Edge Davao 5 Issue 152 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

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Only 4 more bets file COC Serving a seamless society

Indulge

Page A1

Science/ Environment Page 4 Science\ Environment

By Anthony S. Allada

nLY four more candidates, all independents, filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) before the Commission on Elections-City Office here until

Agritrends

Sports

Page 7

No one has so far filed for the positions of vice mayor, second district city councilor, second and third district representatives.

the cut-off time of 5 p.m. yesterday, the second day for COC filing.

Carlos “Toto” Cirilo, a transport leader, was the last to file be-

fore the Comelec at 4:07 p.m. for first district councilor. Cirilo said it this was his fifth time to run but expressed op-

FONLY, 11

AGAINST. Progressive groups stage a protest rally against the hotly debated Republic Act No. 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Act along C.M. Recto Ave. yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Page 16

POOLED EDITORIAL

Journalists oppose Cyber Crime Law

[This editorial comes out today as it will appear in three other newspaper members of the Philippine Press Institute in Davao City to register our joint protest against specific provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act [RA 10175], which takes effect today, while continuing to ignore calls to pass the Freedom of Information Act].

n September 12, 2012, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. While purporting to address crimes being committed with the use of the Internet and other electronic communication, the law violates fundamental freedoms and several provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Among these are the rights to free expression, free press, due process, privacy, equal protection and FJOURNALISTS, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Surprise, surprise

Jinkee running for vice governor

n a development that caught everybody by surprise, including a friend of Rep. Manny Pacquiao who was all set to run for vice governor under Steve Solon, Jinkee Pacquiao came out of the blue and stunned even her mother-in-law, Dionisia, by agreeing to file her certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice governor of Sarangani. The decision to accept the offer for her to run for the post, came just an hour ahead of her husband’s filing his own COC. They eventually filed together. “The decision was arrived at at 10 am,” Malapatan Mayor Alfonso Singcoy said.

Despite gun raps

Singcoy said outgoing Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez called him up and suggested that Jinkee instead should run after several mayors expressed disagreement over an earlier decision to have Juan Domino as Vice Gov. Steve Solon’s running mate.. Pacquiao himelf confirmed it was Dominguez who was behind Jinkee’s surprise candidacy. Dominguez said the decision of Jinkee to run broke the impasse between warring politicians inside Pacquiao’s camp. Domino was nowhere near the Commission on Elections office at the provincial capitol com-

Davao Sur mayor seeks reelection

AYOR Jimmy Joyce of Jose Abad Santos in Davao del Sur, who is on temporary liberty for gun charges, is seeking reelection against former kayor Alexander Wangkay and former vice mayor Mario Guillermo. Joyce and Wangkay have already filed their certificate of candidacy (COC ) on Toesday while Guillermo has yet to file his roday, Wednesday. It may be recalled that Joyce and six bodyguards

In GenSan

CUSTOMIZED PLATES. Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte distributes customized plates to payong-payong drivers in Brgy. Dalisay, Agdao which aims

FJINKEE, 11 to easily identify and track law violators who sometimes use the said vehicles for their unlawful activities. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

were arrested by agents of the Regional Intelligence Unit 11 of the Philippine national Police-Intelligence Group last August 2 at his house in Caburan Small, Jose Abad Santos after 12 high-powered firearms were seized there. The case filed against the bodyguards were dismissed, leaving Joyce to face charges for violation of illegal possession of firearms and explosives before the provincial

FDAVAO, 11

GenSan City

Unlicensed firearms uncovered By Aquiles Z. Zonio

hE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 12 raided on Saturday a house in Polomolok town, South Cotabato for allegedly keeping unlicensed high-powered firearms. Senior Supt. noli A. Romana told Edge Davao that the raid was conducted as part of their campaign against loose firearms. Romana said confiscating loose firearms would help ensure a

KaBarangay awards up

hE Gen. Santos City government has launched an annual search for best barangays in an effort to promote quality performance, accountability, transparency and participative governance right at the grassroots.

Dubbed “KaBarangay Award,” the project aims torecognize barangays with good performance, particularly in areas of legislation; development planning; resource generation, allocation and utilization; customer service; human resource

management and development; as well as, in valuing the importance of good governance. nurhasan Juanday, Barangay Affairs Division chief of the city mayor’s office, told reporters that the annu-

FKABARANGAY, 11

Customs intelligence agents meet in Davao

By Anthony S. Allada

nTELLIGEnCE agents and officers of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) conducted their monthly meeting at the Grand Regal hotel, Davao City Tuesday, the first to be held here. “We are deeply honored that our place was chosen as the venue of this meeting. This is one way of fostering camaraderie among us,” said BOC-Davao district collector lawyer Martiniano Bangcoy in his welcome message. Bangcoy referred to

Davao Port as one of the top ports in terms of exceeding its collection target. “In one or the other, you can have a sort of comparison in terms of the enforcement of our customs laws,” he told the participants. Retired army general, Danilo Lim, the customs deputy commissioner for intelligence, said tthey are considering other venues to host future meetings, especially the big ports in Mindanao and the Visayas. There are 17

ports in the entire country. The attendees were members of the BOC’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) under Director Dino Tuason. Commissioner Ruffy Biazon and Lim were earlier eyed as senatorial bets of the administration’s Liberal Party (LP) in the May 13, 2013 mid-term elections, but were reportedly advised to stay on their posts to continue to effect reforms and improve revenue collection. [ASA]

peaceful and orderly election in 2013. “This is part of our continuing campaign against loose firearms within our area of responsibility. By doing this, we can ensure peaceful and orderly conduct of election come 2013,” Romana said. Armed with a search warrant issued by General Santos City executive judge Oscar P. noel, Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 36, the CIDG operatives swooped down

on the residence of a certain Francis nadar, 33, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Polomolok town around 8:40 a.m. Saturday. The raiding team seized one calibre 5.56 rifle, one .9mm Springfield machine pistol and a caliber.22 magnum revolver, including several assorted bullets. Romana claimed that CIDG-12 operatives launched the raid after receiving a tip from their confidential agent.

nadar is currently under the custody of CIDG12 based at Camp Fermin G. Lira here. The CIDG will file on Monday (Oct. 1) a case of illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions against the suspect. “We will be filing the appropriate case against the suspect on Monday for the issuance of an arrest warrant. he will be turned-over to the jail once the court issued a commitment order,” Romana said.

immediately aware of Balisado’s assumption order and all he knew was that the latter would report anytime Tuesday or Wednesday. he said the reshuffling of Comelec regional directors is no longer new to them since it has been done every election. “Only this time, it was done much earlier compared to the revamp which took place in January of 2010, or five months before the conduct of elections that

year,” he said. Cullo brushed aside speculation that Tambuang’s transfer to another region has anything to do with the candidacy of his wife, Ada, who is running for mayor in their hometown of Banaybanay, Davao Oriental. “Actually, I do not know of a provision prohibiting a wife, husband or any immediate relative of an election officer from running for public office,” he said. [ASA]

on R.A. 9994 or The Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. In Davao the region, the celebration will be marked with the payout of social pension to the qualified senior citizens in Malita, Don Marcelino and Jose Abad Santos in the province of Davao Del Sur from October 1-5. The residents and workers of DSWD home for the Aged in Tagum City will also conduct their celebration at Bora-bora Beach, Mabini town on October 4. Meawhile, the Regional Coordinating and Monitoring Board (RCMB) and the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on

Older Persons (RIACOP) will hold a quarterly meeting on October 8 with participants from national and local government offices, Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP), and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). Invited resource persons are from the Department of health and from Food and Drugs Administration. Different local government units and the private sector are likewise organizing their respective events during the week-long observance. [DSWD/Carmela Cadigal-Duron]

Missing: One Comelec director

hERE is lawyer Wilfred Jay Balisado, the new regional director of the Commission on Elections 11 who replaced Remlane Tambuang? Comelec 11 legal officer Danilo Cullo said Balisado showed up at the Comelec office in Davao City on September 24 but has not been seen since then even as the five-day filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) was on its second day yesterday. Cullo said he was not

It’s elder persons week!

hE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) leads the annual observance of the Elderly Filipino Week from October 1-7 under the theme, “nAKATATAnDA: Sa Bisa ng R.A 9994, May Dangal, nagkakaisa, Buhay ay Gumiginhawa.” All DSWD regional offices have been instructed to conduct pertinent activities to promote and help fulfill the rights, privileges and benefits of senior citizens, such as Media Launch, Reciting of national Prayer, Walk for Life, Dalaw Kalinga, Recognition of Sampung Ulirang nakatatanda, Forum

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 152 •WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

More groups urge Hataman to run for ARMM governor

EMBLEM. Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy receives the Adopt-a-School emblem awarded by the Department of Education led by Education Secretary Armin Luistro for its bold support to the cause of education held at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan in DepEd’s main office in Pasig City, Manila last September 27. OIC Schools Division Superintendent Cristy C. Epe and Executive Assistant III to the City Mayor Delia B. dela Cruz received the award in behalf of the

city mayor. In the text, it stated that Tagum City had provided 3 Classrooms, 13,004 Armchairs, 3,875 Desks, 404 Tables and Learning Support towards improving the quality of public education in the country. Also shown in the picture are City Councilors De Carlo “Oyo” L. Uy, Maria Lina F. Baura and Francisco Remitar. [LEo TiMogAN/Cio TAguM]

DepEd central office rewards LGU Tagum T

hE Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office recognized the Local Government of Tagum for its unwavering passion and support to the cause of education in a ceremony led by Education Sec. Armin Luistro held at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan in DepEd’s main office in Pasig City, Manila. The recognition comes with the Adopt-aSchool insignia made by acclaimed national Artist napoleon Abueva which was received by Executive Assistant III to the

City Mayor Mrs. Delia B. dela Cruz and OIC Schools Division Superintendent Mrs. Cristy C. Epe, who both represented Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy in the Thanksgiving and Recognition Program organized by the Adopt-aSchool Program of DepEd. The first day of October marked the city’s latest achievement with the mayor accepted the award during the First Monday Flag-Raising Ceremony. The said recognition was awarded to LGUs who earnestly participated on

addressing the needs for school equipments and supplies most especially to those schools located in remote areas in the Philippines. LGU Tagum has been recognized in the entire country through the initiative of Mayor Uy during the awarding especially on making and distributing school facilities nationwide through the Care for School Chairs Program (CFSC). For the period of the ceremony it was enumerated that Tagum City had provided 3 classrooms,

13,004 armchairs, 3,875 desks, 404 tables and learning support towards improving the quality of public education in the country. CFSC which has turned one year last August, is a brainchild project of Mayor Uy which is fabricating school chairs, desks and tables from the confiscated illegal logs turned-over by the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DEnR) and distributed by the city government to the schools in the country. [LouiE LosARiA

Tipolog-Tamugan watershed. The training is also in line with its efforts to help its upland partners in the rehabilitation and protection of Malagos, Mt. Tipolog-Tamugan and Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watersheds. Resource speakers were CCDO Baguio District OIC Ubalde nuez and staff Ricardo Gierran. They both discussed the importance of proper management and recording of income and finances. The participants were also taught how to plan,

direct, monitor, organize and control the financial resources of OMAD-MPC and how to formulate a standardized format for their financial report that they could use for their operations. Aside from tree planting, maintenance and parenting activities, the water utility also implements projects that alleviate the living conditions of the immediate settlers in the watershed areas. Their participation in DCWD’s environmental campaign is very important because they

are the ones who can directly monitor the activities in their respective communities. Instead of engaging in livelihood practices that could be detrimental to the environment, they can help in safeguarding the watersheds of Davao City. Aside from trainings and seminars, DCWD also conduct various community relation projects such as educational assistance in the form of scholarships and donations and medical dental activities. [JoVANA T. DuhAyLuNgsoD]

AND LouiE LAPAT/Cio TAguM]

DCWD’s upland partners trained on basic financial management

IFTEEn officers and members of the Obu-Manuvu Ancestral Domain Multi-Purpose Cooperative (OMAD-MPC) were given a one-day training on basic bookkeeping and accounting last September 13, 2012 at the tribal hall of Brgy. Tambobong in Baguio District. Said training was sponsored by the Davao City Water District in coordination with the City Cooperative and Development Office (CCDO) for DCWD’s partner people’s organization in Mt.

