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LAWYER, 67, KILLED IN HOSTAGE DRAMA

JUGIE Barte cries as she tries to convince her brother Charly Aton to surrender peacefully. Aton held lawyer Solomon Condonuevo hostage Monday night before killing him early yesterday in San Juan. The hostage taker then took his own life, according to police. (Photo by Michael Varcas)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014 VOL. 32 NO. 176 ISSN 0116-3973 HHHHH

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Police official probed over King’s murder

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Police hunt down ‘pork’ suspects 4

Luis on Brazil advances16 politics, marriage with Angel 4 US fugitives nabbed 8

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Security guard kills lawyer over missing car key

By RIZAL OBANIL

RESCUERS carry hostage victim Solomon Condonuevo who was shot by Charlemagne Aton, a secutiry guard, during a 10-hour hostage drama that ended yesterday morning. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. (Photo by Mark Balmores)

Aquino supports Japan’s expanded military role

By GENALYN KABILING TOKYO — The prospect of having Japanese forces aiding allies in need is gaining ground.

In a rare bold move, President Aquino has expressed support to Japan’s efforts to revisit its Constitution mainly to expand the defense role of its military in international peacekeeping efforts.

The President declared that he was not alarmed by planned Constitutional change in Japan “especially if the Japanese people so desire” shortly after his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

The two leaders met behind closed doors at the Old Prime Minister’s Residence in Tokyo where they agreed to bolster economic and defense cooperation.

At present, the Japanese constitution approved after the World War II limits its military activity only to self- defense.

The President, in his remarks, acknowledged that Japan could contribute to efforts to attain “our shared goals of peace, stability, and mutual prosperity,” “We believe that nations of goodwill can only benefit if the Japanese government is empowered to assist others, and is allowed the wherewithal to come to the aid of those in need, especially in the area of collective self-defense. To use the ongoing troubles in Syria as an example, Filipino peacekeepers have come under attack no less than three times; in such

a situation, one would want to be able to count on his allies in other units,” the President said.

“We therefore do not view with alarm any proposal to revisit the Japanese constitution, if the Japanese people so desire, especially if this enhances Japan’s ability to address its international obligations, and brings us closer to the attainment of our shared goals of peace, stability, and mutual prosperity,” he added.

After the World War II, Aquino noted that the country’s relations with Japan have been characterized by trust and unfailing support in so many fields.

He said Japan has acted with compassion and in accordance with international law, and has more actively and more positively engaged the region and the world.

Aquino also cited that the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the disaster relief medical teams were among those from Japan who mobilized to assist the Philippines during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda.

He said Japanese forces have also contributed to the United Nation’s peacekeeping activities in the Golan Heights.

Prime Minister Abe has informed the visiting Philippine leader about the approaches Japan is taking “under the policy of proactive contribution to peace” during their meeting.

A simple case of a missing car key led to a 10-hour hostage drama that ended in the tragic death of a lawyer and security guard yesterday in San Juan City.

Charlemagne Aton, 36, from Dipolog City, shot his employer Solomon Condonuevo on the head after holding him hostage for hours at his office on the ground floor of the Optima Building on N. Domingo Street.

Senior Superintendent Joselito Daniel, chief of San Juan police, said Condonuevo was still alive when members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams barged into the office at around 8 a.m.

Condonuevo was rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to police.

Daniel said Aton took his own life by aiming his weapon at his temple.

“He’s (Aton) right-handed, so the shot was from right to left,” Daniel

said in a press conference.

The police chief said the hostage drama began at 10 p.m.

Monday following an altercation between Aton and Condonuevo.

“Patapos na ng duty n’ya yung suspek, tapos nagkita sila ng amo niya.” Daniel recounted. “Ang sabi nagtalo daw dahil hinahanap ng abogado yung susi ng sasakyan niya.”

It was during the heated argument that Aton may have snapped and held Condonuevo at gunpoint.

Police tried to talk Aton into giving up and even brought his sister Jugie Barte to help in the negotiation.

“Nung una maganda pa ang takbo ng negosasyon, pero kalaunan yun na nga ang nangyari,” Daniel said.

Daniel said the suspect made several demands.

“He wanted to speak with his ex-girlfriend. He also wanted President Aquino and American

President Barrack Obama,” Daniel said.

The suspect had broken off with his girlfriend, a certain Luz Gomez, about a year ago, according to Daniel.

“We tried but couldn’t locate her,” he said.

The police chief said they even brought a psychiatrist to assess the suspect’s mental state during the negotiations through the locked gate and window.

“Ayaw niya makarinig ng Tagalog kaya naghanap pa kami ng magbibisaya para makausap siya,” Daniel said.

The suspect had no record of violence and has no grudge against his employer, according to Daniel.

Relatives also told police that Anton is not into drugs.

It is possible, according to Daniel, that Aton may have panicked after hearing sirens outside, thinking that police were about to move in.

Jinggoy asks SC to lift Sandigan’s arrest order Invoking his right to due process and equal protection of the law, detained Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada asked the Supreme Court (SC) to lift the arrest order issued by the Sandiganbayan and to nullify the criminal charges for plunder and graft filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

He pleaded the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the petition filed last Monday, the day he surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the basis of the arrest order issued against him in connection with alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Immediately after the issuance of an arrest order, Estrada asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to post bail.

“Sen. Estrada most respectfully prays that the Honorable Court admit him to bail in such amount as the court may fix, and order his release upon posting of bail,” his motion stated. It was not known immediately if the Sandiganbayan has acted on the motion.

Estrada was charged with pocketing R183.79 million in PDAF kickbacks from dealings with fake non-government organizations (NGOs) from 2004 to 2012.

In his SC petition, Estrada wanted a stop to the proceedings before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan.

Senator Estrada has filed an almost similar petition last May, except on the issue of voiding the arrest order. Instead of issuing a TRO, the SC required the

Ombudsman to comment on both the petition and the plea for a restraining order.

In his new petition, Estrada, through lawyer Sabino Acut Jr., wanted the SC to declare null and void the March 28 joint resolution of the Ombudsman that found probable cause against him for graft and plunder, and the June 4 order that denied his motion for reconsideration. “The continuation of further proceedings against Sen. Estrada by the Office of the Ombudsman, which has been ousted of its jurisdiction by virtue of its violation of Sen. Estrada’s constitutional rights, as well as the proceedings before the Sandiganbayan, will work injustice and cause grave and irreparable injury to him...” the petition stated. (Rey Panaligan)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

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Kerry hands warning to Iraqis over future

BAGHDAD (AP) – Warning of the “existential threat” posed

by Sunni militants, Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday the U.S. is prepared to take military action even if Baghdad delays political reforms, noting that the risks of letting the insurgency run rampant threaten dangers beyond Iraq’s borders.

But he stressed military action would not be in support of the present Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Kerry, on a few hours’ visit to Baghdad, urged Iraq’s leaders to quickly set aside divisions as the only means of stopping the vicious Sunni insurgency and said Iraq’s future depended on choices Iraq’s leaders make in the next days and weeks.

“The future of Iraq depends primarily on the ability of Iraq’s leaders to come together and take a stand united against ISIL,” Kerry told a news conference, using the acronym for the alQaida-breakaway group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the

Levant, that has captured huge swathes of Iraqi territory in the north and west.

“Not next week, not next month, but now,” he said. “It is essential that Iraq’s leaders form a genuinely inclusive government as rapidly as possible.”

It was a dire warning to leaders of Iraq’s bitterly divided Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish communities that came at a time when the Middle Eastern nation was facing its worst crisis since the withdrawal of U.S. forces in late 2011 after eight years in Iraq.

The Sunni fighters have virtually erased Iraq’s western border with Syria and also taken territory on the frontier with Jordan.

Noting the dangers the Sunni militants pose to Iraq and the region, Kerry said the U.S. was prepared to take military action if necessary even before a new government is formed.

“That’s why, again, I reiterate, the president will not be hampered if he deems it necessary, if the formation is not complete,” he said,

referring to Iraqi efforts to form a government that bridges the deep divisions among the majority Shiites and minority Sunnis, Kurds and other groups.

Kerry stressed, however, that if military action is taken — President Barack Obama has said he is considering airstrikes — “it has nothing to do with support for a specific government.”

“It’s not specifically support for the existing prime minister or for one sect or another,” Kerry said. “It will be against ISIL, because ISIL is a terrorist organization, and I think everybody today that we talked to understood the urgency.”

Kerry arrived in Baghdad just a day after the Sunni militants captured two key border posts, one along the frontier with Jordan and the other with Syria, deepening alMaliki’s predicament. Their latest victories considerably expanded territory under their control just two weeks after the group started swallowing up chunks of northern Iraq, heightening pressure on alMaliki to step aside.

Ukraine rebels agree to ceasefire KIEV (AFP) - Ukraine’s proRussian insurgents have agreed to a temporary ceasefire and talks with the new Western-backed president, as US President Barack Obama warned Russia it risks fresh sanctions over its support for the separatists.

The surprise ceasefire announcement from the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly threw his weight behind Kiev’s peace overtures and urged the separatists to halt fire.

Ukraine’s security services confirmed on Monday evening that militia strikes in the two heavily-Russified industrial regions that have been at the heart of the insurgency came to an abrupt halt in the late afternoon.

The self-proclaimed prime minister of Donetsk said his side’s ceasefire would match the one earlier ordered by President Petro Poroshenko and last until Friday morning.

“In response to the ceasefire declared by Kiev, we pledge to also halt fire on our part. This ceasefire will last until June 27,” Oleksandr Borodai told Russia’s ITAR-TASS

news agency in Donetsk.

“We hope that during the period in which both sides halt fire, we will be able to agree and begin consultations about holding negotiations about a peaceful settlement to the conflict,” he told Russian state television in separate comments.

The White House said Obama told Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday that Russia would face new sanctions if it fails to stop the flow of weapons

into Ukraine.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama used the call to drive home consistent US and Western warnings on Ukraine – that Russia must stop supporting separatists in the east of the country and halt the flow of weapons across the border.

“Though we believe a diplomatic solution is still possible, Russia will face additional costs if we do not see concrete actions to de-escalate the situation,” Earnest stressed.

Skulls found inside teddy bears at airport M E X I C O C I TY (AFP) Inspectors discovered two skulls and other human remains hidden inside teddy bears at a Mexico City airport shipping company.

Company employees made the find when they ran the plush bears under an x-ray machine during a routine inspection, the Mexico City public prosecutor’s office said on Sunday.

