dash line that takes in about 90% of the South China Sea to assert its claim to sovereignty over nearly all of the strategic waterway, and has deployed hundreds of coast guard vessels in patrols against rival claimants.
The United States has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and has repeatedly made clear it would protect its ally if Manila’s coast guard or armed forces came under attack anywhere in the South China Sea.
Encounters have become more frequent in the past year as Beijing presses its claims and Manila refuses to halt fishing and resupply activities for Philippine military personnel at two contested shoals. China considers these illegal intrusions, and has tried to repel the vessels.
In a series of Washington summits this week, the allied leaders unveiled a wide range of pacts to boost security and economic ties in the face of China’s growing might.
Earlier on Friday, China summoned Japanese and Philippine diplomats to express strong dissatisfaction over negative comments about it aired during Thursday’s trilateral summit.
Gregory Poling, a South China Sea expert at Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the summit between President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Marcos was part of “a steady drumbeat of support for the Philippines.”
“That has included strengthening the US alliance to deter China from using military force and building up the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy to maintain access to its waters despite China’s coercion,” he said. – Rappler.com
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Mindanao’s Tagakaulo people struggle to preserve way of life | Herbie G | 13/04/2024 8:00 | ETHNIC BATTLE. A Tagakaulo father acts as referee to his sons while they practice Two men engage in Sbuno, a Tagakaulo sport similar to wrestling, in Malungon, Sarangani province.
Rommel Rebollido/Rappler
SARANGANI, Philippines – Edmundo Cejar, a retired corporate executive who turned to farming, was astonished when he witnessed a Tagakaulo woman calmly brush off a venomous snake attack on his family’s farm in Sitio Rancho, Malungon town in Sarangani province.
The woman, in her 30s and the wife of a farmhand, was tidying up their surroundings when she accidentally stepped on a snake, which then bit her leg.
“It was a cobra, its neck spread as it struck,” recalled Cejar whose family moved to Rancho years ago after he retired as a senior executive with a Netherlands-based multinational company.
Despite Cejar’s concern and attempts to take her to a hospital, the woman refused. Instead, she calmly walked to nearby bushes, gathered some leaves, and returned home to tend to her wound in their hut.
The following morning, Cejar said he was surprised to see the woman resuming her chores in the yard as if nothing had happened.
“She looked as if no snake had bitten her. I was simply dumbfounded,” he said.
According to a Sitio Rancho leader, Sonny Vallente, venomous snakes like the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), known locally as banakon, are aplenty in the town.
While there are no recorded fatalities from snake bites in the town, Vallente said there was a time when the local government offered a reward to anyone who could bring a cobra, dead or alive, to the mayor’s office.
Upon hearing about the snake bite incident, Renny Boy Takyawan, a Tagakaulo himself, appeared unperturbed. Among the Tagakaulo people, he explained, families rely on plants and herbs to cure ailments, including animal and snake bites.
“It is part of our customary healing practices passed down to us by our ancestors. There’s no need to rush to a hospital. It may even take time and delay treatment,” Takyawan, a Tagakaulo heritage conservation advocate, told Rappler on April 5.
However, Takyawan quickly pointed out that such traditional healing remedies are among many practices and ways of life of the Tagakaulo that are being threatened.
“Even our dialect has already been influenced by the more dominant Cebuano and Ilonggo dialects,” he pointed out.
Takyawan said they have been making efforts to preserve their customary practices, such as their unique food preparations using indigenous ingredients, as well as how to source and store these ingredients, which are significant aspects of the Tagakaulo’s distinctive way of life.
“Modern culture can wipe out the Tagakaulo people if we simply leave things to fate,” lamented Takyawan as he recounted the numerous challenges indigenous peoples face, not only in their village in Lower Mainit in this town but also elsewhere.
The Tagakaulo people are indigenous to Mindanao, primarily inhabiting the hinterlands of Malungon town in this province and along its borders with Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental provinces.
“Tagakaulo,” which translates to “people at the headwater,” generally refers to animists, although some have converted to Islam and Christianity.
According to Takyawan, like other ethnic groups, the accommodating nature of the Tagakaulos makes them vulnerable to exploitation. Their considerate demeanor often leads many Tagakaulo families to be exploited, resulting in the loss of their farms and precious heirlooms to tricksters, leaving them impoverished.
Takyawan said many Tagakaulos have even abandoned customary practices simply to avoid embarrassment.
According to the Tagakaulo heritage conservation advocate, many youth, who are tasked with preserving traditions, often opt to explore life in urban areas, enticed by the allure of technology and modernity.
Sadly, he said, many of them leave their homes to experience city life, but end up being exploited.
To tackle this, Takyawan and a group launched a project called Kaalaman ay Susi sa Mayaman at Buhay ng Katutubong Komunidad (Kasambok) to empower the Tagakaulo communities. The word kasambok itself means unity in Tagakaulo.
Although the project has yielded encouraging results, it faces new challenges with each iteration, he observed, noting that skeptics are always present.
“We are supposed to be done empowering the youth. Now, we are teaching farmers that farming is not merely planting but a business as well,” Takyawan quipped.
Since its inception, Kasambok has primarily concentrated on women’s education, equipping farmers with business acumen, empowering youth to become exceptional leaders, and fostering discussions on traditional practices and cultural preservation.
Kasambok has been receiving support from Tuklas Katutubo, a volunteer organization of indigenous peoples (IP) professionals, community leaders, and advocates working for the protection and promotion of IP rights and welfare.
Jason Sibug, founder of Tuklas Katutubo and an Ubo Manobo from Kidapawan City, said they have supported the Kasambuk project, citing the discrimination and lack of recognition commonly experienced by ethnic groups, which, he said, must be addressed.
Tuklas Katutubo has been collaborating with indigenous peoples groups nationwide.
Through Kasambok and Tuklas Katutubo, Takyawan said the Tagakaulo youth can develop and utilize their potential to become “not just mere individuals, but leaders with robust leadership skills capable of safeguarding and preserving our cultural heritage.”
He said young Tagakaulos must first recognize their vital role as youth with a profound understanding of their roots and ethnicity to grasp their crucial role in preserving the Tagakaulo’s traditional way of life, customs, and values.
Basically, the youth must learn to appreciate Tagakaulo history – learn about Tagakaulo heroes, royalty, and their familial ties, Takyawan said.
Takyawan also emphasized the importance of developing strong Tagakaulo leaders from among the youth to guide their communities in adapting to modernity and the influences of other cultures.
“We need our voices to be heard, but every time we express our concerns, we face misunderstanding and discrimination,” he said, pointing out that their actions are not driven by any political agenda.
The leadership model to which Tagakaulo youth are exposed is rooted in the Tagakaulo way of governance, distinct from the typical political leadership many are accustomed to.
Becoming a Tagakaulo leader isn’t determined by a simple majority vote, but by a consensus of 90% to 100% among the community, Takyawan explained.
Given the current circumstances, Takyawan said the Tagakaulo people are left with no choice but to exert more effort to ensure their voices are heard and their way of life is understood. – Rappler.com
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Duterte to Quiboloy: ‘Please leave me out of this’ | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 10:04 | Former president Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a press conference at a restaurant in Davao City on February 27, 2024.
Manman Dejeto/Rappler
DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has declined to facilitate the surrender of his friend, fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, saying he did not want to be part of his legal problem.
During a late night news conference on Thursday night, April 11, Duterte told reporters in Davao he won’t broker for Quiboloy’s surrender.
“No, hindi ko siya tatanggapin. Hindi naman ako authority. Pastor, ikaw naman ang wanted. Huwag mo naman akong damayin dito,” he told reporters before addressing the embattled leader of the group Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
(No, I won’t accept him. I’m not the authority here. Pastor, you’re the one wanted. Please leave me out of this.)
Duterte said this after a regional court in Pasig ordered Quiboloy and several of his associates arrested in connection with a qualified human trafficking case, a nonbailable offense.
Quiboloy also has two arrest warrants in Davao for child abuse and sexual abuse of a minor, and has been served, through his lawyer, a contempt warrant by the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms over his non-appearance in a committee’s investigation into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC members.
Duterte also disclosed that he has been in touch with the pastor, claiming that he even called him up hours earlier.
He said Quiboloy was hiding somewhere in his sprawling property in Barangay Tamayong in Davao City.
Duterte told reporters, “Gusto n’yong malaman kung saan talaga si Pastor Quiboloy? Nasa Tamayong lang siya, ‘yun yung refuge niya. Wala naman siyang ibang bahay, yung Kingdom compound. Tumawag ako kanina (April 11). Nag-usap kami. Malaking-malaki ang Tamayong and there are so many houses there. Mahirapan talaga ang authorities in finding him there because he has so many houses there. Isa-isahin nila ang mga bahay.”
(Do you want to know where Pastor Quiboloy really is? He’s just in Tamayong, that’s his refuge. He doesn’t have any other house, just the Kingdom compound. I called earlier. We talked. Tamayong is huge and there are many houses there. The authorities will really have a hard time finding him there because he has so many houses there. They should check each house one by one.)
He said he advised Quiboloy that “if you don’t get a fair deal with this (Marcos) administration, huwag kang lumabas sa Tamayong (don’t leave Tamayong).”
Duterte said he was familiar with the Tamayong property because the fugitive pastor gave him a sleeping quarters there.
“May tulugan ako dyan sa kingdom, sa likod ng kapilya. May kwarto ako doon,” he said.
(I have a place to sleep there in the Kingdom, behind the chapel. I have a room there.)
Authorities have been to the Tamayong property to look for Quiboloy and serve the arrest warrants from a Davao court and the Senate’s contempt warrant twice, but failed to locate the elusive preacher.
In an audio recording made public by his group on April 6, Quiboloy said he would not be caught alive.
He also said he would only surrender if the Marcos administration would guarantee in writing that the United States would not meddle in his cases in the Philippines and that he will be protected, and the Senate committee would stop its ongoing investigation into the alleged abuses in the KOJC.
Quiboloy has been wanted in the US since early 2022 for a string of criminal cases which include sexual abuse, human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering, among others. – Rappler.com
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LIST: UAAP Season 86 champions | Jasmine Payo | 02/06/2024 15:30 | UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – Pick any season in the rich history of the UAAP and there’s always no shortage of victorious moments fueled by the student-athletes’ grit and grind.
Season 86 of the 2023-2024 school year is no exception. While some teams retained their thrones, others finally reached the pinnacle of their sport.
As the season wrapped up, University of Santo Tomas captured its seventh straight general championship in the collegiate ranks after ruling 10 events, while also bagging its 23rd overall title in the high school division.
Here is the list of this season’s champions:
The La Salle Green Archers were not exactly the favored contenders prior to the season. Yet, they hit their stride when it mattered most, and snagged the men’s basketball title against University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in a thrilling winner-take-all Game 3.
The championship run gave birth to Kevin Quiambao’s superstardom as he led the Archers with 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks in the finals series en route to the Finals MVP plum on top of his Season MVP award.
Women’s basketball as a whole saw a massive jump this year. At the forefront of this growing interest in the sport, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses ended the NU Lady Bulldogs’ seven-year reign in the UAAP women’s basketball in a gritty best-of-three series that came down to the wire.
UST’s Nikki Villasin delivered the championship-clinching basket with just under 7 seconds left, handing the España-based crew its first basketball title since 2006.
The Adamson Baby Falcons marked Season 86 as their resurgence in high school basketball, snatching their first championship in 31 years by thumping the National University Bulldogs in Game 3 of their best-of-three title series.
Mark Esperanza bagged the Finals MVP after norming 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in the series.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles emerged queens of the badminton court for the fourth consecutive time, dispatching the UP Fighting Maroons in the women’s badminton finals.
Mika de Guzman and Jochelle Alvarez shone the brightest for the Blue Eagles as they shared MVP honors in the tournament.
Ateneo further solidified its hold on the badminton crown after ending the NU Bulldogs’ seven-year reign in the sport.
The Blue Eagles won their first men’s badminton title in 10 years, and completed their first golden sweep of the sport since 2013.
The UST Male Tiger Sands ruled the outdoor event for the fifth straight year, surviving the NU Bulldogs in a tightly contested finals matchup.
Capturing their eighth men’s crown overall, the Tiger Sands leaned on the ever-reliable duo of season MVP Alche Gupiteo and Rancel Varga.
UST reigned supreme once more in the women’s side after taking down the NU Lady Bulldogs in lopsided fashion.
Led by MVP Gen Eslapor and Sofiah Pagara, the Female Tiger Sands defended their title for the sixthth consecutive season en route to ruling both divisions.
The NU Bullpups snagged their first their first UAAP title in boys’ beach volleyball after warding off the FEU Baby Tamaraws in the finals.
Rain Skyler Gemarino got the MVP award on the way to the championship alongside partner John Wayne Dionela.
Already the most successful program in the sport, the UST Junior Tiger Sands took down FEU to take the girls’ beach volleyball title.
UST’s Khy Progella won the MVP award, while Jhyn Dadang was named the best rookie as the Junior Tiger Sands stayed unbeaten in eight games.
Sweeping their competition, the UST Male Woodpushers bagged their third straight title and their 10th overall crown in the sport with 18 match points (8 wins and 2 draws).
UST’s Melico Ocsan Jr. was named the tournament’s MVP, while teammate Chester Reyes got the Rookie of the Year honors to dominate the competition.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws reclaimed their throne after four years, going unbeaten until Round 11 before bowing out in the final two rounds where their early dominance proved enough for the title.
Mary Joy Tan spearheaded FEU on the way to an MVP award, while Mhage Sebastian impressed in her first season with the Lady Tamaraws to gain the Rookie of the Year nod.
FEU-Diliman completed a golden double in the high school chess ranks, ruling both the boys and girls divisions of the sport.
The girls squad sealed its success as early as the penultimate round, while the boys team took down the UST Boys Woodpushers to reign in Season 86.
Both MVPs also came from FEU as Franklin Andres took home the nod in the boys’ division, while Ruelle Canino gained the award in the girls’ side.
The UST Tiger Paddlers made history in Season 86, notching their fourth straight title and a record 30th overall crown in the sport after escaping the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals.
UST relied on last season’s MVP Alvin Sevilla, and this season’s MVP John Michael Castro to lift the Tiger Paddlers to another dominant showcase.
The La Salle Lady Paddlers thwarted their rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles to take their eighth overall title in the women’s table tennis tournament.
Angel Laude earned the season’s MVP to carry the Lady Paddlers to the title.
The UST Junior Tiger Paddlers were forces to be reckoned with throughout both the boys and girls tournaments, finishing the season undefeated en route to the golden double.
The boys team snapped a 15-year championship drought, while the girls squad retained their crown for Season 86.
The UST Male Tennisters cruised past the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals to secure their second straight men’s tennis title in Season 86.
Season 86 MVP Nilo Ledama and Finals MVP Steven Sonsona put UST on their shoulders in extending the school’s record of 16 championships in the sport.
The National University completed a three-peat after edging out UST in the women’s tennis finals.
After topping the eliminations, the Lady Bulldogs clashed with the Lady Tennisters in the finals, leaning on Allyssa Mae Bornia and Alliah Ragunton, who won co-MVPs on top of the championship.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles sustained their swimming supremacy for the eighth consecutive time, topping the men’s division with 8 gold, 11 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
Phillip Joaquin Santos picked up his second MVP award in his collegiate career as he snatched six medals out of seven events for Ateneo.
The UP Varsity Swim Women’s Team finished with 11 gold, 8 silver, and 8 bronze medals to end up with their 21st championship in the women’s swimming division.
It was the first women’s swimming title for the Diliman-based crew since Season 79.
UP’s Quendy Fernandez was the undisputed best swimmer throughout the competition, bagging Rookie of the Year and MVP honors.
The UST Junior Tigersharks perfected a three-peat golden double as their boys’ team captured 15 golds, 14 silvers, and 13 bronzes, while the girls’ squad amassed 15 golds, 9 silvers, and 8 bronzes.
UST also housed the MVPs of both divisions as Renz Santos and Patricia Santor won the honors for the boys’ and girls’ tournaments, respectively.
National University edged out the University of the Philippines in a tight battle for the Season 86 athletics title.
NU bagged 6 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze medals for a total of 312.5 points, 10.5 points more than UP’s, which boasted the tournament’s MVP Alhryan Labita.
De La Salle University made history in Season 86’s athletics competition, earning its first ever women’s championship with 7 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
Season MVP Bernalyn Bejoy lifted the Lady Green Trackers with 4 golds, resetting the league-records in the 400m, 400m hurdles, and the 800m race.
Adamson successfully defended its high school athletics title with a dominant 13-gold, 10-silver, 6-bronze performance in Season 86.
The 19-year-old Hussein Loraña led the Baby Falcons with 6 gold and 1 bronze medals to steamroll the competition.
Just like Adamson in the boys’ side, the UST Junior Female Tracksters completed their back-to-back title bid with 13 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
However, it was UE’s Jyzel Mae Gabriel who took home the MVP award after the Junior Lady Warriors’ notable last-gasp showing in the tournament.
In a video game-inspired performance, Far Eastern University scored 702.5 points in an excellent display of finesse to capture the Season 86 cheerdance championship.
With the least deductions in the score card, FEU outpointed the then-defending champion NU by just 5.5 points for its fourth overall title in the sport.
The UP Fighting Maroons won their first judo title after 16 years, finishing with 5 golds, 3 silvers, and 4 bronzes to end up with 48 points, 12 more than second-place finisher UST.
World grappling champion Fierre Afan’s showing turned out to be the highlight of UP’s title run, ruling the lightweight division (-73 kg) in an impressive final matchup against UST’s Edward Figueroa.
Meanwhile, UP’s Jayvee Ferrer starred in the half-middleweight (-81 kg) for the MVP award.
University of the East bagged 4 gold, 1 silver, and 6 bronze medals to defend its UAAP judo crown for the third consecutive season.
Joemarie Rafael took the MVP honors after topping the half-lightweight category (-52 kg) for the Lady Red Warriors.
Despite the absence of Olympian Kurt Barbosa, National University picked up its fifth straight UAAP taekwondo title after outduelingUST.
With the two squads still sporting identical records, season MVP Nusair Lao, Sturdy Gilbuena, and Carl Ayaton salvaged NU’s five-peat title hopes.
The UST Lady Tiger Jins squeaked past the NU Lady Bulldogs in a tightly contested championship match to secure their second straight women’s taekwondo title.
It was UST’s 13th overall title as Angel Mae Lorbes delivered the finishing blow in the final match to catapult the Tiger Jins to the championship.
National University snagged its first-ever UAAP taekwondo championship after dominating all five matches in one day.
NU housed season MVP Melbourne Lustradow, who bagged four medals in the 55-63 kg category.
The UST Poomsae Jins recaptured the title they lost in the previous season, hauling 2 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medals.
Chelsea Tacay starred in the tournament, winning the MVP honors after topping the female category.
University of the East remained the standard of UAAP fencing, winning the men’s, women’s, and high school divisions of the tournament.
Filled with lopsided affairs throughout the tournament, UE leaned on three-time MVP Queen Dalmacio as she dominated the sabre event.
Meanwhile, back-to-back MVP Collei Felipe led the UE men’s 10-peat campaign, ruling the individual and team foil events.
In the high school division, Louis Shoemaker won MVP honors, ruling the individual and team foil events en route to the boys’ sweep of the competition.
On the other hand, Opao Catantan lifted the UE girls through gold-medal performances in the individual foil and sabre events to gain the MVP nod.
Adamson showed it’s still unmatched in softball, capturing its 11th straight championship after a come-from-behind 4-3, eighth-inning victory over UP in the winner-take-all Game 3 finale.
Best Pitcher and eventual Finals MVP April Minanga took over the mound for the Lady Falcons in the fifth inning, limiting the Maroons to a single run in the eighth and a solitary hit.
Angelu Gabriel copped the season MVP and also won Best Hitter (.480) and Best Slugger (1.000 SA), Khrisha Cantor earned the Most Home Runs (2 HR) award, while Roma Jane Cruz had the Most Runs-Batted-In (9) to all banner the Lady Falcons’ continuous success.
NU dethroned back-to-back champions DLSU Green Batters, ending a 12-year title drought in the UAAP men’s baseball tournament.
Graduating pitcher MJ Carolino took home the Final MVP nod after playing seven and one-third innings to end his collegiate career with a championship.
Completing a championship repeat, the DLSU Green Archers reigned supreme in the 3-on-3 basketball discipline after outlasting the UE Red Warriors in the finals.
CJ Austria copped the tournament MVP for the champion La Salle squad also made up of Rookie of the Year Jonnel Policarpio, Earl Abadam, and Aaron Buensalida.
The UST Growling Tigresses proved to be the queens of the UAAP court once more, taking down the NU Lady Bulldogs in the finals for their second straight 3×3 basketball championship.
Kent Pastrana brought her stellar 5-on-5 play to the halfcourt, on the way to winning the MVP plum.
Veejay Pre and the Far Eastern University flexed their muscles in the boys’ 3-on-3 tournament, taking down the UST Tiger Cubs in the finals to complete a sweep en route to the title.
Graduating Pre led FEU throughout the tournament to be named the MVP.
NU Junior Lady Bullpups took home the girls’ 3-on-3 title, dominating the UST Junior Tigresses in the finals.
Cielo Pagdulagan put NU on her back in the finals to bag the tournament’s MVP award.
The Bulldogs of Jhocson captured both volleyball crowns in Season 86.
NU zoomed to its fourth straight men’s volleyball championship, while the Lady Bulldogs picked up their second title in three seasons, both sweeping UST in the finals.
Star setter and national team member Joshua Retamar was named the men’s Finals MVP en route to his fourth UAAP title in as many years played.
On the women’s side, Alyssa Solomon took the Finals MVP nod after leading the Lady Bullldogs along with season MVP Bella Belen.
The NU juniors team set the tone for the school in the sport, winning the boys’ volleyball title over the UE Junior Red Warriors in a deciding Game 3 in February.
Jeff Gallego Jr. bagged the Finals MVP award after orchestrating the offense for the Bullpups, which have won their fifth overall title in the event.
The Adamson Baby Lady Falcons finished a perfect season, sweeping NU in the finals for their first UAAP girls’ volleyball title.
Adamson’s Shaina Nitura bagged the Finals MVP award on top of her Season MVP nod.
The UP Fighting Maroons ended a six-year title drought after outlasting the FEU Tamaraws to rule the Season 86 men’s football tournament.
UP’s Macky Tobias, a former juniors MVP with FEU, connected on the goal that sealed the title for the Maroons. Francis Tacardon took the Finals MVP award.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws became the winningest women’s football program in the UAAP after downing the DLSU Lady Booters in extra time.
Tournament MVP Dionesa Tolentin led the Lady Tamaras in the finals to bag the Golden Boot award and the Best Striker award.
The Far Eastern University Diliman Baby Tamaraws retained their high school football crown for the 12th straight time, stomping first-time finalist UST Junior Golden Booters in a lopsided yet controversial coronation.
FEU’s title celebration was marred by a punching incident involving UST’s goalkeeper Ben Sabuga and Tamaraws defender Bryan Villanueva, where the former attacked the latter in the field.
University of Santo Tomas Prime ruled the street dance competition for the second straight season after tallying an average of 90.50 points.
Performing an old-school theme, UST danced to the tunes of classic OPM groups VST & Company and Apo Hiking Society to narrowly edge FEU (89.17) and UP (86.33).
The Tigers’ high school counterparts, UST Galvanize, also topped the juniors street dance division, finishing with an average of 86.17 points. – Rappler.com
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Catholic church reopens after rampage incident in Negros Occidental town | Ralf Rivas | 12/04/2024 21:02 | REOPENED. Mass-goers attend a mass at the Isidro Labrador Church on Friday, April 12, for its reopening to the dovotees of the patron saint.
Reymund Titong/Rappler
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The San Isidro Labrador Church in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental reopened its doors to the Catholic faithful on Friday, April 12, after a man smashed most of its revered statues over a week ago.
Monsignor Rolando Nueva, who led the mass on Friday, said he was just happy that none of the mass-goers during the attack were harmed.
Nueva hoped that the parishioners who felt hurt by the unexpected incident might find forgiveness amid what unfolded with the church’s revered images.
He said that although the church is still devoid of images, it remains a church, as its existence could help believers realize what it means to be a Christian by reminding them of the lives of the saints.
The church was closed to the general public for over a week as the Catholic congregation’s leaders repaired the damages.
On April 3, a 39-year-old tricycle driver, Rolly Semira, barged his motorcycle into the church of San Isidro Labrador and destroyed some religious statues while a parish priest, Leopoldo Cahilig, was officiating a daily mass.
In 2008, Semira—who is believed to be suffering from a mental illness—was also arrested in Taguig City after allegedly harming a three-year-old girl.
Islam church leader Achir Saripada said, “We do not tolerate such actions,” and clarified that “being a believer in the Islamic faith does not include inflicting damage on other individuals with different beliefs or religions.”
Nueva praised the Muslim community in the southern town’s plea for atonement for the wrongdoing of one of their believers.
Some damaged statues were already renovated, including the image of the church patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.
Town Chief of police major Randy Babor told Rappler that the suspect is about to be put on preliminary trial before the court for violating the law of malicious mischief and offending religious feelings. He added that the suspect is still under police custody. – Rappler.com
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Who’s next? Chiz Escudero is latest politician to apologize for improper use of EDSA bus lane | Kaycee | 12/04/2024 13:37 | About a hundred motorists were apprehended by traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for unauthorized passing along the EDSA Busway in Pasay City, on November 13, 2023, the start of the implementation of the imposition of higher fines for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Chiz Escudero apologized Friday, April 12, after a private vehicle bearing the protocol license plates issued to him was caught Thursday passing through the dedicated EDSA bus lane.
In a statement on Friday, Escudero admitted that the errant vehicle with a No. 7 license plate – typically issued to senators – was “unauthorized” as it was a “driver of a family member” that was behind the wheels on Thursday.
“Following the incident, I have directed the driver to appear before the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and to answer the charges he faces for the violation,” Escudero said.
Reports noted that a black Toyota Land Cruiser with the No. 7 plate went through the dedicated bus lane along EDSA on Thursday.
When enforcers were issuing a traffic violation ticket the driver sped off, leaving behind his expired driver’s license to the authorities.
Escudero said he does not use the protocol license plates on his vehicle. He added that the violative plates would be surrendered to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). He did not disclose whether the driver had any passengers on board.
“I commend the authorities for their vigilance and reiterate my support for government efforts to ensure that traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila are observed by all – regardless of rank, title, or position,” Escudero said.
The vehicles allowed to pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel lane are public utility buses, emergency vehicles such as hospital ambulances, and government vehicles responding to emergencies.
Escudero is not the first politician to apologize in relation to violating EDSA traffic rules.
Just this week, on April 8, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson was issued a ticket after his private vehicle was caught going through the EDSA bus lane. Unlike Escudero, Singson was onboard the vehicle at the time.
In November last year, a convoy of vehicles going through the busway tried to get away with getting fined by name-dropping Senator Bong Revilla.
Aside from public buses, the only vehicles allowed to go through the EDSA yellow lane are convoys of the president, vice president, Senate president, House Speaker, and the Supreme Court chief justice.
In November, the MMDA started imposing higher fees for those who violate traffic rules. – Rappler.com
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Duterte defends suspended Davao del Norte governor, slams Marcos again | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 16:49 | DEFIANT. In this file photo, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib addresses his supporters at the provincial capitol in Tagum City on April 11, 2024.
Newsline Philippines
DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has come to the defense of Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, who was ordered suspended from office by Malacañang for two months for alleged abuse of authority and oppression.
“Mr. President, hindi mo na sinusunod ang demokrasya. You are veering toward a more authoritarian leader (sic). Tinanggal mo ang governor ng Davao del Norte na walang rason!” Duterte addressed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a late-night press conference in Davao City on Thursday, April 11.