ALLS for acting Gov. Mujib hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to run for governor in next year’s balloting continue to mount as eight more leaders of Islamic and civil society organizations (CSOs) joined the bandwagon. hataman, personally picked by President Aquino to institute reforms in the ARMM, has yet to make his decision public. Although he admitted that President Benigno Aquino III personally talked to him Monday and urged him to run for governor, hataman said he is still consulting his family, friends, supporters and the CSOs that accompanied him in reforming ARMM. Filing of certificates of candidacy for ARMM elective posts started Monday and will end at 5 p.m. Friday. Local leaders, members and officials of peace advocacy groups and CSOs have asked President Aquino to annoint hataman as the official candidate for the governor of ARMM in next year’s elections. ARMM was supposed to have an election in October last year but was postponed by Republic Act 10153 and synchronize it with next year’s political exercises. The law also gave President Aquino a free hand in naming acting governor,

vice governor and regional lawmakers. A manifesto was sent by CSO leaders to Malacanang on the second day of filing of COCs. “We convey to our President Benigno Aquino III our firm commitment to continuously support the reforms in the ARMM being initiated by OIC-Regional Governor Mujiv S. hataman for open governance, integrity of leadership, quality delivery of services, and for peace and development in the region,” the group said. The manifesto was signed by Sheik Abdulwakil Tanjili of the Darul Iftah (house of Opinions) in Region 9 and Palawan area; Aboulkhair Tarason of the national Ulama Conference of the Philippines; Sheik Jamil Sakaluran Munib of the Ulama and Muslim Professionals Association of the Philippines; and Sheik Abdulmuhmin Mujahid of the Zamboanga-Sulu-Tawi Ulama Supreme Council. Four representatives of different civil groups, Ustadza Mona Aiyub of the Al-Muhminat Organization; Raisa Esmael of the United Muslim Youth of the Philippines; Merriam Abba of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Societyand hassan Kiram of the Kasajahitraan sin Kawman Bangsa Movement, also endorsed hataman to seek an elective post.[PNA]

8,000 more families in Region 12 to be included in CCT program

OME 8,000 poor families in different areas in Southwest Mindanao (Region 12) would be added as beneficiaries to the modified conditional cash transfer (CCT) of the national government. Julieta Clavel, regional coordinator of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), said that under the modified CCT, they target as beneficiaries the families of street children, child laborers, abused children and women, or those in difficult circumstances that need special protection. Also, it targets migrant families of the indigenous peoples (IPs), families with children with disabilities, and families displaced by natural and man-made calamities. Clavel explained that the program hopes to help families and children in difficult circumstances overcome their situation. “But there are conditions set,” she stressed. The children beneficiaries are required to attend classes, and their mothers should pay a regular visit to health centers, added

Clavel. The program is reportedly still in the pre-implementation phase, “meaning, the agency is still in the process of identifying the would-be beneficiaries,” with help from civil society organizations and the local government units (LGUs). The program starts on the last quarter of 2012, Clavel said. “The national government has already allotted funds for that… from the last quarter of 2012 until next year,” she stressed. Meantime, there would be additional 13,927 beneficiaries for the regular CCT in Region 12 in 2013, according to Clavel. “The full blast release of the cash grants for the additional beneficiaries would be next year. We already have funds for that,” she said. Clavel was jubilant when she was informed that Congress has already approved the budget for the CCT in 2013. “This means that we are certain the program would continue until next year,” she said. [MALu CADELiñA MANAR / MiNDANEWs]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

Great Barrier Reef loses half of coral in 27 years

hE Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its coral cover in the past 27 years due to storm damage, crownof-thorns starfish and bleaching, according to a new study published on Monday in the Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences. The study clearly shows that three factors are overwhelmingly responsible for this severe loss of coral cover. Intense tropical cyclones have caused massive damage, primarily to reefs in the central and southern parts of the Reef, while population explosions of the coral-consuming crown-of-thorns starfish have affected coral populations along the length of the Reef. Two severe coral bleaching events have also had major detrimental impacts on the northern and central parts of the Reef.

“This finding is based on the most comprehensive reef monitoring program in the world. The program started broad-scale surveillance of more than 100 reefs in 1985 and from 1993 it has incorporated more detailed annual surveys of 47 reefs,” said Peter Doherty, a research fellow at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Doherty said that if the trend continued, coral cover could halve again by 2022. Interestingly, the pattern of decline varies among regions. In the northern Great Barrier Reef, coral cover has remained relatively stable, whereas in the southern regions the researchers see the most dramatic loss of coral, particularly over the last decade when storms have devastated many reefs. [PNA/ Xinhua]

NGO seeks to improve climate change resistance capability

non-government organization (nGO) on Tuesday launched a project that would increase the resilience of children and communities to climate change-related disasters in the Philippines. Carin van der hor, country director of Plan International in the Philippines, said the Child-Centered Community-based Adaptation (CC-CBA) Project will be implemented in the provinces of Aurora, northern and Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte --all considered as highly vulnerable to extreme climate-related disasters such as typhoons, storm surges and flooding. “Plan has been working in the three of the four provinces funded by this project –north and East Samar, and Southern Leyte. Much of our work has been focusing on increasing communities’ and children’s resilience with increasing emphasis in recent years on disaster risk management,” van der hor said during the project launch at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. She added that the project is expected to reach a total of 155,318 beneficiaries from 40 barangays (village) in the four provinces. “We hope that these people who will directly and indirectly benefit from this project will keep the ball rolling –so to speak– and influence other provinces. Optimistically, we hope that the entire Philippines –especially the children who comprise close to half of its population– will be resilient to climate change,” said van der hor. The project is a collaboration between Plan International, Save the Children, the Australian Agency for

International Development (AusAID), and the Institute of Sustainable Features of the University of Technology in Sydney. At the end of the project, Van der hor said they expect an increased knowledge among the youth on climate change and its effects in their communities. Also, communities should have already influenced policymakers on the implementation of a child-centered climate change adaptation program. An estimated 175 million children around the world will be affected by disasters due to climate change, said Anna Lindenfors, Country Director of Save the Children in the Philippines. She said the Philippines is vulnerable to a wide range of climate change impacts including changing rainfall patterns and temperatures, and increased extreme weather events. “As the Philippines is extremely vulnerable to these kinds of disasters, it is important that we ensure the safety of children and youth. This project is community-based precisely because we want local leaders, school heads, teachers, and partners to be hands-on and feel ownership of the program,” she said. The project activities will be carried out in partnership with national government, local government units (LGUs), schools, and youth nGOs to ensure its sustainability. It will reach more than 15,000 children, particularly elementary and high school students, and out-of-school youths as they are considered by the Department of Education as the most appropriate entry points for active participation of students. [PnA]

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. President and CEO Dennis Uy (right) and Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Dennis Salvador (left) sign the commitment for Phoenix’s adoption of a Philippine Eagle

EDGEDAVAO

for 5 years, on September 25, 2012 in Davao City. With them are Philippine Eagle Foundation Curator Anna Mae Sumaya and Phoenix Corporate Affairs Manager Ben Sur.

Phoenix Petroleum Phils. adopts a Philippine Eagle L

EADInG independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines recently committed to adopt a Philippine Eagle for five years in support for its advocacy on environmental conservation. Phoenix Petroleum and the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) signed the commitment for the five year adoption on September 25, 2012 at the Phoenix Bulk Depot in Davao City. The project is part of Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc.’s wildlife conservation initiatives to replenish the wild eagle population now threatened with extinction. “As a Davao-born company, Phoenix Petroleum

Philippines has always been committed to support projects that benefit the city, from environment, education, and health. The Philippine Eagle represents Davao, and it is only fitting that we help in its conservation,” Phoenix Petroleum President and CEO Dennis Uy said. Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Dennis Salvador expressed his gratitude to Phoenix Petroleum. “We need the support of the private sector, specifically in the case of the ‘Phoenix’ Eagle that is under our Conservation Breeding Program. We hope that Phoenix’s adoption reflects the compa-

ny’s continuing concern for Mindanao and its forests. We welcome Phoenix Petroleum and look forward to a long and productive partnership with them,” Salvador said. Under the agreement, Phoenix Petroleum will grant an annual cash donation of P125,000 to be used to take care of the needs of the eagle, the operation and maintenance of the eagle’s breeding facility, and the associated conservation research and campaigns of PEF. The adopted eagle is named “Phoenix” and was previously known as “Sultan,” a 15-year old male eagle that arrived in 2005 from Sultan Kudarat. he was

introduced to another eagle, Zamboanga, in 2007. PEF describes the breeding as having “good progress.” The Philippine Eagle adoption is a commitment of Phoenix Petroleum as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility for the environment. Other core CSR programs of the company are Education, health and Safety, and Outreach. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines is the leading independent oil company with an expanding network of operations nationwide. It is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots, and storage and transport services.

“It is not surprising that is constitutes a major milk allergen.” Interference The instructions for making the beta-lactoglobulin protein are contained in genes in the cow’s DnA. The scientists added extra genetic material to disrupt the manufacturing process using a technique called RnA interference. The resulting calf was born without a tail, however, the researchers say that is “unlikely” to be because of the genetic modification. It has not yet become pregnant and produced milk normally so the scientists used hormones to jump-start milk production. Writing in the journal Proceedings of the national Academy of Sciences, the researchers said: “All milk samples from the transgenic calf were devoid of any detectable beta-lacto-

globulin.” They concluded the technique was an “efficient tool” for modifying livestock. Prof Keith Campbell, from the University of nottingham, who was part of the team that cloned Dolly the sheep said the test would be how long the genetic modification would last. he said the researchers would need to show the effect lasted throughout the lifetime of each cow and was passed on through several generations. he added: “It’s very interesting and its another way of showing the technology can be pushed forward with potentially useful outcomes. “There are zero risks in my opinion. If it was poisonous, the animal would be dead.” Bruce Whitelaw, a professor of animal biotechnology at the University of Edinburgh, said: “This is notable since it represents one of the few RnA

interference success stories in mammals. “RnA interference has a long history of successful application in diverse species from plants to worm - this is the first spectacular report for livestock. “Time will tell how widely applicable RnA interference will be in GM livestock - but this is certainly a milestone study in this field.” Pete Riley, from the group GM Freeze, said: “Before this goes any further, they need to establish what the cause of the defect in the calf was, as there is a possible link to the GM approach.” he said the depth of understanding about the role of genes and how they interact was too weak and that more basic research still needed to be done. “We can learn a lot by looking at less complicated organisms than cattle,” he said.

