The return of cockfighting in Davao City comes with a hefty price.
The city government announced on Tuesday that it will be imposing higher taxes and fees against cockpit arena owners under the new ordinance which takes effect late this month.
Councilor Bernie-Al-ag, chair of the committee of Trade and Commerce of the City Council, said the council approved the ordinance in December last year al-
lowing the resumption of “sabong” with higher taxes and fees imposed.
Al-ag said this is the condition requested from the City Council for the re-
sumption of the popular Filipino pastime. The new ordinance, which is expected to take effect this month after publication, was signed by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on December 23, 2022.
“Kaning pag approve sa konseho gi apprubahan nato ang pag increase sa tax ug fees. Kung naa man nagsabong karon sa mga gallera gi-allowed na sila but using old taxes,” he said over Davao City Disaster
Radio (DCDR).
Al-ag clarified that this can only be applicable in licensed venues. In Davao City there are eight galleras and cockpit arenas including those in Matina, Toril, and Buhangin.
Al-ag added the operators still need to secure permits to operate.
“Gusto nako i-clarify na kaning pag approve sa konseho, giaprubahan nato ang pag increase sa tax ug
FHEFTY, P8
At least 21 members of the Islamic Statealigned Abu Sayyaf Group, including top leader Madjid Said alias Amah Pattit, surrendered on Sunday in Sulu province, a military official said.
Marine Brig. Gen Arturo Rojas, acting commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom), said the Abu Sayyaf members yielded in
Patikul town following the relentless efforts of troops in the area.
Brig. Gen. Benjamin Batara, commander of the 1103rd Infantry Brigade, presented the 21 Abu Sayyaf members to Maj. Gen Ignatius Patrimonio, 11th Infantry Division chief.
They surrendered at least 10m high-powered firearms to the military and
Patikul Mayor Kabir Hayudini.
The 10 high-powered firearms they turned over include three M16 and seven M14 rifles.
Said has been classified by the Anti-Terrorism Council, through Resolution No. 32, Series of 2022 issued on May 22, 2022, as one of the top five “terrorists” in the country. He was identified as an uncle of
Abu Sayyaf subleader and bombmaker Mudzrimar “Mundi” Sawadjaan, who is allegedly behind the bombing of the Jolo Cathedral in January 2019 that left 20 persons dead and at least 100 others wounded.
“I’m very happy with this development,” Rojas said in a phone interview, noting that the surrenderers have to follow certain
Moro front leaders and Bangsamoro government officials see a boost to the peace momentum in Mindanao with the appointment of Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. as the new Department of National Defense (DND) chief.
Galvez, who heads the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), has officially accepted the offer of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after DND Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino resigned.
Ahod Balawag “Murad” Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and now the current appointed Bangsamoro Government Chief Minister, said Galvez’s appointment will boost the gains of the peace process.
“We welcome very much the appointment of Secretary Galvez Jr. He was crucial on several occasions in the quest for lasting peace in Mindanao. The last time was his intervention in bringing back the unification of MILF and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF),” Ebrahim said.
He described the career of Galvez as genuine in his pursuit to stabilize the peace and security in these once war-torn areas in Mindanao.
Among the milestones in Galvez’s career that impressed Ebrahim was the former’s visit at the MILF’s Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on October 7, 2018. Ebrahim
said Galvez, who was then the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, was the highest military official to set foot on Camp Darapanan.
Galvez, together with his top Army officials, was warmly welcomed and received salutatory gestures from thousands of MILF combatants who lined up for several kilometers for the grand entrance of his delegation in the former rebel camp.
During the ceremony, the MILF leadership awarded Galvez with the “Soldier of Peace Award,” the first to be given by the MILF organization to any military officer.
That was also the day the MILF officially declared the end of its war against government military troops.
In return, a month after, Galvez invited top MILF officials led by Murad Ebrahim to visit Camp Aguinaldo as guest of honor at the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Minister Muslimin Sema, the MNLF chairman who also heads the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE-BARMM), described Galvez as “peacemaker” and a long-time friend.
“He played an important role in building peace. We have to credit him for that. He opened the door for everybody into a common play ground,” Sema said.
Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong reveres
There is no reason for National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) employees and officials who are involved in illegal transactions or are not performing their duties to stay a day longer in office.
NCIP chairperson Allen Capuyan held a press conference on Monday to voice out his frustrations over non-performing officials who “have become a big part of the problem,” referring to issues and concerns which have not been acted upon for years.
He also bared the rampant selling of ancestral domains with local officials, including governors and mayors, involved in anomalous deals.
“I hereby call on NCIP officials and personnel to voluntarily tender their resignation. Said call is directed at those who are no longer effective in the performance of their respective mandates and to those who are unable and unwilling to respond to legitimate burning issues raised by
ICCs (indigenous cultural communities) /IPs,” Capuyan said.
