Edge Davao Vol. 16 Issue 44 | Wednesday, June 7, 2023

CASE NOT CLOSED

SITG Bragas files rape with homicide case vs 4 suspects

A motorcycle rider wades through a flooded street along Mamay Road near Damosa complex in Lanang, Davao City on Tuesday. Flood hit some main streets in the city since Monday night caused by a heavy downpour. Lean Daval Jr.

CASE NOT CLOSED

SITG Bragas files rape with homicide case vs 4 suspects

By MAYA M. PADILLO

The Special Investigation Task Force Bragas (SITG Bragas) on Monday filed rape with homicide case against four individuals for the rapeslay of 28-year-old Architect Vlanche Marie Bragas.

Despite the filing of charges, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Colonel Albert Lupaz stressed the case is not yet closed.

The suspects are Dennis Panzan, Kent Lawrence Espinosa and Renato “Empoy” Bayansao.

Another unidentified suspect is currently at large.

Calinan chief of police Major Neil Vistar shared the chronology of events based on the SITG Bragas link analysis he presented in a press conference at DCPO Mon-

VP Sara calls for speedy resolution to NorCot town teacher’s slaying

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Sunday called for the speedy resolution of the murder of a public school teacher in Pikit, North Cotabato.

Balawag Ebrahim assured the Vice President of the regional government’s support for her programs in the area.

day evening.

According to the link analysis around 10:35 p.m. of May 16, 2023, Bragas arrived in Crossing Fausta, Calinan, Davao City after disembarking from a passenger jeep from SM Ecoland where she had dinner with her friends. At that moment she texted her mother that she was at Crossing Fausta, Calinan Poblacion, Cali-

Super health center to serve remote villages in Davao Sur

The first-ever super health center (SHC) in Davao del Sur province broke ground on Monday at Barangay Zone 3 here.

Set to be completed in September this year, the SHC aims to provide comprehensive basic health services to the people, including the outpatient department, laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound, birthing services, diag-

nostic, pharmacy, and emergency services.

The PHP11.5-million health facility, with an allotment of PHP6.5 million for the building and PHP5 million for equipment, is funded by the Department of Health (DOH) under its health facility enhancement program.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, who led the groundbreaking, said the SHC will help

decongest the public hospital in the province.

“You can expand the health center like putting dialysis machines. This is one way of making the medical services closer to the people,” he said in his speech.

Other components, particularly the maintenance operation and staffing of the SHCs, will be shouldered by the local govern-

Duterte issued the appeal as she paid her last respects to slain teacher Joel Reformado during a brief visit at his wake in Poblacion, Pikit.

Reformado, 37, a teacher at Damalasak Elementary School, was gunned down on May 26 in front of Manaulanan Elementary School, also in Pikit. His co-teacher, Elton John Lapined, was also injured.

Both were heading home from work when unidentified gunmen shot them at past 4 p.m.

Reformado died on the spot while Lapined is currently recuperating in a hospital.

Reformado was laid to his final resting place on Sunday.

Duterte briefly spoke with Reformado’s parents and relatives before proceeding to Davao City.

Satellite office in BARMM

Earlier on the same day, officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) welcomed Duterte’s opening of the satellite Office of the Vice President (OVP) in this city.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod

“Rest assured of the support from the BARMM government to the OVP in implementing its programs and services like Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day, PagbaBAGo campaign, Kalusugan Food Truck, Pansarap nutritional feeding program, and calamity response under the Disaster Operations Center,” Ebrahim said.

Duterte said the new OVP satellite office here will give BARMM residents easier access to social services her office is offering to indigents.

“The satellite offices were not set up per region but were handpicked strategically for their location. A major consideration is their proximity and accessibility to other areas or islands,” she told local officials of Cotabato City and BARMM.

Joining the Vice President in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new OVP office situated along Sinsuat Avenue in this city were Ebrahim, Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao and Maguindanao del Norte OIC Gov. Abdulraof Macacua.

Duterte’s OVP satellite office here is the fourth in Mindanao and the ninth in the country since assuming office in last year. (PNA)

The Special Task Force Group (SITG) Bragas presents its link analysis of the Vlanche Marie Bragas rape-slay case during a presser at the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Monday evening. SITG Bragas

FCASE, P10

City’s drainages to be reassessed after Monday’s heavy flooding

DCPO to Dabawenyos: Report crime incidents immediately

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reminded Dabawenyos to immediately report crime incidents instead of posting about them on social media for prompt response and speedy resolution.

DCPO PMaj. Catherine dela Rey, during the Madayaw Davao program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) aired on Monday, June 5, said: “Rape o holdup man na report dayon, ayaw usa i-post sa social media aron makaconduct dayon mi og hot pursuit operation (Whether it’s rape or holdup, report it immediately, don’t post it on social media so we can conduct a hot pursuit operation right away).”

She encouraged victims, even if the crime occurred a long time ago, to find the courage to report the incident to the police to seek justice.

Dela Rey highlighted the significant impact of DCPO’s law enforcement operations conducted from May 22 to 30. These operations provided a significant boost to their ongoing campaigns against illegal drugs, wanted individuals, illegal gambling, and the possession of loose firearms.

By MAYA M. PADILLO

During the 44 operations targeting illegal drugs, DCPO apprehended 56 individuals and seized illegal drugs with an estimated value of P402,000.

Additionally, the Davao City police apprehended 23 most wanted persons and 112 other wanted individuals, while 78 individuals were apprehended in the 32 operations targeting illegal gambling.

Furthermore, Dela Rey mentioned that in 31 operations carried out, six individuals were apprehended for possessing loose firearms.

“Nagtrabaho gyud mga kapulisan sa DCPO sa atong anti-criminality programs. Nanghinaut mi nga wala kaayo’y crime incidents karong semanaha makatutok mi sa mga kaso nga wala pa ma solve (DCPO police officers are really working in our anti-crime programs. We hope there aren’t too many crime incidents this week so we can focus on unsolved cases),” Dela Rey added.

She emphasized the concerning prevalence of rape cases, which had the highest number of incidents among the eight focus FDCPO, P10

Davao

City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) chief Alfredo Baloran said on Tuesday that a joint assessment for the city’s drainages in areas experiencing flooding Monday evening is being conducted by the teams of CDRRMO, City Engineer’s Office (CEO), and the Ancillary Services Unit (ASU).

After only a few minutes of downpour on Monday evening, reports of heavy flooding in the areas of Buhangin particularly La Verna and Damosa in Lanang circulated online.

“Gibaha gabii ubang areas sa

Davao City. Sa Damosa, as of morning (Tuesday) ankle level ang water but passable ang kalsada,” Baloran said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Tuesday.

He recommended that these areas be reassessed to determine

if the problem is the same as before, which is clogged drainage that caused heavy flooding during heavy downpours.