GM cows make ‘low allergy’ milk

genetically modified cow that produces milk less likely to cause allergic reactions has been engineered by new Zealand scientists. Up to 3% of infants are allergic to cows’ milk in their first year of life. The modified cow produced milk without beta-lactoglobulin - a whey protein to which some people are allergic. The study has been labelled a “milestone” by one scientist, but some campaign groups say it raises ethical concerns. There are important differences between a woman’s breast milk and cows’ milk, such as beta-lactoglobulin, which is found in milk from cows but not people. The researchers, at AgResearch and the University Waikato in new Zealand, said:

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 152 •WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

Over 600 firms sued for SSS violations T

hE Social Security System (SSS) filed criminal charges against over 600 companies during the first half of 2012 for violations such as failure to register workers for SSS coverage, refusal to cooperate with SSS account officers and non-remittance of contributions. SSS Assistant Vice President for Operations Legal Department Atty. Santiago Agdeppa said 494 out of the 606 employers charged during the period were for failure to remit monthly premiums amounting to P209.34 million, including penalties of more than P118 million. “We continue to intensify legal measures to compel

employers to fulfill their responsibilities under the law. As a result, the number of companies sued by SSS grew by 17 percent as compared with the 518 companies charged in the first half of 2011,” Agdeppa noted. Under the Social Security Act of 1997, delinquent employers face six to 12 years in prison and a maximum fine of P20,000. They are also charged with a stiff monthly penalty of three percent on overdue contributions of employees. Agdeppa revealed that the state-run agency collected P155.63 million from January to June 2012 from employers that settled their delinquencies after the SSS initiated legal actions

against them such as issuance of demand letters and filing of cases. “non-remittance of contributions is the most common violation of employers, accounting for four out of every five cases filed by SSS. We also sued 109 firms for failure to register their workers for SSS coverage and refusal to present company records to SSS authorities,” he said. The law requires employers to report workers to SSS within 30 days from start of employment and to promptly remit monthly contributions of employees. Employers are also required by law to present their records for inspection by SSS or its authorized representatives.

profitability and continuing service to valued clients. UCPB President and Chief Executive Officer Jeronimo U. Kilayko said, “With the renewed mandate, we can now pursue our growth plans for the future with much vigor and continue serving those who have bestowed their trust to us --our valued clients.” “In the past, UCPB made

significant strides amid the many challenges. As we face another 50 years, I am confident that we will succeed given your perseverance, hard work and commitment. We have bright prospects ahead of us. Together, let us seize this opportunity and prove once again that we are, indeed, one of the best in the industry,” Mr. Kilayko said in

THE ECONOMY 5

UCPB corporate term extended, growth momentum secured

hE United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) secured the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approval for its amended Articles of Incorporation extending the bank’s corporate term for another fifty years until 2063. This translates to a renewed mandate for the bank enabling the implementation of its growth path towards

FUCPB, 11

ADVANTAGE. A child excitedly waits while an ice cream vendor scoops her cone of ice cream along Quezon Blvd. yesterday. Ice cream vendors take advantage whenever

there’s a gathering of people to earn more. JR.]

[LEAN DAVAL

THE ECONOMY

Stat Watch

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 4,931 million May 2012 USD 4,770 million Apr 2012 USD -135 million Apr 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 4,580,674 million Apr 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

4.1 % May 2012 P131,403 million May 2012 P 5,075 billion Apr 2012

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74 46.31 46.03

VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Tuna fishers resume operation in Pacific

By Aquiles Z. Zonio

WnERS of the first batch of fishing vessels given limited access to fish in the pocket number 1 of the western and central pacific ocean were advised to strictly comply with the conservation measures imposed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The challenge was hurled no less than by the top official of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII), the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Greenpeace and General Santos City local government. Five tuna catchers from different fishing firms in GenSan sailed out yesterday to the high Seas Pocket number 1 (hSP-1) after the WCPFC lifted the two-year ban on catching Bigeye and Yellowfin tuna. The limited access was given only to 36 Philippine fishing vessels until the end of February 2013. Joaquin Lu, president of SFFAII, said during the simple send off rites that regaining the access on hSP-1 was not easy. “Let us prove that we are worth of the Commission’s trust and even worth beyond February 2013,” Lu

said in his speech. Lu was expecting an uphill battle for the industry come WCPFC regular conference slated in December in Manila. “Our performance in the high seas will determine whether our access will be extended or not. So, let us honor our commitment for responsible and sustainable fishing,” Lu challenged his fellow fishing operators. BFAR reminded the fishing operators to follow the guidelines strictly. “The privilege given to you has an accompanying responsibility. Don’t destroy the name of our country. We don’t want to lose face before the Commission,” BFAR regional director Ambutong K. Pautong said. Pautong claimed conservation measures were imposed by the WCPFC to ensure sustainable stocks of tuna in the high seas. Assitant City administrator Glenn Gonzales reminded the local fishers that “giving us back an access to rich fishing ground is a rare opportunity.” Fishing industry is the backbone of local economy. More than

a hundred thousand residents depend on fishing and its allied industries for livelihood. Fishers are expecting an abundant catch after a two-year fishing ban was imposed on hSP-1 of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. “We should not think of living on a day to day basis. If we abuse the generosity and bounty of nature, we will come home one day bringing nothing,” Gonzales said. Greenpeace suggested that BFAR should come up with guidelines to reduce the number of fishing vessels in the country. Vince Cinches, chief ocean campaigner of Greenpeace, said the industry is bugged by overfishing. “There are so many fishing boats running after the dwindling tuna species. The industry should observe closed season and the government, through BFAR, should adopt conservation measures,” Cinches said. Cinches challenged the BFAR to closely monitor the fishing vessels given access to hSP-1. The Greenpeace official has also urged BFAR to strictly monitor if the purse seine vessels are catching juvenile tuna.

“BFAR should monitor Market 2 and 3 of the Gensan Fishing Port. I saw buckets of juvenile Yellowfin tuna. This is a violation of our temporary fishing access granted by the WCPFC,” Cinches claimed. BFAR issued Fisheries Administrative Order no. 245 last Aug. 12 prescribing regulations and setting implementing guidelines on 36 fishing vessels given access to hSP-1. Among the salient features of FAO 245 include criteria in qualifying for fishing access, procedure in the allocation of fishing access, installation of vessel monitoring system, monitoring of port landings, catch limit, net mesh size, use of fish aggregating device, nature of access rights and penalties, among others. The Philippine government and the fishing sector lobbied hard for an access into hSP-1 to ease pressure on Philippine fishing grounds. Cinches said now that the fishing vessels will sail out again to the high seas, the government should really adopt conservation measures to rehabilitate our local fishing grounds.

Banana industry to lose $100-M By Carlo P. Mallo

ASED on the assessment of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, the entire banana industry is set to lose $100 million or roughly P4.3 billion. In an interview with Edge Davao, PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig said that the industry ships about 50 million boxes to China annually with an estimated value of $140 million or about P6 billion. “At the rate things are going, shipment to China has been reduced by as much as 70 percent, and things haven’t really changed,” Antig said, adding that his estimates were very conservative. “If we base it on our figures from last year, we will only have about $40 million dollars this year.”

The banana industry has been hurting from the stringent measures that China suddenly imposed on Philippine Bananas during the height of the standoff over the Scarborough Shoal. “We have followed the phytosanitary requirements that they have asked of us but the situation has not changed,” Antig said. While the member companies of PBGEA have diversified markets, they are still feeling the pain of being unable to ship to China. “We ship about 25 percent of our member’s produce to China. It’s hurting us,” Antig said adding that small growers, who enjoyed the export boom to China, are the ones who are affected most. “They ship

about 90 percent of their produce to China. now that it’s very strict, what happens to them?” Meanwhile, Latin American companies, like Alisa Sunrise, which has operations in Ecuador and Costa Rica, have disclosed that

they have reached a new market for their Cavendish bananas – China. While it is not financially sound for a country as far as Ecuador to export to China, the sheer volume of demand that the Chinese

FBANANA, 11

BUSY. While most of the children spend their time at school, this child is busy arranging the shoes she and her parents sell at Magsaysay Park yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

as of august 2010

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 / MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

5:45 5:45 6:00 6:10 7:50 7:50 8:00 9:10 9:40 11:30 12:00 18:55 12:55 13:35

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

6:15 6:25 6:30 7:00 8:50 8:10 8:30 9:40 10:10 12:20 12:30 13:35 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Thu/Sun Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

MI566 / MI566 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

18:55 15:00 Mani2Mani 16:05 16:35 16:55 18:00 18:40 20:00 20:30 20:30 21:20 22:20

Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

15:20 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

AGRITRENDS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 152 •WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

BIG CATCH. Sangil fishermen who are members of Balakiwan Makisahe Association show off some their

big fish catch which they deliver fresh to markets in Gen. Santos City.

FISH POT. Hadji Ismael Manalugan is the master builder of fish pot among the Sangil fisherfolk.

Muslim fishers get bigger income with fish pots

O, these Muslims are not innocent when it comes to fishing. For the small village of Sangil, an ethnic group of Muslim whose concentrated population inhabits the island towns of Balut and Sarangani in Davao del Sur and some parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Provinces, fishing and lowland agriculture has been their way of life. In an ordinary day, a small banca, some hook-andlines and fish pots (traps) aid them in their fishing activity for a long time. But it was for mere subsistence, hardly for other necessary comforts of life. “Our catch was just good for our consumption, if ever we have larger catch we sell them around town or in the local public market,” says Abasa Magalib, Chairman of Balakiwan Makisahe Association. “Usually our watch would be around a kilo or two if unlucky or if the weather is bad, we get nothing,” he recalled. But such miserable hitand-miss fishing sees its end when the their baran-

gay captain Eduardo Paras persistently endorsed their organization to the local government of Maasim to be part of the World Bank-funded Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), a poverty-alleviation program under the Department of Agriculture. “We became organized fisherfolk when MRDP came. And we found out that it is better to be organized since it would be easy to access support from the local and national government,” Magalid said. “When we were approved we already know what we wanted. We proposed to enhance our fish pots as it was one way we could have bigger fish catch,” he added. Fish pot, locally known as bobo, is among the approved fishing gears widely used in the country and it has been a traditional fishing device for the Sangil tribe. Under MRDP’s Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) component, the group received P250,000.00 financial aid to assemble 30 units of bigger and sturdier version of

fish pots, and constructed a pump-boat with a 6.5 horsepower motor. “We are skillful in making bobo. It was my 75 year-old father hadji Ismael Manalugan who handed us the tradition of fish pot making,” Magalib said. The Sangil version of fish pot is made from bamboo as frame to the interlaced plastic ropes forming a rectangular shape, with a dome-like top measuring approximately 3 meters by 2 meters and 1 meter high. Fish enters the pots through an entry funnel located at the center of the front side of the trap. The funnel tapers as it goes inside the pot. Fish easily swim through the funnel and into the trap but find it difficult to navigate through the funnel in the opposite direction, and therefore become trapped in the pot. “The use of these types of fish pots catch only those big fishes like lapu-lapu maya-maya, and talakitok which are abundant in seas of Sarangani,” Magalib said. “Unlike other fishermen, we don’t put buoys in our

fish pot because other fishermen might haul it. We have our old practice of locating our fish pots by looking at marker points in the mountains relative to our distance from the shore which allows us to locate where we drop our fish pots,” Magalib revealing some secrets of their trade. The fish pots are dropped at a depth of about 40 to 50 arms-length. Fish pots can also be rigged to catch squids or lobsters or any species of coastal and sea resources. Magalib cited an information material from Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) indicating that there is a low mortality for bycatch of unwanted species and juvenile fish in a pot fishery. Bycatch species are kept alive in the pot until it is hauled and then can be released alive. The reduction of bycatch, and bycatch mortality, is a key element in having healthy fishery resources for the future the material from BFAR said. “Our consumers are assured that our catch are of excellent quality since the

fish inside the fish pots are kept alive until they are hauled,” Magalid quipped. he said that BFAR representatives have inspected and validated their fish pots and found it to be accurately done that it does not destroy the sea environment. “So far there has been a leap of our fish catch. If before we barely have a kilo, now we can have at least 14 kilos of fish every time we haul the fish pot,” Magalib said. The biggest catch they had reached over 70 kilos of talakitok and maya-maya. “Whether the weather is good or not, we are not afraid of losing income since fish pot will remain where we drop them,” Magalib quipped. Their association of 30 members is divided into three groups. Each group is given 10 fish pots which they drop on a scheduled intervals and distances to ensure that they will haul at least 2 fish pots every week. “We usually haul our pots every 20 days, so each group will have to observe the schedule given to them to ensure we consistently supply the market with our catch,”

enthused Magalib. With a surplus of fish catch now, they move to the bigger market in Gen. Santos City where fish traders have become their weekly customers. Magalib proudly showed this author a number of their receipts where the least income indicated there was about P2,500 the rest were about P6,000 – P7,000 per transaction. Out of their income, 20 percent is paid for the association, which forms part of the 15 percent savings and 5 percent maintenance and fuel cost. “This is much better than we expected. Before we wanted only to increase our income. now aside from having better income we even have savings as organization. We have organized policies to follow. And now we even think of creating a fund for micro lending,” Magalib said. “For this, we are really thankful that the government project has reached us. It has given us an opportunity to improve our lot,” Magalib echoed sentiments of the group’s members. [shERWiN B.

