Category: Philippine Star

The national government is actively pursuing full monetary restitution and criminal accountability against rogue contractors involved in the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, according to Secretary Vince Dizon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Responding to queries during an inspection of ongoing dike repairs in Calumpit, Bulacan last Wednesday, Dizon assured the public that the government has not written off the public funds lost to substandard, overpriced infrastructure projects previously executed by controversial firms like those owned by private contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya as well as Wawao Builders.

‘The legal process is moving forward,’ Dizon said. ‘Government agencies, including the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of the Solicitor General and the Department of Justice, are handling the cases. Most of the personalities involved are already detained, while authorities continue to track down remaining fugitives.’

Dizon emphasized that the prosecution strategy includes forcing errant contractors to reimburse the full cost of defective and unfinished flood control assets under the legal doctrine of restitution championed by the ombudsman.

‘It is not enough that they are behind bars; they must return every peso stolen from the public,’ he said. ‘While the justice system handles the recovery and prosecution, the DPWH’s job today is to fix the flood defenses in Calumpit and ensure that future projects are built correctly and transparently.’

For the most part, DC Studios need not worry what Paramount intends to do with Warner Bros., driving all its focus instead on expanding its new comic universe now with “Clayface,” based on the popular Batman villain.

Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, a rising actor who gets on the wrong side of a powerful Gotham mob boss, resulting his face getting disfigured and his stardom practically finished.

He desperately approaches doctor Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie) willing to volunteer as a human test subject for her nanite treatment capable of healing damaged tissue and nerves.

The treatment begins well but when things go awry, Hagen injects himself with more nanites which on the surface heals him from any injury, but in reality also gives him the ability to alter his physical and vocal appearance.

Revenge seeps into the fallen actor’s mind against all who turned on him, risking the trust of an engaged Corr who he finds himself falling for.

Body horror is a big swing for any studio, whether for a franchise or a standalone film. Fortunately for DC and Warner Bros., the backstory for Clayface in the comics offers so much promise beyond laying the groundwork for who will be this universe’s long-term Batman. “Clayface” is R-18 but some unnecessary edits can slim it down to R-16, but it still doesn’t take away how effective director James Watkins – his past horror outings including “The Woman in Black” and “Speak No Evil” – applies the gore for the shape-shifting villain.

Visual effects and prosthetic makeup do well to render the melting skin and abnormal changes of Rhys Harries’ Hagen, a face almost a canvas for transformation.

From a filmmaking standpoint though, the movie comes up short, bearing too much similarity to Sam Raimi’s “Darkman” from 1990 or body horror classic “The Fly” by the master himself David Cronenberg.

With respect to Watkins, there is the hovering question of how different the film would be if Mike Flanagan had stayed on board to see the project through, or even if his original script was kept rather than overhauled by fellow scribe Hossein Amini.

“Clayface” hit the key notes with the right tune but missed out on others than make the full melody, which DC may still view as a victory given the collision it came to with “Supergirl”.

Hope remains for the studio following the success of “Lanterns”, but there is still so much ground to make up before it can embrace a true appearance.

An Israeli businessman who changed his name to conceal property fraud in the US has joined the board of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy’s Dito CME Holdings Inc.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Dito said it has elected Oozi Cats as director following its annual stockholders’ meeting.

Cats resigned in 2017 as CEO of Telit Communications – a company he built in the 2000s – after his colleagues launched an internal investigation against him.

The investigation found that Cats is actually the Uzi Kats wanted in the US over property fraud. Further, it was reported that Cats willingly hid this information from colleagues and investors.

Telit is now part of the Telit Cinterion, a provider of internet-of-things solutions. The company is headquartered in Florida and London, supplying high-value chips to some of the world’s biggest manufacturers, including Honda and Lenovo.

Fraud case aside, Cats joining Dito will provide the company with an executive who has known the telco industry since the early cellular days.

Before leaving Telit, Cats was able to snap up big-time clients, including car maker Tesla, proof of his capability to set up partnerships with investors.

Cats’ entry into Dito also signals that the telco is determined to break its bleeding cycle, pinning hope that the executive could help it finally book a profit.

