Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 321 | Tuesday, April 5, 2022

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VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

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Night market goers wash their hands at a washing station provided by the city government of Davao upon entering the Roxas Night Market in Davao City. Edge Davao

KEEP MASKS Sara thinks face mask should stay even if Davao City is placed under Alert Level Zero STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

KEEP MASKS

Vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte checks the garments and embroidery that will be used to make world class Filipino barong and wedding gowns at the Disenyo Pandi Bagong Barrio in Pandi, Bulacan. HNP

Sara thinks face mask should stay even if Davao City is placed under Alert Level Zero

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ter-Agency Task Force (IATF) na protocols wala na siya. But I don’t think angay pa na tanggalon ang face mask sa pagka-karon.

Mao lang na akong opinyon.

Basehan nato tong mga nahitabo sa laing lugar nga wala pa sila naka 100 percent sa ilahang vaccination

and gitanggal na nila ang ilahang face mask. There was a point na gibalik gihapon nila ang ilahang face mask, nakit-an nato na sa ubang nasud nahitabo, so clearly, kita wala pa man ta sa 100 percent sa atoang target vaccination sa national, dili seguro angay tanggalon ang face masks kay maglisod ta ug esplika sa mga tao na pud kung ngano ibalik na pud nato ang face masks in the event nga mudaghan na pud ang cases. Lisod kaayo

ihatag-bawi, lisod mag-explain sa mga tao,” the mayor said.

She reported that as of April 1, 2022 there are a total of 1,321,551 Dabawenyos who already received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccines and 1,296, 700 for the second dose.

Last month, Mayor Sara eased Covid-19 restrictions except for the wearing of face mask. The wearing of face mask in public is still

tor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is a private individual.

As such, he can defend himself in court in light of Maria de Leon’s recent action,” Andanar said in a press statement.

Malacañang has repeatedly kept its distance from Quiboloy’s cases in the US. In November, Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte will execute the laws accordingly amid issues hounding his spiritual adviser.

Quiboloy, a televange-

list who calls himself the “Appointed Son of God,” is Duterte’s spiritual adviser.

In a statement on Friday, Los Angeles-based paralegal Maria de Leon admitted to “preparing and filing fraudulent documents” that would grant US residency and citizenship to members of the Quiboloy-founded KOJC. De Leon, 73-year-old owner of Liberty Legal Document Services, admitted that she participated in the conspiracy to commit marriage and visa fraud

with leaders of the KOJC for about eight years.

She is among nine people, including Quiboloy, who was charged in November 2021 in a labor-trafficking scheme that used fake visas to bring church members to the US where they were forced to donate to a bogus charity called Children’s Joy Foundation (CJF), based in Glendale, California.

The US DOJ said the alleged donations were used to finance church operations and the “lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”

n official of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force reported that Davao City has kept the positivity rate of Covid-19 o “very low” level.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said wearing of face masks should stay even if Davao City will be placed under Alert Level Zero where restrictions are eased out.

“Practically, pag Alert Level Zero wala na’y restrictions kaayo. Ang In-

FKEEP, P10

Bangsamoro adjusts work hours for fasting Muslims

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ivil servants in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are now allowed to go home from work at 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim on Monday also modified the working hours of officials and employees during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Fasting from sunrise to dusk by able-bodied Muslims started on April 3 and will end on May 2.

“Muslim officials and employees who shall observe fasting during the holy month are allowed to observe flexible working hours from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,” Ebrahim said in Memorandum Circular No. 0051.

“After the end of Ramadan, all officials and employees shall revert to their respective regular working

hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he added.

Ahead of the start of the fasting month, Ebrahim urged all Bangsamoro to spread love. He also called on the public to continue observing physical distancing since the threat of Covid-19 still exists and “is still around us.”

“We hurdled the pandemic, I believe time will come that this pandemic will end,” he said in the vernacular.

Ramadan, the holiest observance among Muslims worldwide, comes at a time when the country is at the peak of the campaign period for the May 9 national and local polls.

“I hope peace will prevail during and after the local and national elections, I hope patience and understanding about our political stance will prevail,” Ebra-

It said members who “proved successful at soliciting for the KOJC were forced to enter into sham marriages or obtain fraudulent student visas to acquire legal status in the United States so they could continue soliciting donations, the indictment alleges.”

According to the US DOJ, many of the workers were “moved around the United States to solicit donations as CJF ‘volunteers,’ who were also called Full Time Miracle Workers.”

Quiboloy, de Leon, and seven others were indicted in November 2021 for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children.

De Leon is one of the six defendants who have been arrested and five others who appeared in a federal court in Los Angeles are scheduled to be tried on March 21, 2023.

The US DOJ believes that Quiboloy, who remains at large, is still in the Philippines. (PNA)

FBANGSAMORO, P10

Quiboloy can defend himself in court, Malacañang maintains

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ingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is a private individual who can defend himself in court, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar made the remark after the United States Department of Justice (US DOJ) announced that a co-accused of Quiboloy has agreed to cooperate with US federal authorities in prosecuting him in his cases in the US. “We reiterate that Pas-

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

NEWS

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Davao City Water District (DCWD) spokesperson Jovanna Duhaylungsod says 80 percent of the 300 million liters of water supply per day from the bulk water supply project will be supplied to Davao City’s District 2. Edge Davao

City mulls on rolling out vaccination in schools

PNP tags 100 towns, 14 cities as poll ‘hotspots’

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he Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday recommended that more or less 100 municipalities and 14 cities be placed under the red category for the May 9 elections.

“In the last meeting, the red areas all over the country were 100 municipalities and 14 cities. Ngayon, titingnan namin yung update meron tayong color coded, meron tayong green, wala tayong magiging problema sa green areas. Yung yellow and orange binabantayan natin (Now we will look at the update we have color-coded, we have green, we will not have a problem with green areas. We continue monitoring the yellow and orange) but we focus on the red colored areas ito yung aming huling datos(this is our latest data) is 100 municipalities and 14 cities,” PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said in a press conference in Camp Crame.

Carlos said he has issued marching orders to each unit commander to focus on the areas that will

be placed under the red category to suppress any election-related violence.

“March pa lang pina-activate ko na yung (As early as March, I already ordered to activate the) RSOTGs (Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) to be headed by a DRDO (Deputy Regional Director for Operations) or a senior officer coming from the regional offices and these RSOTGs are deployed in these red areas to support the preparations being made by the different provinces or city, municipality police units,” said Carlos.

Carlos, however, did not disclose what areas are under the election hotspot list which has four categories -- green, yellow, orange, and red.

Green refers to areas that do not have security concerns and are generally peaceful and orderly, while yellow are areas of concern, which means that these have a history of election-related incidents

FPNP, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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“We will also discuss ning pag-rollout ug bakuna dinha sa mga eskwelahan with our DepEd 11. As usual voluntary lang gihapon with parent’s consent. Pero plano

pa nato ning i-sit down ug i-istorya with DepEd. Mag depende ni kung musugot ang DepEd,” the mayor said.

