Edge Davao 5 Issue 168

Conjugal drug-pushing!

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VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

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Cop, wife nabbed in shabu buy-bust

By Anthony S. Allada

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POLICE officer and his wife were arrested during a buy-bust operation wherein shabu worth P50,000 were seized in a buy-bust operation at Piapi Boulevard in Davao City Wednesday afternoon.

Supt. Caezar Cabuhat, commander of the Sta. Ana police station, identified the suspects as couple SPO1 Abdulgani and Leonida Abduhasad, both 54 and

DCPO chief scolds policeman for his illegal activity

residents of Riverbed, Barangay 21-C, Piapi Boulevard.

Cabuhat said the arrested police officer is assigned with the Sta. Cruz municipal police station in Sta. Cruz town, Davao del Sur. The operation happened at 1 p.m. Wednesday wherein SPO1 Jules Nomer Micabalo acted as poseur-buyer. The suspects were

DAMAGED. Huge waves spawned by tropical depression Opel’s tail-end partially damaged at least four houses at Davao Beach Club in Lanang, Davao City yesterday. [ LEAN DAVAL JR.]

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11 Toyota duplicate keys of carnappers exhumed

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HE series of anti-carnapping operations since last week in Davao City and in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur led to more discoveries.

Operatives of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 11 and Davao City Police Office exhumed Tuesday night 11 pieces of duplicate keys for Toyota vehicles from the raided shop owned by suspected carnap ring leader Ryan “Baktin” Yu in Sarphil, Barangay Wilfredo Aquino, Agdao district here.

“With this discovery, we immediately send this morning formal letter addressed to Toyota Davao and Toyota Philippines to explain and give their side on the discovery of duplicate keys,” HPG regional director Sr. Supt. Gregorio Pimentel said in an inter-

Also exhumed are 10 sets of plate numbers view.

Pimentel said aside from the recovered keys, there might still be some of them which were already used in the group’s illegal activities.

“We expect that they will cooperate with us if they are not hiding something so that we can unmask this illegal acts,” he said.

Pimentel said aside from keys, they also exhumed more 10 sets of plate numbers, which were believed to be replaced by those registered by Yu at the Land Trans-

F11 TOYOTA, 11

arrested right then and there.

Aside from the one sachet of shabu or methamphytamine hydrochloride, 12 other sachets in various sizes were taken from the couple, all amounting to P50,000.

Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Davao City Police Office, went to the police station

and reprimanded the policeman for his illegal activity.

Dela Rosa told him that he will not tolerate cops to be involved in any wrongdoing especially in illegal drugs.

Cabuhat said charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as Comprehensive Drugs Act, will be filed against the suspects on Thursday morning. (ASA)

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Who is ‘Baktin’?

By Anthony S. Allada

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YAN Yap Yu, also known for his alias “Baktin,” has become an instant celebrity of sort, after he was tagged to be the leader of a big-time carnap ring operating not just locally but also nationally.

But who is really this man? Yu, 32, is a son of a Chinese traders Doya and Vicky Yu, who owns the Ultrastar Grocery Store in Bagong Lungsod, Tandag City in Surigao del Sur. Those who know him claimed that the “Baktin” (piglet) nickname reportedly refers to his short height but big body frame.

He inherited his height from his father.

The Yu family has been in Tandag City for decades already and gifted with four siblings – two men and two women – that includes Ryan. They were no longer Chinese-speaking but “Kamayo,” the dialect used by Mandaya people since Tandag is known to be populated with Mandayas.

Lately, the family built the Ultrastar Marketing, their second and bigger “mini mall” in the city engaged in selling groceries, ready-to-wears (RTWs), among others. But it is not engaged in selling cars.

The same establish-

Ryan Yap Yu now wanted for leading carnap gang ment was the subject of police raid last week that resulted to the recovery of stolen highend vehicles.

It was later known that Yu used the parking area of the mall to be the depot of the stolen items.

But according to his parents, they really did not have knowledge that their son was involved in a carnapping syndicate.

As far as they were concerned, their business is legitimate and that they have nothing to do with Ryan’s wrongdoings.

The two branches of Ultrastar are still open for business as of this time.

Ryan is known to be travelling from one place to another. He usually makes friends with politicians, police officials and even some media personalities.

Some were even aware that he became big-time because he was engaged in illegal activities but they just kept it themselves because they already received “grease money” from him.

But now that all eyes are training on Yu, they just claimed that they just knew him by name.

Victim pinpoints his stolen vehicle

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N OBVIOUSLY happy 31-year-old businessman arrived at the office of the Highway Patrol Group 11 along Candelaria Street, Ecoland here to see for himself his carnapped black Toyota Hilux pickup.

Andy Mark Lucero, of Quirante I, Tagum City, said a friend who was a policeman informed him that his vehicle was already recovered by HPG 11 personnel, prompting him to immediately proceed to Davao City.

Lucero’s vehicle was among the five vehicles which were transported from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday night.

As of Wednesday, 30 carnapped vehicles were already recovered by operatives of the HPG 11 and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).

Lucero said his car was stolen at around 2 a.m. on September 27, 2012 while being parked in front of their autoparts store at the same time residence in Quirante I,

FVICTIM, 11

Ata-Manobo farmer found dead in Malabog; 2 others missing

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N Ata-Manobo farmer was found dead with a gunshot wound in the head in a forested area in Malabog village, Paquibato district on Monday.

Ramirez Isdang had been missing since October 18 along with two other farmers, the Malabog Farmers Association said on Tuesday.

The group did not identify the two farmers who have remained missing.

On Thursday last week, Isdang was last seen going

to the forest to get abaca leaves that he sold for a living, Malen Uyanguren, spokesperson of Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women—Davao City told reporters Tuesday.

Uyanguren received a report from Malabog on Monday that one of the three missing farmers had been found. She alleged there were witnesses who saw Isdang being taken by the military on his way home to Sitio Alon, Malabog. [LoRiE ANN CAsCARo/MiNDANEws]

CYBERCRIME. Lawyer Carlos Isagani Zarate, discusses 10 alleged unconstitutional provisions of he Cybercrime Prevention Act while Edge Davao editor

Antonio Ajero listens during the Hermes Club’s “Forum Insulares” at the Waterfront Insular Hotel yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Kaloy Zarate before media persons

10 unconstitutional provisions of Cybercrime law discussed

By Antonio M. Ajero

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AWYER Carlos Zarate, past Davao City chapter president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, said the controversial Cybercrime Prevention Act, or Republic Act 10175, has a chilling effect not only to journalists and bloggers, but to all Filipino citizens who have access to the internet, cellular phones and other modern communication devices.

Zarate, who also writes a weekly opinion column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, discussed the controversial law with members of the media attending the “Forum Insulares,” new name of the “Istoryahan

sa Waterfront Insular” of the Hermes Club.

He tackled 10 provisions of the law that his group –Union of People’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) and National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), said violate the Philippine Constitution.

The UPLM and NUPL are among the groups which submitted a total 15 petitions asking the Supreme Court of the Philippines to declare the law unconstitutional.

The 10 questioned provisions are: - Section 4(a)(3) of RA 10175 suffers from overbreadth as the means employed in said provision sweep

unnecessarily broadly and thereby invade the area of protected speech, in relation to the supposed purposes of RA 10175, and constitutes prior restraint and contentbased restrictions.

-Section 4(b)(3) of RA 10175 suffers from overbreadth as the means employed in said provision sweep unnecessarily broadly and thereby invade the area of protected speech and right to privacy, in relation to the supposed purposes of RA 10175, and constitutes prior restraint.

-Section 4(c)(4) of RA 10175 suffers from vagueness as it lacks comprehensible

standards that men of common intelligence must necessarily guess at its meaning and differ as to its application, and that infringes on protected speech.

-Section 4(c)(4) of RA 10175 suffers from overbreadth as the means employed in said provision sweep unnecessarily broadly and thereby invade the area of protected speech, in relation to the supposed purposes of RA 10175.

-Section 5(a)(b) of RA 10175, in relation to the offenses that includes speech related matters under said statute, suffers from overbreadth

occupied by the military during his visit to the area last October 20.

He clarified that he does not object to the military presence, but he said they should be relocated far from populated areas to avoid endangering the lives of civilians.

The draft resolution urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines to relocate military detachments in Paquibato District, particularly those set up in barangay halls and all other public buildings in the three villages and for the military to refrain from using public

structures as posts.

“The military has been forewarned against encampment and future attempts to set up military detachments or similar structures near schools and communities,” it said.

Mayor Sara Duterte earlier said that Lt. Col. Inocencio Pasaporte, commander of the 69th Infantry Battalion, has been told several times to instruct his men to set their posts up away from populated areas.

The draft resolution stressed that the situation in the said villages of Paquibato is cause for alarm as

the mere presence of armed men in uniform threatens and even endangers the lives of many people.

It added: “The situation is equally disturbing for non-residents knowing the danger that detachments pose to the communities should hostilities take place.”

Asked about what may happen should the city council approve the resolution, Duterte said Tuesday in a text message that a resolution is just an expression of a general sentiment. “It is not a law that is enforceable.”

AFP urged to move posts out of populated areas

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AVAO City Councilor Leah Librado-Yap proposed Tuesday a resolution urging the military to relocate their posts in Paquibato District.

In a privilege speech during the regular session of the city council, Librado-Yap said that Councilor Jimmy Dureza told her that public buildings in the villages of Lumiad, Mabuhay and Pandaitan in Paquibato are being used as military posts.

Dureza said he saw for himself that barangay halls, including a daycare center in Pandaitan, are being

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[LoRiE ANN CAsCARo/MiNDANEws]

SUBURBIA 3

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 168 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Groups vow to seek justice for B’laans

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EVERAL progressive groups vowed to help seek justice for a B’laan mother and her two sons who were killed in an alleged massacre in Kiblawan, Davao del Sur last October 18.

In a press conference on Monday at the Ateneo de Davao University, the Sisters’ Association in Mindanao (Samin), Barug Katungod Mindanao, Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM), Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy Center (Apila), Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao, Kalikasan partylist, Karapatan and Kalumaran said they will support the quest for justice for the Capion family.

Juvy Capion, 27, who was two-month pregnant, and her sons, John Mark, 8, and Jordan, 13, were killed when elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion strafed their house in Sitio Datal-Alyong, Barangay Kimlawis in Kiblawan. Her daughter Becky, 5, survived with several gunshot wounds. Another girl, Ressa Piang, 8, was unscathed.

Lt Col Alex Bravo, battalion commander of the 27th IB, said it was a legitimate encounter with the armed group led by Daguil Capion, Juvy’s husband, who has waged a “pangayaw” or tribal war against foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI).

But Erita Capion-Dialang, Daguil’s sister said it was not an encounter and that Daguil was 200 meters away from the hut where Juvy and the children were killed.

Mae Fe Templa, Barug Katungod Mindanao convenor, said they would appeal to the United Nations (UN) agencies and instruments because “we can’t rely anymore on our State agencies as this act constitutes State violence

against women and their children.”

She cited in particular the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“There are many Juvys in the island unnamed and now we have projected them in the faces of the children of Juvy. We appeal to the UN agencies to intervene,” she said.

Sister Noemi Degala of Samin called the incident “a gross violation of the dignity of women, especially IP women, who are sisters before God and before the people.”

Lawyer Carlos Isagani Zarate of the UPLM said his group will extend legal assistance to Capion’s family. Saying the perpetrators can be charged with homicide before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, either of Davao del Sur or South Cotabato, he urged relatives of the victims to pursue the case.

“We will not accept the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) statement that Juvy and his kids were collateral damage because if there was an encounter, why was none of the soldiers wounded?” Zarate said.

He said that considering the Philippines’ justice system, the fight for justice should also resort to methods outside of the legal processes.

In a statement, Apila director Romeo T. Cabarde Jr. said that together with its partners, Alternate Forum for Research Initiatives in Mindanao and Panalipdan, the group “stands firm in condemning these atrocious killings of environmental defenders”.

“We are deeply concerned that no responses

FGROUPS, 11

2 killed in clash between Manobo clans in NorCot

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WO persons were killed in a gunfight between two Manobo clans on in a village in President Rojas town in North Cotabato, around 8:30 a.m. Monday, a military official said.

Lt. Nasrullah Sema, civil-military operations chief of the 57th Infantry Battalion, said they have no identities yet of those killed in the encounter between the group led by a certain Lapatin and another Manobo group.

Sema said Lapatin’s group, allegedly from Bukidnon province, attacked a tribal village in Sitio Tarinan in Barangay

Sarayan, President Roxas. The locals, however, fired back and killed two of Lapatin’s men.

The military official pointed to land conflict as the possible motive of the attack. Lapatin is reportedly claiming his tribe owns the land.

A sitio in Sarayan bears the name Lapatin.

