Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 64 | Saturday, May 29, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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President Rodrigo Duterte says he is “leaving to God” his potential vice presidential bid in 2022. Edge Davao

MDDA guarantees separate budget for infra, drainage, traffic management: Ungab

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 64 • SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2021

Staff members of the office of First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte unload sacks of rice at the Task Force Davao headquarters at Sta. Ana Port. The office of Rep. Duterte has distributed about 1,000 sacks of rice to several Davao City law enforcers, who are among the frontliners, on Thursday.

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PSA reminds national ID valid for all transactions

MDDA guarantees separate budget for infra, drainage, traffic management: Rep. Ungab By MAYA M. PADILLO

inally, Davao Region will receive bigger share of the national budget.

Davao City Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab assured that once the proposed Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) will be approved into law, the region will now have a separate budget for infrastructure, drainage, disaster management, traffic management, and even operating expenses like the National Capital

Region (NCR), Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region, which garner the lion share of the budget every year. “Once ma-formalize ang atong MDDA approved into law, it will bring more teeth and power considering that the we will now have a separate budget for infrastructure, drainage, disaster management,

traffic, even operating expenses,” Ungab said during the 5th General Membership Meeting via Zoom of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) on Friday. Currently, the proposal is still pending for deliberation at the Senate. On March 25, 2021, the House of Representatives approved on final reading House Bill 8930 that will create the MDDA, an agency similar to the capital

region’s Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. The proposed MDDA covers Davao City; the cities of Panabo, Tagum and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Digos City in Davao del Sur; Mati City in Davao Oriental; and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, Carmen in Davao del Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental. Mayor Sara Duterte-

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t least 40,000 Philippine Identification (PhilIDs) cards have been delivered so far to registrants who completed Steps 1 and 2 registration, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. The PSA began issuing PhilIDs bearing the PhilSys Numbers (PSN) on May 1, 2021 in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation, the PSA said in a post on its website on May 12. National Statistician and Civil Registrar General PSA Undersecretary Dennis Mapa called on government agencies, financial institutions, and businesses to honor and accept PhilIDs. “Achieving our vision of a digital ecosystem with PhilSys cannot be done by the PSA alone. We need the cooperation of all to realize our financial inclusion and social protection goals —

from the PhilSys registrants to government agencies, financial institutions, and businesses. I enjoin the government and private sector to actively participate in the PhilSys implementation by honoring and accepting the PhilID as sufficient, valid proof of identity in line with the law, without the need to present any other ID,” Mapa said in a recent post. Mapa noted that many Filipinos, especially the poor, face difficulty in accessing basic economic and social services for lack of valid IDs. “With the cooperation of various entities, the PhilSys, through the PhilID, will finally make transactions easier for them,” he said. The PhilSys Act primarily aims to give Filipinos easier and faster access to financial,

Management Office (CTTM), while the rest were given to the police stations and to the Task Force Davao. Aside from giving of food packs to the lawmaker’s constituents and to those who are in need of immediate assistance amid the pandemic, Duterte’s office also extends its support to the frontliners. Amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

pandemic, law enforcers are being pushed to their limits as they unselfishly provide safety and security to everyone. The lawmaker’s office assured that not a single policy of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the City’s Executive Order has been violated during the distribution, as the sacks of rice were only dropped in their respective offices.

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Division of Maguindanao Rep. Pulong distributes rice aid to law enforcers in Davao City into 2 provinces now a law

resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the bill dividing Maguindanao province into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte. Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu announced in his Facebook page that Duterte signed on Wednesday House Bill No.

6314. “A l h a m d u l l i l a h , Alhamdullilah! Finally, the President has already signed into law the bill, May Allah bless and prosper our sincerest aspirations for the welfare and development of Maguindanao,” Mangudadatu, who authored the bill, said. If the proposed

division of the province wins in a plebiscite that is yet to be scheduled, 12 municipalities will make up Maguindanao del Norte and the remaining 24 towns will form Maguindanao del Sur. Maguindanao del Norte will get Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat,

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he office of First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte distributed on Thursday afternoon about 1,000 sacks of rice to several law enforcers, who are among the frontliners, here in the city. The office distributed over 900 pieces of 10 kilogram sacks of rice to the personnel of the City Transport and Traffic

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NEWS 3

Residents along a dike in Purok Roberto, Labangal, General Santos City gather whatever they can to build a barrier that will prevent water and sand from getting into their houses, on Wednesday (26 May 2021). A recent flashflood buried some houses in silt and debris, rendering families homeless. MindaNews photo by ROMMEL G. REBOLLIDO

PRRD on potential 2022 vice prexy bid: I’ll leave it to God

resident Rodrigo Duterte is “leaving to God” his potential vice presidential bid in 2022, Malacañang said on Thursday. P re s i d e n t i a l Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement when quizzed over Duterte’s supposed intent to run for vice president in the 2022 national elections. “I think, I will quote the President, he leaves it to God,” Roque said in a virtual presser. Roque’s remarks also came amid growing clamor for Duterte to seek the vice presidency next year. Pressed on whether Duterte is open to running for vice president, Roque maintained: “I think you have to accept his answer for what it is. He leaves it to God.” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Tuesday raised the possibility that a “strong”

public clamor might convince Duterte to gun for vice president in 2022. “Si Presidente, magiging open lang ‘yan kapag nakita niyang may clamor, kapag malakas ang clamor (The President would only be open [to running for vice president] if he sees a clamor for it, if the clamor is strong),” Panelo said in an interview with One News Channel’s “The Chiefs” on Tuesday night. Last year, Roque said Duterte would unlikely join the 2022 vice presidential race as the Chief Executive is “eager to finish his term and wants to come home in Davao.” Panelo and other allies of the President are floating either the “DuterteDuterte” or “Go-Duterte” tandem in the 2022 elections. Duterte has been repeatedly urged to pair either with his daughter,

