NLEX back to gym Tuesday
With NCR+ reverted to GCQ starting today, NLEX coach Yeng Guiao said the Road Warriors will restart practice at the UP gym on Tuesday and Guam national player Jericho Cruz is expected to join after he completes hotel quarantine......»»
Abueva takes on former team as Fuel Masters gun for third straight win vs Aces
All eyes will be on Calvin Abueva as he faces his former team. (PBA Images) Phoenix Super LPG hopes to build on the successful comeback of Calvin Abueva when it battles his former team Alaska on Thursday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center. What Abueva has for an encore will be known in the 4 p.m. opener as the Fuel Masters (4-2) go for a third straight victory against the Aces (4-3), who are also riding on an impressive run of three wins in the last four outings. Unbeaten leader TNT looks to shrug off the rust factor as it aims for a sixth win opposite slumping NLEX (1-5) at 6:45 p.m. The Tropang Giga are slated to see action for the first time in eight days after Monday’s game against the NorthPort Batang Pier was postponed as a precautionary measure after facing the Blackwater Elite last week. One of Blackwater’s player is currently under quarantine after he had an initial positive result for COVID-19. He has since been declared negative in the succeeding antigen and RT-PCR tests. Abueva played as if he was not out of action for 16 months due to an indefinite suspension, posting 21 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in Phoenix’s 114-110 triumph against NLEX. With Abueva back, many see Phoenix as a team with a legitimate chance of winning the crown, something Alaska coach Jeffrey Cariaso acknowledges. “We’re in a situation where Phoenix is already playing well, they added Calvin, who would give them an extra spark — extra All-Star. So we’re gonna have our hands full,” said Cariaso as he eyes to keep the same grit that enabled Alaska to buck a 0-2 start. Alaska is coming off a 99-96 victory over Terrafirma last Tuesday......»»
NBA: Celtics sense chance to turn the heat on Miami
No team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit in the NBA playoffs but after their win at the Miami Heat on Tuesday, the Boston Celtics clearly sense a chance of history. The Heat, now 3-1 up in the series, still only need one more win to progress to the NBA Finals against […] The post NBA: Celtics sense chance to turn the heat on Miami appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
France to try 19 men over 2019 migrant lorry deaths: source
France is to try 19 men over a people-smuggling plot that led to the 2019 deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants in the back of a lorry, a source familiar with the matter said Wednesday. The trial is the latest of several in Europe over the tragedy. The migrants -- the youngest of whom were two 15-year-old boys -- suffocated in the refrigerated container as they were being transported across the Channel to what they had hoped would be new lives in Britain. Their lifeless bodies were discovered inside the sealed unit at a port near London in October 2019. French investigating magistrates on Tuesday ordered the trial of 19 suspects aged 21 to 58 over the tragedy, the source said. A transnational investigation points to the suspects -- of Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Algerian and Moroccan origin -- being part of a large network smuggling people from Vietnam to Europe, it said. They stand accused of organizing the transport of migrants and driving taxis or owning flats where they could hide them in the Paris region, it added. According to wiretapped phone calls, these men referred to their victims as "merchandise" or even "chickens". They will all be tried for enabling the illegal entry and stay of foreigners on French territory and banding together with a view to committing crimes, which could carry up to 10 years in jail, the source said. Four will also be judged for manslaughter for failing to ensure duty of care during the smuggling operation, which could lead to punishment of three years behind bars. The cross-border probe revealed that migrants were loaded into a truck in northern France, before being driven to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge to cross the Channel. The tragedy shone a spotlight on the extraordinary dangers migrants are willing to risk to reach Britain, with some paying smugglers up to $40,000 for the perilous journey. Post-mortem tests found the victims died from lack of oxygen and overheating, and one sent a poignant text message to her family in Vietnam as she lay dying in the truck. The victims came from poor and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of a better future abroad. Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often left owing huge sums to their traffickers and ending up working on cannabis farms or in nail salons. There was no immediate date set for the French trial, which follows several convictions in other countries. A Belgian court last year sentenced a Vietnamese man to 15 years in prison after convicting him of being a ringleader in the trafficking operation. A British judge in 2021 convicted two men on 39 counts of manslaughter over the lorry tragedy, jailing them for 27 and 20 years. He also handed two truck drivers 13-year and 18-year sentences. The post France to try 19 men over 2019 migrant lorry deaths: source appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Davao region progress plan seen
DAVAO CITY — The Davao Region Development Plan 2023-2028, which serves as the region’s overall blueprint in development planning for the next six years, was launched here on Tuesday. Regional Development Council vice chair and National Economic and Development Authority-11 regional director Maria Lourdes Lim said that the plan serves as a guidepost for all Davao Region stakeholders in pursuing the region’s sustained recovery and a vehicle for accelerated transformation to a more progressive, broad-based, and strong Davao Region. She added that through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society process, the DRDP was formulated in collaboration with national government agencies, local government units, state universities, and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, business and basic sectors and civil society organizations in Davao Region. “The plan aims to reinvigorate job creation and hasten poverty reduction by steering the region’s economy back to its high-growth trajectory and maintaining its national position as one of the five fastest-growing regional economies in the country,” Lim said. The post Davao region progress plan seen appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