“Gihatagan na ug copy ang mga concerned offices and ako mando sa akong team to reassess again ang mga lugar kung nakita ba nga problema dinha sa mga nabahaan gabii kung the same problem ba gihapon tung niaging mga tuig kay nakita nga adunay pagbara sa mga kanal. Karon adlawa ipatigayon ang assessment ang among team sa disaster, ASU, and the City Engi-

DATA envisions Davao City as a tourism powerhouse

The Davao Tourism Association (DATA) is envisioning to transform Davao City into a tourism powerhouse of the Philippines this year through what it calls as “the three Es” -- empower, engage, and elevate.

Newly-installed DATA president Nicole Hao Bian-Ledesma said empowerment of members through professional develop-

ment and capacity building programs is at the center of unlocking the full potential of our industry.

She said it is essential that tourism professionals have the knowledge, skills, and attitude to provide high-value tourist experiences.

“Coming from a strong academe background and my experiences in the industry, I see it very

important to collaborate with educational institutions and industry experts to provide members with relevant information, market insights, and industry trends,” she said in her speech during DATA’s installation of new officers and board of trustees ceremony on Monday at Park Inn by Radisson Davao.

Newly-installed Davao Tourism Association (DATA) president Nicole Hao Bian-Ledesma says the organization is envisioning to transform Davao City into a tourism powerhouse of the country in 2023 through the 3Es: empower,

Caraga farmers showcase local products at PH Coffee Expo ‘23

tion said.

It added that the event also served as a break for the group to widen the marketing of their coffee products.

The groups included the Casiklan Wheels Farmers Association, Inc. (CAWFAI) from Barangay Casiklan of Las Nieves town, Agusan del Norte province, and the San Nicolas Development Cooperative (SANIDECO) of Tagbina town, Surigao del Sur province.

Both are beneficiaries of the Philippine Rural Development

Program (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture.

In a statement Monday, the CAWFAI said the Philippine Coffee Expo 2023 served as a venue to present their best Robusta coffee product.

“We were able to exhibit our CAWFAI Robusta coffee product to individuals and groups during the expo,” the organiza-

SANIDECO is composed of five organizations of coffee farmers in Tagbina and nearby towns in Surigao del Sur.

The Philippine Coffee Expo 2023 served as an avenue for the country’s coffee industry to converge and discuss key issues, new technologies, and opportunities through technical discussions. (PNA)

Israel eyes raising trade with PH to $1B in 2024

Israel was hoping to increase its bilateral trade with the Philippines to over $1 billion next year, its top diplomat said Monday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said his country was optimistic that the target amount could be breached after Manila and Tel-Aviv’s bilateral trade reached over $500 million in 2022.

“In 2022, our bilateral trade for the first time overpassed half

a billion dollars. I think this is only the beginning. We can overpass $1 billion in 2024,” Israel’s top diplomat said at a business forum in Makati City on his second day visiting the country.

“This is something that is definitely achievable… I think the markets in the Philippines is very attractive,” he added.

As of 2022, the Philippines and Israel’s bilateral trade is pegged at $534 million in goods, data from Israel’s Economic &

Commercial Mission to the Philippines showed.

The figure is “an impressive 70 percent Year-Over-Year growth rate, driven by the rebounding of both the Israeli and Philippine economies in 2022 following the Covid-19 crisis,” according to the agency.

Around half of Israel’s over $300 million worth of exports to the Philippines consist of electronics, defense-related items,

Chemical,

food maker eyes free cash flow this year

D&L Industries expects to register free cash flow this year as the start of commercial operations of its new Batangas manufacturing plant nears.

During the online annual stockholders meeting on Monday, D&L president and chief executive officer Alvin Lao said the company posted an PHP890 million free cash flow in the first quarter of this year, a first in the last two years.

Capital expenditures in the first three month of the year stood at PHP451 million, down from the nearly PHP3.5 billion in 2022.

“As there are no major capex (capital expenditures) planned aside from the expansion plan in Batangas, the improvement in cash flows gives the company the financial flexibility to further reduce debt levels overtime,” he said.

The commercial operation of its expansion facility is expected to boost the company’s capacity to service additional clients around the globe through the offering more high-value coconut-based products.

“It will add needed capabilities to increase our relevance in the overall production chain and service new and biggest customers globally,” Lao said.

In the first quarter of this year, the listed firm posted big earnings increase due mainly to the March sales.

Net income in January totaled to PHP152 million and this rose to PHP196 million in February and to PHP246 million in March.

“The weakness observed in the first two months of the year was mainly due to the high volume orders from prior periods coupled with the lingering effects of high inflation,” Lao said.

Gross profit in the first quarter this year rose by 4 percent year-on-year to PHP1.4 billion due to improvement in sales mix and higher blended gross profit margin.

“Overall, the company expects recovery in the next couple of quarters as volumes seem to be coming back and as the company gears up for the start of commercial operations of its Batangas plant,” Lao added. (PNA)

Employees of an establishment along Lanang, Davao City brave the flood just be on time for work on Tuesday morning. The area was among the streets in the city that experienced ankle to knee-deep flooding due to Monday evening’s heavy downpour. Lean Daval Jr.

Two farmer’s groups from the Caraga Region have showcased their products at the Philippine Coffee Expo 2023 held from June 2 to 4 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. FISRAEL, P10

PCQC 2023 dominated by Mindanao coffee farmers

Court of Tax Appeals denies PAL’s bid for P20M tax refund

The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) denied Philippine Airlines’ bid for a P20 million tax refund involving its tobacco and alcohol imports due to lack of merit.

In a 28-page decision dated May 30 but released this week, the CTA said PAL failed to meet one of the three conditions for it to be exempt from excise taxes on its importation of tobacco and alcohol products for its catering and commissary supplies for international consumption: that these products are not locally available in reasonable quantities, quality, or price.

PAL had argued that they should be granted the P20 million tax refund as provided under Presidential Decree 1530 or An Act Granting a New Franchise to Philippine Airlines, Inc. To Establish, Operate, and Maintain Air-transport Services in the Philippines and Other Countries.

PAL presented the following as evidence to bolster its case: judicial affidavit of Cheryl Capinpin, PAL’s Manager for In-flight Materials Purchasing Division;

Farmers from Mindanao garnered all 12 winning entries in the Arabica category during Sunday’s awarding ceremonies of the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition 2023 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, according to announcements from the Department of Trade and Industry offices in the Northern Mindanao and Davao regions.

2014 and 2015 Price Lists of Absolute Sales Corporation

2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Price Lists of Future Trade International Travel Retail;

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018

Price Lists of Minivan Enterprise

Garnering the top prize with a cupping score of 86 was Manolito Garces’ natural-processed coffee, with cupping notes of pineapple, mango, black currant, and honey. Garces is from New Eden, Pangantucan in Bukidnon.