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60 NPA rebS, militiamen surrender in Banaybanay

ome 60 militiamen and members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered in a ceremony held Wednesday (May 26) at Barangay Panikian, Banaybanay in Davao Oriental. In a report, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 said 20 were members of the NPA’s Weakened Guerilla Front 18 and Weakened Guerilla Front

3 while 40 were milisya ng bayan (MB). The NPA returnees surrendered to the members of RevitalizedPulis Sa Barangay (R-PSB), Local Government officials, and Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office. The decision of the rebels to concede to the government followed the continued call of

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City to start jabs of Priority Group A3 By MAYA M. PADILLO

he city government of Davao will start vaccination of Priority Group A3 for people with comorbidities along with senior citizens on May 31, 2021. Dr. Ashley Lopez, acting head of the City Health Office (CHO), said the city is targeting to vaccinate those under 60 years old with chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other diseases. “We will cater Group A3 hopefully by Monday. Apil na tong persons below 60 years old with comorbidity

such as diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, persons undergoing dialysis ug uban pa nga mga sakit,” Lopez said. Lopez advised eligible adults must provide proof of comorbidity in the form of either a medical certificate or clearance from an attending physician, prescription for medicines, hospital record, surgical record, and others

to allow them to evaluate further if they are eligible to receive the vaccines. He added that a thorough screening process will also prevent them from developing severe side effects. He also said not all those who have comorbidity will be administered with the vaccine, especially those who have active infections, exacerbations, secondary diseases. Lopez also said that patients may get their vaccination deferred if, during screening on the vaccination site, they are found to have symptoms of

their comorbidity. He also encouraged them to have their names registered through their respective nearest district health centers to avoid crowding in vaccination sites. Lopez also urged Dabawenyos to get whatever vaccine is available in the city not only to protect themselves but also everyone else in their family, community and all the places. He said the two basic purposes of the vaccines are to prevent onset of more serious Covid-19

Lagdameo, president of Damosa Land Inc (DLI) and chairperson for this year’s Davao Icon, said they will be talking about the entire Davao Region as well as the investment opportunities across the region. “That is something that we look forward to. Also we are looking to

have a hybrid event and we still be having some typical live meetings, that is why we decided to have the event in November. Hopefully, the current situation has improved a lot by then,” he said during the 5th General Membership Meeting of DCCCII on Friday. It can be recalled that

Davao ICon 2019 carried the theme is “DAVAO: Your Southeast Asian Investment Destination” and highlighted investment opportunities in the areas of tourism, infrastructure and real estate, information and communication technology (ICT), and Halal trade and tourism. By Maya M. Padillo

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Davao ICon 2021 to showcase region’s investment opportunities

his year’s Davao Investment Conference (ICon) slated on November will be showcasing investment opportunities in Davao Region. The Davao ICon is one of the signature events of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII). Ricardo “Cary”

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Market goers flock at Bankerohan Public Market’s“bagsakan”area of sea produce where fish are more affordable than inside the market’s wet section. Edge Davao

PH remains key market for manufacturing investment M

Palace hands off House’s economic Charter reforms

he Philippines remains an attractive market for manufacturing investments, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Manila Office Investment and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) advisor Tomihiro Ando said Thursday. At the Security Bank’s virtual economic forum, Ando cited a JETRO survey in December 2020 indicating Japanese businesses saw the Philippines as a good investment destination for manufacturing. Ando said salaries in the Philippines are “much (more) stable than other

countries” in the region. The country’s demographics are also attractive with its young population and large market base, he added. Ando said the JETRO survey shows that manufacturing cost in the Philippines relative to Japan is the second-lowest in

the region, with cost only higher than Vietnam but lower compared to Asian countries like India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The latest data from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) show that Japan has been the agency’s top source of foreign direct investments for the past 26 years. Japan’s investments within PEZA zones alone amounted to PHP716.22 billion from 1995 to April 2021. In the same event, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary

Ramon Lopez said current policies that the government is pushing also aim to attract investments in the manufacturing sector. Lopez particularly cited the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE) Act that cuts corporate income tax rates and offers more relevant fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that will help in enticing manufacturing investments. “Making the investment climate in the Philippines significantly more attractive, the CREATE Act will rationalize, modernize, and

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alacañang distanced itself from the House of Representatives’ proposed amendments to the restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution. In an online press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace respects the Congress’ prerogative to introduce reforms to the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions to entice more foreign investors. “Hinahayaan po natin iyan dahil iyan po ay initiative talaga ng Kongreso. Ang nangyayari po ay amendment pursuant to constituent assembly (Let them be because that is the Congress’ initiative. What is happening is Congress is introducing amendment

pursuant to constituent assembly),” Roque said. The House of Representatives on Wednesday night passed on third Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 which proposes economic amendments to the Charter to open the Philippine economy to direct investments that could help the country recover from the adverse impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). The proposal, which is principally authored by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, seeks to insert the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to several sections of the Constitution that restrict foreign ownership of public utilities, educational institutions, media,

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Women entrepreneurs can add S&P Global Ratings affirms PH investment grade rating $280 billion in SEA e-commerce

upporting women entrepreneurs through training and financial services will allow them to inject an additional USD280 billion in the e-commerce market in Southeast Asia between 2025 and 2030, according to the Women and E-commerce in Southeast Asia report of the International Finance Corp. (IFC). The IFC report, which focuses on Indonesia and the Philippines, said women-owned businesses are dominating e-commerce. Women sellers in the Philippines comprise two-

thirds of the total sellers in online shopping platform Lazada, while they are only one-third of Lazada sellers in Indonesia. “During the pandemic, more women-owned businesses in the Philippines started selling on the Lazada marketplace, increasing the share of women-owned businesses on the platform from 60 percent before the pandemic to 66 percent during the pandemic,” the IFC said in a statement Thursday. However, the IFC report said women entrepreneurs in the region continue to

face challenges, particularly in financial inclusion. About 49 percent of women in Indonesia and 61 percent of women in the Philippine still do not own a bank account. While women in Indonesia have better access to formal financial institutions, women entrepreneurs in the Philippines mostly rely on their savings and moneylenders to finance their start-up business. “Further expanding financial services to women through agent banking, mobile banking, e-money,

and fintech (financial technology) services that extend the reach of the financial system are important for providing women with greater access to the digital economy,” the IFC added. Aside from financing, the report said additional training and supporting women to enter into higher value sectors will boost the success of their businesses on e-commerce. “E-commerce in Southeast Asia is thriving. Since 2015, the market has tripled in size, and it is expected to triple again. In

