Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 170 | Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022

READY FOR TAKE OFF

Construction of ‘Dream Bridge’ to start February, 5-year completion targeted

By MAYA M. PADILLO

PBBM expresses support for Metro Davao Dev’t Authority

President Ferdinand R. Marcos is supportive of the establishment of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), Malacañang said Thursday.

opment plans.

The

construction of the Samal Is land-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project, which broke ground on Thursday, is expected to commence in February next year.

The ‘Dream Bridge’ is set to be operation al by 2027, according to an official of the project contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).

In an interview, Yuan Xiao Cong, project manag er of CRBC, said current

ly they are doing the soil sampling and geotechni cal survey for the project.

“You can see in the middle of the sea (Paki putan Strait) we already started and also started geotechnical and design of the foundation. Based on schedule about Febru

ary next year we will start the construction,” Cong said during the ground breaking ceremony.

He also said that the completion of the bridge, if will include the start of the implementation of the design and build contract on September 1, 2022, which means the target completion for the multi-billion-peso bridge project will be 60 months.

The bridge has a width of 24 meters and a verti cal navigation clearance

of up to 47 meters. Envi sioned as a 3.98-kilome ter, 4-lane bridge that will link Samal Island to Davao City, SIDC will cross over Pakiputan Strait, support ed by two pylons with a height of 73 meters.

When completed, SIDC is seen to facilitate the economic advance ment of the Davao Region, and further boost the tourism potential of IG aCoS, known for its pris tine beaches.

City gov’t of Davao reconstitutes DFTC Exec Board, three other special groups

The City Government of Davao, in an exec utive order (EO), has reconstructed the Davao Food Terminal Complex (DFTC) Executive Board and three other special groups, amending EO No. 8, Series of 2017.

EO No. 60, Series of 2022, which was signed by Mayor Sebastian “Baste”

Duterte on October 26, 2022, also reconstituted the Infrastructure Monitor

ing Team, Technical Work ing Group, and the Secre tariat.

“There is a need to re constitute the Management and Structure of the DFTC, consistent with the pro visions of Ordinance No. 0823-21, Series of 2021, and amending Executive Order No. 08, Series of 2017 - An Order Creating the Davao Food Terminal Complex Executive Com mittee, Defining its powers,

Functions, and Duties,” EO 60 states.

The EO provides that Davao City recognizes its potential and role as Mind anao’s premier agricultur al and trade center, that’s why its Comprehensive De velopment Plan included the establishment of trade facilities with appropriate marketing strategies with in and outside the city.

The DFTC was es tablished to “ensure the

achieve ment of such aspirations.”

The city mayor, or in his absence, the city admin istrator will serve as the chairperson of the DFTC Executive Board, while the assistant city administra tor for operations is the vice-chairperson.

Its members are the city agriculturist, Sanggu niang Panlungsod Commit tee on

In a press release, the Palace said Marcos ex pressed support for the MDDA during a situation briefing with regional di rectors as part of the Presi dent’s visit to Davao City.

Malacañang has not re leased details about what was discussed during the meeting as of posting time.

In April this year, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11708 creating the MDDA, a spe cial body mandated to co ordinate and promote the socio-economic growth and sustainable development of Metropolitan Davao.

It will have jurisdiction over the cities of Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Island Gar den in Samal, Digos, and Mati, as well as the munic ipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hago noy, Padada, Malalag, Sulop, Carmen, Maco, Malita and Sta. Maria.

Among its services are development planning; transport management; sol id waste disposal and man agement; flood control and sewerage management; urban renewal, zoning, land use planning and shelter services; health and sanita tion and public safety.

The MDDA is designated to formulate plans aligned with the Davao Regional Development Plan, Phil ippine Development Plan 2017-2022, and succeeding national and regional devel

It is also tasked to set policies concerning traffic, waste management and public safety and security for Metropolitan Davao; prepare and implement metropolitan-wide pro grams and projects; review and recommend policies to the Metropolitan Davao De velopment Council; install and administer a single tick eting system; and prescribe and collect service and reg ulatory fees.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Davao regional di rector Maria Lourdes Lim said the MDDA is currently in its “formative stages.”

She said the law still requires the completion of its implementing rules and regulations; the approval of plantilla for the human re source; and a budget.

To date, she said the Jap anese government, through the Japan International Co operation Agency (JICA), has already approved a grant for the formulation of the master plan for Metro politan Davao.

A survey team is expect ed to prepare a masterplan project for Metro Davao next week, she added.

Addressing Davao’s ur ban challenges Meanwhile, Marcos also directed Davao’s Regional Development Council (RDC) to convene the Davao Inter national Airport Authority Board (DIAAB) and opera tionalize programs which aim to address Davao’s ur ban challenges.

The President said he

Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) spokesperson Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo says the agency will impose anti-bullying policies once proven the veracity of the report of an incident involving a student of a public school in Davao City who was beaten up by his classmate. Edge Davao

DepEd 11 conducts probe on bullying case vs student

Oplan Kalinaw

The Davao City Po lice Office (DCPO) on Friday delivered free public services to the residents of Barangay 9-A through the Oplan Kalinaw, a community outreach and medical mission program that aims to foster stronger Police-Community Rela tionship in the city.

Friday’s program was the fourth one conducted under the Oplan Kalinaw since its relaunching on September 16. It was also the second Oplan Kalinaw conducted within the area of responsibility of the Police Station 2.

The DCPO was joined by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Veterinar ian’s Office, Task Force Davao, the Civil Security Unit, and the Barangay 9-A functionaries.

