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ENDANGERED NPAs putting to risk simple lives and dreams: Paolo
EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society
By JECIA ANNE OPIANA
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ICE Mayor Paolo Duterte added his voice to the condemnation of the rebel New People’s Army attack on Lapanday Foods Corporation in Barangay Mandug for endangering the life of a fish vendor who was hit by an improvised explosive on April 29. “Just like Larry (the fish vendor), many other Filipinos just wanted to live their normal lives and spend time with their families and loved ones,” said the vice mayor in a privilege speech during the 17th regular council session on Tuesday. F ENDANGERED, 10
FRATERNAL SEND-OFF. A member of the Filipino-Chinese community in Davao City waves miniature flags of the Philippines and People’s Republic of China as People’s Liberation Army Navy replenishment ship Chao Hu (890) sails out during the send off ceremony at the Sasa Wharf in Barangay Sasa, Davao City on Tuesday. Three vessels from the PLA Navy were in the city for a three-day goodwill visit. Lean Daval Jr.
One Mindanao A1 Fashion SPORTS
LEAD MAN
Infiesto chief arbiter in Nat’l age group chessfest
Local peace panel eyed for Davao City C ITY Councilor Jimmy Dureza will submit a resolution asking the city council’s presiding officer Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte to organize a local peace panel for the city of Davao. The city councilor, who is the brother of the Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, said that the local peace panel aims to negotiate with the local armed groups especially the Communist Party of the
Philippines, National Democratic Front and the New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA) groups in the city “As we know, the national government is pursuing a peace negotiation with the NPA for the fortunate resolution of the long peace problem with the said armed group. The Local Government of Davao city is in full support of this peace effort of the national government exhausting
all possible means to achieve its end,” said Councilor Dureza during the City Council’s regular session on Tuesday. He further said that there is a need for us to open our doors in continuing peace negotiations on a local level with the armed groups to ‘diffuse tension and attain a temporary atmosphere of peace by talking peace with the local armed groups.’ He also expressed that
this local peace panel will not delay the peace efforts pursued by the national government but will hasten the attainment of a lasting peace in our locality in particular and for the entire country in general. Currently, the mechanics of the said resolution is being discussed in consultation with the office of the presidential adviser for peace. Jecia Anne Opiana
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VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte says in his privilege speech in this week’s regular session that the City Council of Davao is throwing its support on whatever actions to be taken by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio actions against the rebel New People’s Army to prevent any future atrocities. Lean Daval Jr.
Attacks sow insecurity, says Davao RPOC chair
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HE chair of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in the Davao region has condemned the attacks staged by the communist New People’s Army rebels at the facilities of Lapanday Foods Corporation, saying the violent acts triggered fears of insecurity. “These also brought fears and insecurity to the communities where the attacks occurred,” said RPOC chair and Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyon Uy on Monday. Uy lamented the fact that the attacks took place while the country is hosting the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit. “We sympathize with the victims of these attacks, especially the civilians in the affected areas,” Uy said in a press
statement released Monday. LFC on Sunday said hundreds of workers, including their partners, will be affected due to the destruction of their facilities. The NPAs burned on Saturday two facilities of LFC – one, its box plant in Mandug and the other, the Macondry Plastic Plant in Panabo City. They also attacked Lorenzo Farms in Calinan, Davao City. “These attacks will not bring us to the realization of peace and order and the delivery of services, implementation of development programs and projects to our people,” Uy said. The RPOC chair also expressed concern the NPA attacks will affect the peace talks with the government. (PNA)
Duterte tells trump not to use force in stopping NoKor’s nuclear launch By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
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RESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte told US President Donald Trump not to use force on stopping North Korea’s Nuclear Missile launch. Duterte bared on Monday that he suggested to Trump in a telephone conversation that he should scare its leader Kim Jong-un with a firepower. The Philippine President said the fallout of North Korea’s plan would include China and the Philippines is also within the striking distance of
their nuclear missiles. “Our greatest chance there of getting some dialogue with America and North Korea would be through the intercession of China,” Duterte said. Duterte said this is the concern of everybody not only with us but the ASEAN countries since the Heads of States also expressed their fear of an outbreak because of the threat of a nuclear warhead. “We are as concerned and I
F DUTERTE, 10
900 police auxiliary volunteers sworn in By JECIA ANNE OPIANA
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TOTAL of 910 volunteer police auxiliary took their oath to help the Davao City Police Office fight against crime and violence in the city. The induction of the new volunteers was led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at the Almendras Gym on Tuesday. She reminded the officers of their duty to the city government. “Ang trabaho sa police auxiliary, mutabang sa Davao City Police Office ug sa atong lokal nga kagamhanan sa city government of Davao para sa
peace and order sa atong siyudad,” she said. “Kung mutabang ra man diay mo sa mga mubuhat ug illegal, mag droga lang mo, mutabang mo sa mga kawatan, dili mo musumbong kung kinsa inyong mga nailhan nga naay ginabuhat nga daotan dinha sa inyong barangay, wala mo sa posisyon aron mulingkod sa among atubangan karon. Dapat kahibalo mo kung asa mo mulinya. Kay ni-volunteer man mo, nilingkod mo dinha, therefore kahibalo dapat mo sa inyong trabaho.” Furthermore, Mayor Sara
told them to beware of abusive police officers and remember who they serve. “Ayaw mo ug encourage, pasagdi nga dunay pulis nga abusado. Ang nagpasweldo sa inyuha, ang city hall. Therefore, manubag mo sa city hall. Ayaw mog sugot nga naa moy mahibal-an nga naa moy mahibal-an nga isa ka pulis nga abusado, nga naay giprotektahan nga mga tao nga involved sa illegal, apil na sa inyong trabaho nga isumbong sa atoang mga officers sa DCPO,” Mayor Sara stated. However, the 910 officers
will be further trimmed down to a lesser number, depending on the result of their training for seven days, on basic law enforcement, hand-to-hand combat, traffic management and control at disaster preparedness. The successful officers will receive an honorarium of P6,000 per month to be drawn from a P43-million budget allocated for them. Mayor Sara expects the crime rate to significantly go down as the police auxiliary would start to operate after their training.
in the House of Representatives, seeking to investigate the alleged disadvantageous joint venture agreement (JVA) signed by the Bureau of Correction (BuCor) and TADECO. The other issue in the resolution is the “serious allegations that the workers in the banana plantation operated by TADECO have been ill-treated and exploited which warrants further inquiry.”
According to Samuel Cardenio, president of the Southern Mindanao Federation of Labor (SMFL), the most recent event took place on April 2, 2017 when a group of 15 individuals assembled at the Panabo Freedom Park and were transported by two HiAce vans to interview laborers in prearranged locations and recorded their made-up grievances against the company.
Among those who issued testimonies were former Tadeco employees removed for cause, retired, overage, not covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and those affected by the 10-year deferment in the implementation of the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP). One of those interviewed
Plot to discredit Tadeco turns to use of displeased ex-laborers as witnesses U
NIDENTIFIED individuals reported to be gathering adverse statements against the Tagum Development Company, Inc. (TADECO) were observed in Panabo City, prompting concern the incident is part of the current massive effort to discredit the banana firm. This surfaced after House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez filed Resolution No. 867
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Sara: Offer of peace talks with NPA stands By F. PEARL A. GAJUNERA
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AYOR Sara Duterte Carpio said that she will still pursue the local peace talks with the New People’s Army despite the recent burning incident and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion that injured a fish vendor. Mayor Duterte said that she will still welcome the NPA if they decide to talk about peace
in the coming days. The mayor said that she will not change her position of peace towards the rebel, however she consider them as a terrorist because of what happened. “The local Government of Davao City is always open because we believe that discussion and talks will be the solution, but it really depends on the members of the NPA,” she said.
Treatment needed for‘druggies’ once drug problem is eliminated
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HE illegal drugs problem in the country will continue to proliferate unless drug users are treated and cured from their addiction. This was stressed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Isidro Lapena during his presentation at #RealNumbersPH forum held at the Crowne Plaza in Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday. And while it is easy to arrest or place drug personalities behind bars, it will be a limited success if the demand for illegal drugs is not curbed or eliminated. Lapena said the estimated P120 billion illegal drugs trade in the Philippines, which is supplying around 4 million addicts, can only be
totally eliminated once these individuals are treated and cured of their addiction. The PDEA chief added that the top three narcotics in the Philippines are shabu, marijuana and ecstacy which are mainly distributed in the streets by small-time pushers. These illegal substances are manufactured by Chinese, Taiwanese and Mexican drug syndicates which are operating in the country with the assistance of some government officials, making it easy for them to smuggle it in the various seaports and airports in the Philippines. With this, the PDEA chief said that the country’s drug problem can now be classified as national security threat. (PNA)
Mayor Duterte said that even the job that she offered to the reds will always remain as long as they decide to talk to the government peacefully and leave the armed group. She though clarified that despite her offer of peaceful resolution towards the rebels, as a mayor of Davao City, she will always support the security forces’ operations against them.
