Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 3 | April 14-16, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

STAY NEUTRAL

FOR THE FLAG SPORTS P12 edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

A Catholic devotee kisses an image of a crucified Jesus Christ during “The Pahalik”, a common devotion that is being observed by the faithful after the 3 p.m. Good Friday mass, at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Brgy.

Sasa, Davao City pre-pandemic. The Department of Health asked the Catholic church and the devotees to avoid “pahalik” and crucifixion during Holy Week to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Edge Davao

CSC 11 reminds government employees not to engage in partisan political activities STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech during the Joint National Task Force - Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict-13 meeting at Almont Inland Resort Convention Center in J.C. Aquino Avenue, Butuan City on Tuesday afternoon. Handout

STAY NEUTRAL M

Migratory birds, potential source of bird flu, DA says

CSC 11 reminds government employees not to engage in partisan political activities

By MAYA M. PADILLO

A

n official of the regional office of the Civil Service Commission (CSC 11) reminded government employees not to engage in partisan political activity in the wake of the upcoming May 9 national and local elections.

“We are inviting our government employees to observe impartiality as we have this mandate that we should have refrain from performing acts that are considered partisan in po-

litical activities,” said Cyril Nathan Eamiguel, regional director of CSC 11.

Eamiguel reminded the government employees about the Commission on Elections and CSC Joint Cir-

cular No. 1 Series of 2016 which advised all officers and employees of the government including any of its agencies, subdivisions, and instrumentalities of the constitutional partisan political, statutory, and other regulatory prohibitions against engaging in any electioneering or partisan political activities Section 2 states that no officer or employee in the civil servive shall engage directly

or indirectly that include forming organizations, association or clubs and committees for the purpose of soliciting votes and or undertaking any campaign for or against a candidate or party as well as hold political rallies, parades or other similar assemblies for the purpose of soliciting votes.

The said mandate covered members of the Civil Service in all branches, sub-

with a total land area of 209,170 hectares, covering portions of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Norte.

Datu Randy Catarman, tribal leader of a tribal domain in the Agusan del Norte towns of Jabonga and Kicharao, thanked Duterte for his concern for the tribal

communities in the region.

“It is important that nowadays, we, the IPs, have legal recognition of our ancestral domain. And we are grateful to the Duterte administration for the approval and release of our title,” Catarman said in an interview.

Catarman said they

started applying for a tribal domain title for an area comprising five IP communities in Jabonga, Kitcharao, and Mainit towns as early as 2006.

“I am thankful to the President for finally awarding our CADT,” he said, adding their tribal domain is in-

FSTAY, P10

Duterte awards over 209K hec. of land to Caraga IPs

P

resident Rodrigo R. Duterte led Tuesday the awarding of six Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs) to various Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in the Caraga Region.

Duterte handed out the titles to tribal leaders representing the six CADTs

FDUTERTE, P10

igratory birds are potential source of Avian Influenza (bird flu) and an official of the Department of Agriculture in the region is advising poultry business owners to implement bio-security measures to prevent the entry of virus to the region.

“Dito sa Region 11 may identified tayo na critical areas for the migratory birds and part sila ng areas na sinu-surveillance natin sa pakikipagtulungan ng ating local government units (Here in Region 11 we have identified critical areas for the migratory birds they are part of areas under surveillance with the help of local government units),” Dr. Armie Capuyan, head of Plant Pest and Animal Disease Monitoring and Surveillance Section of DA-11 said.

She said that since they cannot control where migratory birds will perch, they are urging farmers to institute bio-security measures to prevent migratory birds from coming in contact with their poultry or farm animals.

“It is the farmers responsibility na ikulong ang kanilang mga ibon and possible mag-implement ng bird proofing gaya ng paglagay ng mga nets para hindi makapasok ang ibang mga birds sa kanilang mga farms (It is the farmers responsibility to contain their

birds and if possible implement bird proofing like installing nets so other birds cannot enter their farms),” Dr. Capuyan said.

She is sounding this call to farmers living near coastal areas where migratory birds converge and also those in the farms as wild birds would flock to eat at animal feeds scattered in the farm.

Dr. Capuyan added that Avian Influenza can also be transmitted to hogs, thus the need to institute bio-security measures in the farms.

No Local Case Currently there is no local case of Avian Flu, the avian flu case recorded in Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur came from a grazing flock of ducks which originated from a nearby province which is part of Region 12.

“Yung farmer po nanggaling sa Region 12, resident siya ng President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat, ang business nya po ay grazing ducks. Traveling ducks sila transient sila from one place to another, pumupunta sila sa areas na may harvest ng palay (The farmer came from Region 12, he is a resident of President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat. His business is grazing ducks. These are traveling ducks, transient from one place to another they go to areas where there are rice har-

FMIGRATORY, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

NEWS

3

A graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU)-College of Law is among the 14 bar passers recognized for their “excellent performance” in the first-ever localized and online examination conducted early this year.

Francis Roel L. Dulay was sixth on the list and the only one from Mindanao among those with “excellent performance.” Edge Davao

Expo to focus on resiliency of local, global Halal sector ADDU law grad among 14 excellent bar passers

A

graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU)-College of Law was among the 14 bar passers recognized for their “excellent performance” in the first-ever localized and online examination conducted early this year.

Based on the results released by the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Francis Roel L. Dulay was sixth on the list and the only one from Mindanao among those with “excellent performance.”

The excellent bar passers obtained scores higher than 90%, which comprised 0.17% of the 8,241 passers.

A total of 11,402 graduates took the 2020/2021 bar examinations with a passing rate of 72.28%.

The most recent examinations did not have the usual 10 topnotchers, one of the reforms introduced to recalibrate the grading system “to avoid unnecessary competition for the artificial top ten, recognizing that the examinations are not a com-

petition,” according to Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, bar chairperson for 2020/2021.

“The system of pass, exemplary pass, and excellent pass without any ranking already recognizes effort without encouraging needless competition among individuals,” Leonen added.

Out of 65 bar takers from ADDU-College of Law, 61 candidates passed, obtaining a passing rate of 96.49%.

Out of the 761 exemplary passers, 22 came from ADDU and four from Jose Maria College of Davao City with scores in the range of 85% to 90%.