“There are some setbacks but no major losses. Although, profits of exporters might have decreased,” she said over a phone interview. “China, which is just one of the banana-importing countries, has never closed its market for the Philippines but it has upgraded its quality standards. In the previous years we deliver the B and C (classification of) banana. now they would like to import those with same banana quality which we export to Japan,” Provido said. Provido said that in re-

sponse to the higher standards set in the market in recent past, DA frontloaded funds and the necessary infrastructure to meet the export market. “Over and above the funds earmarked by DA, we also have the P50 million Presidential Social Fund to assist us in our various infrastructure projects and technology training to meet the standards of the export market,” she said. In a recent press briefing, Provido said that DA has already allotted P100 million for the packing

houses for 14 cooperatives in the region. One of these cooperatives is the indigenous farmers in Sibulan that are exporting‘bongolan’ type of bananas to Japan. “We are establishing this packing houses for the small farmers because they are the ones who cannot cope up with the high export quality,” Provido explained. “Aside from infrastructure, we are also providing technical assistance such as observance of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to strengthen the quality con-

trol of banana produce,” she added. The Philippine bananas in the export market include the Cavendish type for the fresh market and the Saba/Carbada for the chip-making and staple. DA is also looking at other local alternative markets to cope up with some industry setbacks. One is the agreement with the Department of Education (DepED) for the supply of banana in the school’s feeding program which is expected to require 240 million boxes of bananas in a year.

Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Stattistics showed that in 2011 Davao region (XI) attained the highest production with 3,855 thousand MT followed by northern Mindanao (X) with 1,726 thousand and SOCCSKSARGEn (XII) with 1,095 thousand MT. “After the vigorous implementation of infrastructures, the GAP training, and the continual search for other potential export markets, we are confident that we will regain from the setbacks we have had,” Provido said. [shERWiN B. MANuAL]

DA remains bullish on banana industry T

hE Department of Agriculture (DA) believes the banana industry remains a leading export income-earner for farmers. Melani Provido coordinator of high value crops in Davao Region said there are no major losses in the banana industry and that based on 2011 data there is a steady growth of 7% in production, of which there is a 1.8% growth on the Cavendish (variety). She added that in terms of areas the banana is continuously expanding by 2 percent.

MANuAL]

8 VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO Cybercrime Law from social standpoint

VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

“We refuse to be silenced.”

POOLED EDITORIAL

Journalists oppose Cyber Crime Law

FFROM PAGE 1

against double jeopardy. In particular, the criminal libel provision and the insidious way it was inserted during the bicameral deliberation – without benefit of public consultation – are direct strikes at the rights to free expression and press freedom. While the Supreme Court has encouraged through an administrative order the imposition of fines rather than jail time in libel cases, RA 10175 has expanded the coverage of libel to the Internet and even imposed higher penalties. RA 10175 also confers such huge powers on the Department of Justice, which can now order anything posted in the Internet, even have entire websites, taken down. The law also provides for real-time collection of traffic data, meaning surveillance of anyone suspected of violating RA 10175. The national Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Philippine Press Institute have in the last two weeks conducted consultations with leaders of the media, blogging and legal communities. One of the resolutions that emerged was to file a petition before the Supreme Court. While many individuals and groups have already submitted petitions asking the high Court to nullify

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parts of it or junk it altogether, we believe it is necessary for the SC to hear as many voices as possible, including that of the media community, which uses the Internet as a news platform, relies heavily on electronic communication and whose members are very active in the social media. Through this petition, we are taking a collective stand and asserting our voice. But aside from this, we also wish to drive home the point that the Internet is an important tool in engaging government and asserting fundamental freedoms and should not be controlled. The challenges to our profession are enormous and unending – and saddening, given that the Aquino administration stood on a platform of transparency, human rights and anti-corruption. It is alarming that we now have a law that will cripple civil liberties while the Freedom of Information Act gathers dust in Congress. The constitutionality of RA 10175 is the first major challenge that the Sereno Supreme Court will face. It will be a defining moment for the high Court. And to simply sit in the sidelines despite the huge danger to our democratic rights and grave impact on our profession is to allow the denial of our freedoms. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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( 1st of two parts )

hERE had been too much adverse discussions on the recently signed Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. To date, six petitions were already filed before the Supreme Court, assailing in whole or in part the law. Socalled hacktivists defaced more than five websites of government agencies, most of them involved in delivering strategic public service. Anti-Cybercrime Law graphics are shared by the thousands on FaceBook. Vitriolic tweets are becoming viral. Instead of melodious chirps on Twitter, we hear loud growls of the multitudes. Some senators who voted for the law are now distancing themselves from this supposedly landmark legislation; one honorable solon admitted he failed to carefully read the provisions on online libel. Plato must be turning on his grave hearing that if he were to return from the dead. In my case, the chilling effect is not so much on my blogs and FaceBook postings only if I “think before I click.” Instead, chills are sent down to the inner core of my spine, realizing that one senator bothered not to read an important provision of the bill---one that could spell a difference between freedom and incarceration. Central to the growing opposition are fears about unbridled and wanton violation of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression, rights to due process, equal protection of the law and privacy of communication. They say that the law may also violate double jeopardy clause as well as those against undue delegation of legislative authority and unreasonable searches and seizures. According to Luis Teodoro, deputy director of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and former dean of UP Diliman College of Mass Communications, the law could be used by wielders of state police power to harass even bloggers, domain owners, webmasters, chat room moderators and commentators on third-party websites. Suffice to say that petitions were already filed. Supreme Court, however, requires an actual controversy before it takes cognizance. There are exceptions to the general rule, of course. In the instant cases, I see none. Even if they are taxpayers’ suits, as where the law requires the allocation of public funds, the petitions are not about mandated government spending. Rather, they emphasize on the potential violation of rights earlier mentioned. Technically, there appears to be no justiciable controversy, since the Supreme Court does not render a mere commentary on a futuristic legal issue. The Cybercrime Law is generally the online version of the Revised Penal Code, an archaic set of penal provisions that direly needs updating. All crimes defined and penalized by RPC, if committed by, through and with the use of information and communications technology, are covered by the Cybercrime Law. Article 353 of RPC defines libel and the new law increases the penalty by one degree. The 103rd session of the Un human Rights Committee asserts that Philippine libel laws are one of the most repressive in the world, violating the basic freedom of expression, among others under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which our country is a signatory. All right, there is no question about the repressiveness of our libel laws. Article 353 is a favorite weapon of public officials and personalities against what they perceive as malicious and false news reports. Lest we forget, a critical element of malice has to be proven in order to convict a person. Yes, many have been accused but only handful ones were eventually sent to jail. Our penal laws and the constitution provide the necessary guarantees. The issue on online libel now brings to the fore my favorite Supreme Court decision. Quoting the leading US v. Bustos case: “The interest of society and the maintenance of good government demand a full discussion of public affairs. Complete liberty to comment on the conduct of public men is a scalpel in the case of free speech. The sharp incision of its probe relieves the abscesses of officialdom. Men in public life may suffer under a hostile and unjust accusation; the wound may be relieved by the balm of a clear conscience. A public official must not be too thin-skinned with reference to comment upon his official acts.”

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

Ang Gulo Gulo Natin!

Pacquiao dynasty in the making...

IRST, Manny Pacquiao invaded the boxing ring. he conquered eight different weight classes, making himself the only prizefighter to achieve such a feat in boxing history. While in boxing, he dabbled in politics. he was knocked out in his initial rendezvous with politics. Immediately after his defeat, he started rebuilding his forces. he transferred his address the hometown of his wife, Jinkee, in Kiamba town, Sarangani. he mesmerized the voters with his charisma and seemingly infinite stream of money. he recorded a lopsided victory against Roy Chiongbian, whose family dynasty controlled Sarangani for 45 years. After toppling the Chiongbian dynasty, Pacquiao emerged as the new political kingpin of the province. his is not yet a dynasty per se, but it’s a dynasty in the making. Thorn in the neck... From Sarangani, Pacquiao wants his kingdom to enfold General Santos and the 1st District of South Cotabato, which are considered bailiwicks of the Antoninos since

POLITICAL ANALYIS By aquileS Z. Zonio 1987. Only one leader, however, served as the major stumbling block -- Gensan mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio. Custodio may be a minimumweight but she packs a wallop that sent Pacquiao to dreamland at the polls in the 2007 congressional race. Pacquiao cried his eyes out shortly after the final vote tally came out. he vowed to avenge his crushing defeat. In a desperate bid to topple Custodio, Pacquiao forged an alliance with number one City Councilor Ronnel C. Rivera, son of a fishing tycoon, who is eyeing the mayoral post in next year’s election. Custodio is unfazed by the Pacquiao-Rivera unification. Custodio is the eldest daughter of former Gensan mayor and former South Cotabato 1st district Rep. Adelbert W. Antonino. Antonio, currently president of the Antonino Group of Companies, gave up politics putting an end to the Antonino dynasty

which controlled Gensan and part of South Cotabato for more than two and a half decades. The Antonino patriarch anointed Custodio as his successor in 2001. Custodio was undefeated in three consecutive terms as congresswoman. In 2010, Custodio ran for mayor and won with overwhelming margin against three heavyweight mayoral aspirants. Custodio maintains alliance with incumbent South Cotabato 1st district Rep. Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., a staunch Antonino ally since the early 90’s. Rivera has teamed up with Rogelio Pacquiao, youngest brother of the Pacman and incumbent barangay chair of Apopong. Acharon and Custodio will be running under the LP-AIM party while Pacquiao and Rivera will be bringing the UnA-PCM banner. So, for the 2013 midterm election, it will be Acharon-Custodio versus Pacquiao-Rivera. This is, however, a virtual rematch, a grudge fight between Custodio and Pacquiao, with Rivera and Acharon as supporting cast. Unopposed... In the 2010 barangay election, two members of the Pacquiao family ran and won – Rogelio, who got reelected, and Lorelie, who won as barangay captain of Labangal. Lorelie is the wife of Pacman’s boxer brother Bobby Pacquiao. he didn’t stop there. he forged alliances and tried to lure to his camp even those identified as his political adversaries. One of them is Sarangani vice governor Steve Chiongbian-Solon, nephew of his former archrival Roy Chiongbian. Pacman, who had signified his intention to seek reelection, has chosen Solon as his gubernatorial bet come 2013 midterm election. Pacquiao-Solon will be running under the UnA-PCM coalition. The Pacman would probably be running unopposed as nobody yet has dared come into the open to challenge him. Sarangani governor Miguel Dominguez, who was earlier reported as a possible Pacquiao opponent, declared he is not interested anymore to run. Dominguez and Pacquiao forged a coalition and agreed to swap positions come 2013 elections. however, some minions of Pacquiao opposed and exerted efforts to spoil the fragile political alliance. They succeeded. Dominguez claimed he has done enough to develop the province and put good governance back on track. “I’m not scared, I just want to keep my promise. Besides, I don’t want to be swallowed by the system. I don’t want to spend more than what is provided for by law. I’m leaving the government with my principle and dignity intact,” Dominguez said. he said he promised his wife, Patricia, to retire from politics after his term as governor ends. By doing this, Dominguez said, he is giving others the chance to serve the province. “Someday, when the province is not managed the way it should be, then, maybe I would decide to run again,” he said. With the Pacquiao brothers each vying separately for a congressional seat, expect money to deluge Gensan and Sarangani.

