Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 252 | Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023

A TASTE OF FREEDOM

Top cop Felonia acquitted for 2014 murder of businessman King

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Lawyer Caesar Europa announced to media on Tuesday that former director of the PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 11 Col. Leonardo Felonia has been acquitted for the murder of businessman Richard King in 2014 after almost nine years in detention.

tire decision was read and the judge acquitted Col. Felonia of the charges against him basically on the basis of the finding that the evidence given to implicate him of the offense the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were insufficient and even contradicted by evidence including forensic evidence,” Europa, lead

counsel of Felonia, said via Zoom on Tuesday afternoon. In a decision handed down by the RTC Branch 14 of Davao City through Presiding Judge Gerardo C. Braganza dated February 7, 2023, the Court ruled that the Prosecution failed to prove with moral certainty FA TASTE, P10

DILG cites Davao Norte’s good financial housekeeping in 2022

(DILG)

DA allots P32.6M for agri aid in 4 Davao provinces

The Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region (DA-11) has allotted PHP32.6 million worth of assistance to curb poverty in four provinces in the region.

In a press briefing here, DA-11 Regional Officer for Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD)

Naomi Lamata said 14 fifth- and sixth-class municipalities in the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental are the budget’s target recipients this year.

municipalities as San Isidro and Talaingod in Davao del Norte; Caraga, Tarragona, Manay, Baganga, Governor Generoso, Cateel and Boston in Davao Oriental; Jose Abad Santos, Don Marcelino, Malita and Sarangani in Davao Occidental; and Kiblawan in Davao del Sur.

She said the projects include banana, corn and layer chicken production.

“We have started the profiling of beneficiaries. The municipalities who preferred the banana production project will be receiving 15,000 banana Cardava plantlets with fertilizers, with tools, with drums, with crates, and with sprayers,” she said.

the

DILG recognized the province’s exceptional financial management practices and commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance.

The GFH seeks to recognize local governments that excel in financial transparency. It is one of the components of the DILG’s Seal of Good Local Governance introduced in 2014.

“This award is a testa-

ment to the hard work and dedication of the entire Davao del Norte team. We are committed to ensuring the efficient use of public funds for the betterment of our community,” Gover-

Of the total budget, PHP3 million is designated for the social preparation component and food production, PHP20 million for livelihood, and PHP9.5 million for the program management office.

“The Philippine Statistics Authority identified these municipalities. They are those who have the poorest of the poor families,” Lamata said.

She identified the target

For corn production, the beneficiaries will receive 24 bags of hybrid corn seeds, 144 sacks of fertilizers, and 30 bottles or packs of pesticides.

On the layer chicken production, DA-11 will be giving five-month-old chickens that are ready to

Land Transportation Office 11 (LTO 11) director Neil Cañedo, together with LTO 11 Operations Division head lawyer Loida Igdanes, warns during Wednesdays media forum at Habi at Kape, Abreeza Mall in Davao City on Wednesday new applicants of driver’s license to follow proper procedure or face perpetual revocation. Lean Daval Jr.

“The case against Col. Felonia for the murder of Richard King was set for promulgation and the en-

Business Bureau to set up online business permit registration kiosk

LTO tells drivers to strictly follow procedures on license application

An official of the Land Transportation Office-Davao (LTODavao) reminded new applicants of driver’s license on Wednesday to follow proper procedure or face perpetual revocation.

Neil M. Cañedo, regional director of LTO-Davao, issued his warning after reports that some applicants opted to apply for driver’s license outside Davao City, specifically in Bislig, Surigao del Sur and Patin-ay, Agusan del Sur, as it is easier to acquire license from those areas.

“Mao nang gipangusgan sa central office sa atong LTO ang digitalization kay makita na tanang data sa system even ang exam makita na all you have to do is i-remember nimo na tanan ug i-comprehend aron pag-abot sa exam matubag nimo siya. Puwede na hubaron sa english, tagalog, ug karon among ginasulayan ang bisaya para masabtan nila,” Cañedo said during Wednesdays at Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Mall.

He also encouraged applicants to transact directly

to LTO and not through fixers. To get a driver’s license, an applicant just need to get a special permit (SP) at P250 and after 31 days he/ she can apply for non-professional driver’s license as long as he/she already secured the practical driving certificate (PDC) and medical certificate.

Cañedo said all in all an applicant will only pay P700 to P900 at LTO excluding the practical driving fee, which are offered by LTO-accredited driving schools, compared to the P8,000 that the applicant will be paying when getting a license to areas outside Davao City.

Cañedo clarified that Dabawenyos are not prohibited to apply for a driver’s license outside Davao City as long as they go through the proper procedure.

“Makita namo na sa system specially kung mu-derecho ug professional, that is in violation of RA 10930, pag madakpan namo, wala na namo ginabalik ug ang among i-attach is resolution. Perpetual re-

FLTO, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

An official of the Business Bureau announced on Wednesday that the bureau is eyeing to set up kiosks at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) due to poor response from applicants for business permit online registration.

According to Maribel Paguican, officer in charge of the Davao City Business Bureu from the 42,856 renewal applications generated by the department for the month of January, a meager 1.11 percent or 476 applications used the

online platform.

She said setting up kiosks with computer and internet connection will help boost online registration of business permits.