Dito also appointed investment manager Xinxin Wang into its board. The telco is also welcoming as independent directors long-time accountant Enrique Pampolina and trustee of the Government Service Insurance System Cenon Audencial Jr.

Salvador Medialdea, the former executive secretary of President Duterte, ended his term in Dito as independent director. Dito entered the telco industry when it won the right to become the third player during Duterte’s time in 2018.

Eric Recto, who served as finance undersecretary from 2002 to 2005, also concluded his term as a member of Dito’s board.

Dito wants to become profitable by 2028, but is nowhere close from doing so, as it tripled its net loss to P11.29 billion in the first half.

National University and Adamson tussle in a battle of revelation squads to stay in the leaderboard at the start of their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball second-round campaign Saturday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Both squads, parading young units after the graduation of their core, march into battle brimming with momentum and confidence from an impressive first-round run that catapulted them at the Top 3 ahead of other top contenders led by reigning champion La Salle.

But only one will carry on the tear in the crucial second phase in the main game of the double-header at 6 p.m., with the Bulldogs (5-2) sporting a handsome chance to forge a share of lead with UP (6-2).

Adamson (4-3), with a win, could a drag NU to a joint second, breaking a tie with Far Eastern University (4-3) as La Salle (4-4) and University of Santo Tomas (4-4) lurk just behind the Final Four picture in a mad dash to the finish line. Host FEU, the early leader, try stay to afloat and end a three-game skid against Ateneo (3-4) at 2:30 p.m.

NU – an 85-66 winner over Adamson in their first meeting – enter the second phase with three straight wins but coach Jeff Napa is far from satisfied, especially after finishing the elims as the No. 1 seed last season only to lose twice against eventual champion La Salle.

‘Ang mindset namin is winners set standards so ‘yun ang kailangan naming ma-address coming into the second round. We need to stay consistent,’ said Napa, who lost his core of MVP candidate Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez and Jolo Manansala to graduation among the few.

Good thing for Napa, a new set of heroes have emerged for the Bulldogs so far spearheaded by guard Reinhard Jumamoy (72.714 points) and anchor PJ Palacielo (66.286), who finished at No. 1 and No 3 of the UAAP MVP race after the first round.

Adamson also has an MVP contender in the sixth-running Monty Montebon (60.571) but coach Nash Racela takes pride in the overall capability of his entire squad, who surged ahead after the first round as the heavy underdog capped by a 63-60 stunner of La Salle.

‘We should be happy with where we are at right now. To be honest as a coach I knew what we could do as a group, I could see our potential but I apologize to my players, they really surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to be at this point after the first round,’ said Racela.

‘But seven games is seven games. We still have seven more games so it does not really mean anything. It’s only experiential learning. We still have to through fire to learn and get better.’

The Philippine Under-15 Men’s National Football Team (PMNFT U15) steps onto the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan, to open their campaign against Morocco in the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival on Saturday.

The roster showcases a wide talent pool spanning from Luzon and the Visayas to North America and Europe, with Jordan Tan of Makati FC and Keanefred Cristiane Versales of De La Salle-Zobel guiding the backline in goal.

The defensive wall features Paolo Enrique Fernandez of PAREF Southridge, Juan Carlo Felipe Morales representing FA Manila and Panabo, Davao del Norte, Frank Jonas Oliverio of Makati FC and Negros Occidental, and Matthew Zamora of Arayat FC.

“Representing the Philippines at the first FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival is a milestone for these young players and for our youth program,” said Philippine Football Federation President John Anthony Gutierrez.

This historic opening match marks a monumental milestone for Philippine football, as the young squad represents the nation on the global stage in FIFA’s new fast-paced 8v8 tournament format.

“We chose a squad that combines players from our domestic clubs, schools, and regional football associations with Filipinos based abroad. We are proud of all of them, and we ask Filipino fans to support them,” said Gutierrez.

Led by head coach Roxy Dorlas, a former national team player and PMNFT U16 head coach, the team brings together homegrown prospects alongside players based in the United States and Spain.

In the midfield, dynamic playmaking duties belong to Micah Alva from Philadelphia, USA, Nathan Caligdong from the football stronghold of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, John Zhian Enario of FA Manila, Quito Alexander Pascual from the LA Galaxy Academy in the USA, and John Carlo Rendon representing Makati FC and Negros Occidental.