The new law school Jose Maria College of Davao City and the re-established college of law of Rizal Memorial Colleges, also of this city, made remarkable performance in the bar examinations after obtaining a passing rate of 100%.

Leonen noted that the bar examinations for 2020 and 2021 “cannot

FADDU, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

D

Park.

It will feature events and discussions that aim to develop a new standard for both the local and international Halal economy such as local perspective on Halal

trade and tourism that will be presented by invited speakers among them are representatives from the Department of Tourism (DOT), international technology provider Fusionex, International Halal Accreditation Forum of the United Arab Emirates, and the Halal Development Corporation Berhad of Malaysia.

Marilou Ampuan, vice chairperson of the Regional Halal Committee, said 100 local and inter-

national participants and guests are expected to come to the expo.

“And as many viewers on our Zoom/Streamyard live stream,” Ampuan said during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape.

A B2B (business matching) will be conducted also which will be facilitated by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

“Ang difference lang jud sa PHTTE 2022 from

In his message, Baste said it is the goal of the city government of Davao to provide infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the cyclists and for the safety of everyone using the roads.

The government has completed in July 2021 the 54.74- kilometer Metro Davao Bike Lane Network project, which

spans the city’s 14 road sections including Quimpo Boulevard, Sandawa Road, Roxas Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Quirino Avenue, E. Jacinto Extension, Dr. A. Gahol Street, Mabini Street, F. Torres Street, Loyola Street, Porras Street, Inigo Street, and Decasio Street.

The bike lane network features white and green

pavement markings, signage, bollards, bike symbols, and concrete delineators to ensure the bikers’ safety while on the road.

Meanwhile, Ecoteneo, which is an advocacy group for environmental protection and conservation of Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), has

avao City will be hosting the 7th annual Philippine Halal trade and tourism expo which will highlight the resiliency of the local and global Halal economic sector in the light of the “new normal”.

Carrying the theme “Resilience in the New Normal: The Impact of Halal Economy Worldwide”, the expo will kick off on May 27, 2022 until May 29, 2022 at the Abreeza Ayala Business

A

cting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte urged Dabawenyos to use bicycles not only for sports and recreation but also as an alternative mode of transportation.

Baste said this after Davao City was recently awarded Silver as Most Bicycle-Friendly City by the 2021 Mobility Awards organizers.

FEXPO, P10

FBASTE, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

Due to lack of space, this sidewalk vendor displays the items she is selling on a multi-cab along Bangoy Street in Davao City. Edge Davao

PH ‘22 inflation rate not expected to surpass 5%

D

dicate inflation exceeding 5 percent. It could go towards 5 percent, however, the situation is uncertain,” he said.

During the rate setting meeting of the central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) last March, the Board hiked the BSP’s average inflation forecast for this year

and the next to 4.3 percent and 3.6 percent.

Average inflation projection for this year is already above the government’s 2-4 percent target band until 2023.

These were previously at 3.7 percent and 3.3 percent for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Inflation rate last March accelerated to 4 percent after staying at 3 percent in the previous two months.

Abenoja said the Board will again evaluate devel-

opments during its next rate-setting meeting in May. He said among the factors that the Board will be looking into are the oil prices in the international market.

He added that while prices are affected by oil price developments, the government continues to implement measures to address supply-side pressures such as higher importation of food items as well as subsidies, which are seen to also prevent second-round effects.

(PNA)

recently met with Diode Ventures president Brad Hardin and Endec Groups chief executive officer William Johnson.

“Diode Ventures and Endec Group discussed with the BOI their serious and very substantial investment plans in hyperscale datacenter and renewable energy generation projects in the Philippines,” the investment

promotion agency said.

Diode Ventures is an infrastructure development firm specializing in data center, renewable energy and telecommunications assets.

Endec Group, on the other hand, is engaged in design-build construction, construction management, program management, project management, and con-

sulting engineering.

The Philippines has become an attractive market for hyperscalers—firms offering scalable data storage services--being one of the top social media users globally and its growing e-commerce and cloudbased services.

As data centers consume huge energy, firms

omestic inflation rate is not seen to exceed 5 percent despite expectations of an elevated inflation rate until around the first half of 2023.

In a virtual briefing on Tuesday, BSP Department of Economic Research (DER) Managing Director Zeno Ronald Abenoja said oil price developm ents in the international market along with changes in commodities prices are among the factors seen to drive the inflation rate.

“Forecasts do not in-

BOI says PH continues to attract investments in data center, RE

T

he country continues to attract investments in data center and renewable energy as the Board of Investments (BOI) met with executives of infrastructure firm Diode Ventures, LLC (USA) and Endec Group, Inc. In a statement Tuesday, BOI said its managing head Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo

FBOI, P10

Digital banks expected to boost deposit accounts in PH -- BSP

T

hree of the six digital banks that have started operations since 2021 have onboarded 120,000 deposit accounts and the numbers are seen to rise further once the three other banks begin operations this year.

“Digital banks will significantly contribute to the growth and development of the digital financial ecosystem catalyzing the achievement of the financial inclusion and digital transformation goals,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

The digital banks that have started account openings are the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank), a subsidiary of the stateowned Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank), and Tonic Bank.

The other digital bank that has started operations is the Maya Bank while the other three that are set to start operations

within the year are the Gotyme, UnoBank, and UnionDigital, the digital bank of Union Bank of the Philippines (Unionbank).

Diokno said OF Bank is nearing completion of the three-stage licensing process to operate as a full-fledged digital bank while Tonik Bank and Maya Bank have completed the process.

He said Tonic Bank began its operations on Feb. 14, 2022 while Maya Bank started on March 14, 2022.

The digital banks, he said, are among the key enablers of the country’s digital transformation since these offer innovative and fully-digital products without the need for physical branches.

“This can spell the difference in digital bank operations and in greater market penetration, especially since 47 percent of Filipino adults are still unbanked. As cloud natives, their financial services can quickly cov-

FDIGITAL, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

ECONOMY

5

Different varieties of fresh fish are displayed at a stall inside Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Wednesday. Prices of sea produce are expected to increase during the Holy Week when Catholic devotees abstain from consuming meat. Edge Davao

Mount Hamiguitan reopened to trekkers

DICT streamlines process for tower, satellite, delivery firms

T

he Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday announced changes to the registration, accreditation, and monitoring of tower, satellite, and delivery companies to streamline and remove “red tape.”