COMMENTARY By Fr. Joel TaBora, SJ

( Conclusion )

hEn DEnR under Sec. Ramon Paje issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on EO 79 on Sept. 6. This was the beginning of a series of events where as “Boss” one can only bow one’s head in shame and say, “Ang gulo gulo natin!” Part of the IRRs was a provision that lapsed agreements on 25-year-old mineral tenements would be reviewed and renegotiated. This caused a furor among the poor miners, who contended that their tenements were for 25 years, renewable for another twenty-five years “under the same terms and conditions.” They were so angry about the IRR that they came out with a full-page ad complaining about the legal rights being trampled upon, and practically calling for the sacking of the beleaguered DEnR Secretary Ramon Paje. Incredibly, within days of this ad, instead of holding to its new IRRs to assert stability in governance, government convened the Mining Investment’s Coordinating Council, which proceeded to revise the IRRs, apparently to clarify to the poor, poor miners that it was still intending to review lapsed tenement agreements. After all, renewal, even “on the same terms and conditions, is a genuine act of “renewal,” based also on a government decision that renewal is warranted. Otherwise, there would be no need for renewal, and no need for applications for renewal. Especially since the administration had postponed all new mineral agreements pending new legislation rationalizing revenue sharing in favor of the people, it was only rational to insist on a review of lapsed tenements. If 2% return on lapsed tenements is considered “treason” to the People (Regis), why should government allow automatic renewals? Why should reviewable contracts not be by government vested with police power? Understandably, this revision of the IRR did not please the Chamber of Mines, which declared that its concerns were not adequately responded to in its revised provisions. It coughed and sneezed, back channeled, and – what else can we say – led government to back slide away from its matuwid na daan. The response, as carried yesterday in Business World Online: “The environment department has officially suspended the implementation of the guidelines of the government’s new mining policy following revisions made to the rules earlier this week.” Concerning the effectivity of the IRRs of EO 79, Secretary Paje was quoted as saying in the Memo, “The implementation of Department Administrative Order no. 201207 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order 79 which becomes effective September 29, 2012 is hereby suspended pending the issuance and effectivity of the amendments thereto.” But just five days earlier the amendments to the IRRs had been published, just before the Chamber of Mines started coughing and sneezing! “Ang gulo gulo natin!” I hate to say this, but it looks like the private Chamber of Mines, or certain VIPs among private miners, is controlling the mining policy of the Aquino Administration. It’s flip-flopping here betrays weakness in the governance that ought to be responsive to the needs of “the Boss” and “the Boss” alone. These needs include a policy environment where, if mining must be engaged in at all, the People’s take in it is increased both by new legislation and savvy administrative policy (what’s wrong with that?). But it must also include a stronger concern for the environment. EO 79’s “no go” zones are a joke, since “no go” can easily be made into “go zones” under existing laws. More important, the ability of government to oversee and regulate mining activities as they impinge on the environment as well as the ability of the private sector itself to adequately protect the environment against its own mining activities, should be strengthened as a condition to responsible mining. When I attended recently a Jaycee-Senate-sponsored forum on mining featuring the Chamber of Mines, the parade example of responsible mining in the Philippines was Philex. now Philiex is responsible for a tailings-dam leak that is feared to be much more “substantial and severe” than the Marcopper disaster in Marinduque. The DEnR Mines and Geoscience Bureau letter to Philex signed by its Director Leo Jasareno states that 13,513,507 cubic meters of “discharged materials”, presumably toxic, have spilled into Balog River as of 6 September, and therefore fines Philex one billion pesos. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, is the president of the Ateneo de Davao University which convened in January this year the International Conference on Mining in Mindanao.]

10 NATION/WORLD EDGEDAVAO NATION BRIEFS Netizens ‘go black’ on Facebook WORLD TODAY to protest new Cybercrime Law J W VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

One team

hO would’ve thought this day would come? Former Senator Maria Anna Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and the wife of Senator Manuel “Manny” Villar are now party-mates. Madrigal and Las Pinas City Rep. Cynthia Villar decided to bury the hatchet against each other on alleged anomalous C-5 Road Extension that hounded Villar’s presidential run three years ago.

Banned

RESIDEnT Benigno “noynoy” Aquino III has banned “common candidates” from sharing the stage when campaigning with opposing slate United nationalist Alliance (UnA). Liberal Party (LP) secretary-general Joseph Emilio-Abaya disclosed the president personally asked Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Loren Legarda as well as Movie and Television Classification and Review Board (MTRCB) chair Grace Poe-Llamanzares not to join UnA senatorial bets on stage during campaign season.

Fresh round

EGOTIATORS from the Philippine government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group began a fresh round of peace talks in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, aiming to seal an agreement to end 40 years of conflict in the south of the mainly Catholic state. Government and rebel negotiators are closing in on a peace deal after nearly 15 years of violence-interrupted talks, a potential landmark success for President Benigno Aquino that could pave the way for more investment in the country’s impoverished but resource-rich south.

Amendment

day before the Cybercrime Prevention Act takes effect, a senator said he will file a bill to amend the controversial law and remove the criminal penalty it imposes on libel over the Internet. The provision on libel included in the Cybercrime Act was not part of the committee report presented to senators during deliberations, Senator Francis Escudero said at the Commission on Elections, where he officially filed his candidacy for re-election Tuesday morning.

Veteran

APAnESE Prime Minister Yoshihiko noda appointed as finance minister on Monday a veteran lawmaker expected to follow his line on budget reform and currency intervention in a new cabinet unveiled ahead of an election due in months. Koriki Jojima, 65, who served as the parliamentary affairs chief for the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), will take charge of the world’s third largest economy as it teeters on the brink of recession, hurt by a global slowdown and a strong yen.

ILIPInO netizens are turning their Facebook profile photos into black as a sign of protest against the controversial Cybercrime bill. A group called Philippine Internet Freedom Association is currently encouraging more people to switch to the “black” profile photo to support mounting protests against the Cybercrime law. For weeks, the debate has moved away from the political and “industry expert” circles to the citizens who are now taking action against what is perceived to be a draconian law covering the Internet. As part of a personal protest, some people also carry Facebook status messages that shows a “black bar” that is followed by “[STATUS BLOCKED] (RA nO 10175).” Senator Francis Escudero is set to file amendments to the bill on Tuesday, as he earlier admitted he made a mistake of signing this law. Earlier, Senator Teofisto Guingona who is among the more vocal opponents of the Cybercrime bill, says that the

Following collision

PROTEST. Private citizens and different militant groups join together in a protest rally against the new AntiCybercrime Law by the Aquino government, at the Supreme Court in Manila, on 02 October 2012. The Supreme Court is set to tackle during its en banc session

today several petitions questioning the constitutionality of certain provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Protesters called the law as a threat to Filipinos’ right to freedom of expression. [JhuN DANTEs JR/NPPA iMAgEs]

law, signed by President Benigno Aquino III on September 12, violates the Constitution. Senator Guingona hit on the law’s vague provisions, including one on online libel, which can supress the citizen’s right to freedom of speech and expression. hacktivists, dubbed Anonymous Philippines, had been defacing government websites to protest

the Cybercrime law, that is to take effect on October 3. Among the government websites that were hit include the national Telecommunications Commission, the Philippine Information Agency, the Food Development Center, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Metropolitcan Waterworks and Sewerage System. One of the controversial provisions of the

law will throw anyone in jail for 12 years if they’re found posting defamatory comments on social networks, which is a tougher penalty versus an existing libel law that applies to “traditional media.” According to this Interaskyon story, there will be more government websites that will be attackeddue to mounting opposition to the Cybercrime law.

ship and began sinking near Lamma island. Survivors said they had little time to put on life jackets before the ferry flooded, trapping passengers. “Within 10 minutes, the ship had sunk. We had to wait at least 20 minutes before we were rescued,” said one male survivor, wrapped in a blanket on the shore. Some survivors said people had to break windows to swim to the surface. “We thought we were going to die. Everyone was trapped inside,” said a middle-aged woman. hongKong Electric,

a unit of Power Assets holdings <0006.hK> which is controlled by Asia’s richest man Li, said the boat had capacity to hold up to 200 people. The tragedy was the worst to hit hong Kong since 1996 when more than 40 people died in a fire in a commercial building. The other ship, owned by hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry holdings, suffered a badly damaged bow in the collision but made it safely to the pier on Lamma, an island popular with tourists and expatriates about a halfhour boat ride from hong Kong.

Several of its roughly 100 passengers and crew were taken to hospital with injuries. “After the accident, it was all chaos and people were crying. Then water began seeping in and the vessel began to tilt to one side and people were all told to stand on the other side and everyone started putting on life jackets,” a male passenger who was on the Lamma ferry told reporters. SEARCh FOR SURVIVORS COnTInUES hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest shipping channels, although serious marine accidents are rare. The waters around hong Kong were busy on Monday with numerous passenger ferries, private leisure boats and fishing vessels out to watch the city’s fireworks, but it is unclear why the two ferries collided. “Our ferry left Lamma island at 8.15 pm to watch the fireworks display out at sea, but within a few minutes, a tugboat (ferry) smashed into our vessel,” Yuen Sui-see, a director for hongkong Electric, one of the city’s two main electricity generators, told reporters.

At least 36 dead after Hong Kong ferry sinks

T least 36 people died and dozens were injured when a ferry carrying more than 120 revellers on a company outing collided with another ferry and sank near an island south of hong Kong on Monday night, in one of the city’s worst maritime accidents. The ferry belonging to the hongkong Electric Company, controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shing, was taking staff and family members to watch fireworks in the city’s Victoria harbour to celebrate China’s national Day and mid-autumn festival when it hit the other

Pack up

ormer President Joseph “Erap” Estrada is giving his political foe, Mayor Alfredo Lim, time to pack up. This, as he filed his certificate of candidacy and vowed to hand his opponent a landslide victory. After leading a convoy onboard his trademark “Jeep ni Erap,” Estrada personally met and fetched around 5,000 supporters from Liwasang Bonifacio in Lawton, Manila on Tuesday morning.

Police boats (L) are seen near a sunken ferry being lifted out of the water after an accident off Hong Kong October 2, 2012. [REuTERs]

Best

X T E n D I n G treatment with Roche’s breast cancer drug herceptin to two years from the one year current standard is not worth while, trial data showed on Monday, but shortening treatment to six months also looks unlikely to benefit patients. The results of two keenly-watched studies on herceptin, known generically as trastuzumab, banish a downside risk for Roche, but also limit its ability to squeeze more value out of the lucrative drug before it loses its patent from 2014.

