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[OPINION] The Senate, the Constitution, and the price of self-preservation
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Glenda Gloria
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25/01/2024 17:00
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Ultimately, self-preservation kicked in.
This week the Senate released a resolution rejecting the latest iteration of the “People’s Initiative.” Not a single senator deviated or even abstained. What’s even more remarkable is that just a week prior, Senate President Miguel Zubiri sent a missive agreeing to Cha-Cha but limiting it to economic amendments.
The senators must have been shocked at the speed by which signatures have been gathered. The goal of every Cha-Cha drive is to get 3% of each district and at least 12% of the national voting population. That’s nothing to a House of Representatives dominated by political dynasties. Their absolute control over their fiefdoms has made the gathering of signatures “fait accompli.” All it really needed was a signal from the top. And there can be no greater signal than the Commission on Elections (Comelec) receiving P14.2 billion to use for plebiscites in 2024.
The thrust of this people’s initiative is to change the way the Senate and the House will vote if a “Cha-Cha” through constituent assembly happens. In a constitutional convention, we all get to vote for our delegates. In a Constituent Assembly, your senators and congressmen are the delegates. The signatures being gathered will make the two bodies vote “jointly.” So, you take 24 senators and add 300 congressmen giving you a “constituent assembly” with 324 delegates. A majority of the 324 gets to change the Constitution.
Voting “separately” means that the Constituent Assembly will have a two-tiered system, much like the way we pass laws today. Proposed changes to the Constitution will need a majority from the 24 senator-delegates, and a separate majority from the 300+ congressman-delegates. It’s obvious why the Senate would refuse to “vote jointly.” But that’s precisely what the rocket-fueled signature campaign wants.
What the initial Senate move tried to balance was the willingness to dance this “Cha-Cha” but only on the condition that they will not be sidelined. The problem, however, is that the “people’s initiative” is so far gone some congressmen are publicly bragging that they might get 20% of their districts to sign. There’s no deal to be had when you have nothing that the other side wants.
The irony is that the rocket fuel for this Cha-Cha (Comelec’s P14 billion plebiscite budget) came from the bicameral conference committee of Congress. The “bicam” is made up of both senators and congressmen. History might soon tell that by letting this seemingly innocuous insertion pass, the Senate may well have signed its death warrant. It’s a stark reminder of the perils of too much “Executive accommodation.”
However, the Senate is not the only thing a new system of government can potentially get rid of. When a constitution is re-written, it creates a new legal order. That in turn triggers a revised judicial system. And revamped societies rarely retain sitting magistrates. Recall how Marcos took over the courts during Martial Law, and how the late president Corazon Aquino dealt with the Marcosian Supreme Court (SC) after EDSA.
There’s reason to believe why this might be in play.
In “Justices and Political Loyalties: An Empirical Investigation of the Supreme Court of the Philippines”, Björn Dressel (PhD, of the Crawford School of Public Policy) and Cristina Bonoan (UP Law) observed that “[u]nder the Duterte administration, voting preferences have been more aligned with the appointer.” According to their data, Duterte-appointed justices don’t just tend to vote in favor of his administration, they do so by a factor “that is higher than 25%” than other justices.
This highlights an issue that’s been vexing the Marcos’ administration: 13 out of the 15 justices are Duterte appointees. Most of them will outlast the current president. Key elements of the economic agenda are pending before the SC. With the ongoing political schism, high-stakes political challenges will soon make their way there. All these just in time for the mid-terms where the Dutertes threaten a comeback. Considering how much this administration abhors uncertainty, something’s gotta give.
The new Senate resolution invokes greater principles of democracy in a bid to win public sentiment and save itself from irrelevance. Regardless of how we feel politically, the better option is still to side with it. And if it comes to that, with the Court. But we need to seriously reflect on why our institutions have become so vulnerable. Mired as we are in the compromises of governance, we sometimes overlook the dangers that incremental decisions make.
Decisions like ousting a fellow legislator being targeted by a president and letting her get arrested on shaky charges. Or removing one’s own chief through a method that “enlists the Court’s participation in the erosion of its own independence.” That phrase is from Justice Caguioa who then warned about committing (judicial) “seppuku – without honor.” History shows that the roots of institutional weakness are more often the products of its own members.
An independent Senate stood against the late president Fidel Ramos, as well as former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo GMA – when needed. In doing so it earned the public’s gratitude and, more importantly, its protection.
In the same vein, the landmark cases taught in law schools venerate Teehankee, as well as the decisions of the Davide and Panganiban courts that pushed back against overly ambitious presidents. If this Cha-Cha is truly unstoppable, these are the examples our successors will need to guide them once the “Bagong Lipunan” washes everything away.
The world might have changed but, the price of liberty remains the same. – Rappler.com
John Molo teaches constitutional law and chairs the political law cluster of the UP College of Law. He worked in the Senate and the Supreme Court. He is a trustee of the Philippine Bar Association and chairperson of the IBP Journal’s Editorial Board.
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The bicameral conference committee of Congress is noted for some “legislative magic.” The recent “magic potion” is the Comelec’s P14 billion plebiscite budget. If senators were present when it was “magically brewed,” why did they agree to such a concoction? Did too much “executive accommodation” mislead them”? This shows what kind of checks and balances exist in our present government.
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Frying soon! What to expect from NeNe Chicken’s 1st Metro Manila branch
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Steph Arnaldo
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25/01/2024 17:06
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MANILA, Philippines – You can never go wrong with fried chicken, especially if it’s from one of the countries that does it best – South Korea. If you’ve been craving for Korean fried chicken after watching your K-dramas, don’t be a-fried! Renowned Korean chain NeNe Chicken is making its way to the Philippines for the first time on April 2024.
NeNe Chicken is opening its first branch in One Ayala Mall, Makati City, open from 10:30 am to 10 pm. Owners Gil and Saeed of Relle Foods Inc. – the company bringing in the brand – confirmed the news to Rappler. If you’re not that familiar with NeNe Chicken yet, or if you are but don’t know what to expect from its first Philippine foray, here’s the lowdown fresh out of the fryer!
NeNe – which actually means “Yes Yes” in Korean – is being brought to the Philippines by two young friends Gil and Saeed, “who know a thing or two about great-tasting chicken,” they said.
Relle Foods owns and operates NeNe Chicken in other countries outside South Korea, while also holding the master license for a few brands in the Philippines. They decided to finally bring NeNe Chicken to the Philippines after seeing it so well-received by Filipinos in other countries.
“We want to give Filipinos here an authentic KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) brand offered at an affordable price point,” Gil said.
NeNe aims to stand out from its other Korean chicken competitors by offering its menu at budget-friendly prices.
“Our main goal is to share good food with as many customers as we can. We don’t want to be a ‘Sometimes Food’ like our competitors, but instead be an ‘Everyday Food,'” Gil added.
For its Philippine outpost, Gil and Saeed wanted a casual and inviting space where different people could come together and enjoy good food with good company.
“We want to celebrate everyones uniqueness, which is symbolized with the mismatching chairs. Our space is like a friend’s house. We want you to come and hang out.”
Fresh chicken is sourced from NeNe’s sustainable farmers, marinated in a signature blend, seasoned in flour, and then fried until light and crispy. NeNe’s sauces and toppings are authentically Korean and sourced from Korea, made from recipes that have been perfected since 1999.
“Our customers can expect to experience the genuine taste of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) flavors and how it should taste in Korea,” Gil said.
NeNe Chicken’s Philippine menu will feature the Legendary Chicken Range of its famous flavors, such as the Original crispy chicken; the world-famous Swicy (sweet-and-spicy); Bulgogi (garlic-soy blend); and Freaking Hot.
The Signature Snowing Range – which Gil said first originated from Nene Chicken – offers the Snowing Cheese flavor, which is crispy chicken coated in a rich, “snowy” layer of NeNe’s secret blend of cheese. The Snowing Spicy is a spicy version, and the Snowing Vegetable has a rich, cheesy seasoning with extra notes of veggie flavors.
More flavors will be announced during the official opening, Gil said. The menu will also include burgers, fries, twister potatoes, K-Dogs with a twist, cheese balls, tteokbokki, rice bowls, and desserts.
The K-favorite chicken brand first started as a chicken processing facility in 1995, and then became the NeNe Chicken brand in 1999 with the mission to “create a happy society where people come together.”
Since then, NeNe has grown to over 1,500 stores in 11 different countries worldwide.
NeNe Chicken also boasts an impressive roster of Korean ambassadors, such as hit K-pop group SEVENTEEN, girl group OH MY GIRL, boy group NU’EST, and even comedian Yoo Jae-suk. NeNe also makes cameos in various K-dramas, such as in Netflix’s She Would Never Know.
“We want NeNe Chicken to continue to be the ‘Happy Choice’ for fried chicken lovers worldwide,” Gil and Saeed said. With plans to expand the brand throughout the country after the first branch, we’re excited to come along for the chicken ride! – Rappler.com
For more information, you can check out NeNe Chicken Philippines’ website or Facebook page.
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‘It’s not easy’: 6 Filipino celebrity moms who opened up about postpartum depression
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Ysa Abad
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25/01/2024 17:46
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Being a mom is no doubt fulfilling. But while it can be a source of joy, it can also be a tough job to navigate.
According to studies, the postnatal period, in particular, can be very difficult for mothers – with 1 in 7 new mothers experiencing postpartum depression. According to Healthline, postpartum depression “causes changes in mood, exhaustion, and a general sense of hopelessness for a long time after birth.”
Even celebrities have shared their experiences in managing motherhood alongside this mental health issue. Here’s how they handled the pressure of parenthood:
In a January 2024 episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, actress Kris Bernal revealed that she was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety.
“I was enjoying the whole time being pregnant. Hindi ko alam na ang hirap pala kapag nanganak ka na (I didn’t know that it would be this hard once you gave birth),” she said. “It’s really not easy. I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety kasi nahirapan talaga ako mag-adjust (because I was really finding it hard to adjust).”
The first-time mom, who gave birth to daughter Hailee Lucca in September 2023, shared that she feels like she “could no longer recognize [her] old self.”
“Feel ko parang bagong tao ako…. The things that I used to love, wala na. I’m loving myself now pero siguro may hinahanap pa ako sa dati kong sarili (I feel like I’m a brand new person.… The things I used to love no longer interest me. I’m loving myself now but I’m still looking for something from my past self),” she added.
Bernal, however, was quick to clarify that she’s thankful to be a mom: “This doesn’t mean I’m not grateful or na hindi ko gusto ‘tong journey ko. Ito ang pinakamagandang nangyari sa buhay ko (that I’m not happy with my journey. This is the best thing that’s happened in my life.)”
Months after giving birth to her first child with Luis Manzano, actress Jessy Mendiola got candid about her postpartum body.
“The truth is, accepting your postpartum body gives a huge impact on your mental health. I went through postpartum depression and it wasn’t easy,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
Mendiola continued that while she’ll always have insecurities, having recognized the strength of her body has helped change her perspective.
“Once you acknowledge the strength of carrying a life inside you for nine months, giving birth and caring for your baby while recovering is definitely amazing,” she added.
Prior to this, the actress already opened up about experiencing body image issues when she was pregnant, sharing that she didn’t “feel like [herself] anymore” and that she “really get[s] insecure” at times.
In August 2019 — shortly after giving birth to her second child — Andi Eigenmann detailed her struggles accepting the changes brought upon by motherhood.
“I guess this is what postpartum depression looks like to me. I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. Sleepless nights are getting the best of me. When the others are asleep, I’d shed tears I’d normally save for my acting performances on TV show finales,” she said.
The actress continued that she’s “having so many thoughts of guilt” and even “questioning every decision [she] made.” But Eigenmann clarified that while she misses her old self prior to having two kids, she still doesn’t regret the life she has now as a mother.
“I love where I’m at, even if it hasn’t been easy. That’s what keeps me going,” she said.
Prior to being a mom, Toni Gonzaga said she wondered why mothers experienced postpartum depression. However, after giving birth to her first son Seve in September 2016, the actress-host experienced first-hand how it was to be in their shoes.
During a 2017 press conference, Gonzaga recalled that during the first weeks after giving birth, she would usually cry in the bathroom when she was alone.
“Kapag umiiyak siya (Seve), sabi ko, ‘Umiiyak na naman siya, ano na namang kailangan niya?’ Iiyak din ako, magda-drama din ako. Minsan may gaanon kami, kapag umiiyak siya, iiyak din ako,” she said.
(Whenever Seve would cry, I’d say, ‘He’s crying again, what does he need again?’ I would cry too, I would be dramatic, too. Sometimes we do that – when he cries, I cry too.)
When asked about her advice to moms who are also dealing with postpartum depression, Gonzaga emphasized the importance of having a support system to talk to.
In a February 2023 Instagram post, actress Kylie Padilla detailed how she struggled with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety three years prior.
“The chemistry in my body was out of control, hormonal fluctuations took a toll on my emotional journey. Complications from birth hindered me from taking care of my kids,” she said.
The mother of two recalled that at the time, she was in constant pain and constant doubt. Among her worries include whether her body would recover or if she’ll be able to stand or walk properly again.”
Padilla shared that “never in [her] life” did she feel so “emotionally, physically exhausted” than during this period.
“Like all wives and mothers do, I was fulfilled. But was I happy? And is seeking my own happiness even a possibility? I asked myself every single day,” she wrote.
Reflecting on how much her life had changed, the actress said these emotional tolls made her appreciate where she is now.
“I have a safe home for my kids, work that I’m proud of, and one by one, my dreams are becoming reality. After all my doubt, pain, and fighting the silent battles, fighting my own psyche for the right to be happy, I’m still here,” she said.
In a February 2021 vlog, US-based actress Michelle Madrigal opened up about how not having a support system when she gave birth to her daughter in the United States led her to having postpartum depression.
“Having a child on its own without any family members, mahirap (it’s tough). I didn’t know how to figure it out. I didn’t invite anybody. It was just me when I gave birth,” she said.
“Mahirap na parang wala pala akong support (It was difficult kind of realizing I didn’t have a support system) here. And then the transition to stay-at-home, finding myself…I had postpartum depression. Six months.”
Madrigal said that aside from crying at random times and for unknown reasons, her mood swings were also bad.
“There’ll be days na sobrang high (I feel high and) I’m really happy…and then at night time, parang (it’s like) I don’t want to talk to anybody,” she said.
As she detailed her experience, the actress also pointed out how mental health issues like this shouldn’t be taken lightly by Filipinos.
“You have to acknowledge it,” she said. – Rappler.com
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‘The reason I can’t give up’: What Kris Aquino and Bimby’s relationship is like, as told on social media
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jreyes0314
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25/01/2024 18:02
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Kris Aquino's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – It’s no secret that Kris Aquino has always been a doting mother to her two sons, Josh and Bimby, whom she would regularly post about on social media and unapologetically speak lovingly about on her past television appearances.
Kris has been battling several autoimmune diseases since 2018. The 52-year-old moved to the US in 2022 to receive treatment and has remained there since. She has consistently been documenting her journey to recovery on her Instagram page – and her posts, including her replies to the comments under them, usually include anecdotes that paint a picture of her relationship with her youngest son, Bimby, who has stepped up to take care of her.
In April 2023, Kris shared that Bimby is the reason why she has worked so hard to improve her health.
A post shared by Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (@krisaquino)
“YOU are the reason I can’t give up, and I continue fighting what at times feels like a losing battle. BUT if there’s one thing I’m proud of, since the day you were born – 5 weeks early, weighing barely 4 pounds, I’ve kept my word, never breaking any promises I made to you,” Kris wrote.
The Feng Shui star also thanked Bimby for being “so responsible and caring,” as their roles had now been reversed, with Bimby taking care of her.
Kris also admitted that she prayed to still be “alive and cognizant” in 2025 when he turns 18.
Bimby began helping take care of Kris in the US when she first began receiving treatment for her autoimmune diseases. In the same Instagram post, Kris shared that Bimby would usually do homeschooling from 7 am to 1 pm so he could allot the rest of his time helping Kris’ nurses take care of her.
“Because you’re the one who can so easily lift, shift, move, and position me when my inflammation is awful and my entire body hurts,” Kris said.
In June 2023, he flew back to the Philippines to celebrate his 16th birthday with his family and friends. Kris shared in a separate post that he “deserved to enjoy being 16” as he has had to watch her go from battling three autoimmune diseases to five within the span of a year.
A post shared by Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (@krisaquino)
“Bimb and I discussed it, nakikita ko ‘yung (I could see the) stress and anxiety my bunso was feeling. He’s had to grow up so fast because he needed to learn to be responsible in helping [take] care of me. Kawawa kasi nakikita niya (I feel bad for him because he sees) the many new physical manifestations, because from 3 when we came to the [US] a year ago, naging 5 na ‘yung diagnosed autoimmune conditions ko (My diagnosed autoimmune conditions grew to 5). As his mama I felt for a few months he deserves to enjoy being 16,” Kris wrote.
In July 2023, Kris revealed that she experienced “deep bone pain” in her joints and also had a swollen knee and lower back pain. She told Bimby that he would have to come back to the US earlier from his trip back to the Philippines.
A post shared by Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (@krisaquino)
Her older son, Josh, had also volunteered to visit her in Los Angeles with Bimby.
On January 21, Kris revealed that her current health condition has become more complex after an onset of lupus, another type of autoimmune disease. When Cornerstone Entertainment, Inc. handler Cristine Calawod commented her well wishes for Kris, the actress-TV host admitted that there is a possibility Bimby would go home after her birthday to start working.
“He needs to work because my medical bills are getting higher and higher. But Tin, the stage mom is already saying NO to a name change. He’ll stay as Bimb. No last name, like Drake,” Kris said in her reply to Calawod.
GET WELL SOON, KRIS! 😷In an Instagram exchange, Kris Aquino tells Cornerstone Entertainment artists handler Cristine Calawod that her son Bimby will return to the Philippines to work as her medical bills are “getting higher and higher.”The former TV host, now based in the… pic.twitter.com/2olhmxQzRo
In July 2023, Kris’ longtime co-host Boy Abunda accompanied Bimby to meet with Cornerstone Entertainment executives to see if Bimby could possibly begin a career in show business.
“Totoo po ‘yan na sa pag-uusap namin, we were trying to explore the possibilities, kung pwede bang mag-artista si Bimb, ano ba ang aming gagawin…but it was more of an exploratory meeting. Mayroon po ‘yang permisyo ng kanyang ina, ang aking kaibigan na si Kris Aquino,” Boy explained in Episode 116 of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda.
(It’s true that during our discussion, we were trying to explore the possibilities of Bimb becoming a celebrity and what we should do…but it was more of an exploratory meeting. We got permission from his mother, my friend Kris Aquino.)
Boy also mentioned that since the Cornerstone team was in the US, he hoped that Kris, Bimby, and the agency would discuss matters further regarding Bimby’s possible showbiz career.
While Kris, Boy, and Cornerstone have yet to share the details of Bimby’s possible foray into the same industry his mother has made a name for herself in, it’s clear that he has grown up to be a responsible son who wouldn’t think twice about caring for Kris. – Rappler.com
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SCHEDULE: 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship
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jisaga0269
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16/01/2024 14:15
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STAR POWER. Former NBA star Dwight Howard in a practice session with Strong Group.
Strong Group Athletics
Strong Group looks to complete a tournament sweep after wrecking Beirut Sports Club, 94-72, in the knockout semifinals of 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
But the Philippine club team, bannered by the Dwight Howard-Kevin Quiambao tandem, needs to put together another formidable outing as Strong Group faces unbeaten defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the winner-take-all title match:
A victory will be sweet redemption for Strong Group after a quarterfinal exit last year.
It will also make the team the second Philippine club to rule the tournament after Mighty Sports pulled off the feat in 2020.
Strong Group secured its spot in the final four after outlasting Moroccan squad AS Sale, 92-80, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Led by Dwight Howard and Kevin Quiambao, the Philippine club team vies to stay unbeaten for a spot in the title round. Here’s their semifinal schedule:
Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, another unbeaten squad, battles Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli in the other semifinal match.
The winners will march to the winner-take-all championship showdown the next day.
Strong Group Athletics marched to the knockout round of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after completing a 5-0 sweep of the eliminations behind the solid plays of former NBA star Dwight Howard, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, and former Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jordan Heading.
Here’s the Philippine club team’s quarterfinal schedule:
The winner will advance to the knockout semifinal clash the next day.
Other quarterfinal duels pit the Emirates National Team versus the Beirut Club, the Al-Riyadi Club Beirut against Dubai’s Al Nasr Club, and Lebanon’s Homenetmen Club versus Dubai’s Al Wahda Club.
After weeks of high anticipation, former NBA champion and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard is finally suiting up for the Philippines as part of Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship tipping off on Friday, January 19.
Arguably the most decorated import in Philippine basketball history, the 38-year-old center is joined by fellow former NBA players Andray Blatche, who once suited up as Gilas Pilipinas’ former naturalized player, and defensive ace Andre Roberson, who played seven seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Making up the local Filipino cast of Strong Group is another collection of stars, including reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, and UAAP champion JD Cagulangan.
Import McKenzie Moore rounds out the roster alongside locals Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot.
Here is the elimination round schedule for the one-week pocket tournament:
– Rappler.com
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None of big winners in PCSO’s Christmas, New Year lotto games bet on all combinations, says GM
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gdecastro0289
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25/01/2024 17:44
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CHANCE. Bettors wait for their turn at a lotto outlet in Paco, Manila on October 2, 2022.
Rappler photo
MANILA, Philippines – None of the winners in the lotto games that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) augmented by huge amounts for its Christmas and New Year draws placed bets on all combinations to win, the head of the state-run lottery firm testified on Thursday, January 25.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles told a Senate Games and Amusement committee hearing that while it is a bettor’s right to bet on all combinations in its lotto games, none of the winners in their “Handog Pakabog” promo draws did this.
“Our records show na hindi naman po binetan ang lahat ng combinations on the day po na tinamaan,” he said. (Our records show that a bet was not placed on all combinations on the day the jackpot was hit.)
“Opo (Yes),” Robles replied when committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo asked him whether this applied to all the recent winners. He promised to turn over to the committee PCSO records to prove this.
The PCSO raised on December 16, 2023 the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the Grand Lotto 6/55, Ultra Lotto 6/58, Super Lotto 6/49 by P500 million each, and P100 million each for Lotto 6/42 and MegaLotto 6/45 as part of its Christmas and New Year draws.
On December 29, 2023, a lone bettor won P571 million in the Ultra Lotto 6/58, the biggest jackpot in 2023.
On January 16, 2024, a bettor won P640 million with the combination 26-33-14-48-06-42 in the Super Lotto 6/49 draw.
On January 17, another lone bettor won P698 million in the Grand Lotto 6/55 with the correct combination of 24-50-52-09-51-03 through PCSO’s new e-Lotto platform.
Three bettors, meantime, won in the Lotto 6/42 jackpot on January 2 with a prize of P108 million.
Two people split the Megalotto 6/45 jackpot of P121 million on January 8.
Tulfo suspects that the PCSO intentionally boosted the jackpot to reduce the risks for wealthy bettors, who are then able to bet on all combinations to win. For instance, in the 6/49 lotto, he said there are 14 million combinations and at P20 for each bet, a wealthy bettor can spend P240 million to win, and he can recover his investment if the prize is boosted.
Tulfo claimed that PCSO had someone bet on all combinations that was won via e-lotto, and that a machine generated all combinations, a charge that Robles denied.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that based on the history of PCSO’s lotto draws, it usually took months before lotto games with a jackpot prize of P500 million or more were won, but in this recent series of draws, which he described as an “anomaly,” all the games with big prizes produced winners in less than month.
“In less than one month, limang laro ang tinamaan…itong nangyari ng December is really an anomaly. Hindi lang one [lotto] game, limang games,” he said. (In less than one month, 5 games were won…what happened this December is really an anomaly.)
Robles, however, told the committee that no cheating is being done. “We would like to assure you that you can never, never manipulate it, kaya nga po (that’s why) allowed kami mag-bet (even PCSO personnel can bet), Mr. Chair. Even I can bet because it’s beyond me.”
Tulfo said he will push to revise the PCSO charter that allows it to use its prize reserve fund to augment the jackpot, arguing that it is better to use the money for charity and other social welfare needs instead of having only one or several persons end up as millionaires.
Tulfo said the usual practice in countries that have lotteries is to allow the jackpot to grow from the bets, a process which Robles said is called “snowballing.”
Robles agreed this was the usual way to grow the pot and not by augmenting it, but added that the “Handog Pakabog” was a promo that is done “once in a while” by lotteries.
He said the marketing promo generated public interest in lotto betting, and this allowed the PCSO to recover the P1.3 billion it used for the “Handog Pakabog” after generating total sales of P2.2 billion. As a result, he said the PCSO made P800 million in a month plus an additional P240 million for charity.
Robles also said in a television interview last week that betting on all carries a big risk because if there’s more than one winner, the wealthy bettor stands to lose big.
“In the case of 6/49, interesting ito, 14 million ang odds. At P20, that’s only P280 million, eh ang pot mo ay P600 million. Kaya po talaga theoretically [to bet on all combinations and win]. Kaya lang, ‘pag may nakahati ka, dalawa o tatlo, lugi ka na, so talagang chance pa rin,” he told GMA-7’s Unang Hirit on January 18.
(In the case of 6/49, this is interesting, the odds are 14 million. At P20, that’s only P280 million, but your pot is P600 million. That’s why theoretically, it’s really possible [to bet on all combinations and win]. But if you have to share it with two, or three, you already lose, so it’s really still chance.)
During the hearing, May Cerelles, officer-in-charge (OIC) manager of PCSO’s Information Technology Services department, belied Tulfo’s theory that someone who has “route access” to the PCSO’s system could change the winning numbers.
She said the PCSO has an ISO-certified system that includes safeguards. There are also Commission on Audit (COA) personnel during lotto draws.
Cerelles said lotto betting is closed at 8:30 pm, and by 8:32 pm, the data on the bets are stored in a USB drive. There’s also a CCTV that records each and every draw.
Robles said no one can “manipulate” the system, but added that the PCSO was open to Tulfo’s suggestion of having additional observers during the lotto draws.
Tulfo asked the PCSO and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to turn over their records so they can see whether the winners in the recent draws match with the taxes withheld from the winning bettors.
Arnel Casas, PCSO assistant general manager for gaming, product development and marketing, said the PCSO has not yet submitted to the BIR its “alpha list” indicating the lotto winners for its Christmas and New Year draws, but he promised to turn over the records to the Senate later.
The BIR asked Tulfo to issue a subpoena for these records so they can turn over tax records to the committee, noting that these are protected under the Data Privacy Act. – Rappler.com
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story missed an important quote from PCSO General Manager Mel Robles. It read that Robles replied “yes” to Senate committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo when asked whether any one of the winners bet an all combinations. This should have been preceded by this quote:
“Our records show na hindi naman po binetan ang lahat ng combinations on the day po na tinamaan,” Robles said. (Our records show that a bet was not placed on all combinations on the day the jackpot was hit.)
The corrected succeeding paragraph to this now reads: “Opo (Yes),” Robles replied when committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo asked him whether this applied to all the recent winners. He promised to turn over to the committee PCSO records to prove this.) – Rappler.com
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CNN Philippines and its financial troubles
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Ralf Rivas
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25/01/2024 19:31
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Photo from CNN Philippines' website
MANILA, Philippines – Employees of CNN Philippines, the only predominantly English-language channel on free TV in the Philippines, anxiously await the outcome of a management-level meeting on Thursday, January 25, as rumors of a company shutdown circulate.
Sources, mostly insiders, confirmed to Rappler that a management meeting was held on Thursday regarding the company’s future. Rank-and-file employees and talents have not yet been briefed on the matter, with some telling Rappler they were “at a loss.” A general assembly has been scheduled on Monday, January 29, according to insiders.
Rappler has reviewed the latest financial statement of Nine Media Corporation, the TV company which has the rights to carry the CNN brand. Auditors cast doubt on its ability to continue as a business, according to documents obtained by Rappler from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
It’s worth noting that Nine Media’s deal with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific is set to expire on December 31, 2024.
The two companies first struck a deal in October 2014, which allowed Nine Media to use CNN-branded materials and programming for five years. The network debuted in 2015. The licensing deal was renewed in 2019 for another five years, or up to 2024.
The financial statement showed that CNN Philippines’ cash flow was completely dependent on the advances made to it by its parent company, JRLT-JHI Corporation, a financial holding company. In 2022, JRLT-JHI Corporation gave the company P181.5 million. Prior to that, the parent firm gave the TV network P118.6 million.
Reyes Tacandong & Co., the firm that audited the network, flagged Nine Media’s losses amounting to P231.4 million and P239.7 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively, as well as its capital deficiencies of P226.2 million and P465.2 million during the same period.
“These conditions indicate a material uncertainty which may cast a significant doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” the audit read.
In 2022, revenues grew by 4.6% to P407.3 million, but this was outpaced by cost of services, which increased by 6.7% to P514.89 million. Cost of services includes salaries, licensing fees, and other production costs.
With costs growing faster than revenues, gross losses ballooned by 15.17% to P107.59 million in 2022. Net losses reached P239.7 million, a 3.6% increase from 2021.
Meanwhile, license fees that Nine Media had to pay Turner Broadcasting System increased from P108 million in 2021 to P139.3 million, up by 29%.
Nine Media also had a separate deal with RPN, a former government-controlled TV network, to air its shows on free TV Channel 9. The deal allowed RPN to collect P8.2 million monthly from Nine Media for airtime fees. In 2021, RPN granted a 20% discount, but this discount ended in December 2022.
Nine Media said in its 2022 financial statement that management was aware of these conditions and had put in place plans to stop the hemorrhage.
Nine Media attributed the drop in revenues to the pandemic.
In 2022, the company banked on a post-pandemic economic recovery and advertising spending of politicians for the national elections that year. These, in Nine Media's own words, "did not materialize."
“The national elections held in May 2022 and the campaign period leading to it, while contributing to some increase in the spending behavior of people, did not significantly impact on the traditional advertising revenues, with the campaign efforts focused on social media platforms with funds channeled to social media influencers, vloggers, and content producers,” Nine Media said.
After the elections, advertising sales did not immediately pick up as agencies and companies struggled with inflation.
A similar trend could be observed from bigger media companies.
GMA Network reported a 20% drop in advertising revenues, from P15.77 billion in January to September 2022 to P12.68 billion in the same period in 2023. The Kapuso network's bottom line dropped by 51% to P2.47 billion in the first three quarters of 2023.
"Advertising revenues remained the lifeblood of the Company, comprising a huge chunk of the total revenue pie. This segment was also the hardest hit due to the absence of election-related placements this year," GMA Network said.
ABS-CBN's advertising revenues were flat at P4.8 billion in the first three quarters of 2023. The Kapamilya network, however, no longer draws most of its income from advertising.
Since its departure from free TV due to Congress denying it a franchise renewal in 2020, it pivoted to placing its shows in former rival networks and increased its presence in digital streaming services.
Advertising revenues comprised 36% of ABS-CBN's revenue pie, while consumer sales accounted for 64%. This pivot, however, is still a struggle, as consumer sales fell by 8% to P16.1 billion.
Against this bleak economic backdrop, Nine Media implemented cost-reduction measures, including a discounted airtime rate and migrating to a less costly satellite service provider. It even stopped certain service-level agreements and system maintenance costs and suspended several marketing and human resources activities.
These cost-cutting measures resulted in a 10.95% reduction in its general and administrative expenses.
Towards the latter part of 2022, Nine Media adopted ABS-CBN's strategy of aggressively selling blocktimes and co-production contracts with revenue-sharing terms.
Recall that CNN Philippines and Manny Villar’s Advanced Media Broadcasting System entered into a deal in 2022 to air the former’s flagship news program News Night in Filipino on weekdays. It was short-lived, however, after AMBS hit pause for most of its shows in the first quarter of 2023.
Nine Media was optimistic for 2023, citing forecasts from the government of an improved economic climate.
It even went on to say that advertising revenues would improve in 2023. The company also implied that the absence of the Lopezes’ ABS-CBN on free TV would be beneficial for Nine Media.
“Thus, advertising budgets are expected to also rise and the Company is poised to benefit from this development, particularly with the absence of the erstwhile biggest TV network in the country. In the coming years, the Company will further strengthen its branded content sales, blocktime revenues, co- production deals, digital content sales, and program distribution efforts,” it said.
The network derives most of its revenues from advertising. Yet, in 2022, advertising revenues increased by just 5%, according to the same documents.
Despite Nine Media's declared optimism, the auditor did not modify its opinion on the company’s financial health.
Nine Media’s financial statements for 2023 are not yet available.
On December 22, 2023, Nine Media and Manny Pangilinan’s TV5 agreed to air the PBA’s Commissioner’s Cup Season 48, as well as episodes of the popular noon show E.A.T. Bulaga on CNN Philippines’ weekend programming starting January 6, 2024.
This was intended to improve the reach of PBA games and E.A.T. Bulaga on free television, aside from improving Nine Media’s revenues. It remains to be seen what will now happen to this deal.
Nine Media underscored that it can continue operating “given its ability to obtain funding and commitment of support from its major stockholder.”
Nine Media, incorporated in January 2010, is wholly owned by JRLT-JHI Corporation, a financial holding company.
It is part of businessman Antonio Cabangon-Chua’s ALC Group of Companies, a conglomerate with various interests, which includes insurance, real estate, security, education, and even other media companies.
It is widely speculated that tycoon Ramon Ang funds the network, but his name does not appear in any of the companies related to CNN Philippines.
Nine Media's financial statement showed that its cash flows from operations and investing activities were both in the red for both 2021 and 2022. The only reason CNN Philippines had cash was because of the advances made by its parent company JRLT-JHI Corporation.
CNN Philippines is home to some of the country's veteran journalists. Its top talents include Pia Hontiveros, anchor and chief correspondent; Pinky Webb, senior anchor and correspondent; Rico Hizon, director of news content development and senior anchor; and Ruth Cabal, anchor and senior correspondent.
Nine Media has around 300 employees. – with reports from Lance Yu/Rappler.com
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Why mounting a 2024 plebiscite on charter change will be a daunting task for Comelec
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Dwight de Leon
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25/01/2024 18:30
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CHARTER CHANGE. Progressive groups opposed to charter change picket the gates of the House of Representatives to protest the alleged use of public funds for collecting signatures for the people’s initiative on Charter Change, on January 22, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The coordinated push to gather signatures nationwide in support of charter change may have signaled confidence from its advocates, but the Philippines’ election body is not as optimistic about the chances of a referendum pushing through this year.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be the one tasked to oversee a plebiscite should the agency enable and recognize as valid the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
A plebiscite will ultimately ratify the amendment being proposed – that the House and the Senate vote jointly, not separately, in the event that a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
Mounting a plebiscite is easier said than done. It requires a lot of logistical considerations, which can burden the Comelec at a time when it begins prioritizing the 2025 midterm elections.
A January 24 report from the Comelec indicated that their offices in 75% of legislative districts nationwide have received signature forms for the people’s initiative.
That, however, is just the first step.
After the signature drive is finished, the brains behind the people’s initiative campaign will have to submit a formal petition to the Comelec, which in turn, will evaluate whether it is sufficient in form and substance.
“We will only verify the signatures after the sufficiency in form and substance requirement is met,” Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo on January 19.
As the process could take months, the possibility of a mid-year plebiscite further shrinks.
“If they were able to file [the signatures] by the first week of January, maybe we could have conducted the plebiscite by August,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia explained in the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum on January 24.
The poll body laid out the numerous challenges that would emerge once signature verification is underway.
“We will check if the signature is from an actual person, if they are a registered voter, if their record is not deactivated, if they are not delisted, and if their signature is the same as the one in our records,” Laudiangco said. “For the last step, we will certify how many verified signatures remain.”
The signature verification process itself is already tedious, but it is aggravated further by the fact that local Comelec offices across the country have a lean staff.
The poll body even floated the possibility of putting voter registration on pause to validate the signatures.
“We only have one election officer per municipality and city, and they cannot do voter registration and signature verification at the same time,” Laudiangco added.
Congress gave Comelec a budget of P14 billion for the conduct of plebiscites in 2024, a 600% increase from the P2 billion it was given the previous year. That’s even though there are only two plebiscites scheduled so far this year, compared to at least six that were held in 2023.
The surge in funding alarmed opposition lawmakers who believe that the extra funds were inserted to mount the charter change-related plebiscite.
For the record, the Comelec initially requested an agency-wide budget of P43 billion for 2024, but the executive branch asked Congress for only P27 billion.
The poll body told lawmakers that it needed the slashed funds for midterm election preparations, but when Congress restored most of the budget that the Comelec originally asked for, it inserted the funds into the line item on plebiscites, instead of the line item on election preparatory activities.
Nonetheless, the Comelec believes the budget given to them is not enough to squeeze into their calendar a plebiscite on the people’s initiative this year, saying it needs an additional P12 billion to P13 billion.
“If a plebiscite would push through maybe in August or September, we will be short of funds. Because the extra budget given to us is for the preparations for the national and local elections, special elections, and recall. The Comelec will have a financial crisis just in case a national plebiscite materializes this year,” Comelec executive director Teopisto Elnas Jr. told House lawmakers during a suffrage committee hearing on January 23.
By October, the Comelec will be focused on accepting certificates of candidacy from hundreds of thousands of elective aspirants nationwide.
This could likely put the charter change agenda on the back burner, given that the events that will follow are just as laborious for the poll body.
“We will start [focusing] on the technical side of our preparations – customization, loading of machines, mock elections, field tests,” Elnas said.
Chairman Garcia also thumbed down the possibility of holding the polls simultaneously with Election Day on May 12, 2025, citing a 1981 Supreme Court ruling.
“If the ballot is about changing the Constitution, that should be the only agenda so that the public can absorb better the implications of their vote,” he said on January 19. “In my opinion, the public will be confused.”
On January 24, he also raised other impediments that would complicate a charter change-related plebiscite after the May vote in 2025: resumption of voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, and the actual Election Day for the village-based polls in October.
Ultimately, Garcia mentioned a date that appears to be the most convenient time for the Comelec to hold a plebiscite: 2026.
But can the proponents of charter change wait that much longer? – Rappler.com
(All quotes in Filipino were translated into English, and some were shortened for brevity.)
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Ginebra dilemma: San Miguel boasts of new ‘Death Five’ version
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delfin.dioquino editor
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25/01/2024 12:48
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TACTICIAN. Head coach Tim Cone in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – It felt like the days of the vaunted “Death Five” were over when San Miguel traded away longtime standouts Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.
Santos and Cabagnot, after all, won nine championships with the Beermen as they formed a lethal starting lineup with June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross.
But as far as Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is concerned, San Miguel still boasts of such formidable combination.
Cone has a lot to consider for his adjustments next game after the Beermen drew first blood against the Gin Kings in their best-of-five semifinals in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with 92-90 victory on Wednesday, January 24.
Star guard CJ Perez topscored for San Miguel with 26 points, while import Bennie Boatwright finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists as San Miguel claimed its seventh straight win.
Seven-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo also delivered for the Beermen with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
“They got a lot of different kinds of weapons. They got their own version of Death Five, except that Boatwright is playing Arwind Santos’ role,” said Cone.
“It is like Arwind and June Mar together in the Death Five, except Boatwright is five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier and shoots the ball as well as Arwind did. Just makes our job even harder.”
The Gin Kings keyed on Boatwright defensively as they limited him to his lowest scoring output of the conference.
Ginebra simply had no choice, considering Boatwright averaged 40.5 points and nearly six three-pointers in his first four games in the PBA since he replaced original San Miguel import Ivan Aska.
But even with Boatwright contained, the Beermen flexed their depth as Perez turned in his highest scoring performance of the conference.
Don Trollano also contributed for San Miguel with 10 points, while Lassiter (7 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Ross (6 assists and 5 rebounds) also made their presence felt.
“You put so much focus on June Mar, trying to defend June Mar, now we have to defend Boatwright. They have other guys who can step up. Tonight, it was CJ,” said Cone.
Cone, though, finds consolation in the fact the Gin Kings almost pulled it off.