In a statement, DICT Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Caintic said the changes were made through the DICT Department Circular (DC) No. 001, series of 2022 signed last Friday.

“This would achieve the instructions of president Duterte to remove red tape and unnecessary steps, costs, and procedures in governmental dealings, as well as conform to Republic Act No 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” Caintic said.

He expressed concern over a dialogue he had with the heads of various private express and mes-

senger delivery services (PEMDES) over their regulatory processing difficulties and other problems.

“As the chief government agency responsible for the information and communications infrastructure to supplement the growth of e-commerce that has led to the monumental rise of this delivery industry, I have taken measures to ensure that the policies and procedures for registration and regulation are streamlined and redtape free,” Caintic said.

He said the Postal Regulation Division (PRD) has been restructured into the ICT Infrastructure and Services Enabling Division (IISED) and will be under the “direct control and supervision” of the Office of the Undersecretary for Digital Philippines (OUDP).

“You may wonder why I have made such a decision and the answer is simple.

Private messenger and courier services are riding

FDICT, P10

T

DOT regional director Tanya Rabat-Tan said in a statement on Tuesday that Mount Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental is expected to attract not only mountaineers but also

naturalists and environmentalists from all over the country.

Mt. Hamiguitan was inscribed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organi-

zation (UNESCO) world heritage site on June 23, 2014 and declared as Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Heritage Park on October 21, 2014.

Following the approval of Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO) of the MHRWS announced that bookings have been reopened since April 11 to trekkers and mountaineers who wish to scale up

T

Ways and Means Committee.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, committee chair, told this to reporters on Tuesday as the SIPP would allow foreign and domestic investors to apply for tax incentives for their respective sectors.

Salceda said he expects

strong foreign direct investment (FDI) performance for the Philippines this 2022, after 2021 was the best FDI performance the country ever recorded.

“2021 was a strong year for FDI, thanks to the prospect of our reforms being finalized. 2022 is when these

he reopening of the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (MHRWS) starting Monday would boost efforts to make the region as “top-of-mind destination for culture, adventure and nature,” according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Davao Region.

Mount Hamiguitan.

Based on the simplified guidelines for trekking, mountaineering, and other activities in MHRWS, the allowed number of trekkers in every trekking duration of three days on campsites excluding the eco-guides and porters has been reduced from 30 to 15.

PAMO said in a statement that it would accept organized bookings only from its accredited climb

reforms are actually carried out in full. I expect even better FDI performance this year,” Salceda said.

In his letter to Salceda, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez credited Salceda’s inputs and support for the finalization of the draft SIPP.

FMOUNT, P10

DTI finishes final draft of SIPP under CREATE law he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has completed its final draft of the Strategic Investment Priorities Plan (SIPP) of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law and presented it to the chairman of the House

FDTI, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

On the endorsement of the Garcialed One Cebu Party to the BBM-Sara UniTeam:

Daghang salamat Gov. Gwen at One Cebu sa inyong pag-endorso at suporta sa amin ni BBM at buong UniTeam. Makakaasa po ang lahat ng Cebuano sa tapat na paglilingkod, at walang pagod na pagtulong para sa lahat lalo na ang maliliit. Mahalin natin ang ating Pilipinas!”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Deceptive images A new barometer is developing on media for this current election campaign using crowd shots on rallies.

Optical illusion has never been in full display than the one we are having now. Drones have become a viable tool for political parties and their supporters to relay images of massive crowd support or the lack of it in rallies.

We get it, elections have always been a numbers game and it all begins in the massing of people in campaign rallies. But it has never been as fully utilized as it is now in images posted on social media accompanied by crowd estimates. Of course, we know they are always bloated for impact to serve the purpose of whoever is using the image to their advantage.

It is a means of influencing people’s minds especially the undecided to decide via the bandwagon principle. Political campaigns have resorted to using visual images, sometimes even distorted and edited for impact, to create positive image and influence. We are not saying only one camp is into this strategy, most if not all employ the same. Another tool is to create visual images obviously scripted for effect to project the image of a candidate as a compassionate and caring person worthy

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

The campaign has brought to fore all ploys possible to win votes. It is a battle o creativity. The best imaginative brains win.

The electorate? They are the target victims.

Hence, being aware of the fact that these elections are a battle of social media campaigns and advertising is important. The best yardstick is still the three Ps of performance, platforms and policies.

Performance tells us of the background of the candidate in public service which reflects greatly what is perceived of him or her when in government.

Platforms are what they offer on the table. They may be crafted by their thinktanks but in a way reflects their focus areas in governance.

Then you have policies, which defines their stand on critical issues like crime, corruption, illegal drugs, foreign relations and environment.

People shouldn’t be fooled by images or the campaign shows on the road. They are but crafted images designed to win votes.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

of one’s vote.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WHY CHRIST DIED FOR US JESUS Christ, the central figure of Christianity, was born in Bethlehem in Judea. The chronology of the Christian era is reckoned from a 6th-century dating of the year of his birth, which is now recognized as being from four to eight years in error. Christians traditionally regard Jesus as “the incarnate Son of God,” and as having been divinely conceived by Mary, the wife of Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth.

The name Jesus is derived from a Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Joshua, or in full Yehoshuah (Jehovah is deliverance). The title Christ is derived from the Greek christos, a translation of the Hebrew mashiakh (anointed one), or Messiah.

“Christ” was used by Jesus’ early followers, who regarded him as the promised deliverer of Israel and later was made part of Jesus’ proper name by the church, which regards him as the redeemer of all humanity.

At the age of 33, his ministry in this world ended. He died for our sins – for all of us. First Peter 3:18 pointed this out: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just of the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” By the way, here’s how Great People of the Bible and How They Lived chronicled Christ’s last day on earth: “At about 9 a.m., a small procession left the Antonia and slowly made its

way to Golgotha (“place of the skull”), a hill outside the walls of Jerusalem where prisoners were executed. It was so named because its contour resembled a human skull. Jesus was accompanied by two other prisoners, a centurion and a few Roman soldiers.