Sema said they already sent additional troops to the barangay to secure the villagers from another attack.

Police and soldiers assigned in the area had driven away Lapatin’s group during a pursuit operation. [MALu CADELiNA MANAR/MiNDANEws]

OUTSTANDING. Vice President Jejomar C. Binay who also heads the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council awards the cheque worth P130,000 prize along with plaque of recognition to the City Government of Tagum for its sound legislative actions, pragmatic policies, innovative anti-squatting programs and projects. The awarding ceremony was held

October 8 at the SMX Convention Center in Manila. Tagum’s Resettlement and Anti- Squatting Task Force (RASTAF) Chief Officer Michael Ang (2nd from right) and RASTAF Member Eugenio S. Banal (1st from right) represented Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy. [MiCHAEL ANg/RAstAF]

Binay recognizes efforts of Tagum on squatting T

HE National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates (NDAPSSS) recognized the initiatives of the City of Tagum against professional squatters and squatting syndicates as a best practice worthy to be emulated by Local Government Units nationwide in a fitting awarding ceremony led

by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay held at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia last October 8, 2012.

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, which Binay heads as its secretary, recognized City of Tagum for its sound

legislative actions, pragmatic policies, innovative anti-squatting programs and projects, and effective implementation of the same, thus enhancing its capacity to address housing and urban development concerns that are recognized by the National Government.

The City Government of Tagum, under the leadership of Mayor Rey T. Uy, has pioneered the implementation of Shelter Assistance Program that seeks to address the needs of underprivileged Tagumeños when it comes to housing while also providing them opportunities for livelihood, thus giving them self-

worth.

Uy repeatedly said in previous remarks it’s the task of the government to take care of this sector since they contribute in rolling the local economy.

The plaque, along with the130, 000.00 cash prize, was received by the City’s Chief Resettlement and Anti- Squatting Task Force (RASTAF) Officer Michael Ang and RASTAF Member Eugenio S. Banal who both represented Tagum City Mayor Rey T. Uy. Aside from City of Tagum, other local government units that were recognized also are Quezon City, Lipa City, Kidapawan City and San Carlos

City in Pangasinan.

In a statement, Mayor Uy expressed gratitude to the officials who are in the mainstream in implementing the city’s program for the urban poor which is one of his pet programs during his last term as a city mayor.

“Dili ni nato kaya kung di ta nagtibangay,” he said.

Lately, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor through its commissioner, Hernani C. Panganiban also lauded the Tagum’s local government for championing the cause of the urban poor and other issues on housing and resettlement. [LouiE JAy LosAR-

viction.

The whistleblower said she does not want all the sacrifices and the hardships she underwent come to naught if Alzate will remain in office.

Alzate called the disqualification case a political harassment.

He has filed a motion for reconsideration of his conviction and vowed to prove his innocence up to the Supreme Court.

Alzate was convicted for reportedly spending part of the CDF of Chiongbian on his wedding in Cebu that was timed during a study tour of provincial government

officials and department heads of the province.

He also reportedly brought a government-issued vehicle to Cebu.

Convicted along with Alzate were provincial administrator Perla Maglinte and executive assistant Amelia Constantino-Zoleta.

Former Sarangani governor Miguel Escobar was also convicted along with former provincial treasurer Cesar Cagang and management and audit analyst Vivencia Telesforo in one at least 16 cases filed against 17 former provincial officials and employees.

The Commission on Audit said at least P46-million were lost in the systematic looting of the provincial coffers during the three-year term of Escobar.

Gadian said she has no issues with Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao who was still not a resident of the province when she filed a case against Alzate.

She urged the congressman to drop Alzate from his lineup.

Pacquiao however said Alzate cannot be disqualified yet until the Supreme Court upholds the latter’s conviction with finality.

iA AND LouiE LApAt/Cio tAguM]

Whistle blower urges Pacquiao to exclude convicted ‘grafter’

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ORMER Sarangani employee Mary Ann Gadian, who blew the lid on the multimillion fund scam in the province in 2003, yesterday sought the disqualification of Provincial Board Member Eugene Alzate who was convicted by the Sandiganbayan for reportedly pocketing P300,000 from the congressional development fund (CDF) of former congressman Erwin Chiongbian.

Gadian, a computer encoder in the office of the late Vice Gov. Felipe Constantino, said Alzate does not deserve to serve another term after his con-

[EDwiN g. EspEJo/MiNDANEws CoNtRibutoR]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Dolphin ‘sponging’ spans centuries B

OTTLENOSE dolphins using sponges to protect their noses while foraging is a technique that the animals discovered in the 19th century, a study has found.

Scientists analysed data on the dolphins of Shark Bay, Australia, to model the appearance and transmission of the skill over generations.

The study found that “sponging” could have begun with a single “innovation event” between 120 and 180 years ago.

It suggested that mothers passed on the skill by teaching their offspring.

The analysis is published in the journal Animal Behaviour, and used previous field studies to investigate how sponging was established and maintained.

“It has been thought that behaviours which are exclusively learnt from one parent are not very stable. With our model we could now show that sponging can be a stable behaviour,” said Dr Anna Kopps, a biologist at the University of New South Wales.

The study created a new technique to calculate the likelihood that the offspring of a “sponger”

A

would learn the ability and pass the skill on.

By modelling the emergence of “sponger” dolphins in a computer simulation, the team could see different scenarios in which the skill could have spread among the dolphin population over the years.

They then compared the results of these simulations with field data on the genetic relationship between the spongers, to estimate the role of mothers teaching their offspring in transmitting the skill.

They found that if the likelihood of a sponger’s offspring learning the ability was less than certain, the dolphins that did pick up the technique needed to gain a survival advantage from the skill, in order for the ability to pass on to the next generation.

The model also allowed them to attempt to calculate the date that the behaviour was likely to have originated.

“The results suggested that sponging was innovated at least 120 to 180 years ago - it is only a best estimate,” said Dr Kopps.

“Unfortunately, the model did not give us a maximum time span,” she said.

The dolphins wear the sponges on their rostrum when foraging on the sea floor, apparently to protect themselves from sharp rocks or shells.

The famous dolphin society of Shark Bay has been a focal point for scientists studying dolphin society for decades.

“Bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia, show a wide array of behaviours. For example, 13 different foraging types have been described,” said Dr Kopps.

“Sponging is the best-studied... because it is unusual in that it includes the use of a marine sponge as a tool and it is transmitted from mother to offspring,” she said.

Attempts to calculate the date of “innovation events” have also been made with chimpanzees.

The excavation of stone nutcracking tools allowed scientists to date chimpanzee tool use back 3,400 years, suggesting it had been transmitted for over 200 generations, but Dr Kopps said that on the whole it has proven diffi-

Madagascar palm trees at risk of extinction--study

majority of Madagascar’s palms face extinction due to land clearing, an environment protection group says.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said 83% of the 192 tree varieties had been added to its threatened species list.

The group called the figures “terrifying”, saying the tree loss also endangered animals and put people’s livelihoods at risk.

The findings bring the global number of species at risk of dying out to 20,219.

The IUCN’s global director for biodiversity conservation, Jane Smart, said the latest study showed the situation could no longer be ignored.

“The figures on Madagascar’s palms are truly terrifying, especially as the loss of palms impacts both the unique biodiversity of the island and its people,” she said.

Domino effect Madagascar is the world’s fourth biggest island after Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo.

Because of its isolation most of its mammals, half its birds, and most of its plants exist nowhere else on Earth.

Palm trees represent an integral part of the island’s biodiversity, with many of its poorest communities relying on the trees to provide housing and food.

The raw materials are used to build houses, uten-

sils and crafts, as well as to produce food, drinks and medicine.

But forests have been rapidly shrinking as land is being cleared for agriculture and logging.

Excessive palm heart harvesting has also put the trees at risk.

“The majority of Madagascar’s palms grow in the island’s eastern rain forests, which have already been reduced to less than one quarter of their original size and which continue to disappear,” the IUCN’s Dr William Baker said.

Animals like the lemur have fallen victim to the domino effect of deforestation, which destroys essential habitat. [bbC NAtuRE]

cult t o d a t e these innovations.

“If the behaviour involves tool use, artefacts may be found,”

explained Dr Kopps.

“However, the aquatic habitat makes that very unlikely.”

She hopes that the method in her study could now be applied to a wide

range of species.

“It would be interesting to use the model we built but based on life history data of other species than dolphins, great apes for example.”

“It is possible that dolphin life history characteristics make learning from a single parent more likely and stable than in other species.” [BBC Nature]

lease issued here Monday.

The Saragasso Sea, the Tonga archipelago and key corals sites off the coast of Brazil were among marine areas to receive special attention by governments as part of renewed efforts to sustainably manage the world`s oceans agreed on in Hyderabad.

Many of the areas are beyond national jurisdictions and, as such, receive little or no protection presently.

Other key decisions taken at the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity included new measures to factor biodi-

versity into environmental impact assessments linked to infrastructure and other development projects in marine and coastal areas.

“These results, coming in a period of economic crisis, demonstrate that the world is committed to implementing the CBD. We see that governments are moving forward in implementation and seeing biodiversity as an opportunity to be realized more than a problem to be solved,” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity which ended Monday. [pNA/iRNA]

ment’s National Greening Program (NGP) which targets reforesting some 1.5 million hectares of open, denuded and degraded land nationwide. ”Planning will begin this November for the program’s nationwide roll-out,” said NGP information officer Tess Aquino.

She noted that preparations for the roll-out are due as the two agencies will

conclude this month the program’s six-month piloting in Region 2.

Piloting the cooperation program before replicating this is required under the memorandum of agreement Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

Gov’ts agree to double resources for ‘Biodiversity Protection’ by 2015

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ARTICIPANTS in the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity have agreed to double resources for “Biodiversity Protection” by 2015.

During the meeting, governments agreed to increase funding in support of actions to halt the rate of loss of biodiversity.

Developed countries agreed to double funding to support efforts in developing states towards meeting the internationally-agreed Biodiversity Targets, and the main goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 20112020, said an official re-

Agencies roll out sustainable environment-livelihood program

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OTH environment and social welfare departments aim to replicate soon the cooperation program designed to promote human, ecological and economic security in marginalized areas nationwide.

The program implements sustainable disaster prevention or risk reduction livelihood projects in areas covered by govern-

FAGENCIES, 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 168 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Davao Light braces for higher power demand

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APID economic growth can be seen through the building constructions in several parts of the city. Some studies also showed strong correlation between electricity use and wealth creation.

Consequently, a increase in the demand for power ensues.

Within Davao Light & Power Company’s franchise, large firms have made firm indications to require more power.

Some steel manufacturing, storage, mall, condominium, and hotel companies are now in the construction phase.

Presently, the electric distribution utility’s peak demand stands at 290 MW. By end of 2015, it is projected to reach 345 MW. Lately, Davao Light’s existing power supply

is tight. However, while other areas in Mindanao are experiencing two to three hours of rotational outages, Davao Light’s consumers are spared from this inconvenience.

The power shortage in Mindanao has been heightened due to the scheduled preventive maintenance of the Steag State Power coal plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

Davao Light has been able to avoid the rotating outages by using its embedded power plants - Sibulan & Talomo hydro plants and Bajada diesel power plants. Also the Therma Marine, Inc. barges, which it has a contract with, have been dispatched to deliver much needed power.

Big industrial customers are also doing their

FDAVAO, 11

THE ECONOMY

5

DOLLAR EARNER. Rene Dalayon, president of Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Association (MBFEA), right, shares that the banana industry is still the country’s number 3 dollar earner despite its very low buying price in the weekly Club 888 media forum at Marco Polo Hotel yesterday. Also in

photo is Domingo Ang, chairman of Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. Dalayon and Domingo promote the upcoming Mindanao Banana Congress 2012 slated on November 7-8, 2012 at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

54-hour period.

“This event supports the development and expansion of entrepreneurship through events worldwide that educate aspiring entrepreneurs by immersing them in the process of moving an idea

tem.

Lada said Zachary Cohn, bootcamp director of Startup Weekend Headquarters, Seattle, USA, is also coming to helpfacilitate the event while other serial entrepreneurs and experienced mentors

Techies gather for 54-hour startup weekend in Davao T

By Anthony S. Allada

ECHNOLOGY enthusiasts will converge here for the three-day Startup Weekend Davao at the Philippine College of Technology on Davao Medical School Drive.

Dulce Rose Lada, lead

organizer of the event, said the November 9 to 11 gathering will connect local entrepreneurs, developers, designers, marketers and startup enthusiasts to share ideas, form teams and launch startup businesses in within the

to market,” Lada told reporters during the Kapehan sa SM Monday.

She added that Startup Weekend will also re-awaken the local technopreneurial spirit and help promote an innovative technology ecosys-

from abroad and and based in the country will participate as coaches over the weekend to provide entrepreneurial insight and inspiration.