Four missed free throws by the Beermen inside the final 30 seconds kept the door ajar for Ginebra, but the Gin Kings wasted their last crack at either a game-tying shot or a game-winner after committing a turnover.
“We just got to pay a little bit more attention to detail if we’re going to try to find a way to beat this team – good team,” said Cone. – Rappler.com
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How ‘final extension’ of PUV consolidation affects jeepney operators, commuters
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lkyu0285
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25/01/2024 20:45
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STRIKE. Jeepney drivers plying the Guadalupe-Pedro Gil route encourage their fellow drivers along Agoncillo Street in Manila to join their transport strike protesting the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, on November 20, 2023.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – Even after publicly stating that there will be no more extension for public utility vehicles (PUVs) to consolidate, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. caved in to pressure and granted one last extension. So how will this new deadline affect commuters and operators of jeepney and UV Express units?
The most immediate effect is that unconsolidated jeepneys and UV Express units will still be allowed to ply their routes by February 1.
“Insofar as the LTFRB is concerned, wala pong hulihan (there will be no arrests) on matters of franchise,” said Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III in a press conference a day after Marcos announced the April 30 extension.
Previously, unconsolidated PUVs only had up to January 31 to ply their old routes before they were deemed “colorum,” according to an LTFRB memorandum circular. Under the government’s PUV Modernization Program, jeepneys and UV Express units are required to either form or join a cooperative or corporation to continue operating.
The LTFRB, however, has yet to release an updated memorandum on how it will implement the extension. The agency’s board is set to meet on Friday, January 26, to discuss it.
Rappler earlier reported that more than 1,900 unconsolidated routes nationwide could be wiped out by February 1. The latest extension gives operators an opportunity to still consolidate.
And according to transportation officials, it’s their last chance.
“Ito na ang final extension,” said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Thursday, January 25. “‘Yung tatlong buwan ay, is I think enough time para do’n sa mga gustong mag-consolidate at mag-comply do’n sa mga requirements.”
(This is the final extension. Three months is, I think, enough time for those who want to consolidate and comply with the requirements.)
Until April 30, jeepney and UV Express operators will still be allowed to either join an existing cooperative or corporation, or form their own.
Bautista said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) was ready to come up with a statement that achieving a 76% consolidation rate across the country would be sufficient to carry the program forward. In fact, Bautista was firm and consistent in publicly stating there would be no more extensions after the December deadline.
“But since merong clamor na sana magkaroon ng extension, kaya ang ating Presidente ay pinagbigyan itong mga humihingi ng more time for them to file their consolidation requirements,” he said.
(But because there was clamor for an extension, our President gave in to those asking for more time to file their consolidation requirements.)
Marcos granted the three-month extension mere hours after the House of Representatives approved a motion urging him to extend the consolidation deadline until the government can come up with a “concrete plan to address the major issues.” On the same day, House Speaker Martin Romualdez – the President’s cousin – held a dialogue with jeepney operators and drivers affected by the program.
Although the DOTr’s Bautista and the LTFRB’s Guadiz repeatedly told protesting operators that their offices were open for negotiations, they drew a hard line on the issue of individual franchises.
“Ang gusto nila, ‘yung individual franchise (What they want is the individual franchise). But, you know, it will be contrary to the concept of consolidation. Dito sa consolidation (Here in consolidation), we will be very firm. We will require consolidation,” Bautista said.
Some operators and left-leaning groups, such as PISTON and Bayan, have been protesting industry consolidation, pointing to fears that it could allow businesses and large entities to monopolize public transportation.
But Bautista insists that consolidation will benefit both drivers and commuters. Through consolidation, PUV units could be allocated across routes more efficiently. It would ideally eliminate drivers competing for passengers along the same route. Operators can also pool their resources together for vehicle maintenance and for the next step in the government’s program: the purchase of pricey modern jeepneys.
The transportation secretary also emphasized that the granting of franchises for PUV routes is a privilege, not a right. That means that those who want to retain their franchise must play by the government’s rules.
“‘Yung franchise po na binibigay ng gobyerno ay hindi ‘yan right ng mga holders. It’s a privilege. Dapat naman siguro dahil binibigyan sila ng pribilehiyo ng gobyerno ay sumunod sila do’n sa mga requirements ng government,” he said on Thursday.
(The franchise that the government gives to the holders is not a right. It’s a privilege. Because the government is giving them this privilege, they should follow the government’s requirements.)
With the extension, the government expects the consolidation rate nationwide to rise from the current 76% to 85%. According to LTFRB Regional Director Zona Tamayo, 52% of PUVs in Metro Manila have consolidated as of December 31, and they expect that “the remaining 48% would heed this extension and eventually file their consolidation.” – Rappler.com
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Overtime pay, no admin tasks: Sara Duterte promises more benefits for teachers
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Bonz Magsambol
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25/01/2024 20:55
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File photo of teachers in classroom
Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Recognizing the crucial role of teachers in country’s battle against learning crisis, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte promised more benefits for them to ensure effective delivery of education to millions of Filipino students.
At her second basic education report on Thursday, January 25, Duterte said that the Department of Education (DepEd) will release on Friday, January 26, an order containing guidelines on the removal of administrative tasks from teachers so they could focus on teaching.
“To ensure its effective implementation, along with the filling up of 5,000 administrative personnel for 2023 and another 5,000 administrative personnel for 2024, we will also be providing additional MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) to enable our schools to hire the necessary administrative support staff,” Duterte said.
It can be recalled that Duterte already mentioned the removal of administrative tasks from teachers’ workload in her last report in 2023. DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said that it took DepEd a year to issue such policy because they needed time to study its implementation.
For years, teachers have complained that paperwork piling up hinders them from preparing lessons.
The Vice President also said that the DepEd would provide overtime pay for teachers.
“Historically, for non-teaching tasks performed outside their regular working hours, teachers are only compensated through service credits. In the next budget cycle, DepEd will be proposing a budget that will enable us to grant overtime pay to our teachers,” she said.
Besides overtime pay, Duterte also said that the department would issue a policy on overload pay.
“We want to ensure that our teachers are rightfully compensated for hours of actual classroom teaching beyond the 6-hour limit provided under the Magna Carta for teachers,” the Vice President said.
Education experts cited overworked teachers as among the reasons behind the Philippines’ high level of learning poverty.
The Vice President also boasted that the DepEd had already provided insurance for its 900,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel.
“We purchased Personal Accident Insurance from the GSIS for all DepEd teachers and personnel. The insurance cover seeks to ease the financial burden on our teachers when accidents occur,” Duterte said.
For two consecutive years, Duterte had put a spotlight on teachers’ welfare during her education report.
“Teachers’ welfare will always be at the forefront of our agenda,” she said. – Rappler.com
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13 years and 3 warrants: Gerry Ortega murder moves to new court
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Jairo Bolledo
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25/01/2024 19:07
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SLAIN. File photo of Dr. Gerry Ortega.
Justice for Dr. Gerry Ortega Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Wednesday, January 24, was the 13th year anniversary of the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerry Ortega, marked by a protest against the latest development in a very protracted trial.
The Supreme Court Second Division decided in December 2023 to move the trial from Puerto Princesa, Palawan to Quezon City, siding with the plea of the suspect, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, that he was at risk in Palawan due to his prominence and the limited resources to secure him. Reyes has evaded arrest for the last three years.
The Supreme Court directed the new judge “to decide the case with dispatch.”
“Recent developments in legal proceedings may risk further delays. Haven’t we already waited too long? Isn’t 13 years enough?” said the Ortega family as relayed by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment which staged a protest in front of the Supreme Court Wednesday, January 24.
“Tingin po natin, hindi po ito magandang development dahil ang tingin po ng pamilya ay maayos naman [ang] itinatakbo ng kaso sa Puerto Princesa. And in fact, naglabas ng warrant of arrest ang local court sa Puerto Princesa na laban kay alleged mastermind Joel Reyes na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin naaaresto at nakukulong ng mga awtoridad,” NUJP secretary general Len Olea said.
(We think, this is not a good development because the Ortega family thinks things were going well in Puerto Princesa. And in fact, the local court issued a warrant of arrest against alleged mastermind Joel Reyes, who until now has yet to be arrested by authorities.)
Ortega was gunned down in a thrift store in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in 2011. A staunch critic of Reyes, Ortega exposed corruption in Palawan and said the former Palawan governor allegedly misused the Malampaya fund, or the profits from the exploration of the Malampaya gas and oil fields in Palawan.
In each step of the case, from prosecutors to the Supreme Court, Reyes had secured a win only to be reversed by the same body.
He was earlier cleared by prosecutors, but a second panel constituted by former justice secretary Leila de Lima charged him in 2012, which resulted in the first warrant by the Puerto Princesa court that year. Reyes was already in hiding when the warrant was issued. He was arrested in Thailand only in 2015.
Reyes was released in 2018 when the Court of Appeals decided in his favor and stopped the trial in Palawan. With the ponente of that ruling retired, a second set of justices, previously dissenters, reversed the decision in 2019 and ordered Reyes’ rearrest. This resulted in the revival of the murder trial.
During this time, Reyes was also convicted of graft at the Sandiganbayan for a separate case, and was ordered jailed by the court even if his appeal was pending, due to his being a flight risk. In 2021, it shocked the family that Reyes was apparently released and had managed to file his candidacy for governor of Palawan for the 2022 elections.
Not a gubernatorial candidacy nor a supposed police manhunt, could find Reyes to send him back to jail.
While Reyes lost the elections, he won another round in the Supreme Court in March 2022 when the Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop, again, the trial in Palawan and to prohibit the implementation of the warrant against him.
A year after, in March 2023, the Supreme Court lifted the TRO and resumed the trial again, and ordered the “immediate re-arrest” of Reyes.
The transfer of the trial to Quezon City “finds us on the brink of renewed grief,” said the Ortega family.
Ortega’s death anniversary, and the protest by different groups, coincided with the day that the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice (DOJ) met United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan.
“Kaya ang panawagan po natin kay Special Rapporteur Irene Khan ay kilalanin itong problema na kawalan ng pananagutan sa mga perpetrators ng killing at to push forward recommendations that would address impunity (That’s why our request for Special Rapporteur Irene Khan is to acknowledge the problem on the lack of accountability from perpetrators and to push forward recommendations that would address impunity),” NUJP’s Olea told reporters.
Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights group Karapatan, said: “This case has spanned three administrations…. justice has been extremely delayed and denied for the Ortega family, and we ask why?”
For Danilova Molintas, secretariat member of Kalikasan PNE, the government should also pass legislation that would protect journalists and environmental defenders like Ortega.
“I think we can start with pushing their existing bills that are filed in congress – the Human Rights Defenders Bill and the Environmental Defenders Bill. If we can pass that, then from there and we can implement that, you’ll see that the provisions of those bills are real,” Molintas told Rappler. – with research from Precious Altura/Rappler.com
Precious Altura is an intern with Rappler’s Justice, Human Rights and Crime Cluster. She is a senior journalism student at Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Communication. Learn more about Rappler’s internship program here.
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[OPINION] Jailing Jinggoy
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Marguerite de Leon
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25/01/2024 17:49
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Guia Abogado/Rappler
For the crimes for which she has been convicted that involve such powerful individuals as senators and congressmen, including cabinet-rank presidential advisers who sit in the same table Ferdinand R. Marcos presides over, Janet Lim-Napoles will most likely spend the rest of her life in jail. While the charges against her involve several from attempted bribery, to bribery, all the way to plunder, and whether she serves her individual sentences concurrently or consecutively, or whether time-served in detention discounts from the total, relative to the powerful involved in her crimes, the chances that they join her are slim to none.
Perhaps it is because she has been identified to be the criminal mastermind behind the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam while the politicians with their individual pork barrels have lesser roles and indirect accountabilities. Or perhaps, on a case-to-case basis, their individual amounts are smaller, the evidence better hidden, and their political clout, far above the laws they’ve written for the rest of us not entitled to be called “honorable.”
The wheels of justice grind excruciatingly slow and for the powerful, they grind even slower. If at all. From the legitimate to the absurd, from the rational to the speculative, and indeed, from the legal to the political, the unfathomable reasons that Napoles’ co-conspirators remain scot-free are legion.
Never mind rationality. And never mind absurdity. In our exceedingly charged political milieu, the vast difference between the legal and political is perhaps the most potent factor that differentiates and determines how justice is meted out.
The recent conviction of Jose Pimentel Ejercito Jr. (aka Jinggoy Estrada) for bribery and attempted bribery is a case in point. That the decision by a division of the Sandiganbayan did not cover plunder is a matter of amounts and not a question of criminal acts committed by the convicted. It is especially applicable where the crime is complex and involves several parties, both private individuals and public officials. In other words, the non-plunder conviction was not because of the convict’s innocence but because of an arithmetic threshold applicable to those holding a public office.
The peso amount is important. Later we will realize its impact in determining the time Estrada might eventually serve behind bars, or if he will even be jailed at all.
While substantial deposits were nevertheless discovered in bank accounts identified to be Estrada’s, and while these were concurrently transacted with the timing of pork barrel releases and subsequent deposits to accounts identified to be Napoles’, the minimum amount needed for a conviction of plunder eventually fell short of P50 million (see G.R. No. 220598. April 18, 2017).
Never mind that initially, these accumulated beyond the threshold level differentiating plunder. After fine tuning, the P50-million threshold automatically took plunder off the table as much as it took reclusion perpetua off the menu of punitive options since the latter is the maximum applied to plunder.
While Estrada now stands convicted and the question of bail granted by the Sandiganbayan is no longer applicable, he still has the Supreme Court (SC) to which he can appeal for a reconsideration. Since the SC option remains as a venue that could reverse the Sandiganbayan’s conviction, it is arguable that Estrada likewise remains innocent pending the complete exhaustion of his legal options until finally being proven guilty by the final arbiter in the judicial hierarchy.
The speedy application of justice has long been an issue with our justice system. That cases can fester, die, or descend into irrelevance and mootness within a court remains a curse. Dockets are full, procedural dilatory tactics abound, and always there seem to be more venues for respondents than there might be for appellants.
And then there is the unseen political hand. It makes sense that upon his conviction, Estrada himself denied that politics had any influence on the Sandiganbayan decision. He is probably right.
On the question of speedy justice, it also makes sense that among the lower courts, a division of the Sandiganbayan need not to seek en banc deliberations for a case to be raised to the SC. This affords the judicial system at least two upsides.
One, it removes an incremental venue for repetitive or redundant processes among peers who might be relatively unfamiliar with the minutiae of cases. Two, it insulates and protects the other divisions from any negativity from decisions taken by others within the court. This ensures that the Sandiganbayan as a whole remains essentially, or substantially, credible. As a whole, we believe it is.
A couple of inevitable non-political logistical realities likewise work in Estrada’s favor. These also serve to keep him from being locked up.
The SC dockets are clogged and full and it is not unusual that any case elevated to them would take time before any finality is achieved.
The characteristic of the charges at the Sandiganbayan where plunder was avoided while the acts involving the PDAF were nevertheless considered brings into the arithmetic that determines total jail time the period served by Estrada while in detention. In other words, the “time served” discount may reasonably be applied to reduce the total jail time should he suffer a final conviction at the SC.
Estrada is a senior citizen. Do the math. Consider the average time the SC takes prior to a decision. Consider also that at the SC, decisions at the division level are subjected to the en banc. Finally, add to the timeline a period to consider motions for reconsideration. Within this normal process, Estrada’s detention “time served” discount may apply and by the time the balance comes due, Estrada might well be within the temporal Goldilocks zone where “compassion” is applied to senior citizens.
In our justice system, the saga of the People v Jinggoy is far from over. – Rappler.com
Dean de la Paz is a former investment banker and managing director of a New Jersey-based power company operating in the Philippines. He is the chairman of the board of a renewable energy company and is a retired Business Policy, Finance, and Mathematics professor. He collects Godzilla figures and antique tin robots.
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Yes, our Justice System is slow and even slower for the rich and powerful. Add a Political Hand and money’s influence to this slow pace with the bias for the rich and powerful, and we have thoroughly and realistically described the Philippine Justice System.
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2 for 2: Alex Eala serves up wins in India
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 23:01
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WINNING WAYS. Alex Eala goes for a backhand in singles action in the in the ITF W50 Pune in India.
ALEX EALA FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines – Two matches on the same day is no easy task. But for Alex Ealai, it’s all in a day’s work.
The 18-year-old teen tennis star notched victories in both her singles and doubles matches in the ITF W50 Pune on Thursday, January 25, at the Deccan Gymkhana in India.
“Through to my first quarterfinal of the year! Pushing for more in [India],” Eala posted on her social media page.
First taking the court late morning, Eala made sure not to tire herself and stay too long, defeating 24-year-old local bet Zeel Desai of India in just an hour and two minutes, 6-1, 6-2, in the second round of the singles competition.
Unlike in her opening-round singles match where she committed seven double faults, Eala only had one double fault this time. She dropped serve just once.
This was in the third game of the opening set when Desai broke serve to get on the scoreboard, 1-2. It turned out to be the only time the Indian scored as the fifth-seeded Eala breezed through the next four games to win the first set, 6-1.
The second set followed the same storyline, with the world No. 187 Eala jumping to a 4-0 lead.
Desai managed to hold serve twice, but those were the only chances Eala gave her as the young Filipina closed out the set in the eighth game.
Also winning on Thursday was top seed Darja Semenestija of Latvia, whom Eala will face next in the quarterfinals. It will be an interesting round of eight encounter as Semenestija is Eala’s doubles partner.
The fourth seeds in the doubles event, Eala and the 21-year-old Semenestija returned to the court later in the day to prevail over Jessie Aney of the United States and Lena Papadakis of Germany, 6-4, 2-6, 10-4, to advance to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, top seeds Francis Casey Alcantara and Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia ran into little resistance in the quarterfinals of the GNC-BR Adityan Memorial ITF Men’s Future to get past Orel Kimhi and Ofek Shimanov of Israel, 6-3, 6-2, at the Gandhi Nagar Club in Chennai, India.
Alcantara and Rungkat are now a win away from making their third straight finals as a tandem after winning two ITF titles together late last year in Malaysia.
They will face unseeded Sandro Kopp and David Pichler of Austria in the semifinals. – Rappler.com
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2 for 2: Alex Eala serves up wins in India
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 23:01
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WINNING WAYS. Alex Eala goes for a backhand in singles action in the in the ITF W50 Pune in India.
ALEX EALA FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines – Two matches on the same day is no easy task. But for Alex Ealai, it’s all in a day’s work.
The 18-year-old teen tennis star notched victories in both her singles and doubles matches in the ITF W50 Pune on Thursday, January 25, at the Deccan Gymkhana in India.
“Through to my first quarterfinal of the year! Pushing for more in [India],” Eala posted on her social media page.
First taking the court late morning, Eala made sure not to tire herself and stay too long, defeating 24-year-old local bet Zeel Desai of India in just an hour and two minutes, 6-1, 6-2, in the second round of the singles competition.
Unlike in her opening-round singles match where she committed seven double faults, Eala only had one double fault this time. She dropped serve just once.
This was in the third game of the opening set when Desai broke serve to get on the scoreboard, 1-2. It turned out to be the only time the Indian scored as the fifth-seeded Eala breezed through the next four games to win the first set, 6-1.
The second set followed the same storyline, with the world No. 187 Eala jumping to a 4-0 lead.
Desai managed to hold serve twice, but those were the only chances Eala gave her as the young Filipina closed out the set in the eighth game.
Also winning on Thursday was top seed Darja Semenestija of Latvia, whom Eala will face next in the quarterfinals. It will be an interesting round of eight encounter as Semenestija is Eala’s doubles partner.
The fourth seeds in the doubles event, Eala and the 21-year-old Semenestija returned to the court later in the day to prevail over Jessie Aney of the United States and Lena Papadakis of Germany, 6-4, 2-6, 10-4, to advance to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, top seeds Francis Casey Alcantara and Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia ran into little resistance in the quarterfinals of the GNC-BR Adityan Memorial ITF Men’s Future to get past Orel Kimhi and Ofek Shimanov of Israel, 6-3, 6-2, at the Gandhi Nagar Club in Chennai, India.
Alcantara and Rungkat are now a win away from making their third straight finals as a tandem after winning two ITF titles together late last year in Malaysia.
They will face unseeded Sandro Kopp and David Pichler of Austria in the semifinals. – Rappler.com
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Local officials’ union throws support behind charter change
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Herbie G
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25/01/2024 17:56
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PROTEST. Members of Nagkaisa stage a protest against charter change at the Senate gate in Pasay City on January 23, 2024.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – An organization of local government officials in the country on Wednesday, January 24, threw its support behind moves to amend the 1987 Constitution, saying changing certain charter provisions would harness the potential of local governments in contributing to national growth.
In a statement, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) said a new constitution would pave the way for improved local bureaucracy, and empower local governments in resource mobilization and infrastructure development, foster better intergovernmental cooperation, and bolster future-proof local development.
“We in ULAP believe that the country could benefit from charter change as it would make both the national government and LGUs (local government units) more flexible and dynamic, which are necessary amid the rapidly changing environment,” said ULAP President and Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo Cua.
ULAP serves as the umbrella organization of leagues of local governments and local officials elected.
The group adopted a resolution, citing the necessity for governmental frameworks that are more responsive, accountable, and updated. It said the frameworks would empower local governments to fully realize their potential in fostering local development and contributing to national progress.
The organization also asserted that amending the Constitution was necessary so the country could align with and address “current realities,” especially concerning issues arising from the evolving economic landscape, rapid technological advancements, and heightened global interconnectedness.
ULAP called on Congress to “give due weight to the concerns and aspirations” of local governments in the deliberation and ratification of proposed changes in the Constitution, and ensure that local concerns and proposals are heard and seriously considered.
It said the organization would actively participate in public discussions and information campaigns to represent local governments and apprise them of the proposed amendments and their potential benefits and impacts.
Not all local government officials, however, share ULAP’s position on the initiative to amend the Constitution.
In Cagayan de Oro, for instance, Mayor Rolando Uy said the timing of the charter change efforts was inappropriate, given that the country was still recovering from the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uy said it was important for those behind the initiative to take into account the public’s sentiment.
He said there were previous attempts, including during his term as Cagayan de Oro’s 1st District representative during the Duterte administration, to amend the 1987 Constitution. However, none of these attempts succeeded due to strong opposition.
In Davao City, former president Rodrigo Duterte and local officials have voiced their opposition to the efforts for charter change.
Duterte’s children are actively against the current attempt to amend the charter. Sebastian, his youngest son, serves as the mayor of Davao, while Paolo, another son, represents the city’s first district.
Vice President Sara Duterte, his daughter and former mayor of Davao, has also expressed disapproval, particularly concerning the alleged buying of signatures in support of the proposed charter amendments.
Incidentally, during the initial years of his administration, the former president made an attempt to change the 1987 Constitution but later gave up on it. – Rappler.com
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13 years and 3 warrants: Gerry Ortega murder moves to new court
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Jairo Bolledo
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25/01/2024 19:07
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SLAIN. File photo of Dr. Gerry Ortega.
Justice for Dr. Gerry Ortega Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – Wednesday, January 24, was the 13th year anniversary of the killing of broadcaster and environmentalist Gerry Ortega, marked by a protest against the latest development in a very protracted trial.
The Supreme Court Second Division decided in December 2023 to move the trial from Puerto Princesa, Palawan to Quezon City, siding with the plea of the suspect, former Palawan governor Joel Reyes, that he was at risk in Palawan due to his prominence and the limited resources to secure him. Reyes has evaded arrest for the last three years.
The Supreme Court directed the new judge “to decide the case with dispatch.”
“Recent developments in legal proceedings may risk further delays. Haven’t we already waited too long? Isn’t 13 years enough?” said the Ortega family as relayed by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment which staged a protest in front of the Supreme Court Wednesday, January 24.
“Tingin po natin, hindi po ito magandang development dahil ang tingin po ng pamilya ay maayos naman [ang] itinatakbo ng kaso sa Puerto Princesa. And in fact, naglabas ng warrant of arrest ang local court sa Puerto Princesa na laban kay alleged mastermind Joel Reyes na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin naaaresto at nakukulong ng mga awtoridad,” NUJP secretary general Len Olea said.
(We think, this is not a good development because the Ortega family thinks things were going well in Puerto Princesa. And in fact, the local court issued a warrant of arrest against alleged mastermind Joel Reyes, who until now has yet to be arrested by authorities.)
Ortega was gunned down in a thrift store in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan in 2011. A staunch critic of Reyes, Ortega exposed corruption in Palawan and said the former Palawan governor allegedly misused the Malampaya fund, or the profits from the exploration of the Malampaya gas and oil fields in Palawan.
In each step of the case, from prosecutors to the Supreme Court, Reyes had secured a win only to be reversed by the same body.
He was earlier cleared by prosecutors, but a second panel constituted by former justice secretary Leila de Lima charged him in 2012, which resulted in the first warrant by the Puerto Princesa court that year. Reyes was already in hiding when the warrant was issued. He was arrested in Thailand only in 2015.
Reyes was released in 2018 when the Court of Appeals decided in his favor and stopped the trial in Palawan. With the ponente of that ruling retired, a second set of justices, previously dissenters, reversed the decision in 2019 and ordered Reyes’ rearrest. This resulted in the revival of the murder trial.
During this time, Reyes was also convicted of graft at the Sandiganbayan for a separate case, and was ordered jailed by the court even if his appeal was pending, due to his being a flight risk. In 2021, it shocked the family that Reyes was apparently released and had managed to file his candidacy for governor of Palawan for the 2022 elections.
Not a gubernatorial candidacy nor a supposed police manhunt, could find Reyes to send him back to jail.
While Reyes lost the elections, he won another round in the Supreme Court in March 2022 when the Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop, again, the trial in Palawan and to prohibit the implementation of the warrant against him.
A year after, in March 2023, the Supreme Court lifted the TRO and resumed the trial again, and ordered the “immediate re-arrest” of Reyes.
The transfer of the trial to Quezon City “finds us on the brink of renewed grief,” said the Ortega family.
Ortega’s death anniversary, and the protest by different groups, coincided with the day that the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice (DOJ) met United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan.
“Kaya ang panawagan po natin kay Special Rapporteur Irene Khan ay kilalanin itong problema na kawalan ng pananagutan sa mga perpetrators ng killing at to push forward recommendations that would address impunity (That’s why our request for Special Rapporteur Irene Khan is to acknowledge the problem on the lack of accountability from perpetrators and to push forward recommendations that would address impunity),” NUJP’s Olea told reporters.
Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights group Karapatan, said: “This case has spanned three administrations…. justice has been extremely delayed and denied for the Ortega family, and we ask why?”
For Danilova Molintas, secretariat member of Kalikasan PNE, the government should also pass legislation that would protect journalists and environmental defenders like Ortega.
“I think we can start with pushing their existing bills that are filed in congress – the Human Rights Defenders Bill and the Environmental Defenders Bill. If we can pass that, then from there and we can implement that, you’ll see that the provisions of those bills are real,” Molintas told Rappler. – with research from Precious Altura/Rappler.com
Precious Altura is an intern with Rappler’s Justice, Human Rights and Crime Cluster. She is a senior journalism student at Polytechnic University of the Philippines College of Communication. Learn more about Rappler’s internship program here.
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Overtime pay, no admin tasks: Sara Duterte promises more benefits for teachers
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Bonz Magsambol
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25/01/2024 20:55
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File photo of teachers in classroom
Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Recognizing the crucial role of teachers in country’s battle against learning crisis, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte promised more benefits for them to ensure effective delivery of education to millions of Filipino students.
At her second basic education report on Thursday, January 25, Duterte said that the Department of Education (DepEd) will release on Friday, January 26, an order containing guidelines on the removal of administrative tasks from teachers so they could focus on teaching.
“To ensure its effective implementation, along with the filling up of 5,000 administrative personnel for 2023 and another 5,000 administrative personnel for 2024, we will also be providing additional MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses) to enable our schools to hire the necessary administrative support staff,” Duterte said.
It can be recalled that Duterte already mentioned the removal of administrative tasks from teachers’ workload in her last report in 2023. DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said that it took DepEd a year to issue such policy because they needed time to study its implementation.
For years, teachers have complained that paperwork piling up hinders them from preparing lessons.
The Vice President also said that the DepEd would provide overtime pay for teachers.
“Historically, for non-teaching tasks performed outside their regular working hours, teachers are only compensated through service credits. In the next budget cycle, DepEd will be proposing a budget that will enable us to grant overtime pay to our teachers,” she said.
Besides overtime pay, Duterte also said that the department would issue a policy on overload pay.
“We want to ensure that our teachers are rightfully compensated for hours of actual classroom teaching beyond the 6-hour limit provided under the Magna Carta for teachers,” the Vice President said.
Education experts cited overworked teachers as among the reasons behind the Philippines’ high level of learning poverty.
The Vice President also boasted that the DepEd had already provided insurance for its 900,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel.
“We purchased Personal Accident Insurance from the GSIS for all DepEd teachers and personnel. The insurance cover seeks to ease the financial burden on our teachers when accidents occur,” Duterte said.
For two consecutive years, Duterte had put a spotlight on teachers’ welfare during her education report.
“Teachers’ welfare will always be at the forefront of our agenda,” she said. – Rappler.com
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Ginebra dilemma: San Miguel boasts of new ‘Death Five’ version
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delfin.dioquino editor
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25/01/2024 12:48
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TACTICIAN. Head coach Tim Cone in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – It felt like the days of the vaunted “Death Five” were over when San Miguel traded away longtime standouts Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.
Santos and Cabagnot, after all, won nine championships with the Beermen as they formed a lethal starting lineup with June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross.
But as far as Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is concerned, San Miguel still boasts of such formidable combination.
Cone has a lot to consider for his adjustments next game after the Beermen drew first blood against the Gin Kings in their best-of-five semifinals in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with 92-90 victory on Wednesday, January 24.
Star guard CJ Perez topscored for San Miguel with 26 points, while import Bennie Boatwright finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists as San Miguel claimed its seventh straight win.
Seven-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo also delivered for the Beermen with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
“They got a lot of different kinds of weapons. They got their own version of Death Five, except that Boatwright is playing Arwind Santos’ role,” said Cone.
“It is like Arwind and June Mar together in the Death Five, except Boatwright is five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier and shoots the ball as well as Arwind did. Just makes our job even harder.”
The Gin Kings keyed on Boatwright defensively as they limited him to his lowest scoring output of the conference.
Ginebra simply had no choice, considering Boatwright averaged 40.5 points and nearly six three-pointers in his first four games in the PBA since he replaced original San Miguel import Ivan Aska.
But even with Boatwright contained, the Beermen flexed their depth as Perez turned in his highest scoring performance of the conference.
Don Trollano also contributed for San Miguel with 10 points, while Lassiter (7 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Ross (6 assists and 5 rebounds) also made their presence felt.
“You put so much focus on June Mar, trying to defend June Mar, now we have to defend Boatwright. They have other guys who can step up. Tonight, it was CJ,” said Cone.
Cone, though, finds consolation in the fact the Gin Kings almost pulled it off.
Four missed free throws by the Beermen inside the final 30 seconds kept the door ajar for Ginebra, but the Gin Kings wasted their last crack at either a game-tying shot or a game-winner after committing a turnover.
“We just got to pay a little bit more attention to detail if we’re going to try to find a way to beat this team – good team,” said Cone. – Rappler.com
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CNN Philippines and its financial troubles
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Ralf Rivas
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25/01/2024 19:31
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Photo from CNN Philippines' website
MANILA, Philippines – Employees of CNN Philippines, the only predominantly English-language channel on free TV in the Philippines, anxiously await the outcome of a management-level meeting on Thursday, January 25, as rumors of a company shutdown circulate.
Sources, mostly insiders, confirmed to Rappler that a management meeting was held on Thursday regarding the company’s future. Rank-and-file employees and talents have not yet been briefed on the matter, with some telling Rappler they were “at a loss.” A general assembly has been scheduled on Monday, January 29, according to insiders.
Rappler has reviewed the latest financial statement of Nine Media Corporation, the TV company which has the rights to carry the CNN brand. Auditors cast doubt on its ability to continue as a business, according to documents obtained by Rappler from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
It’s worth noting that Nine Media’s deal with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific is set to expire on December 31, 2024.
The two companies first struck a deal in October 2014, which allowed Nine Media to use CNN-branded materials and programming for five years. The network debuted in 2015. The licensing deal was renewed in 2019 for another five years, or up to 2024.
The financial statement showed that CNN Philippines’ cash flow was completely dependent on the advances made to it by its parent company, JRLT-JHI Corporation, a financial holding company. In 2022, JRLT-JHI Corporation gave the company P181.5 million. Prior to that, the parent firm gave the TV network P118.6 million.
Reyes Tacandong & Co., the firm that audited the network, flagged Nine Media’s losses amounting to P231.4 million and P239.7 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively, as well as its capital deficiencies of P226.2 million and P465.2 million during the same period.
“These conditions indicate a material uncertainty which may cast a significant doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” the audit read.
In 2022, revenues grew by 4.6% to P407.3 million, but this was outpaced by cost of services, which increased by 6.7% to P514.89 million. Cost of services includes salaries, licensing fees, and other production costs.
With costs growing faster than revenues, gross losses ballooned by 15.17% to P107.59 million in 2022. Net losses reached P239.7 million, a 3.6% increase from 2021.
Meanwhile, license fees that Nine Media had to pay Turner Broadcasting System increased from P108 million in 2021 to P139.3 million, up by 29%.
Nine Media also had a separate deal with RPN, a former government-controlled TV network, to air its shows on free TV Channel 9. The deal allowed RPN to collect P8.2 million monthly from Nine Media for airtime fees. In 2021, RPN granted a 20% discount, but this discount ended in December 2022.
Nine Media said in its 2022 financial statement that management was aware of these conditions and had put in place plans to stop the hemorrhage.
Nine Media attributed the drop in revenues to the pandemic.
In 2022, the company banked on a post-pandemic economic recovery and advertising spending of politicians for the national elections that year. These, in Nine Media's own words, "did not materialize."
“The national elections held in May 2022 and the campaign period leading to it, while contributing to some increase in the spending behavior of people, did not significantly impact on the traditional advertising revenues, with the campaign efforts focused on social media platforms with funds channeled to social media influencers, vloggers, and content producers,” Nine Media said.
After the elections, advertising sales did not immediately pick up as agencies and companies struggled with inflation.
A similar trend could be observed from bigger media companies.
GMA Network reported a 20% drop in advertising revenues, from P15.77 billion in January to September 2022 to P12.68 billion in the same period in 2023. The Kapuso network's bottom line dropped by 51% to P2.47 billion in the first three quarters of 2023.
"Advertising revenues remained the lifeblood of the Company, comprising a huge chunk of the total revenue pie. This segment was also the hardest hit due to the absence of election-related placements this year," GMA Network said.
ABS-CBN's advertising revenues were flat at P4.8 billion in the first three quarters of 2023. The Kapamilya network, however, no longer draws most of its income from advertising.
Since its departure from free TV due to Congress denying it a franchise renewal in 2020, it pivoted to placing its shows in former rival networks and increased its presence in digital streaming services.
Advertising revenues comprised 36% of ABS-CBN's revenue pie, while consumer sales accounted for 64%. This pivot, however, is still a struggle, as consumer sales fell by 8% to P16.1 billion.
Against this bleak economic backdrop, Nine Media implemented cost-reduction measures, including a discounted airtime rate and migrating to a less costly satellite service provider. It even stopped certain service-level agreements and system maintenance costs and suspended several marketing and human resources activities.
These cost-cutting measures resulted in a 10.95% reduction in its general and administrative expenses.
Towards the latter part of 2022, Nine Media adopted ABS-CBN's strategy of aggressively selling blocktimes and co-production contracts with revenue-sharing terms.
Recall that CNN Philippines and Manny Villar’s Advanced Media Broadcasting System entered into a deal in 2022 to air the former’s flagship news program News Night in Filipino on weekdays. It was short-lived, however, after AMBS hit pause for most of its shows in the first quarter of 2023.
Nine Media was optimistic for 2023, citing forecasts from the government of an improved economic climate.
It even went on to say that advertising revenues would improve in 2023. The company also implied that the absence of the Lopezes’ ABS-CBN on free TV would be beneficial for Nine Media.
“Thus, advertising budgets are expected to also rise and the Company is poised to benefit from this development, particularly with the absence of the erstwhile biggest TV network in the country. In the coming years, the Company will further strengthen its branded content sales, blocktime revenues, co- production deals, digital content sales, and program distribution efforts,” it said.
The network derives most of its revenues from advertising. Yet, in 2022, advertising revenues increased by just 5%, according to the same documents.
Despite Nine Media's declared optimism, the auditor did not modify its opinion on the company’s financial health.
Nine Media’s financial statements for 2023 are not yet available.
On December 22, 2023, Nine Media and Manny Pangilinan’s TV5 agreed to air the PBA’s Commissioner’s Cup Season 48, as well as episodes of the popular noon show E.A.T. Bulaga on CNN Philippines’ weekend programming starting January 6, 2024.
This was intended to improve the reach of PBA games and E.A.T. Bulaga on free television, aside from improving Nine Media’s revenues. It remains to be seen what will now happen to this deal.
Nine Media underscored that it can continue operating “given its ability to obtain funding and commitment of support from its major stockholder.”
Nine Media, incorporated in January 2010, is wholly owned by JRLT-JHI Corporation, a financial holding company.
It is part of businessman Antonio Cabangon-Chua’s ALC Group of Companies, a conglomerate with various interests, which includes insurance, real estate, security, education, and even other media companies.
It is widely speculated that tycoon Ramon Ang funds the network, but his name does not appear in any of the companies related to CNN Philippines.
Nine Media's financial statement showed that its cash flows from operations and investing activities were both in the red for both 2021 and 2022. The only reason CNN Philippines had cash was because of the advances made by its parent company JRLT-JHI Corporation.
CNN Philippines is home to some of the country's veteran journalists. Its top talents include Pia Hontiveros, anchor and chief correspondent; Pinky Webb, senior anchor and correspondent; Rico Hizon, director of news content development and senior anchor; and Ruth Cabal, anchor and senior correspondent.
Nine Media has around 300 employees. – with reports from Lance Yu/Rappler.com
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None of big winners in PCSO’s Christmas, New Year lotto games bet on all combinations, says GM
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gdecastro0289
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25/01/2024 17:44
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CHANCE. Bettors wait for their turn at a lotto outlet in Paco, Manila on October 2, 2022.
Rappler photo
MANILA, Philippines – None of the winners in the lotto games that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) augmented by huge amounts for its Christmas and New Year draws placed bets on all combinations to win, the head of the state-run lottery firm testified on Thursday, January 25.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles told a Senate Games and Amusement committee hearing that while it is a bettor’s right to bet on all combinations in its lotto games, none of the winners in their “Handog Pakabog” promo draws did this.
“Our records show na hindi naman po binetan ang lahat ng combinations on the day po na tinamaan,” he said. (Our records show that a bet was not placed on all combinations on the day the jackpot was hit.)
“Opo (Yes),” Robles replied when committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo asked him whether this applied to all the recent winners. He promised to turn over to the committee PCSO records to prove this.
The PCSO raised on December 16, 2023 the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the Grand Lotto 6/55, Ultra Lotto 6/58, Super Lotto 6/49 by P500 million each, and P100 million each for Lotto 6/42 and MegaLotto 6/45 as part of its Christmas and New Year draws.
On December 29, 2023, a lone bettor won P571 million in the Ultra Lotto 6/58, the biggest jackpot in 2023.
On January 16, 2024, a bettor won P640 million with the combination 26-33-14-48-06-42 in the Super Lotto 6/49 draw.
On January 17, another lone bettor won P698 million in the Grand Lotto 6/55 with the correct combination of 24-50-52-09-51-03 through PCSO’s new e-Lotto platform.
Three bettors, meantime, won in the Lotto 6/42 jackpot on January 2 with a prize of P108 million.
Two people split the Megalotto 6/45 jackpot of P121 million on January 8.
Tulfo suspects that the PCSO intentionally boosted the jackpot to reduce the risks for wealthy bettors, who are then able to bet on all combinations to win. For instance, in the 6/49 lotto, he said there are 14 million combinations and at P20 for each bet, a wealthy bettor can spend P240 million to win, and he can recover his investment if the prize is boosted.