National agencies like the Department of Health, Philippine Statistics Au thority (PSA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP),

Department of Labor and Employment, Public Em ployment Service Office, PNP Maritime Group, PRO Regional Medical and Dental Unit also offered some of their services to the residents.

Civil society groups like the Davao Eagle’s Club, Love Philippine Movement, Sara Riders Club and Kiwanis Club of Davao City also joined the event.

Over 300 residents availed themselves of ser vices such as free haircut, massage, general medical consultation, pre-regis tration and evaluation to social programs and assistance, National ID (PhilSys) registration, employment services and others.

Speakers from the DCPO Women and Chil dren’s Protection Desk gave a lecture on “safe and unsafe touch” to children who were later entertained with a mag

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) spokesperson Jenielito “Dodong”

Atillo said the agency will enforce appropriate anti-bullying sanction against a student accused of mauling a fellow stu dent in a public school in Davao City.

A video of the bullying incident went viral online showing a student in a red t-shirt being beaten up by another student while oth

er students watched.

According to Atillo the school is already investi gating the said incident and once DepEd 11 ascertained

the veracity of the report and the incident, the child protection and anti-bul lying policies will be em ployed.

“The school’s child pro tection committee (CPP) will take the lead in taking appropriate actions under regulations,” he said in a Facebook message.

Atillo is referring to DepEd Order (DO) No. 55 s. of 2013 or the Imple

menting rules and regula tions (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10627 otherwise known as The Anti-Bully ing Act of 2013 which re quires all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and ad dress the acts of bullying in their institutions. which covers all public and pri vate kindergarten, elemen tary, and secondary schools

Tupas’ counsel wants denial of Motion to Quash in Bello case

date Walden Bello.

Lawyer

Caesar Europa, legal counsel of for mer Davao City Infor mation officer Jefry Tupas, wants the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 in Davao City to deny the Mo tion to Quash and proceed with arraignment and pre-trial for two counts of cyber libel against former vice-presidential candi

This developed follow ing the filing of Motion to Quash by lawyers of Bello concerning the indictment against him by the City Prosecutor’s Office for his alleged malicious state ment against Tupas who was allegedly involved in a drug raid in Mabini, Davao de Oro in November last

year.

On a 15-page mo tion filed before the RTC Branch 10 in Davao City on October 24, 2022, Bello’s lawyers maintained that the facts in the criminal information did not con stitute an offense because Tupas was a public officer and that the complained online post was a “com

mentary or criticisms” on her “official conduct.”

In his comment and/or opposition to the Motion to Quash Ad Cautelam filed before the RTC Branch 10, Europa commented that the motion should be sum marily denied for being a Prohibited Motion.

Europa argued that

Davao City Vice Mayor Jesus Melchor Quitain Jr. (right) interacts with Lumad leaders during the opening of an exhibit at SM Lanang Premier, Davao City on Wednesday (October 26, 2022) featuring the unique con servation philosophies and customary practices of tribal people around Mt. Apo. Initiated by the Philippine

Eagle Foundation, the exhibit showcases the Bagobo Tagabawa-Sibulan, Bagobo Tagabawa-Toril, Bagobo Klata, Obu Manuvu, and Manubun Tinonanon. MindaNews photo

FDEPED,

Fitch keeps PH’s BBB credit rating with negative outlook

Debt watcher Fitch Ratings on Thurs day said it has affirmed the Philip pines’ investment-grade BBB rating with a negative outlook.

Fitch said the ‘BBB’ rating balances strong growth, external finances and a credible economic policy framework against lagging structural indica tors, including per capita income and governance, relative to peers.

It also said that while the Philippines is fore cast to post strong growth this year, its prospects in the succeeding years are

clouded by several risks.

The credit watcher said “the negative out look reflects risks to the country’s medium-term growth prospects, fiscal adjustment path and ex ternal buffers in an envi ronment of higher inter est rates, weaker external demand and higher com modity prices.”

GDP is forecast to grow 6.8 percent this year on

strong domestic demand as the pandemic recedes. But after posting an av erage growth rate of 7.8 percent in the first half, Fitch said there would be a slowdown in the second half amid rising inflation and interest rates, as well as weaker global demand.

Fitch said growth is likely to slow to 5.5 per cent in 2023 before re covering to 6.2 percent in 2024.

“Downside risks in clude global growth falling below Fitch’s forecasts of 1.7 percent in 2023 and 2.8 percent in 2024, or the

Philippine central bank raising policy rates be yond our assumption of 5.25 percent,” Fitch said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas raised its bench mark rate to 4.25 percent in its last policy meeting.

But analysts are ex pecting the BSP to imple ment another rate hike af ter the US Federal Reserve hinted it would aggres sively raise rates again.

Last month, Moody’s Investor Service also af firmed its Baa2 rating on the Philippines but unlike Fitch, with a stable out look.

Sy’s firm to bring Musk’s Starlink services to PH

The Philippine Eco nomic Zone Authority (PEZA) said regis tered information technol ogy and business process management (IT-BPM) in economic zones may trans fer their registration to the Board of Investments (BOI) until December 31 this year to enjoy the 100-percent work-from-home (WFH) arrangement.

In a statement Thurs day, PEZA said it issued Memorandum Circular 2022-067 that would guide the registered business en terprises (RBEs) in trans ferring from PEZA to BOI.

ter to them the fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for the sunset period,” the in vestment promotion agen cy said.

The PEZA said it would maintain its jurisdiction over the transferee RBEs since there would be no cancellation of registration with PEZA.