The human remains “appear to have been recently exhumed,” the office said in a statement.

Authorities contacted and

arrested the man who was mailing the package, who said he bought the skills at a popular downtown Mexico City market.

The man said the skulls “are in demand abroad by people who practice santeria,” an AfroCaribbean syncretic religion.

Santeria, which mixes west African Yoruba traditions with Catholic rites, grew out of the slave trade to the Americas and is practiced in the Caribbean as well as places like Florida and Brazil.

WORLD NEWS Priest blackmailed ROME (AFP) – Italian police dressed as priests have ensnared two would-be blackmailers who were threatening to publish wiretaps of an erotic conversation with a clergyman, local media said Sunday.

Police in the Lombardy region of northern Italy donned priestly garb late Saturday to trap two Romanian men in the town of Lomellina who were trying to get the local church to pay them 250,000 euros ($340,000) so as not to hand the tape over to the media. The recording allegedly captures an unnamed local priest having an erotic conversation with one of the two men, the reports said.

Vagina sculpture traps student BERLIN (AP) – An American exchange student who got stuck in a giant vagina sculpture was freed by firefighters in southwestern Germany.

Tuebingen fire service official Markus Mozer said Monday that the young man slipped as he tried to climb into the stone sculpture to pose for a photo. He couldn’t free himself, so the fire service was called. Four firefighters eased him out of the sculpture. The incident happened on Friday and the student’s name wasn’t released. Mozer says no damage was done to the sculpture, created by Peruvian-born artist Fernando de la Jara.

168 youth saved in sex sting WASHINGTON (AFP) - Federal authorities conducted a sweep through more than 100 US cities and recovered 168 children from child sex trafficking, the FBI said.

Some 281 pimps were also arrested in Operation Cross-Country, a week-long enforcement that Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey said can help “end the cycle of victimization” of US youth.

Denver was the FBI division with the most recovered victims, with 18, followed by Cleveland, Ohio (16), Chicago (13) and Atlanta (11).

Mafia crackdown ROME (PNA/Xinhua) – Italian police on Monday arrested more than 90 mafia suspects on charges of extortion and association in criminal networks in Palermo, the capital city of southern Sicily Island, local media said.

Prosecutors reportedly dismantled part of the Cosa Nostra crime syndicate, better known as the Sicilian mafia, which they found to have penetrated part of Palermo’s legal economy through a suffocating extortive network. Among the arrested, which were as many as 95 according to ANSA news agency, there were both renowned mafia bosses and their heirs. Police also seized businesses worth millions of euros.

Body retrieved from ferry SEOUL (AFP) – Dive teams on Tuesday recovered another victim of South Korea’s ferry disaster, the first to be retrieved from the sunken vessel in 16 days in an increasingly frustrating search for the last bodies.

The body was of a woman passenger, and brings the total number of confirmed victims from the April 16 disaster to 293, with 11 still unaccounted for. The 6,825-ton Sewol passenger ferry was carrying 476 people, including 325 students on a school trip, when it sank off the southwest coast.

Egypt jails journalists Three Al Jazeera journalists were jailed for seven years each by an Egyptian judge on Monday, in what Washington called “chilling, draconian sentences” that must be reversed.

Cairo defended the journalists’ convictions – for aiding a “terrorist organisation” – and rejected the widespread condemnation as “interference in its internal affairs”. The three, who all denied the charge of working with the now banned Muslim Brotherhood, included Australian Peter Greste and Canadian-Egyptian national Mohamed Fahmy, Cairo bureau chief of Al Jazeera English.

The third defendant, Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed, was given an extra three years for possessing a single bullet, at the hearing attended by Western diplomats, some of whose governments summoned Egypt’s ambassadors over the case.

The men have been held at Egypt’s notorious Tora Prison for six months, with the case becoming a rallying point for rights groups and news organisations around the world.(Reuters)

Puppy drives car into pond

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

MORE NEWS Bus robbers strike in Makati Police launched a manhunt against two robbers who held up in broad daylight the passengers of a bus along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in Makati City yesterday.

Police said the armed robbers were identified by some of the passengers as Robin Orbeta and Aaron John Penaflor through the police rogue gallery.

Chief Inspector Reycon Garduque, head of the Makati Police Criminal Investigation Division, said the suspects are members of the AnoverAbraham/Katipunan robbery-holdup group based in Mandaluyong City.

The suspects boarded the South Union Liner bus bound to Alabang and pretended to be passengers.

Before reaching Buendia at 7a.m., the robbers, who were armed with a gun and a knife, declared the holdup. They threatened the passengers while divesting them of their cash and personal belongings.

According to complainants, the robbery happened so fast. None of the passengers tried to wrestle due to fear.

The robbers got off the bus and crossed EDSA. “The group is involved in other robbery cases in Mandaluyong and Quezon City. They have been arrested but were able to get away after posting bail,” said Garduque. (Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren)

Jeep operators push for R10 fare Public utility jeepney (PUJ) operators are mulling on filing another petition for fare increase following the series of recent oil price hikes, saying minimum fare should be at least R10 to cushion the effect of the erratic pricing of petroleum products.

Efren de Luna of the Association of Concerned Transport Operators (ACTO) said the same groups that pushed for PUJ fare hike in Regions 3, 4 and the National Capital Region will be filing a new petition for fare increase next week.

Since the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has already allowed them to hike minimum PUJ fare from R8 to R8.50, de Luna said they will petition a R1.50 increase.

“The 50-centavo fare hike granted to us is no longer sufficient to shoulder the expense of additional cost of fuel,” de Luna said, adding that average diesel prices have increased to R1.30 since the fare hike was implemented last June 14.

De Luna said their groups will convince government to hike minimum PUJ fare to R10, considering that the current R8.50 rate was a product of voluntary reduction of fare initiated by operators.

“As we have been arguing in the past, the minimum fare should be R10. The fare was reduced to R8 just because we volunteered to reduce fares from. We are actually entitled to R8.50,” he added.

To recall, the minimum jeepney fare for Regions 3, 4 and the NCR is already pegged at R8.50 for the first four kilometers and R1.50 for the succeeding kilometer. (Kris Bayos)

Las Piñas holds quake resiliency tests Las Piñas launched its earthquake resiliency tests in strategic areas of the city as part of priority measures to cushion the impact of a calamity or disaster.

Conducted in collaboration with Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivols) the City Engineering Office aims to determine the capability and resiliency of certain areas with medium to high rise structures.

Mayor Vergel Aguilar pointed out that the ground tremor analysis will make part of the city’s disaster preparedness plan to mitigate possible damage and casualties in case of earthquake or storm surge, particularly in some low-lying and coastal barangays.

“We have enjoined the communities and mobilized our barangays in putting into action our measures to make our city resilient to disaster so that no life or property would be compromised,” Aguilar said.

While there is no extremely high rise building in the city, considering its proximity to NAIA runway, a comprehensive data is necessary to update Las Piñas’ disaster resiliency template. This, he added, is compounded by Phivolcs’ warning of possible massive destructions in case a 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurs.

Police teams hunt down other ‘pork’ scam suspects

By AARON B. RECUENO

Police tracker teams have been dispatched to locate the rest of the respondents in the graft and plunder charges in connection with the R10-billion pork barrel scam.

So far, only four of the accused in the two plunder cases have been served with arrest warrants— Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada, Revilla’s chief of staff Richard Cambe, and the so-called architect of the pork barrel scam Janet Lim Napoles.

Napoles is already detained in a police camp in Laguna but Senior Supt. Roberto Fajardo, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Metro Manila, said they still have to serve the two arrest warrants to her as a

matter of legal procedure.

Napoles is respondent in two plunder cases filed against Estrada and Revilla, now being handled by 5th and 1st Divisions of the Sandiganbayan, respectively. She is also among the respondents in the plunder case leveled against Senator Juan Ponce Enrile that was raffled off to 3rd Division.

“We have manhunt teams intended for other respondents,” said Chief Insp. Elizabeth Jasmin, CIDG spokesperson, for her part.

She said the tracker teams are actually part of the contingency measures that the CIDG has long prepared in anticipation for the issuance of the arrest warrants for the pork plunder case.

More than 25 other respondents on the separate graft charges against Revilla and Estrada remain unaccounted.

It was learned that at least 20 respondents, including Napoles’ children and Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, have already posted bail.

One of the most wanted criminals in the United States and four of his compatriots were nabbed separately this month by agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in their hideouts in Metro Manila and in the provinces.

BI Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison said Elbert Kyung Ma alias Andrew Lee, 32, a murder convict, was arrested in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City.

Mison identified the other four

American fugitives as Jeffrey Louis Ochs, 54; Charlie Alog, 62; Michael Robert Cronin, 31; and Danielle Nopuente, 49.

Mison said Ma was also wanted for parole violation, illegal possession of firearm, fraud and driving under the influence of liquor.

The immigration chief said Ma arrived in the country in July 2011 as a tourist without securing extension stay.

The US Embassy informed the bureau that Ma’s US passport has been revoked by the State Department, and poses risk to public safety.

The US diplomatic security service in Manila issued a one-page “Most Wanted” poster on Ma. When arrested, the BI agents

confiscated various ID’s from Ma, including a professional driver’s license, and company ID as regional manager of Manpower Phil Inc., of Chino Roces, Makati.

Meanwhile, Ochs, who is wanted for identity fraud, was apprehended in Dasmariñas, Cavite, while Alog, who is wanted for rape and sexual assault, was caught in his hideout in Umingan, Pangasinan.

On the other hand, Cronin, who is wanted for a burglary, was caught in Dasmariñas, Cavite after two weeks of surveillance, while Nopuente was apprehended in Tagaytay City.

Aside from Alog who was sent back home last week, the other fugitives face summary deportation.

(Jun Ramirez)

5 US fugitives arrested

New Pasig River ferry station Starting Friday, the Pasig River ferry will expand its route to another area in Manila with the opening of Sta. Ana ferry passenger terminal.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino said they have completed the repair of the old Sta. Ana station in Manila in coordination with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) and other concerned agencies.

“With the opening of the Sta. Ana station, we will be expanding our routes to service more passengers,” Tolentino said.

The Sta. Ana terminal, located at the southeast bank of Pasig River, will benefit passengers going to and from Manila, particularly Paco, Pandacan, and San Andres.

