Edge Davao 5 Issue 240 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

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Serving a seamless society

Indulge

Page Page A1 A1

All aboard Orbrigado! 2013

Wow!

Borrow as much as you want: WB Describes Philippines as rising tiger

Suburbia

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

“W

Page163 Page

E can bring in as much as he wants.” This was the final statement of Philippine Development Forum (PDF) co-chairperson, Motoo Konishi, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, pertaining to the volume of funds that can be borrowed by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima from the World Bank as aid for the development of the Philippines in line with the PDF programs. Konishi was asked if the World Bank is open to increased aid for this year in line with the PDF programs, during a press conference of the PDF held at The Marco Polo Davao yesterday.

New houses for Pablo victims

FBORROW,11

Sports

Climate change

Page 13

Australia joins UN body in helping DavOr, ComVal

Thunder scorch Mavs 112-91

By Che Palicte

TEARFUL. Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte wipes his tears while offering a prayer for his departed mother, Soledad “Nanay Soling” Duterte, during her first death anniversary at the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Madapo Hills, Davao City Monday afternoon. Duterte later revealed that the misery he felt for his deceased parents, especially his mother, made him cry. Lean Daval Jr.

USTRALIA has partnered with the Climate Change Commission and the United Nations Development Programme through ‘Project Climate Twin Phoenix’ to assist the provincial governments of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley to build more accurate risk profiles of their areas and better understanding on their vulnerabilities to natural hazards by providing P12 million assistance to the two provinces so that they will be more resilient to disaster and climate change. Project Climate Twin Phoenix, first implemented in the cities of

FCLIMATE CHANGE,11

2 THE BIG NEWS

Villar buys bigger stake in SAGC

UEENSBERRY Mining and Development Corporation, the resource development company of Sen. Manny Villar, recently bought an additional 3,750,000 common shares in St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited (SAGC), a US-based mining company that is currently conducting exploration studies in Barangay King-king, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province. This brings Queensberry’s total stake in the Kingking project to 28.75 million shares, which is approximately worth US$ 5.6 million. This is excluding Villar’s earlier purchase of 30

million shares with the project’s other local partner, Nationwide D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation (Nadecor). With this purchase of additional shares in SAGC, Queensberry and Senator Villar are demonstrating their confidence in SAGC to advance the King King Project. Queensberry has not purchased additional shares or provided additional funding to the troubled Nadecor though. Two factions within the Nadecor board have been battling for control of the company since 2011. And while the Court of Appeals had already ruled in favor of the group of company

FVILLAR, 11

Int’l group names Nograles ‘outstanding congressman’

HE extraordinary performance of Davao City First District Congressman Karlo B. Nograles in the 15th Congress did not go unnoticed. Superbrands, a prestigious international branding and polling outfit, has named Nograles as one of the 20 Most Outstanding Congressmen. He is just one of the two elected congressmen from Mindanao who made it to the elite circle. The other Mindanao congressman who landed in the Top 20 list is Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City. Nograles and Rodriguez are both lawyers. Also in the Superbrands Congress honor roll are House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales and party list representative Arnel Ty. Nograles and the oth-

er awardees will be formally honored in a luncheon on February 6 at the Mandarin Oriental Manila Hotel in Makati City. Superbrands, founded by advertising executive Marcel Knobil in London in 1994, will publish a coffee table book that would feature Nograles and the other outstanding congressmen based on an independent polling made. In each country that Superbrands operates in, it elects a Superbrands Council usually comprised of industry experts and practitioners that selects the top brands and personalities under various categories. Only in his first term as congressman, Nograles was elected in the 15th Congress as House assistant majority leader. He is the son of former Speaker Prospero Nograles, the first and only Mindanao

MOU. Davao Oriental Gov. Corazon N. Malanyaon (center) and Compostela Valley Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya (2nd from right) representing Gov. Arturo T. Uy show the signed Memorandum of Understanding to seal a partnership on enabling Regions 10 and 11 to cope with climate change with Luiza Carvalho, resident representative of United Nations Development Pro-

FINT’L, 11

VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

COMMENDED. President Benigno Samuel C. Aquino III graces the Philippine Development Forum at the Marco Polo Davao yesterday. During his speech, Aquino commended the efficient-performing agencies of the government specifically the Depart-

EDGEDAVAO

ment of Public Works and Highway, once the ultimate den of corruption, which saved P12 billion as a result of conscientious and honest work. Lean Daval Jr.

Thai ambassador to promote Davao to traders back home

HAI Ambassador to the Philippines Prasas Prasasvinitchai said he will convince businessmen and investors back home to locate their business ventures in the Davao Region. The Thai ambassador made the statement after officials of Davao City, Compostela Valley and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. made presentations on investment potentials during a dinner with the diplomat at the Waterfront Insular Davao Hotel last Sunday night. The presentations were made by Davao City Investment Promotion Center chief Jason Mag-

gramme (left), Australian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Bill Tweddell (2nd from left), Sec. Mary Ann Lucille Sering of Climate Change Commission (beside Gov. Malanyaon) and Toshihiro Tanaka, country director of United Nations Development Programme at the Marco Polo Davao Monday night. Lean Daval Jr.

naye, Compostela Valley Gov. Arthur Uy, and DCCCII executive director Anne Abundo. Ambassador Prasas said Thailand has a multi-billion company engaged in waste management technology, but there are other firms that would be interested to get involved in other big ticket investors. He advised Mindanao to always see to it that there is enough power supply for industries and business establishments who would locate in the region. Power blackouts turn off investors, the diplomat said. The ambassador also said that the disaster caused by super typhoon Pablo in Compostela

Valley and Davao Oriental reminded him of the tremendous loss of lives and damage to property and crops by super cyclone Nargis in Myanmar when he was assigned there as Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Thailand based in Thai capital city of Yangon in 2008. He said 138,000 people died in the disaster with damage placed 10 billion US dollars. Cyclone Nargis was the second deadliest named cyclone of all time, the first being typhoon Nina which hit China in 1975 with fatalities reaching 129,000 people. After viewing the audio visual production of the Pablo destruction by Governor Uy, the am-

bassador said he was impressed by the spirit shown by Comvalenyos in their willingness to rebuild their lives. He said he witnessed the same thing happened in Myanmar which is now enjoying a tourism boom after it was rebuilt by the people. Other Dabawenyos who attended the dinner included DCCCII president Daniel Lim and other chamber officers Antonio dela Cruz, John Gaisano and Antonio Ajero. Commissioner Salem Demuna of the National Muslim Commission who knew the Thai ambassador for sometime now headed the Philippine delegation in the

to Juan de la Cruz unless it translates into more jobs, higher pay, and an over-all improvement in the quality of his life. “If the country’s economy performed ‘beyond expectations,’ why then did we have more unemployed Filipinos last year?” the young lawmaker asked. The San Juan solon pointed out the results of the October 2012 La-

bor Force Survey which revealed that 2.76 million Filipinos are unemployed. The survey showed that some 120,000 additional Filipino workers joined the ranks of the unemployed last year. The country’s unemployment rate went up despite the fact that prior to the release of the survey, the Philip-

JV Ejercito Estrada:

Growth meaningless if millions still poor

AN Juan Rep. JV Ejercito Estrada reminded the Aquino administration that its “economic gains” may be meaningless if it will not be able to improve the lives of Filipinos and lift millions out of poverty. Ejercito Estrada said the 6.6-percent economic growth posted by the Philippines last year will not mean anything

FJV Ejercito Estrada, 11

3 Construction of dialysis center in GenSan starts SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 240 •WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

HE General Santos City local government has started the ground works for its modern hemodialysis center that it planned to open before yearend at the city hospital complex. Dr. Benjamin Pagarigan, city hospital chief, said the local government has allocated an initial P10 million for the construction and development of the hemodialysis center, which is supported by the Department of Health (DOH). He said the construction of the center is part of the city government’s ongoing expansion and upgrading of the city hospital’s facilities and services. “It will mainly feature the latest hemodialysis equipment and will offer quality and affordable services,” he said. The official said they are currently finalizing the facility’s administrative and operational systems as well as the proposed rates for its services. The local government had initially set a service fee of P700 per hemodialysis session but he said

they are still assessing whether such rate would be enough to sustain the facility’s operations. Jose Orlando Acharon, executive assistant of the city mayor’s office, earlier said the facility will start operating with 15 hemodialysis units. He said the city government is planning to operate the facility through a public-private partnership or PPP scheme. Based on the proposed dialysis center’s initial plans and specifications approved by the Sangguaniang Panlungsod in April last year, Acharon said the city government will shoulder the construction of the building, water and power supply as counterpart. He said the local government’s total project counterpart was estimated to cost around P12.3 million, which would be sourced from the city fund and trust fund. Acharon said the project’s partner will provide the required personnel, the acquisition of the dialysis machines and the facility’s maintenance. Dr. Romulo Busuego, DOH Assistant Secretary

for Mindanao operations, lauded the city government for embarking on such “challenging facility.” “This will be the only hemodialysis facility (in Mindanao) that is owned by a local government unit,” he said during its recent launching.

Busuego said the DOH will assist the development of the hemodialysis center as well as the other expansion plans of the city hospital. The city hospital, which was adopted by the local government as an economic enterprise, has

been undergoing major improvements in the last two years through a grant from the DOH’s health facilities enhancement program. Earlier this year, the city government unveiled the hospital’s newly-completed emergency room

and outpatient department building. The city hospital, which was previously known as city district hospital, has recently completed the computerization of its entire operations. [Allen V. Estabillo/ MindaNews]

HE national government has approved an additional grant of P93 million to South Cotabato province to fund the energization this year of several remote communities in Lake Sebu town. South Cotabato (2nd District) Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said she was informed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that it has endorsed the funding and implementation this year of the proposed electrification projects in 30 sitios of Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu. She said the projects would be implemented under the national government’s expanded Sitio Electrification Program (SEP). “This is on top of the P40 million that was ear-

marked for the province this year for sitio electrification,” Fuentes said. She said the P93-million grant for Barangay Ned’s electrification will be sourced from the government’s 2012 savings while the P40 million will come from the area’s regular electrification allotment for this year. Fuentes earlier said the project involves the installation of transmission lines that will connect Barangay Ned to the province’s power grid. She said it also covers the installation of power lines within the project area and in the identified household-beneficiaries. The project would be implemented by power distribution utility South Cotabato I Electric Cooperative, which handles the

province’s electrification projects under the SEP. The national government had tapped local electric cooperatives as the main implementers of SEP, with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) as supervising agencies. Last year, NEA allocated a total of P6.27 billion for the implementation of SEP, with P3.7 billion coming from its 2012 budget and P2.57 billion from the national government. Fuentes said they had identified Barangay Ned as priority beneficiary for the SEP to complement with the ongoing implementation of various development projects in the area. Barangay Ned is the biggest barangay in the

municipality of Lake Sebu with a total land area of 21,246.27 hectares or approximately 46 percent of the entire town. The village, which hosts several coal mining projects and agribusiness production areas, has remained without electricity due to its inaccessibility and distance to the power transmission lines. The remote location and inaccessibility of the barangay has hampered the development of infrastructure and delivery of services. A number of diesel-powered generator sets were operating in some parts of the area but they only serve around 100 households and were considered unstable due to the rising cost of fuel. [PNA]