Confident

ILLIOnAIRE Bidzina Ivanishvili said on Tuesday he was confident of becoming prime minister of the former Soviet republic of Georgia as partial results put his opposition coalition on course to win a parliamentary election. Ivanishvili’s supporters streamed through Tbilisi’s streets after polls closed on Monday, waving flags and sounding car horns in celebration despite rival victory claims by President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United national Movement (UnM).

Assassination

n unidentified attacker stabbed and killed a Maldivian ruling party legislator Tuesday in the first assassination of a lawmaker in the Indian Ocean archipelago, police said. Afrasheem Ali, 46, a lawmaker from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), was attacked on the steps of his apartment in the capital island Male early Tuesday, police spokesman hassan haneef told AFP.

Shut down

hInESE authorities will shut down the company founded by Ai Weiwei, his lawyer said Tuesday, in the latest step in what the dissident artist has called a campaign of persecution to silence his activism. Ai’s lawyer Liu Xiaoyuan said the business license of the company, Fake Cultural Development, would be revoked for failing to follow annual registration requirements.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 152 •WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

Jinkee...

FFROM 2

OPPOSITION. Members of local media express their opposition against Republic Act No. 10175 or better known

Only... FFROM 1

timism of winning with the backing of transport group Mindanao Alliance of Transport Organizations (MATO). Also running for councilor first district councilor is Eufronio Galaura Jr., lieutenant of then house Speaker Prospero nograles. One Eduardo Santander will try his luck in the third district race. Losing a number of

as the Anti-Cybercrime Act by initiating a signature campaign along Quimpo Blvd. yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

times in past elections, Rodrigo Sulamin is at it again, this time for city mayor. On Monday, first istrict Rep. Karlo Alexei nograles filed his reelection bid while former third district city councilor lawyer Victorio Advincula Sr., already in his 80s, would like to return to the scene of past personal glory at the city council, this time with the aid of a cane.

no one has so far filed for the positions of vice mayor, second district city councilor, second district representative and third district representative. Businesswoman Jojie Ilagan-Bian is still a noshow for second district representative while former congressman Roy Elias Lopez has yet to again challenge Rep. Isidro Ungab in the third district. [ASA]

verification and evaluation (40%); Barangay innovations (5%); and Awards or distinctions (5%). Prizes up for grabs are P30,000 cash, computer set and trophy each for “model”

urban and rural barangays; P20,000 cash and trophy each for “promising” urban and rural barangays; as well as, P10,000 cash and trophy for “dynamic” urban and rural barangays. [AquiLEs Z. ZoNio]

of bank’s obligations to the government. The bank is assured of continuing one of its primary mandates to improve the lives of Filipinos in the countryside who most need financial services and assistance, according to UCPB. The bank has a long history of leadership after its establishment in 1963 and its becoming the first private local bank to become a universal bank and obtaining its expanded commercial banking license in 1981. During the first semester this year, net income of the bank improved by 22 percent compared to yearago level, mainly attributed to the double digit earnings from loan portfolio and securities trading. Total loans registered 20% increase to P77 billion with accounts from corporate improving by 17% and from consumer up by 35%. The bank credited this strong performance, among others, to its launching of the UCPB’s Your Easy Salary (YES) Loan Program extending consumer loans of P1 million for financing home improvements, medical expenses, and other personal expenses. YES loan,

launched in high demand area of Cebu City, is also planned for Davao City. Consumer loans also increased with UCPB employing continuous consultation with property developers for referrals. UCPB reported, “Interest income generated by these activities rose by 17% totaling P2.57 billion compared to P2.20 billion in June 2011. non-interest income derived from trading and securities soared by 87% or P781.94 million from just P417.61 million from a year ago.” The bank listing of an additional P1.85 billion Long Term negotiable Certificates of Time Deposit (LTnCD) at the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp this July was met with demand exceeding the offer size. This was third in its series of successful LTnCD issuance and contributing to UCPB’s long-term deposit base and loan expansion program. Total assets of UCPB as of end-June this year amounted to P211.80 billion showing increase of 15%, and with total capital at P18.58 billion increasing by 19%. The bank registered consolidated capital adequacy ratio of 12% during the period.

Kabarangay...

FFROM 2

al search has two main categories – best urban and rural barangays. The criteria for judging include, 1. Barangay governance performance management system (50%); 2. Field

UCPB...

FFROM 5

his message to the officers and staff of the bank. “With the extension of the bank’s corporate life now a certainty, it can sustain its growth momentum towards becoming a bigger and stronger financial institution,” Mr. Kilayko noted. UCPB registered 22 percent increase in net income to P1.64 billion in the first semester this year attributed mainly to double digit earnings from loan portfolio and securities trading. Recently, UCPB bank officials expressed optimism on achieving the net income target of P3.6 billion for 2012 primarily by creating more technology-driven products and expanding loan portfolio, remittance business, fee income and branch network. In 2011, UCPB’s unaudited net income reached P3.06 billion, up by 25 percent mainly derived from loans, checking account and savings account (CASA), treasury trading, real and other properties owned and acquired (ROPOA) disposal. UCPB stated that the extension of the corporate life would redound to the benefit of the government with UCPB committed to implement the repayment

pound in Sarangani when the Pacquiao couple arrived to file their COCs at around 1:20 p.m. he was seen by reporters emerging from a hurried meeting with Pacquiao in the latter’s residence,, obviously disappointed. Domino earlier eased out provincial board member Eugene Alzate who was earlier picked by Pacquiao to run for vice governor. One incumbent mayor in Sarangani said Domino’s overbearing ways got the better of him. “he played the Game of the Generals,” the mayor who requested anonymity was overheard saying without elucidating. Pacquiao is seeking reelection after winning handily over Roy Chiong-

Davao...

bian in 2010 for the lone congressional seat of Sarangani. Dominguez is serving out the last of his three 3-year consecutive terms and was prodded by Pacquiao to run for vice governor. Dominguez reportedly declined saying he was not cut for legislative work and would prefer an executive post. The governor said he will take a break from politics, although he also told ABS-CBn Socsksargen that he may be “retiring but not expiring.” he said he will help run the businesses of his wife and tend to their one-year old daughter, Mariana. Pacquiao is believed to be just biding his time before running for Senator

in 2016 when he becomes eligible. The 8-weight division boxing champion will turn 34 in December. A candidate for senator must be 35 years on election day under Philippine election laws. Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia said her daughter in law should brace herself for life in politics. “Dili na jud siya puede hiya-hiya (She should no longer be shy in public),” Dionisia said. Jinkee, a former Jamora, hails from Kiamba town in Sarangani, was a promo girl of cosmetic products in a department store in General Santos City when she met the then struggling boxer. [Edwin G. Espejo/ MindaNews contributor]

vate and government organizations. In Magsaysay town, Mayor Jess Lumanog and Vice Mayor Marty Basunillo were accompanied by gubernatorial aspirant Claude Bautista to file

their reelection bids Monday afternoon. Lumanog will be pitted against former mayor Arthur Davin, who lost to him in the 2010 national and local elections. [ASA]

that they are experiencing right now. “It seems that the government is not giving importance to the problem. Maybe the government will act when the entire industry is dead,” a local exporter, who requested anonymity, said. The same sentiment is shared by several exporters who suffered the most after China imposed stringent quarantine measures that would make it impossible for Philippine Cavendish bananas to enter their country.

Communication between the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and the Philippine’s Department of Agriculture, there has been no concrete development since the June 1 imposition of new quarantine measures. Several billions of pesos have already been lost by small exporters and multinational firms and this will continue unless the issue with China whether phytosanitary or political remains unsolved.

FFROM 2

prosecutor’s office in Digos City. Of the three mayoral candidates, Guillermo is enjoying the support of the majority of incumbent municipal councilors, barangay captains and pri-

Banana...

FFROM 6

market has is more than enough for companies like Alisa Sunrise to gain profit. The same market used to be dominated by Philippine exporters. Alisa Sunrise’s Giselle Gomez admitted in a Fresh Plaza article that the problem between the Philippines and China has given them the window to enter the lucrative Chinese market. Filipino exporters meanwhile lament what they call a lackadaisical response of the government to the problems

Edge Davao hiring editor, 3 reporters EDGE DAVAO is in need of an editor and three staffwriters/reporters for its expansion program. The reporters will be assigned to the business, science/environment and political beats. On the other hand, the editor will supervise the reporters and do gate-keeping tasks. Applicant must be a graduate of a four- year college course. For reporters, experience is not needed although preferable. The editor should have at least one-year experience in editing. Interested parties may to send their application letter to Mr. Antonio M. Ajero, Edge Davao editor thru email address ajero_antonio@yahoo.com. For inquiries, please call Mr. Ajero thru mobile phone 09052422686 or landline 221-3601.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

Realty

FOR SALE: 1) 1-hectare commercial lot at P10,000/sq m, along national Highway, facing east, beside nCCC Panacan, Davao City. 2) 17,940sq m commercial lot at P2,500/sq m, along Matina Diversion Road. 3) 3,831 sq m lot along Matina Diversion Road. 4) 41,408 sq m commercial/industrial lot at P800/sq m along the national Highway, Bunawan. 5) 7,056 sq m at P1,200/sq m commercial/residential lot along indangan road, Buhangin District. 6) 27,411 sq m commercial/industrial lot along the National Highway in Bincungan, Tagum City. 7) 116.15 to 245.92 sq meters , at P5.5M to P12.3M commercial/ office condo units in Bajada, Davao City. 8) 699 to 1,117 sq m at P4,100/sq m commercial lots at Josefina Town Center, along the national Highway, Dumoy, Toril. 9) Ready-for-Occupancy Residential Properties: 4BR/3T&B in a 240 sq m lot with 177.31sqm floor area (2-storey) at P4.8M in an exclusive beachfront community in Dumoy, Toril.; 3BR 2-storey in a 71.25 sq m 2-storey in a 143sq m lot in an exclusive flower village in Maa, Davao City; 180 sq m lots with 71.25sqm to 126.42 sq m floor areas, priced at P3.751M to P5.773M in an exclusive mountain resort community along Matina, Diversion road. 10) 1BR/2BR residential condo units located in Bolton, Maa, obrero, Davao City. 11) FOR ASSUME (RUSH): 1BR res’l condo unit in Palmetto, Maa. P600K negotiable. Note: Items 1-9 can be paid in cash, in-house or bank financing. If interested, please call Jay (PRC REB Lic. 8237) at 0922-851-5337 (Sun), 0908-883-8832 (Smart) or send email to propertiesindavao@yahoo.com.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY , OCTOBER 3, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

PFF Smart bootfest launched T

The new Lakers starting five will have Steve Nash, Metta World Peace, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant.