To `sow fear’ among scalawags, Go proposes Duterte anti-drug czar
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Tuesday raised the idea of making former president Rodrigo Duterte the country’s anti-drug czar to “sow fear” among cops involved in criminalities. Go made this suggestion during the discussion of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs on the possible cover-up by the Philippine National Police among its ranks involved in the P6.7-billion “shabu” haul in Manila last year. At the hearing, Go asked former PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. if Duterte would be helpful should he be tapped as the country’s anti-drug czar by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “If ever, well. It’s a prerogative of the President as the appointing authority. If ever, do you think it would be helpful if President Duterte will be appointed as drug czar?" Go said in vernacular. Azurin responded that he will be supportive of any government initiative to eliminate the distribution of illegal drugs in the country. “I don’t know if I can comment on that, what the setup would be, but anything on the campaign against illegal drugs, I will be supportive,” he said. Considering the number of cops allegedly involved in the supposed “recycling” of confiscated drugs, Go sees the efforts of the Duterte administration against drug activities and criminalities might be put to waste “if it continues to proliferate.” “Let’s not waste what former President Duterte started to fight against illegal drugs. Once the illegal drugs return, we know that criminality and corruption will also go back,” Go said. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the committee chairperson, expressed dismay and frustration over the alleged involvement of policemen in the “shabu” mess considering that the country’s war on drugs campaign has already reached the international scene. “I feel bad about it, you listen to me all policemen, my case has already reached the ICC because of our fight against illegal drugs. Despite this, all you think about is money. You are even in a syndicate. I can't digest this if this is happening to the police—joining a syndicate,” Dela Rosa said in vernacular. Dela Rosa said the Senate panel has acquired substantial basis to conclude that there was “really an attempt to cover up” the arrest of PMSgt. Rodolfo Mayo during an illegal drug operation last year. “For me, it is an attempted cover-up. It was not fully consummated by the fact that in the end, Mayo was also charged,” he said. Mayo was physically present during the second and third hearings on his case. But he did not divulge anything nor implicate anyone in the illegal matter. The senators cited Mayo in contempt for refusing to cooperate with Dela Rosa warned the attempted cover-up “has yet to be seen.” Senators also cited Mayo’s superior, National Capital Region Drug Enforcement officer-in-charge Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Ibañez, in contempt for testifying that he was not aware of his subordinate’s activities. The post To `sow fear’ among scalawags, Go proposes Duterte anti-drug czar appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
French minister demands Assad trial
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should be put on trial following “hundreds of thousands of deaths” and “chemical arms use” during the country’s civil war, the French foreign minister said on Tuesday. Catherine Colonna’s call followed Assad’s appearance at a summit of the Arab League, a regional organization that had banned him and suspended his country for a decade. “We have to remember who Bashar al-Assad is. He’s a leader who has been the enemy of his own people for more than 10 years,” Colonna said, Agence France-Presse reported. A lifting of European Union sanctions on the Syrian regime was “certainly not” planned, she added. Comeback, legitimacy Several Arab capitals cut ties with Assad after the Damascus regime’s repression of anti-government protests sparked a civil war in 2011, with some supporting the opposition instead. The brutal war has killed more than 500,000 people, displaced millions and devastated much of the country’s infrastructure and industry. States that once bet on Assad’s demise have warmed to him as he clung to power and clawed back territory with Iranian and Russian support. “There is relief on the Syrian street in general, and great optimism about the future,” Bassam Abu Abdallah, who heads the Damascus Center for Strategic Research and is close to the government, said. “We have turned a new page.” Arab outreach peaked after the deadly 6 February earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey. Lina Khatib, director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS University of London, said Assad saw the Arab League return “as recognition that he has won the war and as formal acceptance of his legitimacy as president.” The opposition and rebels’ role in determining the country’s political future has vastly shrunk, Khatib added. Large parts of Syria’s north remain outside government control after 12 years of war that pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists. Though the frontlines have mostly quietened in recent years, Russian, Iranian, Turkish and United States forces are still present in Syria. Several rounds of United Nations-brokered talks in Geneva between the government and opposition groups, aimed at forging a new constitution, have failed, with no political solution in sight. The post French minister demands Assad trial appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heat on brink of NBA Finals after 128-102 win over Celtics