It is also near barangay Old Zaniga and Vergara in Mandaluyong City and Carmona, Kasilawan, and Tejeros in Makati City, among others. (Anna Liza Villas-Alavaren)

A PRIEST blesses residents covered with mud and dried banana leaves during a Mass celebrating the feast day of Catholic Saint John the Baptist in Barangay Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija. Hundreds of devotees took part yesterday in this annual religious tradition that started in 1945. (Photo by KJ Rosales)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

NEWS ROUNDUP Motorbikes collide; 1 dead, 2 hurt BUTUAN CITY – A 48-year-old woman died while two others were injured Monday when two motorcycles collided along national highway at Purok 5, Hubang, Barangay Libertad in Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur province.

Police identified the fatality as Dolores Sandican Galve of Purok 2, Hubang.

The injured victims – Leopoldo P. Forgoso, 40, and Risty T. Campos, 25 – are now confined in Bunawan District Hospital.

Initial investigation showed that that Forgoso, along with back rider Galve, was driving a SYM 125 motorcycle along the highway at about 4:45 p.m. when they were bumped by a Honda TMX 125 motorcycle driven by Campos who was heading to Rosario town.

The three victims were rushed to the hospital but Galve was declared dead on arrival. (Mike U. Crismundo)

Fisherman dies in blast BUTUAN CITY – A fisherman died after an improvised explosive device he was using for fishing prematurely exploded in Mapuya sea waters in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, at 2 p.m. Monday, police said yesterday.

Police identified the fisherman as Julito Vertudez Cebo, 38, of Sta. Cruz, Del Carmen.

A report from Del Carmen Municipal Police Station (MPS) stated that the victim was fishing with his 14-year-old son Junior on board a boat when the explosive placed in a bottle unexpectedly exploded, killing him instantly.

The victim’s son was unharmed, police said. (Mike U. Crismundo)

Drug raid nets 11 in Bulacan CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Police raided a drug den and arrested 11 suspected pushers in Barangay Caingin, Bocaue, Bulacan last Monday, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) said.

Supt. Nelson Aganon, PRO3 spokesperson said that joint members of the Bocaue police in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 3 also seized assorted firearms and drug paraphernalia during the raid.

The arrested suspects were identified Arlan Bantilan, Rodrigo Roque, a lineman; Wilfredo Azurez, a labourer; Jay Aldrin Dizon, a driver; Jayson Nicolas, a plumber; Gary Nicolas; Ricardo Nicolas Jr.; Robin de Guzman; Richard Soliman; Eduardo Tapang and Raul Nicolas, all residents of Bulacan.

Aganon said the operatives discovered that the residence of (Raul) Nicolas in Bgy. Caingin served as the shabu den of the pushers.

Seized from the den were one R500 bill, 23 plastic sachets of shabu, one plastic of small marijuana brick; drug paraphernalia; two portable digital scales; and assorted firearms.

The arrested suspects together with the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for examination, said Aganon.

Appropriate charges against the suspects are being prepared for filing before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutors, City of Malolos, Bulacan, he added. (Franco G. Regala)

OMB indicts ex-Sarangani official A former board member of the Province of Sarangani is facing criminal charges for alleged failure to liquidate cash advances amounting to R340,000.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered yesterday the filing of criminal charges against Hanafi Abdullatip Ibrahim for “failure of accountable officer to render accounts punishable under Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code.”

Based on the audit investigation conducted by the Commission on Audit (COA), Ibrahim failed to heed COA’s demand to render an accounting of the funds he received in behalf of the Philippine Councilors League in 2006 and 2007.

Ibrahim currently serves as an executive assistant in the Office of the Provincial Governor. (Jun Ramirez)

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Police official probed over King’s murder

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

DAVAO CITY – A high-ranking official of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Davao region was dragged into the killing of hotel owner Richard Lim King following the arrest of three suspects, including the alleged gunman, here on Sunday afternoon.

On Monday night, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte accompanied Supt. Leonardo Felonia to the office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to clarify and clear his name in relation to the killing of King.

“He wanted to surrender to me but I told him I am not the proper entity”, Duterte said, adding that he also informed Felonia that his name came out during the investigation after the three suspects were arrested.

Felonia is currently the investigation division chief of the PNP Regional Office in Camp Catitipan here.

“I would not speculate on anything, he has to be investigated formally”, Duterte added.

The mayor pointed out that he has also told Felonia that the investigation on the killing of King is now focusing on him.

“If you want to clear your name then submit yourself to investigation”, Duterte told Felonia.

Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario, PNP11 regional director, was already informed of Felonia’s surrender, Duterte added.

“You have the right to remain silent, get the services of the lawyer and my advise to you now is, since you are already in the picture, you might want to consult a lawyer and shut up,” Duterte further told Felonia.

When interviewed by the media, Felonia said he will consult first a lawyer before making any statement to the public. He refused to answer further questions.

NBI Region 11 Director Dante Gierran told reporters that Felonia will temporarily stay in their office as the investigation on the case continues.

Both Duterte and Gierran refused to call Felonia a suspect during the press conference on Monday night since no formal charges were lodged against the police officer.

Duterte said he had already instructed the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to complete the inves-

tigations and submitted a report on the case.

Last Sunday afternoon, DCPO operatives arrested three suspects in King’s gunslaying. They were identified as Dave Paul Molina Laban, the alleged triggerman; Rommel dela Cerna, 39, a police asset; and Rodel dela Cerna, a tricycle driver.

During interview, Rommel told the media that he was the first one who entered the Vital-C Building in Barangay Obrero on June 12 to look for King. Later, Dave Paul received a phone call from a police officer telling him that the victim was already in his office.

After confirming that King was inside the building, Dave Paul entered and gunned down the victim, Rommel added.

Dave Paul immediately left the crime scene on board a motorcycle driven by Rodel.

Mayor Duterte said Felonia might have heard that his name came out during the investigation, prompting him to surrender himself to the mayor and the NBI. Criminal cases were filed against the arrested suspects last Monday, according to police.

Mom who killed own daughter yields SABLAN, Benguet — A mother who killed her three-year-old daughter on May 26 was surrendered by her relatives to the police last week, police reported yesterday.

Relatives of suspect Diane Argayan brought her to the police on June 17 for safekeeping pending the court’s issuance of arrest warrant for parricide case.

Investigators of Sablan Municipal Police Station filed the case against Argayan for killing her daughter inside their house in Sitio Tiw-iw, Barangay Banangan, Sablan, Benguet.

“There is an agreement with the relatives to voluntarily bring her to our care for her safety because of the threats they had been receiving. The situation was brought to the attention of the prosecutor who gave a commitment order by way of a waiver while she stays at the police station pending the court’s issuance of an warrant of arrest,” Senior Inspector Christian Alucod, chief of police, said on Monday.

Alucod said the suspect, when brought to the doctor, was diagnosed with acute mental distress disorder, a situation that may raise a problem when the hearing of the case commences, the policeman said.

The police used as evidence the statement of the victim’s sixyear-old cousin, testifying that the victim managed to tell her before she died that it was her own mother who stabbed her. (Zaldy C. Comanda)

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2014

EDITORIAL

Kasangga Mo ang Langit Rey Langit

Inclusive democracy, inclusive Prepping for senator detainees: Behind the scenes growth, inclusive gov’t policy U L ONG before the warrant of arrest for Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. was issued, the Philippine National Police had already been preparing its custodial center for the arrival of some of its most prominent “guests.”

I spoke with PNP Chief Superintendent Reuben Cindac last week over my morning radio program in DWIZ 882 AM to get the story behind the scenes about the fury of preparation Camp Crame is surely pending the issuance of the warrants of arrest for the lawmakers allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam.

As of last Friday, Chief Supt. Cindac said that they are ready to receive the Sandiganbayan’s missive and are prepared for any eventuality once the warrants are issued. Last week, Sen. Revilla expressed his intention to surrender to the authorities (which he did later that morning) and those watching the coverage would note that the police did not handcuff him.

During our interview, Chief Supt. Cindac explained that the use of handcuffs is not mandatory especially in cases when the person being arrested does not need to be restrained such as when a suspect is cooperative and willing to be escorted by the police to a detention facility. In Sen. Revilla’s case, he ar-

rived last Friday morning in Sandiganbayan and is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

On Monday afternoon, Senator Jinggoy Estrada was booked at the same facility after turning himself in to his father, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

Chief Supt. Cindac said that the PNP has made certain that the Senator-detainees are not mixed in with the other high-profile inmates of the custodial center, some of whom are former police officials and also terrorists. He also stressed that theirs would be a high security detention facility which meant that their security protocol is magnified and the detainees would be monitored 24/7. The rule against any personal communication gadgets will be strictly enforced and there will be no special treatment, including when it comes to their food rations. They will be permitted to have food brought to them by visitors however, after having it thoroughly inspected by the guards.

According to Chief Supt. Cindac, they make sure that nothing untoward will happen to all of the detainees under their custody. With two Senator-detainees under their care and possibly more to come from the Sandiganbayan’s list, the custodial center will likely be a very busy place in the coming weeks.

NITED States Secretary of State John Kerry made his way to the Middle East Sunday to bring US leaders’ call on Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to be a man for all Iraqi people – including Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians – not just Shiites who now run Iraq’s government. President Obama said in an interview: “We gave Iraq the chance to have an inclusive democracy – to work across sectarian lines, to provide a better future for their children. What we’ve seen is a breakdown of trust.”

This was the American leaders’ reaction to the fighting now raging in Iraq, largely between Sunni militants, who have seized several cities and a vast territory in northern and western Iraq, and the Shiite-led government holding forth in Baghdad. Shiites were originally the followers of the prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin Ali whom they regarded as the rightful successor and the first Imam, while the Sunnis recognized four caliphs before Ali. Of the estimated 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, Sunnis are believed to make up 75 to 90 percent. Shiites today control the Iraqi government after the fall of Sadam Hussein’s Sunni regime.

There are surely other factors in the current conflict in Iraq other than the sectarian divide, but the apparent failure of the al-Maliki government to establish an “inclusive democracy” appears to be at the bottom of the widespread dissatisfaction in Iraq today. The invading forces from northern Iraq include Kurds, an ethnic group distinct from the Arabic Iraqis. Also with the rebels are men of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) whose goal is a purely Islamic state. These are among the various groups that seem to have been left out in the Baghdad government.

The term “inclusive democracy” used by President Obama or “inclusive government” resonates with us in the Philippines. It has been used at various times by critics of the government. When the administration trumpeted the country’s 7.5% GDP growth in the second quarter of last year, critics were quick to point out that it was not “inclusive growth” because it did not include the great majority of the people whose lives were not touched by the GDP growth. Now, in the current PDAF developments, the need for “inclusive justice” has been stressed, referring to justice that covers all, including allies of the administration.

