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POC’s suspension of PATAFA paves way for Obiena to join SEA Games

March 17, 2022 3:53 p.m.

THE Philippine Olympic Committee Executive Board suspended the national sports associations of athletics and tennis during its special meeting on Thursday, a move that opened the door for world-ranked pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena to participate at least in the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games in May.

POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the Philippine Tennis Association was suspended for its non-compliance with an order from the International Tennis Federation to amend its charter and hold fresh elections to select a truly representative set of board members.

The Philta has been serving a two-year suspension by the ITF since late 2020 and the sanction faces extension unless the NSA complies with the world tennis body’s instruction.

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, Tolentino said, was also suspended for failing to serve its purpose as an NSA, which supposedly “has the dedication and commitment toward the development of the sport, promoting the ideals of the Olympic Movement and the spirit of sportsmanship.”

“Our constitution states that POC may suspend for any reason. However, it’s transparent that PATAFA has deliberately and intentionally disregarded our basic principles of promoting sports and development,” Tolentino said.
“Unfortunately, the non-endorsement of EJ has created a national issue,” Tolentino added. “EJ Obiena, under our International Olympic Committee Charter, has two reasons to be endorsed—sports merit and inspiration to the youth.”

Tolentino said that despite sincere efforts by Obiena to mediate, “PATAFA prioritized its pride, and it saddens [me] to look closely on a chance slowly gripping away. They have withheld an opportunity of the Filipino people to have another world record.”

PATAFA denied Obiena’s request that he be endorsed to the world indoor championships that start Friday in Belgrade as well as to the Vietnam SEA Games, Eugene (Oregon) world championships in July and Hangzhou (China) Asian Games in September.

“The time is clearly now for EJ who is mentally and physically prepared,” Tolentino said. “We are in a reachable milestone within our grasp.”

The suspension will be effective for 90 days and will be ratified by the POC General Assembly during its regular meeting on March 30. If ratified, PATAFA will not have any authority over the national athletics team to the SEA Games, giving Obiena a chance to defend his gold medal in Vietnam.

But Tolentino said both suspensions could be dismissed sooner than their terms.
“If PHILTA complies with the ITF order, and the ITF accepts PHILTA’s compliance, the suspension of the tennis association will be lifted immediately,” he said.

For the PATAFA, it looked simpler.

“If the PSC’s mediation effort over PATAFA and EJ [Obiena] is completed and ironed out, its suspension will also be lifted,” said Tolentino, adding a separate resolution on the automatic lifting of the suspensions were also forged by the board.

Nine members of the board voted for the suspension, while two—Charlie Ho (netball) and Cynthia Carrion-Norton (gymnastics) abstained. POC Chairman Steve Hontiveros and International Olympic Committee Representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski were absent from the special board meeting.

The suspensions will give the POC direct supervision over PHILTA and PATAFA’s national athletes—including Obiena—coaches and sporting officials, while financial matters will be under the control of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“These suspensions are actually not a landmark decision by the POC,” Tolentino said. “We have at least two precedents when similar athlete-NSA issues rocked Philippine sports in the past.”
Former Asian sprint queen De vega was endorsed by the POC, then under the late Gov. Jose Sering, for her participation in the Asean Cup.

The late Leopoldo Serantes, Tolentino said, could not have clinched a boxing bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics if the POC didn’t endorse his participation. The boxing association at that time was experiencing leadership intramurals between Roilo Golez and Mel Lopez.

The suspensions were meted a day after Senator Pia Cayetano led the filing of a motion to cite the PATAFA in contempt for disobeying the Senate Committee on Sports’ order for PATAFA’s to amicably settle its differences with Obiena.

The contempt charges also stemmed from the PATAFA filing a case against Obiena and the POC with the  Court of Arbitration for Sport. PATAFA filed the case with the CAS four days after it agreed to undergo mediation during a Senate hearing on February 7.

“PATAFA filed a case before the CAS in Switzerland. This is an act of bad faith, as PATAFA practically and effectively closed any possibility of amicable settlement with Obiena,” Cayetano said.

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BFAR, British Embassy Manila advance fisheries innovation, global collaboration in SAFET 2026

8:30 a.m. July 20, 2026

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) and the British Embassy Manila have partnered to co-host the Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies (SAFET) Conference 2026, set from September 8 to 10 in Cebu. 

The event will bring together world-leading expertise from the UK’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) with on-ground operational experience from the Philippines to advance sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, responsible seafood sourcing, blue finance linked to marine protected areas, and emerging opportunities from marine energy

The partnership underscores a shared commitment between the Philippines and the United Kingdom to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the Indo-Pacific fisheries sector.

“SAFET 2026 reflects the Philippines’ commitment to building a modern fisheries sector where technology directly benefits both people and the environment. Through collaboration with global partners, we aim to accelerate practical innovations that strengthen fisheries governance, improve seafood traceability, conserve marine resources, and create better opportunities for our fisherfolk and coastal communities,” said BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig. 

“We welcome our partners from around the world to join us in Cebu as we work together to turn innovation into meaningful action,” said Inga Wise, SAFET Executive Director.

“We cannot solve the complex challenges facing our oceans in silos. The SAFET Conference is a unique convergence point where market-driven technology meets government initiative. By bringing global tech innovators to the table alongside fisheries authorities, we are fostering the exact partnerships needed to build transparent, resilient seafood supply chains and secure thriving coastal livelihoods for the future,” she added. 