The Miami Heat knocked the stuffing out of the Boston Celtics on Sunday, powering to a 128-102 victory to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the NBA Eastern Conference finals. The Heat, who host game four on Tuesday, are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals against either the Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics meanwhile are battling the weight of history -- no NBA team has rallied from 0-3 down to win a best-of-seven playoff series. Heat talisman Jimmy Butler could afford a relatively quiet 16-point night as point guard Gabe Vincent led the way, connecting on 11 of 14 shots from the field, including six of nine from three-point range, on the way to a game-high 29 points. Duncan Robinson added 22 points off the bench for Miami, who are vying to become just the second eighth-seeded team -- after the 1999 New York Knicks -- to reach the NBA Finals. Unlike in their first two wins of the series in Boston, there would be no need for the Heat to claw back a double-digit deficit. In front of a pumped-up crowd at Kaseya Center in Miami, the Heat dominated, Boston unable to build on an early three-point lead in the face of a total team effort from the hosts on both ends of the floor. "I don't know if 'surprised' is the word," Vincent said of the lopsided result. "We played well tonight. We defended. We made shots. We forced them into turnovers." "The next game, the mentality is to come out and compete at a high level, defend, try to make the right read every time offensively and just play good basketball. "It's the first to four games. We are not satisfied with three." Boston star Jayson Tatum scored 14 points and Jaylen Brown added 12, but Tatum made just one of his seven three-point attempts and Brown missed all seven of his as the Celtics connected on just 11 of their 42 three-point attempts. Miami made 19 three-pointers on 39 attempts, connecting on 46 of their 81 shots overall. "As you can tell, the rim was as big as the ocean for everybody," said Miami center Bam Adebayo, who thrilled the crowd with a pair of alley oop dunks and a spin around Brown for a one-handed slam on the way to 13 points. "(We were) making the extra pass, making the right pass and everybody played together." Caleb Martin scored 18 points off the bench for Miami. Max Strus chipped in 10 and the Heat didn't miss a beat when veteran Kevin Love departed after less than five minutes with an ankle injury. The Heat closed a fast-paced, physical first quarter on a 9-2 scoring run to lead 30-22 and pushed their lead to as many as 22 points in the second quarter. Boston managed to cut the gap, but with the Celtics again struggling from three-point range and with turnovers, Miami's 61-46 halftime lead represented the biggest halftime deficit faced by Boston this post-season. There would be no re-set for the Celtics in the third quarter. They had managed to trim the deficit to 12 early in the second half, but Miami out-scored them 32-17 to take a 93-63 lead into the fourth. Tatum and Brown combined for just three baskets in the third, Miami's dominance evident on back-to-back Boston possessions midway through the period when Adebayo blocked Tatum's shot on one and Martin came up with a steal to set up a Strus three-pointer. The shell-shocked Celtics went more than three minutes in the period without scoring. "I don't even know where to start," Brown said. "I feel like we let our fan base, organization down, we let ourselves down, and it was collective. We could point fingers, but in reality, it was just embarrassing." Boston's first-year coach Joe Mazzulla, who took the helm after Ime Udoka was abruptly suspended before the season for an improper workplace relationship, took the blame for the Celtics' disjointed performance. "I just didn't have them ready to play," Mazzulla said. "Whether it was the starting lineup or it was an adjustment, I have to get them in a better place ready to play, and that's on me." The post Heat on brink of NBA Finals after 128-102 win over Celtics appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Excitement mounts for DiCaprio-Scorsese epic at Cannes
The Cannes Film Festival is set for another major Hollywood premiere on Saturday, as Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese bring their Native American crime epic, "Killers of the Flower Moon", to the French Riviera. The three-and-a-half-hour movie, which includes Scorsese's other long-time muse Robert De Niro, charts a wave of murders among the wealthy Osage Indians in the 1920s and the birth of the FBI. It will be followed by more Hollywood royalty when Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore premiere "May December" about an actress meeting the couple at the heart of a tabloid scandal. The competition for the festival's top prize Palme d'Or is heating up. An early front-runner is British director Jonathan Glazer's "The Zone of Interest", a unique and horrifying look at the private life of a Nazi officer working at the Auschwitz concentration camp. "The things that drive these people are familiar. Nice house, nice garden, healthy kids," Glazer told AFP. "How like them are we? How terrifying it would be to acknowledge. What is it that we're so frightened of understanding?" Critics were near-unanimous in their praise, with Variety calling it "chilling and profound, meditative and immersive, a movie that holds human darkness up to the light and examines it as if under a microscope". But there was also huge warmth for "Four Daughters", a heartbreaking documentary about radicalization within a Tunisian family that is both inventive and engaging. That may go down well with jury president Ruben Ostlund, last year's winner for "Triangle of Sadness", who likes his arthouse films with some lighter touches. A total of 21 films are in the main competition, which concludes on May 27, including previous winners such as Japan's Hirokazu Kore-eda, Germany's Wim Wenders, and Britain's Ken Loach. Ageing icons The weather has been untypically wet this year, but Cannes has had no shortage of splashy moments since kicking off on Tuesday with the controversial appearance of Johnny Depp. In his first movie since a bitter trial with ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp played French king Louis XV in "Jeanne du Barry", which received middling reviews, and festival director Thierry Fremaux irked online critics by saying "I don't care" about Depp's legal woes. The festival also saw an emotional appearance from Harrison Ford, receiving an honorary Palme d'Or at the world premiere of "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny". At the risk of turning this year's Cannes into a festival of aging Hollywood males, there was also an honorary Palme for Michael Douglas and an appearance from Sean Penn as a grizzled New York paramedic in "Black Flies". Italian-American icons But all eyes will be on the red carpet this Saturday as three icons of Italian-American cinema make their way to the Palais des Festivals. DiCaprio and De Niro are both long-time Scorsese collaborators. But the director has never before cast them in the same film, apart from a funny short in 2015, "The Audition", in which they competed for a part in his next movie. The film world is also painfully aware that it may be one of the last movies from the master behind "Goodfellas", "Raging Bull" and "Taxi Driver". In a poignant interview earlier this week, the 80-year-old Scorsese told Deadline, "I'm old... I want to tell stories, and there's no more time." "Taxi Driver" won the Palme d'Or in 1976, but he has not been back in the Cannes competition since 1985's lesser-known "After Hours", though he did serve as jury president in 1998. "Killers of the Flower Moon", which was funded by Apple, is showing out of competition. The post Excitement mounts for DiCaprio-Scorsese epic at Cannes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Two climbers die on Everest, toll reaches seven