Dwight learning from Kobe Academy

L SEGUnDO, California — Dwight howard flattened the creases across the chest of his brand-new gold jersey and joined his teammates for a group photo, joking around and laughing even while saying ‘cheese.’ The superstar center might be an eight-year nBA veteran, but on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time) still felt like the first day of school. And it was, in a way: howard is just getting started on his new nBA education from the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant, who is just as eager to teach as howard is to learn. “I know he’s going to be tough on me, but I expect that, and I want him to be that,” howard

said. “I want to be that guy. I’ll take all the heat he’s going to give me, because I know at the end of the day, it’s going to make me a better player and a better person. ... I’m willing to go through that process, learn from one of the greatest ever to play the game, and I think it’ll be great.” howard and Bryant wore their gold uniforms together for the first time as the Lakers opened training camp with a revamped roster and sky-high expectations. After two straight seasons ending in the second round of the playoffs, a remarkable offseason shuffle by Los Angeles general manager Mitch Kupchak and owner Jim Buss has put the Lakers in prime

position to contend for their 17th nBA championship. Even while Metta World Peace crowed about the Lakers’ depth and Pau Gasol expressed his gratitude for staying with the Lakers after popping up in innumerable trade rumors, everybody’s eyes were on Bryant and howard, the Lakers’ unquestioned leader and the supremely gifted big man he has already appointed as his heir. “This is my team, but I want to make sure that Dwight, when I retire, this is going to be his,” Bryant said. “I want to teach him everything I possibly know, so that when I step away, this organization can ride on as if I never left.” Even while both men say the

situation is ideal, the entire nBA is eager to see how this teacher-student partnership will work. The 34-year-old Bryant is a ferocious perfectionist with famously little patience for teammates who aren’t serious about winning — including Andrew Bynum, the sometimes-immature All-Star center dispatched in the deal for howard. The 26-year-old howard raised league-wide doubts about his maturity during his strange, protracted departure from Orlando over the past two years — and don’t forget, howard has just one season left on his contract. What could possibly go wrong? nothing, according to howard.

Ginebra rookies smell title Ginebra rookie Chris Ellis blocks Jondan Salvador of Global Port.

S it still too early to tell? W h a t e v e r, Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen, who both promised energy and athleticism when they were picked in the first round by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA draft, are thinking championship this early in the season. On Sunday, the two newcomers put those on display, as they combined for 25 points and provided the effort that was appreciated by the Gin Kings veterans. “They’re the energy guys,” said new Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio. Jensen couldn’t believe the recep-

tion he got from the sellout crowd of 18,901, most of which was pro-Ginebra. “The feeling was amazing. It’s incredible and it’s become more special because my loved ones were watching from the sidelines while some of our relatives and friends were watching in the United States,” Jensen said in a television interview. Agent Charlie Dy, who represents both players, said Jensen’s mother, grandfather, and aunt flew in from the United States just to catch the players’ PBA debut. Ellis said he was energized by the Ginebra crowd.

hE Philippine Football Federation in partnership with Smart Communications yesterday officially launched the PFF – Smart national Club Championship in Davao City. In announcing the event, Davao Football Association secretary general Erwin Protacio said PFF Tournament Director Cyril Dofitas will be personally inspecting the venues and hold meetings with Provincial Football Association officials. The top teams in the cluster elimination will compete in the Mindanao Finals on 23 – 26 november 2012 to be played at the TIonko Field in Davao City. The top two teams in Mindanao will then join the top two (2) teams of Luzon and Visayas and the top ten (10) United Football League teams for the round of 16 to start on 12 January 2012 at a venue to be determined later. Davao FA is the defending champion in Mindanao and was represented by Columbia FC. Columbia is tied with Pachanga FC and Stallions FC in the top spot in the Quarter Finals, with identical 2 win – 1 loss record, but was left out due to a lower goal difference computation. hooligans FC will represent Davao FA this year.

Marquez : Knock Manny out? Yes

An Juan Manuel Marquez knock Manny Pacquiao out? Bordering between illusion and conviction, a confident Marquez admits it would be extremely hard to knock somebody out like Pacquiao but the Mexican believes it is not impossible. During a break in his training at the Romanza Gym in Mexico City, Marquez acknowledged that the Filipino is a tough hombre to conquer but remains upbeat that sending him down for the first time is not a far-fetched idea. Marquez said he will bank on his “intelligence and experience” when he dukes it out with Pacquiao for the fourth time on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Although he has never put Pacquiao down in their three previous matches, he came close to pulling off such a feat in their rematch in 2008 when he jarred him with a nice combo at the end of the second round. Pacquiao later contested that he had been hurt badly, citing that he was just off-balance. But slo-mo replay clearly showed that Marquez did land heavy shots that staggered Pacquiao. Still, Pacquiao erased the stigma of that embarrassing situation when he floored Marquez with a single shot–a left to the jaw–in the third round that sent the crowd on its feet. That knockdown was Pacquiao’s fourth over Marquez stretching back to their first clash in 2004. Marquez said it would be unwise to think that he will earn the decision against Pacquiao that’s why he is in the process of coming out with a gameplan that is aimed at stopping Pacquiao dead in his tracks. With nacho Beristain on his side, Marquez insists it can be done.

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STYLE

FOREVER 21

OPENS IN DAVAO It was like a movie scene shot in a holy land, where droves of die hard devotees pay homage to their religion.

In this case, I’m talking about the opening of the clothing store long awaited by style conscious beings in the promise land of Mindanao. Forever 21 has finally opened its doors to Davaoeños, occupying more than 1,400 square meters of space in the newest and biggest mall in Davao, the sM Lanang Premier. waiting in heels and in traffic, the people endured lengthy and idle hours just to take part of that momentous day, which could equal to a right of passage mentioned in different style bibles across continents. Those who treat shopping as a form of meditation for their “weary” souls and fashion chic came in their stylish best, to complement the fashion show and F21 reverie. The globally renowned brand gained its following for its variety of creative solutions to any kind of style intuition. It took fashion by storm with its eclectic lines and designs. Edgy fashionphiles would usually feel naked with just a mere top

and bottom to make their look. Forever 21 offer solutions to this as it not only houses clothes that are trending or on forecast, but also a wide collection of shoes, bags, accessories, and intimates to match them with. The brand has become a clothing lifestyle adopted even by those who are not part of the privileged set. It boasts of fashion forward pieces, tailor refined staples, and couture inspirations all at great value, making shopping more fun and affordable. Its reach extends to all types of market segmentation. In a way, it is a genderbender, age defying, and affordable kind of fashion. while in other continents the brand takes after the relentless pace of changing seasons, it finds calmness in the Philippine setting as the clothes only sway on a pendulum between sunny

Anda St., cor. Magallanes, Davao City Telephone No. (082) 303-5556 / 300-3192

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EVENTS

Good posture for better back health MoM waS righT: it’s important to sit up straight.

in fact, maintaining good posture throughout the day helps protect your back, whether you’re sitting, standing, or even lying down. holding your body correctly helps keep your spine in proper alignment. There’s less stress on the ligaments that hold your spinal joints together, and you’re able to use the surrounding muscles more efficiently. as a result, you can do more before your muscles get tired, and your risk of back injury is reduced. in the long run, sitting and standing tall helps keep your spine from becoming fixed in an abnormal position. Follow these guidelines for good posture all day long. Sitting Straight • Put both feet on the ground with your ankles in front of your knees. if your legs are too short, use a footrest. Distribute your body weight evenly on both hips. • Check your sitting position: • Your shoulders should be relaxed and straight, not slumped forward. • Your low and middle back should be supported by the chair. if they’re not, consider using a back support. • Your knees should be at hip level, with a small space between the backs of your knees and the front of the seat. Using a Computer • Follow the above guidelines for sitting in a chair. • Set up your workstation. adjust the height of your chair so that the desk is about elbow level, if possible. Center the keyboard in front of you. • Check your typing position: • Your upper arms should hang relaxed near your body. • Your lower arms and wrists should form a straight line. Driving a Car • adjust the seat as close to the steering wheel as you comfortably can. You should be able to reach the pedals easily with your knees bent. • Check your driving position: • Your hands should hold the steering wheel at about 3:00 and 7:00. To reduce hand strain, periodically switch to 5:00 and 10:00. • Your low and middle back should be supported by the seat. if they’re not, consider using a back support. • Your knees should be at or slightly higher than your hips. Standing Tall • Place your feet about shoulder-width apart. Your body weight should be primarily on the balls of your feet. • Check your standing position: • Your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Don’t jut your head forward or tilt it to the side. • Your shoulders should be relaxed and slightly back, not slumped forward. • Your arms should hang relaxed at your side. • Your tummy should be pulled in. • Your knees should be slightly bent. Lying in Bed • Choose a firm, but not uncomfortably hard, mattress. avoid thick pillows that force your neck forward. instead, consider using a thin pillow or folded towel that fits into the small distance between your neck and the bed when you’re lying on your back. • Sleep in a position that lets you maintain good posture through the night: • Lying straight on your back is a good choice. Putting a pillow under your knees may help with back pain. • Lying on your stomach, turn your head to one side. Then bend your arm and leg on that side to get comfortable. if it feels better, you can put pillows under your bent knee and elbow. (Yahoo! health)

A newer and bigger Mindanao Dialysis Center at SPMC a person’s kidneys are vital to one’s existence, hence the need to take care of it properly as improper kidney function will lead to blood poisoning, and no one wants that. Good thing the southern Philippine Medical Center (sPMC), through the leadership of sPMC chief of hospital, Dr. Leopoldo Vega and the efforts of Fresenuis, now has the newly opened, stateof-the-art Mindanao Dialysis Center.

This Mindanao Dialysis Center is one of the largest in the Philippines with a 55 bed capacity and boasts of a better water treatment system, first class automat-

ed reprocessing machines, a remarkable dialyzer storage room, and Davao’s first Hemodiafiltration, a dialysis procedure that is widely used in Europe using Fresenius’ 5008s Machine. The center also boasts of outstanding, and highly qualified health professionals lead by The Nephrologists, Dr. Jeanette Ybiernas – MDC DIRECtOR, Dr. Ma. Theres Bad-ang, Dr. Clarissa Equipado arsolon, Dr. Franklin Guillano, Dr. Bernard Ramos, Dr. Rodelie Banico and their junior consultants Dr. Cheryl tan, Dr. Ida Grace Ramo, and Dr. Junie Dawn Reyno. The dialysis center also has 30 certified renal dialysis nurses and 11 hemodialysis technicians. with these modern advancements, increased capacity, and top notch spe-

cialists, the center aims to provide better care for Da-

bawenyos and their quality of life.

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ENTErTaiNMENT

The stork has arrived at Drew Barrymore’s house! ThErE’S a new angel in Drew Barrymore’s life.

The actress and husband will Kopelman welcomed a baby girl, olive Barrymore Kopelman, last wednesday. The couple released a statement saying their firstborn is “healthy, happy and welcomed by the whole family.” That name sound familiar? it should. Barrymore voiced the character of olive in a 1999 TV special olive, the other reindeer. Back in 1995, however, she told rolling Stone she wanted to have a daughter named ruby Daffodil someday. (at the time, she was dating hole musician Eric Erlandson.) olive was a great choice though, don’t you think? Barrymore and Kopelman tied the knot June 2 at her Montecito, Calif., home and honeymooned

in Big Sur. Just a few weeks ago, Barrymore, 37, was practicing yoga and bumpin’ around town in anticipation of her olive’s arrival. The Charlie’s angels star said on the Tonight Show earlier this year—before

the world knew she was pregnant—that she definitely wanted to start a family with Kopelman. “we’ll start with one,”she said. “See how it goes and if we could be so blessed... that would be wonderful.” So far, so good!

Paris Jackson channels Miley Cyrus is that you, Miley Cyrus?! Folks no doubt did a double-take when Paris Jackson posted an instagram pic over the weekend that was very reminiscent of the one (oK, make that several) Cyrus shared after she dramatically chopped off her locks in august. But did the 14-year-old daughter of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, really cut her hair? Paris Jackson remembers her father on his birthday well, it’s hard to know for sure if Paris actually had a date with a pair of scissors, donned a wig or simply

pulled her hair back, since she doesn’t really clarify one way or the other. of course, it wouldn’t be a complete shock if Paris chose to change things up on top. after all, she did come to Cyrus’ defense

when some folks voiced negative opinions about her ‘do. “i don’t know why people keep hating miley’s new cut.. i love it !!” she tweeted at the time. “shes being herself & shes being different & i love her for that.” So what do you think of Paris’ possible new look? UPDaTE: Paris was indeed wigging out on us. The producer of the teen’s upcoming film, Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys, confirmed to the huffington Post that the burgeoning actress was just trying a different ‘do on for size.