(Mr. President, you’re not following democracy anymore. You’re veering towards becoming a more authoritarian leader. You removed the governor of Davao del Norte without any reason!)
Jubahib defied the preventive suspension order issued by Malacañang, and his supporters have surrounded the provincial capitol in Tagum City, protesting the order since Thursday morning, April 11.
The order, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, placed Jubahib under preventive suspension for 60 days effective on Thursday, April 11, after it found “strong evidence of guilt” in a complaint filed by Provincial Board Member Orly Amit.
“What is very unbelievable for me is wala silang ibinigay na notice kay Governor Jubahib. Wala lahat. Basta sinabi lang sa kanya na umalis ka! Mr. President, Governor Jubahib is elected by the people. You respect the will of the people of Davao del Norte! You are violating his right to due process of law. You are veering dangerously to being an authoritarian leader. Hindi ko nagustuhan yung style mo, Mr. President,” said Duterte.
(What is very difficult for me to believe is that they didn’t give any notice to Governor Jubahib. None at all. They just told him to leave! Mr. President, Governor Jubahib was elected by the people. You should respect the people’s choice in Davao del Norte! You’re ignoring his right to a fair legal process. You’re getting dangerously close to becoming an authoritarian leader. I don’t like your style, Mr. President.)
Jubahib, who called the reason for the suspension order petty, said Amit complained about his act of ordering a capitol-owned vehicle to be taken from the provincial board member and assigning it to the Davao del Norte Provincial Engineering Office. The governor said the vehicle was assigned back to Amit after a month.
For that, according to Jubahib, Amit filed a complaint against him for grave abuse of authority and oppression before the Office of the President.
On Thursday, Jubahib said he suspected that Malacañang’s actions against him were “politically motivated,” and likely the handiwork of Antonio Lagdameo Jr., the special assistant to the President.
Lagdameo is a close relative of an influential family in Davao del Norte, the Del Rosarios, whose decades of political grip in the province Jubahib loosened when he won the gubernatorial post in 2019. He defeated a member of the Del Rosario family in 2019, and defeated another candidate endorsed by the family in 2022. – Rappler.com
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Look who’s talking. The former authoritarian President accuses his successor of being one. A taste of his own medicine? But note that, as of this incident, Marcos’s brand of authoritarianism is still far below that of Duterte’s in terms of degrees of control and repression.
I was just going to make the exact same comment! 🙂
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[The Slingshot] Red zipper on the mouth of Sara Duterte | Chay Hofilena | 12/04/2024 16:45 | Whitcomb L. Judson, an American inventor from Chicago, patented the zipper in 1892. It was used to bind together the edges of a flexible material for footwear, luggage, bags, tents, etc., aside from fabrics used in clothing.
Today, the zipper is a commonly used device and comes in nine various types. There is a tenth type – a virtual zipper that binds the lips of politicians and high government officials to allow them to choose which public pronouncements to say that will preserve their political and vested interests. Zippers of today also come in an assortment of colors. Sara Duterte’s is colored red, for Red China.
Sara uses her mouth zipper with ease. She unzips it when she pleases.
The following are occasions when she unzipped her mouth’s fly as vice president of the land. These were occasions when she revealed her official position as the country’s No. 2 high official or as education secretary, either by a written or verbal statement, the latter usually in her favorite medium – a statement read over recorded video.
Why through video, such as her seasonal greetings for the Red China national day every October 1, said in broken Mandarin? (N.B. She repeated her Xi Jin Ping salutations in 2023). Impromptu statements (such as during ambush interviews by media) discomfort her because of her palpable lack of articulateness of statecraft. Written or pre-recorded statements conceal her inadequacy.
She was neutral on her stand on the Russian assault in Ukraine. Asked in March 2022 when she was yet a candidate for vice president, she said local governments only follow the direction of the national government. That night, the government voted to support a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
She was silent for the most part of her first few months in office as vice president. Less talk, less mistake? But when she did, it was a shocking mistake.
In November 2022, a brawl had erupted at the basketball game of Jose Rizal University (JRU) and De La Salle University. JRU’s John Amores run amok in court, in full view of spectators, hurting two of the players. Both JRU and the NCAA suspended Amores. The two players then filed complaints of physical injuries in court against Amores.
But Sara, the education secretary, sided with Amores. She wrote him a letter that made him gush, for its almost amorous support of Amores even as he had gone berserk. And she wrote officially – “You have a friend from the Office of the Vice President.” Amores was bursting with exhilaration: “I will have this letter framed.”
A much bigger brawl erupted in July 2023. The issue was sensitive to Sara – corruption. No one but no one in her home city of Davao brings up that forbidden phrase – corruption by the Dutertes. If you see and hear the evil, zip your mouths.
Only a year in office as vice president and education secretary, the Commission on Audit had already flagged her. She opened seven satellite offices using cash from its officers subject to reimbursement in the amount of P668,197.20, a prohibited procurement practice. State auditors, of course, flagged her for non-compliance with procurement rules in violation of Republic Act 9184. Which begs the question – what procurement method was she habituated to doing at the Davao city hall?
Sara fought back, but directed her anger at ACT Teachers party list Representative France Castro. She qualified the COA red flag by saying it did not issue any notice of suspension or disallowance. ACT Teachers had hurled accusations of corruption. Sara went personal and ballistic: “Save the time and energy to conjure wild speculations about OVP spending.” And the vice presidential mouth was unzipped again, ready to rumble.
That same month in July 14, 2023, she had a statement recorded that probably goes down as her most immature yet. She was speaking as Department of Education top honcho. The event was the graduation of the Ismael Mathay Sr. High School in Quezon City. Instead, she advised students to get into romantic relationships. The remarks were ad-libbed.
“Okay lang naman na mag-boyfriend at girlfriend kayo. Now na! Ngayon na, ngayon na, sige na! I-text nyo na – Iniibig kita!” (It’s OK to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. This very moment! Right now, go ahead! Text and say – I love you!)
A non-bylined blog went to her defense by interpreting her, saying that “young love and heartbreak can lead to personal growth and resilience.” But in the face of colossal problems besetting the bedridden state of education in the country, it was hardly a policy statement that could lift it from the doldrums. It magnified the major deficiency that the education secretary was unfit for policy work.
And rumbled again she did in October 2023.
The exposure was sensational. When she faced snowballing public condemnation over her requested non-audit funds amounting to P500 million for the OVP and P150 million for the DepEd, she went ballistic naturally. Why naturally? One can easily read – confidential and intelligence funds not subject to audit were her norms at the Davao city hall (P460 million annually from 2016 to 2022), and never must one question such Duterte impropriety.
The incensed public had understood the issues – transparency, accountability, and legality (no such allocations were given to her predecessor, much less the DepEd). Sara reacted with a veiled threat during a speech delivered in Butuan city. “Kung sino man kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan.” In essence, enemies of peace are those who question how she spends public money. It was gaslighting par excellence. It was also red-tagging wholesale.
It was trademark Sara Duterte caprice. The painful part was, she was unmasked. She had never been unmasked in her home turf for her use of confidential funds and ghost employees.
Sara can unzip her mouth at will. But not when it comes to defending the integrity of the country in the face of Red Chinese bullying in the West Philippine Sea. That is why the zipper on her mouth is colored red. It must not defend the Philippines over Red China ever.
Her brother Paolo offered a characteristically weird defense of his sister. Take note: Paolo is another Duterte who, each time he opens his mouth, issues statements that can be said only by a thug. It was Holy Week and he likened the public criticisms against his sister to Christ’s martyrdom. “We pause and pray this Holy Week and reflect on the savior Jesus Christ as he is nailed to the cross, we shall also reflect on why you nail everything to the Vice President. It was not the VP’s job to demonize China.”
Asked in an ambush interview why she continues to be silent on Red Chinese harassment in the WPS, Sara replied with no scruples: “No comment. My brother’s statement was comprehensive.” Please look up the meaning of comprehensive.
She crossed the ethical line once again. A family member, a sibling, does not speak officially for, and on behalf of, a high official of government. It is unbecoming at the very least. The last time that happened, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos would speak for each other because they were conjugal dictators. Paolo Duterte is not an official of the OVP nor the DepEd. But that is the unchecked habit in Davao city – governance is a family affair. The Dutertes are more than conjugal dictators.
What explains their love affair with Red China? That question needs to be asked. Various pundits have commented on it. Social media is ablaze with criticisms over her silence. It is a valid yardstick – after all, the Filipino distrust for Red China is phenomenally high consistently across all survey firms.
So what could explain the Duterte acquiescence for Red China? There may be no plausible answer as of now. There is someone, however, who has studied the numerous bank accounts of the Duterte family members and who wishes to venture into the realm of speculation, absent any clear paper trail at this moment in time.
But it is a view that may appear to be the most reasonable, that the Dutertes could be stashing their money through bank accounts in Hongkong and Xiamen, protected by the Red Chinese state. It was not incidental that whistleblower Arturo Lascañas had alleged that the Dutertes are into the drug trade, and that the business partners are Red Chinese. Any false move the Dutertes make against Xi and his dictatorship could be fatal – he could spill the beans on them. And then they could lose their wealth.
Would that paper trail of their bank accounts be laid open one day? Not only does the Filipino public need incontrovertible evidence. It is also important to stop all the money flow into their bank accounts because that is what finances their troll power, their influence, and their perpetuity in government. The Duterte fantasy must end. – Rappler.com
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I agree with ANTONIO J. MONTALVAN II: “Sara Duterte’s (zipper) is colored red, for Red China.” If I may add, its value is equivalent to their bank deposits in Mainland China.
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P2-M more in cold cash, cryptocurrency materials found in Tarlac POGO | Joann Manabat - CMS | 12/04/2024 15:33 | EVIDENCE. Millions in cash, seed phrases, crypto wallets, mobile phones, flash drives, documents, identification cards, handcuffs and an expandable metal baton are among the items found in the remaining vaults at the Baofu compound of the Zun Yuan Technology Inc on Thursday, April 11.
Joann Manabat/Rappler
TARLAC, Philippines – Authorities recovered millions more in cold cash, crypto-currency related materials and other goods when they opened Thursday, April 11, the 15 remaining vaults out of the 27 they discovered in the Baofu compound of Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Bamban, Tarlac that was raided by authorities last month.
Around P2.1 million more in cash of various currencies, seed phrases, crypto wallets, mobile phones, flash drives, documents, identification cards, handcuffs and an expandable metal baton were among the items found in the remaining vaults.
Seed phrases and crypto wallets are used in dealing with crytocurrencies.
When the first batch of the vaults were opened on April 8 law enforcers seized P5.5 million, $444, 20,000 Vietnamese dong, and 20 Hong Kong dollars, as well as passports and documents.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio said the digital evidence that were found in the vaults could strengthen the case against Zun Yuan, its owners and incorporators. Casio said all digital evidence will undergo forensic examination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).
Casio added the confiscated employment visa IDs and alien certificates of registration will also undergo verification.
“Marami tayong nakitang mga iPhones and androids, USBs and other digital evidence that are subject to forensic examination. Makikiusap tayo sa ACG na kung maaari padaliin nila ang pag subject to digital forensic nang mas mapalalim yung ating evidence sa Zun Yuan at sa incorporators niya at mga taong nagpapatakbo nito,” Casio said.
(We found a lot of iPhones and Android phones, USBs and other digital evidence that are subject to forensic examination. We will ask the ACG if they can expedite these to digital forensics to deepen our evidence on Zun Yuan, its incorporators, and the people who are running it.)
“Nakabibigla pero typical na yung mga posas, baton sa mga POGOs. So siguro sa mga pagkakataon na hindi nila namimeet yung kanilang mga quotas, pinaparusahan sila,” he added.
(It’s shocking but the handcuffs and batons are typical for POGOs. So maybe on occasion when they don’t meet their quotas, they are punished.)
A Malaysian and a Vietnamese, Dylan and Danny, were among the foreign nationals who reported torture and abuse in the facility. Dylan was bought for P300,000 to work for Zun Yuan while Danny escaped from the Baofu compound on February 25. (A previous version of this story stated that the escape took place on February 28. This has been corrected. – Editors)
They are both detained at the Nasdake building in Pasay City together with other foreign nationals who are set to be deported, including six alleged Chinese fugitives.
Executive Director Lucas Bersamin ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze and preserve the entire 10-hectare Baofu compound and its 36 structures, including the nine villas and 38 vehicles. The entire facility will be under the custody of PAOCC.
Among the documents found in one of the vaults was a blacklist lift order issued in April 2023 by the Bureau of Immigration for a Chinese named Wang Shuichao.
Casio said the lift order was a case to case basis. However, all foreign nationals in POGOs are blacklisted from entering the country, he said. Shuichao is not included in their database, he said.
“Well, there was somebody here who used to be blacklisted and the black list was lifted. For what reason, I would think that’s in order unless otherwise proven. So far in our database, we didn’t see him here among those we caught,” he said.
“For us, as far as the Commission is concerned, blacklist everyone and deport all of them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the eight foreigners, charged with alleged violations of human trafficking and serious illegal detention were also arraigned on April 11 at the Regional Trial Court Branch 66 in Capas.
The case of the Filipina was dismissed. All foreign nationals have pleaded not guilty except for one who filed a motion to extend the preliminary investigation through his legal counsel which was granted, said Casio. – Rappler.com
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LOOK: Earthquake-damaged Vigan Cathedral on its way to rehabilitation | Mia Gonzalez | 12/04/2024 15:32 | FESTIVITY. Residents perform a traditional dance on the grounds of the Vigan Cathedral.
Frank Cimatu
VIGAN CITY, Philippines – The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle or the Vigan Cathedral, which almost split in half after a strong earthquake hit Luzon in 2022, is on its way to being rehabilitated.
Vigan Mayor Jose “Bonito” Singson vowed to fully rehabilitate the church with an initial fund of P100 million from various sources.
Starting this year, the Vigan local government has set up huge scaffolding at the front of the Vigan Cathedral. This is to provide immediate reinforcement of the frontage, which almost split in half after the magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck parts of Luzon on July 27, 2022.
Singson also said that they have prepared a detailed investigation including an X-ray of the damage on the church and the cost of the repair and rehabilitation.
He said that P4.8 million had been released for this initial undertaking.
The P100-million fund was actually set up for the restoration of the cathedral before the earthquake and also included the belfry, which was also partially destroyed in the 2022 tremor, and the Archbishop’s Palace.
It also included 17 other structures within the UNESCO-inscribed heritage zone of Vigan City, including the Syquia Mansion.
The first Vigan church was built in 1641 but this and two other rebirths were destroyed either by earthquake or fire. The present cathedral was rebuilt in 1800.
The Vigan Cathedral has become an iconic and ironic symbol of the Earthquake Baroque style of church architecture.
It gained a bit of notoriety in October 1970 when then-Ilocos kingpin congressman Floro Crisologo was shot at close range while kneeling inside the church.
With the Vigan Cathedral out of commission, Vigan residents and tourists are instead going to the Simbaan ti Bassit near the Vigan cemetery. – Rappler.com
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Water district advises Cagayan de Oro consumers to prepare for supply disruption | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 13:59 | REFILL. A city hall worker refills water containers to help residents in need of water during a recent supply interruption in Cagayan de Oro.
Cagayan de Oro City Information Office
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Water consumers in the city panicked as the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) released a public advisory urging people to store water in case its primary supplier makes good on its threat to stop supplying it with treated water due to a disputed debt claim.
The supplier, Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), has given the COWD until Friday, April 12, to pay over P400 million for the water supply, which has accumulated since 2021 – a debt the water district refused to acknowledge.
Engineer Antonio Young, COWD general manager, said they advised water consumers in Cagayan de Oro and parts of Misamis Oriental to store tap water in anticipation of a likely 24-hour supply interruption.
Young said the 24-hour period would give the COWD enough time to transition and tap other bulk water suppliers.
The COWD said it has prepared to deliver water to certain areas of the city in collaboration with the city government, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other groups.
It said water bladders and steel tanks will be set up in strategic areas.
The COWD also said valving schemes to channel supply to affected areas will be implemented in case COBI discontinues its supply to the water district.
Villages identified by the COWD to be adversely affected include Pagatpat, Canitoan, Upper Balulang, Upper Carmen, Patag, Bulua, Iponan, Kauswagan, Bonbon, Bayabas, and portions of Lumbia.
In the city’s second district, the COWD said the water supply in the villages of Camaman-an, Lapasan, and portions of Gusa, Cugman, and Macasandig would be affected.
The COWD also said the neighboring villages of Igpit and Barra in Opol town, Misamis Oriental, would likely be impacted.
The advisory was met with public criticisms directed at COWD and COBI, a firm controlled by business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Water, due to their failure to reach a settlement.
COBI, which supplies some 80,000 cubic meters of treated water to the COWD daily, has been pressuring the water district to pay a debt of more than P400 million, which mostly represents the accumulated price difference since COBI implemented an increase in its water rates in 2021.
The COWD refused to acknowledge and pay the amount, invoking a force majeure clause in their 2017 contract. The water district argued that the COBI rate increase during the COVID-19 pandemic was unacceptable.
Mae Shanne Angelic Siglos, a water consumer from Barangay Bonbon, said, “It wouldn’t be fair for people to suffer just because the COWD and COBI couldn’t reach an agreement.”
She said her family has been paying the COWD on time because the last thing they wanted was a disconnection notice.
“Unya karon tungod kay wala sila nagbayad sa ilang dues sa pagkuha nila sa water supply, kami na gyud ang mag-antos,” Siglos said on Friday, April 12.
(Now, since they have not been paying their dues to their source of water, we will be the ones to suffer.)
She appealed to COWD and COBI to find a solution for the sake of the city’s water consumers.
Lawyer Roberto Rodrigo, senior legal counsel for Metro Pacific Water, told Rappler on Thursday that COBI has not yet decided to resort to disconnection with finality.
“We will only resort to cutting the water supply as our last option… That’s why we would like to give the water district every chance,” Rodrigo said.
He said COBI executives were still looking forward to meeting with their COWD counterparts along with representatives from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) before Saturday, April 13. – Rappler.com
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‘Work in progress’ as Phoenix adjusts to life without import Johnathan Williams III | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/04/2024 21:34 | TOUGH. Jason Perkins in action for the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Life without Best Import winner Johnathan Williams III has been tough for Phoenix.
Fuel Masters assistant coach Willy Wilson said the team continues to adjust to its current reality as Phoenix got off to an inauspicious start in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Towed to the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals by Williams, the Fuel Masters lost four of their first five games this conference before they got back on track with a 113-107 win over Converge at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, April 12.
“Imagine having the Best Import of the Conference playing almost 48 minutes a night. And then you got to fill all those 48 minutes with guys that were not getting a ton of minutes,” said Wilson.
“Guys are still finding their way, finding their role in the team. You see that work right now.”
A former NBA player, Williams became the first Phoenix reinforcement to win Best Import as the Fuel Masters reached the semifinals of an import-laden conference for the first time in franchise history.
Williams averaged 24.5 points, 16.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks – lofty numbers that Phoenix has to make up for as a unit in the All-Filipino tiff.
Against the FiberXers, the Fuel Masters banked on a balanced attack as six players scored in double figures led by Jason Perkins, who finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Ricci Rivero netted 17 points, Kenneth Tuffin put up 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals, Javee Mocon and Matthew Daves chimed in 11 points apiece, while Jjay Alejandro contributed 10 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
“All of those roles are being filled and identified as we speak. It is still going to be a work in progress but we’re on our way to getting where we want to be,” said Wilson.
Phoenix snapped a two-game skid by surviving a pair of 30-point explosions by the Converge duo of Justin Arana and Alec Stockton, who both set their career highs in scoring.
Arana tallied 32 points and 16 rebounds, while Stockton produced 31 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, but those were still not enough for the FiberXers to break through as they slumped to their seventh straight loss.
Converge remains the only winless team in the PBA.
Phoenix 113 – Perkins 26, Rivero 17, Tuffin 16, Daves 11, Alejandro 10, Mocon 9, Lalata 7, Salado 6, Muyang 3, Manganti 3, Verano 2, Jazul 1, Camacho 0.
Converge 107 – Arana 32, Stockton 31, Santos 11, Delos Santos 8, Winston 8, Caralipio 7, Andrade 3, Ambohot 3, Fornilos 2, Fleming 2, Maagdenberg 0, Melecio 0, Nieto 0, Zaldivar 0.
Quarters: 23-27, 50-50, 86-73, 113-107.
– Rappler.com
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Standhardinger bounces back from benching, Thompson returns in Ginebra rout | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/04/2024 22:59 | LAYUP. Christian Standhardinger in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Christian Standhardinger sat out the entire fourth quarter for the second straight game.
This time, though, Standhardinger hardly needed to play in the final period as Barangay Ginebra blew out Blackwater, 105-86, to regain its winning ways in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, April 12.
Standhardinger posted 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in just three quarters to help the Gin Kings halt a two-game losing streak and improve to 4-3.
It was a bounce-back performance for the two-time Best Player of the Conference after he got benched in the entire fourth period of their shock 91-85 loss to Terrafirma last April 7.
“Christian came with his normal energy and I thought he really sparked us,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
Standhardinger dropped 12 points in the opening frame as Ginebra mounted a 29-21 advantage – a lead that grew to as big as 30 points as the Gin Kings drubbed the struggling Bossing in a game that saw Scottie Thompson return.
Missing the first six games of the conference due to back issues, Thompson made his presence felt for Ginebra with 4 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
“I had great opportunities being setup by my teammates. They found me right where I needed, and obviously, it helped that Scottie is coming back,” said Standhardinger, who gave the Gin Kings their biggest lead at 87-57.
“Me and Scottie, we have a good two-man game that helps me to get going. I think Scottie and the whole team did a good job bouncing back.”
Ginebra rookie Ralph Cu fired a season-high 14 points built on four three-pointers, Maverick Ahanmisi put up 14 points, while Jamie Malonzo added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Japeth Aguilar contributed 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the win.
Rookie guard James Kwekuteye finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench for Blackwater, which has gone on a slump since its 3-0 start as it has lost its last four games.
Justin Chua had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in the losing effort.
Barangay Ginebra 105 – Standhardinger 33, Cu 14, Ahanmisi 14, Malonzo 11, J.Aguilar 9, Pinto 6, Pringle 6, Thompson 4, Onwubere 4, David 2, Gumaru 2, Pessumal 0, Tenorio 0.
Blackwater 86 – Kwekuteye 20, Chua 17, Rosario 12, Escoto 8, Suerte 6, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Tungcab 3, Hill 2, David 1, Casio 0, Jopia 0.
Quarters: 29-21, 59-40, 87-61, 105-86.
– Rappler.com
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DENR files criminal case vs vlogger, companion for ‘maltreatment’ of tarsiers | jsitchon0312 | 12/04/2024 10:02 | TARSIER. In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature added the Philippine Tarsier on the list of 25 most endangered primates of the world.
Timm Rannu/Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc.
CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Soccsksargen has filed a criminal case against vlogger Ryan Parreño and his companion for “maltreating” two tarsiers based on a viral video shot in South Cotabato.
“For the information of the public…we filed a criminal case against Ryan Parreño and Sammy Estrebilla for violation of Section 27, paragraphs (f), and (h) of RA 9147 or the Wildlife Act of 2001 in relation to Section 20, paragraphs (a), and (b) of RA 7586, as amended by RA 11038 known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018,” DENR-Soccsksargen chief Felix Alicer said in a statement on her office’s official Facebook page on Thursday, April 11.
“Our evaluation disclosed that a crime has been committed under the stated provisions of RA 9147. The filing of the case against the violators is an action taken so that citizens would not imitate the disturbing same acts,” he added.
The crimes allegedly committed under RA 9147 are collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife; and maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries.
Estrebilla was with Parreño when he took the viral video in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok town in South Cotabato.
Parreño was seen with Estrebilla picking up two tarsiers in the wild and using them for content in a now-deleted video that went viral on social media on Wednesday, April 10. The video sparked public outrage as well as discussions on animal welfare.
The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Incorporated told Rappler that the tarsiers were a mother and a baby.
“Seeing the tarsiers, a mother and a baby, being harassed helplessly at their very fragile state brings up unspeakable frustration. We are with the sentiments of the people,” the foundation said in a statement on Thursday night, April 11.
“Using animal harassment for content for the sole purpose of social media clout puts not just endangered species but all animals in danger. We commend the swift action of DENR,” they added.
On July 3, 1997, then-President Fidel V. Ramos signed Presidential Proclamation No. 1030, declaring the Philippine tarsier as a “Specially Protected Faunal Species of the Philippines.”
According to the Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, the Philippine tarsier commonly inhabits rainforests. Their species is mostly found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao.
In an article by Tom Lumapas on the official website of the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, the Philippine Tarsier is said to have a recorded life span of 12 years at most in captivity.
“However, a great many of these tarsiers die only after a day or at most a few days if kept unhealthily in small cages and/or put under great strain while in captivity,” Lumapas wrote.
Rappler has reached out to Parreño for a statement on the issue but has yet to receive any reply. – Rappler.com
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Duterte to Quiboloy: ‘Please leave me out of this’ | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 10:04 | Former president Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a press conference at a restaurant in Davao City on February 27, 2024.
Manman Dejeto/Rappler
DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has declined to facilitate the surrender of his friend, fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, saying he did not want to be part of his legal problem.
During a late night news conference on Thursday night, April 11, Duterte told reporters in Davao he won’t broker for Quiboloy’s surrender.
“No, hindi ko siya tatanggapin. Hindi naman ako authority. Pastor, ikaw naman ang wanted. Huwag mo naman akong damayin dito,” he told reporters before addressing the embattled leader of the group Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
(No, I won’t accept him. I’m not the authority here. Pastor, you’re the one wanted. Please leave me out of this.)
Duterte said this after a regional court in Pasig ordered Quiboloy and several of his associates arrested in connection with a qualified human trafficking case, a nonbailable offense.
Quiboloy also has two arrest warrants in Davao for child abuse and sexual abuse of a minor, and has been served, through his lawyer, a contempt warrant by the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms over his non-appearance in a committee’s investigation into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC members.
Duterte also disclosed that he has been in touch with the pastor, claiming that he even called him up hours earlier.
He said Quiboloy was hiding somewhere in his sprawling property in Barangay Tamayong in Davao City.
Duterte told reporters, “Gusto n’yong malaman kung saan talaga si Pastor Quiboloy? Nasa Tamayong lang siya, ‘yun yung refuge niya. Wala naman siyang ibang bahay, yung Kingdom compound. Tumawag ako kanina (April 11). Nag-usap kami. Malaking-malaki ang Tamayong and there are so many houses there. Mahirapan talaga ang authorities in finding him there because he has so many houses there. Isa-isahin nila ang mga bahay.”
(Do you want to know where Pastor Quiboloy really is? He’s just in Tamayong, that’s his refuge. He doesn’t have any other house, just the Kingdom compound. I called earlier. We talked. Tamayong is huge and there are many houses there. The authorities will really have a hard time finding him there because he has so many houses there. They should check each house one by one.)
He said he advised Quiboloy that “if you don’t get a fair deal with this (Marcos) administration, huwag kang lumabas sa Tamayong (don’t leave Tamayong).”
Duterte said he was familiar with the Tamayong property because the fugitive pastor gave him a sleeping quarters there.
“May tulugan ako dyan sa kingdom, sa likod ng kapilya. May kwarto ako doon,” he said.
(I have a place to sleep there in the Kingdom, behind the chapel. I have a room there.)
Authorities have been to the Tamayong property to look for Quiboloy and serve the arrest warrants from a Davao court and the Senate’s contempt warrant twice, but failed to locate the elusive preacher.