He added there are NCIP employees who respond half-heartedly, “aggravating the problem instead of solving.”
Most of the employees he referred to are “on the ground.”
In case no resignations are submitted, Capuyan said a thorough investigation will start based on the complaints they have received.
He likewise encouraged the public, especially members of the ICCs/IPs, to file complaints in case they experienced abuses or if Republic Act 8371 (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act) was violated.
Capuyan said the NCIP is heeding the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to carry out a cleansing process.
“Ito ay publikong panawagan kasi alam naman ng mga empleyado ng NCIP sino ‘yung may ginagawa na maayos, sino
By MAYA M. PADILLOIf at all, it will be a replication of the brainchild program hatched by Metropolitan Davao Police District (MDPD) chief BGen Alexander Tagum. Now he wants to replicate “Oplan Iron City” as public safety program for MDPD.
“Oplan Iron City” or the Oplan Integrated Re-
vitalized Operation of Neighborhood-Watch for the Mega City (IRON City), which Tagum implemented during his term as city director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) from 2018 to 2020, is an upgraded police integrated patrol system aimed at making this city safer through the
active support of empowered volunteer police auxiliaries.
“One of our public safety and security programs will be “Oplan Iron City Reloaded” which is our public safety and security peace and order plan which is the enhanced police integrated patrol system that I have implemented during my time as city director of DCPO nga nakit-an nato na very effective. I am proud
to say na napa lower gyud ang criminality sa Davao Region in 2018 to 2020. We will replicate what we have done before because it is a tested and proven program na nakita natin na angkop sa Davao Region,” Tagum told the media.
Meanwhile, the MDPD was created under the provision of Republic Act No. 11708 or “an Act Creating the Metropolitan Davao
The Davao City Business Bureau revealed on Monday that application for business permits for the first five days have breached the numbers over the same period last year.
Business Bureau head Maribel Paguican said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) that the bureau
has generated 13,806 applications, which is an an increase of 1,894, compared to last year’s five-day operation with 11,912.
The figures represent a 16 percent increase in the first five days of business renewal application.
“In our first five days of operation, nindot kaayo ang resulta. Naka-generate
ta og 13,806 applications, compared to last year’s five-day operation with 11,912,” she said.
She reported that 19 percent or 2,648 out of the 13,806 have already paid. But comparing that to the target 50,000 applications, only five percent have paid.
“Sige lang, second week pa man basin duna pa’y
improvement this week, hopefully, para malikayan ang influx sa tao sa ulahi nga mga adlaw,” she said.
Apart from the office at the SP building, the city has opened satellite registration sites for the processing new business and business renewal including Almendras Gym for Talomo
Like a theme out of a movie, Metro Davao’s public safety will be called ‘Oplan Iron City Reloaded.”
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla has named the nine Chinese companies that committed to invest some USD13.76 billion in the Philippines following the recent visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to China.
In a press conference Monday, Lotilla said some of these Chinese companies are already operating in the Philippines and are eyeing for expansion, while some are big names in China’s energy sector.
He said the firms’ combined investments of USD13.76 billion will be in renewable energy (RE) development, energy storage systems and off-grid power supply systems.
“We are very pleased with the enthusiasm we have received from these Chinese companies during our roundtable meeting. They were upbeat with our policy reforms and di-
rections on RE, especially on the opening of 100 percent foreign ownership on wind and solar projects,” he added.
These Chinese companies that pledged to invest in the country include China Energy International Group Co. Ltd (Energy China), China Power International Development (CPID) Ltd., SPIC Guangxi Electric Power Co., Ltd (a subsidiary and a secondary unit of State Power Investment Corporation Limited or SPIC), China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), China Hua-
dian Engineering Co., Ltd. (CHEC), China Tianying, Inc. (CNTY), Dajin Heavy Industry Co., Ltd (DHI), and Mingyang Smart Energy Group, Ltd.
Energy China has been operating throughout the country for more than two decades. In North Luzon in particular, its operation involves power generation, substation, transmission, cell site and fiber-to-home and data center projects.
SPIC, which has the largest installed capacity of wind power in Guangxi, is involved in the 230-kV substation engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) project in Navotas, the 500-kV substation EPC project in Pagbilao, the Taguig-Baras 500 kV overhead transmission line EPC, and the Abuyog 230-kV substation EPC project.
China’s Mingyang is a
world leader in providing renewable energy solution. It is also the world’s sixth largest manufacturer of wind turbine generators with a cumulative installation of 45 gigawatt. Mingyang’s technology is vital for the Philippines as the government targets more offshore wind power projects in the future.
Other Chinese companies that expressed investment commitments to the Philippines, which will also be important players in the offshore wind sector, are CGN and DHI.
CGN is China’s pioneer in offshore wind development and largest single offshore wind power capacity. Globally, it has total capacity of 35,000 MW for wind power and 10,000 MW for solar.