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&P Global Ratings affirmed its ‘BBB+’ ratings on the Philippines after noting the domestic economy’s recovery, which it expects to accelerate in 2022 partly on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination rollout. It also kept the rating’s outlook stable, which it attributed to its expectation that the domestic economy “will achieve a healthy economic recovery and that its fiscal deficits will decline significantly over the next two to three years.” “We affirmed the ratings because we believe the Philippines will continue

to have good economic recovery prospects once the Covid-19 pandemic is contained, and that the government’s fiscal performance will strengthen accordingly,” it said in a report. The debt rater expects a recovery for the domestic economy this and next year, with the growth forecast for this year at 7.9 percent, higher than the government’s 6-7 percent target. It forecasts a 7.2-percent growth for the Philippines in 2022 and 2023, while the 2024 projection is a 7.1-percent expansion. In the first quarter this year, the domestic econo-

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ECONOMY

A worker sorts out cacao beans at Malagos Garden Resort’s cacao plant. President Rodrigo Duterte has recently signed a law declaring Davao City as the “Chocolate Capital of the Philippines”and the entire Davao Region (Region 11) as the“Cacao Capital of the Philippines.”Edge Davao

P83-B LNG infra development projects to rise in next 4 years

ix companies that aim to put up liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in the country will be investing PHP82.93 billion or around USD1.61 billion, Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido III said. During the LNG Opportunities in the Philippines 2021 webinar of the Norwegian Embassy in Manila and PunoLaw Wednesday, Pulido presented the six proposed LNG infrastructure development in Luzon that will augment the country’s natural gas supply as Malampaya gas field is quickly depleting. In his presentation, FGEN LNG Corp. is investing PHP13.28 billion for an interim floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) LNG terminal in

Batangas City. The facility, which is cleared to construct its ancillary facility, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year. It will have a capacity of 5.26 million tons LNG per annum (MTPA). Other FSRU LNG terminal projects that will also rise in the second half of 2022 include the 4.4-MTPA project of Excelerate Energy L.P., with investments amounting to PHP6.39 billion; the 3-MTPA LNG terminal of Atlantic Gulf & Pacific Company of Manila, Inc., with project cost amounting to PHP15.33 billion; and the 3-MTPA project of Shell Energy Philippines, Inc. worth PHP2.52 billion. Pulido said these proj-

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Davao City officially named ‘Chocolate Capital of PH’

resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law declaring the city of Davao as the “Chocolate Capital of the Philippines” and the entire Davao Region (Region 11) as the “Cacao Capital of the Philippines.” Republic Act 115471, signed by Duterte on Thursday, recognizes the importance of cacao as a driver of rural development because of its potential as a raw material that can increase the country’s export earnings tremendously. The law also recognizes cacao for putting the name of the country on the map for producing the finest chocolate beans and hav-

ing provided livelihood to many small farmers in the countryside. “In recognition of its status as the country’s biggest producer of cacao and its vital contribution in making the Philippines world-renowned and sought after by chocolate makers from the US, Japan, and Europe, the City of Davao is hereby declared as the Chocolate Capital of the

Philippines and the entire Region 11(Davao Region) as the Cacao Capital of the Philippines. Senator Cynthia Villar, sponsor of the measure in the upper chamber, has been eyeing to name Davao City as the country’s Chocolate Capital noting that Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed the bulk of the total annual cacao production came from Davao. PSA records showed that about 78.76 percent of the annual production of cacao in the Philippines came from the Davao Region composed of Davao

del Sur, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental. Villar, who is also chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, said there are more than 20,000 hectares of cacao farms in Davao Region. She said the measure also hopes to make Davao City and the Davao Region become an inspiration and a benchmark to motivate other local government units to emulate. Villar also said cacao farmers have received in-

virtual briefing. Diokno said the BSP is monitoring upside pressures to inflation that such as the world oil prices since the country is an importer of the commodity. But price pressures have “remained subdued due to the amount of prevailing slack in the domestic economy,” he said. Rising oil prices have not led to higher inflation, he added. Inflation is likely to hover above the government target band of 2 to 4 percent before settling within target by 2022, the BSP

earlier said. Although Diokno deferred commenting on the Bayanihan 3, he said the 2021 and the remaining 2020 budget as well as billions of pesos in approved loans for use of local governments could add as economic stimulus. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 4.2 percent in the first quarter, the fifth straight quarter of contraction. The Q1 figures however were still better compared to the 8.3 percent drop in the fourth quarter of 2020.

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Property developer sees better Diokno says vaccination ‘crucial’ outlook for real estate in 2021 in economic rebound, recovery

Cebu-based property developer is looking to buck industry trends in 2021, as it sets 25 projects collectively valued at PHP19 billion to be rolled out in the Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin). “Our 2021 projects will expand our VisMin footprint to cities like Ormoc, Bohol, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iloilo and other key cities in the region while further strengthening our market share in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro where we have established a strong presence,” Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) chairman

and chief executive officer Jose Soberano III said during the firm’s virtual annual stockholders meeting on Thursday. Soberano said that even at the height of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the company maintained its position that VisMin -where cases of the disease have been relatively low -would easily bounce back economically from the pandemic. It avoided layoffs and even increased its headcount to over 600 employees by end of the year, he said.