OLICE officials in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has assured that there are efforts to prevent any spill over to other areas of the on-going skirmishes between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Abu Sayyaf (ASG) bandits in the town of Patikul in Sulu. “The fighting between MNLF and Abu Sayyaf is confined to a hinterland area and far from res-

idential areas,” Senior Supt. Noel delos Reyes, ARMM police regional director, told reporters here. Quoting a report from Senior Supt. Antonio Freyra, Sulu police provincial director, Delos Reyes said at least 20 people from both the MNLF and ASG have been killed following the fighting which started Saturday night. Acting Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman

also ordered all mayors in the island province to help prevent the spread of hostilities to other communities. The hostilities started Saturday, when MNLF members, led by Ustadz Habier Malik, tried to rescue Jordanian TV reporter Baker Atyani from his Abu Sayyaf captors. Earlier, Malik and the kidnappers have agreed to turn over the two Filipino TV crews who accompanied the Jordanian

reporter to the MNLF. Instead, ASG handed over the two to other groups that angered Malik. Following the firefight, several families have fled to safer grounds for fear the conflict might escalate. Hataman said Governor Sakur Tan has directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to attend to the needs of displaced families. [PNA]

WO provinces in Central Mindanao have been included in the nationwide “Sikat Saka” program of the Department of Agriculture (DA). In a statement, DA-12 Regional Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala has ordered the inclusion of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat because the two provinces are among the top 20 rice producing provinces in the country. The program was first introduced in four pilot areas that included North Cotabato, Nueva Ecija, Iloilo and Isabela. DA has spent P400 million for the project in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines. “Sikat Saka” is an agricultural credit assistance program of DA and Land Bank to help small time farmers come up with bigger production to sustain rice sufficiency in the country. The inclusion of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat was a good news for rice farmers who will have additional farm inputs to increase productivity, Director Datukan said. Under “Sikat Saka” program, farmers will receive an assistance of P42,000 per hectare per cropping for hybrid rice and P37,000 for inbred rice production. “Take this opportunity, the Department of Agricul-

ture is generous because it wanted to help farmers,” Datukan told farmers in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. “Through this loan assistance, farmers will be comfortable waiting for harvest season because they have stand by funds to use for more production,” Datukan added. She explained that “Sikat Saka” is among the initiatives of the government to attain rice sufficiency this year and to be able to export rice to other countries in 2014. Aside from Land Bank, DA is in partnership with Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Food Authority (NFA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), National Agri-Business Corporation (NABCOR), at Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). ACPC is responsible for fund releases and program evaluation while NIA ensures irrigators’ association would become credit consolidators or conduits. NFA and NABCOR, on the other hand, will ensure steady market for rice produced by farmers. ATI is responsible for financial and credit management training for Sikat Saka beneficiaries to ensure farmers use the loaned money for rice productivity and not for non agricultural related projects. [PNA]

ROUND-THE-CLOCK. Workers from the local government of Compostela Valley province construct bunkhouses for residents who lost their homes in New Bataan town to typhoon Pablo. [MindaNews/Ruby Thursday More]

P93M for SC power projects T T

Police assures no spill over in ASG-MNLF fighting in Sulu P

‘Sikat Saka’ DA program expands to 2 more provinces in Region 12

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT C

VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Insects groom to improve their sense of smell: study

OCKROACHES groom to improve their sense of smell, scientists say. The insects are known to manipulate their antennae, the protrusions on their head which they use to sense the smells, temperature and physical layout of their environment. US researchers found that the cockroaches groom to wipe away secretions that would otherwise interfere with their sense of smell. They also identified the same behaviour in carpenter ants and houseflies. The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “The insect antenna is full of sensory structures, called sensilla, used by insects to gather information about their surroundings, which is essential for their survival,” said Dr Katalin Boroczky from the North Carolina State University, US, who authored the

study. “Sensory neurons sitting in the sensilla are the receivers of outside signals: humidity, texture of physical surfaces, taste, or smell.” Dr Boroczky observed that when cockroaches were prevented from grooming, their antennae became coated with a shiny substance. “The main function of insect grooming is thought to be the removal of foreign material from the body surface,” she explained. “In particular, it has been shown that insects can remove powdery substances and pathogens via grooming.” Analysing the substance on the cockroaches’ antennae, Dr Boroczky and colleagues discovered it was actually made up of cuticular lipids, which they describe as natural waxy secretions that regulate water loss in the insects. Wax off To understand the ef-

Cockroaches like to keep their antennae clean

fects of the grooming behaviour, they compared groomed and ungroomed antennae. They found that ungroomed antennae accumulated nearly four times the amount of lipids that

groomed antennae did. Ungroomed antennae were also found to be less responsive to aromas and sex pheromones. “A male American cockroach... has thousands of sensilla on each anten-

na, some of which house neurons that detect airborne compounds, such as the female-produced sex pheromone or odour molecules from the environment,” she said. Using an electron

microscope to investigate further, Dr Boroczky found that the substance covered the pores on the antennae which connected with these essential smell-receptor cells. [BBCNature]

HE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is reviewing government’s remediation policy to help further promote responsible mining nationwide. “It’s among things we’re looking at following the mine tailings spill incident in Padcal last year,” said MGB Dir. Leo Jasareno. He noted that the review will help generate inputs for policy amendments needed to better protect areas affected by mining operations. “We expect such policy changes within this year,” he said. Authorities earlier reported an estimated 20.69 million tons of mine tailings leaked into the environment from Philex Mining Corporation’s copper mining site in Padcal municipality, Benguet province. Tailings are residue materials from the process of separating valuable and non-valuable fractions of ore. Jasareno assured MGB ‘s preparedness to look into environment-friendly remediation interventions that can help remove contaminants in mining-affected areas. “We’re open to technologies for such purpose,” he said. MGB earlier imposed on Philex a P1.03 billion penalty for the Aug. 1, 2012 Padcal tailings spill incident. Authorities computed

such penalty based on government’s fine of P50 per metric ton of mine tailings found to have discharged into areas outside the approved disposal site for such waste. “That penalty is intended for payment of claims by private parties for damages incurred from the tailings spill,” Jasareno said. MGB required Philex to pay its penalty by Feb. 19 this year. Farmers, fisherfolk and other private parties affected by the tailings spill are entitled to file their respective damage claims, Jasareno continued. He noted that MGB will assess compensation due and draw the corresponding amount from Philex’ penalty payment. To help boost government’s bid for responsible mining, Jasareno said MGB already commenced reviewing mining monitoring protocols. “In Philex, for instance, we observed monitoring’s done once a year only - it could be a problem,” he said. He noted MGB might require Philex to increase frequency of monitoring its operations. Last month, MGB rejected Philex’ motion for reconsideration of its penalty from the Padcal incident. Jasareno justified the rejection, noting MGB’s investigation showed negligence caused the incident and not ‘force majeur’ as claimed by Philex. [PNA]

eyes enhancing Climate change, risk reduction Gov’t mining remediation high on RDR’s next agenda T

AVAO del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario this early is now hatching up another strategic direction that would guide him through his last term, taking into consideration the current realities of climate change, disaster risk reduction, and globalization. Buoyed by the gains of his human-centered development agenda P.E.O.P.L.E., the governor is bent on facing the daunting task of resuscitating the development momentum of the province that was marred by the successive onslaught of calamities,

which brought multi-billion loses to crops and infrastructures. Del Rosario hinted his final term of office would be dedicated to carefully placing vital mechanisms that would protect the development strides of the province from the harmful impact of catastrophes. The second-termer governor, who is running unopposed in the May 2013 elections, earlier revealed he is capping his illustrious three-decade career in public service after serving his final mandate. At the recent 2012 year-end operations re-

view of the provincial government, here, the local chief executive paid tribute to the heads of the various offices of the Capitol for delivering the success of his P.E.O.P.L.E strategy in 2012. The accomplishments of the province include the triumph of the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development, which served the frontline services of the Capitol to over 60,000 indigents in 30 depressed barangays, in partnership with the army, police, and other agencies. Other achievements include the construction of the P243-million Davao

del Norte Sports and Cultural Center that now allows the province to host local and national sporting events, while promoting the well-being of the . The province also facilitated the release of some P239-million worth of rural infrastructure projects to qualified local government units under the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) in increasing 60.25 kilometers of road lengths and 69 linear meters of bridges, as well as, significantly cutting production cost by as much as 85 percent. [Noel Baguio]

Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario congratulates the capitol department heads for the success of his P.E.O.P.L.E. agenda, at the recent 2012 year-end operations review of the provincial government in Davao City. [Romulo Tagalo]

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 240 •WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

THE ECONOMY

Villar sponsors committee report on toys safe labeling

EN. Manny Villar yesterday asked the Senate to approve the committee report on the bill mandating proper labeling of toys. Senate Bill 3367 under Committee Report 525 or the Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act requires the proper labeling of toys to protect children against toy-related injuries or even death. Toys or games not in compliance with the requirements of this act will be considered as misbranded or banned hazardous substance and will be withdrawn from the market at the expense of the manufacturer. Villar, chairman of the Committee on Trade and Commerce, said small components present in some toys, such as magnets, screws or buttons, and the ties, styrofoams, and polystyrene beads that new toys come in with, put children in harm’s way. “Choking and ingestion are the most common

types of toy-related injuries, because children have a habit of putting toys in their mouths,” he added. He also noted the danger of suffocation posed by toy packaging like plastic bags or bubble wraps. Injury or death may also result when a child accidentally inhales a whole, or even a fragment of a latex balloon. “Child safety is largely dependent on parents. We hope that through this bill, parents will gain an increased awareness not only about the child-friendly features of toys, but toy safety in general,” Villar said. Villar said 33.4 percent of the population comprise the 0-14 age group, the same group that is inevitably exposed to toys. Under the bill, the use of cautionary warning such as “Warning: Choking Hazard” on the packaging of toys with potentially hazardous contents is required. Failure to put warning

LUCKY CHARMS. A woman chooses “lucky” bracelets from a wide array of Chinese lucky charms on display in one of the malls along J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City yesterday. Fil-Chinese communities in Davao City and in other parts of the country are busy preparing for their most anticipated and festive celebration, the Chinese New Year. Lean Daval Jr.

labels is punishable with three months to two years in prison and a fine of P10,000 to P50,000. “As government offi-

cials, it is our mandate to safeguard public health. But more than that, it is our absolute and implicit duty as parents to ensure that

our children get the best care and protection against possible health risks. The protection of our children against hazardous and tox-

ic toys is a shared responsibility of the government, toy manufacturers, retailers, civil society, and the consumers,” Villar said.