CGN is also China’s first nuclear power producer
The Philippines has launched a dollar bond sale to raise up to $500 million, with tenors of 5.5, 10.5 and 25 years, the Bureau of Treasury said.
The maturities are set at July 17, 2028, July 17, 2033, and Jan.17, 2048
respectively, Treasury said.
Proceeds from the dollar-denominated bond sale will be used for general budget financing, it added. Proceeds from the 25-year sustainability bonds will also be used for the refinancing of as-
sets in line with the Philippines’ sustainable finance framework, it said.
The bonds carry the latest credit ratings of the Philippines, Baa2 Stable from Moody’s, BBB+ Stable from S&P, and BBB Negative from Fitch.
In October 2022 the
Philippines launched the first US dollar bond offer under the Marcos administration. Tenders reached as much as $1.74 billion for that offer, which was sold locally. Treasury however opted to only sell $500 million in debt.
The Philippine government on Monday announced its benchmark offering for a multi-year United States dollar-denominated Republic of the Philippine (ROP) bond, the second under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Data released to journalists showed that proceeds of the 5.5-year, 10.5-year and 25-year bonds, with the latter a part of the government’s sustainable financing framework, will be used to help boost financing for the various government programs as well as refinance previously issued sustainability bond.
Initial price guidance for the bond maturing in June 2028 is additional 155 basis points over the same tenor US Treasury, while pricing for the one maturing in 2033 is 195 percent higher than the same tenor Treasuries.
Initial pricing for the 25-year bond is at around 5.950 percent, the document showed.
Joint lead managers and joint bookrunners are BofA Securities, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered Bank and UBS.
This is the second time the current administration tapped the international capital market to finance its programs after it borrowed USD2 billion worth of five-year, 10.5-year and 25-year dollar-denominated bond, with the latter an environmental, social and governance (ESG) bond, in October 2022.
The government has set a PHP2.207-trillion borrowing program for this year, PHP1.654 trillion will be sourced from domestic fund sources while PHP553.5 billion is accounted for by foreign borrowings. (PNA)
The Philippines is banking on Chinese investors to participate in the planned venture into nuclear energy, along with cooperation in other areas such as renewable energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday.
According to Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, most of the commitments of Chinese investors in the Philippine energy sector involve solar photovoltaic and offshore wind projects, among others, including wind turbine operators.
“It’s consistent as well with the statement that was made between the two presidents that the two sides agreed to explore cooperation in such areas as solar power, wind energy, EVs (electric vehicles), and nuclear energy for electricity generation,” he said in a virtual briefing.
The briefing was made after a state visit by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to Beijing, China last week, where Malacañang said
he secured $13.76-billion worth of investments in the energy sector.
The DOE in November amended a section of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Renewable Energy (RE) Act of 2008, allowing foreign investors or companies to engage in the exploration, development, and utilization of Philippine renewable energy sources.
“That I think has made a qualitative difference in terms of the attraction that renewable energy holds for investors particularly from China. The level of interest I think definitely would be higher because of that particular development,” Lotilla said.
The government targets to increase the share of renewable energy to 35% of the country’s power generation mix by 2030, and hike this to 50% by 2040. This includes offshore wind, waste-to-energy, expanded rooftop solar programs, as well as ocean and tidal stream energy.
Amidthe soaring retail prices of red onions in the markets, a former Agriculture chief has pushed for the establishment of an onion experimental farm in Central Mindanao to help reintroduce onion farming in the country.
In a Facebook post Monday, former Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the planned experimental onion farm would help boost local production.
“The idea of reintroducing onion farming came about following my journeys to the vast countryside of Central Mindanao, where
farmers told me that they planted onion in the past but gave up because of the low buying price,” he said.
Piñol said the initiative is the only way to fight the onion cartel and ensure that onions – oftentimes bought from farmers at only PHP20 during peak harvest season – will not be hoarded and sold at the exorbitant
rates ranging from PHP600PHP700 per kilo.
The DA earlier said it will be compelled to resort to importation if the price of onion continues to rise.
Piñol claimed that the problem of onion supply and pricing in the country is controlled by a cartel of importers and traders who operate the cold storage facilities.
“Mindanao will lead the fight to liberate our onion farmers from the cartels’ control and protect our consumers from outrageous prices beyond the reach of Filipino families,” he said.
While it will be a private sector initiative, he said he will ask for the help of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), led by Director Remelyn Recoter, and the DA-Soccsksargen Region under Dr. Sailila Abdula to realize the plan.
“Onion, both white and red, could be grown in several parts of the country and even farmers in Mindanao had tried planting the crop before, but the deterrent had always been the instability of the buying price,” Piñol said.
During his stint as the
Nearly 10% of the SIM cards across the country have been registered with their respective telecommunications firms as of Monday, January 9, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported.