“When they reached Golgotha, the soldiers stripped off the men and divided them among themselves as the crosses were assembled. Jesus suffered in silence as the soldiers nailed his wrists to the crosspiece with large iron spikes and drove another spike through both ankles. As they lifted his cross upright, his weight was supported by a peg jutting out from the cross between his legs.

The soldiers placed a sign on the cross, proclaiming, ‘This is Jesus the King of the Jews.’

It was a slow and painful death. Dr. Alexander Metherell – a consultant to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health of Bethesda, Maryland interview by Lee Strobel for his book, The Case for Christ, explained how Christ died: “Once a person is hanging in the vertical position, crucifixion is essentially an agonizingly slow death by asphyxiation.

The reason is that the stresses on the muscles and diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position; basically, in order to

exhale, the individual must push up on his feet so the tension on the muscles would be eased for a moment. In doing so, the nail would tear through the foot, eventually locking up against the tarsal bones.

“After managing to exhale, the person would then be able to relax down and take another breath in. Again, he’d have to push himself up to exhale, scraping his bloodied back against the coarse wood of the cross. This would go on and on until complete exhaustion would take over, and the person wouldn’t be able to push up and breathe anymore.

“As the person slows down his breathing, he goes into what is called respiratory acidosis - the carbon dioxide in the blood is dissolved as carbonic acid, causing the acidity of the blood to increase. This eventually leads to an irregular heartbeat. In fact, with his heart beating erratically, Jesus would have known that he was at the moment of death.... Jesus died of cardiac arrest.”

But before he died, Christ delivered what is now known as His seven last words. After saying all these, he perished.

“Later that afternoon,” says The Great People book, “one of Jesus’ wealthy Jerusalem followers, Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pontius Pilate and asked him for Jesus’ body, so that he might

give him a proper burial. After making sure that Jesus was in fact dead, Pilate agreed to let Joseph take the body. The kind man removed Jesus’ corpse from the cross and prepared it for burial.”

John 19:39-42 relates that Joseph was assisted by Nicodemus.

“Joseph bound the body from head to foot in clean, white linen strips, sprinkling fragrant species between the layers,” the book continues. “When he had finished, Joseph carried Jesus’ body into his garden, where there was a tomb that had been hewn out of a large rock. Inside near the rear of the tomb was a couch, also of stone, and Joseph gently placed the corpse upon it. Then he rolled a heavy stone across the entrance and returned to his home.”

“The death of Christ has a prominent place in the New Testament of the Bible. The last three days of our Lord’s earthly life occupy about one-fifth of the narratives in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John),” writes Henry Thiessen in Lectures in Systematic Theology. “If all the three and a half years of His public ministry had been written out as fully as the last three days, we would have a ‘Life of Christ’ of some 8,400 pages!”

One Bible scholar commented that the death of Christ is

mentioned directly in the New Testament more than 175 times.

Since there are 7,959 verses in the New Testament, this would mean that one out of every 53 verses refer to this theme.

More than that, the death of Christ is the essential thing in Christianity. Writes Thiessen: “Other religions base their claim to recognition on the teaching of their founders; Christianity is distinguished from all of them by the importance it assigns to the death of its Founder. Take away the death of Christ as interpreted by the Scriptures, and you reduce Christianity to the level of the ethnic religions.

“Though we would still have a higher system of ethics, were we to take away the cross of Christ, we would have no more salvation than these other religions. Napoleon said when banished to St. Helena, that Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and he found mighty kingdoms on force, but that Jesus Christ had founded His on love. This is true, if we mean love expressed in His substitutionary death.”

In his book, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Dr. John Walvoord agrees: “Christ in His death fully satisfied the demands of a righteous God for judgment upon sinners and, as their infinite sacrifice, provided a ground not only for the believer’s forgiveness, but for his justification and sanctification.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WOMEN IN DAVAO’S POLITICS (1) Politics has mainly been a man’s world, and it reflects as well the partisan background that dominates most parts of the archipelago. In Davao region, the historical narratives of people deciding the fate of an entire prov-ince have largely been dependent on male influence.

Women’s lib then was a taboo and disparity between genders. Even the Church, in her engagements, gave men the monopoly to lead religious rites, thereby demoting women to functions not associated directly with priestly functions such as hosting the fiesta banquet, decorating the stage, or simply cleaning the house of worship.

It was during the Commonwealth that women graced the political limelight. In 1938, President Manuel L. Que-zon chose Concepcion vda. de Asis and Remedios Ponfer-rada as

first lady councilors. They were reappointed in 1940 and 1941.

Ponferrada, a lawyer, was again reap-pointed in 1945 and 1946 and served during the Pelayo, Cabigon, and Villafuerte administration.

The first post-war elected councilor was Felicidad C. Santos; she won the 1955 polls and served five terms (1956-75). She became a member of Interim Batasang Pambansa (1978-84).

It took over a decade before another woman joined the city council. Cristina P. Principe briefly assumed as coun-cilor in 1967, followed by Julieta Claudio Feliciano, who served from 1981 to 1985. Feliciano failed to complete her term after her family migrated to the United States.

In 1983, Lydia S. Bangoy, formerly with the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Develop-ment, as-

sumed as city councilor, replacing her husband, Benigno, who died in office; she was replaced on June 20, 1986, following the People’s Power revolt. A year earlier, Rosalina S. Caro was installed as councilor but only served briefly (1985-86).

The post-EDSA era ushered in newcomers. Corazon Nuñez-Malanyaon, later Davao Oriental governor and congressman, was selected councilor on May 9, 1986, and won her first term in 1988. She served as vice mayor (Nov. 12, 1990-Jan. 11, 1991) during the three-month sus-pension of city mayor Rodrigo Duterte. She again held the post (April 1, 1997-June 30, 1997) after Duterte yielded the mayoralty to vice mayor Benjamin de Guzman. On May 28, 1990, Leonora T. Cascabel assumed as city councilor; she served until 1992.