“2020 was a very challenging year. But we at CLI chose to look at opportunities and focus on the brighter side when we could,” he said, citing the firm’s heavy investment early on during the pandemic in establishing a strong digital presence that would allow clients here and abroad to select units all the way to making reservation payments. Project planning also continued during lockdown periods with CLI personnel in the key cities of VisMin following up on

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he ongoing inoculation drive will lead to improved economic activities as well as boost consumer demand and loans, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said. “As soon as we have a big chunk of our population vaccinated, that will improve sentiment and consumer demand, which in turn will improve economic activity, and more people will borrow from banks. That will be a crucial element in addressing the lack of demand at the moment,” Diokno said in a

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On targeting to vaccinate people under 60 years old with chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other diseases:

We will cater Group A3 hopefully by Monday. Apil na tong persons below 60 years old with comorbidity such as diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, persons undergoing dialysis ug uban pa nga mga sakit.” DR. ASHLEY LOPEZ ACTING HEAD, CITY HEALTH OFFICE (CHO)

EDITORIAL Extension of liquor ban, curfew in Davao The extension of the 24/7 liquor ban and 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in Davao for another two months is advisable in view of a new surge in COVID-19 cases.

In Executive Order No. 30 dated May 17 but released only on May 27, Mayor Sara Duterte said the extension was needed “to regulate some activities that can contribute to local transmission,” according to a report of Mindanews, an online news agency.

Section 1 of the EO says liquors are prohibited for 24 hours daily while curfew hours apply in all public places, except for those who need to work or do business during these hours.

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Dr. Ashley Lopez, acting head of the City Health Office, is quoted to have said during his program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Wednesday that the city and other areas in Mindanao are experiencing a surge. It may be recalled that the city reverted from modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) to GCQ on November 20, 2020, with the implementation of adjusted curfew hours from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

BEING ASIAN “He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.” - Confucius ******* Asia is the largest of the seven known continents in the world. Being the largest, it also has half of - if not more than the world’s population settling in all of the countries situated in the region, including China, India, former republics of the USSR and the Muslima-dominated nations elsewhere in the South East. Millions of Asians today are living in the United States where the “Hate Asian” complex is now the scare prevailing since the pre-election period and now the post-Trump era. . Asians used to be called “Orientals” until the early 90’s, a more condescendingly debased easy of categorizing Chinese, Hindus, Japanese, Filipinos, Koreans, Vietnamese, Thais, Taiwanese, Cambodians, etc who have migrated to the

US mainland and quietly earning a living and enjoying Uncle Sam’s “milk and honey.” The “Hate Asian” complex is an offshoot of the discriminatory practices of white Americans who treated blacks as second-class citizens since as far back as we can remember. Today, all colored peoples in the US are simply wary of their surroundings. The deaths and disease spawned by the CoVid 19 virus which experts are inclined to believe that it originated from a lab in Wuhan, China have increased the hatred of whites against Asians. This is not a presumptuous opinion. Several recorded and unrecorded stories of Asian-Americans who have been mugged, slandered and slapped while walking and strolling, while riding passenger trains or buses, while buying grocery items inside supermarkets have been told and retold.

Of course, I did not hear of anyone convicted for reasons I do not know. Maybe, the victims kept silent for fear of reprisal. Racial discrimination is the more apt term to describe the hatred against Asians. Apartheid is the phrase used in South Africa, in the land of Nelson Mandela. It is a misnomer to say that white Americans born and bred in the US are native Americans. The original natives are the red “Injuns” who, after the colonization, were relegated to live in the Indian reservations. The fact remains that had it not been for foreign talent, the status that the US enjoys today as the most progressive country in the world would not have become a hard-earned reality. Is America on the verge of self-destruction? This question is being asked in the light of the postTrump developments since the new Joe Biden administration

took over the reins of government at the beginning of the year. So many media reports have it that Biden has been committing one faux pas after another. Experts in foreign policy decisions and diplomacy are not happy over the way America is treating Iran in the matter of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or commonly known as the Iran nuclear power deal first negotiated in Vienna in 2015. Late reports seem to favor a US bending over to lift the sanctions imposed by former Pres. Donald Trump as both Iran and US negotiators designated by Biden are coming close to an agreement. The US-Philippine foreign relations have also been obscured somewhat because of the sensitive and touchy Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea. The leftist BLM (Black Lives Matter) organization, tolerated by the incumbent lead-

ership in several states ruled by Dems, is creating a fearful existence for Asian-Americans. It cannot be denied that Asians contribute a lot in the domestic development of the US. In particular, Filipinos are themselves deeply engrossed in contributing to America’s economic, social and political progress and if the positive contribution of their fellow Asians are counted in, the unquantifiable result would be for the benefit of the entire nation. Perhaps, a new ideology is emerging even as we see and hear outspoken voices coming from the Left and the Ultra-Right inside the halls of the US Congress where everyone is entitled to air their individual and collective views, reasonable or unreasonable. Whatever, this is not the last time we shall hear of the “Hate Asian” uproar. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@ yahoo.com,) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