Tulfo claimed that PCSO had someone bet on all combinations that was won via e-lotto, and that a machine generated all combinations, a charge that Robles denied.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that based on the history of PCSO’s lotto draws, it usually took months before lotto games with a jackpot prize of P500 million or more were won, but in this recent series of draws, which he described as an “anomaly,” all the games with big prizes produced winners in less than month.
“In less than one month, limang laro ang tinamaan…itong nangyari ng December is really an anomaly. Hindi lang one [lotto] game, limang games,” he said. (In less than one month, 5 games were won…what happened this December is really an anomaly.)
Robles, however, told the committee that no cheating is being done. “We would like to assure you that you can never, never manipulate it, kaya nga po (that’s why) allowed kami mag-bet (even PCSO personnel can bet), Mr. Chair. Even I can bet because it’s beyond me.”
Tulfo said he will push to revise the PCSO charter that allows it to use its prize reserve fund to augment the jackpot, arguing that it is better to use the money for charity and other social welfare needs instead of having only one or several persons end up as millionaires.
Tulfo said the usual practice in countries that have lotteries is to allow the jackpot to grow from the bets, a process which Robles said is called “snowballing.”
Robles agreed this was the usual way to grow the pot and not by augmenting it, but added that the “Handog Pakabog” was a promo that is done “once in a while” by lotteries.
He said the marketing promo generated public interest in lotto betting, and this allowed the PCSO to recover the P1.3 billion it used for the “Handog Pakabog” after generating total sales of P2.2 billion. As a result, he said the PCSO made P800 million in a month plus an additional P240 million for charity.
Robles also said in a television interview last week that betting on all carries a big risk because if there’s more than one winner, the wealthy bettor stands to lose big.
“In the case of 6/49, interesting ito, 14 million ang odds. At P20, that’s only P280 million, eh ang pot mo ay P600 million. Kaya po talaga theoretically [to bet on all combinations and win]. Kaya lang, ‘pag may nakahati ka, dalawa o tatlo, lugi ka na, so talagang chance pa rin,” he told GMA-7’s Unang Hirit on January 18.
(In the case of 6/49, this is interesting, the odds are 14 million. At P20, that’s only P280 million, but your pot is P600 million. That’s why theoretically, it’s really possible [to bet on all combinations and win]. But if you have to share it with two, or three, you already lose, so it’s really still chance.)
During the hearing, May Cerelles, officer-in-charge (OIC) manager of PCSO’s Information Technology Services department, belied Tulfo’s theory that someone who has “route access” to the PCSO’s system could change the winning numbers.
She said the PCSO has an ISO-certified system that includes safeguards. There are also Commission on Audit (COA) personnel during lotto draws.
Cerelles said lotto betting is closed at 8:30 pm, and by 8:32 pm, the data on the bets are stored in a USB drive. There’s also a CCTV that records each and every draw.
Robles said no one can “manipulate” the system, but added that the PCSO was open to Tulfo’s suggestion of having additional observers during the lotto draws.
Tulfo asked the PCSO and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to turn over their records so they can see whether the winners in the recent draws match with the taxes withheld from the winning bettors.
Arnel Casas, PCSO assistant general manager for gaming, product development and marketing, said the PCSO has not yet submitted to the BIR its “alpha list” indicating the lotto winners for its Christmas and New Year draws, but he promised to turn over the records to the Senate later.
The BIR asked Tulfo to issue a subpoena for these records so they can turn over tax records to the committee, noting that these are protected under the Data Privacy Act. – Rappler.com
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story missed an important quote from PCSO General Manager Mel Robles. It read that Robles replied “yes” to Senate committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo when asked whether any one of the winners bet an all combinations. This should have been preceded by this quote:
“Our records show na hindi naman po binetan ang lahat ng combinations on the day po na tinamaan,” Robles said. (Our records show that a bet was not placed on all combinations on the day the jackpot was hit.)
The corrected succeeding paragraph to this now reads: “Opo (Yes),” Robles replied when committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo asked him whether this applied to all the recent winners. He promised to turn over to the committee PCSO records to prove this.) – Rappler.com
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SCHEDULE: 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship
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jisaga0269
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16/01/2024 14:15
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STAR POWER. Former NBA star Dwight Howard in a practice session with Strong Group.
Strong Group Athletics
Strong Group looks to complete a tournament sweep after wrecking Beirut Sports Club, 94-72, in the knockout semifinals of 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
But the Philippine club team, bannered by the Dwight Howard-Kevin Quiambao tandem, needs to put together another formidable outing as Strong Group faces unbeaten defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the winner-take-all title match:
A victory will be sweet redemption for Strong Group after a quarterfinal exit last year.
It will also make the team the second Philippine club to rule the tournament after Mighty Sports pulled off the feat in 2020.
Strong Group secured its spot in the final four after outlasting Moroccan squad AS Sale, 92-80, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Led by Dwight Howard and Kevin Quiambao, the Philippine club team vies to stay unbeaten for a spot in the title round. Here’s their semifinal schedule:
Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, another unbeaten squad, battles Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli in the other semifinal match.
The winners will march to the winner-take-all championship showdown the next day.
Strong Group Athletics marched to the knockout round of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after completing a 5-0 sweep of the eliminations behind the solid plays of former NBA star Dwight Howard, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, and former Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jordan Heading.
Here’s the Philippine club team’s quarterfinal schedule:
The winner will advance to the knockout semifinal clash the next day.
Other quarterfinal duels pit the Emirates National Team versus the Beirut Club, the Al-Riyadi Club Beirut against Dubai’s Al Nasr Club, and Lebanon’s Homenetmen Club versus Dubai’s Al Wahda Club.
After weeks of high anticipation, former NBA champion and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard is finally suiting up for the Philippines as part of Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship tipping off on Friday, January 19.
Arguably the most decorated import in Philippine basketball history, the 38-year-old center is joined by fellow former NBA players Andray Blatche, who once suited up as Gilas Pilipinas’ former naturalized player, and defensive ace Andre Roberson, who played seven seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Making up the local Filipino cast of Strong Group is another collection of stars, including reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, and UAAP champion JD Cagulangan.
Import McKenzie Moore rounds out the roster alongside locals Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot.
Here is the elimination round schedule for the one-week pocket tournament:
– Rappler.com
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CNN Philippines and its financial troubles
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Ralf Rivas
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25/01/2024 19:31
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Photo from CNN Philippines' website
MANILA, Philippines – Employees of CNN Philippines, the only predominantly English-language channel on free TV in the Philippines, anxiously await the outcome of a management-level meeting on Thursday, January 25, as rumors of a company shutdown circulate.
Sources, mostly insiders, confirmed to Rappler that a management meeting was held on Thursday regarding the company’s future. Rank-and-file employees and talents have not yet been briefed on the matter, with some telling Rappler they were “at a loss.” A general assembly has been scheduled on Monday, January 29, according to insiders.
Rappler has reviewed the latest financial statement of Nine Media Corporation, the TV company which has the rights to carry the CNN brand. Auditors cast doubt on its ability to continue as a business, according to documents obtained by Rappler from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
It’s worth noting that Nine Media’s deal with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific is set to expire on December 31, 2024.
The two companies first struck a deal in October 2014, which allowed Nine Media to use CNN-branded materials and programming for five years. The network debuted in 2015. The licensing deal was renewed in 2019 for another five years, or up to 2024.
The financial statement showed that CNN Philippines’ cash flow was completely dependent on the advances made to it by its parent company, JRLT-JHI Corporation, a financial holding company. In 2022, JRLT-JHI Corporation gave the company P181.5 million. Prior to that, the parent firm gave the TV network P118.6 million.
Reyes Tacandong & Co., the firm that audited the network, flagged Nine Media’s losses amounting to P231.4 million and P239.7 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively, as well as its capital deficiencies of P226.2 million and P465.2 million during the same period.
“These conditions indicate a material uncertainty which may cast a significant doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” the audit read.
In 2022, revenues grew by 4.6% to P407.3 million, but this was outpaced by cost of services, which increased by 6.7% to P514.89 million. Cost of services includes salaries, licensing fees, and other production costs.
With costs growing faster than revenues, gross losses ballooned by 15.17% to P107.59 million in 2022. Net losses reached P239.7 million, a 3.6% increase from 2021.
Meanwhile, license fees that Nine Media had to pay Turner Broadcasting System increased from P108 million in 2021 to P139.3 million, up by 29%.
Nine Media also had a separate deal with RPN, a former government-controlled TV network, to air its shows on free TV Channel 9. The deal allowed RPN to collect P8.2 million monthly from Nine Media for airtime fees. In 2021, RPN granted a 20% discount, but this discount ended in December 2022.
Nine Media said in its 2022 financial statement that management was aware of these conditions and had put in place plans to stop the hemorrhage.
Nine Media attributed the drop in revenues to the pandemic.
In 2022, the company banked on a post-pandemic economic recovery and advertising spending of politicians for the national elections that year. These, in Nine Media's own words, "did not materialize."
“The national elections held in May 2022 and the campaign period leading to it, while contributing to some increase in the spending behavior of people, did not significantly impact on the traditional advertising revenues, with the campaign efforts focused on social media platforms with funds channeled to social media influencers, vloggers, and content producers,” Nine Media said.
After the elections, advertising sales did not immediately pick up as agencies and companies struggled with inflation.
A similar trend could be observed from bigger media companies.
GMA Network reported a 20% drop in advertising revenues, from P15.77 billion in January to September 2022 to P12.68 billion in the same period in 2023. The Kapuso network's bottom line dropped by 51% to P2.47 billion in the first three quarters of 2023.
"Advertising revenues remained the lifeblood of the Company, comprising a huge chunk of the total revenue pie. This segment was also the hardest hit due to the absence of election-related placements this year," GMA Network said.
ABS-CBN's advertising revenues were flat at P4.8 billion in the first three quarters of 2023. The Kapamilya network, however, no longer draws most of its income from advertising.
Since its departure from free TV due to Congress denying it a franchise renewal in 2020, it pivoted to placing its shows in former rival networks and increased its presence in digital streaming services.
Advertising revenues comprised 36% of ABS-CBN's revenue pie, while consumer sales accounted for 64%. This pivot, however, is still a struggle, as consumer sales fell by 8% to P16.1 billion.
Against this bleak economic backdrop, Nine Media implemented cost-reduction measures, including a discounted airtime rate and migrating to a less costly satellite service provider. It even stopped certain service-level agreements and system maintenance costs and suspended several marketing and human resources activities.
These cost-cutting measures resulted in a 10.95% reduction in its general and administrative expenses.
Towards the latter part of 2022, Nine Media adopted ABS-CBN's strategy of aggressively selling blocktimes and co-production contracts with revenue-sharing terms.
Recall that CNN Philippines and Manny Villar’s Advanced Media Broadcasting System entered into a deal in 2022 to air the former’s flagship news program News Night in Filipino on weekdays. It was short-lived, however, after AMBS hit pause for most of its shows in the first quarter of 2023.
Nine Media was optimistic for 2023, citing forecasts from the government of an improved economic climate.
It even went on to say that advertising revenues would improve in 2023. The company also implied that the absence of the Lopezes’ ABS-CBN on free TV would be beneficial for Nine Media.
“Thus, advertising budgets are expected to also rise and the Company is poised to benefit from this development, particularly with the absence of the erstwhile biggest TV network in the country. In the coming years, the Company will further strengthen its branded content sales, blocktime revenues, co- production deals, digital content sales, and program distribution efforts,” it said.
The network derives most of its revenues from advertising. Yet, in 2022, advertising revenues increased by just 5%, according to the same documents.
Despite Nine Media's declared optimism, the auditor did not modify its opinion on the company’s financial health.
Nine Media’s financial statements for 2023 are not yet available.
On December 22, 2023, Nine Media and Manny Pangilinan’s TV5 agreed to air the PBA’s Commissioner’s Cup Season 48, as well as episodes of the popular noon show E.A.T. Bulaga on CNN Philippines’ weekend programming starting January 6, 2024.
This was intended to improve the reach of PBA games and E.A.T. Bulaga on free television, aside from improving Nine Media’s revenues. It remains to be seen what will now happen to this deal.
Nine Media underscored that it can continue operating “given its ability to obtain funding and commitment of support from its major stockholder.”
Nine Media, incorporated in January 2010, is wholly owned by JRLT-JHI Corporation, a financial holding company.
It is part of businessman Antonio Cabangon-Chua’s ALC Group of Companies, a conglomerate with various interests, which includes insurance, real estate, security, education, and even other media companies.
It is widely speculated that tycoon Ramon Ang funds the network, but his name does not appear in any of the companies related to CNN Philippines.
Nine Media's financial statement showed that its cash flows from operations and investing activities were both in the red for both 2021 and 2022. The only reason CNN Philippines had cash was because of the advances made by its parent company JRLT-JHI Corporation.
CNN Philippines is home to some of the country's veteran journalists. Its top talents include Pia Hontiveros, anchor and chief correspondent; Pinky Webb, senior anchor and correspondent; Rico Hizon, director of news content development and senior anchor; and Ruth Cabal, anchor and senior correspondent.
Nine Media has around 300 employees. – with reports from Lance Yu/Rappler.com
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‘The reason I can’t give up’: What Kris Aquino and Bimby’s relationship is like, as told on social media
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jreyes0314
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25/01/2024 18:02
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Kris Aquino's Instagram
MANILA, Philippines – It’s no secret that Kris Aquino has always been a doting mother to her two sons, Josh and Bimby, whom she would regularly post about on social media and unapologetically speak lovingly about on her past television appearances.
Kris has been battling several autoimmune diseases since 2018. The 52-year-old moved to the US in 2022 to receive treatment and has remained there since. She has consistently been documenting her journey to recovery on her Instagram page – and her posts, including her replies to the comments under them, usually include anecdotes that paint a picture of her relationship with her youngest son, Bimby, who has stepped up to take care of her.
In April 2023, Kris shared that Bimby is the reason why she has worked so hard to improve her health.
A post shared by Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (@krisaquino)
“YOU are the reason I can’t give up, and I continue fighting what at times feels like a losing battle. BUT if there’s one thing I’m proud of, since the day you were born – 5 weeks early, weighing barely 4 pounds, I’ve kept my word, never breaking any promises I made to you,” Kris wrote.
The Feng Shui star also thanked Bimby for being “so responsible and caring,” as their roles had now been reversed, with Bimby taking care of her.
Kris also admitted that she prayed to still be “alive and cognizant” in 2025 when he turns 18.
Bimby began helping take care of Kris in the US when she first began receiving treatment for her autoimmune diseases. In the same Instagram post, Kris shared that Bimby would usually do homeschooling from 7 am to 1 pm so he could allot the rest of his time helping Kris’ nurses take care of her.
“Because you’re the one who can so easily lift, shift, move, and position me when my inflammation is awful and my entire body hurts,” Kris said.
In June 2023, he flew back to the Philippines to celebrate his 16th birthday with his family and friends. Kris shared in a separate post that he “deserved to enjoy being 16” as he has had to watch her go from battling three autoimmune diseases to five within the span of a year.
A post shared by Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (@krisaquino)
“Bimb and I discussed it, nakikita ko ‘yung (I could see the) stress and anxiety my bunso was feeling. He’s had to grow up so fast because he needed to learn to be responsible in helping [take] care of me. Kawawa kasi nakikita niya (I feel bad for him because he sees) the many new physical manifestations, because from 3 when we came to the [US] a year ago, naging 5 na ‘yung diagnosed autoimmune conditions ko (My diagnosed autoimmune conditions grew to 5). As his mama I felt for a few months he deserves to enjoy being 16,” Kris wrote.
In July 2023, Kris revealed that she experienced “deep bone pain” in her joints and also had a swollen knee and lower back pain. She told Bimby that he would have to come back to the US earlier from his trip back to the Philippines.
A post shared by Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (@krisaquino)
Her older son, Josh, had also volunteered to visit her in Los Angeles with Bimby.
On January 21, Kris revealed that her current health condition has become more complex after an onset of lupus, another type of autoimmune disease. When Cornerstone Entertainment, Inc. handler Cristine Calawod commented her well wishes for Kris, the actress-TV host admitted that there is a possibility Bimby would go home after her birthday to start working.
“He needs to work because my medical bills are getting higher and higher. But Tin, the stage mom is already saying NO to a name change. He’ll stay as Bimb. No last name, like Drake,” Kris said in her reply to Calawod.
GET WELL SOON, KRIS! 😷In an Instagram exchange, Kris Aquino tells Cornerstone Entertainment artists handler Cristine Calawod that her son Bimby will return to the Philippines to work as her medical bills are “getting higher and higher.”The former TV host, now based in the… pic.twitter.com/2olhmxQzRo
In July 2023, Kris’ longtime co-host Boy Abunda accompanied Bimby to meet with Cornerstone Entertainment executives to see if Bimby could possibly begin a career in show business.
“Totoo po ‘yan na sa pag-uusap namin, we were trying to explore the possibilities, kung pwede bang mag-artista si Bimb, ano ba ang aming gagawin…but it was more of an exploratory meeting. Mayroon po ‘yang permisyo ng kanyang ina, ang aking kaibigan na si Kris Aquino,” Boy explained in Episode 116 of Fast Talk With Boy Abunda.
(It’s true that during our discussion, we were trying to explore the possibilities of Bimb becoming a celebrity and what we should do…but it was more of an exploratory meeting. We got permission from his mother, my friend Kris Aquino.)
Boy also mentioned that since the Cornerstone team was in the US, he hoped that Kris, Bimby, and the agency would discuss matters further regarding Bimby’s possible showbiz career.
While Kris, Boy, and Cornerstone have yet to share the details of Bimby’s possible foray into the same industry his mother has made a name for herself in, it’s clear that he has grown up to be a responsible son who wouldn’t think twice about caring for Kris. – Rappler.com
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Frying soon! What to expect from NeNe Chicken’s 1st Metro Manila branch
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Steph Arnaldo
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25/01/2024 17:06
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MANILA, Philippines – You can never go wrong with fried chicken, especially if it’s from one of the countries that does it best – South Korea. If you’ve been craving for Korean fried chicken after watching your K-dramas, don’t be a-fried! Renowned Korean chain NeNe Chicken is making its way to the Philippines for the first time on April 2024.
NeNe Chicken is opening its first branch in One Ayala Mall, Makati City, open from 10:30 am to 10 pm. Owners Gil and Saeed of Relle Foods Inc. – the company bringing in the brand – confirmed the news to Rappler. If you’re not that familiar with NeNe Chicken yet, or if you are but don’t know what to expect from its first Philippine foray, here’s the lowdown fresh out of the fryer!
NeNe – which actually means “Yes Yes” in Korean – is being brought to the Philippines by two young friends Gil and Saeed, “who know a thing or two about great-tasting chicken,” they said.
Relle Foods owns and operates NeNe Chicken in other countries outside South Korea, while also holding the master license for a few brands in the Philippines. They decided to finally bring NeNe Chicken to the Philippines after seeing it so well-received by Filipinos in other countries.
“We want to give Filipinos here an authentic KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) brand offered at an affordable price point,” Gil said.
NeNe aims to stand out from its other Korean chicken competitors by offering its menu at budget-friendly prices.
“Our main goal is to share good food with as many customers as we can. We don’t want to be a ‘Sometimes Food’ like our competitors, but instead be an ‘Everyday Food,'” Gil added.
For its Philippine outpost, Gil and Saeed wanted a casual and inviting space where different people could come together and enjoy good food with good company.
“We want to celebrate everyones uniqueness, which is symbolized with the mismatching chairs. Our space is like a friend’s house. We want you to come and hang out.”
Fresh chicken is sourced from NeNe’s sustainable farmers, marinated in a signature blend, seasoned in flour, and then fried until light and crispy. NeNe’s sauces and toppings are authentically Korean and sourced from Korea, made from recipes that have been perfected since 1999.
“Our customers can expect to experience the genuine taste of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) flavors and how it should taste in Korea,” Gil said.
NeNe Chicken’s Philippine menu will feature the Legendary Chicken Range of its famous flavors, such as the Original crispy chicken; the world-famous Swicy (sweet-and-spicy); Bulgogi (garlic-soy blend); and Freaking Hot.
The Signature Snowing Range – which Gil said first originated from Nene Chicken – offers the Snowing Cheese flavor, which is crispy chicken coated in a rich, “snowy” layer of NeNe’s secret blend of cheese. The Snowing Spicy is a spicy version, and the Snowing Vegetable has a rich, cheesy seasoning with extra notes of veggie flavors.
More flavors will be announced during the official opening, Gil said. The menu will also include burgers, fries, twister potatoes, K-Dogs with a twist, cheese balls, tteokbokki, rice bowls, and desserts.
The K-favorite chicken brand first started as a chicken processing facility in 1995, and then became the NeNe Chicken brand in 1999 with the mission to “create a happy society where people come together.”
Since then, NeNe has grown to over 1,500 stores in 11 different countries worldwide.
NeNe Chicken also boasts an impressive roster of Korean ambassadors, such as hit K-pop group SEVENTEEN, girl group OH MY GIRL, boy group NU’EST, and even comedian Yoo Jae-suk. NeNe also makes cameos in various K-dramas, such as in Netflix’s She Would Never Know.
“We want NeNe Chicken to continue to be the ‘Happy Choice’ for fried chicken lovers worldwide,” Gil and Saeed said. With plans to expand the brand throughout the country after the first branch, we’re excited to come along for the chicken ride! – Rappler.com
For more information, you can check out NeNe Chicken Philippines’ website or Facebook page.
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‘It’s not easy’: 6 Filipino celebrity moms who opened up about postpartum depression
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Ysa Abad
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25/01/2024 17:46
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Being a mom is no doubt fulfilling. But while it can be a source of joy, it can also be a tough job to navigate.
According to studies, the postnatal period, in particular, can be very difficult for mothers – with 1 in 7 new mothers experiencing postpartum depression. According to Healthline, postpartum depression “causes changes in mood, exhaustion, and a general sense of hopelessness for a long time after birth.”
Even celebrities have shared their experiences in managing motherhood alongside this mental health issue. Here’s how they handled the pressure of parenthood:
In a January 2024 episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, actress Kris Bernal revealed that she was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety.
“I was enjoying the whole time being pregnant. Hindi ko alam na ang hirap pala kapag nanganak ka na (I didn’t know that it would be this hard once you gave birth),” she said. “It’s really not easy. I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety kasi nahirapan talaga ako mag-adjust (because I was really finding it hard to adjust).”
The first-time mom, who gave birth to daughter Hailee Lucca in September 2023, shared that she feels like she “could no longer recognize [her] old self.”
“Feel ko parang bagong tao ako…. The things that I used to love, wala na. I’m loving myself now pero siguro may hinahanap pa ako sa dati kong sarili (I feel like I’m a brand new person.… The things I used to love no longer interest me. I’m loving myself now but I’m still looking for something from my past self),” she added.
Bernal, however, was quick to clarify that she’s thankful to be a mom: “This doesn’t mean I’m not grateful or na hindi ko gusto ‘tong journey ko. Ito ang pinakamagandang nangyari sa buhay ko (that I’m not happy with my journey. This is the best thing that’s happened in my life.)”
Months after giving birth to her first child with Luis Manzano, actress Jessy Mendiola got candid about her postpartum body.
“The truth is, accepting your postpartum body gives a huge impact on your mental health. I went through postpartum depression and it wasn’t easy,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
Mendiola continued that while she’ll always have insecurities, having recognized the strength of her body has helped change her perspective.
“Once you acknowledge the strength of carrying a life inside you for nine months, giving birth and caring for your baby while recovering is definitely amazing,” she added.
Prior to this, the actress already opened up about experiencing body image issues when she was pregnant, sharing that she didn’t “feel like [herself] anymore” and that she “really get[s] insecure” at times.
In August 2019 — shortly after giving birth to her second child — Andi Eigenmann detailed her struggles accepting the changes brought upon by motherhood.
“I guess this is what postpartum depression looks like to me. I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. Sleepless nights are getting the best of me. When the others are asleep, I’d shed tears I’d normally save for my acting performances on TV show finales,” she said.
The actress continued that she’s “having so many thoughts of guilt” and even “questioning every decision [she] made.” But Eigenmann clarified that while she misses her old self prior to having two kids, she still doesn’t regret the life she has now as a mother.
“I love where I’m at, even if it hasn’t been easy. That’s what keeps me going,” she said.
Prior to being a mom, Toni Gonzaga said she wondered why mothers experienced postpartum depression. However, after giving birth to her first son Seve in September 2016, the actress-host experienced first-hand how it was to be in their shoes.
During a 2017 press conference, Gonzaga recalled that during the first weeks after giving birth, she would usually cry in the bathroom when she was alone.
“Kapag umiiyak siya (Seve), sabi ko, ‘Umiiyak na naman siya, ano na namang kailangan niya?’ Iiyak din ako, magda-drama din ako. Minsan may gaanon kami, kapag umiiyak siya, iiyak din ako,” she said.
(Whenever Seve would cry, I’d say, ‘He’s crying again, what does he need again?’ I would cry too, I would be dramatic, too. Sometimes we do that – when he cries, I cry too.)
When asked about her advice to moms who are also dealing with postpartum depression, Gonzaga emphasized the importance of having a support system to talk to.
In a February 2023 Instagram post, actress Kylie Padilla detailed how she struggled with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety three years prior.
“The chemistry in my body was out of control, hormonal fluctuations took a toll on my emotional journey. Complications from birth hindered me from taking care of my kids,” she said.
The mother of two recalled that at the time, she was in constant pain and constant doubt. Among her worries include whether her body would recover or if she’ll be able to stand or walk properly again.”
Padilla shared that “never in [her] life” did she feel so “emotionally, physically exhausted” than during this period.
“Like all wives and mothers do, I was fulfilled. But was I happy? And is seeking my own happiness even a possibility? I asked myself every single day,” she wrote.
Reflecting on how much her life had changed, the actress said these emotional tolls made her appreciate where she is now.
“I have a safe home for my kids, work that I’m proud of, and one by one, my dreams are becoming reality. After all my doubt, pain, and fighting the silent battles, fighting my own psyche for the right to be happy, I’m still here,” she said.
In a February 2021 vlog, US-based actress Michelle Madrigal opened up about how not having a support system when she gave birth to her daughter in the United States led her to having postpartum depression.
“Having a child on its own without any family members, mahirap (it’s tough). I didn’t know how to figure it out. I didn’t invite anybody. It was just me when I gave birth,” she said.
“Mahirap na parang wala pala akong support (It was difficult kind of realizing I didn’t have a support system) here. And then the transition to stay-at-home, finding myself…I had postpartum depression. Six months.”
Madrigal said that aside from crying at random times and for unknown reasons, her mood swings were also bad.
“There’ll be days na sobrang high (I feel high and) I’m really happy…and then at night time, parang (it’s like) I don’t want to talk to anybody,” she said.
As she detailed her experience, the actress also pointed out how mental health issues like this shouldn’t be taken lightly by Filipinos.
“You have to acknowledge it,” she said. – Rappler.com
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Seaweed may become your staple food in case of nuclear apocalypse, study says
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Iya Gozum
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25/01/2024 14:53
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AQUACULTURE. A seaweed farm in Quezon province.
MYRoleda AlgaE Lab
MANILA, Philippines – In case a nuclear war erupts, the world would witness firestorms and radioactive mushroom clouds.
Then, the world would be blanketed by dark soot. Temperatures would drop, and there could be no sunny days in over a decade.
On the off chance that you survive all of these, you still have to contend with nuclear winter, political and economic instability, and the third horseman of the apocalypse: famine.
Enter the humble seaweed.
With its ability to thrive with little sunlight and less resources, seaweed can prove to be a resilient crop in the aftermath of a nuclear war, when the food supply chain is disrupted.
In a peer-reviewed study recently published in the science journal Earth’s Future, researchers found that post-nuclear seaweed production could be ramped up to 45% of the global food demand in a short amount of time.
What’s most surprising is that the more severe the nuclear war is, the faster seaweeds can grow. Talk about grace under pressure.
“It’s surprising that the seaweed grows better the worse the nuclear catastrophe is,” Michael Roleda, professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman Marine Science Institute (UP MSI), told Rappler in an interview. “Because actually, we expected the opposite.”
Roleda, who has been studying seaweeds for the past 30 years, is a co-author of the study.
When the world cools after a nuclear war, colder and nutrient-rich water from below rises to the ocean’s surface, Roleda explained. These nutrients would help seaweeds grow faster.
While the algae can survive with low light, Roleda noted that, of course, growth is better if seaweeds are given more than the bare minimum. He said they simulated the growth of seaweeds in a reduced sunlight setting, when the atmosphere is covered by dust in scenarios of a nuclear war or a volcanic eruption.
“The amount of light that could pass through the atmosphere, it’s enough to make the seaweed photosynthesize and grow,” he said. “Basically, that makes seaweed a resilient crop during some catastrophic event.”
Aside from that, seaweed is not reliant on arable land, fertilizers, and pesticides – resources that people may be hard put to get in a time of war.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Alliance to Feed the Earth in Disasters, Louisiana State University, University of Canterbury, and the UP MSI.
It envisioned a future after a nuclear war between the United States and Russia, with a world dealing with 150 trillion grams of soot. A separate study in Nature Food saw that this scenario would decrease calorie production from crops up to 90%, three to four years after the war ended.
Roleda, who has dedicated much of his academic career in the study of seaweeds, hopes people would appreciate what seaweed has to offer. He studies seaweed as a source of protein and carrageenan.
Carrageenan is extracted from seaweeds and is used as an emulsifier and thickener in different products.
Seaweed can be found from the toothpaste in your bathroom to the canned meat products stocked in your pantries. Even chocolate milk and ice cream has seaweed component.
Seaweed is good for gut health and is rich with vitamins. It has antioxidant and anti-obesity properties, and is a staple in some Asian cuisines. Roleda lamented that despite the popularity of seaweeds in neighboring countries, this enthusiasm for the algae doesn’t translate as much in the Philippines.
“Despite that, very few people appreciate seaweed,” he said. “And the name in itself, ‘weed,’ has a misnomer because if it’s a weed, it’s something unusable, masakit sa mata (It’s an eyesore).”
According to the Philippine Seaweed Industry roadmap, the country used to be a lead exporter of seaweeds, selling to China, the United States, and some European countries. However, the degrading quality of seedlings set back the country.
That’s why Roleda and his team is working on an in-vitro gene bank where they are cultivating different strains to see which has the most superior quality for seaweed farming.
The scientist attributed the underdeveloped industry to the available areas in the country for cultivation, the frequency of typhoons, and the lack of support for research and development in the multimillion dollar industry of seaweeds.
For Roleda, it’s time the government puts forward more support for the seaweed industry – even before a nuclear war erupts in other places in the world.
“We don’t need to wait for a nuclear war to happen or a big volcanic eruption covering all our atmosphere before we appreciate that seaweed is a resilient crop that could maybe help us thrive,” he said. – Rappler.com
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[OPINION] The Senate, the Constitution, and the price of self-preservation
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Glenda Gloria
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25/01/2024 17:00
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Ultimately, self-preservation kicked in.
This week the Senate released a resolution rejecting the latest iteration of the “People’s Initiative.” Not a single senator deviated or even abstained. What’s even more remarkable is that just a week prior, Senate President Miguel Zubiri sent a missive agreeing to Cha-Cha but limiting it to economic amendments.
The senators must have been shocked at the speed by which signatures have been gathered. The goal of every Cha-Cha drive is to get 3% of each district and at least 12% of the national voting population. That’s nothing to a House of Representatives dominated by political dynasties. Their absolute control over their fiefdoms has made the gathering of signatures “fait accompli.” All it really needed was a signal from the top. And there can be no greater signal than the Commission on Elections (Comelec) receiving P14.2 billion to use for plebiscites in 2024.
The thrust of this people’s initiative is to change the way the Senate and the House will vote if a “Cha-Cha” through constituent assembly happens. In a constitutional convention, we all get to vote for our delegates. In a Constituent Assembly, your senators and congressmen are the delegates. The signatures being gathered will make the two bodies vote “jointly.” So, you take 24 senators and add 300 congressmen giving you a “constituent assembly” with 324 delegates. A majority of the 324 gets to change the Constitution.
Voting “separately” means that the Constituent Assembly will have a two-tiered system, much like the way we pass laws today. Proposed changes to the Constitution will need a majority from the 24 senator-delegates, and a separate majority from the 300+ congressman-delegates. It’s obvious why the Senate would refuse to “vote jointly.” But that’s precisely what the rocket-fueled signature campaign wants.
What the initial Senate move tried to balance was the willingness to dance this “Cha-Cha” but only on the condition that they will not be sidelined. The problem, however, is that the “people’s initiative” is so far gone some congressmen are publicly bragging that they might get 20% of their districts to sign. There’s no deal to be had when you have nothing that the other side wants.
The irony is that the rocket fuel for this Cha-Cha (Comelec’s P14 billion plebiscite budget) came from the bicameral conference committee of Congress. The “bicam” is made up of both senators and congressmen. History might soon tell that by letting this seemingly innocuous insertion pass, the Senate may well have signed its death warrant. It’s a stark reminder of the perils of too much “Executive accommodation.”
However, the Senate is not the only thing a new system of government can potentially get rid of. When a constitution is re-written, it creates a new legal order. That in turn triggers a revised judicial system. And revamped societies rarely retain sitting magistrates. Recall how Marcos took over the courts during Martial Law, and how the late president Corazon Aquino dealt with the Marcosian Supreme Court (SC) after EDSA.
There’s reason to believe why this might be in play.
In “Justices and Political Loyalties: An Empirical Investigation of the Supreme Court of the Philippines”, Björn Dressel (PhD, of the Crawford School of Public Policy) and Cristina Bonoan (UP Law) observed that “[u]nder the Duterte administration, voting preferences have been more aligned with the appointer.” According to their data, Duterte-appointed justices don’t just tend to vote in favor of his administration, they do so by a factor “that is higher than 25%” than other justices.
This highlights an issue that’s been vexing the Marcos’ administration: 13 out of the 15 justices are Duterte appointees. Most of them will outlast the current president. Key elements of the economic agenda are pending before the SC. With the ongoing political schism, high-stakes political challenges will soon make their way there. All these just in time for the mid-terms where the Dutertes threaten a comeback. Considering how much this administration abhors uncertainty, something’s gotta give.
The new Senate resolution invokes greater principles of democracy in a bid to win public sentiment and save itself from irrelevance. Regardless of how we feel politically, the better option is still to side with it. And if it comes to that, with the Court. But we need to seriously reflect on why our institutions have become so vulnerable. Mired as we are in the compromises of governance, we sometimes overlook the dangers that incremental decisions make.
Decisions like ousting a fellow legislator being targeted by a president and letting her get arrested on shaky charges. Or removing one’s own chief through a method that “enlists the Court’s participation in the erosion of its own independence.” That phrase is from Justice Caguioa who then warned about committing (judicial) “seppuku – without honor.” History shows that the roots of institutional weakness are more often the products of its own members.
An independent Senate stood against the late president Fidel Ramos, as well as former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo GMA – when needed. In doing so it earned the public’s gratitude and, more importantly, its protection.
In the same vein, the landmark cases taught in law schools venerate Teehankee, as well as the decisions of the Davide and Panganiban courts that pushed back against overly ambitious presidents. If this Cha-Cha is truly unstoppable, these are the examples our successors will need to guide them once the “Bagong Lipunan” washes everything away.
The world might have changed but, the price of liberty remains the same. – Rappler.com
John Molo teaches constitutional law and chairs the political law cluster of the UP College of Law. He worked in the Senate and the Supreme Court. He is a trustee of the Philippine Bar Association and chairperson of the IBP Journal’s Editorial Board.
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The bicameral conference committee of Congress is noted for some “legislative magic.” The recent “magic potion” is the Comelec’s P14 billion plebiscite budget. If senators were present when it was “magically brewed,” why did they agree to such a concoction? Did too much “executive accommodation” mislead them”? This shows what kind of checks and balances exist in our present government.
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Jordan Heading waxes hot as Strong Group completes 5-0 elims sweep in Dubai
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 10:29
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HOT HAND. Strong Group's Jordan Heading in action in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
UAE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MANILA, Philippines – The undefeated streak lives on for Strong Group Athletics.
In its final game of the elimination round, Strong Group overcame its toughest challenge yet in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship, escaping Al Ahly Tripoli Sports Club by the skin of its teeth, 91-89, on Wednesday, January 24 (Thursday, January 25, Manila time.)
The Philippine side rode on the hot hand of Gilas Pilipinas sharpshooter Jordan Heading, who scored a tournament-best 19 points on 5-of-11 clip from beyond the arc.
With Al Ahly threatening to pull away early with its biggest lead of 12 points, 27-15, with 1:29 to play in the first quarter, Heading caught fire in the next period, unloading 3 of his 5 treys to help Strong Group overtake the Libyan squad at halftime, 51-50.
After a tight, back-and-forth battle between the two powerhouse teams throughout the second half, it was also Heading who knocked down two cold-blooded insurance free throws with only 18 seconds left to give Strong Group an all-important 91-88 cushion.
Al Ahly had multiple chances to tie the ball game and potentially send it into overtime in the next play, but three-point attempts by Naseim Badrush and Walter Hodge failed to hit the target.
UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao and former NBA superstar Dwight Howard helped Heading carry Strong Group’s scoring cudgels with 17 points apiece.
The five-time All-NBA First Team member Howard came up big down the stretch for Strong Group, dropping 9 of his 17 points in the final six minutes.
Former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson and naturalized Filipino big man Andray Blatche also finished in double-digit scoring for Strong Group with 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
Badrush paced Al Ahly in the loss with a game-high 27 points, while Mohamed Sadi added 22.
Strong Group – which stretched its unblemished record to 5-0 – will take on Moroccan squad AS Sale in the knockout quarterfinals on Saturday, January 27, at 1:15 am, Manila time.
Strong Group Athletics 91 – Heading 19, Quiambao 17, Howard 17, Roberson 13, Blatche 10, Moore 7, Baltazar 3, Liwag 3, Escandor 2, Ynot 0.
Al Ahly Tripoli 89 – Badrush 27, Sadi 22, Hodge 17, West 10, Wesley 6, Dawo 5, Ramadan 2, Abdarhim 0, Sedek 0.
Quarters: 20-27, 51-50, 74-73, 91-89.
– Rappler.com
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Why mounting a 2024 plebiscite on charter change will be a daunting task for Comelec
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Dwight de Leon
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25/01/2024 18:30
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CHARTER CHANGE. Progressive groups opposed to charter change picket the gates of the House of Representatives to protest the alleged use of public funds for collecting signatures for the people’s initiative on Charter Change, on January 22, 2024.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The coordinated push to gather signatures nationwide in support of charter change may have signaled confidence from its advocates, but the Philippines’ election body is not as optimistic about the chances of a referendum pushing through this year.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be the one tasked to oversee a plebiscite should the agency enable and recognize as valid the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
A plebiscite will ultimately ratify the amendment being proposed – that the House and the Senate vote jointly, not separately, in the event that a motion to form a constituent assembly is called.
Mounting a plebiscite is easier said than done. It requires a lot of logistical considerations, which can burden the Comelec at a time when it begins prioritizing the 2025 midterm elections.
A January 24 report from the Comelec indicated that their offices in 75% of legislative districts nationwide have received signature forms for the people’s initiative.
That, however, is just the first step.
After the signature drive is finished, the brains behind the people’s initiative campaign will have to submit a formal petition to the Comelec, which in turn, will evaluate whether it is sufficient in form and substance.
“We will only verify the signatures after the sufficiency in form and substance requirement is met,” Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo on January 19.
As the process could take months, the possibility of a mid-year plebiscite further shrinks.
“If they were able to file [the signatures] by the first week of January, maybe we could have conducted the plebiscite by August,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia explained in the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum on January 24.
The poll body laid out the numerous challenges that would emerge once signature verification is underway.
“We will check if the signature is from an actual person, if they are a registered voter, if their record is not deactivated, if they are not delisted, and if their signature is the same as the one in our records,” Laudiangco said. “For the last step, we will certify how many verified signatures remain.”