Second was Jhon Lawrence

dela Cerna, of the Balutakay Coffee Farmers’ Association (BACOFA) in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, with a score of 85.75; third was Dione F. Ellaga, also of Bansalan, 85.41.

Fourth place was Junmar Gunayan, of the MILALITTRA

Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (MILFACO), of Bukidnon, 85.03; fifth was Rogelio Gonzales, also of BACOFA in Bansalan, 85; and sixth was Arnold Pina, of the Bayanihan Millennium Multipurpose Cooperative (BMMPC) in Pangantucan, Bukidnon, 84.97. Completing the top 12 were Rogelio R. Balacuit, of Amai Manabilang in Lanao del Sur; Cecilia G. Cavalida, Davao del Sur; Rosebele Sulatan, MILFACO; Cherry Gil Cabanday, Davao del Sur; Roquita dela Cerna, Davao del Sur; and Lendilou F. Loon, FPCQC, P10

2016 and 2017

Price Lists of AB Heineken Phils., Inc.

Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Price List per Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC)

No. 90-2012

The CTA, however, dismissed these by citing the cross-examination on Capinpin during which she testified that her observation that the imported products are not available locally in a reasonable quantity, quality, or price was based on the price lists from Absolute Sales Corporation and Future Trade International Travel Retail, Minivan Enterprise, and AB Heineken Phils., Inc.,

“This Court finds the foregoing evidence insufficient. Based on the foregoing disquisitions, petitioner (PAL) failed to make an effort to look for a supplier

2024 nat’l budget to focus on infra, agri, health, education

The proposed 2024 national budget will continue to focus on priority sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, health and education, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said Monday.

In a statement, Pangandaman said these priority sectors are included in the administration’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) which was adopted by Congress.

“MTFF, it’s a fiscal consoli-

dation program [that contains] the priority programs and areas which we should support,” she said.

“We will continue the infrastructure program of the national government, from Build, Build, Build to Build, Better, More, from 5-6 percent of GDP (gross domestic product), now this year, it’s 5.8 percent. So, we’re still working on the 2024 budget, so we need to adhere with that.”

Pangandaman also cited the

need to continue prioritizing the budget for the agriculture sector.

“We all know that this year, we increased it to about 40 percent because from previous years, it’s like we didn’t give enough investment. Our support to the agriculture sector is so low. But when the pandemic happened, everything closed —our value chains stopped, and it’s important that we have enough food in our country, enough produce,” she said.

A woman gets busy with her smartphone in the flower garden of SGA Farms, a tourist destination in Tupi, South Cotabato on Monday (5 June 2023), oblivious of the scenery in the background, of Mt. Matutum partly covered by clouds. Considered an active volcano, Mt. Matutum stands at 2,286 meters above sea level. MindaNews

photo by JULES L. BENITEZ

On the vision to transform Davao City into a tourism powerhouse of the Philippines this year through what it calls as “the three Es” -- empower, engage, and elevate:

“Coming from a strong academe background and my experiences in the industry, I see it very important to collaborate with educational institutions and industry experts to provide members with relevant information, market insights, and industry trends.”

NICOLE HAO BIAN-LEDESMA Davao

Association (DATA) president

We grew up watching films and animated series with pig characters like Porky Pig, Miss Piggy, Three Little Pigs, and Babe.

The “Good Bad Mother” is a Korean drama in Netflix about a village piggery with the concept that falling down is a way for one to see the world in another perspective.

The narrator notes that pigs live their entire life staring at the ground. The anatomy of pigs causes their inability to lift their heads and prevents them from seeing the sky.

There is only one way for pigs to look up at the sky: to slip and fall down finding itself facing upward. Falling down is an opportunity to see another world which one has never seen before.

Good Bad Mother is the story of single mom and pig farm owner, Jin Young-soon (Ra Mi-ran), and her son Choi Kang-ho (Lee Do-hyun). Young-soon has lived a tenacious life to protect her child whose strictness as a tiger mama forced Kang-ho to study obsessively. The son became a successful cold-hearted prosecutor.

But when a tragic accident leaves Kang-Ho with the mind of a

ATTY. DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG PEYUPS

GOOD BAD MOTHER: PIGS AS SYMBOLS OF FAILURES AND SUCCESS

child, he was forced to move back with his mother, leading the two to go on a journey to recover their relationship.

There were several incidents that almost led to the shutting down of the piggery: fire, foot and mouth (FMD) viral disease and petitions by the village people for its closure for being a nuisance.

In the recent case of Municipality of Binan, Laguna, vs Holiday Hills Stock & Breeding Farm Corp and Domino Farms, Inc (G.R. No. 200403 October 1 0 2022), the Supreme Court addressed the issue of piggeries as subjects of police power.

The Binan local government unit (LGU) officials issued an ordinance that sought to abate the two hog farms which are located near residential subdivisions.

To invoke police power, LGUs must establish two requisites: (1) the interests of the public generally require an interference with private rights; and (2) the means adopted must be reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose and not be unduly oppressive upon individuals.

The Supreme Court noted

that nuisances are of two kinds: nuisance per se and nuisance per accidens.

The first (per se) is recognized as a nuisance under any and all circumstances, because it constitutes a direct menace to public health or safety, and, for that reason, may be abated summarily under the undefined law of necessity.

The second (per accidens) is that which depends upon certain conditions and circumstances, and existence being a question of fact, it cannot be abated without due hearing in a tribunal authorized to decide whether or not such a thing does in law constitute a nuisance.

What sets a nuisance per se apart from one per accidens is its characteristic of being a direct menace to public health or safety.

It is the law of necessity that justifies the summary abatement of a nuisance per se. The obstruction must hinder the public use of streets, highways, or sidewalks, or the interference with the safety or property of a person must be immediate.

The hog farms were considered a nuisance per se since they

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

“A government afraid of its citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny.” -

ANTHONY ROBBINS.

********

You should find it commendable that DILG chief BenHur Abalos has ordered a mandatory drug testing for all personnel under the DILG umbrella and the LGUs nationwide.

Abalos’ action is very logical considering that the DILG is leading the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

What better place to start it but within the premises of the department itself because DILG people should live and lead exemplary lives.

There were ugly incidents reported in the past that some wayward personnel of the bureaucracy were discovered to have been involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs either as users or couriers.

The results of this mandato-

ry drug testing should be widely publicized by LGU to LGU, starting with the barangays.

Abalos may just be surprised by the eventual results.

AS citizens, we expect pur respective barangays to be clean, led by the barangay head and all the kagawads therein.