Citing data from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the DICT said a total of
16,150,926 SIM cards were registered as of January 9, translating to 9.56% of the 170 million SIMs nationwide.
Broken down, Smart Communications Inc. recorded 7.584 million registered SIM cards, Globe Telecom Inc. with 7.137 million, and DITO Telecommunity Corp. with 1.428 million.
The IRR of the SIM Card
Registration Act took effect on December 27, mandating all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to establish their registration platform where they will onboard users who present valid identification cards. Users are given 180 days to register their SIM cards, or else face the risk of having these deactivated.
PTEs earlier said they
were all set for the registration process, but birthing pains are expected during the initial stages. The NTC has since ordered them to report any problems encountered by users during the registration.
“We encourage all SIM subscribers who have not yet registered their SIMs to register already with their
On replicating his brainchild “Oplan Iron City” or the Oplan Integrated Revitalized Operation of Neighborhood-Watch for the Mega City (IRON City) as public safety program for Metropolitan Davao Police District:
“One of our public safety and security programs will be “Oplan Iron City Reloaded” which is our public safety and security peace and order plan which is the enhanced police integrated patrol system that I have implemented during my time as city director of DCPO nga nakit-an nato na very effective. I am proud to say na napa lower gyud ang criminality sa Davao Region in 2018 to 2020. We will replicate what we have done before because it is a tested and proven program na nakita natin na angkop sa Davao Region.”
JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations
Erstwhile known as Davao Trade School, the learning institute was converted into a re-gional school of arts and trades of secondary and collegiate levels under Republic Act (RA) 1950, which was enacted on June 22, 1957. Along with the conversion was the renaming of the school to Davao School of Arts and Trades (DSAT) and placing it under the Bureau of Public Schools.
For school year 1956-57 operations, the national treasury allotted a minimum of P200,000 for its operation and maintenance. The following year, the appropriation was integrated as part of the national budget. To put into effect the conversion, the education secretary was authorized to make the needed discussions for the transfer of the school site, buildings, equipment, and other facil-
ities to the national government without cost.
In later years, the school was upgraded to tertiary level. Under RA 3928, approved on June 18, 1964, DSAT was authorized to offer teacher education leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education and the degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts, exclusive of the evening classes related to trade and industrial education. With the ex-pansion, the national treasury set aside for SY 1964-64 the amount of P300,000 for operation and maintenance.
Fourteen years later, under Batas Pambansa (BP) Bilang 12, which the interim national assembly approved on December 15, 1978, DSAT was renamed following the establishment in southern Mindanao of the University of Southeastern
Philippines (USeP), with the main campus situated at the site occupied by the Mindanao State University branch in Davao City.
The expanded trade school was allowed a minimum of six degree-granting courses, a graduate school, and such degree courses, post-graduate courses and special courses the Board of Trustees approved as necessary to support national objectives in Mindanao.
Five functions were also delineated under the statute, namely: (i) provide programs of in-struction and professional training in science and technology; (ii) promote advanced studies, research and extension services and progressive leadership in science, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, engineering and industrial fields; (iii) develop courses at the
graduate level along its fields of specialization needed to develop workers in the academic community in the region; (iv), extend non-formal education and undertake vigorous extension and research programs in food production, nutrition, health and sports development; and (v) offer scholarship and/or part-time job opportunities to deserving students from low-income families.
Consequent to the school’s promotion to a university status was its operation as a corpo-ration as set forth in the Corporation Law, with the Board of Regents exercising the corporate powers imbued under the new setup.
A couple of years thereafter, the national assembly passed BP Bilang 87, amending a number of provisions of BP Blg. 12 and approved on October 14, 1980,
namely: (i) the degree-granting courses of six was fixed at maximum; (ii) the university’s president would be ap-pointed by the prime minister through the recommendation of the board of regents; (iii) the public institutions of learning in Region XI desirous to affiliate as schools or colleges or branches of the USeP are allowed, subject to the approval of the prime minister and the rec-ommendation of the ministers of budget and the education and culture; and (iv) the Universi-ty of the Philippines (UP) branch in Region XI, the DSAT, the Mampising National Agricul-tural School (MAS), and the Mindanao State University (MSU) branches in Region XI, were transferred to USeP ‘together with their functions, appropriations, records, equipment, prop-erty and personnel.’
Well, what do you know?
If the premises on which the cleansing within the PNP ranks indicate anything, it is the stark harsh truth that ninja cops (scalawags in police uniform as the media label them) never left the dug terrain.
After the initial presscon DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos, in succeeding news reports, disclosed that about 3 to 4% of the estimated 900 plus colonels and generals that were asked to submit courtesy resignations are said to be involved in the illegal drugs trade.
Mathematical calculations would place that estimate to be between 30 to 40 PNP officers.