Two more climbers have died on Everest, expedition organisers said Thursday, bringing the number of deaths on the world's highest peak this spring climbing season to seven. The latest fatalities were a 58-year-old Indian woman who said before her expedition that she had a pacemaker, and a Nepali member of a team clearing trash from the mountain. Suzanne Leopoldina Jesus died at a hospital in the Nepal town of Lukla after the Indian mountaineer was airlifted from base camp due to illness. "We brought the Indian climber to Lukla from the base camp in a helicopter on Wednesday as she was sick and could not climb," Da Dendi Sherpa, managing director at Glacier Himalaya Treks and Expedition, told AFP. Jesus had raised funds for her climb with the slogan, "Everest expedition and back on a pacemaker, at the age of 58". The primary school teacher aimed to be Asia's first person on a pacemaker and the oldest Indian to climb Everest, the Himalayan Times reported. "We tried to send her to Kathmandu. But due to the bad weather conditions, the helicopter could not fly to Kathmandu. She was admitted to a local hospital in Lukla where she died this morning," Sherpa said. In the other death, a Nepali trash collector died on Tuesday while descending. He was part of an annual mountain clean-up campaign by Nepal's army. "Work is underway to bring his body back," Pasang Sherpa from expedition company Peak Promotion told AFP. Nepal has issued 478 permits for Everest to foreign climbers this season, which runs until early June. Since most will need a guide, more than 900 people in total will try to summit. On Wednesday, a Moldovan climber died at Camp Four en route to the top. Three Nepali climbers perished last month when a block of glacial ice fell and swept them into a crevasse as they were crossing the treacherous Khumbu icefall on a supply mission. A 69-year-old US mountaineer also died this month during an acclimatisation rotation at an altitude of around 6,400 metres (21,000 feet). On average, around five climbers die every spring climbing season on Everest. But in 2019, 11 people died, with four of the deaths blamed on overcrowding on the mountain. str/pm/stu/axn © Agence France-Presse Add to cart Print Download Share this document Copy the content The post Two climbers die on Everest, toll reaches seven appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ukraine to exact payment from Russia
Ukraine is exacting future payment for destructions caused by Russia’s drone and missile attacks through a record of damages and their corresponding cost. Members of the 46-nation Council of Europe gave support to the proposal from Kyiv as their leaders met in a two-day summit in Reykjavik, Iceland starting Tuesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who participated in the meeting through video, said the register lays the ground for “a full-fledged compensation mechanism.” French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that Moscow would be held accountable for the harm and destruction it has caused in its 15-month invasion of its neighbor. Scholz said the registry would play “a central role” in “punishing and demanding accountability for the war crimes committed by the Russian occupiers.” Macron called on other countries to join the initiative and “actively contribute to filling it out.” Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar said about 20 square kilometers of a Russian pincer movement around Bakhmut, the epicenter of fighting in Russia’s invasion, have been wrested back from the invaders. “At the same time, the enemy is advancing in some measure inside Bakhmut itself and is completely destroying the town with artillery,” Malyar added on social media. The post Ukraine to exact payment from Russia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill opens city of dreams branch, expands menu
The name alone sounds expensive and intimidating, but the owners of Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill swear it’s because they serve only the finest food. Known for its signature USDA prime dry-aged steak, the chain has opened a fourth restaurant in the Philippines with more grilled items on offer — the better to encourage people who love first-rate food and a relaxed atmosphere The new Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill at the City of Dreams Manila in Parañaque City had a grand launch Tuesday night attended by the founder himself, Wolfgang Zwiener, accompanied by wife Elena and son Peter, now the president of the world-renowned Wolfgang’s Steakhouse. The event was also graced by its local managing partners led by Raymund Magdaluyo (Red Crab Group of Restaurants) and Leina Bolinas (Excello Restaurant Management Group). The resto’s other outlets are in Resorts World Manila in Pasay City, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City and The Podium in Mandaluyong City. This is also the 32nd location of Wolfgang Steakhouse worldwide. What makes this new location extra special is that this is the only Wolfgang Steakhouse with grilled offerings. New grilled dishes have been added to the menu for diners to order from brunch to late night, such as Grilled Barbecue Short Ribs, Dry-Aged Brisket Pastrami, Beef Tartar and Grilled Lemon Caper Chicken. “Wolfgang Steakhouse is a classic steakhouse that serves the finest beef,” said Peter in his brief speech. “Here at the Grill, we are able to introduce more dishes using the different parts of the cow and the various ways of preparing it. This gives us an opportunity to offer those who want to eat other interesting and flavorful dishes, such as Lomo Saltado (a Peruvian dish) and chicken dishes. But, the good thing is, we still offer the regular full menu of Wolfgang Steakhouse.” Peter reflected on how the restaurant has come a long way from its first outlet in Manila in 2016. “Thanks to our fabulous partners like Raymund Magdaluyo and Leina Bolinas and their team,” Peter said. “We were very fortunate. I still remember the day I met Raymund in Japan after he called me to say he had a fabulous dinner at Wolfgang on Christmas Eve. He told me a beautiful story about his family and how