6 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO Stat Watch Alcantara-led coal plant construction in Sarangani Province gains ground VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

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

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

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

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

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

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

8. Interest Rates 4/

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

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

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

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

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

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

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

ONSTRUCTION of the Alcantara-led 210-megawatt coal-fired power plant near a world-class scuba diving spot is set to go full blast, a company official said. Last week, at least a thousand protesters trooped to nearby Maasim, Sarangani to express their opposition to the $450-million power plant project, which the proponent, Sarangani Energy Corp., boasted will ease the supply shortfall in the area. Oscar Benedict Contreras III, Alsons Power Business Unit manager for communications and stakeholder relations, said Sarangani Energy, a subsidiary of Alsons Consolidated Resources (ACR), will turn over the site Friday to the contractor for the start of construction works. Last year, South Korean firm Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd was awarded the contract to build the coal-power plant, which is BACK-BREAKING. A market porter is seen carrying a sack of carrots on Public Market in Bankerohan, Davao City yesterday. Portering service is a opposed by various local sectors his back just to earn a couple of bucks at the bagsakan area of Bankerohan back-breaking task which is a usual sight in Davao City’s public markets. on concerns over human health should be opposed because Sarangani Energy had ac- Jr., ACR chief financial officer, and the environment. “Mobilization for civil works it will supposedly add to and quired an environmental com- said in an earlier statement. The rest would be through has already begun and some worsen the changing climate pliance certificate in 2009 from condition in the area. the Department of Environment bank financing. heavy equipment is already at He also claimed that the and Natural Resources. In December, Sarangani Enthe site,” Contreras told MindaNpower plant project would not Last December, Japanese ergy announced that they have ews. He said that they have also bring down electricity rates, trading firm Toyota Tsusho obtained a P9.3 billion syndistarted the pre-screening of la- contrary to what the company Corp. acquired 25 percent of cated loan to finance the first Sarangani Energy through an phase. borers from the locality for the has been saying. Instead of pushing for coal agreement with ACR. ConstrucIt sealed the loan agreement site clearing operations, which power plants, Lariba said the tion of the power plant would with a consortium of local banks gained ground last week. The contractor will make government should encour- be in two phases, with the first comprised of BDO Universal the final selection of 110 initial age investments in environ- involving 105 MW at a cost of Bank (BDO), Asia United Bank (AUB), Rizal Commercial Bankworkers for the site clearing opment-friendly power sources $310 million. like hydro, solar and wind. Thirty percent of the project ing Corp. (RCBC), United Cocoerations, Contreras said. Contreras said they respect cost, which will be spent over nut Planters Bank, Philippine Criticizing the project, Ryan Lariba, spokesperson of the the views of those opposing the the next three years of construc- Business Bank, Planters DevelBayan-Soccsksargen, said in project, adding that they have tion, will come from equity to be opment Bank, and Robinsons a statement that the project been engaging “all stakehold- infused by ACR and Toyota Tsu- Bank. [Bong S. Sarmiento/Miners” in dialogues. sho on a 75:25 basis, Luis Ymson daNews]

Security Bank earns P7.5-billion net income and 22% return on equity

ECURITY Bank Corporation (PSE: SECB) released its unaudited 2012 full year results which show an all-time high net income of P7.5 billion and a return on equity of 22%. Customer loans grew by 30% to P119.6 billion while deposits increased by 19% to P142.4 billion as of yearend 2012. This translated to an 8% increase in net interest income despite the adverse interest rate pressure coming from prevailing low interest rate, the monetary easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the removal of interest paid on reserve requirements, and sale of securities by the bank. As a result, the net interest margin

in 2012 was 3.94%, slightly lower than the 4.08% in 2011. Non-interest income increased by 44% mainly due to higher trading gains on securities as well as fee-based income. The cost-to-income ratio was 43.2%, higher than the 36.9% reported in 2011 as the bank embarked on branch expansion. The bank ended the year with total assets of P259.5 billion for a 21% growth rate on the back of strong macroeconomic fundamentals. The return on assets was 3.3%. Earnings per share increased by 11% to P14.84 while the book value per share increased by 21% to P73.28 as of year-end

2012. Security Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Alberto S. Villarosa said: “We are pleased to achieve our financial and business results amidst increased competition even while we are investing to increase our branch network and customer coverage capabilities during this period of economic growth.” The bank opened 34 new branches and ended 2012 with a network of 208 branches for both Security Bank and Security Bank Savings (formerly Premiere Development Bank which Security Bank acquired in February 2012). Security Bank Chief Finan-

cial Officer Mr. Joselito E. Mape said: “Our non-performing loan (NPL) ratio remained low at 1% while reserve cover was 213%. Our capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 16.3% and tier 1 CAR of 14.7% reflect the higher loans and short-term treasury portfolio as of year-end 2012.” Prestigious international financial publication The Banker of the Financial Times of London awarded Security Bank with the “Bank of the Year” of the Philippines in 2012 in awards ceremonies in November 2012 in London. In October 2012, The Asian Banker named Security Bank as the “Strongest Bank in the Philippines” in 2012.

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/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 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 12:55 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 09:05 13:25 14:05

Silk Air Mon/Sat Silk Air Wed/Sun Silk Air Thurs 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

MI588 / MI588 MI566 / MI566 MI551 / MI551 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 18:55 15:45 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 Davao-Singapore 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

13:35 15:20 12:05 15:30 16:45 17:05 17:45 18:20 19:10 20:30 21:00 21:00 21:50 22:50

ICT HUB

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 240 •WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013 Samsung boosts research

AMSUNG announced Monday it was pumping more money into research and venture capital funding efforts that will be led by a new hub for the South Korean giant in Silicon Valley. The electronics giant said it was launching a $100 million “catalyst fund” that will augment its $1 billion Samsung Ventures America Fund and “fuel innovative technologies and business models through all stages of business.” The company also said it will be launching its new Samsung Strategy and Innovation Center in Menlo Park, California, with additional offices in South Korea and Israel. It will be headed by Young Sohn, the company’s president and chief strategy officer of device solutions. The move by the world’s largest technology firm by revenue and top smartphone maker comes as it ramps up its battle in the United States against California-based Apple, with the two firms embroiled in bitter legal battles. Samsung has been ordered to pay Apple $1 billion for patent infringement but is appealing the verdict. Samsung said the new drive would “create a powerful platform for igniting global innovation” and

was part of an effort “to create new businesses and build open ecosystems through research and development, investments, strategic alliances, and M&A (mergers and acquisitions).” Sohn said the company sees “tremendous opportunities and transformations over the next five years driven by big data centered around mobility, cloud, and the Internet of Things, and Samsung will be a significant part of this revolution.” He added that the new initiative offers “an exciting opportunity for us to engage with entrepreneurs and innovators and empower them to leverage Samsung’s technology and global brand presence to bring our collective visions to market.” The $100 million catalyst fund will be launched later in 2013 with a competition, SamsungCreate Challenge, offering artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and others a chance to submit ideas for Samsung’s devices. The contest will award $10 million in seed investments for winners and will offer additional support from Samsung. With the new venture capital, Samsung is expected to substantially boost its presence and partnerships in the US markets. [AFP]

Coming soon to Facebook: More action, battle games W

HEN nWay began a trial of its dark, sci-fi combat game “ChronoBlade” on Facebook last year, the San Francisco-based startup felt sure it had a hit on its hands. “First of all, what comes is, ‘Wow, I had no idea you could actually do a game of this quality on Facebook,’” said Dave Jones, Chief Creative Officer of nWay, who has worked on “Grand Theft Auto.” Then came some resistance: Jones admits some potential investors and partners questioned how an action-focused game with slick graphics can play to a Facebook audience more accustomed to “Farmville” and other less time-consuming casual games. Others wondered how the game -- which launches this spring -would gain significant users and revenue on the social network. But Facebook Inc is betting nWay and a clutch of other developers this year can extend console-style action games beyond Microsoft Corp’s Xbox or Sony Corp’s PlayStation onto the world’s largest social network. Facebook is spearheading the launch of 10 high-quality games created by third-party develop-

The loading screen of the Facebook application on a mobile phone is seen in this photo illustration taken in Lavigny May 16, 2012. [REUTERS]

ers in 2013 that squarely target so-called hardcore gamers, an atypical audience overlooked thus far against the wealth of family-friendly offerings like Zynga Inc’s “Farmville” that now dominate the social network’s gaming landscape. The effort, which began late last year but will accelerate in 2013, is part of Facebook’s ongoing objective of making sure its 1 billion-plus users log in and spend more time on the network, which in turn boosts ad revenue. Facebook also takes a cut of its applications’ revenue.

Facebook’s push into action and battle games follows a meeting in January between companies that make games like “first-person shooters” and Vice President Joe Biden to look for ways to curb gun violence in the wake of the Connecticut school shootings. Based on the console gaming industry experience, hardcore gamers -- typically men 18 to 30 years old -- spend more time and effort to master fast-paced games such as first-person shooters (Microsoft’s “Halo”) or real-time strategy games

(Activision Blizzard’s “StarCraft”). “You’ll see a whole set of games hitting in the next two quarters in particular and throughout the year that really start to redefine what people think of Facebook games,” Sean Ryan, head of game partnerships at Facebook said in an interview. Facebook will embrace games from “casual all the way up through first-person shooters, massively multiplayer online games, real-time strategy games - all those types of more core player-versus-player games.” [Reuters]

WITTER said Friday it was hammered by a “sophisticated” cyber attack similar to those that recently hit major Western news outlets, and that the passwords of about 250,000 users were stolen. “This attack was not the work of amateurs, and we do not believe it was an isolated incident,” Twitter information security director Bob Lord said in a blog post. Lord referred to an “uptick in large-scale security attacks aimed at US technology and media companies” as he told of Twitter detecting attempts this week to get unauthorized access to data in the firm’s network. The attack coincided with the revelation of several high-profile security breaches. The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal said this week that they had been hacked, and pointed to attackers from China. Twitter did not confirm the source of the intrusion. But Lord noted that “the attackers were extremely sophisticated, and we believe other companies and organizations have also been recently similarly attacked.”

He said that Twitter shut down a live attack as it was in process. But cyber attackers may have gotten usernames, email addresses, passwords and other data. As a precaution, Twitter invalidated passwords of accounts at issue and sent people email messages telling them to create new passwords. Twitter announced in December that the number of active users of the service had topped 200 million, in a sign of soaring growth. The one-to-many messaging platform is a popular tool used by people around the world to share thoughts, views and news in real time, typically from mobile phones and sometimes in the heart of protests or upheaval. It was unknown whether the cyberattack on San Francisco-based Twitter was related to high-powered hacker assaults on the Times and the Journal. The recent series of brazen cyberattacks on America’s most high-profile media outlets has revived concerns over Chinese hackers, who analysts say are likely linked to the secretive Beijing government. [AFP]

New BlackBerry scalped online Hackers target Twitter T T HOUGH yet to be launched in North America, BlackBerry’s new smartphones were already for sale online Friday, stirring bidding frenzies. Sellers claimed they ob-

New BlackBerry scalped online

tained the sleek new handsets at launch events in New York, Toronto, Dubai, London and Johannesburg. Journalists and analysts who attended the events were given a BlackBerry Z10, which retails for $599.