CRITERIA FOR (LOCAL) HEROES Other than the creation of state-sponsored agencies to drumbeat the legacy of individuals regarded as icons of history, there has never been any law that was enacted to determine who gets to be honored as a hero. The relevance of this reality can be seen in the light of Davao City’s legislature unanimous adoption of an ordinance declaring Datu Bago as hero of Davao City. Prior to martial law, two agencies were imbued with the task to identify who could be classified as ‘hero’: the Philippines Historical Committee (PHC) and the National Heroes Commission (NHC). They were later merged to become National Historical Institute (NHI, now National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the NHCP). Not too long ago, the NHCP, through its Project Saysay, compiled several criteria proposed by three national scientists in the field of Social Sciences on how to recognize heroes, or the constructs to proclaimwho are

qualified to be called as ‘national heroes. The standards were formulated over a thirty-year period. The first to came out with norms in 1965 was eminent historian Teodoro Agoncillo who cited four criteria, which the PHC espoused, namely: (i) the extent of a person&#39;s sacrifice for the country’s welfare; (ii) the motive and methods employed in attaining the ideal (welfare of the country); (iii) the moral character of the person concerned; and (iv) the influence of the person concerned on his age and/or the succeeding age. In 1993, former University of the Philippines (UP) president Onofre D. Corpuz added three more standards to Agoncillo’s criteria. He argued that to become heroes (i) they have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation&#39;s freedom; (ii) they define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and order for a nation; and (iii) they contribute to the quality of life and

destiny of a nation. Two years later, Filipino psychologist Alfredo Lagmay added three more, saying: (i) a hero is part of the people&#39;s expression; (ii) a hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations; and (iii) the choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history but of the entire process that made the person a hero. Agoncillo’s and Lagmay’s criteria were considered by the National Heroes Committee but nothing came out of the move. While there is such a thing as the necropolis for heroes, the Libingan ng mga Bayani, there is no law or agency that is imbued with the authority whom to declare as national hero. In fact, people we consider as ‘national heroes,’ from Jose Rizal to Miguel Malvar, are fundamentally part of written discourses, cultural relevance, and past tradition. Historically, there were laws passed to honor persons who contributed to the coun-

try’s nationhood. For instance, on Dec. 20, 1898, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo declared Dec. 30 of each year as a national day of mourning in honor of Rizal and the other victims of the Philippine Revolution. Interestingly, it was William Howard Taft, American governor general in the islands and future president of the United States, who first broached the idea of naming Rizal a national hero. On June 11, 1900, under Act No. 137 that organized the politico-military district of Morong into the province of Rizal, Rizal was labeled as a great martyr and hero. Two decades later, on Feb. 16, 1921, Act No. 2946 was enacted, tacitly making Nov. 30 as Andres Bonifacio Day. Three years earlier, however, Act No. 2760 was passed on Feb. 23, 1918, ratifying the steps needed to create, maintain, and improve national monuments, and the erection of a monument in memory of Bonifacio. In the postwar era, President Fidel V. Ramos who issued

Exec. Order No. 75 on March 28, 1993, creating PHC under the Office of the President. The principal task of the agency was “to study, evaluate and recommend Filipino national personages/heroes in due recognition of their sterling character and remarkable achievements for the country.” In what could be the first law, national and local, to declare someone a hero, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City passed Resolution No. 01938-18 and Ordinance No. 0430-18, on March 9, 2018, declaring Datu Bago as ‘hero of Davao City.’ The Davao City ordinance carried four key features: (i) officially legislating Datu Bago as a Maguindanaoan, Tausug, and Kalagan; (ii) imbues the City Mayor with the authority to set the annual date of commemoration; (iii) inclusion of the chieftain’s ‘life and time’ in public and private schools curriculum; and (iv) the construction of monument in tribute to the Moro leader.

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EDGEDAVAO LIFESTYLE

John Naranjo

Maizy Colleen Tan

Kelvin Gaisano

Kenshin Yuri Amante

NEVER TOO YOUNG TO LEARN ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS

Did you engage in entrepreneurial ventures like selling pencils, erasers, papers and candies to your classmates when you were in elementary?

If you exhibited these moments of kid entrepreneurship, you deserve a pat on the back because your entrepreneurial drive pushes you to recognize problems, dissect viable solutions, and build opportunities. Encouraging entrepreneurship in kids will help them to become entrepreneurs or employers in the future and this is among the highlights of the first ever Global Young entrepreneurs Summit via Zoom of Stockbridge American International School (SAIS)- Davao campus. Carrying the theme “Shaping the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow”, the activity tapped Davao City’s renowned entrepreneurs namely John Naranjo, CEO and founder of Ingenuity; Maizy Colleen Alvarez Tan, fashion designer and owner of Maizy Colleen Designs; and Kelvin Gaisano, president of Gaisano Malls and co-founder of Happy Lemon Philippines

and Red Mango Philippines Incorporated imparted with the Grade 4 to 7 students of Stockbridge from General Santos City and Davao City campuses with the essentials of entrepreneurship. Most of the kids are now into games and apps on tablets or smartphones, Naranjo talked to them about the significance of technology in this modern time and its relevance to entrepreneurship. He shared his three personal lessons that guided him in becoming successful entrepreneur - know your purpose in life, try to learn things and make things happen. Tan inspired the young learners by sharing about how she ventured in the world of fashion industry and how she realized her passion amidst its difference to her real profession. She ended her talk by leaving this quote “Be bold in

the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire”. The Gaisanos are popular in Davao City, Cebu and various parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, as the family own hotels and malls, so Gaisano shared to the students how his family impacted his love for business at an early age and how important choosing circle of friends is in building a business. He added that it is important for an entrepreneur to think for a long term and with that, it is important to learn business as a whole and not just look at it from the top view and

rely on someone else to do it for you. He left five points for the students to remember: explore, keep learning, do not be afraid to fail, be humble, and be kind. Nicole Nina Hao BianLedesma, chief operating officer of SAIS, said the Young Entrepreneur Summit is in line with the school’s core mission of developing young students to become business leaders and entrepreneurs. “That is why as early as Grade 4, students have a class on innovations and entrepreneurship where they learn to develop

their business acumen at a young age. The young entrepreneur summit provided an avenue for students to have the chance to learn, interact and engage with Davao’s young entrepreneurs. That is truly what sets SAIS apart, we educate global business leaders,” Ledesma said. SAIS is the first and only international school in Davao City and in Mindanao offering international education through its international partners, the Fieldwork Education (UK) and the Nacel International School Systems

(USA). The Stockbridge curriculum is a seamless integration of Philippine and international standards guided by the school’s institutional philosophy and goals. Because of this, the Stockbridge program is unlike any other school – upon graduation, students receive International Certificates granted by International Education Partners. Stockbridge offers the following programs: Early Childhood Programs from 6 months to 5 years old and K12 programs from Kinder to Grade 8 (For SY 2021-2022).