“The mayor has given me an assignment to really come up kung ano

yung mga issues ng ating mga clients. Their issues include wala silang capacity dahil wala silang computers at walang internet and that is beyond our control,” she said during Wednesdays Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Mall.

Paguican said they will also capacitate the barangays to help the city address concerns of the applicants.

“Our strategy is to set up kiosks with computer and internet at the SP so

that we can give the service as mandated by our ease of doing business,” she said.

It can be recalled that in his inaugural speech on June 27, 2022, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte pushed for the digitalization of public transactions and the delivery of government services.

He urged the public to take advantage of the latest available technology and ensure global competitiveness when it comes to

Solons bat for establishment of specialty hospitals nationwide

Reps. Paolo Duterte (Davao City, 1st District) and Eric Yap (Lone District of Benguet) jointly filed a proposed measure aiming to create regional specialty centers across the country in order to make health services more accessible.

House Bill (HB) No. 6857 or the Regional Specialty Hospitals Act in-

tends to establish regional branches of specialty hospitals, such as the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Lung Center of the Philippines, Philippine Children’s Medical Center and Philippine Cancer Center.

“This is to provide access to affordable and quality healthcare services to

all Filipinos, especially to those who are in the farflung areas of the country,” Duterte said in his explanatory note.

Duterte said most Filipino patients with serious illnesses would opt to see experienced doctors.

“However, in order to afford the expertise of these hospitals’ medical professionals and its

advanced amenities and equipment, patients are being encumbered by the additional expenses on transportation and accommodation for their medical needs to be catered, most especially those that are from far-flung areas or provinces,” he noted.

Yap, on the other hand, said the Department of FSOLONS, P10

Davao City Business Bureau officer in charge Maribel Paguican, together with Business Bureau action officer Rodney Bulahan, bares during Wednesdays media forum at Habi at Kape, Abreeza Mall in Davao City on Wednesday that the department is eyeing to set up kiosks at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) due to help boost the business permit online registration. Lean Daval Jr.

PH opens 2023 with $99.7B GIR -- BSP

The Philippines opened 2023 with almost a hundred billion dollars in foreign currency reserves — enough to cover the country’s import requirements for over half-a-year — as the national government increased its foreign currency deposits with the central bank resulting from its fund raising efforts in the offshore debt market, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

Preliminary BSP data showed the gross international reserves (GIR) level —a measure of a country’s ability to settle import payments and service foreign debt — as of end-January 2023 stood at $99.7 billion, higher than the end-December 2022 level of $96.1 billion.

The central bank’s reserve assets consist of

foreign investments, gold, foreign exchange, reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and special drawing rights.

“The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected mainly the national government’s (NG) net foreign currency deposits with the BSP, which include proceeds from its issuance

BOI OKs inclusion of chain support of supply in SIPP

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Board of Investments (BOI) have finally resolved the classification of ecozone logistics service enterprises (ELSEs) as “export enterprises” that could benefit from the perks under the Strategic

Investment Priority Plan (SIPP).

The PEZA shared with the media on Tuesday Memorandum Circular (MC) 2023-010 dated Feb. 3, 2023 that recognizes ELSEs as exporters under the 2022 SIPP’s activities in support of exporters.

Diokno expects inflation to decelerate starting Q1

The country’s inflation rate surged further to a fresh 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January, exceeding expectations and its likely peak in December 2022 but Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno targets deceleration starting this quarter partly due to declining oil prices.

“This is in view of the active lobbying and relentless efforts of PEZA through our letter to the BOI dated 24 February 2022, Position Paper dated 8 September 2022 to the Fiscal Incentives Review Board - Technical Committee (FIRTB-TC), and com-

ments/inputs on the BOI MC, for the inclusion and recognition of ELSEs as activities in support of exporters and thus, entitled to the VAT (value-added tax) zero-rating incentive,” the MC read.

Before the Corporate

“Think with peso stabilizing, oil prices falling, and relatively mild La Niña (less unpredictable weather in the first half of the year). I expect the deceleration of prices to start in Q1 (first quarter) 2023,” he told journalists in a Viber message on Tuesday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) earlier in the day reported that upticks in the annual rate of price increases for housing, water, electricity, and gas and other fuels, at 8.5 percent from 7 percent in

December 2022, drove inflation for the month.

The inflation rate in January 2022 is lower at 3 percent.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and oil items, also accelerated to 7.4 percent from December 2022’s 6.9 percent. The year-ago level was 1.8 percent.

Diokno said January’s inflation rate surpassed the central bank’s inflation forecast of between 7.5 percent and 8.3 percent, and private sector economists’ median projection of 7.6 percent.

Amid this development, Diokno said, “the President remains on top of the situation as the administration continues to adopt a whole-of-government approach to tame inflation, especially on key food FDIOKNO, P10

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks at the 2023 National Tax Campaign Kickoff in Pasay City on Tuesday where he pledged support for the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) goals for employment opportunities, financial investments, and institution-building. Office of the President

FPH, P10

FBOI, P10

Unemployment slightly up at 4.3% in Dec. ‘22

BIR’s P2.6-T collection goal achievable, authorities say

Finance authorities are optimistic about the achievement of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) PHP2.6 trillion revenues this year given the continued recovery of the domestic economy.

In an interview after the BIR’s Tax Campaign kickoff at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on Tuesday, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said banking on the economy for the continued growth of government revenues is called “tax elasticity”.