they had a great dinner there. He told me he wanted to have Wolfgang Steakhouse in the Philippines. And it came to fruition many years later.” “After the pandemic, we are coming out stronger and we want to grow more rapidly in the Philippines and offer our steaks to everyone,” he added. Elegant, contemporary Boasting an intimate and cozy atmosphere with dark wooden interiors and an old-world charm, the 350-square-meter steakhouse features an intimate whisky lounge and impressive wine cellar. Popular among its steaks are the short loin, porterhouse and rib-eye. “Grill means basically direct fire. We offer more grilled items,” said Magdaluyo, adding that, “for us, the actual concept of the grill is that this place is a bit casual. Upscale but casual. Meaning, you can come as you are. You can wear shorts or beach wear and that’s perfectly fine.” Magdaluyo also shared that another Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill, with a sports grill theme, is opening at the Araneta Coliseum by October. “It’s a 40-seater place to serve the Quezon City market,” he said. Turn to page C18 Meanwhile, Wolfgang Steakhouse in Boracay will open in February 2024 at Megaworld’s Belmont Hotel, according to Magdaluyo. The steakhouse, overlooking the beach, can accommodate about 50 diners. [caption id="attachment_133452" align="aligncenter" width="1707"] photograph courtesy of wolfgang steakhouse grillBURRATA Salad.[/caption] Menu The Grill’s new offerings include the fall-off-the-bone Grilled Baby Back Ribs, Lomo Saltado (marinated strips of sirloin with onions and tomatoes) and Grilled Barbecue Short Ribs. Salad options have also been updated with Classic Wedge Salad, Burrata Salad and Arugula Salad. The USDA Prime Dry-Aged Porterhouse Steak remains a meat lover’s dream: thick, tender, juicy and formidable right down to the very last bite. The resto’s all-time favorites include Creamed Spinach, Steak Fries, Burger Sliders, Filet Mignon, Shrimp and Lobster Cocktails and Fresh Oysters on the Half Shell, while among the must-try desserts are the New York-Style Cheesecake, Apple Strudel, Key Lime Pie and Hot Fudge Sundae. Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill is on the upper ground floor of City of Dreams Manila, Paranaque City, It is open daily, 11 am-12 mn. Visit www.wolfgangssteakhouse.ph. Meanwhile, Wolfgang Steakhouse in Boracay will open in February 2024 at Megaworld’s Belmont Hotel, according to Magdaluyo. The steakhouse, overlooking the beach, can accommodate about 50 diners. The post Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill opens city of dreams branch, expands menu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal
Joe Biden and opposition Republican leaders on Tuesday offered hope of a deal that could avoid a catastrophic US debt default, although the president was forced to shorten an upcoming Asia tour for further crisis talks. After the latest negotiations ended without a breakthrough, Republican House speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters there was still "a lot of work to do" to break the high-stakes standoff with Democrat Biden over the borrowing limit. But while stark differences remained, the White House said Biden was "optimistic that there is a path to a responsible, bipartisan budget agreement if both sides negotiate in good faith." And McCarthy likewise indicated he ultimately expected a deal, even if so far "nothing has been resolved." "America is the number one economy in the world. And when we get done with these negotiations, America's economy is going to be stronger," he said. The US president -- who flies to Japan on Wednesday for a G7 summit -- scrapped subsequent stops in Papua New Guinea and Australia, instead returning to Washington on Sunday. The Treasury has warned of grim consequences if the country runs out of cash to pay its bills, which would leave it unable to pay federal workers and trigger a likely surge in interest rates with knock-on effects for businesses, mortgages -- and global markets. The United States could begin defaulting on its debts "potentially as early as June 1," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has forecast June 15. The White House said Biden had directed his staff "to continue to meet daily on outstanding issues," and that he would confer with Republican leaders on his return from the G7 meetings. Republicans have continued to insist Biden agree to significant spending cuts in exchange for their support to raise the debt ceiling, ignoring Democratic calls for a "clean" increase of the borrowing limit with no strings attached. Democrats have accused Republicans of using extreme tactics to push their agenda ahead of the so-called "X-date" at which the United States starts defaulting on its debts. In a sign of growing nervousness over what would be the first-ever US debt default, more than 140 top US chief executives sent a letter to Biden and congressional leaders stressing the need for an agreement. "We strongly urge that an accord be reached quickly so that the country can avert this potentially devastating scenario," the letter signed by the CEOs from Pfizer and Morgan Stanley, among others, said. Republicans, who regained control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections, are using their newfound clout to demand cuts of $130 billion from federal agencies and programs in exchange for support for lifting the debt ceiling. This would limit spending in the 2024 fiscal year to 2022 levels. They also want to expedite domestic energy production projects, simplify the process for obtaining permits for pipelines and refineries and claw back unspent Covid relief funding. There are now only three days remaining when the House and Senate are both in session before June 1 -- the day the Treasury predicts the United States could run out of money. Some senators have acknowledged that they may have to cancel the Memorial Day recess beginning Thursday to get a deal finalized. As the X-date draws closer, Democrats in Congress have begun considering a range of alternatives, including using an arcane congressional procedure to bypass McCarthy. They've also contemplated asking Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally, which some legal scholars believe would allow the Treasury to simply ignore the debt limit. But Biden has cautioned that such a move could be challenged in court and has continued to call publicly for Republicans to support a clean increase to the debt ceiling. The post Biden cuts back Asia tour as hopes rise of debt deal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teves homecoming fake news?