The PNP cleansing is the result of a privilege speech by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa sometime ago who was the implementer of ex-Pres. Duterte’s tokhang campaign.in the previ-
ous administration.
According to press dispatches, more than 60% of the subject cleansing have already submitted their courtesy letters, led by the PNP chief himself DG Rodolfo Azurin.
A five man committee will vet the records and 201 files of each of the officers concerned. The resignation letters of those found to have shady records and identified with proven association drug lords and illegal drugs activities will be accepted and forthwith undergo the legal procedural process that will convict them for their crimes.
Those who are found cleanwill be reinstated back to their positions. This is the understanding of the DILG message.
Question: Does the DILG cleansing method not violate human rights, including the constitutional right to due process?
Sec. Abalos has publicly admitted that this is a “short cut” in effectively purging the PNP of hoods and thugs in their ranks after several arrests and buy
busts netted several huge catches of illegal drugs amounting in the billions.
This admission and the consequent discoveries and arrests validated the privilege speech of Sen. Dela Rosa for the BBM government to continue the illegal drugs campaign of the previous administration which put the drug lords and their network on the run.
But I suspect the drug syndicates - obviously now united - and their alleged cohorts in the PNP will use their huge treasure trove to hire the best legal minds, not only to delay and buy time but also to prove their dirty point that justice in our country has its price.
So, we think it is an uphill battle for the DILG because citizens of this republic have long acknowledged the compartmentalized justice existing in our midst: one for the poor and underprivileged and one for the rich and the powerful.
Without necessarily alluding to the recent acquittal of the son of SOJ Jesus Crispin Remulla of
illegal drugs possession, Filipinos realize the many legal loopholes in our justice system.
But give credit to the defense lawyers whose job it is to toil hard for the acquittal of their clients.
Remember, a person accused of a crime is always presumed innocent.
But I am excited and thrilled that the DILG and the PNP today are consolidating their efforts to make our lives safe and free from harm from these criminal elements who want to destroy the moral fiber of our society.
Citizens are looking forward to a string of criminal cases to be subsequently filed against the colonels and generals found to have criminal tie ups with illegal drug lords.
With the backing and imprimatur of PBBM, we cannot see how Abalos will fall short of his goal.
Next on the agenda should be ideally the creation or installation of a special court that will tackle the illegal drug cases to speed up the prosecution pro-
cess.
I reckon the Supreme Court will be receiving volumes of requests for legal clarifications from various law firms who will be representing clients that will be heretofore tagged as “protectors and associates” of illegal drug lords.
I am reminded of the sorry and horrendous state of affairs in Mexico, Colombia and one or two South American countries involved in the illegal drugs trafficking.
Their respective governments are having a difficult time prosecuting arrested drug lords because the latters’ criminal network extends even to higher authorities, including judges and military authorities.
If I know, Abalos has extensive knowledge of the above situation and I reckon he does not want to have nightmares in case he does not perform his job as required.
I empathize. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
“For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.” - PLATO
fees sa sabong,” he said.
Al-ag said that his vote for the said ordinance lies on two conditions: operators will pay the right taxes and the traffic should not be congested whenever there is a derby, in case shortage of parking spaces, operators should provide space for parking.
“Ang akoang pagboto ani nga ordinansa naa koy duha ka conditions maong misuporta ko ani: dapat dili magsuffer ang Dabawenyos sa traffic because of these events.
Kung kulang ang inyong parking space pangita mo ug lote nga maarkilahan ninyo para makaparking ang mga sabungero; ug ikaaduha nga dili manikas sa pag remit sa taxes ang atong mga sabungero. Kay naay mga insidente before nga daghan ug tikas sa pagremit sa atoang taxes. Ang atoang amusement tax, naa tay 10 percent amusement tax kapag regular na sabong, s abag-ong ordinansa gihimo natong 30 percent ang tax kapag derby. dili musulod unya dili mu de-
clare, ang uban ang presyo nga isulti sa city P100 pero ang ticket diay tag P500,” he said.
He said that the council emphasized that operators should remit the right taxes based on the new ordinance to be used for the various projects in Davao City.
He added that the council has also approved through electronic monitoring of the tickets and wins. He said it was discussed that the City Economic Enterprise (CEE) will set up a system in collecting taxes and fees.
“Gi allow nato ang City Economic Enterprise na dapat ang computer na ilang gamiton sa sabong ang CEE mag set up ug sistema didto para pag kolekta sa daug, taxes ug fees dili gyud makalusot,” he said.
Al-ag said once there is a problem and sabong activities created negative effects on the city, the permit can be revoked by the city council at any time.
“Dapat nag operate ang sabong for the benefit of Davao City,” he said.
conditions.
They must not band themselves again and should join the programs of the Philippine government, he added.