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

Rent-to-Own that dream condo unit

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That dream condo unit at the the top of Mindanao’s tallest skyscraper is just within reach. Taking off from its successful first run of the room rental of fullyfurnished units, Aeon Towers is rolling out its Rent-to-Own program as an option for potential clients who wish to acquire a condo unit. Home seekers can now purchase one of the beautiful condominium units at Aeon Towers with no reservation fee and with pay rental terms up to 15 years. On top of that, client can also avail the 13% discount on the total list price. The program will enable more options for aspiring condo owners who look forward to upscale living at Aeon Towers. This promo is available to all standard finished condo units that are ready for occupancy such as—studio executive, one-bedroom standard, one-bedroom suite, one-bedroom executive, one-bedroom executive corner, two-bedroom executive and onebedroom loft inner. All in either city or Samal island views. Enjoy such breathtaking views in your condo unit with privileges to an exclusive access to Club Aeon

amenities at the sixth floor of the building— fitness gym, kid’s playroom, bar & lounge, led-lit swimming pool, jogging path, meeting room and events hall. What’s unique about the condo units of Aeon Towers is that its sizes are above the average or standard offered by most

developers not only in Davao but in other cities of the country. The property is strategically located at the heart of Davao’s CBD at J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada which gives every condo owner easy access to mostly everything. Its high-quality materials imported overseas like

the Blum-tech powered cabinets partnered with the condo’s Smarthomeready features, give more edge in quality among condo owners. Want to know about this promo? Call 0917552-9818 or message us at our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ AeonLuxeDVO.

EDGEDAVAO

BIGGER... FROMP2 Carpio said the MDDA will only collaborate on certain matters such as urban development, sewerage and septage, solid waste management, public transport and traffic, and public safety and security. “These are the five areas that all the LGUs will collaborate on under Metropolitan Davao set up,” she said. In relation to this, Mayor Sara said the Metropolitan Davao Development Coordinating Committee (MDDCC) under the Regional Development Council (RDC 11), which she chaired, is working on the comprehensive and sustainable urban master plan, the formulation of the Metro Davao sewerage and septage master plan, strategic and innovative solid waste management master plan, the Metro Davao public transport and traffic master plan, and the public safety and security master plan. “These are the areas that we are working on for the RDC 11 and Metro Davao public and transport

and traffic master plan already has a budget source from the Department of Transportation and this was given to Davao City but we will share it to Metro Davao recognizing the need to have an integrated plans for transport and traffic here for the Metro Davao areas,” the mayor said. The creation of the MDDA is being pushed by Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. He said the fast urbanization and increasing population in Davao City and other LGUs in Davao Region need an efficient system of urban infrastructure, facilities and services to meet the demands and the growing businesses of the region. “It was filed by Senator Bong Go, so we do have to make our assignments sa atoang mga amigo na mga Senador, atoang hangyuon sila na mapasa na ug mapadali ang pagpasa niini. Yes it is a form of local bill application, so I hope wala masyadong mangutana. We hope and pray na mapasa ni sa time ni President Rodrigo Duterte,” Ungab said.

social protection, health, education, and other government services by providing them with valid proof of identity. Signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for Filipinos and resident aliens.

The national ID shall be a valid proof of identity and a means of simplifying public and private transactions, enrollment in schools, and opening of bank accounts. It will also boost efficiency, especially in dealing with government services where people will only need to present one ID during transactions. (PNA)

Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, Talitay and Datu Odin Sinsuat, which will serve as its capital. Maguindanao del Sur willcompriseAmpatuan,

Datu Abdullah Sangki, DatuAnggalMidtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun,Guindulungan, Mamasapano,Mangudadatu,Pagalungan,Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif SaydonaMustafa,Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, South Upi and Buluan, which will be the capital. Senator Francis

Tolentino, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said the division of the province aims to help boost social and economic development and promote political stability in the region. Tolentino said the divisionwillmeanbetter deliveryofbasicservices such as public health care, education and transportation to the most remote villages. Maguindanao is part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Among the other proponents of the bill in the House are Rep. RonnieSinsuatofthefirst districtofMaguindanao andRep.NoelVillanueva. (FerdinandhB.Cabrera/ MindaNews)

the close to 30 permits and other requirements needed to launch a project. The company launched three of the 25 projects in the first quarter of the year with more in the pipeline. Soberano said it has set aside PHP12 billion for its capital expenditures for 2021. CLI is confident it will complete ongoing residential and other projects totaling 33, including mixeduse developments, hotels, and townships. A significant number of

these will mature for greater revenue recognition before the year ends, it said. Meanwhile, opportunities continue to abound in VisMin where the housing backlog has been estimated at 800,000 units a year. Industry studies estimate that only 200,000 units are produced annually. “We truly look forward to a better year. We hope to see even stronger buyer confidence as the vaccines continue to rollout,” he said. (PNA)

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complications and to achieve herd immunity. Presently, Covid-19 vaccines available and being administered in the city are Sinovac, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer. Lopez said these Covid-19 vaccines were given emergency use authorization (EUA) in the country proof that they are safe and effective. “Every vaccine counts. Every vaccine is efficient enough basta meron nang