In all things, it would be good basic policy for all governments, including ours, to be inclusive, to embrace all and not be partial or discriminatory to any group. There should be no selective progress, no selective justice.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Of Trees and Forest Senator Manny Villar

Brighter prospects for agriculture (Second of two parts)

W

E continue to court foreign investors to do business in the Philippines. To date, we are still trying to catch up with our neighbors when it comes to the amount of foreign direct investments coming our way.

Based on information I have been gathering from media reports as well as government publications, I believe agriculture is one area with a great potential to attract foreign capital. It is

Reflections Today

False prophets Gospel Reading: Mt 7:15-20 ESUS said to his disciples,] “ B e wa r e o f fa l s e p r o p h e t s , who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.”

Reflections

BY THEIR FRUITS YOU WILL KNOW THEM. Prophets speak the word of God to their contemporaries.

They are not tellers of future events, but they can predict the consequences of people’s actions.

And so when Israel or any nation violates the will of God, the people can expect judgment.

When Israel calls on a powerful nation—like Assyria or Babylonia— instead of trusting in God’s protection, the prophet will predict that this ally will one day turn against Israel and make the nation its vassal.

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also the kind of investment that is beyond the capacity of local investors.

The good news is that investors, both foreign and domestic, including governments, are interested in undertaking agricultural projects. These are big-ticket projects that will generate high-quality jobs with decent salaries. These are what Filipinos in the rural areas need to climb out of the poverty pit.

Developing and making the agriculture sector competitive has also become an urgent necessity for us. First, with the lowering or elimination of import tariffs under the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) free trade regime beginning next year, we will be flooded with products It is not always easy to distinguish the true prophet from the false. Both claim to speak in the name of the Lord. One guide is to see if his oracles prove true.

But this is not always a sure-fire proof. Another indicator is the authenticity of his word; a true prophet is committed to the faith of Israel. Still another gauge is the life of the prophet himself. A genuine prophet proclaims the word of the Lord even if it is hard to the hearing of the rulers and the people. A false prophet may twist the word of God for his personal gain or advantage; a true prophet proclaims the word “in season and out of season.”

Ultimately, a sure guide to the authenticity of the prophets is the fruit of their lives. Jesus says, “By their fruits you will know them.”

This applies not only to prophets but also to all human beings.

People may be good in acting or in pretending, but eventually their true character will be unmasked by their manner of life. *** “What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say” (Ralph Waldo Emerson).

It is our good life—the good fruits that we bear— that will make people pay attention to us. *** SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

from our neighbors unless we are able to produce them at prices and quantities at par with other ASEAN members. Second, the scale insect infestation that has destroyed thousands of coconut trees has made it necessary to develop new areas to plant coconut so as not to affect production.

This is the time for the Philippines to undertake an agricultural renaissance, with help from the private sector.

We are an agricultural country, so it is proper that we develop agriculture as a major industry.

The World Bank estimates (as of 2000) agricultural lands in the Philippines at 111,840 square kilometers, or 37.5 percent of the country’s total land area of 298,170 square kilometers. Other estimates place agricultural land at as high as 47 percent of total land area.

In 2011, this paper published a report about the South Korean government’s interest in funding the development of idle lands in the Philippines. The Department of Trade and Industry said the project, which would initially cover 3,000 hectares of idle lands (out of the estimated 100,000 hectares of idle government agricultural lands) in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Aurora and Misamis Oriental for corn and

other crops, would be coursed through Korea International Cooperation Agency.

The South Korean government wanted to use the project as a showcase to encourage Korean companies to tie up with Filipinos in agricultural projects.

I have not heard any update on the proposal, but I hope the government is aggressively pursuing it. If the 3,000 hectares were developed as a sugar plantation, the estimated capital requirement would be R270 million.

Another investor that has been pursuing agricultural projects in the Philippines is the First Pacific Group, headquartered in Hong Kong but owned by Indonesians.

PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, the food business of First Pacific, owns about 268,725 hectares of oil palm, rubber, sugar cane, cocoa and tea plantations in Indonesia.

In the Philippines, First Pacific has acquired a 34-percent stake in publicly listed Roxas Holdings Inc., which is engaged in sugar production.

In 2012, First Pacific and hybrid rice seed grower SL Agritech Corp. engaged in talks for a partnership on large scale rice farming in which First Pacific would provide the tracts of land while SL Agritech will provide the

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rice seeds.

First Pacific is also looking at developing 30,000 hectares of land in Davao Oriental for oil palm production. This coincides with Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje’s proposal to utilize eight million hectares of idle or denuded lands for agricultural projects.

Even the Ayala conglomerate, for a long time known for its banking, real estate and telecom businesses, has expressed interest in going into agriculture.

The agriculture department said in news reports that the Makati-based conglomerate was interested in investing in agriculture in the areas that were affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

In sum, there is no dearth of investor interest in leading the renaissance of agriculture.

There is also no limit to making agriculture a growth driver for the economy.

More importantly, we now have an opportunity to eliminate poverty, which has for so long impoverished more than a quarter of our population.

Let us all act now, or we risk losing the opportunity forever.

(For comments/feedback email to: mbv.secretariat@gmail.com or visit www.mannyvillar.com. ph)

‘Like a Rolling Stone’ could bring $2M at auction One of the most popular songs of all time, Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” could bring between $1 million and $2 million at auction.

A working draft of the finished song in Dylan’s own hand is being offered by Sotheby’s on Tuesday.

The draft is written in pencil on four sheets of hotel letterhead stationery with revisions, additions, notes and doodles: a hat, a bird, an animal with antlers. The stationery comes from the Roger Smith hotel in Washington, D.C. Dylan was only 24 when he recorded the song in 1965 about a

debutante who becomes a loner when she’s cast from upper-class social circles.

“How does it feel To be on your own” it says in his handwriting.

“No direction home Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone.”

Scrawls seem to reflect the artist’s experimentation with rhymes.

The name “Al Capone” is scrawled in the margin, with a line leading to the lyrics “Like a complete unknown.”

Another note says: “...dry vermouth, you’ll tell the truth...”

Sotheby’s described the seller

as a longtime fan from California “who met his hero in a non-rock context and bought directly from Dylan.” He was not identified.

The auction house says it is “the only known surviving draft of the final lyrics for this transformative rock anthem.”

The manuscript is being offered as part of Sotheby’s rock and pop music sale.

In 2010, John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics for “A Day in the Life,” the final track on the Beatles’ classic 1967 album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” sold for $1.2 million, the record for such a sale. (AP)

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Wala pa ring kupas

Luis at AngE Napag-usapan na c

WALA pa ring kupas si Governor Vilma Santos-Recto sa husay niyang sumayaw. Ang galing-galing pa rin niyang umindak noong napanood namin siva sa dance show ni Marian Rivera. Feeling 20 something pa lang ang edad ng actress-politician at bagets na bagets ang get-up. Carry naman ni Gov. Vi dahil cute at petite siva. 'Yun ang advantage niya sa ibang celebrities na malalaking bulas at matatangkad na kahit mga bata pa'y mukha nang matanda.

Baby Marian ang tawag niya kay Marian, tinawag naman siya nitong ninang. Mukhang wala nang atrasan na mag-ninang si Gov. Vi kapag nakapag-desisyon na sina Dingdong at Marian na magpakasal na.

Alin kaya ang mauuna, baby 0 kasal? Sa isang interbyu, sinabi ni Marian na handa na siyang bigyan ng anak si Dingdong. Likewise, sinabi rin ng Kapuso Primetime King na handa na rin siyang maging daddy. (Rowena Agilada)

Timing Rowena Agilada

GOVERNOR Vilma Santos-Recto

GERALD Anderson

Ronald Constantino

'G

OING LEGAL' - Maja Salvador goes legal - on the concert stage that is.

Come July 12 at the Music Museum, Ms. Salvador topbills "Maj The Legal Performer," showing her singing and dancing prowess.

The title of concert is, needless to say, a takeoff from the ABS-CBN soap "The Legal Wife," where Maja plays Nicole the mistress. "The National Mistress" Maja's called.

Maj friends call Ms. Salvador, prompting concert director Johnny Manahan to suggest the "Maj" billing.

• NO TEAM-UP, PLEASE - Will BF Gerald Anderson guest in Maja's concert?

Maja says no, "Wag na lang," explaining she and Gerald agreed to separate their lovelife from personal life. No team-up onscreen, be it big or small. "Baka maapektuhan ang aming relasyon."

Well, as they say, "May katuwiran ang katuwiran. Iwas intriga at kontrobersiya ."

But then, should ABS-CBN and Star Cinema management order Maja and Gerald to team up in a movie or soap, they have no choice but to obey.

In the meantime, no team-up, please.

OBRANG na-miss nina Dingdong Dantes at Marian Rivera ang isa't isa, kaya naman noong nagkita sila sa New York, super sweet ang mga pinost nilang kissing pictures nila sa kanilang respective Instragram accounts.

Mahihiya ang mga langgam sa "katamisan" ng kanilang halik.

Parang isang romantic scene sa isang pelikula 0 teleserye ang kissing photos nina Dingdong at Marian. Ang caption ni Dingdong, "Pambihirang pananabik," samantalang ang kay Marian ay, "Happiness to its fullest.

Miss na miss na miss na miss na miss na miss na miss na miss, Mi Amor."

By this time, nakabalik na sa Pilipinas sina Dingdong at Marian.

Balik-trabaho na sila. Busy-bisihan na si Marian sa kanyang dance show at si Dingdong, sa taping ng "Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real." Paigting nang paigting ang mga eksena dahil nagkaharap na ang dalawang Mrs. Real na sina Maricel Soriano at Lovi Poe.

S

Maja and Gerald: No team-up, please Highspeed

,

Sasabak na sa pulitika Mukhang papalaot na rin sa larangan ng pulitika si Luis Manzano sa 2016 elections. Inamin niya sa "The Buzz" na nag-usap na sila ng

MAJA Salvador

• TRIPLE THREAT - Maja Salvador is a triple threaLand treat. She dances and sings. The lady also acts - and acts well. Remember she has an Urian (best actress for "Thelma"). Urian is most coveted and treasured by actors and other movie artists and craftsman .

Maja has a bestselling song, "Dahan-Dahan," which may well describe her showbiz journey, slowly but surely the past 10 years.