The 1992 local elections welcomed the entry of new faces. Maria Frances Acosta-Robillo won her first term in the sanggunian and eventually served three terms (1992-95; 1995-98; 2001-04). Another newcomer was Nenita Roldan Orcullo, later head of the City Cooperative Development Office, who served the City Council four terms (1992-95; 1995-98; 1998-2001; 2004-07).

On February 12, 1993, Marlene Librado assumed as city councilor, replacing her dead husband, Erasto; she was reelected twice (1995-98; 19982001). Two weeks later, on February 25, 1993, Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz replaced her de-ceased father, former Davao City traffic honcho Jose Dal-odo. She was later elected to six terms (199598; 1998-2001; 2001-04; 200710; 2010-13; 2013-16).

Paz Mata, the barangay captain of Calinan and Associa-tion of Barangay Captains president, was installed in 1992 as ex-oficio member of the Council. She was elected coun-cilor for three terms (1995-98; 1998-2001; 2004-07). On Jan-uary 13, 1995, Elizabeth M. Fuentes assumed as city coun-cilor, completing the unexpired term of her deceased spouse, Agosto P. Fuentes. In 1998, Carmencita D. Cata-luña was elected as city councilor for a term (1998-2001).

Four Sanguniang Kabataan chairs also served as ex-oficio members: April Marie C. Dayap (2004-07; 2007-10); Jashera L. Gonzales (2010-13); Ma. Margarita B. Peloton (July 12, 1996-June 30, 1998); and Halila Sudagar (October 2007-October 2010). Dayap was later elected city councilor and served two terms (2010-13; 2013-16).

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Mining community in Palawan gets a P6.4M Advanced Air Monitoring Station

A FIRSTY in the MINING INDUSTRY in – the P6.4M Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) is to be established in the mining community of Bataraza in Southern Palawan. Photo shows the signatories (L to R) : Engr. Remmy Collado-Camo, NAC AVP for Safety and Envi; Jose Bayani Baylon, NAC VP for Corp. Comm.; DENR-EMB MIMAROPA Director, Joe Amil M. Salino; Masahiro Kamiya, CBNC President; Rommel A. Ibuna, GPI President; Engr. Pablito Estorque, Chief, Environmental and Enforcement Division - EMB MIMAROPA. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted its first fact-toface activity for the 1st Quarter Management Conference (ManCon) after two years since pandemic.

The ManCon was primarily participated

by 15 MGB Regional Directors from all over the country, Division Chiefs from the MGB Central Office, and headed by the MGB Director Atty.

Wilfredo G. Moncano.

During the opening program, DENR Secretary Jim O. Sampulna virtually gave his message and directed MGB to ensure that agency targets are

accomplished and even surpassed.

This Management Conference was hosted by MGB-XI headed by Atty.

Jasper Alberto H. Lascano, Regional Director. “We are happy to host the first face to face MGB management conference as our share to showcase best practices also in Davao Region.”, said RD Lascano.

Insular Life (InLife) finished strong in 2021 in terms of Net Worth, Net Income and Assets among all life insurance companies operating in the Philippines, according to unaudited quarterly reports submitted to the Insurance Commission.

InLife is the only Filipino company that belonged to the top five performers in the said categories: number two in Net Worth with P43.92 Billion, number three in Net Income with P4.67 Billion,

and number four in Assets with P151 Billion.

“Among the many indicators of life insurance companies, these three are the most important as they tell everyone about the Company’s financial health status.

InLife is in the business of insuring lives which means the most important for us is the Company’s sustainability so that we are able to honor our financial obligations,” said InLife President and CEO Raoul Antonio E. Littaua.

Net Worth, Net Income and Assets are among the top indicators of a Company’s financial health. Net worth is calculated as the total assets a corporation has minus its liabilities. Net Income, on the other hand, is the profit a business earns after deducting its expenses and taxes. Assets are all the available properties of every kind and possessions that will provide a future benefit for any corporation.

InLife, a mutual company, has been a life insurer for more than a century. Litttaua said, “we are a Filipino company com-

peting amidst all these foreign-supported companies.

We leverage on our 111 years of unbroken service to our fellow Filipinos. We are a mutual life insurance company, so our policyholders are also the owners of InLife. Above all, we are a Filipino company giving back to our country.”

Littaua also added that while InLife banks on its more-than-a-century-long service, it continues to invest in industry-leading technology in order to maximize its digital end-to-end platforms and remain competitive in this fast-paced environment.

Aside from this, he said InLife remains focused on its customer centricity agenda.

“Instead of focusing on our competitors, we concentrate on our customers.

They demand speed, convenience and clarity from us so we give them all these.

Our functional units know that at the end of each quarter, they must be able to identify at least one thing they have done in order to make our customers’ experiences much better. We cannot be a passion brand if we do not have the passion and compassion ourselves.”

InLife finishes strong in 2021; in the top 5 in net worth, net income and assets

The conference was also graced by other DENR Officials: Assistant Secretary for Finance, Information Systems and Mining Concerns, Engr. Nonita S. Caguioa; Assistant Secretary for Field Operations – Eastern Mindanao, Ruth M. Tawantawan; and Undersecretary for Field Operations – Luzon, Visayas and

Environment, Atty. Juan Miguelm T. Cuna.

The continuous streamlining of application processes for mining permit/contracts; implementation of Use it or Lose it policy where projects not giving revenue benefits to the government; and, conduct and requiring mining companies to set up real-time

monitoring instruments/ technology were among the topics discussed during the ManCon. “This Management Conference shall remain to be the venue to promote the advocacy for responsible mining and the commitment of MGB for its mandate and public service,” as stressed by RD Lascano.

DOST FPRDI promotes Bamboo for Wellness Products in Davao City The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office XI (DOST XI) thru the Davao City Science and Technology Center, in partnership with the DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) and the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Inc., rolled-out the Bamboo for Wellness Products through the conduct of Bamboo Hand Soap Making last March 19, 2022, in Brgy. Tawantawan, Davao

City.

The team of DOST-FPRDI, led by Dr. Jennifer P. Tamayo, taught some 15 Bantay Bukid associates from different local clusters about the procedures in making bamboo hand soap. Each participant was also given the chance to test the finished product through a handwashing exercise.

They also distributed Bamboo Charcoal-infused Hygiene Products to the identified residents of Baguio District, Davao City.