This is following the slow turnout of vaccination

among the pediatric population in the city.

Mayor Sara reported that as of April 1, 2022 A3 or pediatric population with comorbidities there are a total of 762 who already received their first dose and 372 for the second dose. While for the pediatric population without comorbidities, there are a total of 140,846 for the first dose and 130,877 for the second dose.

“Gamay ra ni siya kung

hen fully operational, 80 percent of the bulk water supply project will service Davao City’s District 2, according to an official of the Davao City Water District (DCWD).

Jovanna Duhaylungsod, spokesperson of DCWD, told media that the Aboitizled Apo Agua Infrastructura,

Inc. (AAII) is committed to providing 300 million liters to 347 million liters of water per day to DCWD from its P12-billion bulk water supply project.

“In terms of percentage, the bulk of the water supply will be distributed to District 2 considering nga naa didto ang Panacan and Cabantian Water Supply System ug

Line 2 of Dumoy Water Supply System. Rough estimate is 80 percent of the 300 million liters of water per day will go there (District 2),” Duhaylungsod said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex on Monday.

Duhaylungsod said the rest of the water supply will be distributed to Calinan

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced on Monday that the city government of Davao is planning to sit down with the regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd 11) for the planned vaccination rollout in Davao City’s public schools.

basehan nato ang inventory sa public schools sa ilahang mga estudyante,” she said.

The mayor clarified that there is no requirement yet that a student must be fully vaccinated to participate in the face-to-face classes.

Mayor Sara also said that the city is intensifying its vaccination campaign by bringing the vaccination closer to the people.

She reported that as of April 1, 2022 there are a to-

and Tugbok Water Supply System in District 3 while there is also part of the water supply that will augment Line 1 of Dumoy Water Supply System in the city’s District 1.

“Ang dili lang makadawat sa water supply is portion of District 3 that is Lubogan in Toril and Binu-

FCITY, P10

80% of bulk water project intended for District 2 W

F80%, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Greta Quayle, information officer of Social Security System 11 (SSS 11) says the agency is giving employers a chance to settle their delinquencies during to the pandemic through Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program 2 (PRRP 2) until May 19, 2022. Edge Davao

BI expects up to 14K int’l arrivals in April

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he Bureau of Immigration said that it is seeing 12,000 up to 14,000 international arrivals in April, after government decided to reopen its borders to travelers from all countries.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval+ noted the increasing number of international passenger arrivals, which could continue to go up during the dry season.

“Given the summer season tingin po natin tataas po ito lalo na nitong April kasagsagan po ng summer yan summer at historically

marami po talagang pumupuntang foreigners dito po sa bansa because of our climate napakaganda ng klima po natin compared po sa kani-kanilang bansa na malamig and siguro uncomfortable so pupunta po sila dito to enjoy to the summer,” she said.

(During the summer

season, we think the number of foreign arrivals will go up, especially this April, which normally is the best time of year to visit the Philippines for the fair weather.

Our climate is very good compared to temperate countries where the temperature is cold, and coming to the Philippines is a good option for vacation.

We are projecting 12,000 to 14,000 arrivals, or even more for April, as a result of the Philippines’ opening its boarders to fully-vaccinated tourists.)

Sandoval said they recorded a total of 13,525 arrivals on April 1, the first day of the Philippines’ reopening its borders to travelers from all countries, including from visa countries.

On April 1, we nearly returned to the pre-pandemic border policies. The total number of arrivals was at 13,525, and 90% of the number came in through NAIA. Essentially we are seeing a gradual but consistent increase, she said in Filipino.

will have a total gross leasable area of 44,567 square meters, which will increase the company’s asset portfolio by 16% to 325,000 square meters GLA from the current portfolio of 280,000 square meters.

The property infusions include Festive Walk 1B and Two Global Center in Iloilo Business Park, and One West Campus and Five West Campus in McKinley West, Taguig City.

“This will be the first

time that we infuse office assets from McKinley West, one of our fastest growing townships in Metro Manila where some of the big names in the BPO industry are operating today. This township location also commands one of the highest rental rates in the Greater Manila Area because of the high demand for office spaces in this area,” says Kevin L. Tan, president and CEO, MREIT. With these acquisitions,

MREIT will have 100% ownership of the two Iloilo Business Park properties, and 80% economic interest in the two McKinley West office towers. At present, the four prime office properties have an average occupancy rate of 96%, way higher than the industry level of between 81% to 84%.

The transaction is priced at cap rates of 6.0% and 5.4% for the Iloilo Business Park and McKinley West

FBI, P10

Megaworld’s MREIT ramps up assets with acquisition of P5.3B office towers

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REIT, the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) vehicle of township developer Megaworld, is set to acquire four prime, grade A, office properties in PEZA-accredited zones with a total value of P5.3-billion, ramping up the company’s portfolio value to P65-billion. This only makes up the initial tranche of the company’s P20-billion property for shares acquisition plan for 2022.

The new acquisitions

FMEGAWORLD’S, P10

LANDBANK delivers over P133-B cash aid in 2021 Upgrades CCT, UCT cash cards to transaction accounts

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he Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), disbursed a total of P133.61 billion to more than seven million beneficiaries of the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) programs in 2021.

Of this amount, LANDBANK released a total of P123.74 billion under the CCT program that benefitted 4.4 million low-income families, for education and health needs of the children and financial support for households.

Meanwhile, a total of P9.86 billion was delivered to 2.8 million UCT beneficiaries, as part of support interventions in line with the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration

and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. “LANDBANK remains steadfast in the timely delivery of social protection interventions to the most vulnerable sectors.

We will continue to work closely with the DSWD to contribute to the National Government’s inclusive development agenda,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

As of 28 February 2022, the state-run Bank has provided LANDBANK Cash Cards to a total of 9.8 million CCT and UCT beneficiaries to facilitate more convenient withdrawals of social pension and grants in future payouts.

LANDBANK also upgraded the Cash Cards of all CCT and UCT beneficiaries into transaction accounts, to provide the beneficiaries wider access to an array of

FLANDBANK, P10

EDGEDAVAO

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ECONOMY

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This surfer and other foreign tourists are slowly coming back to Siargao Island as COVID-19 restrictions have been eased and while super typhoon Odette in December 2021 destroyed several resorts, some are now reopening. MindaNews photo taken on April 1, 2022 in Jacking Horse, Catangnan, General Luna, Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

ASF hits 3 SoCot brgys T

were continuously monitoring the village for the possible spread of the virus.