“We are always open, but of course with what happened we also support operations against them,” she said. “There will be no pause on the operations against NPA in Davao City, in fact the Police and Military will strengthen their operations against them,” she added. On Saturday morning, the NPA torched the Lorenzo
owned box plant of Lapanday Food Corporation located in Mandug this City. The rebels also raided the Lorenzo Ranch in Calinan and burned three trucks. Davao City Police Office Director Sr. Supt Alexander Tagum said that based on their initial investigation, the cost of damaged of the burning incident in the box plant alone have an
estimated cost of damaged of around P500 million. Tagum said that the police will strengthen further the security offenses around the city and will also the defense of the industrial complex. “We already discussed about the augmentations that we will ask from the regional office and also in the military,” he said.
FOLLOWING TRADITION. A group of young boys offers prayers before lighting their candles at Sta. Ana Parish Church in Davao City on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.
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VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
Thousands join DOLE’s first job fair in Davao City P H
UNDREDS of job seekers, mostly new college graduates, swarmed a local mall here for the Department of Labor and Employment’s first Davao job and business fairs, where 19,996 jobs are up for grabs. As of 3 p.m. Monday, 2,550 applicants have been registered -- 1,750 for local employment and 800 for overseas. Ninety persons were hired on
the spot. Kriztja Marae Labrador, DOLE-11 information officer, further revealed that of the total number, 1,277 were interviewed and 579 were nearly hired. Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who graced the two-day job and business fairs along with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez at Gaisano Mall, was optimistic there will be more jobs for the Filipinos with the implementation of massive infrastructure
projects in the country under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. Bello said the implementation of massive infrastructure projects is a main thrust of the Duterte administration in order to generate two million jobs, thereby reducing unemployment rate from 6.5 percent to two percent. Aside from jobs, Bello said the administration is also offering livelihood programs. Bello is also banking on
Palace proclaims 13 new economic zones – PEZA
DOLE’s partnership with DTI for the five-year “Decent Employment and Entrepreneurship.” This agreement aims to achieve full employment by creating about 7.5 million jobs nationwide in main key employment generating sectors, which include manufacturing, food processing, construction, tourism, information technology-business process management, transportation and logistics and retail trade. (PNA)
HILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Charito Plaza said Malacañang Palace has proclaimed 13 new special economic zones from July 2016 to March 2017, the first nine months of the Duterte administration. Plaza said most of these newly proclaimed economic zones are vertical developments for office spaces, registered as information technology centers. Of the total proclaimed economic zones, 11 were IT centers with a total land development of 25 hectares. These proclaimed IT centers include Starmall Bataan in Balanga, Bataan; The North Park in Mandaue City, Cebu; Cyber Sigma in Taguig City;
UP Town Corporate Center in Quezon City; Garden Plaza in Laguna; Capella IT Center in Muntinlupa City; Rack I.T. Data Center in Parañaque City; Avenir in Cebu City; Cyberscape Gamma in Pasig City; Kayumanggi Center in Quezon City; and BEN-LOR IT Center in Quezon City. President Rodrigo Duterte also proclaimed one agro-industrial economic zone, the five-hectare land development for Brooke’s Point Agro-Industrial Economic Zone in Palawan, and one manufacturing economic zone in Pampanga – the 28-hectare TECO Industrial Park. Plaza added that there were about 40 proclamations pending for signing of the Chief Executive. (PNA)
Nepalese find niche in Tibetan border town
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INBOUND. Passengers from the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) who either work or study in Davao city disembark from a passenger boat plying Km. 11 Barangay Sasa to Babak, IGaCoS route on early morning of Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.
1,433 local roads under BuB completed: DILG
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OME 1,433 road projects under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) – Local Access program have been completed. The BuB Project aims to strengthen local communities’ participation in national budget formulation and project implementation. The program started in 2014. The Department of the Interior and Local Government said Tuesday road-users and travelers nationwide are now benefitting from the completed
roads. “These completed local road projects have given our people a voice in governance. Also, those who are from farflung areas can now easily transport their goods from their farms to the public markets and they can now bring back commodities to their homes for their immediate needs,” DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino Cuy said in a press statement. Of the 1,433 completed projects, 762 roads and bridges are under the 2016 Local
Government Support Fund and 671 are under the 2014 program. The DILG chief claimed that aside from the completed sub projects, the Department through the Office of Project Development Services (OPDS)Local Access Roads Project Management Office (LARPMO) is monitoring the progress of 1,277 sub projects that are in various stages of project completion under the BuB. Of these sub projects, 454 are on-going construction, 207 are on procurement stage, and
616 are on preparation of initial documents like Detailed Engineering Design (DED). According to Cuy, the local road sub-projects take about 2-3 months for the procurement process and an average timeline of six months to two years for the completion. Thus, project completion cannot be expected right away. For the 2014 sub projects, 671 out of 684 local roads have been completed, nine are on-going construction, and the remaining four are on procurement stage. (PNA)
ASEAN member countries include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The statement also welcomed various initiatives by the ASEAN Tourism Ministers in the implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016 to 2025 with a view to sustaining the sector’s development as well as to contributing to the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
This includes the development of new tourism products and experiences in the areas of yachting, river cruises, youth and sports tourism; further enhancing the development of cruise tourism; promoting sustainable tourism development through the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards. Moreover, the statement noted that substantial works have been done to implement the Visit ASEAN@50: Golden Celebration campaign to
showcase the region’s rich natural and cultural diversity in welcoming international visitors to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. The statement also welcomed the progress made in the realization of ASEAN RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off) shipping network, particularly the maiden voyage of the ASEAN RORO Sea Linkage Route between Davao–General Santos (the Philippines)– Bitung (In-
ASEAN pleased by steady growth of tourism sector
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HE ASEAN Chairman Statement issued by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, being this year’s ASEAN chair, said that it was pleased with the steady growth of the tourism sector in 2016. “We were pleased with the steady growth of the tourism sector in 2016, bringing in 6.5 percent more international visitors compared to 2015,” the ASEAN Chairman Statement, issued Sunday (April 30) said.
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AJAN Bolon prefers talking in Mandarin with the Chinese, even when they start a conversation in English. He pulled over at the roadside Monday afternoon to wait for entry into China at the Gyirong land port in Xigaze of Tibet Autonomous Region, and joined a dozen Nepalese truck drivers for a chat. “I carry apples for sale in China,” Bolon said in Mandarin. A newbie in the trade, he only got his license two years ago. His friend Jack Shrestha, however, was more experienced. “I drive into China almost every day, carrying apples and clothes,” he said. When a massive earthquake hit Nepal two years ago, the port of Gyirong on the China-Nepal border served as the shelter for Nepalese who had to flee from their homes. Last year, Gyirong resumed two-way traffic as the only land port for bilateral trade. “Driving on the border is an adventurous journey, with falling rocks from the cliffs on either side of the road. But it’s exciting, too,” Shrestha said. Not everyone enjoys such adventures. Scared of the falling rocks and other potential risks on the road, Resham Bahadurlo, 34, gave up driving at the end of 2015 and secured a cleaner’s job at a grocery store in Kyirong township, 24 km from the land port. “In Nepal, driving is a dangerous and tiring job, and does not necessarily pay well,” Bahadurlo said. “I have a big family to feed, so I need to stay safe and bring home money.” With his cleaning job, he said he could mail home 2,000 yuan (290 U.S. dollars) a month. “I spend very little here, because meals and lodging are free.” When the store was short of workers last month, he recommended his nephew Binod
Lo, 18, to join him. “It is a good job for young people to start with,” he said. Bahadurlo has never felt lonely because he has many Nepalese friends in Kyirong. His close friends Deny Tamang and Mingma Tsomo, a couple, run Norling Restaurant that serves the best curried rice in town. “Norling means good fortune in Nepali,” Tamang said. True to its name, the restaurant, which opened in 2012, was a big success. “Diners keep flooding in at any time of the day. In the busiest hours, the guests have to wait for an hour for a table,” he said. The couple often receive guests from faraway cities including Beijing and Shanghai. On the sidelines of the restaurant, the couple also run a shop selling Nepalese drinks, garments and artwork. “The restaurant and shop bring in a daily profit of 2,000 yuan,” Tsomo said. The couple were almost penniless when they first came to Kyirong in 2012. “Fortunately, we were granted 22,000 yuan by the Chinese government as a startup fund,” Tsomo says. The same amount was granted to several other Nepalese to encourage them to start businesses in Kyirong, according to Pempa, deputy chief of the development and reform commission of Kyirong County. “Many Nepalese followed them into Kyirong,” Pempa said. “Today, they have opened more than 10 businesses in town.” But this is bad news for Tamang and his wife, who have felt growing pressure from the competition of their countrymen. “We had planned to run our business in China for at least 10 years. But as competition mounts, we might have go come back to Nepal sooner than expected.” (Xinhua)
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NorCot soldiers turning to farms as ceasefire holds
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ITH the relatively stable peace and order condition in its jurisdiction in North Cotabato and parts of Maguindanao, members of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato will go into corn farming for food and to increase their income, an Army official said. Newly-promoted Brig. Gen. Manolo Samarita, 602nd Infantry Brigade commander, said that soldiers will plant corn inside the 200-hectare camp so that soldiers and their families will have additional income. “The peace process in Mindanao has provided breathing space for our troops,” Samarita said, referring to the gov-
ernment’s ceasefire agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. “President (Rodrigo) Duterte, through Agriculture Sec. (Manny) Pinol, has vowed to give the brigade one tractor, seeds and other farm inputs,” Samarita told reporters. To effectively manage the farming activities of infantrymen, elements of the 602nd Army brigade have formed a cooperative. The 602nd Brigade covers areas where MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members operate. With the ceasefire mechanism working well, the soldiers can now venture into productive farming, Samarita said. (PNA)
ECONOMY CLASS. Majority of province-bound passengers choose to ride on non-air conditioned buses to save up some money as the discrepancy of regular fare between first-class bus and ordinary is big. Lean Daval Jr.