News of Rep. Arnolfo Teves returning to the country Wednesday morning may not be true at all. Hours after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla bared that he has sources confirming Teves’ arrival, government-owned Radyo Pilipinas claimed it was a hoax via an “exclusive interview.” Teves late Tuesday tweeted a cryptic message: “READY NABA ANG ALL?” with matching emojis, triggering speculation that he is coming back any time soon. The Negros Oriental congressman is being sought over the killing of province Gov. Roel Degamo and eight other people inside his own home two months ago. Teves has been reportedly hiding in East Timor where he applied for political asylum which was eventually turned down. Remulla had earlier said there is still no warrant of arrest issued against Teves. The post Teves homecoming fake news? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Rex Gatchalian confirmed as DSWD chief
The Commission on Appointments on Tuesday confirmed the ad interim appointment of former Valenzuela Representative Rex Gatchalian as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Gatchalian earlier vowed before the CA members to put equal thrusts and premium into the development programs of the DSWD. “Yes social welfare is very important, but equally as important will be the development programs of the department because these development programs are the ones that will break the chain of the cycle of poverty,” he said. Gatchalian said he will be working on strengthening the DSWD flagship programs including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino. Program or 4Ps, sustainable livelihood program, community-driven of Kalahi CIDS, human capital investments, and digitalization of the social welfare program so that people can have easy access to basic social services. He also promised to boost social protection programs nationwide, as well as expand efforts to attract more social workers by establishing a DSWD academy. “We want to make that every single social welfare that we do launch should be targeted measurable, conditional and as clear exit mechanism so that we don’t saddle the country with one dole out program over another,” he said. Gatchalian also targets to lean into the existing capacities of the private sector in partnership with the government to make sure the country will become disaster prepared. He added the DSWD will push forward its residence and care facilities as well as capacitate further the social workers nationwide. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda vouched for Gatchalian’s ability to lead the DSWD as being a disciplinarian and forceful. “He knows the grassroots being a local chief executive. He is able to communicate this very clearly and he really seems to have a very logical mind if I am not mistaken. He’s focused on his job, at the same time he has compassion on the people being a mayor,” Legarda said. CA vice-chair Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. of Pangasinan welcomed Gatchalian’s confirmation describing him as a true public servant in the government. While Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria of 2nd District Negros Oriental said he has known Gatchalian to be hard working, intelligent dedicated public servant. “His first-hand experience into the needs of his constituents back then when he was a local chief executive and his background working in the legislative branch are the very qualities that make him a perfect fit for the post,” Sagarbarria said. Other CA members also voted on the confirmation of Gatchalian including Cavite Rep. Lani Revilla; Surigao del Sur Rep. Johny Pimentel; and CA Assistant minority floor leader Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos. Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, and Risa Hontiveros also supported Gatchalian. Gatchalian was installed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the CA did not confirm former Erwin Tulfo’s appointment over citizenship and libel issues. The post Rex Gatchalian confirmed as DSWD chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gilas completes redemption bid, gets back at Cambodia to regain SEA Games gold
The Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team played with remarkable composure and determination to finally solve the Cambodian puzzle, essaying an 80-69 victory on Tuesday to return to the Southeast Asian Games basketball throne......»»
Zubiri to Salceda: Want Senate to pass tax measures fast? Submit them early
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri on Tuesday pushed back against Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda’s challenge to the Senate to act fast on proposed measures seeking to extend the tax amnesty. In a Viber message to reporters, Zubiri stressed that the House of Representatives should have passed the measure before the Holy Week if it had wanted the Senate to approve them before the sine die adjournment on 2 June. “If Congressman Salceda wanted it quicker, then they should have passed it before the Holy Week break,” he said. “It has to be first transmitted to the Senate before any action can be made, that’s the Constitution.” Zubiri noted that House Bill No. 7909 was only transmitted to the upper chamber on Tuesday after the House of Representatives approved it on Monday. “First of all, all tax measures emanate from the House of Representatives and they just passed that on 3rd reading and only transmitted to the Senate today,” he said. “The committee is about to hear the bill on Friday. Hopefully, it will be sponsored by Monday next week.” The Senate chief reminded Salceda of the first reading requirement of the Constitution on legislation. “I'm sure Congressman Salceda is not ignorant of the first reading requirement of the Constitution on legislation, thereafter the three-day rule for committee hearings,” he said. “After which, we sponsor the measure in plenary and then pass it on second reading, which takes another three days for the third reading unless the measure is certified as urgent by Malacañang.” Zubiri continued: "We are going to act on the matter with dispatch but it would have been better if the House passed it earlier." Earlier this week, Salceda, who chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, urged the Senate to act on the HBN 7909 immediately, fearing that it would “expire” should the upper chamber fail to approve it before the sine die adjournment. HBN 7909 aims to provide tax amnesty extension to heirs of individuals whose estate taxes remain unpaid as of December 31, 2021. Should the upper chamber fail to act on it before the sine die adjournment on 2 June, the amnesty will lapse on 1 June 2023. The post Zubiri to Salceda: Want Senate to pass tax measures fast? Submit them early appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gatchalian gets clear path to CA confirmation