It added that the local government unit (LGU)

would be assisting hog farmers affected by the ASF. The office also advised farmers to report suspected ASF cases early so they could immediately conduct the culling or depopulation of infected and susceptible hogs.

Meanwhile, Koronodal City, Tantangan, and Omonoloc earlier blocked the trans-

port of live hogs and pork from adjacent towns due to the ASF threat.

ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that has been a problem since its outbreak in the country in October 2019.

In March, the Department of Agriculture committed itself to ending the ASF problem.

on the MCGP are currently at PHP2.950 billion, with MSME beneficiaries now at 20,310 entrepreneurs.

A total of PHP1.48 billion of these releases were supported by the corporation’s credit guarantee facilities to such groups.

“The growth in the MSME credit guarantee portfolio, with the support of 18 banks in the country, represented more than 13 times or 1,325 percent since December 2020, and this was impacted further by PhilGuarantee in the implementation of its key assistance role,” Pascual said.

He added that MSME beneficiaries, registered a 589 percent increase, from the initial level of 2,948 in December 2020.

Finance Secretary Car-

los Dominguez III, who chairs the PhilGuarantee Governing Board, said “the sizable increase in this staterun corporation’s financing assistance to MSMEs at the height of the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak underlines this administration’s commitment to rescue small entrepreneurs hardest hit by the global downturn and ensure their swift and strong recovery from the prolonged pandemic.”

“The quick recovery of MSMEs from the global health and economic crises is crucial to the country’s strong rebound at the soonest, considering that they make up 99 percent of all business enterprises and account for nearly 36 percent of the domestic economy,”

Dominguez said.

The top beneficiaries of the credit guarantee facilities of the agency belong to the wholesale and retail sector (PHP1.95 billion), manufacturing (PHP230.54 million), transport, storage and communication (PHP172.64 million), community, social and other establishments (PHP140.68 million), agriculture and forestry (PHP130.36 million), and hotels and tourism-related services (PHP114.53 million).

As PhilGuarantee’s credit guarantee programs cater to a nationwide reach, Regions 4-A (Calabarzon), 3 (Central Luzon), 1 (Ilocos) 5 (Bicol), and 10 (Northern Mindanao) comprise the major areas supported by

he Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) PEZA says IT-BPO firms, locators can confirmed positive cases of African apply for 70-30 hybrid work scheme swine fever (ASF) in three barangays nformation technol- PEZA supports hybrid work in Banga town, South Cotabato.

I

ogy-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) companies and other PEZA-registered locators can apply for a 70-30 hybrid work arrangement that allows some of their employees to work from home.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Charito Plaza said that registered businesses can return to the regular 70-30 ratio, in which 70% of employees work on-site and 30% work remotely.

“Iniimbitahan natin ang IT-BPOs and other PEZA-registered business enterprises mag-apply kayo sa PEZA ng letter of authority (LOA) na gusto ninyo mag-avail nitong 70-30 work scheme…

Pinapa-justify namin sa kanila ano ‘yung mga rason kung bakit gusto nila mag-avail ng 70-30 hybrid scheme,” she said.

(We invite the IT-BPO companies and other PEZA-registered business enterprises to apply for a letter of authority if they wish to avail of the 70-30 work scheme. We ask them to justify the reasons for availing of the 70-30 hybrid scheme.)

Plaza reiterated that the

schemes.

The Fiscal Incentives Review Board earlier rejected calls to extend the 90-10 ratio in favor of work-fromhome beyond March 31.

This means that employees of IT-BPO companies operating in special economic zones must return to on-site work starting April 1.

The IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines earlier said employees had an “overwhelming” preference for a hybrid work arrangement.

The Alliance of Call Center Workers said last week that a “significant number” of workers in the IT-BPO sector are considering leaving their jobs after the government ordered a return to on-site duties.

Likewise, the Inter-Call Center Association of Workers said the government should consider the gradual return to the workplace as it called for a dialogue with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to come up with a solution, adding they were not consulted before the order was released.

Plaza said the current administration leaves it to the next administration to take on the task of institutionalizing hybrid work schemes.

According to Corinne Catibayan’s report on GTV, a total of 200 hogs have been culled as of March 31.

The PVET said they

PhilGuarantee releases P3 billion financing aid to over 20K MSMEs

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tate-owned Philippine Guarantee Corporation (PhilGuarantee) has reached nearly PHP3 billion in financing assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its credit guarantee facilities, in line with its key assistance role during the pandemic period that started in 2020.

PhilGuarantee president and chief executive officer Alberto Pascual said the agency’s credit guarantee portfolio for MSMEs registered a remarkable performance since the pilot implementation of the MSME Credit Guarantee Program (MCGP) in December 2020, with an initial portfolio of PHP207 million.

As of March 10, 2022, he said the cumulative releases

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

On why she is not in favor of the removal of face mask requirement even under Alert Level Zero:

Lisod kaayo ihatag-bawi, lisod magexplain sa mga tao.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

UNDERSTANDING BIRD FLU Last March 30, the Department of Agriculture (DA) declared the country is having an outbreak of Avian Influenza Type A subtype H5N1 or bird flu.

In Central Luzon, the number of avian flu cases was increasing. “Most of those affected by the outbreak were mostly ducks and quails,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar was quoted as saying by Manila Bulletin. “We already provided assistance to farmers affected by the outbreak.”

Even before he said those words, Dar said his department has already issued a memorandum circular to intensify its containment and control of the disease.

Here in Mindanao, bird flu has already been reported in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat. Dr. Allan Alimajen, of the City Veterinary Services Office, confirmed to Rappler that bird flu was detected in two duck farms in barangays Baras and Kalandagan.

As this developed, the Davao City government “is strictly monitoring the entry of poultry products at the checkpoints,” said MindaNews.

Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, of the City Veterinary Office, said the city has “put up checkpoints in various entry points to the city – in Lasang, Calinan, Marilog and Sirawan.”

Influenza, or flu for short, is a notorious killer. Hippocrates described fly in 412 BC and the first well-described pandemic of flu-like disease occurred in 1580. Since that time, 31 such possible flu pandemics have been documented, with three occurring in the 20th century: in 1918, 1957 and 1968. The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic killed some 20 million to 50 million throughout the world.

Every year, throughout the world, widespread outbreaks of flu happen. It occurs in epidemics, in which many people get sick all at once. In each epidemic, usually only one strain of flu virus is responsible for the disease. Strains are often named after the first location (for example, Hong Kong flu) or animal (for instance, swine flu) in which it was found.

The health website of the United Kingdom said there are many different strains of bird flu virus, most of which don’t

infect humans. However, two particular strains have caused serious concerns: H5N1 (since 1997) and H7N9 (since 2013).

“Although these viruses don’t infect people easily and aren’t usually transmitted from human to human, several people have been infected around the world, leading to a number of deaths,” the website said.