says Illegal drugs Davao-Bitung link concrete PDEA trade a P120B industry partnership of BIMP-EAGA T
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OREIGN Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said, the Davao-Bitung connectivity has been a concrete realization of partnership among BIMP-East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) member countries. The minister made her statement on the sidelines of the 30th ASEAN Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila on Saturday, also attended by President Joko Widodo. During the summit, the
President has also attended ASEAN subregional cooperation summits namely the 12th Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) summit and the 10th Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). Retno who accompanied President Jokowi at the two subregional summits said, connectivity has been part of concrete cooperation among BIMP-EAGA countries. “The launching of Ro-ro
routing Davao-General Santos-Bitung is a concrete implementation of BIMP-EAGA cooperation,” Retno said. The connectivity would also support the equalization process of member countries that involve local administrations. “This would synergize central and local governments. This is really a concrete cooperation,” she added. The BIMP-EAGA summit, attended by Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolki-
ah, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has agreed on BIMP-EAGA Vision (BEV) document 2025. The document, Retno said, would become a guideline for BIMP-EAGA cooperation through 2025. BIMP-EAGA would become a building block for enhancement of ASEAN cooperation and to keep ASEAN relevant.
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HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Tuesday said the country’s illegal drugs trade is a P120-billion industry. This was disclosed by PDEA Director General Isidro Lapena during the #RealNumbersPH forum being held at the Crown Plaza, Oritgas, Quezon City. As of April 20, 2017, Lapena said, out of the total of four million drug users, around 1,266,966 surrendered to authorities as a result of “Tokhang” being conducted by the Philippine National Police . Under Tokhang, the PNP
visits the houses of suspected drug personalities and they are asked to turn back from their illegal activity, surrender or undergo rehabilitation. Lapena said a total of 7,760,795 houses were visited or 34 percent of the total households throughout the entire country. The PDEA chairs ICAD (Inter-Agency Council Against Drugs) which aims to synchronize and harmonize the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. On the other hand, Lapena noted 2,692 drug personalities died, 64,817 others were arrested. (PNA)
the strict enforcement of the provisions of the Labor Code. The issuance of the executive order was the top agenda in the 11-point agenda sought by the labor sector to supercede Department Order (DO) 174, which sets the guidelines for contractualization. The President recalled he asked the labor sector to give government more time
to the endo campaign in consideration to businesses with seasonal workers, especially those engaging in exports. In an interview Monday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there were already 50,000 workers who were regularized after the President’s order to end contractualization. (PNA)
Palace lauds upsurge President to issue executive order for‘endo’ of tourists visiting PH P M ALACAÑANG welcomed the continuing influx of foreign visitors in the country after the Philippines’ hit a fouryear high on foreign tourist arrivals. “Foreign tourists chose to ignore the political noise and believe that it’s really more fun in the Philippines,” Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Abella noted that a total of 579,178 visitors were recorded in February or an increase of 27.81 percent over the past four years, adding that it is 5.36 percent higher than the same period last year. Abella, meanwhile, assured foreign tourists that more improvements are to be expected in the country, noting the Duterte administration’s Build-Build-Build projects, which include tourism infrastructure such as airports, railways, and road networks. “Millions of jobs will be
generated in the transport and tourism sectors as we usher in the Golden Age of Infrastructure within the next five years. We therefore hope to make the tourism sector not only sustainable and competitive but also socially responsible to bring comfortable lives to all Filipinos,” Abella said. Abella likewise lauded New York-based global debt watcher S&P Global Ratings’ stable outlook on the Philippines, saying that it resonates the satisfactory effects of the country’s policy in fiscal and debt metrics. S&P expects the country’s Gross Domestic Product to grow annually by 4.9 percent or around USD 2,950 GDP per capita within the next four years. “The stable outlook on the Philippine economy also shows that policies continue to provide a favorable environment for sustained growth,” he said, adding that the country’s “BBB” long-term
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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday during the celebration of Labor’s Day in Davao City that he will issue an executive order directing employers to strictly implement the end of contractualization (endo) or labor-only contracting jobs. The President also asked the Department of Labor and Employment to deputize trade unions to strictly monitor the implementation of the executive order and urged them to submit nominees to the monitoring body. Duterte also committed to ratify the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 151 that will protect the rights of the employees to organize and their security of tenure. He will submit this to the Senate for ratification. Duterte hoped it will serve as a “symbol of government’s commitment to continuously uphold the aspiration of a corrupt free civil service.” Duterte’s decision came after more than an hour of dialogue with labor leaders
at the People’s Park in Davao City. Some 5,000 workers gathered for the 115th International Labor Day. It was the first time in recent history that the national government leadership celebrated Labor Day with workers. The issuance of the executive order indicates the President’s firm commitment against contractualization and
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DCWD explains extended water service interruption
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AVAO City Water District apologizes to its customers for the extended water service interruption in areas served by Line 2 of Dumoy Water Supply System. As earlier advised by DCWD, the water service interruption was scheduled from 9:00 AM of April 29 to 9:00 PM of April 30 to give way to pipelaying and tapping activities in various city parts in preparation for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project of DCWD. All service improvement projects were completed on time but due to high withdrawal and use of water over the weekend, longer time was needed for the pressure build-up and delivery of water to the distribution lines especially in far north and elevated areas. As of press time, water supply in areas affected by this water cut has already recovered except in elevated portions of Davao Empress Subd. and Vista Verde I where water deliveries are being coordinated. However, there are areas that may still experience low water pressure to no water particularly during peak hours or when water use is at its highest. These are in some Lanang, Pampanga, and Sasa areas (from Lanang to Km. 12 including Doña Asuncion Subd., Summerhill Village, Guadalupe Village, Insular Village I, Fortune Executive
Homes, Nova Tierra Village, Belen Homes, Pampanga Executive Homes, San Roque Village, Don Lorenzo Homes, Bolton Village, Doña Pilar Village, Southern Homes, Doña Paz Village, Hacienda Village, Old Airport Road, Doña Aurelia Village, Lougemar Village, Marla Compound, Doña Salud, Bel-Air Subd., and Mercedes Village); and Panacan: Crystal Meadows, Tierra Verde Village, Doña Caridad Subd., De Guzman Village, EMI Ville Homes, other portions of Davao Empress Subd. and Vista Verde I, Tierra Niño Village, DPWH Depot, PMPC Village, Landmark I, II and III, San Juan Village and Vista Verde II. The DCWD management asks for the understanding and cooperation of affected customers and again, apologizes for the inconvenience this water interruption has caused. Likewise, DCWD advises customers to store water whenever they can especially with the start of the summer season. For queries and further updates, the general public may visit DCWD website (www. davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page (www.facebook. com/davaowater) or call the Central Information Unit / Call Center through the 24-hour hotline 297-DCWD (3293), 09277988966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-4410653. (Jamae G. Dela Cruz)
AboitizPower 6-MW binary plant successfully restored A
BOITIZPOWER marked the presentation of its 6-MW Binary Plant at the Makiling-Banahaw Geothermal Project on April 27, 2017. The Binary Plant 1 utilizes excess heat from spent brine to generate clean and renewable energy for the Luzon Grid. Geothermal energy comes from the heat of the earth. It is produced by drilling holes into the earth to tap the steam—or the hot water rising to the surface of the
earth—from the geothermal reservoirs. At MakBan, the water in the reservoir that is not hot enough is fed into the Binary Plant to still generate electricity. The Binary Plant 1 became operational in the second half of 2016 after the completion of restoration work. “It took us more than a year to complete the restoration, but we were able to add 6 MW installed capacity of renewable energy to our facility, utilizing heat from
geothermal byproducts and idle equipment,” APRI President and COO Felino Bernardo said. The Binary Plant 1 is one of three binary cycle power plants in the MakBan Geothermal Project Complex. The binary cycle plants were decommissioned in 2008. Of the three, only Binary 1 was found viable for rehabilitation. “This plant shows our commitment to renewable energy, through our Cleanergy brand,” AboitizPower President and COO Antonio
Moraza said during the presentation ceremony. “We have always emphasized that AboitizPower will continue to pursue renewable energy projects for as long as it is sensible and cost-effective for our customers and for us. As we grow our portfolio of power plants, we will always strive to achieve a balance between renewable and conventional energy sources.” Moraza thanked communities and local government officials of Sto. Tomas, Batangas for supporting the project.
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EDITORIAL
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Connectivity and fresh opportunities
HINGS are really looking up for Mindanao. With the recent launching of the new ferry service connecting Davao City and Gen. Santos City to the Indonesian city of Bitung, expect this to further boost trade within the East Asian Growth Area (EAGA). The route, which will be serviced weekly by the M/V Super Shuttle RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) 12, is expected to shorten travel time from Davao to the largest city of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province to one and a half days, excluding port stay. The vessel has a load capacity of 500 twenty-footer containers of cargo. This means that the usual circuitous route that runs from Manila to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and Bitung
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which is three to five weeks will be dramatically shortened. The new route will also lower freight costs to P35,000 ($700) per twenty-foot container, from the P100,000 ($2, 000) of the Davao-Manila-Jakarta route. The shipping linkage between the Philippines and Indonesia will also spur the strengthening of trade relations among Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines or the BIMP-EAGA corridor. This will result to robust exhange in agribusiness, tourism, socio-cultural and education. The new route will also open fresh opportunities for business. Expect too enhanced competitiveness for Mindanao products in an era of seamless economy in the ASEAN.