In an audio recording made public by his group on April 6, Quiboloy said he would not be caught alive.
He also said he would only surrender if the Marcos administration would guarantee in writing that the United States would not meddle in his cases in the Philippines and that he will be protected, and the Senate committee would stop its ongoing investigation into the alleged abuses in the KOJC.
Quiboloy has been wanted in the US since early 2022 for a string of criminal cases which include sexual abuse, human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering, among others. – Rappler.com
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Criminal complaint filed vs model accused of foiled sexual assault on Cianne Dominguez | jreyes0314 | 12/04/2024 14:57 | Cianne Dominguez's Instagram
Trigger warning: Sexual assault
MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police Department (QCPD) announced on Friday, April 12, that a criminal complaint has been filed against male model Shervey Torno after It’s Showtime host Cianne Dominguez accused him of foiled sexual assault.
On the evening of Thursday, April 11, Dominguez, whose real name is Tricia Anne Florendo, was reportedly waiting for an elevator at her apartment building when she spotted Torno seated at the lobby area. The two entered the elevator, with Dominguez headed to the 8th floor, and Torno to the 11th.
When Dominguez got off the elevator on the 8th floor, Torno followed her and walked towards the unit at the end of the hall. After Dominguez hurriedly entered her own unit, through her peephole, she saw Torno standing outside her door.
“Upon opening the door slightly, the suspect said, ‘Anong Facebook mo ‘te? ang ganda mo [kasi] (What’s your Facebook? You’re beautiful),” the police report said.
The suspect then put his hand around the victim’s waist, and said, “Pa-kiss nga (Give me a kiss),’” the police report added.
Dominguez then managed to push Torno away and sought help from the security guard at the lobby, who apprehended the 25-year-old male model.
Torno was brought to Kamuning Police Station 10. The QCPD said that Torno “will be charged with Foiled Sexual Assault before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.”
Quezon City police chief Brigadier General Redrico Maranan said they have assured Dominguez that the suspect will be held accountable. He urged the public to also report such incidents immediately so ensure that those responsible will be put behind bars.
“Magdoble ingat tayo sa lahat ng oras at ireport agad ang ganitong mga pangyayari. Tinitiyak ng QCPD sa biktima na pagbabayaran ng suspek ang kanyang ginawa dahil walang puwang dito sa ating lungsod ang mga ganitong klaseng tao,” Maranan said.
(Let’s be extra careful at all times and report incidents like this immediately. The QCPD has assured the victim that the suspect will pay for what he did because our city does not have space for people like him.)
Dominguez’s father had also spoken up about the incident in a Facebook post on the evening of Thursday, April 11. He asked for prayers for his daughter as she had been left traumatized by the incident.
As of writing, Dominguez has yet to issue her own statement on the matter. – Rappler.com
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US, Japan, PH express ‘serious concern’ over China actions in Ayungin Shoal, Senkaku Islands | Bea Cupin | 12/04/2024 11:04 | TRILATERAL SUMMIT. US President Joe Biden escorts Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to their trilateral summit at the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2024.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
MANILA, Philippines – The United States, Japan, and the Philippines expressed “serious concern” over China’s actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea in a In a joint vision statement on Friday, April 12 (April 11 in Washington).
The statement followed the historic leaders’ trilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington, after Kishida’s state visit to the US. Biden had a separate meeting with Marcos before the trilateral summit.
The South China Sea divides the Philippines and Chinese mainland, while the East China Sea is located between Japan and China.
The two bodies of water have been the setting of China’s growing aggressive maritime actions. In the West Philippine Sea, or part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, China has repeatedly harassed Philippine vessels – from government ships to the wooden boats of Filipino fisherfolk.
The US, Japan, and the Philippines called out China’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea. (ANALYSIS: The more complicated dispute in the world)
“We are also concerned by the militarization of reclaimed features and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea. We steadfastly oppose the dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea, as well as efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation,” the three leaders said in the joint statement.
China has also been sending government ships to waters off Senkaku Islands, and making incursions into Japan’s territorial waters.
“We express our serious concerns regarding the situation in the East China Sea, and reiterate our strong opposition to any attempts by the PRC to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea, including through actions that seek to undermine Japan’s longstanding and peaceful administration of the Senkaku Islands,” the statement read.
The three countries announced the creation of a “trilateral maritime dialogue” that would “enhance coordination and collective responses to promote maritime cooperation.” The coast guards of the three countries are set to embark on another joint exercise, as well as a joint Indo-Pacific patrol in 2024.
“We are concerned about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. We support the ability of Filipino and Japanese fisherfolk to pursue their traditional livelihoods,” the leaders said.
“To build regional capacity and address threats posed by transnational crime, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and other maritime challenges, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States plan to expand our efforts to provide maritime law enforcement training and support to partner countries in the region,” they added in their joint statement.
Maritime security and peace in the Indo-Pacific was the major theme of the first-ever trilateral leaders’ summit in the White House. Both the Philippines and Japan are treaty-allies of the US, relationships that Biden affirmed in the joint statement.
“Today, President Biden reaffirms the ironclad US alliance commitments to both Japan and the Philippines, which have helped safeguard peace and security in the Indo-Pacific for decades,” read the statement.
Marcos, speaking at the beginning of the summit, described the trilateral cooperation as the “natural progression of a deepening relations and robust cooperation amongst our three nations.”
Ties between the Philippines and the US have been on “hyperdrive” under Marcos, after the Duterte administration’s pivot to China and away from its traditional allies like the US. Japan-Philippine ties have also increased steadily through the years, with Manila being the first recipient of Tokyo’s Official Security Assistance.
Both Tokyo and Washington have called on Beijing to respect the “final and legally binding” 2016 arbitral ruling, which affirmed that Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Beijing has insisted that this ruling is invalid.
US, Japan, and Philippine leaders also emphasized the “importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity” as it called on a “peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.” Beijing has insisted that reunification with democratically-governed Taiwan was inevitable, sparking concerns that it would resort to force. – Rappler.com
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Who’s next? Chiz Escudero is latest politician to apologize for improper use of EDSA bus lane | Kaycee | 12/04/2024 13:37 | About a hundred motorists were apprehended by traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for unauthorized passing along the EDSA Busway in Pasay City, on November 13, 2023, the start of the implementation of the imposition of higher fines for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway.
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MANILA, Philippines – Senator Chiz Escudero apologized Friday, April 12, after a private vehicle bearing the protocol license plates issued to him was caught Thursday passing through the dedicated EDSA bus lane.
In a statement on Friday, Escudero admitted that the errant vehicle with a No. 7 license plate – typically issued to senators – was “unauthorized” as it was a “driver of a family member” that was behind the wheels on Thursday.
“Following the incident, I have directed the driver to appear before the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and to answer the charges he faces for the violation,” Escudero said.
Reports noted that a black Toyota Land Cruiser with the No. 7 plate went through the dedicated bus lane along EDSA on Thursday.
When enforcers were issuing a traffic violation ticket the driver sped off, leaving behind his expired driver’s license to the authorities.
Escudero said he does not use the protocol license plates on his vehicle. He added that the violative plates would be surrendered to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). He did not disclose whether the driver had any passengers on board.
“I commend the authorities for their vigilance and reiterate my support for government efforts to ensure that traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila are observed by all – regardless of rank, title, or position,” Escudero said.
The vehicles allowed to pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel lane are public utility buses, emergency vehicles such as hospital ambulances, and government vehicles responding to emergencies.
Escudero is not the first politician to apologize in relation to violating EDSA traffic rules.
Just this week, on April 8, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson was issued a ticket after his private vehicle was caught going through the EDSA bus lane. Unlike Escudero, Singson was onboard the vehicle at the time.
In November last year, a convoy of vehicles going through the busway tried to get away with getting fined by name-dropping Senator Bong Revilla.
Aside from public buses, the only vehicles allowed to go through the EDSA yellow lane are convoys of the president, vice president, Senate president, House Speaker, and the Supreme Court chief justice.
In November, the MMDA started imposing higher fees for those who violate traffic rules. – Rappler.com
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Returning Ginebra star Scottie Thompson working way back to top form | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/04/2024 23:45 | STAR. Scottie Thompson in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
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MANILA, Philippines – Slowly but surely, Scottie Thompson is regaining his old form.
Although still not fully healthy, Thompson played his first game in the PBA Philippine Cup as he helped Barangay Ginebra return to the winning column by way of a 105-86 drubbing of struggling Blackwater on Friday, April 12.
The former league MVP performed like his usual self, producing all-around numbers of 4 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals in under 27 minutes of action.
“I’m really happy to be back and I’m praying that I’ll be healthy. I’m not really 100 percent. I just take it day by day – strengthening, conditioning, therapy,” said Thompson in Filipino.
Lingering back issues kept Thompson from suiting up for the Gin Kings earlier this conference.
And his absence took its toll on Ginebra, which got off to a rollercoaster start as it won three of its four games before it absorbed back-to-back losses, including a surprising defeat to Terrafirma.
But with Thompson back on board, the Gin Kings enjoyed a lead as big as 30 points against the Bossing and coasted to their most lopsided victory of the conference.
“Scottie is a former MVP so he is going to make an impact on the team. He has through the years,” said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
“He helps us move the ball and he brings a lot of energy to the defensive side.”
Thompson said he is motivated to stay in good shape and to play well especially after his wife, Jinky, gave birth to their second child, Schyler Austin.
“I’m inspired to work more,” Thompson said. “I’m inspired by my children.”
Ginebra counts on Thompson for another steady outing as it battles an invigorated NorthPort side toting a 4-2 record on Sunday, April 14, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. – Rappler.com
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Duterte refuses to facilitate Quiboloy surrender | The wRap | Cara Angeline Oliver | 12/04/2024 23:06 | Today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
Former president Rodrigo Duterte declines to facilitate the surrender of his friend, fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
The United States, Japan, and the Philippines express “serious concern” over China’s actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
Senator Chiz Escudero apologizes after a black Toyota Land Cruiser bearing the protocol license plates issued to him was caught Thursday passing through the dedicated EDSA bus lane.
The Environment and Natural Resources department in Soccsksargen files a criminal case against vlogger Ryan Parreño and his companion, Sammy Estrebilla, for ‘maltreating’ two tarsiers based on a viral video shot in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok town in South Cotabato.
The Quezon City Police says a criminal complaint has been filed against male model Shervey Torno after It’s Showtime host Cianne Dominguez accused him of foiled sexual assault. – Rappler.com
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Standhardinger bounces back from benching, Thompson returns in Ginebra rout | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/04/2024 22:59 | LAYUP. Christian Standhardinger in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
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MANILA, Philippines – Christian Standhardinger sat out the entire fourth quarter for the second straight game.
This time, though, Standhardinger hardly needed to play in the final period as Barangay Ginebra blew out Blackwater, 105-86, to regain its winning ways in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, April 12.
Standhardinger posted 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in just three quarters to help the Gin Kings halt a two-game losing streak and improve to 4-3.
It was a bounce-back performance for the two-time Best Player of the Conference after he got benched in the entire fourth period of their shock 91-85 loss to Terrafirma last April 7.
“Christian came with his normal energy and I thought he really sparked us,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.
Standhardinger dropped 12 points in the opening frame as Ginebra mounted a 29-21 advantage – a lead that grew to as big as 30 points as the Gin Kings drubbed the struggling Bossing in a game that saw Scottie Thompson return.
Missing the first six games of the conference due to back issues, Thompson made his presence felt for Ginebra with 4 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
“I had great opportunities being setup by my teammates. They found me right where I needed, and obviously, it helped that Scottie is coming back,” said Standhardinger, who gave the Gin Kings their biggest lead at 87-57.
“Me and Scottie, we have a good two-man game that helps me to get going. I think Scottie and the whole team did a good job bouncing back.”
Ginebra rookie Ralph Cu fired a season-high 14 points built on four three-pointers, Maverick Ahanmisi put up 14 points, while Jamie Malonzo added 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Japeth Aguilar contributed 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the win.
Rookie guard James Kwekuteye finished with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench for Blackwater, which has gone on a slump since its 3-0 start as it has lost its last four games.
Justin Chua had a 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in the losing effort.
Barangay Ginebra 105 – Standhardinger 33, Cu 14, Ahanmisi 14, Malonzo 11, J.Aguilar 9, Pinto 6, Pringle 6, Thompson 4, Onwubere 4, David 2, Gumaru 2, Pessumal 0, Tenorio 0.
Blackwater 86 – Kwekuteye 20, Chua 17, Rosario 12, Escoto 8, Suerte 6, Guinto 4, Ilagan 3, Tungcab 3, Hill 2, David 1, Casio 0, Jopia 0.
Quarters: 29-21, 59-40, 87-61, 105-86.
– Rappler.com
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Catholic church reopens after rampage incident in Negros Occidental town | Ralf Rivas | 12/04/2024 21:02 | REOPENED. Mass-goers attend a mass at the Isidro Labrador Church on Friday, April 12, for its reopening to the dovotees of the patron saint.
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NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The San Isidro Labrador Church in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental reopened its doors to the Catholic faithful on Friday, April 12, after a man smashed most of its revered statues over a week ago.
Monsignor Rolando Nueva, who led the mass on Friday, said he was just happy that none of the mass-goers during the attack were harmed.
Nueva hoped that the parishioners who felt hurt by the unexpected incident might find forgiveness amid what unfolded with the church’s revered images.
He said that although the church is still devoid of images, it remains a church, as its existence could help believers realize what it means to be a Christian by reminding them of the lives of the saints.
The church was closed to the general public for over a week as the Catholic congregation’s leaders repaired the damages.
On April 3, a 39-year-old tricycle driver, Rolly Semira, barged his motorcycle into the church of San Isidro Labrador and destroyed some religious statues while a parish priest, Leopoldo Cahilig, was officiating a daily mass.
In 2008, Semira—who is believed to be suffering from a mental illness—was also arrested in Taguig City after allegedly harming a three-year-old girl.
Islam church leader Achir Saripada said, “We do not tolerate such actions,” and clarified that “being a believer in the Islamic faith does not include inflicting damage on other individuals with different beliefs or religions.”
Nueva praised the Muslim community in the southern town’s plea for atonement for the wrongdoing of one of their believers.
Some damaged statues were already renovated, including the image of the church patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.
Town Chief of police major Randy Babor told Rappler that the suspect is about to be put on preliminary trial before the court for violating the law of malicious mischief and offending religious feelings. He added that the suspect is still under police custody. – Rappler.com
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LIST: UAAP Season 86 champions | Jasmine Payo | 02/06/2024 15:30 | UAAP
MANILA, Philippines – Pick any season in the rich history of the UAAP and there’s always no shortage of victorious moments fueled by the student-athletes’ grit and grind.
Season 86 of the 2023-2024 school year is no exception. While some teams retained their thrones, others finally reached the pinnacle of their sport.
As the season wrapped up, University of Santo Tomas captured its seventh straight general championship in the collegiate ranks after ruling 10 events, while also bagging its 23rd overall title in the high school division.
Here is the list of this season’s champions:
The La Salle Green Archers were not exactly the favored contenders prior to the season. Yet, they hit their stride when it mattered most, and snagged the men’s basketball title against University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in a thrilling winner-take-all Game 3.
The championship run gave birth to Kevin Quiambao’s superstardom as he led the Archers with 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks in the finals series en route to the Finals MVP plum on top of his Season MVP award.
Women’s basketball as a whole saw a massive jump this year. At the forefront of this growing interest in the sport, the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses ended the NU Lady Bulldogs’ seven-year reign in the UAAP women’s basketball in a gritty best-of-three series that came down to the wire.
UST’s Nikki Villasin delivered the championship-clinching basket with just under 7 seconds left, handing the España-based crew its first basketball title since 2006.
The Adamson Baby Falcons marked Season 86 as their resurgence in high school basketball, snatching their first championship in 31 years by thumping the National University Bulldogs in Game 3 of their best-of-three title series.
Mark Esperanza bagged the Finals MVP after norming 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in the series.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles emerged queens of the badminton court for the fourth consecutive time, dispatching the UP Fighting Maroons in the women’s badminton finals.
Mika de Guzman and Jochelle Alvarez shone the brightest for the Blue Eagles as they shared MVP honors in the tournament.
Ateneo further solidified its hold on the badminton crown after ending the NU Bulldogs’ seven-year reign in the sport.
The Blue Eagles won their first men’s badminton title in 10 years, and completed their first golden sweep of the sport since 2013.
The UST Male Tiger Sands ruled the outdoor event for the fifth straight year, surviving the NU Bulldogs in a tightly contested finals matchup.
Capturing their eighth men’s crown overall, the Tiger Sands leaned on the ever-reliable duo of season MVP Alche Gupiteo and Rancel Varga.
UST reigned supreme once more in the women’s side after taking down the NU Lady Bulldogs in lopsided fashion.
Led by MVP Gen Eslapor and Sofiah Pagara, the Female Tiger Sands defended their title for the sixthth consecutive season en route to ruling both divisions.
The NU Bullpups snagged their first their first UAAP title in boys’ beach volleyball after warding off the FEU Baby Tamaraws in the finals.
Rain Skyler Gemarino got the MVP award on the way to the championship alongside partner John Wayne Dionela.
Already the most successful program in the sport, the UST Junior Tiger Sands took down FEU to take the girls’ beach volleyball title.
UST’s Khy Progella won the MVP award, while Jhyn Dadang was named the best rookie as the Junior Tiger Sands stayed unbeaten in eight games.
Sweeping their competition, the UST Male Woodpushers bagged their third straight title and their 10th overall crown in the sport with 18 match points (8 wins and 2 draws).
UST’s Melico Ocsan Jr. was named the tournament’s MVP, while teammate Chester Reyes got the Rookie of the Year honors to dominate the competition.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws reclaimed their throne after four years, going unbeaten until Round 11 before bowing out in the final two rounds where their early dominance proved enough for the title.
Mary Joy Tan spearheaded FEU on the way to an MVP award, while Mhage Sebastian impressed in her first season with the Lady Tamaraws to gain the Rookie of the Year nod.
FEU-Diliman completed a golden double in the high school chess ranks, ruling both the boys and girls divisions of the sport.
The girls squad sealed its success as early as the penultimate round, while the boys team took down the UST Boys Woodpushers to reign in Season 86.
Both MVPs also came from FEU as Franklin Andres took home the nod in the boys’ division, while Ruelle Canino gained the award in the girls’ side.
The UST Tiger Paddlers made history in Season 86, notching their fourth straight title and a record 30th overall crown in the sport after escaping the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals.
UST relied on last season’s MVP Alvin Sevilla, and this season’s MVP John Michael Castro to lift the Tiger Paddlers to another dominant showcase.
The La Salle Lady Paddlers thwarted their rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles to take their eighth overall title in the women’s table tennis tournament.
Angel Laude earned the season’s MVP to carry the Lady Paddlers to the title.
The UST Junior Tiger Paddlers were forces to be reckoned with throughout both the boys and girls tournaments, finishing the season undefeated en route to the golden double.
The boys team snapped a 15-year championship drought, while the girls squad retained their crown for Season 86.
The UST Male Tennisters cruised past the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finals to secure their second straight men’s tennis title in Season 86.
Season 86 MVP Nilo Ledama and Finals MVP Steven Sonsona put UST on their shoulders in extending the school’s record of 16 championships in the sport.
The National University completed a three-peat after edging out UST in the women’s tennis finals.
After topping the eliminations, the Lady Bulldogs clashed with the Lady Tennisters in the finals, leaning on Allyssa Mae Bornia and Alliah Ragunton, who won co-MVPs on top of the championship.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles sustained their swimming supremacy for the eighth consecutive time, topping the men’s division with 8 gold, 11 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
Phillip Joaquin Santos picked up his second MVP award in his collegiate career as he snatched six medals out of seven events for Ateneo.
The UP Varsity Swim Women’s Team finished with 11 gold, 8 silver, and 8 bronze medals to end up with their 21st championship in the women’s swimming division.
It was the first women’s swimming title for the Diliman-based crew since Season 79.
UP’s Quendy Fernandez was the undisputed best swimmer throughout the competition, bagging Rookie of the Year and MVP honors.
The UST Junior Tigersharks perfected a three-peat golden double as their boys’ team captured 15 golds, 14 silvers, and 13 bronzes, while the girls’ squad amassed 15 golds, 9 silvers, and 8 bronzes.
UST also housed the MVPs of both divisions as Renz Santos and Patricia Santor won the honors for the boys’ and girls’ tournaments, respectively.
National University edged out the University of the Philippines in a tight battle for the Season 86 athletics title.
NU bagged 6 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze medals for a total of 312.5 points, 10.5 points more than UP’s, which boasted the tournament’s MVP Alhryan Labita.
De La Salle University made history in Season 86’s athletics competition, earning its first ever women’s championship with 7 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
Season MVP Bernalyn Bejoy lifted the Lady Green Trackers with 4 golds, resetting the league-records in the 400m, 400m hurdles, and the 800m race.
Adamson successfully defended its high school athletics title with a dominant 13-gold, 10-silver, 6-bronze performance in Season 86.
The 19-year-old Hussein Loraña led the Baby Falcons with 6 gold and 1 bronze medals to steamroll the competition.
Just like Adamson in the boys’ side, the UST Junior Female Tracksters completed their back-to-back title bid with 13 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
However, it was UE’s Jyzel Mae Gabriel who took home the MVP award after the Junior Lady Warriors’ notable last-gasp showing in the tournament.
In a video game-inspired performance, Far Eastern University scored 702.5 points in an excellent display of finesse to capture the Season 86 cheerdance championship.
With the least deductions in the score card, FEU outpointed the then-defending champion NU by just 5.5 points for its fourth overall title in the sport.
The UP Fighting Maroons won their first judo title after 16 years, finishing with 5 golds, 3 silvers, and 4 bronzes to end up with 48 points, 12 more than second-place finisher UST.
World grappling champion Fierre Afan’s showing turned out to be the highlight of UP’s title run, ruling the lightweight division (-73 kg) in an impressive final matchup against UST’s Edward Figueroa.
Meanwhile, UP’s Jayvee Ferrer starred in the half-middleweight (-81 kg) for the MVP award.
University of the East bagged 4 gold, 1 silver, and 6 bronze medals to defend its UAAP judo crown for the third consecutive season.
Joemarie Rafael took the MVP honors after topping the half-lightweight category (-52 kg) for the Lady Red Warriors.
Despite the absence of Olympian Kurt Barbosa, National University picked up its fifth straight UAAP taekwondo title after outduelingUST.
With the two squads still sporting identical records, season MVP Nusair Lao, Sturdy Gilbuena, and Carl Ayaton salvaged NU’s five-peat title hopes.
The UST Lady Tiger Jins squeaked past the NU Lady Bulldogs in a tightly contested championship match to secure their second straight women’s taekwondo title.
It was UST’s 13th overall title as Angel Mae Lorbes delivered the finishing blow in the final match to catapult the Tiger Jins to the championship.
National University snagged its first-ever UAAP taekwondo championship after dominating all five matches in one day.
NU housed season MVP Melbourne Lustradow, who bagged four medals in the 55-63 kg category.
The UST Poomsae Jins recaptured the title they lost in the previous season, hauling 2 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medals.
Chelsea Tacay starred in the tournament, winning the MVP honors after topping the female category.
University of the East remained the standard of UAAP fencing, winning the men’s, women’s, and high school divisions of the tournament.
Filled with lopsided affairs throughout the tournament, UE leaned on three-time MVP Queen Dalmacio as she dominated the sabre event.
Meanwhile, back-to-back MVP Collei Felipe led the UE men’s 10-peat campaign, ruling the individual and team foil events.
In the high school division, Louis Shoemaker won MVP honors, ruling the individual and team foil events en route to the boys’ sweep of the competition.
On the other hand, Opao Catantan lifted the UE girls through gold-medal performances in the individual foil and sabre events to gain the MVP nod.
Adamson showed it’s still unmatched in softball, capturing its 11th straight championship after a come-from-behind 4-3, eighth-inning victory over UP in the winner-take-all Game 3 finale.
Best Pitcher and eventual Finals MVP April Minanga took over the mound for the Lady Falcons in the fifth inning, limiting the Maroons to a single run in the eighth and a solitary hit.
Angelu Gabriel copped the season MVP and also won Best Hitter (.480) and Best Slugger (1.000 SA), Khrisha Cantor earned the Most Home Runs (2 HR) award, while Roma Jane Cruz had the Most Runs-Batted-In (9) to all banner the Lady Falcons’ continuous success.
NU dethroned back-to-back champions DLSU Green Batters, ending a 12-year title drought in the UAAP men’s baseball tournament.
Graduating pitcher MJ Carolino took home the Final MVP nod after playing seven and one-third innings to end his collegiate career with a championship.
Completing a championship repeat, the DLSU Green Archers reigned supreme in the 3-on-3 basketball discipline after outlasting the UE Red Warriors in the finals.
CJ Austria copped the tournament MVP for the champion La Salle squad also made up of Rookie of the Year Jonnel Policarpio, Earl Abadam, and Aaron Buensalida.
The UST Growling Tigresses proved to be the queens of the UAAP court once more, taking down the NU Lady Bulldogs in the finals for their second straight 3×3 basketball championship.
Kent Pastrana brought her stellar 5-on-5 play to the halfcourt, on the way to winning the MVP plum.
Veejay Pre and the Far Eastern University flexed their muscles in the boys’ 3-on-3 tournament, taking down the UST Tiger Cubs in the finals to complete a sweep en route to the title.
Graduating Pre led FEU throughout the tournament to be named the MVP.
NU Junior Lady Bullpups took home the girls’ 3-on-3 title, dominating the UST Junior Tigresses in the finals.
Cielo Pagdulagan put NU on her back in the finals to bag the tournament’s MVP award.
The Bulldogs of Jhocson captured both volleyball crowns in Season 86.
NU zoomed to its fourth straight men’s volleyball championship, while the Lady Bulldogs picked up their second title in three seasons, both sweeping UST in the finals.
Star setter and national team member Joshua Retamar was named the men’s Finals MVP en route to his fourth UAAP title in as many years played.
On the women’s side, Alyssa Solomon took the Finals MVP nod after leading the Lady Bullldogs along with season MVP Bella Belen.
The NU juniors team set the tone for the school in the sport, winning the boys’ volleyball title over the UE Junior Red Warriors in a deciding Game 3 in February.
Jeff Gallego Jr. bagged the Finals MVP award after orchestrating the offense for the Bullpups, which have won their fifth overall title in the event.
The Adamson Baby Lady Falcons finished a perfect season, sweeping NU in the finals for their first UAAP girls’ volleyball title.
Adamson’s Shaina Nitura bagged the Finals MVP award on top of her Season MVP nod.
The UP Fighting Maroons ended a six-year title drought after outlasting the FEU Tamaraws to rule the Season 86 men’s football tournament.
UP’s Macky Tobias, a former juniors MVP with FEU, connected on the goal that sealed the title for the Maroons. Francis Tacardon took the Finals MVP award.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws became the winningest women’s football program in the UAAP after downing the DLSU Lady Booters in extra time.
Tournament MVP Dionesa Tolentin led the Lady Tamaras in the finals to bag the Golden Boot award and the Best Striker award.
The Far Eastern University Diliman Baby Tamaraws retained their high school football crown for the 12th straight time, stomping first-time finalist UST Junior Golden Booters in a lopsided yet controversial coronation.
FEU’s title celebration was marred by a punching incident involving UST’s goalkeeper Ben Sabuga and Tamaraws defender Bryan Villanueva, where the former attacked the latter in the field.
University of Santo Tomas Prime ruled the street dance competition for the second straight season after tallying an average of 90.50 points.
Performing an old-school theme, UST danced to the tunes of classic OPM groups VST & Company and Apo Hiking Society to narrowly edge FEU (89.17) and UP (86.33).