This means PEZA will retain monitoring and re porting of the performance of the locators.

The agency will also continue to facilitate in vestment and the revenue generation functions for the RBEs.

A

firm by billion aire Henry Sy Jr. on Thursday said it is bringing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite broad band service to the Phil ippines.

Data Lake Inc, a data company led by Sy and businessman Anthony Almeda, said it has part

nered with SpaceX’s Star link to offer high-speed, low-latency broadband internet.

The company said it will be the first Starlink integrator in the country and the first in Southeast Asia.

Starlink currently of fers the service in over

40 countries worldwide, Data Lake said.

Almeda said connect ing the Philippines over 7,000 islands usually “requires extensive infra structure.”

“With the largest con stellation of satellites in orbit, Starlink is a flexible service uniquely capable

of providing high band width, reliable internet to the country. This is crucial particularly with commu nications in times of nat ural calamities,” Almeda said.

SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Sales Jonathan Hofeller said the satel

This is in line with the decision of the Fiscal Incentive Review Board (FIRB) in September to al low full WFH arrangement for IT-BPM firms in PEZA zones so long as they trans fer their registration to the BOI.

“Under this arrange ment, BOI will issue a cer tificate of registration to the transferee RBEs for their conduct of 100 per cent WFH, and where PEZA will continue to adminis

For PEZA to maintain its authority over the RBEs, IT-BPM firms availing of the transfer of registration shall keep their operations within PEZA-registered IT centers and buildings.

PEZA officer in charge and Deputy Director Gen eral Tereso Panga said this is only an interim measure for the IT-BPM firms to pre serve their export enter prise status while availing of the 100-percent WFH

Philippine Airlines announces it would operate the Cebu and Baguio route beginning Dec. 16, 2022. Edge Davao

PEZA-registered IT-BPM companies may transfer to BOI until year-end

DA gives P1.2-M support to DavOr’s coffee industry

Drop in debt-to-GDP ratio seen to attract foreign investments

An economist consid ers the decline in the share of government debt to the domestic out put as a bright spot in fiscal management and may help lift investors’ sentiment and encourage more in vestments into the country.

On Thursday, the Bang ko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported the USD367 million net outflows in foreign investments regis tered with the central bank in September 2022, high er than the USD23 million net outflows in the same month last year.

In a report, Rizal Com mercial Banking Corpora tion (RCBC) chief econo mist Michael Ricafort said the net portfolio outflows last September are the wid est in more than a year or since April last year.

Ricafort traced the higher net outflows to “in creased market volatility during the month amid continued concerns locally and globally over elevat ed inflation, weaker peso exchange rate, and the ris ing trend in interest rates/ bond yields that increased borrowing costs/financing

costs during the month.”

He said these factors “have been drags to eco nomic growth and valua tions.”

Ricafort said rate hike decisions of the Federal Reserve have backed the US dollar and increased its attractiveness over other currencies in terms of in terest rate income for US dollar-denominated depos its, debt instruments and investments.

He said increase in the BSP’s key policy rates also added to the volatility in the financial market, which has been greatly affected by the elevated inflation rate in the US which is the reason behind the Fed rate hikes and fears for the re cession in the world’s larg est economy.

However, Ricafort said these factors are expected to be countered in part by the improvement in the national government’s fis cal health, with the debtto-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio down to 62.1 percent as of end-June 2022 from the 17-year high of 63.5 percent at the end of

The Department of Agriculture’s Phil ippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) handed over PHP1.2 mil lion in support funds to boost Davao Orien tal province’s coffee industry.

In a statement Thurs day, DA-PRDP said the amount will fund the “Coffee Advancement for Productivity and Indus try Development in the Province of Davao Orien tal” convergence project under I-PLAN Subcompo nent 1.2.

“The I-PLAN subcom ponent 1.2 provides sup

port for training, research, and coordination for dif ferent priority commodi ties,” the DA-PRDP said.

The fund was given during Mati City’s In vestment Conference 2022 (MatiCon2022) on Wednesday. The undertak ing was an off-shoot of the recent Philippine Coffee Expo where enablers and

industry partners were linked with one another.

According to the Phil ippine Statistics Authori ty, Davao Oriental ranked second in the Davao re gion as the highest cof fee-producing province in terms of volume.

“The convergence ini tiative aims to support and create market linkag es for the province as well as create the branding of Davao Oriental coffee that would associate it to the Mt. Hamiguitan rang es similar to how Mt. Apo

has been associated with Davao del Sur’s coffee,” the DA-PRDP said.

The technical support that will be funded by DAPRDP in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aims to harness the potential and collaboration among the coffee farmers, pro cessors, and enablers in Davao Oriental through capacity-building activi ties.

“This will also gen erate more convergence

Sarangani women farmers receive food processing center from DAR

To boost the produc tion of corn powder mix, women farmers in Maasim, Sarangani re ceived a newly built pro cessing center, courtesy of the Department of Agrari an Reform (DAR).

The recipients are members of the Kablacan Women in Development of Sarangani (KWINDS) who are engaged in the manu facture of corn power mix, ginger powder (salabat),

and turmeric tea.

The recent turnover of facilities to the group is anchored on the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos and Agrarian Re form Secretary Conrado Estrella III to improve the livelihood of agrarian re form beneficiaries.

Crisola Llego, KWINDS president, said in a state ment Thursday the facili ties would greatly help in processing their crops.

“Women have also great responsibilities in the economy, their fam ilies, and children. We could now fulfill our ob ligations because of the support we received,” she said.