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“I
T IS high time to take a no-nonsense look at how our unitary government has ineffectively addressed our recurring problems of improper allocation of power between the National Government and the local government units; the capture of government power by the political dynasties and the economic elite; the corruption that it has bred; the impoverishment of the masses it has caused; the breakdown of the rule of law; the threats of narco-politics and the rebellion it has fomented from our Muslim brothers and the NPAs in the countryside.” –Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno (Ret.). --0--
The information this author got was that former Chief Justice Puno is for federalization while former Supreme Court Justice Vicente V. Mendoza is for decentralization to resolve the over-concentraton of power in our national government. Former Justice Mendoza is against federalization for many reasons. I will cite his reasons one by one and give my comments on these also one by one. Justice Mendoza: “For us, this reverse process (top to bottom federalization) can only mean the fragmentation, if not disintegration of what was once a nation.” My comment: The top to bottom approach in federalizing a country was successfully done in Spain, Belgium and Pakistan. Said countries did not experience fragmentation nor disintegration The top to bottom approach in federalizing the Philippines, if done properly, will not result to fragmentation or disintegration of
I
N our society and culture, because of the imposing unitary system of governance, our people depend too much on what the central authority says before anything substantial is done and accomplished for the constituency. One glaring example is the housing controversy currently hugging the headlines. The dilemma needed Pres. Duterte’s word to settle the forced occupation of a housing project in Pandi, Bulacan by thousands of homeless and informal settlers belonging to the group called Kadamay. Initially, National Housing Authority officials said they were going to court to get eviction orders against the Kadamay members but after PRRD announced he would cede the seized units to Kadamay, they (NHA) just acquiesced with heads bowed. Built by the NHA meant for members of the AFP, the dwelling units looked too small with a floor area of only 22 sqm per. This resembles more like a studio unit in a condo. Is
VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
VANTAGE POINTS
Federalism is the answer
our nation. Justice Mendoza: “Should the venture (federalizing our country via top to bottom approach) fail, there will be no turning back to the old system.” My comment: If Congress sitting jointly as a Constituent Assembly follows the Kilos Pederal sa Pagbabago’s Manuel titled “How to Federalize the Philippines,” our shift to a Federal System is assured of success. Justice Mendoza: “The change will intensify existing regional differences or encourage if not create them where there are none. Past efforts of national unity will be rendered naught.” My comment: Federalizing the Philippines will be designed to promote UNITY IN DIVERSITY in our nation. For instance, the rebellion of our Muslim brothers and of the NPA will be effectively addressed and resolved. Admittedly, constructive competition between Federal States or Regions will also be unleashed for the good of our country and people. Fast efforts at national unity were anemic, hence, no effect. Justice Mendoza: “The rise of village tyrants and village despots will be more probable that the rise of a national dictator.” My comment: Federalizing our nation will lead to real people empowerment. Trust our truly empowered Filipinos to fight the rise of village tyrants and despots. With bigger Federal States or Regions and effective anti-dynasty provision in our mew Federal Constitution, said fear will be allayed. Justice Mendoza: “And how long will it take for the present administration to develop into autonomous states? Take for example Bicol Region, no one can say it is ready for state-
OPINION
By Architect Florencio “Chito” R. Gavino III hood.” My comment: Again, if Congress sitting as Constituent Assembly follows the Kilos Pederal sa Pagbabago’s manual on how to create Federal States or Regions proposed in the Incremental Strategy, the first Five Federal States or Regions as proposed are already politically and economically viable at the time of their creation. Justice Mendoza: “The states will have their own constitution. This is necessary to give them a sense that they are the directors of their own political will and political destiny. At least three years should be devoted to write and adopt a good state constitution.” My comment: Each Federal State or Region that will be created will be governed by a Basic Statute not a Constitution per Kilos sa Pagbabago proposal using the Basic Bangsamoro Basic Law as a model. It will take about only a year to write and adopt a good Basic Statute.
Justice Mendoza: “The development of the regions into states is likely to take more than nine years.. For hand in hand with the amendment of the Constitution should be amendments of man’s nature, which is likely to take a much longer period to accomplish, not just years but perhaps generations.” My comment: Justice Mendoza here is referring to a proposal of creating all our present administrative regions into Federal States or Regions. In the Kilos Pederal sa Pagbabago’s recommendations, only five big and rich Federal States or Regions will initially, I repeat, initially be created . See my earlier comment on this. Regarding “amendment of men’s nature,” the Kilos Pederal sa Pagbabago will soon propose to President Duterte to adopt a People Reform Program titled “Bagong Filipino.” We agree that this will take a longer period than System Reform. Justice Mendoza: “The issue is not over-concentration of power in the national government by over means of dispensing such; whether by changing to a Federal System or by decentralization. Decentralization is the way (our country should go.)” My comment: Decentralization, per Webster, is “the breaking up of the centralization of authority, as in government, and distribute to local authorities.” This is done usually by Congress through the passage of a local government code. Thus, what Congress can decentralize, Congress can easily recentralize again. Decentralization is a lower form of autonomy still under a Unitary System of government. This is not what our people want! Our people have a bigger aspira-
tion of pursuing the highest form of autonomy and a moral organizational set-up which is a Federal System. Our Unitary System does not follow the Principles of Subsidiarity. Real Solidarity and Equitable Distribution of Goods of the Catholic Social Doctrine. Thus, it is an immoral system of government. Our proposed Federal System will faithfully follow all the above principles. That makes A Federal System a moral organization. CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines), please take note of this. Our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the first Filipino advocate of Federal System in our country, called it the “Freest Government.” Hence, our shift to a Federal System is the pursuit of our unfinished revolution to full democracy in the Philippines. Recently, President Duterte stressed that “no less than a Federal System will resolve the problem of peace and order and poverty in Mindanao.” What’s good in Mindanao will be good for our nation, too. Klaus Preschle and Prof. Edmond Tayao said “Fderalism is not only an idea whose time has come. It is a mechanism that has become a necessity given today’s entirely new political, social and economic climate brought about by the end of the Cold War, (the advent of) globalization and the fast pace of technological advancement … We can look at this condition as our opportunity to rebuild this country. Federalism when adopted appropriately will without doubt result to significant improvements in governance and representation.. The more important point now is to adopt the right plan to make it a reality.” To this, we say, “Amen.”
of AFP members who were going to occupy it. The question is asked: Did NHA solely and unilaterally select Pandi as the site without the approval of its client (AFP Housing Board)? Something is wrong somewhere. Taxpayers’ money is used to build these huge housing settlements. Are these housing projects going to waste, just like that? While the monthly amortization is cheap (P200/month for the first five years), there is no denying that much more will be expended by the soldier-dweller than if he lived/resided somewhere close to where he is assigned. The NHA and AFP did not say whether a shuttle service will be provided, though. Another thing: the NHA appeared very slow and sluggish in promoting the Pandi project as a habitable community for soldiers’ families. Naturally, because of the discouraging circumstances surrounding the Pandi housing site, homeless mem-
bers of Kadamay are equally pushing hard, hoping to convince the government to just offer these units free to them as a humanitarian gesture to the peasants. That Pres. Duterte already allowed the first wave of Kadamay members to occupy un-tenanted units at Pandi, is already a voluntary act of kindness and generosity of the incumbent administration. Malacanang, however, should not stop probing into housing development projects entered into by NHA. There are ugly rumors – dating from way back - that some well-placed NHA people are handsomely profiting from them. AFP soldiers deserve something more decent. While they are considered government employees, unlike their civilian counterparts, they lay down their lives to defend the country against any form of violent aggression, internal and external. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
AFP soldiers deserve more
this size big enough to comfortably accommodate 4, 5 members of a soldier’s family? I doubt it. Aside from this discouraging statistic, the housing settlement is sited too far away from where the soldiers go to work (Metro Manila). Basic utilities and amenities such as water and electricity have not been installed yet. Transport fares are also costly as one had to take several connecting rides. The NHA explains that MERALCO required a 70% occupancy of the more than 5,000 homes therein before it can put in place electric cables and light the whole place. That is reasonable. The NHA also said it coordinated and held talks with the AFP Housing Board before it started constructing the Pandi housing project. So, if these kinks were already ironed out between the builder (NHA) and its client (AFP) why, in the end, things didn’t work out? During the consequent senate
SPECKS OF LIFE Fred C. Lumba hearing, complaints against the size and site of the housing project became the focus. Even the quality of the construction materials used surfaced. The NHA cannot be faulted wholly. It constructed the Pandi housing project after determining the needs
9
10 NEWS
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NOT CLOSING DOOR. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio says she will still pursue the local peace talks with the New People’s Army despite the recent burning incident and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion that injured a fish seller. Lean Daval Jr.