The Bamboo for Wellness Products were developed by DOST FPRDI to promote the use of bamboo-based products in combatting COVID-19 in the Philippines, especially for those who are in remote areas.

Bamboo grows in abundance in the protected sites of IDIS Bantay Bukid associates. Through the training, community members were taught on how to develop value-added products derived from bamboo.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

BIGGER PICTURE

9

At Calvary: Jesus Christ was crucified along with two thieves (Richard Goerg/ Getty Images)

J

esus Christ needs no introduction. He is perhaps the only non-fictional character whose life – birth, death, anecdotes, snippets, theories, and gospels – has been brought to life in movies more than a thousand times.

Among the famous films about the Son of God include the following: The Passover Plot (1976), The Messiah (2007), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), The Gospel of Us (2012), The Passion of the Christ (2004), King of Kings (1961), Jesus of Nazareth (1977), Risen (2016), Son of Man (2006), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Robe (1953), The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964) and The Miracle Worker (2000).

The following actors have played Jesus Christ in movies: Claude Heater, Jeffrey Hunter, Donald Sutherland, Victor Garber, Brian Deacon, Wil Ferrell, Chris Sarandon, Mat Ranillo III, Glenn Carter, and Matthew Modine.

These famous actors also portrayed the Son of God in films: Liam Neeson, Willem Dafoe, John Hurt, Robert Powell, Christian Bale, Jim Caviezel, Ewan McGregor, Joaquin Phoenix, John Legend, and Max von Sydow.

No matter how successful the film was, taking the role of Jesus Christ has been no easy feat. Take the case of Robert Powell who played the title role in Jesus of Nazareth. His photos, as Jesus Christ, according to Banthu Times, hung in churches, homes, cars, schools, offices and many holy grottos all over the world “to drive off evil forces and attract good

fortunes.”

This kind of adulation made the actor uneasy.

As he himself admitted, “I never cease to say and I repeat it to the world since 1977. I am not Jesus Christ; I am just an actor and British comedian.

I am tired of seeing my photos displayed in places of worship and other places for worship. I just make a film for a living.

Burn my picture and worship the only God in truth!

I am just an actor – Jesus is Lord!”

The Christian world celebrates two special events about Him: the day He was born (Christmas) and the day He died (Lenten). The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas in the world; it starts celebrating the occasion at the start of the “ber” months: September. It ends on the day of Epiphany (January 6).

While Christmas is celebrated with too much merrymaking and food, the Lenten season is different. Few foods are available for consumption; in fact, some Christians practice fasting. It is a complete opposite of Christmas.

On Good Friday, everyone is being reminded on how Jesus Christ died on the cross. According to all four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), Jesus was brought to Golgotha, “the place of skull” and crucified with two thieves, with the charge of claiming to be “King of

JUST WHO JESUS CHRIST REALLY IS?

by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Christ on the Cross: Done by Carl Heinrich Bloch, it depicted the death of Jesus Christ (Wikipedia)

the Jews,” and the soldiers divided his clothes before he bowed his head and died.

“Jesus Christ’s crucifixion was the most horrifying, painful, and disgraceful form of capital punishment used in the ancient world,” wrote Mary Fairchild for learnreligions.com. “This

method of execution involved binding the victim’s hands and feet and nailing them to a cross of wood.”

The word “crucifixion” comes from the Latin crucifixio or crucifixus, which means “fixed to a cross.” Before the actual crucifixion, prisoners were tortured by flogging,

beating, burning, racking, mutilation, and abuse of the victim’s family.

In the afternoon of Good Friday, most Filipinos go to churches to hear and pause, remembering the seven last words (siete palabras) of Jesus Christ.

Christ’s first cross utterance was: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This was closely followed by: “Verily, I say to you, today shall you be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

At the crucial moment of His life, some family members and friends paid a visit to Him. When He saw them, he told Mary (His mother), “Woman, behold your Son” and then turning to his disciple John, he urged to take care of her and said, “Behold your mother.” Read John 19:26,27 for further details.

Here are the four remaining last words He uttered: “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46); “I thirst” (John 19:28); “It is finished” (John 19:30); and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). After saying all these, he perished.

It was a slow and painful death. Dr. Alexander Metherell – a consultant to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health of Bethesda, Maryland - interview by Lee Strobel for his book, The Case for Christ, explained how Christ died: “Once a person is hanging in the vertical position, crucifixion is essentially an agonizingly slow death by asphyxiation. The reason is that the stresses on the muscles and diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position; basically, in order to exhale, the individual must push up on his feet so the tension on the muscles would be eased for a moment. In doing so, the nail would tear through the foot, eventually locking up against the tarsal bones.

“After managing to exhale, the person would then be able to relax down and take another breath in. Again, he’d have to push himself up to exhale, scraping his bloodied back against the coarse wood of the cross.

This would go on and on until complete exhaustion would take over, and the person wouldn’t be able

FJUST, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO STAY... FROM2

divisions, instrumentalities and agencies of the national government including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters and state universities and colleges; career officers holding political offices in an acting or officer-in-charge, uniformed and active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Naa ta’y identified na mga empleyado gani ang kasagaran na makuha namo niini mga pangutana ngano man kuno naa’y mga empleyado sa gobyerno na nag -en-

gage ug active partisan sa pgpangampanya. Kung atong tan-awon ang guidelines may mga political officers na may mga emploeydao na nag okupar ug offices na gi allow sila pag- engage sa active partisan sa political activities,” Eamiguel added.

Based on the circular employees engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities by members of the Civil Services is a less grave offense punishable by suspension of one month and one day suspension to six months for the first offense and dismissal from the service for the second offense.

habited by more than 2,000 members.

He also recognized the support of the personnel of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Agusan del Norte and Caraga in processing their claim.

In a statement, NCIP-13 said 12 CADTs were formally approved and recognized in Caraga inside the term of President Duterte.

A CADT, as defined un-

der Republic Act 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), is a land title formally recognizing the rights of possession and ownership of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/ IPs) over their Ancestral Domains.

The IPRA law describes the CADTs as the backbones of the IP communities in the country. (PNA)

vests),” Dr. Capuyan said.