On online auction website eBay bids soared to $3,000 for two “very rare” white Z10 devices, according to the British seller. Another from New York was listed at $1,775. Most of them however went for

about $1,100. The Z10 devices began selling in Britain on Thursday and will launch in Canada on February 5, but won’t be available until mid-March in the key US market. [AFP]

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Fighting for honor… and blood THE PHILSOUTH LINE

EDITORIAL

Whose war?

N yesterday’s headline story of Edge Davao, Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director, was quoted to have said that the DCPO would wage war against those engaged in the illegal drugs trade. Those who saw or listened to him while being interviewed by a television anchorperson, know that the “war” he was talking about was actually a promise he would fulfill if the city’s barangay captains start their own anti-illegal drugs campaign. Actually , the more ideal setup is for the city police to be always on war footing against those involved in the illegal trade, the war that Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte had always waged from Day One of his

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reign as mayor of this city for two decades. Dela Rosa would be better off if he wages his own war now without waiting for the barangay heads to start their own. This war should, likewise, target barangay captains themselves who are suspected to have links with drug pushers and syndicates, or are allowing this illegal activity to continue unmolested in their turfs. In waging the campaign, the DCPO chief will always get the backing of Vice Mayor Rody, the local branch of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, incumbent City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio and, of course, Dabawenyos who have always been very supportive of past “wars” against illegal drugs. How about it, Mr. dela Rosa? ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

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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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BY FRENCIE CARREON

T is a tragic time in some areas in Sulu, among warring groups of the Moro National Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf Group and their families, as the former seek vengeance over the merciless beheading by the ASG of five MNLF fighters and the murder of two others. At the borders of the municipalities and affected zones, deployed police and military troops can just stand by and be on guard for the defense against civilians within the mountainous areas of Patikul. Sunday seemed a long day—calls for inquiry, verification, confirmation—and the release of the two television crew men of Al-Arabiya TV Southeast Asia Bureau was good news enough, too overwhelming for media to realize that back in the outskirts of Patikul town in Sulu, two groups of heavily armed Tausugs—some very young and able-bodied enough to work for productive living—were fighting against one another for honor, and for blood. For once, I reported on a conflict that could not let me quote a Philippine military or police officer. And somehow, MNLF insiders gave valuable information that also required them to request me to shield their identities. Since Friday morning, community folk have been most helpful in sharing information to this Mindanao journalist who could not even flag an ID card from a distinguished TV network or national daily. And after the long wait, patience paid off. Somewhere in this armed conflict, the name of Baker Atyani, the Jordanian journalist and bureau chief of Al-Arabiya Southeast Asia who had earlier interviewed Al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden, just had to come up. And it did. MNLF fighters and ASG elements were, and still are, after each other’s throats over the custody of Atyani, and over the alleged ransom money of ten million pesos, paid for the release of the two media workers. Somehow, no official in the police and the military could confirm or deny the alleged payment. The police merely picked up the freed victims Ramil Vela and Rolando Letrero, from ANR Hotel in downtown Jolo, following a call by Vela’s wife Nina to the Anti-Kidnapping Group on Saturday evening. MNLF Commander Dr. Sammy Adju, whom I interviewed in Patikul, did say that when they organized the MNLF, “Dugo ang puhunan namin. (We invested with our own blood.)” But of course, that was not meant literally but figuratively. Every MNLF warrior is just too ready to give up his life for his desire for reforms, and for the emancipation of his honor, and his people’s honor. So do the followers of MNLF founder Prof. Nurullaji Misuari. As the conflict rages on as of press time, the Philippine Red Cross and the Integrated Provincial Hospital in Sulu are appealing for blood supply, with several wounded victims needing treatment. And one wonders, with the ASG nowhere to be appeased nor threatened by reportedly huge MNLF numbers, how many more lives must be lost in Patikul, Sulu? [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Frencie Carreon is editor in chief of the PhilSouth Angle in Zamboanga City]

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

Enough said

immigration, guns

( 1st of two parts)

(Today I start my column with a new title. From HERSTORY, it’s now called MY SCENE, reflecting my take of events, issues, or subjects that I choose to write about. Hope you’ll be part of my scene from now on. - adi_quisido@yahoo.com)

am a Generation X (born 1966 to 1976). Finding myself between the generation of baby boomers (born 1946-1965) and Generation Y (1977- 1994), I experienced glaring differences between these generations, including mine. I don’t intend to discuss lengthily the traits and characteristics of each generation; rather, I will share my take of some sad generational differences presented to me in actual experience. Attending mass in a mall on a recent Sunday, I chanced on an elderly man in his wheelchair listening attentively to the priest. His family could not bring him nearer the altar as the place was already packed, and the back was also filled with people on their feet. So he settled to listening but not seeing the priest, sitting hunched and looking a little lost in his wheelchair amid the crowd that milled around him and who paid little or no attention to him. I knew the younger people standing in front of this gentleman knew he was there, for they had seen him when they glanced around them during their restless

moments; you know, those times when people show they are physically present but are mentally elsewhere. This group of Gen Y individuals, in their mid-20’s, could have shown a little consideration for this elderly gentleman by moving to the side to give him some air and a better view of the altar. But no, they chose to ignore him. Call it old school if you will, but I would be beside myself if I don’t take extra effort to show respect to anyone older than me. It’s not so much what we say to them than how we treat and regard them that matters most. We do hear ‘po’ or ‘ho’ from the younger people, but in many cases, these are only lip service. I’ve seen enough of that to know it when I see it. A Gen Y had opined to me in the past, “Why should I show respect to those older than me, when they have not earned it.” I shivered when I heard this. Sometimes the cockiness of some young people is so out of line, one wonders what values they grew up with.

I believe the fact that baby boomers (and those that they preceded) have been in this world longer than us, our respect is the least that they deserve. They survived a world war and the strife that came with it. If you ask me, that’s enough said. In yet another scenario, this time in a supermarket, a young woman was exasperated at her mother, who looked to be in her late 50s, for not know how to manipulate her android phone. I overheard her telling her mom that she shouldn’t have bothered getting such a gadget if she didn’t know how to use it. I visualized the mother grabbing a bar of laundry soap and shoving it in her arrogant daughter’s mouth. I almost laughed to myself at the thought. Oh, please young people, technology is not exclusive to your generation. Anyone—whether they are 9 or 79—can learn to use technology if they took the time to learn. For me, it’s a matter of priority. Instead of spending all those hours tinkering the latest gadgets or exploring new internet technology, especially if there’s no need, I’d rather spend those time with my loved ones. It pays to ponder on the fact that the knowledge, experience, and skills of the older generation did not come to us through the benefit of technology. Where was it that I read, “Respect your elders; they graduated without Google”? Again, enough said.

is why the real energy of the voters will be spend proving and scrutinizing that many senatorial candidates aren’t solid or strong that they are, in fact, decadent and unreliable. Some are probably considered slick speakers but lacks the sizzle and candidness of political plain talk. It would come as no surprise that most if not all will give the same speeches - platitude for platitude, every time during the campaign sorties. Why, the voters might ask, would candidates say something so innocuous? Because they have defined themselves as either Mr. Public Service or Servant of the People therefore it implies they are fit for the senatorial posts. This would seem a matter of interest for political analysts and strategists, far more important than whether LP or UNA candidates or the independents are better positioned to occupy Senate seats. In this case, it may be the most important question of the campaign. Ask voters why they like LP or UNA candidates and more often than not perhaps you get a dime-store type of answer: “The LP can match UNA on social services, economic and infrastructure development or UNA can win against LP on neglected issues that have been the subject of popular concern such as rising crime, reform of the police and cronyism.” But these are

forms of pragmatism I suppose. And it’s an accepted fact in politics that the LP is desperate to beat UNA or the other way around in the senatorial race. It’s not even campaign period yet and the senatorial pretenders are stealthily campaigning at a pace you don’t normally see until after February 12. It is clear these guys are not only pros, but they’re also “silent operators” and they know what they are doing – politically, sighed a thoughtful observer. The political pre-campaign stage of both LP and UNA, in the guise of information drive through deceptive TV commercials had been on their toes too long. They came out too early but their respective campaign planners and strategists believe that candidates who engage early will win the race. By embarking on a fair and clean campaign, senatorial bets of LP and UNA should be able to improve the voters’ perception of their parties – especially among reluctant and doubtful constituents. The objective is to ensure voters they would elect upright and desirable members of the Senate and believe their choices should be responsible to the people and committed to achieving the aims of good governance while they are in power. But there may be another more sensitive reason that voters are restraining themselves. The choice of electing a candidate may be a matter of character, not substance or perhaps choosing one who is not blunt to playing tough, not particularly inspiring or compelling, but he or she will be a very tough one. And remember toughness is one of those intangibles that political pundits – amateur or professional, find exceedingly difficult to judge.

Getting to know the Senate bets

ACKS THE CRACKLE AND CANDOR OF POLITICAL PLAIN TALK – Next week, February 12 to be precise, senatorial candidates of the leading contending parties – the Liberal Party (LP) or Team PNoy and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) or Tatak Binay and including the independent bets make their most overt political pitch yet of the 2013 midterm electoral campaign. So at the start of the campaign every team’s crusade will boost its ranks of volunteers and surrogate campaigners. Then they’ll begin buying TV and radio airtime and newspaper space ads that political advisers and strategists say will accentuate the candidates and start out positive. “They will be unmistakably hitting and pushing hard the political accelerator,” notes a keen political observer. Though each team doesn’t plan to mention their competition by name, surely they will start drawing clear distinctions between what some political analysts call “different visions of government,” but assorted kinds of candidates. Voters have reasons to know more about the senatorial pretenders because during the pre-campaign period and during TV political talk shows the vigilant electorate already noticed that many of the aspirants are not particularly sharp and witty contenders. Moreover, the dominant parties LP and UNA “re-enlist” some undesirable and thickfaced old guards as clearly exposed in their annoying and nauseating TV infomercials. Much will revolve around choices and decisions to be made at the polling precincts by the electorate. Which