The Tigers’ high school counterparts, UST Galvanize, also topped the juniors street dance division, finishing with an average of 86.17 points. – Rappler.com
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More to come: POC targets 25 athletes for Paris Olympics | delfin.dioquino editor | 12/04/2024 20:47 | WATCH. Bianca Pagdanganan of the Philippines looks on during the women's golf competition in the Tokyo Olympics.
Toby Melville/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – If things go according to plan, the Philippines will have its biggest Olympic delegation in over three decades.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Friday, April 12, said the target is to qualify 25 athletes to Paris as the county celebrates its 100th year of participation in the Summer Games.
The last time more than 20 athletes represented the Philippines in a single Olympics came in the 1992 Barcelona Games, where 26 Filipinos – including boxing bronze medalist Roel Velasco – competed.
Chances are, Tolentino said, the Philippines will exceed the 19-man team it sent to Tokyo in 2021, with nine Filipinos already assured of Olympic berths three months before Paris opens hostilities in July.
“Momentum is there. They’re inspired,” said Tolentino in Filipino.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas, and weightlifters Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno, and John Ceniza have booked their tickets to Paris.
A fourth weightlifter, Rosegie Ramos, aims to reach Paris as she waits for the International Weightlifting Federation to release the final qualification ranking in May.
Ramos is currently a spot outside the top 10 qualification cutoff in her women’s 49kg class.
The Philippines is also guaranteed three more Olympic berths – one in athletics and two in swimming – through the universality rule if no one meets the standard qualifying times.
Swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jarrod Hatch were identified by the POC as the top candidates to obtain the universality places for Paris.
Other potential qualifiers include Bianca Pagdanganan (golf), Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics), Kurt Barbosa (taekwondo), Rogen Ladon, Carlo Paalam, Hergie Bacyadan, and Criztian Pitt Laurente (boxing), and Cris Nievarez and Joanie Delgaco (rowing).
Pagdanganan is well inside the top 60 of eligible female golfers who will qualify for Paris, Malabuyo can clinch her Paris spot through the FIG World Cup Series, while Barbosa hopes to nail a reallocation spot after falling short of an outright berth in the World Taekwondo Asian Qualification Tournament.
Ladon, Paalam, Bacyadan, and Laurente get one last shot at Paris in the second World Qualification Tournament in May in Bangkok, Thailand, while Nievarez and Delgaco compete in the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Continental Qualification Regatta in Chungju, South Korea, this April.
Also in the running for Paris are Robyn Brown, Lauren Hoffman, Kristina Knott, John Tolentino, Janry Ubas, and Eric Cray (athletics), Jericho Francisco (skateboarding), Patrick Coo and Shagne Yao (cycling), Franchette Quiroz (shooting), Kiyomi Watanabe, Keisei Nakano, and Shugen Nakano (judo), and Samantha Catantan, Noelito Jose, Hanniel Abella, and Nathaniel Perez (fencing).
Olympic-bound Filipinos will get a chance to adjust to France as the POC will hold a month-long training camp in Metz – about two hours east of Paris by train – starting on June 22. – Rappler.com
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Metro Manila LGUs set 7 am to 4 pm work hours starting May 2 | jpcruz0306 | 10/04/2024 13:07 | METRO MANILA TRAFFIC. Heavy traffic builds up on the southbound section of EDSA in Quezon City on August 24, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Local government offices in Metro Manila will operate from 7 am to 4 pm instead of the usual 8 am to 5 pm starting May 2, in response to worsening traffic problems.
“The persistent traffic congestion in Metro Manila demands innovative solutions for the improvement of commuting conditions and the well-being of the citizens of the [National Capital Region],” read a Metro Manila Council resolution dated February 28.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Acting Chairman Don Artes announced the new working hours on Wednesday, April 10, during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s town hall meeting on traffic woes.
Originally, the new work hours were supposed to take effect starting Monday, April 15. But in an MMDA press conference on Friday, April 12, Metro Manila Council head and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said the shift will instead start on May 2. This is to give more time for the public to prepare.
Even after the shift in work hours takes effect, a skeletal workforce will still be left in local government offices until 5 pm to assist those transacting there. Zamora said this will continue until the public is already used to the 7 am to 4 pm schedule.
Meanwhile, the resolution also “strongly” encourages national government agencies in Metro Manila to adopt the adjusted working hours.
Artes disclosed that out of 645,000 government employees in Metro Manila, approximately 22%, or 145,000 individuals, own vehicles.
During the town hall, Artes outlined several policies implemented under his watch, including the ban on e-trikes, increased fines for illegal use of the EDSA bus lane, stiffer penalty for illegal parking, and the establishment of exclusive motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
He also announced plans to expand motorcycle lanes across the metro and add more Mabuhay Lanes.
According to the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index, Metro Manila ranks as the top metro area with the slowest travel time out of 387 cities across 55 countries. On average, it takes 25 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 kilometers in Metro Manila. – Rappler.com
Improving transportation infrastructure and policies is part of the call of various groups to #MakeManilaLiveable. On Rappler, we have created a dedicated space for stories and reports about liveability in Philippine cities. Learn more about the movement here.
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Whoever came up with this idea, you failed to mention.
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[The Slingshot] Red zipper on the mouth of Sara Duterte | Chay Hofilena | 12/04/2024 16:45 | Whitcomb L. Judson, an American inventor from Chicago, patented the zipper in 1892. It was used to bind together the edges of a flexible material for footwear, luggage, bags, tents, etc., aside from fabrics used in clothing.
Today, the zipper is a commonly used device and comes in nine various types. There is a tenth type – a virtual zipper that binds the lips of politicians and high government officials to allow them to choose which public pronouncements to say that will preserve their political and vested interests. Zippers of today also come in an assortment of colors. Sara Duterte’s is colored red, for Red China.
Sara uses her mouth zipper with ease. She unzips it when she pleases.
The following are occasions when she unzipped her mouth’s fly as vice president of the land. These were occasions when she revealed her official position as the country’s No. 2 high official or as education secretary, either by a written or verbal statement, the latter usually in her favorite medium – a statement read over recorded video.
Why through video, such as her seasonal greetings for the Red China national day every October 1, said in broken Mandarin? (N.B. She repeated her Xi Jin Ping salutations in 2023). Impromptu statements (such as during ambush interviews by media) discomfort her because of her palpable lack of articulateness of statecraft. Written or pre-recorded statements conceal her inadequacy.
She was neutral on her stand on the Russian assault in Ukraine. Asked in March 2022 when she was yet a candidate for vice president, she said local governments only follow the direction of the national government. That night, the government voted to support a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
She was silent for the most part of her first few months in office as vice president. Less talk, less mistake? But when she did, it was a shocking mistake.
In November 2022, a brawl had erupted at the basketball game of Jose Rizal University (JRU) and De La Salle University. JRU’s John Amores run amok in court, in full view of spectators, hurting two of the players. Both JRU and the NCAA suspended Amores. The two players then filed complaints of physical injuries in court against Amores.
But Sara, the education secretary, sided with Amores. She wrote him a letter that made him gush, for its almost amorous support of Amores even as he had gone berserk. And she wrote officially – “You have a friend from the Office of the Vice President.” Amores was bursting with exhilaration: “I will have this letter framed.”
A much bigger brawl erupted in July 2023. The issue was sensitive to Sara – corruption. No one but no one in her home city of Davao brings up that forbidden phrase – corruption by the Dutertes. If you see and hear the evil, zip your mouths.
Only a year in office as vice president and education secretary, the Commission on Audit had already flagged her. She opened seven satellite offices using cash from its officers subject to reimbursement in the amount of P668,197.20, a prohibited procurement practice. State auditors, of course, flagged her for non-compliance with procurement rules in violation of Republic Act 9184. Which begs the question – what procurement method was she habituated to doing at the Davao city hall?
Sara fought back, but directed her anger at ACT Teachers party list Representative France Castro. She qualified the COA red flag by saying it did not issue any notice of suspension or disallowance. ACT Teachers had hurled accusations of corruption. Sara went personal and ballistic: “Save the time and energy to conjure wild speculations about OVP spending.” And the vice presidential mouth was unzipped again, ready to rumble.
That same month in July 14, 2023, she had a statement recorded that probably goes down as her most immature yet. She was speaking as Department of Education top honcho. The event was the graduation of the Ismael Mathay Sr. High School in Quezon City. Instead, she advised students to get into romantic relationships. The remarks were ad-libbed.
“Okay lang naman na mag-boyfriend at girlfriend kayo. Now na! Ngayon na, ngayon na, sige na! I-text nyo na – Iniibig kita!” (It’s OK to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. This very moment! Right now, go ahead! Text and say – I love you!)
A non-bylined blog went to her defense by interpreting her, saying that “young love and heartbreak can lead to personal growth and resilience.” But in the face of colossal problems besetting the bedridden state of education in the country, it was hardly a policy statement that could lift it from the doldrums. It magnified the major deficiency that the education secretary was unfit for policy work.
And rumbled again she did in October 2023.
The exposure was sensational. When she faced snowballing public condemnation over her requested non-audit funds amounting to P500 million for the OVP and P150 million for the DepEd, she went ballistic naturally. Why naturally? One can easily read – confidential and intelligence funds not subject to audit were her norms at the Davao city hall (P460 million annually from 2016 to 2022), and never must one question such Duterte impropriety.
The incensed public had understood the issues – transparency, accountability, and legality (no such allocations were given to her predecessor, much less the DepEd). Sara reacted with a veiled threat during a speech delivered in Butuan city. “Kung sino man kumokontra sa confidential funds ay kumokontra sa kapayapaan.” In essence, enemies of peace are those who question how she spends public money. It was gaslighting par excellence. It was also red-tagging wholesale.
It was trademark Sara Duterte caprice. The painful part was, she was unmasked. She had never been unmasked in her home turf for her use of confidential funds and ghost employees.
Sara can unzip her mouth at will. But not when it comes to defending the integrity of the country in the face of Red Chinese bullying in the West Philippine Sea. That is why the zipper on her mouth is colored red. It must not defend the Philippines over Red China ever.
Her brother Paolo offered a characteristically weird defense of his sister. Take note: Paolo is another Duterte who, each time he opens his mouth, issues statements that can be said only by a thug. It was Holy Week and he likened the public criticisms against his sister to Christ’s martyrdom. “We pause and pray this Holy Week and reflect on the savior Jesus Christ as he is nailed to the cross, we shall also reflect on why you nail everything to the Vice President. It was not the VP’s job to demonize China.”
Asked in an ambush interview why she continues to be silent on Red Chinese harassment in the WPS, Sara replied with no scruples: “No comment. My brother’s statement was comprehensive.” Please look up the meaning of comprehensive.
She crossed the ethical line once again. A family member, a sibling, does not speak officially for, and on behalf of, a high official of government. It is unbecoming at the very least. The last time that happened, Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos would speak for each other because they were conjugal dictators. Paolo Duterte is not an official of the OVP nor the DepEd. But that is the unchecked habit in Davao city – governance is a family affair. The Dutertes are more than conjugal dictators.
What explains their love affair with Red China? That question needs to be asked. Various pundits have commented on it. Social media is ablaze with criticisms over her silence. It is a valid yardstick – after all, the Filipino distrust for Red China is phenomenally high consistently across all survey firms.
So what could explain the Duterte acquiescence for Red China? There may be no plausible answer as of now. There is someone, however, who has studied the numerous bank accounts of the Duterte family members and who wishes to venture into the realm of speculation, absent any clear paper trail at this moment in time.
But it is a view that may appear to be the most reasonable, that the Dutertes could be stashing their money through bank accounts in Hongkong and Xiamen, protected by the Red Chinese state. It was not incidental that whistleblower Arturo Lascañas had alleged that the Dutertes are into the drug trade, and that the business partners are Red Chinese. Any false move the Dutertes make against Xi and his dictatorship could be fatal – he could spill the beans on them. And then they could lose their wealth.
Would that paper trail of their bank accounts be laid open one day? Not only does the Filipino public need incontrovertible evidence. It is also important to stop all the money flow into their bank accounts because that is what finances their troll power, their influence, and their perpetuity in government. The Duterte fantasy must end. – Rappler.com
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I agree with ANTONIO J. MONTALVAN II: “Sara Duterte’s (zipper) is colored red, for Red China.” If I may add, its value is equivalent to their bank deposits in Mainland China.
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COA upholds disallowance of DENR-Davao Region chopper rental in 2012 | Mia Gonzalez | 12/04/2024 8:00 | COA. The Commission on Audit in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, on October 2, 2018.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed the disallowance it issued in 2013 to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Davao Region officials over the alleged overpayment for a helicopter rental deal in 2012.
In its decision released on Thursday, April 11, the COA en banc denied the petition for review of DENR-Davao Region officials as there was no public bidding for the chopper lease, which amounted to P45,272.72 per hour.
COA said this is in violation of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
Those held liable for the disallowance are former DENR regional executive director Jim Sampulna, accounting section chief Judith Abrenica, and JN Agabon Enterprises.
The ruling was signed by COA chief Gamaliel Cordoba and commissioners Roland Café Pondoc and Mario Lipana. The commission directed the Prosecution and Litigation Office to forward the case records to the Office of Ombudsman for investigation and for possible filing of charges against the concerns officials and individuals.
In junking the petition, COA affirmed the disallowance it had issued in 2013 against the full payment of P498,000 to J.N. Gabon Enterprises, but lowered the amount to P362,182, representing the excess charge.
COA sustained the position of Sampulna and Abrenica that since the deal costs less than P500,000, it falls under the threshold for “small value procurement.” COA, however, said that under the rules, the agency is required to secure proposals from at least three independent suppliers.
In line with the DENR’s anti-logging campaign, Task Force Kalasangan, assigned in Mindanao, did an aerial survey of the boundaries of Davao Region and Caraga on June 23, 2012.
DENR-Davao Region paid P498,000 for its helicopter rental, equivalent to 11 hours of flying time but auditors found that the aerial survey lasted just three hours.
In appealing the disallowance, Sampulna and Abrenica cited the Aircraft Operations Log (AOL) that showed that the rented helicopter was in the air for over five hours and not only three hours, which the audit team had based on the Post Flight Operations Log (PFOL).
The respondents argued that the waiting time should be included, which raises the rental hours to over nine hours.
The COA said, however, that a review of the records showed that the chopper arrived at Davao Airport at 8:25 am on the day of the aerial survey, contrary to the lease terms that the aircraft would be available for 11 hours starting 7 am.
COA also said that the petitioners did not submit the “subsequent pages of the AOL which should show the actual time of takeoff and possibly the return/landing time.”
COA said the justification to include the waiting time in the rental hours used was “unconvincing (for) being a self-serving statement” as if was not supported by evidence.
“Since the petitioners failed to provide convincing evidence to support their computation of the total number of hours to be used in determining the proper amount of payment, that calculation of the SA/ATL (supervising auditor/audit team leader) should be upheld,” the commission said. – Rappler.com
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Duterte defends suspended Davao del Norte governor, slams Marcos again | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 16:49 | DEFIANT. In this file photo, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib addresses his supporters at the provincial capitol in Tagum City on April 11, 2024.
Newsline Philippines
DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has come to the defense of Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, who was ordered suspended from office by Malacañang for two months for alleged abuse of authority and oppression.
“Mr. President, hindi mo na sinusunod ang demokrasya. You are veering toward a more authoritarian leader (sic). Tinanggal mo ang governor ng Davao del Norte na walang rason!” Duterte addressed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a late-night press conference in Davao City on Thursday, April 11.
(Mr. President, you’re not following democracy anymore. You’re veering towards becoming a more authoritarian leader. You removed the governor of Davao del Norte without any reason!)
Jubahib defied the preventive suspension order issued by Malacañang, and his supporters have surrounded the provincial capitol in Tagum City, protesting the order since Thursday morning, April 11.
The order, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, placed Jubahib under preventive suspension for 60 days effective on Thursday, April 11, after it found “strong evidence of guilt” in a complaint filed by Provincial Board Member Orly Amit.
“What is very unbelievable for me is wala silang ibinigay na notice kay Governor Jubahib. Wala lahat. Basta sinabi lang sa kanya na umalis ka! Mr. President, Governor Jubahib is elected by the people. You respect the will of the people of Davao del Norte! You are violating his right to due process of law. You are veering dangerously to being an authoritarian leader. Hindi ko nagustuhan yung style mo, Mr. President,” said Duterte.
(What is very difficult for me to believe is that they didn’t give any notice to Governor Jubahib. None at all. They just told him to leave! Mr. President, Governor Jubahib was elected by the people. You should respect the people’s choice in Davao del Norte! You’re ignoring his right to a fair legal process. You’re getting dangerously close to becoming an authoritarian leader. I don’t like your style, Mr. President.)
Jubahib, who called the reason for the suspension order petty, said Amit complained about his act of ordering a capitol-owned vehicle to be taken from the provincial board member and assigning it to the Davao del Norte Provincial Engineering Office. The governor said the vehicle was assigned back to Amit after a month.
For that, according to Jubahib, Amit filed a complaint against him for grave abuse of authority and oppression before the Office of the President.
On Thursday, Jubahib said he suspected that Malacañang’s actions against him were “politically motivated,” and likely the handiwork of Antonio Lagdameo Jr., the special assistant to the President.
Lagdameo is a close relative of an influential family in Davao del Norte, the Del Rosarios, whose decades of political grip in the province Jubahib loosened when he won the gubernatorial post in 2019. He defeated a member of the Del Rosario family in 2019, and defeated another candidate endorsed by the family in 2022. – Rappler.com
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Look who’s talking. The former authoritarian President accuses his successor of being one. A taste of his own medicine? But note that, as of this incident, Marcos’s brand of authoritarianism is still far below that of Duterte’s in terms of degrees of control and repression.
I was just going to make the exact same comment! 🙂
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Criminal complaint filed vs model accused of foiled sexual assault on Cianne Dominguez | jreyes0314 | 12/04/2024 14:57 | Cianne Dominguez's Instagram
Trigger warning: Sexual assault
MANILA, Philippines – The Quezon City Police Department (QCPD) announced on Friday, April 12, that a criminal complaint has been filed against male model Shervey Torno after It’s Showtime host Cianne Dominguez accused him of foiled sexual assault.
On the evening of Thursday, April 11, Dominguez, whose real name is Tricia Anne Florendo, was reportedly waiting for an elevator at her apartment building when she spotted Torno seated at the lobby area. The two entered the elevator, with Dominguez headed to the 8th floor, and Torno to the 11th.
When Dominguez got off the elevator on the 8th floor, Torno followed her and walked towards the unit at the end of the hall. After Dominguez hurriedly entered her own unit, through her peephole, she saw Torno standing outside her door.
“Upon opening the door slightly, the suspect said, ‘Anong Facebook mo ‘te? ang ganda mo [kasi] (What’s your Facebook? You’re beautiful),” the police report said.
The suspect then put his hand around the victim’s waist, and said, “Pa-kiss nga (Give me a kiss),’” the police report added.
Dominguez then managed to push Torno away and sought help from the security guard at the lobby, who apprehended the 25-year-old male model.
Torno was brought to Kamuning Police Station 10. The QCPD said that Torno “will be charged with Foiled Sexual Assault before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.”
Quezon City police chief Brigadier General Redrico Maranan said they have assured Dominguez that the suspect will be held accountable. He urged the public to also report such incidents immediately so ensure that those responsible will be put behind bars.
“Magdoble ingat tayo sa lahat ng oras at ireport agad ang ganitong mga pangyayari. Tinitiyak ng QCPD sa biktima na pagbabayaran ng suspek ang kanyang ginawa dahil walang puwang dito sa ating lungsod ang mga ganitong klaseng tao,” Maranan said.
(Let’s be extra careful at all times and report incidents like this immediately. The QCPD has assured the victim that the suspect will pay for what he did because our city does not have space for people like him.)
Dominguez’s father had also spoken up about the incident in a Facebook post on the evening of Thursday, April 11. He asked for prayers for his daughter as she had been left traumatized by the incident.
As of writing, Dominguez has yet to issue her own statement on the matter. – Rappler.com
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Former MILF camp hosts US-Philippine military exercises in Maguindanao del Norte | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 15:31 | DEMONSTRATE. American soldiers demonstrate casualty scenario training with Philippine troops during the ongoing military exercises in Maguindanao del Norte.
courtesy of Kutangbato News
COTABATO, Philippines – What used to be the main camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Bangsamoro region is now the site for war exercises between United States and Philippine troops.
The joint Philippines-US military exercises, which started on April 8, are ongoing at Camp Abubakar in Barira, Maguindanao del Norte, which has since been turned into a camp by the 1st Marine Brigade.
The Marine Exercises (Marex) 2024, which will run until April 19, is intended to strengthen maritime security operations and share tactical knowledges between the US marines and Central Mindanao-based security forces, alongside Navy reservists in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The aim is also to strengthen regional security against the global terrorism threat.
Some 50 members of the US Marine Corps under the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force are leading the exercises and training with Philippine troops from the 1st Marine Brigade, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, police commando forces in the BARMM, and Navy reservists.
Marex 2024 marks the first-ever bilateral military exercise in Central Mindanao.
Brigadier General Eric Macaambac, commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, said the military exercises are a result of the Philippines and US’ endeavor to strengthen the security “not only from the threats of global terrorism but also from threats brought about by calamities and natural disasters.”
Major General Alex Rillera, commander of the Joint Task Force Central, said the ongoing joint military exercises are “a good opportunity to showcase alliance between United States and Philippine Armed Forces.”
He said that engagement not only covers simulations of military operation, but would also strengthen community relations and humanitarian assistance as well.
“We all know that in any military operation, the utmost priority is the well-being of the civilians who will be caught in the middle of a firefight. That is why civilian considerations are given the highest consideration during planning,” Rillera said.
US and Philippine military officials described the exercises as symbol of “enduring partnership” and a “beacon of cooperation” in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Philippines is caught in a territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea with China, and Chinese forces have been showing aggression against Filipino fishermen and security forces in the area.
Colonel Douglas Krugman of the US 1st Marine Division’s 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, said, “Our countries have maintained a longstanding alliance, spanning generations. Through continuous collaboration and training, we aim to showcase our collective strength and readiness. Anyone seeking to threaten this region must contend with the formidable forces that have honed their skills over decades.”
The ongoing exercises include Subject Matter Exchange Exercise (SMEE) and Combined Field Training Exercise (FTX), with a focus on maritime security in coastal areas, amphibious assault operations, and special operations. This involves placing surface forces within the Naval Task Group Central and the Joint Task Force-Central Joint Area of Operations (JTFC JAO). – Rappler.com
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Who’s next? Chiz Escudero is latest politician to apologize for improper use of EDSA bus lane | Kaycee | 12/04/2024 13:37 | About a hundred motorists were apprehended by traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for unauthorized passing along the EDSA Busway in Pasay City, on November 13, 2023, the start of the implementation of the imposition of higher fines for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Chiz Escudero apologized Friday, April 12, after a private vehicle bearing the protocol license plates issued to him was caught Thursday passing through the dedicated EDSA bus lane.
In a statement on Friday, Escudero admitted that the errant vehicle with a No. 7 license plate – typically issued to senators – was “unauthorized” as it was a “driver of a family member” that was behind the wheels on Thursday.
“Following the incident, I have directed the driver to appear before the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and to answer the charges he faces for the violation,” Escudero said.
Reports noted that a black Toyota Land Cruiser with the No. 7 plate went through the dedicated bus lane along EDSA on Thursday.
When enforcers were issuing a traffic violation ticket the driver sped off, leaving behind his expired driver’s license to the authorities.
Escudero said he does not use the protocol license plates on his vehicle. He added that the violative plates would be surrendered to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). He did not disclose whether the driver had any passengers on board.
“I commend the authorities for their vigilance and reiterate my support for government efforts to ensure that traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila are observed by all – regardless of rank, title, or position,” Escudero said.
The vehicles allowed to pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel lane are public utility buses, emergency vehicles such as hospital ambulances, and government vehicles responding to emergencies.
Escudero is not the first politician to apologize in relation to violating EDSA traffic rules.
Just this week, on April 8, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson was issued a ticket after his private vehicle was caught going through the EDSA bus lane. Unlike Escudero, Singson was onboard the vehicle at the time.
In November last year, a convoy of vehicles going through the busway tried to get away with getting fined by name-dropping Senator Bong Revilla.
Aside from public buses, the only vehicles allowed to go through the EDSA yellow lane are convoys of the president, vice president, Senate president, House Speaker, and the Supreme Court chief justice.
In November, the MMDA started imposing higher fees for those who violate traffic rules. – Rappler.com
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US, Japan, PH express ‘serious concern’ over China actions in Ayungin Shoal, Senkaku Islands | Bea Cupin | 12/04/2024 11:04 | TRILATERAL SUMMIT. US President Joe Biden escorts Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to their trilateral summit at the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2024.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
MANILA, Philippines – The United States, Japan, and the Philippines expressed “serious concern” over China’s actions in the South China Sea and the East China Sea in a In a joint vision statement on Friday, April 12 (April 11 in Washington).
The statement followed the historic leaders’ trilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington, after Kishida’s state visit to the US. Biden had a separate meeting with Marcos before the trilateral summit.
The South China Sea divides the Philippines and Chinese mainland, while the East China Sea is located between Japan and China.
The two bodies of water have been the setting of China’s growing aggressive maritime actions. In the West Philippine Sea, or part of the South China Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, China has repeatedly harassed Philippine vessels – from government ships to the wooden boats of Filipino fisherfolk.
The US, Japan, and the Philippines called out China’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior” in the South China Sea. (ANALYSIS: The more complicated dispute in the world)
“We are also concerned by the militarization of reclaimed features and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea. We steadfastly oppose the dangerous and coercive use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea, as well as efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation,” the three leaders said in the joint statement.
China has also been sending government ships to waters off Senkaku Islands, and making incursions into Japan’s territorial waters.
“We express our serious concerns regarding the situation in the East China Sea, and reiterate our strong opposition to any attempts by the PRC to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea, including through actions that seek to undermine Japan’s longstanding and peaceful administration of the Senkaku Islands,” the statement read.
The three countries announced the creation of a “trilateral maritime dialogue” that would “enhance coordination and collective responses to promote maritime cooperation.” The coast guards of the three countries are set to embark on another joint exercise, as well as a joint Indo-Pacific patrol in 2024.
“We are concerned about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. We support the ability of Filipino and Japanese fisherfolk to pursue their traditional livelihoods,” the leaders said.
“To build regional capacity and address threats posed by transnational crime, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and other maritime challenges, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States plan to expand our efforts to provide maritime law enforcement training and support to partner countries in the region,” they added in their joint statement.
Maritime security and peace in the Indo-Pacific was the major theme of the first-ever trilateral leaders’ summit in the White House. Both the Philippines and Japan are treaty-allies of the US, relationships that Biden affirmed in the joint statement.
“Today, President Biden reaffirms the ironclad US alliance commitments to both Japan and the Philippines, which have helped safeguard peace and security in the Indo-Pacific for decades,” read the statement.
Marcos, speaking at the beginning of the summit, described the trilateral cooperation as the “natural progression of a deepening relations and robust cooperation amongst our three nations.”
Ties between the Philippines and the US have been on “hyperdrive” under Marcos, after the Duterte administration’s pivot to China and away from its traditional allies like the US. Japan-Philippine ties have also increased steadily through the years, with Manila being the first recipient of Tokyo’s Official Security Assistance.
Both Tokyo and Washington have called on Beijing to respect the “final and legally binding” 2016 arbitral ruling, which affirmed that Ayungin Shoal or Second Thomas Shoal is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Beijing has insisted that this ruling is invalid.