• 'DANCE PRINCESS' - Ms. Thess Gubi of Star Magic provides Highspeed with production notes on Maja's upcoming concert.

Dubbed as the "Dance Princess of the Philippines," Maja Salvador certainly lives up to her moniker.

Yet, over the years she has shown that there's more to her tha n

Enterta

tempoen@gmail,com

acting on screen and dancing on stage. As an actress, she has shared the small and big screen with the country's most notable acts on television shows and movies that gave her recognitions including her most recent talked about primetime soap "The Legal Wife".

• PURE ENTERTAINMENT - Maja levels up as she conquers the concert scene in "MAJ The Legal Performer" on July 12 at the Music Museum. Produced by Hills & Dreams Events Concepts Co., tickets are available in all Ticket World outlets and at the Music Museum.

Directed by Johnny Manahan with Marvin Querido as musical director, the show features guests Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil, and Piolo Pascual.

ANGEL Locsin kanyang mommy (Governor Vilma Santos-Recto) at Tito Ralph (Senator Ralph Recto) tungkol sa posibilidad na pagkandidato niya sa Batangas. Pero ani Luis, nasa kanya ang final decision kung magpu-pulitika na rin siya tulad ng kanyang mommy Vi at Tito Ralph.

Matatandaang sa isang interbyu naman sa daddy Edu Manzano ni Luis, tahasan nitong sinabi na hindi pa panahon para mag-pulitika ang anak niya. Malakas pa raw itong kumita sa showbiz at dapat daw na samantalahin ni Luis ang magagandang oportunidad na dumarating.

Tama naman si Edu. Sa posibilidad naman na magpapakasal na sina

'Yagit' para din sa mga

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By NITZ MIRALLES IPINA-INTERVIEW ng GMA-7 ang tinawag nilang "format owner" ng "Mga Batang Yagit" na sina Eddie at Lito Cruz. Ire-remake ng network ang soap opera na sumikat noong 80's, pero "Yagit" na lang ang title.

Para sa kanila, mas bagay kung "Yagit" na lang ang title ng teleserye para sakop nito hindi lang ang mga batang yagit sa kalye, pati na ang napakaraming problema ng gobyerno na nagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan.

"Nasisiyahan kami ni Lito sa ginawa ng GMA-7 na i-remake ang "Yagit." We are honored and pleased.

Ipakikita dito ang totoo sa mundo at mabubuksan ang mga mata at isip ng manonood nito," panimula ni Eddie.

Sa tanong kung bakit pinili nilang sa GMA-7 ang remake ng "Yagit," ang sagot nito ay dahil sa network ito nagsimula. Dagdag pa nito, willing sila ni Lito na magsilbing consultant ng teleserye. Ang taping nito ay mag-

sisimula sa July 2 sa direction ni Gina Alajar.

Sabi naman ni Lito, maraming lesson ang maipaparating ng "Yagit" sa viewers kasama na rito ang hindi sagabal ang pagiging yagit para umasenso. Marami rin ang makakarelate sa story nito dahil marami ang mahirap sa mga Pinoy. Naniniwala rin itong hindi mahihirapan ang creative staff na maghanap ng story sa "Yagit" dahil hindi sila mauubusan.

Bakit kailangang panoorin ang "Yagit'?

"Dahil mas maraming mahihirap na tao ngayon at sa panonood ng 'Yagit,' they can dream. Ang katangian ng mga bata noon, sila ang magpapatunay na sa rami ng hirap sa buhay nila, sisikat din ang araw sa kanilang buhay. Isa ito sa mga ituturo ng 'Yagit:" sagot ni Lito.

"Relevant ang 'Yagit' sa panahong ito na ang corruption is everywhere.

Sana ang mga guilty sa Kongreso at

· men t In

NESTOR CUARTERO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Editor

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Jon Joven after 'Miss Saigon'

Ing kasal

Trailer Nestor Cuartero

l LUIS Manzano

UST A THOUGHT: When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. - Lao Tzu

*** INTERNATIONAL TO LOCAL:

Luis at Angel Locsin, anang TV host-Kapamilya actor, noong nagkabalikan sila ni Angel, napagusa pan na nila ang kasal. Hindi lang masabi ni Luis kung kailan at kung alin ang mauuna, ang kasal nila ni Angel 0 ang pagpasok niya sa pulitika.

May mga gustong pangunahan sina Luis at Angel na sana raw, magpakasal muna sila bago magpulitika si Luis. Magiging big asset daw kasi si Angel sa political career ni Luis, if ever.

Between now and 2016, marami pa ang pwedeng mangyari, kava abang-abang na lang 'pag may time.

,t sa gobyerno sa Senado ay panoorin ito at surutin sana kayo ng inyong mga budhi," avon naman kay Eddie.

Kasunod nito, in-offer ni Eddie sa GMA-7 na gawin na ring teleserye ang "Kahapon Lamang," ang radio soap niya na napapakinggan sa DZBB. "We will be happy to have 'Kahapon Lamang' on the air. Ipinagmamalaki kong 56 years na siva sa radio," patuloy ni Eddie.

Si Lito ay panganay na anak ni Jose Miranda Cruz, director ng "Mga Batang Yagit." Nag-suggest itong magpa-audition sa probinsya na nasalanta ng Yolanda.

Very proud na sinabi ni Eddie na 80 years old na siva, pero wala sa hitsura niya ang kanyang edad. Matikas pa rin ito, mabilis maglakad, maganda pa rin ang boses at handa pang magtrabaho para sa "Yagit."

Sa September ang target airing ng teleserye.

International stardom by way of theater has not diminished singeractor Jon Joven's love for local theatrical productions.

He continues auditioning for them, despite having starred in the German production of Miss Saigon in the mid-1990s. Joven played the part of Thuy, opposite Caselyn Francisco's Kim, in the said production which ran for close to two years.

The pay was fabulous, says Joven, formerly a teen talent on "That's Entertainment," who recalls having received a paycheck of 9,000 dollars month. After Miss Saigon, Jon Joven joined a touring

company for another musicaltheater production that traipsed all over Europe.

His foreign credentials notwithstanding, Joven continues performing in local musical-theater productions for the sheer love of it. Among his recent credits are "EI Filibusterismo" and "Himala," both musicals.

"Siempre, my co-actors tell me I shouldn't be doing these anymore but I don't agree. I get inspiration from the energy, the enthusiasm of local theater players, no matter the unfortunately low pay in our theater scene," he says.

Joven was a guest performer at the Philippine Independence Day Ball held recently in Guam. He wowed the dressed-up audience with a medley of Broadway songs.

*** MISS SAIGON AGAIN: Now that "Miss Saigon" has been revived successfully in London's West End, Joven is hopeful that the run will

snowball into satellite productions in other countries, just like what happened in the late 1980s and early 90s. He down plays the potential awkwardness in his present age, too old for Thuy but too young for the Engineer?

In the language of stage, age is a matter of conjecture. There's good make-up to take care of that, he says.

"When I played Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (at Resorts World), they initially said I was probably too young for the part. But, I pulled it through," he said. TSOM holds the distinction of being the longest-running Broadway show throughout southeast Asia to date.

Joven is thankful that Resorts World has been some kind of a home for him in Manila. The resort's Bar 361 has assigned him two nights a week for his music. Joven performs with the three-man group, Primo, which he formed, in tandem with two

ladies known as Vera. Together, they are known as the Primo Verra, enthralling guests with their repertoire of soft operatic and Broadway hits.

Gardo, walang takot mag-bading

By NORA V. CALDERON

ENJOY si Gardo Versoza sa bagong afternoon prime niya, ang "Dading."

Isang fashion designer na bading ang role niya kava wala raw siyang problema sa pagpu-portray niya ng role na nagsusuot din siva ng mga shorts, meron pa rin siyang eksena na nagsuot siva ng tinatawag na 'pekpek shorts.' Kung baga, may license daw siyang umariba nang husto sa mga isinusuot niya sa eksena.

"Bumibili rin ako ng sariling damit na gamit sa taping," kuwento ni Gardo. "Ang medyo problema ko ang shoes na gagamitin ko, naisip ko na magpagawa na lamang ako para mati bay at hindi masira agad. Ang make-up naman ay sa production na kava hindi ko iyon problema."

Hindi ba siva nagkaroon ng second thought na tanggapin ang role ng bading?

"Hindi, sabi ko nga, chance ko naman para mailabas ko ang feminine side ko," biro pa ni Gardo.

"Thankful ako sa GMA sa pagbibigay sa akin ng project na ito, for a change naman, from kontrabida to dramatic roles, ngayon, light naman na may konti ring drama.

Iba naman ang mga kasama ko, masaya ang taping under direk Ricky Davao."

Biniro namin si Gardo kung hindi ba nagdududa ang wife niya na baka bading nga siva kava payag siyang gumanap ng ganoong role?

"Hindi naman, iyong anak ko, seven months na ang baby boy namin at kapag umuwi ako sa bahay

na naka-make-up at naka-damit babae, nakikita ko, parang nag-iiba ang mukha niya, parang kinikilala pa niya ako. Kaya sabi ng misis ko, huwag na raw akong uuwi ng bahay na naka-make-up pa para hindi maguluhan ang anak namin."

Nilinaw namin kay Gardo iyong issue nila ni Mark Herras, bago pa natapos ang taping nila noon ng "Rhodora X." "Wala naman iyon. May isa lamang siyang eksena na pinansin ko ang acting niya. Pero tinanggap naman niya iyong constructive criticism ko. After that naging mas sensitive na siva sa mga eksenang ginagawa niya."

Sa ngayon, dahil medyo nagkasunud-sunod ang TV projects niya, wala munang ginagawang

GARDO Versoza

··• movie si Gardo. Dapat ay may indie film siyang gagawin, pero hindi iyon natuloy dahil nagkaroon ng aberya sa shooting.

'Brigada' wins One World Award in 2014 US International Film &. Video Festival GMA News 1V's Brigada won the One World Award in the US International Film & Video Festival in addition to its Gold Camera Award finish at the same Festival. Brigada's winning entry was entitled "Gintong Krudo" (Black Gold), a documentary to raise awareness for the estimated 5.5 million Filipino children considered child laborers.

This is the first time the prestigious

One World Award has been given to a Philippine 1V network.

The One World Award was established more than 25 years ago by the International Quorum of Motion Pictures Producers to honor a work that fosters international understanding. USIFVF medalists and certificate holders are all in the running for the One World Award, one of the

grand prizes given at the Festival.