The signature verification process itself is already tedious, but it is aggravated further by the fact that local Comelec offices across the country have a lean staff.
The poll body even floated the possibility of putting voter registration on pause to validate the signatures.
“We only have one election officer per municipality and city, and they cannot do voter registration and signature verification at the same time,” Laudiangco added.
Congress gave Comelec a budget of P14 billion for the conduct of plebiscites in 2024, a 600% increase from the P2 billion it was given the previous year. That’s even though there are only two plebiscites scheduled so far this year, compared to at least six that were held in 2023.
The surge in funding alarmed opposition lawmakers who believe that the extra funds were inserted to mount the charter change-related plebiscite.
For the record, the Comelec initially requested an agency-wide budget of P43 billion for 2024, but the executive branch asked Congress for only P27 billion.
The poll body told lawmakers that it needed the slashed funds for midterm election preparations, but when Congress restored most of the budget that the Comelec originally asked for, it inserted the funds into the line item on plebiscites, instead of the line item on election preparatory activities.
Nonetheless, the Comelec believes the budget given to them is not enough to squeeze into their calendar a plebiscite on the people’s initiative this year, saying it needs an additional P12 billion to P13 billion.
“If a plebiscite would push through maybe in August or September, we will be short of funds. Because the extra budget given to us is for the preparations for the national and local elections, special elections, and recall. The Comelec will have a financial crisis just in case a national plebiscite materializes this year,” Comelec executive director Teopisto Elnas Jr. told House lawmakers during a suffrage committee hearing on January 23.
By October, the Comelec will be focused on accepting certificates of candidacy from hundreds of thousands of elective aspirants nationwide.
This could likely put the charter change agenda on the back burner, given that the events that will follow are just as laborious for the poll body.
“We will start [focusing] on the technical side of our preparations – customization, loading of machines, mock elections, field tests,” Elnas said.
Chairman Garcia also thumbed down the possibility of holding the polls simultaneously with Election Day on May 12, 2025, citing a 1981 Supreme Court ruling.
“If the ballot is about changing the Constitution, that should be the only agenda so that the public can absorb better the implications of their vote,” he said on January 19. “In my opinion, the public will be confused.”
On January 24, he also raised other impediments that would complicate a charter change-related plebiscite after the May vote in 2025: resumption of voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, and the actual Election Day for the village-based polls in October.
Ultimately, Garcia mentioned a date that appears to be the most convenient time for the Comelec to hold a plebiscite: 2026.
But can the proponents of charter change wait that much longer? – Rappler.com
(All quotes in Filipino were translated into English, and some were shortened for brevity.)
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HIGHLIGHTS: San Miguel vs Ginebra, Game 2 – PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals 2024
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Jasmine Payo
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26/01/2024 15:10
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San Miguel secured a 2-0 series lead against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals with a 106-96 victory.
Bennie Boatwright rediscovered his scoring touch after being held to a conference-low output in Game 1 as he unloaded 38 points for the Beermen in Game 2 of the best-of-five series.
Game 1 of the highly-anticipated best-of-five semifinal series between the San Miguel Beermen and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup certainly lived up to its hype.
PBA fans were treated to a thrilling, nip-and-tuck showdown between the two star-studded teams, where San Miguel drew first blood with a 92-90 escape.
As both squads face off anew in Game 2 on Friday, January 26, San Miguel shoots for a commanding 2-0 lead, while Ginebra aims for an equalizer.
With their high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright held to just 23 points, the powerhouse Beermen got a huge lift from CJ Perez, who sizzled for a conference-high 26 points.
As expected, reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo proved to be a force to be reckoned with, putting up a near double-double of 18 points and 9 rebounds.
After coming up with his lowest scoring output in the PBA, look for Boatwright, who averaged 40.5 points in his first four games in a Beermen uniform, to regain his offensive touch in Game 2.
Also count on Perez and Fajardo to ride on their hot momentum as San Miguel tries to move on the cusp of the Commissioner’s Cup finals.
The Beermen are also likely to receive additional firepower in Game 2 as Terrence Romeo is expected to return after missing the series opener due to a left ankle sprain.
For Ginebra, expect import Tony Bishop to redeem himself after being limited to 20 points on a lowly 6-of-17 shooting.
Christian Standhardinger, who led the Gin Kings in scoring with 21 points, will also look to bounce back and atone for his crucial Game 1 blunder, where he failed to secure a pass from Scottie Thompson in the final possession.
Game time is 4 pm. – Rappler.com
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Cebu star Jared Bahay moves to Ateneo after spurning UP
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 18:03
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BLUE CHIP. Cebuano point guard Jared Bahay in action for Gilas Pilipinas Youth.
FIBA
MANILA, Philippines – Jared Bahay found a new home for college.
The Cebuano juniors basketball standout made his transfer to the Ateneo Blue Eagles official on Thursday, January 25, weeks after spurning the UP Fighting Maroons.
Bahay, a standout with the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated (CESAFI), had reneged on his UP commitment due to what the Maroons called an intervention by “outside forces” early January.
Bahay said he decided to stay as a homegrown Ateneo player after studying grade school and high school at SHS-ADC, winning championships at each level.
“I have decided to continue my studies at Ateneo de Manila and play for the Ateneo men’s basketball team. I believe that sustaining my Jesuit education will help unlock and sharpen my potential to the fullest, both on and off the court,” Bahay said in a released statement.
“Growing up and experiencing cura personalis (care for the whole person) at SHS-ADC, I am confident that their vision and holistic approach will contribute to my growth and maturity as a student, athlete, and person.”
The 5-foot-9 point guard recently led the Magis Eagles to the CESAFI juniors crown and was named Finals Most Valuable Player.
“We’re really happy that Jared opted to come to Ateneo,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, who flew to Cebu with team manager Epok Quimpo early January after Bahay’s decision to stay in the Eagles’ nest.
“We’re very excited, knowing that he will be a significant part of our program moving forward.”
In 2023, Ateneo also recruited Bahay’s high school teammates Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro.
Bahay, a pint-sized scoring playmaker, committed to UP in a well-publicized move in March 2023 where he was welcomed at UP Cebu by team officials led by head coach Goldwin Monteverde and UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol.
But last January 5, the Maroons announced Bahay decommitted from the State U, saying “outside forces have intervened for him to have a change of heart.” – Rappler.com
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Gorayeb vows no bottom finish in PVL return with debuting Capital1
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 16:01
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NEW SQUAD. Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb (left) faces the media together with team owners Milka (center) and Mandy Romero in an introductory press conference.
PVL IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Coach Roger Gorayeb returns to pro volleyball action with Capital1 Power Spikers, quickly setting modest but competitive goals for the newest team in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
“I’m saying it now, I don’t want our team to end up in the bottom, even if we only have three weeks left before the competition,” Gorayeb said in Filipino during the team’s introductory press conference at Milky Way Café in Makati City on Thursday, January 25.
The PVL All-Filipino Conference kicks off on February 20 at the Araneta Coliseum, with Capital1 taking over the slot left by F2 Logistics, which surprisingly disbanded last December.
Heather Guino-o, Rovie Instrella, Jannine Navarro, Aiko Urdas, and Jorelle Singh are among the 23 pool of players Gorayeb tapped due to their experience.
Gorayeb last mentored the PLDT High Speed Hitters inside the Ilocos PVL bubble in 2021.
The champion coach said he only recently decided to return to the pro circuit after a three-year hiatus, accepting the offer after a strong pitch from team owners and sisters Milka and Mandy Romero.
The two are daughters of sports patron Mikee Romero, the 1Pacman Representative who owns the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA, and previously Harbour Centre in the defunct Philippine Basketball League. He’s also among the managers of the La Salle Green Archers and the Philippine men’s basketball team.
PVL | WATCH: The Romero sisters talk about setting the team’s culture and managing the team from a former athlete’s point of view. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/S24w87iZYU
“As you know, my reputation is I’m strict in practice,” said Gorayeb in Filipino.
“I don’t want to dampen the enthusiasm of the owners, and I told them, ‘Di tayo magpapatalo ha (We won’t back down)!’ By all means… I told them, ‘Papatayin ko mga player na ‘to! May pampa-ospital pa naman kami (We’ll tire out our players, we’ll all be taking care of them anyway),” he added in jest.
The Romeros said the goal is also to inspire more young volleyball players.
“What we want to promise is to put on a good show,” said Capital1 team owner Milka Romero.
“Hopefully, we’ll also be able to get our fans. We want them to enjoy this game, to inspire future volleyball players, women in sports.”
PVL | WATCH:SportsVision chief Ricky Palou explains why Capital1 was awarded the slot left by F2 Logistics over three other bidders. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/5IL3SrbJ2A
– Rappler.com
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None of big winners in PCSO’s Christmas, New Year lotto games bet on all combinations, says GM
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gdecastro0289
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25/01/2024 17:44
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CHANCE. Bettors wait for their turn at a lotto outlet in Paco, Manila on October 2, 2022.
Rappler photo
MANILA, Philippines – None of the winners in the lotto games that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) augmented by huge amounts for its Christmas and New Year draws placed bets on all combinations to win, the head of the state-run lottery firm testified on Thursday, January 25.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles told a Senate Games and Amusement committee hearing that while it is a bettor’s right to bet on all combinations in its lotto games, none of the winners in their “Handog Pakabog” promo draws did this.
“Our records show na hindi naman po binetan ang lahat ng combinations on the day po na tinamaan,” he said. (Our records show that a bet was not placed on all combinations on the day the jackpot was hit.)
“Opo (Yes),” Robles replied when committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo asked him whether this applied to all the recent winners. He promised to turn over to the committee PCSO records to prove this.
The PCSO raised on December 16, 2023 the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the Grand Lotto 6/55, Ultra Lotto 6/58, Super Lotto 6/49 by P500 million each, and P100 million each for Lotto 6/42 and MegaLotto 6/45 as part of its Christmas and New Year draws.
On December 29, 2023, a lone bettor won P571 million in the Ultra Lotto 6/58, the biggest jackpot in 2023.
On January 16, 2024, a bettor won P640 million with the combination 26-33-14-48-06-42 in the Super Lotto 6/49 draw.
On January 17, another lone bettor won P698 million in the Grand Lotto 6/55 with the correct combination of 24-50-52-09-51-03 through PCSO’s new e-Lotto platform.
Three bettors, meantime, won in the Lotto 6/42 jackpot on January 2 with a prize of P108 million.
Two people split the Megalotto 6/45 jackpot of P121 million on January 8.
Tulfo suspects that the PCSO intentionally boosted the jackpot to reduce the risks for wealthy bettors, who are then able to bet on all combinations to win. For instance, in the 6/49 lotto, he said there are 14 million combinations and at P20 for each bet, a wealthy bettor can spend P240 million to win, and he can recover his investment if the prize is boosted.
Tulfo claimed that PCSO had someone bet on all combinations that was won via e-lotto, and that a machine generated all combinations, a charge that Robles denied.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that based on the history of PCSO’s lotto draws, it usually took months before lotto games with a jackpot prize of P500 million or more were won, but in this recent series of draws, which he described as an “anomaly,” all the games with big prizes produced winners in less than month.
“In less than one month, limang laro ang tinamaan…itong nangyari ng December is really an anomaly. Hindi lang one [lotto] game, limang games,” he said. (In less than one month, 5 games were won…what happened this December is really an anomaly.)
Robles, however, told the committee that no cheating is being done. “We would like to assure you that you can never, never manipulate it, kaya nga po (that’s why) allowed kami mag-bet (even PCSO personnel can bet), Mr. Chair. Even I can bet because it’s beyond me.”
Tulfo said he will push to revise the PCSO charter that allows it to use its prize reserve fund to augment the jackpot, arguing that it is better to use the money for charity and other social welfare needs instead of having only one or several persons end up as millionaires.
Tulfo said the usual practice in countries that have lotteries is to allow the jackpot to grow from the bets, a process which Robles said is called “snowballing.”
Robles agreed this was the usual way to grow the pot and not by augmenting it, but added that the “Handog Pakabog” was a promo that is done “once in a while” by lotteries.
He said the marketing promo generated public interest in lotto betting, and this allowed the PCSO to recover the P1.3 billion it used for the “Handog Pakabog” after generating total sales of P2.2 billion. As a result, he said the PCSO made P800 million in a month plus an additional P240 million for charity.
Robles also said in a television interview last week that betting on all carries a big risk because if there’s more than one winner, the wealthy bettor stands to lose big.
“In the case of 6/49, interesting ito, 14 million ang odds. At P20, that’s only P280 million, eh ang pot mo ay P600 million. Kaya po talaga theoretically [to bet on all combinations and win]. Kaya lang, ‘pag may nakahati ka, dalawa o tatlo, lugi ka na, so talagang chance pa rin,” he told GMA-7’s Unang Hirit on January 18.
(In the case of 6/49, this is interesting, the odds are 14 million. At P20, that’s only P280 million, but your pot is P600 million. That’s why theoretically, it’s really possible [to bet on all combinations and win]. But if you have to share it with two, or three, you already lose, so it’s really still chance.)
During the hearing, May Cerelles, officer-in-charge (OIC) manager of PCSO’s Information Technology Services department, belied Tulfo’s theory that someone who has “route access” to the PCSO’s system could change the winning numbers.
She said the PCSO has an ISO-certified system that includes safeguards. There are also Commission on Audit (COA) personnel during lotto draws.
Cerelles said lotto betting is closed at 8:30 pm, and by 8:32 pm, the data on the bets are stored in a USB drive. There’s also a CCTV that records each and every draw.
Robles said no one can “manipulate” the system, but added that the PCSO was open to Tulfo’s suggestion of having additional observers during the lotto draws.
Tulfo asked the PCSO and the Bureau of Internal Revenue to turn over their records so they can see whether the winners in the recent draws match with the taxes withheld from the winning bettors.
Arnel Casas, PCSO assistant general manager for gaming, product development and marketing, said the PCSO has not yet submitted to the BIR its “alpha list” indicating the lotto winners for its Christmas and New Year draws, but he promised to turn over the records to the Senate later.
The BIR asked Tulfo to issue a subpoena for these records so they can turn over tax records to the committee, noting that these are protected under the Data Privacy Act. – Rappler.com
(Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story missed an important quote from PCSO General Manager Mel Robles. It read that Robles replied “yes” to Senate committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo when asked whether any one of the winners bet an all combinations. This should have been preceded by this quote:
“Our records show na hindi naman po binetan ang lahat ng combinations on the day po na tinamaan,” Robles said. (Our records show that a bet was not placed on all combinations on the day the jackpot was hit.)
The corrected succeeding paragraph to this now reads: “Opo (Yes),” Robles replied when committee chair Senator Raffy Tulfo asked him whether this applied to all the recent winners. He promised to turn over to the committee PCSO records to prove this.) – Rappler.com
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Cebu star Jared Bahay moves to Ateneo after spurning UP
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 18:03
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BLUE CHIP. Cebuano point guard Jared Bahay in action for Gilas Pilipinas Youth.
FIBA
MANILA, Philippines – Jared Bahay found a new home for college.
The Cebuano juniors basketball standout made his transfer to the Ateneo Blue Eagles official on Thursday, January 25, weeks after spurning the UP Fighting Maroons.
Bahay, a standout with the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Incorporated (CESAFI), had reneged on his UP commitment due to what the Maroons called an intervention by “outside forces” early January.
Bahay said he decided to stay as a homegrown Ateneo player after studying grade school and high school at SHS-ADC, winning championships at each level.
“I have decided to continue my studies at Ateneo de Manila and play for the Ateneo men’s basketball team. I believe that sustaining my Jesuit education will help unlock and sharpen my potential to the fullest, both on and off the court,” Bahay said in a released statement.
“Growing up and experiencing cura personalis (care for the whole person) at SHS-ADC, I am confident that their vision and holistic approach will contribute to my growth and maturity as a student, athlete, and person.”
The 5-foot-9 point guard recently led the Magis Eagles to the CESAFI juniors crown and was named Finals Most Valuable Player.
“We’re really happy that Jared opted to come to Ateneo,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, who flew to Cebu with team manager Epok Quimpo early January after Bahay’s decision to stay in the Eagles’ nest.
“We’re very excited, knowing that he will be a significant part of our program moving forward.”
In 2023, Ateneo also recruited Bahay’s high school teammates Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro.
Bahay, a pint-sized scoring playmaker, committed to UP in a well-publicized move in March 2023 where he was welcomed at UP Cebu by team officials led by head coach Goldwin Monteverde and UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol.
But last January 5, the Maroons announced Bahay decommitted from the State U, saying “outside forces have intervened for him to have a change of heart.” – Rappler.com
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‘It’s not easy’: 6 Filipino celebrity moms who opened up about postpartum depression
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Ysa Abad
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25/01/2024 17:46
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Being a mom is no doubt fulfilling. But while it can be a source of joy, it can also be a tough job to navigate.
According to studies, the postnatal period, in particular, can be very difficult for mothers – with 1 in 7 new mothers experiencing postpartum depression. According to Healthline, postpartum depression “causes changes in mood, exhaustion, and a general sense of hopelessness for a long time after birth.”
Even celebrities have shared their experiences in managing motherhood alongside this mental health issue. Here’s how they handled the pressure of parenthood:
In a January 2024 episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, actress Kris Bernal revealed that she was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety.
“I was enjoying the whole time being pregnant. Hindi ko alam na ang hirap pala kapag nanganak ka na (I didn’t know that it would be this hard once you gave birth),” she said. “It’s really not easy. I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety kasi nahirapan talaga ako mag-adjust (because I was really finding it hard to adjust).”
The first-time mom, who gave birth to daughter Hailee Lucca in September 2023, shared that she feels like she “could no longer recognize [her] old self.”
“Feel ko parang bagong tao ako…. The things that I used to love, wala na. I’m loving myself now pero siguro may hinahanap pa ako sa dati kong sarili (I feel like I’m a brand new person.… The things I used to love no longer interest me. I’m loving myself now but I’m still looking for something from my past self),” she added.
Bernal, however, was quick to clarify that she’s thankful to be a mom: “This doesn’t mean I’m not grateful or na hindi ko gusto ‘tong journey ko. Ito ang pinakamagandang nangyari sa buhay ko (that I’m not happy with my journey. This is the best thing that’s happened in my life.)”
Months after giving birth to her first child with Luis Manzano, actress Jessy Mendiola got candid about her postpartum body.
“The truth is, accepting your postpartum body gives a huge impact on your mental health. I went through postpartum depression and it wasn’t easy,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
Mendiola continued that while she’ll always have insecurities, having recognized the strength of her body has helped change her perspective.
“Once you acknowledge the strength of carrying a life inside you for nine months, giving birth and caring for your baby while recovering is definitely amazing,” she added.
Prior to this, the actress already opened up about experiencing body image issues when she was pregnant, sharing that she didn’t “feel like [herself] anymore” and that she “really get[s] insecure” at times.
In August 2019 — shortly after giving birth to her second child — Andi Eigenmann detailed her struggles accepting the changes brought upon by motherhood.
“I guess this is what postpartum depression looks like to me. I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. Sleepless nights are getting the best of me. When the others are asleep, I’d shed tears I’d normally save for my acting performances on TV show finales,” she said.
The actress continued that she’s “having so many thoughts of guilt” and even “questioning every decision [she] made.” But Eigenmann clarified that while she misses her old self prior to having two kids, she still doesn’t regret the life she has now as a mother.
“I love where I’m at, even if it hasn’t been easy. That’s what keeps me going,” she said.
Prior to being a mom, Toni Gonzaga said she wondered why mothers experienced postpartum depression. However, after giving birth to her first son Seve in September 2016, the actress-host experienced first-hand how it was to be in their shoes.
During a 2017 press conference, Gonzaga recalled that during the first weeks after giving birth, she would usually cry in the bathroom when she was alone.
“Kapag umiiyak siya (Seve), sabi ko, ‘Umiiyak na naman siya, ano na namang kailangan niya?’ Iiyak din ako, magda-drama din ako. Minsan may gaanon kami, kapag umiiyak siya, iiyak din ako,” she said.
(Whenever Seve would cry, I’d say, ‘He’s crying again, what does he need again?’ I would cry too, I would be dramatic, too. Sometimes we do that – when he cries, I cry too.)
When asked about her advice to moms who are also dealing with postpartum depression, Gonzaga emphasized the importance of having a support system to talk to.
In a February 2023 Instagram post, actress Kylie Padilla detailed how she struggled with postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety three years prior.
“The chemistry in my body was out of control, hormonal fluctuations took a toll on my emotional journey. Complications from birth hindered me from taking care of my kids,” she said.
The mother of two recalled that at the time, she was in constant pain and constant doubt. Among her worries include whether her body would recover or if she’ll be able to stand or walk properly again.”
Padilla shared that “never in [her] life” did she feel so “emotionally, physically exhausted” than during this period.
“Like all wives and mothers do, I was fulfilled. But was I happy? And is seeking my own happiness even a possibility? I asked myself every single day,” she wrote.
Reflecting on how much her life had changed, the actress said these emotional tolls made her appreciate where she is now.
“I have a safe home for my kids, work that I’m proud of, and one by one, my dreams are becoming reality. After all my doubt, pain, and fighting the silent battles, fighting my own psyche for the right to be happy, I’m still here,” she said.
In a February 2021 vlog, US-based actress Michelle Madrigal opened up about how not having a support system when she gave birth to her daughter in the United States led her to having postpartum depression.
“Having a child on its own without any family members, mahirap (it’s tough). I didn’t know how to figure it out. I didn’t invite anybody. It was just me when I gave birth,” she said.
“Mahirap na parang wala pala akong support (It was difficult kind of realizing I didn’t have a support system) here. And then the transition to stay-at-home, finding myself…I had postpartum depression. Six months.”
Madrigal said that aside from crying at random times and for unknown reasons, her mood swings were also bad.
“There’ll be days na sobrang high (I feel high and) I’m really happy…and then at night time, parang (it’s like) I don’t want to talk to anybody,” she said.
As she detailed her experience, the actress also pointed out how mental health issues like this shouldn’t be taken lightly by Filipinos.
“You have to acknowledge it,” she said. – Rappler.com
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‘It’s their right’: Romualdez maintains openness to work with senators on charter change
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Kaycee
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25/01/2024 12:27
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MANIFESTO. All 24 senators on January 23, 2024 sign a manifesto rejecting the people’s initiative which was said to have been initiated by some members of the House of Representatives pushing for charter change.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines — Despite senators unanimously rejecting the ongoing public petition for charter change, House Speaker Martin Romualdez still expressed optimism on working with the upper chamber to amend the constitution.
“Hindi ko pinapatulan ‘yung mga ganoong salita (I don’t respond to statements like that),” Romualdez said in a brief evening press conference on Wednesday, January 24. “That is their right, I respect that right all the time.”
All members of the Senate signed a manifesto on Tuesday against the ongoing effort to amend the Constitution by people’s initiative. Lawmakers from the upper chamber alleged the House of Representatives is seeking to dilute the senators’ voting power by voting on provisions jointly through a constituent assembly.
The 315 members of the lower chamber would overpower the Senate’s 24 votes.
The Commission on Elections has received petition documents from 184 out of 250 legislative districts as of Tuesday. But with allegations of bribery, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva wants to get the signatures “invalidated.”
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda on Wednesday claimed that even if those coerced to sign the petition would be removed, collected signatures would still breach the 12% requirement for a people’s initiative.
Romualdez, however, chose to focus on the “welcome development” that the Resolution of Both Houses No. (RBH) 6 was filed last week. The resolution puts the Senate in charge of amending economic provisions of the Constitution, further opening the country to foreign investors.
“When I see something good and positive like an RBH and the willingness to work with the House, I will embrace it and I will work hand in hand,” Romualdez said on Wednesday, adding that no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants both houses of Congress to work in unison.
But even the fate of the resolution is now in limbo.
In a separate statement, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said on Wednesday the resolution is in “suspended animation” after reports surfaced that some congressmen were involved in the signature campaign for the people’s initiative, which Romualdez denied. – with reports from Bonz Magsambol and Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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[OPINION] Comelec has to reopen public bidding for automated election system in 2025
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Marguerite de Leon
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25/01/2024 13:22
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David Castuciano/Rappler
By all means, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has no choice but to reopen the public bidding to run the automated election system (AES) for the 2025 midterm elections. It should not close the public bidding with only a single participant in what could be considered a failed public bidding. It should encourage legitimate technology firms to participate in the public bidding in an election without Smartmatic, which managed the earlier automated elections.
While Miru Systems Co. Ltd of South Korea is the only firm that has submitted bids, the Special Bids and Awards Committee or SBAC confirmed that five more companies purchased bidding documents but did not submit bids. These companies include Dominion Voting Systems, which acquired documents on January 3, Indra Philippines Inc. on January 4, AMA Group Holdings Corporation on January 4, and Smartmatic or SMMT-TIM 2016 Inc. on January 5, with the latter earlier disqualified by the Comelec. (Editor’s note: Here’s what you need to know about Miru Systems, the lone bidder for the costliest 2025 election contract.)
Smartmatic’s last-minute acquisition and purchase of bidding documents raised suspicion in the local information technology community that it was bound to get the contract. The IT community surmised that Comelec would allow it to participate at the last minute with the goal that the controversial firm bags the contract.
This gives discomfort to the legitimate technology firms, because they thought that by participating in the bidding process, they would confer legitimacy to Smartmatic if ever it bags the contract in its last-minute participation. Their reluctance to participate in the public bidding yields a dilemma for the Comelec.
The AES for the 2025 midterm elections has two components: the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC), which deals with the actual voting and counting of votes on the precinct level; and the transmission system, which deals with the delivery of votes for counting and consolidation in a central server.
Comelec earlier decided en banc to separate the two bundles of services to ensure clean, honest, free, and open elections in 2025. The poll body has come out with terms of reference (ToR) specifying that the winning bidder would come out with the hardware and software, to ensure the technology firm would deliver in 2025.
Comelec decided to exclude the transmission system in the “bundled” FASTrAC project. Its chair George Garcia said Comelec wants to do away with the single transparency server that was used in previous elections, enabling the poll body to have a new system to transmit to all recipients without a transparency router.
According to Garcia, Comelec plans to purchase by end-March this year a new poll automation system for the 2025 midterm elections. He announced the registration of voters would start on February 12 and end on September 30 to get at least three million new voters.
It could not be said with finality if the ban, which Comelec has imposed on Smartmatic, was for real and good. Press reports on Comelec’s “ban” on Smartmatic Philippines Inc., a local unit of its London-based parent firm, would be final. All they said was that Comelec did it because Smartmatic threatens the “integrity” of future elections.
Press reports said the ban was due to a probe launched by the US Justice Department against former Comelec chair Andres Bautista for alleged corruption, conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
“Given the gravity of allegations related to bribery and compromised procurement processes, as independently determined by foreign bodies, the Commission recognizes the imminent threat to the strength and integrity of our democratic processes,” the Comelec said in a statement. “Smartmatic Philippines Inc. is disqualified and disallowed from participating in any public bidding process for elections.”
Smartmatic said in a statement that the Comelec ruling has no basis and it “unjustly besmirched” its reputation, as the company itself “has not been indicted in the United States.”
“By using the non-existent indictment as a motive, Comelec did not follow the legal process to disqualify Smartmatic,” it said. Smartmatic claimed it was never given an opportunity to present its side of the controversy.
Comelec said the ban did not mean the integrity of the 2016 and 2022 presidential elections, for which Smartmatic won contracts for vote-counting machines and services, were compromised to favor certain candidates. Bautista, who denied the allegations, awarded Smartmatic a $199-million contract to supply the Philippines with 94,000 voting machines for the 2016 presidential election won by Rodrigo Duterte.
The Comelec ruling said US prosecutors accused Bautista, Comelec chair between 2015-2017, of “receiving bribes in exchange for awarding a contract for election machines to Smartmatic Corp” and for having “laundered the bribe money through multiple entities.” US prosecutors sought the Philippine government’s aid to obtain official Comelec records as part of efforts to build the case against Bautista and others, it said.
Bautista earlier said he “did not ask for nor receive any bribe money from Smartmatic or any other entity.” Bautista earlier claimed the 2016 elections that he presided over had been “hailed by various independent national and local election stakeholders as the best managed in our electoral history.” He did not elaborate.
On the other side, Miru Systems’s track record has been fraught with questions about its ability to deliver free, honest, open, and clean elections. Civil society organizations with local, regional, and global constituencies have raised serious allegations of its inability to meet obligations in nations, where Miru Systems was contracted to provide automated election systems.
In Iraq, where it was contracted in 2018 to assist in the May parliamentary elections, Miru Systems encountered difficulties that prompted Iraq’s Parliament to order a full recount of the election results. It was widely reported in the global media that Miru System’s voting machines yielded disparate results to show a failure of elections.
In another instance, the Argentinian government refused to adopt Miru System’s because of what the former considered security vulnerabilities in its “single ballot system.” Buenos Aires did not allow the Miru System to participate in its elections.
The December 2023 elections in Congo were cited as another instance of Miru System’s failure to provide adequate services to ensure open and free automated elections. Its voting machines conked out in the middle of elections triggering security issues that delayed elections in several areas in Congo, it was reported.
For its part, Comelec did not declare Miru Systems as winner of the public bidding. It said the Korean firm as “eligible,” a word which escapes definition. The poll body did not make it clear if that means Miru System is eligible for a new bidding. Neither did Comelec say it is eligible to tackle the adoption of an automated election system for the 2025 elections.
It is a word that could be interpreted in many ways. Besides, a public bidding with a single bidder is no public bidding. It requires the participation of several firms to describe it as a successful public bidding. Meanwhile, other technology firms are waiting for a final word from Comelec on Smartmatic’s disqualification, and a change in the bidding rules to mean Smartmatic’s complete disqualification from the process and the adoption of more open and transparent technology to entice other technology firms to participate. – Rappler.com
Philip M. Lustre Jr is a freelance journalist. He specializes in economic and political journalism.
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Frying soon! What to expect from NeNe Chicken’s 1st Metro Manila branch
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Steph Arnaldo
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25/01/2024 17:06
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MANILA, Philippines – You can never go wrong with fried chicken, especially if it’s from one of the countries that does it best – South Korea. If you’ve been craving for Korean fried chicken after watching your K-dramas, don’t be a-fried! Renowned Korean chain NeNe Chicken is making its way to the Philippines for the first time on April 2024.
NeNe Chicken is opening its first branch in One Ayala Mall, Makati City, open from 10:30 am to 10 pm. Owners Gil and Saeed of Relle Foods Inc. – the company bringing in the brand – confirmed the news to Rappler. If you’re not that familiar with NeNe Chicken yet, or if you are but don’t know what to expect from its first Philippine foray, here’s the lowdown fresh out of the fryer!
NeNe – which actually means “Yes Yes” in Korean – is being brought to the Philippines by two young friends Gil and Saeed, “who know a thing or two about great-tasting chicken,” they said.
Relle Foods owns and operates NeNe Chicken in other countries outside South Korea, while also holding the master license for a few brands in the Philippines. They decided to finally bring NeNe Chicken to the Philippines after seeing it so well-received by Filipinos in other countries.
“We want to give Filipinos here an authentic KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) brand offered at an affordable price point,” Gil said.
NeNe aims to stand out from its other Korean chicken competitors by offering its menu at budget-friendly prices.
“Our main goal is to share good food with as many customers as we can. We don’t want to be a ‘Sometimes Food’ like our competitors, but instead be an ‘Everyday Food,'” Gil added.
For its Philippine outpost, Gil and Saeed wanted a casual and inviting space where different people could come together and enjoy good food with good company.
“We want to celebrate everyones uniqueness, which is symbolized with the mismatching chairs. Our space is like a friend’s house. We want you to come and hang out.”
Fresh chicken is sourced from NeNe’s sustainable farmers, marinated in a signature blend, seasoned in flour, and then fried until light and crispy. NeNe’s sauces and toppings are authentically Korean and sourced from Korea, made from recipes that have been perfected since 1999.
“Our customers can expect to experience the genuine taste of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) flavors and how it should taste in Korea,” Gil said.
NeNe Chicken’s Philippine menu will feature the Legendary Chicken Range of its famous flavors, such as the Original crispy chicken; the world-famous Swicy (sweet-and-spicy); Bulgogi (garlic-soy blend); and Freaking Hot.
The Signature Snowing Range – which Gil said first originated from Nene Chicken – offers the Snowing Cheese flavor, which is crispy chicken coated in a rich, “snowy” layer of NeNe’s secret blend of cheese. The Snowing Spicy is a spicy version, and the Snowing Vegetable has a rich, cheesy seasoning with extra notes of veggie flavors.
More flavors will be announced during the official opening, Gil said. The menu will also include burgers, fries, twister potatoes, K-Dogs with a twist, cheese balls, tteokbokki, rice bowls, and desserts.
The K-favorite chicken brand first started as a chicken processing facility in 1995, and then became the NeNe Chicken brand in 1999 with the mission to “create a happy society where people come together.”
Since then, NeNe has grown to over 1,500 stores in 11 different countries worldwide.
NeNe Chicken also boasts an impressive roster of Korean ambassadors, such as hit K-pop group SEVENTEEN, girl group OH MY GIRL, boy group NU’EST, and even comedian Yoo Jae-suk. NeNe also makes cameos in various K-dramas, such as in Netflix’s She Would Never Know.
“We want NeNe Chicken to continue to be the ‘Happy Choice’ for fried chicken lovers worldwide,” Gil and Saeed said. With plans to expand the brand throughout the country after the first branch, we’re excited to come along for the chicken ride! – Rappler.com
For more information, you can check out NeNe Chicken Philippines’ website or Facebook page.
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PH in contact with Filipinos arrested in Japan over bodies found in Tokyo
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Bea Cupin
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24/01/2024 22:28
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MANILA, Philippines – Two Filipinos accused of abandoning a corpse in Japan are being assisted by the Philippine embassy there, a senior Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said on Wednesday, January 24.
Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, who handles Migrant Workers Affairs in the DFA, said the embassy was able to visit the Filipina and is set to visit the other Filipino arrested over the same case by Thursday, January 25.
De Vega said the woman is a resident of Japan while the Filipino man is an Overseas Filipino Worker.
“She assures her family that she is alright and that she already has her court-appointed lawyer whom the Embassy will coordinate with. She denies all involvement,” De Vega said.
According to Japanese media, the two were arrested nearly a week apart for supposedly abandoning the corpses of a Japanese couple who had gone missing. The corpses were found, with apparent stab wounds, inside their Tokyo home.
The Japan Times identified the Filipina as 30-year-old Hazel Ann Baguisa Morales. She was arrested on January 19. The dead couple was identified as Norihiro Takahashi, 55, and his wife Kimie, 52.
The other Filipino, a man identified by The Japan Times as Bryan Jefferson Lising Dela Cruz, 34, was arrested on January 23. Japanese police say Dela Cruz “admitted to the allegations” or abandoning the bodies, reported the Japan Times.
In a statement on Thursday, January 25, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it would provide assistance to Dela Cruz, the OFW involved in the case.
“As we condole with the families of the deceased Japanese couple, we assure our kababayan and his family of our utmost assistance in close coordination with Ambassador Milen Garcia and the PHL Embassy in Tokyo,” said DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac.
Cacdac directed the Migrant Workers Office in Tokyo to meet with Dela Cruz to check on his condition, and determine any of his immediate needs. The office will also cover legal assistance.
Japan’s Penal Code imposes a maximum of three years of imprisonment for people who “damages, abandons or unlawfully possesses a corpse, the ashes or hair of a dead person, or an object placed in a coffin.”
De Vega had earlier clarified that the two are, thus far, accused only of abandonment but not of killing the Japanese couple.
According to Japanese media, Morales was in a relationship with the couple’s son. Dela Cruz was arrested in relation to the case after security camera footage showed Morales with another person in the vicinity of the couple’s home. – with a report from Michelle Abad/Rappler.com
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Gorayeb vows no bottom finish in PVL return with debuting Capital1
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 16:01
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NEW SQUAD. Capital1 coach Roger Gorayeb (left) faces the media together with team owners Milka (center) and Mandy Romero in an introductory press conference.
PVL IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – Coach Roger Gorayeb returns to pro volleyball action with Capital1 Power Spikers, quickly setting modest but competitive goals for the newest team in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
“I’m saying it now, I don’t want our team to end up in the bottom, even if we only have three weeks left before the competition,” Gorayeb said in Filipino during the team’s introductory press conference at Milky Way Café in Makati City on Thursday, January 25.
The PVL All-Filipino Conference kicks off on February 20 at the Araneta Coliseum, with Capital1 taking over the slot left by F2 Logistics, which surprisingly disbanded last December.
Heather Guino-o, Rovie Instrella, Jannine Navarro, Aiko Urdas, and Jorelle Singh are among the 23 pool of players Gorayeb tapped due to their experience.
Gorayeb last mentored the PLDT High Speed Hitters inside the Ilocos PVL bubble in 2021.
The champion coach said he only recently decided to return to the pro circuit after a three-year hiatus, accepting the offer after a strong pitch from team owners and sisters Milka and Mandy Romero.
The two are daughters of sports patron Mikee Romero, the 1Pacman Representative who owns the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA, and previously Harbour Centre in the defunct Philippine Basketball League. He’s also among the managers of the La Salle Green Archers and the Philippine men’s basketball team.
PVL | WATCH: The Romero sisters talk about setting the team’s culture and managing the team from a former athlete’s point of view. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/S24w87iZYU
“As you know, my reputation is I’m strict in practice,” said Gorayeb in Filipino.
“I don’t want to dampen the enthusiasm of the owners, and I told them, ‘Di tayo magpapatalo ha (We won’t back down)!’ By all means… I told them, ‘Papatayin ko mga player na ‘to! May pampa-ospital pa naman kami (We’ll tire out our players, we’ll all be taking care of them anyway),” he added in jest.
The Romeros said the goal is also to inspire more young volleyball players.
“What we want to promise is to put on a good show,” said Capital1 team owner Milka Romero.
“Hopefully, we’ll also be able to get our fans. We want them to enjoy this game, to inspire future volleyball players, women in sports.”
PVL | WATCH:SportsVision chief Ricky Palou explains why Capital1 was awarded the slot left by F2 Logistics over three other bidders. #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/5IL3SrbJ2A
– Rappler.com
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Shear line triggers rain in Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar
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Acor Arceo
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25/01/2024 15:55
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PHILIPPINE WEATHER. Satellite image as of January 25, 2024, 3:30 pm.
PAGASA
MANILA, Philippines – The state weather bureau on Thursday, January 25, warned several areas in the eastern part of the country to expect “significant rain” from the shear line.
The shear line refers to the point where cold air from the northeast monsoon or amihan converges with warm air from the Pacific Ocean.
In an advisory issued at 11 am on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the following areas are affected by heavy rain:
Thursday, January 25
Friday, January 26
“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible,” PAGASA warned.
The country has yet to have its first tropical cyclone of 2024.
A strong El Niño persists in the tropical Pacific, causing droughts and dry spells in parts of the Philippines. At least eight provinces are experiencing drought in January, all in Luzon: Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Kalinga, Bataan, Zambales, Cavite, and Palawan.
PAGASA earlier said El Niño is likely to persist until the March-April-May 2024 season. – Rappler.com
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Hell on Earth: Former KOJC worker testifies about Quiboloy’s chilling punishments
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Herbie G
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24/01/2024 21:51
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TESTIFY. 'Jerome,' a former Kingdom of Jesus Christ workers, narrates his experience before a Senate committee on Tuesday, January 23.
Screengrab
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – For about three weeks, “Jerome” said his genitals felt like they were set on fire after being rubbed with wild chili, allegedly on orders from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and self-styled “appointed son of God.”
He was punished for going on a movie date with his girlfriend, despite her not being a member of the KOJC.
Quiboloy’s KOJC strictly prohibits church workers from closely associating with non-believers, a detail revealed during a Senate committee investigation into the alleged abuses within the Davao-based religious group on Tuesday, January 23.
In the KOJC, full-time workers, except for a privileged few, are allegedly prohibited from making contact with their relatives, friends, and acquaintances, who have a different religion. Breaches carry corresponding punishments.