Rojas said they were expecting the band of Abu Sayyaf under Said to yield due to the integrated civil and military strategy to flush out the militants.
He acknowledged the help of the Patikul municipal government and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan to make the area “Abu Sayyaf-free.”
Aside from relentless military operations, the Abu Sayyaf surrenders were isolated after the Anti-Money Laundering Council froze the group’s known financial account, Rojas said.
Lt. Col. Abraham Sirajan, WesMinCom spokesman, said in a separate phone interview that the surrenderers will benefit from the Bangsamoro government’s “Project Tugon” (Tulong ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit).
Tugon is a program to help former Abu Sayyaf members live in mainstream society.
armed conflict, Sirajan said the surrenders can also avail of assistance from various government agencies.
Rojas said the 1103rd Infantry Brigade and the Patikul municipal government provided initial food and financial assistance to the 21 Abu Sayyaf during the negotiations.
“The confidence-building process took some time, for which I commend once again our dedicated soldiers for their unyielding commitment to the mission,” he said.
Aside from Said, the other surrenderers were Jamiri Jauhari alias Jamiri, Uran Jauhari, Kadafi Kalisali alias Khadaffy, Lalimar Garingan, Jarrin Napie, Annuar Sahibul alias Muadz Aming, Lovely Abdus alias Andus or Lovely, Tabuh Ibno alias Taboh, Marjin Jauhari, Jaafar Abdulla, Samer Faih, Akih Julpa, Abdulla Uling, Ukod Asbang, Jubail Anji alias Jubael, Wanhil, Alih Janjalani also known as (aka) Abdurajak, Julkamar Usman, Pading Sidi Nani aka Pading, and Rakin Julpa.
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the new assignment of Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
Adiong said Galvez’s quality of leadership has been tested even during tough times, like his handling of the Marawi Siege as the top commander to topple the terror group and stop the latter’s efforts to exploit more locals to join them.
“He really made efforts to reach out to the ulama (religious leaders), to talk to them and campaign that what happened in Marawi is not good for the Muslim community. He is called here as man of peace,” the governor said.
He also admired Galvez’s handling of the pandemic when he was assigned as the COVID-19 czar, as the vaccination campaign is a huge challenge in Lanao del Sur.
In Matanog, Maguindanao del Norte, which used to be a stronghold of
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Development Authority (MDDA), Defining Its Powers and Functions, and Providing Funds Therefor.”
“Kaakibat nito ay ang creation ng MDPD which was activated last December 17, 2022. After the activation of MDPD wherein said-effective Dec. 16 the office of the district director of MDPD shall be activated,” he said.
The MDPD’s duties and responsibilities include directing, commanding, and supervising the MDPD in accomplishing the responsibilities; enforce the execution of the provision of laws, decrees, general orders, instructions, executive orders, city charters, and ordinances of local applications.
“Ito po pumasok ang instruction sa akin which is to coordinate, align, and integrate all the local laws covered by MDDA and MDPD. We know for a fact that there are different or-
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and the third biggest nuclear power producer in the world.
Listed firm DHI, on the other hand, is currently constructing a 300-MW wind power project.
CMEC is part of the world’s top 500 companies, while CNTY belongs to Fortune China 500.
CPID and CHEC are both looking into establishing local entities to invest in renewable energy projects in the Philippines.
“I have now instructed our Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) and Investment Promotions Office (IPO) to start communicating with them and provide the full support to hasten this particular cooperation between the Philippines and China,” Lotilla added.
During the state visit of
dinances governing different areas and cities. I-integrate at i-align natin yan so that there will be one law and ordinance that will be implemented in those areas. Also see, maintain peace and order and take on necessary steps to ensure public safety,” he said.
In April this year, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11708, or “An Act creating Metropolitan Davao Development Authority, with the aim of further developing the economy in the region. Metropolitan Davao covers Davao City; Panabo City, Tagum City and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Digos City in Davao del Sur; Mati City in Davao Oriental; and city in Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, and Sulop in Davao del Sur, Carmen in Davao del Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, Malita and Sta Maria in Davao Occidental.
Under Executive Order No. 70, which institutionalizes the whole-of-government approach to end local
Marcos to China last week, the DOE chief met with leaders of various Chinese energy firms where he presented investment opportunities in the country’s renewable energy sector.
He also highlighted that the Marcos administration is rolling out reforms to attract investments in renewable energy.
The Philippines targets renewable energy to have 35 percent share to the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. This means the country would need 52,000 MW of renewable energy by 2040.
Apart from these renewable energy targets, there is also a potential of 178,000 MW of offshore wind potential in the country. (PNA)
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and Agdao districts, NCCC Buhangin for Buhangin district, Calinan Gym for Calinan district, and Baguio District Treasury Office for Baguio district.