“The stronger the economy, the higher the revenues,” he said.

The BIR exceeded its PHP2.1-trillion revenue goal in 2022 by more than PHP500 billion and authorities traced this to the continued reopening of the economy that boosted its recovery.

Meanwhile, asked if the

MoreFilipino workers were jobless in December, but fewer workers were underemployed, according to the preliminary data released on Wednesday by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

government will continue to implement subsidy programs vis-à-vis another rise in domestic inflation rate last January to a new 14-year high to 8.7 percent, Diokno said it will depend on the situation, noting that the drivers of inflation’s acceleration this time is food supply and not oil prices anymore.

“We will design a program that will address that,” he said, adding that the national budget has provisions for this purpose.

In an interview by journalists after the event, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the continued improvement of the agency’s digitalization program and other services are expected to help boost collections this year.

He said the agency “will provide excellent taxpayers’ service, (and) focus on providing convenience

The unemployment rate settled at 4.3 percent in December, equivalent to 2.22 million jobless Filipinos. December’s figure is slightly higher compared to the 2.18 million or 4.2 percent rate in November 2022, the PSA said.

December 2022’s jobless rate was the second lowest since 2005, the PSA said, trailing only the November 2022 figure. It was also much lower than the unemployment rate in December 2021 which was at 6.6 percent.

Underemployment, meanwhile, eased to 12.6 percent, equivalent to 6.2 million Filipinos seeking more jobs or job hours. December’s underemployment rate was better than the 14.4 percent or 7.16 million seen in the previous month, data showed.

The overall employment rate in the country is also slightly lower in December at 95.7 percent or 49 million compared to No-

vember’s 95.8 percent rate or 49.71 million Filipinos, the PSA said.

MANUFACTURING LOSSES, AGRI GAINS Around 585,000 jobs were lost in manufacturing in December, the PSA said.

Other subsectors which saw large drops in the number of employed persons from November to December were:

Wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehi-

DOE exec says RCEP to help PH pursue energy blueprint

An energy official said on Tuesday the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will help the Philippines achieve its long-term plan for energy security while contributing to mitigating the impacts of climate change.

“We are utilizing this agreement to pursue the Philippine Energy Plan that works towards energy security,” Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on RCEP.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan 2020-2040, the DOE is paving the path in moving toward a clean energy future by pursuing policies that would attract more investments in renewable energy, institutionalizing energy efficiency and conservation

programs, and promoting the use of clean energy.

Fuentebella said concurring the regional free trade agreement (FTA) will allow the country to attract more energy investments, which is capital-intensive and would require technol-

New Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo Tria, who held the position in 2020, takes over from Dr. Maria Lourdes Monteverde who served as chamber president in 2021 and 2022.

Lean Daval Jr.

On the acquittal of former director of the PNP Regional Intelligence Unit 11 Col. Leonardo Felonia for the murder of businessman Richard

MOSES BILLACURA Sports Editor

M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

OLIVIA D. VELASCO President SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

JASPER V. BACSAL General Manager / VP Operations

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

GREGORIO GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant

King in 2014:

“Right now, we are very happy with the decision. This was a long, hard fought case specially for Col. Felonia. He’s been detained since 2014 and this afternoon is his first taste of freedom after suffering for so long being detained. It’s really a vindication for him and we are very happy with the successful termination of the case against him and giving him the taste of freedom again.”

ATTY. CAESAR EUROPA JR.

Legend has it that Isaac Newton formulated gravitational theory sometime in 1665 or 1666 after watching an apple fall and asking why the apple fell straight down, rather than sideways or even upward.

We learned this basic principle in Science as wide-eyed elementary school students. I still can remember how my Science teacher demonstrated this theory by holding up a pencil and letting go of it. The pencil dropped to the floor.

What goes up must come down.

That phrase rang like a broken record each day for weeks in the classroom. We threw a ball up in the air and the ball goes down.

OF CRABS AND ROTTEN APPLES

What goes up just comes down.

The lessons on gravity got a bit complicated but Newton was able to show that the force that makes the apple and the force that holds us on the ground is the same force that keeps the moon and planets in their orbits. Little did Newton knew, his gravitational theory would lead to space travel which paved the way us to enjoy the benefits of global positioning satellites.

Later in life I discovered that “what goes up must come down” is not just about gravitational theory. It has it’s demonstrative comparison in a Filipino culture called “crab mentality.”

Pretty much the same principle.

Whoever goes up in life, others pull them down.

Classic Pinoy. As engrained as adobo.

I tell you what. Even outside the country, that classic crab mentality of Filipinos still very much exists. You won’t believe it but it’s a sickening reality.

I dug into the definition by Psychologists of crab mentality.

This one sums it up best: “Crab mentality is an analogy to the selfish and envious behavior of someone upon other people’s success. It is also defined as someone’s tendency to pull down people around them who they consider are better than them in any aspect.”

Nothing less is being demonstrated even on foreign land and

it’s saddening to see some Filipinos do everything they can to put another countryman down just so they are perceived to be the more powerful, influential or successful in the community. This ugly trait either made openly or manifested in discreet, backstabbing ways happens here and there.

Unlike other cultures, like the Indian people for example who are competitive with themselves and others but prefers to be collaborative as they are group-oriented in work style preference, some of our kababayans bitterly show the dark side.