Are you ready for S.H.I.E.L.D.? iT’S TiME to assemble S.h.i.E.L.D.’s cast, avengers fans!

aBC is moving fullsteam ahead with their pilot centering on Marvel’s peacekeeping organization (which is led in the films, at least, by Samuel L. Jackson and includes Cobie Smulders as an agent). The pilot is being executive produced and cowritten by avengers director Joss whedon. First up? Casting S.h.i.E.L.D.’s new team members and we’ve got the inside scoop on the characters fans will be introduced to in the pilot. So get ready because it’s time to meet the new agents entering the Marvel universe!

agent grant ward is deadly, precise and cool under fire. he’s just doesn’t play well with others due to his not-so-great people skills. he’s volatile, but a decent guy with morals whose charm will eventually come through. Soulful and quiet, agent althea rice (a.k.a. “The Cavalry”) is an ace pilot, weapons expert and soldier who is a bit damaged from her combat

experience and has gone beyond the call of duty. Finally, there’s agent Leo Fitz and agent Jemma Simmons, also known as “Fitz-Simmons” as the two spend all their time together. Think more along the lines of a brother and sister who always bicker and annoy one another. They came up together and are masters in their fields: Fitz is good with weapons and gadgets while Simmons is into science. Yes, they are huge nerds (and also attractive). Now is the time to put on your casting hat, people. which actors would you like to see star in S.h.i.E.L.D.?

SM GENSAN CINEMA

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STYLE ENTErTaiNMENT

and rainy seasons. with its versatile, fun, and trendy lines, it is no wonder why so many Filipinos remained loyal and have become even more hooked to Forever 21. I, for one, consider it as a stopover whenever I visit my family in Manila. Yes, even moms like me can relate to the hip and colorful clothes. I personally like their collection of shoes, accessories, jeans, and cocktail dresses. Being away from home gave me the advantage of maximizing my favorite aunt’s credit limit. My niece-awayfrom-home line of attack never fails to sway my aunt to spoil me with the fashion fixation which was, at that time, only available in Manila. My younger brothers complained about getting overly bored and tired while they waited for me to finish my tour around the store. They’d quip, “It takes FOREVER and 21 years before you get done with shopping.” well, now that the store has a branch here in Davao, I guess I won’t be hearing them whining that way anymore. and, in glorious feat, my aunt embraced freedom with a formal declaration telling me, “Now you don’t have any more reason to drag me to that store whenever you’re in Manila.”

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SPORTS15

Bynum out 3 weeks with knee condition

A Cyril V. Dofitas, department head of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Competitions, left, announces the opening of the PFF-Smart National Club Championship, the country’s biggest tournament for PFF member football association,

during the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) forum at Towern Inn yesterday. At right is Pochollo Elegino, officer in charge of Sports Development Division of the city mayor’s office. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

PSC to establish regional training centers

hE Philippine Sports Commission is opening more windows for promising athletes and potential members of the national team for future international competitions. Chairman Richie Garcia yesterday said the PSC is looking at the creation of regional training centers in Bacolod, Zamboanga City, Davao del norte, Sta. Cruz in Laguna, Lingayen and Ilocos norte. This way, new faces that will shine in national competitions like the Palarong Pambansa, Philippine national Games or Batang Pinoy will have a program to follow without leaving

home. “We will launch these training centers in two months,” said Garcia. “From now on, athletes discovered in events like the PnG and the national Opens of the different nSAs (national sports associations) will stay there,” the PSC chairman added. These athletes won’t have to leave home and travel to Manila just to earn their slots to the national pool. They will also be given the chance to compete in international competitions. “If they beat national athletes in a qualifying even, then they will be the ones sent to international competitions. This

presents an equal opportunity for everybody. “They don’t have to go to Manila anymore. They can train near their homes. The PSC will take care of the allowances of the coaches and the athletes while the LGUs (local government units) will take care of the venues and their quarters,” Garcia said. The plan will be presented to the Philippine Olympic Committee when it holds its general assembly tomorrow. Jose Cojuangco, the POC president, has a separate program in mind, and it concerns the elite athletes that will be asked to stay and train in a separate training center.

Azarenka advances at China Open

nDREW Bynum’s anticipated Philadelphia 76ers’ debut is on hold. One day before training camp was set to open, the Sixers announced Monday they would shut down their new franchise All-Star for three weeks as a precaution after he received knee treatment in Germany. Bynum was grounded before his first practice in the no. 33 jersey. ‘’I’m going to do everything in my power to get back,’’ Bynum said. Bynum had injections of plasma-rich platelets that supposedly stimulate healing in arthritis-affected areas in both of his knees. The Sixers said last week he was cleared to

Philadelphia 76ers’ Andrew Bynum answers questions about his injury during their NBA basketball media day at the team’s practice facility, Monday in Philadelphia. play in camp. Bynum felt some discomfort late last week and, after meeting with doctors in new York and Philadelphia, the Sixers made the call to bench him. The Sixers wanted to give him enough time to have the treatments take

hold in the knee. The team said Bynum also had a bone bruise on his right knee. Bynum said the bone bruise was unrelated to the knee treatments. Bynum came to Philadelphia with an oversized warning label on his achy knees. he’s been plagued by problems in the past, one reason he sought out the same treatment called Orthokine - in Germany used by former Los Angeles teammate Kobe Bryant and new York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Bynum said this current knee ailment isn’t as bad as the issues that have dogged him in the past. he reported no swelling in his knees.

Button given gearbox-change penalty for Japanese GP

hE Briton returns to the scene of his brilliant victory 12 months ago, 75 points adrift of championship leader Fernando Alonso, and well aware that only a victory will keep alive his slim title hopes. But he has already been given some bad news, with post-race investigations of his gearbox after the Singapore GP uncovering an identical gearbox problem to that which had put Lewis hamilton out of the race. McLaren has no option but to change Button’s gearbox for a new one, which means he will moved down five places on the grid. hamilton will also be fitted with a new gearbox, but he will not suffer any penalty as he did not fin-

McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain. ish the last race. five-place penalty. McLaren technical di“Of course, this is a rector Paddy Lowe told great disappointment for AUTOSPORT: “Jenson’s Jenson and the team. On gearbox had the same the positive side, we have problem as Lewis’s gear- understood and combox during the Singapore pletely resolved the issue, Grand Prix, and subse- allowing both drivers to quent investigation has compete with confidence revealed a terminal fail- for podium positions.” ure. hamilton heads to the “Therefore both cars Japanese GP 52 points bemust start the Japanese hind Alonso, with six racGrand Prix with new es remaining in this year’s gearboxes, which means title battle. that Jenson will receive a

Real Madrid not selling Kaka - Perez

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns the ball to Alize Cornet of France during their first round match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing Monday.

EIJInG -- Topranked Victoria Azarenka and no. 2 Maria Sharapova advanced to the second round of the China Open on Monday. Azarenka routed Alize Cornet of France 6-1, 6-0, while Sharapova had a harder time knocking off Simona halep of Romania 7-5, 7-5. Azarenka is hoping to rebound from last week in Tokyo, where she with-

drew after feeling dizzy in the third round. Azarenka has won four times this year, including the Australian Open. Sharapova won her first Grand Slam title in four years at the French. Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, seeded 10th, also advanced, beating Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa 7-5, 6-7 (8), 6-2. Lara Arruabarrena-Veinco of Spain defeat-

ed Zheng Jie of China 6-2, 6-4. Other first-round winners included Sorana Cirstea of Romania and Carla Suarez navarro of Spain, who upset fourth-seeded Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic. In the first round of the men’s draw, fourth-seeded Marin Cilic of Croatia, last year’s runner-up, lost to Marius Copil of Romania 3-6, 6-7 (0), 6-4.

EAL Madrid president Florentino Perez has told the club’s fans that the Spanish champions are not interested in selling Brazilian playmaker Kaka, despite reported interest in him from a number of clubs. “We’ve never said that we wanted to sell

Kaka, and we’ve never tried to sell him,” Perez told supporters at an assembly of club members on Sunday. Kaka, who joined Madrid from AC Milan in 2009 for a then world record fee of 65 million euros ($83.6 million), was reportedly approached by a number of clubs over the summer, including big-spending French side Paris Saint-Germain. The Brazilian has not played a single minute of competitive football this season and does not appear to feature in the plans of Madrid coach Jose Mourinho. The 30-year-old has been unable to recapture his Milan form during his three years in the Spanish capital, but Perez said he had demonstrated his worth in other ways. “Kaka has earned us lots of money,” said Perez. “he came to the club three years ago as an investment that has brought us big profits. Economically speaking, it’s a transfer that has borne fruits.”

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Filipino IM shares lead in Hong Kong International Open Chess tourney

ILIPInO International Master (IM) Emmanuel “Manny” Senador defeated Spanish IM Marcos Llaneza Vega to share the lead in the 2012 hong Kong International Open Chess

Championships yesterday at the Convocation Room of the University of hong Kong. Senador defeated Vega in the seventh round to hike his point total to 5.5 points.

he is tied with IM Zhou Yang-fan, Jinshi Bai and Baining Chen. Zhou drew with Li Bo of China, while Bai upset topseeded Filipino IM Oliver Dimakiling and Chen crushed Bharat Arun of India.

“Sana mahawakan ni Manny ‘yung momentum,” said neri Javier Colmenares, a friend of Senador who also serves as a vice president of the national Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Albert Rivera of the Philippines bounced back after a sorry loss to Dimakiling in the sixth round as he trounced Liao Yu hao of China in the seventh. Rivera now has 5.0 points,

good for a tie for fifth to 10th place. Dimakiling, on the other hand, remains stuck at 4.5 points and dropped to a tie for the 11th to 15th places.

Andy Tan, president of Davao Horse Club, promotes the upcoming western games during the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) forum at Towern Inn yesterday. With him are DHC members Kobi Troy Tan (center) and George W. Misa. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Pacquiao-Marquez IV tickets almost sold out

ICKETS for the fourth encounter between great rivals Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao of the Philippines and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico are nearly sold out after only a couple of days, according to fight promoter Top Rank. Pacquiao and Marquez will face each other for a fourth time on December 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Tickets for the fight went on sale last weekend. In a statement posted on their website, Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum announced that “over 13,000 tickets were sold during the opening weekend.” This makes the fourth fight, dubbed “Act 4,” the biggest seller of the Pac-

quiao-Marquez series. “We are ecstatic with the response,” Arum said, adding that less than 3,000 tickets remain available for the fight. All three of Pacquiao and Marquez’s previous encounters ended in controversy. After battling to a draw in their first meeting in 2004, Pacquiao took the 2008 rematch and the trilogy bout last november via disputed decisions. Both boxers are hoping that their fourth fight will finally give a decisive finish to their rivalry. Top Rank said tickets are available for purchase at the MGM Grand or at the TicketMaster websites. Tickets are priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400, and $200.

Bernabe Lentejas and Tina Ongachen of the Police Regional Office (PRO) XI Multi-Purpose Cooperative promote the 1st PRO 11 MPC Fun Run slated on October 14 at PRO 11 Headquarters in Catitipan, Davao City during the weekly Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) forum at Tower Inn yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR. ]