Jerome, one of four ex-followers who testified against Quibolloy, told the committee that there were about a dozen people subjected to fraternity hazing-like punishments for breaching all sorts of rules set by their pastor in 2009.
He recalled that Pastor Quiboloy summoned them and made them line up while speaking over the phone linked to an audio system, calling them demons and other names, and allegedly ordering them to undergo corporal punishment, including having chili rubbed on their genitals.
Jerome alleged that Quiboloy gave the command while he was in the United States in 2009.
After that, he said they were then taken to an isolation room with poor ventilation and held there for two days before KOJC ministers returned with an armed group, made them sign waivers, and proceeded to carry out Quiboloy’s orders.
During the punishment, Jerome alleged that they were made to bang their heads against the wall and punch it until they bled, while their genitals and eyes were rubbed with chili.
The former KOJC member said the situation was so difficult that one of those with him remarked, “Akala ko langit ito, yun pala impyerno.” (I thought this was heaven, but it turned out to be hell.)
“It felt at that time that I was going to die and that I was going to go blind,” Jerome said in Filipino.
He said they were then made to rest by the ministers for a week before they were taken to another Quiboloy property in Makati to work on a demolition project, from where he and another co-worker subsequently escaped while armed guards were asleep.
Jerome’s parents converted to Quiboloy’s group in 2000. Two years later, he was already a part-time KOJC worker at 12, engaging in street-level selling of rice cakes and milk candies to raise funds for the group.
He went full-time in 2004 and was sent to Metro Manila where he and a group continued their fundraising activities, including solicitations, in malls, buses, jeepneys, and on the streets throughout Luzon.
Jerome said they used fake IDs to represent fraudulent charity organizations intended to deceive people into shelling out money for charity. All the funds, he said, were remitted to Quiboloy’s group.
These activities have allegedly been taking place not only in the Philippines but also as far as the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, and other countries where Quiboloy has followers.
In late 2021, several ex-members of the KOJC told Rappler about the street-level solicitations carried out by Quiboloy’s followers abroad.
A former member who once led a fundraising activity in Singapore said they routinely sought donations the entire day, carrying collection cans.
She claimed that all the funds raised by KOJC groups were sent back to Quiboloy’s organization in the Philippines. To evade the scrutiny of Singapore’s fiscal authorities, she alleged that the money was divided into smaller batches. – Rappler.com
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Quiboloy calls Senate inquiry into abuse allegations ‘bogus’
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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25/01/2024 7:44
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PREACHER. Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and a friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Quiboloy's Facebook page
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A defiant Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the embattled leader of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), accused Senator Risa Hontiveros of violating his constitutional rights even as he refused to attend her committee’s hearing on the alleged abuses done against his former followers.
In an audio recording posted on the Facebook page Buhay Kingdom 2024 on Wednesday, January 24, Quiboloy called the former workers, who testified about the alleged abuses they suffered at the hands of the preacher when they served the KOJC, as “bogus witnesses.”
Quiboloy also called Tuesday’s public inquiry by Hontiveros’ Senate committee “bogus,” and that it “turned a monster out of me.”
Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, has issued a subpoena to Quiboloy after the preacher ignored the initial hearing in an expected series of committee sessions addressing alleged sexual and other abuses within the Davao-based group.
But Quiboloy remained firm in his decision to defy the Senate committee’s order.
“I will not subject myself to a bogus hearing and to bogus witnesses if they cannot stand (by) their word… I will not subject myself to injustices done (under) the cloak of a Senate hearing,” Quiboloy said.
He questioned one of the witnesses, “Amanda,” who testified during Tuesday’s proceedings at the Senate, claiming that his group had identified her as the same woman who brought him to “court” a few years back.
He said Amanda’s accusations were all “proven lies.”
Quiboloy asserted that the “case” has been appealed by the former KOJC member before the Department of Justice (DOJ), and discussing her allegations before the Senate committee was sub judice.
Rappler, however, learned that Amanda’s complaint, filed before the Davao prosecutor’s office in 2019, which included charges of rape, qualified trafficking in person, and child abuse against Quiboloy, never reached a court.
In legal terms, sub judice means that a matter is currently under consideration by a court. This restricts public discussions or comments on the case to avoid prejudicing the legal proceedings and ensuring a fair trial.
During the hearing, Amanda testified that she was a minor when Quiboloy allegedly first sexually abused her, under the belief that it was a form of body sacrifice and that it was God’s will. At the time, she was serving as one of Quiboloy’s “pastorals,” female workers who run errands for the KOJC leader, and some of whom allegedly engage in sexual relations with the preacher.
Quiboloy dismissed the accusations leveled against him during the Senate committee hearing as “criminal.” He said that while Hontiveros enjoyed parliamentary immunity, the witnesses were susceptible to libel charges.
“Pambababoy ang ginawa ninyo sa reputasyon ko (You have tarnished my reputation),” said Quiboloy, daring Hontiveros to assist the witnesses in bringing him to court.
He said, “Kahit ako’y anak ng Diyos, ako’y under sa batas ng lupa, at doon ko kayo sasagutin sapagkat doon merong fair play (Even though I am a son of God, I am under the laws of the land, and there [court] I will respond to you because there is fair play).”
Quiboloy added, “In the law, the guilt and the innocence of any person is not determined by a Senate hearing but it is only determined by a competent court of law. Doon po kami patas ang laban; doon po kami puedeng sumagot sa inyo (There, we can have a fair fight; there, we can answer you).”
He said Hontiveros “convicted” him during the hearing by entertaining “innuendoes” meant to smear his “international reputation” as the leader of the KOJC.
Addressing Hontiveros, Quiboloy said, “If you cannot do that (go to court)… then you don’t deserve my respect. Because you don’t respect my constitutional rights, then I will not also respect your office as a senator.”
Quiboloy also denied ever using his political connections to evade his impending trial in the United States where he and several of his associates were indicted in late 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; sex trafficking of children; marriage fraud; fraud and misuse of visas; bulk cash smuggling; promotional money laundering; concealment of money laundering; and international promotional money laundering.
Not once, he asserted, did he ask former president Rodrigo Duterte to help him out.
Quiboloy, who is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is a known close friend of Duterte, whom he also served as a “spiritual adviser.” – Rappler.com
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It’s budol time! Here are the dates for Manila International Book Fair 2024
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Ysa Abad
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25/01/2024 11:31
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Manila International Book Fair's Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Book lovers, mark your calendars for your highly-anticipated budol of the year as the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) announced on Wednesday, January 24, the schedule for its 2024 run.
This year’s book affair is set to take place on September 14 to 17 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City.
Other details, such as the fair’s hours, list of exhibitors and publishers, schedule of activities, and ticket prices, have yet to be announced.
Usually, over 100 exhibitors participate in the MIBF — ranging from mainstream to indie publishers, university presses, and academic and international distributors, among others.
Aside from the wide range of titles, the MIBF also holds several activities, such as book launches, webinars, storytellings, workshops, and panel discussions.
The MIBF is one of the biggest and longest-running book fairs in the Philippines, having showcased various publishers for over 40 years now. – Rappler.com
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Ginebra dilemma: San Miguel boasts of new ‘Death Five’ version
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delfin.dioquino editor
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25/01/2024 12:48
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TACTICIAN. Head coach Tim Cone in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – It felt like the days of the vaunted “Death Five” were over when San Miguel traded away longtime standouts Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.
Santos and Cabagnot, after all, won nine championships with the Beermen as they formed a lethal starting lineup with June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross.
But as far as Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is concerned, San Miguel still boasts of such formidable combination.
Cone has a lot to consider for his adjustments next game after the Beermen drew first blood against the Gin Kings in their best-of-five semifinals in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with 92-90 victory on Wednesday, January 24.
Star guard CJ Perez topscored for San Miguel with 26 points, while import Bennie Boatwright finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists as San Miguel claimed its seventh straight win.
Seven-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo also delivered for the Beermen with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
“They got a lot of different kinds of weapons. They got their own version of Death Five, except that Boatwright is playing Arwind Santos’ role,” said Cone.
“It is like Arwind and June Mar together in the Death Five, except Boatwright is five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier and shoots the ball as well as Arwind did. Just makes our job even harder.”
The Gin Kings keyed on Boatwright defensively as they limited him to his lowest scoring output of the conference.
Ginebra simply had no choice, considering Boatwright averaged 40.5 points and nearly six three-pointers in his first four games in the PBA since he replaced original San Miguel import Ivan Aska.
But even with Boatwright contained, the Beermen flexed their depth as Perez turned in his highest scoring performance of the conference.
Don Trollano also contributed for San Miguel with 10 points, while Lassiter (7 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Ross (6 assists and 5 rebounds) also made their presence felt.
“You put so much focus on June Mar, trying to defend June Mar, now we have to defend Boatwright. They have other guys who can step up. Tonight, it was CJ,” said Cone.
Cone, though, finds consolation in the fact the Gin Kings almost pulled it off.
Four missed free throws by the Beermen inside the final 30 seconds kept the door ajar for Ginebra, but the Gin Kings wasted their last crack at either a game-tying shot or a game-winner after committing a turnover.
“We just got to pay a little bit more attention to detail if we’re going to try to find a way to beat this team – good team,” said Cone. – Rappler.com
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Jordan Heading waxes hot as Strong Group completes 5-0 elims sweep in Dubai
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 10:29
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HOT HAND. Strong Group's Jordan Heading in action in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
UAE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MANILA, Philippines – The undefeated streak lives on for Strong Group Athletics.
In its final game of the elimination round, Strong Group overcame its toughest challenge yet in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship, escaping Al Ahly Tripoli Sports Club by the skin of its teeth, 91-89, on Wednesday, January 24 (Thursday, January 25, Manila time.)
The Philippine side rode on the hot hand of Gilas Pilipinas sharpshooter Jordan Heading, who scored a tournament-best 19 points on 5-of-11 clip from beyond the arc.
With Al Ahly threatening to pull away early with its biggest lead of 12 points, 27-15, with 1:29 to play in the first quarter, Heading caught fire in the next period, unloading 3 of his 5 treys to help Strong Group overtake the Libyan squad at halftime, 51-50.
After a tight, back-and-forth battle between the two powerhouse teams throughout the second half, it was also Heading who knocked down two cold-blooded insurance free throws with only 18 seconds left to give Strong Group an all-important 91-88 cushion.
Al Ahly had multiple chances to tie the ball game and potentially send it into overtime in the next play, but three-point attempts by Naseim Badrush and Walter Hodge failed to hit the target.
UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao and former NBA superstar Dwight Howard helped Heading carry Strong Group’s scoring cudgels with 17 points apiece.
The five-time All-NBA First Team member Howard came up big down the stretch for Strong Group, dropping 9 of his 17 points in the final six minutes.
Former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson and naturalized Filipino big man Andray Blatche also finished in double-digit scoring for Strong Group with 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
Badrush paced Al Ahly in the loss with a game-high 27 points, while Mohamed Sadi added 22.
Strong Group – which stretched its unblemished record to 5-0 – will take on Moroccan squad AS Sale in the knockout quarterfinals on Saturday, January 27, at 1:15 am, Manila time.
Strong Group Athletics 91 – Heading 19, Quiambao 17, Howard 17, Roberson 13, Blatche 10, Moore 7, Baltazar 3, Liwag 3, Escandor 2, Ynot 0.
Al Ahly Tripoli 89 – Badrush 27, Sadi 22, Hodge 17, West 10, Wesley 6, Dawo 5, Ramadan 2, Abdarhim 0, Sedek 0.
Quarters: 20-27, 51-50, 74-73, 91-89.
– Rappler.com
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New ride-hailing app inDrive suspended due to fare-haggling system
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lkyu0285
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23/01/2024 20:45
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inDrive
MANILA, Philippines – inDrive, a potential newcomer to the ride-hailing industry, was suspended by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for violating the agency’s established fare matrix by allowing passengers to haggle rates.
About a month after officially accrediting the new ride-hailing app as a transport network company, the LTFRB has now halted inDrive’s operations.
“The suspension comes in response to alleged violations concerning the haggling of fares, a clear breach of the terms and conditions outlined in its accreditation as a transportation network company,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said in a statement on Tuesday, January 23.
The LTFRB ordered inDrive to stop its operations starting Tuesday until it can present proof of compliance. The company has 15 days to comply.
The LTFRB issued the suspension order against inDrive after a hearing on Tuesday. It previously issued a show cause order against inDrive regarding the company’s fare-haggling system.
“Haggling of fares not only goes against the principles of transparency but also jeopardizes the welfare of both passengers and drivers. We take these allegations seriously and are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the violation,” Guadiz added.
Two days after the LTFRB suspended inDrive, the company released a statement acknowledging the order.
“During our recent engagement with the LTFRB, productive discussions transpired and we are now in the process of further developing our application to ensure that there is no confusion amongst our users and that they experience the best possible service,” inDrive said in its statement on Thursday, January 25.
“As part of these ongoing improvements, we will be temporarily pausing our service operations. This is a necessary step to ensure that our enhancements are implemented effectively and align with both our users’ needs and regulatory standards.”
Lawyers for Commuters Safety and Protection president Ariel Inton, who was present in Tuesday’s hearing as the counsel of the complainants, told Rappler that the LTFRB “was not satisfied” with the explanation of inDrive when asked about the allegations of fare haggling.
“Sa kanilang paliwanag, lumalabas na they admitted na talagang meron silang fare haggling (In their explanation, it appeared they admitted that there really is fare haggling),” Inton told Rappler.
“There is nothing in the memorandum circular of the fare matrix of the LTFRB na puwede kang mag-haggle ng [fares] (that you can haggle fares). The fares for TNVS (transport network vehicle services) are provided for in the fare matrix.”
Prior to the suspension order, inDrive was positioning itself to make a splash as a competitor to Grab. In December 2023, the company sent out a press release announcing that it had been accredited by the LTFRB and that it would start operations soon.
inDrive did not give a specific date for its official launch, but a company representative told Rappler that they were focusing on recruiting drivers before piloting services in the cities of Baguio, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, and Bacolod. In a new press release sent out just hours before the LTFRB decision came out, inDrive said it would soon “activate its services in Metro Manila this first quarter of 2024.”
However, Inton told Rappler that inDrive has already been offering its services in Metro Manila. He cited instances where complainants used the inDrive app to book a ride in Metro Manila, only to be surprised that a taxi – and not a TNVS vehicle – was the one that arrived.
“’Yung complainant ko, pinakita doon na when he booked a ride, taxi dumating. He was surprised. ‘Di naman taxi ‘yung binook niya,” Inton said. “So ‘yung sinasabi ng inDrive na nagre-recruit pa lang sila is a total lie. Nakaka-book na sila sa Metro Manila.”
(My complainant showed that when he booked a ride, a taxi came. He was surprised. He didn’t book a taxi. So what inDrive is saying, that they’re just recruiting, is a total lie. You can already book in Metro Manila.)
inDrive also ended up in hot water in January 2023, which was around the time that it first filed its application for accreditation with the LTFRB. Back then, the LTFRB slammed what it called two unaccredited “Russian ride-hailing services” – which were inDrive and Maxim – for operating in the Philippines illegally. – Rappler.com
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FACT CHECK: No new warships donated by US to PH
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Lorenz Pasion
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25/01/2024 13:14
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Claim: The United States recently announced that it will donate four advanced warships to the Philippine Navy to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s modernization program.
Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the claim, posted on January 15, has 27,211 views, 19 comments, and 413 likes as of writing.
The bottom line: The US has not donated any new warships to the Philippine Navy. The video presents an old claim from May 2023 and refers to Washington’s donation of four patrol boats, not warships, to the Philippines.
US donation: Naval News reported on May 3, 2023, that the US planned to transfer four patrol boats to boost the Philippine Navy’s maritime capabilities. According to a fact sheet released by the White House, the intended patrol boats were two Island-class and two Protector-class patrol vessels from the US Coast Guard.
“These transfers will support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization program by enhancing its maritime and tactical lift capabilities,” the White House said.
In March, the US also transferred two newly-decommissioned Cyclone class patrol craft to the Philippines as part of its Excess Defense Articles program. The two vessels, formerly known as USS Monsoon (PC4) and USS Chinook (PC9), officially joined the Philippine Navy’s fleet in September 2023 and were renamed BRP Valentin Diaz (PS117) and BRP Ladislao Diwa (PS178).
The 55-meter vessels will be used for coastal patrols as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions.
No new donations: No news outlets have reported on any new donations from the US to the Philippines. There have been no official announcements from the Philippine Navy on its website, official Facebook page, and X (formerly Twitter) page. The US embassy in the Philippines has also not made any announcements regarding the supposed donation. – Katarina Ruflo/Rappler.com
Katarina Ruflo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
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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‘It’s their right’: Romualdez maintains openness to work with senators on charter change
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Kaycee
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25/01/2024 12:27
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MANIFESTO. All 24 senators on January 23, 2024 sign a manifesto rejecting the people’s initiative which was said to have been initiated by some members of the House of Representatives pushing for charter change.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines — Despite senators unanimously rejecting the ongoing public petition for charter change, House Speaker Martin Romualdez still expressed optimism on working with the upper chamber to amend the constitution.
“Hindi ko pinapatulan ‘yung mga ganoong salita (I don’t respond to statements like that),” Romualdez said in a brief evening press conference on Wednesday, January 24. “That is their right, I respect that right all the time.”
All members of the Senate signed a manifesto on Tuesday against the ongoing effort to amend the Constitution by people’s initiative. Lawmakers from the upper chamber alleged the House of Representatives is seeking to dilute the senators’ voting power by voting on provisions jointly through a constituent assembly.
The 315 members of the lower chamber would overpower the Senate’s 24 votes.
The Commission on Elections has received petition documents from 184 out of 250 legislative districts as of Tuesday. But with allegations of bribery, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva wants to get the signatures “invalidated.”
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda on Wednesday claimed that even if those coerced to sign the petition would be removed, collected signatures would still breach the 12% requirement for a people’s initiative.
Romualdez, however, chose to focus on the “welcome development” that the Resolution of Both Houses No. (RBH) 6 was filed last week. The resolution puts the Senate in charge of amending economic provisions of the Constitution, further opening the country to foreign investors.
“When I see something good and positive like an RBH and the willingness to work with the House, I will embrace it and I will work hand in hand,” Romualdez said on Wednesday, adding that no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants both houses of Congress to work in unison.
But even the fate of the resolution is now in limbo.
In a separate statement, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said on Wednesday the resolution is in “suspended animation” after reports surfaced that some congressmen were involved in the signature campaign for the people’s initiative, which Romualdez denied. – with reports from Bonz Magsambol and Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Hell on Earth: Former KOJC worker testifies about Quiboloy’s chilling punishments
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Herbie G
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24/01/2024 21:51
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TESTIFY. 'Jerome,' a former Kingdom of Jesus Christ workers, narrates his experience before a Senate committee on Tuesday, January 23.
Screengrab
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – For about three weeks, “Jerome” said his genitals felt like they were set on fire after being rubbed with wild chili, allegedly on orders from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and self-styled “appointed son of God.”
He was punished for going on a movie date with his girlfriend, despite her not being a member of the KOJC.
Quiboloy’s KOJC strictly prohibits church workers from closely associating with non-believers, a detail revealed during a Senate committee investigation into the alleged abuses within the Davao-based religious group on Tuesday, January 23.
In the KOJC, full-time workers, except for a privileged few, are allegedly prohibited from making contact with their relatives, friends, and acquaintances, who have a different religion. Breaches carry corresponding punishments.
Jerome, one of four ex-followers who testified against Quibolloy, told the committee that there were about a dozen people subjected to fraternity hazing-like punishments for breaching all sorts of rules set by their pastor in 2009.
He recalled that Pastor Quiboloy summoned them and made them line up while speaking over the phone linked to an audio system, calling them demons and other names, and allegedly ordering them to undergo corporal punishment, including having chili rubbed on their genitals.
Jerome alleged that Quiboloy gave the command while he was in the United States in 2009.
After that, he said they were then taken to an isolation room with poor ventilation and held there for two days before KOJC ministers returned with an armed group, made them sign waivers, and proceeded to carry out Quiboloy’s orders.
During the punishment, Jerome alleged that they were made to bang their heads against the wall and punch it until they bled, while their genitals and eyes were rubbed with chili.
The former KOJC member said the situation was so difficult that one of those with him remarked, “Akala ko langit ito, yun pala impyerno.” (I thought this was heaven, but it turned out to be hell.)
“It felt at that time that I was going to die and that I was going to go blind,” Jerome said in Filipino.
He said they were then made to rest by the ministers for a week before they were taken to another Quiboloy property in Makati to work on a demolition project, from where he and another co-worker subsequently escaped while armed guards were asleep.
Jerome’s parents converted to Quiboloy’s group in 2000. Two years later, he was already a part-time KOJC worker at 12, engaging in street-level selling of rice cakes and milk candies to raise funds for the group.
He went full-time in 2004 and was sent to Metro Manila where he and a group continued their fundraising activities, including solicitations, in malls, buses, jeepneys, and on the streets throughout Luzon.
Jerome said they used fake IDs to represent fraudulent charity organizations intended to deceive people into shelling out money for charity. All the funds, he said, were remitted to Quiboloy’s group.
These activities have allegedly been taking place not only in the Philippines but also as far as the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, and other countries where Quiboloy has followers.
In late 2021, several ex-members of the KOJC told Rappler about the street-level solicitations carried out by Quiboloy’s followers abroad.
A former member who once led a fundraising activity in Singapore said they routinely sought donations the entire day, carrying collection cans.
She claimed that all the funds raised by KOJC groups were sent back to Quiboloy’s organization in the Philippines. To evade the scrutiny of Singapore’s fiscal authorities, she alleged that the money was divided into smaller batches. – Rappler.com
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Quiboloy calls Senate inquiry into abuse allegations ‘bogus’
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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25/01/2024 7:44
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PREACHER. Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and a friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Quiboloy's Facebook page
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A defiant Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the embattled leader of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), accused Senator Risa Hontiveros of violating his constitutional rights even as he refused to attend her committee’s hearing on the alleged abuses done against his former followers.
In an audio recording posted on the Facebook page Buhay Kingdom 2024 on Wednesday, January 24, Quiboloy called the former workers, who testified about the alleged abuses they suffered at the hands of the preacher when they served the KOJC, as “bogus witnesses.”
Quiboloy also called Tuesday’s public inquiry by Hontiveros’ Senate committee “bogus,” and that it “turned a monster out of me.”
Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, has issued a subpoena to Quiboloy after the preacher ignored the initial hearing in an expected series of committee sessions addressing alleged sexual and other abuses within the Davao-based group.
But Quiboloy remained firm in his decision to defy the Senate committee’s order.
“I will not subject myself to a bogus hearing and to bogus witnesses if they cannot stand (by) their word… I will not subject myself to injustices done (under) the cloak of a Senate hearing,” Quiboloy said.
He questioned one of the witnesses, “Amanda,” who testified during Tuesday’s proceedings at the Senate, claiming that his group had identified her as the same woman who brought him to “court” a few years back.
He said Amanda’s accusations were all “proven lies.”
Quiboloy asserted that the “case” has been appealed by the former KOJC member before the Department of Justice (DOJ), and discussing her allegations before the Senate committee was sub judice.
Rappler, however, learned that Amanda’s complaint, filed before the Davao prosecutor’s office in 2019, which included charges of rape, qualified trafficking in person, and child abuse against Quiboloy, never reached a court.
In legal terms, sub judice means that a matter is currently under consideration by a court. This restricts public discussions or comments on the case to avoid prejudicing the legal proceedings and ensuring a fair trial.
During the hearing, Amanda testified that she was a minor when Quiboloy allegedly first sexually abused her, under the belief that it was a form of body sacrifice and that it was God’s will. At the time, she was serving as one of Quiboloy’s “pastorals,” female workers who run errands for the KOJC leader, and some of whom allegedly engage in sexual relations with the preacher.
Quiboloy dismissed the accusations leveled against him during the Senate committee hearing as “criminal.” He said that while Hontiveros enjoyed parliamentary immunity, the witnesses were susceptible to libel charges.
“Pambababoy ang ginawa ninyo sa reputasyon ko (You have tarnished my reputation),” said Quiboloy, daring Hontiveros to assist the witnesses in bringing him to court.
He said, “Kahit ako’y anak ng Diyos, ako’y under sa batas ng lupa, at doon ko kayo sasagutin sapagkat doon merong fair play (Even though I am a son of God, I am under the laws of the land, and there [court] I will respond to you because there is fair play).”
Quiboloy added, “In the law, the guilt and the innocence of any person is not determined by a Senate hearing but it is only determined by a competent court of law. Doon po kami patas ang laban; doon po kami puedeng sumagot sa inyo (There, we can have a fair fight; there, we can answer you).”
He said Hontiveros “convicted” him during the hearing by entertaining “innuendoes” meant to smear his “international reputation” as the leader of the KOJC.
Addressing Hontiveros, Quiboloy said, “If you cannot do that (go to court)… then you don’t deserve my respect. Because you don’t respect my constitutional rights, then I will not also respect your office as a senator.”
Quiboloy also denied ever using his political connections to evade his impending trial in the United States where he and several of his associates were indicted in late 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; sex trafficking of children; marriage fraud; fraud and misuse of visas; bulk cash smuggling; promotional money laundering; concealment of money laundering; and international promotional money laundering.
Not once, he asserted, did he ask former president Rodrigo Duterte to help him out.
Quiboloy, who is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is a known close friend of Duterte, whom he also served as a “spiritual adviser.” – Rappler.com
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Ginebra dilemma: San Miguel boasts of new ‘Death Five’ version
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delfin.dioquino editor
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25/01/2024 12:48
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TACTICIAN. Head coach Tim Cone in action for Barangay Ginebra in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – It felt like the days of the vaunted “Death Five” were over when San Miguel traded away longtime standouts Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.
Santos and Cabagnot, after all, won nine championships with the Beermen as they formed a lethal starting lineup with June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross.
But as far as Barangay Ginebra head coach Tim Cone is concerned, San Miguel still boasts of such formidable combination.
Cone has a lot to consider for his adjustments next game after the Beermen drew first blood against the Gin Kings in their best-of-five semifinals in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with 92-90 victory on Wednesday, January 24.
Star guard CJ Perez topscored for San Miguel with 26 points, while import Bennie Boatwright finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists as San Miguel claimed its seventh straight win.
Seven-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo also delivered for the Beermen with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
“They got a lot of different kinds of weapons. They got their own version of Death Five, except that Boatwright is playing Arwind Santos’ role,” said Cone.
“It is like Arwind and June Mar together in the Death Five, except Boatwright is five inches taller and 30 pounds heavier and shoots the ball as well as Arwind did. Just makes our job even harder.”
The Gin Kings keyed on Boatwright defensively as they limited him to his lowest scoring output of the conference.
Ginebra simply had no choice, considering Boatwright averaged 40.5 points and nearly six three-pointers in his first four games in the PBA since he replaced original San Miguel import Ivan Aska.
But even with Boatwright contained, the Beermen flexed their depth as Perez turned in his highest scoring performance of the conference.
Don Trollano also contributed for San Miguel with 10 points, while Lassiter (7 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Ross (6 assists and 5 rebounds) also made their presence felt.
“You put so much focus on June Mar, trying to defend June Mar, now we have to defend Boatwright. They have other guys who can step up. Tonight, it was CJ,” said Cone.
Cone, though, finds consolation in the fact the Gin Kings almost pulled it off.
Four missed free throws by the Beermen inside the final 30 seconds kept the door ajar for Ginebra, but the Gin Kings wasted their last crack at either a game-tying shot or a game-winner after committing a turnover.
“We just got to pay a little bit more attention to detail if we’re going to try to find a way to beat this team – good team,” said Cone. – Rappler.com
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‘It’s their right’: Romualdez maintains openness to work with senators on charter change
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Kaycee
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25/01/2024 12:27
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MANIFESTO. All 24 senators on January 23, 2024 sign a manifesto rejecting the people’s initiative which was said to have been initiated by some members of the House of Representatives pushing for charter change.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines — Despite senators unanimously rejecting the ongoing public petition for charter change, House Speaker Martin Romualdez still expressed optimism on working with the upper chamber to amend the constitution.
“Hindi ko pinapatulan ‘yung mga ganoong salita (I don’t respond to statements like that),” Romualdez said in a brief evening press conference on Wednesday, January 24. “That is their right, I respect that right all the time.”
All members of the Senate signed a manifesto on Tuesday against the ongoing effort to amend the Constitution by people’s initiative. Lawmakers from the upper chamber alleged the House of Representatives is seeking to dilute the senators’ voting power by voting on provisions jointly through a constituent assembly.
The 315 members of the lower chamber would overpower the Senate’s 24 votes.
The Commission on Elections has received petition documents from 184 out of 250 legislative districts as of Tuesday. But with allegations of bribery, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva wants to get the signatures “invalidated.”
Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda on Wednesday claimed that even if those coerced to sign the petition would be removed, collected signatures would still breach the 12% requirement for a people’s initiative.
Romualdez, however, chose to focus on the “welcome development” that the Resolution of Both Houses No. (RBH) 6 was filed last week. The resolution puts the Senate in charge of amending economic provisions of the Constitution, further opening the country to foreign investors.
“When I see something good and positive like an RBH and the willingness to work with the House, I will embrace it and I will work hand in hand,” Romualdez said on Wednesday, adding that no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants both houses of Congress to work in unison.
But even the fate of the resolution is now in limbo.
In a separate statement, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel said on Wednesday the resolution is in “suspended animation” after reports surfaced that some congressmen were involved in the signature campaign for the people’s initiative, which Romualdez denied. – with reports from Bonz Magsambol and Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Quiboloy calls Senate inquiry into abuse allegations ‘bogus’
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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25/01/2024 7:44
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PREACHER. Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and a friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Quiboloy's Facebook page
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A defiant Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the embattled leader of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), accused Senator Risa Hontiveros of violating his constitutional rights even as he refused to attend her committee’s hearing on the alleged abuses done against his former followers.
In an audio recording posted on the Facebook page Buhay Kingdom 2024 on Wednesday, January 24, Quiboloy called the former workers, who testified about the alleged abuses they suffered at the hands of the preacher when they served the KOJC, as “bogus witnesses.”
Quiboloy also called Tuesday’s public inquiry by Hontiveros’ Senate committee “bogus,” and that it “turned a monster out of me.”
Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, has issued a subpoena to Quiboloy after the preacher ignored the initial hearing in an expected series of committee sessions addressing alleged sexual and other abuses within the Davao-based group.
But Quiboloy remained firm in his decision to defy the Senate committee’s order.
“I will not subject myself to a bogus hearing and to bogus witnesses if they cannot stand (by) their word… I will not subject myself to injustices done (under) the cloak of a Senate hearing,” Quiboloy said.
He questioned one of the witnesses, “Amanda,” who testified during Tuesday’s proceedings at the Senate, claiming that his group had identified her as the same woman who brought him to “court” a few years back.
He said Amanda’s accusations were all “proven lies.”
Quiboloy asserted that the “case” has been appealed by the former KOJC member before the Department of Justice (DOJ), and discussing her allegations before the Senate committee was sub judice.
Rappler, however, learned that Amanda’s complaint, filed before the Davao prosecutor’s office in 2019, which included charges of rape, qualified trafficking in person, and child abuse against Quiboloy, never reached a court.
In legal terms, sub judice means that a matter is currently under consideration by a court. This restricts public discussions or comments on the case to avoid prejudicing the legal proceedings and ensuring a fair trial.
During the hearing, Amanda testified that she was a minor when Quiboloy allegedly first sexually abused her, under the belief that it was a form of body sacrifice and that it was God’s will. At the time, she was serving as one of Quiboloy’s “pastorals,” female workers who run errands for the KOJC leader, and some of whom allegedly engage in sexual relations with the preacher.
Quiboloy dismissed the accusations leveled against him during the Senate committee hearing as “criminal.” He said that while Hontiveros enjoyed parliamentary immunity, the witnesses were susceptible to libel charges.
“Pambababoy ang ginawa ninyo sa reputasyon ko (You have tarnished my reputation),” said Quiboloy, daring Hontiveros to assist the witnesses in bringing him to court.
He said, “Kahit ako’y anak ng Diyos, ako’y under sa batas ng lupa, at doon ko kayo sasagutin sapagkat doon merong fair play (Even though I am a son of God, I am under the laws of the land, and there [court] I will respond to you because there is fair play).”
Quiboloy added, “In the law, the guilt and the innocence of any person is not determined by a Senate hearing but it is only determined by a competent court of law. Doon po kami patas ang laban; doon po kami puedeng sumagot sa inyo (There, we can have a fair fight; there, we can answer you).”
He said Hontiveros “convicted” him during the hearing by entertaining “innuendoes” meant to smear his “international reputation” as the leader of the KOJC.
Addressing Hontiveros, Quiboloy said, “If you cannot do that (go to court)… then you don’t deserve my respect. Because you don’t respect my constitutional rights, then I will not also respect your office as a senator.”
Quiboloy also denied ever using his political connections to evade his impending trial in the United States where he and several of his associates were indicted in late 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; sex trafficking of children; marriage fraud; fraud and misuse of visas; bulk cash smuggling; promotional money laundering; concealment of money laundering; and international promotional money laundering.
Not once, he asserted, did he ask former president Rodrigo Duterte to help him out.
Quiboloy, who is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is a known close friend of Duterte, whom he also served as a “spiritual adviser.” – Rappler.com
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Rhenz Abando takes back injury rehab in stride, respects KBL sanction on Chinanu Onuaku
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jisaga0269
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24/01/2024 15:15
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BACK IN MANILA. Rhenz Abando in a media session during his Manila visit with Korean champion Anyang for the East Asia Super League
ANYANG
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas rising star Rhenz Abando remains in high spirits despite being sidelined by a spine fracture he suffered during a game in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Back home in the Philippines to support his Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters team against the PBA’s TNT Tropang Giga in the East Asia Super League (EASL), the high-flying sensation said he is taking a calculated approach with his on-court return, given the severity of his injury.
“Right now, I’m feeling better. I’ve been resting for almost four weeks. I can’t say exactly when I’d return, but I need two more weeks to get my conditioning back up, and I still have to get a CT scan back in Korea,” he said in Filipino during a media availability at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, January 23.
“Right now, I still feel pain, especially whenever I try to lift something heavy or when I move in a way that will squeeze my back. I will not rush my return because I’m thinking of my long-term future.”
Despite the harrowing nature of his injury, which was caused by a mid-air push from Goyang Sono Skygunners import and former NBA player Chinanu Onuaku, Abando was keen on putting the incident behind him and just move forward.
I'm sharing a video of how Rhenz Abando was injured in yesterday's game. Let's watch it together.#RhenzAbando pic.twitter.com/UmjA9XJns4
Asked on whether or not the $2,300 sanction without game suspensions was fair given that it triggered protests from Koreans and online vitriol from Filipinos, Abando quickly steered clear of the issue out of respect for his current employers.
“I don’t really know, but that’s the decision they made, so I’m also sticking with that. What happened, happened,” he said.
“I think it was just an accident,” Abando continued, talking about Onuaku’s push. “I don’t really want to talk about it further.”
With more or less two weeks to go before he can take further steps in his return, Abando will sit out Anyang’s crucial game against TNT on Wednesday, January 24.
At the very least, the La Union native will have a brief reunion with his family, friends, and fans at the PhilSports Arena before heading back to Korea for further testing and rehab.
With a win on enemy territory at 7 pm, Anyang (2-2) will officially eliminate TNT (1-4) from EASL title contention, and will have a clearer path towards a Final Four berth in the home-and-away tournament made up of the best teams from four Asian leagues.
Without Abando, the Red Boosters will lean on former NBA player Omari Spellman to carry the offensive load, while the Tropang Giga seek to fight another day alongside the Hollis-Jefferson brothers, Rahlir and ex-NBA starter Rondae. – Rappler.com
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Jordan Heading waxes hot as Strong Group completes 5-0 elims sweep in Dubai
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Jasmine Payo
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25/01/2024 10:29
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HOT HAND. Strong Group's Jordan Heading in action in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
UAE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MANILA, Philippines – The undefeated streak lives on for Strong Group Athletics.
In its final game of the elimination round, Strong Group overcame its toughest challenge yet in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship, escaping Al Ahly Tripoli Sports Club by the skin of its teeth, 91-89, on Wednesday, January 24 (Thursday, January 25, Manila time.)
The Philippine side rode on the hot hand of Gilas Pilipinas sharpshooter Jordan Heading, who scored a tournament-best 19 points on 5-of-11 clip from beyond the arc.
With Al Ahly threatening to pull away early with its biggest lead of 12 points, 27-15, with 1:29 to play in the first quarter, Heading caught fire in the next period, unloading 3 of his 5 treys to help Strong Group overtake the Libyan squad at halftime, 51-50.
After a tight, back-and-forth battle between the two powerhouse teams throughout the second half, it was also Heading who knocked down two cold-blooded insurance free throws with only 18 seconds left to give Strong Group an all-important 91-88 cushion.
Al Ahly had multiple chances to tie the ball game and potentially send it into overtime in the next play, but three-point attempts by Naseim Badrush and Walter Hodge failed to hit the target.
UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao and former NBA superstar Dwight Howard helped Heading carry Strong Group’s scoring cudgels with 17 points apiece.
The five-time All-NBA First Team member Howard came up big down the stretch for Strong Group, dropping 9 of his 17 points in the final six minutes.
Former Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson and naturalized Filipino big man Andray Blatche also finished in double-digit scoring for Strong Group with 13 and 10 markers, respectively.
Badrush paced Al Ahly in the loss with a game-high 27 points, while Mohamed Sadi added 22.
Strong Group – which stretched its unblemished record to 5-0 – will take on Moroccan squad AS Sale in the knockout quarterfinals on Saturday, January 27, at 1:15 am, Manila time.
Strong Group Athletics 91 – Heading 19, Quiambao 17, Howard 17, Roberson 13, Blatche 10, Moore 7, Baltazar 3, Liwag 3, Escandor 2, Ynot 0.
Al Ahly Tripoli 89 – Badrush 27, Sadi 22, Hodge 17, West 10, Wesley 6, Dawo 5, Ramadan 2, Abdarhim 0, Sedek 0.
Quarters: 20-27, 51-50, 74-73, 91-89.
– Rappler.com
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Quiboloy calls Senate inquiry into abuse allegations ‘bogus’
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Victor Barreiro Jr.
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25/01/2024 7:44
|
PREACHER. Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church and a friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Quiboloy's Facebook page
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A defiant Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the embattled leader of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), accused Senator Risa Hontiveros of violating his constitutional rights even as he refused to attend her committee’s hearing on the alleged abuses done against his former followers.
In an audio recording posted on the Facebook page Buhay Kingdom 2024 on Wednesday, January 24, Quiboloy called the former workers, who testified about the alleged abuses they suffered at the hands of the preacher when they served the KOJC, as “bogus witnesses.”
Quiboloy also called Tuesday’s public inquiry by Hontiveros’ Senate committee “bogus,” and that it “turned a monster out of me.”
Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, has issued a subpoena to Quiboloy after the preacher ignored the initial hearing in an expected series of committee sessions addressing alleged sexual and other abuses within the Davao-based group.
But Quiboloy remained firm in his decision to defy the Senate committee’s order.
“I will not subject myself to a bogus hearing and to bogus witnesses if they cannot stand (by) their word… I will not subject myself to injustices done (under) the cloak of a Senate hearing,” Quiboloy said.
He questioned one of the witnesses, “Amanda,” who testified during Tuesday’s proceedings at the Senate, claiming that his group had identified her as the same woman who brought him to “court” a few years back.
He said Amanda’s accusations were all “proven lies.”
Quiboloy asserted that the “case” has been appealed by the former KOJC member before the Department of Justice (DOJ), and discussing her allegations before the Senate committee was sub judice.
Rappler, however, learned that Amanda’s complaint, filed before the Davao prosecutor’s office in 2019, which included charges of rape, qualified trafficking in person, and child abuse against Quiboloy, never reached a court.
In legal terms, sub judice means that a matter is currently under consideration by a court. This restricts public discussions or comments on the case to avoid prejudicing the legal proceedings and ensuring a fair trial.