Lacson wants ‘Bato’ to succeed in his job S
EN. Panfilo Lacson said that he would give constructive criticism to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa because he wanted him to succeed. Lacson, former PNP chief, made this remark after criticizing Dela Rosa for the “arrogant” way he responded to reports about a “hidden cell” at the Manila Police District Station 1 in Tondo after members of the Commission on Human Rights made a surprise inspec-
tion. Dela Rosa reportedly said that he saw no problem with the setup as long as none of the detainees were hurt or blackmailed. He also challenged the CHR to conduct inspections every day and not just during the ASEAN summit. Lacson, however, said that he found Dela Rosa’s comment arrogant. “I did not say CPNP dela Rosa is arrogant That single act, how he responded to the
comments about the secret cell, what was what I referred to as arrogant. That single act. I want to clarify that. I always wanted him to succeed for obvious reasons,” Lacson said in a mix of Filipino and English. “That’s why when I see or hear something about the way he reacts to certain issues, I cannot help but correct on the spot. Because I want him to succeed,” he added. Lacson said that it was obvious that there was a violation.
“You can see there’s a violation, that’s plain view. It is clear in the law that secret prison cells are prohibited. So there should have been action taken against the police officers concerned,” the senator said. “…There’s no reason for CPNP dela Rosa to defend ang existence ng secret cell. But the bottom line is, I want him to succeed, for obvious reasons because there has so much that has been done in the PNP under his leadership,” he added. (Azer N. Parrocha/PNA)
HE Commission on Appointments gave Environment Secretary Gina Lopez another chance to answer several issues against her in her confirmation hearing on Tuesday. To recall, Lopez was bypassed by the CA on March 15, two days before the Senate went on recess. Lopez’s confirmation hearing continued as soon as the Senate resumed its sessions. During the hearing, Lopez reiterated her plans for the agency including tapping the country’s potential of biodiversity.
She also insisted that she acted within her duties and authority as Environment Secretary in suspending mines with violations despite her not being a “technical person.” “I am not a technical person, but I have an excellent technical team. I will make sure that everything is based on the law,” Lopez said noting that the mining audit was based on at least seven environmental laws. Moreover, she also said that she wanted to restructure the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to make it more func-
tional and answerable to the public. “With land, our priority will always be the poor people. Whatever I do is evidence-based. I don’t make decisions on appearance,” Lopez said. After interrogation, Lopez’s hearing was terminated. The CA is set to deliberate on her confirmation within the day or Tuesday (May 2 or 3). Lopez previously had to face over 20 oppositors who were against her decision to
close and suspend several mines in previous CA hearings on her appointment. Despite the number of oppositors blocking her confirmation, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte has reappointed her and expressed his trust in her capability as Environment chief. In an interview, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a CA member, said that it was difficult to say if the CA would come out with a decision on Lopez’s appointment Tuesday or Wednesday (May 2 or 3). (PNA)
donesia), which was launched on Sunday (April 30) in Davao City, Philippines and is among the economic priority deliverables under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship. The initiative would en-
hance the connectivity of archipelagic ASEAN and further facilitate trade and tourism, as well as provide greater impetus to the implementation of multimodal transport in the ASEAN region. (PNA)
credit rating reflects the country’s strong external position and adequate capacity to meet financial commitments. In the same briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Executive Director for ASEAN Affairs Zaldy Patron said the Philippines has successfully hosted the 30th As-
sociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit over the weekend, noting that the leaders had a fruitful discussion on important issues in ASEAN. Patron said the ASEAN leaders noted the bloc’s improving cooperation with China. (PNA)
Lopez given another chance to face CA T ASEAN... FROM 4
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“This simple dream is now being endangered by the so-called ‘People Army,’” he added. He also expressed his disappointment to the group, for continuing to wage war and despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer of peace. “The NPA had been waging this war for decades now and all along they are claiming that they’re doing it for the masses. For the Filipino people who does not have the means and the strength to fight a despotic government. For people like Larry. Wala pa ba mo gipangkapoy anang inyong pakigbisog? Are you not tired of fighting? We now have a government under the Duterte administration that’s offering peace. And yet you continue waging war.” According to the mayor,
this unceasing battle that the NPA has been fighting for years have ‘victimized not only the government but the very people you claim to be fighting for.’ Despite the attacks, Vice Mayor Duterte expressed that the city government of Davao is not closing its doors for a genuine peace that would benefit each and every Filipino. However, he said his offer ‘must come with a word of caution’ considering that this administration is only good for six years and that the NPA may never again come across an administration like the Duterte administration. In his ending statement, he expressed that the city council of Davao is in full support of whatever actions to be taken by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to prevent any future atrocities.
volunteered the information they were brought to a restaurant in Tagum City after the talk, were given P1,000 each, and promised bigger amounts after they had testified before the House inquiry. Those alleged to have
given their statements were Loloy Malacao, Berlito Sagon and Nelson Bianzon, all known members of the United Floirendo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ Association Incorporated (UFEARBAI).
supposed that you --- you have the persuasive power, you are showing it to him. There has to be a sense somewhere,” Duterte told Trump. Meanwhile, Duterte said he did not accept the invitation of President Trump to US
because he cannot make any definite promises. “I’m tied up. I cannot make any definite promise. I’m supposed to go to Russia, I’m also supposed to go to Israel, I’m supposed to go to… Where else?” he said.
“Because this cooperation is so close with people in bordering areas, therefore this building block would support ASEAN cooperation, including in the context of ASEAN Community,” she said. The minister has cited President Jokowi as saying that the BEV 2025 launching would encourage investment in the two economic corridors, the West Borneo and the Greater Sulu-Sulawesi Economic Corridor.
Indonesia has included 16 infrastructure projects in the documents among others road constructions in Tanjung Selor, Pontianak, Entikong, Manado-Bitung, Balikpapan-Samarinda; railway constructions in Makassar-Parepare; port constructions in Manado, Bitung, Makassar; international terminal construction in West Kalimantan; and power generator construction in North Kalimantan. (PNA)
Plot... FROM 2
Duterte... FROM 2
Davao... FROM 6
AFFIDAVIT OF CLAIM WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS
Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ENCARNACION CAALAMAN BRAGANZA has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement with affidavit of claim with waiver of rights executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.244; Page No.49; Book No. 132; Series of 2017, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FATIMA IRENE T. ADIN
5/3,10,17
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STYLE
ONE MINDANAO FASHION Photos courtesy of Emi Englis
MANILA FAME IS A BI-ANNUAL EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXPOSITIONS AND MISSIONS (CITEM), a reputable arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Egay Ayag
Also considered as the country’s most prestigious lifestyle and design showcase, this event promotes Filipino artistry and craftsmanship through a vast display of locally made products worthy of international attention. Since its conception, the project has served as springboard for artists and suppliers to enjoy and explore greater opportunities, and paved the way for the global success of various names and brands producing home furnishings, novelty items, gifts and décors, clothing and accessories, and other exceptional handicrafts. On its 65th edition, held last April 21 to 23, 2017 at the World Trade Center, Manila FAME celebrated the beauty of southern Philippine textile with a featured assemblage dubbed as Mindanao One. Composed of dresses created by artists and members of the Davao Fashion Designers Council, the collection encapsulated the tradition and cul-
ture of the southern region with intricate pattern play varying in style from T’boli weaves, indigenous cross-stitches, Yakan weaves, tribal weaves of Bukidnon, royal garb of Mandaya tribe, and Inuol ball gowns. These garments were also worn by candidates of Miss Universe 2016, during the January 19 ancillary event held in Davao City. Among the designers who showcased their work and represented the region were Alfonso “Boy” Guino-o, Emi Englis, Aztec Barba, Dodjie Batu, Benjie Panizales, Edgar Buyan, Windell Mira, Egay Ayag, Wilson Limon, Lala Chua, and Neil Jimlani.
Edgar Buyan
Emi Englis
Wilson Limon
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UP AND ABOUT
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Enjoy the latest gaming phenomenon with TNT TNT is giving you more reasons to bond with the whole tropa over Mobile Legends, the latest hit mobile game to sweep the country.
Now, TNT lets you access and play Mobile Legends for three days for only P10. To register, simply text ML10 to 4545. Moreover, TNT has included Mobile Legends in the list of Tropa Apps, from which you can choose up to three apps to enjoy for three days for just Php20. With TNT Choose Your Tropa Apps, you can pick Mobile Legends plus two other favorite apps to enjoy by simply texting CHOOSE to 4545.
fect group to challenge opponents in real time with team work and strategy. The more you play and achieve victories together, the more heroes you unlock, skills you develop, and battle points you earn to level up in the game. Its simple gameplay, heartpounding action and stunning graphics have made Mobile Legends a worldwide phenomenon with over 10 million downloads in 200 countries, including the Philippines.
Worldwide hit game Launched in July 2016 for Android users and in November 2016 for iPhone users, Mobile Legends is a real-time online battle arena game that pits
two teams of five players in a race to attack and destroy the each other’s towers. You start the game by choosing from a list of heroes to play, and forming the per-
Perfect game for every tropa With its Mobile Legends offer, TNT makes good on its promise to provide young tropas with budget-friendly call, text and mobile Internet pro-
mos so you can connect, share, and bond whenever and wherever you are. TNT is powered by highspeed LTE network, so it is easier than ever to rally your whole tropa to get your game face on, play for victory and level up in every match. Using TNT’s other call, text and mobile internet offers, it is also much easier to stay in touch, plan your strategy and share your triumphs on your favorite social media apps! Stay updated about TNT’s tropa-perfect offers by following TNT’s official accounts on Facebook (www.facebook. com/TNTph), Twitter (@ TalkNText) and Instagram (@ TNTph).