Brigada's One World Award winning documentary tells the story of 12-year old Bisaya, who goes out to sea every morning with his friends, ll-year old Christian and 13-year old Ruben, to salvage crude oil dumped on the water by ships. When they find patches of oil spill, they dive in and collect the oil with a sponge, risking their health for

about a dollar per pail of oil. Micaela Papa, who reported the story, went as far as joining the children in the murky water to collect crude oil.

Brigada is hosted by Jessica Soho, with Lee Joseph Castel as Program Manager and Harvey Bayona as Executive Producer. The program airs every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. on Channel1l.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Entertainment

Robin, nainsulto sa pagtanggal kay Nora

By NORA V. CALDERON

SI Robin Padilla lamang ang artistang dumating sa launch ng 40th Metro Manila Film Festival sa announcement ng eight official entries na maglalaban-laban sa festival sa December, 2014. Kasama ni Robin ang producer at director niyang si Lawrence Williams ng Phillipian Production, ng napiling entry nila, ang “Bonifacio, Gusto Mo Ba Siyang Makilala?” sa Seda Hotel sa Bonifacio Global City.

This early, humihingi na ng tulong si Robin sa mga entertainment press na tulungan silang mai-promote ang movie na pagsasanibin daw nila ang panahon ni Bonifacio sa panahon ngayon. Gumawa raw sila ng matinding research para maipakita nila ang mga totoong nangyari sa buhay ni Andres Boni-

facio.

Dahil siya lamang ang artistang nasa launch, si Robin ang nahingan ng kanyang comment sa hindi pagkapili kay Ms. Nora Aunor bilang isa sa mga National Artists.

“Dapat ay magkaisa ang showbiz sa pang-iinsulto ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa atin sa industriya.

Panahon na para ipadama natin ang ating pagkakaisa para kay Ate Guy. Naniniwala kasi akong ang dapat pinagbasehan sa pagpili sa kanya ay ang accomplishment niya as an artist, here and abroad, at hindi ang personal niyang buhay.”

Umiiwas mang sagutin ni Robin ang tungkol sa breakup ng anak na si Kylie Padilla sa ex-boyfriend nitong si Aljur Abrenica, nagbigay pa rin siya ng comment na hindi raw

ROBIN Padilla naman niya binabawalan si Kylie, nasa anak na raw niya kung ano ang gusto nitong gawin. Nasa right age na raw si Kylie at kaya na nitong magdesisyon para sa kanyang sarili, pero kung hihingin nito ang tulong niya, nakasuporta lamang siya.

Fox bringing back ‘American Idol’ judges Lopez, Urban, Connick Jr. despite low-rated season LOS ANGELES (AP) – Fox says it’s bringing back the same trio of “American Idol” judges for the show’s 14th season.

The network announced Monday that Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. will be judging singers again in 2015, and Ryan Seacrest will remain the host.

This year’s “American Idol” included the show’s lowest-rated finale ever, part of a continuing ratings slide for the once-dominant TV series. Fox has shaken up the judges’ panel in past years to try to boost viewership but is deciding to stay the course this time.

The network is taking the show’s

‘Baby’ season 2 back soon Exciting twists and new baby challenges await as the cutest show in the country, “Bet On Your Baby,” is set to return for its second season starting August this year.

Program host Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo expressed her excitement, saying she is more ready to host the show the second time around.

“A blessing is a blessing,” she

downfall into account in scheduling, saying it will air fewer hours next season, and in many weeks there will be just one episode instead of two.

“American Idol” auditions are coming up in Uniondale, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans; and San Francisco. said at a recently held thanksgiving party. “I’m thankful that ‘Bet On Your Baby’ is returning to television in a new season right away.”

Follow “Bet On Your Baby” on Facebook for more updates.

Retokada beauty, ayaw umamin ANG laki talaga ng ipinagbago ng itsura ng isang young celebrity (YC). Pati kulay ng balat, super puti na at ang kinis. Epekto ng glutathione? Kumpara sa mga old photo ni YC noong bago pa lang siya sa showbiz, ngayon, halos hindi na ito makilala sa bagong mukha dahil sa epekto ng “salamat po doctor.” Retokada na ang face ni YC na ayaw umamin na may kinalaman ang siyensiya sa kagandahan niya ngayon.

Katulad siya ng isang celebrity na naging hobby na ang pagpaparetoke ng mukha, kaya ibangiba na rin ang itsura nito ngayon.

At least, inamin ng celebrity na retokada beauty siya. Nagpanose job siya, nag-paretoke ng mga mata at ngipin. (Rowena Agilada)

Adam Levine makes film debut MAROON 5 lead vocalist and NBC’s “The Voice” coach Adam Levine ventures into the big screen despite no dramatic acting experience in the upcoming John Carney movie “Begin Again.”

“I was honored just to be asked, and right off the bat I fell in love with the script. To have John believe in me is really exciting,” says Levine. “John saw something in me that was this character Dave – whether that is flattering or not, I can’t tell, but I would not have considered doing a film unless I was really connected to the material. I love John’s tone – he is a musician, and I think his sensibilities are those of a musician so we get along famously.”

Begin Again is a soul-stirring comedy about what happens when lost souls meet and make beautiful music together.

“The music was easy,” admits Levine after shooting. “That’s kind of my wheelhouse, I guess, but the acting has been quite a

ADAM Levine (AP Photo) challenge in a really great way.

The only thing people said to me was ‘know your lines’ and ‘don’t act, just listen and react,’ and that was great advice.”

Begin Again also stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, and Levine’s fellow judge from The Voice, CeeLo Green.

Begin Again opens on July 9 and is distributed by Solar Pictures.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

11

BoC to auction R22-M smuggled rice

By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO

The Bureau of Customs (BoC) is set to auction on June 30 the R22-million worth of rice illegally imported by farmers’ group San Carlos Multipurpose Cooperative (Sacamuco).

The shipments, consisting of 18,195 50-kilogram bags of white

and glutinous rice, were seized by BoC at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) after these arrived in August last year. “(It is) More than nine months (in) detention in our container yard without taking into consideration the date of actual milling,” MICP

Fight for Filipino language on

Make it a habit, read Tempo

A newly-formed alliance “Tanggol Wika” on Tuesday vowed that the “fight for the Filipino language” will go on amid the controversial removal of the Filipino subject in Revised General Education Curriculum (GEC) prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

Despite the earlier announcement of CHEd Chairperson Patricia Licuanan that public consultation require Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to have at least nine units (9) of new GE courses to be taught in Filipino, “Tanggol Wika” – whose members composed of college professors from a least 50 HEIs nationwide – said that this will be futile “unless the teaching of Filipino subject is retained at all levels.”

“Tanggol Wika” spokesperson and DLSU associate professor Michael San Juan said that the group is urging CHEd to retain Filipino subjects in the revised GEC, revise the CMO No. 20 issued by CHEd which outlines the new GEC, and the use of Filipino language in teaching various college subjects.

“We condemn CHED’s refusal to heed the people’s clamor to include the teaching of Filipino in college,” San Juan said.

“Their decision to encourage the use of Filipino as medium of instruction is positive but it is merely tokenistic, mere paconsuelo de bobo, unless the teaching of Filipino subject is retained at all levels,” he added.

San Juan said that the alliance – as a whole – wants to push for “makabayang edukasyon” or nationalistic education and “this could be achieved if the new GEC would include three to nine units of Filipino subjects.”

“We hope that CHED listen to the Filipino people’s clamor,” San Juan said. The group, he added, “will carry on with the struggle for a nationalist education system” by conducting more forums and assemblies to “enlighten everyone” about why the CHED is wrong on this issue.

“We call upon every citizen to protest against CHED’s refusal to include Filipino in the new GEC,” he added.

San Juan said that efforts to “fight” for the Filipino language has started since October in 2012 but were not given due credit. In May 2013, a resolution urging CHEd to include 9 units of Filipino in college was also launched but there was “no formal reply” from Licuanan’s office.

(Ina Hernando-Malipot)

collector Elmir Dela Cruz said.

In a notice of public auction sale, Dela Cruz scheduled the sealed bidding on June 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the conference room of the MICP building at North Harbor.

Prospective bidders, he said, should be National Food Authority (NFA) license wholesalers/retailers and they have certification from their bank’s branch manager as proof they are capable to pay R21 million for the imported rice.

“Twenty percent of the floor price representing bidder’s bond is required including the duly approved/validated Bank Application for Manager’s Check,” Dela Cruz said.

Officials of Sacamuco were charged by BoC before the Department of Justice (DoJ) in February for allegedly bringing Vietnamese rice into the country without the required import permit.

According to BoC, Sacamuco “misdeclared both the actual quantity of its rice imports and where the shipment came from.”

“In its import entries, the cooperative declared that the rice shipment, which arrived in 55 20foot containers between August 27 and September 16, came from Thailand and that each container had only 380 sacks of rice. However, further examination showed that the rice imports actually originated from Vietnam and that each container had as much as 520 sacks of rice,” it said.

Recruitment agency suspended

SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar (center) graces the turnover of new classrooms to San Joaquin Central School in Palo, Leyte, which she funded as part of the continuing efforts to help communities badly hit by super typhoon ‘Yolanda’.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has temporarily suspended a recruitment agency for deploying three household service workers (HSW) whose contracts have been tampered with.

In a statement, POEA administrator Hans Cacdac said they have issued a preventive suspension order agains Memere International Recruitment Company, Inc. last week.

“The objective of preventive suspension is to ensure that licensed recruiters such as Memere International will not go on deceiving other OFWs in violation of POEA rules and regulations,” Cacdac said.

The three HSWs were referred to Memere International by one of its unauthorized agents, who goes by the name “Jovy.”

They were supposed to work in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as cleaners, but their contracts were later illegally reprocessed so they would head instead to Lebanon, where there is an existing deployment ban for newlyhired HSWs. The victims were later offloaded by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) due to the irregularities in their travel documents. It later endorsed the case of the affected OFWs to POEA for an investigation. (Samuel P. Medenilla)

12 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014 AGOS

Comics RICHEL G. DOROTAN/LOUIE CELERIO

Sports

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

13

Women golfers take spotlight today

SPORTS Vision chairman Moying Martelino (left) fields questions during the PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s Malate. Also in photo is Sports Vision president Ricky Palou. (Photo by Bob Dungo Jr.)

Chihiro Ikeda and Jayvie Agojo drew separate flights at the start of the R500,000 ICTSI Riviera Classic at Riviera’s Couples course in Silang, Cavite today but are tipped to meet in the final round and clash for the crown just the same.