The ducks entered the region in February of this year and during that time DA-11 had received reports of an avian influenza case in Region 12.

The DA-11 immediately checked on the borders of the region and with the help of the LGU identified duck farmers who have entered Region 11.

“May na-identify sila so gi quarantine po natin yung mga farmers no

movement at the same time priniority natin sila for test sa avian influenza (They identified farmers so we quarantined them no movement at the same time we prioritized them for tests on avian influenzas),” Dr. Capuyan said.

The flock, where ducks were found positive of avian influenza were depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease to local birds. (PIA XI/RG Alama)

organizer, JM Boundless Adventure Tour Assistance Services, which is operated by John Meryl G. Jayno.

It added that individuals may also organize their own group climbs after review of requirements and verification of trekkers.

Rabat-Tan said DOTDavao is delighted with the reopening of Mt. Hamiguitan and reminded trekkers to preserve it, urging the visitors to practice responsible mountain climbing by adhering to “all Leave No Trace principles.”

“With such honor, we are also obligated with the formidable task of protecting this treasured wildlife sanctuary, touted to have one of the richest biodiversity in the country,” she said.

Rabat-Tan added that trekkers must ensure that they follow the necessary safety measures.

“This will not only minimize our impact on Hamiguitan’s lush forest but also ensure safety in our journey. With simple tasks, such as sticking to a single trail, respecting local flora and fauna, and

taking your trash back, we can help preserve this area of natural beauty for many years to come,” she added.

The Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, declared a protected area under Republic Act 9303, measures 16,923 hectares covering the municipalities of San Isidro and Governor Generoso and Mati City.

Scientists have recorded 963 species of flora and 440 species of fauna in Mt. Hamiguitan, 341 of which are endemic to the Philippines.

The plants include 729 angiosperms, 27 conifers, 164 ferns and allies, 17 mosses, 13 liverworts, and 13 lichens while the known fauna include 15 species of non-flying mammals, 11 species of flying mammals, 108 species of birds, 33 species of reptiles, 18 species of frogs, 142 species of butterflies, 31 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 46 species of spiders, four species of earthworms, 15 species of nematodes, and 17 species of freshwater fish. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

DUTERTE... FROM2

MIGRATORY... FROM2

MOUNT... FROM5

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

EXPO... FROM3

JUST... FROM9

the previous Expo so far is the discussion on the perspectives of the local MSMEs during the pandemic as well as the opportunities na nag arise because of the pandemic.

We showcase not just the halal culture and cuisines of the Consulate offices but also the experiences of the MSMEs,” Ampuan said.

The expo will also launch the Memorandum Circular 2020-010 Guidelines governing the operations and recognition of Muslim-friendly accommodations and establishments. Also will be launched is the Halal Research Ecosystem for

Development and Innovations (REDI) Tourism Program.

The event will be culminated with discussions on the potential market access and opportunities for Halal trade between the Philippines and Malaysia, Dubai, Brunei while discussions on the local sector include the importance of Halal certification for the stimulation of local economy and international trade.

“We also put extra focus on government financing support and innovation funds, Islamic banking and finance, and Halal Certification,” Ampuan said.

be compared with any past bar examinations” because of the “several waves of the COVID-19 pandemic” and a super typhoon that battered the Visayas region.

He said they ended up conducting “the first ever

digitalized and localized bar examinations,” mobilizing 7,000 personnel “to conduct the examination efficiently in 29 local testing sites across 22 local government units.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

applauded the city government of Davao for setting up the bike lanes and is expecting the city will do more network-wise.

“The bike lanes are not enough yet because there are parts (planning) na hindi pa natin nakikita.

Some of the observations or comments ay yung drainage na vertical delikado kasi yun sa mga maninipis na gulong at may mga kasamahan tayo na na aksidente na,” said Carmela Marie Santos, director of Ecoteneo in an interview The 2021 Mobility Awards organizers are composed of the Institute

for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), MNL Moves, Climate Reality Project Philippines, 350 .Org Philippines, and Pinay Bike Commuter for Mobility Awards, in a virtual ceremony in November last year on the occasion of the National Bicycle Month.

A total of seven cities from Mindanao competed for the title of Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities all over the Philippines. Aside from Davao City, the other awardee is Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental which received a Bronze Rank.

By Maya M. Padillo

the growth brought about by e-commerce in the country,” Caintic said.

By simplifying and making the process easy for companies entering the PEMDES space, he said the DICT hopes to enable companies that will bring “thousands of jobs” to Filipinos, provide services to online sellers, and improve the sector.

He noted that the logistics market alone is set to reach over PHP1 trillion by 2024.

“These are just some of the measures I have ap-

proved to better improve the regulatory environment in the ICT space. I have instructed my officials and staff to best ensure that our processes and procedures are efficient, effective, and redtape-free,” Caintic said.

According to the DICT DC No. 001, series of 2022, the processing of applications for registration and accreditation of satellite systems providers or operators and independent tower companies will also be under the purview of the IISED. (PNA)

“Following the constructive meeting with you of Undersecretaries Rafaelita Aldaba and Ceferino Rodolfo, we have adopted the Interim-Transitional-Comprehensive Framework approach to the SIPP,” Lopez wrote Salceda.

Lopez also cited the House committee’s resolution supporting the framework, which contributed to the approval of the list by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB).

“The actual draft was presented to the FIRB Technical Committee on

31 March 2022 as well as to Investment Promotion Agencies the same day,” Lopez added.

Salceda said the issuance of the SIPP will allow sectors not listed in the 2020 Investment Priorities Plan to apply for tax incentives and invest in the Philippines.

This, he said, will create new jobs and business opportunities for the Philippine economy.

“I thank Secretaries Lopez and (Finance Secretary Carlos) Dominguez for the work they have done on

ADDU... FROM3

BASTE... FROM3

DICT... FROM5

DTI... FROM5

to push up and breathe anymore.

“As the person slows down his breathing, he goes into what is called respiratory acidosis - the carbon dioxide in the blood is dissolved as carbonic acid, causing the acidity of the blood to increase. This eventually leads to an irregular heartbeat. In fact, with his heart beating erratically, Jesus would have known that he was at the moment of death.... Jesus died of cardiac arrest.”