The good thing is, they are but a few in numbers.

There are still the majority

of us who embrace the culture of bayanihan, the same spirit we share with Australian mateship culture.

I will deal with the specifics at some point. You won’t believe it but even on foreign soil, Pinoys can turn a simple voluntary community service into a political zarzuela. Oh what jealousy and self-aggrandizement can do to turn men into irrational freaks.

For now, let’s put it this way. If we follow the laws of Physics, those who pull others down are likely to triumph.

But let’s not forget, there is more to life than just the forces of Physics.

Like rotten apples falling to the ground first.

SUPPORT GAP FOR ADULTS WITH AUTISM

“Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things needed to lead one’s daily life.” - Judith

Heumann

Recently, four lawmakers filed House Bill 6743 or the Monthly Subsidy for Parents of Children with Disability Act. The bill seeks to push for a monthly PHP2,000 subsidy for parents of children with disabilities to help defray the costs of raising children with special needs. The lawmakers cited a United Nations Children’s Fund study which showed that the cost of raising a child with a disability is 40 to 80 percent higher than other children without disabilities.

This is one of a series of bills and even laws in our country regarding concerns related to disabilities. While legislative acts such as these are to be praised, one of this bill’s provisions clearly illustrates one of the main gaps in our society’s attempt to help people with disabilities.

This bill states that this subsidy automatically ceases once the child with disabilities reach the age of 21 years old. This provision typifies the limits of government intervention for parents of children with disabilities. While our government have some programs in

place for children with special needs, all of these programs stop when these children become adults. What happens to these kids when they become adults?

There are many forms of disabilities and parents of children born with these various disabilities face a myriad of problems and obstacles as they try to raise their sons and daughters with special needs. Many parents, with the help of professionals and communities and even government agencies, are able to provide care, guidance, training and support for their children with disabilities that enable these kids to grow up as fully or sufficiently functioning adult members of societies. Unfortunately, there are instances where the physical and cognitive capacities of these adults with disabilities leave them permanently unable to care for themselves, let alone become a working part or member of societies.

One of the most painful experience for parents is to be told that their child has a severe level of disability that would require higher level of support and thus prevent the individual from fending for him/ her throughout life. For these parents, they will have a lingering question in their minds for the

rest of their lives. Who will take care of their children when they are gone? This question can cause unimaginable pain or stress that often produce stress, anxiety and collateral damaging effects for the family in question.

One such permanent disability is autism. Autism worldwide incidence last 2021 has grown to 1 in 100 children. Autism has no cure. It is a life-long condition for those diagnosed within the spectrum.

In the Philippines, parents of children with autism or other permanent disabilities have few or no options for providing assured continuing support and care for their children. The government provides various support and care for children with disabilities but all of these programs stop when they become adults. What is worse is that there is a painful lack of awareness for supporting or understanding adults with these disabilities.

There are some individuals who have formed a group to provide mutual support programs to give their adult sons and daughter activities that cater to their needs. There are even some groups who, in cooperation with like-minded institutions, have attempted to provide special communi-

ties for adults with these disabilities to survive and thrive. These are in the experimental stage and of course only able to help a small portion of adults with disabilities.

Unfortunately, private initiatives alone will be insufficient. The government must step in to help provide solutions to this problem or gap in support. To ensure that the government take action, parents of disabled children, related private institutions, associations, and health professionals must band together and coordinate with government to make them aware of the situation and then come up with suggested solutions aimed at lessening the gap in support for adults with these disabilities.

There is an old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. There was, in fact, a book by Hillary Clinton entitled, “It takes a village” which expounds on the concept that society and government in general, must pitch in and help parents. For parents of children with disability, this concept is even more important. It really does take a village to care and even help parents of children with special needs. As such, more than the said parents, associations and even groups, there is a need for other members of our society

to be aware and contribute to these efforts.

Though direct financial assistance for parents of adults with special needs would be appreciated, the apparent cost for such program would stagger even in the richest of governments. Perhaps, non-financial measures such as tax breaks, health care and other incentives be given to parents to allow them to build the financial capacity to set aside funds for the future. In addition, government support for private institutions that are already taking the initiative for related programs can help expand their reach. Private corporation willing to engage in related activities for their CSR can also be given breaks or even additional pathways for ease of doing business. There are probably many groups or individuals with better and newer ideas for this problem. This is a problem that requires out of the box solutions from all sectors.

One thing is certain. With a growing number of children diagnosed with autism and other permanent disabilities every year, the problems of these children growing up to be adults must be addressed as soon as possible.

This is my oblique observation.

NEIL BRAVO VIEW FROM THE OUTFIELD

ATTY. GILBERTO LAUENGCO, J.D. OBLIQUE OBSERVATIONS

Thrilled to fly every Juan

Have you missed the thrill of packing and unpacking a luggage? Looking out from the window of the plane and daydreaming touching the cottony clouds? Most of all, have you missed the fun of scouring items in your

bag for the “bring me” game halfway through the flight?

Good news to the restless feet and pent-up wanderlust. You can do those things again as Cebu Pacific is all set to fly every Juan again.

The media, bloggers, and influencers from Manila, Davao City, Cebu City, and Iloilo City got the buzz firsthand during CEB’s exclusive media event at the Ayala Museum on January 25, 2023.