There are more than 42,000 barangays in the archipelago and some of them are very remote and sometimes unreachable or difficult to reach by ladn or sea travel.

City and munipal mayors should also be glad that the order came straight from the department chief so that they don’t need to overstress the importance of the instruction.

We should expect the Civil Service Commission to make a follow through and a similar declaration because we in the media receive “whispers” that some unscrupulous civil servants are into the bad habit.

A sweeping cleansing of the civil service ranks involves some

emit an unfavorable stench or foul odor of distressing or annoying character that immediately interferes with the health and safety of the residents.

Although the piggery in Good Bad Mother was not closed despite complaints of being a nuisance, the pigs were buried alive due to the onslaught of Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) in the nearby areas, except for a piglet named Lion.

FMD is one of the most devastating and highly contagious viral disease of cloven-footed livestocks caused by “picornavirus” and is characterized by vesicles on the feet, snout and in the mouth.

Virus transmission occurs through respiratory aerosols and direct or indirect contact with infected animals with excretions and secretions.

A study from the University of the Philippines identified factors to lessen the risk of FMD virus contamination, like proper disposal and waste management, putting pigs of different ages together, and a good diet.

The disease usually is managed through quarantine, restriction of movement of animals in

quarantined areas, slaughter followed by burial or incineration of infected and exposed animals and disinfection of production sites.

The series writer said in an interview that when pigs give birth, they can only spend 28 days together. They have to teach their piglets before they get separated.

She added: “So as people. All mothers have to leave their children behind as humans die at one point. So this series started with a question ‘What kind of life and ways of living should we teach our children before we leave this world.’”

Failure may seem like a setback, but it allows us to unlock great potential, to refine our path and to learn what works and what does not.

Perhaps falling like the pig gives us the opportunity to rise again, and realize that failure and successes go hand-in-hand.

(Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.)

ABALOS DRUG TESTING ORDER

kind of political will.

Hopefully, as emphatic as Abalos has been in displaying an executive desire to do good (beginning with his exposure of scalawags within the PNP), LGUs all over the country should show support to the mandatory drug testing order.

If we harken back to the not so recent past, we will get to unpleasantly discover that some excellent government campaigns die and wither as time goes by after starting like a house on fire.

I think this character trait is essentially Filipino because as it is often argued and written about, we have short memories.

Abalos’ order is not an original idea but it should catch fire and become a template for all national government agencies as well as for the civil service bureaucracy, year in, year out.

For a growing country like us - why, we were only around 20M when I was growing up - Filipinos today have swelled to 110M in

population.

It might be a good idea for Sec. Abalos to form a national secretariat at the central DILG HQ to monitor the results of his mandatory drug testing order.

Assuming he may not find results to his satisfaction, the fact that every personnel of all agencies under the DILG umbrella has obeyed and undergone drug testing is a testimony that Abalos is in complete control of his department.

We cannot help but compare Abalos with his predecessors who may have overlooked, ignored or plainly missed implementing a simlar order.

Unfortunately, the few “bad eggs” who will be eventually found guilty of using illegal drugs will be disciplined or suspended accordingly.

But when these guys return to resume their jobs after undergoing a rehab are expected to become better employees.

This is the objective of mandatory drug testings.

Some government personnel are discourteus and impolite because some of them may be under the influence of illegal drugs, shabu in particular.

For a nation and a people aspiring to be great (again), it is a requirement that everyone possesses no bad habit.

I pray that from now on, Abalos should sustain his order by feeding the public with regular positive feedback, beginning from his own office and staff, on a weekly basis.

Since the SILG is a former mayor of Mandaluyong City, it might be nice and proper if his bailiwick becomes the first LGU to comply, conduct and produce results of his mandatiory drug testing order.

As Anthony Robbins continued to expound: “The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.” (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com). GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

PAL LAUNCHES SEAT SALE FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY 2023

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines marks Philippine Independence Day 2023 with a big Independence Day Seat Sale, offering domestic one-way base fares for as low as PHP 125, and international roundtrip base fares for as low as USD 79.

“Celebrate your freedom to fly!

We are happy to invite you and travel aficionados all over the world to avail of our Independence Day Seat Sale,” said Mr. Bud Britanico, PAL Vice President for Sales. “As we focus on our all-out efforts to boost the full recov-

ery of the tourism industry, we hope you will make Philippine Airlines a part of your 2024 travel plans by checking out our affordable promotional fares.”

Booking period

Travelers may book until June 25, 2023 for flights within the Philippines, as well as flights to and from Australia, Hong Kong, Guam, Macau, Taipei, Japan, South Korea, Port Moresby, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

However, travelers have until July

4, 2023 to book flights to and from the US and Canada.

For flights to and from Mainland China, the booking period will start on June 19 and will last until July 2, 2023.

Travel period for passengers from the Philippines: Travelers visiting South Korea and Guam may fly from July 1, 2023 onwards.

Travel period for travelers to Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Taipei and Southeast Asia is from

Take on the Old Spice ‘Smellenge’ to become a social media star and win exciting prizes

Are you the next Old Spice man?

You’re ready to take on the day. You make sure you’re looking great and smelling your best. Despite your finest efforts, however, all that confidence proves fleeting with the unbearable heat and the deluge of sweat bound to take it away.

Begging to differ with its promise of #TheScentThatNeverDies is Old Spice. To showcase its long-lasting fragrance, Old Spice calls on invincible men to prove on social media how unbeatable its 24-hour scent really is with the Old Spice “Smellenge”.

By showing how Old Spice provides all-day freshness and confidence that last, whoever beats the Smellenge stands to receive a P50,000-cash prize, along with the chance to star in the next Old Spice social media ad. Here’s how to take on

the Old Spice Smellenge, which runs from June 1 to 11, 2023:

1. Participants must upload a video on TikTok of themselves doing the Old Spice Smellenge, wherein they will have to creatively put Old Spice’s long-lasting scent to the test by doing different physical activities within 24 hours. Before taking on the Smellenge, the participant must be seen applying Old Spice Body Spray.

2. At the end of the video, participants are required to do a “scent check,” wherein they’ll ask another person to smell them after doing the Old Spice Smellenge.

3. Participants must upload entries on their personal TikTok account on or before June 11, 2023, at 11:59 pm. Their Tiktok account must be public.

4. In the caption, participants

must explain why they love Old Spice. The caption must be limited to 2,200 characters only.

5. The entry’s caption must include the hashtags #OldSpicePH and #TheScentThatNeverDies. Participants must tag @oldspice.ph on Tiktok.

6. After posting, the participant must also submit their actual entry video in the registration link (https:// pgamaphilippines.jebbit.com/ktnkpaub) and provide the following details:

A. Full Name (Last and First names only)

B. Mobile Number

C. Email

D. Date of Birth

E. Address

F. TikTok link to their video

Make sure to take on the Old Spice Smellenge while wearing the perfect fragrance for you, with five unique scents to choose from.