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Finding ‘awesome’ in Davao GROWING UP IN THE 80’S, I remember bugging my parents to buy for me the latest toys being advertised on TV. One toy that stuck with me from the first set that was given to me all the way through to adulthood was Lego.
Loving this giant Philippine Eagle mural made of thousands of Lego bricks.
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April 26 – May 2, 2017
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GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 Chris Pratt,Zoe Saldana
Yes, I grew up with the little building bricks that were the brainchild of carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen. With just a few bricks and a head of creativity, I was able to made entire worlds complete with their own stories. Back then, Lego sets were difficult to find and collect but fast forward to April 22, 2017 and Lego finally opens its 7th Certified Store in the Philippines at the Abreeza Mall. What makes the Lego Certified Store unique is that it offers a space that nurtures creativity. From the interactive play area, to the fully assembled Lego sets, as well as a Pick-a-Brick wall where anyone can customise and hand-pick the different bricks they need to create their own masterpiece. Collectors can rejoice as the Lego store also carries various exclusive Lego sets such as the much sought after Big Bang Theory set, the Death Star set from Star Wars, and even the Simp-
FormallyopeningtheLegoStorewereLAJPhilippines Retail Manager Sharlene Ortiga (2nd from right) together with Unicef country representative Lotta Sylwander (left), Ninjago and Accendo Commercial Corp. general manager Luigi C. Escano (right).
sons’ House set. The store is the fifth in a series of stores in the country that will open under Lego’s “Better With Every Brick” campaign. Lego together with UNICEF Philippines will work together to help build the first National Centre for Children with Disabilities in Philippine General Hospital. To support the program, a portion of the sales of Lego Certified Stores in the country will
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be donated for the Centre’s construction. For the Davao store opening Lego issued a cheque worth Php500,000 as part of the fundraising drive to raise a total of Php10 Million for the construction of the centre. “The Lego brand goes beyond being one of the top global toymakers, we are a beloved builder of childhood fantasies. We aim to inspire and engage
the world’s builder by injecting fun into play,” said LAJ Philippines Retail Manager Sharlene Ortiga, “This partnership with UNICEF Philippines resonates well with this dream to extend the opportunity to help more children by bringing the National Centre for Children with Disabilities to reality.” Durianburg has truly become more awesome thanks to Lego.
LAJ Philippines Retail Manager Sharlene Ortiga (Left) holds up the commemorative Lego Philippine Eagle.
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The Pick-a-Brick wall allows Lego fans to hand-pick and select whatever bricks they need.
Kids will love the store’s interactive play area.
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There is also a custom Minifig station were one can create their own unique Lego mini figure.
EDGEDAVAO
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VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
6th BPI Cards Durianman Triathlon closes strong LAST APRIL 23, 2017, the 6th BPI Cards Durianman Triathlon, one of the country’s triathlon races with cross-channel swim, closed strong with over 300 participants flying in to participate in this milestone.
Durianman, as it is fondly called, is now a noteworthy yearly event for triathletes due to its unique features and landscape. The participants came from different cities and countries including USA, Taiwan, Brunei, France, Netherlands and India. Durianman is currently the biggest standard distance event in Davao region, and it’s also one of the highlights of Davao’s biggest tourism campaign – the Visit Davao Fun Sale. During the recently con-
cluded competition, the participants considered it one of the most challenging races yet, due to the unpredictable strength of the current of the Pakiputan Strait. This strait was part of the standard route for the race. As
the current commanded a route adjustment, the organizers decided for a deep water start, which was more favorable for the athletes to reach the swim exit in a safer manner. “This year’s BPI Cards Du-
rianman Triathlon was one for the books and it definitely raised the bar of triathlons here in the region. The challenge of the race is too sweet to pass on and we are confident that its uniqueness will attract more triathletes in our future races,” shares Durianman race organizer, JJ Sarona. The over-all male winner was
Team Unilab - Activ’s Jonar Saim from Polomolok, South Cotabato with a time of 2:06:36 while taking home the gold in the women’s race was Feelin Torres from Team Omega Pro of Cebu with a time of 2:49:08. This year’s Durianman, this is the biggest event organized by TRIAD (Triathlon Association of Davao), and its success garnered more interest and excitement for the next races to come.
EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
NEWS 11
Be a person of legacy, PSC tells coordinators M
ANILA - Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez urged some 50 regional and progam sports coordinators of the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) to be men and women of legacy as he also shared his fundamental beliefs to them during the two-day coordinators’ meeting held April 26 and 27 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. Ramirez said that since PSI, created to address President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s mantra of making sports available to all relative to R.A. 6847 or the PSC Act, the work of PSI coordinators is a “very serious job”. “We will focus on grass-
roots sports. For the first time in 27 years, the PSC will now have a genuine grassroots sports program. Go out of the box, be imaginative. Make yourself a person of legacy. Bahagi ka sa istorya ng Philippine sports,” Ramirez said. He also bared his core values and beliefs that he also wants the coordinators to also embrace such as compassion, humility, competence, integrity, commitment and urgency to serve with conviction. The PSC chief also reiterated that making sports accessible to the countryside is the President’s directive, thus, he would want all regional coordinators to also focus on collaborations with local government units (LGUs) and
other stakeholders to start grassroots sports in their respective areas. “In creating a vibrant and healthy citizens as stipulated in R.A. 6847, we need to implement programs in the grassroots level and these need need not be expensive. We can have sports programs and make use of the streets or parks or shorelines or rivers in making sports available for children, adults and seniors,” he said, adding that investing on Filipinos, particularly children, is the real gold mine and not the Olympics although Ramirez said that the PSC Board will stand by its commitment to support national athletes from the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games this year to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He also said, “This is the highway we’re taking in Philippine sports. What we’re doing is for the children and the motherland. We can all be a part of this historical journey of Philippine sports and together leave a legacy we can all be proud of.” PSC Commissioners Charles Raymond A. Maxey, Ramon Fernandez, Celia Kiram and Arnold Agustin were also in attendance along with PSI national training director Marc Edward Velasco and his deputy Henry Daut. Members of the PSC management committee, composed mainly of the agency’s department heads, were also present. PSI
USTICE Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II is poised to order a probe into the people or group believed to be behind the complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte and 11 senior government officials filed by lawyer Jude Jose Sabio before the International Criminal Court (ICC). Aguirre believes that there are people behind the actions of Sabio -- lawyer of self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato -- which he described as an “effort to destabilize the Duterte administration.” “Matobato, Sabio and whoever are behind them are out to destabilize the Duterte administration by discrediting it before the international community. I believe that somebody is behind them because they will not be so brazen in their actions if there is no one holding the strings, purse strings included, behind the scenes. Ask them who is paying for their expenses in going to the ICC,” Aguirre said in a statement “Are these funders public officials at present? If yes, are they using public funds of their offices to undermine the government? If yes, they should be investigated and be made accountable. If, on the other hand, the funding is private, then it is still an act of destabilization. These
destabilizers do not want the Filipino people to have a drug free future. They hate it when the greater majority of our countrymen benefit from the many gains of the Duterte administration. To them and their kind, I say, bring it on!,” Aguirre added. Aguirre, also a lawyer, said he is disappointed with Sabio’s act. “I am disappointed with Atty. Sabio. As a brethren in the noble profession of lawyering, he has sunk so low. He has deliberately prostituted himself at the altar of greed and self interest. He has dis-
regarded our Lawyer’s Oath that a lawyer shall not do any falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any. His present action totally disregarded the warning issued to him by the Supreme Court itself in the August 11, 2008 case of Judge Alden V. Cervantes vs. Atty. Jude Josue L. Sabio,” said Aguirre. For his part, Solicitor General Jose Calida, the government’s top lawyer, said he will initiate the filing of a disbarment charge against Sabio, for filing baseless suits. He recalled that the SC sanctioned Sabio in 2008 for
filing a groundless bribery charge against Judge Alden Cervantes, who was the presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court of Cabuyao, Laguna until his retirement in 2005. The Court held that Sabio violated the proscription in the lawyers’ Code of Professional Responsibility against wittingly or willingly promoting or suing any groundless suit, including baseless administrative complaints against judges and other court officers and employees. Sabio also ran for a Senate seat last year and lost.
OLICE authorities thwarted a plan to bomb Davao City after killing an alleged terrorist who possessed an improvised explosive device before dawn Tuesday along Magtuod road, Barangay Maa here. Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum, Davao City Police Office director, said the suspect, whose identity is still being withheld, was killed when he tried to shoot it out with DCPO’s joint intelli-
gence and SWAT teams when flagged down at a checkpoint at around 3 a.m. His companion, however, escaped. Tagum said the explosive device, fashioned from a 60mm mortar shell, is similar to the one used in the Roxas night market bombing in September last year. Senior Inspector Maria Theresita Gaspan, DCPO spokesperson, said the suspect disembarked from a mo-
torcycle and pulled out a cal. 28 pistol when accosted by the police. Police operatives also confiscated from the possession of the suspect a hand grenade, detonation cord and two pieces of blasting caps. Tagum said they are tracking the companion of the suspect. He added that they have informed other nearby provincial police offices to help track the suspect’s compan-
ion.