No more dreaming of freedom to travel as you can finally begin to release your pent-up passion for travel as CEB has restored 92% of its pre-Covid capacity since December last year.

The airline is fanning everyone’s desire to travel as it

will connect passengers to more places by increasing the frequencies of international destinations: Bangkok, Brunei, Sydney, and Guangzhoufrom Manila.

Take that trip to visit relatives in another country as CEB will also fully restore its flights to all its 25 international destinations in 14 countries by March 2023. Here are the newly resumed flights: Melbourne, Macau, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Xiamen- from

Manila. “We are excited to welcome more passengers onboard, especially now that we are back to easier times. We are proud to announce that Cebu Pacific has emerged stronger after nearly three years of the pandemic and that we are ready to give our customers a better flying experience. And so, we confidently say—‘Let’s Fly, Every Juan’,” said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific’s Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer.

See? Even CEB is thrilled to fly every Juan.

In fact, to address passengers demand, CEB as one of the few airlines in the world to accept aircraft deliveries during the pandemic, will receive 10 brand new planes in 2023 - three A320neo, three A321neo, and four A330neo.

How good is that?

It’s time to fly.

EDGEDAVAO COMPETITIVE EDGE

Metrobank extends loans to Aboitiz Equity Ventures subsidiaries

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) recently extended a total of Php20.5 billion in loans to two strategic business units of Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV).

Therma Luzon, Inc., which is under the Group’s power business subsidiary Aboitiz Power, tapped Metrobank

for a Php15 billion loan to support its refinancing and general corporate requirements. It signed a 10-year loan with Metrobank, maturing in 2032, to primarily finance a portion of its remaining IPPA related obligations to government-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

(PSALM).

Meanwhile, LIMA Land, Inc., which is part of the Group’s infrastructure business subsidiary Aboitiz InfraCapital, was provided a Php5.5 billion loan by the Bank to bankroll the expansion of its real estate business in the LIMA Estate ecozone.

To commemorate the

partnerships, Metrobank handed Therma Luzon a custom-made artwork titled Power. Power is intended to be a symbol of progress and AEV through Therma Luzon is a strong advocate of empowering Filipinos. This sculpture represents power to the people. Meanwhile, for LIMA Land, Metrobank

gave a custom-made sculpture, forged to symbolize the company’s pursuit for building infrastructures to promote growth and expansion aimed to improve the condition of the modern Filipino.

Present in the loan signing were (from left): Liza Montelibano, Aboitiz Power Chief Fi-

nance Officer; Veronica So, Aboitiz Group Treasurer; Manuel Lozano, AEV outgoing Chief Finance Officer; Mary Mylene Caparas, Metrobank Head of Institutional Banking Sector; and Rose Tiamson, Metrobank Head of Large Corporates Division, Corporate Banking Group.

Acer tops 2022 consumer notebook sales in PH

Acer continued to dominate the PC notebook category in the Philippines for 2022 and was the No. 1 consumer notebook brand for the 16th consecutive year. The brand topped the category with a 35.2% market share, according to a third-party research firm. Acer was also No. 1 in the gaming notebook category with a 40.4% market share.

For 2022, market share peaked for Acer in October at 48.2% as post-pandemic hybrid work made notebooks even more of a necessity. In 2021, Acer had an overall market share of 33% - 30% in consumer notebooks and 34% in gaming notebooks.

Online learning was

among the drivers for growth. It was in the education sector that Acer truly showed its strength with multiple product offerings across all market segments and the brand’s val ue-for-mon ey proposi tion. Acer’s sustainability efforts, par ticularly with the Green PC, Acer Vero, also helped push laptop sales. Other green activities that helped gain consum er attention were the #MakeYourGreenMark 21-Day Challenge and the Green Mark Con cert, where Acer fans

helped raise Php1.38 million for the GreenEarth Heritage Foundation and 20 metric tons of plastic waste compensation for The Plaf. Acer ambassa-

dors like Sarah Geronimo, SB19, Kathryn Bernardo, and Daniel Padilla also helped to get the brand’s messages across to consumers.

Meanwhile, Acer

Team Payaman, Een Mercado, Kang Dupet, Blacklist International Dota 2 Team, Team Secret Valorant, Polaris Esports, and Boom Esports among others – for its gaming laptops also resonated with the gaming community. The brand’s support for esports, by holding grassroots tournaments for up-andcoming players, also gained fans for gaming devices. There was also a lot of buzz as the Asia Pacific Predator League 2022 Grand Finals was finally staged offline after two years of being online.

Another growth driver was the brand’s

strong presence nationwide. Consumers can shop for Acer products in Acer Concept Stores and through authorized dealers. Online, Acer is available on its website and on Shopee and Lazada.

“In the last two years, there was an unprecedented demand for computers because of online work and education. As things slowly but surely return to normal, Acer’ goal is to optimally perform within core business competencies as we prepare for areas of future growth. Our consumers can only expect the best of what we can give them,” said Sue OngLim, Acer Philippines General Manager.

A TASTE... FROM 2

that Felonia was the Principal by Inducement in the murder.

“It is very important to note that really in the decision of the court, the court pretty much said that allegations of Labang against Felonia were contradicted by evidence,” Europa said. Europa was referring to Felonia’s co-accused Romnel Escote dela Cerna (lookout) and Rodel Escote dela Cerna (driver of the getaway vehicle) were previously discharged for having entered a plea of guilty to the lesser offense of homicide and the gunman Paul Labang was discharged as state witness.

