Day: June 23, 2024

MANILA: Reigning Olympic champion France played steadier in the homestretch to beat Brazil, 25-23, 27-29, 13-25, 25-19, 18-16, in the Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.

Even before playing here, France (8-4) and Brazil (6-6) have already advanced to the Final Phase to be held in Lodz, Poland on June 27 to 30.

Opposite spiker Theo Faure scored 29 points on 25 kills, three services aces and one block in leading his team to victory.

Outside hitter Kevin Tillie chipped in 14 points while outside hitter Yacine Louati, and middle blocker Quentin Jouffroy had eight points each in the two-hour and 28-minute encounter.

Brazil was paced by skipper Ricardo Lucarelli, who had 14 kills, three blocks and one service ace.

Opposite spiker Alan Souza produced 15 points, including six blocks, while outside hitter Adriano Fernandes had 11 kills.

Earlier, Moritz Karlitzek scored 21 points on 17 kills, two blocks and two services aces to lead Germany to a 25-20, 25-23
, 25-20 win over Iran.

‘We’re super happy that we could finish the VNL this year for us with the victory and go home with a good feeling,’ the 27-year-old Karlitzek, who plays for Polish club Indykpol AZS Olsztyn, said.

‘The tournament was well-organized, and we love playing in front of the crowd. The fans, all the time, were supporting us, so I would like to thank them,’ he added.

Moritz Reichert contributed 13 kills while outside hitter Ruben Schott and middle blocker Tobias Krick added four points each for the Germans, who needed one hour and 29 minutes to win the match. They have a 5-7 win-loss record.

Amin Esmaeilnezhad led the Iranians with 17 attacks and two blocks while Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzjah Poriya scored on 10 attacks.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of PHP14.046 billion to cover the regular pension requirements of military retirees for the period of July to September 2024.

Budget Secretary Pangandaman approved the request of the Department of National Defense – Armed Forces of the Philippines for the release of funds on June 14, the DBM said in a news release Sunday.

Pangandaman said the approval demonstrates the government’s dedication to honor the service and sacrifice of Filipino soldiers.

The funding is set to benefit 139,172 pensioners, including the requirements for the resumption, transfer and restoration of pension of military retirees and their legal beneficiaries.

The funds will be charged against the Pension and Gratuity Fund under the Fiscal Year 2024 General Appropriations Act.

Source: Philippines News Agency

BONTOC: Baguio City’s Eli Dangadang bested all female entries of the tough 76.89-kilometer Long Trail race of the Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup here on Sunday.

Dangadang clocked 13 hours, 38 minutes and 51 seconds in the race that started and ended at Bontoc provincial plaza. Participants negotiated scenic Mountain Province trails that included the Bontoc Viewpoint, Mt. Fato and Guina-ang Rice Terraces.

Angelie Cabalo (14:58:28) of South Cotabato was the only other female participant who made the 15-hour cutoff.

“Ang goal ko lang is to finish the race talaga (My only goal is just to finish the race),” Dangadang said, adding that she was surprised every time marshals told her she was leading.

She tried to go sub-13 but the weather affected her performance.

“‘Yung init kasi (It’s because of the hot weather), but I did my best,” Dangadang said.

Emotions flowed when Cabalo made the finish line barely a minute and a half before the allowed time.

“I know that she can do it, at saka nag-train kami (and we
trained) for this. So I know that she’s very persistent,” Dangadang said. “I’m super proud because we’re really pushing each other to be greater runners.”

The overall long trail race was won by the Thai Jantaraboon Kiangchaipaiphana, who clocked 11:04:08.

The Philippines made it 2-3 with Larry Apolinario (11:37:25) of Antique and Arnie Macaneras (11:49:10) of Davao City.

Short trail grand slam

While Kiangchaipaiphana spoiled the host nation’s party in the long trail race, there was no stopping the Filipinos from dominating the short trail race.

John Ray Onifa led the way for the Philippines’ podium grand slam by taking the gold after finishing the 37-kilometer race course in 4:46:26.

Romnick Tongkaling beat Godwin Mirar for the silver as the former clocked 4:55:35, just 16 seconds ahead of the latter.

Trisha Reyes won the women’s side in 6:58:41.

Veteran Christabel Martes took the silver in 7:02:10 while another Thai, Yupa Saelee, bagged bronze in 7:16:31.

Following the success of the three-day event
that began on Friday with the vertical uphill race, Philippine Trail Running Association (PhilTRA) vice president Tin Ferrera hopes that it could spark more international trail running races to take place in the Philippines.

“We’d like to show to the world that there are events in the Philippines that are worth going to, so we’d like to reach that point. That’s why we’re really trying hard to give a good experience to the athletes participating, not just the foreign delegates but also the locals,” Ferrera said.

Founded in 2021, PhilTRA is an affiliate of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, the national sports association.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: A female scammer will be facing large-scale illegal recruitment and trafficking charges and estafa for allegedly luring job seekers to work at a farm in Jeju Island, South Korea.