Awaken your inner forest-dweller with the smell of apple, citrus, and a little spice courtesy of Bearglove. If you want to embody the meaning of effortless ambition while smelling of Bergamot & Seawater, there’s Captain. Meanwhile, emerge from the open ocean with Krakengard, which presents scent notes of Patchouli & Cedarwood. To flourish like the sky with hints of Cedarwood & Lime, try on Magnate. Lastly, if you want to unleash the power of a beast with scents of Mandarin Orange & Tropical Fruits, Wolfthorn is for you.

Bring your A-game and take on the Old Spice Smellenge now!

Get started by grabbing your favorite Old Spice scent on Shopee and Lazada, You may also get them in leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide near you!

For media inquiries, please contact:

September 1, 2023 onwards.

For flights to Japan, travel period will be from January 15, 2024.

Travel period to domestic destinations, North America, the Middle East, Port Moresby and Australia will begin on February 1, 2024.

Travel period for passengers from countries other than the Philippines: Different travel periods apply for travelers originating in other countries. For more information, visit https://flights.phil-

ippineairlines.com/en-ph/independence-day-sale-2023-conditions.

The flag carrier has progressively restored routes and flights as international borders reopened around the world.

PAL mounted a brand-new service between Manila and Perth on March 27, along with pioneer flights linking Cebu with Baguio City and Borongan last December. In recent months, PAL has reopened services between the Philippines and several cities in mainland China as well as Macau.

Get Big savings up to 60% on XTREME Appliances this Lazada and Shopee 6.6 Mid-Year Sale

Manila, Philippines - The much-awaited mid-year sale is near, and XTREME Appliances is here to give you its best deals yet! XTREME is offering significant discounts of up to 60% on their wide-range of appliances, allowing you to make substantial savings on your purchases.

Whether you’re looking for a new television, air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, oven, or any other home appliance, this 6.6 Midyear Sale is a great opportunity to get the appliances you need at a discounted price.

Take advantage of these amazing deals on June 6 - June 8. Before check-

ing out, make sure you don’t miss out on these vouchers: free shipping vouchers, coins cashback, and additional discount vouchers to maximize your savings!

XTREME Appliances also added several new products on their assortment, take home these new appliances at a special introductory sale price.

To know more about the complete line-up of discounts and other deals, be sure to check out XTREME Appliances’ official store on Lazada and Shopee, follow the official XTREME Appliances on Facebook, or visit the official XTREME Website.

In less than 2 years this beauty brand is making a statement in the beauty undustry

Y.O.U Beauty an international brand from HEBE Beauty Cosmetics Inc. Upholding the brand philosophy of “Long-Lasting Beauty”, committed to provide every individual accessible beauty with advanced technology, recently awarded by Watsons as the Most Successful New Brand of The Year and Game Changer of the year.

Like most industries, the beauty industry is ever-changing and has since transformed, integrating high-technology advancements into its products to provide consumers a more personalized experience.

Launched last August 2021, Y.O.U Beauty which stands for “Youthful. Outstanding. Unique” is an international brand from HEBE Beauty Cosmetics Inc. that was introduced in the Philippine market, upholding its brand philosophy “Long-Lasting Beauty”. The brand develops products based on the needs of the market to address each person’s beauty needs, providing them with accessible luxury products in a

fraction of price.

In less than two years in the Philippine market, Y.O.U Beauty (the brand and its products) bagged multiple awards from different media publications, social media platforms, and recently in one of the most promising, leading O+O (offline plus online) health, wellness and beauty retailers in Asia – Watsons, that is also available in other formats SM Beauty and Look. As a new player at least in the country, being nominated and winning an award is something that keeps us motivated, and drives us to push even further to develop new products and seek out new innovative ways to provide consumers with effective

solutions to all their skincare and color cosmetic needs.

Last May 12, 2023, Watsons staged its annual HWB Awards in Shangri-La The Fort, Manila where they recognized and awarded select health, wellness, and beauty brands in the country. During this event, Watsons Philippines honored partners and suppliers who have shown passion in delivering the best products and services to its consumers, yet again showcasing their expertise as a clear skin market leader in key beauty categories in the Philippines.

In this recently-concluded awarding, Y.O.U Beauty was nominated in different categories, and was able to score a special award

for, “Cosmetic Brand Of The Year For The Eyes” and two major awards, “Most Successful New Brand Of The Year” and a new category on the roster, “Game Changer of The Year”, making Y.O.U Beauty the first-ever brand to be recognized with this award. While the brand recognizes that these milestones are merely the beginning of creating something worthwhile, they are a source of inspiration that drives Y.O.U Beauty and the entirety of its team to progress as a brand that provides long-lasting beauty in all the years to come. Shop the product range by visiting all Watsons, SM Store or online through watsons.com.ph and the Watsons App.

Foodpanda ramps up gov’t partnerships for partner riders’ access to benefits, social protection

Leading online food and grocery platform foodpanda is ramping up its efforts to provide its “Ka-panda” delivery partners access to government benefits and social protection through a series of government agency partnerships, with the PagIBIG Fund as its latest partner.

foodpanda recently joined fellow industry players as well as top transport network & app-based courier companies in entering a partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund to encourage membership to approximately 420,000 delivery freelancers in the country today, per the government agency’s estimates.

With the agreement, Ka-panda delivery partners and the delivery freelancers of other online platforms will have better access to Pag-Ibig benefits, including the Regular and MP2 Savings programs and affordable home loans.

“We are delighted to welcome delivery riders as part of Pag-IBIG Fund’s growing membership,” said Pag-IBIG Fund Chairman Jose Rizalino Acuzar. Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta added, “We believe that our delivery riders, whose service and perseverance have been vital in our daily lives, particularly during the pandemic, deserve the best that

Pag-IBIG Fund can offer.”

During the ceremonial launch of the “Pag-IBIG Asenso Rider Raffle Promo,” foodpanda Logistics Philippines President Lhecks De Castro urged Ka-pandas to take advantage of the initiative. “This is a good opportunity for our Ka-pandas and all delivery freelancers to realize the importance of securing their future and retirement.” De Castro also commended Pag-IBIG for recognizing and reaching out to the freelance delivery service sector – a relatively new sector that has grown exponentially over the years.

Linda Gonzales, who is among the Ka-pandas who attended the ceremonial launch, expressed his optimism with the initiative. “Kahit pa kamo freelancer, dapat nag-iipon pa rin para sa sarili naming kinabukasan.

Kung kailanganin man naming magloan o maisipang kumuha na ng bahay, may matatakbuhan

kami sa Pag-IBIG.”