During the hearing, Amanda testified that she was a minor when Quiboloy allegedly first sexually abused her, under the belief that it was a form of body sacrifice and that it was God’s will. At the time, she was serving as one of Quiboloy’s “pastorals,” female workers who run errands for the KOJC leader, and some of whom allegedly engage in sexual relations with the preacher.
Quiboloy dismissed the accusations leveled against him during the Senate committee hearing as “criminal.” He said that while Hontiveros enjoyed parliamentary immunity, the witnesses were susceptible to libel charges.
“Pambababoy ang ginawa ninyo sa reputasyon ko (You have tarnished my reputation),” said Quiboloy, daring Hontiveros to assist the witnesses in bringing him to court.
He said, “Kahit ako’y anak ng Diyos, ako’y under sa batas ng lupa, at doon ko kayo sasagutin sapagkat doon merong fair play (Even though I am a son of God, I am under the laws of the land, and there [court] I will respond to you because there is fair play).”
Quiboloy added, “In the law, the guilt and the innocence of any person is not determined by a Senate hearing but it is only determined by a competent court of law. Doon po kami patas ang laban; doon po kami puedeng sumagot sa inyo (There, we can have a fair fight; there, we can answer you).”
He said Hontiveros “convicted” him during the hearing by entertaining “innuendoes” meant to smear his “international reputation” as the leader of the KOJC.
Addressing Hontiveros, Quiboloy said, “If you cannot do that (go to court)… then you don’t deserve my respect. Because you don’t respect my constitutional rights, then I will not also respect your office as a senator.”
Quiboloy also denied ever using his political connections to evade his impending trial in the United States where he and several of his associates were indicted in late 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; sex trafficking of children; marriage fraud; fraud and misuse of visas; bulk cash smuggling; promotional money laundering; concealment of money laundering; and international promotional money laundering.
Not once, he asserted, did he ask former president Rodrigo Duterte to help him out.
Quiboloy, who is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is a known close friend of Duterte, whom he also served as a “spiritual adviser.” – Rappler.com
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Sara Duterte says she will run in next election
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jsitchon0312
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23/01/2024 14:59
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BUDGET. Vice President Sara Duterte attends the House of Representatives' deliberations on the proposed 2024 budget of the Office of the Vice President, on September 27, 2023.
Rappler
CEBU, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte announced her campaign bid for the next election on Monday, January 22, but did not specify for which post.
Duterte said in her speech at Barangay Bago Gallera, Davao City, that she heard her brothers Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Congressman Paolo Duterte say they will not be seeking another term.
“Basin dili sila mudagan sa sunod nga eleksyon so mao na naa ko dinhi sa inyoha para mangampanya kay mudagan ko sa sunod nga eleksyon,” Duterte said.
(They might not run in the next election so that’s why I’m here to campaign because I will be running for the next election.)
The Vice President, however, has not yet confirmed which particular position she will be running for.
The next election is the senatorial race in 2025. If she chooses to run in 2025, she will be cutting short her term, which is supposed to end in 2028.
Rappler has reached out to the Office of the Vice President for clarification on the matter but has yet to receive any reply. We will update this story once we get a response.
Her pronouncement calls to mind past declarations made by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, about running for president in 2016. After repeated denials and even filing a certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, he withdrew that COC on November 27, 2015, and filed his candidacy for president on the same day. Sara Duterte then ran for mayor as substitute candidate of her father.
Based on the results of the Pulse Asia survey released on January 8, Duterte’s trust rating stood at 78% between September 2023 and December 2023, maintaining the seat of the “most trusted government official”.
Recently, the Vice President either expressed reservations or spoke against moves associated with the administration, such as the reboot of peace talks with communist rebels, and the people’s initiative route to amend the 1987 Constitution.
She also eventually withdrew her bid for P650 million in confidential funds in 2024 after Congress denied her request.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News anchor Pia Arcangel on Tuesday, January 23, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he hasn’t talked to his veep about her plans for 2025.
“I think she’s also testing the waters to see what the reaction will be,” he added. – with reports from Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com
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Is it true that the Duterte brothers will no longer run in the coming elections? Can VP Sara Duterte be trusted? It has to be proven after the deadline for filing of candidacy. The Duterte Political Dynasty is known for flip-flopping, especially former President Digong Duterte.
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After Senate manifesto, Salceda claims charter change signature requirement reached
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Kaycee
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24/01/2024 15:29
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Davao 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Despite controversy surrounding the people’s initiative for charter change, the collected number of signatures has allegedly already exceeded the required 12% of total registered voters.
“Sobra na sa requirement, saka lahat ng distrito naka-3% na (It’s now beyond the requirement, and all districts have reached 3% already),” Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda said in an interview with DzBB Super Radyo on Wednesday, January 24.
In a separate Viber message to reporters, the lawmaker claimed that the total signatures collected account for 12.1% of total registered voters. This could mean that the campaign has already collected at least 8 million signatures.
The development comes a day after senators released a strongly-worded manifesto rejecting the lower chamber’s efforts to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly where “the Senate and its 24 members cannot cast any meaningful vote against the 316 members of the House of Representatives.”
This is a turnaround as just a week ago, Senate President Miguel Zubiri said it will be the upper chamber that will lead amendments that concern the economy, specifically on provisions aiming to further welcome foreign investors. (RELATED: Where do senators stand on charter change?)
The signature campaign for charter change started early January, although there have been reports that it began as early as the holidays. Local coordinators for the campaign allegedly offer P100 to registered voters in exchange for their signatures.
With the reports of bribery clouding the people’s initiative, Senate Majority Leader Joey Villanueva has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “invalidate” the signatures.
Salceda echoed the position taken by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in relation to the allegations. (READ: Cash in exchange for Cha-Cha signatures? ‘Wala namang ganoon,’ says Marcos)
“Let the Comelec validate the signatures; that’s in the Constitution,” Salceda said on Wednesday. “E di tanggalin nila ‘yung mga pirma na sinabi nilang pinilit, na-coerce, binili. Puwede rin naman ‘yun e, isa-isahin nila, e di kahit tanggalin nila lahat yan, lampas pa rin ng 12%.”
(Then let them remove the signatures they said were collected by force, or signatures of those who were coerced, and given bribes. They can do that, check them one by one but even if they remove all of those, it would still exceed 12%.)
Lawmakers at the lower chamber have always been pushing to amend the supreme law of the land. Salceda said there have been 358 charter change attempts since 1987. (RELATED: LOOK BACK: Past Charter Change attempts and why they failed)
“For the first time in our lives, why don’t we listen to the people,” Salceda said.
But according to a survey conducted by OCTA Research from December 10 to 14, 2023 among 1,200 participants, majority or 73% of poll respondents said rising prices of consumer goods is the “most urgent national concern for adult Filipinos.” Employment issues follow, with 36% pointing to job creation and 34% to increasing wages as urgent.
“It must be noted, that changing the constitution is not an urgent concern of adult Filipinos,” OCTA Research said. “Only 1% of respondents identified it as a priority concern in the 4th quarter Tugon ng Masa survey last December 2023.” – with reports from Dwight de Leon and Bonz Magsambol/Rappler.com
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Is someone gaming the PCSO lotto?
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gdecastro0289
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20/01/2024 8:00
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BETS. A lotto kiosk in Manila.
Pacific Online
That’s what Senator Raffy Tulfo wants to know after several major lotto draws produced winners of over P500-million each in a span of three weeks.
On his radio show Tulfo in Action on Friday, January 19, the first-term senator said he wants to dig deeper into why the PCSO raised the jackpot by huge amounts for each for its major lotto games in December and early January instead of letting the pot grow from the lotto bets.
The PCSO raised on December 16, 2023 the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the Grand Lotto 6/55, Ultra Lotto 6/58, Super Lotto 6/49 by P500 million each, and P100 million each for Lotto 6/42 and MegaLotto 6/45 as part of its Christmas and New Year draws.
On December 29, 2023, a lone bettor won P571 million in the Ultra Lotto 6/58, the biggest jackpot in 2023.
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, a bettor won P640 million with the combination 26-33-14-48-06-42 in the Super Lotto 6/49 draw.
On Wednesday, January 17, another lone bettor hit the Grand Lotto 6/55 with the correct combination of 24-50-52-09-51-03 through PCSO’s new E-Lotto platform.
Three bettors, meantime, won in the Lotto 6/42 jackpot on January 2 with a prize of P108 million.
Two people split the Megalotto 6/45 jackpot of P121 million on January 8.
Tulfo said boosting the jackpot allows wealthy bettors to win the big lotto prizes.
“Ang purpose nila, kaya nila dinagdagan, para magkaroon ng excitement at maraming tataya. Na usually, dapat, hayaan mo lang tumaas ‘yung pot base dun sa mga tumataya. Habang tumatagal, tumataas ‘yung pot. Ang ginawa nung December, pinalobo ‘yung pot, especially ‘yung 6/49. Dinagdagan ng P500 million – boom. ‘Pag dagdag ng P500 million, may nanalo,” he said.
(Their purpose in boosting the pot is to have excitement so that many will bet. Usually, they should just let the pot grow big from the bets. As the betting goes on, the pot expands. What they did last December, they ballooned the pot, especially the 6/49. They added P500 million, boom. When they added P500 million, someone won.)
Tulfo, who admitted that he used to play lotto and had once won around P500,000 around a decade ago, said a bettor can place bets on all 14 million combinations in the 6/49. At P20 per combination, a rich bettor would need P280 million to win. If he is the sole winner of P640 million, he or she takes home a whopping P360 million before tax (20%).
“Kung ‘di nagdagdag ng P500 million, ang pot lang dapat was only P130 million-something. So kung P120 million or something ang pot, tumaya ka ng P280 million, lugi ka pa. Kaya ang ginawa, nagdagdag ng P500 million para may ganansiya,” he said.
(If they did not add P500 million, the pot would have been just P130 million-something, So if it’s just P120 million and you spend P280 million, you lose. So, what they did, they added P500 million to generate interest.)
PCSO General Manager Mel Robles, in an interview on GMA’s Unang Hirit on Thursday, said betting on all combinations to win is allowed, but it carries a big risk because if there’s more than one winner, the wealthy bettor stands to lose big.
“In the case of 6/49, interesting ito, 14 million ang odds. At P20, that’s only P280 million, eh ang pot mo ay P600 million. Kaya po talaga theoretically [to bet on all combinations and win]. Kaya lang, ‘pag may nakahati ka, dalawa o tatlo, lugi ka na, so talagang chance pa rin,” he said. (In the case of 6/49, this is interesting, the odds are 14 million. At P20, that’s only P280 million, but your pot is P600 million. That’s why theoretically, it’s really possible [to bet on all combinations and win]. But if you have to share it with two, or three, you already lose, so it’s really still chance.)
Robles told Radyo5 on Friday that the PCSO used its prize reserve fund to jack up the pot last December to generate interest in the games. He said this strategy was also done by his predecessors, and he expects the PCSO to generate a billion in revenues in December alone and possibly in January too as more people joined the games. For instance, the PCSO recorded P265 million in one-day sales on Tuesday, the state-owned gaming firm said.
Robles denied that someone was rigging the system, and lamented that not an “iota of evidence” has been presented.
“Having frequent winners is not an indication na may nangyayaring masama. Meron din naman time na ang tagal-tagal walang nananalo eh what do you call that?” Robles said.
(Having frequent winners is not an indication that something bad is happening. There are times when it takes a long time to have winners, so what do you call that?)
Tulfo, however, wants to stop PCSO from using this strategy of boosting the pot since it’s helping wealthy bettors get rich. He suggested using PCSO’s reserve fund to help those in need.
“Ang tanong: legal ba ‘yun base sa charter ng PCSO? Patatanggal ko po ‘yan, na ‘wag ka nang magdagdag sa prize fund. Bigay mo na lang sa mahirap, sa charity, ospital, nangangailangan ng gamot, dialysis, imbes na isa lang ang manalo,” he said.
(Question is: is it legal to do that based on the PCSO charter? I will have that removed, they should not add to the prize fund. Just give it to the poor, to charity, hospitals, those who need medicines, dialysis, instead of having just one winner.)
A Senate hearing will be held on this on Thursday, January 25, Tulfo said.
Meantime, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said they will also probe whether PCSO’s e-lotto platform can be used to bet on all combinations.
“Iniimbestiga na natin yan. Nagiging mas madali ba sa bettor na magtaya nga ng ganyan na all combinations? Yan ang magandang tanong….,” Pimentel told Radyo5 on Monday, January 22. “That is one of the angles na dapat tingnan.”
(We’re investigating that. Is it now easier for a bettor to bet on all combinations? That’s a good question…That’s one of the angles that should be looked into.)
It’s also possible, he said, that it’s not just one person placing a bet on all combinations in order to win but that it could be a group.
“Ang sabi ko nga, ‘wag lang magisip na isang tao lang s’ya, what if you’re a group? Let us say wala yung feature [in e-lotto] na you can place your bets on all combinations pero if you’re a group, nagtutulungan ba kayo para cover n’yo all bets, all possible combinations?” Pimentel said.
(As I said, don’t think that it’s just one person, what if you’re a group? Let us say there’s no feature [in e-lotto] that you can place your bets on all combinations but if you’re a group, are you helping each other in order to cover all bets, all possible combinations?) – Rappler.com
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Newsbreak Chats: Why Filipinos turn to sugar dating
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Jodesz Gavilan
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24/01/2024 12:20
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MANILA, Philippines – Sugar dating has long been associated with young women getting into relationships with older men in exchange for a lifestyle filled with luxury goods.
But in recent years, sugar relationships have evolved into different set-ups where even intimacy is a pre-requisite.
A two-part Rappler series also found that most Filipino sugar babies use their allowances – an average of P52,000 a month – for basic necessities, including education and housing. Women taking part in these relationships are also fighting the unequal power dynamics by asserting their boundaries.
On Thursday, January 25, Rappler senior desk editor Chito dela Vega sits down with the writer of the series, multimedia reporter Michelle Abad, to discuss the realities of sugar dating in the Philippines, what it takes to be a sugar baby, and how they protect themselves.
What led to the changing landscape in sugar dating? What makes a “fruitful” sugar dating relationship?
Read the two reports below.
– Rappler.com
Watch other Newsbreak Chats episode this 2024:
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Meet the cast of ‘Rent’ musical in Manila
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Ysa Abad
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23/01/2024 15:47
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MANILA, Philippines – Local theater company 9 Works Theatrical unveiled the cast members for the highly-anticipated revival of hit Broadway musical Rent in the Philippines.
Based loosely on Puccini’s opera La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s Rent follows a group of young people struggling to survive in Manhattan in the ‘90s under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
The rock musical was nominated for 10 Tony Awards in 1996 and won four including Best Musical. It was also one of the longest-running shows on Broadway and was adapted into a film in 2005.
For its run in Manila, Anthony Rosaldo will portray Roger, a struggling musician who is HIV-positive. Meanwhile, actresses Molly Langley and Thea Astley will be alternating as Mimi, Roger’s love interest.
Ian Pangilinan and Reb Atadero will be alternating in the role of narrator Mark Cohen.
The role of his ex-girlfriend Maureen will be played alternately by Justine Peña and Jasmine Fitzgerald. Mica Fajardo and Fay Castro will play Maureen’s lawyer girlfriend Joanne.
Adrian Lindayag and Lance Reblando will be alternating for the role of Angel, a drag queen and street percussionist who is HIV-positive. His partner, Tom Collins, will be played by Garrett Bolden and Markki Stroem.
Stroem will also play Benny together with Guji Lorenzana, who will also portray the role of Mr. Johnson.
Also part of the cast are Abi Sulit (Pam), Jordan Andrews (Gordono), Misha Fabian (Ally), Chesko Rodriguez and Paul Valdez (Steve), Kai Banson (Alexi Darling), and Vyen Villanueva (Paul).
9 Works Theatrical has yet to announce the show’s final schedule and ticket prices.
9 Works Theatrical, which was also behind the local productions of American Idiot, Eto na! Musika nAPO!, and Tick, Tick… Boom!, previously staged Rent in Manila in 2010 and 2011. – Rappler.com
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Marcos moves jeepney consolidation deadline to April 30
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Dwight de Leon
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24/01/2024 19:30
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PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES. Jeepneys ply Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on December 12, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the government’s deadline for jeepney drivers to consolidate themselves into cooperatives or corporations by another three months.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista’s recommendation, granting an additional three months until April 30, 2024, for the consolidation of public utility vehicles,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement on Wednesday, January 24.
“This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cutoff,” it added.
The consolidation deadline already lapsed on December 31, 2023, but unconsolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) had been allowed to keep operating until January 31, 2024.
Prior to the extension, over 1,900 jeepney and UV Express routes – where none of the PUV units traversing them formed a cooperative or corporation – were at risk of being wiped out by February 1.
Marcos previously said there would be no extension in order to follow the “current timeline.” He insisted at the time that the government could not allow the minority to “cause further delays.”
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said over 73% of jeepneys nationwide have consolidated, although that number is reduced to 51% in Metro Manila.
In a separate statement on Wednesday, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III called on jeepney operators and drivers “to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President” for them to consolidate.
Before and after the December 31 consolidation deadline, transport groups mounted demonstrations to protest the PUV Modernization Program.
After consolidation, jeepney operators will be required to upgrade their vehicles, but drivers have been struggling to purchase pricey modern jeepneys. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate President Marcos Jr.’s decision to extend the government’s deadline for jeepney drivers to consolidate themselves into cooperatives or corporations by another three months. But kindly give adequate and timely FINANCIAL support to these jeepney drivers who need such help. Include also the necessary administrative support in the processing of their required documents.
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A trauma psychiatrist explains what PTSD really is and how to seek help
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Marguerite de Leon
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24/01/2024 15:42
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Among the many emerging trends on social media, one recent concerning fad is a casual and often inaccurate portrayal of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD – along with an array of questionable interventions suggested for its cure.
But what really is PTSD, who suffers from it, and what are the available treatments?
As a psychiatrist specializing in trauma, I’ve worked with hundreds of people with PTSD. Some are refugees, first responders, and survivors of torture and human trafficking. Others have survived childhood trauma, shootings, assault, rape, or robbery.
As part of my outreach, I post educational material about trauma and PTSD on social media, so my news feeds often contain misleading material along these lines:
“Procrastination is not laziness. It is childhood trauma.”
“Trauma test: What image did you see first? A shark? A leg?”
“People who say sorry for no reason have PTSD.”
Mental health advocacy work has led to great progress in making the public aware of trauma and overcoming its stigma. But misuse of terms such as “trauma,” “childhood trauma,” and “PTSD” has filled the social media sphere with misinformation. It is often spread by people with a financial or emotional incentive, such as those seeking followers, selling tests, therapies, interventions, coaching, and more.
Such posts treat trauma and PTSD as something that’s trendy, at times even romanticizing trauma. In turn, this trivializes the suffering of those who really have endured traumatic experiences. It can also create confusion for those with a real need for help and prevent them from receiving the right support. It’s normal to have bad dreams following a trauma, or even to feel like the trauma is happening again.
In popular culture and in the everyday vernacular, the word trauma is often used too loosely. As a result, on social media a difficult breakup or an argument with a family member might be portrayed as traumatic. While these experiences could be highly stressful, they are not considered trauma in the clinical world.
The field of psychiatry defines trauma as direct exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. That includes experiences such as war, assault, sexual abuse and rape, robbery, being shot at, severe car accidents, and natural disasters. Trauma exposure is common among, though certainly not limited to, urban populations.
Trauma exposure does not necessarily have to be direct; it can also happen by witnessing or being near the event or by exposure to its aftermath. This is what often happens to first responders, those in the vicinity of or exposed to the aftermath of mass shootings, and refugees, all of whom see the worst of what humans do to each other.
The immediate response to trauma can include shock, severe anxiety or panic, confusion, helplessness, constant recall of the event, feeling on edge, difficulty sleeping, anger, guilt, or physical discomfort. Trauma can have numerous long-term effects, including anxiety, difficulty with trust, depression, and substance use. Trauma can lead to PTSD but doesn’t necessarily have to.
Not everyone who experiences trauma has PTSD. For the majority of people exposed to trauma, symptoms subside over time. But some people remain in a constant state of “fight or flight,” a physiological response in which the brain stays fully alert to ensure escape or to neutralize a real or perceived danger.
When the severity of symptoms passes a specific threshold, mental health clinicians consider a PTSD diagnosis. To be diagnosed with the disorder, the person must have one or two symptoms from all of the following categories:
Like any other medical condition, a diagnosis of PTSD must be made by a mental health professional, preferably one skilled in trauma and PTSD. Some people endure certain symptoms without meeting all criteria for PTSD. If this causes significant social, academic, or occupational dysfunction and distress, the person will still need help.
If you have endured traumatic experiences, first understand that PTSD is not your identity. It is a disease that can be and should be treated. Getting an evaluation from your primary care doctor is the first step. They may refer you to a mental health professional. Or you can reach out directly to a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist, or a licensed social worker for an evaluation.
Your insurance provider can help you find a therapist or psychiatrist, preferably specialized in trauma. You can also find a list of providers through the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. If you don’t have insurance, you can get help at a local community mental health clinic or a federally qualified health center.
If a diagnosis is confirmed, know that you do not have to suffer for years to come. There are effective and safe psychotherapy treatments that can help process the traumatic memories, overcome the related negative thoughts or feelings of guilt and shame, and help overcome avoidance of normal life situations because of the trauma. There are treatment options for PTSD, along with ways to get support.
In my newly published book, I discuss new, cutting-edge treatments as well as stories from those who overcame their illness.
For instance, our team has created AI-enhanced mixed reality technologies to produce immersive and interactive diverse situations of encounters with digital humans. This will allow the patients to, for example, experience the sensation of being in a crowded grocery store, with their therapist alongside to help them navigate and overcome their fears.
Medications can also help. Often labeled as antidepressants, these medications are safe and nonaddictive, and they can lower the intensity of anxiety to a level that allows the patients to deal with their fears.
Lifestyle changes like diet, mindfulness, and exercise can also help a lot.
I have seen many traumatized people get back on their feet and resume their normal lives after the right intervention and lifestyle adjustments. Those who continue to have some symptoms often manage to build life around them without letting the trauma take away the joy and prosperity of their lives. – The Conversation|Rappler.com
Arash Javanbakht is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University.
This piece was originally published in The Conversation.
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‘New journey’: San Miguel bounces back in semis rematch vs Ginebra
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 23:43
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ATTACK. CJ Perez in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel did not come this far just to be swept again by Barangay Ginebra.
Having learned their lesson the hard way after a bitter end last season, the Beermen conquered the Gin Kings, 92-90, in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, January 24.
CJ Perez delivered the big hits down the stretch and finished with a game-high 26 points as San Miguel redeemed itself after a 3-0 shutout loss to Ginebra in the semifinals of the Governors’ Cup last year.
“We were swept last season but we moved forward,” said Perez in Filipino. “This is a new journey for us. We have a big chance of returning to the finals.”
Perez shone late as he scattered 9 points in the fourth quarter, all coming in a pivotal 17-6 run that turned a 73-79 deficit to a 90-85 lead with under 2:40 minutes remaining.
The Gin Kings, though, refused to go away and uncorked a 5-0 blitz capped by a Tony Bishop basket to knot the score at 90-90.
A pair of June Mar Fajardo free throws determined the final tally as Ginebra failed to capitalize on its endgame opportunities, with its final crack at either a game-tying shot or a game-winner ending in a sorry turnover.
“We know Ginebra. They will not stop until the last buzzer. We need to respect our opponents,” said Perez, who also recorded 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Despite seeing his streak of 40-point performances snapped, import Bennie Boatwright still made his presence felt with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks as the Beermen scored their seventh straight win.
Fajardo tallied 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Don Trollano added 10 points.
San Miguel played without Terrence Romeo due to a left ankle sprain, although it clings on to the hope that the star guard will be available on Friday, January 26, as it shoots for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five affair at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bishop had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger churned out 21 points and 11 rebounds in the loss that halted the Gin Kings’ five-game winning streak.
Former league MVP Scottie Thompson posted a near triple-double of 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists for Ginebra.
San Miguel 92 – Perez 26, Boatwright 23, Fajardo 18, Trollano 10, Lassiter 7, Cruz 6, Teng 2, Ross 0, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0.
Barangay Ginebra 90 – Standhardinger 21, Bishop 20, Thompson 15, Malonzo 11, Pringle 9, Ahanmisi 6, J.Aguilar 6, Tenorio 0, Pessumal 0.
Quarters: 28-20, 47-47, 73-73, 92-90.
– Rappler.com
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‘Good start’: Alex Eala vies to sustain singles, doubles run in India
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Jasmine Payo
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24/01/2024 23:26
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FIGHTER. Alex Eala returns a shot during the qualifiers of the 2024 Australian Open.
ALEX EALA FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines – Just a day after winning her doubles match, Alex Eala did the same in the singles opener of the ITF W50 Pune in India.
The Filipina tennis standout began her singles campaign by making short work of Hungarian national team mainstay Fanny Stollar, 6-2, 6-2, at the Deccan Gymkhana on Wednesday, January 24.
Eala did not drop her serve the entire match despite committing seven double faults.
The only time the fifth-seeded Eala faced a deficit was when Stollar, owner of three doubles titles in the WTA tour, held serve in the opening game of the first set.
Eala then pocketed the next three games to seize control of the set which she ended in the eighth game.
The 18-year-old Eala sustained her dominance in the second set, opening up a 5-1 lead before once again finishing off the 25-year-old Hungarian in the eighth game.
“Good start to my singles campaign here at the ITF WTT W50 Pune,” Eala said in a social media post.
Eala also won her opening-round doubles match with Darja Semenistaja on Tuesday, January 23, with the pair coming back from a set down against Yu-Yun Li of Chinese Taipei and Eri Shimizu of Japan.
The Filipino-Latvian duo will gun for a semifinal spot on Thursday, January 25, against Jessie Anney of the United States and Lena Papadakis of Germany.
Over at the Gandhi Nagar Club also in India, Eala’s Asian Games mixed doubles partner Francis Casey Alcantara also prevailed.
Alcantara – who won a bronze in the continental games with Eala last year – partnered with Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia, hacking out a a 6-1, 7-5 win over former world singles No. 17 and Wimbledon men’s singles semifinalist Bernard Tomic and Alexey Shtengelov of Australia in the first round of the GNC-BR Adityan Memorial ITF Men’s Future.
They will face the Israeli pair of Orel Kimhi and Ofek Shimanov in the quarterfinals.
The last time Alcantara and Rungkat teamed up, they won back-to-back ITF men’s doubles titles in Malaysia last November and December. – Rappler.com
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‘Ahon sa Antipolo’: Faithful prepare for pilgrimage site’s historic event
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Chito de la Vega
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23/01/2024 19:25
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VIVA LA VIRGEN. Parishioners from the Vicariate of St Francis Xavier gather around the images of their patron saints and the Virgin of Antipolo during the sixth day of the novena masses on January 23 for the solemn declaration of Antipolo Cathedral as an international shrine.
The Antipolo Cathedral Facebook page
ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Locals from different parishes across Rizal province have been bringing their respective patron saints and gathering at the Antipolo Cathedral since January 17 – and will do so until the 25th – as part of their historic “ahon” (disembark upward) and novena masses in preparation for a monumental occasion.
The 450-year-old National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, commonly known as Antipolo Cathedral, is set to be formally declared as an international shrine on Friday, January 26, in a solemn mass to be presided by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles John Brown.
The popular pilgrimage shrine, where thousands participate in its “Alay Lakad” every Maundy Thursday, will become the first international shrine in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, and only the 11th worldwide.
The nine vicariates under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo are expected to lead the novena masses. The Vicariates of St. Jerome, Our Lady of Aranzazu, St. Ildefonso, St. John the Baptist, and Our Lady of Light from the different towns in the province have already participated in the processions and masses in Antipolo since January 17.
In his homily during the first novena mass on January 17, Father Celso Bagabaldo Jr., Vicar Forane of Vicariate of St. Jerome, called on attendees to start their historic journey with “reflections and openness” and hope that the Virgin Mary will lead them to the right direction.
In a country where overseas workers are hailed as modern-day heroes, Antipolo’s Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is among the celebrated images, with devotees usually praying for safe travels in their journeys.
“If we start right with Mary, we end up right with Jesus and we’ll never be lost. We will never give up dahil nariyan kasama natin sa paglalakbay si Maria (because Mary will always be with us in our journey),” he said.
For Flora Latina, a 20 year-old member of the Social Communications Ministry of Sta. Ursula Parish in Binangonan, the “ahon” feels like a one big reunion where she sees her fellow faithful from different parishes coming together to celebrate the Virgin of Antipolo.
“With the entire vicariate coming as one, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event in the parish, cathedral, and diocese. It’s rare for each parish to come together,” she told Rappler in Filipino.
Expressing her gratitude to be part of the event, Latina also emphasized the importance of becoming a devotee of Mary for the current generation, since she observed how less youth are interested to engage in religious activities with some not recognizing Mary at all.
“It will be helpful if they pray and devote themselves to Mama Mary. Hindi naman magiging mabuti yung buhay (Life will not instantly become better), but Mama Mary will guide them no matter what happens,” she said.
The Diocese of Antipolo presented the theme, “Ave Regina Pacis” (Latin for “Hail, Queen of Peace”), for the solemn declaration of the cathedral as an international shrine.
“As a ‘Pueblo amante de Maria’ – a people in love with Mary – we recognize the remarkablevalue of this celebration not only for the Diocese of Antipolo, but for the whole Church at large,” the diocese said in its celebration primer.
The celebration’s logo also featured imagery of the cathedral and the Virgin of Antipolo, and various symbols representing key teachings of the Church.
In 2021, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines endorsed the diocese’s petition to raise the Antipolo Cathedral’s status to an international shrine. The Holy See approved the petition in June 2022, with a papal decree being issued in March 2023.
The cathedral’s recognition as an international shrine took effect on March 25, 2023, which coincided with the anniversary of the start of the journey of the Virgin of Antipolo from Acapulco, Mexico to the country in 1626.
Lance Arevada is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2023-2024.
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Hell on Earth: Former KOJC worker testifies about Quiboloy’s chilling punishments
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Herbie G
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24/01/2024 21:51
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TESTIFY. 'Jerome,' a former Kingdom of Jesus Christ workers, narrates his experience before a Senate committee on Tuesday, January 23.
Screengrab
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – For about three weeks, “Jerome” said his genitals felt like they were set on fire after being rubbed with wild chili, allegedly on orders from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and self-styled “appointed son of God.”
He was punished for going on a movie date with his girlfriend, despite her not being a member of the KOJC.
Quiboloy’s KOJC strictly prohibits church workers from closely associating with non-believers, a detail revealed during a Senate committee investigation into the alleged abuses within the Davao-based religious group on Tuesday, January 23.
In the KOJC, full-time workers, except for a privileged few, are allegedly prohibited from making contact with their relatives, friends, and acquaintances, who have a different religion. Breaches carry corresponding punishments.
Jerome, one of four ex-followers who testified against Quibolloy, told the committee that there were about a dozen people subjected to fraternity hazing-like punishments for breaching all sorts of rules set by their pastor in 2009.
He recalled that Pastor Quiboloy summoned them and made them line up while speaking over the phone linked to an audio system, calling them demons and other names, and allegedly ordering them to undergo corporal punishment, including having chili rubbed on their genitals.
Jerome alleged that Quiboloy gave the command while he was in the United States in 2009.
After that, he said they were then taken to an isolation room with poor ventilation and held there for two days before KOJC ministers returned with an armed group, made them sign waivers, and proceeded to carry out Quiboloy’s orders.
During the punishment, Jerome alleged that they were made to bang their heads against the wall and punch it until they bled, while their genitals and eyes were rubbed with chili.
The former KOJC member said the situation was so difficult that one of those with him remarked, “Akala ko langit ito, yun pala impyerno.” (I thought this was heaven, but it turned out to be hell.)
“It felt at that time that I was going to die and that I was going to go blind,” Jerome said in Filipino.
He said they were then made to rest by the ministers for a week before they were taken to another Quiboloy property in Makati to work on a demolition project, from where he and another co-worker subsequently escaped while armed guards were asleep.
Jerome’s parents converted to Quiboloy’s group in 2000. Two years later, he was already a part-time KOJC worker at 12, engaging in street-level selling of rice cakes and milk candies to raise funds for the group.
He went full-time in 2004 and was sent to Metro Manila where he and a group continued their fundraising activities, including solicitations, in malls, buses, jeepneys, and on the streets throughout Luzon.
Jerome said they used fake IDs to represent fraudulent charity organizations intended to deceive people into shelling out money for charity. All the funds, he said, were remitted to Quiboloy’s group.
These activities have allegedly been taking place not only in the Philippines but also as far as the US, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brazil, and other countries where Quiboloy has followers.
In late 2021, several ex-members of the KOJC told Rappler about the street-level solicitations carried out by Quiboloy’s followers abroad.
A former member who once led a fundraising activity in Singapore said they routinely sought donations the entire day, carrying collection cans.
She claimed that all the funds raised by KOJC groups were sent back to Quiboloy’s organization in the Philippines. To evade the scrutiny of Singapore’s fiscal authorities, she alleged that the money was divided into smaller batches. – Rappler.com
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Senate, House joint resolution on Cha-Cha now suspended, says Pimentel
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Bonz Magsambol
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24/01/2024 21:30
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MANIFESTO. All 24 senators on January 23, 2024 sign a manifesto rejecting the people’s initiative which was said to have been initiated by some members of the House of Representatives pushing for charter change.
Angie de Silva/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The joint resolution of the House and the Senate proposing economic amendments in the 1987 Constitution is in “suspended animation,” according to Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel.
Pimentel’s statement comes just a day after the Senate issued a strongly worded manifesto rejecting the House of Representative’s push for charter change.
“The PI (People Initiative) is apparently continuing and reports are ‘congressmen are behind it’ hence our question is: why are congressmen in effect pursuing two modes in amending the constitution. There is bad faith somewhere,” Pimentel told Rappler in a text message on Wednesday, January 24.
According to Pimentel, the Senate wanted to know the reasons behind the signature campaign and probe allegations of bribery.
“We step on the brakes until we find out what is the real agenda of those behind this latest charter change push,” he said.
On Tuesday, January 23, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva claimed “many senators” were no longer interested in charter change due to the supposed anomalous signature campaign.
Villanueva went as far as asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “invalidate” the signatures it received from different areas in the country. As of Tuesday, the Comelec received signature documents from some 900 out of over 1,600 cities and municipalities across the country.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri feared a shoddy signature campaign would compromise the country’s checks and balances.
“With the change, the Senate is left powerless to stop even the most radical proposals: We cannot protect our lands from foreign ownership; We cannot stop the removal of term limits or a no election scenario in 2025, or worse, in 2028,” he said.
Zubiri also slammed the House push to amend the Constitution through a constitutional assembly, a scheme that would effectively dilute the voice of the senators.
“If this PI prospers, further changes to the Constitution can be done with or without the Senate’s approval, or worse, even absent all the senators. Should Congress vote jointly in a constituent assembly, the Senate and its 24 members cannot cast any meaningful vote against the 316 members of the House of Representatives,” Zubiri said.
House members have always been eager to amend the charter. All previous attempts fizzled out as their Senate counterparts were not too keen on amending the Constitution, especially through a constituent assembly. – Rappler.com
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PH in contact with Filipinos arrested in Japan over bodies found in Tokyo
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Bea Cupin
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24/01/2024 22:28
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MANILA, Philippines – Two Filipinos accused of abandoning a corpse in Japan are being assisted by the Philippine embassy there, a senior Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official said on Wednesday, January 24.
Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, who handles Migrant Workers Affairs in the DFA, said the embassy was able to visit the Filipina and is set to visit the other Filipino arrested over the same case by Thursday, January 25.
De Vega said the woman is a resident of Japan while the Filipino man is an Overseas Filipino Worker.
“She assures her family that she is alright and that she already has her court-appointed lawyer whom the Embassy will coordinate with. She denies all involvement,” De Vega said.
According to Japanese media, the two were arrested nearly a week apart for supposedly abandoning the corpses of a Japanese couple who had gone missing. The corpses were found, with apparent stab wounds, inside their Tokyo home.
The Japan Times identified the Filipina as 30-year-old Hazel Ann Baguisa Morales. She was arrested on January 19. The dead couple was identified as Norihiro Takahashi, 55, and his wife Kimie, 52.
The other Filipino, a man identified by The Japan Times as Bryan Jefferson Lising Dela Cruz, 34, was arrested on January 23. Japanese police say Dela Cruz “admitted to the allegations” or abandoning the bodies, reported the Japan Times.
In a statement on Thursday, January 25, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it would provide assistance to Dela Cruz, the OFW involved in the case.
“As we condole with the families of the deceased Japanese couple, we assure our kababayan and his family of our utmost assistance in close coordination with Ambassador Milen Garcia and the PHL Embassy in Tokyo,” said DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac.
Cacdac directed the Migrant Workers Office in Tokyo to meet with Dela Cruz to check on his condition, and determine any of his immediate needs. The office will also cover legal assistance.
Japan’s Penal Code imposes a maximum of three years of imprisonment for people who “damages, abandons or unlawfully possesses a corpse, the ashes or hair of a dead person, or an object placed in a coffin.”
De Vega had earlier clarified that the two are, thus far, accused only of abandonment but not of killing the Japanese couple.
According to Japanese media, Morales was in a relationship with the couple’s son. Dela Cruz was arrested in relation to the case after security camera footage showed Morales with another person in the vicinity of the couple’s home. – with a report from Michelle Abad/Rappler.com
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Book it! Here are the PH’s top 5 most-searched travel destinations for 2024
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Steph Arnaldo
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23/01/2024 15:43
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MANILA, Philippines – How’s your 2024 travel calendar doing? Seems like both local and international travelers’ itineraries are set on the Philippines this year, as travel booking platform Agoda shared 2024’s top five “Philippines’ New Horizons” – a list of local destinations most searched by travelers year-on-year.
These emerging travel spots are “fast growing in popularity,” Agoda said, based on a “significant growth in interest” from users here and abroad. It comes as no surprise that the beautiful province of Bohol tops the list, with a 72% increase in searches just after a year. Hello Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, cave pools, and the pristine beaches of Panglao, among many other nature sights!
In May 2023, The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Bohol Island as a Global Geopark – the first in the Philippines. This is a seal of recognition of the provincial government’s efforts to rise from the devastation of the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Bohol on October 15, 2013.
Surigao del Norte’s Siargao Island comes in second place with a 32% increase in searches – the small, teardrop-shaped island and humble tourist haven found at the northeastern coast of Mindanao is hailed as the country’s surf paradise. It was also recognized as Time’s World Greatest Places in 2021 and among Condé Nast’s Best Islands in Asia in October 2023, alongside Boracay and Palawan; and one of the best holiday destinations of 2020 in December 2019.
In third place is Davao City with a 23% rise. Known as the “gateway to Mindanao,” Davao City is suited for travelers looking for outdoor sightseeing activities, sandy beaches like Dahican Beach and Kaputian Beach, and lush, green areas like Eden Nature Park. Try durian while you’re at it!
In fourth place is foodie haven Iloilo City, the first Philippine province that bagged a spot on UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, representing the field of gastronomy. In fifth place is Cagayan De Oro, a city for adrenaline junkies who want to experience whitewater rafting or spelunking at Kweba de Oro, a cave with a 40-meter descent.
In November, Agoda listed Singapore, Bangkok, and Tokyo respectively as the most popular destinations of Filipino solo travelers. In December, Agoda named Iloilo City as the top “Tastiest Travel Destination” of 2023, followed by Roxas City in Capiz, Davao City, and Angeles City in Pampanga. – Steph Arnaldo/Rappler.com
Note: This article contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission every time you buy through these links.
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To raise gov’t revenues, Recto says solution need not involve new taxes
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Ralf Rivas
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24/01/2024 21:15
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BEATING THE DEADLINE. Business and individual taxpayers queue to file their income tax return before the April 19 deadline at the BIR Intramuros, Manila, on April 18, 2022.