She said pitching starts on Friday night,

FTECHIES, 11

6

THE ECONOMY

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/

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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

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

TOP 1. Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon awards Phoenix Petroleum as the Top 1 Importer in Davao for 2012. Corporate Affairs Manager Ben Sur receives the award on October 19 at the Port of Davao, Sasa Wharf, Davao City.

EADING independent oil company Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. was recognized for the second time as the Top 1 Importer in Davao by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The awarding was led by BOC Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon on October 19 in Davao City. Phoenix was recognized for paying P1.28 billion in duties and taxes for CY 2012, “thereby contributing immensely to the attainment of the District Collection Target of the Port of Davao.”

The award is Phoenix Petroleum’s third recognition from the Bureau of Customs in Davao.

In 2011, Phoenix was also the Top Importer in Davao and the Top 7 Importer in the Philippines.

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.

BPI President Gigi Montinola is MAP Management Man of the Year 2012

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month

EDGEDAVAO

BOC awards Phoenix as top 1 importer in Davao

Stat Watch

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

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

T

HE Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) announced recently the selection of Mr. Aurelio “Gigi” R. Montinola III, President and CEO of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), as the“MAP Management Man of the Year 2012” awardee.

The “MAP Management Man of the Year” is a prestigious award that MAP bestows on individuals in the business community or government for attaining unquestioned distinction in the practice of management and for contributing to the country’s progress. The conferment of the award to Mr. Montinola followed a thorough, stringent selection process. The distinction of “MAP Management Man of the Year” has only been conferred 36 times in the 45-year history of the award.

The criteria for the award include integrity, leadership, and management qualities; contribu-

tion to nation building and values formation; effective stewardship within the confines of the highest standard of business and management practice; among others.

Mr. Montinola was chosen for the following: 1. his outstanding stewardship of BPI as a highly successful organization, a socially responsible corporate citizen and a fiduciary firm known for good governance; 2. his contributions in strengthening Philippine professional management practices by exemplifying strong culture of leadership, innovation and customer-centricity in the banking sector; 3. assisting Overseas Filipino Workers improve the management of their earnings through educational programs in saving, entrepreneurship and financial planning; 4. his active involvement in micro-enterprise development through the

provision of banking services designed specifically for small businesses and the least privileged segments of the Philippine economic pyramid; 5. his central role in expanding BPI financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, thereby significantly contributing to national development; 6. leading in the advocacy of financial reforms intended to further insulate the banking system from external shocks, as President of the Bankers Association of the Philippines; and 7. setting an example for Filipino professional managers through a track record of unblemished integrity, professional competence and strong leadership in his banking career.

The roster of “MAP Management Man of the Year” awardees include: Washington Z. SyCip (1967), Geronimo Z. Velasco (1977), Henry A. Brimo (1978), Jose M. Soriano

(1979), Cesar E.A. Virata (1981), Jaime V. Ongpin and Vicente T. Paterno (1982), Dante G. Santos (1983), Cesar A. Buenaventura and Roberto T. Villanueva (1985), Jaime Zobel de Ayala (1987), Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. (1988), Jose B. Fernandez, Jr. (1989), Raul T. Concepcion (1990), Oscar J. Hilado (1991), Alfonso T. Yuchengco (1992), Juan B. Santos (1994), David M. Consunji and Rizalino S. Navarro (1996), Gabriel C. Singson (1998), Delfin L. Lazaro and Henry Sy, Sr. (1999), Oscar M. Lopez (2000), Tony Tan Caktiong (2002), Jesus P. Tambunting (2003), Rafael B. Buenaventura (2004), Manuel V. Pangilinan (2005), George S. K. Ty and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (2006), Jose L. Cuisia Jr. (2007), Antonino T. Aquino and Jesus P. Estanislao (2009), Lilia B. de Lima and Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr. (2010), and Erramon Aboitiz (2011).

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 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 168 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Tuna catch to pick up once again T

HE country’s tuna production is expected to increase this last quarter of 2012 through February 2013, as Filipino fishermen were recently given access to fish in the so-called High Seas Pocket 1 or HSP-1 of the Pacific Ocean.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said about 180 metric tons of tuna were initially unloaded by three carrier vessels at the Gen. Santos City fish port last week based on reports by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

With this favorable development, the country’s tuna production will recover, said the DA chief, during the October 18 culminating program of the 2012 World Food Day celebration, at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

For his part, BFAR Director Asis Perez said they expect Filipino tuna commercial fishing operation to go full blast by November, with the 36 Philippine-registered fishing vessels deployed at the said “Pocket 1.” Each vessel is estimated to catch an average of 20 MT a day.

He said the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) has granted the Philippines access to fish in

‘Pocket 1’ of the Pacific Ocean up to February 28, 2013. The Philippines through the DA-BFAR seeks an extension of the fishing access in the same area, as the country’s tuna fishing vessels are compliant to the stringent requirements imposed by the WCPFC, Perez said.

The High Seas Pocket 1 is the area bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Federated States of Micronesia to the north and east, the Republic of Palau to the west, and the Republic of Indonesia and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea to the south.

Perez said the country’s annual tuna production dropped by 30 percent when the WCPFC imposed a ban at Pocket 1, on January 1, 2010 until April 2012, aimed at conserving and allowing tuna species to propagate.

For October and through the remaining four months until February 28, 2013, Perez said Filipino fishermen could catch at least 12,000 MT of tuna species, mainly skipjack.

Currently, five fresh/ chilled tuna catcher vessels are operating in the area. Three vessels have complied with all the stringent requirements of the WCPFC as well as the

Fisheries Administrative Order No. 145 Series of 2012.

The other remaining vessels are now completing other requirements — which include the installation of transponders, use of appropriate mesh size, hiring of fishery observers, provision of catch log sheets, and filing of the necessary notifications, among others.

The favorable development, added Perez, would again spur economic activity in Southern Mindanao, particularly in General

Santos City, the country’s major hub for trading of fresh tuna for local and export markets, and tuna canning and processing, that together employ and provide livelihood to thousands of fishermen and factory workers.

Secretary Alcala commended Director Perez and the DA-BFAR men and women who exerted efforts in securing approval of the WCPFC to grant the Philippines access to fish in the Pacific Ocean.

“BFAR did its homework well,” the DA chief said. [DA iNFo sERViCE]

al focal persons from the NIA, BSWM, ATI, BPI, IA Regional Presidents, and other pertinent officials of DA. The action teams should also coordinate with corresponding local government units and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.

Once created, the teams shall immediately convene to assess the rice situation in their region, get updates from the appropriate regional or national government agencies, and plan out activities or interventions in consideration of the impending effects of el Nino and other climate change-related phenomena to rice production, Delima said.

Action planning workshops should be undertaken, to assess the projected impact of el Nino on regional rice production, broken down into the provincial level, and considering various possible scenarios, he added.

G

DA rice program moves Authorities identify 2 to protect Christmas crop potential Ecofish PPPs

T

he National Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture this week ordered all regional field units nationwide to create el Nino Action Teams to assess and anticipate the effects of a possible dry spell beginning this October until the Christmas season.

Assistant Secretary Dante S. Delima, national rice program coordinator, issued the order as a result of findings of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) that the last quarter of the year might be prone to the el Nino phenomenon.

“As forecast, el Nino is seen to adversely affect large portions of Luzon, and other parts of the country with drought-like effects at a time when heavy rainfall is traditionally expected. This phenomenon will undoubtedly affect rice production in our rainfed areas, while critically placing water

supply in our irrigation facilities at dangerous levels,” Delima said in his order.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) has projected that rice production for the second half of 2012 is forecast at 9.92 million MT, 8.9% higher than last year’s level of 9.11 million MT. Based on standing crop, production of palay for July to September 2012 may reach 3.56 million MT, some 12.3% above last year’s 3.17 million MT, the bureau said.

BAS data also indicate that based on farmers’ planting intentions, the October to December 2012 palay output is forecast at 6.36 million MT, 7.1% above last year’s 5.94 million MT. Delima mandated field units to create their own Regional el Nino Action Team (ReNACT), to be led by the Regional executive Director as chairperson, the regional rice coordinators, regional information officers, region-

[ADAM o. boRJA/DA]

OVERNMENT is working out two potential public-private partnerships (PPPs) that will support objectives of its 2012-2017 Ecosystems Improved for Sustainable Fisheries (Ecofish) project on boosting biodiversity conservation and fisheries production nationwide. ”We’re talking to Microsoft about providing – at no cost to government - super wifi services in Ecofish’s eight pilot sites to help improve communication between fisherfolk there and authorities concerned,” said Geronimo Silvestre.

He is the head of consultants from Tetra Tech ARD which the project’s funding arm, United States Agency for International Development, tapped to help Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources implement Ecofish.

Ecofish’s pilot sites are the marine key biodiversity areas of Lingayen Gulf, Verde Island Passage, Calamianes Island Group, Lagonoy Gulf, Danajon Reef, South Negros Island, north and south Surigao as well as Sulu archipelago.

Silvestre also said talks are in progress with a private group aiming to export crabs from the Ecofish sites and elsewhere. ”We’ll help that group institute there the appropriate management measures that will promote sustainable production and harvest of crabs,” he said.

Deals with the two entities are expected to be sealed this year, he noted.

Among major activities under Ecofish is development of policies focusing on sustainable financing and PPPs. Other Ecofish activities include establishing eight PPPs, zoning of fisheries and other coastal uses, setting user fees and other revenue-generating mechanisms for local government units as well as conduct of biophysical baseline assessment and monitoring.

BFAR launched Ecofish earlier this month to help improve management of coastal and marine resources as well as related livelihood- and economy-supporting ecosystems.

Ecofish promotes the ecosystems-based ap-

proach to fisheries management to achieve 10 percent increase in fish biomass and employment in the pilot MKBAs. ”We’re also targeting to have about a million hectares of municipal marine waters under improved management,” Silvestre said.

Authorities noted EAFM takes into consideration the ecosystem itself rather than individual species only. ”EAFM is more wholistic,” Silvestre said.

Government decided to pilot Ecofish in the eight MKBAs as those areas are hotspots that mirror issues impacting capture fisheries in the country, BFAR noted.

Such issues include environmental degradation, pollution,overfishing and use of destructive fishing methods like dynamite blasting.

Earlier, Silvestre said government will help LGUs concerned develop respective capacities for implementing EAFM. ”We’ll come up with the national capacity development program for that,” he said. [pNA]

8 VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO Unrealistic Nobel economics

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Commentary

By Edward HadaS

S

EDITORIAL

D

The city’s rising skyline

AVAO CITY’S skyline is rising at a rate unimaginable decades ago. According to the city building official, more than a dozen capitalists built highrise buildings worth more than P2 billion during the year’s first three quarters. This phenomenon is brought about by the construction of many hotels, condominiums, office buildings and other high-rise and medium-rise structures needed by Dabawenyos in their changing lifestyle and manner of doing business and other day-to-day activities.

The establishment of subdivisions occasioned by the rapidly growing population of locals and migrants is giving birth to urban sprawl. This is a situation wherein new families would put up their houses in commercial subdivisions or resettlement sites established by the government for informal settlers. These are planned enclaves where newly-weds can build their love nests and resettled families can erect their dream houses that would have enough space for gardens and playgrounds they could never hope to have in overcrowded squatter colonies where they came from.

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But there are many downsides in outlying subdivisions. They’re far from places of work, schools and shopping centers. Since government still has to build a comprehensive local transport system and the public transport is inefficient, residents are forced to buy vehicles. The result is the worsening of traffic snarls, air and other kinds of pollution, health and environmental problems, and even delays in response time for all forms of emergency, among many other negative issues.

In time, more people will prefer to occupy high-rise tenement houses, from where they can just walk to their places of work, worship and other human daily activity. From a condo right in the center of the city, a businessman can trek to a nearby mall, where he can work on documents, make calls, conduct meetings, read and send emails, take coffee and meals, and entertain business associates in an ideal ambience.

This is Davao City and the Dabawenyo in the future--a whole new world full of challenges.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

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Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEñA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

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TABLE pairwise matching won Lloyd Shapley and Alvin Roth the Nobel prize for economics. It is an idea that is simple, slightly illuminating for economists, occasionally useful for everyone – and profoundly misleading.

The matches in question are between members of two groups, for example potential husbands and potential wives, or medical school graduates and hospitals that might employ them. The “stable” is defined narrowly: the pairing off is stable as long as no individual can find a way to improve his or her situation by trading partners. What counts as “improvement”? The game theory of Shapley and Roth does not really address that question.

