News Roundup 16 May 2023
May 16, 2023 • 4 min Read
Gilas Pilipinas reclaims SEA Games gold, gets back at Cambodia | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines—The journey was not exactly rosy, but in the end, Gilas Pilipinas reclaimed the throne it once sat on for decades.
Gilas Pilipinas smoothened the gaps in its game in the first half and then kept it together the rest of the way to dispatch host Cambodia, 80-69, on Tuesday in the gold medal game of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball tournament.
“I know a lot of people doubted this team the first time we lost. But I did not tell you the first words in the dugout, I said this was the loss we could afford. And I thought we needed that loss, actually,” national coach Chot Reyes said on the heels of the contest.
“We just kept our focus. Here we are. The players did a hell of a job. They stuck together. We kept this team of what, five, six imports to below 70 points. That was great defense, man,” he added.
“In the end, it was our defense that brought us to this gold medal.”
Full Story at: Gilas Pilipinas reclaims SEA Games gold, gets back at Cambodia | Inquirer Sports
Bantag, Zulueta face new criminal raps for torture of 2 Bilibid gang leaders | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Another criminal case will be filed against former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officials Gerald Bantag and Ricardo Zulueta, this time for the torture of two inmates of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).
In a resolution by the state prosecutors dated May 2, Bantag has been indicted for two counts of physical and psychological torture under Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. Meanwhile, Zulueta will be charged as an accessory.
The case was due to the complaint of two gang leaders–Ronald S. Usman of “Batang Mindanao” and Jonathan Escopete (previously identified as Jonathan Cañte) of “Batang Cebu.”
Usman said Bantag stabbed his right palm using a double-bladed knife, while Escopete said Bantag slashed his shirt with a Kris knife, then pointed at his chest causing it to bleed.
Full Story at: Bantag, Zulueta face new criminal raps for torture of 2 Bilibid gang leaders | Inquirer News
Manalo to bring up ‘developments in West Philippine Sea’ in talks with Canada’s Mélanie Joly | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The developments in the West Philippine Sea will be among the discussion points Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will bring up during his meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
Joly will be in the Philippines this week, from May 18 to 21 – almost the same time as the visit of another Commonwealth foreign minister, Australia’s Penny Wong, slated for May 16 to 19.
Canada aims to advance bilateral cooperation and its Indo-Pacific Strategy. Joly will be the fourth Cabinet Minister to undertake an official visit to the Philippines under the Marcos Jr. administration, with Canadian Minister of International Development Harjit Sajjan in the country just last March.
Canada has continuously backed the Philippines in asserting sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, which is still encroached on by China. Just two weeks ago, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman reiterated Canada’s call “for upholding the rules-based international order” in the waters.
Full Story at: Manalo to bring up ‘developments in West Philippine Sea’ in talks with Canada’s Mélanie Joly | Philstar.com
DND warns of mass AFP retirement over pension | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Around 70 to 80 percent of military enlisted personnel are looking at availing themselves of optional retirement to lock in their benefits as the government continues to call for a new pension system, according to Defense officer in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr.
At a Senate hearing yesterday, Galvez said he went around various military offices and installations in the country to get the sentiments of soldiers on the pension-related bills in the Senate as well as the proposal from the executive branch for changes in the retirement age and the imposition of pension contributions from military and other uniformed personnel. He said the MUP’s plan for optional retirement surprised him.
“We would like to appeal to our honorable senators that we should really look for a possible middle ground where the morale and welfare of our people will be taken care of… the assurance of a modest life upon retirement,” Galvez said.
The current MUP pension system is fully funded by the national government through the annual budget with no
contributions from uniformed personnel. The amount of pension is automatically pegged to the current salary of the personnel of similar rank in active service and an MUP is automatically granted one rank higher upon retirement.
Full Story at: DND warns of mass AFP retirement over pension | Philstar.com