She also explained that since delivery freelancers have different working set-ups, voluntary membership will allow them to pay the contribution according to their own capacity. “‘Yung iba kasi samin parttime lang at may iba pang trabaho, ‘yung iba naman ay full-time talagang delivery partner. Sa ganoon, pwede kaming makapili kung kailan at paano magbabayad ng monthly contribution kesa maging compul-

sory ito.”

Better access to gov’t benefits and social protection for Ka-pandas

Aside from Pag-IBIG, the leading online food and grocery platform has been working with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ensure that Ka-pandas have access to affordable house financing, health insurance, and availment of other government services & benefits, despite being individual contractors.

“Last year, we partnered with PhilHealth to help Ka-pandas gain access to the government’s mandated healthcare benefits, in line with the implementation of the Universal Healthcare Program.

Earlier this year, we also teamed up with DTI and PSA to prioritize the registration of delivery partners to the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) that will serve as an additional valid proof of identity for various government-related programs, such as claiming subsidies, among others.”

Nationwide roadshow for Ka-panda riders’ hub De Castro shared that all of the partnerships they entered are significant steps towards the goal of providing a one-stop shop that will see all government-mandated benefits accessible to their Ka-panda delivery partners.

Recently, foodpanda unveiled its pandaPatrol: Hub on Wheels, a foodpanda-branded bus that will be making stops at select gas stations nationwide and will include fun and exciting games and activities that Ka-panda partner riders, bikers, e-scooters, and walkers can enjoy.

“We are excited to explore more opportunities with this partnership, including introducing this to our Ka-pandas through pandaPatrol, where we visit different cities and provinces to engage with our delivery partners and present the benefits afforded to them,” de Castro said.

CASE...

FROM 2 ISRAEL... FROM 4 DATA... FROM 3

nan District, Davao City waiting for a passenger tricycle.

At 10:39 p.m., the victim was seen boarding a yellow tricycle (ongbak) heading towards the Barangay Talomo River area.

The tricycle was allegedly driven by Bayansao with Espinosa as another passenger. A witness, a certain “Michael” was standing at the roadside at the junction of Crossing Fausta around 10:36 p.m. going to Brgy. Talomo River where the tricycle passed by. The witness said he was able to peek into the slow-moving trike and positively noticed the tattoo on the right arm of the passenger seated at the left side of the back seat wearing gray sando (jersey). He described the tattoo as “tribal bandage.” The witness positively identified Espinosa as the passenger.

Another witness, a certain “Joan”, narrated that she was on board her driven single motorcycle going to the corner of Megaville Subdivision in Calinan at about 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. of May 16, 2023 on her way to buy meat at the village meat shop, but unfortunately, it was already closed when she arrived.

She noticed that Panzan was with an unidentified companion waiting in front of an abandoned house at the Megaville Subdivision.

From 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. of the same day, the tricycle was seen in front of the abandoned house at the Megaville Subdivision.

The victim disembarked and while she was walking more or less one meter away from the tricycle, Panzan punched her in the face.

When the victim attempted to shout an unidentified person covered her mouth and punched her in the abdomen which knocked her unconscious.

The three suspects, Panzan, Espinoza, and an unidentified person, carried the victim to the

SUPER... FROM 2

ment.

Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas thanked the DOH for the project and the senator for pushing the creation of the SHC.

“Deepest gratitude and appreciation to DOH and Senator Go for putting the project to fruition. This project helps us in making Digos the city of choice,” he said. (PNA)

DCPO... FROM 3

crimes monitored by DCPO.

These focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, motor napping, and car napping.

She mentioned that while there was a decrease in the number of focus crimes, from 167 incidents between January and April 2022 to 94 incidents during the same period this year, rape continued to be the most prevalent crime.

Out of the 167 crime incidents reported from January to April last year, 57 were rape cases. Among the 94 focus crimes recorded by DCPO between January and April this year, at least 31 were rape incidents.

Dela Rey said, “Alarming gyud sya na mao’y pinakataas. Naningkamot ta nga ma-prevent o masulbad ni. Magtinabangay ta (It is alarming that rape has high incidents. We are trying to prevent or solve this. Let’s work together).” That’s

tricycle driven by Bayansao and sped off going to Talomo River in Calinan District.

“Joan” said she clearly saw what happened as she was 5 to 7 meters away from the incident and positively identified Panzan since she is a regular customer of the meat shop where Panzan was employed as a cashier and meat vendor.

“Joan” also positively identified Bayansao as the driver of the tricycle upon learning the report that went viral in social media about the drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11), National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-Davao) and the PNP on May 28, 2023, in Purok 20, Calinan, Davao City.

At 10:46 p.m. of the same day, the tricycle was seen in the CCTV footage in Anana Store at the corner of Campo 1, Talomo River, Calinan District heading towards Brgy. Dacudao, Calinan District.

At 8 a.m. of May 17, 2023, a concerned citizen informed that a dead body was found at an open contour canal at a banana plantation owned by Sarbac company located at Purok 6, Barangay Dacudao, Calinan District, Davao City. It was the body of Bragas.

Meanwhile, the SITG is still not able to pinpoint who owns the tricycle (ongbak) used in the crime. However, Lupaz said that the SITG has a lead that is being developed.

Lupaz also told the media that SITG refused to comment on the reward money.

“This case is not yet closed. Padayon gihapon ni. Material evidence like the tricycle wala pa nakita. This is not yet finsihed. Marami pa tayong gagawin nito,” he said.

It can be recalled that Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte announced giving a P1 million reward for anyone who could identify the suspect/s behind the Bragas case.

CITY’S...

FROM 3

neers Office (CEO). Kailangan ni ug dinaliang actions ug dili na dapat hulaton na mudako pa kay makita nato nga nagalalom ang effect sa rainstorms,” he said.

He said some of the city’s waterways are already silted and some are clogged with wastes.

“Isa sa atong ginatnaw karon kay basin naay constrictions sa atong drainage systems. Karon ang challenge sa atoang planning ug CEO nga dapat tan-awon nila gyud kung unsa ang issues nga dapat i-address sa mga lugar nga nakasinati ug pagbaha. Dugay na ni nga problema ang street flooding sa city labi na nga nagataas ang tubig baha kung naay kusog na pag-ulan. Ipasubay namo na karon. This is a joint assessment nga dapat himoon,” he said.

why they launched the Oplan Kilos, a campaign known as “Kababainhan/Kabatan-onan/ Kalalakin-an Igiya Laban sa Pagpanglugos” which is a proactive community-based initiative aimed at addressing rape and sexual abuse cases in the city.

Oplan Kilos not only strengthens police efforts against sexual crimes, but also encourages the involvement of barangay leaders, youth groups, women’s associations, the academe, and faith-based organizations within the community.