Llego said each mem ber’s lowest take-home share is approximately PHP400 for every pro duction of corn powder mix, salabat, and turmeric tea, and that the process

ing center could generate more income.

She lauded DAR for providing them with not only facilities but also technical know-how.

“I would also like to thank the DAR for the seminars and training they provided us because it helped us improve as an organization as well as an individual,” she said.

She also commended

Mall goers shop for Halloween customs and toys at a store inside a mall in Ecoland, Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

“The fault dear Brutus, lies not in our stars but in ourselves because we are un derlings.” WILLIAM SHAKE SPEARE (from the play “Ju lius Caesar.”)

*******

More than the police, the entire Pinoy nation is not only in the dark as to where and what stage the procedur al investigation of the murder of broadcaster Percy Lapid is in right now.

The police, in a knee jerk reaction after the alleged gunman surrendered volun tarily and confessed to the crime, said the case is closed.

Not so fast, netizens and observers are saying.

The identity of the mas termind must be established first and then arrested, con victed and jailed.

But then, the animosity between suspended BUCOR chief Gerald Bantag and the PNP has now surfaced be cause the latter kept insisting in media interviews that they had sought the assistance of

FRED C. LUMBA

The ‘Yellow Friday Move ment’ in Davao was a histor ic contributory factor that bound anti-government sec tors in the 1980s in the resolve to bring down the martial law regime. A figure prominently linked to the campaign was Soledad ‘Soling’ Duterte, wife of a former Davao governor, a Cabinet secretary under the first Marcos leadership, and mother of a fu-ture president.

Soledad’s involvement in street parliamentary is a well-recognized influence. She joined protests and was hailed as a catalyst for change. She was also offered to contest the mayor-ship under Zafiro L. Respicio, the city’s officer-in-charge, but declined, citing age as reason. She instead recommended her son, Rodrigo, whom the Nacionalista bloc eventually en-dorsed.

But her crusade for good

BUCOR in safeguarding the physical safety of the middle man mentioned by the con fessed assailant Joel Escorial.

In media reports and broadcasts, Bantag showed a delayed communique that the PNP only sought the BU COR’s assistance on Oct. 20, or two days after Villamor died.

We are all scratching our heads because the authori ties are talking in circles and the police are themselves unsure because the identity of the mastermind cannot be determined due to the un timely death of Cristito Vil lamor, the middleman who is a kababayan of Escorial in Leyte.

Despite presidential in structions to speed up the Lapid murder investiga tion, the concerned prob ers seemed sidetracked by emerging developments such as the surprised appearance of Villamor’s sister.

In succeeding media re ports, the sister, now in pro tective government custody, claims she has text messages

OF

KUWENTONG PEYUPS

SNAFU

from her brother warning her to reveal these SMS should he die.

The lawyer for the Maba sa family, Atty. Bertini “Toto” Causing, said in a recent me dia interview that the sister appears to be insinuating for some compensation in exchange for confidential in formation she has in her pos session.

Now we don’t really know what and whom to believe as the clarity of the issues has become murky and convolut ed.

Of course, I always place my trust on the capability of our law enforcement agen cies. In the end, they will be able to pin down the culprits.

A second autopsy report, ordered by SOJ Remulla, is ex pected to be disclosed Friday.

Bantag is furious and ac cuses the PNP of focusing on him as the latter kept saying to the media that the suspended National Prisons chief is one of the 160 per sons of interest.

What about the rest, Ban tag asks.

Even the combined inves tigative prowess and clev erness of Sherlock Holmes and top French sleuth Insp. Closeau would find it difficult to solve this mystery, I might say.

Do Filipinos still wonder why this confusion is aris ing among police and other enforcement agencies when there is already an existing coordination template?

Is there an apparent sna fu? Who is to blame?

The bereaved Mabasa family, says elder brother Roy, are in a quandary. They don’t know what to believe in anymore.

I don’t like to say this but it appears from my news mon itoring that PNP chief Azurin is committing the mistake of allowing himself to believe that zeroing in on Bantag could lead to the identifica tion of the mastermind.

I think Azurin, with due respect, should first get first hand info from the middle man’s (Villamor) sister who is claiming to possess sensi tive text messages.

Retrieving the messages from the telecom company will certainly help in shaping the leads necessary to estab lish the mastermind’s identi ty.

Obviously the sister - like in action thriller movies that have the same genre - does not want to hand over the info with nothing material in return.

She fears for her life and her family’s safety. This is natural.

If a reward money of P6.5 million was raised just to get information leading to the arrest of the suspected gunman, why not utilize this amount to get to the bottom of the puzzle?

The late middleman intel ligently made sure all bases were covered, just in case.

governance did not end with Corazon Aquino’s ascen dancy to the presidency in 1986. She remained vigilant and continued her advocacy for economic pro-gress. But when things took a sharp turn against all expectations, she stood up to launch the Pulso ng Bayan,’ a byproduct of another martial-law cam paign and called on the resig nation of Aquino.

On December 28, 1990, in a bid to let the steam off and make known her sentiment against the Aquino oversights, Soledad issued a statement strongly urging the President to abdicate her position and pass it on to her successor, vice-president Salvador H. Laurel. She made this very clear in a press statement she issued that day:

‘The country is facing the worst economic crisis that has fallen on us, Filipinos.

Never in history did we ever have the series of calamities from disastrous typhoons to destructive earthquakes which flattened many of the buildings in Luzon. The high est price of fuel we ev-er have which never happened even during the 20 years of Pres. Marcos has finally brought us down to economic ruin.