ICT HUB Seeking consensus on VANTAGE POINTS

( Conclusion) ANALYSIS BY BILL SCHNEIDER

UT that kind of anger is hard to sustain. Politicians are asking: Who’s going to be there in November 2014, almost two years from now? They know the gun lobby will be there, ready to punish waverers. Gun control supporters? They can’t be sure. That’s a big problem for six Democratic senators up for re-election in red states next year: Mark Begich (Alaska), Max Baucus (Montana), Mary Landrieu (Louisiana), Mark Pryor (Arkansas), Kay Hagan (North Carolina) and Tim Johnson (South Dakota). And maybe for three Democratic senators up in swing states: Mark Warner (Virginia), Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) and Mark Udall (Colorado). Those senators can depend on retribution from the gun lobby. Can they rely on support from anti-gun activists? That’s what’s freaking those Democrats out. The nation’s leading gun control advocate, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is putting his money where his mouth is. His super PAC is spending millions of dollars to defeat lawmakers overly loyal to the gun lobby, like Representative Joe Baca last year, a pro-gun California Democrat. But Baca, running in a redrawn district, lost to another Democrat. It is not clear whether Bloomberg will be seen as a credible threat in more conservative parts of the country. Supporters of immigration reform have to contend with anti-amnesty forces. They’re the voters who consider any path to citizenship for illegal immigrants “amnesty,” even if the process requires payment of a fine and is conditioned on improved border security. Anti-illegal immigration activists have denounced the new bipartisan Senate proposal for immigration reform as “Amnesty 2.0.” Lawmakers take those threats seriously, but anti-amnesty groups are not as powerful or as well-organized as the gun lobby is. Moreover, a number of forces have come together to build pressure for immigration reform. The border is more secure. “Yes, there’s been improvement in border security and, yes, it helps a lot,” Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) said at a press conference. Illegal immigration is down because of the slowdown in the U.S. economy, because of improvements in the Mexican economy and because of a declining Mexican birth rate (58 percent of the undocumented immigrant population in the U.S. is from Mexico, according to the Pew Hispanic Center). There is also the fact that, as the Pew Center predicts, the Latino electorate is likely to double by 2030. That has Republicans terrified. The entire country could become California, where the GOP is barely holding on. In a radio interview last week, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a Tea Party favorite, called immigration “an issue that we do need to evolve on.” In addition, major organized interests support immigration reform: immigration activists, labor, religious groups, business and farm interests. While gun control could be regarded as the passion of the moment, immigration reform has a denser network of supporters, capable of rewarding and punishing lawmakers. Republican voters are split on immigration reform. In the CBS News poll, 36 percent of Republicans want illegal immigrants deported, and 35 percent believe they should be allowed to stay and eventually apply for citizenship. Republican voters are not split on guns. By better than 3 to 1 in the Gallup poll, Republicans oppose new gun laws. Immigration reform will still be a tough fight – particularly in the House of Representatives, where conservatives oppose any citizenship option. They prefer permanent legal residence. But the president is holding firm, and Democrats are solidly behind him. Gun control looks more doubtful. The most advocates may be able to get is a law requiring background checks at gun shows. This is supported by almost 100 percent of voters in Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, according to Quinnipiac polls. Yet Democrats are still freaking out. Consider that after pushing through new gun laws in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s job approval dropped 15 points, according to Quinnipiac. Among men, it was a 20-point drop. He’s still OK (59 percent job approval). But if the gun issue can damage a Democrat in New York named Cuomo, no one is safe.

10 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS Non-committal

enator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. on Tuesday said he will let destiny decide whether or not he will push through with his presidential bid in 2016. “I do believe in destiny. Kung darating iyan, darating iyan, pero siyempre mahabang preparasyon at kailangan paghandaan,” Revilla said at a media briefing.

Peace corps

he US Navy may post “peace corpslike” volunteers to guard the Tubbataha Reef once the USS Guardian is extracted from it, President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday, adding that the volunteers would not only guard the reef but also help in its rehabilitation and ensure that there will be no sea vessel that will run aground on it. “They are not just gonna compensate us in terms of paying the necessary fines, but they are also envisioning how to assist the rehabilitation of Tubbataha to include posting parang peace corps volunteers to the area to accelerate the rehabilitation of the reef,” the president said Aquino said this was proposed by US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas during a meeting.

Challenge

he World Bank said the big number of unemployed and underemployed in the Philippines was the big challenge for the Aquino administration. “The need for good jobs-jobs that raise real wages or bring people out of poverty-is an overwhelming challenge,” Motoo Konishi, World Bank country director, told hundreds of local and international delegates to the Philippine Development Forum at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Nat’l flower

oes the Philippines really need another national flower? Senators think so as they approved on third and final reading a bill that declares the Waling-waling orchid as a national flower apart from Sampaguita Monday. Outgoing Senator Edgardo Angara, who sponsored the measure in the Senate said the bill will remind Filipinos about its natural beauty, one that is admired all over the world.

VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

Filipino consumers are S S. Asia’s ‘most optimistic’

WORLD TODAY

ILIPINO consumers are apparently the most optimistic in the whole Southeast Asia, and second most in the world, a study claims. Nielsen says Philippines’ confidence index swelled by one percent in 2012’s fourth quarter, making Filipinos Southeast Asia’s most positive-thinking consumers. “While consumers around the world struggled with increasing economic concerns, consumers in Philippines continue to have a positive outlook,” claims Stuart Jamieson, managing director of Nielsen Philippines. “This optimism can be attributed to the strong performance of the economy in 2012 which was driven by the real estate, construction, manufacturing, services, and trade sectors,” he added. Philippines, whose confidence indexed at 119, was topped only by India in the global ranking. And while a huge number of the Philippine population is unemployed, Pinoy’s optimism for “local job prospects” is among the world’s highest--of which 76 percent

People can be seen shopping at Divisoria Market in Manila. The Philippines economy will likely grow more than government forecasts this year and pick up over the next two years, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Tuesday. [AFP]

of respondents believe work opportunities are bound to be “good” or “excellent” this 2013. At least 77 percent of Pinoy poll respondents are also confident of their “personal finances”, while at least half of the total poll participants (51 percent) claimed 2012’s last quarter had been a “good time to buy things they wanted and needed over the next 12 months.” “This is an increase of five points from the previous quarter’s result and

the highest confidence registered for 2012,” Nielsen added. “Purchase of new technology products increased by one point to 35 percent, while purchase of new clothes increased by two points to 34 percent. Paying off credit cards and debt declined one point to 27 percent. Spending intentions for holidays/vacations increased by one percentage point to 28 percent, while out-of-home entertainment increased

five percentage points to 18 percent,” Nielsen also said. The number of Filipinos eyeing to save “spare cash” was however at 65 percent, a two-percent decline from the third quarter’s poll results. Nielsen claims the internet-based survey, which “measures consumer confidence, major concerns, and spending intentions” was conducted between November 10 and November 27, 2012. [Yahoo!]

The businessman, Huang Kunyi -- who was involved in a dispute with the officer -- also said Zhao used a fake identity card to record a different name on company documents, the newspaper reported. Authorities cancelled the false card after Huang’s report in 2011, it added. An official of the Communist Party’s discipline department for Lufeng told AFP Tuesday that

Zhao -- who is also the vice party secretary of a local county -- had been investigated but the inquiry was over and he retained his public offices. According to the newspaper, Zhao said the properties were owned by his younger brother, a businessman, and that he was only “managing” them for him. A separate report said Zhao or the company had 192 properties in the city of Huizhou, also in Guang-

dong, and others in the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai. The case is the latest of a series of reports involving officials owning multiple houses with different identity cards and residence permits. Gong Aiai, a vice president of a bank in the northern province of Shaanxi and a delegate to the local legislature, was reported last month to hold more than 20 houses worth nearly one billion yuan ($160 million), using four different residence permits and three identity cards. She was detained by police Monday on suspicion of “forging official documents and stamps”, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The cases have sparked mounting criticism in Chinese social media over rampant graft and high home prices that are running out of reach of the average citizen. “(I) finally realised that in China, properties are forever in the hands of a tiny number of people,” said a user of China’s Twitter-like Sina Weibo. [AFP]

China police chief accused of having at least 192 houses

Chinese police chief is alleged to have had at least 192 houses and a fake identity card, state media said, the latest in a number of similar cases that have sparked outrage online. Zhao Haibin, a senior police official in Lufeng in the southern province of Guangdong, was reported by a businessman to have accumulated the properties under his name and his company’s, the Guangzhou Daily said.

Detonate

outh Korean President Lee Myung-Bak believes North Korea could detonate multiple devices when it goes ahead with a nuclear test expected in the coming weeks or even days. In an interview published Tuesday in the Chosun Ilbo daily, the outgoing president also acknowledged the huge challenge the international community faces in seeking to wean Pyongyang off its nuclear weapons programme.

Deficit

oubts have begun creeping in on whether or not the Bureau of Customs (BOC) could deliver its revised collection target for this year of P340 billion, as it seemed to have started on the wrong foot with its P2.2-billion deficit in January. Initial collection records from the BOC showed that it flopped in its collections in the first month of the year P24.454 billion, off its target mark by over P2 billion.

EDGEDAVAO

This photo taken on February 3, 2013 shows paramilitary police marching through the downtown area of Chongqing. A Chinese police chief is alleged to have had at least 192 houses and a fake identity card, state media said, the latest in a number of similar cases that have sparked outrage online.

Pressure

Radar

ressure mounted Tuesday on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to respond to a surprise offer of talks by his main political opponents aimed at ending warfare in which tens of thousands of people have died. Assad himself has yet to comment on the offer from Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, leader of Syria’s opposition National Coalition, but pro-regime Al-Watan newspaper described it as a political “maneuver” that comes two years too late.

Chinese vessel pointed a type of radar normally used to help guide missiles at a Japanese navy ship near disputed East China Sea islets, prompting the Japanese government to lodge a protest with China, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Tuesday. The incident happened on January 30, the defence minister later said. A long-simmering row over the islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, has in recent months escalated to the point where both have scrambled fighter jets while patrol ships shadow each other in nearby seas.

Historic

ahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Cairo on Tuesday, marking the first visit to Egypt by an Iranian president since Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, Egyptian television footage showed. Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Morsi welcomed Ahmadinejad at Cairo airport as he disembarked from the plane, the footage showed.

Sentenced court in Beijing

has sentenced 10 people to up to two years in jail for illegally detaining petitioners from another city, state media reported on Tuesday, in a rare case of the judiciary taking on the shadowy men who operate on the margins of the law. Petitioning officials has deep roots in China, where courts are seen as beyond the reach of ordinary people. Petitioners often try to take local disputes ranging from land grabs to corruption to higher levels in the capital Beijing.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 240 •WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

Borrow... FFROM 1

According to Konishi, “The PDF was held on perfect timing because we are finalizing the country-partnership strategy and the volume of lending on the package is based on how much Secretary Purisima will tell us he is willing to borrow or raise.” “And we can bring in as much as he (Purisima) wants,” Konishi added, followed by a loud “Wow!” from Purisima who, however, made it clear that the PDF is not an avenue for pledging sessions or for planning for new programs, but “merely” to let multilateral and bilateral partners be aware of the direction of the Philippine Government so that investors will be able to “better” position themselves. “PDF also aims to assure partners of the steps being adopted by the country to address constraints to investment and growth,” Purisima added. “But certainly there are indications that our development partners can in fact complement and supplement what our government is doing, and that is very important because what will happen now is instead of our development partners going their own ways without any coordination with na-

Villar...

tional government, there will now be a more cohesive approach to our partnership and greater focus on development partnership for the next three years.” he said. Konoshi complemented this clarification saying that the discussions being done in the PDF are on how the government will be able to create a “level playing field” for investors. “This way, there will be open competition and the private sector will be interested in putting more money in the country because they know that there is fair competition and they know the kind of returns they will get from their investments,” he added. Konoshi challenged the government to be very smart on how to structure deals to help the private sectors determine which ones are interesting investments and which ones are not. “But I think the government is doing an excellent job in this,” Konoshi said as he pointed to the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) which had only P300 million in savings in 2011, but now has P12 billion, as an example. Konoshi also commended the nation say-

ing, “The Philippines is no longer the “sick man of East Asia” but the “rising tiger” because there is macroeconomic stability, and the fiscal situation of the government is sound and improving.” Purisima also pointed out the “very Interesting” framework presented by former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Cielito Habito in one of the sessions where he said, “if you want to know if the watermelon is ripe, you have to ‘PiTiK’ it.” PiTiK stands for Presyo, Trabaho, Kita, (price, job and profit). In the presentation, Habito reported that in 2004-2009 there was a 5.8 inflation rate in the country, but with the two years and eight month run of the Aquino Administration, the inflation went down to 3.8. Also in the report was that from 2004-2009, there were 766,000 jobs generated, but during the two years and eight month run of the Aquino Administration, there 856,000 jobs generated. While the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of the Philippines from 2004 – 2009 was 4.9, it increased to 5.9 during the Aquino Administration.