EUA that’s enough,” he said. According to Lopez, the national government will be allocating about 200,000 Pfizer vaccine doses as well as additional Sinovac vaccines in the Davao Region, with Davao City getting a bigger allocation. Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the city government of Davao is expecting vaccine deliveries by the third quarter of this year.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, or his former long-time aide, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, in next year’s elections. Sara still emerged as the top pick among the preferred presidential candidates in 2022, while Go ranked sixth, according to the February 22 to March 3 pre-election poll by Pulse Asia. Despite this, Duterte has maintained he does not want his daughter to join the presidential derby next year because the presidency is not worth pursuing and an unsuitable

job for a woman. Duterte, otherwise, has repeatedly teased Go over its supposed plan to run for president in 2022. On Monday, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said the opposition should only have one presidential candidate to increase its chances of winning against Duterte’s anointed standard-bearer. Roque, responding to Robredo’s statement, taunted Tuesday the opposition to field a “thousand” candidates in the 2022 national elections. (PNA)

President Rodrigo Duterte for remnants of the rebel group to surrender and the convergence services being delivered by government agencies and local government units (LGUs) under the National Task Force-Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). The presence of the R-PSB in the communities especially those identified as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in Davao Region has been helpful not only in maintaining peace and order, but also in assisting NPA members who wish to return to the folds of the law.

The R-PSB program initiated by PRO 11 director Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal since October 2019 is now being recognized by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Guillermo Eleazar as a strategic program to eradicate the remnants of communist insurgents and terrorists. The surrenderers will undergo screening for local peace engagement programs and will be provided with assistance such as livelihood, skills training, and government support under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

this research, IFC shows that this growth could be even higher if we invest in women entrepreneurs on

e-commerce platforms” IFC vice president for Asia and the Pacific Alfonso Garcia Mora said. (PNA)

ects have secured notice to proceed (NTP) from the DOE. Batangas Clean Energy, Inc. is eyeing to invest PHP37.55 billion for a 3-MTPA LNG storage and regasification terminal in Batangas City. The project has secured NTP from the DOE, and it is expected to be delivered by the fourth quarter of 2025. Energy World Gas Operations Philippines, Inc. will also put up a 3-MTPA LNG storage and regasification terminal in Quezon Province, with investments amounting to PHP7.41 billion. Aside from these six firms, Pulido said another company expressed its interest to build a new LNG terminal in the country. He said the upcoming LNG projects in the country will not only stabilize the natural gas supply in

the domestic market, but will also support DOE’s vision to make the Philippines as the LNG hub in Southeast Asia. “It is the hope of the Department of Energy and the Secretary of Energy that the Philippines, maybe one day, becomes a sub-regional hub for liquefied natural gas,” he added. Pulido said these LNG terminals will facilitate the country’s access to LNG imports. Currently, the country cannot import LNG as there is no existing infrastructure to store imported natural gas, he said. The Philippines is expected to outsource LNG in the coming years with the Malampaya gas field depleting by 2024, Pulido said. Malampaya is currently the country’s only LNG source. (PNA)

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offer more relevant incentives to investors. First, this will reduce the corporate income tax or CIT rate from 30 percent to 25 percent for large corporations and down to 20 percent for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This reduction will be crucial for businesses that wrestle with the disruption in supply chains, and reduce the negative economic impact of the pandemic,” he said.

The trade chief said the DTI is also aggressive in promoting the Philippines as a manufacturing investment destination with its “Make It Happen in the Philippines” campaign. Under this campaign, the DTI encourages foreign firms in sectors of aerospace, automotive, copper, and semiconductors, and electronics, as well as information technology and business process management. (PNA)

and advertising companies. It also aims to revise certain economic provisions of the Charter, particularly Articles XII (National Economy and Patrimony), XIV (Education, Science, Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports), and XVI (General Provisions). The Philippines has the highest restrictiveness score of any country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to the 2019 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Foreign Direct Investment restrictiveness index. AKO BICOL party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., chairperson of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, said the economic Charter reforms would eliminate the “overly protective” provisions.

The provisions that will be removed, Garbin said, include foreign ownership limitations in business enterprises, including public utilities to attract more foreign investments and adopt policies to make the country’s economy more competitive. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, a principal sponsor of the resolution, also cited three investment barriers that are present in the country because of the economic restrictions in the 1987 Constitution. The barriers, Salceda said, are the “foreign ownership restrictions in the law, stipulations on management such as regulations that nationals or residents must form a majority of the board of directors, and nationality-based restrictions on operations.” (PNA)

my, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), posted a lower contraction of -4.2 percent from the previous quarter’s -8.3 percent. S&P said the domestic economy has above-average economic growth potential “which should drive constructive development outcomes and underpin broader credit metrics.” The debt rater attributed this to years of fiscal reforms and prudent debt management, which it said, allowed the government to address the pandemic’s impact, although not without some hit on its fiscal and debt metrics. It said the robust external position of the country is due in part to the resiliency of the overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) remittances, the strong financial system, and the favorable demographics. Regulatory and tax reforms also helped, it said, adding the impact of these on economic productivity. “The Philippines gov-

ernment has generally enacted effective fiscal policies over the past decade, marked by improvements to the quality of expenditure, manageable fiscal deficits, and low levels of general government indebtedness,” it said. Budget gap has widened to around 7.1 percent of domestic output in 2020 due to pandemic-related measures. S&P forecasts the budget gap to increase to around 7.5 percent of GDP this year. “However, this should begin to taper off from 2022 as the economy recovers and stimulus measures are scaled back,” it said. Government debt increased to 38.5 percent of GDP last year given the need for stimulus programs and the debt rater projects this to further rise to around 41.7 percent this year. “Nevertheless, this level of indebtedness remains comparable or lower than that of international peers,” it added. (PNA)

ternational acknowledgment as evidenced by the awards they got over the years. Davao’s Malagos Chocolate, for example, bagged seven international awards in 2019. The company also placed second in the 100 percent unsweetened drink category and third in the sweetened drink

category of the prestigious International Chocolate Competition of the Academy of Chocolate in London in 2017. Another multi-awarded brand is Auro Chocolates, which takes pride in its bean-to-bar process since they have cacao beans that are fully traceable in planting communities in the Philippines. (PNA)

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VOL.14 ISSUE 64 • SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2021

Giannis Antotekounmpo shone on both ends.