‘While we do not blame you President Aquino for these happenings but it is now a fact that we need a leader who can maneuver to the right direction to save the country from eco-nomic collapse. We are therefore ap pealing to you as a kind Pres ident to step down and let Vice President Laurel carry the work of nation building. He has been in public service for quite a long time. We shall experience a new hope to a new leader until the election of 1992.’

The call for the resig nation was the wick that launched the ‘Cory Resign Movement’ in Davao. It com menced a year after the first Aquino administration was beset by coup at-tempts led by Col. Gregorio Honasan II, the same guy who, before his win as a senator, fled to Davao after a nationwide manhunt was launched against him for leading the anti-government putsches.

The call for Aquino’s resig nation actually predates Sole dad’s campaign by two years.

On August 13, 1988, Laurel, in a four-page letter to the President, accused Aquino of corruption and competence, and asked her to step down, saying: ‘The time has come to tell our people with humility and candor that the presidency it self is the problem - because the task requires a higher lev

If for anything, the Lapid murder case could be an ex cellent biopic - starring ei ther Bong Revilla, Lito Lapid or Robin Padilla - for Pinoy film producers to look into. (Email feedback to fredlum ba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS

THE PHILIPPINES!

el of competence - in the face of the ad-vancing communist insurgency, the breakdown of law and order, the resurgence of wide-spread corruption, the [paralysis] of political will and the growing desperation of our people.

‘We need a leadership that does not only preach boldly, but sternly and courageous ly en-forces public order and public morality ... without re gard to the toll levied upon one’s popu-larity. That lead ership you have promised, but have failed to deliver to our people.’

A month earlier, Laurel, a boyhood pal of Aquino’s late husband, quit as foreign sec retary and declined to serve in any Cabinet post. Pundits, though, trace his displeasure to the aboli-tion of the prime minister post, which he as sumed in 1986 after being ap pointed to the posi-tion.

A JOYFUL TOYLAND CHRISTMAS AT NCCC

PLAZA

It’s Christmas season once again and there is no better way to welcome the joyous time of the year than lighting up a Christmas tree.

NCCC-Victoria Plaza kickstarted the season by unveiling Dabawenyos’ favorite Christmas tree.

The 42-foot tall tree is expected to spread Christmas cheer to mall goers and motorists passing through J.P. Lau rel Avenue showcasing various visual LED ef fects of toy characters for it’s Christmas theme “Joyful Toyland Christ

mas Show.”

Apart from the tree, Christmas decors also illuminate around NCCC Mall VP.

This has been a tradi tion of Victoria Plaza Mall (when they were not yet acquired by NCCC) to put up and light up this giant Christmas tree outside the mall fronting Mc Donald’s Bajada for the holiday season.

Although, it only used traditional Christmas lights in different layers, it has became iconic as it attracted kids and adults alike who loved to flock at the area every year. It also brought excitement to the diners of McDon ald’s.

Thankfully, NCCC Group of Companies continue this tradition of giving Christmas joy to the Dabawenyos.

Alsons Dev hosts Mindanao Art 2022 at The Club at Northtown

Alsons Development and Investment Corpora tion (Alsons Dev), the pre mier property developer and real estate pioneer in Davao City, is hosting Mindan ao Art 2022 at The Club at Northtown in Cabantian, Davao City until November 5, 2022.

Now in its fourth year, this year’s event—spear headed by Lawig-Diwa Inc., in partnership with Alsons Dev and supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Committee on Art Galleries—features over a thousand curated works by almost 500 artists from

32 galleries from the Davao Region, Sarangani, Bukid non, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan.

With the theme

“Aligned and Interconnect ed”, Mindanao Art 2022 aims to showcase Mindan ao’s culture through art and help broaden the public’s access to the works of the island’s brightest talents.

“We want to embed to each artist and member of the audience an art genre that is deeply rooted in Mindanao’s identity, peo ple, culture, and landscape,” shares Kublai Millan, Presi dent of Lawig-Diwa. “We at Lawig-Diwa are nurturing

Mindanao art to its full fru ition as we strive to connect all art expressions to reso nate and be in cadence with the colors, the culture, the music, the dances, and the people that flow in the veins of contemporary Mindanao. With that, we are grateful to Alsons Dev for hosting Mindanao Art for the sec ond year, and continuously supporting our mission to champion greater apprecia tion of Mindanaoan culture and heritage.”

In line with the ex hibit’s theme, Alsons Dev has invited over a thousand students from nearby pub lic schools, together with

their teachers, parents, and guardians, to visit Mindan ao Art 2022. This allowed the young children to be immersed in rich Mind anaoan art at an early age and helped instill creativity and a better understanding of cultural work.

“We are thrilled to host Mindanao Art again and we made sure that this year’s exhibit is bigger and more exciting,” says Jolla Soriaga, Assistant General Man ager of the Business Units Group of Alsons Dev. “We are committed to continu ing our legacy of promoting homegrown artistry and the region’s culture, heritage, and identity, and we look forward to supporting more of these events. For three weeks, The Club at North town is your vast playground soaking in art.”

Don’t miss the biggest display of artworks and the biggest gathering of art ists in Mindanao! Tickets to Mindanao Art 2022 are available at several outlets, including Poblacion Market Central, priced at Php 100 for adults and Php 75 for students.

READY... FROM 2 PBBM... FROM

“The people of Davao have been dreaming of the bridge since long time ago. Thanks to the care and support of the leaders of our two coun tries, the construction of this flagship project are initiated today. It reflects China’s commitment to the Build Better More Program of the Philippine government, and marks a significant milestone of the bilateral cooperation,” said Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian in his mes sage during the ground breaking.