The decision with a copy released to the media by Europa and collaborating counsel lawyer Jaja Buenaventura of Innominds Consultancy, explained that the “conspiracy to commit murder was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. In particular, testimonial and abject evidence supported the acquittal of Col. Felonia. While the gunman alleged that Felonia called him several times in connection with the crime, the forensic examination of Labang’s cellphone revealed that Labang did not receive any calls the day before or on the day of the murder.”

It also said that “the testimony of Labang contained inconsistencies which were substantially rebutted by the testimony of the officers of the Regional intelligence Unit (RIU) Compound which proved that Labang did not meet Col. Felonia in the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) Compound. Moreover, the bullet recovered at the crime scene did not match the firearm recovered from gunman Paul Labang. Forensic examination of the firearm allegedly used as the murder weapon was a doubtful evidence, so to speak, as the firearm was already used as evidence in five previous shooting incidents in 2012 (Quezon City), 2013(Region V), 2014 (Davao City).”

Europa said forensic evidence is of great help for the acquittal of Felonia.

“There’s the saying that people may lie but objects evidence cannot lie. Like for example the forensic examination of the cel-

BOI... FROM 4

Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, ELSEs were granted fiscal incentives through PEZA Board Resolution 97-366 dated Nov. 11, 1997, or the “Guidelines for Registration and Operations of Ecozone Facilities Enterprise Engaging in Warehouse Operation.”

As the government rationalizes tax perks through the CREATE Act, the BOI and PEZA have to clarify the classification of ELSEs.

In the new PEZA MC, ELSE projects can be considered export enterprises when it renders at least 70 percent of output and/or services

lular phones where the judge noticed and pointed it out that the fact that the forensic examination did not show records of phone calls that were supposedly made put into question the veracity of the allegations na may mga tawag. And also very important that there were witnesses also from the PNP from the previous command of Col. Felonia that some elements of and even retired na at the time he testified na galing ng RIU 11 who testified to the fact that on the days na wala pang claim that he went there and that Col. Felonia supposedly gave him money, etc. they were there and they never saw him there. Reading the actual transcript of their testimonies, you would realize that they were with Felonia the entire time and he was never alone and the people who were with him attested to the fact that they never saw Paul Labang there,” Europa said.

When asked if Felonia will be reinstated in his former post following his acquittal, Europa said they will discuss this in the future but there is basis to reinstate his benefits.

“That is administrative in character what was decided today was just criminal case. Personally, I think there can be basis for him to petition the PNP kasi lampas naman sa retireable age si Felonia I think there’s basis for him to ask the PNP to at least reinstate the benefits that he should have receive in retirement because it was this case the very reason why there was an adverse decision against him administratively. Hindi pa naming napag-usapan niyan, we are still celebrating our win for today. We will probably talk about that sometime in the future,” he said.

“Right now, we are very happy with the decision. This was a long, hard fought case specially for Col. Felonia. He’s been detained since 2014 and this afternoon is his first taste of freedom after suffering for so long being detained. It’s really a vindication for him and we are very happy with the successful termination of the case against him and giving him the taste of freedom again,” he added.

to another registered export enterprise and shall be engaged in integrated logistics, such as the establishment of a warehouse storage facility and procurement from local sources and/or PEZA-registered enterprises for direct export or consignment to PEZA-registered export enterprises.

“Accordingly, all ELSEs which have already filed their application/request for VAT zero-rating certification for the year 2023 and are compliant with PEZA reportorial requirements, including reports required under TIMTA, shall be issued the VAT zero-rating certificate,” the PEZA said.

LEBRON... FROM 11 DILG... FROM 2

nor Edwin Jubahib said in a statement.

To be awarded the GFH accolade, local government units (LGUs) must meet accounting and auditing standard regulations and pass an evaluation by the Commission on Audit (COA).

“Good financial management is essential for sustainable development,

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lay eggs.

Lamata also noted that Davao de Oro province is already a SAAD beneficiary with a budget of PHP209 million for five years of implementation, which start-

and we will continue to prioritize this in our efforts to drive progress in Davao del Norte,” Jubahib said.

In addition, the provincial government must comply with the full disclosure policy, which involves the display of financial documents in three visible locations and on the full disclosure policy portal. (PNA)

ed in 2018.

SAAD is a locally-funded program of the DA which aims to help alleviate poverty among the marginalized sectors of agriculture and fishery. (PNA)

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government operations.

Meanwhile, Paguican reported the department has surpassed last year’s output by generating 42,856 renewal applications, which is an increase of 4,017 compared to last year’s 38,839.

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vocation na kay fraud man ug mao na ang provision sa RA 10930. Bug-at kaayo na nga gibuhat nga balaod. Gawas sa lisensya, ma-filan pud ka ug kasong criminal ug dili naka puwede mu-apply ug balik kay perpetual revocation na,” he said.

Cañedo said so far he already signed 500 resolutions canceling driver licenses for violating RA 10930.

“Nag intensify ang atong law enforcement service with regards anang mga nagakuha ug lisen-

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Health (DOH) has crafted a development plan for specialty care as part of the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan 20202040, which primarily includes the development of 328 specialty centers across different hospitals in all regions.