Marcial advances to Asian Elite boxfest semis after foe defaults

lympic-bund Eumir Marcial moved to the semifinals without throwing a single punch in the ASBC Asian Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Dubai. The Olympic-bound Marcial was declared the winner of his quarterfinal bout against Mongolia’s Otgonbaatar Byamba-Erdene in the middleweight (75kg) division, via forfeiture. This as Byamba-Erdene could not fight due to an injury that he suffered against Iraq’s Ridha Talib Jabbar in his first bout. With the result, Marcial is now assured of at least a bronze in the tournament. However, lightweight

Jere dela Cruz bowed out of medal contention after being outboxed by India’s Varinder Singh in the quarterfinals. Singh grabbed a 5-0 victory over dela Cruz, who is now the fourth Filipino boxer to be eliminated. Aside from Marcial, already in the semifinals are Mark Lester Durens and Junmilardo Ogayre, who won their quarterfinal bouts yesterday and are also assured of at least a bronze medal. Five-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Josie Gabuco is also through to the semifinals, having received a bye in the quarterfinals of the women’s light-flyweight division.

Bucks pound Heat, seize 3-0 series lead

OS ANGELES - Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks grabbed a 3-0 stranglehold lead in their first-round playoff series with a 113-84 thrashing of the Miami Heat on Thursday. Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have carried the offensive load for the Bucks in the series, but Thursday they also got plenty of help from their supporting cast as six Milwaukee players finished

French Open: Men’s ‘big three’ in same half of draw

ARIS—Thirteen-time champion Rafael Nadal, 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic were placed in the same half of the French Open draw on Thursday. The three most successful players in the history of the men’s game have won 17 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles between them and Federer and Djokovic are on a quarterfinal collision course. Title holder Nadal, who starts against Australian Alexei Popyrin, could face Italian prospect Jannik Sinner, the 18th seed, in the fourth round a year

after beating him in the quarterfinals. Tennis: ‘No-one is invincible’, Rafael Nadal says ahead of French Open In the other half of the draw, two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem’s path leads to a potential quarterfinal clash with German sixth seed Alexander Zverev. In the women’s draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek will start her campaign against Kaja Juvan while one of the matches to watch will feature last year’s runner-up Sofia Kenin, the fourth seed, against 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko.

SPORTS 11

Kenin could face Swiatek, who turns 20 on Monday, in the quarter-finals. After missing last year’s event, second seed Naomi Osaka will make her comeback against Maria Patricia Tig. The Japanese player, who said she would not speak to the media throughout the tournament for mental health reasons, is in the other half of the draw. She could take on American Serena Williams in the semifinals with the seventh seed bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

in double figures. Middleton scored 22 points, Jrue Holiday had 19 points and 12 assists, and Brook Lopez chipped in 13 points for the Bucks, who are on the verge of sweeping the Heat who reached the NBA Finals last season.

Antetokounmpo has put up a total of 62 shots in the three games and is 17-for-27 on free throws. Milwaukee can wrap up the best-of-seven series with a win in game four on Saturday in Miami. One of the biggest differences in the Eastern Conference series is the top players on the Bucks have consistently outplayed Miami’s key duo of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. Butler finished with 19 points and Adebayo

had 17 for the Heat, who were clobbered for the second straight game. They have lost by an average of more than 30 points over the last two games. The Heat haven’t been the same since they lost game one 109-107 on a Middleton jumper with less than a second left in overtime. Milwaukee seems determined to erase the memory of being beaten by the Heat in two previous playoff meetings in 2013 and last year.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action at the ATP 250 Geneva Open during his Round of 16 match on May 18, 2021. Denis Balibouse, Reuters

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Philippine athletes led by Dabawenya boxer Nesthy Petecio will get their vaccination in time for their participation in the Olympics and SEA Games.

VACCINATED

PH athletes bound for Tokyo Olympics, SEA Games get jabs

he Philippine national athletes, officials and staff of the Philippine delegation bound for the Tokyo Olympic and SEA Games received Covid-19 vaccination on Friday at the Manila Prince Hotel.

“Nagpapasalamat kami ng malaki sa national government, sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) na inaprubahan ang prioritization ng mga atleta natin, especially the Olympic- and SEA Games- bound athletes,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said in a radio interview. Among the athletes vaccinated when the inoculation started at 9 a.m. was rower Cris Nievarez. Also lined up to be inoculated are officials and support staff of the delegation of both events, said Tolentino. “Yung iba dito mga officials na kasama sa Tokyo bound kasi maraming kasama ang Olympians natin yung iba 3 coaches, nutritionist, psychologist, masseur. Marami pong kasama yan yung iba dito natin binakunahan,” he said. Nine Filipino athletes have qualified for the Tokyo Games. They are Hidilyn Diaz; boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam; pole vaulter EJ Obiena; gymnast Carlos Yulo; rower Cris Nievarez; and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa. “Sa ibang olympians na nasa

abroad, especially sa US and Europe, definitely they will be given (the vaccine) in the US. Alam naman po natin na mabilis kumuha sa US,” said Tolentino. Tolentino is expecting the number of Filipino athletes who would qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in July to increase to 15. “Minimum of one gold will do, that’s our prayer. That’s the wish of the entire country,” he said. Meanwhile, Tolentino said the Philippines will send a delegation of around 700 to the SEA Games. “Since tayo ang overall champion, ako personally hindi tayo papayag na hindi natin salihan lahat ng event para ma-maintain natin kahit hindi yung overall, mataas pa rin yung ranking,” he said. Vietnam announced a “no vaccine, no participation” policy for the 31st SEA Games that will take place in Hanoi from November 21 to December 2. The second dose of the vaccine will be administered maybe after a month, said Tolentino. “Abot na abot pa rin sa Tokyo, and of course, sa SEA Games,” he said.