Through SAFET 2026, BFAR and the British Embassy Manila will facilitate dialogue that includes coastal communities, technology developers, and policy-makers, ensuring that new tools are accessible, scalable, and tailored to the needs of the local fisheries sector.

“The challenges facing global fisheries require stronger partnerships and smarter solutions. SAFET 2026 provides a unique platform where governments, scientists, technology innovators, industry leaders, and fishing communities can work together to transform promising technologies into practical actions that strengthen the fisheries sector. We are proud that the Philippines is hosting this important global conversation and invite everyone to join us in shaping the future of sustainable fisheries,” said Philippine Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate. 

Advancing the Digital Shift

SAFET’s conference theme “From Innovation to Implementation: Powering Responsible Fisheries, Markets, and Livelihoods,” reflects the Philippine fisheries sector’s shift from manual processes to a comprehensive digital ecosystem.

BFAR is currently leading this transition by deploying cutting-edge tools, among them the Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability System (eCDTS) and the Fisheries Integrated Information Management Center – Vessel Monitoring System (FIIMC-VMS). 

By integrating the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite observation, and IoT-enabled monitoring, the Bureau is actively strengthening law enforcement, combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and ensuring that Philippine seafood meets the highest international trade standards.

As the Philippines advances its digital transformation, SAFET 2026 reaffirms the country’s growing leadership in science-based fisheries management and its commitment to building a resilient, transparent, and prosperous future for all Filipino stakeholders. #

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Jordan Brand announces return of The One Tournament for 2026

4:11 p.m. July 19, 2026

Jordan Brand is running it back for the next iteration of The One—its premier one-on-one basketball tournament celebrating the intersection of the game, court culture, and community. In 2026, it’s louder, faster, and on a larger global stage.

As The One continues to grow, it remains rooted in a singular idea: to show who’s next and inspire a new generation to take their turn. At its core, The One reflects an incredible origin story. The inspiration is born from Michael Jordan’s legendary one-on-one battles, where every loss fueled something greater. That same mentality lives on in every matchup, every move, and every moment of this tournament.

In the Philippines, The One returns following a breakout year that saw young Filipino hoopers capture attention through fearless performances, underdog runs, and moments that resonated far beyond the court. In that inaugural edition, De La Salle Zobel and Gilas Youth standout Bonn Earvin Daja and UAAP Juniors Season 88 MVP Riri Perez crushed it to win the men’s and women’s tournament, while Perez and men’s finalist JM Tumabang from Adamson University High School went on to chase greatness in the global tournament in New York.

For 2026, the competition expands with two regional qualifying events across Cebu (25 July) and Manila (28-29 July) and a national qualifier at Jordan store, Metro Manila (1 August), opening the stage to even more athletes across the country. Ballers will be tested not just on skill, but on resilience, instinct and presence: the qualities that define greatness.

Following the national qualifiers, the 4 best athletes (2 male, 6 female) will compete in a ‘Final Elimination’ round on the 8thAugust at Jordan store in Metro Manila. They will go head-to-head in fierce competition and from this, two ballers (1 male, 1 female) who rise above the rest will earn a place on the ultimate stage: The One Global Finals, on August 29, 2026 in Shanghai.

To give them the best chance at the Philippines ballers taking the crown on the global stage, Jordan Brand are setting these two ballers up with an incredible training and mentor journey. Over the three weeks before the big competition, they will get the chance to train and learn from both Kiefer Ravena and Lethal Shooter, giving them an edge over the rest. 

Registration for the Philippine qualifiers opens on July 18. Open to boys and girls ages 14 to 18, the tournament challenges hoopers to embrace pressure, showcase individuality, and compete for global recognition. 

Alongside the competition at each stop will be programming that underlines how basketball influences the world beyond the court, including live performances, athlete appearances, and many other surprises along the way. 

For ballers, register now: https://www.jordanbrandtheone.com/

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Canon PH renews support for Philippine Red Cross to aid Mindanao Earthquake Relief and Recovery

6:19 p.m. July 13, 2026

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. (CMP), together with Canon Business Service Centre Phils., Inc. (CBSC), has renewed its partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to support relief and recovery efforts for communities affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao, including Sarangani and General Santos City.

The donation underscores Canon’s continued commitment to standing with Filipino communities in times of crisis and delivering timely assistance to those in need.

“Our commitment to the philosophy of Kyosei means standing together with communities, especially in times of uncertainty,” said Anuj Aggarwal, President and CEO of Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. “Through our continued partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, we hope to bring not only essential relief but also hope to families as they recover and rebuild their lives. We are honored to support the invaluable work of the Philippine Red Cross in reaching those who need it most.”

Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon welcomed Canon’s continued support, highlighting the impact of sustained collaboration between the private sector and humanitarian organizations in disaster response.

We are grateful to Canon for its continued partnership with the Philippine Red Cross,” said Gordon. “Canon has consistently demonstrated its commitment to humanitarian action, having also extended its support during the Cebu earthquake response. Together, we can provide timely relief and help communities recover stronger from times of crisis.”

Guided by its corporate philosophy of Kyosei, living and working together for the common good, Canon remains committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact. Through this partnership, Canon reaffirms its commitment to helping Mindanao earthquake-affected communities recover, rebuild, and emerge stronger.

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