US, Japan, and Philippine leaders also emphasized the “importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of global security and prosperity” as it called on a “peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.” Beijing has insisted that reunification with democratically-governed Taiwan was inevitable, sparking concerns that it would resort to force. – Rappler.com
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P2-M more in cold cash, cryptocurrency materials found in Tarlac POGO | Joann Manabat - CMS | 12/04/2024 15:33 | EVIDENCE. Millions in cash, seed phrases, crypto wallets, mobile phones, flash drives, documents, identification cards, handcuffs and an expandable metal baton are among the items found in the remaining vaults at the Baofu compound of the Zun Yuan Technology Inc on Thursday, April 11.
Joann Manabat/Rappler
TARLAC, Philippines – Authorities recovered millions more in cold cash, crypto-currency related materials and other goods when they opened Thursday, April 11, the 15 remaining vaults out of the 27 they discovered in the Baofu compound of Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Bamban, Tarlac that was raided by authorities last month.
Around P2.1 million more in cash of various currencies, seed phrases, crypto wallets, mobile phones, flash drives, documents, identification cards, handcuffs and an expandable metal baton were among the items found in the remaining vaults.
Seed phrases and crypto wallets are used in dealing with crytocurrencies.
When the first batch of the vaults were opened on April 8 law enforcers seized P5.5 million, $444, 20,000 Vietnamese dong, and 20 Hong Kong dollars, as well as passports and documents.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio said the digital evidence that were found in the vaults could strengthen the case against Zun Yuan, its owners and incorporators. Casio said all digital evidence will undergo forensic examination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG).
Casio added the confiscated employment visa IDs and alien certificates of registration will also undergo verification.
“Marami tayong nakitang mga iPhones and androids, USBs and other digital evidence that are subject to forensic examination. Makikiusap tayo sa ACG na kung maaari padaliin nila ang pag subject to digital forensic nang mas mapalalim yung ating evidence sa Zun Yuan at sa incorporators niya at mga taong nagpapatakbo nito,” Casio said.
(We found a lot of iPhones and Android phones, USBs and other digital evidence that are subject to forensic examination. We will ask the ACG if they can expedite these to digital forensics to deepen our evidence on Zun Yuan, its incorporators, and the people who are running it.)
“Nakabibigla pero typical na yung mga posas, baton sa mga POGOs. So siguro sa mga pagkakataon na hindi nila namimeet yung kanilang mga quotas, pinaparusahan sila,” he added.
(It’s shocking but the handcuffs and batons are typical for POGOs. So maybe on occasion when they don’t meet their quotas, they are punished.)
A Malaysian and a Vietnamese, Dylan and Danny, were among the foreign nationals who reported torture and abuse in the facility. Dylan was bought for P300,000 to work for Zun Yuan while Danny escaped from the Baofu compound on February 25. (A previous version of this story stated that the escape took place on February 28. This has been corrected. – Editors)
They are both detained at the Nasdake building in Pasay City together with other foreign nationals who are set to be deported, including six alleged Chinese fugitives.
Executive Director Lucas Bersamin ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze and preserve the entire 10-hectare Baofu compound and its 36 structures, including the nine villas and 38 vehicles. The entire facility will be under the custody of PAOCC.
Among the documents found in one of the vaults was a blacklist lift order issued in April 2023 by the Bureau of Immigration for a Chinese named Wang Shuichao.
Casio said the lift order was a case to case basis. However, all foreign nationals in POGOs are blacklisted from entering the country, he said. Shuichao is not included in their database, he said.
“Well, there was somebody here who used to be blacklisted and the black list was lifted. For what reason, I would think that’s in order unless otherwise proven. So far in our database, we didn’t see him here among those we caught,” he said.
“For us, as far as the Commission is concerned, blacklist everyone and deport all of them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the eight foreigners, charged with alleged violations of human trafficking and serious illegal detention were also arraigned on April 11 at the Regional Trial Court Branch 66 in Capas.
The case of the Filipina was dismissed. All foreign nationals have pleaded not guilty except for one who filed a motion to extend the preliminary investigation through his legal counsel which was granted, said Casio. – Rappler.com
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Water district advises Cagayan de Oro consumers to prepare for supply disruption | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 13:59 | REFILL. A city hall worker refills water containers to help residents in need of water during a recent supply interruption in Cagayan de Oro.
Cagayan de Oro City Information Office
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Water consumers in the city panicked as the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) released a public advisory urging people to store water in case its primary supplier makes good on its threat to stop supplying it with treated water due to a disputed debt claim.
The supplier, Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Incorporated (COBI), has given the COWD until Friday, April 12, to pay over P400 million for the water supply, which has accumulated since 2021 – a debt the water district refused to acknowledge.
Engineer Antonio Young, COWD general manager, said they advised water consumers in Cagayan de Oro and parts of Misamis Oriental to store tap water in anticipation of a likely 24-hour supply interruption.
Young said the 24-hour period would give the COWD enough time to transition and tap other bulk water suppliers.
The COWD said it has prepared to deliver water to certain areas of the city in collaboration with the city government, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other groups.
It said water bladders and steel tanks will be set up in strategic areas.
The COWD also said valving schemes to channel supply to affected areas will be implemented in case COBI discontinues its supply to the water district.
Villages identified by the COWD to be adversely affected include Pagatpat, Canitoan, Upper Balulang, Upper Carmen, Patag, Bulua, Iponan, Kauswagan, Bonbon, Bayabas, and portions of Lumbia.
In the city’s second district, the COWD said the water supply in the villages of Camaman-an, Lapasan, and portions of Gusa, Cugman, and Macasandig would be affected.
The COWD also said the neighboring villages of Igpit and Barra in Opol town, Misamis Oriental, would likely be impacted.
The advisory was met with public criticisms directed at COWD and COBI, a firm controlled by business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Water, due to their failure to reach a settlement.
COBI, which supplies some 80,000 cubic meters of treated water to the COWD daily, has been pressuring the water district to pay a debt of more than P400 million, which mostly represents the accumulated price difference since COBI implemented an increase in its water rates in 2021.
The COWD refused to acknowledge and pay the amount, invoking a force majeure clause in their 2017 contract. The water district argued that the COBI rate increase during the COVID-19 pandemic was unacceptable.
Mae Shanne Angelic Siglos, a water consumer from Barangay Bonbon, said, “It wouldn’t be fair for people to suffer just because the COWD and COBI couldn’t reach an agreement.”
She said her family has been paying the COWD on time because the last thing they wanted was a disconnection notice.
“Unya karon tungod kay wala sila nagbayad sa ilang dues sa pagkuha nila sa water supply, kami na gyud ang mag-antos,” Siglos said on Friday, April 12.
(Now, since they have not been paying their dues to their source of water, we will be the ones to suffer.)
She appealed to COWD and COBI to find a solution for the sake of the city’s water consumers.
Lawyer Roberto Rodrigo, senior legal counsel for Metro Pacific Water, told Rappler on Thursday that COBI has not yet decided to resort to disconnection with finality.
“We will only resort to cutting the water supply as our last option… That’s why we would like to give the water district every chance,” Rodrigo said.
He said COBI executives were still looking forward to meeting with their COWD counterparts along with representatives from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) before Saturday, April 13. – Rappler.com
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Dry spell cost Masbate, Albay at least P171 million in farm losses | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 11:39 | FARMING. A farmer walks along a dried-up rice field in Naic, Cavite, on May 4, 2023.
Rappler
SORSOGON, Philippines – The scorching heat and dry weather conditions brought on by the El Niño phenomenon continue to wreak havoc on the Bicol Region’s farms, with damage to agriculture in two provinces reaching at least P171 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region V reported on Wednesday, April 10.
The province of Masbate has incurred the most losses so far, amounting to P140.6 million, while farmers in Albay have lost at least P30.38 million as of March 19, according to Lovella Guarin, DA-Bicol’s public information officer.
Data obtained by Rappler show that Albay and Masbate alone had 6,561.72 hectares of rice fields adversely affected by the drought, 2,300 hectares of which are beyond recovery.
Guarin noted that the impacted farmlands could have yielded about 8,000.53 metric tons of rice.
The El Niño phenomenon has affected at least 3,070 farmers in the towns of Placer, Dimasalang, San Pascual, Milagros, Cawayan, and Esperanza in Masbate, and 4,059 farmers in the municipalities of Libon and Pio Duran in Albay, totaling 7,129 farmers, according to the DA.
Agriculture officials in four other Bicol provinces – Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes – have yet to submit their damage reports to the DA as of Wednesday.
Aggravating the problems caused by the heat and dry conditions are various pests that have damaged some 1,047 hectares of corn and rice fields in the region, according to the DA-Bicol’s Regional Crops Protection Center (RCPC).
The pests include bacterial leaf blight, fall armyworms, stem borers, corn plant hoppers, brown plant hoppers, and rodents.
RCPC data showed that pests impacted farms across several towns in two provinces. In Albay, the towns of Tiwi and Oas saw 19 hectares affected. In Camarines Norte, Daet and Labo were impacted with 21 hectares.
About 989 hectares were also affected by pests in Camarines Sur across the towns of Bula, Pili, Tigaon, Gainza, Minalabac, Baao, Buhi, Libmanan, Bombon, Magarao, and Calabanga.
In Catanduanes, the towns of Virac, Gigmoto, and Panganiban had five hectares impacted, while Prieto Diaz and Sorsogon City in the province of Sorsogon saw 33 hectares affected.
Guarin said these areas and the about 1,392 affected farmers are separate from those impacted by the drought.
The RCPC noted that the infested farms were either in the vegetative or reproductive stages.
Guarin explained that the DA has been assisting the affected farmers by providing biological control agents for manageable infestations and chemical pesticides for more advanced stages.
The RCPC report did not provide an estimate of the losses due to the pests.
The DA in the region has called on local governments to submit damage reports to the agriculture office so that timely interventions and assistance can be provided to affected farmers. – Rappler.com
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5 Taal Volcano phreatic eruptions occur on April 12 as sulfur dioxide stays high | Acor Arceo | 12/04/2024 11:40 | PHREATIC ERUPTION. A steam-driven or phreatic eruption is seen from Taal Volcano's main crater in Batangas on April 12, 2024.
Phivolcs
MANILA, Philippines – Five phreatic or steam-driven eruptions occurred at Taal Volcano in the province of Batangas on Friday, April 12, with the first eruption generating “a white steam-laden plume” 2,400 meters or 2.4 kilometers tall.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in an advisory that the first eruption happened from 5:11 am to 5:24 am.
“The phreatic event was likely driven by the continued emission of hot volcanic gases at the Taal Main Crater and could be succeeded by similar phreatic activity,” added Phivolcs.
The agency later said in a Facebook post that four more steam-driven eruptions occurred from 9:45 am to 3:22 pm. These came from “a new vent on the southwest side of the Taal Main Crater” and produced plumes 100 to 300 meters high.
On Thursday, April 11, the volcano’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 9,677 tons per day, which is considered a high level.
Since January, SO2 emission has been averaging 10,248 tons per day.
Phivolcs warned on Friday that communities around the Taal Caldera face “the threat of potential long-term health impacts” since they are “frequently exposed to volcanic gas.”
People with respiratory and heart illnesses, the elderly, pregnant women, and children are most vulnerable to volcanic smog or vog.
“Local government units are advised to continuously monitor and assess preparedness of their communities and undertake appropriate response measures to mitigate hazards that could be posed by long-term degassing and related phreatic activity,” the agency said.
While SO2 remains elevated, Phivolcs has observed only “background levels of volcanic earthquake activity and ground deformation,” which indicate the unrest “is unlikely to progress into magmatic eruption.”
Taal Volcano has been under Alert Level 1 or “in abnormal condition” since July 11, 2022.
Under Alert Level 1, these are possible:
Phivolcs still recommends the prohibition of entry into Taal Volcano Island. – Rappler.com
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What’s next for Hidilyn Diaz? Family time, new skills | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/04/2024 22:30 | ICON. Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines celebrates after a lift in the Tokyo Olympics.
Edgard Garrido/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – Missing the Paris Olympics is not the end of the world for Hidilyn Diaz.
The Philippines’ first and only Olympic champion, Diaz plans to spend more time with her family and learn new skills after falling short of her bid to reach the Summer Games for a fifth consecutive edition.
Diaz, 33, said she can finally pursue her culinary aspirations that she set aside to focus on her weightlifting career that saw her win silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and a historic gold in the 2021 Tokyo Games.
“The Olympics and weightlifting are not my everything. I sacrificed a lot of my time to train, and sometimes, I forget to enjoy the process because I am caught with the high expectations and high pressure of being an elite athlete,” Diaz wrote on her social media accounts on Thursday, April 11.
“This moment is for me to learn new skills – join classes and workshops to learn to cook and bake. I have long wanted to take culinary courses since I was 22 years old, and now, I will not just imagine doing pasta, pizza, and kare-kare, I will bake and cook some for my friends and family.”
Diaz devoted her life to weightlifting since she took the sport seriously during her teenage years.
Even after Diaz married her coach, Julius Naranjo, in July 2022 exactly a year after her triumph in Tokyo, it did not take long for the Zamboangueña to shift her focus back to weightlifting as she needed to compete at a heavier weight class for Paris.
Diaz ruled the women’s 55kg division in Tokyo, but she had to move up to 59kg as Paris organizers scrapped her previous weight category.
Now, Diaz can devote more time to people closest to her heart.
“This is #FamilyTime. I will be spending time with my family, ninongs and ninangs, and my friends. Together, we’ll make memories and enjoy the time with them,” she said.
“I realized what is forever. And it is not fame, not money, not even winning or losing, but God, family, and real friends. These are my forever.”
Diaz missed the cut for Paris as compatriot Elreen Ando, whose original 64kg class in Tokyo also got stricken off, clinched the lone Olympic spot up for grabs for the Philippines in the 59kg category.
The 25-year-old Ando saved the best for last in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, last April 3 with a total lift of 228kg to unseat Diaz in the top 10 of the Olympic Qualification Ranking.
Diaz, meanwhile, failed to surpass her best record of 224kg she set in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.
But Diaz said her career is far from over.
“[I] will still lift, continue to lift, and inspire young Filipino athletes to become Olympic champions,” said Diaz, who also won gold medals in the world and continental championships, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games.
“Winning is not everything – it is being on the platform and taking on the challenges that give inspiration to other athletes. Thank you to the athletes who messaged me and said that I inspired them.”
“I served and will continue to serve my purpose in weightlifting, as I inspire many athletes to dream high, take the challenge, and work hard to achieve their dreams and never give up.”
And even if Diaz decides to hang up her spurs, she plans to stick around the sport as she and Naranjo run the HD Weightlifting Academy in Rizal.
“I will also learn to do business and invest myself in education to be a better sports leader. I have a lot of things to learn in life,” Diaz said. – Rappler.com
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Who’s next? Chiz Escudero is latest politician to apologize for improper use of EDSA bus lane | Kaycee | 12/04/2024 13:37 | About a hundred motorists were apprehended by traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for unauthorized passing along the EDSA Busway in Pasay City, on November 13, 2023, the start of the implementation of the imposition of higher fines for unauthorized use of the EDSA Busway.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Chiz Escudero apologized Friday, April 12, after a private vehicle bearing the protocol license plates issued to him was caught Thursday passing through the dedicated EDSA bus lane.
In a statement on Friday, Escudero admitted that the errant vehicle with a No. 7 license plate – typically issued to senators – was “unauthorized” as it was a “driver of a family member” that was behind the wheels on Thursday.
“Following the incident, I have directed the driver to appear before the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) to comply with the show-cause order issued to him and to answer the charges he faces for the violation,” Escudero said.
Reports noted that a black Toyota Land Cruiser with the No. 7 plate went through the dedicated bus lane along EDSA on Thursday.
When enforcers were issuing a traffic violation ticket the driver sped off, leaving behind his expired driver’s license to the authorities.
Escudero said he does not use the protocol license plates on his vehicle. He added that the violative plates would be surrendered to the Land Transportation Office (LTO). He did not disclose whether the driver had any passengers on board.
“I commend the authorities for their vigilance and reiterate my support for government efforts to ensure that traffic rules and regulations in Metro Manila are observed by all – regardless of rank, title, or position,” Escudero said.
The vehicles allowed to pass through the EDSA Bus Carousel lane are public utility buses, emergency vehicles such as hospital ambulances, and government vehicles responding to emergencies.
Escudero is not the first politician to apologize in relation to violating EDSA traffic rules.
Just this week, on April 8, former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson was issued a ticket after his private vehicle was caught going through the EDSA bus lane. Unlike Escudero, Singson was onboard the vehicle at the time.
In November last year, a convoy of vehicles going through the busway tried to get away with getting fined by name-dropping Senator Bong Revilla.
Aside from public buses, the only vehicles allowed to go through the EDSA yellow lane are convoys of the president, vice president, Senate president, House Speaker, and the Supreme Court chief justice.
In November, the MMDA started imposing higher fees for those who violate traffic rules. – Rappler.com
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In US-Japan-PH trilateral summit, North Korea and Russia get called out too | Dwight de Leon | 12/04/2024 10:51 | INAUGURAL SUMMIT. US President Joe Biden hosts Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a trilateral summit at the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2024.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
MANILA, Philippines – Not only China but also North Korea and Russia got the short end of the stick during the landmark summit between the Philippines, the US, and Japan in Washington on Friday, April 12 (Manila time).
While the event was largely expected to condemn Beijing’s harassment tactics in the South China Sea, participants of the trilateral summit also called out Pyongyang and Moscow for their nuclear activities.
“Our three nations affirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and strongly condemn the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) escalatory threats and unprecedented number of ballistic missile launches, including multiple intercontinental ballistic missile launches, which pose a grave threat to peace and security,” said the trilateral summit’s joint vision statement.
The Marcos administration has repeatedly condemned North Korea’s activities. Just last December, he warned about Pyongyang’s actions that “destabilize the region and the world” during a friendship summit between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
“We strongly urge the DPRK to comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and refrain from continued development, testing, and transfer of ballistic missiles to any country, including Russia, which has used these missiles against Ukraine,” the joint statement added.
Moscow’s ties with Pyongyang have deepened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. North Korea has delivered rockets to Russia, and sent workers to its fellow authoritarian power.
“As we continue to affirm our commitment to international law, including the United Nations Charter, we reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders,” the joint statement also said.
“Russia’s threats of nuclear weapon use in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are unacceptable, and we state unequivocally that any use of a nuclear weapon by Russia in Ukraine would be completely unjustifiable,” it added. – Rappler.com
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Metro Manila LGUs set 7 am to 4 pm work hours starting May 2 | jpcruz0306 | 10/04/2024 13:07 | METRO MANILA TRAFFIC. Heavy traffic builds up on the southbound section of EDSA in Quezon City on August 24, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Local government offices in Metro Manila will operate from 7 am to 4 pm instead of the usual 8 am to 5 pm starting May 2, in response to worsening traffic problems.
“The persistent traffic congestion in Metro Manila demands innovative solutions for the improvement of commuting conditions and the well-being of the citizens of the [National Capital Region],” read a Metro Manila Council resolution dated February 28.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Acting Chairman Don Artes announced the new working hours on Wednesday, April 10, during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s town hall meeting on traffic woes.
Originally, the new work hours were supposed to take effect starting Monday, April 15. But in an MMDA press conference on Friday, April 12, Metro Manila Council head and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said the shift will instead start on May 2. This is to give more time for the public to prepare.
Even after the shift in work hours takes effect, a skeletal workforce will still be left in local government offices until 5 pm to assist those transacting there. Zamora said this will continue until the public is already used to the 7 am to 4 pm schedule.
Meanwhile, the resolution also “strongly” encourages national government agencies in Metro Manila to adopt the adjusted working hours.
Artes disclosed that out of 645,000 government employees in Metro Manila, approximately 22%, or 145,000 individuals, own vehicles.
During the town hall, Artes outlined several policies implemented under his watch, including the ban on e-trikes, increased fines for illegal use of the EDSA bus lane, stiffer penalty for illegal parking, and the establishment of exclusive motorcycle lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
He also announced plans to expand motorcycle lanes across the metro and add more Mabuhay Lanes.
According to the 2023 TomTom Traffic Index, Metro Manila ranks as the top metro area with the slowest travel time out of 387 cities across 55 countries. On average, it takes 25 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 kilometers in Metro Manila. – Rappler.com
Improving transportation infrastructure and policies is part of the call of various groups to #MakeManilaLiveable. On Rappler, we have created a dedicated space for stories and reports about liveability in Philippine cities. Learn more about the movement here.
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Cruise control: Eya Laure credits solid Chery support system after 4th straight win | jisaga0269 | 11/04/2024 21:55 | SUPPORT SYSTEM. Chery Tiggo spiker Eya Laure (8) approaches her teammates in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines—Early in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers were thrust into a heated spotlight after they dropped to a 2-2 record following a stunning sweep loss to massive underdog Farm Fresh Foxies.
Since that fateful encounter, the loaded contenders have rebounded hard, winning four straight games, including eye-opening sweeps against champion Creamline and contender Cignal.
Young star spiker Eya Laure, who led the 26-24, 25-20, 26-24 stunner over the HD Spikers with 16 points, highlighted her teammates’ strong support over one another as the key difference in their massive turnaround with the semifinals nearing by the day.
“It’s really a great thing that we’re helping one another. Some of us fall, but we pull one another right back up,” Laure said in Filipino after the Thursday, April 11 win. “That’s a really good thing, especially near the end of games and sets.”
“Someone always reminds us on what we need to do, what we need to resolve so it won’t happen again. It’s a big factor that may seem small. We tap teammates who make mistakes and reassure them that it’s okay. Morale never falls that way.”
Sure enough, that solid camaraderie showed itself in full force Thursday night, as every player who subbed in was in top form, including the likes of EJ Laure (13 points, 13 digs, 11 receptions off bench), Ara Galang (11 points), and former MVP Mylene Paat (5 points off bench).
It was a far cry from the Chery Tiggo team that looked utterly lost against Farm Fresh, a team full of youngsters compared to the Crossovers’ star-studded veteran cast.
Laure hopes that this red-hot streak continues as Chery Tiggo firms up its semifinal bid with three remaining games in the elimination round against tough PLDT, resurgent Akari, and upstart Galeries Tower, in that order.
“Every day is a work in progress. It’s a big thing that the coaches are always there who never tire from teaching us techniques,” she continued.
“The guidance is a big thing. It’s still a work in progress regarding our jelling inside and outside the court.” – Rappler.com
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PH, US, Japan coast guards to hold exercises, patrol in Indo-Pacific | Bea Cupin | 12/04/2024 8:57 | Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and Japan Coast Guard's Akitsushima (PLH-32) participate in drills to improve search and rescue collaboration and enforcement during the first trilateral coast guard exercise between the Philippines, Japan, and the US, at the coast of Bataan on June 6, 2023.
REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – The White House on Friday, April 12 (Thursday, April 11 in Washington), announced plans to conduct another at-sea trilateral exercise of the coast guards of the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The US also said it was “[looking forward] to welcoming Philippine and Japan Coast Guard members onto a US Coast Guard vessel during a patrol in the Indo-Pacific.”
The White House made the announcement following a bilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House. The meeting preceded the first-ever leaders’ trilateral meeting between Marcos, Biden, and Japan Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, also at the White House.
In June 2023, Manila was host to the first-ever trilateral coast guard exercise of the three nations. The US’ USCGC Stratton and Japan’s Akitsushima joined the Philippines’ BRP Gabriela Silang and Melchora Aquino to conduct maritime law enforcement exercises in the West Philippine Sea, some 15 nautical miles off the coast of Bataan province.
The West Philippine Sea is the term the Philippines calls part of the South China Sea, including areas that are part of the country’s exclusive economic zone.
In a joint statement following the trilateral meeting, Biden, Kishida, and Marcos announced the creation of a “trilateral maritime dialogue to enhance coordination and collective responses to promote maritime cooperation.”
Plans to host a patrol in the Indo-Pacific aboard a US Coast Guard vessel, as well as a commitment to hold another trilateral exercise at-sea is only the latest in growing maritime security ties between the three countries.
The weekend prior to the trilateral meeting in the White House, the US, Japan, the Philippines, and Australia held a joint sail in the West Philippine Sea. Before that, the Philippines has held joint sails with the US thrice and with Australia once.
Closer ties between the three comes as tensions in the West Philippine Sea continue to increase. China claims practically the entire South China Sea, including parts where the Philippines ought to enjoy sovereign rights.
Beijing has ignored a 2016 arbitral ruling that affirmed the Philippines’ rights in those waters.
Under Marcos, Manila has been more assertive in defending its sovereign rights and sovereignty claims in the West Philippine Sea, compared to the previous Duterte administration. China has answered back with more and more aggression.
In Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal) and Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels have used their water cannons against smaller Philippine ships. The CCG has also often worked in tandem with the so-called Chinese Maritime Militia, fishing vessels that augment CCG forces in the South China Sea.
Japan is an especially crucial partner for the PCG. Most of the PCG’s newer ships are from Japan, and five more Japan-made vessels are set to be added to the PCG’s fleet.
Both the Philippines and Japan are treaty-allies of the United States. – Rappler.com
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DENR files criminal case vs vlogger, companion for ‘maltreatment’ of tarsiers | jsitchon0312 | 12/04/2024 10:02 | TARSIER. In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature added the Philippine Tarsier on the list of 25 most endangered primates of the world.
Timm Rannu/Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc.
CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Soccsksargen has filed a criminal case against vlogger Ryan Parreño and his companion for “maltreating” two tarsiers based on a viral video shot in South Cotabato.
“For the information of the public…we filed a criminal case against Ryan Parreño and Sammy Estrebilla for violation of Section 27, paragraphs (f), and (h) of RA 9147 or the Wildlife Act of 2001 in relation to Section 20, paragraphs (a), and (b) of RA 7586, as amended by RA 11038 known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018,” DENR-Soccsksargen chief Felix Alicer said in a statement on her office’s official Facebook page on Thursday, April 11.
“Our evaluation disclosed that a crime has been committed under the stated provisions of RA 9147. The filing of the case against the violators is an action taken so that citizens would not imitate the disturbing same acts,” he added.
The crimes allegedly committed under RA 9147 are collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife; and maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries.
Estrebilla was with Parreño when he took the viral video in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok town in South Cotabato.
Parreño was seen with Estrebilla picking up two tarsiers in the wild and using them for content in a now-deleted video that went viral on social media on Wednesday, April 10. The video sparked public outrage as well as discussions on animal welfare.
The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Incorporated told Rappler that the tarsiers were a mother and a baby.
“Seeing the tarsiers, a mother and a baby, being harassed helplessly at their very fragile state brings up unspeakable frustration. We are with the sentiments of the people,” the foundation said in a statement on Thursday night, April 11.
“Using animal harassment for content for the sole purpose of social media clout puts not just endangered species but all animals in danger. We commend the swift action of DENR,” they added.
On July 3, 1997, then-President Fidel V. Ramos signed Presidential Proclamation No. 1030, declaring the Philippine tarsier as a “Specially Protected Faunal Species of the Philippines.”
According to the Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, the Philippine tarsier commonly inhabits rainforests. Their species is mostly found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao.
In an article by Tom Lumapas on the official website of the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, the Philippine Tarsier is said to have a recorded life span of 12 years at most in captivity.
“However, a great many of these tarsiers die only after a day or at most a few days if kept unhealthily in small cages and/or put under great strain while in captivity,” Lumapas wrote.
Rappler has reached out to Parreño for a statement on the issue but has yet to receive any reply. – Rappler.com
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US, Japan to help Philippines build corridor connecting Luzon economic hubs | Dwight de Leon | 12/04/2024 9:32 | EXPRESSWAY. In this file photo, workers finish the remaining section of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road's España section, on December 5, 2022.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The United States and Japan committed to help the Philippines accelerate the construction of infrastructure projects that will connect major economic hubs on the island of Luzon.