File photo by Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The Marcos administration is aiming to raise at least P4.3 trillion for 2024 to fund the national budget, all while avoiding the introduction of unpopular new taxes to rev up revenues.
New Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the target, which is 11.9% higher than the projected collections made in 2023, is possible by improving how the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) collect taxes.
“There are no plans of imposing additional new taxes. I think our first job is to collect what is on the table,” Recto said in his first media briefing on Wednesday, January 24.
Recto went on to explain that imposing additional taxes could raise prices of goods amid an already high inflationary environment.
Recto’s predecessor, Benjamin Diokno, earlier mulled higher taxes on junk food and sweetened beverages.
The Department of Finance has also proposed a revamp on motor vehicle road user’s tax, but Recto said they are now “tempering” it.
“Motorists pay a lot of taxes…there are excise taxes and VAT (value added tax) on oil, there are excise taxes, duties, and VAT on vehicles. Today, 50% or thereabouts of vehicles are unregistered. And if you impose higher taxes, maybe more vehicles will not register,” Recto said.
In a nutshell, Recto is looking for ways to collect more from the current taxes imposed by the tax code.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently signed into law the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, which aims to help taxpayers comply with the law. Part of the law is the digitalization of services, which is deemed to improve compliance.
IN PHOTOS: Finance Secretary @ralphrecto held a joint press conference with @birgovph Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. and @CustomsPH Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio to outline strategic measures to hit the PHP 4.3 trillion revenue target for 2024. pic.twitter.com/CIkl6OvEJ9
Data showed that while the previous Duterte administration raised taxes through the controversial TRAIN Law, the BIR has not met its yearly target.
It was only able to exceed its collection targets in 2020, when the government was forced to revise the goal downward due to the pandemic-induced recession.
"I think the best way to raise revenues is to grow the economy and to expand the tax base," Recto said on Wednesday.
From January to November 2023, the BIR collected a total of P1.85 trillion. It needed to collect P78 billion last December to reach the full-year target of P2.63 trillion.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. recently initiated a nationwide tax compliance verification drive, an initiative that does not punish companies but encourages them to pay the right taxes.
"We noticed a lot of violations, but we educated them. We did not impose any penalties…so we taught them…what their violations were," Lumagui said.
Lumagui also recently reshuffled hundreds of staff from different district offices, a move viewed to clean up the ranks of the BIR.
Meanwhile, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio has a tougher job as he needs to increase the BOC's collections by as much as 20% as they need to collect P1 trillion for 2024.
In 2023, they were able to collect P883 billion.
"I do not assume [an] increase of volume and on the possible assumptions of an increase in the exchange rate of dollars. So, what we do is to increase our efficiency," Rubio said. – Rappler.com
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‘New journey’: San Miguel bounces back in semis rematch vs Ginebra
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 23:43
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ATTACK. CJ Perez in action for the San Miguel Beermen in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel did not come this far just to be swept again by Barangay Ginebra.
Having learned their lesson the hard way after a bitter end last season, the Beermen conquered the Gin Kings, 92-90, in Game 1 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, January 24.
CJ Perez delivered the big hits down the stretch and finished with a game-high 26 points as San Miguel redeemed itself after a 3-0 shutout loss to Ginebra in the semifinals of the Governors’ Cup last year.
“We were swept last season but we moved forward,” said Perez in Filipino. “This is a new journey for us. We have a big chance of returning to the finals.”
Perez shone late as he scattered 9 points in the fourth quarter, all coming in a pivotal 17-6 run that turned a 73-79 deficit to a 90-85 lead with under 2:40 minutes remaining.
The Gin Kings, though, refused to go away and uncorked a 5-0 blitz capped by a Tony Bishop basket to knot the score at 90-90.
A pair of June Mar Fajardo free throws determined the final tally as Ginebra failed to capitalize on its endgame opportunities, with its final crack at either a game-tying shot or a game-winner ending in a sorry turnover.
“We know Ginebra. They will not stop until the last buzzer. We need to respect our opponents,” said Perez, who also recorded 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
Despite seeing his streak of 40-point performances snapped, import Bennie Boatwright still made his presence felt with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks as the Beermen scored their seventh straight win.
Fajardo tallied 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Don Trollano added 10 points.
San Miguel played without Terrence Romeo due to a left ankle sprain, although it clings on to the hope that the star guard will be available on Friday, January 26, as it shoots for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five affair at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bishop had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger churned out 21 points and 11 rebounds in the loss that halted the Gin Kings’ five-game winning streak.
Former league MVP Scottie Thompson posted a near triple-double of 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists for Ginebra.
San Miguel 92 – Perez 26, Boatwright 23, Fajardo 18, Trollano 10, Lassiter 7, Cruz 6, Teng 2, Ross 0, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0.
Barangay Ginebra 90 – Standhardinger 21, Bishop 20, Thompson 15, Malonzo 11, Pringle 9, Ahanmisi 6, J.Aguilar 6, Tenorio 0, Pessumal 0.
Quarters: 28-20, 47-47, 73-73, 92-90.
– Rappler.com
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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gives all in return; TNT finds little local support in EASL ouster
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jisaga0269
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24/01/2024 21:56
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ALL OUT. TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson drives against the Anyang defense in the East Asia Super League
East Asia Super League
MANILA, Philippines – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was a man on a mission despite facing grave odds in his return with the TNT Tropang Giga.
Playing in his first game since injuring his neck in East Asia Super League (EASL) competition last December 21, the former NBA starter left nothing in the tank for his current PBA squad, dropping 33 points on 15-of-30 shooting to go with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a full 40-minute run.
Even with Rondae’s older brother Rahlir going for 20 points, 12 boards, 5 dimes, and 4 swipes – also in a 40-minute marathon – their efforts were just not enough as the Korean Basketball League’s (KBL) Anyang Red Boosters broke away late to oust the Tropang Giga from playoff contention, 88-76.
Rest time for the Hollis-Jeffersons was a luxury TNT simply did not have while facing elimination on Wednesday, January 24, as it was missing top stars Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, and Poy Erram after also being eliminated from the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Anyang, however, also played with personnel issues as it only fielded seven players the entire game, but it made the most of what it had as it connected on 15-of-30 from three-point land as a unit.
With Filipino import Rhenz Abando sitting out his homecoming game due to a lingering spine injury, Seongwon Choi led the winning charge in trademark South Korean style, lighting up the PhilSports Arena with 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting and a stunning 7-of-7 clip from beyond the arc.
Imports Robert Carter and Jamil Wilson, who also did not sit the entire game, tallied 22 and 15 points, respectively.
With the win to rise to a 3-2 record in the home-and-away league, the Red Boosters have secured one of four semifinals spots regardless of their final game’s result in Group A.
Unfortunately for the PBA and the Philippines, the idle Meralco Bolts (1-4) have also been eliminated from contention in Group B by way of the Ryukyu Golden Kings’ (3-3) 90-67 beatdown of the New Taipei Kings (4-1) earlier in the day.
With two games left, only the Seoul SK Knights (2-2) may knock Ryukyu off the second seed as Meralco only has one shot left to improve its final standing.
Anyang 88 – Choi 23, Carter 22, Park 15, Wilson 15, Bae 11, Jung 2, Ko 0.
TNT 76 – Hollis-Jefferson, Ro. 33, Hollis-Jefferson, Ra. 20, Reyes 6, Khobuntin 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Heruela 2, Pogoy 2, Ponferrada 2, Tungcab 0, Aurin 0.
Quarters: 34-19, 53-41, 71-61, 88-76.
– Rappler.com
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No walk in the park: Magnolia still wary despite extending years-long win streak vs Phoenix
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 20:43
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DEFENDED. Tyler Bey in action for the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Beating Phoenix has become quite like a habit for Magnolia.
The Hotshots extended their years-long winning streak over the Fuel Masters with an 82-79 victory on Wednesday, January 24, to kick off their best-of-five semifinals in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
But as the close score indicated, Magnolia has its hands full.
“It is hard to play against them. This is not the old Phoenix anymore,” said Hotshots guard Paul Lee in Filipino. “They worked hard to be in this position.”
“The semifinals will not be a walk in the park.”
Phoenix reached the semifinals for the first time since the 2020 Philippine Cup, doing so by eliminating Magnolia in the quarterfinals of that conference held inside a bubble at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Fuel Masters have not beaten the Hotshots since, with Magnolia winning their next eight meetings by an average of 16.1 points, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
The Hotshots stretched that winning streak to nine games on Wednesday, thanks to a clutch connection between Paul Lee and import Tyler Bey, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
With the game tied at 78-78, Lee kept his poise amid a broken play and found Bey underneath the basket for a three-point play that gave Magnolia an 81-78 edge – just enough separation to fend off the stubborn Phoenix.
The Fuel Masters earned a crack at a potential game-tying basket, but Jason Perkins missed his three-pointer at the buzzer.
“I’m glad Tyler converted it and we managed to hold a slim edge near the end of the game. That was a crucial moment,” said Lee.
Lee backstopped Bey with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Mark Barroca came off the bench and supplied 10 points and 4 steals.
Calvin Abueva, a member of the last Phoenix crew that made the semifinals, finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals against his former team.
The Hotshots, who aim to make it 2-0 on Friday, also drew solid performances from Ian Sangalang (8 points and 8 rebounds) and Jio Jalalon (7 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds).
Perkins delivered a game-high 25 points with 5 rebounds and 2 steals as he carried the scoring load for the Fuel Masters, with import Johnathan Williams limited to a conference-low 11 points.
Williams, though, still put up 18 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks.
RJ Jazul scored 13 points and Javee Mocon tallied 11 points and 2 steals in the losing effort.
Magnolia 82 – Bey 23, Lee 11, Barroca 10, Abueva 9, Sangalang 8, Dionisio 8, Jalalon 7, Laput 6, Dela Rosa 0, Tratter 0, Mendoza 0.
Phoenix 79 – Perkins 25, Jazul 13, Mocon 11, Williams 11, Tio 6, Tuffin 5, Garcia 3, Manganti 3, Lalata 2, Verano 0, Rivero 0, Soyud 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0, Camacho 0.
Quarters: 18-16, 38-41, 61-60, 82-79.
– Rappler.com
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‘Good start’: Alex Eala vies to sustain singles, doubles run in India
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Jasmine Payo
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24/01/2024 23:26
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FIGHTER. Alex Eala returns a shot during the qualifiers of the 2024 Australian Open.
ALEX EALA FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines – Just a day after winning her doubles match, Alex Eala did the same in the singles opener of the ITF W50 Pune in India.
The Filipina tennis standout began her singles campaign by making short work of Hungarian national team mainstay Fanny Stollar, 6-2, 6-2, at the Deccan Gymkhana on Wednesday, January 24.
Eala did not drop her serve the entire match despite committing seven double faults.
The only time the fifth-seeded Eala faced a deficit was when Stollar, owner of three doubles titles in the WTA tour, held serve in the opening game of the first set.
Eala then pocketed the next three games to seize control of the set which she ended in the eighth game.
The 18-year-old Eala sustained her dominance in the second set, opening up a 5-1 lead before once again finishing off the 25-year-old Hungarian in the eighth game.
“Good start to my singles campaign here at the ITF WTT W50 Pune,” Eala said in a social media post.
Eala also won her opening-round doubles match with Darja Semenistaja on Tuesday, January 23, with the pair coming back from a set down against Yu-Yun Li of Chinese Taipei and Eri Shimizu of Japan.
The Filipino-Latvian duo will gun for a semifinal spot on Thursday, January 25, against Jessie Anney of the United States and Lena Papadakis of Germany.
Over at the Gandhi Nagar Club also in India, Eala’s Asian Games mixed doubles partner Francis Casey Alcantara also prevailed.
Alcantara – who won a bronze in the continental games with Eala last year – partnered with Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia, hacking out a a 6-1, 7-5 win over former world singles No. 17 and Wimbledon men’s singles semifinalist Bernard Tomic and Alexey Shtengelov of Australia in the first round of the GNC-BR Adityan Memorial ITF Men’s Future.
They will face the Israeli pair of Orel Kimhi and Ofek Shimanov in the quarterfinals.
The last time Alcantara and Rungkat teamed up, they won back-to-back ITF men’s doubles titles in Malaysia last November and December. – Rappler.com
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Mark your calendars! 10 art events around Manila to catch this February
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jreyes0314
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24/01/2024 18:57
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Mark Orozco Justiniani, 'Firewalk,' 2017-2019
Mark Orozco Justiniani
MANILA, Philippines – 2024 has already proven to be a good year for Filipino art. In January, multiple art events across the metro wrapped up successfully, so February also looks to be a promising month for the local art scene.
As more art events launch this year, satisfy your creative eye by attending these art markets, exhibits, conferences, and fairs happening this February!
A post shared by raph (@raphcoronel)
Poet-artist Raph Coronel kicked off his exhibit and book launch on January 20 at Everything’s Fine Books and Gallery at Salcedo Village, Makati City.
An immersive experience, the exhibit brings his poetry to life as the paintings on display are those found in his book will you tell me what I look like?
The book launch will be held on February 2, while the painting exhibit will run until February 8.
Street Dreams: The Art of Pop Surrealism is a collaboration between Art+ Magazine and Art Lounge Manila meant to highlight the work of 54 Filipino pop surrealist artists, such as Distort Monsters, Mimaaaaaaaaw, Qwark, Kwin Chi, and Froilan Calayag, to name a few.
These artists’ pieces will be featured in Art+ Magazine’s upcoming coffee table book on pop surrealism, a bold artistic movement that “[draws] inspiration from a diverse array of influences, including popular culture, comics, graffiti, and surrealism,” according to Art Lounge Manila.
The exhibit will run from February 1 to 8 at Art Lounge Manila, Ground Floor, The Podium, Mandaluyong City.
Pasinaya 2024: The CCP Open House Festival is a multi-arts event that spotlights the work of a multitude of artists across different art fields. Attendees will be able to join workshops, view film screenings, watch performances, browse through literature, and network with other creatives.
Following the theme of “Sulong,” the 2024 edition of Pasinsaya will simultaneously be held from February 3 to 4 at the CCP Complex in Pasay City, in the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts, and in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
A post shared by Ateneo Art Gallery (@ateneoartgallery)
In “Void of Spectacles: Reflections on Passages Through Time and History,” attendees can view three special infinity installations by Mark Orozco Justiniani for the first time.
Justiniani created the installations for the Gallery Children’s Biennale in Singapore, Kinderbiënnale, Japanisches Palais, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen in Dresden, Germany, and the Philippine Pavilion at the 58th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia in Italy.
The public viewing will be held from February 6 to July 6 at the Soledad V. Pangilinan Arts Wing, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City.
Komiket is set to hold its Komiket QC, its second event of the year, at Centris Elements in Quezon City from February 10 to 11 from 9 am to 7 pm.
Attendees can expect to be able to purchase from an extensive collection of comic books made by Filipino authors and illustrators, as well as stickers, art prints, tote bags, t-shirts, and handicrafts, among others, made by local artists.
The annual Art Fair Philippines is returning to The Link in Makati City from February 16 to 18 from 10 am to 9 pm.
Among the special features Art Fair Philippines will treat attendees to are exhibits, projects, residency programs, and talks given by local artists.
55 exhibitors from the Philippines, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Spain will be putting their work on display. Interestingly, there will also be a Pambabae exhibit, which will feature the work of Filipina modernists from 1969 to 1989.
Graphika Manila is a creative networking event that will feature a diverse roster of speakers offer talks to creatives and art enthusiasts alike.
This year’s 12 speakers are Lauren Tsai, Benjamin Su of Pixar Animation Studios, Timothy Goodman, Ryan Serrano of Weta FX, Jackson Tan of Art-Zoo, Mark and Johanna Deutsch of Happy Garaje, Mark Mendoza of Friendly Foes, Ivan and Pauline Despi of Acid House, Jethro Olba, Jay Santiago of Riot, Risa Rodil, and Liza Flores, Abi Goy, and Fran Alvarez of Studio Dialogo.
Graphika Manila will be held from February 17 to 18 from 1 pm to 7 pm at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
Organized by The Good Intentions Collective, Twin Flames is an art and collectibles market happening from February 17 to 18 at Ayala Malls the 30th in Pasig City.
At Twin Flames, attendees can get their hands on stickers, art prints, and different handicrafts made by local artists. Tarot readings and a photo booth are also among the event’s other special features.
ALT Philippines 2024 will see nine galleries collaborate to feature the work of 200 dynamic contemporary artists to “[develop] art education, patronage, and community engagement.”
Among the numerous activities attendees can participate in, ALT Philippines 2024 will feature five special project presentations by artists Juan Alcazaren, Geraldine Javier, Pete Jimenez, Oca Villamiel, and Isabel Santos, as well as a live multimedia performance by Somatosonic.
There will also be daily tours led by art curator, writer, and educator Carlomar Arcangel Daoana from February 22 to 25 every 3 pm.
ALT Philippines will happen from February 21 to 25 at Hall 4 of the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.
Dubbed the country’s “grandest music and arts festival,” Bobapalooza 2024 is returning for two whole days of live performances by local and international music acts, coupled with live art by seven visual artists.
Among the musical performers are Rico Blanco, Pale Waves, and The Itchyworms for Day 1, and Atarashii Gakko!, The Band Camino, and Urbandub for Day 2. Meanwhile, the artists behind the live art portion of the festival are EGG FIASCO, BLIC, Distort Monsters, Syn, Mimaaaaaaaaw, SYN, CHNO, and Isad Diwa.
Bobapalooza Music and Arts Festival will happen from February 24 to 25 at the Filinvest City Event Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. – Rappler.com
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SCHEDULE: 2024 Dubai International Basketball Championship
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jisaga0269
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16/01/2024 14:15
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STAR POWER. Former NBA star Dwight Howard in a practice session with Strong Group.
Strong Group Athletics
Strong Group looks to complete a tournament sweep after wrecking Beirut Sports Club, 94-72, in the knockout semifinals of 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
But the Philippine club team, bannered by the Dwight Howard-Kevin Quiambao tandem, needs to put together another formidable outing as Strong Group faces unbeaten defending champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon in the winner-take-all title match:
A victory will be sweet redemption for Strong Group after a quarterfinal exit last year.
It will also make the team the second Philippine club to rule the tournament after Mighty Sports pulled off the feat in 2020.
Strong Group secured its spot in the final four after outlasting Moroccan squad AS Sale, 92-80, in the knockout quarterfinals of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Led by Dwight Howard and Kevin Quiambao, the Philippine club team vies to stay unbeaten for a spot in the title round. Here’s their semifinal schedule:
Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, another unbeaten squad, battles Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli in the other semifinal match.
The winners will march to the winner-take-all championship showdown the next day.
Strong Group Athletics marched to the knockout round of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after completing a 5-0 sweep of the eliminations behind the solid plays of former NBA star Dwight Howard, UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, and former Gilas Pilipinas sniper Jordan Heading.
Here’s the Philippine club team’s quarterfinal schedule:
The winner will advance to the knockout semifinal clash the next day.
Other quarterfinal duels pit the Emirates National Team versus the Beirut Club, the Al-Riyadi Club Beirut against Dubai’s Al Nasr Club, and Lebanon’s Homenetmen Club versus Dubai’s Al Wahda Club.
After weeks of high anticipation, former NBA champion and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard is finally suiting up for the Philippines as part of Strong Group Athletics in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship tipping off on Friday, January 19.
Arguably the most decorated import in Philippine basketball history, the 38-year-old center is joined by fellow former NBA players Andray Blatche, who once suited up as Gilas Pilipinas’ former naturalized player, and defensive ace Andre Roberson, who played seven seasons for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Making up the local Filipino cast of Strong Group is another collection of stars, including reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao, MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, and UAAP champion JD Cagulangan.
Import McKenzie Moore rounds out the roster alongside locals Francis Escandor, Allen Liwag, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot.
Here is the elimination round schedule for the one-week pocket tournament:
– Rappler.com
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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gives all in return; TNT finds little local support in EASL ouster
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jisaga0269
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24/01/2024 21:56
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ALL OUT. TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson drives against the Anyang defense in the East Asia Super League
East Asia Super League
MANILA, Philippines – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was a man on a mission despite facing grave odds in his return with the TNT Tropang Giga.
Playing in his first game since injuring his neck in East Asia Super League (EASL) competition last December 21, the former NBA starter left nothing in the tank for his current PBA squad, dropping 33 points on 15-of-30 shooting to go with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in a full 40-minute run.
Even with Rondae’s older brother Rahlir going for 20 points, 12 boards, 5 dimes, and 4 swipes – also in a 40-minute marathon – their efforts were just not enough as the Korean Basketball League’s (KBL) Anyang Red Boosters broke away late to oust the Tropang Giga from playoff contention, 88-76.
Rest time for the Hollis-Jeffersons was a luxury TNT simply did not have while facing elimination on Wednesday, January 24, as it was missing top stars Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, and Poy Erram after also being eliminated from the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Anyang, however, also played with personnel issues as it only fielded seven players the entire game, but it made the most of what it had as it connected on 15-of-30 from three-point land as a unit.
With Filipino import Rhenz Abando sitting out his homecoming game due to a lingering spine injury, Seongwon Choi led the winning charge in trademark South Korean style, lighting up the PhilSports Arena with 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting and a stunning 7-of-7 clip from beyond the arc.
Imports Robert Carter and Jamil Wilson, who also did not sit the entire game, tallied 22 and 15 points, respectively.
With the win to rise to a 3-2 record in the home-and-away league, the Red Boosters have secured one of four semifinals spots regardless of their final game’s result in Group A.
Unfortunately for the PBA and the Philippines, the idle Meralco Bolts (1-4) have also been eliminated from contention in Group B by way of the Ryukyu Golden Kings’ (3-3) 90-67 beatdown of the New Taipei Kings (4-1) earlier in the day.
With two games left, only the Seoul SK Knights (2-2) may knock Ryukyu off the second seed as Meralco only has one shot left to improve its final standing.
Anyang 88 – Choi 23, Carter 22, Park 15, Wilson 15, Bae 11, Jung 2, Ko 0.
TNT 76 – Hollis-Jefferson, Ro. 33, Hollis-Jefferson, Ra. 20, Reyes 6, Khobuntin 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Heruela 2, Pogoy 2, Ponferrada 2, Tungcab 0, Aurin 0.
Quarters: 34-19, 53-41, 71-61, 88-76.
– Rappler.com
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Nothing but love: Shaquille O’Neal buries hatchet with Strong Group star Dwight Howard
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jisaga0269
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23/01/2024 17:45
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MAIN MAN. Dwight Howard goes for a shot during practice with Strong Group.
STRONG GROUP ATHLETICS
MANILA, Philippines – All love between the two NBA legends.
After many years of criticizing his fellow former Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers superstar big man, Shaquille O’Neal finally buried the hatchet with Dwight Howard, who is currently playing for the Philippine squad Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
In an appearance on Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young’s From The Point podcast, O’Neal gave Howard his much-deserved flowers, saying Howard did something he couldn’t do in his 19 seasons in the NBA.
“If I mention your name, it means I love you and I respect you,” said the four-time NBA champion O’Neal.
“I used to love Dwight; he did something I couldn’t do. I wish I could jump that high.”
“I love Dwight Howard – a lot of people don’t know that. This is my first time saying that,” added the one-time NBA MVP.
Since the tail-end of his illustrious NBA career, O’Neal had been very vocal about his animosity towards Howard, mostly due to the latter’s use of the “Superman” moniker which O’Neal had already been known for.
Back then, O’Neal and Howard drew a lot of comparisons as they were both drafted by Orlando as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 and 2004 NBA Draft, respectively, before leaving the Magic for the Lakers during their prime.
Unlike O’Neal, who steered the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000-2002, Howard failed to live up to expectations during his first stint with the storied franchise in the 2012-2013 season.
After bouncing around the league, it was only during the 2019-2020 season when Howard captured his one and only NBA title with the Lakers as the team’s backup center.
When Howard’s playing career in the NBA came to an end in 2022, O’Neal even threw shade at Howard for taking his talents to the T1 League in Taiwan.
Howard, a five-time All-NBA First Team member, eight-time NBA All-Star, and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, clapped back at O’Neal, saying the 51-year-old great is “too old” to be hating.
On Young’s podcast, O’Neal made it clear that he was only tough on his “little brother” Howard because he wanted the younger center to be even better than him.
“As a big brother, I’m not going to let my little brother slide because I want you to be better than me,” said O’Neal.
“A lot of people don’t understand this thing of ours, they think it’s just hate.”
“No, it’s not hate. I’m telling you how to get here,” added O’Neal.
As of posting, the 38-year-old Howard is currently averaging 17 points for Strong Group, which remains unbeaten in three matches. – Rappler.com
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HIGHLIGHTS: Ginebra vs San Miguel, Game 1 – PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals 2024
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 19:42
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PBA Images
San Miguel survived a thriller against Ginebra with a 92-90 escape in Game 1 of the in PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinals.
CJ Perez powered the Beermen with 26 points.
MANILA, Philippines – Something’s got to give between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra.
Either the Beermen or the Gin Kings will see their winning streak snapped as they begin their best-of-five semifinal duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, January 24, at the Araneta Coliseum.
The owner of the longest active winning streak in the league with six straight victories, San Miguel hopes to extend its hot run behind high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright.
Boatwright is averaging 40.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4 assists through four games since he came in as a replacement for original import Ivan Aska.
The locals are no slouches either, with June Mar Fajardo (16.8 points), CJ Perez (16), Terrence Romeo (15.4), Jericho Cruz (12), and Don Trollano (11.3) all averaging in double-digit scoring for the Beermen.
Ginebra, meanwhile, enters the final four on a five-game winning streak, and it aims to reassert its mastery over San Miguel as they face each other in the semifinals for the second straight conference.
The Gin Kings swept the Beermen, 3-0, to reach the finals of the Governors’ Cup last season.
Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Christian Standhardinger, who averages 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals, is expected to deliver as Ginebra looks to make the championship round for the third straight conference.
The Gin Kings also rely on do-it-all import Tony Bishop, who is churning out 23.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks as a stand-in for resident Ginebra import Justin Brownlee.
Game time is 8 pm. – Rappler.com
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Filipino among killed in ‘deadliest day’ for Israeli soldiers in Gaza
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Bea Cupin
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24/01/2024 18:25
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Smoke rises from Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, January 22, 2024.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
MANILA, Philippines – A 23-year-old Filipino-Israeli soldier was among the 21 Israeli Defense Force (IDF) personnel who died in a rocket attack while operating in central Gaza on Monday, January 22.
“The Embassy is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sergeant First Class (Reserves) Cydrick Garin, one of the 21 IDF soldiers killed during a massive explosion in Gaza on 22 January,” the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said in a statement posted early morning Wednesday, January 24.
According to the Philippine embassy in Israel, Garin’s mother is a native of Isabela province who now lives in Tel Aviv. His father, meanwhile, hails from General Santos City.
“The Embassy and the Filipino Community in Israel share in the grief of the family of Sgt. Garin and join in prayers for strength, peace, and comfort for all those he left behind,” said the embassy.
In a separate statement, the Israel embassy in Manila said it “shares the profound grief of Sgt. Garin’s family and the Filipino community.” “Our commitment is strong to support his loved ones during this challenging time,” the Israel embassy said, adding that it was “facilitating” Garin’s father’s travel to Israel.
Israel’s embassy in Manila has confirmed that Garin holds dual citizenship and is both Israeli and Filipino.
Garin was one of 24 soldiers who died in what has been called the “deadliest day” for the Israel military since itsn war on Hamas and assault on Gaza began in October 2023.
The group of 21 soldiers, which Garin belonged to, died when a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was fired by Hamas gunmen at a tank securing the IDF team. That blast led to the collapse of two buildings with soldiers inside them, according to the IDF.
Garin and other soldiers were preparing buildings for demolition inside Gaza some 600 meters from the border with Israel, according to IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, as reported by the Times of Israel.
The Times said they were “destroying Palestinian structures and Hamas sites” to create a “buffer zone to allow residents of Israeli border communities to return to their homes.”
Three other IDF soldiers died in a separate incident, bringing the Israeli military death toll in Gaza to 24 on that day. A total of 220 IDF soldiers have died since Israel’s military offensive began in October 2023.
Israel has launched air and land assaults on Gaza since October 2023, following a surprise Hamas attack on several Israeli communities near the border. The Israeli military action has killed at leas 25,490 Palestinians and forced the displacement of a population of over 2 million.
The death toll among Palestinians is feared to be much higher, since thousands more are believed to be unaccounted for under the rubble of Israel’s air strikes.
Countries like Qatar, the US, and Egypt, have served as mediators in hopes of paving the way to releasing more hostages for Palestinians whom Israel has taken as prisoners. The ceasefire between the two sides is hoped to be longer this time – the last ceasefire in November 2023 lasted for just a week. – Rappler.com
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Marcos moves jeepney consolidation deadline to April 30
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Dwight de Leon
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24/01/2024 19:30
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PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES. Jeepneys ply Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on December 12, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the government’s deadline for jeepney drivers to consolidate themselves into cooperatives or corporations by another three months.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista’s recommendation, granting an additional three months until April 30, 2024, for the consolidation of public utility vehicles,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement on Wednesday, January 24.
“This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cutoff,” it added.
The consolidation deadline already lapsed on December 31, 2023, but unconsolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) had been allowed to keep operating until January 31, 2024.
Prior to the extension, over 1,900 jeepney and UV Express routes – where none of the PUV units traversing them formed a cooperative or corporation – were at risk of being wiped out by February 1.
Marcos previously said there would be no extension in order to follow the “current timeline.” He insisted at the time that the government could not allow the minority to “cause further delays.”
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said over 73% of jeepneys nationwide have consolidated, although that number is reduced to 51% in Metro Manila.
In a separate statement on Wednesday, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III called on jeepney operators and drivers “to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President” for them to consolidate.
Before and after the December 31 consolidation deadline, transport groups mounted demonstrations to protest the PUV Modernization Program.
After consolidation, jeepney operators will be required to upgrade their vehicles, but drivers have been struggling to purchase pricey modern jeepneys. – Rappler.com
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I appreciate President Marcos Jr.’s decision to extend the government’s deadline for jeepney drivers to consolidate themselves into cooperatives or corporations by another three months. But kindly give adequate and timely FINANCIAL support to these jeepney drivers who need such help. Include also the necessary administrative support in the processing of their required documents.
How does this make you feel?
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Rappler
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https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-jr-extends-puv-consolidation-deadline-april-30-2024/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0IEFPTP_d2HGFpQZyn2TQ8OVBwKL6ZiYbkBEfkNhAXsAJgmR_tgcXHOJY_aem_ntBx5iIkLalcujDs68UgkQ
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HIGHLIGHTS: Ginebra vs San Miguel, Game 1 – PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals 2024
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delfin.dioquino editor
|
24/01/2024 19:42
|
PBA Images
San Miguel survived a thriller against Ginebra with a 92-90 escape in Game 1 of the in PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinals.
CJ Perez powered the Beermen with 26 points.
MANILA, Philippines – Something’s got to give between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra.
Either the Beermen or the Gin Kings will see their winning streak snapped as they begin their best-of-five semifinal duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, January 24, at the Araneta Coliseum.
The owner of the longest active winning streak in the league with six straight victories, San Miguel hopes to extend its hot run behind high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright.
Boatwright is averaging 40.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4 assists through four games since he came in as a replacement for original import Ivan Aska.
The locals are no slouches either, with June Mar Fajardo (16.8 points), CJ Perez (16), Terrence Romeo (15.4), Jericho Cruz (12), and Don Trollano (11.3) all averaging in double-digit scoring for the Beermen.
Ginebra, meanwhile, enters the final four on a five-game winning streak, and it aims to reassert its mastery over San Miguel as they face each other in the semifinals for the second straight conference.
The Gin Kings swept the Beermen, 3-0, to reach the finals of the Governors’ Cup last season.
Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Christian Standhardinger, who averages 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals, is expected to deliver as Ginebra looks to make the championship round for the third straight conference.
The Gin Kings also rely on do-it-all import Tony Bishop, who is churning out 23.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks as a stand-in for resident Ginebra import Justin Brownlee.
Game time is 8 pm. – Rappler.com
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No walk in the park: Magnolia still wary despite extending years-long win streak vs Phoenix
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 20:43
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DEFENDED. Tyler Bey in action for the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Beating Phoenix has become quite like a habit for Magnolia.
The Hotshots extended their years-long winning streak over the Fuel Masters with an 82-79 victory on Wednesday, January 24, to kick off their best-of-five semifinals in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
But as the close score indicated, Magnolia has its hands full.
“It is hard to play against them. This is not the old Phoenix anymore,” said Hotshots guard Paul Lee in Filipino. “They worked hard to be in this position.”
“The semifinals will not be a walk in the park.”
Phoenix reached the semifinals for the first time since the 2020 Philippine Cup, doing so by eliminating Magnolia in the quarterfinals of that conference held inside a bubble at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Fuel Masters have not beaten the Hotshots since, with Magnolia winning their next eight meetings by an average of 16.1 points, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
The Hotshots stretched that winning streak to nine games on Wednesday, thanks to a clutch connection between Paul Lee and import Tyler Bey, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
With the game tied at 78-78, Lee kept his poise amid a broken play and found Bey underneath the basket for a three-point play that gave Magnolia an 81-78 edge – just enough separation to fend off the stubborn Phoenix.
The Fuel Masters earned a crack at a potential game-tying basket, but Jason Perkins missed his three-pointer at the buzzer.
“I’m glad Tyler converted it and we managed to hold a slim edge near the end of the game. That was a crucial moment,” said Lee.
Lee backstopped Bey with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Mark Barroca came off the bench and supplied 10 points and 4 steals.
Calvin Abueva, a member of the last Phoenix crew that made the semifinals, finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals against his former team.
The Hotshots, who aim to make it 2-0 on Friday, also drew solid performances from Ian Sangalang (8 points and 8 rebounds) and Jio Jalalon (7 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds).
Perkins delivered a game-high 25 points with 5 rebounds and 2 steals as he carried the scoring load for the Fuel Masters, with import Johnathan Williams limited to a conference-low 11 points.
Williams, though, still put up 18 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks.
RJ Jazul scored 13 points and Javee Mocon tallied 11 points and 2 steals in the losing effort.
Magnolia 82 – Bey 23, Lee 11, Barroca 10, Abueva 9, Sangalang 8, Dionisio 8, Jalalon 7, Laput 6, Dela Rosa 0, Tratter 0, Mendoza 0.
Phoenix 79 – Perkins 25, Jazul 13, Mocon 11, Williams 11, Tio 6, Tuffin 5, Garcia 3, Manganti 3, Lalata 2, Verano 0, Rivero 0, Soyud 0, Alejandro 0, Daves 0, Camacho 0.
Quarters: 18-16, 38-41, 61-60, 82-79.
– Rappler.com
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Kevin Quiambao stars anew as Strong Group stays perfect in Dubai
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Jasmine Payo
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24/01/2024 10:26
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STANDOUT. Strong Group's Kevin Quiambao (right) evades his Beirut defender in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
UAE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MANILA, Philippines – The reigning UAAP men’s basketball MVP delivers again.
For the second time in four matches, La Salle Green Archers star Kevin Quiambao showed the way for Strong Group Athletics (SGA) as they remained undefeated in the Dubai International Basketball Championship with a 95-73 drubbing of Beirut Sports Club on Tuesday, January 23 (Wednesday, January 24, Manila time).
Five players breached double-digit scoring for the powerhouse Philippine squad that features former NBA superstar Dwight Howard and naturalized Filipino center Andray Blatche, but it was the 22-year-old Quiambao who once again stole the show with a team-best 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
Just last Saturday, January 20, Quiambao erupted for a tournament-high 24 points in Strong Group’s 89-67 beating of Al Wahda, before following it up with a 19-point performance against Homenetmen, 104-95, two days ago.
Against Beirut Sports Club, Quiambao wasted little time in making his presence felt as he dropped 9 of his 20 points in just the first quarter to lead Strong Group to a 32-20 start.
With Quiambao still on fire in the second frame, Strong Group extended its lead to 18 points at halftime, 58-40, before leading by as many as 22 points late in the third period, 75-53.
Beirut Sports Club managed to pull back within 13 points early in the fourth quarter, 77-64, but the lead that Strong Group built early on was simply too much for the Lebanese side to overcome in the endgame.
Former TNT Tropang Giga import Mckenzie Moore backstopped Quiambao with 19 points, while Gilas Pilipinas sharpshooter Jordan Heading added 15.
UP Fighting Maroons point guard JD Cagulangan produced 12 points off the bench, while Howard, who exploded for 32 points in Strong Group’s previous outing, finished with a near double-double of 11 markers and 9 rebounds.
Lebanese national team player Sergio El Darwich sizzled for a game-high 28 points in the loss, while Ali Haidar and Jordan’s naturalized player Dar Tucker contributed 15 and 14, respectively, for Beirut Sports Club.
Strong Group looks to end the elimination round with a 5-0 record when it collides with Al Ahly Tri Sports Club on Thursday, January 25 at 1:15 am, Manila time.
Strong Group Athletics 95 – Quiambao 20, Moore 19, Heading 15, Cagulangan 12, Howard 11, Escandor 6, Liwag 3, Blatche 3, Baltazar 2, Sanchez 2, Roberson 2.
Beirut Sports Club 73 – El Darwich 28, Haidar 15, Tucker 14, Saleh 8, Rabay 3, Ghudwin 3, Mahmoud 2, Martinez 0, Mechref 0, Jarrouj 0.
Quarters: 32-20, 58-40, 75-56, 95-73.
– Rappler.com
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Marcos moves jeepney consolidation deadline to April 30
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Dwight de Leon
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24/01/2024 19:30
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PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES. Jeepneys ply Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on December 12, 2023.
Jire Carreon/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended the government’s deadline for jeepney drivers to consolidate themselves into cooperatives or corporations by another three months.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista’s recommendation, granting an additional three months until April 30, 2024, for the consolidation of public utility vehicles,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement on Wednesday, January 24.
“This extension is to give an opportunity to those who expressed intention to consolidate but did not make the previous cutoff,” it added.
The consolidation deadline already lapsed on December 31, 2023, but unconsolidated public utility vehicles (PUVs) had been allowed to keep operating until January 31, 2024.
Prior to the extension, over 1,900 jeepney and UV Express routes – where none of the PUV units traversing them formed a cooperative or corporation – were at risk of being wiped out by February 1.
Marcos previously said there would be no extension in order to follow the “current timeline.” He insisted at the time that the government could not allow the minority to “cause further delays.”
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said over 73% of jeepneys nationwide have consolidated, although that number is reduced to 51% in Metro Manila.
In a separate statement on Wednesday, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III called on jeepney operators and drivers “to take advantage of this opportunity provided by the President” for them to consolidate.
Before and after the December 31 consolidation deadline, transport groups mounted demonstrations to protest the PUV Modernization Program.
After consolidation, jeepney operators will be required to upgrade their vehicles, but drivers have been struggling to purchase pricey modern jeepneys. – Rappler.com
Error.
Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines.
I appreciate President Marcos Jr.’s decision to extend the government’s deadline for jeepney drivers to consolidate themselves into cooperatives or corporations by another three months. But kindly give adequate and timely FINANCIAL support to these jeepney drivers who need such help. Include also the necessary administrative support in the processing of their required documents.
How does this make you feel?
|
Rappler
|
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-jr-extends-puv-consolidation-deadline-april-30-2024/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0fXA3ZbFGr7gr05iYaCr4l7YNWDaIH6EJbmmHHvr7lwKn0TU9hh4h54bc_aem_vdRi808ukfCrc5I7aHxVuQ
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1
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HIGHLIGHTS: Ginebra vs San Miguel, Game 1 – PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals 2024
|
delfin.dioquino editor
|
24/01/2024 19:42
|
PBA Images
San Miguel survived a thriller against Ginebra with a 92-90 escape in Game 1 of the in PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinals.
CJ Perez powered the Beermen with 26 points.
MANILA, Philippines – Something’s got to give between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra.
Either the Beermen or the Gin Kings will see their winning streak snapped as they begin their best-of-five semifinal duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, January 24, at the Araneta Coliseum.