Both chasing a breakthrough win in the second edition of the country’s first-ever ladies pro circuit, Ikeda and Agojo hope to come up with a strong start for the momentum in the 54-hole championship serving as the second leg of an eight-stage circuit sponsored by International Con-

V-League resumes Sunday The Shakey’s V-League resumes its decade-old tradition of showcasing future volleyball talents when the Season 11 Open Conference kicks off on Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.

Ten teams led by defending champion Cagayan Valley are competing in the all-Filipino conference participated by veteran spikers and upcoming collegiate tossers.

Other competing squads are Ateneo, National University (NU), University of the Philippines (UP), Air Force, Army, Philippine National Police (PNP), and PLDT. “The breeding ground of talents starts with the schools, and we just want to augment what the schools had started by having this kind of league,” said Moying Martelino, chairman of the orga-

nizing group Sports Vision, in yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

“By giving them a venue to face other teams reinforced by former collegiate standouts and veterans players, we are helping them gain more experience in becoming better athletes,” added Martelino, who was accompanied by Sports Vision president Ricky Palou, tournament commissioner Tony Liao, Shakey’s brand manager Koi Castillo, and PR, Events and Advocacy Officer Jam Evaristo.

Sunday’s opening matches pit NU against UP at 2 p.m., followed

by PNP and Ateneo at 4 p.m. All matches will be played at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Bulldogs will be spearheaded by Jaja Santiago and Myla Pablo, while the Lady Maroons will

parade mostly of rookies.

PNP, meanwhile, will have Frances Molina at the forefront of its attack against a tough Ateneo side peppered with standouts like Alyssa Valdez, Ella de Jesus, Den-den Lazaro, and Aerieal Patnongon.

The Lady Eagles are also boasting of recruits like Therese Gaston, daughter of former PBA cager Fritz Gaston, former Southwestern University standout Karen Derder, and former Poveda tosser Bea De Leon.

Meanwhile, Palou said they are contemplating on having a men’s division of the league owing to the growing popularity of the sport.

“We are continuously discussing that possibility. Hopefully by next year, but it’s not definite,” said Palou. (Kristel Satumbaga)

tainer Terminal Services, Inc. “This should be an interesting week. Everyone has a chance but as for me, I am so hungry for a win,” said Ikeda, the former SEA Games individual champion and one-time Philippine Ladies Open winner who missed a couple of tournaments in last year’s inaugurals of the tour organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. She vied for the crown in the kickoff leg at Orchard last April but wavered in the final round, enabling Agojo to snatch runnerup honors to last year’s Order of Merit winner and absentee Cyna Rodriguez.

But Ikeda primed up for this week’s clash with a rigorous training during the long break, building up her confidence and honing up her game for what could be her first pro victory after a checkered amateur career.

“I’m training more frequently

now and I hope it helps,” she said.

Like Ikeda, Agojo and the rest of the compact field expect a fierce battle for the top P100,000 purse in the event backed by Nike, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers and Sharp. But the field will also have to contend with the wind and the sleek putting surface of Couples layout, “Yeah, it’s a wide-open race.

Who knows? I might pick up my win here,” said former national team mainstay Anya Tanpinco, who will be playing with Agojo and Korean amateur Hwang Min Jeon in the 8:10 a.m. group.

Ikeda will slug it out with Apple Fudolin and Lucy Landicho at 7:50 a.m. after Lina de Guzman and Korean Kwon Seo Yon, and Sylia Torres and Jan Punzalan tangle in separate two-player groups at 7:30 a.m. & 7:40 a.m., respectively.

Garcia off to Incheon

tion of the athletes’ village,” said Garcia on the eve of his departure to Korea.

Also Joining Garcia are Presciosa Evangelista, Eleanor de la Pena and Luisa Ner. Garcia said the submission of entry by names is August based on the guidelines set by the host country.

“Our goal is to better the medal hauled four years ago in Guangzhou,” said Garcia.

A total of 36 sports are at stake in the two-week conclave.

“We will not compete in all sports. Only those where we have good chances of winning medals,” said Garcia. (Clyde Mariano)

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ricardo Garcia leaves today for South Korea to inspect facilities that will be used in the Asian Games in his capacity as chief of mission of the Philippine team.

Garcia will particularly visit the Athletes’ Village. He will be accompanied by his deputy Julian Camacho.

The Asiad will be held September in Incheon.

“The trip is very important because I will know the real condi-

RACE TIPS

Answer yesterday

Today’s races (San Lazaro) Starting at 6:30 P.M. TIPSTER A – R1: Mr. Victory/ Silver Screen; R2: Penrith/Senor Vito; R3: Don Andres/Dark Beauty; R4: Manalig Ka/Yoana; R5: Princess Rock/Gee’s Melody; R6: Mr. Dynamite/Dona Venancia; R7: Asikaso/Miss Bianca; R8: Crusader’s Son/Specialist.

TIPSTER B – R1: Mr. Victory/ Niagara Boogie; R2: Penrith/Silver Champ; R3: Dark Beauty/Smart Code; R4: Manalig Ka/Diamond’s Gold; R5: Gee’s Melody/Night Or

Day; R6: Supreme Leader/Mr. Dynamite; R7: Asikaso/Miss Bianca; R8: Crusader’s Son/Conqueror’s Magic.

TIPSTER C – R1: Silver Screen/ Mr. Victory; R2: Penrith/Immaculate; R3: Dark Beauty/Don Andres; R4: Manalig Ka/Yoana; R5: Tiztimeto/Global Warrior; R6: Mr. Dynamite/Fleet Wood; R7: Asikaso/Kulit Bulilit; R8: Crusader’s Son/Proud To Reason.

BEST CHOICE – R1: Mr. Victory; R2: Penrith; R3: Dark Beauty; R4: Manalig Ka; R5: Gee’s Melody; R6: Mr. Dynamite; R7: Asikaso; R8: Crusader’s Son.

14

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

Sports

Fiery start by Wimby champ LONDON (AP) — It had been, famously, more than 75 years since a British man arrived at Wimbledon as the defending champion.

So Andy Murray took a moment — and, really, only a moment — to take in the sights and sounds Monday at Centre Court as nearly 15,000 spectators, including Shaquille O’Neal up in the Royal Box, rose to greet him with a raucous standing ovation.

Murray’s parents and grandparents were present. So, of course, was his much-discussed recent choice as coach, Amelie Mauresmo. The other player, 105thranked David Goffin of Belgium, was little more than a bystander for all of the proceedings, which wrapped up a little more than two hours after they began with a 61, 6-4, 7-5 victory for Murray.

“I was pretty nervous and stuff before the match. Then when you’re walking to the court — I have a lot of memories obviously from last year. To come to the

court and get that reception, it was very nice,” said Murray, who last year became the first man from Britain since Fred Perry in 1936 to win the nation’s prestigious tennis tournament.

That title for Perry was his third in a row at the All England Club, but he did not try for another one in 1937.

Murray heeded advice from Mauresmo, the 2006 women’s champion at Wimbledon, who told him to soak in everything while walking out to play because, as he put it, “You never know if you’ll get the chance to do it again.”

He responded to the crowd’s reaction with a quick wave and a glance around the arena.

“Enjoyed it for the walk to the chair,” Murray said. “Then when I sat down, it was time to get on with business.”

Certainly took care of that. He was crisp and clean, finishing with only 10 unforced errors and saving the only two break points

he faced. He pounded serves at up to 131 mph (211 kph) and returned Goffin’s not-quite-as-fast offerings with ease.

All the while, the fans roared for his winners and groaned as a group when their man lost points, no matter how or what significance. They gasped when Murray’s leg buckled a bit and he slipped to the fresh turf in the third game. He rose to his feet quickly and won that point, part of racing to a 3-0 lead.

No matter the attention and expectations heaped on him by a nation, Murray handles it quite well, particularly when’s on the court. Even when he’s away from the action, he’s been at ease, pausing less than two hours before Monday’s match to oblige a fan’s request to pose for a selfie.

“I always say the buildup to the tournament is the hardest part.

Once the tournament starts, it’s fine,” said the third-seeded Murray, whose other Grand Slam title came at the 2012 U.S. Open.

ANDY Murray of Britain plays a return to David Goffin of Belgium during their first round match at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London. (AP)

Barrios: Blatche can play in Asiad The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is upbeat that naturalized player Andray Blatche is going to be allowed to suit up for Gilas-Pilipinas in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said they have not received any information from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and even the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) questioning Blatche’s qualifications.

Blatche was mainly recruited to play for Gilas-Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup scheduled Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 in Spain and the SBP said it doesn’t see any reason why he won’t get the green light to beef up the country in Incheon.

Congress has just passed a law naturalizing the 6-11 Brooklyn Nets power-forward so he could provide depth to Gilas-Pilipinas in future international competitions like the Fiba World Cup and the

Asian Games.

Said Barrios: “If he (Blatche) gets to play in the FIBA, why won’t he be allowed to play (in the Asian Games)?”

Barrios reasoned out that FIBA personnel will work the matches in the Asian Games scheduled Aug. 30 to Sept. 14.

The POC has included the name of Blatche in the roster of athletes for Incheon. So far, Barrios said the SBP hasn’t received

any information saying Blatche is not eligible to play for the Asian Games.

Fiba is in charge of basketball that is played in the Olympics, world championships and in regional meets but the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has been given the authority by the International Olympic Committee to organize and handle the staging of the Asian Games. (Nick Giongco)

OFFICIALS yesterday launched the 3X3 FIBA World Tour that will hold its Manila leg on July 19-20 at the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall. Present during the launching were (from left) Christopher John Quimpo of Smart, SBP vice chairman Victorico P. Vargas, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, FIBA 3x3 event manager Ignacio T. Soriano, SBP president Manuel V. Pangilinan, SBP first vicepresident Alfredo Panlilio, TV 5 Sports Head Chot Reyes and Christian Ian V. Mathay, AVP Operations Premier Malls of SM Megamall.

(Photo by Tony Pionilla)

7 Pinoys in Last 64 Seven Filipinos led by last year’s finalist Antonio Gabica toppled separate opponents on Monday to book berths in the Round of 64 knockout stage of the 2014 World Pool and Billiard Association (WPA) World 9-ball Championship at the Al Saad Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.

Gabica crushed Croatia’s Michel Bartol, 9-3.

Jeff De Luna also advanced at the expense of compatriot Israel Rota, 9-3, even as last-minute qualifier Johann Chua whipped Taiwan’s Lo Li Wen, 9-6.