He also mentioned

FROM 2

Agriculture and Food chairperson, the City Eco nomic Enterprise (CEE) head, City Planning & De velopment Coordinator, the City Cooperative and Development officer, De partment of Agriculture 11 regional executive di rector, the Federation of Agriculture Cooperatives in Davao City chairper son, and representatives of Davao City’s vegetable industry and stakehold ers and fruit industry and stakeholders. The mayor will appoint the represen tatives.

TUPAS’...

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“while the Motion to Quash in this case pur ports to be premised upon the ground of “fails to charge an offense” and “lack of jurisdiction” but a reading of the discussion shows that the grounds raised are not those found in Section 3 of Rule 117.

Europa also comment ed that while the rules do state that a Motion to Quash may be filed before arraignment, it is nonethe less submitted that if the defense truly intended for the matters raised to be considered by the court, then such matters could have been timely raised long before the scheduled arraignment since there was, in fact, the consider able period between the original schedule of the hearing and the resched uled one.

He also comment ed that such defamato ry statements cannot be considered fair commen tary or criticism as they amount to outright accu sations of the commission of very grave criminal of fenses.

He also commented that there is absolutely no basis for this conclusion made by the defense in the motion. It is based on bare allegations that this case is part of a vendetta on the

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the previous quarter.

He said this develop ment is in line with the “view of the need to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to below the 60 percent in ternational threshold in able to maintain the rela tively favorable credit rat

that according to the framework agreement, China will provide a con cessional loan of $350 million for the construc tion of the bridge, to facili tate residents’ travel, pro mote the development of Samal island and enhance the sustainable develop ment of Davao city and surrounding regions.

“The bridge will be, as we believe, a new pas sage to a better livelihood of the local people, a new landmark of the region of Davao, and a new mile stone of the China-Philip pines friendship,” he said.

wanted the council to carry out programs addressing Davao’s urban issues.

Lim said the establish ment of the MDDA will insti tutionalize the rapid organi zation of the Davao region through strategic and viable reforms, primarily toward regional cooperation.

Currently, she said the NEDA Davao Region is awaiting feedback from the Department of Budget and Management for the ap

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and learning centers.

proval of a plan to hire per sonnel.

The IRR is already be ing drafted through the RDC and the location of the Metro Davao Development Council will be determined soon.

The Davao International Airport Authority Board, an important vehicle in imple menting various projects, encountered delays partly because of the leadership transition. (PNA)

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dismissing Bumi Borneo 9877 in a Group A clash. The Malaysian national team went 4-0 in their group while Bumi Borneo of Indo nesia saw a promising 2-0 start end with two losses for a 2-2 slate.

Ting Chun Hong, nick named “Mei Mei,” of Hari mau led all scorers with 16 markers.

The eliminated teams will play a series of friend lies in the days leading up to the final on Sunday.

First Game

4, Yeong 0, Cheah 0, Tan 0, Shawarma Shack Maka bayan Warriors 59: Arellano 13, Martinez 9, Shaw 7, Es cosio 6, Gayosa 6, Acibar 5, Celada 4, Morales 3, Deles 2, Valin 2, De la Cruz 2, Wong 0.

Third Game

The DFTC Executive Board is mandated to eval uate and approve propos als for DFTC’s Business Plan and Operation Man ual; regularly monitor and oversee the operation and maintenance of the DFTC; ensure that DFTC’s oper ation remains consistent with its intended purpose, which among others, is the improvement of the farm ers and consumer trading market, and; recommend policies to appropriate authorities to ensure the efficient operations of the DFTC.

Section 3 provides that any unwanted physical contact between the bully and the victim like punch ing, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping, tickling, headlocks, inflicting school pranks, teasing, fighting, and the use of available ob jects as weapons.

For disciplinary mea sures, Section 10 states that all public and private schools shall include in the

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ic show. Each child also received school supplies and footwear.

The BFP and the TFDavao gave lectures on fire prevention and the culture of security.

Free medicine, vita mins, and food supple ments were also distrib uted.

school’s child protection or anti-bullying policy a range of disciplinary administra tive actions that may be taken against the perpe trator of bullying or retali ation. Among the measures is a written reprimand, community service, sus pension, exclusion, or ex pulsion, following the ex isting rules and regulations of the school or of the De partment of public schools, may be imposed.

Pilipinas Aguilas 86: En guio 18, Alanguilan 15, Eze 14, Baracael 13, Mangahas 11, Aviso 7, Khatibi 5, Ynion 3, Reyes 0, Racho 0, Lao 0.

Adroit Sports Associa tion 69: Munnesvicky 21, Wu 18, Po 6, Chan 4, Oh 4, Ghai 4, C. Liew 3, L. Liew 3, Tor 0, Kang 0, Foo 0.

Second Game

Malacca Basketball Club 61: Jia 18, Hamilton 14, Yek 9, Kua 6, Low 5, Lai 5, Phang

4 TRADES...

He said the program was warmly welcomed by the residents.

part of Vice president Sara Duterte.

As part of his final averments, Europa stated that the grounds and ar guments raised are inap plicable to the cases at the bar as there is absolutely no basis to argue that the defamatory statements subject of this case are protected speech and, similarly, the claim that the accused herein was subjected to persecution is founded on thin air.

He commented that the instant case should not be allowed to be de layed any further and the scheduled arraignment and pre-trial of the case should already proceed.