A Commission on Appointments panel on Tuesday, 16 May, endorsed the confirmation of Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian's appointment as secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. After thorough deliberation, the Bicameral CA Committee on labor, employment, social welfare, and migrant workers approved the motion of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte to bring Gatchalian’s appointment to the CA plenary. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda vouched for Gatchalian’s ability to head the DSWD being a disciplinarian and powerful leader. “He knows the grassroots being a local chief executive. He is able to communicate this very clearly and he really seems to have a very logical mind if I am not mistaken. He’s focused on his job, at the same time he has compassion on the people being a mayor,” Legarda said. CA vice chair Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. of Pangasinan praised Gatchalian’s confirmation describing him as a true public servant in the government. While Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria of 2nd District Negros Oriental said he has known Gatchalian to be hard working, intelligent dedicated public servant. “His first-hand experience into the needs of his constituents back then when he was a local chief executive and his background working in the legislative branch are the very qualities that make him a perfect fit for the post,” Sagarbarria said. Other CA members also voted on the confirmation of Gatchalian including Cavite Rep. Lani Revilla; Surigao del Sur Rep. Johny Pimentel; and CA Assistant minority floor leader Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos. Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, JV Ejercito, Grace Poe, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go and Risa Hontiveros also supported Gatchalian. Meanwhile, Gatchalian vowed to put a premium on the development programs of the DSWD. “Yes social welfare is very important, but equally as important will be the development programs of the department because these development programs are the ones to break the chain of the cycle of poverty,” he said. Gatchalian said he will be working on strengthening the DSWD flagship programs including the 4Ps, sustainable livelihood program, community-driven of Kalahi CIDS, human capital investments, digitalization social welfare program, and boosting social protection programs nationwide, as well as expanding efforts to attract more social workers by establishing a DSWD academy. “We want to make that every single social welfare that we do launch should be targeted measurable, conditional and as clear exit mechanism so that we don’t saddle the country with one dole out program over another,” he said. Gatchalian also vowed to tap into the existing capacities of the private sector in partnership with the government to make sure the country will become disaster prepared. The post Gatchalian gets clear path to CA confirmation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden and McCarthy to reconvene Tuesday for debt limit talks
President Joe Biden will reconvene crunch debt talks Tuesday with senior Republican leaders including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in another attempt to avert a costly US default. The Treasury has warned that the US could run out of cash to pay its bills as soon as 1 June, leaving it unable to pay federal workers and triggering a likely surge in interest rates with a huge impact on businesses and mortgage holders. The talks have a lot of ground to cover, with the two parties still sharply divided on the terms under which they will agree to lift the government's borrowing cap to pay for existing spending commitments. Republicans continue to insist that Biden agrees to significant spending cuts in exchange for their support to raise the debt ceiling, while Democrats have been calling for a "clean" increase of the borrowing limit with no strings attached. They have accused Republicans of using extreme tactics to push their political agenda ahead of the so-called "X-date" -- the point at which the United States will be unable to meet its financial obligations. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has warned the X-date could come as early as June 1, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast on Friday an X-date of 15 June. Still far apart House, Senate, and White House negotiators met over the weekend in a bid to make progress ahead of the talks, US media reported. When asked Monday whether he was meeting with McCarthy the following day, Biden responded in the affirmative. But McCarthy signaled the two sides still had much to hammer out. "I still think we're far apart," he told reporters Monday at the US Capitol, adding that "it doesn't seem to me yet that they want a deal." "They're not talking anything serious," he went on. "It seems more like they want a default than a deal." Republicans, who regained control of the House in the midterm elections, are using their newfound political clout to demand deep cuts of roughly $130 billion from federal agencies and programs in exchange for their support, limiting spending in the 2024 fiscal year to 2022 levels. They also want to expedite domestic energy production projects, simplify the process for obtaining permits for pipelines and refineries, claw back unspent Covid relief funding, and impose work requirements for social programs. President Biden has rebuffed many of these proposals, accusing Republicans of "holding the economy hostage" to further their political objectives. Four days left Including Monday, there are just four days remaining when the House and Senate are both in session before 1 June. Some senators have acknowledged that they may have to cancel the Memorial Day recess beginning Thursday to get a deal finalized, although there is no official plan to do so. In recent days, Biden has suggested he may have to postpone a planned trip to Asia later this month if the two sides fail to reach agreement, but has stopped short of canceling his visit while the talks continue. As the X-date draws closer, Democrats in Congress have begun considering a range of alternatives, including using an arcane congressional procedure to bypass McCarthy. They've also contemplated asking Biden to invoke the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling unilaterally -- a move opposed by Republicans. The legal argument for doing so hinges around language in the Civil War-era amendment stating that US sovereign debt "shall not be questioned," which some legal scholars believe would allow the Treasury to simply ignore the debt limit. But Biden has cautioned that the move would almost certainly be challenged in court, and has instead continued to call on Republicans to support a clean increase to the debt ceiling. Not doing so could cause a recession, which would be "catastrophic," Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told CNN Sunday. "The United States of America has never defaulted on its debt -- and we can't," he said. The post Biden and McCarthy to reconvene Tuesday for debt limit talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go wants to decongest National Center for Mental Health