Since the first human case in 1997, H5N1 has killed nearly 60% of the people who have been infected. “But unlike human flu bugs, H5N1 bird flu does not spread easily from person to person,” says WebMd.com. “The very few cases of human-to-human transmission have been among people with exceptionally close contact, such as a mother who caught the virus while caring for her sick infant.”

Other bird flu viruses – particularly H7N7 and H9N2, and more recently H6N1, H10N8 and H5N6 – have also infected people, but these have been “very rare or only rarely caused severe illness,” the UK website claimed.

Bird flu affects many species of birds, including chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese.

It can be passed between commercial, wild and pet birds.

“Birds don’t always get sick from infection, so seemingly healthy birds may still pose a risk to people who come into contact with them,” the UK website said.

Migrating waterfowl – mostly notably wild ducks -are the natural carriers of bird flu viruses. It’s suspected that infection can spread from wildfowl to domestic poultry.

“Aquatic birds are the primary natural reservoir for most subtypes of influenza A viruses,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said. “Most cause asymptomatic or mild infection in birds, where the range of symptoms depends on the virus properties. Viruses that cause severe disease in birds and result in high death rates are called highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Viruses that cause outbreaks in poultry but are not generally associated with severe disease are called low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).”

Human infections with bird flu virus have been reported.

“Bird flu is spread through direct contact with infected birds

(dead or alive), an infected bird’s droppings, or secretions from their eyes or respiratory tract,” the UK website said.

“Close and prolonged contact with an infected bird is generally required for the infection to spread to humans,” the website explained. For example: touching infected birds that are dead or alive; inhaling or being in contact with dried dust from the droppings or beddings of infected birds; inhaling or being in contact with droplets sneezed by infected birds; and culling, slaughtering, butchering or preparing infected poultry for cooking.

Bird flu isn’t transmitted through cooked food.

Bird flu symptoms in people can vary. Symptoms may start out as normal flu-like symptoms. This can worsen to become a severe respiratory disease that can be fatal.

In February 2005, researchers in Vietnam reported human cases of bird flu in which the virus infected the brain and digestive tract of two children.

Both died. These cases make it clear that bird flu in humans may not always look like typical cases of flu.

DENNIS R. GORECHO LEGAL BYTES

MARCOS’ ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH CASES IN THE SUPREME COURT The Marcos dictatorship is a “well-entrenched plundering regime of twenty years”.

Thus ruled the Supreme Court in PCGG v. Peña (GR No. L-77663, April 12, 1988) in relation to the ill-gotten wealth cases where it noted the “magnitude of the Marcos regime’s ‘organized pillage’ and the ingenuity of the plunderers and pillagers with the assistance of the experts and best legal minds available in the market.”

Former SC chief justice Artemio Panganiban earlier enumerated some of the Marcos assets found by the Supreme Court to be “ill-gotten”: $658 million (Republic v. Sandiganbayan, (G.R. No. 152154. July 15, 2003) - PLDT shares (Yuchengco v.

Sandiganbayan, GR NO. 149802, Jan 20, 2006 - $3.37 million (Marcos Jr. v.

Republic, G.R. No. 189434 April 25, 2012 ) - collection of jewelry (Estate of Marcos v. Republic (G.R. No. 213027January 18, 2017) The cases applied the legal principle “whenever any public officer or employee has acquired during his incumbency

an amount or property which is manifestly out of proportion to his salary as such public officer or employee and to his other lawful income and the income from legitimately acquired property, said property shall be presumed prima facie to have been unlawfully acquired. (Sections 2 and 6 of Republic Act 1379 ) “Prima facie evidence” as defined by Black’s Law dictionary is “ evidence good and sufficient on its face, which, if unexplained or uncontradicted, is sufficient to sustain a judgment in favor of the issue it supports, but which may be contradicted by other evidence.”

The following facts must be established in order that forfeiture or seizure of the assets may be effected: (1) ownership by the public officer of money or property acquired during his incumbency, whether it be in his name or otherwise, and (2) the extent to which the amount of that money or property exceeds, i. e., is grossly disproportionate to, the legitimate income of the public officer.

In these cases, the legitimate income of the Marcoses had

been pegged at USD304,372.43, since they did not file any Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL), as required by law, from which their net worth could be determined.

The Court noted that under the 1935 Constitution, Marcos as President could not receive “any other emolument from the Government or any of its subdivisions and instrumentalities”.

Likewise, under the 1973 Constitution, Marcos as President could “not receive during his tenure any other emolument from the Government or any other source”. In fact, his management of businesses, like the administration of foundations to accumulate funds, was expressly prohibited under the 1973 Constitution.

In Republic vs. Sandiganbayan, the Swiss deposits which were transferred to and were deposited in escrow at the Philippine National Bank in the estimated aggregate amount of US$658,175,373.60 as of January 31, 2002, plus interest, were forfeited in favor of Republic.

The Court stressed that the release of the Swiss funds held in escrow is dependent solely on

the decision of Philippine courts that said funds belong to the Republic despite the absence of the authenticated translations of the Swiss decisions.

In Yuchengco v. Sandiganbayan, the Court ruled that the 111,415 Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corporation (PTIC) shares being held

by Prime Holdings, Inc. (PHI) bore the character of ill-gotten wealth, whether they were in the hands of Marcos or of Cojuangco. It noted that Marcos owned PHI, and that all the incorporators had acted under his direction.

In Marcos Jr. v. Republic, all the assets of Arelma, S.A., an entity created by Marcos Sr., with an estimated aggregate amount of USD 3,369,975 as of 1983, were forfeited in favor of the government. It was purportedly organized for the purpose of hiding ill-gotten wealth.

The New York Supreme Court (Appellate Division) utilized the proceedings before the Philippine courts when it issued its 26 June 2012 in the case Swezey v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (2011 NY Slip Op 05208 [87

AD3d 119] noting “the Philippine forfeiture law that predated the tenure of President Marcos; evidence demonstrating that Marcos looted public coffers to amass a personal fortune worth billions of dollars; findings by the Philippine Supreme Court and Swiss Federal Supreme Court that Marcos stole related assets from the Republic; and, perhaps most critically, the recent determination by the Philippine Supreme Court that Marcos pilfered the money that was deposited in the Arelma brokerage account.”

In Estate of Marcos v. Republic, the pieces of jewelry of the so called “Malacañang Collection” seized from Malacañang after February 25, 1986 and transferred to the Central Bank on March 1, 1986 with an estimated value of US$110,055 (low estimate) to US$153,089 (high estimate) was declared ill gotten wealth.

(Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786)

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

COMMUNITY SENSE

InLife c elebrates third year of Sheroes movement

Insular Life (InLife) celebrated the third anniversary of InLife Sheroes, its women empowerment movement on March 22, and called on Filipino women to be trailblazing masterpieces in their own right.