The simple idea, demonstrated by Shapley a half century ago, is that under certain conditions a methodical process of elimination – many rounds of tentative pairings – leads to stability. Take a pool of equal numbers of would-be brides and grooms. The men keep on proposing to their favoured women. At first, only the irresistible men garner acceptances from the most appealing women. Gradually, though, each less attractive man will win the favour of some less attractive woman, who accepts the sad reality that she cannot do any better. At the end, while many people may wish they had a different spouse, no one will be able to arrange a trade. Any alternative pairing will be less desirable than the current one to one side or the other. That is exactly game theory stability.

The research is illuminating for economists because it teaches them that money is not needed to arrange an efficient allocation. Economists used to assume, and many still do, that cash markets are the best way to ensure that everyone is able to satisfy as many of his or her desires as possible.

Shapley showed that in matching, under certain conditions and by some definitions, nothing more is needed than clear and consistent rankings of potential partners.

The illumination should be slight. Indeed, it probably takes a few years of economic training to be surprised that monetary values do not always lurk behind effective allocation decisions. After all, parents need neither game theory nor cash to divide a cake among the children. Money rarely plays a direct role in deciding who gets what in government programmes.

Roth showed that the Shapley technique is socially useful. He designed “clearinghouses” which have successfully matched doctors with hospitals, students with schools and kidney donors with recipients. The accomplishment is real, but limited. Roth’s clearinghouses require unusual conditions – not only consistent rankings of possible partners but also a single pairing decision, limited and basically equal information on both sides and the existence of alternatives which are fairly close substitutes.

Such clearinghouses are not suitable for most important allocation decisions.

Marriages, for example, feature in Shapley’s original explanation of the technique, but few people would actually sign up for any sort of marriage clearinghouse. The choice of a life mate is too complicated to be trusted to an algorithm. In the West, the uncertainty of courtship is an integral part of the effort to create a bond that will be truly stable – able to last through thick and thin.

The unsuitability of a marriage clearinghouse hints at why the Nobel-winning idea is deeply misleading. It, like game theory as a whole, relies on four false assumptions about human nature.

First, satisfaction is defined in terms of preferences which may be arbitrary, unfair and temporary. That is dangerously simplistic. The hardest part of match-making is evaluating what the various candidates are really like and getting a good fit. Marriage match-makers, employment headhunters and university admissions officers earn their keep.

Second, game theory is individualistic, paying almost no attention to the social context of decisions. People, however, are profoundly social. Allocation shapes, and is shaped by, society. A serious study cannot simply ignore society’s needs and desires.

Third, the allocation games have no moral dimension. People are free to think about morality when they draw up their lists of favourites, but just as they are free to think about astrology. In reality, though, people should search for the truly good, and not merely for the pleasurable. In general, they do make an effort to be virtuous.

EDGEDAVAO

I

Things are different now

T’S A LONG WAY TO GO – For the last few days after the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro autonomous political entity, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) supreme leader Nur Misuari has opened his scathing speeches with the same lines about where he stands and what he thinks about the new peace accord entered into between the government (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Touring various areas in Mindanao, Misuari explained to chuckling audiences that the new peace deal is an apparent disregard for the prevailing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Truly, Misuari still commands tremendous support, especially among the people from the southwest part of the island as clearly shown during the 17th MNLF General Summit Gathering held in Davao City last week. Loyal and committed supporters and followers flocked in hordes to the city – crowed-pressed and braved the scorching heat just to get a glimpse and listen intently to their revered chieftain. Crowds gathered along the roadside, attracted by the roar of vehicles and escort sirens. Misuari was in his element, walking among his people, shaking hands and telling stories. However, crowd estimates vary – organizers placed it at 10,000 while others have it at 5,000 and veteran journalists who used to cover rallies put it approximately between 1,500 to 2,000.

Misuari is in his usual self – talking for hours without tiring, details in staccato-style, blasts like from a verbal machine gun. All this may explain some of the enthusiasm during the so-called “summit” where he is divulging plans and steps of what to do to strongly oppose the formation of a new autonomous political entity. At times he loses

T

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

himself in flights of rhetoric – or pure political boosterism. “But don’t count him out yet,” cautions an insider and former close pal who is privy on the Mindanao peace process. “He’s got an enormous stock of goodwill despite his previous excesses and trespasses and brushes with the law,” he further added.

But the many years of political hiatus has clearly weighed in on the man. Keen observers say he has grown old and tired. Things are entirely different now.

Although he hasn’t changed in terms of his devotion to the cause, he is not just dealing with the GRP-MILF Framework Agreement, but society at large, politicians and people from all walks of life.

Now that a new peace pact is “rightly in place” and at a time when he was groping in the dark, Misuari is trying whatever means he can to get what he can for his people even to the extent of filing a protest before the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). That quest began even before the ink gets dry during the signing of the new peace accord.

Nonetheless, Misuari appeared from view after years of political “hibernation.” His timing, as always, was remarkable. Days later, the GRP-MILF negotiating panels finally signed the peace deal aimed at establishing the BFA. The sad thing is that the peace pact is keep out of reach from the old revolutionary.

But political experts noted that Misuari seems to hold strong cards, in particular, an outstanding connection in the influential OIC.

Time and again, he says he is not advocating that his MNLF faction should adopt either the use of force or violence to forestall the establishment of a new autonomous political entity. As the GRPMILF have done – in his opinion – hastily and unwisely. Reacting to critics of Misuari’s actions, some political analysts categorically say that the issue is plain and simple: it is whether or not to form a new autonomous region to replace ARMM in order to determine the public sentiment on the questions of the future of the Bangsamoro people.

But this is the most remarkable turnaround at the moment: aside from his legion of committed supporters and sympathizers, still many friends and accomplices stick up for their old friend, defending the former revolutionary and ARMM regional governor. They say he has also a good heart and grand intentions. Misuari has lots of these, but is suffering from the growing pains that afflict any politicians, let alone one who lived outside the system for quite some time. Critics aren’t kind, though, saying that they are disenchanted by Misuari’s leadership and management style and isn’t even able to run ARMM appropriately during his term.

Well, largesse is politics as usual.

People of the Bangsamoro land will expect more from whoever leads the new autonomous region or a leader who devotes his life shaking the old system.

Of course, tearing things down is much easier than building them up. After all the battles and sufferings, Muslim Mindanao begs for a new, bright start, not another politician. They want progress and development. Whether lasting peace will follow prosperity after the much-hyped Bangsamoro formation is another question. It’s still a long way to go.

World’s first known fish cemetery

HE fish can also become saints.

Weird, but this possibly is one of the rationales why the only known fish cemetery in the country and perhaps the world over, located in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City, is now being spruced up in time for the observance of the Filipino tradition of “Undas” (All Saints Day).

At least five workers are now busy painting with white the stone monuments of the dead and inscribing therein their epitaphs as the fish cemetery in the about 40-square-meter area inside the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) prepares to welcome All Saints’ Day. Dr. Westly Rosario, NIFTDC chief, admitted that the fish cemetery where some 20 endangered mammals were entombed since 13 years ago, is one of the most visited place in the 24-hectare research facility operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The place, which could easily merit a space in “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not,” was built since early 1999 and after 13 years, it became the final resting place of different sea mammals, most of them dolphins and whales, now all extinct species.

The latest one entombed at the fish cemetery was a Giant Green Sea Turtle found dead, with almost severed head, in the shoreline of Nibaliw, San Fabian, Pangasinan in early October, found to be a victim of blast fishing.

Rosario said among those frequently visiting the fish cemetery are fish conservationists and students or simply nature’s lovers, both local and foreign.

The cemetery is just a stone’s throw away from the Asia Fisheries Academy, a facility being used to host forum leading to fish technology transfer, and a few meters south of the RP-Korean Dagupan Fish Processing Complex.

The fish cemetery being located in a BFAR complex should never be questioned as the same is complimentary to the research work being done by NIFTDC, the Philippine equivalent to the bigger Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Iloilo.

speCial Feature

By LEonardo v. Micua Before an endangered sea mammal is laid to rest, Rosario said, it undergoes the process of documentation to find out its length, weight and even its age.

Moreover, it is autopsied by fish technicians to determine the proximate cause of its death.

This was done to the latest occupant of the fish cemetery, a Giant Green Sea Turtle which was already buried in the shore of Nibaliw, San Fabian where it was found.

But at the request of the fishermen in the area, it was exhumed a day later and brought to NIFTDC to be autopsied or dissected so the cause of its death can be officially established.

Rosario said a newly-built covered hall at the cemetery’s right entrance serves as its information cubicle where any one can obtain all the details on the sea mammals entombed there.

Made more famous the world over because of the Internet, the fish cemetery is another reason why local and foreign tourists are coming to Dagupan all year-round.

Another reason, of course, is for them to have a bite of tasty bangus, crabs, malaga (siganid) and shrimps freshly caught from fishponds and pens prepared in various mouth-watering culinary delights.

It was Rosario who conceived of the the fish cemetery in the hope of becoming a show window to inculcate upon the people the value of conserving the fish species that are already endangered.

The center was made by BFAR as an instrument to drumbeat its advocacy for the conservation and care of sea mammals that were once teeming in the Philippines seas but sadly are now going extinct due to man’s unsustainable fishing activities, said Rosario.

He revealed that first to be entombed in the fish cemetery was a 1.2-ton and 320 centimeter-long whale that was named “Moby Dick” which was seized by BFAR from fish-

ermen in Malabon, Metro Manila in February 1999.

In the absence of a facility to dispose of the huge dead fish mammal in Manila, BFAR chartered a 16-wheeler truck that brought the cadaver of “Moby Dick” to NIFTDC in Dagupan for burial.

From then on, the area where “Moby Dick” was buried later became a common graveyard for other large endangered marine species found dead in the shores of Pangasinan and other parts of Luzon.

Several other sea mammals, from whales to dolphins of different species, were entombed there later.

One of these was a six-foot long spinner dolphin (Stenella longistoris) weighing 60 kilos, that died in the waters of Buenlag, Binmaley, Pangasinan on April 3, 2010.

Rosario said the fish cemetery seeks, among others, to deliver the message to the people on the strong need to spare the lives of endangered sea mammals for which reason Congress enacted the Philippine Fisheries Code or Republic Act No. 8550.

The act prohibits the fishing or taking and trade of rare, threatened and endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora of which the Philippines is one of the signatories.

Dismayed by reports that some fishermen catching these creature often butcher the mammals for food or to make lubricants out of their rich fat to be turned into candles, Rosario said that under the law, poachers of sea mammals could be apprehended and charged and their specimens or catch confiscated.

At the same time, he lamented that while live specimens of the mammals are released back to their natural environment in the sea by fishermen, there is simply no place to dispose of the dead fish.

This, he said, was the rationale for putting up the first cemetery for fish.

Fish, like humans, are also due for some respect even if they are already dead, aside from infusing their personal belief that fish can also become saints. [PNA]

9

Romney’s Etch a Sketch foreign policy analysis

D

By david roHdE

URING last night’s foreign policy debate, the Mitt Romney of the Republican primaries disappeared. Romney’s April criticism of Obama’s decision to commit the United States military to helping oust Muammar Qaddafi in Libya disappeared. Missing was a promise on his website to reduce foreign aid by $100 million.

Romney’s past criticism of what he called Obama’s rushed exit from Afghanistan vanished as well.

Given his lurch to the center on domestic policy, that comes as no surprise. But it does not make Romney’s record – or his willingness to change positions – a nonissue. If Romney wins this election, it will be arguably the latest and greatest shift to the center in presidential campaign history.

Last night the new Romney praised Obama’s toppling of Qaddafi, said he supported the president’s policy in Afghanistan and agreed that the administration’s economic sanctions on Iran were “crippling.”

After the debate instant polls, most pundits and even a dozen undecided voters on Fox News said Obama had won on substance. But there was a chorus of commentary arguing that Romney’s flat performance was smart politics.

An analyst on CNN pointed out that Romney’s call for a larger Navy would play well in Virginia, home to the country’s largest naval base. The chairman of the Republican National Committee said each minute Romney appeared on national television and did not appear to be a heartless corporate mogul was a victory. Other Romney supporters said Romney had succeeded at not looking like a “warmonger” or “another George W. Bush,” a performance that might appeal to female voters.

Still, if Mitt Romney wins this election, he will do so with a foreign policy blank slate, not a clear vision for the future.

To be fair, Romney was right in places.

When asked about whether the U.S. should “divorce” Pakistan, he counseled patience and correctly said it was in the interests of the United States to try to help stabilize a troubled, nuclear-armed country. And he largely endorsed Obama’s plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2014.

Yet all those positions were far more moderate than the ones Romney adopted in the Republican primaries.

In many ways, the final debate was a reversal of the first one. Romney was the confident front-runner trying to project calm and strength, while Obama was the attacker, questioning – and at times distorting – Romney’s record.

The former Massachusetts governor was bold and aggressive on four issues.