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go highlighted the urgent need to improve the National Center for Mental Health and to ensure that all Filipinos have access to proper healthcare. During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Health on mental health on Tuesday, 9 May, Go, who chairs the committee, raised concerns regarding the need for decongestion of the NCMH. “The state of the National Center for Mental Health is in need of utmost attention and improvement to preserve the basic right of all Filipinos to health care,” said Go. “How can we decongest NCMH in order to improve its current state? Where can we transfer recovered patients who have nowhere to go?” he added. The senator also emphasized the need to provide appropriate intervention and care for admitted patients while also looking into the cases of those who are already considered ‘fit’ to be discharged but have nowhere to go or no family to go back home to. “Is the DSWD capable to accommodate them in halfway houses? Kawawa naman. Alam niyo masarap mabuhay sa mundong ito, isang beses lang tayo dadaan, bigyan po natin sila ng halaga, yung buhay nila. Ma-enjoy naman nila after being committed doon sa mga hospital facilities,” Go said. Go also asked concerned authorities to look into the present referral system for patients with pending cases. He cited that some patients admitted to the mental health hospital who are facing cases in court must be properly assessed to determine whether they should remain in NCMH or be tranferred to other facilities. “What should be the proper referral system for patients with pending cases? Dahil nababalitaan ko marami pong mga may kaso na nandodoon pa sa mental health (hospital),” said Go. “Bakit sila nako-commit doon? Ngayon, kung pwede na silang lumabas, magaling na sila, maaari bang ibalik na po doon sa kulungan para ma-decongest naman po itong mga mental health facilities natin?,” he added. Health authorities during the hearing responded to Go’s concerns, highlighting the protocols in place to determine whether someone has a mental illness, including a neuropsychiatric screening test. Patients who are committed to mental hospitals with a court order are already considered to need psychiatric treatment, and mental health professionals assess their fitness for trial or the need for further treatment. Those deemed mentally competent will face trial for their actions. In a separate interview at the Senate after the said hearing, Go addressed the allegations of corruption at NCMH, stating that if there are reports of wrongdoing, an inquiry can be done and referred to the Blue Ribbon Committee. Meanwhile, the senator also emphasized the importance of providing proper care to patients in the NCMH, including providing them with the necessary medication and nutrition. “Ibigay po sa kanila what is due to them. Tao po itong mga pasyente, kahit na may problema sila sa mental health. Paano gagaling kung ‘di ibibigay sa kanila ‘yung nararapat na gamot at pagkain na naayon po sa kanila. Tulungan po natin, mahalin po natin ang mga pasyente natin,” he said. Go, an advocate of improved mental healthcare, has filed Senate Bill No. 1321, or the proposed “Specialty Centers in Every Region Act of 2022”. The bill aims to establish specialty centers in select DOH-hospitals across the country, with mental health services as one of the specialties offered. Additionally, Go has filed SBN 1786, which would require public higher education institutions to establish Mental Health Offices on their campuses. He also serves as co-author of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian’s SBN 379, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which aims to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs, and other support services in the basic education level. Meanwhile, one of the key initiatives he pushed for in the 2023 budget is the improvement of benefit packages of the PhilHealth. According to Go, the 2023 budget includes a special provision for the improvement of benefit packages of PhilHealth including mental health packages. This provision is crucial given the sharp increase in mental health issues and the inaccessibility of mental health services. “Mayroon pong P1.86 billion ang DOH for mental health medicines, under the 2023 national budget. Mayroon din pong P12 million budget for mental health awareness and hotline,” Go shared. “We have consistently advocated for increased funding for medical (mental) health programs. For example, in 2021, the DOH was granted an additional P384 million for its mental health program, while in 2022, an additional P200 million was allocated for the same purpose,” he cited. The post Bong Go wants to decongest National Center for Mental Health appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tatum comes through as Celtics hold off 76ers to level series
Jayson Tatum scored 16 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as the Boston Celtics held off the Philadelphia 76ers 95-86 on Thursday to force a decisive game seven in their NBA playoff series. The star Boston forward was enduring a dismal shooting night, making just one of 13 attempts from the floor through the first three quarters before erupting with four three-pointers in the final period as the Celtics thwarted Philadelphia's rally bid and leveled their Eastern Conference semifinal three games apiece. They'll host game seven on Sunday, trying to deny the Sixers a first trip to the conference finals since 2001. James Harden epitomized the 76ers' offensive struggles. He scored 13 points on four-of-13 shooting while newly minted NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid scored 26 points with 10 rebounds. Tatum, who averaged 30.1 points per game in the regular season, said he never lost confidence even as he struggled. "It's a long game," Tatum told broadcaster ESPN. "Thankfully I've got some great teammates that held it down." Marcus Smart led the Celtics with 22 points. Jaylen Brown added 17 and Malcolm Brogdon scored 16 off the bench. Even amid Tatum's troubles, the Celtics raced to a 15-3 lead, Smart and Brogdon carrying the early load before the Sixers began to find their feet. Philadelphia cut the deficit to three points before the Celtics pulled away again, pushing their advantage to 16 points twice in the second period. But the Sixers clawed back, taking advantage of 17 Celtics turnovers and finally taking the lead on two free throws from Harden that put them up 64-62 with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Philadelphia led 73-71 going into the final frame and was up by two when Tatum made his first three-pointer of the game to put Boston ahead. Tatum then drilled a step-back three-pointer over Tyrese Maxey. Another pair from beyond the arc pushed the Celtics' lead to 11 points with 37.6 seconds remaining. "All that mattered was we won this game," said Tatum, who also had seven rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocked shots. "It's game seven, it doesn't get any better than that." Later Thursday, the banged-up Phoenix Suns tried to fend off elimination when they hosted Western Conference top seeds Denver in game six of their series. Phoenix was again without veteran point guard Chris Paul, who missed games three four, and five after suffering a groin injury in game two. Center Deandre Ayton was ruled out with a rib injury that has reportedly affected his breathing while All-Star guard Devin Booker went into the contest nursing an ankle injury. The Nuggets, who routed the Suns on Tuesday to take a 3-2 lead in the series behind a 29-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic, listed ailing Jamal Murray as questionable. The post Tatum comes through as Celtics hold off 76ers to level series appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»