Titled Obra Maestra, InLife Sheroes’ 3rd Anniversary celebration aims to build a nation of masterpieces made up of trailblazing women in various sectors of the society who create meaning and purpose for others. They are women whose simple acts of Sheroism have improved the lives of others. These women masterpieces who have blazed the trail in various ways make up a Nation of Sheroes.

“Today we celebrate the third year since we launched our ambitious program, the InLife Sheroes, with the goal of helping women to be financially independent, to live healthier, wealthier and meaningful lives. Our target was to reach out to 1 million people in three years. We reached not just 1 or 2 or 3 million, but 7.6 million lives,” said InLife Executive Chairperson Nina D. Aguas in her

opening remarks.

“We at InLife and InLife Sheroes will always strive to do good and bring out the good in people through our advocacies. This year and onwards, we see InLife Sheroes as a movement that will flow, and grow even bigger and wider,” she further said.

Empowered Women Two Filipino women who have shown that they can make a difference in the world shared their experience and insights during the event.

Lorelie Quiambao Osial, the first Filipina to be named President and CEO of Pilipinas Shell and Country Chair of Shell Companies in the Philippines, is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and digital transformation. She spoke about gender and corporate leadership.

She talked how in her line of work, leadership really has no gender. She discussed her journey and success as a woman leader in an industry normally dominated by men, which she credits to her uniqueness and her being multidimensional—having many facets and

wearing many hats as she goes through life. Her brand of leadership is transformative, where leaders inspire and motivate people to innovate and create change that will help and grow the business, and shape the future.

Ana Patricia Non, who founded the Maginhawa Community Pantry that sparked the spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos during the pandemic, spoke about how her love for herself made her realize she has so much more to give to her community. She was the Grand Winner of the 2021 Asia CEO InLife Young Shero of the Year Award.

The Award aims to honor young Filipino women aged 40 and below who have achieved recognizable success in overseeing organizations that advance the country’s economic or social standing in the eyes of the world. Among the young women who make up the first batch of the InLife Young Shero of the Year Circle of Excellence are: Malou Perez of Pawssion Project, Maureen Ledesma of Vesl, Charlene Tan of All Vision Solar, Anya Lim of Anthill

Fabric Gallery, Nina Opida of Humble Sustainability, Karen Jane Salutan of Pinoy Indie Films Roadshow, Therese Clarence Ruiz of Rags2Riches, Ray Alyannah Ysabel Lagasca of Youth for Mental Health, Jenica Dizon of Waves for Water Philippines, and Atty. Therese Guiao of Parabukas.

“Para sa mga kababaihan, nasa atin na ang pagmamahal, pagaaruga, lakas at talino. Nasa atin ang mga bagay para simulan ang mga pangarap natin. Dapat ang pangarap natin hindi lang para sa sarili kundi para sa community, (As women, we possess love, care, strength, and intelligence. These things will help us in fulfilling our dreams. We should not only dream for ourselves but our community as well),” Ms. Non said in her speech.

She reminded women that giving out food and goods is not a requirement, that they can help by providing their expertise to improve the lives of others.

As Ms. Non pointed out in her message, “Kung ano yung expertise sa pinili nating larangan…pwede tayong magturo, pwede tayong

magvolunteer. Iba-iba po ang paraan sa pagtulong at hindi din tayo mauubusan ng creativity. (Whatever is our expertise in our chosen field…we can teach, we can volunteer our services.

There are different ways to help and we will never run out of creativity in doing them).”

A Nation of Sheroes To encourage more women to participate in creating and multiplying random acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, and make life a little better for those who need help, InLife Sheroes launched the Nation of Sheroes. InLife volunteers recently went to three areas and volunteered their services in Baguio, Muntinlupa and Davao Cities.

In Baguio, InLife volunteers packed and transported vegetables that they donated to the Maginhawa Community Pantry. This was done in coordination with Cordillera Landing On You, a group that helps Baguio farmers bring and sell their produce directly to consumers in Manila. In Muntinlupa City, volunteers helped pack art materials and hygiene

kits for the wards of Elsie Gaches Village, a facility that provides care and rehabilitation for children and adults with developmental disabilities. In Davao, volunteers brought food and hygiene kits for the pediatric cancer patients of the Southern Philippines Medical Center who are temporarily sheltered at the House of Hope.

How InLife Sheroes Started InLife Sheroes was born out of the company’s aim to recognize women as a pillar of strength and empower them. In partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, it launched the campaign in 2019.

The campaign has four focus areas: financial literacy, health and wellness, women-specific solutions, and access to social and business networks. Through the campaign, women from different walks of life have gathered to learn more about how they can better take care of their health, finances, and overall well-being.

To learn more about InLife Sheroes, visit www.inlifesheroes.com.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

GAME CHANGER

9

The lawyer is running for governor of Davao del Sur.

ATTY. ISRAELITO P. TORREON: DAVAO DEL SUR’S NEW HOPE

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO from Facebook

A

Bansalan-born lawyer is following the footsteps of the late Ramon Delos Cientos, the first governor of Davao del Sur. Atty. Israelito “Bobbet” P. Torreon is running as one of the five governor candidates in this progressive province of Davao. Those who want to vote for him should shade No. 4 in the ballot.

The four other candidates are Dolson Aldog, Yvonne Cagas, Carl Jason Rama, and Daylen Villamor. Among these five candidates, Atty. Torreon seems to be the dark horse.

“The challenges are almost insurmountable, what with lack of organization

and money,” he says. “But with the Supreme Being, hard work and perseverance, everything is doable for we are here on earth not to linger in every nook and cranny but to strive hard so that we may all become instruments in making our world a better place to live in.”

But what if he destined to be the next governor of the province? “I think I have prepared my entire life for (becoming a governor),” he says. “What I lack admittedly would be an efficient

Aside from his work, he also cherishes his family.

organization that can convert awareness into actual votes. While I also have a little money, it may not be enough to sustain a rigorous and costly campaign.”

In one of his rallies, he says it never crossed his mind to run as governor of Davao del Sur. But the untimely passing of Atty.

Douglas Ra. Cagas made him think otherwise. He admits that there is a need for a new leadership in the province.

“There are realities that I have to contend with but I’m finding ways to overcome them. I just really feel that there is a vacuum of responsible, decent and competent leadership in our province. Somebody competent has to step up knowing the enormous responsibilities that await the governorship,” he says.

Atty. Torreon cites the Mandanas ruling which will be implemented this year, hence enormous funding would flow into the local government units (LGUs).

“Such, however, brings concomitant responsibilities knowing that under the Magna Carta of the Poor (a new law), the LGUs are mandated to craft development plans as to how to respond to the rights of the poor to decent food, decent

When Atty. Israelito Torreon was invited as a speaker during the Women’s Month.

shelter and decent life. That would be an awesome responsibility that cannot be handled by anyone.”