“In addition, no less than the Local Government Code of 1991 itself has devolved the health services to the LGUs (local government units) with the objective of making quality health services easily accessible to every Filipino. The case of decentralizing specialty hospitals is no different,” he said.

Yap said the 1987 Con-

DIOKNO... FROM 4 items.”

“The government intensifies measures to increase local production and agricultural productivity. As an intermediate action, the administration has temporarily reduced import restrictions on essential commodities through EO (Executive Order) No. 10,” he added.

Diokno said these measures are complemented by the continued linkage of farmers and fishers to consumers to ease prices.

“The government en-

an inadvertent elbow moments later.

The night was another incredible memory for the fans lucky enough to be in a building that has hosted a wealth of basketball history in less than a quarter-century. Lakers fans are no strangers to witnessing historic moments, and they turned out ferociously for the chance to see a once-in-a-generation achievement.

The moment was irresistible to fans like Aaron Sanchez, one of the hundreds of jersey-clad Lakers faithful patiently taking turns posing in front of the statue of Abdul-Jabbar that stands on the plaza in front of the Lakers’ downtown arena.

belong to a different friend.

“It’s basketball history, and that’s what the Lakers are all about,” Sanchez said. “LeBron is already one of the greatest Lakers ever, and getting this record in a Lakers uniform just makes it more certain. He was our leader after Kobe (Bryant) died, and he’s our leader now.”

She said out of the 42,856 more than 38,000 paid their applications.

“That means more than 5,000 applications are yet to pay and they already incurred 25 percent penalty for late payment,” she said.

sya sa laing lugar because kaning proseso nato karon kung tan-awon nimo muadto lang sila kay karon wala naman manual examination. Its already online ang examination so matingala mi kung ngano muadto pa sila sa lain lugar para mukuha ug lisenya. Basahon ra nila nag regulation nga naa online ug mupasa ra gyud sila. Dili gyud tinuod na lisod diri for as long as ma-comprehend lang nila tung mga balaod ug system nga gina-pa-review sa ilaha,” he said.

stitution guarantees an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development that is endeavored in making health services available to the people at an affordable cost.

The measure ensures that three years upon its enactment, at least one specialty hospital should be built in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Southern Mindanao.

The DOH will have the mandate on the type of specialty hospital that would be built first in the said regions in accordance with the prevailing illnesses identified in those areas.

(PNA)

sures that its fiscal policy avoids adding up to aggregate demand that risks further inflation by maintaining fiscal responsibility,” he said.

“It (the government) will continue to provide targeted subsidies to affected sectors to cushion the impact of elevated inflationary pressures,” Diokno said, underscoring the bid to bring down inflation to within the government’s 2.5 percent to 4.5 percent assumption for the year.

Sanchez shares a set of two season tickets with a few friends and family, and he already had the seats for Tuesday’s game months before anyone could predict the magic day. He turned down a friend’s offer of $200 to swap the Thunder seats, but he’s out of luck if James waits until Thursday to break the record, since those tickets

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of ROP Global Bonds…,” the BSP said.

To recall, in January, the Marcos administration raised a total of $3 billion or about P164 billion from its sale of triple-tranche dollar-denominated bonds, marking its second fund raising effort in the offshore debt market.

The “blockbuster” fund raising initiative of the government is intended to finance “general purposes of the Republic, includ-

Indeed, James has already earned a special place in Lakers fans’ hearts over his five seasons in purple and gold. Several months before he won the franchise’s 17th championship in the Florida bubble, he became a part of Lakers lore with his inspirational words and steady leadership in the wake of Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash.

Inside the building, dozens of celebrities gathered to witness history: Denzel Washington, Jay-Z, Bad Bunny, LL Cool J, Usher, Andy Garcia and countless others. Dozens of basketball greats also turned out, including Lakers heroes James Worthy and Bob McAdoo along with Dwyane Wade.

ing budgetary support” as well as “budgetary support and to finance or refinance assets under the government’s Sustainable Finance Framework.”

The central bank also cited the upward valuation adjustments in the value of its gold holdings due to the increase in the price of gold in the international market, and net income from its investments abroad for the higher month-on-month GIR level last month.

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FROM 5 cles and motorcycles (-387 thousand);

Accommodation and food service activities (-240 thousand);

Human health and social work activities (-239 thousand); and

Real estate activities (-168 thousand).

Meanwhile the sectors which added the most jobs during the period were:

Agriculture and forestry (829 thousand);

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for the taxpayers because that’s what we’re here for, public service.”

“We are serious with that,” he added.

Lumagui said the BIR will also accelerate the achievement of its digitalization program, which is scheduled until 2023, “as soon as possible” to make the agency’s internal and

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ogy transfer.

“The Department of Energy believes that investments, energy security, and access to technologies are inevitable. Why we have concurred with this

Fishing and aquaculture (291 thousand); Administrative and support service activities (257 thousand); Construction (138 thousand); and Other service activities (123 thousand).

The Philippine economy grew 7.6 percent in 2022, beating analysts’ forecasts. But economists said growth could be slower this year.

external processes convenient for taxpayers.

“And of course ang expectations natin dyan (our expectations there), once we are able to accomplish that, once we are able to provide convenience, the taxpayers would really voluntarily comply with their tax obligations,” he said.

agreement is, one, we need investments. It is our view that the energy sector is a capital-intensive undertaking, where Filipino capital may not be sufficient,” he said.