Spearheading the attack are forwards Satriani Alcantara, who plays out of Barcelona, Spain, alongside Cavite products Dan Emmanuel Becera of Trece FC and Josef Adrien Peña of La Salle-Dasmariñas.

To meet FIFA’s mandate of fielding a tight-knit 14-player roster, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) assembled a squad that mirrors both the depth of domestic grassroots programs and the far-reaching extent of the global Filipino diaspora.

Saturday’s clash against Morocco will be the first of five demanding Group F matches for the Philippines in Baku, setting the stage for a landmark week in Philippine youth sports.

The PMNFT U15’s historic journey to Baku is made possible through the support of the Philippine Sports Commission, alongside private sector partners including Puma, Studio 300, Padel 300, and Anytime Fitness.

They return to action on Sunday, October 25, against Liberia at 6:30 p.m. and then face a quick turnaround on Monday, October 26, taking on Costa Rica at 12:45 a.m. before meeting Belize later that evening at 6:30 p.m.

Dorlas is supported by an experienced technical bench consisting of assistant coaches Tetsuya Tsuchida, who previously served as PMNFT U16 head coach, and Joseph Jino Villarino, a former PMNFT U19 international player.

Gutierrez reaffirmed full confidence in the technical staff, emphasizing their deep understanding of the players and the national development pathway.

The group stage concludes early Tuesday, October 27, with a match against Curacao at 12:45 p.m

Sta. Lucia Land Inc., the flagship property development arm of the Robles and Santos families’ Sta. Lucia Group, intends to borrow over P7 billion from local financial institutions to refinance existing loans and support its continuing expansion.

Sta. Lucia said its board approved resolutions authorizing the company to secure loans and credit facilities from various financial institutions.

These include loans of up to P4 billion from China Banking Corp. and up to P1.5 billion from BDO Unibank Inc.

The company has also been authorized to obtain a credit line facility of up to P200 million from Unicapital Finance and Investments Inc., as well as a short-term loan facility of up to P1 billion from several creditors through Unicapital Inc.

Further, the company is seeking a loan of up to P520 million from CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp. and a credit line facility of up to P100 million from Sterling Bank of Asia.

As part of its continuing expansion, Sta. Lucia is targeting the acquisition of a parcel of land in Laguna measuring 465 square meters.

It is also working to enter into joint ventures to develop projects in Pangasinan, Laguna, Cavite and Pasig.

Sta. Lucia has earmarked P5.93 billion for capital expenditures this year to support the continued development of existing residential and commercial projects and fund new ones.

Through its investments in project development and land acquisitions, Sta. Lucia aims to become the country’s top real estate company not just in size, but also in quality projects, growth, returns and innovation.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to open export opportunities for coconut products in West Africa, following the shipment of young coconuts to Liberia.

The Philippines has shipped 50 metric tons of young coconuts to the African country, with the DA noting that this could open new opportunities for coconut products in neighboring countries.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed the importance of market access and private-sector partnerships in making agriculture more competitive and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

‘Expanding into new international markets creates opportunities for our coconut farmers and exporters. The challenge is to turn these initial shipments into sustained demand that delivers better returns to our farmers and strengthens the Philippine coconut industry,’ he added.

The recent coconut shipment was part of a partnership between the DA and Davao City-based Avante Agri-Products Philippines Inc.

The agency said that Avante Agri-Products shipped whole green young coconuts to Monrovia, Liberia within two 40-foot refrigerated containers. The shipment has a combined free-on-board value of $22,400.

Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture is facilitating the shipment, with CMA CGM deploying its Smart Reefer Container technology to help keep the produce fresh during transport.

The coconuts were intended to be donated to rural communities in Liberia to support feeding programs and provide household benefits.

The spirit of the late Josephine Medina lives on.

Lhey Manginsay and Wilfred Redulla paid fitting tribute to the Paralympic bronze medalist after winning silver in mixed doubles Class XD17 at the 5th Asian Para Games at Sky Hall Toyota yesterday.

‘Our last medal in the Asian Para Games was a silver from Jo in 2018,’ said national para table tennis coach Louie Eballa, referring to Medina, who passed away five years ago.

