Category: General

MANILA: Joshua Pacio reclaimed the ONE strawweight title controversially as American fighter Jarred Brooks was disqualified just 56 seconds into their championship rematch at ONE 166 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar on Friday night.

Brooks thought he knocked out Pacio to keep his belt when referee Herb Dean stopped the fight after a ground-and-pound action right after a takedown.

However, Dean ruled it otherwise as Brooks appeared to have slammed Pacio down to the canvas head first during the takedown attempt, considered by ONE Championship as an “illegal spike.”

With the disqualification also having an impact on the title change, Pacio, who was still receiving treatment as of posting, is once again the ONE strawweight champion, his sixth reign as the top guy in the 125-pound division.

“The latest prognosis is that he’s a hundred percent fine. I think his neck is sprained,” ONE Championship chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong said during the post-fight press conference.

“He’s doing a battery of
tests right now in a Lusail hospital overnight.”

Pacio’s longtime training partner Eduard Folayang confirmed the development in a Facebook statement, saying, “Joshua is conscious. He can move his hand and leg, and he is here in the hospital for necessary procedures to undergo.”

Protest denied

Sityodtong also said that he was disappointed at the outcome of the Brooks-Pacio fight, especially when Brooks did the spike.

“We’ve had thousands of fights, and to have an illegal spike like that, I was very upset,” he said.

Sityodtong immediately thumbed down a potential protest from Brooks’ camp, which claimed that Pacio was just trying to get out of a Kimura submission when he took him down.

“That was a dump on the head. Hundred percent illegal,” Sityodtong insisted.

With that said, Brooks’ disqualification will be upheld and Pacio will stay as the ONE strawweight champion.

However, with the way their second meeting ended, a third showdown between the two fighters could be on the way to finally settle who’s t
he better champ at 125 pounds.

Despite that, Sityodtong said a trilogy fight is not yet on his mind right now.

“I haven’t thought that far, to be honest. What I care about most right now is that Joshua recovers 100 percent,” Sityodtong said.

Folayang, who now leads Lions Nation MMA, has sought prayers that any major injury in Pacio’s neck and spine that could derail his stellar career, be ruled out.

Earlier in the night, Pacio’s fellow Filipino strawweight contender Jeremy Miado suffered a first-round submission defeat to Japanese opponent Keito Yamakita.

MANILA: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday urged National Food Authority (NFA) officials being investigated over the alleged improper sale of NFA buffer stock rice at a subsidized price to take a voluntary leave of absence (LOA).

In a statement, Laurel said the concerned officials should allow the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) investigating panel to review and assess the matter “without hindrance.”

“The best thing is, and I strongly advise them, to take a leave of absence… at least the heads, the accused, and the accuser,’ he said.

Laurel, however, assured that anyone is presumed innocent, considering the exchanges of allegations within the NFA.

“Until proven guilty, everyone is innocent. But this internal investigation is very important so let’s give it time,” he added.

The agricultural chief further said that the probe is just the first step and DA’s succeeding actions would follow once the investigation results are out.

Although Laurel did not set a deadline, his office said
it expects a swift and accurate assessment result.

Earlier, NFA Assistant Administrator for Operations Lemuel Pagayunan disclosed to the People’s Television Network the alleged selling of 75,000 bags of NFA rice without the conduct of public bidding.

This allegedly involved more than PHP93.7 million worth of NFA rice, sold to select millers and traders at the price of PHP25 per kg.

The DA, meanwhile, said NFA executives claim the sale followed procedures and denied any irregularity.

MANILA: Joshua Pacio reclaimed the ONE strawweight title controversially as American fighter Jarred Brooks was disqualified just 56 seconds into their championship rematch at ONE 166 at the Lusail Sports Arena in Qatar on Friday night.

Brooks thought he knocked out Pacio to keep his belt when referee Herb Dean stopped the fight after a ground-and-pound action right after a takedown.

However, Dean ruled it otherwise as Brooks appeared to have slammed Pacio down to the canvas head first during the takedown attempt, considered by ONE Championship as an “illegal spike.”

With the disqualification also having an impact on the title change, Pacio, who was still receiving treatment as of posting, is once again the ONE strawweight champion, his sixth reign as the top guy in the 125-pound division.

“The latest prognosis is that he’s a hundred percent fine. I think his neck is sprained,” ONE Championship chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong said during the post-fight press conference.

“He’s doing a battery of
tests right now in a Lusail hospital overnight.”

Pacio’s longtime training partner Eduard Folayang confirmed the development in a Facebook statement, saying, “Joshua is conscious. He can move his hand and leg, and he is here in the hospital for necessary procedures to undergo.”