The project was unveiled during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trip to Washington, where he held a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden, and a separate trilateral meeting that included Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
“Today we are launching the Luzon Economic Corridor, which will support connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila, and Batangas in the Philippines,” read the joint vision statement of the three countries after the trilateral summit on Friday, April 12 (Manila time).
“Through this corridor, part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment-IPEF Accelerator, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States commit to accelerating coordinated investments in high-impact infrastructure projects, including rail, ports modernization, clean energy and semiconductor supply chains and deployments, agribusiness, and civilian port upgrades at Subic Bay,” it added.
The three countries said they seek to promote the project and attract investments on the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Manila in May.
“The Luzon Corridor is a demonstration of our enhanced economic cooperation, focused on delivering tangible investments across multiple sectors. Japan, the Philippines, and the United States are also partnering to expand cooperation and investments in other areas of the Philippines,” the joint vision statement also read.
The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) also targets to open a regional office in Manila “to facilitate further investment across the country.”
A separate fact sheet published by the White House after the earlier bilateral meeting between Marcos and Biden said DFC is also granting the Marcos administration a new $20-million loan, on top of the $80 million it previously committed, for affordable housing projects in the Philippines. – Rappler.com
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LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1WeVY_hQ5q-Rite447Hp3KmbfzNDtOVhIO5kIOOCKjV0r0DDyUD_gigu0_aem_ACUbDVb0AFoDrUdZKop4iQ | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Duterte to Quiboloy: ‘Please leave me out of this’ | Herbie G | 12/04/2024 10:04 | Former president Rodrigo Duterte speaks during a press conference at a restaurant in Davao City on February 27, 2024.
Manman Dejeto/Rappler
DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines – Former president Rodrigo Duterte has declined to facilitate the surrender of his friend, fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, saying he did not want to be part of his legal problem.
During a late night news conference on Thursday night, April 11, Duterte told reporters in Davao he won’t broker for Quiboloy’s surrender.
“No, hindi ko siya tatanggapin. Hindi naman ako authority. Pastor, ikaw naman ang wanted. Huwag mo naman akong damayin dito,” he told reporters before addressing the embattled leader of the group Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
(No, I won’t accept him. I’m not the authority here. Pastor, you’re the one wanted. Please leave me out of this.)
Duterte said this after a regional court in Pasig ordered Quiboloy and several of his associates arrested in connection with a qualified human trafficking case, a nonbailable offense.
Quiboloy also has two arrest warrants in Davao for child abuse and sexual abuse of a minor, and has been served, through his lawyer, a contempt warrant by the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms over his non-appearance in a committee’s investigation into the alleged abuses committed against former KOJC members.
Duterte also disclosed that he has been in touch with the pastor, claiming that he even called him up hours earlier.
He said Quiboloy was hiding somewhere in his sprawling property in Barangay Tamayong in Davao City.
Duterte told reporters, “Gusto n’yong malaman kung saan talaga si Pastor Quiboloy? Nasa Tamayong lang siya, ‘yun yung refuge niya. Wala naman siyang ibang bahay, yung Kingdom compound. Tumawag ako kanina (April 11). Nag-usap kami. Malaking-malaki ang Tamayong and there are so many houses there. Mahirapan talaga ang authorities in finding him there because he has so many houses there. Isa-isahin nila ang mga bahay.”
(Do you want to know where Pastor Quiboloy really is? He’s just in Tamayong, that’s his refuge. He doesn’t have any other house, just the Kingdom compound. I called earlier. We talked. Tamayong is huge and there are many houses there. The authorities will really have a hard time finding him there because he has so many houses there. They should check each house one by one.)
He said he advised Quiboloy that “if you don’t get a fair deal with this (Marcos) administration, huwag kang lumabas sa Tamayong (don’t leave Tamayong).”
Duterte said he was familiar with the Tamayong property because the fugitive pastor gave him a sleeping quarters there.
“May tulugan ako dyan sa kingdom, sa likod ng kapilya. May kwarto ako doon,” he said.
(I have a place to sleep there in the Kingdom, behind the chapel. I have a room there.)
Authorities have been to the Tamayong property to look for Quiboloy and serve the arrest warrants from a Davao court and the Senate’s contempt warrant twice, but failed to locate the elusive preacher.
In an audio recording made public by his group on April 6, Quiboloy said he would not be caught alive.
He also said he would only surrender if the Marcos administration would guarantee in writing that the United States would not meddle in his cases in the Philippines and that he will be protected, and the Senate committee would stop its ongoing investigation into the alleged abuses in the KOJC.
Quiboloy has been wanted in the US since early 2022 for a string of criminal cases which include sexual abuse, human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering, among others. – Rappler.com
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LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1WeVY_hQ5q-Rite447Hp3KmbfzNDtOVhIO5kIOOCKjV0r0DDyUD_gigu0_aem_ACUbDVb0AFoDrUdZKop4iQ#story-2638276 | null | null | null | null | null | null |
LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2-plA9edQMRuxQTIxQTyMx59Orsf38JYLac7sg4Aj8g9-Mqxkr5LrWX_M_aem_5sNu1894mamihRgujWCKtg#story-2638268 | null | null | null | null | null | null |
LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2jsrNvlBYTHJGqKoiFVvTy9aBz-1hF1m5EgD8gV7QK0M2NYpKT48EmpVY_aem_nI_1vMoL7G9gSg6L5rklqg | null | null | null | null | null | null |
LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0IG5pvVrxlOHleaeS3vVRpJeL63N1jFbagYspce0PXoAVee0oaic2uu3g_aem_M9JQ8r9KuH9hjWV0HyVeMA#story-2638247 | null | null | null | null | null | null |
LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0T-tsgZMkWGAJ7b8HYF_hRxQ7i63BPomRn-Cf2X1igbOw-W6qNF-0pN40_aem_2eZDvf0g5Z3caGsycLQRqg#story-2638224 | null | null | null | null | null | null |
LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR02rjopza2kiYbKoCnmYAohUvxTlkLpj_C_Go19Pg7GdMyKWmE_Bh9ent0_aem_-hjhO3IcOc1j_BkEsZtvzA#story-2638109 | null | null | null | null | null | null |
LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0T-tsgZMkWGAJ7b8HYF_hRxQ7i63BPomRn-Cf2X1igbOw-W6qNF-0pN40_aem_2eZDvf0g5Z3caGsycLQRqg#story-2637563 | null | null | null | null | null | null |
LIVE UPDATES: Marcos at the 1st US-Philippines-Japan trilateral summit | No author found | 13/04/2024 14:42 | MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Washington for the inaugural summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
The landmark event comes as tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea, an issue that is front and center during the landmark summit.
Marcos meets with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the summit on Thursday, April 11.
Bookmark this page for live updates.
President Marcos says in a media interview in Washington that he also plans to get answers from former Duterte officials on his predecessor’s “gentleman’s agreement” on Ayungin Shoal with his Chinese counterpart.
Read more.
A cooperation agreement by the Philippines, the United States, and Japan will change the dynamic in the South China Sea and the region, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday, April 12, while seeking to assure China it was not a target.
“I think the trilateral agreement is extremely important,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington a day after meeting US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the nations’ first trilateral summit.
“It is going to change the dynamic, the dynamic that we see in the region, in ASEAN in Asia, around the South China Sea,” Marcos said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Read more.
“That’s not the role of the Vice President or the secretary of education to talk about China,” President Marcos says in an interview with Philippine media in Washington.
Read more.
Business deals that the Philippines secured at a summit with Japan and the United States will not affect China’s investments in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday.
“This (trilateral agreement) is separate from any proposed or potential Chinese investments in the Philippines. How do I see it, how will it affect? I don’t see that it will affect, one way or the other,” Marcos told a press conference in Washington after the summit.
WASHINGTON, USA – The White House said on Friday, April 12, there is no reason for China to see a US summit this week with Japan and the Philippines as a threat.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby spoke after China complained to Japan and the Philippines about some of the rhetoric emerging from President Joe Biden’s summit talks with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week.
“These meetings were not about any one other nation. This was about deepening and revitalizing existing alliances and partnerships and strengthening some new ones,” Kirby told reporters.
“There’s no reason for the PRC to look at this as any kind of a threat. This was simply a discussion between three allies about mutual challenges and quite frankly mutual opportunities that we are trying to explore in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said. – Rappler.com
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the three countries. Rappler multimedia reporters Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon give a rundown of what was discussed, from the South China Sea problem, to investment pacts.
The three nations call out Beijing’s “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese ships routinely obstruct Philippine missions to a military outpost.
Read more.
Ahead of the first trilateral United States-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit, US President Jos Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House in Washington on April 11 (April 12, Manila time). | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/philippines/updates-marcos-jr-philippines-united-states-japan-trilateral-summit-april-2024/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0CuRcHX2UieflPjQMUNEvRrhUzROxQVaO_XIMpxttPpoB5MOvkScyx8Yg_aem_rIM0sW3uw9oljBzv9943zw | null | null | null | null | null | null |
Injury-riddled Magnolia acquires Jerrick Balanza from Converge | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/04/2024 20:33 | ATTACK. Jerrick Balanza in action for the Converge FiberXers in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia pulled off its first trade of the season with hopes of turning its fortunes around in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Off to a shaky 2-2 start in the All-Filipino tiff, the Hotshots acquired Jerrick Balanza from Converge in exchange for a future second-round pick, the league announced on Thursday, April 11.
The addition of Balanza comes in the middle of an injury-riddled campaign that saw Magnolia lose forwards Aris Dionisio and Rome dela Rosa, who both hurt their ankles earlier this conference.
Without Dionisio and Dela Rosa, the Hotshots lost back-to-back games to Barangay Ginebra and NLEX before it got back on track with a crucial win over NorthPort.
Balanza parts ways with the FiberXers after just over a year as he is to set play for his fourth PBA team in Magnolia.
Picked 13th overall in the 2019 PBA Draft, Balanza suited up for Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort before he got shipped to Converge in January last year, reuniting him with his former Letran coach Aldin Ayo.
Balanza saw limited action for the FiberXers in the Philippine Cup, averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in just under seven minutes of action per game.
With the Hotshots, Balanza gets a chance to nail his first win of the conference as Converge remains winless in six games. – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/injury-riddled-magnolia-acquires-jerrick-balanza-from-converge/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3uLWKq69FmkdVfzUHRPO3l4g_JQ4e3sAWHBsAHOsudung0TFz3spRDIRM_aem_5ulFmIPhu_l16a_sYuLWJA | null | null | null | null | null | null |
DOH reminds public to get kids vaccinated as pertussis cases climb | Michelle Abad | 11/04/2024 15:00 | VACCINATION. Children's vaccination is in full swing in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, as ordered by Mayor Neil Lizares due to the pertussis threat in the province.
Talisay City government
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday, April 11, reminded the public to get their children vaccinated as pertussis or whooping cough cases climbed in the first quarter of 2024.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa reported 1,112 pertussis cases from January to March, with 54 deaths. Of these, some 70% were hospitalized.
Majority of these cases were younger than five years old.
“If you look at the trends, we are still looking at an increasing trend. And we hope immunization will help stem the transmission of pertussis cases,” Herbosa said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Herbosa emphasized that all 54 deaths so far were vaccine-preventable. Picking up from dialogues with the Quezon City local government unit (LGU), he said that many of the children who were hospitalized had already been sick for days, and should have been given antibiotics by the time they had reached four to five days without getting better.
Quezon City is among the LGUs that have declared a pertussis outbreak, together with Iloilo City and Cavite province.
“In fact, last year, many of these LGUs had no case of pertussis because we were able to prevent these with vaccination,” said Herbosa.
“Ang problema, ‘pag dumadami ang numero ng bata na hindi bakunado sa pertussis, ay kumakalat ‘yung cases,” he added. (The problem is, when the number of unvaccinated children increases, the disease spreads more.)
Children can be protected from pertussis by getting vaccinated with a five-in-one DPT-HepB-HiB vaccine, also called the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus; hepatitis B; and Haemophilus influenzae type B.
These are given in three doses, starting at six months old. Younger children below six months, who do not usually get ill with pertussis, are getting infected by older children who are unvaccinated, Herbosa said.
The DOH chief said the country still has a steady supply of the pentavalent vaccine until May – around 2 to 3 million. However, with the vaccination campaign ongoing, and more LGUs declaring outbreaks, health authorities believe that these will run out fast.
Around 6 million procured pentavalent vaccine doses are expected to arrive in the country by July.
For the past three weeks, the following regions have reported new cases of pertussis: Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: Bathing, drinking cold water safe in hot weather | Ailla Dela Cruz | 11/04/2024 18:45 | Claim: A person exposed to hot weather should wait 30 minutes before bathing or washing body parts exposed to heat.
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook reel containing the claim has 14,400 reactions, 398 comments, and 12,000 shares as of writing.
The video lists things a person should do during a heat wave. Among its reminders: “Kapag umabot ang temperatura ng 38°C at galing ka sa labas, huwag kaagad maghugas ng kamay o paa, wag maghilamos o basain ang bahaging nabilad sa araw. Magpalipas ng di bababa sa 30 minuto o kalahating oras bago maghilamos o maligo.”
(When the temperature reaches 38° and you are coming from outdoors, do not immediately wash your hands, feet, face, or body parts exposed to the sun. Wait for at least 30 minutes or half an hour before washing or bathing.)
The video also cautioned against drinking cold water immediately when the temperature reaches 40° as this can supposedly make small blood vessels burst.
The facts: The Department of Health (DOH) already debunked these claims in a media forum last year.
In March 2023, then-DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire clarified that bathing is the most effective way to cool down a person exposed to heat.
“Iyong bawal na maligo o bawal na dampian ng tubig for about 30 minutes, that is not true. Ang ginagawa nga po natin…kino-cool down natin ang kaniyang katawan. And ang most effective po diyan ay mabigyan natin ng shower iyong pasyente, basta conscious siya,” Vergeire said, addressing myths circulating online on the dos and don’ts during a heat wave.
(It is not true that [a person] cannot bathe or be exposed to water for about 30 minutes. What we are doing is cooling down the body. And the most effective way to do it is to give the patient a shower, as long as he is conscious.)
Vergeire also clarified that a person exposed to heat can drink cold water depending on one’s condition. A person who is conscious can safely sip cold water, while an unconscious person should not be forced to drink water as it may cause the person to choke. However, Vergeire noted that suddenly drinking cold water after heat exposure could cause headaches due to temperature changes.
Recurring claim: Similar claims have been debunked by Philstar, VERA Files, and ABS-CBN.
In the 2021 VERA Files fact check, neurologist Jose Paciano Reyes of the Philippine Neurological Association explained that instead of exploding as the misleading Facebook video claims, “the physiologic response to cold exposure causes skin blood vessels to constrict to conserve heat.”
The neurologist added that the sudden immersion of the body in cold water can cause “cold shock,” causing people to experience loss of breathing control, constriction of blood vessels, and an increase in blood pressure. While drinking and bathing with cold water is safe for healthy individuals, those with cardiac disease should exercise caution as the increase in blood pressure may “increase the chances of a heart attack and stroke in susceptible individuals,” according to Reyes.
Extreme temperatures: The Philippines’ warm and dry season, or what Filipinos often call “summer,” began on March 22. This season usually lasts until May, with temperatures expected to rise. In recent weeks, the DOH advised the public to take precautions as high heat index levels could lead to heat-related illnesses. – Ailla Dela Cruz/Rappler.com
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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Pasig court orders Quiboloy’s arrest | The wRap | Cara Angeline Oliver | 11/04/2024 23:21 | Today’s headlines – the latest news in the Philippines and around the world:
A Pasig City court issue warrants of arrest against doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy over qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense.
The Department of Health reminds the public to get their children vaccinated as pertussis or whooping cough cases climbed in the first quarter of 2024.
US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveil plans to upgrade their military cooperation ranging from missiles to moon landings, with an eye on countering China and Russia.
China’s Xi Jinping tells former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, outside inference could not stop the ‘family reunion’ between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and there are no issues that cannot be discussed.
The Bureau of Immigration deports Pokwang’s ex-partner Lee O’Brian after it was confirmed he had no pending local case in the Philippines. – Rappler.com
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Shaira to re-release ‘Selos’ after agreement with original artist Lenka’s team | Ysa Abad | 09/04/2024 12:08 | Shairaa Moro Singer's Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Bangsamoro pop singer Shaira Moro announced that her viral hit song “Selos” will be returning to online streaming platforms after her team reached an agreement with the camp of Australian singer-songwriter Lenka.
The update came weeks after “Selos” was taken down from all online streaming platforms after Shaira’s team acknowledged that the track uses the melody of Lenka’s 2008 song “Trouble Is A Friend.”
At the time, Shaira’s agency AHS Productions clarified that they voluntarily removed “Selos” from all online streaming platforms as they are currently in the process of clarifying “the legality of the publication of the song.”
On Sunday, April 7, the Mindanao-based singer clarified that there were no charges filed against her and her team.
“Wala pong kaso ang isinampa laban sa amin. Sa katunayan, naging mahinahon at mapayapa ang pag-uusap namin ng kampo ni Lenka at nauwi po ito sa pagkakaroon ng kasunduan,” Shaira said.
(No case was filed against us. In fact, we had an amicable and peaceful communication with Lenka’s camp and it resulted to us reaching an agreement.)
The artist also opened up that while she and her team felt hurt by the negative comments they received because of this issue, they’ll choose to consider it as a lesson.
“Sa tulad kong isang local artist na baguhan pa lamang sa kalakaran ng musika, naging leksyon po sa amin ang mga naturang pangyayari,“ she continued. (For a local artist like me who’s only starting in the music industry, this served a lesson for us.)
With this, she updated fans that she will soon re-release “Selos” on streaming platforms, alongside her other new songs.
Shaira then expressed her gratitude towards those who continue to support their team. “Sana po ngayon ay maging masaya na lamang po tayo dahil hindi lang naman po ito para sa akin, para rin po dito sa mga kapwa kong Bangsamoro artists at sa mga kapwa kong Pilipino,” she said.
(We hope that you’ll be happy for us because this isn’t only for us, but also for my fellow Bangsamoro artists and other Filipino artists.)
Aside from “Selos,” Shaira’s “Forever Single (Walang Jowa)” was also removed from streaming platforms, as netizens have pointed out that the song sounds similar to “Masih Mencintainya” by Indonesian band Papinka.
As of writing, Shaira has 520 monthly listeners on Spotify. Some of her other songs that are still available to stream on Spotify include “Datu Manis,” “Pakboy – Fuckboy,” and “Natipbad (Lalakeng Abusado),” among others. – Rappler.com
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Olympic athletics champions to earn $50,000, end of 128-year tradition | Jasmine Payo | 10/04/2024 20:54 | VAULT. The Philippines' Ernest John Obiena in action during the men's pole vault final in the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.
Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters
LONDON, UK – Athletics has become the first sport to offer prize money to Olympic champions, announcing on Wednesday, April 10, that the 48 gold medalists in Paris this year will earn $50,000 each to end a 128-year tradition.
Although the concept of purely amateur competition has long since disappeared from the modern Olympics with athletes often receiving payments from sponsors and professionals taking part for more than 30 years, the World Athletics decision is a major shift for the Games to deal with.
“This is an issue for our sport,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe told reporters.
“But I don’t believe this is remotely at variance with the concept that the IOC often talks about, which is recognizing the efforts that our competitors make for the overall success of the Games.”
Coe said there had been no discussion about the plan with the International Olympic Committee, only that his organization had give the IOC a heads-up shortly before announcing the $2.4 million prize pot.
“While it is impossible to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, or on the commitment and focus it takes to even represent your country at an Olympic Games, I think it is important we make sure some of the revenues generated by our athletes at the Olympics are directly returned to those who make the Games the global spectacle that it is,” Coe said.
The IOC, which has yet to comment on the development, distributes revenues from the Olympics to the international federations. A total of $540 million was allocated to the 28 sports at the Tokyo Games with World Athletics receiving the most at $40 million.
Norway’s Olympic 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm welcomed the news.
“I think it’s good so I want to salute them for it,” he told Reuters. “It doesn’t change my motivation to win because for the Olympics I’m not in it for the money. The gold medal is worth a lot more to me personally. But when it comes to building a professional sport, I think it’s going in the right direction.”
The amateur ethos of the Olympics, severely undermined by the success of state-sponsored competitors from the former Eastern Bloc, was swept away when the IOC agreed to allow professional athletes to compete in tennis, soccer and ice hockey at the 1988 Seoul Games
Basketball followed in 1992 and superstar professionals from the NBA gained huge attention when coming together in the United States “Dream Team.”
Despite the continuing lack of prize money, athletes in many sports receive hefty bonuses from their governments and sponsors for triumphing in the biggest shop window of all.
Although athletics is the Olympics’ biggest sport by number of participants and TV audiences, the vast majority of athletes, including many medalists, face a constant struggle for funding.
When Briton Coe won his 1,500 meters gold medals at the 1980 and 1984 Games, the Olympics and athletics were officially for amateurs, but he rejected the idea the new plan would undermine the amateur ethic.
“I’m probably the last generation to have been on the 75p meal voucher and a second class rail ticket when competing for my own country,” the 67-year-old said.
“So, I do understand the nature of the transition we’ve been in. It is a completely different planet from when I was competing, so it is very important that the sport recognizes that change in landscape and the added pressures on many competitors.”
In 1992, the concept of trust funds for athletes was introduced and gold medallists at the 1993 world championships in Stuttgart received Mercedes cars. Gold medallists at last year’s world championships earned $70,000, only $10,000 more than when prize money was introduced in 1997.
Olympic silver and bronze medallists in athletics will also receive prize money, but only from the 2028 Los Angeles Games, with details to be announced at a later date. – Rappler.com
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[Judgment Call] Resisting mob mentality for warrantless arrests | lfangeles0309 | 11/04/2024 17:37 | Guia Abogado/Rappler
When a vlogger gripped a tarsier in his hand, and said, “Smile, baby, smile,” the wrongdoing was apparent. “Tarsiers are nocturnal animals and should not be disturbed in their sleep,” environmental lawyer Esther Getrude told our reporter John Sitchon.
Viewers were angry at the vlogger from Polomolok, South Cotabato. Arrest him; jail him, they said. And it wasn’t lost on our staff that this sentiment would make for a strong headline and angle. But I appealed against it.
Hello, I’m Lian Buan, Rappler’s longtime justice reporter who is now the minder of our justice and human rights cluster. While the mishandling of the tarsier was an environmental story, our Desk heard me out because the human rights violation that the online mob was encouraging was apparent. “We are amplifying the mob mentality for warrantless arrests” with the original headline, I said.
So we went for the angle that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Soccsksargen was investigating the matter. Our managing editor said that even if netizens’ reaction to an issue is part of the story, we don’t necessarily let it dictate the headline or the angle of the story.
Why would it be wrong to amplify netizens’ call for such arrest? Because only a judge can order the arrest of a person (except in the legislature’s use of their contempt powers, and, even then, that power is limited).
Warrantless arrests can be done, but only if one was caught in the act of committing a crime, or there is probable cause to believe the person has just committed the crime. These limits were set by the Bill of Rights to avoid abuse by law enforcers.
Let us not forget that not so long ago, thousands of Filipinos were arrested without warrants for improperly wearing face masks. Authorities said these people were caught in the act of violating Republic Act 11332 or the Law on Reporting Communicable Diseases, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) later conceded was the wrong law.
During the lockdown, a homeless woman was arrested without a warrant for ”shouting” at authorities who reminded her of curfew hours. Police said she was caught violating Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits disobedience to authority. It is human nature to question an apprehension, especially if you have nowhere to go during curfew. What’s to stop police from interpreting any resistance as disobedience? That’s giving them wide latitude.
When Senator Koko Pimentel went to the hospital to visit his wife despite being a COVID-19 suspect, people were understandably upset. One friend asked me, when will Pimentel be arrested? I said: Not at this point since a complaint should first be filed, a prosecutor should hear it, and a judge should order his arrest if there’s basis for that – that‘s how the rule of law goes. The friend retorted: But that is double standard.
It is. But if we want to apply the law fairly to people we like, we should be ready to apply it fairly even to people we do not like.
Warrantless arrest sometimes operates on the principle of continuing crime. But it’s a principle for grave crimes like terrorism. If a terrorist bombs a place today, he continues to be a terrorist tomorrow, or the next week when he is spotted roaming the streets of Manila.
In July 2019, the DOJ threatened to arrest without a warrant agents of the Kapa-Community Ministry International if they continued to solicit. Asked for the basis of such a threat, the DOJ pointed to a pending complaint for violations of the securities code, and that if agents continued to solicit, the crime also continued.
I asked: Can libel be a continuing offense? Can journalists accused of libel be arrested without a warrant? Don’t be OA, Lian, I can almost hear the room thinking.
But I was not overreacting. The previous Duterte government has a history of stretching the law. Two months before that Kapa warning, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested without a warrant a webmaster who allegedly uploaded the “Ang Totoong Narcolist” videos. The initial offense cited was cyber libel. They said the crime was continuing because the videos were still up.
In the case of the child who mimicked flagellation in Pampanga, we can have a debate if what happened was a case of bad parenting or a mere practice of tradition. But that debate is precisely why a complaint has to be filed first, then settled by a judge. Yet, local police arrested the parents without a warrant, and detained them at the station for days. Article 125 requires that people arrested without a warrant shall be brought to court within 36 hours maximum, or they must be released.
Careless vloggers infuriate me, too. But abuse of power infuriates me more. We should instead demand authorities to do their jobs – that is, to write and file a complaint on the day the offense happened.
Warrantless arrests are there for good reason: for security, for peace and order. Not for virality. Not for the mob. Hindi lang para may masampolan. Journalists should take note of this. We’ve seen where the vigilante mentality brought us. – Rappler.com
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Ilocos Sur’s Pinsal Falls still closed to the public | Mia Gonzalez | 11/04/2024 15:23 | LOCAL ATTRACTION. Pinsal Falls in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
GARRY MEDINA via Wikimedia Commons
ILOCOS SUR, Philippines – A favorite summer tourism destination in Ilocos Sur remains closed following an encounter between the government forces and the New People’s Army in the village where it is located.
Pinsal Falls, which then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared as a tourist destination in 2019, remains closed since April 3 as an effect of the encounter in the boundary of Barangay Baballasioan in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, and Barangay Nagcanasan in Pilar, Abra, on April 2.
Shots were heard at Pinsal Falls during the encounter which injured one Army soldier.
Jojo Foliente, the president of the Pinsal Falls Bangkeros Associated, said that operations were halted after the incident and the Philippine Army had set up camp in their facilities.
He said that 32 of their members are asking for financial assistance as they were not able to work for more than a week.
Foliente said this could have been one of their busiest months this year.
Twenty-seven households composed of 95 from Sitio Paring were evacuated to the poblacion building in Pilar but have since returned to their homes.
The rowers of Pinsal, however, remained idle.
A video of the Pinsal Falls where gunshots can be heard in the distance was uploaded by a popular radio station and apparently drove away tourists, Foliente said.
Pinsal Falls offered rafts where local and foreign can have their lunch beside the falls. – Rappler.com
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Pasig City court issues arrest warrants vs Quiboloy | Jairo Bolledo | 11/04/2024 13:41 | PREACHER. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy's Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – A Pasig City court has issued warrants of arrest against doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday, April 11, that Pasig City Regional Trial Court issued the warrants against Quiboloy and five others over qualified human trafficking.
The justice department said the court found probable cause to order Quiboloy’s arrest, along with Jackielyn Roy, Sylvia Cemañes, Cresente, Paulene, and Ingrid Canada for human trafficking.
The charges against Quiboloy fall under Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. These cases are non-bailable.