Nadecor.” For its part, SAGC President and CEO, Andrew Russell stated, “the company is appreciative of the support Queensberry continues to provide through additional investment in St. Augustine as we continue to move the King-king project forward.” While the internal issues within Nadecor are being resolved, SAGC continues to actively participate

in community development projects benefiting Pantukan and Compostela Valley. Most recently SAGC provided rescue and relief assistance to the victims of Typhoon Pablo on four occasions in three different municipalities. The investment by Queensberry into SAGC will be used for general working capital as the company continues its efforts to develop the King-king project.

FFROM 2

chairman Conrado T. Calalang, some minority shareholders led by Jose T. Ricafort continue to defy the court order. This, according to an insider, could be one of the reasons why the Villar group has held off on further investments with Nadecor. “(Queensberry) would obviously want to protect their investment, and until this issue is resolved it is not likely that they would put in additional money with

Int’l...

FFROM 2

congressman who became House chief (20082010) and House majority leader (2004 to 2007). In a tribute article, Superbrands has noted that the young Nograles authored several measures approved on Third Reading, such as HB 4512, creating 3 additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in Davao City; HB 5977, creating the Philippine Trade Representative Office; and HB 6052, strengthening the Juvenile Justice System in the

Philippines. He is also one of the co-authors of RA 10168 or the Terrorism Financing and Suppression Act of 2012 and HB 4575, encouraging corporate social responsibility. Superbrands also said that “as a first term congressman, Karlo has focused on five priority areas of development namely Education, Health, Livelihood, Barangay Electrification and Infrastructure.” Superbrands also took note that foremost on

this development agenda of Nograles is education. “His program Oplan Kaalam currently supports full tuition and fees of 4,538 students enrolled at the state-owned University of Southeastern Philippines and 373 students of the University of the Philippines – Mindanao. It also provides tuition fee assistance to 2,200 students enrolled in various private colleges and universities of Davao City,” the prestigious group wrote.

WB urges PHL government to increase infra-spending T HE World Bank is encouraging the Philippine government to increase its infrastructure spending if it wants to realize its goal of achieving inclusive development for the people. Motoo Konishi, country director of the World Bank and co-chair of the Philippine Development Forum in a press briefing Tuesday, said infrastructure spending by government needs to increase from 2.6 percent to 5 percent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 2016. He said that over many decades, economic growth did not benefit the majority of the population, did not create decent jobs for all and did not lift lagging regions out of poverty. “We believe this is

the reason why inclusive growth is at the core of President Benigno S. Aquino’s Social Contract with the Filipino people,” Konishi said. The one and a half day-forum focused on the government’s agenda for inclusive growth. Konishi said government spending on infrastructure needs to go up by 5 percent or even higher to help the economy grow faster. He said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Singson has mentioned that the contracts are out for all the Public investment Program they manage which means construction are set to start. “This will maximize

the amount of spending in infrastructure and will further encourage inclusive development. What is needed for more inclusive development is better infrastructure,” he said. He said a coherent and efficient intermodal transport roadmap with backbone links to growth areas needs to be adopted through close coordination of line agencies such as DPWH and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). “For Mindanao there is a need to augment the stimulus funds for infrastructure development of power, roads and ports to reap the dividends of peace stability,” he said. [PIA 11/ Lovely A. Carillo]

Philippines has a strong focus on reducing disaster risk and enhance preparedness across the country,” Tweddell said. Secretary Mary Ann Lucille Sering of the Climate Change Commission explained that the project will extend technical assistance in enhancing the two provincial governments multi-hazard maps in coordination with the other agencies such as Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) and Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) taking into consideration the climate change projections. “We should prepare our communities

against these events by mainstreaming disaster risk management and climate change adaptation into relevant planning and decision-making processes from the national to the city and municipality levels,” Sering added. The Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the agreement was signed yesterday by Secretary Sering, Vice-Governor Ramil Gentugaya of Compostela Valley and Governor Corazon Malanyaon of Davao Oriental. Those who witnessed the signing were Ambassador Bill Tweddell, Luiza Carvalho, resident representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Toshihiro Tanaka, Country Director of UNDP in the Philippines.

In a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in January, an additional 1.4 million Filipino households rated themselves “mahirap.” The SWS poll, which was conducted on Dec. 8 to 11, indicated that 54 percent of respondents or 10.9 million Filipino households considered themselves poor. This is higher than the 47 percent or 9.5 million Filipino families recorded in August 2012. The young lawmaker also noted that while the

salary of minimum wage earners have remained the same, the prices of basic goods and services such as food and utilities rise every year. “Our minimum wage earners practically have no respite from the continuous increase in the price of basic goods and services. So before the Aquino administration flaunts its economic gains, it must first examine whether these have really trickled down to the people.”

Climate change...

FFROM 1

Cagayan de Oro and Iligan following the onslaught of Typhoon Sendong in 2011, will now be providing support to the provinces of Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley in Region 11. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said yesterday at a press conference at The Marco Polo Davao that the project will help enhance Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental to take into consideration climate change projections. “Disaster drives people to poverty and threaten sustainable economic development and the Australian government understands that humanitarian assistance is not enough and this is why Australia’s aid program in the

JV Ejercito Estrada...

FFROM 2 pines posted a 6.5 percent increase in its gross domestic product (GDP)--the sum of goods and services produced within the country’s borders--in January to September 2012. “President Aquino and his Cabinet should also ask the 10.9 million Filipino households who considered themselves poor in an SWS survey whether the 6.6 percent economic growth in 2012 had an impact on their lives,” said Ejercito Estrada.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

Realty

FOR SALE:

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NOTICE OF LOSS This is to inform the public that one booklet of CTFSI Official Receipt bearing series number 780021 to 780050 issued to Gelbert T. Tizon was lost. Any transaction entered into using the said OR’s is considered null and void.

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SPORTS 13

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 240 •WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

Thunder scorch Mavs 112-91 O

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 4: Russell Westbrook (0) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a layup againsy Shawn Marion (0) of the Dallas Mavericks at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

KLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- After two desperation shots and two overtime thrillers, the Oklahoma City Thunder were done playing close games against the Dallas Mavericks. Russell Westbrook scored 24 points, Kevin Durant had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Thunder blew out Dallas 112-91 Monday night while avoiding a third straight overtime game between the teams. ‘’The last time they came in here, they hit us in the mouth early,’’ Durant said. ‘’And I just told the guys that we’ve got to be the first hitter tonight and we’ve got to come out with a lot of energy, and I think we did that.’’ The Mavericks had tied the first two meetings this season with 3-pointers at the very end, but there was no such drama the third time around. Oklahoma City led by at least 20 throughout the second half, winning for the 10th time in 11 meetings between the teams since Dallas beat the Thunder in the 2011 Western Conference finals on its way to the NBA championship. That includes a fourgame sweep of the Mavs in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Shawn Marion was the lone bright spot for Dallas, hitting 10 of 14 shots and scoring 23 points. Dirk

Nowitzki had 10 points on 3-for-11 shooting after missing the previous two games with a right adductor strain. The Mavericks finished a four-game road trip 1-3, and now head home for their next five games - their second-longest stretch at the American Airlines Center. ‘’We don’t have any excuses. At this point, that would be lame to blame it on that,’’ said coach Rick Carlisle, who was denied in his first chance to earn his 500th career win. ‘’We got two days of rest. We were in Phoenix for a couple days. Supposedly that air makes you feel better.’’ He said the absence of reserve Vince Carter, who was out sick and missed his first game all season, was a factor, but ‘’we’ve got to play better, too.’’ ‘’When you put these guys on the open floor with catastrophic turnovers, they’re going to make you look bad. I think that was it more than anything,’’ Carlisle said. Kevin Martin chipped in 17 points off the bench for Oklahoma City, which rested its starters in the fourth quarter and got some playing time for seldom-used reserves Perry Jones III and Daniel Orton. The Thunder have alternated wins and losses for their past nine games, and have lost two in a row only once this season.

Knicks rout Pistons

EW YORK (AP) -The toughest part of Tyson Chandler’s night was the postgame interview. The California native and San Francisco 49ers fan, who had just tied a franchise record with his third straight 20-rebound game, was forced to face the media wearing a Ravens Super Bowl champion hat, payment of a lost bet with Baltimore fan Carmelo Anthony. ‘’That made my day. You just don’t know,’’ said Anthony, who stood across the locker room and watched Chandler’s interview with a smile. ‘’It was a good day for me, it just was a coincidence that he had three games with 20 rebounds. That picture will be everywhere.’’ That’s about all that hasn’t gone Chandler’s way lately. The veteran center added another highlight to his first All-Star season, Anthony scored 27 points, and the New York Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons 99-85 on Monday night for their fifth consecutive victory. In a game that was decided early, Chandler played long enough to grab

his 20th rebound midway through the fourth quarter. After grabbing 20 in victories on Friday and Saturday night, he became the first Knicks player to have 20 in three straight games since Hall of Famer Willis Reed in December 1969. ‘’That’s what I expect,’’ Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. ‘’He can’t tease me. He’s done it three straight games, so I’m expecting it the fourth game.’’ Chandler has been on a tear since Woodson bluntly told him that he wasn’t playing the kind of complete basketball that’s expected of a player of his stature. ‘’He called me into his office and he said, ‘You’re an All-Star, you need to start playing like it. The last thing you want is people questioning that,’’ Chandler said. ‘’The next night, I had a different focus about me.’’ Two nights after being held to nine points, snapping his franchise single-season record of 31 games in a row with 20 or more, Anthony matched that total in the first quarter and shot 10 of 17 from the field.

14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Azkals play Myanmar tonight A

Jason De Jong will be suiting up for the Azkals tonight.

German coach to handle Phl grassroots football Azkals regular keeper Neil Etheridge is high on the list of prospects for the Philippines Under-23 squad.

HE country’s grassroots football program will now be under the watch of a new foreign coach. Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta said that the German government and the German Football Association (DFB) will fund the stint of football coach Thomas Roy in the Philippines. The German national will assist in identifying local football talents nationwide and establishing a youth football system. “That’s a big plus for us because the German youth system is probably the best in the world,” Araneta said. “This guy is one of the architects of the program.” Roy’s contract will last for two years and could be extended for another two years, Araneta said.