Protest denied

Sityodtong also said that he was disappointed at the outcome of the Brooks-Pacio fight, especially when Brooks did the spike.

“We’ve had thousands of fights, and to have an illegal spike like that, I was very upset,” he said.

Sityodtong immediately thumbed down a potential protest from Brooks’ camp, which claimed that Pacio was just trying to get out of a Kimura submission when he took him down.

“That was a dump on the head. Hundred percent illegal,” Sityodtong insisted.

With that said, Brooks’ disqualification will be upheld and Pacio will stay as the ONE strawweight champion.

However, with the way their second meeting ended, a third showdown between the two fighters could be on the way to finally settle who’s t
he better champ at 125 pounds.

Despite that, Sityodtong said a trilogy fight is not yet on his mind right now.

“I haven’t thought that far, to be honest. What I care about most right now is that Joshua recovers 100 percent,” Sityodtong said.

Folayang, who now leads Lions Nation MMA, has sought prayers that any major injury in Pacio’s neck and spine that could derail his stellar career, be ruled out.

Earlier in the night, Pacio’s fellow Filipino strawweight contender Jeremy Miado suffered a first-round submission defeat to Japanese opponent Keito Yamakita.

DUMAGUETE: The Provincial Commission on Women (PCW) in Negros Oriental called for tighter measures to protect the welfare of battered women as it kicked off Friday the month-long celebration of National Women’s Month this March.

PCW Vice Chair Phoebe Tan told reporters in an interview that there is a perceived rise in the number of battered women in the province.

However, most of these cases are not reported to authorities, Tan said.

She said she could not give the exact figures as the data from the police, women’s advocacy groups, and similar organizations vary.

Tan underscored the need to map out more measures that would involve men in the fight against abuse of women, saying that husbands have an essential role to play.

‘It’s a vicious cycle where women report their abusive husbands but unfortunately do not pursue any complaints against them. The next thing you know, after a fight, you see the couple riding a motorcycle together as if nothing has happened,’ she said in mixed English and Cebuano.

‘Not
a single case of wife battery has been filed against a man in Negros Oriental,’ she lamented, adding that it is one of the biggest challenges they are facing these days.

Women battering has become like a ‘way of life’ already and reduced to just a part of the couple’s relationship, she added.

Tan recommends letting the men undergo counseling, as well as monitoring those involved in complaints involving women.

She said there should be a balance between ‘punishment’ and ‘rehabilitation’ of these men.

The Women’s Month celebration in Negros Oriental will focus on gender equality and inclusive society, where men and members of the LGBTQ community are encouraged to participate in several activities lined up this March, she added.

Woman with disability

Meanwhile, 49-year-old Jerlyn Cabugnason shared her journey and challenges as a woman with a disability during the kick-off ceremony at a local hotel here.

Cabugnason, who hails from Manjuyod, Negros Oriental, met an accident several years ago while being empl
oyed in Metro Manila, causing her to be unable to walk and rely on a wheelchair.

She admitted having hit her lowest, attempting to commit suicide a few times but decided to rise above the challenges.

‘I prayed hard and even questioned God about my fate, but persisted relentlessly while helping other PWDs (persons with disability),’ Cabugnason said while thanking government agencies and private groups for helping empower women like her.

She engaged in cross-stitch embroidery and with the help of family and friends and social media, now earns income to cover her daily needs, including adult diapers.

Cabugnason was awarded the Babayeng Garbo sa Katilingban 2023, a search conducted by the provincial government for exceptional women who inspire others with their life stories and excel in their chosen fields.

A Cambodian delegation led by H.E. MEAS Kim Heng, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Chairman of the Security and Foreign Affairs Sub-committee of Cambodia, has attended the 12th Security and Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee Meeting on Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) in Attapeu, Laos.

The meeting was held as part of the 13th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA JCC) co-chaired by H.E. Ms. CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia, and her Vietnamese and Lao counterparts from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1, 2024.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, during the meeting in the field of security and foreign affairs, H.E. MEAS Kim Heng highlighted the importance of cooperation among CLV countries including the prevention of human and drugs trafficking, illegal border crossing, Unexploded Ordnance clearance, and cooperation of local autho
rities in addressing challenges to promote trade, investment, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and people-to-people connectivity in line with the spirit of the 11th Summit of CLV-DTA and the MoU toward the Formulation of the Special Preferential Policies for CLV-DTA.

Worth noting that the 13th Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee on ‘CLV-DTA’ agreed to conclude the draft Master Plan for Socio-Economic Development in the CLV-DTA up to 2030 for submission to 12th CLV-DTA Summit to be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia in late 2024 for review and adoption.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday hailed outgoing Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa’s contributions to improving cooperation between the Philippines and Japan on defense and security, trade and investment, and infrastructure development.