Jesus, however, was not just an ordinary human being when He came into this world. He defied what we all know and do.

Here’s a random miracles He did, as one chronicler recalled: In chemistry, Jesus turned water to wine (the first miracle he did during a wedding in Cana).

In biology, He was born without the normal conception. His mother, Mary, was a virgin lady and was supposed to get married when she became pregnant.

In physics, he disproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven. In economics, He disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5,000 men two fishes and five loaves of bread.

In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs. In history, He is the beginning and the end.

In government, He

said that He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, and Prince of Peace.

And in religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through Him. The name Jesus is derived from a Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Joshua, or in full Yehoshuah (Jehovah is deliverance). The title Christ is derived from the Greek christos, a translation of the Hebrew mashiakh (anointed one), or Messiah.

“Christ” was used by Jesus’ early followers, who regarded him as the promised deliverer of Israel and later was made part of Jesus’ proper name by the church, which regards him as the redeemer of all humanity.

In short, Jesus is the greatest man in history.

An anonymous author described Him in this manner: “Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. He had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.”

Jesus Christ came into this world to save the lost.

As John 3:16 said: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

are eyeing renewable energy resources to supply the power demand of hyperscalers for a low carbon emission.

The BOI has been promoting the Philippines as a strategic hub for hyperscalers in the region.

(PNA)

er broader distances at much lower cost than traditional brick and mortar banks,” he said.

Diokno said the sector is also a big boost in empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which accounts for around 99.6 percent of businesses in the country.

Among the product offerings of the digital banks to date include corporate deposits and credit, which, Diokno said “enable MSMEs to access a transaction account for payment collection, disbursement, and bills payment.”

With these innovations, Diokno the central bank “remains committed to providing an enabling regulatory environment that fosters digital inno-

vation and transformation, while ensuring that attendant risks are effectively managed.”

He said “the BSP continues to enhance regulations to promote a secure environment for digital banks’ and these measures include the issuance amending Information Technology risk management policies, particularly on the implementation of automated and real-time fraud monitoring and detection systems.

“Moreover, the BSP has consistently been proactive in promoting cyber resiliency and advocating for the zero-trust model to strengthen cybersecurity and IT risk management regulations,” he added. (PNA)

the SIPP. This will no doubt encourage more investors, particularly in high-value sectors to locate in the Philippines and avail of some of the best incentives in the Asean,” Salceda said.

The CREATE law, which took effect on April

11, 2021, reduced corporate income tax (CIT) from 30 percent to 25 percent for large corporations and to 20 percent for small and medium enterprises that have net taxable income not higher than PHP5 million.

BOI... FROM4

DIGITAL... FROM4

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS

11

The Growling Tigers pounced on the Red Warriors in the final three quarters after the latter had yet another solid start only to fizzle in the end.

UST clobbers UE to keep Final Four hopes alive

T

he University of Santo Tomas (UST) began what could be its late dash to the UAAP men’s basketball Final Four after taking down the University of the East (UE), 72-61, at the start of their second-round campaign at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Tuesday night.

Doncic out due to calf strain

S

lovenian NBA star Luka Doncic has been sidelined with a left calf strain, Dallas Mavericks confirmed Tuesday.

“Doncic has begun treatment and there is no timetable for his return.

Updates will be provided as available,” the Mavericks said in a statement.

The 23-year-old guard sustained the injury in

the third quarter of the Mavericks’ 130-120 victory against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Doncic, playing for the Mavericks since 2018 averaged 28.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 9.1 rebounds in 65 games this season.

Dallas will take on the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday. (Anadolu)

The Growling Tigers pounced on the Red Warriors in the final three quarters after the latter had yet another solid start only to fizzle in the end.

Looking to finally barge into the win column after going 0-7 in the first round, UE put on a solid

effort on both ends of the court in the first quarter en route to a 21-11 lead.

But UST held UE to just nine points in the second quarter before erupting for 26 in the third.

The Tigers turned the game into a blowout after limiting the Warriors

to just 10 fourth-quarter points.

Sherwin Concepcion hit 17 points on five triples, 11 rebounds, and one assist for UST, which tied Far Eastern University in fifth place at 3-5, a full game behind National University (4-4) for fourth

Dallas star forward Luka Doncic has been sidelined with a left calf strain.

place.

Dave Ando added 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Kyle Paranada made 17 points, one rebound, two assists, and three steals for UE, which lost despite making 12 three-pointers and fell to 0-8. (PNA)

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 3 • APRIL 14-16, 2022

Eumir Marcial with trainer Freddie Roach.

FOR THE FLAG

Marcial starts build up for SEA Games

C

elebrated Pinoy fighter Eumir Marcial is set to return to the Philippines and switch back to his amateur roots.

This after the Olympian boxer won his second professional boxing match, Marcial stopped American Isiah Hart in the fourth round of their middleweight encounter last April 9 in Las Vegas, where they fought in the undercard of the Erickson Lubin - Sebastian Fundora title fight.

The 27-year-old Marcial recovered from three knockdowns en route to the stoppage victory, the first of his pro career. He won his professional debut against Andrew Whitfield via unanimous decision in December 2020.

“I was happy that I won Saturday night against Isiah Hart. I need to go back to the drawing board and fix a few things and I will be back stronger,” said Marcial.

Marcial will leave for the Philippines on Wednesday before flying to Thailand to join the national team in their preparation for the 31st Southeast Asian Games. The heavy-handed Marcial has won SEA Games gold in 2015,

2017, and 2019.

“I will return to the Philippines for a few days of rest and then I will head to Thailand to train for the Southeast Asian Games which will be held in Vietnam,” said Marcial.

“I look forward to taking my fourth straight gold medal.”

“It takes hard work to do that and I promise my full commitment to the Philippines in the upcoming SEA Games,” he added. “I look forward, as always, to bringing pride and honor to the Philippines.”

Marcial’s return to the national team was supported by MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons, who also praised the Tokyo Olympian for overcoming adversity against Hart.

“They say you truly don’t know a man until he is knocked down, and in Eumir’s case it was three times, and how they get up,” said Gibbons. “We found out that Eumir has a tremendous Filipino heart and his will to win emanates from it.”