Meanwhile, the camp of Bello also shared an up date with regard to their motion. According to law yer Danny Balucos, the court gave them 10 days to reply to the attached Comment to the Motion To Quash. The arraignment and pre-trial were can celed and reset to January 26, 2023.

“To follow are copies of the Statement of Sup port of the European Par liament, and the formal Entry of Appearance of Arvin Dexter M. Lopoz as collaborating counsel for the defense,” Balucos said.

By Maya M. Padillo

ings of 1-3 notches above the minimum investment grade and make fiscal/ debt management more sustainable over the longterm and for the coming generations.”

Ricafort said the pos sibility of continued vola

Police Station 2 Sta tion Commander Major Martin Hugos said Fri day’s Oplan Kalinaw has been successful in its goal to deliver public services.

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lite internet service will connect “hard-to-reach, remote areas on land, at sea, and in the air.”

“We look forward to making the service avail able in the Philippines in

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arrangement with full in centives.

“We hope that in the immediate term, a new law or policy will be put in place to institutionalize hybrid workplace for eco zone IT locators to avail of increased WFH threshold with incentives and for the transferee RBEs to retain their PEZA status so they can benefit from the agen

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support with other en ablers for coffee includ ing the provincial local government, state, other government line agencies, Coffee Council, and private sectors,” the statement said.

As a way forward, DAPRDP said it will draft a memorandum of agree ment with DTI, the Tech nical Education and Skills Development Authority,

tility in the global and local financial market is high if the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, which is expect

City Information Of fice Officer-in-Charge Harvey Lanticse lauded the efforts of the security sector, calling Oplan Kali naw “not just a measure to strenghten the security templates of the city, but also to cultivate stronger police-community rela tions by extending much needed social and medi cal services” to marginal ized communities. CIO

the coming months, and we’re grateful to those who have aided in our ability to connect every day people, businesses, and government entities,” Hofeller said.

cy’s one-stop service and the IT centers’ conducive business environment,” Panga said.

“In all these, we expect that PEZA will retain its mandate to promote and facilitate investments and keep the separate customs territory status vested in the ecozones to ensure the competitiveness of our IT sector.” (PNA)

the Department of Science and Technology, and the provincial government, among others, to formal ize the partnership and collaboration.

The MatiCon 2022 is an event organized by DTI with Mati City focusing on investment priorities of the province such as poultry, fish port, bamboo, agribusiness, and tourism for participants. (PNA)

ed to result in sustained elevated levels of global oil and commodity prices and inflation.

Elang Pacific Caesar 83: Alston 25, Ariezky 20, Putra 14, Dhoifullah 7, Pratama 6, Wibisono 5, Wibowo 5, Hardianto 1, Dharmawan 0, Kuala Lumpur Aseel 73: Wong 13, Gan 13, Chan 10, Ragu 6, Wee 6, Mahadevan 6, Liew 4, Lim 4, Dee 4, Soong 3, Tan 2, Thea 2.

Fourth Game

Harimau Malaysia 98: Ting 16, Heng 12, Hiew 10, Lim 9, Tem 9, Ooi 9, Kuek 8, Lee 8, Mak 5, Liew 4, Ong 4, Wong 4,

Bumi Borneo 77: Wong so 11, Yanto 10, Prawira 9, Chrissler 8, Budidharma 7, Pandapotan 7, Ramadhan 7, Ari Daffa 6, Shariputra 5, Setiawan 4, Kumara 3, Or lando 0.

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Pacers, Charlotte Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs. And according to Brian Wind horst of ESPN, Pelinka has been pitching “two, three and four-team trade packag es throughout the summer and fall.”

So, with that in mind, what are some potential deals Lakers fans can half heartedly look forward to?

Russell Westbrook trade idea for the Indiana Pacers Pacers get: Russell West brook, 2027 1st; Lakers get: Buddy Hield, Myles Turner

Old faithful. Until West brook gets traded, this deal will be brought up time and time again. However, if the Pacers start winning too many games, that’s where the Lakers could look to swoop in.

Indiana is one of the teams that should be look ing to tank for Wemban yama, and because of that, having Hield and Turner could be a detriment to their ultimate goal. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, if they have one too many marks in the win column, accepting a package with only one of LA’s two firsts could be worth it.

Lakers were reportedly

SARANGANI...

her fellow women for at tending capacity-building interventions for them to

at ‘one-yard line internally’ on dealing Russell West brook for Buddy Hield, Myl es Turner

Russell Westbrook trade idea for the Utah Jazz

Jazz get: Russell West brook, 2023 1st (via MIA), 2027 1st (via LAL); Lakers get: Jordan Clarkson, Dun can Robinson, Malik Beas ley; Heat get: Kelly Olynyk

In the spirit of Pelinka’s desire to create multi-team trades, here’s one that could work out for all parties in volved. The Heat would get a big to pair next to Bam Adebayo, the Lakers would get some much-needed shooting and depth, and the Jazz would get picks and an expiring contract.

The reason behind Mi ami’s involvement in this deal would be for the Lak ers to take on Robinson’s contract. Sure, it would di minish their cap space next summer, but this would help them put a better team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, regardless. Utah wouldn’t have to eat Robinson’s long-term mon ey, so the Lakers would only have to trade one of their fu ture firsts.

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understand how to earn extra income during their idle time. (PNA)

4 trades to finally end Westbrook era in LA

Four games (and four losses) into the 2022-23 NBA season and Russell Westbrook has still yet to be traded. After an offseason full of rumors, trade propos als, and options, Westbrook is still a Laker, and nothing has changed.