LeBron passes Kareem as NBA all-time scoring leader

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has been thriving under formidable pressure for his entire adult life. An arena packed with celebrities, his entire family and thousands of raucous Lakers fans demanding to see a slice of NBA history was nothing the King couldn’t handle.

James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA career scoring record on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time) in an arena filled with

stars and rocked by eager fans anticipating a crowning moment in his 20-year career.

“I thank you guys so

much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed about,” James said.

The crowd roared with every point while he rolled toward the mark held since April 1984 by Abdul-Jabbar, who watched the game from a baseline seat near the Los Angeles bench. James’ mother, wife and three children also watched from courtside amid the thousands who rose in waves of anticipation nearly every time

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

At the rate his career progressed at the NBL Australia, superboy Kai made not a giant leap but a quiet transformation.

His Adelaide 36ers mentor CJ Bruton did not give him enough playing time in two seasons except in the few late games when the 36ers were trying to survive getting eliminated.

I am wondering how Bruton became a basketball strategist and head coach.

From the performance of the ballclub in the two seasons that Kai suited up, you can judge that Bruton was not a first-rate bench

grandmaster.

For one thing, he failed to exploit Sotto’s towering 7’3” prominence to the hilt. Sotto could have done more and achieved more for Adelaide but he was prevented from doing so because his coach did not give him enough minutes to prove his worth.

I kept asking myself: If I were the bench tactician, I should be giving Sotto at least six minutes every quarter because his stratospheric height gives my team a big edge in rebounding, offensive scoring and defense.

But no, Bruton gave Sotto a

James touched the ball.

With a nimble stepback jumper late in the third quarter, James got the 36 points necessary to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s record 38,387 points. And a crowd that had roared for his every basket went crazy yet again.

a player who has been even better than anyone could have expected two decades ago when the kid from Akron, Ohio, reached the NBA.

“The expectations were all the way out to Pluto, and he went ahead and created his own galaxy,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said before the game.

Thunder got rolling. The fans then stood when he touched the ball on the Lakers’ opening possession, and they groaned when he missed his first two shots and elected to pass.

Each Lakers possession seemed weighted with anticipation, and James has always thrived under such pressure: He hit a 3-pointer with 7:06 left in the first quarter for his first bucket, and he kept playing after getting hit in the face by

With four championship rings and nearly every other honor available to a basketball player, the 38-year-old James closed in on this next moment in history with the confidence of FLEBRON, P10

The crowd was in its seats far earlier than normal in Los Angeles, and James got numerous ovations before the Lakers and the Oklahoma City

SUPERBOY KAI

cold shoulder as if to tell him that he is not yet prepared to take on the big boys in the league.

Kai’s skills were undermined by his coach Bruton who appears not happy to have him in the line up.

Short of calling him prejudiced against our countryman, Bruton would not even deserve an offer to coach in our play for pay league.

But, t’was a good thing Sotto did not remain idle even if he failed in his quest for a draft in the 2022 NBA lottery.

Kai needs to be proactive in his consciousness and physically active and prepared for a bigger

assignment.

Now that he is being written to be joining the Japan B League where most of Pinoy talented cagers have been pirated and continued to be poached, Sotto may have just been freed from a useless contract with Adelaide.

Anyway, I would assume that signing up with a Japanese ballclub might be the timing Sotto needs to showcase his worth and value as a slotman.

I’m quite certain he will not be used as a reserve player and ride the bench as Bruton treated him.

Of course, it is up to super-

boy Kai to let his Japanese management and fans of the Japan B League rate his performance.

Quality time is what Kai deserves to get.

But I pop this question: Why is it that no PBA club seems to be interested in giving Kai an offer sheet?

Is Kai’s compensation too high to reach and afford?

Or do the PBA teams value Sotto so low that they do not believe he could help win championships? (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES

Kareem Abdul Jabbar passes on the historic ball to Lebron James.

10ID hijacks Air Force 95-56 in AFP-PNP hoopfest

The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) scored a wire-to-wire 95-56 win over the Philippine Air Force - Tactical Operations Group 11(PAF-TOG11) for its third straight win in the AFP-PNP Invitational Basketball Cup at Davao City Recreation Center on Wednesday.

Sgt. Eduardo Mahilum scored on several jumpers while big man Corporal Rusty Borromeo controlled the boards from both ends of the court as the Agilas jumped to a quick 22-7 lead in the first period.

PAF-TOG11, who dropped to their fourth straight setback, began the second quarter determined to catch up and employed a full court clamp down forcing 10ID to lapse into a series of turnovers and narrowing the gap to 12 at the 4:14 mark. However, back to

back baskets by Sgt. Renante Blazo shoved 10ID safely through the half on a 48-26 margin.

In the second half, 10ID’s stifling defense continued to hurt the already slow offense of the PAF-TOG11 who were hounded by poor shooting.

Blazo went berserk in the final canto viciously attacking the basket and fishing fouls in the process. Blazo was named the best player of the game, tallying 18 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block.

BLAZING BLAZO. 10ID Guard Sgt. Renante Blazo attacks the defense for an “and one” play during the 4th quarter of the AFP-PNP Basketball Invitational Cup at Davao City Recretation Center on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. 10ID improves to 3-0 defeating PAF-TOG11 93-56. MACKY LIM