He accused Obama of not sufficiently supporting Israel, falsely claimed that Obama engaged in an “apology tour” in the Middle East, said the result of the Arab Spring was a “rising tide” of “tumult” and “confusion” and vowed to declare China a currency manipulator on “day one” of his presidency.

Taken together, these seem less like a coherent foreign policy than a formula for Romney’s electoral victory.

Of course, all politics is part theater; Obama showed that four years ago. Presidential candidates have been judged on debating style, not merit, for decades.

There are enormous holes in the president’s foreign policy record. He glossed over his failure to deliver on promised assistance to post-Arab Spring countries, lack of action in Syria, a largely failed Obama policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan; and his overreliance on drones.

Romney attacked Obama on some of these issues, but his passion flared where the electoral calculus called for it, such as China’s cheating or loyalty to Israel. Romney also used exaggerated descriptions of instability in the Middle East to pose the foreign policy version of Ronald Reagan’s “are you better off than you were four years ago” question.

It was an uninspiring final debate of an uninspiring campaign. Obama’s overconfidence cost him the first debate, and possibly cost him the election. The two clashed tenaciously in the second debate but avoided specifics or outlining their own domestic agendas. And the final debate seemed more about politics than strategy.

In the end, it is Romney’s approach – not his performance – that most troubles.

After what should have been a pivotal 90 minutes, I know less about Romney’s foreign policy vision than I did beforehand. I only know his electoral calculus.

10 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEfS Interview

F

OR the first time since becoming the country’s first female top magistrate, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno led the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) in interviewing the first set of candidates aspiring to fill up the lone vacant seat at the Supreme Court.

As chief justice, Sereno automatically became chair of the eight-member JBC, the body constitutionally mandated to screen and select nominees for vacant posts in the judiciary and the offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.

Difficult

D

OING business in the Philippines remains more difficult compared to over a hundred other countries, with a new report noting that it failed to implement any reforms.

The country ranked 138th out of 185 nations in the International Finance Corp. and World Bank’s latest “Ease of Doing Business” report compared to 136th out of 183 last year.

The Philippines’ ranking dropped in seven of the 10 indicators in the report.

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

If sanctions tighten

WORLD TODAY

Iran may stop oil sales P I

RAN said it would stop oil exports if pressure from Western sanctions got any tighter and that it had a “Plan B” contingency strategy to survive without oil revenues.

Western nations led by the United States have imposed tough sanctions on the Islamic Republic this year in an attempt to curb its nuclear programme that they say is designed to produce atomic weapons. Tehran says its nuclear plans are peaceful.

“If sanctions intensi-

fy we will stop exporting oil,” Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi told reporters in Dubai.

Qasemi’s statement is the latest in a series of threats of retaliation

by Tehran in response to the sanctions, which have heightened political tensions across the Middle East and, analysts say, led to a sharp drop in Iranian oil exports.

“We have prepared a plan to run the country without any oil revenues,” Qasemi said, adding, “So far to date we haven’t had any serious problems, but

if the sanctions were to be renewed we would go for ‘Plan B’.

“If you continue to add to the sanctions we (will) cut our oil exports to the world... We are hopeful that this doesn’t happen, because citizens will suffer. We don’t want to see European and U.S. citizens suffer,” he said, adding that the loss of Iranian oil on the market would drive up oil prices.

Analysts brushed off Qasemi’s threat.

“It’s just making noise.

It would be like cutting off their nose to spite their

Wooed

S

AYING the Philippines is now open for business, President Benigno Aquino III wooed New Zealand businesses to invest in the country.

Aquino highlighted the “great strides” achieved by his administration over the past two years in battling corruption, cleaning house, reforming the system of budgeting, tightening the rules of procurement and leveling the playing field.

“These are exciting times in the Philippines, and now is the time to invest,” he said.

Exports

A

T his meeting with President Shimon Peres on the first day of his official visit to Israel, Vice President Jejomar Binay pushed for more exports of fresh Philippine produce such as pineapple and coconut to the mainstream Israeli retail market.

“I hope that more Philippines fresh produce such as pineapples and coconuts [will find their] way into the mainstream Israeli retail market. The Embassy has initiated the mechanism for the approval of pineapple importation to Israel in coordination with the Israel Ministry of Agriculture,” he said, according to a note posted Wednesday on his Facebook account.

fuel saving ONTHS after oil firm

M

Shell started its Target One Million FuelSave online campaign, the company said that it is on track with over 100,000 worldwide consumers having learned fuel saving strategies through the campaign’s online Flash-based mini-games.

The campaign uses online mini-games to provide automotive tips on how to save fuel. So far, the Philippines is placed fifth in the global ranking with 13,229 plays of its online minigames. The current leader is the United Kingdome with over 54,000 plays or 33 percent overall.

EDGEDAVAO

Iran’s Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi (C) talks to journalists before a meeting of OPEC oil ministers at OPEC’s headquarters in Vienna, June 14, 2012. [REutERs]

face,” said Leo Drollas, Chief Economist at the Centre for Global Energy Studies.

“Iran needs to export its crude more than other countries need to import it. They are desperate for cash.”

Sanctions have already reduced Iran’s exports to around 1 million barrels per day (bpd) compared to 2.2 million bpd in 2011. China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey now count as Tehran’s main buyers.

The U.S. government has focused on blocking Iran’s oil exports because it estimates that crude sales provide about half of Iranian government revenues and that oil and oil products make up nearly 80 percent of the country’s total exports.

The rial plunged by about a third against the U.S. dollar in the week to October 2, reflecting a slide in oil income wrought by tightened sanctions over summer aimed at pressuring Tehran to drop its nuclear programme.

How long the economy could function without selling any oil is unclear, but Iran has large currency reserves accumulated over decades as one of the world’s largest oil suppliers. [REutERs]

Comelec chief apologizes to Lacson

C

OMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. has apologized to Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson for his absence at a Senate public hearing.

Brillantes said he regrets that Lacson viewed his action as a deliberate act to snub the body’s invitation.

“If Senator Lacson perceived my non-appearance as arrogance, I humbly apologize—but that was never my intention,” Brillantes posted on his Twitter account.

The poll chief said pressing matters concerning the Comelec prevented him from attending a Senate hearing discussing the Anti-political dynasty bill on Oct. 23. “(Last Tuesday), the Commission en banc had a prior commitment to attend d MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) signing with UP (University of the Philippines),” Brillantes explained. “(This is) in addition to our scheduled regular en banc meeting (every Tuesday),” he noted.

He also clarified that Comelec’s en banc discussed an important is-

Ceasefire

eace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is pushing “extremely hard” for a ceasefire in Syria, a UN spokesman said on Tuesday as violence raged across the country and a warplane struck a queue for bread.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the unrelenting violence is dimming hopes for a ceasefire during the four-day Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday from Friday, as proposed by Brahimi.

Grave matter

T

HE head of Britain’s BBC told hostile lawmakers on Tuesday that allegations of sexual abuse against one of its former stars were a grave matter but denied bosses had tried to cover up one of the biggest crises to hit the publicly funded broadcaster.

“This is a gravely serious matter and one cannot look back at it with anything other than horror,” General Director George Entwistle told lawmakers on parliament’s Culture and Media Committee.

P

Air strike

ALESTINIANS fired more than 40 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel on Wednesday injuring three people, while Israeli air strikes on the territory killed three militants, police and medics said.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said two of the three injured by the rocket fire were in serious condition, while public radio identified them as immigrant farm workers from Thailand.

Backlash

Senator Ping Lacson and Comelec Chief Sixto Brillantes. [pHotos by NppA iMAgEs] sue for the automation of 2013 mid-term polls like public bidding for paper, inks, and software among other things.

Brillantes pointed out that he informed committee chairman Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr. of his predicament ahead of time.

“In deference to the Committee, we sent our representatives to the hearing to answer questions that may be proffered by its members,” Brillantes said.

On Tuesday, Lacson described Brillantes as arrogant for saying senators have no right to question Comelec’s decision on cancelling the accreditation of several party-list groups.

Lacson wanted the

Senate panel to issue a subpoena that will compel Brillantes in attending the next hearing.

The senator said the hearing was about policy issues and not specifically on Comelec’s decision on who to accredit or delist from the partylist system.

On Tuesday, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III meanwhile congratulated the poll body for cancelling the accreditation of 16 party-list groups for their alleged failure to uplift underrepresented or marginalized sectors.

“I’m congratulating the Comelec. At least, they have efforts to purge the list of party-list accredition as well as their application,” Pimentel

told Comelec representatives on Tuesday morning.

On behalf of Senate Committee on Electoral Reform members, Pimentel praised the poll body despite Brillantes’ absence.

But Pimentel, who advocates electoral reforms particularly against massive poll fraud, noted it would have been better if Brillantes would personally explain the legal basis of their move.

“It would have been better if Chairman Brillantes and his commissioners explain to the committee the legal basis of what they are doing and to ask from the committee additional legal empowerment if necessary,” he said.

W

HITE House hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday sought to distance himself from controversial remarks on rape made by a fellow Republican that drew fire less than two weeks ahead of election day.

Anti-abortion Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s statement that pregnancy caused by rape was “something God intended to happen” gave President Barack Obama a new opening to attack his rival’s record on women’s rights.

T

Cautioned

HE United States and the European Union have expressed concern at the political situation in Lebanon, where the opposition has called for the premier to step down over a deadly blast blamed on Syria.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Tuesday cautioned against a political vacuum in Lebanon at the end of a visit to the country, echoing comments from the State Department.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 168 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

11 Toyota...

Agencies...

before authorities can catch up on them.

Pimentel also welcomed the statement of Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte accusing the some HPG personnel to have connived with Yu in his illegal transactions.

“That is highly interesting. Dapat na tanggalin natin ang mga bulok sa opisina natin. Panahon na para magka-alaman tayo,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said that

anytime soon Yu will be arrested as they are now already closely coordinating the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coastguard, Philippine Navy and even the Philippine Army so that all exit points will be checked and monitored.

Yu has a standing arrest warrant for carnapping, anti-fencing and other violations. (ASA)

leviation. ”Helping address poverty is also among NGP’s goals,” she said.

The government allows agro-forestry under NGP so uplanders concerned can raise agricultural produce for personal consumption and sale.

NGP aims helping address poverty as data indicate that farmers and fisherfolk are among the nation’s impoverished.

National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) reported poverty incidence among farmers nationwide hardly changed from 37 percent in 2003 to 36.7 percent in 2009.

It also reported that poverty incidence among the country’s fisherfolk worsened from 35 percent to 41.4 percent during the period.

Identified target beneficiaries for the cooperation program are DSWD’s disadvantaged clients and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program recipients.

Pantawid is also known as government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.

Through CCT, government extends financial assistance tomarginalized families provided these comply with requirements.

The agreement also noted that DENR-DSWD co-

operation program’s beneficiaries include uplanders whose livelihood activities were adversely affected by government’s logging ban.

Executive Order 23 series of 2011 declared a moratorium on cutting and harvesting timber in natural and residual forests nationwide.

Such forests are those composed of indigenous trees not planted by man.

The agreement further provides that DSWD must assess non-Pantawid beneficiaries in the identified project sites for eligibility to be covered by the CCT program.

To help authorities concerned come up with effective sustainable livelihood and environment plans for replication, the agreement requires documentation of lessons learned from the piloting activity.

Such lessons will serve as basis for developing customized plans for replication. ”The plans will be site-specific and needsbased,” Aquino said.

The DSWD earlier reported the CCT program already covered as of July 2012 some three million households in 1,400 cities and municipalities across 79 provinces nationwide.

FfROM 4

Secretary Corazon Soliman signed in May this year.

The agreement also provides that sustainable and job-generating livelihood project models’ development be implemented through DSWD’s cash or food-for-training program.

Under the agreement, the DENR is duty-bound to provide technical assistance for the cooperation program.

DENR is also responsible for designing project models that are aligned with NGP principles and government’s convergence strategy.

NGP areas include forestland, mangroves, protected areas, ancestral domain, civil and military reservations as well as urban locations.

DSWD’s task under the agreement is to provide assistance on livelihood capital and/or cash-or food-fortraining.

The agency must also ensure all CCT-eligible households in the project sites are enrolled in the Pantawid program.

Aquino noted that convergence on the cooperation program allows DENR and DSWD to pool respective capabilities and resources for these agencies’ ecosystems approach to sustainable environmental protection and poverty al-

10...

FfROM 2

FfROM 1

portation Office.

He said right now he is now coordinating closely with other law enforcement agencies since they are not done yet.

“More operations are still to come. We expect more carnapped vehicles to be recovered,” he said, adding those individuals who might have bought carnapped vehicles should voluntarily surrender the cars

11

[pNA]

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 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.

as the means employed in said provision sweep unnecessarily broadly and thereby invade the area of protected speech, in relation to the supposed purposes of RA 10175.