During Koshikawa’s farewell call at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos recognized the two nations’ enhanced relations under the outgoing Japanese envoy’s tenure in the Philippines.

The President also thanked Koshikawa for his vital role in Japan’s initiatives to provide assistance to the Philippines for the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

‘It used to be just economic and trade, but in terms of security and defense, also that, and I’m glad that you mentioned the assistance that the Japanese, that Japan, rather, has given to the BARMM. It has been very critical because as the elections come, it will be the first parliamentary election,’ he said, as quoted by the Presidential Communications
Office (PCO).

‘On the security side, much has been achieved. We are now talking about the cooperation between the United States (US), Japan, and the Philippines, and I think that’s proceeding very well.”

Marcos also emphasized Japan’s contributions to developing the Philippines’ agriculture sector, citing the coordination and opening of the lines of communication with Japanese experts to help Filipinos learn new things.

Koshikawa, meanwhile, expressed confidence that he is leaving his diplomatic post with Japan and the Philippines entering a new phase in their relations.

‘Furthermore, maintaining a maritime order based on the rule of law is the most important common objectives of most countries,’ he said.

‘Japan will continue to support (the) Mindanao peace process, in particular, in the election scheduled next year. In this context, I think, the Japanese government is ready to consider the assistance necessary for the implementation of the election laws.’

Koshikawa said Japan would also continue to sup
port infrastructure projects under the Marcos administration’s Build, Better, More Program, including the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway Project, and the Davao Bypass Construction Project.

Koshikawa’s term will end on March 5 and he will be replaced by Endo Kazuya.

Under Koshikawa’s watch, the Philippines and Japan have further deepened their defense and security cooperation through the existing dialogue mechanisms and witnessed the conclusion of the Official Security Assistance (OSA) through brand new Coastal Radar Systems.

The two nations have also commenced negotiations on the Reciprocal Access Agreement and are expecting the conclusion of negotiations soon.

They have also maintained a robust Strategic Partnership and witnessed laying down the groundwork for trilateral cooperation with the US.

Japan is also a generous partner of the administration’s Build, Better, More Program and an ardent supporter in the quest for peace and economic development in Mindanao.

The Philippin
es and Japan celebrated 67 years of relations on July 23, 2022, and 11 years of Strengthened Strategic Partnership since 2011.

A private firm – FreshStart Energy – has expressed their interest to invest in Cambodia in using new technologies for electricity consumption management.

The interest was highlighted by Mr. Mario Vecchio, CEO of FreshStart Energy, while he was paying a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, in Melbourne, Australia on Mar. 2.

Mr. Mario Vecchio told Samdech Thipadei of FreshStart Energy, a subsidiary of FreshStart, which operates in Australia and other countries such as Singapore and Thailand. In Australia, the firm is using new technologies to manage electricity use in schools, hospitals and gas stations.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet welcomed the investment intention, underlining Cambodia’s commitment to connect the Cambodian and Australian private sectors, in addition to the government-to-government and people-to-people relations.

The Premier encouraged FreshStart Energy to explore investment opportunities in Cambodia by cooperating with the Council for the Develo
pment of Cambodia (CDC) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet and First Lady Lok Chumteav Dr. Pich Chanmony arrived in Melbourne this morning to attend the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations until Mar. 6.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse

MANILA: Cignal registered its second straight victory after beating Galeries Tower, 25-14, 25-16, 25-17, in the preliminary round of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday.

Frances Molina made 12 spikes and two aces while Vanessa Gandler added seven points for the HD Spikers, who took a 20-16 lead in the third en route to victory.

‘Ang sarap ng pakiramdam ulit. Syempre panalo. But mas kailangan ulit namin manalo after this (The feeling is good again. Of course, we won. But we need to win again after this),” coach Shaq delos Santos said

Cignal was coming off a 21-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-18 win over Akari on Feb. 24.

Cignal will meet Nxled on March 7 and Choco Mucho on March 14.

‘We gave our best today (Saturday). I’m proud of my teammates because no matter who you put in, they really contribute. I’m happy we won in straight sets,’ Molina saud after the one hour and 29-minute match.

Roselyn Doria and Jovelyn Gonzaga made six points each while
libero Dawn Nicole Catindig made 14 excellent digs and six receptions.

‘Everything is good, I’m so happy,” Catindig said. ‘I’m giving it my best every game with the help of my teammates.’

Ysabel Jamie Jimenez scored nine points, while Grazielle Bombita contributed four spikes and three aces for the Hightowers, who absorbed their second consecutive loss after bowing to the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 22-25, 6-25, 9-25, last week.