On April 3, a Davao City court also ordered the preacher’s arrest over child and sexual abuse.
In her order dated April 11, Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159 Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said Quiboloy’s camp filed a motion to defer/suspend proceedings and hold in abeyance the issuance of warrant of arrest on March 21. However, the judge said she found the motion “prohibited,” so it should be denied.
“Clearly, from the foregoing, there is no basis for this court to suspend the proceedings by reason of the filing of a motion for reconsideration on the Resolution of the petition for review before the Department of Justice as this is not one of the grounds stated under Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules on Criminal Procedure,” the order read.
The judge also noted that the standing principle is that once a case is filed with the court, any disposition of the charge relies on the tribunal’s discretion.
On March 19, the Senate ordered the preacher’s arrest for “unduly refusing to appear” before the upper chamber for the inquiry into his alleged human rights abuses.
Aside from local cases, Quiboloy is also wanted in the United States for sexual trafficking. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in a US District Court in Santa Ana, California in 2021, and landed on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’ (FBI) most wanted list. – Rappler.com
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Quiboloy in the US: More multi-million properties in Las Vegas, Hawaii | Jodesz Gavilan | 19/03/2024 9:00 | Graphic by Emil Mercado/Rappler
READ: Part 1 | Inside Apollo Quiboloy’s lavish world: Mansions, rich-and-famous lifestyle in North America
Apollo Quiboloy and his controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) own a multi-million-peso mansion in Las Vegas, and disposed of their Hawaii property after his legal woes began in 2018.
A Rappler investigation found that these two residential houses alone are estimated to be worth $4.73 million (P262.52 million)* in 2024, based on official tax and real estate documents obtained on Friday, March 14.
The $2.97-million (P165 million) mansion in Las Vegas, Nevada is still owned by the KOJC.
The property in Hawaii – worth $1.76 million (P97.71 million) – was at the center of a ruse sale when it was sold in July 2018 to a company that bears the same address as a KOJC church, and whose listed owners are directly linked to Quiboloy and his group. This transaction happened a few months after Quiboloy was temporarily detained in Hawaii in February 2018.
These multi-million homes are on top of the three previously discovered by Rappler to be linked to Quiboloy and his associates at the KOJC. These homes – one in the US and two in Canada – are estimated to be worth a total of $6.10 million (P338 million).
This means that Rappler has so far discovered four big houses currently linked to Quiboloy and the KOJC, with a total estimated value of $9.07 million (P503 million). Including the Hawaii property already sold would bring the value to $10.83 million (P601 million).
These expensive properties in North America give the public not just a glimpse, but also a front-seat view of the rich and lavish lifestyle of Quiboloy, who has been in the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list since early 2022 for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others.
First built in 2005, the Las Vegas mansion has about 784 square meters of livable space, covering five bedrooms, one pool, and a spa. Photos on popular real estate website Zillow show an opulent residence with high ceilings and huge windows.
It is located along Trophy Hills Drive, surrounded by luxurious properties, and about 16 minutes away from the famous Las Vegas Strip. The nearest KOJC church is almost half an hour away by car.
The property is valued at $2.97 million (P165 million), according to 2024 records obtained by Rappler from the Clark County, Nevada Tax Treasurer Office.
Its land value is assessed at almost $291,900 (P16.21 million) while improvements are estimated to have reached almost $699,911 (P38.9 million).
The owners are expected to pay $24,031 (P1.33 million) in taxes for fiscal year 2024 to 2025.
The property was first bought by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name Inc. in November 2016 for $2.1 million (P116 million), based on public records and the deed of sale obtained by Rappler. The buyer was tagged in the document as “a California Corporation.”
This transaction came six months after Quiboloy’s close ally Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into the presidency. Duterte ruled over Davao City where Quiboloy started his church. The former president even previously admitted to receiving valuable gifts from the pastor throughout the course of their “30-year” friendship.
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name Inc. first registered as a “stock corporation” in 2016 but its registration is currently suspended, according to records filed with the California Secretary of State. Business entities and companies are registered at the state level in the US. According to California’s Franchise Tax Board, an entity is “typically suspended…for failure to meet its tax requirements,” including failing to submit state tax returns, among others.
The company identified as the owner of the Las Vegas mansion shared the same address with another California-based entity: The Executive Pastor Of The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc.
The two companies’ official mailing address is listed as “14424 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California,” as indicated in official documents obtained by Rappler. Google Maps showed that the indicated address leads to a KOJC building, with its front bearing the all-too familiar sign present in all of its churches in North America.
The Executive Pastor Of The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc., however, went through two name changes. It was first registered as “Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name Inc” in 1996, before becoming “The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name” in March 2002.
It obtained its current name in February 2017.
The 2002 document that made the name change official was signed by Apollo Quiboloy and Ingrid Canada. They identified themselves as “president and secretary respectively” of the “California nonprofit religious organization.”
Ingrid’s family is one of the first families to join the KOJC in Davao City, Rappler has learned. She remains one of Quiboloy’s trusted and loyal associates. Her website identifies her as the “Kingdom Nation’s Chief Administrator.”
Quiboloy and Canada are no longer officers of the registered company, at least based on a document just filed on March 13, 2024.
The current officers, however, are still linked to the KOJC.
The corporation’s chief executive officer is Fernando Taguiang Jr., according to business registration documents. A Facebook post by the KOJC in London, United Kingdom identified him in 2016 as a “New York minister.”
Ingrid Canada, in a 2023 Facebook post, called a certain Fernando Taguiang Sr. a “faithful kingdom citizen from Dumoy, Davao City, who was baptized in 1987.”
Hawaii, a five-hour plane ride from Las Vegas, is the site of another Quiboloy-linked property.
The six-bedroom house along Opuakii Place in the city of Kapolei was built in 2009 and is now valued at $1.76 million (P97.71 million). It’s within a gated residential community that has magnificent views of the mountains of Honolulu County on the island of Oʻahu.
But unlike the multi-million Las Vegas mansion, the Hawaii property is not currently owned by Quiboloy nor the KOJC. They, however, undeniably benefited from its sale as information shows that the house was first transferred to a Quiboloy-linked group for a minimal amount ($101) before it was sold for a higher price in 2021.
The property was first purchased by The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name in November 2013 for $1.12 million (P62.16 million), according to documents obtained by Rappler. The Hawaii property stayed with the church for five years until it was turned over in July 2018 to a company named David’s Cafe LLC for only $101.
A warranty deed obtained by Rappler, however, also showed that the amount was actually just $10, which is what is “typically included in deeds to make the transfer enforceable,” according to real estate websites. The document was signed by Felina Salinas, a KOJC associate who was also indicted in the US.
The selling price was significantly lower than its assessed value of $1.36 million (P75.47 million) for that year, based on tax records from Honolulu’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services.
KOJC sold the property to David’s Cafe LLC just five months after Quiboloy was temporarily detained in Hawaii in February 2018, after Customs and Border enforcement agencies found $350,000 in undeclared cash and rifle parts in the private plane he was sharing with five other people. One of them was Salinas.
David’s Cafe LLC owned the property for three years, before disposing of it in September 2021 for $1.6 million (P88.79 million).
Why did the KOJC sell the property for only a meager sum in 2018? Apparently because it was being transferred to an entity it had close ties with. Information related to David’s Cafe LLC showed that it was first registered as a company in 2014 and has strong links to the KOJC, as established by the following facts:
The registered mailing address of David’s Cafe LLC leads to a KOJC church on Google Maps.
Documents obtained by Rappler also show that the building on the indicated address is being leased by The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name Inc.
Meanwhile, searching the address on Google will lead to a Yelp site for David’s Cafe. Yelp is a webpage where customers can leave reviews about restaurants and other establishments.
One customer wrote in a December 2022 review that “a young girl… just hung around the parking lot with a shopping cart full of products to sell & would come up to you after you park your car.” Another customer also claimed that the sellers said they are raising money for “Children’s Joy Foundation USA.”
Children’s Joy Foundation is the name of a non-profit organization that was “born out of the vision of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy,” according to its website.
There are three names registered as owners of David’s Cafe LLC, according to its business registration filed with the Hawaii state. Rappler was able to verify the links of two individuals to KOJC – Carlo Catiil and Reinalynn Tolentino.
Carlo Catiil’s LinkedIn profile identifies himself as a reporter at Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the Quiboloy-owned media company. A tweet by SMNI on March 6 tagged him as spokesperson of Laban Kasama ang Bayan rally, the event that sought to support Quiboloy and Duterte.
His links to the KOJC are more obvious on Facebook. His pinned post is a photo of him with Quiboloy. His personal details, meanwhile, include working at the Kingdom Of Jesus Christ The Name Above Every Name. He also identified himself as “business owner at David’s Cafe.”
Catiil posted a photo in January 2018 that shows Quiboloy in front of the Hawaii property.
Catiil is also Facebook friends with Tolentino, whose profile also shows photos with Quiboloy and KOJC events.
These latest discoveries come as authorities both in the US and the Philippines zero in on Quiboloy and the KOJC.
California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. on March 1 unsealed the warrants and returns against Quiboloy and his associates “upon application of the [US] government and for good cause shown.”
There is no information on what the next move will be in the ongoing hunt for the doomsday preacher, but one previous case indicated that the warrant was unsealed so the government can file a formal request for extradition and share information with the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol.
An extradition request will, however, have to go through different layers in the Philippine government, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice.
Quiboloy, who enjoys close relations with Duterte, is also being hunted by the Philippine Senate after he failed to appear before congressional hearings on alleged human rights violations committed by his group. But Duterte’s allies among legislators are protecting him.
Vice President Sara Duterte herself defended Quiboloy. In a statement on March 11, the daughter of the former president said that he is being treated unfairly.
All eyes will be on what the Marcos administration’s next moves will be.
– with reports from Herbie Gomez/Rappler.com
*$1 = P55
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Thanks to Jodesz Gavilan and Herbie Gomez for this “front-seat view of the rich and lavish lifestyle of Quiboloy.” Indeed, Pastor Quiboloy has amassed multi-million (not yet a billion?) pesos worth of properties from the sweat, tears, and blood of the lowly exploited and abused KOJC members.
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Back from suspension, Abueva shows what he does best for Magnolia | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/04/2024 12:03 | FLOATER. Calvin Abueva in action for the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – It is probably not coincidence that Magnolia got back on track in the PBA Philippine Cup just when Calvin Abueva returned to the lineup.
Abueva came back from a one-game suspension and helped power the Hotshots to a 104-97 victory over a NorthPort side that saw its four-game winning streak halted on Wednesday, April 10.
The do-it-all forward played arguably his finest game of the conference as he posted 6 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in under 30 minutes of action.
“We missed him because Calvin can play multiple positions,” said head coach Chito Victolero.
Abueva incurred a one-game suspension and a P20,000 fine after he flipped off a fan during their 87-77 loss to Barangay Ginebra last March 31.
His enforced absence only compounded the Hotshots’ personnel woes, with Aris Dionisio and Rome dela Rosa also sidelined with ankle injuries.
Without Abueva, Dionisio, and Dela Rosa, Magnolia got demolished by NLEX in an 87-74 loss last Saturday, April 6.
“Those guys – Aris, Rome, and Calvin – can play multiple positions. That was why we had a hard time matching up against NLEX,” said Victolero. “At the same time, we’re incomplete in practice.”
But with Abueva back in tow, the Hotshots limited the Batang Pier way below their league-best average of 107.6 points in their first five games.
Abueva sharing the playmaking chores also resulted in Magnolia recording a whopping 31 assists, almost double its average of just 17 dimes in its back-to-back losses.
“Good thing that Calvin stepped up and helped the team. I hope it continues,” said Victolero. – Rappler.com
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Cruise control: Eya Laure credits solid Chery support system after 4th straight win | jisaga0269 | 11/04/2024 21:55 | SUPPORT SYSTEM. Chery Tiggo spiker Eya Laure (8) approaches her teammates in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines—Early in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers were thrust into a heated spotlight after they dropped to a 2-2 record following a stunning sweep loss to massive underdog Farm Fresh Foxies.
Since that fateful encounter, the loaded contenders have rebounded hard, winning four straight games, including eye-opening sweeps against champion Creamline and contender Cignal.
Young star spiker Eya Laure, who led the 26-24, 25-20, 26-24 stunner over the HD Spikers with 16 points, highlighted her teammates’ strong support over one another as the key difference in their massive turnaround with the semifinals nearing by the day.
“It’s really a great thing that we’re helping one another. Some of us fall, but we pull one another right back up,” Laure said in Filipino after the Thursday, April 11 win. “That’s a really good thing, especially near the end of games and sets.”
“Someone always reminds us on what we need to do, what we need to resolve so it won’t happen again. It’s a big factor that may seem small. We tap teammates who make mistakes and reassure them that it’s okay. Morale never falls that way.”
Sure enough, that solid camaraderie showed itself in full force Thursday night, as every player who subbed in was in top form, including the likes of EJ Laure (13 points, 13 digs, 11 receptions off bench), Ara Galang (11 points), and former MVP Mylene Paat (5 points off bench).
It was a far cry from the Chery Tiggo team that looked utterly lost against Farm Fresh, a team full of youngsters compared to the Crossovers’ star-studded veteran cast.
Laure hopes that this red-hot streak continues as Chery Tiggo firms up its semifinal bid with three remaining games in the elimination round against tough PLDT, resurgent Akari, and upstart Galeries Tower, in that order.
“Every day is a work in progress. It’s a big thing that the coaches are always there who never tire from teaching us techniques,” she continued.
“The guidance is a big thing. It’s still a work in progress regarding our jelling inside and outside the court.” – Rappler.com
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Injury-riddled Magnolia acquires Jerrick Balanza from Converge | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/04/2024 20:33 | ATTACK. Jerrick Balanza in action for the Converge FiberXers in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia pulled off its first trade of the season with hopes of turning its fortunes around in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Off to a shaky 2-2 start in the All-Filipino tiff, the Hotshots acquired Jerrick Balanza from Converge in exchange for a future second-round pick, the league announced on Thursday, April 11.
The addition of Balanza comes in the middle of an injury-riddled campaign that saw Magnolia lose forwards Aris Dionisio and Rome dela Rosa, who both hurt their ankles earlier this conference.
Without Dionisio and Dela Rosa, the Hotshots lost back-to-back games to Barangay Ginebra and NLEX before it got back on track with a crucial win over NorthPort.
Balanza parts ways with the FiberXers after just over a year as he is to set play for his fourth PBA team in Magnolia.
Picked 13th overall in the 2019 PBA Draft, Balanza suited up for Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort before he got shipped to Converge in January last year, reuniting him with his former Letran coach Aldin Ayo.
Balanza saw limited action for the FiberXers in the Philippine Cup, averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in just under seven minutes of action per game.
With the Hotshots, Balanza gets a chance to nail his first win of the conference as Converge remains winless in six games. – Rappler.com
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DENR files criminal case vs vlogger, companion for ‘maltreatment’ of tarsiers | jsitchon0312 | 12/04/2024 10:02 | TARSIER. In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature added the Philippine Tarsier on the list of 25 most endangered primates of the world.
Timm Rannu/Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc.
CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Soccsksargen has filed a criminal case against vlogger Ryan Parreño and his companion for “maltreating” two tarsiers based on a viral video shot in South Cotabato.
“For the information of the public…we filed a criminal case against Ryan Parreño and Sammy Estrebilla for violation of Section 27, paragraphs (f), and (h) of RA 9147 or the Wildlife Act of 2001 in relation to Section 20, paragraphs (a), and (b) of RA 7586, as amended by RA 11038 known as the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) Act of 2018,” DENR-Soccsksargen chief Felix Alicer said in a statement on her office’s official Facebook page on Thursday, April 11.
“Our evaluation disclosed that a crime has been committed under the stated provisions of RA 9147. The filing of the case against the violators is an action taken so that citizens would not imitate the disturbing same acts,” he added.
The crimes allegedly committed under RA 9147 are collecting, hunting, or possessing wildlife; and maltreating and/or inflicting other injuries.
Estrebilla was with Parreño when he took the viral video in Barangay Maligo, Polomolok town in South Cotabato.
Parreño was seen with Estrebilla picking up two tarsiers in the wild and using them for content in a now-deleted video that went viral on social media on Wednesday, April 10. The video sparked public outrage as well as discussions on animal welfare.
The Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Incorporated told Rappler that the tarsiers were a mother and a baby.
“Seeing the tarsiers, a mother and a baby, being harassed helplessly at their very fragile state brings up unspeakable frustration. We are with the sentiments of the people,” the foundation said in a statement on Thursday night, April 11.
“Using animal harassment for content for the sole purpose of social media clout puts not just endangered species but all animals in danger. We commend the swift action of DENR,” they added.
On July 3, 1997, then-President Fidel V. Ramos signed Presidential Proclamation No. 1030, declaring the Philippine tarsier as a “Specially Protected Faunal Species of the Philippines.”
According to the Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, the Philippine tarsier commonly inhabits rainforests. Their species is mostly found in the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol, and Mindanao.
In an article by Tom Lumapas on the official website of the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, the Philippine Tarsier is said to have a recorded life span of 12 years at most in captivity.
“However, a great many of these tarsiers die only after a day or at most a few days if kept unhealthily in small cages and/or put under great strain while in captivity,” Lumapas wrote.
Rappler has reached out to Parreño for a statement on the issue but has yet to receive any reply. – Rappler.com
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What’s next for Hidilyn Diaz? Family time, new skills | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/04/2024 22:30 | ICON. Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines celebrates after a lift in the Tokyo Olympics.
Edgard Garrido/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – Missing the Paris Olympics is not the end of the world for Hidilyn Diaz.
The Philippines’ first and only Olympic champion, Diaz plans to spend more time with her family and learn new skills after falling short of her bid to reach the Summer Games for a fifth consecutive edition.
Diaz, 33, said she can finally pursue her culinary aspirations that she set aside to focus on her weightlifting career that saw her win silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and a historic gold in the 2021 Tokyo Games.
“The Olympics and weightlifting are not my everything. I sacrificed a lot of my time to train, and sometimes, I forget to enjoy the process because I am caught with the high expectations and high pressure of being an elite athlete,” Diaz wrote on her social media accounts on Thursday, April 11.
“This moment is for me to learn new skills – join classes and workshops to learn to cook and bake. I have long wanted to take culinary courses since I was 22 years old, and now, I will not just imagine doing pasta, pizza, and kare-kare, I will bake and cook some for my friends and family.”
Diaz devoted her life to weightlifting since she took the sport seriously during her teenage years.
Even after Diaz married her coach, Julius Naranjo, in July 2022 exactly a year after her triumph in Tokyo, it did not take long for the Zamboangueña to shift her focus back to weightlifting as she needed to compete at a heavier weight class for Paris.
Diaz ruled the women’s 55kg division in Tokyo, but she had to move up to 59kg as Paris organizers scrapped her previous weight category.
Now, Diaz can devote more time to people closest to her heart.
“This is #FamilyTime. I will be spending time with my family, ninongs and ninangs, and my friends. Together, we’ll make memories and enjoy the time with them,” she said.
“I realized what is forever. And it is not fame, not money, not even winning or losing, but God, family, and real friends. These are my forever.”
Diaz missed the cut for Paris as compatriot Elreen Ando, whose original 64kg class in Tokyo also got stricken off, clinched the lone Olympic spot up for grabs for the Philippines in the 59kg category.
The 25-year-old Ando saved the best for last in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, last April 3 with a total lift of 228kg to unseat Diaz in the top 10 of the Olympic Qualification Ranking.
Diaz, meanwhile, failed to surpass her best record of 224kg she set in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.
But Diaz said her career is far from over.
“[I] will still lift, continue to lift, and inspire young Filipino athletes to become Olympic champions,” said Diaz, who also won gold medals in the world and continental championships, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games.
“Winning is not everything – it is being on the platform and taking on the challenges that give inspiration to other athletes. Thank you to the athletes who messaged me and said that I inspired them.”
“I served and will continue to serve my purpose in weightlifting, as I inspire many athletes to dream high, take the challenge, and work hard to achieve their dreams and never give up.”
And even if Diaz decides to hang up her spurs, she plans to stick around the sport as she and Naranjo run the HD Weightlifting Academy in Rizal.
“I will also learn to do business and invest myself in education to be a better sports leader. I have a lot of things to learn in life,” Diaz said. – Rappler.com
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Cruise control: Eya Laure credits solid Chery support system after 4th straight win | jisaga0269 | 11/04/2024 21:55 | SUPPORT SYSTEM. Chery Tiggo spiker Eya Laure (8) approaches her teammates in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference
PVL Images
MANILA, Philippines—Early in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers were thrust into a heated spotlight after they dropped to a 2-2 record following a stunning sweep loss to massive underdog Farm Fresh Foxies.
Since that fateful encounter, the loaded contenders have rebounded hard, winning four straight games, including eye-opening sweeps against champion Creamline and contender Cignal.
Young star spiker Eya Laure, who led the 26-24, 25-20, 26-24 stunner over the HD Spikers with 16 points, highlighted her teammates’ strong support over one another as the key difference in their massive turnaround with the semifinals nearing by the day.
“It’s really a great thing that we’re helping one another. Some of us fall, but we pull one another right back up,” Laure said in Filipino after the Thursday, April 11 win. “That’s a really good thing, especially near the end of games and sets.”
“Someone always reminds us on what we need to do, what we need to resolve so it won’t happen again. It’s a big factor that may seem small. We tap teammates who make mistakes and reassure them that it’s okay. Morale never falls that way.”
Sure enough, that solid camaraderie showed itself in full force Thursday night, as every player who subbed in was in top form, including the likes of EJ Laure (13 points, 13 digs, 11 receptions off bench), Ara Galang (11 points), and former MVP Mylene Paat (5 points off bench).
It was a far cry from the Chery Tiggo team that looked utterly lost against Farm Fresh, a team full of youngsters compared to the Crossovers’ star-studded veteran cast.
Laure hopes that this red-hot streak continues as Chery Tiggo firms up its semifinal bid with three remaining games in the elimination round against tough PLDT, resurgent Akari, and upstart Galeries Tower, in that order.
“Every day is a work in progress. It’s a big thing that the coaches are always there who never tire from teaching us techniques,” she continued.
“The guidance is a big thing. It’s still a work in progress regarding our jelling inside and outside the court.” – Rappler.com
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How does this make you feel? | Rappler | https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/premier-league-game-results-eya-laure-chery-tiggo-crossovers-cignal-hd-spikers-april-11-2024/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR19nExgqlGGantU25C9kl-QXFVd0YYdddf_N_PtCRZlpc0C4tgldhmJ3rc_aem_pOm2imikUFVlUzdPjSWH0w | null | null | null | null | null | null |
What’s next for Hidilyn Diaz? Family time, new skills | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/04/2024 22:30 | ICON. Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines celebrates after a lift in the Tokyo Olympics.
Edgard Garrido/REUTERS
MANILA, Philippines – Missing the Paris Olympics is not the end of the world for Hidilyn Diaz.
The Philippines’ first and only Olympic champion, Diaz plans to spend more time with her family and learn new skills after falling short of her bid to reach the Summer Games for a fifth consecutive edition.
Diaz, 33, said she can finally pursue her culinary aspirations that she set aside to focus on her weightlifting career that saw her win silver in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and a historic gold in the 2021 Tokyo Games.
“The Olympics and weightlifting are not my everything. I sacrificed a lot of my time to train, and sometimes, I forget to enjoy the process because I am caught with the high expectations and high pressure of being an elite athlete,” Diaz wrote on her social media accounts on Thursday, April 11.
“This moment is for me to learn new skills – join classes and workshops to learn to cook and bake. I have long wanted to take culinary courses since I was 22 years old, and now, I will not just imagine doing pasta, pizza, and kare-kare, I will bake and cook some for my friends and family.”
Diaz devoted her life to weightlifting since she took the sport seriously during her teenage years.
Even after Diaz married her coach, Julius Naranjo, in July 2022 exactly a year after her triumph in Tokyo, it did not take long for the Zamboangueña to shift her focus back to weightlifting as she needed to compete at a heavier weight class for Paris.
Diaz ruled the women’s 55kg division in Tokyo, but she had to move up to 59kg as Paris organizers scrapped her previous weight category.
Now, Diaz can devote more time to people closest to her heart.
“This is #FamilyTime. I will be spending time with my family, ninongs and ninangs, and my friends. Together, we’ll make memories and enjoy the time with them,” she said.
“I realized what is forever. And it is not fame, not money, not even winning or losing, but God, family, and real friends. These are my forever.”
Diaz missed the cut for Paris as compatriot Elreen Ando, whose original 64kg class in Tokyo also got stricken off, clinched the lone Olympic spot up for grabs for the Philippines in the 59kg category.
The 25-year-old Ando saved the best for last in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, last April 3 with a total lift of 228kg to unseat Diaz in the top 10 of the Olympic Qualification Ranking.
Diaz, meanwhile, failed to surpass her best record of 224kg she set in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in September.
But Diaz said her career is far from over.
“[I] will still lift, continue to lift, and inspire young Filipino athletes to become Olympic champions,” said Diaz, who also won gold medals in the world and continental championships, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games.
“Winning is not everything – it is being on the platform and taking on the challenges that give inspiration to other athletes. Thank you to the athletes who messaged me and said that I inspired them.”
“I served and will continue to serve my purpose in weightlifting, as I inspire many athletes to dream high, take the challenge, and work hard to achieve their dreams and never give up.”
And even if Diaz decides to hang up her spurs, she plans to stick around the sport as she and Naranjo run the HD Weightlifting Academy in Rizal.
“I will also learn to do business and invest myself in education to be a better sports leader. I have a lot of things to learn in life,” Diaz said. – Rappler.com
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Injury-riddled Magnolia acquires Jerrick Balanza from Converge | delfin.dioquino editor | 11/04/2024 20:33 | ATTACK. Jerrick Balanza in action for the Converge FiberXers in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Magnolia pulled off its first trade of the season with hopes of turning its fortunes around in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Off to a shaky 2-2 start in the All-Filipino tiff, the Hotshots acquired Jerrick Balanza from Converge in exchange for a future second-round pick, the league announced on Thursday, April 11.
The addition of Balanza comes in the middle of an injury-riddled campaign that saw Magnolia lose forwards Aris Dionisio and Rome dela Rosa, who both hurt their ankles earlier this conference.
Without Dionisio and Dela Rosa, the Hotshots lost back-to-back games to Barangay Ginebra and NLEX before it got back on track with a crucial win over NorthPort.
Balanza parts ways with the FiberXers after just over a year as he is to set play for his fourth PBA team in Magnolia.
Picked 13th overall in the 2019 PBA Draft, Balanza suited up for Barangay Ginebra and NorthPort before he got shipped to Converge in January last year, reuniting him with his former Letran coach Aldin Ayo.
Balanza saw limited action for the FiberXers in the Philippine Cup, averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in just under seven minutes of action per game.
With the Hotshots, Balanza gets a chance to nail his first win of the conference as Converge remains winless in six games. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: Bathing, drinking cold water safe in hot weather | Ailla Dela Cruz | 11/04/2024 18:45 | Claim: A person exposed to hot weather should wait 30 minutes before bathing or washing body parts exposed to heat.
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook reel containing the claim has 14,400 reactions, 398 comments, and 12,000 shares as of writing.
The video lists things a person should do during a heat wave. Among its reminders: “Kapag umabot ang temperatura ng 38°C at galing ka sa labas, huwag kaagad maghugas ng kamay o paa, wag maghilamos o basain ang bahaging nabilad sa araw. Magpalipas ng di bababa sa 30 minuto o kalahating oras bago maghilamos o maligo.”
(When the temperature reaches 38° and you are coming from outdoors, do not immediately wash your hands, feet, face, or body parts exposed to the sun. Wait for at least 30 minutes or half an hour before washing or bathing.)