Roy has had coaching stints in various clubs and youth programs in Germany after retiring from his playing career as a goalkeeper in 2002. He currently serves as the goalkeeping coach of the Bavarian Football Association and the DFB base coordinator for West Bavaria . The PFF hopes for the arrival of Roy this March for him to start his stint early, Araneta said. Araneta said that Roy’s hiring is only the first step toward developing grassroots football in the country, which started last year through KASIBULAN program. Aside from having a new coach at the youth level, the PFF is also planning to establish centers of football excellence across the country to further hone the skills of select players.

German coach Thomas Roy will be handling the grassroots program of the PFF.

youth-laden Philippines side tries to hit two birds with one stone when it takes on Myanmar in Yangon in its first friendly of the year tonight. The Azkals and White Angels collide at 6:30 p.m. (Manila time) in a dual-purpose match intended for the preparations of both the senior squad’s Asian Football Confederation Challenge Cup qualifiers campaign next month and the 23-and-under team’s stint in the Southeast Asian Games in December. It will be the first match between the Philippines and Myanmar since the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup group stage in Thailand last November. OJ Porteria, Jeff Christiaens, Jason de Jong, Marwin and Marvin Angeles, and Matt Uy are expected to compose the core of the 23-and-under team for the biennial meet late this year. The two other players eligible for the SEA

Games squad are European-based standouts Neil Etheridge and Manny Ott. Etheridge, who plays for Fulham in the English Premier League, is expected to be the man between the posts, while Germany-based Ott is slated to start at midfield. Phil and James Younghusband, Chieffy Caligdong, Rob Gier, Patrick Reichelt, are expected to join them in the starting XI. The Azkals, whose 2-0 win over Myanmar at the Supachalasai Stadium last November secured their second-straight entry to the Suzuki Cup semifinals, will be without one of that game’s goal scorers in Angel Guirado. Also out of the lineup are Denis Wolf, Paul Mulders, Dennis Cagara, and Ray Jonsson. Ed Sacapaño, Chris Greatwich, Ian Araneta, Ref Cuaresma, Roel Gener, and Boogie Margarse complete the 19-man Azkals lineup against Myanmar, which will be missing the services of start right winger Kyi Lin.

UDDENLY, Juan Manuel Marquez is singing a different tune. The 39-year-old Mexican came out and said he is no longer interested in making a fifth fight with longtime rival Manny Pacquiao. Quoted by BoxingScene writer Miguel Rivera, the Mexican said, “I think for me, there is no point (in a fifth fight). We already achieved the desired result. Then why do it.” Marquez is coming off a stunning sixth-round knockout of Pacquiao in their welterweight fight two months ago, one which saw the Philippine boxing pride get hit by a vicious counter right and falling face-first into the canvas. In the aftermath of the fight, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum didn’t discount the possibility of the two rivals meeting again in a fifth bout, which he guarantees would certainly be the biggest as far as the careers of both fighters is concerned. Pacquiao is likewise amenable to fighting Marquez anew, with September being eyed as the likely date.

For a while, Marquez contemplated about finally hanging his gloves following the remarkable victory. But he has since changed his mind, and appeared ready to fight at least another match. Unfortunately, Pacquiao lo longer seemed part of his plan. “I also asked several people, several friends that I have around me, and they told me not to do it, that there is no point in a fifth fight,” said the Mexican, who has a ring record of 55-6-1, with 40 KOs. In his first three meetings with the `Pacman,’ Marquez drew once and lost twice by decision – a split and majority -- with both losses contested as not a few believed the Mexican won over his Filipino rival. Marquez has vowed before their fourth meeting that he’ll no longer leave his fate in the hands of the judges, guaranteeing he’s going for a clear knockout against Pacquiao which he did in style. “I said before the fourth fight that no matter how this fight ends, there can not be a fifth,” he said.

Marquez: No th more 5 fight S

INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 240• WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

STYLE

All aboard Orbrigado! 2013 MARTISH MARKETING CO. (MMC), the exclusive sub-distributor of Havaianas in South East Mindanao, opens the year with a nautical themed get together. Dubbed as Obrigado - which is Thank You in Portuguese, the language used in Brazil – is MMC’s annual thanksgiving event for their media partners. “The nautical theme stands for a new journey that will take us to the next 10, 20, or 50 more colorful and stylish years,” said MMC Managing Director and event host, Margarita Nograles. “This time, we are focused on improving our retail stores, the focal point of every Havaianatico’s brand experience. We aim to make every customer’s visit a happier and rewarding shopping experience.” The success story of Havaianas has inspired

many in the fashion and business sectors. Their flip flop designs are inspired by the Japanese sandal (zori) and the sunny and relaxed Hawaiian culture. This twist in design proved to be a genius move as the products stood out and revolutionized the “poor man’s shoes” to becoming a wardrobe staple even for the rich and fa-

From its humble beginnings in Brazil, the Havaianas brand grew to become the world’s most loved flip-flops.

mous. From its humble beginnings in Brazil, the Havaianas brand grew to become the world’s most loved flip-flops. In 2005, two young entrepreneurs in Davao, cousins Marga Nograles and Tisha Dominguez, got the exclusive sub-distributorship of Havaianas in South East Mindanao under their own joint business venture, Martish Marketing Company. Since then, the influence and following of the brand extended significantly even in cities outside of Davao region. Marga shares, “We have been blessed abundantly these last 7 years. As we enter our 8th year in this business, we remember the devastation in Compostella Valley and Davao Oriental. As our way of giving back, we are donating a percentage of all our

first quarter Havaianas sales to relief operations aimed at community rehabilitation, health, sanitation, and education. We continue to count our blessings and work together for a better South East Mindanao.”

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

VOL.5 ISSUE 240 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

UP AND ABOUT

HEALTH

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This is why we invite you to TASTE THE LOVE yourselves, and enjoy 50% OFF at ALL your favourite Bistro Group restaurants with your Citibank credit card. Dine for a minimum of P2,500 at Friday’s, Italianni’s, Krazy Garlic and Bulgogi Brothers and get half of your bill OFF. This promo is valid from February 4 to 7, 2013, Monday to Thursdays. So visit your nearest Bistro Group Restaurant today to taste the love.

SM Affiliates- Ace Hardware and SM Store extend assistance to Pablo victims LAST January 23, through SM Foundation Inc., SM affiliates Ace Hardware and SM Store extended assistance to the victims of typhoon Pablo in Compostela, Compostela Valley.

Ace Hardware turned over construction tools and building materials to Barangay San Miguel in Compostela. The donation which consisted of paint, claw bars, hammers, wood saws, heavy duty pliers, chisels, water containers and crowbars was received by Barangay Captain Harry Cabiling. Residents of the barangay may borrow the tools from the office of the barangay captain. “These materials from SM and Ace Hardware will definitely help our barangay rebuild our community. We are very grateful for all the help SM has extended to Compostela,” Cabiling said. A total of 141 families in the same barangay also received water jugs from SM Foundation and Ace. On the same day, the SM Store distributed 500 packs of mats, blankets and mosquito nets at Barangay Ngan. “Daghang salamat sa SM! Makatabang gyud ni, labaw na sige og ulan karong simana (Thank you, SM! This will help a lot especially that it has been raining again this week),” a resident of Barangay Ngan expressed her gratitude to the donors. In December 2012, SM Foundation, also headed by assistant vice president for Livelihood and Outreach Cristie Angeles deployed 6500 “kalinga” relief packs in Compostela, New Bataan, Monkayo and Montevista. The recent distribution was made possible with the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development XI, the Naval Force of Eastern Mindanao and SM Supermalls. Valentine’s is just around the corner and love is already in the air! SM Accessories offers 50% off, and freebies on selected items from Brilliant Gems, Italina, Karisma, Karutora, Klad with Gold and Silver, and Trends. Promo period is from February 1 to February 28, at ground floor, SM Accessories. Hurry and treat your special someone with glamorous jewelry!

6 ways to stay motivated to quit smoking IF YOU quit smoking recently, you probably knew exactly what your reason was at the time. Maybe you wanted to get serious about your health, set a good example for the kids, or save all the money you’ve been spending on cigarettes. But now that some time has passed, you might be ready for a fresh infusion of motivation. That’s when these quit-smoking tips come in handy.

Below are six surprisingly effective ways to renew your commitment to giving up smoking. Some may not apply to you, but others might help you stay tobacco-free for good. Focus on Fido or Fluffy Secondhand smoke can be as harmful for pets as it is for nonsmoking human friends. According to the American Legacy Foundation, exposure to smoke has been linked to nasal cancer and lung cancer in dogs and lymphoma in cats, among other effects. In one survey, 28%

of smokers said knowing that their habit was hurting their pets would spur them to quit. Create a long-term budget In a study published last year in the journal Addiction, smokers whose saving and spending plans stretched ahead more than a few months were more likely to quit smoking than those whose plans reached only into the next week. The reason? Long-term budgeters were more focused on the future, which may have helped them think about the health consequences of continuing to smoke. Think of your future kids While you’re focusing on tomorrow, consider this: Whether you’re male or female, smoking may jeopardize future children even before conception. In women, smoking increases the risk of infertility, accelerates reproductive aging, and makes eggs more prone to genetic abnormalities, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine

(ASRM). In men, the ASRM says that smoking reduces sperm count and motility and increases sperm abnormalities. Plus, a study published last year in the FASEB Journal showed that men who smoke can damage the genetic information they pass along. These genetic changes could increase the risk for childhood cancer and other diseases in their offspring. Stay physically active Regular exercise is often recommended to help manage stress or prevent weight gain after quitting smoking. But those aren’t the only ways it helps. A recent analysis of the combined results of several studies showed that moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking or cycling, also helps tame nicotine cravings. Maybe that’s why physical activity decreases the risk of having a smoking relapse. Eat your fruits and veggies In a recent study, researchers from the University at Buffalo found that

eating more fruits and vegetables helps people who are trying to quit smoking stay tobacco-free. One possible explanation: The fiber in these foods makes people feel full. Because many people confuse hunger with a craving to smoke, that might lead to less desire for a cigarette. Practice mindfulness Mindfulness involves fully focusing your attention on here-and-now experience, noticing and accepting it without judging it. In a study from Yale University School of Medicine, 88 volunteers who wanted to quit smoking were randomly assigned to eight sessions of either a mindfulness class or a standard quit-smoking program. Four months later, 31% of those in the mindfulness group were still tobaccofree, compared to only 6% in the standard program. It seemed that mindfulness helped people notice and accept nicotine cravings without reacting to them. Each time people successfully rode out a craving, the intense urge to smoke grew a little weaker.

Dangers of sleep deprivation MANY people face sleep deprivation every day. In fact, 30 percent of employed adults in the United States are chronically sleep-deprived, says the Examiner.