-Sections 6 and 7 of RA 10175 constitute a violation of the right of the people not to be subjected to double jeopardy, and Section 6 suffers from overbreadth.

-Section 12(1) of RA 10175 constitutes a patent violation of the right of the people against

Victim...

unreasonable searches and seizures and the right to privacy.

-Sections 17 of RA 10175 constitutes deprivation of property without due process of law.

-Section 19 of RA 10175 is a patent infringement of the freedom of speech clause and a grant of unbridled power to public respon-dent Secretary of Justice.

-Sections 20 of RA 10175 constitutes a violation of procedural and substantive due process.

Zarate said that if the law is not declared unconstitutional, people will hold back their opinions on issues, performance of their government and behavior of their public officials for fear of being prosecuted and suffer the travails of an accused, such as being arrested or detained, having to post bail bond and hire a lawyer, aside from enduring mental torture that an accused is usually subjected.

morning, his company issued gold-rush Toyota Hilux pick-up was carnapped by unidentified suspects.

Paredes, branch manager of the Christian Investigation and Security Agency based in Tagum City, said he was awakened of the car alarm as the vehicle moved out from their place.

But his vehicle with plate number ZGW-536 were not among the recovered vehicles.

Paredes said he was able to talk with one of the four arrested suspects, who reportedly admitted to him that they were the

ones who took his vehicle.

HPG 11 regional director Sr. Supt. Gregorio Pimentel said that they are still conducting more recovery operations but refused to divulge the areas.

Lucero’s plate number which is LGC-174 was already replaced with LFW618.

As to the turn-over of the recovered vehicles, Pimentel said they have to undergo a process where owners should precent proof of ownership and other supporting documents while they are also encouraged to file a case against the suspects.

(ASA)

creation; coding, designing and market validation shall then commence,” she said.

Lada said that by Sunday evening, the event will culminate with the final presentation of ideas by each team in front of a panel of judges who will award the prizes.

The winning team will compete in the Global Startup Battle that might earn them a VIP trip to Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco Googleplex, $15,000 startup support services and other exciting prizes.

[ASA]

from the distribution lines can be used by more smaller customers.

Davao Light said that it will continue to look for reliable, efficient and cost-effective ways to

add capacity to our system. This is in support to the continued and fast economic growth of Davao City, Panabo City and the rest of its franchise area.

have been 29 cases of mining-related human rights violations in mining areas, involving 3,941 victims, since President Benigno Aquino III took office.

“These are all committed by the military in defense of Xstrata-SMI’s mining interests. They are the root cause of conflict in Lumad areas, thus, it is a must that both the military and the mining company should get out of these previously-peaceful communities,” Zadrach Sabella, deputy secretary gen-

eral of Karapatan- Socsksargen, said.

In a joint statement, Panalipdan and Kalikasan said: Tthe blood of the Capion family is in the hands of a State that condones such injustice through laws and policies such as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, reinforced by the Executive Order 79 that have become instruments of plunder, injustice and violence rather than of the promised progress and growth.” [LoRiE ANN

FfROM 2

Tagum City.

He said at first his helper asked him if he let his service vehicle borrowed by a friend but he said he did not and upon checking their keys they were intact.

That was the time that they concluded that the vehicle was stolen and so they immediately reported the incident to Tagum City Police Office.

But just minutes before the incident, another carnapping also took place just near Lucero’s place.

According to Joselito Paredes, who also came to HPG 11 office Wednesday

Teachis...

FfROM 5

adding that anyone is welcome to pitch their business concepts in 60 seconds or less to the audience.

“Attendees will vote on their favorite ideas after the pitch-fire session.

Teams form around the top ideas and an evolution of business model

Davao...

FfROM 5

share to help. When requested by Davao Light during critical shortage levels, they run their own generators for their power needs. The power that they would have drawn

Groups...

FfROM 3

are reportedly made by the local government units in the area, even when victims seek for protection on account of multiple threats emanating from the armed guards of the mining companies,” the group said.

Apila added: “Let us join hands in calling for the cessation of mining operations in the country since mining tenements have been transformed over the years as killing fields.”

Karapatan- Socsksarrgen Region said there

CAsCARo/MiNDANEws]

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VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Realty

EDGEDAVAO

HealthandWellness

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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We offer Pasta, Pizza and all Filipino foods and international cuisine

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NOTICe OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No(s) under LOYOLA PLAN issued to the following planholders, to wit; PH NAME CFP NO. CONTRACT NO. 1. LUCENTE, LLEWELLYN S. 1330 MRO501052513 2. LUCENTE, LLEWELLYN S. 919 MRO501052521 3. MAURO, VIRGILIO P. 35967 928177-5

were lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

10/18, 25, 11/1

deadline for submission of materials is 12:00 NN. deadline for Friday and Saturday issues is 5:00 PM. deadline for Sunday and Monday issues is Saturday 12:00 NN. For more information, please call our Advertising Office 221-3601; 301-6235 and ask for Jane or chay.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 168 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Shop at

DAVAO LILA DEPT. STORE SHOPPING PARADISE OF THE BUDGET-WISE AT ITS NEW LOCATION NEAR MANILA BULLETIN CAYETANO BANGOY ST. (FORMERLY PONCIANO REYES ST.) CORNER RIZAL STREET, DAVAO CITY CONTACT: TEL. #: 225-5258; 227-3959 CEL.#: 0932-2246429; 0915-4102303

Please be informed that ROSABELLA L. LONZAGA whose picture appears above is no longer connected with PAMBATO CARGO FORWARDER INC. company since November 2011.

LOTS FOR SALE

any transaction made and entered into by Ms. Rosabella L. LONZAGA using the name of PCFI in favor of her present company after the said date will not be honored by this office or may report this matter to our office at telephone number 741-31-13/741-31-31/ 741-31-63. The public is likewise advice also that PCFI is not connected or affiliated with MATATAG FORWARDER INCORPORATED. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICe OF The CLeRK OF COURT-SheRIFF DAVAO CITY

hOMe DeVeLOPMeNT MUTUAL FUND, (hDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund, Mortgagee -versus-

eJF-ReM CASe NO. 13, 621-12

CRISMARIe N. PAGKALIWAGAN married to Samuel P. Pagkaliwagan Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x NOTICe OF eXTRA-JUDICIAL SALe

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against Crismarie N. Pagkaliwagan married to Samuel P. Pagkaliwagan with postal address at Lot 5 Blk. 53 Rosalina Village 3,Dumoy Toril, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of November 15, 2011 amounts to ( Php 309,881.10 ) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TEN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 244571 “ A parcel of land xxx (Lot 5, Blk.53 of the consolidation- subdivision plan Pcs-112402-001850,xxx), situated in the City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of ONe hUNDReD TWeNTY (120) SQUARe MeTeRS, more or less” All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on January 17, 2012 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October18, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) ROBeRTO C. eSGUeRRA Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. eDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (edge 10/25,11/1, 8)

ROYAL PINES SUBDIVISION MATINA DAVAO CITY SEMI VIEW LOTS BLOCK 3, LOT 5 – 404 SQUARE METERS BLOCK 3, LOT 7 – 349 SQUARE METERS VILLA JOSEFINA RESORT VILLAGE, DUMOY – PHASE 1 BLOCK 6, LOT 13- 240 SQUARE METERS BLOCK 17, LOT 6- 240 SQUARE METERS BLOCK 19, LOT 4- 240 SQUARE METERS (082) 225-5258, 0915-511-1985,

KRISTINE

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICe OF The CLeRK OF COURT-SheRIFF DAVAO CITY

hOMe DeVeLOPMeNT MUTUAL FUND, (hDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund, Mortgagee -versus-

eJF-ReM CASe NO. 13, 620-12

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICe OF The CLeRK OF COURT-SheRIFF DAVAO CITY

hOMe DeVeLOPMeNT MUTUAL FUND, (hDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund, Mortgagee -versus-

eJF-ReM CASe NO. 13, 657-12

LOeY C. MUTOC Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

NeSTOR P. SONGCAYAUON, married to ROSALINDA D. SONGCAYAUON Mortgagor/s. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against Loey C. Mutoc with postal address at Lot 004 Blk. 037 Mamay , Vincent Heights Subd. Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of July 20, 2012 amounts to ( Php 440,855.92 ) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TEN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 267443 “ A parcel of land xxx (Lot 4, Blk. 37xxx) , situated in Barangay of Mamay, City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of NINeTY SIX (96) SQUARe MeTeRS, more or less”

Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-ibig Fund against NeSTOR P. SONGCAYAUON, married to ROSALINDA D. SONGCAYAUON, with postal address at Lot 1, Blk. 19 El Rio Vista Village.Bo. Bacaca, Davao City to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of November 11, 2011 amounted to ( Php 685,597.77 ) Philippine Currency, inclusive of interest, penalty charges, plus attorney’s fees equivalent to TEN ( 10%) of the total indebtedness plus other legal expenses incident of foreclosure and sale; the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on December 13, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland,Davao City to the highest bidder for Cash or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property together with all the improvements thereon, to wit: Transfer Certificate of Title No. T- 243464 “ A parcel of land of the cons. & subd. project (Lot 1, Blk. 19 , of the cons. & subd. Plan Pcs-112402-001797, xxx) situated in Barangay Bacaca; City of Davao, Island of Mindanao.xxx Containing an area of TWO hUNDReD TeN (210) SQUARe MeTeRS, more or less”

NOTICe OF eXTRA-JUDICIAL SALe

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on January 17, 2012 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 17, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) DeXTeR P.SALCeDO Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. eDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (edge 10/25,11/1, 8)

NOTICe OF eXTRA-JUDICIAL SALe

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above-stated time and date.

In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date,it shall be held on January 17, 2012 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the titles herein described real property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines, October 17, 2012

FOR THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF:

Noted by:

(SGD.) TeReSITA M. CeBALLOS Sheriff IV

(SGD) ATTY. eDIPOLO P. SARABIA, JR. Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Provincial Sheriff (edge 10/25,11/1, 8)

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Broken hand will sideline Love up to eight weeks

M

INNESOTA Timberwolves forward Kevin Love suffered a broken right hand during a Wednesday morning workout and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, the NBA club announced.

Love has been an NBA All-Star the past two seasons. Last season he ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring with 26.0 points a game and was second in the league in rebounds at 13.3 a game and minutes played at 39 per game.

Love, who broke the third and fourth metacarpal of his right hand, will be examined by a hand specialist on Thursday, but his loss two weeks before the start of the upcoming NBA campaign will be a setback for the Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves went 26-40 last season, 10 games behind Utah for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, but have won three of four pre-season games this month.

Bukidnon Highland Games set in November

T

HE Malaybalay City Tourism Board launched last week the private sector-led Bukidnon Highland Games (BHG) 2012, which aims set to promote Bukidnon as a destination for outdoor adventure and highland games.

“This is to showcase the other side of Bukidnon aside from [being the] home of Kaamulan, the famous cultural attraction”, Maite Abellanosa, chair of the tourism sector of the Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKCCI) said in a press conference on Friday.

BHG 2012, organized

by Ohana Adventures, will take place on November 30 to December 2 in Malaybalay City.

Dr. Rachito Abellanosa of Ohana Adventures described the games as a private-public partnership meant to boost tourism in the province without having to build new structures.

“This will showcase what we already have.

We have the natural landscape to be a destination

EDGEDAVAO

(for outdoor adventure and sports tourism),” he added, citing Bukidnon’s terrain, among others.

Among the games slated in the three-day event are tail run (man and dog tandem), hybrid duathlon, clinics for soccer, skateboard and Frisbee, agility demonstration and wacky games. Organizers also scheduled fitness challenges, fun match dog show, and night run on the opening day.

Tournament games for the second day will include skateboarding competition, cross country mountain bike race, soccer, and Frisbee.

For the final day, organizers set rock climbing, trail run and an adventure race.

Organizers admitted that the scheduled games are a shortened version of their initial plan, which drew the support of international companies selling outdoor adventure gears.

Abellanosa agreed to suggestions from the board to include Lumad rituals and to ensure proper waste disposal. [Walter I. Balane/MindaNews]

Pacquiao set to leave for LA on Saturday A

four-round sparring session at the People’s Champ gym in General Santos City on Monday against former amateur standout Anthony Marcial gave “fighter of the decade” Manny Pacquiao his first taste atop the ring with an opponent following a little over four months in hibernation since his last fight in June.

It was a light skirmish though but enough to give Pacquiao the feel of having someone in the opposite side of the square arena since he started preparing for his coming fight with longtime nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Okay naman ang first sparring ko kahit na medyo asiwa pa at parang kakalawangin,” Pacquiao told the Philippines News Agency in a long distance telephone interview after sweating it out Monday afternoon.

“Alalay lang muna, kasi baka mabigla. Matagal na natigil at baka madisgrasya pa,” assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, who has been overseeing the Pacman’s training since Pacquiao opened camp in the city where he grew up, said.