The other sites are Marilog District Treasury Office, Paquibato Treasury Office, Toril District Treasury Office, Tugbok Trea-
In terms of nuclear energy, Lotilla said Chinese firms are already looking into the matter, which the Philippines can benefit from.
“They have several also companies that are studying of course conventional nuclear energy and even modular nuclear energy, so it is important for us to keep also the Chinese investors’ interest in this particular area,” he said.
Malacañang last week said the government is set to update its nuclear energy roadmap, with Marcos pushing for its adoption in a bid to lower power rates.
The President, along with his running mate Vice President Sara Duterte, have been pushing for the adoption of nuclear energy, which they said would lower electricity rates and help secure a steady power source.
His predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, last March issued Executive Order 164, directing the
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DA chief, he said the government managed to address the problem by establishing more cold storage facilities.
“The Central Mindanao Onion Production Initiative
In an earlier report, Rojas said the Abu Sayyaf numbers are declining and “is now a spent force.” (Frencie Careon / MindaNews)
sury Office, Bunawan District Treasury Office, and Paquibato District Treasury Office.
Business owners are also urged to apply and transact online for a more convenient and efficient processing of the renewal of their business permits
By Maya M. PadilloFROM 5
conduct of relevant studies for the adoption of a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program.
The DOE in November said, however, that the Philippines will have to wait a decade to see a working nuclear power plant given the time needed for feasibility studies and other factors.
“At this point we cannot say how fast they (Chinese commitments) will be implemented but the President has committed that he’s going to make sure that there will be a systematic handholding of investors,” Lotilla said.
“We will be helping out the investors from day one, including being able to organize investors fora to invite investors to come to the Philippines and once they have given us their interest then we can help them all the way to helping them out with the requirements of the local governments,” he added.
which I will personally lead will involve the complete value chain where farmers, with the help of ATI and DA, will be taught onion farming technology,” he said. (PNA)
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‘yung hindi gumagawa ng maayos at patuloy na tinatakpan ‘yung kamalian (This is a public appeal because NCIP employees know who are or are not doing their jobs well and those who continue to cover up wrongdoings),” he said.
Selling, buying of ancestral domain
Capuyan said they have identified the areas where rampant selling, buying and unauthorized lease of portions of ancestral domain continue.
“Tuloy tuloy ang bentahan ng mga lupain ng katutubo o kung hindi man ay iba’t ibang pamamaraan, fake titles, dinadaan sa lease pero walang agreement. Nagtatayuan na lang ‘yung mga bahay, mgaresort sa ibat ibang parte ng Pilipinas (The selling of land or different methods continue, fake titles, leases but without agreements. Houses and resorts are being built in different parts of the Philippines),” Capuyan said.
Local and village offi-
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PTEs to ensure that their SIMs won’t be deactivated,” DICT Spokesperson Anna Mae Lamentillo said in a statement.
“We also remind everyone to register only through the official platforms provided by the
the MILF, Mayor Zohaira “Jo” Guro expressed her commendation to the new defense chief who she described as her last card when she appealed for the immediate repair of the Sarakan Bridge as it was damaged during Typhoon Paeng last year.
“Sec. Galvez Jr. was instrumental to the repair of the broken bridge,” Guro said, pointing out that the role of the Army Engineers.
The bridge’s damage halted the flow of transportation between Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
Galvez had a long stint in Mindanao during his military career, assignments in Mindanao, from being a junior officer to the top post of the Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division, then as head of the Western Mindanao Command. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
cials are involved but IP members have limited knowledge about the deals or fear the repercussions if they complain.
“I’m putting here my name on the line. Meron talagang nangyayari, may governor, may mayor, maybarangay officials (Something is really happening. Governor, mayor, there are barangay officials [involved]),” he said.
“Panawagan din sa Pangulo. Kailangan ng intervention para maayos ang problema sa mga katutubo (I am also calling on the President. Intervention is needed to fix the problems of IPs),” he added.
Inactive NTF-ELCAC Capuyan said the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has not been of help to them.
He said he personally witnessed how some NTFELCAC personnel failed or refused to perform their functions.
Such inaction would ultimately cause the task force to become irrelevant, he said. (PNA)
PTEs,” she added.
To register SIM cards, users of DITO Telecommunity Corp. can visit https:// dito.ph/registerDITO, Globe Telecom Inc. at https://new. globe.com.ph/simreg, and Smart at https://smart.com. ph/simreg.
Thursday’s official draw will determine the Philippine women’s national football team opponents for the first round of the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifying.
The official draw will be conducted at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The first round of the Asian qualifiers to the women’s Olympic football tournament will see 26 teams vying for two spots.
Ranked No. 53 in the world, the Filipinas are in Pot 1 in the draw together with Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and India.
The 26 teams will be divided into five groups
of four and two groups of three, vying in a one-round league format in a centralized venue from April 3 to 11.