Whether it’s due to a hectic work and school schedule, medical problems or a busy social life, lack of rest has a detrimental effect on one’s health. According to an article on the ABCNews website, “In a 2010 study published in the journal Sleep, researchers at the West Virginia University School of Medicine reviewed data from 30,397 people who had participated in the 2005 National Health Interview Study. They discovered that those sleeping fewer than

7 hours a night were at increased risk of heart disease. In particular, women under 60 who sleep 5 hours or fewer a night have twice the risk for developing heart disease.” In addition to cardiac disease, stroke risks are higher for those who don’t get an adequate amount of sleep as well. The USA Today website published a study which found that the risk for stroke in those who get less than six hours of sleep is four times higher than in those who sleep the recommended eight hours a night. A different article on the ABCNews site about the topic says, “Sporadic and irregular sleep can raise blood sugar levels and slow the body’s metabolism, in-

creasing the risk of obesity and diabetes, according to an April 2012 study published in Science Translational Medicine.” In addition, tired people are more likely to make bad choices in regards to food, because they more often crave sugary and high calorie foods. Besides feeling drowsy or unable to focus, mental health is also impacted by inadequate sleep. Depression is more common in people who don’t sleep enough, because the emotional functioning is impacted when a person doesn’t rest enough. ABCNews quotes Andrea Goldstein, a study author at the University of California at Berkeley as saying, “Our results suggest

that just one night of sleep loss significantly alters the optimal functioning of this essential brain process, especially among anxious individuals.” This impacts an individual’s personal and professional relationships and ability to function in either setting. Sleep deprivation often starts early on in life but it is important to manage it as much as possible. Creating a sleep schedule with a set bedtime can help increase the amount of hours a person sleeps. The most important thing to remember is that if you are having sleep issues, or have concerns about your sleep habits, seek the help of a professional who can assist you further.

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EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

2013 Oscars:

Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman & more gather for nominees luncheon THE Academy Awards annual Nominees Luncheon today has made us hungrier than ever for this year’s Oscars.

Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Steven Spielberg, Naomi Watts, Robert De Niro, Jessica Chastain are just a smidgen of the nominees who gathered this afternoon for the yearly soiree at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. So what down at the invite-only event? First, the nominated actors, directors, producers, costume designers and so on walked the red carpet to take solo pics before heading to answer questions from the media press conference style. Then it was time to drink and eat in the ballroom. Servers handed out glasses of red drinks in champagne and martini glasses. Producer Frank Marshall served as guest DJ. After the salad course, this year’s Academy Awards producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron

outlined some of the rules for the show. In short, winners need to do it fast and keep it short! “We need your help,” Zadan said. “Honestly, we need your help to keep the pacing of the show energized. Please get to the stage quickly. You will have 45 seconds to speak. That begins the moment you hit the microphone.” Zadan also asked that nominees prepare. “You’re talking to over a billion people in over 225 countries,” he said. Yikes! After the second course (pistachio-crusted sea bass with veggies!), each nominee in attendance was called one-by-one (and and in no particular order) to riser at the front of the ballroom. Lincoln producer and new Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy was the first to be called. Sally Field laughed with a man next to her that she couldn’t see over the head of the man in front of her. Jackman extended a hand to Chastain as she carefully stepped onto

the riser. Joaquin Phoenix let out a little “boo” as his name was called. Tommy Lee Jones received some of the biggest applause, as did Beasts of the Southern Wild best actress nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, who gave a high-five to Academy president Hawk Koch. Steven Spielberg was the last to be called. He squeezed in next to Helen Hunt. After the almost 30-minute roll call, the annual “class picture” was taken. About five shots were snapped from a remote camera hanging from the ceiling before waiters marched in with trays of champagne and desserts (cheesecake pops, orange tarts, tuxedo strawberries and macaroons!). After some more schmoozing, nominees made their way to a separate area to pick up their official Certificate of Nomination and an Oscars sweatshirt. See you at the 85th annual Academy Awards!

Robert De Niro immortalized in cement at iconic Chinese Theatre in Hollywood FORGET “You talking to me?” The better question here is, “What took so long?”

Robert De Niro was finally immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood when the legendary actor placed his hands, feet and signature in cement on Monday. “You know, Joe Pesci always said I’d end up with my feet in cement,” De Niro told the crowd following some kind words spoken by Billy Crystal and Silver Linings Playbook director David O. Russell. “I don’t think this is what he had in mind.”

The honor comes in the wake of the two-time Oscar winner’s most recent Academy Award nomination for his supporting work in Playbook. Not to mention on the, er, heels of an extensive career that includes such films as Mean Streets, The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino. Just to name a few, of course. Following the ceremony, 69-year-old De Niro told E! News: “It was fun, it was great.” Not to mention, well deserved.

INdulge! A3

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

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STYLE

The red report at SM WITH Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day on the horizon, we will literally be seeing red in a lot of fashion choices.

Drama in Ruby. One-shoulder sequinned top worn with cropped pants.

Red, after all, was the IT shade that stood out in every fall collection in the fashion capitals of the world. Giambattista Valli’s scarlet, Lanvin and Calvin Klein’s tomato red, Marc Jacob’s multi red combinations, and Jil Sander’s cherry red ruled the runways; while crimson, ruby, and oxblood red numbers stole the scene at show after show. SM brings runway red to the racks with its latest Ladies Collection with pieces that celebrate everything that is sexy, strong, and radiant. Paint the town red with this exciting crimson mix - from sleek, tailored numbers to figure-flaunting, sensual pieces that evoke drama, glamour, and elegance. SM Ladies Fashion’s Red Collection is available at the SM Store. Available at the SM Store. Photography by Raymond Celestino of Edge of Light Of Wine and Roses. Lace overlay dress.

Seeing Red. Mini jersey dress.

Scarlet Fever. ¾ sleeved button-down shirt and lace skirt.

Crimson Tide. Shapely v-back dress with Very Cherry. Maxi dress with overlap bodice. embellished neckline.

Red Alert. Tailored jacket worn with slim cut cropped pants.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 240 •WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2013

SPORTS 15

Greatest Super Bowl ever? N

EW ORLEANS – It shaped up as a one-sided game, threatened to become a farce once the lights went out and eventually turned into a Super Bowl that was proclaimed as the greatest of them all. Even in the middle of the wild celebrations enjoyed by the Baltimore Ravens, there was a sense that this extraordinary team of battlers buoyed by the spirit of the departing Baltimore Ravens defensive end Arthur Jones (97) kisses the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San FrancisRay Lewis, had taken part co 49ers 34-31 in the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game. in something that will go down in NFL folklore. Terrell Suggs would be the first to admit he is not a man known for delicate speech, but as his colleagues hugged and danced and the celebratory cigars were handed out, the 10-year veteran linebacker gave some measured thoughts on why this game was one for the ages. It was the greatest [Super Bowl] ever,” Suggs told Yahoo! Sports. “It was everything you could ask for. If you are the champion, you’re going to think it is the greatest no matter what. “But look at what you had. You had a great story. You had our team just going out there and taking it. You had touchdowns. You had great plays. You Celebrity singer Beyonce performs the halftime show.

had crazy stuff going on. You had touchdowns. You had defense. You had tackles. And you had the right winner. This is what we worked for and this is what we got.” Suggs’ tone was very different from his outburst following Baltimore’s road victory over the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game, loudly telling the Patriots to “enjoy the Pro Bowl” and mocking their “arrogance.” The Ravens’ early scoring burst and Jacoby Jones’ kickoff return to start the second half opened up a 28-6 lead for Baltimore, which looked to have iced the contest. However, Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick started to find his rhythm in the third quarter, and back-to-back touchdowns set up a thrilling final quarter. This was the highest-scoring Super Bowl since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 48-21 defeat of the Oakland Raiders in 2003 and provided yet another exhilarating conclusion to the NFL season. Records also were set: Jones’ 108yard kickoff return was the longest ever in a Super Bowl; his 290 total yards were the most ever in a Super Bowl; and this was the longest Super Bowl ever at

4 hours, 14 minutes. “Was it great?” Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said. “Well, it is hard to see how it could be greater. Winning the Super Bowl is what it is all about. You can’t pick and choose how you want to win it. “But to win it against a great team and a great coach – that is just about as good as it gets.” For Baltimore, nothing could have been sweeter than sending off Lewis into retirement with a Super Bowl ring adorning his finger. Yet even the Niners could not deny that they taken part in an outstanding game of football. “It was one heck of a game,” Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We battled back right to the brink of winning. Our guys battled, they competed, we got a spark, and we weren’t going to look back from there.” However, Super Bowl XLVII MVP Joe Flacco admitted he would have happily accepted a one-sided victory rather than having to nervously endure the 49ers’ spirited revival. “It is unbelievable,” Flacco said. “We don’t make it easy. That is the way the city of Baltimore is, and that’s the way we are.”

16 SPORTS

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EDGEDAVAO

JR. NBA. Young players perform the drills in the Jr. NBA Clinic on Sunday at the Ateneo de Davao University Gym. The camp is presented by Alaska and hosted in Davao by Phoenix Petroleum. (Phoenix)

2 DFA U16 Girls bootfest set nd

By Neil Bravo

HE 2nd DFA Under-16 Girls Football Tournament gets going on February 9 at Faith Academy Football Field. DFA Women’s Committee chair Ching delos Reyes said the tournament, open to school varsity and club teams, will run from February 9 until March 16. The tournament is

open to girls born January 1, 1996 and younger, with each team are allowed to field five 1994-born players but only three 1994 reinforcements can play at the same time in every game. Each team can register a maximum of 22 players and 3 officials. All teams are required to submit their official line-up and their players’

photocopy of NSO birth certificate or passport. Deadline of submission will be on or before February 9, 2013. Registration fee is P3,000 per team. Teams will play 11-a-side games in a single round robin format. After the elimination, the top 2 teams will play the championships while 3rd and 4th rank teams will play for 3rd place. A team

needs nine players to play a game prior and during a match. Flying substitution will be implemented. The DFA Women’s Committee is composed of Atty. Janice Celestial, Krishna Hernandez-Balaga, Reynalyn Ranada-Ravanes, Kharlla Sol Cruz, Keith Shelly Canton, Susan Palad, Alex Adolfo, Michael Co, and Buboy Arrieta.

Solido FC, Instatech sweep doubleheader

U LT I - T I T L E D Solido FC swept its Matchday 1 doubleheader to take

the early lead in the DFC League Tournament over the weekend at the Davao Crocodile Park field.

Solido was joined at the top by Instatech Dragons with two wins in as many outings in the

opening day of the season-opening tournament of the Davao Football Community. Solido and Instatech are on top of the 12-team field with six points. Davao Crocodile Park and KMMPC are bunched in second place with 4 points each after winning one match and drawing another. De Boerderij and Tough D are tied with 3 points apiece with a 1-win 1-loss record. Intangibles and M7 United both drew their opening day assignments to notch 2 points each while Belisario FC and Fil-Chi Amoc each had 1 point to show after a 1-draw 1-loss showing. Real Davao and Davao Agila FC brought up the rear with 2 losses. The league resumes this Sunday with 12 matches on tap. [NEIL BRAVO]