“This is not the crucial stage of preparations. Sa Los Angeles pa, sa Wild Card Gym, ang talagang serious camp. Dito sa GenSan kumbaga parang

mistakes. A ball moves in the trees, guys call penalties on themselves. Golf is a different sport,” he said.

“I think that’s one of the neat things about our great game, and I think with the testing, it’s only enhanced that respectability throughout all of

sport.”

Comparisons have been drawn this week between Woods, who remains sponsored by Nike despite his marital infidelities, and Armstrong, who was dumped by the sportswear giant over the USADA report. [AFP]

pahiyang lang para pagdating sa Wild Card eh hindi tayo nangangapa,” Pacquiao, for his part, said.

Marcial, a former member of the national amateur training pool, does not necessary reflect the fighting style of Marquez who, Pacman is facing for the fourth time, but according to the eight-division champion, he is the fighter nearest to the Mexican counterpuncher.

“What is important is malakas manuntok si Marcial, which is actually what we need at this stage of preparations,” Fernandez said. “Counterpuncher din, pero hindi pa naman yun ang

kailangan natin.”

“What we need is to prepare Manny for whatever hard grind that awaits him when he gets to Freddie (Roach) sa LA,” Fernandez reasoned out. “We will be increasing the volume before the end of this week.”

Besides sparring, Pacquiao also worked the mitts with Fernandez for several rounds, before finishing Monday’s session doing the usual heavy bag, double end ball and the speed ball.

Like in the past three weeks, Pacquiao also did roadwork at the General Santos City Sports Center oval for stamina building. [PNA]

Honor culture limits doping scandals: Woods Biggest 3-on-3 basketball

T

IGER Woods Wednesday suggested golf’s culture of honor reduced the chances of a Lance Armstrong-style doping scandal, despite a comparatively light drugs testing regime.

The American great, speaking after Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France wins in a case that has rocked cycling, said anti-doping officials test golfers’ urine while they do not take blood samples.

He indicated that a sport such as golf, where players admit their own penalties, had an intrinsic honesty which was not apparent elsewhere.

“We just implemented testing probably three years ago I think it is...

I know we don’t do any blood work like some of the other sports do,” he said ahead of the CIMB Classic tournament in Malaysia.

“Right now it’s just urine samples, but that’s certainly a positive step in the right direction to try and validate our sport.”

World cycling chiefs this week accepted the findings of a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) report which put Armstrong at the heart of a sophisticated drugs conspiracy.

But Woods, another iconic sporting figure who fell from grace when a sex scandal came to light in 2009, said golf was an entirely different matter.

“This is a sport where we turn ourselves in on

US golfer Tiger Woods answers questions during a press conference ahead of the CIMB Classic golf tournament in Kuala Lumpur. Woods has suggested that golf’s culture of honor reduced the chances of a Lance Armstrong-style doping scandal, despite a comparatively light drugs testing regime.

showdown set in Davao

T

HE Power Nutri Drink 3-on-3 Basketball Challenge is set on November 24-25 at the Rizal Park, Davao City.

“Be a part of the biggest 3 on 3 basketball showdown in Metro Davao,” said tournament coordinator Rael Diaz at the press conference Tuesday evening.

There will be categories in the Pewee (12 years old or below/cutoff born 2000), Cadet (14 yrs. Old or below/cut-off born 1998) and Junior (17 yrs. Old or below/cutoff born 1995).

“We will also have exciting side events like the 3-Point Shoot-out, Freestyle Dribbling Competition and the Slam Dunk,” Diaz said.

This event will be presented by the Living Power International Corporation, the makers of Nutri Drink, and organized by United Basketball League (UBL) under the supervision of Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas (SBP) Mindanao Region B Director Regino “Boy” Cua. Registration fee is P1,500 inclusive of four jerseys and LPIC products and freebies. Entry forms are now available at LPIC Business Depot, Door 79, Madrazo Compound, Ponciano Reyes St. here.

“In case the team wishes to change their line-up, all requirements must be submitted three days before the event, No more changes thereafter,” Diaz said. (PNA)

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

ThaiFriedSpringrolls

WelcometoSom’s

BagoongFriedRice

Streetside Thai

SOm’S. Just mention the name to anyone familiar with the ins and outs of makati and you know you are in for a treat at one of metro manila’s food institutions.

One may think that foodie finds in the big metro are always found inside posh malls with uber expensive and complicated menus but Som’s Noodle House, located along Algier Street, just a short throw from Rockwell Drive, Som’s Noodle House refuses to bow to the mall invasion and would rather operate outside of the mall and remain true to their Thai street food concept.

And what a street food concept it has! In fact, Som’s even has tables and chairs on the roadside complete with beach umbrellas for some alfresco dining. The interiors of the restaurant is nothing special and reminds me of the typical eateries and canteens one can normally find in Binondo and Uyanguren, with bright fluorescent lights, mono block chairs and the menu posted on the walls.

Our hungry group decided to order typical Thai fare as it has been a long day of walking. We ordered Tom Yum, Pork Satay, Red Seafood Curry, Pad Thai, Thai Fried Spring Rolls, Bagoong Rice, Stir-fried Chicken

The sweet Tom Yum.

Streetfooddemandsforetinginthestreets.

and Basil, and Stir-fried Kangkong. We also ordered a round of Thai iced tea which was quite sweet but refreshing.

The Tom Yum’s serving was quite generous for an eatery that serves affordable food. So was the Red Seafood Curry. The Bagooging Rice’s serving was quite generous too. Everybody loved the Spring Rolls, the Stir-fried Chicken and Basil, and the spicy hot Stir-fried Kangkong.

Unfortunately, most of the other dishes though were a diabetic’s nightmare, with the Tom Yum, Pad Thai, and the Red Curry a little too much on the sweet side. While the Pork Satay was merely average approaching a bit dry. I guess it could be that the Pinoy sweet tooth finally took over the reigns

OutsideSom’s

MeandmyThaiicedtea.

for what should have been a more complex savory taste that Thai cuisine is known for.

On the whole though, the food was cheap, our bellies were full, and the oncoming sugar rush make everyone giddy.

Follow me on twitter @ kennethkingong for more foodie finds, travel tips and random ramblings in and around Durianburg and beyond.

Meet the hungry crew.

Stir-fried chicken and basil.

Som’s menu.

Thespicystir-friedkangkongwasawinner.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

UP AND ABOUT

CEB takes delivery of 40th aircraft, launches newest Mindanao route The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (PSe:CeB) announced that its aircraft fleet is now 40-strong, with more coming until 2021.

Its newest Airbus A320 was delivered from Toulouse, France and touched down in Manila last October 18, 2012. CeB is the only airline in the Philippines with its fleet acquired 100% brand-new, making it one of the youngest and most modern aircraft fleets in Asia.

This is CeB’s 22nd Airbus A320. CeB’s fleet is now also composed of 10 Airbus A319 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft.

One more Airbus A320 will be delivered in November 2012.

“CeB will end 2012 with 41 aircraft, the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. CeB passengers will continue to benefit from the airline’s newest and fuel-efficient aircraft, as we open new domestic and international routes this year,” said CeB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CeB recently launched thrice weekly Zamboanga – Cagayan de Oro flights last October 20, 2012, using an Airbus A319 aircraft. “This will make travel more convenient to our passengers in Mindanao, who can now take a 1 hour and 10 minute flight between Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro, instead of a 12 to 14 hour bus ride,” she added.

It will launch three more domestic routes in October, and four more international routes in November and December. These international routes are: Iloilo-hong Kong, Iloilo-Singapore, Cebu-Kuala Lumpur and CebuBangkok.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www. cebupacificair.com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CeB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

In its 16th year of operations, CeB had flown over 65 million passengers. It provides access to the most extensive network in the Philppines, with 32 domestic and 19 international destinations. The airline also remains a pioneer in the Philippine aviation industry by being the first to offer web check-in, self check-in, e-ticketing, and Lite Fares.

Sun Cellular forms exclusive partnership with Foundation U

MOBILe telecommunications company Sun Cellular officially established an exclusive partnership with Foundation University in its sports, health and wellness activities at the University’s main campus last October 04, 2012.

Foundation University is a non-profit, non sectarian institution in Dumaguete City, founded in 1949 by Dr. Vicente Sinco.

As part of its partnership, Sun Cellular through its wireless broadband service, Sun Broadband, will be a major sponsor of the 4th Dumaguete Adventure Marathon (DAM) on November 18, 2012. DAM is the biggest sports-tourism event in Negros Oriental that is yearly organized by Foundation University. This year, DAM strongly advocates rice conservation, adopting the tagline “Rice is Life”. Other activities that will be supported

by Sun Cellular are Triathlon Plus, Digital Dumaguete, summer events including sports clinic and other student-led activities.

“We are so honored and glad to be the official telco partner of Foundation University” said Neph Denosta, Assistant Vice President for Sun Broadband. “We hope that with our help and support, Foundation University would be able to pursue their vision and advocacy for children and youth, starting with this year’s marathon.

Of course, we would like this partnership to grow this year and in the coming years as well”.

Recently, Sun Broadband posted a healthy increase of 46% in revenues and 54% growth in subscribers in the first half of the year versus the same period last year, reinforcing its claim as the fastest growing broadband service in the country today.

New Orleans is taking over Davao NEW ORlEANS has been an institution since 1985. Since the brainchild of restauranteur murray Hertz opened its doors in Old Greenbelt mall, it has been an example of delicious food made with quality ingredients and served with exemplary service.

murray Hertz was inspired by his travels to New Orleans, louisiana.

Falling in love with the exotic mix of flavors and seductive colors of the lively culture, he decided to bring the Cajun and Crole flavors to manila. It was reborn in October 2007 when Raymund magdaluyo, a successful award winning restauranteur in his own right, teamed up with celebrity Chef Pater Ayson and original New Orleans consultant murray to reopen the restaurant as “murray’s New Orleans Bourbon Street Steaks and Oysters” The staff of New Orleans is trained not only to provide you with what you need, but also to give you what you never thought you wanted. And thus, aside from creating a lively colorful atmosphere for people looking to have a good time, they provide live entertainment, with talented jazz performers three times a week in Bonifacio High Street, not to mention the sexy performances of their very own homegrown mardigrettes.

The most recent cause

for celebration i the opening of their first bench in Davao City. making the first of what hopes to be many successful ventures in other regions, New Orleans is taking Davao by storm, as its first branch outside of manila, giving the people of Davao a taste of authentic Cajun Food, imported beers and expertly mixed cocktails that feature Davao’s own lovely fruits.

Recently opened, New

Orleans Davao was a collaboration that involved the help of local Davao businessman Paul Garcia.

While keeping with the template of New Orleans Restaurants in manila, it will also explore the flavors indigent to Davao City.

For all the branches, the same standard of service is upheld, not to mention their commitment to make everyday, special. And for New Orleans, no day is more special than Tues-

days where cocktails and local beers are at 50% off, select bottles are buy-onetake-one and guests can even bring their own bottle of liquor corkage free with a minimum P500 food spending per head.

Do you need any other reason to visit New Orleans? murray’s New Orleans Burbon Street Steaks and Oysters is located at the ground floor of Sm lanang Premier.

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

eNTeRTAINMeNT

Skyfall nabs rave early reviews from movie critics

JAMeS BOND is still the man.

While we won’t see 007 tackling his latest mission until Nov. 9, when Skyfall hits theaters in the U.S., film critics are already releasing early rave reviews of the flick, saying viewers will be in for a treat.

“Dramatically gripping while still brandishing a droll undercurrent of humor, this beautifully made film will certainly be embraced as one of the best Bonds by loyal fans worldwide and leaves you wanting the next one to turn up sooner than four years from now,” hollywood Reporter’s Todd McCarthy wrote.

And that was just the beginning of the positive reviews pouring in for the highly anticipated action

movie.

“Putting the‘intelligence’ in MI6, Skyfall reps a smart, savvy and incredibly satisfying addition to the 007 oeuvre, one that places Judi Dench’s M at the center of the action. It’s taken 23 films and 50 years to get Bond’s backstory, but the wait was worth it,” Variety’s Peter Debruge wrote.

“Bond is back and he’s more dangerous than ever,” the Daily Mail’s Baz Bamigboy went on.

“Daniel Craig is simply extraordinary,” GQ U.K.’s Andy Morris said. “This may be the most fallible, human and downright believable Bond we’ve seen on screen.”

“I suspect Skyfall will be a stratospheric hit,” The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin wrote.

The Guardian’s film critic Xan Brooks wasn’t exactly the biggest Skyfall fan, saying the film “falls prey to a common failing of many 50th birthday bashes,” but he did say Craig made for a “splendidly authoritative Bond.”

Skyfall marks the 23rd installment of the Bond franchise.