Manginsay and Redulla pushed for gold but fell to Paralympic gold medalist Zhao Shuai and Asian Para Games silver medalist Xiong Guiyan of China, 7-11, 11-9, 4-11, 6-11.

The silver not only averted a shutout in the final two days of table tennis but also evoked memories of Medina, who delivered the country’s last medal in the sport – a silver in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games.

It somewhat made up for the lost bronze medal of Cyril Cloyd Ongcoy in the men’s 1500m T12/T13 earlier in the day, after the athletics jury reinstated initially disqualified Fakhriddin Khamraev of Uzbekistan.

The decision dropped the 23-year-old Ongcoy – a double gold medalist in last January’s ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand – to fourth place. Khamraev was awarded the gold, while Jordan’s Nabeel Maqableh and India’s Sharath Makanahalli, who initially took gold and silver, settled for silver and bronze, respectively.

Former Bangsamoro parliament member Edrieza Rimbang has denied financing the recently foiled attempt to ship P3.5 billion worth of “shabu (meth)” from Laos into the Philippines.

In a nine-minute video posted on Facebook on Thursday, October 22, Rimbang denied having connived with any individual to arrange for drug shipments to enter the Philippines.

“What they are saying, that we are involved in that Laos [shipment], is not true,” he said in Filipino.

He also dismissed claims that he bankrolled the operation, pointing to his defeat in last month’s Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, which he blamed on a lack of funds. “Now they are saying I financed drugs. Where would I get the money?” he said.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla named Rimbang on October 16 as one of 11 persons of interest in the case, saying he was “believed to be the financier of the entire operation.”

Remulla claimed Rimbang chartered the private jet that carried the 521 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine intercepted in Laos.

The flight had first been scheduled to land at a general aviation hangar at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on September 26, but its date was moved three times, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

The flight manifest had deceptively declared the aircraft’s cargo as vape products.

Rimbang was among four persons of interest who did not appear before the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, along with Abdulkarim Macalatas, whom Remulla identified as the intended consignee, Abdullah Rimbang Macarimbang and Aldren Samante.

Rimbang did not say in the video whether he would honor the subpoena. He did reject social media posts claiming he had fled abroad. “I did not leave. I did not leave our country,” he said.

Nartatez said on October 16 that Rimbang was believed to be in the Philippines.

Rimbang was appointed to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the region’s interim parliament, by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2019.

He ran for the Lanao del Sur 3rd district seat in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s first parliamentary elections on September 14 but lost to Abdul Rauf Adiong of the SIAP party.

In the video, Rimbang said he owed his appointment to the Duterte family and suggested his political ties explained why he had been named.

“Let’s not link me to Laos just because I am pro-Duterte,” he said.

Remulla has said investigators found no evidence connecting the Duterte family to the shipment, though he noted that Rimbang and the family had long been political allies who ran under the same party.

The Department of Finance (DOF) is still fine-tuning a proposed tax amnesty bill, which it aims to file with the House of Representatives within the year, according to Finance Undersecretary Rolando Ligon Jr.

‘Right now, we are fine-tuning the draft of the proposed General Tax Amnesty (GTA) bill. We still need more information to ensure the amnesty is successful. We need to address the additional taxes that we need to collect,’ Ligon told reporters.

The measure has yet to be filed in Congress, but the agency hopes to submit the bill before the end of the year, with congressional hearings expected to begin next year.

The proposed GTA is among the tax measures mentioned in President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address and identified as one of the legislative priorities.

The proposed amnesty program will cover taxes imposed under the National Internal Revenue Code and administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

In 2019, former president Rodrigo Duterte vetoed the general tax amnesty provisions under Republic Act 11213, but retained the estate tax amnesty provisions.

Separately, Ligon said the DOF is studying a voluntary disclosure program for imported vehicles with underpaid taxes, separate from the proposed GTA.

‘This is a voluntary disclosure program (admin measure). It is therefore separate from the GTA,’ he said.

The proposed Bureau of Customs initiative would address cases involving imported vehicles with misdeclared values or underpaid taxes.

However, the measure remains in its early stages and is still being studied.