Aguirre seeks probe on people behind ICC case versus Duterte
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LEGACY. Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez urges some 50 regional and progam sports coordinators of the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) to be men and women of legacy as he also inspires them to be part of the historical journey of sports in country during the two-day coordinators’ meeting held April 26 and 27 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. PSI
Fariñas bares 14 priority bills before 17th Congress adjourns
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OTH chambers of Congress have agreed to pass 14 priority measures before going on sine die adjournment on June 3, House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said on Tuesday. Fariñas made the announcement following a meeting among House and Senate leaders, who identified the priority bills that both chambers will approve this month. “These bills will be approved by both chambers until May 31. This is a joint agreement between the House and the Senate,” Fariñas said. Among the 14 priority bills are: Free Internet Access in Public Place Act; Free Higher Education Act; Philippine Mental Health Act; amendments to the Philippine Passport Act; Revised Penal Code Indexation; Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act; Community service in lieu of imprisonment for the penalty of arresto menor; Refusal of hospital and medical clinics to administer medical treatment in emergency cases; Free Irrigation Services Act; and Enhanced Universal Healthcare Act. Extension of Driver’s License Validity; Agrarian and
Agricultural Credit Condonation Act; Inclusion of Casinos in Anti-Money Laundering Act coverage; and a measure prohibiting the conversion of irrigated land are also included. Fariñas, however, said the comprehensive tax reform bill will not be passed by June due to lack of material time. This is contrary to the target of House Committee Ways and Means chair Dakilo Cua who eyed the bill’s passage in the lower chamber before the sine die adjournment. The tax reform bill is still being fine-tuned by a technical working group headed by Cua. Under the bill, workers earning no more than P250,000 annually will be exempted from paying personal income taxes (PIT). To compensate for the revenue losses from the lowering of the PIT rates, some of the offsetting measures include increasing excise tax rates on all petroleum products and automobiles; expanding the value added tax (VAT) base by limiting exemptions to raw food and other necessities; and taxing Philippine Charity Sweepstakes numbers’ game and lotto winnings. (PNA)
Plot to bomb Davao foiled; suspect killed P Gaspan noted that police authorities were placed on alert after receiving information Monday evening that a group allegedly out to bomb the city boarded a gray Toyota pickup and a black Honda XRM in the vicinity of Bangkal, this city. This prompted the DCPO director to deploy operating teams to track down the group. (PNA)
12 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO
VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
Beating stress by really trying
Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO
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AVE you been sick lately? Then suspect stress. According to some studies, as many as nine out of ten visits to the doctor these days may be related to stress. That includes everything from allergies and asthma to headache and heart disease. Now if that little bit of news isn’t stressing enough, there are also those angst-inducing traffic jams and long lines, jerky bosses and inept workers, too much to do and too little time to do it. And let’s not forget poverty, unemployment, pollution, crime, and annoying house members. When it’s crunch time, you tend to engage in all sorts of unhealthy habits that further increase your stress levels. That Italian pizza is such a bad idea. If your anxiety is spiraling out of control, food should be your ally, not your enemy. With that in mind, here are some foods that will help relieve your stress.
Avocado: The next time stress has you hankering for a high-fat, creamy treat, skip the ice cream and try some avocado shake – the thick, rich texture can satisfy your craving and reduce those frantic feelings. This green fruit is loaded with two powerful stress fighters: potassium and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Both can lower blood pressure and MUFAs may help ward off depression. In a large 11-year study, the more MUFAs participants consumed, the less likely they were to be depressed. Researchers contend the fats may improve how the brain absorbs the “happy” brain chemical serotonin. Fish: Most types of fish are replete with all-important B vitamins, particularly the renowned stress fighters B6 and B12. In fact, B12 is one of the most important vitamins involved in the synthesis of the mood-boosting serotonin; a vitamin B12 deficiency can even lead to depression. Fish is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats may help mod-
called the reward center or centers controlling pleasure. Serotonin, on the other hand, is a compound that regulates mood, make someone feel happy and eliminate negative emotions.
erate stress and protect against depression. A study in Finland shows that people who eat more fish are less likely to be depressed. In fact, high doses of omega-3 may even be used to treat clinical depression.
Dark chocolate: Chemically speaking, “chocolate really is the world’s perfect food,” to quote the words of Michael Levine, the author of The Emperors of Chocolate. As Geronimo Piperni puts it: “Chocolate is a divine, celestial drink, the sweat of the stars, the vital seed, divine nectar, the drink of the gods, panacea and universal medicine.” But eating dark chocolate every day for 10 years could reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes in some high-risk patients. Another study showed a reduction in a stress hormone in people who ate dark chocolate often.
Broccoli: Yet another food that is chock-full of stress-relieving B vitamins, broccoli has the added benefit of containing folic acid, which is also part of the B vitamin family. Folic acid helps relieve stress, anxiety, panic, and even depression. “Studies show that folic acid in broccoli can help improve our temperament,” writes Dr. Willie T. Ong in his book, “Stay Younger, Live Healthier.” “Aside from lifting our spirits, broccoli is a potent anticancer food, proven in laboratory studies to inhibit cancer cells.”
Oranges: Getting for a job interview or doing a presentation at work? Don’t worry, pour yourself a glass of orange juice or peel yourself an orange. The magic nutrient here is vitamin C. As one nutrition expert explains, “When you are stressed, your body releases even more free radicals than usual. Vitamin C helps
to keep the free radicals in check, and repairs the body. Basically, it helps protect the body from the cumulative effects of stress.” In a study in Psychopharmacology, German researchers subjected 120 people to a public-speaking task plus a series of math problems. Those who took 3,000 milligrams of vitamin C reported that they felt less stressed, and their blood pressure and levels of
cortisol (a stress hormone) returned to normal faster. “Vitamin C is also a wellknown immune system booster,” says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, a spokesperson for the
American Dietetic Association.
Banana: This fruit can relieve stress because it contains two compounds that can calm the mind, that is, dopamine and serotonin. Both compounds were able to control mood or moods which are also produced naturally in the brain. Dopamine is a compound that is quite dominant role in the brain,
Brown rice: All whole grains, including brown rice, contain plenty of B vitamins and also supply serotonin producing carbohydrates that do not spike blood sugar levels. One cup of brown rice has 3.5 grams of fiber while the same amount of white rice has less than one gram of fiber. Aside from being nutritious, brown rice has several health benefits.
For instance, eating a serving of brown rice at least 6 times each week is an especially good idea for postmenopausal women with high cholesterol, high blood pressure or other signs of cardiovascular disease. Black tea: A study done by the University of College London found that black tea – instead of green or herbal varieties – helps cut levels of the stress hormone cortisol circulating in the blood. The study, published in the journal “Psychopharmacology,” found people who drank tea were able to destress more quickly than those who drank a tea substitute. Other studies have suggested it can help increase alertness and boost moods. “Drinking tea has traditionally been associated with stress relief, and many people believe that drinking tea helps them relax after facing the stresses of everyday life,” commented researcher Professor Andrew Steptoe.
Milk: Milk products are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid the brain needs in order to make serotonin. Anti-depressants work in a similar way by conserving the brain’s serotonin. Milk is very high in calcium and B vitamins, which help to build your bones and protect nerve health. It is also high in protein, and protein also helps blood sugar to stay stabilized.
Sweet potato: It can be particularly stress-reducing food because this root crop can satisfy the urge you get for carbohydrates and sweets when you are under a great deal of stress. Instead of reaching for a donut, eat one of these instead. Sweet potato is packed full of beta-carotene and other vitamins, and the fiber it contains helps your body to process the carbohydrates in a slow and steady manner.
VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
NEWS13
EDGEDAVAO
China to study deep water DAVAO port proposal in Davao City is in need of C
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HINA’S Ministry of Agriculture has expressed its interest to pursue the proposed deep water port at the Davao Fish Port Complex (DFPC) here. The proposal is being pushed by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority in Region (PFDA) XI. Ricardo Oñate, Jr., acting DA-XI regional director, said Tuesday the proposed deep water port, about 30 feet deep, will serve large cargo
ships. Once established, Oñate said the DFPC can accommodate more local and foreign ships, making it a center for collection, processing, storage and packaging of fishery and marine products. Vicente Lao, chair of Mindanao Business Council, said the project would accommodate bigger tuna carrying vessels particularly from China. Currently, the port can only accommodate smaller vessels, he said.
“The need for expansion is essential,” Lao told Chinese delegates. Agriculture Vice Minister Qu Dongyu of the People’s Republic of China lauded the proposed project. “We have seen your potential and through that project, you can produce more products for export,” Dongyu said. Aside from fishery products, Dongyu also encouraged Filipino farmers to produce pork, chicken and other high-value crops.
Account Executive Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate • Male/Female • With pleasing personality Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City Or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com
Volunteers celebrate Earth day at the Cleanergy Park. Volunteers from various organizations unite as they celebrate this year’s Earth day through a tree planting activity last April 22, 2017 at the Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City. The Mindanaoan Youth Development Center, Inc. in partnership with the
Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. and the iQor Call Center initiated the mangrove tree planting and coastal clean up at the Cleanergy Park. At the end of the activity, the group was able to plant 400 Mangrove seedlings and collect 50 sacks of trash.