The video also cautioned against drinking cold water immediately when the temperature reaches 40° as this can supposedly make small blood vessels burst.
The facts: The Department of Health (DOH) already debunked these claims in a media forum last year.
In March 2023, then-DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire clarified that bathing is the most effective way to cool down a person exposed to heat.
“Iyong bawal na maligo o bawal na dampian ng tubig for about 30 minutes, that is not true. Ang ginagawa nga po natin…kino-cool down natin ang kaniyang katawan. And ang most effective po diyan ay mabigyan natin ng shower iyong pasyente, basta conscious siya,” Vergeire said, addressing myths circulating online on the dos and don’ts during a heat wave.
(It is not true that [a person] cannot bathe or be exposed to water for about 30 minutes. What we are doing is cooling down the body. And the most effective way to do it is to give the patient a shower, as long as he is conscious.)
Vergeire also clarified that a person exposed to heat can drink cold water depending on one’s condition. A person who is conscious can safely sip cold water, while an unconscious person should not be forced to drink water as it may cause the person to choke. However, Vergeire noted that suddenly drinking cold water after heat exposure could cause headaches due to temperature changes.
Recurring claim: Similar claims have been debunked by Philstar, VERA Files, and ABS-CBN.
In the 2021 VERA Files fact check, neurologist Jose Paciano Reyes of the Philippine Neurological Association explained that instead of exploding as the misleading Facebook video claims, “the physiologic response to cold exposure causes skin blood vessels to constrict to conserve heat.”
The neurologist added that the sudden immersion of the body in cold water can cause “cold shock,” causing people to experience loss of breathing control, constriction of blood vessels, and an increase in blood pressure. While drinking and bathing with cold water is safe for healthy individuals, those with cardiac disease should exercise caution as the increase in blood pressure may “increase the chances of a heart attack and stroke in susceptible individuals,” according to Reyes.
Extreme temperatures: The Philippines’ warm and dry season, or what Filipinos often call “summer,” began on March 22. This season usually lasts until May, with temperatures expected to rise. In recent weeks, the DOH advised the public to take precautions as high heat index levels could lead to heat-related illnesses. – Ailla Dela Cruz/Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: Envy Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies not endorsed by Doc Willie Ong | Lorenz Pasion | 11/04/2024 18:30 | Claim: Cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong, also known as Doc Willie, endorses Envy Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies which claims to lower cholesterol, smoothen the skin, and increase height.
Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the Facebook video bearing the claim has 955,000 views, 9,700 reactions, and 2,500 comments.
Ong’s voice can be heard in the video saying, “Pampababa ng cholesterol. Kung may problema kayo sa cholesterol, mataas ang cholesterol, may sakit sa puso, ito iyong natural way na hindi ka na iinom ng simvastatin at atorvastatin, bababa iyong cholesterol mo ng mga 20 points.”([This product] lowers cholesterol. If you have cholesterol problems, if your cholesterol levels are high, or if you have heart illness, this is the natural way to lower your cholesterol by up to 20 points without taking simvastatin or atorvastatin.)
The Facebook post also includes several clips of Ong superimposed on video showing Envy Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, implying that Ong endorses the product.
The facts: The clip of Ong used in the Envy Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies ad was originally from a video posted on February 22, 2023.
In the original video, Ong talks about the health benefits of eating oatmeal every day. The misleading ad deleted the part where Ong referred to oatmeal, making it seem that the doctor is referring to the apple cider vinegar food supplement instead.
Ong’s full statement says, “Number one, ang benefit ng oatmeal, pampababa ng cholesterol. Kung may problema kayo sa cholesterol, mataas ang cholesterol, may sakit sa puso, ito iyong natural way na hindi ka na iinom ng simvastatin at atorvastatin, bababa iyong cholesterol mo ng mga 20 points.”(The number one benefit of oatmeal is that it lowers cholesterol. If you have cholesterol problems, if your cholesterol level is high, or if you have heart illness, this is the natural way to lower your cholesterol by up to 20 points without taking simvastatin or atorvastatin.)
Real endorsements: Ong had already told Rappler in an email that the only product he and his wife endorse is Birch Tree Advance, a nutritional milk for seniors.
The Facebook account that posted the ad, “Doc Willie & Lizza Ong’s – Health Tip+,” is also not an official account of the couple.
Not FDA registered: Envy Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies is not on the Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) list of approved food and drug products. There are 18 apple cider vinegar gummy products registered under the FDA, none of which are manufactured by a company named Envy.
Previous false claims: Rappler has fact-checked similar claims about products using Ong in false endorsements:
– Lorenz Pasion/Rappler.com
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[EXPLAINER] South China Sea: Why are China and Philippines tensions heating up? | Chito de la Vega | 11/04/2024 17:11 | WATER CANNON. China uses water cannon again on Filipino ships in the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard Reported on Saturday, December 9, 2023.
Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA, Philippines – An escalating diplomatic row and recent maritime run-ins between China and the Philippines, a US treaty ally, have made the highly strategic South China Sea a potential flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.
The issue will be a focus of trilateral meeting between US President Joe Biden, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington on Thursday, April 11.
Central to recent standoffs between the Philippines and China are two hotly contested features located inside Manila’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, but which Beijing claims as its own.
China uses the so-called nine-dash line that takes in about 90% of the South China Sea to assert its claim to sovereignty over the Scarborough Shoal, a submerged reef coveted for its bountiful fish stocks, and the Second Thomas Shoal, home to a small contingent of Filipino sailors living aboard a rusty warship that Manila intentionally grounded in 1999 to further its territorial claims.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s expansive claims via its nine-dash line had no basis under international law, handing the Philippines a landmark victory, but that has not stopped China, which rejects the ruling, from being more assertive.
Beijing has deployed hundreds of coast guard vessels to patrol those areas, alarming the Philippines, rival claimants and other states operating in the South China Sea, including the United States, which is wary about China’s growing military power and territorial ambition.
Encounters between the Philippines and China in Asia’s most contested waters have grown tenser and more frequent over the past year as Beijing presses its claims and Manila refuses to cease its fishing and resupply activities to Filipinos at the two shoals. China considers those to be illegal intrusions and has tried to repel the vessels.
China’s coast guard has stepped up so-called “grey-zone” activities such as use of water cannon, collision and ramming tactics, and, according to Manila, use of a military-grade laser, to try to stop the Philippine resupply and patrol missions. It has also deployed an armada of fishing boats the Philippines and allies consider militia.
During the last two Second Thomas Shoal resupply missions, Philippine boats sustained damage and some crew were injured after use of water cannon. China has urged the Philippines to tow away the warship, saying it had promised to do just that, but Manila maintains no such agreement was made.
China’s actions have drawn international condemnation and concern from major powers including the United States, Japan, Australia, France, and Britain.
Foreign journalists have joined some of the Philippine resupply missions and documented events at the invitation of the Philippines, which one security official said was aimed at “shedding light on China’s ‘grey zone’ tactics.” China has accused the Philippines of stirring up trouble and spreading misinformation.
China’s actions are “dangerous, illegal and they are destabilizing the region,” a senior US admiral said on April 9.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has adopted a tough line against what he sees as Chinese hostility and rejected its pressure, recently vowing to implement countermeasures against “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks” by China’s coast guard, upping the ante in the escalating row.
The Philippines has said countermeasures will be “multi-dimensional” and involve exhausting diplomatic options. Marcos has also called for stronger coordination on maritime security to confront “a range of serious challenges” to territorial integrity and peace.
The Philippines’ dispute with China coincides with an increase in security engagements with the United States under Marcos, including expansion of US access to Philippine bases. Manila is also seeking close security ties with other allies like Japan and Australia. The engagements include joint patrols, which have frustrated China.
The United States has a Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines and has repeatedly made clear it would protect its ally if its coast guard or armed forces came under attack anywhere in the South China Sea, calling the agreement “ironclad”.
The treaty raises the stakes significantly in the Philippines-China dispute in the event of a miscalculation at sea. However, it could also limit how far China is willing to go to keep the Philippines at bay, wary of the risks of conflict and pressure to respond resolutely if there were direct US military involvement.
Philippine officials, including Marcos, have dismissed talk of invoking the treaty in the present situation, stressing it would be a last resort. – Rappler.com
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Land distribution gap in Negros sparks doubts over CARP deadline | Herbie G | 11/04/2024 18:48 | WAVE. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. waves to a crowd in Negros Occidental following the distribution of land titles in Bago City on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Negros Occidental PIO
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) still faces a huge gap in terms of land distribution in Negros Occidental, even with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leading the distribution of 4,724 land titles to 2,797 Negros farmers at the Ramon Y. Torres Coliseum in Bago City this week.
Marcos was in Bago, 35.6 kilometers south of the provincial capital, Bacolod, on Monday, April 8, 2024, to distribute certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) and e-titles to Negros farmers.
The titles cover a land area of 2,550.3952 hectares, which was previously under collective CLOAs but has recently been segregated into individual titles. The recipients include 1,893 farmers – 951 from the northern part and 942 from the southern part of Negros Occidental.
Marcos, during his visit, said the land distributions under CARP nationwide must be completed before his term ends in 2028.
He directed Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III to coordinate with other government agencies to identify the rightful ARBs entitled to avail of land under CARP.
Shiela Enciso, regional director of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the Western Visayas, told Rappler on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, that they still have to process and distribute e-titles covering more than 100,000 hectares, with around 15,000 hectares designated for identified CLOA beneficiaries, and another 15,000 hectares covering new parcels of land.
The e-titles are a result of Republic Act 11953, which condoned all pawned CLOAs to various government lending institutions. After the government’s buy-out of loans, the collective CLOAs were converted into individual titles, allowing each agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) within a certain group of ARBs to own their own piece of land.
Once the certificate of condonation is given to each ARB possessing an e-title, it means their land is already debt-free, Enciso said.
The “new lands,” Enciso explained, are those which were part of landholdings recently acquired by the government and were also subjected to CARP.
Enciso said, despite many challenges, they were optimistic that they can beat Marcos’s deadline on CARP. She admitted though that protests against CARP land coverage in Negros remain their toughest concern.
Lawyer Armando Jarilla, the national coordinator of Task Force Mapalad (TFM), the largest group of ARBs in the country, expressed doubts about DAR’s ability to fulfill its promises before 2028.
With a deficit of nearly 200,000 hectares in land distribution in Negros alone, Jarilla said the government’s promise may be unrealistic.
He also criticized DAR-Western Visayas for its poor performance, citing an average distribution of only 3,000 hectares per year in Negros. – Rappler.com
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Court upholds conviction of BIR officer from Davao who asked for money, land | Herbie G | 11/04/2024 14:55 | Shutterstock.com
MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has rejected the appeal of a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officer in Davao City, to overturn its November 6, 2023 decision which convicted him for the breach of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The court upheld its previous decision that convicted BIR officer Leo Gonzalez on two counts of solicitation and acceptance of gifts.
Gonzalez assailed the 2023 decision and filed motion for reconsideration with the 3rd Division of the Sandiganbayan, denying that he asked for cash and a parcel of land from the complainant, Federico Barco, who also served as the lone prosecution witness in the case.
The Sandiganbayan, however, stood firm in its decision, throwing out Gonzalez’s appeal.
The BIR officer was found to have asked for P610,000 in cash and a 10-hectare portion of Barco’s 130-hectare farm in Arakan, Cotabato province in the Soccsksargen region.
For that, he received a sentence of one year imprisonment for each count and was ordered to cover the expenses of the lawsuit.
During the trial, Barco testified that the BIR officer assured him that his daughter’s restaurant’s tax liability in Davao City would decrease from P1.3 million to only P90,000 if he agreed to the terms. Barco was instructed to pay P700,000, with only P90,000 to be acknowledged by an official receipt.
Asked about why only P90,000 would be reflected in the receipt and the fate of the remaining P610,000, Barco claimed that Gonzalez allegedly responded, “Marami kami (There are many of us).”
In his pleading, Gonzalez asserted that he was following a mission order in 2008 to investigate the Bakbak Native Chicken restaurant in Davao City, and conducting surveillance on Barco’s farm to uncover any unreported income.
Prosecutors, however, pointed out the irregularity of a BIR officer like Gonzalez conducting official duties outside BIR premises.
They also pointed out that Gonzalez personally provided Barco with a computation of Bakbak Chicken’s tax liabilities, leading Barco and his daughter to believe that a final notice of tax assessment had already been issued.
Prosecutors emphasized that the mission order failed to include Gonzalez’s name, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his actions.
In a recent ruling, penned by Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez and concurred by Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Ronald Moreno, the Sandiganbayan stated, “The bare denials of petitioner Gonzalez that he neither solicited money from witness Federico Barco nor requested a 10-hectare slice out of the 130-hectare agricultural land occupied by Mr. Barco in Arakan, North Cotabato fail to persuade.”
The anti-graft court said Gonzalez’s arguments merely echoed the same points previously addressed by lower courts in Davao City, as well as by the Sandiganbayan itself. It stated that there was nothing presented that could “alter, amend, revise, or reverse” earlier rulings. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate the decision of the 3rd division of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on the case of BIR officer Federico Barco. Good work Sandiganbayan. Could you keep it this way?
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Davao del Norte governor defies Palace suspension order, points to Lagdameo | Herbie G | 11/04/2024 17:27 | DEFIANT. In this file photo, Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib addresses his supporters at the provincial capitol in Tagum City on April 11, 2024.
Newsline Philippines
DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines – Thousands gathered around the Davao del Norte provincial capitol in Tagum City as a defiant Governor Edwin Jubahib refused to follow a suspension order issued by Malacañang.
Many of his supporters trooped to the capitol to prevent attempts to make Jubahib step aside on Thursday, April 11, so his vice governor, De Carlo Uy, could take over for two months. The governor called on his supporters not to leave the capitol.
Jubahib said he suspected his political enemies in the province, particularly Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., influenced Malacañang’s decision to suspend him from office.
In 2019, Jubahib was a political underdog and won the gubernatorial race in Davao del Norte, defeating Rodolfo “Rodney” del Rosario Jr. whose family has ruled in the province for decades.
The Del Rosarios and Lagdameo are close relatives, and were closely identified with the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s father and namesake.
Rodney, the son of former Davao del Norte congressman and governor Rodolfo del Rosario, garnered 166,870 votes against Juhabib’s 275,984.
His brother Anthony, who was then the governor, lost the congressional race in the province’s 1st District to former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Jubahib and Alvarez both ran under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
In 2022, the Del Rosarios’ group fielded Roy Catalan against Jubahib and failed to unseat him.
The Palace, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, ordered on April 8 that Jubahib be placed under preventive suspension for 60 days effective on Thursday, after it found “strong evidence of guilt” based on a complaint filed by Provincial Board Member Orly Amit before the Office of the President.
The details of the complaint are unclear but according to Jubahib, Amit accused him of grave abuse of authority and oppression because the governor took a capitol-owned vehicle assigned to the board member and assigned it to the Provincial Engineering Office. But after a month, the vehicle was assigned back to Amit.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in a statement, said Bersamin’s order was based on an administrative complaint against the governor by various parties, “which raises concerns regarding the alleged misuse of authority, potential oppression, and the utilization of government funds to advance the interests of a private company.“
Jubahib said the two-month suspension order against him was “politically motivated.”
“This is not a fair decision and I do not recognize the President’s preventive suspension order,” Jubahib told Rappler.
He said he would go to court and file a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the order from Malacanang.
He added, “Mali ang desisyon na ito. Nagtrabaho ako ng maayos. Hindi ako aalis dito hanggang hindi ako na satisfied sa decision (This decision is wrong. I worked hard. I will not leave here until I am satisfied with the decision) And I call on my people not to leave the capitol.”
The DILG said, “We recognize the challenges faced by our officers during the implementation of this suspension order, and we commend their professionalism and dedication in upholding the law amidst any resistance encountered.” – Rappler.com
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Ilocos Sur’s Pinsal Falls still closed to the public | Mia Gonzalez | 11/04/2024 15:23 | LOCAL ATTRACTION. Pinsal Falls in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur.
GARRY MEDINA via Wikimedia Commons
ILOCOS SUR, Philippines – A favorite summer tourism destination in Ilocos Sur remains closed following an encounter between the government forces and the New People’s Army in the village where it is located.
Pinsal Falls, which then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared as a tourist destination in 2019, remains closed since April 3 as an effect of the encounter in the boundary of Barangay Baballasioan in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur, and Barangay Nagcanasan in Pilar, Abra, on April 2.
Shots were heard at Pinsal Falls during the encounter which injured one Army soldier.
Jojo Foliente, the president of the Pinsal Falls Bangkeros Associated, said that operations were halted after the incident and the Philippine Army had set up camp in their facilities.
He said that 32 of their members are asking for financial assistance as they were not able to work for more than a week.
Foliente said this could have been one of their busiest months this year.
Twenty-seven households composed of 95 from Sitio Paring were evacuated to the poblacion building in Pilar but have since returned to their homes.
The rowers of Pinsal, however, remained idle.
A video of the Pinsal Falls where gunshots can be heard in the distance was uploaded by a popular radio station and apparently drove away tourists, Foliente said.
Pinsal Falls offered rafts where local and foreign can have their lunch beside the falls. – Rappler.com
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Myanmar troops retreat to Thai border bridge after days of fighting | Victor Barreiro Jr. | 11/04/2024 13:58 | THAILAND-MYANMAR BORDER. A Thai soldier sits in front of the blockage of a road leading to the Thailand-Myanmar border where the fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic minority rebels still continues in Mae Sot district, Tak province, Thailand, December 19, 2021.
Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
Some 200 Myanmar military personnel withdrew to a bridge connecting the border town of Myawaddy to Thailand on Thursday, April 11, following a days-long assault in the area by anti-junta rebels, according to an ethnic armed group spokesman and local media.
Myanmar’s military-run government is battling armed rebel groups on several fronts and has suffered a string of defeats in frontier areas.
The retreat of junta troops in Myawaddy, which is adjacent to Thailand’s Mae Sot, signals the potential loss of another key border trading outpost that has direct highway access to parts of central Myanmar.
On Thursday, around 200 fleeing soldiers were gathered at a border crossing into Thailand, said Saw Taw Nee, spokesperson for the Karen National Union (KNU), an anti-junta group leading the assault on Myawaddy.
Local news outlet Khit Thit reported Thai authorities were in talks with the soldiers to decide whether to grant them refuge.
A spokesperson for the Myanmar junta did not respond to calls for comment.
The KNU said last week that its troops had attacked a junta camp near Myawaddy, forcing some 600 security personnel and their families to surrender.
Border crossings in the area were open for civilians who have been coming into Thailand from Myanmar in large numbers, said Police Colonel Borwornphop Soontornlekha, Superintendent of Immigration in the Thai province of Tak, where Mae Sot is located.
“Usually there are about 2,000 people who cross into Mae Sot from Myawaddy each day but the last three days the number was almost 4,000 per day,” Borwornphop told Reuters.
Thailand’s military has stepped up security on its side of the border, deploying army vehicles equipped with roof-mounted machine guns.
At least 2,000 people have been displaced within Myanmar by the latest round of fighting between the rebels and the military, according to civil society group Karen Peace Support Network.
Myanmar’s military, which took power in a 2021 coup after deposing an elected civilian government, has faced a series of setbacks against a loose alliance of ethnic rebel groups and a civilian militia movement. – Rappler.com
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A peek into Apollo Quiboloy’s expensive gun collection | Jodesz Gavilan | 03/04/2024 16:38 | Illustration by Raffy De Guzman
READ: Part 1 | Inside Apollo Quiboloy’s lavish world: Mansions, rich-and-famous lifestyle in North AmericaPart 2 | Quiboloy in the US: More multi-million properties in Las Vegas, Hawaii
Doomsday preacher Pastor Apollo Quiboloy did not only accumulate multi-million-peso properties abroad. The self-appointed “Son of God” also has an expensive arsenal of licensed firearms.
A Rappler investigation found that Quiboloy, the leader of the controversial Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), has a collection of at least 19 firearms whose estimated worth is about P2.3 million ($41,000)*, documents obtained by Rappler showed.
This estimate is based on the current market value of each of the 13 firearms that Rappler was able to independently verify by consulting popular gun stores or directly inquiring with manufacturers. We will update this once we obtain more information about the other five.
Two documents show almost entirely different sets of firearms, save for five guns that appear on both lists. The documents also differ on the indicated date of approval for the licenses. Information in the two documents, however, are both registered with the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO).
One of the documents shows 11 guns, while the other has 13, or a total of 19 linked to Quiboloy. One license recently expired on March 5, 2024, and another one is set to expire in September 2024, records showed.
At least 13, however, have an expiry date of April 2033 – indicating that Quiboloy obtained these licenses in 2023. This means that he benefited from Republic Act No. 11766, which extended the validity of a firearm license from four to 10 years.
RA 11766 was signed into law on May 6, 2022 by known Quiboloy friend and then-president Rodrigo Duterte, just a little over a month before his term ended. Duterte himself obtained 10-year licenses for 358 of his own firearms in June 2022, a few weeks after the law was enacted.
Quiboloy is on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list for sex trafficking of children and promotional money laundering, among others. In the Philippines, the doomsday preacher was charged with human trafficking, a non-bailable offense, on top of a March 14 arrest warrant issued by a regional trial court in the Davao region for child abuse and sexual abuse.
The PNP on Friday, April 26, announced that it has revoked Quiboloy’s licenses, after the recommendation of the PNP FEO. Spokesperson Jean Fajardo earlier this month confirmed that Quiboloy has 19 firearms, as quoted by several media reports, affirming the count on documents first obtained and reported on exclusively by Rappler.
Earlier on Wednesday, April 24, the PNP FEO told Rappler that it already recommended revoking the gun licenses of Quiboloy, adding that it had submitted the resolution for approval by PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil.
Quiboloy has a Type 5 license, as stated in the document that contains information on the firearms. The document obtained by Rappler certifies that these “information exist in FEO records.”
Individuals who have a Type 5 license can own more than 15 firearms because the law does not impose an explicit limit. This, however, is subject to a process where a prospective license holder needs to submit requirements, including results from drug and psychological tests.
All but one – or at least 18 – firearms in Quiboloy’s vault are pistols. Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2012 defines a pistol as “a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently aligned with the bore which may be self-loading.”
At least 15 pistols listed have complete details, meaning that the document states the pistol’s make, model, caliber, and serial number or “key identifiers of a firearm,” according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. “Make” refers to the name of the firearms manufacturer. The “model” is a way to identify each firearm produced by a manufacturer.
The model of three pistols licensed under Quiboloy are not indicated in the documents.
But based on firearms with complete details, the most expensive in the doomsday preacher’s vault are the pistols manufactured by Philippine-based Metrillo Gun Corporation. Quiboloy has at least five Metrillo pistols, with a total conservative estimate of around P1.5 million ($27,000).
Rappler was able to obtain price quotations of specific pistol models – three Fastidious, one Masterpiece, and one Phenomenal – indicated in the documents.
A Masterpiece pistol can range from P285,000 ($5,000) to P420,000 ($7,400), depending on whether it is customized or not. A Fastidious, meanwhile, can go as high as P650,000 ($11,500). The cheapest Phenomenal model is P420,000 ($7,400), while the most expensive is worth P750,000 ($13,300).
Duterte also owns three Masterpiece pistols from Metrillo.
Quiboloy owns two pistols made by CZ, a Czech Republic-based manufacturer. One is a 75 TS Orange pistol, “a top of the range sport special,” that costs P195,000 ($3,466). The other, meanwhile, is a Shadow 2 pistol with a price tag of P100,000 ($1,700). It is described as “an all-steel, large-capacity SA/DA pistol that is currently the most celebrated firearm in today’s dynamic sport disciplines.”
The sole rifle licensed under the doomsday preacher’s name is a Colt that has no indicated model, but one of the cheapest goes for P61,000 ($1,080) a piece.
Gun ownership is not unusual, and that includes even religious leaders.
In the United States, for example, Pew Research in 2017 found that 41% of evangelicals own guns. Sociologist of religion Jayeel Cornelio explained that, in the US context, guns and God go hand-in-hand as a reflection of a theological worldview that Christ is “masculine, dominant, and ready to fight.”
This becomes dangerous when they start believing that people who are not like them – those who have opposing views on important issues – are “potential enemies.”
“Gun ownership reflects two possibilities in the Christian worldview: As a form of protection or in preparation for a possible war,” he told Rappler on Monday, April 1. “Either way, the working assumption is that there is an imminent threat for which gun ownership is necessary.”
Quiboloy may have only 19 firearms in his vault, but one can view this as part of a “bigger war that he is waging,” especially as he continues to face legal issues stemming from accusations of abuse by former KOJC members.
“He is after all a countercultural, counterintuitive religious leader,” Cornelio said. “He knows that many would not like what he preaches so that could be one reason why he feels threatened.”
It is important to note that this report covers only guns that are officially licensed under Quiboloy’s name. These do not include other possible firearms that are in use by his security.
In February 2018, when Quiboloy was temporarily detained, Hawaii News Now reported that authorities discovered “parts to assemble military-style rifles” and undeclared cash in the plane that he and other KOJC associates were on.
A former church member also claimed that the doomsday pastor would arrive in his vast property in Davao City with lots of firearms. He also supposedly witnessed Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, leave the premises with bags of guns. The former president denied this claim, calling it “a very stupid proposition,” and even questioned where Quiboloy would get these guns.
The over P2-million gun vault of Quiboloy (about $41,000) – is the latest in a slew of discoveries about his vast wealth. Rappler previously published reports that explored multi-million-peso homes traced to Quiboloy and his controversial KOJC – four currently owned and one that has already been sold.
The four have a total estimated value of $9.07 million (P503 million), based on current market prices. If the property sold in 2018 is included, the total value would go up to $10.83 million (P601 million).
The properties found to have current links to Quiboloy and the KOJC include the following:
There is also a property in Hawaii worth $1.76 million (P97.71 million) that was the subject of a ruse sale in July 2018, months after Quiboloy was temporarily detained in 2018. The listed owners of the company it was sold to are directly linked to the pastor, while its address leads to a KOJC church.
KOJC is far from being the only church that has this much wealth and properties. According to Cornelio, having that much resources that could be claimed to come from God would be “irrefutable to a believer.”
“For any religious group, the mark of success is the accumulation of wealth,” he said. “It is much easier to say that you have God’s anointing if you can concretely identify the ‘blessings.’”
One way that Quiboloy could justify his wealth is to say that “it is a demonstration of the fulfillment of God’s calling” for him and the KOJC, Cornelio said. Obtaining properties both in the Philippines and abroad happened because God is “at work in them.”
But Quiboloy is accused of accumulating his wealth by forcing members to not just give money, but also solicit donations in various places across the Philippines and even the world. (READ: ‘Root of all evil’: Quiboloy church’s demands for money mire followers in debt)
Following the publication of Rappler’s investigation into Quiboloy’s multi-million-peso mansions, some supposed KOJC supporters defended their leader online by saying that the properties are owned by the entire church. These are aside from the intense defense they mounted against allegations of abuse.
Why are many people still defending Quiboloy? Cornelio said that the KOJC is a “high-demand, high-control religion” where so much is at stake when one joins – referring to demands and responsibilities, as well as repercussions when members stray from what is ordered. This leads to their identities being “fully intertwined with the institution itself.”
“So effectively, individuality gives way to group solidarity [and] for this reason, an attack on Quiboloy is an attack on all of them,” he said.
“But that is also where all the problem lies: not just the lack of accountability when the leader becomes corrupt, but also people’s inability to recognize that something is already wrong,” Cornelio added.
Quiboloy remains untouchable – despite having an existing arrest warrant from a local court, an arrest order from the Senate, and landing on the FBI’s most wanted list. Will he remain invincible? – Rappler.com
*$1 = P56
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