Only the top teams from the seven groups will advance to the next round, where they will join the five highest-seeded teams in DPR Korea, Japan, Australia, China PR, and Korea Republic.
From the 12 teams in the second round, only the
three group winners and the best second placer will move on to the home-andaway playoff matches for the two spots to the Olympics.
The seeds for the first round draw are based on the latest FIFA women’s world ranking released on December 9, 2022, while the participants who do not feature in the ranking table are listed as non-ranked teams.
The Philippines reached the second round of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, before bowing out following a loss to Chinese-Taipei.
Based on their respective rankings, the 26 teams will have their names drawn from four seeding pots, as below:
Pot 1 (teams ranked 6-12): Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, Philippines,
India.
Pot 2 (13-19): Islamic Republic of Iran, Jordan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Nepal, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia
Pot 3 (20-26): Palestine, Singapore, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste.
Pot 4 (27-30 + 1 nonranked team): Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Bhutan, Afghanistan.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Tuesday sees tough battle ahead for the Philippine contingent as Cambodia hosts the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in less than four months.
“Frankly, kinakabahan ako because of the formula na ginawa ng host country (Frankly, I’m worried because of the formula made by the host country),” said Tolentino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the East Ocean Palace
Restaurant in Pasay City.
“Medyo mabigat ang ginawa (It’s a bit abrupt),” Tolentino added, referring to Cambodia’s decision to include events that are practically alien to the other countries and exclude events where Cambodians have slim chances of winning.
For a country of less than 17 million people, Cambodia has lined up 608 events in 49 sports, far bigger than the 530 events in 56 sports in the Manila edition in 2019 and the 526 events in 40 sports in Hanoi last year.
But it does not mean
that the Philippines, this early, is giving up the fight for the biennial event scheduled from May 5 to 17.
Tolentino said the POC will still make sure that the Philippines will be represented well in as many events in Cambodia and hope to match or improve on its fourthplace finish in Hanoi in May 2022.
“Salihan natin lahat ng events sa Cambodia (We will join all events in Cambodia),” he said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports
Commission, POC, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“Kailangan natin masalihan lahat (We need to compete in all events). We will give them a good fight,” added Tolentino, who is also counting on newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairperson Dicky Bachmann as the national athletes gear up for the Cambodia event.
“Buti na lang pareho kami hands-on (Bachmann) (The good thing is we are both hands-on),” said the POC chief and
president of PhilCycling.
Cambodia finished at No. 8 in the last SEA Games edition, winning nine gold medals along with 13 silver and 41 bronzes. Providing the golds for the country were vovinam with three and petanque with two, then kickboxing, wrestling and taekwondo with one each.
Tolentino said it will be quite difficult for Cambodia to win the overall title this year.
“Based on their formula hindi kaya mag-first. Pero sasaksak sa taas yun whether second, third or fourth. So baka battle for
fourth na naman. Tingnan natin (Based on their formula, they cannot get first place. But they will surge within the top whether second, third or fourth. So it might be battle for fourth again. Let’s see),” Tolentino said.
Aside from the SEA Games, the Philippines will also gear up for the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September, the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games in Bangkok November and the World Beach Games in Bali.
“This will be our busiest year in sports,” Tolentino said. (PNA)
Bachmann, on his very first flag raising ceremony as the sports agency’s 12th chairman made very clear his intent to be of service to the athletes. “Yun ang pinaka urgent na bagay para matulungan natin sila. If there is any delay of allowances of any athlete, paki delay din yung akin. My salary also. Give me the names of those athletes, give me the names of the NSAs, ako na yung maghahabol. Because, when I say that there is no delay in allowances, I’m going to make it happen,” declared Bachmann.
The PSC Chief also laid down his plans to bring back free meals for the members of the Philippine team. He also encour-
aged the PSC workforce to come to him if they have any suggestions or thoughts they want to share relative to the service they carry-out for their clients.
“I work best when I am on the ground - talking & listening to people I am supposed to serve,” said Bachmann, adding “I would rather go to the athlete, and I also encourage our Commissioners to do the same.”
Bachmann, who was joined by Commissioners Edward Hayco, Olivia “Bong’’ Coo and Walter Torres plans to take up a four-point priority plan with his Commissioners as they hold a board meeting today.
Aside from supporting the
athletes, the newly-appointed sports chairperson also assured the PSC family that they are part of his priority as he addressed them Tuesday saying, “kayo rin ay mga MVPs, because of the work you do to support our athletes.” The PSC employees also greeted chairman Bachmann,
who will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow, January 11.
“I want to assure everyone that I am here to be of service. Period. No personal agenda. I am here to serve our national athletes, the NSAs, and the PSC organization.” assured Bachmann.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann’s first order of mission for the PSC manpower: “No delays on the financial support that PSC provides the athletes.”Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann delivers his first message with the PSC on Monday.