The owner of the longest active winning streak in the league with six straight victories, San Miguel hopes to extend its hot run behind high-scoring import Bennie Boatwright.
Boatwright is averaging 40.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 4 assists through four games since he came in as a replacement for original import Ivan Aska.
The locals are no slouches either, with June Mar Fajardo (16.8 points), CJ Perez (16), Terrence Romeo (15.4), Jericho Cruz (12), and Don Trollano (11.3) all averaging in double-digit scoring for the Beermen.
Ginebra, meanwhile, enters the final four on a five-game winning streak, and it aims to reassert its mastery over San Miguel as they face each other in the semifinals for the second straight conference.
The Gin Kings swept the Beermen, 3-0, to reach the finals of the Governors’ Cup last season.
Best Player of the Conference frontrunner Christian Standhardinger, who averages 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals, is expected to deliver as Ginebra looks to make the championship round for the third straight conference.
The Gin Kings also rely on do-it-all import Tony Bishop, who is churning out 23.6 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks as a stand-in for resident Ginebra import Justin Brownlee.
Game time is 8 pm. – Rappler.com
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Why Sandiganbayan acquitted Elenita Binay of graft, malversation
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Jairo Bolledo
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24/01/2024 19:19
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ACQUITTED. File photo of Elenita Binay, former Makati City mayor and wife of former vice president Jejomar Binay.
Rappler
MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has handed former Makati City mayor Elenita Binay her fourth acquittal of cases stemming from alleged anomalous transactions during her mayoral term.
In a decision read during the promulgation of the case on Monday, January 22, the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division junked the graft and malversation charges against Elenita Binay after prosecutors failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The case was in relation to the allegedly anomalous purchase of P9.9 million worth of medical equipment.
Elenita is the wife of former vice president Jejomar Binay and the mother of Senator Nancy Binay and Makati Mayor Abigail Binay.
For the graft case, associate justices Lorifel Lacap Pahimna, Michael Frederick Musngi, and Bayani Jacinto unanimously acquitted Binay along with her co-accused Luz Yamane-Garcia, Ernesto Aspillaga, Mabel Asunio, and Lilia Nonato.
“As the act or omission from which the civil liability might arise did not exist, no civil liability may be adjudged against them,” the decision explained.
The anti-graft court also lifted the hold departure order against Binay and her co-accused. Their cash bonds were also ordered released.
As in a previous case, some of Binay’s underlings were convicted. The Sandiganbayan convicted Conrado Pamintuan and Jaime delos Reyes of graft, sentencing them to up to eight years of imprisonment. The anti-graft court also meted the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office against the two accused.
Along with Binay, Garcia, Aspillaga, Asunio, Nonato, Pamintuan, and Delos Reyes were all acquitted of malversation charges.
The graft and malversation cases stemmed from a report by the Commission on Audit’s Special Task Force for Local Government Units, which reviewed contracts of Metro Manila local governments with procurement amounting to P1 million and above, among others.
During the proceedings, the prosecutors said the Makati City government, then led by Binay, did not conduct the required public bidding when it purchased P9.9 million worth of hospital equipment from Apollo Medical Equipment and Supplies (AMES) in 2001 and 2002.
The prosecutors also found that the said supplier was not registered under the Food and Drug Administration as medical distributor.
In the decision, the court explained that “conspiracy requires the same degree of proof to establish the crime beyond reasonable doubt.” The Sandiganbayan said, despite the “overwhelming” documentary evidence, the prosecution failed to show that conspiracy existed in the transaction in question.
The court explained that the prosecution’s allegation about conspiracy was only based on “purported roles” of the accused – including Binay – and no other evidence was provided to prove there was “a community of conscious and criminal design.”
The mere affixing of signatures on documents – such as vouchers, among others – in an allegedly questionable transaction was not enough to link them to the so-called conspiracy, the ruling added.
Due to the absence of conspiracy, the court said the criminal liability of each accused would be based on their “precise participation” in the alleged crime. In the decision, the Sandiganbayan noted that violation of procurement laws does not automatically mean a person is guilty of section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019.
The court said the evidence was not sufficient to show that Binay and her acquitted co-accused acted “with evident bad faith nor manifest impartiality” when they directly contacted the supplier.
“No evidence was presented to prove that the subject procurement was purposely and intently pursued by the accused to fraudulently benefit themselves and the supplier. The prosecution simply failed to show that the accused were spurred by any corrupt motive,” the ruling read.
As to the convicted co-accused, the Sandiganbayan said the court was convinced that Pamintuan and Delos Reyes committed “gross inexcusable negligence” when it recommended the award of purchase to the supplier “despite glaring deficiencies in the requirements necessary to justify resort to direct purchase.”
The court said the prosecution “successfully challenged” the authenticity of the license to operate submitted by the supplier. As members of the committee on canvass, who were tasked to review documents submitted by suppliers, Pamintuan and Delos Reyes should have flagged the expiry of the license, said the ruling.
“Undoubtedly, it was because of accused Pamintuan and Delos Reyes’ gross inexcusable negligence that allowed AMES to derive unwarranted benefit advantage or preference from the questioned transaction,” the decision said.
Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code defines and penalizes malversation. The offense is committed when “any public officer who, by reason of the duties of his office, is accountable for public funds or property, shall appropriate the same, or shall take or misappropriate or shall consent, through abandonment or negligence, shall permit any other person to take such public funds or property, wholly or partially, or shall otherwise be guilty of the misappropriation or malversation of such funds or property.”
The Sandiganbayan listed the offense’s elements, which are:
In Binay’s case, the Sandiganbayan said the only question was whether Binay and her co-accused fell under the fourth element. The court said it believed Binay did not fall in the said category.
The Sandiganbayan said the documents in the transaction were prepared before Binay affixed her signature, adding that it was not proven that she and her fellow accused had “foreknowledge” of the anomaly in the transaction when they signed the necessary documents.
The court, citing the prosecutors, said that documents were falsified through the use of the phrase “Cryosurgical units and.” However, the Sandiganbayan said the prosecution’s explanation were based on speculation “which cannot serve as a basis for conviction.”
It added that there is no evidence to show that the insertion of the words was made by Binay or any of the accused “and at exactly what point in the procurement or disbursement process was such alleged insertion made.” In addition, the anti-graft court said the alleged misdelivery was discovered only after the Makati City government paid for the equipment in question.
“In the absence of any peculiar circumstance which should have aroused a sense of suspicion or curiosity on the part of accused Binay and Yamane-Garcia, they were not expected to countercheck the Report of Inspection and personally inspect each and every item procured by and delivered to the City of Makati, including the subject medical equipment, if only to ensure that they were not approving a fraudulent transaction,” the decision read. – Rappler.com
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Former Makati City mayor Elenita Binay is pleased after the fourth acquittal of cases stemming from alleged anomalous transactions during her mayoral term. Let us give her the benefit of the doubt. If she had not committed corruption, then her acquittal is justifiable. But if she did commit immorality but was acquitted in these cases, then it is the Filipino People who suffer the most.
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PH skier Rabe misses Winter Youth Olympics event after warm-up injury
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 18:37
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FATHER AND DAUGHTER. Laetaz Amihan Rabe with her father Ric in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Photo release
MANILA, Philippines – A last-minute injury kept Filipina freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe from competing in her first event in the Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea.
Rabe hurt her left knee just before the start of the women’s freeski slopestyle qualification at the Welli Hilli Park on Wednesday, January 24.
Doing a routine warm-up, the 14-year-old sustained the injury no thanks to a bad landing.
“I’m disappointed and devastated because the weather was also good,” said Rabe, who lives in Switzerland. “I wanted to compete, but they didn’t allow me.”
Together with her father and coach Ric, Rabe was brought to the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital for treatment.
“She really wanted to go for it despite her condition, but we didn’t let her after she felt some pain in her left knee,” said the older Rabe. “It’s maybe the athlete’s adrenaline rush that kept her going.”
Rabe also suffered a minor jaw bruise when she crashed in training on Monday.
Her knee injury came just two days after Filipino-American short track speed skater Peter Groseclose sustained a cut on his right foot during the men’s 500m final last Monday.
Groseclose needed to be stitched up after an unlucky collision just before the finish line – an incident that also prevented him from becoming the Philippines’ first medalist in the Winter Youth Games.
Rabe, though, can still end her campaign on a high note as she is scheduled to participate in the women’s freeski big air on Sunday, January 28.
“She’s in high spirits and praying to still compete on Sunday,” her father said. “It’s up to the doctor’s decision.”
Meanwhile, cross country skier Avery Balbanida is expected to arrive in Gangwon on Thursday, January 25. – Rappler.com
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Rhenz Abando takes back injury rehab in stride, respects KBL sanction on Chinanu Onuaku
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jisaga0269
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24/01/2024 15:15
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BACK IN MANILA. Rhenz Abando in a media session during his Manila visit with Korean champion Anyang for the East Asia Super League
ANYANG
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas rising star Rhenz Abando remains in high spirits despite being sidelined by a spine fracture he suffered during a game in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Back home in the Philippines to support his Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters team against the PBA’s TNT Tropang Giga in the East Asia Super League (EASL), the high-flying sensation said he is taking a calculated approach with his on-court return, given the severity of his injury.
“Right now, I’m feeling better. I’ve been resting for almost four weeks. I can’t say exactly when I’d return, but I need two more weeks to get my conditioning back up, and I still have to get a CT scan back in Korea,” he said in Filipino during a media availability at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, January 23.
“Right now, I still feel pain, especially whenever I try to lift something heavy or when I move in a way that will squeeze my back. I will not rush my return because I’m thinking of my long-term future.”
Despite the harrowing nature of his injury, which was caused by a mid-air push from Goyang Sono Skygunners import and former NBA player Chinanu Onuaku, Abando was keen on putting the incident behind him and just move forward.
I'm sharing a video of how Rhenz Abando was injured in yesterday's game. Let's watch it together.#RhenzAbando pic.twitter.com/UmjA9XJns4
Asked on whether or not the $2,300 sanction without game suspensions was fair given that it triggered protests from Koreans and online vitriol from Filipinos, Abando quickly steered clear of the issue out of respect for his current employers.
“I don’t really know, but that’s the decision they made, so I’m also sticking with that. What happened, happened,” he said.
“I think it was just an accident,” Abando continued, talking about Onuaku’s push. “I don’t really want to talk about it further.”
With more or less two weeks to go before he can take further steps in his return, Abando will sit out Anyang’s crucial game against TNT on Wednesday, January 24.
At the very least, the La Union native will have a brief reunion with his family, friends, and fans at the PhilSports Arena before heading back to Korea for further testing and rehab.
With a win on enemy territory at 7 pm, Anyang (2-2) will officially eliminate TNT (1-4) from EASL title contention, and will have a clearer path towards a Final Four berth in the home-and-away tournament made up of the best teams from four Asian leagues.
Without Abando, the Red Boosters will lean on former NBA player Omari Spellman to carry the offensive load, while the Tropang Giga seek to fight another day alongside the Hollis-Jefferson brothers, Rahlir and ex-NBA starter Rondae. – Rappler.com
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PH skier Rabe misses Winter Youth Olympics event after warm-up injury
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delfin.dioquino editor
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24/01/2024 18:37
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FATHER AND DAUGHTER. Laetaz Amihan Rabe with her father Ric in the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics.
Photo release
MANILA, Philippines – A last-minute injury kept Filipina freestyle skier Laetaz Amihan Rabe from competing in her first event in the Winter Youth Olympics in Gangwon, South Korea.
Rabe hurt her left knee just before the start of the women’s freeski slopestyle qualification at the Welli Hilli Park on Wednesday, January 24.
Doing a routine warm-up, the 14-year-old sustained the injury no thanks to a bad landing.
“I’m disappointed and devastated because the weather was also good,” said Rabe, who lives in Switzerland. “I wanted to compete, but they didn’t allow me.”
Together with her father and coach Ric, Rabe was brought to the Wonju Severance Christian Hospital for treatment.
“She really wanted to go for it despite her condition, but we didn’t let her after she felt some pain in her left knee,” said the older Rabe. “It’s maybe the athlete’s adrenaline rush that kept her going.”
Rabe also suffered a minor jaw bruise when she crashed in training on Monday.
Her knee injury came just two days after Filipino-American short track speed skater Peter Groseclose sustained a cut on his right foot during the men’s 500m final last Monday.
Groseclose needed to be stitched up after an unlucky collision just before the finish line – an incident that also prevented him from becoming the Philippines’ first medalist in the Winter Youth Games.
Rabe, though, can still end her campaign on a high note as she is scheduled to participate in the women’s freeski big air on Sunday, January 28.
“She’s in high spirits and praying to still compete on Sunday,” her father said. “It’s up to the doctor’s decision.”
Meanwhile, cross country skier Avery Balbanida is expected to arrive in Gangwon on Thursday, January 25. – Rappler.com
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Filipino among killed in ‘deadliest day’ for Israeli soldiers in Gaza
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Bea Cupin
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24/01/2024 18:25
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Smoke rises from Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, January 22, 2024.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
MANILA, Philippines – A 23-year-old Filipino-Israeli soldier was among the 21 Israeli Defense Force (IDF) personnel who died in a rocket attack while operating in central Gaza on Monday, January 22.
“The Embassy is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sergeant First Class (Reserves) Cydrick Garin, one of the 21 IDF soldiers killed during a massive explosion in Gaza on 22 January,” the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv said in a statement posted early morning Wednesday, January 24.
According to the Philippine embassy in Israel, Garin’s mother is a native of Isabela province who now lives in Tel Aviv. His father, meanwhile, hails from General Santos City.
“The Embassy and the Filipino Community in Israel share in the grief of the family of Sgt. Garin and join in prayers for strength, peace, and comfort for all those he left behind,” said the embassy.
In a separate statement, the Israel embassy in Manila said it “shares the profound grief of Sgt. Garin’s family and the Filipino community.” “Our commitment is strong to support his loved ones during this challenging time,” the Israel embassy said, adding that it was “facilitating” Garin’s father’s travel to Israel.
Israel’s embassy in Manila has confirmed that Garin holds dual citizenship and is both Israeli and Filipino.
Garin was one of 24 soldiers who died in what has been called the “deadliest day” for the Israel military since itsn war on Hamas and assault on Gaza began in October 2023.
The group of 21 soldiers, which Garin belonged to, died when a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was fired by Hamas gunmen at a tank securing the IDF team. That blast led to the collapse of two buildings with soldiers inside them, according to the IDF.
Garin and other soldiers were preparing buildings for demolition inside Gaza some 600 meters from the border with Israel, according to IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, as reported by the Times of Israel.
The Times said they were “destroying Palestinian structures and Hamas sites” to create a “buffer zone to allow residents of Israeli border communities to return to their homes.”
Three other IDF soldiers died in a separate incident, bringing the Israeli military death toll in Gaza to 24 on that day. A total of 220 IDF soldiers have died since Israel’s military offensive began in October 2023.
Israel has launched air and land assaults on Gaza since October 2023, following a surprise Hamas attack on several Israeli communities near the border. The Israeli military action has killed at leas 25,490 Palestinians and forced the displacement of a population of over 2 million.
The death toll among Palestinians is feared to be much higher, since thousands more are believed to be unaccounted for under the rubble of Israel’s air strikes.
Countries like Qatar, the US, and Egypt, have served as mediators in hopes of paving the way to releasing more hostages for Palestinians whom Israel has taken as prisoners. The ceasefire between the two sides is hoped to be longer this time – the last ceasefire in November 2023 lasted for just a week. – Rappler.com
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A trauma psychiatrist explains what PTSD really is and how to seek help
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Marguerite de Leon
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24/01/2024 15:42
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Among the many emerging trends on social media, one recent concerning fad is a casual and often inaccurate portrayal of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD – along with an array of questionable interventions suggested for its cure.
But what really is PTSD, who suffers from it, and what are the available treatments?
As a psychiatrist specializing in trauma, I’ve worked with hundreds of people with PTSD. Some are refugees, first responders, and survivors of torture and human trafficking. Others have survived childhood trauma, shootings, assault, rape, or robbery.
As part of my outreach, I post educational material about trauma and PTSD on social media, so my news feeds often contain misleading material along these lines:
“Procrastination is not laziness. It is childhood trauma.”
“Trauma test: What image did you see first? A shark? A leg?”
“People who say sorry for no reason have PTSD.”
Mental health advocacy work has led to great progress in making the public aware of trauma and overcoming its stigma. But misuse of terms such as “trauma,” “childhood trauma,” and “PTSD” has filled the social media sphere with misinformation. It is often spread by people with a financial or emotional incentive, such as those seeking followers, selling tests, therapies, interventions, coaching, and more.
Such posts treat trauma and PTSD as something that’s trendy, at times even romanticizing trauma. In turn, this trivializes the suffering of those who really have endured traumatic experiences. It can also create confusion for those with a real need for help and prevent them from receiving the right support. It’s normal to have bad dreams following a trauma, or even to feel like the trauma is happening again.
In popular culture and in the everyday vernacular, the word trauma is often used too loosely. As a result, on social media a difficult breakup or an argument with a family member might be portrayed as traumatic. While these experiences could be highly stressful, they are not considered trauma in the clinical world.
The field of psychiatry defines trauma as direct exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. That includes experiences such as war, assault, sexual abuse and rape, robbery, being shot at, severe car accidents, and natural disasters. Trauma exposure is common among, though certainly not limited to, urban populations.
Trauma exposure does not necessarily have to be direct; it can also happen by witnessing or being near the event or by exposure to its aftermath. This is what often happens to first responders, those in the vicinity of or exposed to the aftermath of mass shootings, and refugees, all of whom see the worst of what humans do to each other.
The immediate response to trauma can include shock, severe anxiety or panic, confusion, helplessness, constant recall of the event, feeling on edge, difficulty sleeping, anger, guilt, or physical discomfort. Trauma can have numerous long-term effects, including anxiety, difficulty with trust, depression, and substance use. Trauma can lead to PTSD but doesn’t necessarily have to.
Not everyone who experiences trauma has PTSD. For the majority of people exposed to trauma, symptoms subside over time. But some people remain in a constant state of “fight or flight,” a physiological response in which the brain stays fully alert to ensure escape or to neutralize a real or perceived danger.
When the severity of symptoms passes a specific threshold, mental health clinicians consider a PTSD diagnosis. To be diagnosed with the disorder, the person must have one or two symptoms from all of the following categories:
Like any other medical condition, a diagnosis of PTSD must be made by a mental health professional, preferably one skilled in trauma and PTSD. Some people endure certain symptoms without meeting all criteria for PTSD. If this causes significant social, academic, or occupational dysfunction and distress, the person will still need help.
If you have endured traumatic experiences, first understand that PTSD is not your identity. It is a disease that can be and should be treated. Getting an evaluation from your primary care doctor is the first step. They may refer you to a mental health professional. Or you can reach out directly to a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist, or a licensed social worker for an evaluation.
Your insurance provider can help you find a therapist or psychiatrist, preferably specialized in trauma. You can also find a list of providers through the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. If you don’t have insurance, you can get help at a local community mental health clinic or a federally qualified health center.
If a diagnosis is confirmed, know that you do not have to suffer for years to come. There are effective and safe psychotherapy treatments that can help process the traumatic memories, overcome the related negative thoughts or feelings of guilt and shame, and help overcome avoidance of normal life situations because of the trauma. There are treatment options for PTSD, along with ways to get support.
In my newly published book, I discuss new, cutting-edge treatments as well as stories from those who overcame their illness.
For instance, our team has created AI-enhanced mixed reality technologies to produce immersive and interactive diverse situations of encounters with digital humans. This will allow the patients to, for example, experience the sensation of being in a crowded grocery store, with their therapist alongside to help them navigate and overcome their fears.
Medications can also help. Often labeled as antidepressants, these medications are safe and nonaddictive, and they can lower the intensity of anxiety to a level that allows the patients to deal with their fears.
Lifestyle changes like diet, mindfulness, and exercise can also help a lot.
I have seen many traumatized people get back on their feet and resume their normal lives after the right intervention and lifestyle adjustments. Those who continue to have some symptoms often manage to build life around them without letting the trauma take away the joy and prosperity of their lives. – The Conversation|Rappler.com
Arash Javanbakht is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Wayne State University.
This piece was originally published in The Conversation.
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UST, Asia’s oldest university, now has a Hong Kong alumni chapter
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gdecastro0289
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24/01/2024 10:57
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PIONEER. Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan (3rd from left) with the newly inducted founding officers of the UST Alumni Association-Hong Kong Chapter led by its President Jan Yumul (2nd from left), together with Vice President Nobel S. Gabasan (4th from right); Secretary Erwin Regalado (leftmost); Treasurer Byron Agarao (3rd from left); PRO Anna Pendry (2nd from right); and Auditor Joel Almeda (rightmost) on January 19, 2024.
UST Hong Kong Alumni Association/Jan Yumul
SHEUNG WAN, Hong Kong – In a historic first, Thomasian professionals in Hong Kong collectively launched on Friday, January 19 the pioneering University of Santo Tomas (UST) Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter (USTAAHK), joining more than a dozen other Thomasian alumni associations overseas in the 413-year history of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Asia’s oldest existing university.
The milestone inauguration comes just one month after the USTAAHK was both formally recognised as a registered society (Society registration number: 0065480) by the Hong Kong government in December 2023, and a duly registered Philippine organisation with the Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong the same month.
The USTAAHK is made up of 13 founding members, namely Jan Yumul, president of USTAAHK; Nobel Gabasan, vice president; Anna Pendry, public relations officer; Mr. Erwin Regalado, secretary; Byron Agarano, treasurer; and Joel Almeda, auditor.
Pendry, Gabasan, Almeda, Agarano, and Regalado, also serve concurrent roles, as chairperson, Socio-Cultural Events Committee; vice chairperson, Socio-Cultural Events Committee; chairperson, Finance Committee; vice chairperson, Finance committee, and chairperson, Sports and Games committee, respectively.
Other founding committees include Tanya Sales Manzano, chairperson for external affairs, Communications and Marketing ; John Go, chairperson for internal affairs, Communications and Marketing; Joy Alba, chairperson, Membership and Presence; Maureen Pickering, vice chairperson, Membership and Presence; Jenely de Ocampo, chairperson, Advocacy; Michelle Rea Yongque, vice chairperson, Advocacy; and Victorino Baltazar, vice chairperson, Sports and Games.
While the UST alumni in Hong Kong have previously organised social, family-oriented, and team-building activities, this marks the first time the group has formalised their association where an induction ceremony was held at The Hive in Sheung Wan. The event was well supported with the attendees reaching more than 100 Thomasian alumni, business representatives, academic representatives, community leaders, and nonprofit organisations.
Newly designated Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, a Juris Doctor (Doctor of Law) graduate from UST, graced the event as keynote speaker and administered USTAAHK’s founding officers’ oath.
In her speech, Aguilar-Usudan said the UST “is not only the university where we pursued our education and earned our degrees”, but it was also “the place that developed our character and who we are today”.
“Its core values, namely ‘competence, compassion and commitment, guide us in the pursuit of our dreams and aspirations,” said Aguilar-Usudan.
“As founding officers of the USTAAHK, you are expected to perform your task with competence, to serve everyone with compassion, and to fulfil your mandate with commitment. Let us all serve our kababayans in HK, ‘the UST way’ and make our alma mater proud,” she added.
The Consul General also seized the opportunity to wish the attendees a belated New Year, and an advance Lunar New Year.
“2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon. It is expected to be a great year to start new projects, explore new opportunities and create value for yourself and others. A very suitable year for the new USTAAHK. Congratulations!” said Aguilar-Usudan.
“I wish all of you good health, happiness, and a successful new year ahead. Maraming, maraming salamat po. Mabuhay! Mabuhay ang UST! Mabuhay, mabuhay ang USTAAHK. Maraming Salamat,” she added.
The induction ceremony was also supported by guests who flew in from UST Manila, namely the UST Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), led by Ms. Joreen Rocamora, acting director of UST-OAR; Carla Romina, alumni engagement officer of UST-OAR; and Marlot Ira Coleen Ngo, web data management officer at UST-OAR.
Dr. Evelyn Songco, chairman of UST Alumni Association Inc. (USTAAI), also graced the event. In her opening remarks, she linked the latest addition of the USTAAHK to the USTAAI family to that of the birth of a child, which “is always a joyful occasion”.
She said the birth of an alumni association “is definitely a cause of joy” and so “we gather this evening to celebrate that”.
“We also celebrate tonight the past and the future. We celebrate the past because every alumni group coming together is born out of the alumni’s connection to the past; because of the memories of our alma mater,” said Songco.
“Today, we celebrate the future because I am sure that with this event tonight, you will always have meetings and say “Kita tayo”. With those words comes the promise of the future – the promise of faith, of hope, and of charity,” she added.
Songco also reminded the Hong Kong Thomasian community that the promise of faith “rests on our fidelity to our alma mater and on one another as we promise to see each other in the future”, in continuing to “pursue the mission of our profession or our life advocacy”, and that the promise of hope “rests on how well we will serve our alma mater, the alumni, and the community”.
“The promise of charity rests on how generous we shall be with our time, talent, and treasure to keep in touch with one another, conduct assemblies, and activities for the benefit of our alma mater and the Thomasian alumni in HK, and the community,” said Songco.
She said faith, hope, and charity “have amazingly sustained the USTAAI, the mother alumni association of all recognized alumni associations” and that they were in constant partnership with the Thomasian Alumni Community Foundation, Inc (TACFI), which raises funds for the activities of the USTAAI.
“Giving birth and sustaining an alumni association is a daunting task. It is a volunteer work for all of us. It is a commitment; a mission; and most importantly, it is an act of giving. As volunteers, we are blessed not with material things but with joy in our hearts. That is our reward,” said Songco.
The USTAAI chairman was also accompanied by Katherine Lou Bundang, business manager, USTAAI, and Pickering, who serves concurrent positions with USTAAI and USTAAHK.
Bringing a message to the newly inducted USTAAHK Board of Directors on behalf of the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP,PhD, Rocamora, acting director of UST-OAR, said the establishment of the USTAAHK was “the dawn of a new chapter”.
“My heartfelt congratulations to all of you! You have accepted the mantle of leadership with courage and dedication, stepping forward to serve our vibrant community of Hong Kong-based Thomasians. Your commitment to upholding the legacy of UST, fostering unity among alumni, and propelling our association to even greater heights is truly inspiring,” said Rocamora.
She noted that the path ahead “may be paved with challenges”, but with “unwavering determination and a shared vision, you will conquer them all”.
“Embrace the diversity of the association, draw strength from our shared history, and never lose sight of the values that bind us together: compassion, commitment and competence, said Rocamora.
“Let your leadership be a beacon of light and inspiration for every Thomasian in Hong Kong. Remember, the success of UST Alumni Association Hong Kong lies not just in your individual efforts but in the collective spirit of our association,” she added.
In her closing remarks, Hong Kong-raised Yumul, founding president of USTAAHK, acknowledged and thanked Songco and the USTAAI, the Manila-based mother chapter, for welcoming the USTAAHK as a member under its wings. She also thanked the UST-OAR for being instrumental in forming the USTAAHK’s establishment.
Yumul also unveiled the chapter’s advocacies, which would focus on uplifting and mainstreaming Filipino professionals in Hong Kong, supporting youth empowerment, and putting “care” in the healthcare of migrant domestic workers.
USTAAHK events will also aim to target the promotion of Philippine arts and culture in Hong Kong through hosting exhibits, live demonstrations, and workshops by Filipino artists, musical performances by UST groups.
“Today is a celebration of countless overcoming and coming together. A lot of people ask me why the need to form the USTAAHK. (To) the Filipinos in Hong Kong, let’s face the reality. We’ve been boxed into one profession for a very long time. So, I hope we can change this. I hope our engagements will deepen and broaden as we overcome challenges,” said Yumul.
According to the Home Affairs Department’s Race Relations Unit, citing the 2021 Population Consensus, there are 201,291 Filipinos in Hong Kong with more than half of the population employed as domestic workers in the city.
“There were ‘Three Cs’ of the Thomasian values that were mentioned tonight: competence, commitment, and compassion. In the Hong Kong version, I want to add one more ‘C’. (Be) ‘Community Engagers’ because we will go very far. The establishment of the association ends our 14-year journey in search of Thomasian trailblazers and organizers. We look forward to your support,” she added.
Yumul also acknowledged several community leaders in the academic, NGO, and business fields for graciously accepting the association’s invitation.
Some notable guests included Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, Janet Carnay, volunteer at the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, and Thiru Nachiappan, Chairman, Tomorrow’s Youth Development Fund.
Jonnet Kudera, Regional Philanthropy Manager, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and Lito Castillo, Chairperson, Hong Kong Musicians’ Union were also among those present.
The event was also attended by business executives such as Estephanie Chan, account executive at Philippine Airlines, as well as past chairmen of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, namely Jocelyn S. Palomaria, Myrna P. Hill, and Kathy De Guzman, who is also general manager at PNB Hong Kong.
Members of the academic community who came to support the event included Dr. Theresa Cunanan, associate programme director, Division of Arts and Languages, College of International Education at Hong Kong Baptist University, and Jan Gube, Assistant Professor at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong.
Thomasian alumni Dr. Michael Manio, lecturer and head articulation programme at the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences was also present. Dr. Manio is also a guest lecturer and honorary professor at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University.
Meanwhile, other Hong Kong chapter alumni of Philippine universities were also present, namely Maritess Turingan, President, University of the Philippines Alumni Association Hong Kong (UPAAHK), former UPAAHK President Sherina Manimtim-Erno, and Gary Flores, Treasurer at De La Salle University Alumni Association One La Salle HK Chapter.
Sponsoring the event were San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Limited, veteran Filipino caterer Siony’s Lutong Bahay, Kambal Gallery, Grandpa’s Crib and Gastropub, Pickering Marine Group, and Ace Cho Photography. – Rappler.com
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RUNNING LIST: President Marcos’ foreign trips in 2024
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Dwight de Leon
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22/01/2024 15:00
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TRAVEL. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos fly to Malaysia for a state visit in July 2023.
Presidential Communications Office
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has established himself as a frequent flyer, does not intend to slow down in 2024.
For this year, the Office of the President (OP) has been provided a budget of P1.4 billion for missions and state visits, as well as P1.1 billion for traveling expenses.
The amounts are a significant increase from what the OP had in its budget for traveling purposes in 2023.
Rappler tracks the countries that the President will visit in 2024.
Updated as of Apri 22, 2024
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) announced on January 24 that President Marcos will be the keynote speaker at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, dubbed as Asia’s premier defense summit, on May 31.
As per the IISS, he will join an esteemed list of heads of state who delivered a speech at the summit in the past, such as Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Malacañang has yet to confirm Marcos’ visits to the following countries. The list is based on international gatherings usually attended by the President, invitations that Malacañang received, and other statements that Philippine officials made in the past.
President Marcos and First Lazy Liza attended the royal wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen, the 10th child of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and businesswoman Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Binti Adam.
Marcos flew to Vietnam for a state visit upon the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Vo Van Thuong.
There, Marcos reiterated the agreements between Manila and Vietnam’s coast guards, and the two nation’s “cooperation and coordination” in the South China Sea. The two countries also inked an agreement on rice trade.
Marcos was in Canberra, Australia on February 28 to 29. As a guest of the government, he addressed the Australian Parliament, zeroing in on security issues. He also witnessed the signing of agreements on maritime domain, cyberspace, and antitrust between the Philippines and Australia.
The President returned to Australia on March 3, just a few days after his state visit to the country, to take part in the special summit in Melbourne between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia from March 4 to 6.
President Marcos was in Berlin in March for a working visit, meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The two countries signed agreements to strengthen cooperation on maritime issues and the upskilling of Filipino skilled workers.
After his trip to Germany, Marcos wrapped up his Central Europe tour with a state visit to the Czech Republic, where he met with President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Senate President Miloš Vystrčil, and President of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
President Marcos flew to Washington on April 10 to take part in the first-ever trilateral summit between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan on April 11. It was a meeting that ultimately zeroed in on the growing threat posed by China in the West Philippine Sea. – Rappler.com
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After Senate manifesto, Salceda claims charter change signature requirement reached
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Kaycee
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24/01/2024 15:29
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Davao 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Despite controversy surrounding the people’s initiative for charter change, the collected number of signatures has allegedly already exceeded the required 12% of total registered voters.
“Sobra na sa requirement, saka lahat ng distrito naka-3% na (It’s now beyond the requirement, and all districts have reached 3% already),” Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda said in an interview with DzBB Super Radyo on Wednesday, January 24.
In a separate Viber message to reporters, the lawmaker claimed that the total signatures collected account for 12.1% of total registered voters. This could mean that the campaign has already collected at least 8 million signatures.
The development comes a day after senators released a strongly-worded manifesto rejecting the lower chamber’s efforts to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly where “the Senate and its 24 members cannot cast any meaningful vote against the 316 members of the House of Representatives.”
This is a turnaround as just a week ago, Senate President Miguel Zubiri said it will be the upper chamber that will lead amendments that concern the economy, specifically on provisions aiming to further welcome foreign investors. (RELATED: Where do senators stand on charter change?)
The signature campaign for charter change started early January, although there have been reports that it began as early as the holidays. Local coordinators for the campaign allegedly offer P100 to registered voters in exchange for their signatures.
With the reports of bribery clouding the people’s initiative, Senate Majority Leader Joey Villanueva has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “invalidate” the signatures.
Salceda echoed the position taken by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in relation to the allegations. (READ: Cash in exchange for Cha-Cha signatures? ‘Wala namang ganoon,’ says Marcos)
“Let the Comelec validate the signatures; that’s in the Constitution,” Salceda said on Wednesday. “E di tanggalin nila ‘yung mga pirma na sinabi nilang pinilit, na-coerce, binili. Puwede rin naman ‘yun e, isa-isahin nila, e di kahit tanggalin nila lahat yan, lampas pa rin ng 12%.”
(Then let them remove the signatures they said were collected by force, or signatures of those who were coerced, and given bribes. They can do that, check them one by one but even if they remove all of those, it would still exceed 12%.)
Lawmakers at the lower chamber have always been pushing to amend the supreme law of the land. Salceda said there have been 358 charter change attempts since 1987. (RELATED: LOOK BACK: Past Charter Change attempts and why they failed)
“For the first time in our lives, why don’t we listen to the people,” Salceda said.
But according to a survey conducted by OCTA Research from December 10 to 14, 2023 among 1,200 participants, majority or 73% of poll respondents said rising prices of consumer goods is the “most urgent national concern for adult Filipinos.” Employment issues follow, with 36% pointing to job creation and 34% to increasing wages as urgent.
“It must be noted, that changing the constitution is not an urgent concern of adult Filipinos,” OCTA Research said. “Only 1% of respondents identified it as a priority concern in the 4th quarter Tugon ng Masa survey last December 2023.” – with reports from Dwight de Leon and Bonz Magsambol/Rappler.com
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After Senate manifesto, Salceda claims charter change signature requirement reached
|
Kaycee
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24/01/2024 15:29
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Davao 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines – Despite controversy surrounding the people’s initiative for charter change, the collected number of signatures has allegedly already exceeded the required 12% of total registered voters.
“Sobra na sa requirement, saka lahat ng distrito naka-3% na (It’s now beyond the requirement, and all districts have reached 3% already),” Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda said in an interview with DzBB Super Radyo on Wednesday, January 24.
In a separate Viber message to reporters, the lawmaker claimed that the total signatures collected account for 12.1% of total registered voters. This could mean that the campaign has already collected at least 8 million signatures.
The development comes a day after senators released a strongly-worded manifesto rejecting the lower chamber’s efforts to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly where “the Senate and its 24 members cannot cast any meaningful vote against the 316 members of the House of Representatives.”
This is a turnaround as just a week ago, Senate President Miguel Zubiri said it will be the upper chamber that will lead amendments that concern the economy, specifically on provisions aiming to further welcome foreign investors. (RELATED: Where do senators stand on charter change?)
The signature campaign for charter change started early January, although there have been reports that it began as early as the holidays. Local coordinators for the campaign allegedly offer P100 to registered voters in exchange for their signatures.
With the reports of bribery clouding the people’s initiative, Senate Majority Leader Joey Villanueva has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “invalidate” the signatures.
Salceda echoed the position taken by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in relation to the allegations. (READ: Cash in exchange for Cha-Cha signatures? ‘Wala namang ganoon,’ says Marcos)
“Let the Comelec validate the signatures; that’s in the Constitution,” Salceda said on Wednesday. “E di tanggalin nila ‘yung mga pirma na sinabi nilang pinilit, na-coerce, binili. Puwede rin naman ‘yun e, isa-isahin nila, e di kahit tanggalin nila lahat yan, lampas pa rin ng 12%.”
(Then let them remove the signatures they said were collected by force, or signatures of those who were coerced, and given bribes. They can do that, check them one by one but even if they remove all of those, it would still exceed 12%.)
Lawmakers at the lower chamber have always been pushing to amend the supreme law of the land. Salceda said there have been 358 charter change attempts since 1987. (RELATED: LOOK BACK: Past Charter Change attempts and why they failed)
“For the first time in our lives, why don’t we listen to the people,” Salceda said.
But according to a survey conducted by OCTA Research from December 10 to 14, 2023 among 1,200 participants, majority or 73% of poll respondents said rising prices of consumer goods is the “most urgent national concern for adult Filipinos.” Employment issues follow, with 36% pointing to job creation and 34% to increasing wages as urgent.
“It must be noted, that changing the constitution is not an urgent concern of adult Filipinos,” OCTA Research said. “Only 1% of respondents identified it as a priority concern in the 4th quarter Tugon ng Masa survey last December 2023.” – with reports from Dwight de Leon and Bonz Magsambol/Rappler.com
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Rhenz Abando takes back injury rehab in stride, respects KBL sanction on Chinanu Onuaku
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jisaga0269
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24/01/2024 15:15
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BACK IN MANILA. Rhenz Abando in a media session during his Manila visit with Korean champion Anyang for the East Asia Super League
ANYANG
MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas rising star Rhenz Abando remains in high spirits despite being sidelined by a spine fracture he suffered during a game in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Back home in the Philippines to support his Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters team against the PBA’s TNT Tropang Giga in the East Asia Super League (EASL), the high-flying sensation said he is taking a calculated approach with his on-court return, given the severity of his injury.
“Right now, I’m feeling better. I’ve been resting for almost four weeks. I can’t say exactly when I’d return, but I need two more weeks to get my conditioning back up, and I still have to get a CT scan back in Korea,” he said in Filipino during a media availability at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, January 23.
“Right now, I still feel pain, especially whenever I try to lift something heavy or when I move in a way that will squeeze my back. I will not rush my return because I’m thinking of my long-term future.”
Despite the harrowing nature of his injury, which was caused by a mid-air push from Goyang Sono Skygunners import and former NBA player Chinanu Onuaku, Abando was keen on putting the incident behind him and just move forward.
I'm sharing a video of how Rhenz Abando was injured in yesterday's game. Let's watch it together.#RhenzAbando pic.twitter.com/UmjA9XJns4
Asked on whether or not the $2,300 sanction without game suspensions was fair given that it triggered protests from Koreans and online vitriol from Filipinos, Abando quickly steered clear of the issue out of respect for his current employers.
“I don’t really know, but that’s the decision they made, so I’m also sticking with that. What happened, happened,” he said.
“I think it was just an accident,” Abando continued, talking about Onuaku’s push. “I don’t really want to talk about it further.”
With more or less two weeks to go before he can take further steps in his return, Abando will sit out Anyang’s crucial game against TNT on Wednesday, January 24.
At the very least, the La Union native will have a brief reunion with his family, friends, and fans at the PhilSports Arena before heading back to Korea for further testing and rehab.
With a win on enemy territory at 7 pm, Anyang (2-2) will officially eliminate TNT (1-4) from EASL title contention, and will have a clearer path towards a Final Four berth in the home-and-away tournament made up of the best teams from four Asian leagues.
Without Abando, the Red Boosters will lean on former NBA player Omari Spellman to carry the offensive load, while the Tropang Giga seek to fight another day alongside the Hollis-Jefferson brothers, Rahlir and ex-NBA starter Rondae. – Rappler.com
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