Atty. Torreon has several plans for the province of Davao del Sur should he become the governor.

“I would implement a wholistic approach towards answering the need to respond to severe poverty while not neglecting the small businesses that need to thrive especially in this time of pandemic,” he says.

“I would identify the poorest of the poor and make sure that they can avail the skills training program that would help them acquire the needed skills

to earn a decent living,” he continues.

The government’s Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) program, he says, should be used to the maximum so it can train them, including the unschooled youth, mothers and those who desire to have more in life.

“I would maximize the training programs and assistance from the Cooperative Development Authority so we can create cooperatives for the poor, the youths, mothers and all national and provincial livelihood programs would be channeled through this scheme,” Atty. Torre-

on says. “This is the best way because in collectively, accountability is easily tracked.”

Atty. Torreon also believes that government, especially in times of pandemic and calamities, should be the stimulus for business.

“Hence the provision under the Local Government Code empowering LGUs to create local economic enterprises should be maximized.

“If plans to invite investors to create processing centers would not be successful, then the provincial government should lead the way towards the establishment of these pro-

FTORREON, P10

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required, except when eating or drinking.

The mayor said the easing of restrictions would pave the way for the open-

ing of the economy.

Meanwhile, Davao City remained under Alert Level 1 from April 1 to 15, 2022.

him said.

“Let us not allow the political season to disrupt our fasting and religious

activities, let us not allow our differences in choices to affect our fasting,” he said. (PNA)

in the last elections, possible employment of partisan armed groups, the occurrence of politically motivated election-related incidents and had been previously declared under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control.

Orange, meanwhile, means areas of immediate concern where there is a serious armed threat; while Red means areas of grave concern, which exhibit combined factors under the Yellow category with serious armed threats that may warrant the motu proprio (on its own) declaration of Comelec control.

Earlier, the Commission on Elections said there are 300 “areas of concern” or “election hotspots” that they are currently investigating.

“The Comelec announcement in connection to the 300 areas of concern this is including the other yellow, orange areas kaya ganun yung (that’s why is) 300. Nonetheless, I defer to the authority and better judgment of Comelec to make public the names of these areas,” he stressed.

2K cops reshuffled Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said close to 2,000 cops were relieved or reshuffled as their relatives are running in the coming elections.

Fajardo said 1,971 PNP members have relatives seeking various elective posts.

She also said that this is part of their moves to ensure that policemen will be “non-partisan” during the elections.

A total of 147 field commanders were also reshuffled.

Carlos said the PNP will conduct a command conference as part of their preparations for the 2022 elections.

“The PNP is continuously coordinating with the Comelec, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine Coast Guard to further validate information on some 300 localities recommended to be categorized as Election Areas of Concern. For the deputized agencies PNP, AFP, and PCG, this classification will further guide our respective agencies to make the necessary adjustments on the appropriate deployment of forces and other operational requirements,” Carlos said.

The PNP chief also reminded all candidates that no campaigning is allowed on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, according to the calendar of activities released by the poll body.

He said the PNP will strictly monitor all activities on those days and any observed violation will be documented and duly reported to the poll body.

With the Comelec’s completion of the printing of over 67.4 million ballots ahead of its April 25 target, Carlos said the PNP is also making early preparations to provide security for the transport of ballots and other election paraphernalia and equipment to the designated Comelec hubs in the different regions and provinces in coordination with the AFP and PCG.

properties respectively, both above the prevailing forward yield of the company.

On a blended basis, the resulting cap rate is 5.7%.

The properties will be exchanged for 263,700,000 MREIT primary common shares at a share price of Php20.00 per share representing a 3.8% and 1.4% premium over the volume weighted average closing price for a period of 30 and 40 trading days until March 30, 2022, respectively, based on appraisal reports and third party fairness opinion which were presented to, and approved by, the company’s RPT committee and board.

“Our objective is to accelerate our growth plans and double MREIT’s portfolio by the end of this year while ensuring that our acquisitions will be accretive to our shareholders. We aim to deliver an attractive total return to MREIT investors,”

adds Tan. In December last year, MREIT also acquired four (4) prime, grade A PEZA-accredited office properties in Iloilo Business Park and McKinley Hill.

Once the new acquisitions are completed, MREIT’s portfolio will cover 18 office properties in four Megaworld premier townships: 1800 Eastwood Avenue, 1880 Eastwood Avenue, and E-Commerce Plaza in Eastwood City; One World Square, Two World Square, Three World Square, 8/10 Upper McKinley, 18/20 Upper McKinley, and World Finance Plaza in McKinley Hill; One Techno Place, Two Techno Place, Three Techno Place, One Global Center, Two Global Center, Festive Walk 1B, and Richmonde Tower in Iloilo Business Park; and One West Campus and Five West Campus in McKinley West.

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cessing centers into coco oil and soaps. Our cacaos would be processed into world-class chocolates and the like,” he says.

“The PPP (Public Private Partnership) option under the build operate and transfer law would likewise be an option,” he continues. “A provincial PPP office can be created so that it can facilitate the establishment of enterprises for development in partnership with the government.”

Another project Atty.

Torreon would like to do, should he become a governor, is to build modernized ports in Malalag and Santa Cruz. “I likewise believe that the provincial government should be the catalyst for big-ticket projects that can bring real benefits to the constituents,” he explains.

He thinks the modernized seaports in the aforementioned towns “can bring direct and incidental benefits to the people.

Ports have always been known to be the spark plugs of progress of any society, hence, even if belated already it is now high time to make a big push for these to happen.”

These are just some of his plans although he has several others in mind. All these, he believes, could be accomplished if the other members of his team would be elected, too.

Running as board members of the First District are Atty. Julius Rizada, Marla Almendras, Sherwin Villapaz, and Ruben Canada. In the Second District, the following are running for board members: Erick John Cabuslay, Johnny Aguhar, Flordeliz

She said there is also an uptick of passenger arrivals from various countries including the United States, Japan, and Korea.

“Karamihan po sa ating arrivals Filipinos pa rin, mostly po from the Middle East ang nakikita natin na trends but nakakakita tayo ng uptick arrivals from the United States, Japan, and Korea,” she added.

(Majority of passenger arrivals were Filipinos, mostly from the Middle East. We also see an uptick in arrivals from the United States, Japan, and Korea.)

The Philippines reopened its borders to travelers from all countries, including from visa countries, starting April 1.

On February 10, the country started accepting business and leisure travelers from 157 visa-free countries for the first time in two years since the pandemic began.

Only fully-vaccinated foreign tourists from visa-free countries are allowed entry.

They should also present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result taken 48 hours prior to their trip.

banking services. Beneficiaries can now perform cash card loading via LANDBANK branches, receive funds through the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, and cash-in via LANDBANK Cash Deposit Machines, among others.