If anything, Los Angeles’ shooting has gotten worse,

FRED C. LUMBA

SPORTS KEN

as both Carmelo Anthony and Malik Monk are no lon ger on the squad. With Matt Ryan as the only true shoot er on the team, the Lakers’ offense has been exposed time and time again.

Rob Pelinka reportedly plans on waiting at least 20 games before re-opening discussions on potential

Westbrook deals, but fans aren’t all too pleased with that idea. Their 0-4 record could quickly turn to 0-5, 0-6, and so on, and since the New Orleans Pelicans own the right to swap draft picks with the Lakers, tanking for Victor Wembanayama isn’t an option.

The Lakers’ not own

ing their draft pick is the saddest part of their terrible start

But that leaves one im portant question - what Westbrook trades would be available for the Lakers?

The teams that have been frequently mentioned are the Utah Jazz, Indiana

Yeng Guiao and Chot Reyes were reported to be the first two coaches to have voiced favorable opinions for the introduction and adoption of the “challenge or re view” mechanism in the country’s PBA.

The duo actually voiced regret that the NCAA and the UAAP got ahead of the professional league in this regard in attempts to improve the state of basketball officiating.

From decades past, every Pi noy basketball fan has witnessed many gross, oftentimes unfavor able calls that lead to strong sus picions of biased officiating.

In the current PBA rules, tech nical fouls are freely imposed by game officials for players and coaches who complain too much and for disrespectful on-court be havior that undermines the credi bility and result of the game.

This somewhat “dogmatic” principle was adopted obviously to speed up the game and lessen tensions between opposing play ers and coaches.

As suggestions come pouring in, two reviews (or challenges) will be allowed, one in the first half and one in the final half at any portion of the match..

CHALLENGING REFS’ CALL

Currently, mandatory reviews are allowed only in the last two minutes where the refs cannot make a clear determination of the situation.

If adopted, I believe that PBA officiating will further improve to the best interest of the league and to the satisfaction of millions of PBA fanatics who support and root for their respective ballclub.

In fact, as a result of improve ment in officiating, there might arise a clamor for Asia’s first pro league to admit new members (or expansion teams).

Which is the PBA’s original vi

sion actually.

To grow in numbers like the US NBA on whom the PBA was patterned after.

Of course, as the PBA increas es in membership, more colle giate players aspiring to turn pro will find more opportunities awaiting them after their ama teur stints.

Perhaps, the entire BCAP (Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines) membership should come forward and regis ter its collective voice in support of Guiao and Reyes.

In the previous Magnolia ver

sus Ginebra outing, did not the former’s bench strategist Chito Victolero uttered some sarcastic remarks pertaining to officiating?

To quote Victolero, he said, af ter the Hotshots suffered a sorry loss: “Di naman pwede isisi lahat sa officiating.”

In particular, because of what he perceived as “bad” calls against TNT, Reyes dramatically conveyed his emotions on-court and forthwith received a P50,000 hefty fine afterwards. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIP PINES!

The Russel Westbrook experiment in LA could be ending soon.

When will this terrible exper iment finally end?

What happens when an ir resistible force meets an immovable object? Well, the Los Angeles Lakers are apparently looking to solve the riddle.

SEMIS-BOUND

Pilipinas

Filbasket semis

LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

They are the only one of three Filipino teams to make the final four in the ten-team pocket tour nament being held in the Malay sian capital.

Former UE Red Warrior Biboy Enguio delivered for the Aguilas, grabbing 18 points, 11 rebounds, and a pair of assists at the MABA Stadium as the Filipino club com pleted their round-robin stage with a 3-1 slate in Group A. The result condemns Adroit to an 0-4 record.

The Aguilas defense held the Singaporeans to 26% shooting from the field and dominated the boards 68 to 43. Adroit was with out gunner Anthony Wong, who injured his ankle the day before.

The Aguilas take on Group B champs KL Aseel in the one-game semifinal at 6:00pm on Saturday.

Immediately after that open ing game of the day, Shawarma Shack Makabayan Warriors failed in their bid to make it two Filipino clubs in the semifinals after slump ing to a 61-59 loss to Malacca Bas ketball Club (MBC) in the second game.

Coming into the clash the 1-2 Warriors knew that a nine-point victory would see them win a tie breaker in a three-way 2-2 logjam with their opponents for the day and idle Pegasus Sports Brunei in Group B. The Pinoy team seemed to be on course after a balanced

offense led by Marcy Arellano gave them a 34-24 halftime lead. They led by as much as 13 in the second period.

But De Angelo Hamilton and Jia Jun Lee spearheaded a third quarter surge from the Malaccans to cut the lead to 47-45 going into the fourth quarter. A weary Sha warma Shack squad was unable to trigger an uptempo game they needed in the circumstances, and nine points in the period by Jia sealed the deal.

Jia finished with a game-high 18 markers as MBC finishes the group stage at 3-1 and will play Harimau Malaysia in the second semifinal at 8:00 pm on Saturday. Makabayan departs with a 1-3 slate, with Arellano leading his team with 13 points.

In the third game of the day Kuala Lumpur Aseel, already qual ified for the semis going into the game, fell to Elang Pacific Caesar 83-73. Their usual starters played limited minutes, with star Maegan Mahadevan only getting fifteen minutes of burn.

Khapri Dean Alston, Elang’s import, dominated with 25 points as the Indonesians grab their first win in four outings in Group B. Aseel take a 3-1 record into Satur day’s semis.

In the final matchup of the day Harimau Malaysia stayed

The Aguilas

Group

champs KL Aseel