The suspect identified only as ‘Nenita’ of Lubao, Pampanga was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Saturday following an entrapment operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Anti-Transnational Crimes (CIDG-ATCU), Department of Migrant Workers and Philippine National Police-Aviation Group.

According to a news release on Sunday, the complainants said Nenita recruited them to work as farmers for a monthly salary of PHP80,000, with free transportation expenses and accommodation.

Nenita required them to pay an initial fee of PHP150,000. However, after shelling out PHP430,000, the job never came and the complainants found out they were scammed.

The suspect was arrested in the act of receiving additional money from the complainants.

‘Ang mga aspirant overseas w
orkers ay dapat mag-transact sa mga lehitimong o awtorisadong ahensya lamang (Aspiring overseas workers should transact with legitimate or authorized agencies only),’ CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said in a statement.

He urged other victims of Nenita to coordinate with the CIDG-ATCU so they can file formal complaints.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) has expelled Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, adding to the woes of the controversial local chief executive.

Guo is currently serving an Ombudsman-ordered six-month suspension, which started May 31, and faces human trafficking charges filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

In a letter signed by NPC chair Vicente Sotto III on June 22 and addressed to Tarlac Governor Susan Yap who petitioned the removal, Guo is ordered removed from the roster of members.

Party secretary general Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza, Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs and head of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office, will implement the order and inform Guo of her removal from NPC.

‘The NPC will not tolerate any unlawful acts or any appearance of impropriety by its members that will undermine the principle of our party,’ read the NPC letter, released to t
he media on Sunday.

On Friday, the PAOCC and PNP-CIDG filed a qualified human trafficking complaint against Guo, former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, 12 officers and incorporators of three companies, and Guo’s alleged business partners Huang Zhiyang, Zhang Ruijin and Baoying Li before the Department of Justice.

The case against Guo and the others stemmed from the raid at the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Bamban in March.

Huang is a fugitive in China, while Zhang and Baoying are allegedly involved in a major money laundering case in Singapore.

An Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against Guo and the other respondents may be out next week.

Previously, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it would look into Guo and the names and entities connected with her.

“Due process will be followed. If the income declared with the BIR does not match the value of the properties amassed during the same taxable years, criminal
cases for tax evasion will be filed. The same charges can be filed against conspirators and the corporate officers of the companies used to amass such wealth,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said.

Guo, Municipal Business Permits and Licensing Office’s Edwin Ocampo and municipal legal office Adenn Sigua are suspended due to ‘strong evidence showing their guilt” on the charges of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and gross neglect of duty.

Prior to the suspension, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. ordered the National Police Commission on May 20 to initiate proceedings to revoke Guo’s control over the local police within her jurisdiction.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has formalized two agreements with Japanese organizations during a high-level visit to Tokyo, ensuring the smart and sustainable development of John Hay Special Economic Zone, New Clark City, and its other economic zones.

The first deal involves a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Zip Infrastructure Co. Ltd. to determine the viability of a self-driven cable car system in Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang and Zip Infrastructure CEO Takamasa Suchi signed the MOU, with Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Zip Infrastructure Director and Head of Business Development Mario Ian Carlos Ferido Rebonquin as witnesses.

Under this agreement, Zip Infrastructure shall prepare a feasibility study for the operations and maintenance of its self-driven cable car system called Zippar in Camp John Hay.

This technology seeks to provide an alternative transportation system that can ease traffic conges
tion and provide better accessibility. Zippar also offers a versatile design that allows riding in curves and branches while remaining automated and driven from a control center.

‘This technology promises to enhance urban mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and promote environmentally sustainable transportation solutions. By leveraging Zippar technology, we can create a seamless and efficient transport system within Camp John Hay, making it more accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike,’ Bingcang said in a news release on Sunday.

BCDA also inked a three-year partnership with the Organization for Public-Private Partnerships Promotion Support (OPPS) of Japan to facilitate the promotion of investment opportunities in New Clark City and other BCDA economic zones to Japanese companies.

The MOU was signed by Bingcang and OPPS Director and Vice President Kimikazu Uemura, with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Deputy Minister for Overseas Projects Seiichi Onodera, Japan Over
seas Infrastructure Investment Corp. for Transport and Urban Development President and CEO Tatsuhiko Takesada, and BCDA Vice President for Engineering and Social Support Mark Torres as witnesses.

Through this partnership, the BCDA and OPPS seek to create business opportunities, promote information exchange between the public and private sector, and scope appropriate modes of partnership with Japanese companies interested in specific investment areas, such as housing, estate management, operations and maintenance of sports facilities, transportation, waste-to-energy, smart city development, retail, and other areas that may be required or agreed upon by both parties.

‘OPPS as a steadfast advocate for BCDA’s projects, and leveraging on your Japanese network and expertise to attract investment and foster international partnerships will be crucial and invaluable in raising awareness about the opportunities available in New Clark City and in facilitating collaborations with global stakeholders,’ Bingcang said.

T
he OPPS is an organization of Japanese companies providing support services to realize PPPs and private finance initiatives.

It helps industries screen infrastructure projects and supports coordination between Japanese companies and partner governments.

Source: Philippines News Agency