Previously, the CCT and UCT beneficiaries can only do limited transactions with their cash cards, such as withdraw cash from LANDBANK Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Agent Banking Part-

ners (ABPs) nationwide.

To provide the beneficiaries more financial access points, LANDBANK has also on-boarded a total of 888 ABPs in far-flung communities as of 31 December 2021 to ensure the timely delivery of government subsidies.

LANDBANK serves as the delivery arm for the National Government’s social protection initiatives in support of the country’s underserved and marginalized sectors.

the credit guarantee facilities, with PHP1.66 billion in cumulative releases since December 2020.

MSMEs belonging to the National Capital Region (NCR) obtained a total of PHP207.65 million in working capital assistance extended by banks, with the support of the agency’s credit guarantee franchise.

In terms of the number of MSME beneficiaries, Pascual added that more than 75 percent (15,308) of the total enterprises are those in the wholesale and retail industry, while the remainder is from the manufacturing (1,685), transport (170), other communities (1,051), agriculture and forestry (271) and hotels and restaurants (1,096).

Since the start of the MCGP at the height of the pandemic in 2020, the PhilGuarantee Governing Board

thus far approved a total of PHP37.7 billion in credit guarantee facilities to 34 banks.

Presently, a total of 48 banks have approved facilities with PhilGuarantee, where 18 are currently actively participating financial institutions, while 28 banks have completed guarantee agreement documentation.

“The approval of the credit guarantee facilities enabled the availability and accessibility of credit from banks that would have otherwise been reluctant to lend to MSMEs owing to the uncertainties that prevailed with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Pascual said.

For 2022, PhilGuarantee is projecting an MSME portfolio of PHP4.4 billion, with an additional 8,800 in beneficiary-enterprises. (PR)

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Matas, and Helen Pinter.

“My team and I will pursue projects and programs that will enable to elevate the standard of living of our poor constituents,” Atty. Torreon says.

“Pakusgan namo ang dagan sa ekonomiya pinaagi sa pagbalik sa kwarta nga gikan sa katawhan ngadto sa katawhan.”

The Team Torreon, as he calls his group, also will implement Sections 34, 35 and 36 of the Local Government Code, which states the local government units has the power to do local economic enterprise (LEE) so that productivity and income of the people will increase.

“Through the LEE concept, the provincial government shall now source the fertilizer and agricultural input needs of the farmers, distribute them evenly but payable on future income basis,” he explains.

According to Atty.

Torreon, the provincial government or through cooperative or people’s organization system “shall then buy their products and market them in Manila and other urban centers similar to the concept adopted by then Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol. A massive agricultural educational campaign shall be undertaken in order to impart to the farmers the latest agricultural technologies such as solar energy system for irrigation needs.”

Regarding PPP, he says the team will also sign a contract between private hospitals and municipalities which are somewhat far from Digos City like Malalag, Sulop, Bansalan, Magsaysay, Matan-ao and Santa Cruz.

“Aron nga ang mga masakiton nianing nga mga lugar nga lisod makaadto sa Digos mamahimong matambalan dayon sa mga partner nga mga pribadong hospital,” Atty. Torreon says.

In addition, he wants to hire more doctors and nurses for the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital – aside from increasing its hospital beds. “We will copy the Davao del Norte concept where senior citizens who cannot afford to pay their bills get treated by showing only their senior citizens ID and they are free of payment of hospital bills, medicines and the like,” he says.

“We will likewise implement a pro-active and community policing system (as opposed to reactive policing system) by integrating the Barangay Tanods as force multipliers of the police training them properly to become first-hand source of intelligence information direct from the books and crannies of the province. The province will likewise find a way to professionalize them by giving them proper training and augmenting their monthly allowance.”

Another program his team wants to do is to transform the province

into an eco-agritourism center by improving the advances made by previous leaders like building cable cars and world class facilities in the magnificent mountain ranges of Colonsabac, Matan-ao; Balutakay, Bansalan; and Kapatagan, Digos City while integrating the beautiful beaches of Sta. Cruz into the entire plan.

“We will maximize the potentials of our pristine waterfalls and rivers in Matan-ao and Bansalan and integrate the same into the wholistic eco-agricoutirm center vision of the provinice,” Atty. Torreon points out.

He also wants to copy what the Makati government is doing. “Nga kung tigulang nga mag-birthday, nay magharana sa ilaha ug regalohan ug birthday cake pero pakapinan nato ug bugas, tambal ug grocery,” he says.

The boy from Bansalan, Davao del Sur has gone a long, long way; he is now one of the finest and most in-demand lawyers in Davao City and other parts of the country. The eldest son of Carlos Torreon and Thelma Pañares – both school teachers – he struggled his way up, however. Although he grew up in a middle-class family, he had the will to succeed, and a brilliant mind.

Bobbet attended Bansalan Central Elementary School and finished his secondary course at Nazareth High School. He attended the University of the Philippines – Visayas for his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. In all those endeavors, he garnered honorific awards and assumed leadership in studentry.

He finished his law at the Ateneo de Davao University. He finally became a full-fledged lawyer on May 6, 1998. He pursued Masters of Law at San Beda University and qualified for a scholarship for Masters in International Humanitarian Law in Nalsar University in India. Likewise, he finished Introduction to US Laws, Systems and Methods in George Washington University in Washington, D.C. through the Institute of US Laws.

When he was 36, he became the president of the Davao del Sur chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). He was considered the youngest lawyer to hold such office in the province.

For more than two decades, he has been a law professor (in Ateneo de Davao University, Cor Jesu College of Law, and Jose Maria College of Law). He is also a law dean for about 12 years already.

Now, he is ready to become the next governor of Davao del Sur. He believes he could do his plans “because all my life whatever modest accomplishments that I have done have been self-made with the assistance of people who love me and with the guidance of the Supreme Architect of the Universe,” he says.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

SPORTS

11

Lakers center Anthony Davis is defended

by Denver’s Nikola Jokic.

Lakers, LeBron on brink after Denver rout

L

OS ANGELES, United States - Nikola Jokic scored 38 points Sunday as the Denver Nuggets sent the Los Angeles Lakers spinning to a sixth straight defeat and closer to elimination from NBA postseason contention.

With LeBron James looking on from the sidelines, a patched-up Lakers team was unable to contain Jokic down the stretch as the Nuggets powered to a 129-118 win at the Lakers’ Crypto. com Arena.

The defeat leaves the Lakers needing a miracle to overtake the San Antonio Spurs for a place in the postseason play-in tournament.

The Lakers are 11th in the Western Conference, with a 31-47 record.

San Antonio occupy 10th place -- and are on track for a spot in the play-in -with a 32-45 record.