CIO

Ledesma said these collaborations will allow DATA to deliver impactful learning experiences that will empower the members to deliver world-class hospitality.

Ledesma stressed that member engagement is at the heart of a happy and vibrant association and to promote member engagement, DATA will have more meaningful meetings where members and officers can share best practices, discuss industry insights, solve challenges together, and also network and build relationships.

“Each one of you has a voice, a powerful voice that can help us shape the future of Davao’s tourism industry. With continued dialogue and collaboration, we can create a vibrant and dynamic association built on trust, tradition, and innovation,” she said.

She said it is also important to elevate the association, businesses, and the tourism industry as a whole.

“We have to recognize that our successes in the past have always been because of the active collaborations of members and stakeholders both in the private and public sectors. Our common vision to elevate our industry creates an environment where there is a place for everyone, where we support each other’s businesses, celebrate each other’s successes but also extend help when it is needed,” she said.

She added that to elevate the tourism industry of Davao City, it is also imperative that DATA will champion sustainability, responsible tourism, and hospitality technology and innovations.

“There is no escaping anymore. More than a trend or a byword, it is now a requirement that tourism players worldwide need to be more conscious and responsible so we ensure a better future for the generations to come. Moreover, we need to adapt to new technologies and practices that can make our industry more responsive and resilient,” she said.

The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) has set a target of 1.8 million tourist arrivals for this year, 2.5 million for 2024, and 2.7 million for 2025 in Davao City.

“With the resounding success of MICECON last March and many MICE-related activities in the pipeline, I am confident that Davao can surpass its targets,” Ledesma said.

She is referring to the Philippine M.I.C.E.Conference (MICECON) held in Davao City in March this year, which was attended by over 600 participants from the tourism and business events sector.

The MICECON 2023 is the country’s largest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals, bringing together a unique mix of local and foreign delegates in the MICE industry to learn about the various global trends on business meetings, witness the beautiful scenery of the premier city of the south, and invite them to network with both local and international MICE experts. By Maya

M. Padillo

agriculture, chemical fertilizers, and medical device, said Tomer Heyvi, Head of Israel’s Economic and Commercial Mission in the Philippines.

“From the Philippines we also see a similar behavior. We see in the electronics industry a lot of exports from the Philippines to Israel as well as mechanical equipment, consumer goods,” he said.

Israel sees the Philippines as “a very soft-landing country,” Heyvi said.

“It’s English-speaking. For Israel, it’s a very soft-landing country, very welcome, but also the business opportunities are vast if you talk about agriculture, if you talk about digital connectivity, if you talk about cybersecurity, homeland security and other areas so we see a lot of opportunities there,” he said.

“We want to see more and more Israeli companies work here in the Philippines… I think the Philippines is an attractive country in the region,” he said.

PH... FROM 11

Over at the Morodok Aquatics Center, the Filipinos’ blistering golden streak came to a crashing halt as they only managed a silver in the 100m butterfly S14 courtesy of Ariel Joseph Alegarbes, who clocked 1:00.73 in finishing behind eventual winner Muhd Imaan Aiman of Malaysia with 1:00.35.

The country had earlier scooped up five mints in the first two days including two by Gary Bejino, who accomplished both in record-breaking fashions.

Reyes, a 21 year-old native of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, said he drew inspiration from his faith and family.

“Sila po ang inspirasyon ko,” said Reyes, who lost his right arm after falling from a three when he was still five years old.

For Torrefiel, she was a cut above the rest in her class where she heaved a 19.33m in finishing ahead of Thai Ratnaningsih Ratnaningsih (18.05) and Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Chin (17.98).

The same with Kuizon, a protégé of former national team mainstay Nixon Mas who blew away the competition with a 7.27m, or more than three meters ahead of eventual silver winner Phe Phawat of Cambodia who had a 4.17m.

Over at the Table Tennis Hall also in Morodok, the Filipino paddlers produced a pair of bronzes courtesy of Smith Billy Cartera and Racleo Martinez (men’s class 4 team event) and Leo Macalanda, Jobert Lumanta and Jayson Ocampo (men’s class 8).

In chess at the Royal University, rapid gold winners Darry Bernardo and Cheyzer Mendoza all stayed on course in adding another one as they led their respective divisions after three rounds in the standard division.

2024 NAT’L... FROM 5

Aside from these, Pangandaman said the government will also provide support to the health and education sectors, including the upgrading of skills of the country’s workforce. Expenditure priorities for next year are reflected in the 2024 Budget Priorities Frame-

work, which include infrastructure development, food security, digital transformation, enterprise development, human capital development, climate action and disaster resilience, strategic directions in transition to full devolution, and research, development, and innovation. (PNA)

PCQC... FROM 4

Davao del Sur.

Arabica coffee is considered the superior coffee and fetches higher price for the farmers. In the Robusta category, Ilocos Sur farmers dominated the competition, winning 10 of the top 12, according to the DTI-Ilocos Region.

First place was Vilma Lapasan, of the Tirad Pass Growers Association, Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur, with a cupping score of 85.22. Her coffee had notes of vanilla, pineapple, berries, and raisin.

Two farmers from Sultan Kudarat province also made it to the winning entries—Reyjohn A. Basco, 8th place; and Robert James Gacayan, 10th.

Second was Mabini Ubuan, of San Elias Coffee Growers Association in Sigay, with a score of 85; third was Juana Bitongan, also of Gregorio del Pilar, 84.38; fourth was Marietta Lidem, of Sigay, 83.94; and fifth was Jean Apalet, also of Sigay, Ilocos Sur, 83.5. The rest of the winners from Ilocos Sur were Byron Daplayan, 6th; Silvestra Villegas, 7th; Erlinda Dao-ayan, 9th; Jordan Dalida, 11th; and Marielle Gannad, 12th. (MindaNews)

COURT... FROM 5

or dealer that can offer a price lower than the price of the subject imported alcohol products,” the CTA said.

The CTA added that it could not rely on the product price lists from four dealers and the testimony merely based thereon, saying it is hard to be convinced that the price lists from the said dealers represent the market price locally or for the entire country.

“Lacking corroborating evidence to prove that the price lists of Absolute Sales Corporation and Future Trade International Travel Retail, Minivan Enterprise, and AB Heineken Phils., Inc., represent the local market prices for the subject alcohol products for the period August 2014 until February 2018 vis-avis the totality of local suppliers who are engaged in selling similar products in the same years, this Court cannot conclude that petitioner’s comparison of the prices of its imported alcohol products with that of the said dealers is deemed sufficient,” the CTA said.

As regards its importation of tobacco products, the CTA also ruled that PAL failed to offer supporting evidence that would verify the statements made by Capinpin in her judicial affidavit.

In addition, the CTA said PAL failed to submit, at the very least, price lists of tobacco products that indicate the local market prices of the said products.