14
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VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
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VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
Bird resigns as Pacers president
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ARRY Bird made the decision last year. After nearly 40 years in the NBA, he had started plotting an exit strategy. The 60-year-old Hall-ofFamer finally told the rest of the world Monday: He was stepping down as Indiana’s president of basketball operations, turning the reins over to Kevin Pritchard and staying in the Pacers organization as a scout and consultant. ‘’Maybe when I turn 70, I’ll come back,’’ Bird joked. ‘’But right now, my wife is happy. She’s been on this run since I was a sophomore in college.’’ It has been a run of legend. Bird’s story is well known to millions - the smalltown prep star who led Indiana State to the 1979 NCAA championship game against Magic Johnson, won three MVP Awards and three NBA titles in Boston, and then helped the Dream Team capture Olympic gold in 1992. In August 1992, the man nicknamed ‘’Larry Legend’’ and ‘’The Hick from French Lick’’ retired as a player but
remained with the Celtics as a special assistant until the Pacers offered him their head coaching post in 1997-98. Bird took the Pacers to the Eastern Conference finals three straight times and was named the league’s coach of the year in his debut season. A heart ailment prompted Bird to follow through on another promise - that he would only coach three seasons. He walked away weeks after Indiana lost to the Lakers in the 2000 Finals. Three years later, a rejuvenated and healthier Bird returned to the team as president. This time, Bird put together teams that went to three more conference finals and earned him the NBA’s executive of the year award in 2011-12. Bird is the only person in league history to earn an MVP Award and be named the coach and executive of the year. His one failing: He couldn’t bring an NBA title to Indiana. He will need to leave that one where it is.
HE Houston Rockets were willing to take whatever the Spurs gave them in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Houston ended up with a record-setting offensive performance, a huge boost in confidence and home-court advantage. Trevor Ariza scored 23 points, James H a r d -
en added 20 points and 14 rebounds, and the Rockets stormed past San Antonio 12699 on Monday night, the Spurs’ worst loss in a series opener under Gregg Popovich. ‘’Just taking what the defense gives us,’’ Harden said. ‘’Last series (against Oklahoma City) was a more grind-itout. We weren’t really making a lot of 3s. We had to figure a way to get paint points and in this series
SPORTS15
Tabuena resumes hunt in ICTSI Luisita leg L
OCAL ace parbuster Miguel Tabuena’s winning form will be tested anew as he joins the elite international cast clashing in the USD 60,000 ICTSI Luisita Championship starting on Wednesday, May 3 at the long and tricky Luisita Golf and Country Club. Released by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.,organizer of the event, the 22-year-old Tabuena , the former Order of Merit winner is back in the local tour hunt after missing the Manila Masters leg last month due to injury, his bid this week boosted by a strong joint fifth finish in the Yeangder Heritage in Taiwan last Sunday. Tabuena leads other top pros in the traditional proam tournament on Tuesday,
where they will be paired with officials and guests of the event’s chief backers, including ICTSI, BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT. Expected to combine mental toughness and course management,Tabuena is in for a tough challenge this week with a crack field out to foil his shot at the top USD 10,500 purse, including fellow local aces Tony Lascuña, Frankie Miñoza, Jay Bayron and Elmer Salvador along with Jhonnel Ababa, Mhark Fernando, Rufino Bayron, Gerald Rosales, Ferdie Aunzo, Cassius Casas, Orlan Sumcad and young turks Jobim Carlos, Justin Quiban and Ira Alido. A field of talented foreign
so far they gave opportunities to shoot 3s.’’ The Rockets were 22 for 50 behind the arc, the most 3s attempted and made against the Spurs in their long postseason history. Houston had six players in double f i g ures, in-
cluding 20 points and 13 rebounds from Clint Capela. ‘’They came out ready, they outplayed us tonight,’’ said Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who was held to four points. ‘’They made most of their shots. Guys competed, but I thought we made mistakes early. They took advantage of it. Once they had offensive rhythm they were rolling. And we never really found ours.’’ Game 2 is Wednesday in San Antonio.
shotmakers are also in the fold although they will not only be bracing for a showdown with the local aces but also the hot condition at one of the country’s toughest championship courses. Reigning Solaire Philippine Open champion Steve Lewton of England heads the foreign challenge, along with Americans James Bowen, John Catlin, Paul Harris and Brett Munson, Koreans Park Jun Sung and Kim Sung Wook of Korea, Ryoma Miki, Yuta Sudo and Shota Ishikawa of Japan, South African Mathiam Keyser, Canadian Lee Sang Gyun, Finnish Teemu Putkonen and David Gleeson, Rhett McIvor, Jason Dawes and Nathan Park of Australia. Dutch Guido Van der Valk is also raring to nail the elu-
sive first win on the Philippine Golf Tour after blowing a number of title bids with late-round foldups. Others tipped to contend for the crown are Englishman Jake Shepherd, Thai Annop Tangkamolprasert, Japaese Narutoshi Yamaoka, Bangladeshis Mollah Zamal, MD Shakha Sohel, MD Dulal Hossain, MD Jakir Jakiruzaman and MD Ismail, and Indonesian Sujarwo. After Luisita, the tour heads to Orchard in Cavite on May 10-13 before Manila Southwoods hosts the next stop on May 17-20 while the Philippine Masters revival is set on May 24-27 at its home at the Villamor Golf Club in Pasay, capping a busy monthlong schedule in this year’s PGT calendar. (PNA)
EBRON James resisted drinking some beer. He downed the Raptors again instead. James grabbed a bottle of beer on the sideline while scoring 35 points, Kyrie Irving added 24 and the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up where they left off following a long layoff and throttled Toronto 116-105 on Monday night in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal. The Cavs hadn’t played since April 23, when they completed a four-game sweep of Indiana. But the defending champions didn’t show signs of rust and were well-prepared to face the revenge-seeking Raptors, who lost to Cleveland in last year’s conference finals. ‘’That was the mystery coming into the game, how we would come out?’’ James said. ‘’Obviously you prepare, you want to come out and play well, but you never know after an eight-day layoff. But the energy was phenomenal.’’ Toronto dropped to 1-12 in playoff openers, and the Raptors got blown out in the playoffs for the fourth straight time in Cleveland. Game 2 is We d n e s d ay night. Kyl e Lowry scored 2 0
and DeMar DeRozan 19 for the Raptors, who were within seven in the third quarter before James dropped a 3-pointer, converted a threepoint play, drained another 3 and then considered washing down a brew - a moment he said wasn’t planned. After drawing a foul on a missed layup, James playfully hopped toward the sideline, where a courtside server was passing by. The threetime champion reached and grabbed a beer bottle from her hand and brought it toward his lips before putting it back. ‘’I wasn’t going to run over our beer lady,’’ he said. ‘’She had one and I grabbed it. I’m not a beer guy. If she had some red wine I would have probably taken a sip.’’ With trade acquisitions Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, this Toronto team seemed better equipped to beat Cleveland than the one which lost in six games in last year’s playoffs. Trouble is, James only seems to be getting better and the Cavs are gaining speed. ‘’They were well-rested, flying around - almost like a half a step quicker than we were all night,’’ said Toronto coach Dwane Casey. ‘’We’ve got to make adjustments as far as how we want to guard the paint and then get out to the 3. Offensively, get cleaner looks.’’ Before the game, Casey talked about the big comebacks that have been a theme in these playoffs. The Raptors blew a 25-point lead to Milwaukee in the first round, while the Cavs overcame a 25-point deficit and pulled off the biggest second-half rally in playoff history.
Rockets rain Spurs with threes for 1-0 lead Cavs top Raptors T 116-105 in Game 1 L
HARD DRIVE. James Harden of the Houston Rockets drive past Danny Green of San Antonio Spurs.
16 EDGEDAVAO Sports
VOL. 10 ISSUE 22 • WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017
LEAD MAN Infiesto chief arbiter in Nat’l age group chessfest
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AVAO’S James Infiesto will serve as chief arbiter in the 2017 National Age-Group Chess Championships which come off the wraps at the Robinson’s Galleria in Cebu City today, May 3. Infiesto, an international arbiter, will be serving as chief arbiter along with Wilfredo Neri in the boys and girls competitions. NCFP Executive Director Red Dumuk, a FIDE arbiter, will act as Tournament Director. According to Dumuk, executive director of the organizing group, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), competitions will be in the U8 age bracket, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20 for both boys and girls. 196 aspirants from all over the country are taking part. Presented by the Province of Cebu and Mr. Marty Pimentel, the chess fest is sponsored by Robinson’s Galleria and Cebu City Sports Commission(CCSC) with Philippine Sports Commission extending support and
NCFP. NCFP Chairman and President Prospero Pichay, Jr., Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez will deliver their inspirational messages during the opening ceremony preceding the hostilities. CCSC Chairman Edward Hayco welcomes the athletes, officials and guests while Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) Executive Director Ramil Abing introduces the guest speakers. NCFP Provincial Sports Coordinator Edilberto Velarde, Jr. declares the NAGCC open, and Commissioner Fernandez and consistent ASEAN age-group chess championships medalist Jerish Velarde do the ceremonial moves. Also backing the NAGCC are Department of Education and PSC-Cebu. Cebu City owns the Guinness world record for the biggest chess tournament, drawing 43,157 participants from public schools. (Primo P. Agatep/PNA)
CHIEF ARBITER. International arbiter James Infiesto of Davao City will serve as chief arbiter in today’s start of the 2017 National Age Group Chess Championships in Cebu City.