Veteran Dennis Orcollo also jumped into the winner’s circle with a 9-6 victory over Taiwan’s Ko Ping Chung; Raymund Faraon dominated Korean Jeong Young Hwa, 9-7; and Carlo Biado outplayed Sweden’s Tom Storm, 9-7.

Elmer Haya, meanwhile, had the toughest time advancing to the next phase with a close 9-8 triumph over Artem Koshovyi of Ukraine.

Warren Kiamco and Elvis Calasang, however, were relegated to the loser’s bracket after yielding to their respective foes.

Kiamco absorbed a 9-6 defeat over Dutchman Niels Feijen, while Calasang lost to China’s Wu Jiaqing, 9-7.

Sports

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

15

Texters try to tie series vs Mixers

By WAYLON GALVEZ

RANIDEL Ocampo of Talk ‘N Text scores against James Yap of San Mig Coffee during PBA semifinal action Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Texters won, 112-86. (Photo by Tony Pionilla)

Game Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 8 p.m. – San Mig Super Coffee vs Talk ’N Text Talk ’N Text tries to sustain the momentum when it clashes with San Mig Super Coffee in Game 4 of their PLDT Home Telpad Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup semifinal series with the Texters needing another win to bring the series to a deciding fifth game.

Game time is 8 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Texters were on the brink of elimination after two consecutive losses in their best-of-five showdown but won Game 3 convincingly, 112-86, last Monday to earn a reprieve.

TNT Coach Norman Black credited the team’s torrid shooting where they shot 50 percent from the field while going 14-of-32 from three-point territory to prevent elimination.

“We are still in survival mode,” said Black, who had six players score in double digit led by Ranidel de Ocampo who had 24 points. Import Paul Harris had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

NCAA to hold All-Star game The men’s basketball tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) will have an added attraction in between Season 90 with the holding of an All-Star game involving all 10 participating teams.

The mid-season event is slated middle of August just before the second round elimination gets going.

The All-Star game is a charity event aimed to raise funds for the financing of the league’s so-called social responsibility, according to NCAA Management Committee (ManCom) chairman Paul Supan of host school Jose Rizal University.

“It (All-Star match) will be held between the first and the second round of eliminations,” he said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate. “We wanted to bring back something to society. And for the past few

years, the NCAA had been visiting orphanages every Christmas. We spread the love every (Christmas) season.”

The basketball All-Star game is just one of the highlights of the league’s first semester, where chess, badminton, taekwondo, swimming, and table tennis events will also be held.

The cage tournament officially comes off the wraps on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The second semester on the other hand, will be consisted of volleyball, lawn tennis, football, cheerleading, beach volleyball, and track and field.

Supan was joined in the session presented by Shakey’s, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. by other members of the NCAA Board including Jose Marie Lacson of San Beda, Dax Castellano of College of St. Benilde, Arellano’s Peter Cayco, and

Jeff Tamayo of Perpetual Help.

The ManCom chairman said still being discussed is the airing of the All-Star game by television coveror TV5, although he assured two games will be aired live over Interaksyon TV, with the second game to be simulcast over Sports5.

Games will be played every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while only a single game is to going to be held on Saturday.

Supan added new members Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum are in its final year of probationary, and the status of both schools will be evaluated by season’s end whether the Generals and Pirates are going to be elevated as regular members of the country’s oldest collegiate league.

While admitting there are feelers wanting to join the league as new member schools, Supan said the NCAA would rather keep everything in status quo.

“Our attitude will be to get one more win so we can put some pressure on them. Simply, it’s all or nothing for us so we will go out and fight for our lives,” said Black who has 11 PBA title under his belt.

TNT is hoping to become just the fourth team to win a fivegame series after dropping the first two games. The teams that did that are Crispa in 1975 Third Conference Finals (versus Totota), Purefoods in 1990 Third Conference (against Alaska), and Ginebra in 2010 Philippine Cup quarterfinals (opposite TNT).

In the first two games, TNT shot just 37 percent from the field, but the team’s aggressiveness paid off in Game 3.

Down by a point (21-20) after the first quarter, TNT used a 3216 second quarter blitzkrieg that gave them a 52-37 advantage at halftime. Harris, Ocampo and Alapag joined forces to lead the rally as the Texters made 55 percent of their shots (11-of-20), while limiting the Mixers to just 31.3 percent shooting (5-of-16).

Talk ’N Text continued its domi-

nance in the second half where it established its biggest lead of the game at 28 points, 92-64, following a three-pointer from Nino Canaleta with 10:15 left in the game.

In the early going of the fourth quarter, San Mig Super Coffee Coach Tim Cone already pulled his starters out of the game, giving import Marqus Blakely, James Yap, PJ Simon, Joe Devance and Marc Pingris the much-needed rest.

Known for using that tactic instead of forcing the players to fight back from a big lead, Cone is hoping that his players will be ready as they try again to finish off their archrival.

“Sometimes you can’t get out of the way of the oncoming train,” said Cone, whose team defeated TNT in Game 4 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals last May 15 for their third straight PBA title.

“TNT played with a lot of pride and it showed up in the score.

Now our job is to put that one away, move forward, and get ready for Game 4. It will be a great test of our character,” he added.

7 Pinoys in Last 64 Seven Filipinos, led by last year’s finalist Antonio Gabica, toppled their respective opponents on Monday to book berths in the knockout stage of the 2014 World Pool and Billiard Association (WPA) World 9-ball Championship at the Al Saad Sports Club in Doha, Qatar.

Gabica, also a gold medalist in the 9-ball event of the 2006 Doha Asian Games, crushed Croatia’s Michel Bartol, 9-3, to advance to the Round of 64.

Jeff De Luna, the player beaten by Gabica for the gold eight years ago, likewise cruised to the next phase with a 9-3 win over fellow Filipino Israel Rota, 9-3, while last-minute qualifier Johann Chua whipped Taiwan’s Lo Li Wen, 9-6.

They were joined by Dennis Orcolloa, a 9-6 victor over Taiwan’s Ko Ping Chung; Raymund Faraon, who dominated Korean Jeong Young Hwa, 9-7; and Carlo Bia-

do, who outplayed Sweden’s Tom Storm, 9-7.

Elmer Haya, meanwhile, had the toughest time advancing to the next phase as he had to dig deeper into his bag of tricks before scoring thrilling 9-8 triumph over Artem Koshovyi of Ukraine.

Warren Kiamco and Elvis Calasang, however, were relegated to the loser’s bracket after yielding to their respective foes.

Kiamco absorbed a 9-6 defeat to Dutchman Niels Feijen, while Calasang lost to China’s Wu Jiaqing, 9-7.

Kiamco, Calasang, and Rota needed to win their respective matches in the loser’s side to move into the knockout stage.

The number of Filipino entries in the next round could swell if Efren “Bata” Reyes, Ramil Gallego, Lee Van Corteza and Francisco Felicilda hurdle their respective rivals in the losers’ brackers.

(Kristel Satumbaga)

SPORTS

Texters eye equalizer

15

Editor: REY C. BANCOD • Assistant Editor: TITO S. TALAO

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

BRAZIL’S Neymar cries in pain after colliding with Cameroon’s Joel Matip during the group A World Cup soccer match between Cameroon and Brazil at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil. (AP)

Brazil reaches KO stage

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – Brazil relied on its star Neymar for two early goals to beat Cameroon 41 Monday and reach the World Cup’s knockout stage for a South American showdown against Chile, a 2-0 loser to the Netherlands.

Winning Group B with its third straight victory made sure that the Dutch avoided the host so early in the tournament. Instead, the Netherlands will face Mexico, which beat Croatia 3-1 to advance alongside Brazil from Group A. Spain beat Australia 3-0 in an inconsequential game between already eliminated teams, a victory providing a little balm on the disappointing defense of its title.

With free-flowing games and buckets full of goals the rule in this outstanding tournament, it took until the final minutes of the Group A games for Brazil to make sure it advanced as group leader on goal difference over Mexico.

“We are progressing match after match and that’s important,” Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

Both finished with seven points, with Croatia eliminated with three points, while Cameroon finished with three losses. Brazil finished first because it had a better goal differential than Mexico, plus 5 to plus 3.

The Netherlands was the first perfect team to advance, finishing ahead of Chile in Group B. Spain had three points with Monday’s win, and Australia had three losses.

Beyond the statistics, it again was Neymar who fully lived up to expectations of the 200 million football fans in Brazil with flair and lethal finishing, making the difference with first-half strikes against an African opponent that fought hard for one half before succumbing.

Neymar used an array of spin

moves and delicate touches to get by players, delighting the crowd in Brasilia — including Britain’s Prince Harry.

“I have the responsibility,” said Neymar, and at 22, he is living up to it every single time he takes to the pitch. It seems half the Brazil jerseys from the beaches of Copacabana to gaucho towns in the interior carry his name, and with good reason.

Neymar has four goals from three games to lead the top scorer’s standings, edging a group of five players with three goals.

Much like the opener, Neymar carried the weight for his team, scoring the first with a subtle inside-foot flick while adding a second with a darting run before wrong-footing the Cameroon goalie with a right-foot drive.

The oft-criticized Fred may have kept himself in the starting lineup with a header just after halftime. Substitute Fernandinho

closed out the scoring for Brazil.

With everything to play for, Mexico came through with three goals in a 10-minute spurt of excitement late in the game against Croatia.

So often in this tournament, goals deep in the second half have made the difference, and Monday was no exception.

The Dutch scored twice in the last 13 minutes against Chile to finish the group stage with three straight wins. Quite a turnaround for a team thought to be on the wane with aging stars like Arjen Robben.

Yet the Dutch have scored 10 goals in three victories. Now, only the foolhardy would relish the prospect of facing the orangeclad team.

“We wanted to be first in the group. Now we will see what is coming at us,” said Robben, who added an assist against Chile to the three goals he scored in ear-

lier games.

Leroy Fer scored a minute after going on as a substitute to get the Netherlands ahead in the 77th minute. Then, when some other players had already gone down with cramps, Robben launched into another of his trademark sprints across the pitch and passed perfectly to Memphis Depay for the tap-in that put the game away.

While Robben is going strong after hitting his thirties, age caught up with the Spanish stars this tournament, particularly in their 5-1 opening loss to the Netherlands.

They regained a little pride Monday. In a game of goodbyes, David Villa marked his final appearance for Spain with a record 59th goal for the national team.

“It’s sad because we would have liked to have spent more time here, but that’s how it is,” Villa said.