“Apropos, the testimony of Ms. Capinpin, standing alone, is insufficient to ascertain whether the subject tobacco products were, indeed, not locally available in reasonable quantity, quality or price. In sum, petitioner failed to present sufficient and convincing evidence to prove that the imported tobacco and alcohol products were not locally available in reasonable quantity, quality, or price, at the time of importations,” the CTA said.

The CTA concluded that PAL had not fulfilled all conditions to be entitled to the tax exemption granted under Section 13 of PD No. 1590.

PH tracksters victorious in ASEAN Para Games

MEDAL

TALLY (As of June 6, 2023)

PHNOM PENH—The Philippines’ rode on its wonderful track and field team in raking in three more gold medals and staying afloat in the 12th ASEAN Para Games at the Morodok Techo National Stadium here yesterday (Tuesday).

King James Reyes saved the best for last as he finally struck gold in the men’s 800 meters T46 where he timed in two minutes and 13.22 seconds after a pair of silver-medal efforts in 5000m Sunday and 1500m Monday.

Over at the nearby practice

field where the other throwing events were staged, Rosalie Terrefiel and Andrei Kuizon likewise snared a gold each with the former reigning supreme in women’s javelin F11 and the latter ruling men’s shot put F54/54.

The feats hiked the Joel Deria-

da-mentored squad’s total to six, which already matched its haul last year in Surakarta, Indonesia with still one day remaining in the four-day centerpiece event.

“Our goal is to improve on our six gold last time and we’re close to achieving that,” said Deriada, who thanked the Philippine Sports Commission, PhilSpada, Philippine Paralympic Committee and their manager Judith Staples for their support.

At press time, the Filipinos

stayed at fifth in the overall medal race with a 15-18-18 gold-silverbronze haul.

Indonesia continued to hold sway at the helm with a 71-61-41 harvest followed by Thailand’s 46-49-36, Vietnam’s 31-29-45 and Malaysia’s 30-23-14.

“We’re still on target in surpassing the 28 gold medals who won last year in Surakarta,” said PSC commissioner and chef-demission Walter Torres.

FPH, P10

ArenaPlus backs LoveBoracay, Star Magic All-Star Games

ArenaPlus, the newest offer and first sportsbook brand under DigiPlus (formerly Leisure & Resorts World Corporation (LRWC)), made waves this summer with back-to-back sponsorships of key events that pushed summer tourism and summer sports activities in various parts of the Philippines.

The leading sportsbook in the Philippines helped launch LoveBoracay, the 6-day beach music festival, on the iconic white beaches of Boracay. In addition, ArenaPlus helped stage the star-studded Star

Magic All-Star Games at the Mall of Asia Arena in May.

LoveBoracay, the sequel to 2022’s prime beach activity, LaBoracay, highlighted activities that promoted sustainable tourism, wellness, and the arts to celebrate Boracay’s regained glory and prestige this year.

As a major sponsor, ArenaPlus supported festival activities like the cleanup drive, art exhibit, bazaar and parade, street dance competition, the local music festival, and aqua and beach sports.

ArenaPlus pledged one million pesos worth of cash prizes

and helped award the winners of beach sports competitions in volleyball, football, tennis, and frisbee. Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia-Frasco, other tourism officials, and local officials led by Aklan Governor Jose Enrique “Joen” Mirraflores, and Malay Mayor Floribar Bustista were present at the event.

The Star Magic All-Star Games also received major support from ArenaPlus as the annual sports-entertainment festival returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ArenaPlus provided both event participants and

the audience with merchandise and freebies to make the event more enjoyable. The badminton matches, won by Daniel Padilla and Neil Coleta, the volleyball games and the basketball competition won by Team Showtime composed of Vhong Navarro, Teddy Corpuz, Ogie Alcasid and Eric “Eruption” Tai were made more enjoyable with perks provided by ArenaPlus. ArenaPlus President Jasper Vicencio said the brand takes great pride and happiness in being a part of activities that promote fun and entertainment.

“We will engage in more events

and activities in the future that will enable us to provide more fun and happiness to our community and the public at large. We take great pleasure in advancing leisure activities like fun events and sports competitions that contribute to wellbeing and mental health,” he said.

ArenaPlus is the official sports entertainment gateway of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the official gaming partner of the Philippine Volleyball League (PVL).

For more information and updates visit https://linktr.ee/ arenaplusph.

Arvie Bernardo Arreglado of the philippines win silver of event triple jump final at main stadium 12th ASEAN Para Games Phnom Penh Cambodia on June 6 2023

BOUNCING BACK

Ernie Gawilan strikes two golds in Para Games

Dabawenyo torpedo and two-time Paralympics veteran Ernie Gawilan struck back with two gold medals in the reigned in the pool bagged two gold medals in the 12th Asean Para Games in Phnom Penh after a slow start that netted him only a bronze medal.

The Samal Island-based Gawilan flexed his muscles this time, making it two golds in swimming by ruling the S6 class at 400 meters in 5:38.26.

Fellow Paralympian Gary Bejino also stamped his class winning the men’s S7 400 meters freestyle with a record time of four minutes and 58.78 seconds.

The 27-year-old Bejino shattered the six-year-old record of 6:07.99 owned by Myanmar’s Aung Myint Myat, who had to settle with the silver medal this time with 6:04.17.

“I’m happy because I gave Team Philippines its first gold medal,” said Bejino, a native of Tabaco (Albay) who will still compete in the 200, 100 and 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly and the 4x100m medley relay with Gawilan.

Cendy Asusano dominated in shotput and Marydol Pamati-an put on a show in powerlifting to fuel the Philippine campaign.

Asusano, meanwhile, left her mark at the Morodok Techno National Stadium with her gold med-

al-clinching 5.77 meters throw in women’s F54 of shotput, where Marites Burce (4.84) made it a 1-3 finish. Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy clinched silver with 5.48. The 33-year-old Asusano vowed to add two more mints in javelin on Monday and discus throw on Wednesday.

“I’m eyeing three golds,” said Asusano, who hiked his gold to six, three he won in Kuala Lumpur 2017 and two in Surakarta 2022.

Pamati-an, meanwhile, finally hit it big in the women’s 41-kg division in powerlifting at the National Paralympic Committee Hall.

Achelle Guion, also a Paralympics veteran, chipped in a two powerlifting silvers in women’s 45kg division, while Ariel Joseph Alegarbes, the flag-bearer and a triple gold winner in Surakarta, pocketed silver in the 100 breaststroke SB14 with a clocking of 1:13.59.

Malaysian Mohd Adib Igbal Abdullah captured gold in 1:09.54 while Singapore’s Darren Wei Siang Chan clinched bronze in 1:18.82.