With just four games remaining, the Lakers have precious little margin for error -- and dauntingly face a trip to the league-leading Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Defeat in Arizona could see them eliminated from playoff contention depending on results elsewhere.

If the Lakers fail to reach the postseason, it would mark only the fourth time since LeBron

James entered the league in 2003 that he has not gone to the playoffs.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel could not hide his dejection after Sunday’s damaging defeat.

“What’s it like? It sucks,” Vogel responded to a reporter.

“It sucks telling these guys every game ‘Proud of you, good effort -– we lost.’ It’s not fun but it could be worse, if things were untraveling. But our team has stayed together -– they’ve put in fight, their attitude has been wonderful,” Vogel said.

“It’s just disappointing to come in and keep saying we fell short.”

“It sucks we can’t get over the damn hump and put a ‘W’ on the board when we need it,” he added. “But our guys’ spirit is really pure. They’re fighting a good fight but we just keep falling short.”

- Doncic wins Giannis duel Vogel admitted the Lakers had been unable to contain Jokic during a decisive fourth quarter.

Jokic finished with 38

points, 18 rebounds and six assists.

Will Barton added 25 points while Aaron Gordon had 24.

“We didn’t have enough answers for him down the stretch,” Vogel said of Jokic.

Anthony Davis, clearly

struggling for full fitness, led the Lakers with 28 points, while Russell Westbrook finished with 27.

Elsewhere Sunday,

Luka Doncic won his duel with Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Dallas Mavericks downed the Milwaukee Bucks.

I think we made a lot of mistakes out there,” said Pumaren after the game.

“We did not execute the things that we were doing offensively.”

“And we just gave up.

We just gave up. That’s the way I see it,” he admitted.

La Salle trailed, 35-32, at the break in a defensive grind for both teams, but Ateneo found its rhythm in the second half where they shot 45.7% from the field. The Green Archers, in contrast, fell flat against the Blue Eagles and made just 10 of the 38 field goals they took in the second half.

Their backcourt, which had been a source of strength in their first three games, were held in check by their Ateneo counterparts. The trio of Deschon Winston, Evan Nelle, and Mark Nonoy combined to shoot a

measly 9-of-36 from the field.

“We told them that we didn’t really execute well tonight,” Pumaren said of his guards. “We were running away from what we should be doing.”

“We didn’t run the offense or the pattern that we should be running out there, and it ended up na that’s more forcing shots, there’s a lot of forced shots,” he added. “We had no discipline offensively.”

“That’s why I think we lost the ball game.”

Pumaren acknowledged that the Blue Eagles “really played good defense,” but was mostly displeased with their failure to execute. What made it more upsetting for the coach was that they were performing well in the first half, but got away from what was working once Ateneo began to pull away.

“There’s no execution,” said Pumaren.

“That’s why we ended up shooting bad shots, we ended up shooting poor shots.”

“We were doing things away from what we’re supposed to offensively. I think that’s why we shot pretty badly,” he added, as his team finished the game shooting just 30.6% from the field. “I can say that it’s because of the execution. We didn’t really execute. It was more of a lot of forced shots.”

The De La Salle Green Archers will look to bounce back on Tuesday against University of Santo Tomas.

“The most important thing is how we bounce back on Tuesday. Just gotta learn from our mistakes today, and we just have to go back to the drawing board,” said Pumaren.

We just gave up

T

hat’s how De La Salle University head coach Derrick Pumaren sums up his team’s performance in their rivalry game against Ateneo de Manila University last Saturday.

The Green Archers stayed competitive with the defending champions in the first half and even got within one point in the third quarter, but had no answer once the Blue Eagles turned up the pressure.

A 16-4 run to end the third period put Ateneo in complete control, and they cruised to a 74-57 triumph to stay unbeaten in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament. The Green Archers, meanwhile, lost for the first time after winning their first three assignments.

“Well, kind of frustrating, the way we played.

12 SPORTS

GINS VS MERALCO It’s not about the coaches.

Figure this one out.

Mind you, both Tim Cone and Norman Black will go back to their respective drawing boards.

For any adjustments if there are any.

This mainly concerns how Cone will want what specific role Justin Brownlee should play and how Black will want what assignment Tony Bishop will be tasked to do.

All of you PBA fanatics already know why imports like JB and Bishop are here. They are the keys to winning and losing.

Look, after Mike Harris was injured in the 4th quarter (and was unable to come back) in Game 5 of the Hotshots vs Bolts semi-final contest, Magnolia was never the same again. They were a sorry lot.

Cone realizes Ginebra is undermanned so he will expect JB to exert the same explosive output (47 pts., 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks) the latter scored against NLEX. You see, JB doubtless inspires and motivates his fellow Gins when he soars and explodes. Because of this, Scottie Thompson, Christian Standhardinger and the seldom-used veteran Jeff Chan (who sniped in 20 pts.) and even the pesky John Pinto have elevated their playing norms, not to mention the steady court generalship of LA Tenorio who I believe will outplay his Meralco counterparts anytime of the day.

But the Bolts, as a team, are more cohesive because Bishop essays a “fatherly” role Newsome and company respects and follows, unlike the prolific JB who, as you see, single handedly carries out the burdensome assignment of having to bail Ginebra out of trouble.

In the lengthy seven final series, Meralco could outlast Ginebra if the duel reaches Game 7.

That is the fear that Cone cannot but entertain in his thoughts.

Meaning, he will have to design a game plan to ensure the Gins take home the Gov’s Cup 4-2 or 4-1.

The law of averages might work in Black’s favor.

He has not beaten Cone in Meralco’s three championship outings against Ginebra.

Though at face value, this battle is a toss-up, Ginebra is clearly the favorite.

Thousands of Brgy. Ginebra fanatics will troop to the MOA, root for their idols and their collective thunderous chants will definitely energize the Gins’ quality of play.

It’s like when you personally watch the Lakers at the Staples Center and you share in chanting with the packed arena “Lebron,’ Lebron!”. That is the feeling.

Chris Banchero and Japeth Aguilar will play key roles for the Bolts and the Gins, respectively.

JB is predictable while Bishop is not.

When Brownlee has the leather, he will take the shot because that is his role - to produce the points.

Bishop need not always go to the basket. He can be a decoy to create an open shot or a teammate. When needed, Bishop will produce and how.

Cone has his first five already marked by Black.

Tenorio, Thompson, Aguilar, Standhardinger and JB. Black has a deeper bench from which to rotate his people.

Bangers like Cliff Hodge and Reynal Hugnatan may alternate on JB to tire him out and limit his contribution.

What an awesome duel at the backcourt between Tenorio and Newsome.

Can’t wait to watch this major battle between PBA titans.

Take your pick, folks. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 321 • TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

GinsvsMeralco

Gym members work out on the tread mill inside the Arcadia Fitness Center along Escandor Stree, Quim-