Royal red carpet: Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles attend Skyfall’s London premiere YeS, even the Prince of Wales enjoys an action-packed Bond flick.

The London premiere of Skyfall became a royal event today when Prince Charles showed up alongside his wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, at the iconic Royal Albert hall.

Both looked dressed to impress, with Charles strutting a tailored and classic black-and-white

tux, while Camilla displayed elegance in a long-sleeved royal purple (how fitting) gown with a dazzling diamond necklace.

But they weren’t just there to get an advanced screening of one of the year’s most anticipated films, and look good while doing it.

The Prince of Wales requested that the premiere benefit charities that support former and

serving members of three intelligence agencies: the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and the UK Government Communications headquarters (GChQ), of which he is the Royal Patron.

Prince Charles and his lady were also seen enjoying the company of the film’s leading stars, Daniel Craig and Judi Dench.

Skyfall hits theaters Nov. 9.

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EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

FOOD eNTeRTAINMeNT

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Partying with Pinoy favorites . . . Kakanin style!

THE last time I craved for corn, I was given a corn on a cup with melted butter and cheese powder from one of the stalls in the mall.

It was satisfying enough to get me though my craving but it lacks the whole corn experience I was yearning for.

A corn pudding. That was what I was looking for.

With nothing but westernized desserts in the mall, it was hard to find one of my many favorites, a localized corn pudding in a corn husk. Yes, Cebuanos have it sold in the streets and my aunt would whip some of it whenever she can.

Thus, the creative and experimental in me thought of coming up with my own CORN PUDDING recipe. Just because I cannot find some young corn husks, I opted to serve it in a bowl.

Ingredients: 2 cups fresh scraped young corn or canned fresh corn ¾ cup scraped young buko 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 egg yolks 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter 2 tbsp pure vanilla extract Procedure: In a bowl, mix all the ingredients. Prepare a cling wrapper/ foil wrapper and pour over mixture. Roll to form a long and pat log in place to have it packed.

Steam for 20 to 30 minutes until mixture settles. Chill before serving.

It Is not all the time that you get to satisfy your craving for a particular food that you want. A simple kutsinta could be bought just about anywhere but never with the right taste, texture or flavor. It would always lack a particular “kick” and “aha” moment in your palate.

Never have I imagined that making kutsinta would be as easy as

1-2-3. Here is my version of BROWN SUGAR KUTSINTA WITH RHUm. The rhum here is optional.

Ingredients: 1 cup all purpose flour, sifted 1 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon lye

1 ½ cups water 2 tablespoons rhum Procedure: mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Stir and make sure that there are no lumps. Pour over muffin cups – 1/3 full. Steam for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm. Serve with grated

cheese or as it is.

Do you want to be a part of Davao’s Thursday habit? Send me your recipes, questions, suggestions and comments and be featured. If you are interested, then email me at iamtheroyalchef@gmail. com. Happy Cooking!

SPORTS15

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 168 •THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

Harrington grabs lead at PGA Grand Slam I

RELAND’S Padraig Harrington fired a five-under par 66 on Tuesday to seize a two-stroke lead over Masters champion Bubba Watson after the opening round of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.

The four-man, 36-hole showdown for a $600,000 top prize at Bermuda’s Port Royal Golf Course was designed to feature the year’s four major champions.

But three-time major champion Harrington replaced British Open winner Ernie Els, the South African bowing out with a left ankle sprain, to become the only non-American in this year’s field.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, the PGA Championship winner, withdrew to play a European Tour event in China, being replaced by defending event champion Keegan Bradley, the 2011 PGA Championship winner.

Reigning US Open champion Webb Simpson was third on 69 with Bradley fourth on 72 entering Wednesday’s final round.

Harrington birdied the par-5 second but took a bogey at the par-3 third.

Birdies at the sixth and par-3 seventh and another to begin the back nine put

the Irishman in the lead.

Back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15 stretched Harrington’s lead and he answered a bogey at the par3 16th with a birdie at the par-5 17th.

“It was nice to get off to a good start,” Harrington said. “Hopefully I will be a little bit sharper with my wedges tomorrow and I’ll hole a few more putts.”

Harrington lost the Grand Slam in a playoff to Argentina’s Angel Cabrera in 2007 and to Jim Furyk in a 2008 playoff.

Watson led early thanks to an eagle at the par-5 seventh but he made bogeys on three of the first four holes on the back nine to stumble back to 68 at the finish.

Simpson kept pace with Watson before a bogey at 18 dropped him three adrift of Harrington while Bradley made bogey on two of the last three holes and never recovered from a double bogey at the fourth and bogeys at the fifth and sixth.

“I’ve been six shots back before with less time, so I look forward to going out tomorrow and just making a million birdies and having a good time,” Bradley said.

Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the PGA Grand Slam of Golf at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda.

‘Bakbakan sa Elorde’ highlights PHL super-bantamweight championships

B

ALLROOM boxing returns on Oct. 28 when the Elorde International Promotions presents a 72-round card, highlighted by the Philippine super-bantamweight championship fight at the D’Flash Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City.

Reigning Philippine 122-pound kingpin Jhunriel Ramonal put his super-bantamweight crown on the bloc against chal-

A

lenger Silvester Lopez in a 12-round encounter. top-billing the card dubbed as “Bakbakan Sa Elorde.”

Both the defending champion and his challenger were at the SCOOP Sa Kamayan session last Friday where they pronounced themselves ready for their showdown, a fight, incidentally between two from the opposite sides of the Zamboanga Pensinsula.

Ramonal, 23, hails

from Sindangan del Norte in Zamboanga del Norte, while Lopez is from Sibugay in Zamboanga del Sur. Another 12-round preliminary main event will feature Renan Trongco of Rizal town in Palawan, who will defend his World Boxing Council youth intercontinental light-flyweight diadem against no. 2 contender Lionel Legada of Binangonan, Rizal.

Trongco and Legada

also appeared as guests at the SCOOP session, sponsored by Powerad, AKTV and FILA, along with trainers Archer Villamor amd Romualdo Mahinay Jr. An eight-rounder between flyweights Renie Daniel of Manabo, Abra and Roy Albaera of Davao City heads the 38-round curtain raisers that also include five six rounders.

A pair of six-round special attractions rounds out the card. [pNA]

of St. Andrews (SFOSA).

The two-in-one event offers exciting golf and raffle prizes worth more than P350,000. A brand new Suzuki Swift car, two motorcycles and a laptop are the hole-in-one prizes in designated par 3s according to tournament director Frank Buno.

“Players and non-players can buy as many as raffle

tickets for the separate raffle and for more chances to win,” Buno said.

Raffle ticket donation per game is P500 while the tournament fee is P1,750 for one game.

Players can also play for a second or third game and pay only P1,400. The categories are Class A (09), B (10-16), C (17-24), D (25-32) and Senior

(55-65 yrs. Old) division.

Trophies will be awarded to all the gross and net champions per division. They will also get fabulous merchandises together with the first and second runners-up.

“If there will be more than one winner of the hole-inone prize, they will have to share it,” Buno said.

[LDR]

‘Lifeline Part 2’ raffle and golf set Oct. 26-28

fundraising golf tournament for the indigenous people and other charity projects like bloodletting is set on October 26 to 28 at the Davao City Golf Club.

The three-day event dubbed as “The Lifeline Part 2” is a project of Toril Lodge 208 Foundation Inc. in cooperation with the Sports Foundation

Batang Pinoy Games Mindanao elims set Nov. 7-10 in Zambo Norte

T

HE Mindanao qualifying leg of the Philippine Olympic Commission-Philippine Sports Commission (POCPSC) Batang Pinoy Games 2012 will be held on November 7-10 in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The opening ceremonies is set on Nov. 6, said lawyer Guillermo Iroy Jr., executive director of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Dapitan City mayor Patri Bajamunde-Chan signed a memorandum of agreement on Thursday with the PSC, paving the way for the 2011 Palarong Pambansa host to feature another multi-sport event designed to discover talents for the national pool.

“We’re looking forward for another chance for the people of Dapitan to join hands by working closely for the Batang Pinoy,” said Bajamunde-Chan.

It will be the fourth regional qualifier of the talent discovery program for athletes 15 years old and below after potential national members were identified in Marikina City last month (National Capital Region leg) and in Lingayen, Pangasinan (Northern Luzon) last week.

The Batang Pinoy Games, which will culminate in a national cham-

pionship in Iloilo City on Dec. 5-8, will be having its third leg in Southern Luzon to be hosted by Calapan City, Mindoro next week.

Aside from showcasing its rich historical heritage and the hospitality of its people, Dapitan will host 10 sports—arnis, athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, lawn tennis, karatedo, taekwondo, table tennis and swimming— during the fiveday Mindanao qualifier.

“I’m sure there are many young athletes out there in Mindanao capable of someday representing the country in international tournaments.

They’re just waiting for the right time to be discovered,” said PSC chair Richie Garcia.

He said the top performers in each of the five regional qualifying legs will advance to the Iloilo national finals, where the outstanding athletes get a chance to join the developmental pool preparing for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

Unlike the Northern Luzon leg in Pangasinan where the national championship for baseball and cycling were held, all of the events in the Mindanao leg will serve as qualifiers to the national finals, Garcia added.[pNA]

16 SPORTS

Serena survives injury scare

S

ERENA Williams overcame an injury scare here Tuesday during a winning start to her bid to cap a brilliant comeback season by regaining the WTA Championship title.

The Wimbledon, US Open and Olympic champion appeared to pull a gluteal muscle attempting a retrieve in the first set but played through the discomfort to win 6-4, 6-1 against Angelique Kerber, a debutant in this elite eight event.

Williams’ tenacious efforts thus earned her revenge over the improving German left-hander, who upset her in their last meeting, at Cincinnati in August, and who had her moments early on this time too.

The unofficial favou-

rite nevertheless denied that she had suffered any problems, saying: “I feel like I am moving fine, getting a lot of balls back, being really defensive, running down drop shots really easily.”

None of that sounded like Williams’ more usual bellicose approach to the game, however, and certainly there were a few minutes in the fifth and sixth games when a different outcome seemed possible.

Once she held her lower back after failing to reach a ball wide on the forehand side and then she dropped serve in that game after unaccountably hitting wide with a backhand drive from well inside the baseline.

The following game saw Kerber starting to

dictate some of the rallies, with Williams again appearing to hold her gluteal region. But her superbly rhythmic service action got her through the next game, and after holding serve again for 5-4 she summoned some adrenaline with fearsome fist pumping and yelling.

Then her standard improved, but Kerber might still have reached 5-5 had she not served a double fault on an advantage point. Williams punished that with two solid attacks which snatched her the set.

Once Williams had broken serve for 3-1 in the second set with a trademark ferocious drive volley, she managed to get on top for the first time, though her victory celebrations seemed subdued. [AFp]

Serena Williams of the US returns the ball to Angelique Kerber of Germany at the round-robin stage of the WTA Championships tennis tournament in Istanbul.

VOL.5 ISSUE 168 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2012

People walk past a billboard of Ukrainian boxing champion Vitali Klitschko and his UDAR (punch) party in the industrial city of Donetsk ahead of the October 28 par-

EDGEDAVAO

liamentary election. Ukraine’s best-known sports stars, Klitschko and the footballer Andriy Shevchenko, are both vying for power.

Sports stars shake up Ukraine election U

KRAINE’S bestknown sports stars, boxing champion Vitali Klitschko and the footballer Andriy Shevchenko, are both vying for power in Sunday’s parliamentary elections in a bid to send a shockwave through Ukrainian politics.

Heavyweight Klitschko, 41, who fought his last bout in September, leads his aptly named UDAR (punch) party which analysts see as an increasingly serious challenger to the ruling party of President Viktor Yanukovych.

Meanwhile Shevchenko, 36, stunned both his fans and commentators when he dramatically hung up his boots after

the Euro football championships this summer to become a key figure in the pro-business Ukraine Forward! party.

Their entry into the election campaign shook up Ukrainian politics, which for the past years has turned into a two-way duel between the factions of Yanukovych and his now jailed rival Yulia Tymoshenko.

According to opinion polls, UDAR could emerge as the main challenger to Yanukovych’s Regions Party in the elections, pushing the Tymoshenko-led coalition into third place with more than 15 percent of the vote.

“The voters are disappointed with the authorities, the opposition and

politicians. People need to believe in something and Klitschko has now become the hope,” said Volodymyr Fesenko, director of the Penta centre for political studies.

By contrast, the prospects for Ukraine Forward!, led by former Tymoshenko ally Natalya Korolevska, appear less rosy: polls suggest it will receive a small percentage of the vote and fail to cross the five-percent threshold into parliament.

Even these fresh faces in the rough-and-tumble world of Ukrainian politics have had to endure a degree of cynicism about their motives. Shevchenko was forced to deny allegations he was being paid for his work.